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Norm Kosarek

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Norm Kosarek discusses how he ended up about the USS Wright and his experiences during WWII. (9:28)

George LaMar

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George LaMar was an Army Air Corps recruit in training when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The population of the west coast was immediately put on edge by the fear of further attacks. He was put into a squadron that consisted of old, slow bombers that went out on anti-submarine patrols with a curious payload. (4:50)

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In the early days of the war, George LaMar was an engineer/gunner who was assigned to deliver British bombers to Chiang Kai-shek's forces who were battling the Japanese invaders in China. The two man crews followed a long tortuous route which included a refueling stop in an extremely remote location. Part 1 of 4. (5:50)

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It was just the pilot and him when a storm hit the plane they were ferrying to India. George LaMar, who was the flight engineer, wound up bailing out and landing in utter darkness in shallow water. With his flashlight, all he could see around him was water. Part 2 of 4. (7:04)

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George LaMar was one of two aviators stranded after bailing out near the coast of India. They found some local officials but their sign language left something to be desired. Eventually, they got organized and he stayed behind to search for the downed plane. Part 3 of 4. (4:36)

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While searching for his plane in the Indian desert, downed aviator George LaMar, was fascinated by the local camel races. He asked if he could give it a try. Part 4 of 4. (4:12)

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As an engineer/gunner on a B-25, George LaMar monitored instruments during takeoffs and landings. His squadron was based in India, with targets mostly in Burma. The Japanese were moving a lot of war material north into China. (4:53)

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His first bombing mission was memorable because of the anti-aircraft shells bursting around the plane. As the engineer/gunner on a B-25, George LaMar inspected the plane after every mission and what he found in the front wheel well was alarming. (4:14)

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The B-25 squadron had crossed into Burma when it was jumped by 25 enemy fighters. George LaMar was in the upper turret furiously raking them with fire, when the lead plane was hit and fell back. They watched as the Japanese planes pounced on the crippled bomber. Suddenly, the crew bailed out. (6:50)

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Their B-25 had developed engine trouble so they made an emergency landing at a small British air strip near the Burmese border. As the engineer, it was George LaMar's job to stay with the plane until it was repaired. It took several weeks, during which he learned that the British were great singers and that there was some dangerous wildlife around. (4:52)