Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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George Keating

WWII | 731st Bomb Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force

Once, when the B-17 he was responsible for was heavily damaged, crew chief George Keating stayed with the plane for 72 hours until it was fixed. His job on the ground crew was tough, but he had a really good commander and a so-so assistant. (4:35)
The B-17 could take some serious damage and still fly. Crew chief George Keating describes two miraculous returns after direct hits from the dreaded German 88. The plane was superb, yet the young pilots suffered from inexperience and there were mishaps. (3:37)
George LaMar

WWII | Multiple Units

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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:50)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (5:50)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (7:04)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:36)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:12)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:53)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (4:14)
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. (This interview made possible with the support of ANDREW DESMARAIS.) (6:50)