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Robert Powell

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There were 150 glider pilots assembled and training on the the new combat gliders in a small village in England. Bob Powell was one of these men getting ready for Operation Market Garden, the invasion of Holland. When the time came, he was startled when he saw what was being loaded into his glider.(This interview made possible with the support of ELAINE MATTHEWS.) (4:40)

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The mission started badly when Bob Powell forgot to go to the latrine ahead of a four hour flight. The flight across the English Channel was OK but once he got to the target and his glider was released, he was in trouble. The reconnaissance was wrong and his landing was in peril. (This interview made possible with the support of ELAINE MATTHEWS.) (6:28)

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His outfit was in London, but glider pilot Robert Powell wound up in North Africa after his crash landing. Since the war was winding down, no one cared about getting him back to them. He began a long waiting game and the prize was his wife waiting for him on a train platform. (This interview made possible with the support of ELAINE MATTHEWS.) (5:49)

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Bob Powell was finally sent to Officer Candidate School, thanks to a colonel he had known at the beginning of the war. He was there at the Berlin airlift and he had tours in Korea and Vietnam before he retired. It was a good career but it took a toll on his personal life. (This interview made possible with the support of ELAINE MATTHEWS.) (3:06)

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What did he learn from his experience in World War II? Bob Powell's answer is that of an old sergeant, even though he retired as an officer. He salutes his mentor Jess Guthrie, who was a sergeant when they met and a colonel when it was over. That sort of thing won't happen anymore with the requirements of the modern military. (This interview made possible with the support of ELAINE MATTHEWS.) (6:07)

Robert Purdy

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On the cusp of the Depression, Robert Purdy's father had a good job in the automobile industry in Michigan, but after the crash, employment became spotty and his family had to move several times to keep afloat. (Interview donated by Margot Smith.) Part 1 of 6. (5:14)

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Robert Purdy describes the intensely political climate during the Great Depression, which had many people embracing leftist ideals. He worked in a tool and die shop preparing for engineering school, and along with his brother Harry, an accomplished writer, began to put those ideals into action. (Interview donated by Margot Smith.) Part 2 of 6. (9:37)

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During a break from his college education, Robert Purdy and his two brothers became increasingly angry about the Nazi aggression in Europe. After Pearl Harbor, all three enlisted in the Air Corps together. He received his wings as a fighter pilot, but losses in the bomber groups required that he move into B-24's. (Interview donated by Margot Smith.) Part 3 of 6. (7:51)

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B-24 co-pilot Robert Purdy says he was scared on every mission he flew over Greece and Italy because every one drew heavy flak and German fighter attacks. During a bombing run over Vicenza, his plane was hit and the crew had to bail out. Captured almost immediately, he was transported into Germany where an uncertain fate awaited. (Interview donated by Margot Smith.) Part 4 of 6. (9:42)

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He was told he would be taken out and shot if he did not reveal information, but captured B-24 co-pilot Robert Purdy would only give his name, rank and serial number. Expecting that fate any minute, he was instead shipped by rail into Germany, where he was interred for the rest of the war. (Interview donated by Margot Smith.) Part 5 of 6. (9:19)