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Rufus Dalton

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While staying in winter positions near the Maginot Line, FO Rufus Dalton tried going out on patrol, just to see what it was like. Nervous is what it was like. In March of 1945, it became a game of chase the Germans for the men of the 100th Infantry Division. It was at the city of Heilbronn that the enemy turned and made a stand. Part 1 of 2. (5:17)

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It was a fierce week long battle for the city of Heilbronn. Even though they were only delaying the inevitable, the Germans weren't beat, yet. Forward Observer Rufus Dalton went into the demolished city looking for a rifle company he was instructed to find. It was an eerie setting with the city in flames all around him. Part 2 of 2. (5:55)

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The action was just about over when mortar Section Leader Rufus Dalton and his men holed up in a German house. He had seen a house burn from a German rocket so he ordered his men to dig foxholes, which they weren't crazy about. Then the war was over. After a bit of occupation duty, he went home on the same ship as his brother. (4:44)

Russell Vaudrey

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After some hard times growing up on a ranch in Wyoming, Russell Vaudrey was going to college and working for United Airlines. The war had just broken out and he wanted to get into the Army Air Corps. He enlisted in 1942 and was soon working on the line as a mechanic. (5:26)

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Russell Vaudrey had joined the Army Air Corps and was almost immediately taking care of airplanes at a training base for air cadets. When it came time to go overseas, he got some quick combat training and boarded a Liberty Ship bound for New Guinea. He bought some t-shirts for the bare breasted natives but he had to laugh when he saw what they did with them. (4:37)

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The B-24 squadron on Biak Island was a tight knit outfit. Mechanic Russell Vaudrey signed up for combat duty, which meant he would fly as a substitute flight engineer or gunner when needed. While performing his duties on the ground, he managed to get a plum job as assistant to the line chief. (3:51)

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As a B-24 mechanic and flight engineer, Russell Vaudrey was witness to some spectacular crashes, including one in which he commandeered a fire truck and rescued the entire crew from the burning wreckage. Believe it or not, command had a problem with him taking the truck. (6:03)

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Russell Vaudrey listened to Tokyo Rose quite a bit while stationed in the Pacific. He had to listen to threats and suggestions that he surrender but the music was great. (1:26)

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B-24 mechanic Russell Vaudrey was flying as a substitute crew member when his plane was hit by AA fire in the Philippines. A tropical storm finished the job and they went down on the island of Panay. This began an odyssey for the three survivors during which they were sheltered and then taken to freedom by Filipino guerrillas. (8:27)

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There was a lot of powdered eggs but precious little meat for the men of the 90th Bomb Group stationed in the Pacific. When they moved to a new airfield, a nearby Navy unit would sometimes share their bounty. Liquor was another sought after item and Russell Vaudrey set out with his boss in a jeep when they heard about a possible source. (2:53)