My Name is Donald L. Smith, ball turret gunner on Lt. James C. Ray's
crew. We were the original crew assigned to aircraft #4297976 which we
named Louie De Creep. We flew about 18 missions as a lead crew in Louie
De Creep. We suffered minor damage on some missions but thankfully not
one injury of any kind. I understand your crew had the same results under
the name A Bit-O-Lace. Louie De Creep/A Bit-O-Lace was a wonderful ship
and served its crews well. I am using a friend's email address but would
be happy to correspond with anyone from those times. I intend to attend
a reunion in Y2K.
Subject:
Aircraft #4297976
Date:
Mon, 22 Mar 1999 20:14:13 -0800
From:
"Phil & Hillary Folwell" <philmar@k-online.com>
To:
<bkbates@brucentral.com>
Dear Mr. Bates:
Thanks for your nice reply re. Louie/Lace. We (the crew) acquired #4297976
as a new ship. Our first mission as lead crew was with her.
After St. Lo we flew as an 11-man crew. An extra radio was installed
and manned by a German expatriate. One more glory for Louie The Creep -
early electronic surveillance. "Louie The Creep" was a fictional character
of the author Damon Runyon, and it was my bright idea to submit the name.
The correct name is Louie The Creep not Louie De Creep!
I would be happy to hear from anyone (especially a crew member) by
snail mail or through my friend's e-mail address.
Sincerely,
Donald L. Smith
(619) 401-6757