Lt. Col. Mel Westbrook, 466th Bomb Group, Crew #553
Received a comment this morning on my site from the son of Pilot Mel Westbrook. My Father flew as Navigator with Westbrook on ATC Missions to Sweden during WW2. Seems that Westbrook is still alive and kicking. I'm hoping that the son will contact me with a phone # or e-mail address so our fathers can reunite, by phone at least......He commented as "anonymous" so I have no way to contact him....... He said there is a B-24 reunion in September somewhere...I wish I could get my Dad there....another link to related information is at http://555navigator.blogspot.com/Over the past couple of years I have done searches for Pilot Melvin Westbrook but have had no luck.....hopefully I'll receive a reply from Westbrook's son................
The above photo was taken by my Father in Sweden in April 1945 During their clandestine A.T.C. supply missions.
2ND. Lt. J. W. Smith , Navigator, Photo taken in Stockholm , During clandestine A.T.C. Missions into Stockholm Sweden, April 1945
Pilot, Mel Westbrook with Crew #553 during Combat Bombing operations in 1944 at Attlebridge England
2ND. Lt. J. W. Smith (Montana) of crew #555 during his 36 Mission, Combat Bombing Tour in Attlebridge England, 1944.
Posted by BMW HACKER at 12:10 PM
2 comments:
Anonymous said...
Well, I'm not Mel Westbrook's son, but I did Post. I'm his daughter :). Apple of his eye,,, my email is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. In fact, the tail gunner of this crew, Richard Chapdelaine's secretary called me today from NY to let me know you were looking for my contact info. My dad - Mel, would love to chat with your dad. Please email me asap and let's see what we can do. The reunion is in Chicago and it's all B24 crews.Look forward to hearing from you,Anne Westbrook (Walls)
July 8, 2009 4:27 PM
BMW HACKER said...
Well, Mel Westbrooks' "son" ended up being his daughter. An acquaintance of hers in N.Y. saw on my blog that I was attempting to contact her and she sent me a note.....Tonight I talked with Pilot Lt.Mel Westbrook, aged 86, and tomorrow he will visit with his old Navigator, 2ND. Lt. J. W. Smith (Dad, aged 93)) after 64 years. They last saw each other in May 1945 after their last B-24 flight together, from England to Bradley Field U.S.A. This is the 2ND. WW2 crew member of Dads' I've found in the past year via this web site.
July 9, 2009 12:05 AM
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Doug,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your link on the armyairforces' 466th BG site today. You've done a great job with the blog and I will take some time to look it over. Photo restorations are wonderful! My dad was with the 786th and 784th from 10/44 to 6/45 and I have put together some of his handwritten journals, photos, etc. Take a look at www.deiterman.com, but please be patient as right now you will have to page through using the links on the bottom of each page. I will also look through more of my dad's photos for aircraft you mention.
Thanks Book Bug....I compared your Dads' Mission Log to my Dads'......They flew 5 of the same missions...your Fathers descriptions give me a little insight into my Dads' flights.......great site you have assembled....D.Smith
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