/8th Air Force
The mission to Bernburg was another bad day for the 492nd resulting in the loss of 12 planes. Sixty-seven men were killed and fifty-two more became POWs. There are a lot of men for us to remember. Today I'm giving extra thought to Billy Sheely, tail gunner on the Smiley Crew 910.
Why Billy? Mainly because I know his daughter, Billy Sheely Johnson. She wasn't even born yet when her father was killed. When her pregnant mother got the bad news, she had no way of knowing if the child she was carrying was going to be a boy or a girl but decided that regardless of sex, she would name her child after her fallen husband.
Billy, the father, is buried in the Ardennes Cemetery. Billy, the daughter, has made trips over there for visits. She has also visited many of our National Cemeteries and has honored all the men who were killed in action. Throughout her life she has been extremely active in many patriotic and military organizations. I dare say her father is proud of her.
Pictured here is Billy receiving a folded flag at a memorial ceremony at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis during our 492nd reunion this past month. Among our sixteen 492nd dead buried there are S/Sgts Donald Brown and Daryl Andrews, both from her father's crew, who were killed the same day. It was fitting that she got the flag.
I have also met Billy Sheely Johnson's daughter, Ashley Johnson, currently a coed at Virginia Tech. The apple didn't fall far from the tree as she too shares her mother's passion. I know her grandfather is proud of her too.
I think all of our hearts reach out to Gold Star Kids because they never got to know their fathers. I metioned this one time to Billy and Ashley. They replied that it wasn't all that tough because they never had the chance to bond with him. They actually felt more sorry for me because I had recently lost my father after knowing him for almost sixty years. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Later on I compared what they said to the philosophy of the ancient Spartans. Unlike our society, who would rather send our young single men into combat, they only allowed married fathers to risk death in battle. The idea was that their seed wouldn't die with them, as each one had children. With that said, what would our world be without Billy or Ashley Johnson? Or without our other Gold Star Kids?
So, to all the fathers of our Gold Star Kids, thank you for giving us our freedom and thank you for leaving us your children.
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“7 July 44 - remembering our fallen”
Paul L Keperling wrote...
Thanks, Paul, for this blog. I note that Alex Mena also blogged this mission.
This is the mission that took my uncle's life (he had a wife and a 1 year old daughter).
Did you see that an armyairforces.com blog is looking for survivors of this mission?
Best wishes,
Reed Hammans wrote...
Thanks, Paul. This is an important story to tell.
Billy Sheely Johnson wrote...
Thank you, Paul for rembering my Dad and the "Superwolf" crew the 66th anniversary of their death. It was indeed a special honor to receive the Folded American Flag on behalf of my Dad and his crew.
I shall always miss very keenly not having known my Dad personally and been able to share life with him; however, I "talk" to him frequently. I believe his spirit remains with me always; he has been a wonderful "Guardian Angel" for our family all through the many "seasonings" life has brought us.
I am so grateful for having met him through his letter home, and memories shared by family, friend and his 492nd veteran comrades...we "Gold Star Kids" are most grateful for many surrogate fathers fom the group...we've learned so much about our Dad's last days though being with your fathers all through the years.
It has been one of the primary goals of my life to live and contribute to society in ways he would approve; I have to believe that "he knows" I have tried to instill in my children and granchild a deep respect for the supreme sacrifice made by so many for our freedom...and have honored his veteran brothers who were able to return home and contribute to society in positive ways he and his fallen comrades were unable.
He has 2 grandaughters, Elizabeth who honored him by naming his great-grandchild, William Sheely Nix, "Will". Will already knows his Grandaddy Bill and Elizabeth is a good example of genes skipping generations; she has a striking resemblance in facial features. Ashley pays tribute by attending 492nd Bomb Group Reunions and is very interested in perpetuating its history and her grandad's life before and following the war.
We "Gold Star Kids" are so grateful for the special bond we have with 492nd veterans, and their extending families...thank you for sharing your Dads with
us!!!
Best Regards,
Billy Sheely Johnson
Bernice Benson Magoulas wrote...
Billy's father was my 1st cousin; his father was my mother's brother. We were very close growing up. My parents exchanged letters with Bill when he was in service; so proud to hear from him, and responded promptly. I have felt very close to Billy S. Johnson for years, and continue to be proud of her continuing loving service in memory of her Dad to those with whom he served. I feel that no one could be more dedicated in the way Billy has over the years. She should continue being recognized and honored at least annually when all survivors meet. She is indeed a jewel of a daughter, neice, cousin, mother, grandmother and friend. I am privileged to be related.
"Aunt Bernice"