Vanishing Heroes

I have just read your article “Vanished Hero” (June 2018) and feel compelled to share my family’s story. My uncle was a copilot on a B-17 raid over Terni, Italy, August 8, 1943. His squadron was off the coast when they were attacked by flight of 109s and watched a P-38 taking shots at the fighters. As the fighters closed in on the B-17s, the P-38 swung through the bomber formation, taking shots at the bombers. The bombers opened up but could score no hits. Tail End Charlie was, of course, the bomber my uncle was in. The P-38 (obviously a captured airplane) shot 20mm cannons into the cockpit, where the pilot and copilot were mortally wounded; seven parachutes were seen leaving the plane. Of those, only three survived after 60 hours in the water. My mother’s immediate family had no idea of the details; for about 73 years, they were left to wonder. My interest in airplanes, World War II history, pilot stories, and just digging around in scrapbooks has led to some pretty interesting stuff. I have sent my DNA to Kentucky in the hope that someday his remains, if recovered, may be sent home. Please don’t stop looking—you just never know what you will find. Rest in peace, Bobbie W. Follett. Quite a story. We’d like to know more about it.—BD