Former B-17 copilot flew 35 missions and skied until age 90
Our dad, a member of the Greatest Generation, climbed one more time into the cockpit of a B-17 and departed the surly bonds of Earth for his final mission Thursday, February 27, 2020. Daughter Gail, son Bradford and son-in-law Chris were there to see him on his way…. off to the heavens. At the young age of 20, Bill enlisted in the Army Air Force. With the rank of first lieutenant, Eighth Air Force, he earned the right to the copilot seat in a new B-17 Flying Fortress headed to Europe to assist the Allies in defeating Adolf Hitler. Stationed in Knettishall, England, Dad’s initial commitment was to fly 25 bombing missions. He volunteered for 10 additional missions. Returning from his 35th and final bombing run on Christmas Eve 1944, Dad’s B-17 was badly damaged by enemy flack, injuring his captain, the pilot. Three of the aircraft’s four engines had been hit and failed. Dad took control of the plane, crash-landing in a field in Belgium. All were rescued by Allied Forces. All survived. Bill and his wife, Rae, traveled annually to the Mighty 388th Bomb Group reunions held around the United States and England to reminisce and rejoice with lifelong B-17 veterans and their families. Perhaps one of Dad’s most famous missions was not a bombing run at all but a highly top-secret flight. His crew was selected to escort Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. on what was an ill-fated attempt to deliver a lethal blow to the enemy. Dad’s crew was to provide escort coverage for Kennedy. Positioned 500 feet off the right wing of Kennedy’s plane when it blew up, Dad’s B-17 became inverted due to the violent explosion. He and his pilot had all they could do to control their Flying Fortress. Soon after the war, Dad was in Hyannis, Mass., for a weekend getaway. John and Bobby Kennedy heard Dad was nearby and met up with him on the beach near the Kennedy Compound, thanking Dad for his bravery and wanting to learn more about the fate of their oldest brother. William W. Worthen was born in Springfield, Mass., on December 20, 1922, the son of Ernest N. and Emma L. (Merrill) Worthen. His mother nicknamed him Birdie, as he was always happily singing and whistling — a quality he shared throughout his life. Bill spent his younger years traveling to the family farm…
Former B-17 copilot flew 35 missions and skied until age 90
Our dad, a member of the Greatest Generation, climbed one more time into the cockpit of a B-17 and departed the surly bonds of Earth for his final mission Thursday, February 27, 2020. Daughter Gail, son Bradford and son-in-law Chris were there to see him on his way…. off to the heavens. At the young age of 20, Bill enlisted in the Army Air Force. With the rank of first lieutenant, Eighth Air Force, he earned the right to the copilot seat in a new B-17 Flying Fortress headed to Europe to assist the Allies in defeating Adolf Hitler. Stationed in Knettishall, England, Dad’s initial commitment was to fly 25 bombing missions. He volunteered for 10 additional missions. Returning from his 35th and final bombing run on Christmas Eve 1944, Dad’s B-17 was badly damaged by enemy flack, injuring his captain, the pilot. Three of the aircraft’s four engines had been hit and failed. Dad took control of the plane, crash-landing in a field in Belgium. All were rescued by Allied Forces. All survived. Bill and his wife, Rae, traveled annually to the Mighty 388th Bomb Group reunions held around the United States and England to reminisce and rejoice with lifelong B-17 veterans and their families. Perhaps one of Dad’s most famous missions was not a bombing run at all but a highly top-secret flight. His crew was selected to escort Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. on what was an ill-fated attempt to deliver a lethal blow to the enemy. Dad’s crew was to provide escort coverage for Kennedy. Positioned 500 feet off the right wing of Kennedy’s plane when it blew up, Dad’s B-17 became inverted due to the violent explosion. He and his pilot had all they could do to control their Flying Fortress. Soon after the war, Dad was in Hyannis, Mass., for a weekend getaway. John and Bobby Kennedy heard Dad was nearby and met up with him on the beach near the Kennedy Compound, thanking Dad for his bravery and wanting to learn more about the fate of their oldest brother. William W. Worthen was born in Springfield, Mass., on December 20, 1922, the son of Ernest N. and Emma L. (Merrill) Worthen. His mother nicknamed him Birdie, as he was always happily singing and whistling — a quality he shared throughout his life. Bill spent his younger years traveling to the family farm…