Heard Saturday at 1 p.m. on KMJ 580
April 10, 2010: Wayne Thompson of Clovis, CA, who served as a radar navigator
bombardier with the 379th Bomb Group during World War II. For additional photos,
please visit the Hometown Heroes Facebook Page.
bombardier with the 379th Bomb Group during World War II. For additional photos,
please visit the Hometown Heroes Facebook Page.
Click play to listen
That Distinguished Flying Cross citation documents Wayne's exploits on two specific
missions in March of 1945. If you listen to his interview on Hometown Heroes, you'll
hear Wayne talk about moments much more prominent in his memories, like returning
home after the war to meet his son for the first time. If you know Wayne or come
across him, please join me in thanking him for his service to our country. One more
note, if you're ever driving by Mefford Field near Tulare, take a look at the B-17 there.
It bears the marking of the 379th Bomb Group, with which Wayne served.
missions in March of 1945. If you listen to his interview on Hometown Heroes, you'll
hear Wayne talk about moments much more prominent in his memories, like returning
home after the war to meet his son for the first time. If you know Wayne or come
across him, please join me in thanking him for his service to our country. One more
note, if you're ever driving by Mefford Field near Tulare, take a look at the B-17 there.
It bears the marking of the 379th Bomb Group, with which Wayne served.
Like so many Air Corps veterans of World War II, Wayne chose that branch of service
because he wanted to be a pilot. His dream of flying fighter planes ended when the
military found out he was color blind, so instead he was able to serve as a
bombardier, and not just any bombardier. Just before he was scheduled to ship out
with a B-24 crew (a crew that was later shot down), he was diverted to special radar
training. He would become a radar navigator bombardier, flying 30 missions with the
379th Bomb Group in Europe. Not assigned to a particular squadron, Wayne would
fly in the lead plane, specially equipped with radar technology, for each mission, with
the rest of the bomber crews depending on his abilities to lead them to their
respective targets. Sometimes that meant trusting radar readings and pressing on
through horrific weather to reach the target.
because he wanted to be a pilot. His dream of flying fighter planes ended when the
military found out he was color blind, so instead he was able to serve as a
bombardier, and not just any bombardier. Just before he was scheduled to ship out
with a B-24 crew (a crew that was later shot down), he was diverted to special radar
training. He would become a radar navigator bombardier, flying 30 missions with the
379th Bomb Group in Europe. Not assigned to a particular squadron, Wayne would
fly in the lead plane, specially equipped with radar technology, for each mission, with
the rest of the bomber crews depending on his abilities to lead them to their
respective targets. Sometimes that meant trusting radar readings and pressing on
through horrific weather to reach the target.
