Losing A Loved One – Part I
In the military, especially nowadays, we are forced to learn how to deal with death. It’s not uncommon for a Soldier to know someone who was killed in battle or at least have a close friend who knew someone killed in battle. War is an ugly thing, but we find ways to cope. Somehow it gets easy and death almost becomes acceptable and expected. It numbs us.
What it doesn’t teach us to deal with is the death of a loved one. For the first time in memory, I lost someone that I really cared about who meant a lot to me – my Grandfather. He had a huge impact on me growing up and I wasn’t even his biological grandson. My mother married my stepfather when I was about two years old and he raised me. I grew up around his family and they quickly became mine. I wasn’t a step-anything to my new family.
My grandfather was a WWII veteran, one of the estimated 1500 this country is losing every day. He fought in the European campaign with a flight crew affectionately named “Butler’s Bums”. This is their story – and that of the hero I call Grandpa. Everyone else called him Jim (James A. Stuthers, Sr.)
Patch of the 18th Bomber Squadron
The Butler’s Bums were named after the pilot of the B-17 aircrew, 1st LT Bob Butler. The Bums were part of the 18th Bomber Squadron, 34th Bomber Group, of the mighty 8th Air Force. My grandfather served from September 13, 1943 to November 2, 1945. He flew 25 missions over Germany with varying degrees of success and danger. The story of the Butler’s Bums has never been told so there is no research available to tell this story. I can only tell it through the perspective of my grandpa’s journal and photos.
He was trained to crew a B-24 Liberator bomber, a four engined American heavy bomber that was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft during World War II and still holds the record as the most produced US aircraft. More than 18,000 bombers were built during WWII, but only 15 are known to exist today, only half of those air worthy. He was assigned as a Togglier and Armorer Gunner on the ship. The road to Germany was a long one.
On November 9, 1944 at 2030 the crew of Butler’s Bums left Chatham Field on Fort Stewart outside of Savannah, GA where the 34th Bomber Group was based and headed north to Mitchel Field, New York. Six days later they loaded onto their brand new B-24J and headed north to Grenier Field, New Hampshire. On November 18, they left their point of embarkation and traveled to Goose Bay, Labrador in northeastern Canada. The next day they were in Iceland. On the 20th, Tech Sergeant Stuthers gazed at the northern lights of Iceland before departing for what he called the “large iceberg” of Greenland.
Two days later, they’d be in Wales. In Wales, they downloaded their personal equipment and loaded onto a train for a “beautiful ride down the coast” en route to Stone AAF near Stokes, Wales. I’m not sure where Stokes is since I can’t find it on any Wales map. For that matter, I can’t find Stone AAF. Both may have been renamed. What I do know is that he had his first “limey beer” in the town and left by train three days later. At 1500 on November 27, 1944, their train pulled into the station where they had to take a truck about 14 miles to their new base, Mendlesham, commanded by Colonel Creer (other noted high ranking officers included Lt.Col. Le Bailley, Maj. Duke, Maj. Gay, and Maj. Crabtree).
It was at this point that my grandpa noticed the new B-17 Flying Fortresses. Even though they had been trained to crew the B-24, everyone was happy to see that they’d be flying on the B-17. My grandpa noted in his journal that it was “plenty O.K.” by him to switch planes.
For the next two weeks, the crew trained on the new aircraft. My grandpa was trained to be the plane’s togglier and nose, chin turret gunner. The crew was given training and attended classes in weather, theory of bombing, bomb racks, bomb patterns, fuzing, auto-pilot functions, P.O.I. centering of stabilizer with two bombardiers. The training was intense and at times dry and technical, but the crew worked hard knowing that every bit of their knowledge was going to tested over enemy terrain. On January 13, 1945, the Butler’s Bums went operational. The crew consisted of Robert H. Butler-pilot (died 10/26/1987), Delbert “Roy” L. Reynolds-Co-pilot (died 09/1980), Richard “Dick” F. Scully, Dante Schifani (died 06/1983), Martin Kallinen (died 1978), James “Jim” A. Stuthers (died 07/09/2007 – he would have been 82 tomorrow), William “Bill” E. Swords (died 03/28/1999), Joseph “Joe” P. Remy (died 01/06/2004) and Edward “Ed” J. Renowden (died 09/13/2003).
Their first mission was executed the following day, January 14, 1945. Payload: 12x 500 lb bombs. Target: Derben, Germany, near Berlin. It wasn’t a first impression anyone would hope for. During the mission, 2 B-17s were shot ahead of the Bums. The two planes from 7th Squadron lost 2-3 feet off their right wing tips from direct hits. No chutes indicated that both crews were killed. The flak from Cukhaven below was heavy and accurate, but seemed to ease up over the target. Amazingly, the Butler’s Bums sustained no hole or damage during the mission. However, the bomb bay doors froze tightly shut and the crew returned with a full compliment of bombs.
The next mission took place the following day. Payload: 12x 500lb bombs. Target: Augsburg, Germany. It was a long mission with no activity, no damage and only meager flak in the sky. The next few missions were also uneventful: a small town on the Rhein River, Duisberg, Koblenz, Kassel, Dulmen, and Berlin.
On Valentine’s Day, 1945, the crew performed a mission over Chemnitz, Germany. During the flight, the plane blew the No. 4 cylinder and was required to abort. Nuts, bolts and scrap metal fell to the ground as the crew opened up the cowling back at base. Grandpa helped to navigate the crew from known flack over Amsterdam. Three days later the plane was fixed and the crew was briefed to expect heavy flak. The target was Frankfurt. As is typical with most intelligence, the brief ended up being false. No flak whatsoever was observed, the crew dropped their payload of ten 500 lb bombs on Frankfurt and observed the smoke from their actions spew thousands of feet into the air. It was a “good hit”.
Part II will come later. What a lot of people don’t realize is that these flights were extremely uncomfortable. The B-17 flew between 20,000 and 30,000 feet. At that altitude, the temperatures were easily -30s. Crews wore multiple layers to keep warm as the planes were not pressurized. To ensure that everyone was alert, the crews were constantly chatting with each other. Oxygen was practically nonexistent and it was imperative that constant communication was maintained in case someone’s oxygen mask clogged up or became inoperable. When someone began to speak incoherently, it was a safe bet that the oxygen mask had frozen up somewhere and was restricting the flow of oxygen.
Crewmembers were required to wear gloves to prevent frost bite when handling the heavy waste guns. Often times, the crew would be surprised by German fighters and grab the guns without taking the time to put their heavy gloves on. The results were akin to licking a flagpole in the winter on a snowy day. Add to all of that the constant turbulence created by the close formations the squadrons flew in on missions. The ride was bumpy and uncomfortable. There were no seats in the back of the plane for most crewmembers during the flight while they manned their guns. They huddled together on the cold floors to keep warm. Yet, through all of this adversity, the Mighty Eighth never once abandoned a mission. The crews flew on courageously knowing that they may never come home. Many did not.
My grandfather was a good man and kept meticulous records. Without his journal, I’d never know of the bravery and sacrifices he made as a young man. I never would have known about Butler’s Bums. On the way home from his funeral, I stopped at the 8th Air Force museum in Savannah, GA (just off I-95). The 18th Bomber Squadron had one small display case with no mention of their missions or the Bums themselves. If you’re ever in Savannah, however, the exhibits can’t be beat. There’s a cool simulator that puts you in the shoes of a waste gunner as you attempt to shoot down German fighter planes menacing your formation and threatening to shoot you down.
Tracy
July 19th, 2007 at 9:59 pmWow, CJ, how incredible to have your Grandfathers journals and all of that info. on his life. I just recently lost my grandfather, who was a Korean war veteran, and he never talked about it, nor kept any records. I wish he would have. But each veteran deals with his experiences differently.
Thank you for sharing your Grandpa with us. It sounds like he was a great man. I have to admit (and maybe this is just a woman talking, I don’t know LOL) that what touched me the most, was that you were not a “step-anything” in your new family. *sniff* Sounds like a great family!!
GFD
July 19th, 2007 at 10:28 pmCJ: Thanks for sharing this. You are so fortunate he kept a journal as this is a part of him that will continue to live on in memory. You related this so well. I have been to most of those German places you related in the above story and can visualize those areas perfectly. So I guess its a little easier to make some connection even if it was a different point in the timeline.
dusgalan of mt
Chris Stuthers
July 20th, 2007 at 7:41 amCJ: I woke up this morning with a heavy heart… feeling weird. Didn’t know why. I opened my mail from you and just as Tracy above….I lowered my head and cried! Kim [my wife] came into the room and hugged me and said “today will be a rough day!” It then hit me why my heart was hurting…today is James A. Stuthers….my dad…your grandfather’s…..BIRTHDAY! He would have been 82 today! Of course you knew that! The story about Butler’s Bum’s is your way to honor him! That is exactly why you are never a “step anything” to the Stuthers family! You are part of us and we are proud to say so!
Today I am going to be honoring my dad by going to Pensacola Beach and watching the Blue Angels do their show. I am sure you know this is their home base. Today will be special to us [if you live in Pensacola....the Blues are family] because they will be doing their first show here since losing Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis {he has a name} and the #6 plane. We lost him in April doing a show in South Carolina. They are selling tee shirts in memory of him and proceeds go the the Make A Wish Foundation that have on there back….Dreams Soar When Brave Men Fly High. Indeed they do! I am sure they will fly the Missing Soldier Formation {I am sorry if that is not the proper name for it….I mean no disrespect!} and I will be thinking of him as well as my dad! I am sure I will tear up….he loved airplanes….and he loved sitting outside my poolhouse with mom and watching the Blues practice. What a wonderfull way to celebrate his birthday! Thank you CJ….I love you man! WRITE ON! Looking forward to part II!
Chris Stuthers of Pensacola FL.
Terri
July 20th, 2007 at 7:59 amCJ thanks so much for sharing your grandfather’s journal. When I posted the story about you losing your grandfather at ASM and ASP, I looked for a long time for information on your grandfather’s unit, as I so wanted to include some background in the story. I didn’t find any information and after reading what you’ve written, it explains why I didn’t. I do hope that what I did write was fitting.
Like Tracy, I wish my grandfather had kept a journal, when he served in Europe during WWI. Unfortunately he didn’t and he passed when I was 6 years old, so I was unable to learn much about his time during the War. I’m looking forward to part II.
Love and Hugs,
Terri
Mary K Cox
July 20th, 2007 at 8:26 amCJ, I too have a heavy heart as Dad wanted so badly to make it to his 82nd birthday. Happy Birthday Dad! I am so grateful that you continue to honor your Grandpa and to share his most inner thoughts from his journal, he was very meticulous about writing everything down. How sad that only one “butlers bums” is left…Dick Skully…who was the brother that my Dad never had! Thanks CJ, I know Dad is looking down from heaven and is so very PROUD of you as we all are. Love you….Aunt Mary
CJ
July 20th, 2007 at 8:55 amThanks for all the comments so far. I’ve learned a lot since returning from Florida. I’m glad I had the foresight to take digital photos of the journal before leaving, because in my haste to get out the door, I forgot the actual book. My aunt Terri (another Terri, not the one that already commented) is bringing it up to me when she visits Delaware. While anyone can find information on the 34th Bomber Group or the 18th Bomber Squadron, the Butler’s Bums remain a mystery. I hope to have Part II shortly. I’m trying to piece together the timelines.
Don Spaulding II
July 20th, 2007 at 10:35 amCJ, thanks for taking the time to go through grandpa’s journal. It’s wierd how we never realize or recognize when we have heroes sitting right next to us. I always loved when grandpa would talk about WWII, and still remember him taking the time to watch the movie “Memphis Belle” with me as a young kid. His generation was a significant part in history, and I’m glad your goal is to share it.
Love and Thanks,
Don, Stacy, and Donny
James A. Stuthers Jr.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:51 amThis is great. I started to send you my comments, but decided that I couldn’t do that quickly. I am putting together a response that you and possibly, your loyal readers, will appreciate. My dad told me a story that I am sure that he kept secret his whole life. He really didn’t want to tell me the secret, but, as you will see when I send you the proper response, it can now be told.
CJ, your a wonderful son and my parents have always thought you a grandson. And folks, CJ is way too modest. He too, is a hero. I don’t know if he ever told you (the whole story) how he earned the Bronze Star, but that too is a story to be told at the right time. He is certainly a hero. One who earned that credit under fire, with Valor. I am very proud to call you my son. dad
Terri
July 20th, 2007 at 3:49 pmMr Stuthers, I agree, CJ is truly a Hero and a great friend as well.
Terri Lynn Stuthers
July 21st, 2007 at 7:52 amCJ,
This has got to be the most honoring, the most loving thing I have ever seen anyone do for anybody. You are not and have never been a step anything. You are our nephew who we love and respect and admire. I read what your dad wrote to you about grampa’s secret. Reading through the blogs, the common think among friends and posters is that their fathers didn’t talk about it. I think Dad’s secret is the key as to why that is, and quite understood. Dad was a pack rat in life, even pack ratting his thoughts on paper, aren’t we blessed now, that he had that little quirk?
Thanks CJ, can’t wait for part II. I will bring the book up in 2 weeks. When you are done digitalizing it, wouldn’t it be great to somehow get a copy or something together to put in the museum in Savanahh? Dad was so proud of that museum and was there for the dedication. I didn’t realize there wasn’t information out there about the Butler Bums, what a great way to honor Dad and the rest of the Bums. that would be.
I don’t know the story of how you earned the Bronze Star. If the day comes and you want to share, I would like to hear it. Only if you want to tho. We love you and are very very proud of you.
Aunt Terri
Kat in GA
July 21st, 2007 at 3:10 pm((((hugs)))))
Donna
July 21st, 2007 at 8:15 pmCJ,
Thanks for sharing a part of your grandfather’s life with us. He truly was a hero! I had never heard of Butler’s Bums. They sure were a tough bunch of guys sounds like. We just don’t know the sacrifices that all of our brave men and women have went through and are going through to secure our freedom! May God Bless you and your grandpa and his family as you mourn his passing. My prayers are with all of you!!
Joe Remy
November 7th, 2007 at 5:59 pmCJ
My Father was Joe Remy a memeber of Butler Bums. He was very proud of this and spoke of the good times with the crew. He was a young man of 19 when he enlisted into the Army Air Core. He had a picture of the crew standing in front of their plane in his den. I know he would of gotten a kick out of this article.
Thanks for your time and effort.
Joe Remy, Jr.
Candace Butler
December 30th, 2007 at 11:35 amJoe — Hi. My father was Bob Butler. Our family had probably the same picture of the crew (maybe a different one). Does your father’s picture identify all of the crew members? My Dad’s doesn’t and we would love to add the names of the other crew to our picture.
CJ — if you don’t have a copy of a crew photo, would you like one? Let me know.
Thanks.
Joe Remy
February 26th, 2008 at 5:15 pmHi Candace;
Sorry I never saw your response. Our picture does not include the names of the men. The picture I have shows them in front of the plane kneeling and three men standing. My Father is in the second row kneeling on the far right
If you send me your e-mail we could scan and send to you.
Thanks
Joe
Russell Ives
July 30th, 2009 at 9:57 amHi,
Stoke is not in Wales! Stoke is a city in the midlands of England. The base in question is AAF Station 594 Stone, this near to Stafford. Stafford is near to Stoke-on-Trent which is a city situated between Manchester and Birmingham, England. Hope this helps.
Russell