The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Remembering World War II Holidays at RCAAB

From the Dec. 31, 2012, Ellsworth Air Force Base by Airman Ashley J. Woolridge.

Rapid City Army Air Base (RCAAB) was built in South Dakota in 1842, established for training B-17 crews for combat in Europe.

On December 7, 1942, the base was preparing for winter storms and held a Pearl Harbor memorial service.

December 26th, the base was saddened by the tremendously high casualties being suffered by crews who had trained there.  Daylight bombing was going on and with it, tremendous losses.  Plus, at the base, there was a measles epidemic.  So, the Christmas spirit just wasn't there.

During 1943, news of more and more RCAAB men killed in Europe continued to come in.

On December 10, 1943, Sergeants Max and Buddy Baer, professional boxers, fought a series of exhibition bouts to entertain the airmen.

Way Out There On the Plains.  --GreGen

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