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There has been a lot of digging around Kansas Lane recently (this is the road that runs approximately from the old front gate to the old back gate.) A construction worker found something
that had probably been laying there for fifty years -- part of a silver
bracelet! It is about two inches long and three fourths wide with
Bombardier wing on the front and the name GEO B. RADER.
Roy Gates said:
"I had gone to the airport to see a friend off and as I was
leaving, I saw a man and his wife looking at the Museum display. They
were from out of town and were waiting for
a friend to pick them up. Another man came by and asked
if I was associated with Selman Field and this display,
and I proudly said yes. His reply was �I�ll be right back�.
In a few minutes he returned with this piece of bracelet.
One of the workmen had dug it up at Selman and wanted
to put it in the case."
So Roy took it and cleaned it up and told our master researcher, Richard
Mansfield, about it. As those of you who know Richard would expect, he
has researched high, low, and everywhere in between looking for someone
who knew GEO B. RADER.
So far: Unfortunately, Mr. RADER died 8/31/93. He graduated in class
43-09 at San Antonio Bombardiers School and went overseas to the 301st
Bomb Group and in the 419th Bomb Squadron. According to Bombardiers
records he had an address in Belleville, NJ. He was on the Donald
Solomon crew of the 419th BS and flew missions in the 8th AF and
finished up in the 15th AF in Italy. His navigator was a EDWARD V. FRY
(not a Selman graduate). None of his crew can be located except for his
co-pilot, a HAL SPANGLER -- but Richard Mansfield has not been able to
contact him, as yet.
The theory is that GEO B. RADER was part of the group of bombardiers who
came back to Selman for reassignment and training; if so, the bracelet
had to be dropped in 1945.
Anybody know anything? If so please drop us an Email!
