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The American Air Museum's archive records the stories of the men and women of the US Army Air Forces who served in Britain and Europe during the Second World War.
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Explore research guides![Captain Jesse Marshall Barrett, of the 303rd Bomb Group, inspects a model of a Heinkel HE 111. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238734.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Capt. Jesse Marshall Barrett, of the Air Corps was a lawyer in civilian life, with an office at 120 West Admas St, Chicago. He is 43, married, with two children 6 and 2 years old. He lives at 411 Illinois Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois,](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378910.jpg.webp?itok=5fPYmudl)
![Sergeant Walter Charles Buazisz, of the 303rd Bomb Group, checks his rifle in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5177) nicknamed "Fast Woman (Fast Worker II)". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238803.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Now send me a Hun" said Sgt. Walter Charles Buazisz, of 3510, McLeen Avenue, Chicago. Sgt Budzisz likes England all right but he wishes "he could get some](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378887.jpg.webp?itok=ngkj_-7C)
![Private First Class Rosario J. Terrusa of the 303rd Bomb Group, does the washing up. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245684.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Enjoying England", says Pte. 1st Class Rosaric J. Terrusa of the Air Force Medical Corps, in a message to his parents, Mr and Mrs . R.J. Terrusa, 304, Jefferson St. Brooklyn, New York. Here he is helping with washing up in a hsopital kitchen. Pt](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378889.jpg.webp?itok=iqV-2CBY)
![Sergeant Andrew J. Dasch, of the 303rd Bomb Group, irons his uniform. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245687.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Formerly a clerk at Thomas Roulston Co., in Brooklyn, Sergeant Andrew J Dasch of a U.S. Bomb Squadron is enagaged to Miss Wanita King, of Van Buren, Maine. His parents , Mr and Mrs. George Dasch live at Smithtown Branch, Long Island. He sends this message home:](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378890.jpg.webp?itok=9mzUIzdZ)
![Corporal John R. Hughes, of the 303rd Bomb Group, cleans his boots. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245686.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ''Cleaning the English mud from his boots is Cpl. John R. Hughes, of 101, West 91 St. N.Y.C. Aged 22, he formerly worked in his father's business at 752 Broadway, N.Y.C. His parents, Mr and Mrs. Hughes, live at W. 91 Street. Cpl Hughes was educated at Commerce Hig](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378891.jpg.webp?itok=wmOhgGM8)
![Private First Class John W. Sayles, of the 303rd Bomb Group, saws a plank of wood in the back of a crew truck. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238775.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'If sawing that plank somewhere in England is going to help the war, 24 year old P.F.C John W Sayles, of 7645 N Sheridan Road, Chicago, Ill. is all for it. "So far, I can't complain about this country, since everyone I ha](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378884.jpg.webp?itok=HxkfiqOt)
![Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Stre](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378885.jpg.webp?itok=m0UvJZd-)
![Sergeant Joseph Anthony Spina, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a mysterious bottle sent from home. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245697.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Penza La Saluta, Mom" is the message sent back home by Sgt. Joseph Anthony Spina, of 66, Watts Street, New York City. We don't know what's in the jar, but Sgt. Spina does! Aged 36, and a bartender at the Club Holland, 55 Watts Street](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378886.jpg.webp?itok=asP7MY7i)
![Three airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group enjoy a game of billiards between raids. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257523.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Taking part in 16 raids on Germany and occupied countries has gained the Air Medal and 2 Clusters for 1st Lieut. (Pilot) Robert J Nolan, of 169, Pennington Avenue, Trenton, N.J., where his parents still live. A student before enlisting Nolan is 25 and was educate](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378853.jpg.webp?itok=kmixK4lU)
![First Lieutenant George J Oxrider a Pilot of the 303rd Bomb Group changes a record. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257527.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Changing a record on the radiogram at his British base, is 1st Lieut. (Pilot) George J. Oxrider of 437, Allwen Street, Dayton, Ohio, holder of the D.F.C., the Air Medal and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. A pre-medical student at the University of Cincinnati and aged](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378852.jpg.webp?itok=y9DO9yls)
![Lieutenant-Colonel George L Robinson, a pilot of the 303rd Bomb Group, reads an English newspaper. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257535.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Colonel George L. Robinson, bomber pilot, serving with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain finds English newspapers a little strange. Aged 30, he has been on 8 raids and holds the Air Medal and two clusters. He was in the Regular Army befo](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378859.jpg.webp?itok=v7a_F1F8)
![Second Lieutenant Richard R Hopper, a bombardier of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a fellow airman inside an army hut. Hopper has drawn a list of his raids on the wall. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257525.'[Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Winner of the Purple Heart and the Air Medal "nd Lt. Bombardier Richard R. Hopper stands in front of a list of raids in 16 of which he has taken part. Hopper is 23 years of age](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378858.jpg.webp?itok=jd_s31OX)
![Staff Sergeant Albert Van Hoon Carroll, a gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group marks raids on the door to an army hut. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257542.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: S/Sgt. (Gunner) Albert Van Hoon Carroll, aged 20, of 110 W. Fannin Marshall, Texas, marks up the record of another raid on a door at his English base. Carroll, a student before joining the U.S. Air Force, has taken part in 11 rai](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378857.jpg.webp?itok=5uYPb1V6)
![Staff Sergeant Ward W Kirkpatrick, a ball turret gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group, climbs into position inside his B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '256543.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Here we go." Staff Sergent Ward W. Kirkpatrick, a gunner with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain, clambers into his gun turret . Aged 19, he comes from 194-5th Avenue West North , Kalispell, Montana, where](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378855.jpg.webp?itok=ldNuic5X)
![Technical Sergeant Francis John Burns, a gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group, with his accordion. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and' 257526.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"He'll have music wherever he goes". T/Sergt. Francis John Burns, of 20 Greenville St., Somerville, Mass. is now serving as a gunner with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain. He has been on 14 raids and holds the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster. He w](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378854.jpg.webp?itok=ePxDZTZO)
![Sergeant Sam E. Frisella, of the 303rd Bomb Group, enjoys a cup of tea from an army Jeep. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238731.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'It is hardly a drawing room tea party, but Sergt. Sam E. Frisella, of 1006 S. Ashland Blud. Chicago, finds it quite a comfortable way to keep his feet out of the mud while drinking his tea and reading a letter from home at an American Air Co](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378869.jpg.webp?itok=EXkKUXdi)
![Corporal Waldemar J. Theefs, of the 303rd Bomb Group, fuses a bomb in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238770.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'It is quite a change from being an accountant with General Electric Co., Chicago, to fusing up a bomb with the U.S.A Army Air Corps in England, but 34 year old Corporal Waldemar J. Theefs, of Hamilton Avenue, Chicago, makes the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378902.jpg.webp?itok=dR-l4uFI)
![Private First Class Robert H. Clark, of the 303rd Bomb Group, prepares bombs ready for loading into a B-17 Flying Fortess. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238771.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Things over here are under control, and if you folks back home back us, we'll be back", said 22 year old P.F.C. Robert H. Clark, of 307-155th Street, Calumet City, Ill. We're glad to hear things are under co](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378903.jpg.webp?itok=chtR21X2)
![Private First Class Roy J. Buis, of the 303rd Bomb Group, writes a letter to home on a Jeep. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238745.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P.F.C. Roy J. Buis, of 4035 N. Kenmere Ave. Chicago, writes home "Sure am enjoying myself. Also getting used to drinking tea". Note the tea cup! Private Buis, aged 25, is married and worked for the Pyramids Metals Coy, of Chicago. His par](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378904.jpg.webp?itok=K5wW2yiA)
