No Star, No Cape

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Go to I heart radio dot com slash I heartland to get started today. And we continue with our American stories. Up next, a story from our regular listener and contributor, Roger Latham from Fort Worth, Texas.

Let's take a listen. On a sunny June day in 1944, the only sound on the flight deck was the wind as the B-24 Liberator, absent the power of its four engines, glided to its final moments of life before ditching in the choppy waters of the Adriatic Sea. My father, Lieutenant Ernie Latham, was pilot in command. Attention crew, get to the back of the plane. Certain his men had followed his last order, he now focused all of his attention on flying the wounded bird.

The command was standard operating procedure. The tail section would give the crew the best chance to survive. Earlier as the wounded plane limped its way across Yugoslavia, he gave them the opportunity to parachute. No one jumped. Now, at 300 feet above the water, it was too late.

The young lieutenant and his entire crew would digest their fates together. Flaps, Ernie spoke in normal tone and volume. There was no need to panic, it only made flying the airplane more difficult. Seconds later, the flaps remained unmoved. Hogan dropped the flaps, Ernie shouted the command as he glanced at his co-pilot. Lieutenant Hogan seemed transfixed on the instrument panel. His hands were in his lap and in a flat, monotone voice, he kept repeating, I can't believe this is happening.

I can't believe this is happening. The plane slammed head on into the wave. Instantly, the Liberator went from 110 miles an hour to dead stop. The roaring sound of twisting metal screamed as the bomber began to break apart. Then it became dead quiet, quiet as a grave. Now, with nose of the plane aiming to the bottom of the sea, he had a strange thought. They'll think I died in the crash, never know I drowned.

Guess I ought to try to get out. This began the arduous task of extracting himself from the sinking plane. Upon breaking free of the tangled shards of metal, he bombed to the surface. Here, about 200 feet away, he discovered the emergency lifeboat. He fumbled with his pocket knife, found it and quickly used it to free the dinghy from its mooring. This activated the propellant and it inflated instantly. Climbing aboard, he began to search for additional signs of life. Of the seven remaining crew members, he found and saved five for the 15th Air Force.

It was a record that would never be broken. Within 30 minutes, the sound of a high-powered boat could be heard rushing toward the stranded airmen. The speeding craft filled with German soldiers armed to the teeth brought a new terror. Throw your guns overboard. The command came as Lieutenant Latham tossed his Service 45 in the drink. The German boat emblazoned with Nazi swastikas and flag circled the dinghy.

When it came to a stop, a man's voice offered a broken English breath of hope. Hugo, no guns. They were Tito's partisans. The German uniforms were the ones they'd taken off good Nazis, the dead ones. Five days later, the Yugoslavians returned the Americans to the warm confines of the 464 Bombardment Group. Back in Pantonella, Lieutenant Latham offered a debrief to his commander. He left out the fact that he had injured his back pretty severely in the crash.

He'd be sent back to the States and lose any chance of flying his dream plane, the P-38. After he offered his detailed mission assessment and debriefing, the major said, you need some rest and recuperation. How would you like three days of R&R in Rome?

That works. What about the rest of my crew? A couple are banged up and will be in the hospital for a few days. They'll all get their R&R. It's strange how the fickle finger of fate points to the fortunate few. There is an old quote.

It's not what you know, it's who you know. On his first day in Rome, Ernie met the right one. He and Jim Jameson hit it off immediately. After three days of hard drinking and soft swimming, Ernie asked Jameson, what do you fly for the Army? Company commander of the 306 Fighter Wing, P-51s. Oh my God, you got to get me a transfer. I'd love to fly for you guys.

I'll do that. Who's your commander? Major William Moore. Oh Lionel, Bill, we were in primary training back in Oklahoma.

I'll send in the transfer request when I get back. Back at the 464th, Lieutenant Latham came to attention as he greeted Major Moore. Oh, I have some good news. You're receiving the Silver Star for saving so many of your crew. And best part, you get to go home. They want you for a war bond tour or something.

Ain't going, Ernie said. You have to if you take the Star. The Army can keep, it's pretty metal. I want to fly fighters and I have a chance if Major Jameson does what he said he would do and gets me a transfer. He already did. I got a call from Jameson this morning and the carrier dropped off the formal request about 10 minutes ago. If you sign the papers, I'm heading to fly P-51s. The Major smiled.

I've already signed it. But when you get to your new ride, you'll need to come back and tell us how much fun it is to go fast. The next day Ernie reported to the orderly at the 306th. I'm Lieutenant Latham. Need to report for duty. Where's Major Jameson?

Just a minute. Sir, the new pilot is here. Send him in. The 306th new hire came to attention upon entering the old man's office. Lieutenant Latham reporting for duty, Ernie said as he stood at attention before his friend.

Major Jameson smiled as he stood and greeted him. You start learning how to fly a Mustang. Well, that's what I want to talk to you about. Well, I need to ask for one more favor. For as long as I've been alive, I've wanted to fly a P-38 and now I have that opportunity if you'll transfer me. Jameson wrote the letter to the office of the 15th Air Force Command and in three days Ernie joined the proud ranks of the 49th Fighter Squadron. Here he would complete the remaining 36 missions of his standard 50 mission requirement of the Army Air Corps. Dad's days in the 49th came with many exciting tales of valor. His new gaggle of wingmen, stories of missions over Germany and beyond, came with photographs to prove it.

I listened to every word he spoke and hung on each. In the early 50s when Superman made his debut on black and white TVs around town, my classmates turned their mom's old bedsheets into capes. I wore Dad's service cap with the gold bar. My Superman was stronger than a hundred locomotives, flew faster than a 50-caliber bullet, and best of all, he sat at the head of our family dinner table every night. Dad didn't eat a Silver Star and I never wore a cape. And a terrific job on the production by Greg Hengler and what storytelling by Roger Latham about his father, Lieutenant Ernie Latham, a real-life superhero. And you can be one to your kid.

They're watching you. My dad had many exciting tales of valor, the son said. I listened to every word you spoke. I hung on them, he said. And that story about turning down the Silver Star and the Easy War Bon Tour.

The army can keep their pretty metal, Lieutenant Latham said. The story of Lieutenant Ernie Latham and so many soldiers who served their country valiantly and the son who remembered them and honored them here on Our American Story. So instead of selling my car using the Roto app on my phone, I posted an ad online. Now it's nonstop phone calls and people at my door. I'm Larry. I'm here about the sedan. Not now, Larry. See, Roto will buy your car or even buy you out of a lease without the hassle.

Hey, I'm not a hassle. Yes, R. Larry. Use Roto to buy a new car or sell your existing car or lease in just minutes. Download the Roto app or check out Roto.com now. This is Kevin Costner. And if you're an avid traveler like me, you've got to download my new app, Auteo. That's audio with a T. A-U-T-I-O. Enjoy a new way of traveling with stories activated by your location.

So when you're driving through a new town, discovering a national park, or are just curious about the origin of your city's name, you can listen to a quick three to five minute story covering our history from the first peoples to famous places and insights only locals would know. Looking forward to spring break, graduation and girls' nights out? Get outfitted today at Lulu's. Lulu's is all about providing on-trend looks for any occasion. Whether it's a current trend or a closet staple, you can find it at Lulu's. And when you make an account with Lulu's, use code Lulu's Fan 20 to save 20% off your first order. That's Lulu's Fan 20. Place your order today at Lulu's.com. Terms and conditions apply. See Lulu's.com for details.