Descendants Corner

Summer, 2002

Ever since I can remember my family would make the long journey to my Grandmother’s in Rhode Island for our annual Christmas reunion. We were often there prior to others living nearby. Slowly the place would fill up with adults and children of all ages. When Uncle John arrived he always had a big broad smile, and would stand very straight and extend his hand for a firm how do you do.

As I grew older Uncle John would be kind enough to take time off from his CPA office to take me fishing. We had great times together, even taking my brothers and me for rides on his riding mower.

Sadly, many years later I learned he was ill and shortly there after he passed away. His obituary revealed he was an officer and had flown bombing missions over Europe in WWII. Then it wasn’t many years later when my own father, Henry Gould, died suddenly. I knew he had been in the army, captured by the Germans, but little else. My interest in their service grew, almost into an obsession. I thought it very strange that few aunts or uncles knew the details of our family’s heroes. I figured Uncle John might have been a navigator or something, because clearly a pilot would have continued flying planes, wouldn’t he? I wondered if, he could have served with the Mighty Eighth! Well, little by little, I found more information than any of the relatives collectively knew, with the assistance of the great folks at the 390th museum research department.

To my surprise, my Uncle John E. Asmussen piloted a B-17G. He flew many missions during the early years of the 390th until he moved on to a Pathfinder Group. While with the 390th he flew the Schweinfurt mission in October 1943 – WOW! The guy who once piloted a garden tractor used to fly over occupied Europe against the best the Luftwaffe had. All those years, I never had heard a story, nor had any idea that I walked among heroes.

A few years later my cousin brought me Uncle John’s wartime photo album. I nearly cried, as I saw snap shots of Tom Jeffery of the 390th, and later of the 100 th,Captain Tuttle, and Roscoe Ann, all just like family.

In 1999, after surveying the names of his crew list, I wondered how many might still be around? Anthony Zdunczyk – now there’s an odd name, from Watervliet, NY. A brief surf of the web and I found Zdunczyks in Troy and Watervliet NY. I sent out a letter inquiring if anyone knew of Mr. Zdunczyk who flew with my Uncle John. Sure enough I got a response when a relative passed on my letter to Tony’s sister living in Troy, NY. Tony had spent most of his life in California, but had now moved back to stay with his sister. Tony had volunteered to man the ball turret on “Tet T Mote “. They explained it stood for “The Eternal Ten, (bringing) The Mark Of The End”, a name proposed by John’s Mother in Law, my Grandmother!

Later that summer I visited with Tony. Eighty-one years old and he still recalled the missions on Tet T Mote. I showed him my best photos of flack and he said, “that’s nothing”. He recalled John’s new baby, my cousin born in 1944, and asked if John had made grade? “Yes, a Major,” I said proudly.

Now when I think of Uncle John, that big grin and firm handshake, I know he developed it while with the 390th receiving the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous oak leaf clusters.

David G. Gould

Visit David’s wonderful website detailing his Father’s and three Uncle’s service in WWII. The story of my heroes can be seen at www.ww-iiheroes.com 

Bulletin Editor’s Note: John Asmussen flew 15 missions with the 390th all in B-17F models. He flew his first mission with the Group’s very first mission on 12 August 1943 and his 15th on 14 October 1943. Along with the Schweinfurt mission he also flew a memorable mission to Marienburg noted for being the longest mission and a superior example of precision bombing without losing a 390th airplane.