WWII Vet Seymour Glass of the 445th Bomb Group

Seymour Glass recounts his service in World War II as a lead radio operator with the 445th Bomb Group. Bob Glass (his son) and I interviewed him on September 4, and he gave me permission to publish selections.

First I recommend listening to Glass’s account of carrying a friend’s journal with him throughout the war and then returning it to his wife, who then sent a letter. It is a moving story.

In the first main video, Glass describes his 32 bombing missions. Glass notes that Jimmy Stewart served with his group before becoming an actor. Glass also describes how he came to serve in that position.

Next Glass discusses his plane coming under fire and assisting the injured. “When we were hit by fighters, and you had all ten [.50 caliber] guns going at the same time, the plane, as big as it is, as mammoth as it is, would chatter from all the vibrations of the guns,” he recalls. He also discusses his service blade — and that of an enemy.

In the final video, Glass discusses survival gear, currencies, photographs, and his Air Medal.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Glass.

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Comments

Sam April 20, 2011 at 4:53 AM
A fascinating interview with a fascinating man! Thank you, Ari, for posting this, and thank you, Mr. Glass, for your service and for flying each one of those 32 missions.

Unknown October 23, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Ari, Thank you for recording this. It was fascinating and moving. His quiet pride in what he did and his sharp mind are inspiring. Thanks for recording this so it can be passed on.