Never Forgotten

B-17 Blondie II, 95th BG

Introduction

Welcome! My name is Kimberly Blankenstein, and my website is about the lives of ten American airmen from the 95th Bomb Group (H) who flew in a B-17 Flying Fortress during the Second World War.

Nine of these young men are still missing in action, and one of them came home to be buried after the war ended.

Many years ago, as a teenager, I became obsessed with the Second World War and The Mighty Eighth Air Force.

I saw The Memphis Belle (the movie and the documentary), I researched on AOL, I Asked Jeeves, I Yahoo-ed, and I spent entire days at Borders Books, mastering the military history section, and memorizing the stories and timelines.

Other teenagers played sports or hung out with their friends. I carefully skimmed over books about the Second World War and then put them back on the shelf.

My wonderfully encouraging Dad, a Vietnam veteran, bought me plenty of books on WW2, which I think was a worthwhile investment since my little military history hobby has changed the course of my life ever since. Furthermore, I’ve had the honor of moving a collection of very heavy books around the world and across the United States.

It was back then though, when I was about twelve, that I stumbled across the book B-17s Over Berlin. Within its many fascinating pages filled with relatable stories, I discovered a group photograph of USAAF officers, and in that photograph, by some destiny, I found number fifteen, listed as being Flight Officer Joe Noyes.

Joe had a youthful face that I found approachable, and he stared at the camera with an expression that said “I really don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into.” I think every teenager can understand how that feels. That’s how this started.

Joe Noyes is #15 in this photograph.

I am not related to anyone from the Joe Noyes crew, nor am I related to a 95th Bomb Group (H) veteran. In my youthful free time, and with little money to spend on activities other than online research and writing, I simply felt compelled to share the stories of these men and therefore contribute in some small way to their legacy.

Acting as a volunteer and advocate for the families of these veterans, I am very grateful for their support since about 1997. Maybe we can still find our missing boys too. We know where their B-17 was last spotted, and then we know where Joe Noyes was discovered on a French beach.

Nine American heroes from the Joe Noyes crew are still listed as missing in action today. I built this website as a hobby and tribute to them, and to share their life stories with interested parties worldwide.

I thank you for visiting, reading, and sharing my work. I thank you for remembering the men who served with The Mighty Eighth. Lastly, I thank you in advance for keeping their stories alive in your hearts and in your minds.

May we never forget these men and their enduring sacrifice.

F/O Joseph H. Noyes, Washington

2LT David F. Prees, Wisconsin

2LT Frank A. Roth, New Jersey

2LT Rex A. Rice, South Carolina

TSGT Billie E. Clapper, Kansas

TSGT Edgar A. Lajoie, Rhode Island

SSGT Robert H. Willis, North Carolina

SSGT Raymond L. Provost, Texas

SGT Daniel J. Fabritz, Pennsylvania

SSGT William L. Cochran, Texas


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References

Hawkins, I. (2005). B-17s over Berlin: personal stories from the 95th Bomb Group (H). Washington: Potomac Books, Inc.

Conley, H. M. (2002). No foxholes in the sky. Trumball, CT.: FNP Military Division.


Acknowledgements

Robert E. Noyes
Sara Baty Noyes
Matt Noyes
Tom J. Noyes
Elizabeth Noyes Trunkey
John Noyes
Lori Noyes Norton
Tami Noyes Wiegand
Donna Davis Flynn
W.L. Bergman

The 95th Bomb Group (H) Memorials Foundation
Col. Harry G. Conley, USAF (Ret.)
Col. H. Griffin Mumford, USAF (Ret.)
Lt. Col. Robert C. Cozens, USAF (Ret.)
Flight Officer Paul E. Perceful, USAF
Gerald Grove
Bob Rosenzweig
Brad Petrella
Rob Morris

Mary Pirtle (David F. Prees)
Marguerite M. Rice (Rex A. Rice)

The Marines’ Memorial Association
Col. Daniel Cummins, USAF (Ret.)
Michael Darter
Dennis Sparks
Richard E. Flagg
Bill Murchison