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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.: Were there any stories that you came across during your research that really stick out in your mind?

: Besides the many, many stories about Jack Ilfrey flirting with disaster and coming out without a scratch and the stories about Cy Wilson, one that sticks out in my mind is Lt. Stephen Saltzman, who appears on the CD's cover. He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and shot down a Japanese airplane from the roof of a barracks using a Browning Automatic Rifle. That was one of the first enemy aircraft shotdown during the war and he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions. Later on he transferred to the Army Air Corps and became a pilot and while over enemy territory his P-38 was hit by enemy fire that shot off half of his control yoke and generally messed up the whole cockpit of his aircraft, as well as severely wounding him. He brought the plane home that way, landed it and passed out from loss of blood seconds after he got it parked. That sounds like something straight out of a Hollywood movie but it happened. There are many stories on this CD like that, where the men overcome incredible odds or accomplish the seemingly impossible.

Think about that, this is just a single fighter squadron in a massive air force that I have focused upon. I can only imagine how many other stories like these remain undiscovered or have died with the veterans who lived them. It deeply saddens me to think so much has already been lost or, even worse, that there are those who go out of their way to keep the general public from gaining access to this information. Yes, there are those out there like that, for what reason, I haven't a clue. I encountered a few along the way, but thankfully they are the minority and little more than a nuisance. It's tough enough for the average person to find just basic information although more and more is appearing on the internet everyday. That is all thanks to a dedicated group of people who are as passionate about the subject as they are talented and willing to share what they have found.

Q.: How important was the internet to you in researching the 79th?

: I was on a very tight budget from the start and instead of allowing that be a hindrance I used what was available, so the internet was the main research tool I employed. You would be amazed at what can be uncovered just from websites, message boards and web forums. In fact most of the officer's profiles were put together using information submitted by people I contacted through genealogy or history forums or from exchanging with other researchers, veterans and their families. It's really amazing how many times pieces of the puzzle were out there waiting to be put together and I am sure I've only barely scratched the surface.

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