Posted by Paul Arnett, 492ndBombGroup.com Historian
Folded Wings - Odis Waggoner
I just learned this morning that Odis Waggoner passed away on 7 October 2009. Although I never got the chance to meet him in person I did have several phone conversations with him and was able to help him with his bio. He was a wonderful man.
Odis was the engineer on the Vowinkel Crew R-35. They got in eight missions before the group was disbanded. They were transferred to the 36th RCM (radar counter measures), a secret little squadron which sent out individual planes to jammed German radar with the special equipment installed in their B-24s. God only knows how many lives they saved but we know it was a lot. For decades they weren't allowed to talk about what they did because it was classified top secret. But once the gag order was lifted, Odis gave us his insight to this secret war.
Odis was active in the American Legion and VFW until his death. And although it was physically difficult for him at times to stand in the rain and cold, he proudly served as flag bearer in the honor guard ceremonies for area veterans' funerals because it was important to him that their service be recognized and honored.
Paul
Arnett
13
Saturday, the 5th of September, 2009
Posted by Paul Arnett, 492ndBombGroup.com Historian
/8th Air Force
