My favorite photo of my father as a young soldier in Belgium

During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as an aircraft armament specialist for a reconnaissance aircraft squadron in the 9th Army Air Forces in Europe.

He participated in the invasion of Normandy and was credited with six battle campaigns by the end of the war. He proceeded deep into Germany as the war drew down and was an eyewitness of the horrors of the notorious concentration camp at Buchenwald the day after it was liberated. In Europe he made close Belgian friends with whom he corresponded the remainder of his life.

Above photo-

His close squadron buddy "Charlie" is seated to the left of my dad and he also was a part of this bond created in history.  

Hmmm...interesting that my oldest brother would be named "Charlie"...

These photos were all taken in Belgium 1945 during WWII  at the house of Papa and Mama Neff.  My father stayed with them and their children  and enjoyed Mama Neff's fine cooking...he loved these dear people as family and I remember as a child  receiving the gorgeous Christmas cards from Belgium~