Jesse Bowen, EE’49, joined the Army during peacetime and was a radio operator for B-10 bombers. Immediately after Pearl Harbor was attacked, his unit was equipped with brand new B-25 bombers and sent to Nevada for aerial gunnery training. Bowen was shipped out to England and named Group Communications Chief with the 354th Fighter Group. 

“I remember the German planes looked like big white moths flying overhead at night,” says Bowen. “The English had a lot of searchlights and 90mm anti-aircraft guns close by our shelters.”

Bowen was moved to Normandy following D-Day. He was transported via army landing craft and says he could still see “the remainder of the havoc and hell our ground troops went through to make the invasion.”

Bowen and the air support followed General Patton’s 3rd Army into France and provided close support for tanks. After the German defeat, Bowen’s group was moved to Nurnberg and he says that “since the European war was over, we didn’t have to work very hard.” He even visited Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Austria. 

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Sarah (Lewey) and Leslie “Les” McDaniel

Sarah (Lewey) and Leslie “Les” McDaniel

When Sarah (Lewey) and Leslie “Les” McDaniel met in 2013 at a local bar called the Grotto, it was all…

Brandi (Andersen) and Patrick VerSteeg

Brandi (Andersen) and Patrick VerSteeg

Brandi (Andersen) and Patrick VerSteeg met during Opening Week in 2006. “My roommate and I knew Patrick’s roommate from Jackling…

Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung

Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung

Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung met in 2006 while working together and going to S&T. “I was in the BioSci…

Teresa (Schneider) and Samuel Vohsen

Teresa (Schneider) and Samuel Vohsen

Even though as students, Teresa (Schneider) and Samuel Vohsen spent many hours in McNutt Hall as ceramic engineering and geology…

Kristy Giacomelli-Feys and Dimitri Feys

Kristy Giacomelli-Feys and Dimitri Feys

Finding love after a divorce can feel like a fool’s errand. But for Kristy Giacomelli-Feys and Dimitri Feys, their first…

Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley

Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley

Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley met one Friday in September 1977 in TJ Hall. Rosalie’s roommate was a lab partner…