Clifford and Maxine Boche

This photo of me, Clifford Boche and Maxine Brooks was taken on September 22, 1942 at Fort Snelling Minnesota when I left for Basic Training to Sheppard Field, Texas.

About March 20, 1943 I was granted furlough and went home to marry Maxine on March 27, 1943. On March 30, 1943 I received a telegram ordering me back to camp, and I did not see my wife again until November 15, 1945.

I was sent to England with the 353rd Fighter Group along with 16,000 other troops aboard the Queen Mary. Stationed at different Air Bases in England, the 353rd had great success in its’ assigned missions. The group flew P-47 Thunderbolts until September 1944 when it changed to P-51 Mustangs.

We have returned to Air Bases in England for reunions and have met a young man, Graham Cross who has written a book entitled “Jonah’s Feet Are Dry”, about the 353rd Fighter Group. My Wife and I returned to Millville for the 50th Anniversary Reunion. We also celebrated our 61st wedding Anniversary on March 27, 2004.