There was an interesting photo of Courtney Shanken and his twin brother Earl taken in Manduria, Italy in 1944 after they had both finished 50 missions which allowed them to be sent home. I wonder if they went on the same plane on the missions? They were standing in front of a wall with the words:
50th Mission-- Ploesti
51st Mission-- Chicago
Said Courtney, "I just felt I was fighting for my country. We were at war and our freedoms were at stake-- this madman wanted to take over the world. Hitler wasn't just the enemy of the Jews-- he was the enemy of the United States of America."
Shanken and his brother were one of the few in their squadron to complete 50 missions. He returned home, got married, started a family and started Wipeco, a janitorial supply company in Hillside.
More to Come. --Cooter
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