They became warriors only after their first battle. It altered their blood.
Take a look here at the images from the crew. Many sorties were flown, 34 for these men. They "flew 34 missions-- 3
Aug, 44 to 11 Dec, 44-- and lived to tell about it!" When they met their milestone they became members of an elite club
better know as "The Lucky Bastards Club."
The cogs and gears of the Sack Rabbit.
The smiles of their faces indicate that
these men have yet to see battle. This
photo was taken upon their arrival to
England in July 1944. Their faces will
soon reflect their witness to the gates
of many hellacious battles.
A snap in Nebraska just before leaving the USA.
Handsome Joe. Born of
Italian decent and raised
on the outskirts of Boston.
His attention to detail
earned him the navigator
/bombadier role. His view
from the Plexiglas nose of
the plane and the Norden
bombsight was a front
row seat, a firsthand
witness to many who
were not so lucky to make
it home. Joe was proud to
be home, he let all nine of
his children know.
This is a compelling view from above. Joe Bodio
produced this drawing depicting six  B17's and a
German fighter, Bf-109. One B17 has been hit,
spiraling toward the ground below. It is a strong
image of the feelings from the crews sights on a
particularly harrowing mission. Joe's son, author
Stephen Bodio, has this hanging in his library.
VUME - 34 Missions and lived to tell about it!
The Crew of the B-17 "Sack Rabbit"
Handsome Joe casts a military wave to his family from the rear seat as he passes the center of
Easton, MA. He proudly wears his flight cap and dress jacket for the Memorial Day Parade.
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Joes A2
artwork he
proudly
displayed.
Each bomb
hand painted, a
memory of the
missions that
created a
brotherhood.
The Real Sack Rabbit
For the record.
Joe was not
alone, his
brethren were all
part of this
achievement.