After December 7th, 1941, the United States entered World War II. And with many boys would be drafted or volunteer for their service. Joe Enrietti and Wesley Loosemore were two of those boys who would become men at one of the globe’s most difficult times in history.
Joe Enrietti raised his hand alongside five others in his draft class to volunteer to enter the armed forces. While his sights were set on becoming a pilot, he went on to take one of World War II’s most dangerous roles, as a turret ball gunner on the belly of a B-24 in the 467th bomber squadron.
Over, fighter planes coming in, shooting film at us. And we’d be shooting films at him. Instead of bullets in our guns, they had cameras that came in cartridges. After a while, the pilot says, the rest of your crew can settle down, but the fighter pilots want more pictures taken of them, and we want to take more of the tail gunner. – Joe Enrietti, 467th bomber squadron
Training flights were difficult, to say the least. During one training mission, his turret was separated from the plane’s fuselage after a crash.
So I start tapping out SOS dot dotdot dash dashdash dot dotdot. Pretty soon, I saw a person come up on a cable. They must have had a crane. And he waved to me, and I waved to him. – Joe Enrietti, 467th bomber squadron
Wesley Loosemore also served on the European front in the Army Air Forces. Before he could join a crew, Loosemore was sent to Miami, Florida, then to Texas, and even South Dakota for training as a technical sergeant to work with radio communications on flights for the 303rd bomber squadron.
I don’t know if I was worried about too much. But I was surprised I was told to report down there, after I was told when I enlisted, I could finish my education. Anyway, I was down there. And of course this was in February, and colder than hell up north, and 80, 90 degrees. We had to be out on the airfield. I got the worst sunburn of my life. – Wesley Loosemore, 303rd bomber squadron
Loosemore says missions aboard bombers were very dangerous, which caused strife between American and British leaders.
They were arguing. And the British wanted to fly at night because it was safer. But less accurate. But Ike kept promoting the daylight bombing. Because it was more accurate. And of course, we had a lot of German people. I mean, people with German backgrounds are flying with us too, as American flyers. – Wesley Loosemore, 303rd bomber squadron
Enrietti admits it’s difficult reflecting on missions in the war. But smiles, remembering the men he served alongside.
We didn’t have too much time off, but we all got bicycles. We bought them because that was the mode of transportation in England that you could afford. Sowe’d buy them like cars, and if you’re there long enough, you trade them in for a new one. But anyway, we’d make it to a tavern in town and have a few beers. But at that time, that’s when the brakes came on the handlebars and all. We were used to the coaster brakes. – Joe Enrietti, 467th bomber squadron
Thank you, Joseph Enrrietti and Wesley Loosemore, for your service to the United States. Each has surpassed their 100th birthday, with Joe recently having wrapped up his celebration. The copper country is a unique center of centers. Enrietti and Loosemore also served in World War II with another Keweenaw Peninsula resident, Joe Kirkish. Happy fourth of july. Celebrate this weekend, but remember the sacrifice of our veterans and their families.
