Part XV

On 22 November 1945 the 34th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron was officially deactivated. Yes, the "book" and all its supporting records were packed into that "dusty packing case" and shipped off to the archives -- St. Louis, I guess. Perhaps the 34th had been put to rest, but its great wartime record will be long remembered and always endeared.

Commendations (two Presidential -- an amazing accomplishment in itself), awards and citations all actually numbering in the hundreds should serve to make each and every squadron member proud of his achievement -- yes, his personal achievement as an integral part of the "Team Greatness" that made the 34th what it was. The overall performance, without question, was outstanding and this was accomplished with but three losses, at most, attributed to enemy action. There had to be a reason -- yes, tactics and procedures undoubtedly played a part -- but for my money the real answer was "Total Effort" -- unselfish, dedicated "Total Team Effort". The squadron to a man had worked hard to achieve it and it had. It did happen.

P.S. (Yes, I called it quits, too. Shortly after New Year's 1946 I left the 10th in good hands for it was time to go home -- I had made one of those momentous decisions. Lieutenant Mary Elizabeth Chandler, one of two American nurses assigned to the War Crimes Trials in Nurembourg had already returned to the USA. I followed and it was a "Sentimental Journey" -- we were married at her mother's bedside in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 25 April 1946).