Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with Delbert Augsburger
Part of the Illinois Public Media (WILL radio.tv.online)
Central Illinois World War II Stories project
Interview # VR2-V-D-2007-041
Delbert Augsburger, a ball turret gunner in World War II, was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Illinois Public Media – WILL AM-FM-TV Central Illinois World War II Stories project.
Interview dates & location:
Date: 23 July 2007 Location: Delbert Augsberger’s home in Flanagan, IL
Interview Format: Digital video
Interviewer: James W. Meadows III, Illinois Public Media affiliate
Technical Support (cameraman, etc): Henry Radcliffe, Videographer, Illinois Public Media (WILL radio.tv.online)
Transcription being processed.
Transcription by: __________________________
Edited by: _______________________________
Total Pages: ______ Total Time: 1 hr, 33 min / 1.55 hrs
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on December 24, 2014.
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2007 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
Delbert J. Augsburger, Veterans Remember, VR2-V-D-2007-041
Biographical Information Overview of Interview: Delbert J. Augsburger was born on March 29, 1923 in Flanagan, Illinois. Although a devout Mennonite, he decided to enter the service after he was drafted. He received basic training for the Army Air Force at the Jefferson Barracks in Saint Louis, Missouri. Even though he wanted to be a pilot, Augsburger trained to be a ball turret gunner in Las Vegas, Nevada. His crew was formed in Nevada, and Augsburger was assigned to the 324th Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, part of the 8th Air Force.
When aircrafts were not available yet for Augsburger’s crew, he was temporarily sent to Langley Field, Virginia before he was shipped to Europe. Augsburger strongly believes the delay in his arrival into the European Theater saved his life. He was eventually stationed in Bassingbourn, England and was a gunner on a B-17, logging a total of twenty-three missions; his first in the fall of 1944. He flew over Southern France, the Rhine River, and Berlin, Germany. Augsburger was responsible for delivering bombs on intended targets, typically factories.
He was discharged in late 1945 after he became temporarily deaf. After the war, Augsburger married his wife, returned to Flanagan, and joined the Methodist Church.
Subject Headings/Key Words: Flanagan, Illinois; conscientious objector; Mennonite Church; Jefferson Barracks, Saint Louis, Missouri; Las Vegas, Nevada; 324th Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force; Kearney, Nebraska; Langley Field, Virginia; Bassingbourn, England; B-17 Flying Fortress; France; Rhine River; Berlin, Germany; Methodist Church.
Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
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