ABOUT THE FLAK Suit and the Story !

This a gag photo thought of by pilot Brooks and our Squadron photog who was like a mascot to our crew he hadhis choice of any crew he wanted for his missions and he sort of adopted us and we adopted him---but I am so embarrassed--I forgot his name--just plain slipped from my memory---yes, thats Brooks in a flak suit, never worn by a pilot and a gas mask (never worn in a plane) if you will look at this guy's boots and know WWII lore you will recognize British flying boots which Brooks got in a trade for something--maybe one of our B-24s--who knows--at the time, early 1944, no one else had such boots the photo appears in our group story book-"The Vulgar Vultures" and I've a copy printed by our photog friend along with photos of each crew member at their position on our steed Tepee Time Gal---the British we were in contact with were anti airtcraft gunners located on San Giovanni to protect our groups, our planes and and everybody--from air raids--their highest officers were Sergeants and Brooks was accepted by their group, invited to their Sgt's mess and their red light girls as well, even though he was an officer. I do believe Brooks could be accepted by anyone and everyone--what a gift--

"Sammy" Seymour Gaines /crew Member, VIA son Jim O'Boyle, Jr.

James J O'Boyle