Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 10/10/2002

There are mistakes on the loading lists, plus, individuals did not always necessarily fly with their crew. My dad flew on different crews for three or so missions. As a co-pilot, he flew with another experienced pilot on his first mission and may have flown with a new pilot for a mission or two to get them up to speed after he had several missions under his belt. If a crew members missed a mission because of illness, he had to make it up somehow. You can e-mail me directly at smacafbu@yahoo.com

Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Tom Lahey
On: 08/25/2002

would like to find the status of the crew that flew with my dad, Ed Lahey-copilot with Kermit Opie- pilot
J.M.Schwartz-nav
J.E Browne-bomb
G.C.Fleetwood-radio
A.P. Simmons-engr
J.F.Brodie-ball
R. F. Burns-tail
A.Yantzie-l waist
H.A.Brauer-r waist
They served from 2-11-44 to 8-13-44 was the last mission

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 08/26/2002

Couldn't find any of them in the latest directory of members, but that doesn't mean they haven't joined since. I'd check with the association for more current status.

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 08/26/2002

P.S. Couldn't find a reference for a little john, either. If you have more info on the plane, I'm sure it would be well received. The only plane I have on their crew list is 42-31891, SC-P, no nickname. That's because the loading lists didn't carry nicknames until August 44 and their last flight was in the first part of August. Can provide you info on it if you'd like.

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: michael Lahey
On: 09/21/2002

Scott , You have been contacting my brother Tom regarding our dads aircraft. ANY info. you have regarding this plane or kermit or my dad would be greatly appreciated. I have my dads flight log and have always been confused that the serial # in his log did not match any planes in the 401st. There is a photo of this crew in califonia, I am tyrying to get a copy. I will forward a copy to the association if I am successful.

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Michael Lahey
On: 10/01/2002

In my Dads flight log I have two aircraft serial Numbers . The first is state side. 42-97261 wright 4800, the date is from 2-11-44 . His log reports crash landing on 6-14-44 , on the Le Bourget Field, Paris Mission. 10 missions in his log after that , and on 7-26-44. his aircraft ser. is listed in the log as 42-97510, on a mission to St. Lo. None of these numbers match yours . Why would there be the descrepencies. look forward to hearing from you appriciate your work.

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Tom Lahey
On: 10/27/2002

great, I would appreciate any info you have, I hope to stop at the 8th airforce museum in Savannah sometime in November

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: John Bodle -- ball turret
On: 01/06/2008

Am replying for John Bodle -- not J.F. "Brodie", but J. F. Bodle was ball turret gunner
The 401st book got my name wrong! after the war, I went to Notre Dame, grduated from law school and praticed law until late 1980s. Married and have 6 children, all much older than any of us were during WWII. Would be glad to hear more about your dad, our copilot, and a very likable and popular person.

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Tom Lahey
On: 01/07/2008

Well,
I am glad we found each other....I will make a point to call.I have your phone number from your daughter.
I am ED's oldest son.

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: luke opie
On: 06/24/2008

hey fellas. kermit opie was my grandfather. i was searching for pics of nose art and the crew when i came across this. the name of the plane was "DYNAMITE JOHN". he named it after my father who was about to be born. my grandfather passed away in the early nineties. i named my son after my father and now my son has a radio flyer tricycle with a "dynamite john" sticker on it that i had made. hope this was some help. later.

luke opie

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Dr. Brad Brauer
On: 08/23/2008

My Dad, Harry A. Brauer, was the right waist gunner. I have 2 pictures of the entire crew (but not standing before their own plane/ as per serial no.) My Dad, Harry, went on to become an accountant/ banker, moving from Aurora, IL to Montana. He died of bone marrow cancer, in Dec. 1995, in Billings, Montana. Would enjoy making connections with surviving relatives of the crew to learn more about my Dad's service life/ history beyond what I can learn from this site. - Brad in Lincoln

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: Dr. Brad Brauer
On: 08/23/2008

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: john parker
On: 01/25/2010

Kermit opie is my grandfather the planes name was dynamite john for my uncle. I have photos and news articles on them if you are interested

Re: Kermit Opie and Ed Lahey, plane called "little john"

Posted:
By: john parker
On: 01/25/2010

Mr. Lahey, my grandfather is Kermit Opie. My understanding is he and your father stayed in touch with Grandpa buying vehichles from him. Please feel free to email me we may have photos the other does not.