[courtesy of Mr. Ledbetter's private collection]
Jesse Ledbetter of Asheville, NC, flew B-24 bombers in Europe during the war – targeting German railroad yards and munitions and aircraft factories. For Ledbetter and his crew – who flew in tight formation with other bombers – the war was fought in the air, with enemy planes attacking from every direction and flak filling the skies over probable targets. While it was perilous duty, Ledbetter says he just couldn’t think about the risks. In all, Ledbetter and his crews flew 51 bombing missions between May and August of 1944.