To note a much happier occasion: Happy birthday to Bill Schock, owner/editor of the Falls City Journal, who was monumentally helpful to me in the research and writing of the upcoming book. He graciously shared his photos and memories of Braniff 250 with me for publication; four of those are below, many more will be printed in the book. The flight crashed near Falls City on his 50th birthday and his articles and photos were used in the investigation and nationwide press coverage of the accident.

Bill’s life has been extraordinary; he was shot down while piloting a B-17 returning from a raid over Marienbad, Germany. He was a P.O.W. of the Germans from April 1944 until his prison camp was liberated by Red Army troops at the end of the war. After returning to Falls City, he returned to the Journal, eventually owning it outright. He has written for the paper since 1939; his latest column was printed just a few days ago. Highlights of his story are included in the forthcoming book, so you can read all about it then.

He also doesn’t like a fuss made. So forgive me, Bill, but we hope you have a very happy birthday today!