I only ever had one conversation with him about it. That was all he said and it wasn't like they flew every mission together. I feel they broke ground and deserve the credit they are due. As far as the claim? Who will ever really know?
My grandfather told me that he flew with these guys sometimes. For the claim of no bomber's shot down under their escort? I never asked him that and he never mentioned it. The only thing he did tell me about them was that they were usually only escorts on milk runs.
My grandfather flew with a squadron called "The Flying Skulls." He flew over North Africa and Anzio. He was in the 79th fighter group, 85th squadron. He died in 1989. This year, I finally received a box of his possessions, including his flight jacket and a leather flight helmet. As a kid, I used...