In Their Own Words

S/Sgt. Carlyle “Van” Van Selus

U.S. Army Air Corps

WWII

European Air Campaign

B17 Bomber 

Ball Turret Gunner

92nd Bomb Group, 326th Bomb Squadron

Shot down on his 13th combat mission 

The French Underground 

Van’s dedication to his mission had already been tested in December 1943 when his ball turret door was blown off. Despite minus 55 degree temperatures, Van choose to stay in place so the enemy wouldn’t see an empty turret. It had taken some time for him to recover from the extensive frostbite he endured - a result of being in the extreme cold for several hours until the mission was completed.

But his will was tested again on his 13th mission in February 1944. Number two engine was on fire and the crew had to get out fast before the plane exploded. Without any training, Van managed to parachute out into the freezing air, landing in German occupied territory, where he was captured by a couple of soldiers.

Thrown into the back of a truck, Van suddenly found himself unattended in the French countryside, while his German captors stopped at pub.  Wasting no time, he made his way across the French countryside and into the care of the French Underground...

In Their Own Words briefly describes a specific historical story told during an APHA interview that is used as short stories for the media.