Merrick, Merrell "Mel" B-17 Radio Operator

Merrell Merrick was born in Illinois. Merrick was drafted into service in November of 1942. After having some testing in Utah, it was determined that Merrick qualified to be a radio operator. His tour of training included stops in Chicago for radio school and at Fort Myers, Florida for gunnery school. Merrick reported to Texas for crew assignment and phase training. He was assigned to crew #27, 569th squadron, 390th Bomb Group, as the radio operator. After the completion of their training, the crew was assigned to the air base at Framlingham, England. Merrick completed 6 combat missions. On the seventh mission he was shot down by flak and forced to crash land in Holland. The crew was taken as prisoners of war by German forces and Merrick was a POW until the end of the war in Europe. Merrick was eventually liberated by British forces. In the course of Merrick's interview, he describes the harrowing experience of being shot down: a direct flak hit that knocked the No. 3 engine off the plane; they crash landed in a field in Holland hitting 2 trees on the way in; lit the plane on fire to destroy it; and were subsequently captured and taken as POWs. Excellent description of life in the German stalags.

[@loveshisharley]

I am very thankful for these interviews. You’ve done a great service for our country preserving our military history. Thanks to this airman and many others who fought for the freedoms we enjoy!

[@mirek735]

Thanks Raymond for sharing these fascinating stories I could watch for hours Younger American generation should be proud of those brave veterans as much I'm proud of Polish airman's who fought in WW2
Actually Stalag Luft4 was only 15 miles away from my home back in Poland but didn't know much about it so next time I will visit this place and pay tribute for all those great people God bless them

[@alcald2000]

These are wonderful interviews with all these courageous and heroic people. They will become more and more valuable as time goes on. Thank you so much for all the effort that must have gone into creating them! Your questions are very good and must have become refined as you did more interviews!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you Alex. And thanks for watching.

[@realwealthproperties5671]

Wow! That was another great interview. He was so honest About his feelings, fears and emotions. A lot of people would not be so open and honest.

[@rebeccabsomanybooks3558]

Great interview. I cannot thank you enough for recording these soldier's stories. I have been studying WWII history for past year and current world events are chilling. These stories have added so much to my studies. Future historians will greatly appreciate your efforts to record these interviews which surely would have been lost. Thank you.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you for your kind comment and thanks for watching.

[@davidgleinbach7316]

Don't you get the feeling there's a dramatic Biker story there also.
Following the Rhine N/W in DAYLIGHT!.! That added miles also, even farm boy new they were in serious flack trouble.
GOD BLESS HIM, He deserved a Warm HOME COMMING! Can't pick your family …Although I'm glad he did pick a good
Woman in the end.

[@JohnThree16-zw4fr]

What a beautiful ending to a powerful life changing event in a young man's life, great interview, God bless Merrell

[@Bluepillphil-d1w]

Man, that music at the end always has me fighting off the tears.

[@tripley66]

What an interview!

[@douglasruss2889]

A Hero !