Veterans Group Member of the Month Please meet Thomas B. Yester Tom Yester enlisted in the Air Force January 1942 and served till July 1945. Tom served with three squadrons, the B-24 Unit in the 98th Group, the B-26 456 Squadron, and the 1st Pathfinders. The 1st Pathfinders were the first squadron to use radar blind bombing, in which they bombed according to the radio signal received from England. The B-26s were called Marauders by the Airforce, but nicknamed the Widow Makers by the men because there were so many casualties during the training process of the crews. In combat however, they had the least casualties because of the expertise of the pilots. Tom flew bombing missions over France, Belgium and Holland and, after D-Day, Germany. Tom served as a B-26 Staff Sergeant Tail Gunner on 60 missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Nine Clusters, and ten Service Ribbons. One mission flown over France before D-day, was memorable for the 88 shell that went through the plane. The shell left a hole without the fuse of the shell exploding. Tom credits this to sabotage. The Germans used the Jews or anyone who had any experience doing metal work in the German labor camps making weapons. The prisoners sabotaged the German's shells and other armaments. Tom also served in Germany during the Korean War and in active duty with the National Guard retiring with the rank of Captain. Tom is currently the Chairman of the Branford Veterans Parade Committee, and has served on the Committee for 40 years. He has also served over 30 years on the Soldiers' Sailors' and Marines' Fund helping indigent veterans needing assistance. Tom volunteers at St. Mary's School in Branford as a Recess Supervisor and has done so for 25 years.

Please view a video clip from an interview with Tom Yester below.