Joseph E. ("Jack") Stevens, Jr. was my father. Born 5/13/21, he came from very humble beginnings in Houston & Galveston, TX to sire a family of 5, become a wonderful father and husband, and work around the world as a chemical engineer.

He volunteered for the Army Air Corps shortly after Pearl Harbor, was selected for the bombing service, and transferred to Molesworth in December, 1943, about a month after getting married.

He was initially a co-pilot, but his primary pilot was killed on landing in Scotland before entering combat. He flew with other pilots for his first 15 missions, then took over, with his first mission as pilot being the March 22, 1944 raid over Berlin.

Following his 30 combat missions, he flew radio missions over England, including on D-Day. He then transferred to Sioux City, Iowa to train in B-29s for the invasion of Japan. Truman's decision to drop the nuclear bombs obviated those missions.

He was proud of his service and his crew but never chose to fly a plane again after his service. He had reunions with his crew in the 1980-90s. He passed away on July 3, 2003. His wife, Audrey, 5 children, and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren miss him.