It was a tradition at Earlham High School to vote for two juniors to lead in us graduates, one girl, one boy. My two cousins were elected, Judy Neal and Bob Scar, who both grew up on farms.

Judy is the daughter of Dad’s brother, and Bob is the son of Mom’s sister.

Dad and his brother both served in WWII, but Uncle Bill served in combat–13 missions over the Hump as a first pilot of a C-47. I never knew about it until a few years ago. Here is his story.

Bob’s mother was the twin of Dale Wilson, a B-25 pilot who was shot down in a B-25, and the bomber and crew have never been found. (Dale’s two younger brothers also lost their lives.)

Bob Scar was a Marine bomber-jet pilot in Vietnam, and decades later, retired as a captain with Delta Airlines. He lost his first wife, Connie, to cancer and is now married to Lisa, who retired from a career as a flight attendant.

Judy taught school on Okinawa, where she me Bob Johannsesn. She retired a career with FEMA as a trainer/facilitator.  Her husband Bob Johannesen, was a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and retired from a career with DEA Drug Enforcement Administration.

Both Bob Scar and Judy, both born at the Dexter Clinic Hospital in 1945, have May birthdays. Bob was born shortly after his mother learned that another of her brothers was MIA. Aunt Darlene said that Bob’s babyhood was a blur for her.

Judy was born during a tornado, and the hospital had to rely on a generator. Her dad was on his way home from serving in India and had not gotten the Red Cross note about his new baby, so when he got home he still didn’t know whether he had a son or a daughter!