King High Remembers

King High Remembers William J. Dykes By: Cody Means, Danielle Fillmore, Warren Cromie, and Chelsea Salazar

William J. Dykes • Born November 29th 1924 • 84 years of age • Served in the Korean War and World War 2

Mr. Dykes attended Riverside Poly High School • Graduated in 1943 • It was the only good high school around at the time

After High School… • A few days before Graduation, he was drafted into the army • He trained to become a tail gunner in Texas and in the Gulf of Mexico • Also attended Gunners School in the United States

The Beginning… • During Gunners School, William blew his ear drums out • They fired 50 calibers in the machine guns • When the guns jammed, as an instructor he would walk between the guns (while firing) and that’s when concussion would hit • The Men would used cotton for ear plugs

Training • There was a required Physical every three months • Since Mr. Dykes damaged his hearing, he bluffed his way through most of the physical, saying,“he had a cold.”

He Flew in a B-24 Bomber as the Tail Gunner

His Plane • On the tail of his bomber, there was a capital “D” (it was the 4th group in England) • One one mission every five seconds, 20 flak explosions would over an area of 36 bombers.

Their plane was named Hubert by the pilot To every plane, there was ten members to a crew Mr. Dykes was 22 when he first flew in “Hubert” He was the only tail gunner to his plane

Clothing • Wore four pairs of gloves with a leather glove over them so his fingers would not get frostbite • Next was long johns, uniform, his flying suit, hoodie, scarf and his flight suit and over this he wore a flak suit (30 lbs)

weather • Sometimes while flying weather could get to as low as 40-50 degrees below 0.

There were two different types of wings Aircrew Wings Gunner Wings

People on the Plane • There are five gunners on the plane • Two in the front, two on the sides and one in the rear • There is the pilot, co-pilot, navigator • Normally there were 6 gunners- one below in a ball turret (but in England they took the ball turret out)

Worst case scenario • Mr. Dykes carried a bullet tied to a piece of string just in case their plane was shot down • He said “it was better to kill yourself than to surrender to those s.s troops’’

Places he flew • He flew most missions over Germany • Belgium • London • Flying it was much colder over Germany

For fun him and his buddies saw early shows, watch movies, drank They also threw coal at the MP’s Guard shacks Mr. Dykes had a bike that he would ride thru the small towns One day someone stole his bike before going home. Entertaining activities

After the war… • Met Mrs. Dykes in high school while he was at RCC • He would sneak out to see her during the day • They are happily married for 62 years

Teaching • Got his teaching credentials at UCLA • Taught at RCC and a college in the Dessert.

He worked at the Coroner for over 31 years • The office had dealt with over 50,000 cases • Before joining the Coroners office (11-1-1955) he was a state police officer for 3yrs. • He joined the Coroners office as an investigator • 17yrs. As chief coroner • 7 1/2 yrs. As coroner of riverside county

King High Remembers