World War II Veteran
Bob Raymond

Interviewed by:

Anthony Lovati and Henry Watson

"I regret that there was a war and, I am proud I was able to serve in the war;
and to help do what needed to be done.

~ Bob Raymond (28:27)

Bob Raymond's Story:

At the age of 18 Bob Raymond was drafted into the United States Air Corps. Bob traveled to Florida and then to Mississippi for flight training where he met other men similar to him. His proudest moment was graduating from flight training. After seven months of flight training Bob flew to England for his first mission. Bob’s mother was sadly not living at the time but, his father was highly concerned with events in England.

As Bob flew his first mission, he was praying for his life. After flying his first mission, things went fairly smoothly until the day he stayed home. Bob describes this day as his most vivid memory of the war and the worst feeling he has ever had.

As Bob completed his missions he saw many fellow planes go down but not his own. After finishing his 35th mission, Bob was relieved. He recalls this as his happiest moment in the war. Once Bob returned to the states, he was a changed man. He was a changed man because he realized the importance of life and tried to live his life to the fullest and get as much out of every situation as he could. He had regretted not taking high school seriously and now he had a chance to change the state of his education.

Bob attended the University of Massachusetts, where he majored in electrical engineering. After graduation Bob worked for a utility company where he used some of his skills that he had obtained in the Air Corps. In Bob's everyday life, he occasionally witnesses things that will remind him of his time in the Air Corps. Bob regrets that there ever was a war but, he is proud that he was able to help with what needed to be done.