Duus to lead Corvallis Parade
By Jean Schurman
Charles “Chuck” Duus will be the grand marshal of the Corvallis Memorial Day Parade. This year the parade honors prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA). Duus, who is 86 years old, is the oldest surviving World War II POW in the valley. “I guess I’ve outlived them all,” he said.
Duus was a tailgunner on a B17 of the 92nd Bombardment Group, 407th Bomb Squadron that was shot down over Cologne, Germany on January 28, 1945. He recalls his descent from the crippled aircraft and saying how he could see trails in the deep snow. He landed in a yard and at first, the German soldiers thought he was one of them because of the ice and frost that covered his head and face because of the cold and dropping 26,000 feet. That was soon dispelled and he was taken prisoner. He said he was in as much danger from the Allies as he was from the Germans themselves because of all of the bombs being dropped and strafing of the German facilities.
He was moved from Cologne to Frankfort and then to Nuremburg. From there, he was moved to Stalag 7A in Moosburg, Germany. It was there he saw the head of the Nazi SS, Heinrich Himmler.
“I knew it wasn’t good when I saw him,” he said. He made an escape but was recaptured. However, he was liberated on April 29, 1945, by the United States Army under the command of General George S. Patton. Duus made his way to Paris and was there on VE Day, May 8, 1945. He had been in captivity 100 days.
“They (the Allies) had to sort us out and they thought I was French so they sent me there,” said Duus.
As one can imagine, being in Paris on VE Day was quite the experience. According to Duus, the French people really were saying ‘Ooo la laa’ as they celebrated the liberation.
Duus’ love of flying began when he was a youngster at the family home on Gird Creek, east of Hamilton. He would watch barnstormers land their planes in a bumpy field nearby. They inspired him to become a pilot. When World War II broke out, he was drafted but volunteered to go into the Army Air Force pilot program at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.
“It takes three years to train a fighter pilot,” writes Duus in his book, “Soaring with Eagles.” “The war would be over before the training of a pilot would be completed. We were all transferred to Las Vegas Gunnery School.”
After his gunnery training, Duus was assigned to the 92nd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force that was based in England. He was there from early November 1944 to the time he was shot down.
Duus went on to become a commercial pilot. He used his skills to herd cattle, cruise timber, check out prospecting spots as well as make numerous flights across the Selway and around Montana. His book details the early history of flying in the Bitterroot.
Duus is married to Dovie, his wife of many years. They have a daughter, Sherry Vandegancht, and a son, Chuck Jr.
When asked about the honor of being grand marshal, Duus’ eyes twinkle and a huge grin lights up his face. It’s not Paris but you can be sure, Duus will be having fun.
HHS Class of ’81 reunion
The Hamilton High School Class of 1981 will be holding its class reunion July 22-24. For list of events contact Brent Huseby at 363-4226 to leave a message for Lisa Green-Dow at 406-381-9258. Or for more information go to Facebook at Hamilton High School.
Pantry Partners collection drive
Eleven-year-old Savannah Conover of Stevensville has launched a collection drive for Pantry Partners. Her mission is to provide the north valley’s food bank with personal hygiene products for people in need during these difficult economic times. She has placed boxes at Cenex, Rocky Mountain Bank, Les Schwab Tires, Valley Drug, Aslin-Finch Feed & Farm, McNulty Chiropractic and Stevensville Community Medical Clinic. This is Savannah’s second year of collecting items for Pantry Partners. The drive will run from May to October and Savannah hopes to collect even more than last year.
Death Notices
Danny R. Bisbee
Missoula – Danny R. Bisbee, 49, passed away due to sepsis, in the morning, Thursday, May 19, 2011, at the Community Medical Center in Missoula. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.