Introduction
Born in the very beginning
of the 20th century, Antoine de Saint Exupery is perhaps the most universally
loved man in France. A person would have to strive very hard, even
in this new century, to find a French citizen or knowlegable aviator of
any nationality who does not know of Saint Exupery-- Airline pioneer,
Fighter Pilot, Philospher and revered Author.
His last P38 mission on July
31st, 1944 was one from which he never returned. He took off from the
Airfield of Borgo in Corsica France that day and never returned.
At the time, he
was in the 2/33 French Photo Reconn, working with the 23rd US PRS (Photo
Reconn Squadron) also stationed at Borgo Corsica.
Colonel Hugh "Rowdy" Dow (Ret), 350th FG, 347th FS Commander, and brother of 346th FS Pilot
Lt. Colonel (Ret) Glenn Dow was gracious enough to pass along the following
Saint Exupery letter. It was published for the American people in 1944.
It was sent to him by his friend Dominque Taddei. Dominque was a
young Corsican boy during the war, whose parents had known Antoine de Saint
Exupery.
Dominque and Colonel Dow have kept up their friendship
over the last half century, and Dominquie has published a book of the 57th Bomb
Wing that covered their time on Corsica from 1943 to 1945. We count
Dominque amongst our very special friends.
