The Secret Rescue (31 page)

Rutkowski, who was proud that her daughter had followed her into the military by becoming a reserve officer with the 917th Tactical Fighter Wing, wrote a letter to her in the 1990s about her time in air evacuation and the lessons it taught her. “I learned that although I could get scared, I didn’t freeze, but gave it my best shot. I had wondered what my reaction to severe stress would be. Without military experience I may not have known I could do it. I made the decision that fear would not be permitted to decide my action. Through the years it has served me well.”

Jens, who died in 2010 and is inurned at Arlington, was so moved by her experience in Albania that when she was almost eighty-five years old, she published her memoirs of that time. She, like some of the other nurses, continued to wear the gold sovereign given to her by the British agents, made into a necklace, as a reminder of their remarkable journey and their secret rescue.

After learning so much about the people in this story and locating their families, I wasn’t ready to say good-bye when I finished writing the book. I’d met dozens of people, American, Albanian, and British, during my research, many of whom wouldn’t be alive today had their parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents not survived that Albanian winter. During our talks and emails, many of them were curious about the other families I’d found and nearly all of them wanted to meet Harold Hayes, the only living member of the stranded group. That’s when I, along with the children of radio operator Richard Lebo, Gayle Yost and Craig Lebo, decided to host a celebration of those who inspired
The Secret Rescue.

On November 9, 2013—almost seventy years to the day after the crash landing—about a hundred and fifty people gathered at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, just in time for Veteran’s Day. Harold, ninety-one, was the guest of honor. He traveled from Oregon with his wife and two daughters to attend. Other families, with several generations in tow, came from almost every part of the country. Two families traveled from Albania to be part of the event; for some in the group, it was their first trip to the United States. Also in attendance were Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, one of the most decorated military women in U.S. history, and Col. Albert Mullai, the Albanian Defense Attaché.

After speeches from the hosts and special guests—including Brig. Gen. Vaught, who eloquently recognized the heroism of all the women and men involved—we played Taps to honor those who’d passed away. Harold received an engraved silver box, which was later filled with messages from attendees. The formal program ended with all the families introducing themselves and sharing their connection to the story. At the reception that followed, people exchanged memories and photos and vowed to keep in touch with one another.

It was a special day for many, especially Harold, who said he was overwhelmed by the attention and goodwill. For the families, it was a day to remember their loved ones and what they’d survived and to connect with others who shared the same history. For me, it was an incredible honor to help bring so many people together to recognize these forgotten heroes.

The nurses and medics aboard the missing plane were part of the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron (MAETS), an innovative Army Air Forces program that transported more than one million wounded and sick troops during the war. Taken in July 1943, the photo includes the 807th MAETS nurses and enlisted men.
(Courtesy of the Harold Hayes Collection)

Captain William P. McKnight served as the 807th’s commanding officer and helped in search efforts for the missing.
(Courtesy of William P. McKnight, Jr.)

Agnes Jensen, one of thirteen nurses aboard the flight, joined the Army in 1941 in hopes of seeing the world.
(Courtesy of the Agnes Jensen Mangerich Family)

Twenty-one-year-old Harold Hayes, seen here in 1945, was one of the first medics added to the 807th’s roster.
(Courtesy of the Harold Hayes Collection)

Medics Robert Owen (
left
) and Lawrence Abbott (
right
) became fast friends with Hayes during their air evacuation training at Bowman Field Air Base in Louisville, Kentucky, and were also on board the ill-fated flight.
(Courtesy of the Robert Owen Family)

A German attack on the Albanian town of Berat almost cost the Americans their lives and left the party scattered.
(Courtesy of the National Archives at College Park, RG 226, Entry 165, box 11, folder 105)

Kostaq Stefa, shown here with his wife, Eleni, and their dog Rosy in their garden, led the stranded party through the mountains for weeks, finding food and shelter for them and keeping them from the Germans. Stefa was tortured when he returned to his home after helping the Americans and in 1948 was executed for having collaborated with the Allies.
(Courtesy of the Kostaq Stefa Family)