From: Craig Broughton
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 7:11 AM
To: Gaye Lyn
Subject: From Craig Broughton
Lyn
I can’t begin to tell you how surprised I was to receive your message
via Goodreads. I don’t know how you located me, but I’m certainly glad
you did! Richard N. Broughton, aka Dick, is my father and as you noted
he passed away in 2011. I’m aware of his brief flying career with
Veterans Airlines before he re-entered military service in the Air Force
where he served until 1969 when he retired after serving in Viet Nam.
Dad told my brother and I about his exploits in providing war relief to
Europe, particularly the challenge of flying calves to Greece….he
never forgot the smell of the “passenger” section. I remember a number
of stories he told about his trips to Europe. After dad passed away and
we were going through his things, we located a number of newspaper
clipping that my grandmother had saved that reported on the flights
originating out of Newark where my dad born and raised.
I’m also in possession of my dad’s old photo album….he was quite an
amateur shutterbug in his youth….and it contains several pics of the
planes loaded with calves, as well as other photos of him in post-war
Europe, including Greece and Germany.
I enjoyed touring your website and was amazed at the extent of your
research. I was also intrigued by the references to my dad and some
quotes attributed to him, especially one related to a WWII mission in
his B-17 when he returned from a mission over Germany with only one
engine. Like many of his generation, my dad rarely spoke of his war
experiences and for years my brother and I weren’t aware of this
incident. It was only after we spoke with a former crew member of his
B-17, Mo Spielburg, who glowingly recounted the tale to us and how he
refused my dad’s instruction to bale out of the plane rather than risk a
one engine landing in England. Mo told us that he trusted my dad’s pilot
skills and he chose to remain in the plane ( most did jump!) and they
did manage to land safely.
Sadly, my dad passed away at age 90 in October 2011 after suffering from
Alzheimer’s for several years. My mom, who served as a WAVE in the war,
passed away 4 months later. They are together at Arlington.
Please forgive any typos, I’m writing this on my iPad and away from my
home computer … I also don’t have access to my dad’s photos here but
I’ll be returning back … on November 7.
If you need my contact information, here’s my home address and cell
phone … feel free to call because I’d be happy to talk to you about
this,
Craig Broughton
Again, thanks for reaching out to me. I also forwarded your email to my
brother Robert … and he was also fascinated by your research on this.
Please let me know if you need additional details re my father.
Craig
From: Gaye Lyn
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 7:50 AM
To: Craig Broughton
Subject: Re: From Craig Broughton
Craig!!!!! You have NO idea how pleased I am to get your message!! Your
story is fantastic – the details. I’m so excited that you personally
know about some of your Dad’s exploits – and, yes, I’d use the same word
– exploits. What your Dad and my Dad and the rest of the men did both
in the war and afterward is worthy of telling. I had no idea when I got
started that I would find SO MUCH – and that I’d actually find sons like
you and your brother. I hope you saw my Jack Stettner stories. THAT
was soooo incredible. And cross your fingers for me today, because I
may have just found another member of the crew. Edward F. Martz, Jr.
(at least in January according to his sister’s obituary) is living in
New Jersey! !! I’m so sorry I didn’t start my research sooner, but it
just wasn’t possible. Jack also suffers from Alzheimer’s – but his
“kids” saw it coming and got him to write about WWII and Veterans Air.
His books have been a huge source of information for me. And he is a
pistol! I’m so sorry I missed your Dad and Mom!
Anyway, Craig, I’ll be back to you soon to tell you how I found you on
GOOD READS. I also somewhat reluctantly sent you a FB message yesterday
late. I didn’t want you to think I was a stalker or some sort of crazy
lady. I’m still trying to craft a plausible “elevator speech” for my
first contact with families. I’ve gotten some really fun – and
understandably hesitant – reactions. So thank you, thank you for
responding and sharing so much info.
Notice I’ve changed my sending email address. Until I’m sure I’m in
touch with trusted sources, I use a “throw away” address to keep my
prized address as free of spam as possible. Please continue to use this
sending address.
An aside, my husband lived in Asheville for 12 years or so and swore
he’d never leave the hills of western NC. I moved there when we got
married (coming up on our 20th anniversary in Feb), but I could not find
decent work there and was missing my old industry – I spent 18 years in
marketing and sales in corporate aviation. I had an office at Teterboro
Airport, having NO IDEA that Veterans Air Express often position their
aircraft there!!! I worked at the same airport my Dad did!!!
Okay, I’ve got to go chase down Edward Martz and, if I’m successful,
I’ll let you know. I’m feeling lucky having just gotten your message.
Hoping it spills over!!! Am I greedy, or what???
My very, very best to you.
Gaye Lyn
From: Gaye Lyn
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 8:58 AM
To: Craig Broughton
Subject: Re: From Craig Broughton
CRAIG. A REPORT ON EDWARD MARTZ!!!!
He’s 90. I’ve just spent 20 minutes on the phone with his youngest
daughter. We’re making plans for me to speak with him next week. Right
now he AND HIS WIFE!!! are moving to a single family home in New Jersey
…
I’m walking in circles talking to myself – and decided to at least put
the energy to good use and get back to you. Let me see if I can follow
the breadcrumbs of how I found you and Robert . It’s a fun exercise:
Richard Broughton was listed on pg 2 of the first attachment as one
of the founding members of Veterans Air Express. That article – and
the most unusual last names first – was starting point of my
research. The list has grown considerably!
I never found your Dad’s military records – even after reading his
obituary, which is, sadly, what I found first – just last week. It
mentioned “Veterans Airlines” and eastern Europe and I knew I had my
man! Then I found your Mom’s obituary and was further touched and
saddened.
And, of course, from their stories, I then had your name and Robert’s.
From there, it took some digging to properly identify you.
Attachment #2. And the hardest part, which I never achieved, was a
phone number.
Robert was easier to identify and find. And I left a message at his
clinic yesterday. Do you know if he got it?
BUT, the internet is a scary & helpful place. I probably googled
Craig Broughton, somewhere in FL and somehow GOOD READS showed up.
When I saw the photo, you just looked like you’d be your Dad’s son.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, I had discovered CREW MANIFESTS
via Ancestry.com A whole new and fabulous research tool. And
thereupon I found your Richard Broughton listed as Copilot in April ‘46
and 2nd Officer in May ‘46 on DC-4 flights to Prague.
And that’s how it goes. And, speaking of going, I’m mentally GONE to
New Jersey – and probably physically before Thanksgiving. I must meet
Edward Martz if the family agrees. And I believe they will. Sue was
pretty excited to talk to me today.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. (Just so you know, I’m
naturally a very positive, high energy person – but I am off the wall
right now with excitement of being in touch with you and your brother
and the very fact that Edward Martz is alive and well.) So, welcome to
the Veterans Air Family!!!
My best,
g.
Gaye Lyn
Veterans Air Line &Veterans Air Express
Saunie Gravely, Founder, President, 1945
Gaye Lyn Gravely, Researcher, 2015
Web: veteransair.org