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Show ST. GEORGE www.thespectrum.com — The Spectrum POW e Continued from page 9 who called him “his ace of 44A’ his flight class. After learning on a Ptl7 Stearman trainer, he moved to Alabama for training on the multi-engine BT-13. He then went- to eee for more training. He finally graduated in January of 1944 and was assigned as a co-pilot. He and his fellow fliers headed to England on a Liberty ship. They arrived just after D-Day. ~ Teran came close to death a couple of other times before his ee pire. Pest he NEIGHBORHOODS problem; Teran. said of condinonss in Luft Stalag 3, CampL ky Strike since all the prison facilities were named after cigarette brands. “There wasn’t much of it and we had to cook our own. Just a little bit of soup with what we could add from Red Cross papioges which seldom came. About the only required activity was a rollall, walled apell. Following several months at Camp Lucky Strike, which was the in western Poland, . Germans decided to captivity. Once he had returned to the United States, Teran was given the option of staying in the Army Teran said. “Suddenly there were alarms all over. We thought the British, who bombed at night, were going to bomb us. After traveling through Brighton high schools in the Salt Lake City area. The couple raised four sons. They now have 18 grandchildren and 25 great- move their prisoners as the Bob Teran’s German prisoner-of-war ID card. camp, Teran noted, was the which had a capacity of 600. There were not suffi- one from which “The Great cient bathroom facilities, of That course.” “We alwape said ates overhead thfdughout” the : The Soleway to move the probably had the greatest night. That made it difficult 900 prisoners was to march flowers that next spring, for them to sleep. The next them since other forms of Teran said with a smile. day they learned that one Continuing on, the prishad hit a hospital about a transportation were in use elsewhere. oners stopped at a crock mile from their hotel. “Tt was the coldest winter factory, then at a ranch Flying in a B-17 named ever, Teran recalled. “The house where they slept Ronnie Boy, Teran and his fellow airmen had 19 Russians were coming so underneath a barn that the Germans said, ‘get your was raised, They spent two successful missions over stuff together. We're going nights there, Teran said, Germany. Taking off from to march out? because an American genKimbolton, England, on The march began on Jan. eral convinced the Germans their 20th mission, they 25, 1945. The first night the the men needed the rest. didn’t know they wouldn't 900 men slept in a church The stop wasn't especially be coming home. The men of the 8th Air Force, 379th Bomb Group, 527th Squadron had three previous successful missions over Merseburg, Germany, where they had bombed an Choose From Over 800 Inspirational oil target. “We were hit by anti-airGREEENG CARDS craft fire’ Teran recalled. “Just before the plane exploded, a couple of us got out. I was picked up in a Get Well « Wedding ¢ Thank You flatbed truck. The Germans’ favorite (phrase) is Macht Schnell, which means ‘do it in a hurry: When they captured us, they just pointed their guns and motioned us where to go. It was not a whole lot of fun’ Before hewasabletohurry into the truck, a German Christian Books Gifts Music civilian kicked Teran in the backside, breaking his cocCorner of Sunset & Valley View Dr. cyx bone. It never healed St. George * 435.688.2866 properly. “Food was our biggest a Birthday ° Anniversary restful because a bitterly cold wind blew all the time. Eventually the men were placed on World War I-vintage boxcars. “When the doors shut, you were there; Teran said of conditions. Still no bathroom facilities. “You opened the door and let it all hang out; he recalled. “One night we stopped at a train station’ coached 102496_C50 Jordan and Country Club in Utah County in 1969 and proudly displays the trophy he received. He also proudly displays some of the yearbooks his students produced. “They needed someone to run the yearbook; he said. “I had never done it before, but I got to choose the kids and had a good time’ Teran has had health challenges over the years. Some, Marva said, are related to his time as a a of war. “He has never = avery good sleeper, she said. “If he hears the slightest noise, he’s u He hie battled for his rights and the compensation he deserves over the years. He has helped his comrades, too. Marva noted that his navigator’s son found Teran and enlisted his help in behalf of his father. “Why am I here?” Teran asked rhetorically. “I guess the Lord protected me: eS All patients seen by Board Certified Dermatologist [2 KARL TRIMBLE, mp SKIN CANCER MANAGEMENT Detection/Diagnosis/Treatment/Moh’s Surge Cosmetic Services * Botox + Restylane hiloh” f at — 11 grandchildren. When he took up golf, Teran found a sport he was well-suited for. He was the club champion at Alpine Ly >< | gm © Air Corps at the rank of sergeant or serving in the Reserves. He chose the latter and asked to be assigned to a base in Kearns. That's where he met his wife, Marva. “We met, talked and enjoyed each other's company, he said. They married in October of 1946. Teran attended the University of Utah on the G.I. Bill and graduated in three years. He then began a teaching and coaching career. He taught and Bob Hudson / For St. George Neighborhoods Russians advanced. For the week of September 19, 2008 several battle areas, the men reched Luft Stalag 7A. “Tt was the worst place we had ever been with dysentery, diarehha and bedbugs,’ Teran said. After Patton liberated the prisoners, they began their trek home. Teran had lost 90 pounds in less than a year of a . e A Ee will ne Be ee Fact: One person dies every hour ee 435-674-3552 ~ 1-877-574-3552 Friendly Staff Committed to Personalized Care Bloomington Executive'Suites* St.George | (Across from Wal-Mart) NEW PATIENTS WE coe roe ° |