Show i r ar 1 lii V w 1 t if t a r h y to if AA J r t 1 1 Y z I vi 1 y F Former Pastor Boasts Charmed life life Twice Cheats Death in Air ir Battles Battles' i t. t l a F Li Liu u o a y t z a. a Aerial Gunner Has Charmed Life Technical Sergeant Karl J. J McKain former Idaho clergyman convalesces at station hospital army air base Salt Lake City Two years ago K Karl rI J J. J ain McKain was pastor of ot a congregation in Boise Idaho Since then he has cheated death twice becoming one of the decorated heroes of ot the bomb squadron Clergyman McKain asked for a leave of absence In February 1941 but because of the churchs church's s 's traditional traditional traditional tra tra- tra- tra opposition to war permission permission permission per per- mission was reluctantly granted Ten months af afterward he was overseas overseas overseas over over- seas as a technical sergeant serving serving serving ing as an aerial gunner and radio operator Lost Balance In November 1942 his mo four bomber was feet over the L Leros ros island of ot the group The last bomb wa was saved for an axis ship offshore Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Ser Ser- geant McKain was in the bomb bay on the catwalk with the planes plane's camera as the last bomb dropped McKain lost his balance as the bomb brushed his arm For what seemed an eternity he feared he was a goner Steady nerves and anda a stout grip saved him from the plunge But that wasn't the first time he had cheated death On April 7 1941 Jib his plane made a rough I landing at the army army air base Salt Lake City which sent him im to Fitzsimmons hospital In Denver for six months When he was re released released released re- re leased after army surgeons sue sue- in ln in grafting bone to his spine he returned to Salt Lake City The day following his return return re re- turn he was en route to the west coast with a bomb group Much l Decorated Two vo years to the day that he had cheated death death April April 7 1943 McKain was back on American soil soU with the He holds the distinguished flying cross and the air medal and has as been recommended recommended recommended mended for the oak leaf cluster Ordained a a United Brethren minister in 1928 at Dayton Ohio I Sergeant McKain accepted the Boise pastorate in in 1938 He is convalescing from a minor Inor surgical operation at the station hospital army air base Salt Lake City and will return to active duty soon |