Mr. O'Connell

[Carleton]

Mr. O'Connell,
Please forgive me for cutting into the forum. I did not know how to contact you. My name is Carleton Jones. My wife's Grandfather was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 . He died a couple of years ago. In the last few years of his life he told me many war stories but unfortunately would not ever let me record any. One story was when he shot down a German jet. After he died my wife's family found the newspaper article where he and his tale turret gunner were credited with shooting down a ME 262. I have the original article in my possession , but it is torn out and does not have a date. I bought your book the other day and have been reading through it to see if I could learn anymore. My question is what plane was it? I was told not by him but by his family at a later date that it was the first Jet ever to be shot down in combat. I am not sure that is correct or an embellishment . If by chance you can help with this , I would appreciate it. The newspaper article states, two ME 262 were downed , one was destroyed, if that might help. I would be glad to scan the article and send to you.
Thank you,
Carleton A Jones
Newnan, GA