Into Thin Air
Today's story is about love. Love withstanding all odds.
Love withstanding space and time. Today’s story is about the love between Peggy and Billie, a WWII Veteran.
Maybe it was a different time back then, or perhaps it was the fact Peggy felt so strongly about Billie, but she never ceased to seek out information regarding his whereabouts. Never seeing her husband again after only six weeks of marriage might seem like the ultimate deal breaker, but Peggy knew deep in her heart Billie would not just disappear.
Not Giving Up
Something was wrong.
In order to find out what ever happened to her husband, Peggy needed to be prepared to roll up her sleeves and dig deep. For years, Peggy contacted all sorts of people and gathered what little information she managed to put together and tried to connect the dots, but there was no use.
The Unknown
Billie was gone, and so was any shred of evidence that could hint where he might be. Still, being the strong minded woman she was, Peggy was not going to give up.
Indeed, Billie and Peggy’s story goes to show that despite being in the unknown, genuine love really does conquer all. Although Peggy has gone through plenty in her long life, the one thing she was not willing to give up on was her one true love.
Met In an Uncommon Way
Plenty drew inspiration from the Peggy and Billie’s love story, who despite the curves that life threw their way, had faith in their hearts that everything will work out for the best.
Born in Vernon, Texas in the 1920’s, Peggy Seale had just turned 18 when she started working as an electrical instrument mechanic at the Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base. Shortly after, she met Billie through his father, who was employed as an assistant supervisor at the same base.
Unlike Any Other Girl
Billie’s father was sure Peggy and his son would hit it off – and he was right. Peggy was kind, beautiful and smart, but there was something about her that differentiated her from the rest.
Peggy was so unique that she was the only female mechanic on the Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base. Back then, it was not common for women to draft in the army, let alone work in a male dominated field such as mechanics.
Match Made in Heaven
But Peggy was always one to stick to her gut and follow her heart, whether she received support from others or not it simply did not matter. She knew who she was and what really mattered – staying true to herself.
After meeting Billie’s father, who was working in the propeller department, Peggy was soon introduced to his son, who loved how quirky and set in her mind Peggy was. While other girls were into beauty routines and landing wealthy men in their hooks, Peggy was interested in solving complicated mechanical problems and dedicated all of her time to serving her country in the best way she could.
Old Fashioned Courting
The moment they were introduced, Peggy and Billie felt a connection they could not deny.
However, their first encounter was not exactly what one would call “love at first sight,” since the two did not meet the first time they were introduced to one another. That’s right – the first time Billie and Peggy ever exchanged words was through letters.
It Was Improper
This kind of initial interaction is not something you often hear about these days, but back then, it was common for couples to get to know one another through writing letters if they had lived far away from each other.
This is the way Peggy tells it: “There was an opening in the production control office so I took that job. Billie’s father was the assistant manager in the propeller department there.
Taking Control
Soon after I came there he wanted me to write to his son who was a student pilot and I let him know that I did not write to men I did not know – particularly servicemen.” Indeed, Peggy was not willing to act in a way that would disgrace her.
Shortly after, Billie heard about Peggy through his father and decided to take matters into his own hands: “I began to get letters from Billie. I was a little fearful of this man, who had not seen me but he thought I was okay.
Based On Friendship
So when he came on leave (from the army), all of a sudden the door to the airplane opened and there was Billie Harris saying ‘Hello Peggy,’ and that was about it.”
Billie lived out in San Antonio, which was some distance from Peggy’s base, so sending letters was the simplest way to get to know one another. “Meeting” through the mail, the couple began to look forward to hearing from each other. Their friendship blossomed, and bond grew stronger with each letter that arrived.
Wedding Bells
After some time of corresponding, the letters turned slightly more flirtatious. The old-school way of putting it was “courting,” and that is precisely what it was. The letters were respectful and sweet.
Peggy and Billie went by the book. After they got to know each other via personal letters, Bille felt like it was time to move their relationship onto the next level. He proposed to Peggy, who was quick to respond with a “yes.” After a considerable amount of time mailing, it was only natural they would want to progress their courtship.
Utterly Broke
And so, come September 22, 1943, Peggy and Bille married in the sunshine state of Florida. Unfortunately, Peggy and Billie had no idea what was about to happen.
They were dirt poor. In fact, Billie and Peggy were so broke, Peggy had no choice but to present Billie with her Vernon High School class ring instead of the custom wedding ring during their ceremony since she simply could not afford to purchase one.
Tough Start At Life
The future was unknown and times were rough, but for Peggy and Billie, that did not matter. All they cared about is that after this time, they were finally able to be together as husband and wife.
Thinking forward and looking into the future, there were a lot of question marks regarding how their joint lives were going to turn out. While Peggy and Billie were both invested in starting a family, they had to stay realistic and understand that they had no means of providing for them.
Then The News Came
The two weighed all their options until they concluded that Billie would have to be the primary provider of their family. But this was only the start their problems.
Only then they received the most distressing news. Billie was in a celebratory mood for two separate reasons – one was on a personal level: he married the woman of his dreams and looked forward to starting their lives together.
The Big Blow
The other was professional success – Billie successfully completed his U.S, Army Air Corps pilot training at Brooks Field in San Antonio. Along with this achievement came a brand new, superior rank of a second lieutenant, and a letter declaring it was his turn to serve his country in the war.
Billie and Peggy had no solution to the situation. As saddening as it was, the both of did took an oath to protect their land and nation even to the extent of putting their lives out on the line, which trumped they made to each other – to stay together no matter what, as long as they both shall live.
Facing Reality
They did not get to spend as much time together as they had hoped and the thought of bringing kids was no longer an option.
Peggy watched in silence as her husband gathered his things and made his way towards the headquarters. It seemed unfair, having spent such little time together and already having to part, but Billie had no choice.
No Escape
It was his duty, that he took seriously and prided himself for doing so. Having kids and nurturing his family would have to wait for his return, although deep down both of them knew there was no guarantee that was even going to happen.
War World II was in full throttle. Americans were drafted on a daily basis – especially men who showed spectacular potential and useful sets of skills.
Women Were Helpless
Being both, Billie knew his day was coming, which is probably why he was not shocked or alarmed when that letter arrived, calling on him to report in Tallahassee and say his farewells to his loved ones. In an interview Peggy gave a website intended to commemorate the 354th Fighter Group, Peggy explained how she handled the situation.
“His group was all taken to Tallahassee, and the wives were taken there to a huge hotel.” Then further instructions were given to the ladies, as Peggy explained: “When the men were called up, the wives were told to go home and not tell anyone that their husbands had been sent overseas until they had arrived there safely.” Times were rough, but there was not much one could do.
Secrets Kept
Peggy and Billie had to deal with the fact that, after only being married for 6 weeks, they would have to part.
Indeed, the wives were told not tell a soul about their husbands being sent overseas to participate in the war, not until they had received confirmation their spouses arrived safely. But sadly for Peggy, the announcement she received about Billie’s safe arrival in Europe would be the last life signal she ever received from him.
Chaos
The reason behind the lack of information regarding Lieutenant Billie Harris’s whereabouts was due to disorganization leading to a bureaucratic mess on behalf of the U.S. Army.
The military could not tell its left from right to the extent of delivering Peggy false news regarding where her husband was. The army’s Supreme Headquarters in Allied France told Peggy her husband was safe and sound, making his way home – but the reality could not be further than this.
Unbelievably Unsystematic
After the authorities made a series of mistakes concerning her significant other, Peggy understood that if she ever wanted to see or hear from her husband again, she had no choice but to find out for herself.
Peggy went through hell and back: “A telegram came – the moment I opened it, I went into pieces. After a while, I looked at it again, then I went down to the telegraph office and brought with me letters from Billie that were written after the date of the telegram.
No Information Given
The telegram said, ‘missing: July 7th’, and I had letters, handwritten letters, dated after that. Later, they came up with ‘missing in action: July 17’.”
Peggy clung on to whatever information was sent her way, tried to connect the dots and embraced what little reinforcement she received from others: “I was told not to be concerned, that no doubt he was being ‘processed.’ Billie’s parents and I chose to believe that he was back in the United States. We were hoping that he was in a hospital somewhere and maybe just didn’t know who he was or had lost his memory.
Calling on the Red Cross
We had heard of cases like that.”
Despite Peggy’s and Billie’s parents’ best efforts to retrieve his footsteps, Billie was gone for good. By March 1945, Peggy already came to terms with the notion she would probably never see her husband again, and that he most like died.
Small Steps
Although an agonizing predicament, Peggy bargained with herself and reached the conclusion that, as horrid as the truth may be, she must know what happened to her husband. Instead of escaping the brutal truth, Peggy bravely contacted the International Red Cross.
With new hope on the horizon, Peggy thought she finally found an organization that would assist her in discovering Billie’s fate. Although the Red Cross was not willing to initiate an official search for Billie, it was successful in unveiling little bits of information and gathering details that were missing before.
Years of Sleepless Nights
Suddenly, new data was rising to the surface, and for a moment it seemed as though the truth about Billie was finally about to be revealed.
It was too soon to celebrate. Unluckily, the information gathered was contradictory, claiming in one report that Billie was undoubtedly missing, and in another that he was found dead. The searches dragged on for years, but Peggy was relentless on her journey for the truth.
Inconsiderate Announcement
As frustrating as it was hitting dead ends and dealing with apathetic figures as points of contact, Peggy was not willing to raise a white flag. Soon, her lifelong search would pay off.
Billie’s location and fate remained unknown by the time 2005 rolled around, as Peggy’s local congressman, Rep. Thornberry, took the stage and carelessly announced Billie was a troop that went missing in action as a part of his speech.
Mishandling is an Understatement
Not only did Thornberry have absolutely no idea what he was talking about, but his team flunked out on carrying out proper research, hence insensitively throwing random, baseless assumptions into thin air. Thornberry did eventually express his regret for speaking of a matter he knew nothing about.
He apologized for “mishandling” the situation, but no offering of remorse would provide Peggy with the closure she so desperately needed. She deserved to know what happened to her husband.
Didn’t See It Coming
Little did she know the truth was right under her nose, waiting to be discovered by none other than Billie’s very own flesh and blood – his cousin, Alton Harvey. Of course, all of Billie’s family was committed to finding out what ever happened to him, but after years of seemingly endless digging, the search was over.
Harvey discovered Billie’s turn of events as he browsed around the Department of the Army’s scattered and hidden files. Once he gained access to everything, he was determined to uncover where his relative has been after all those years.
There It Was
Interestingly enough, throughout his skim, Harvey learned that he was not the only person looking for his cousin. In actuality, there was another individual who was fishing around for information about Billie – a foreign French woman Harvey knew nothing about.
That very same French woman apparently requested the same files Harvey browsed through, but with one significant difference – she asked for it half a year before Harvey’s search. Unsure as to why a woman of her origin would request such information to be handed to her concerning his own cousin, Harvey was more curious than ever to find out what happened to Billie.
The Truth
After decades of uncertainty, finally, there was the truth, staring him blankly in the face.
The files exposed that Lieutenant Billie Harris was, in fact, posted in the United Kingdom. On duty, his role was to fly a P-51 Mustang, supposed allied bombers and fly across the English Channel on a daily basis.
On His Way Home
His exemplary work ethic, ultimate team work qualities and perfected professional skills all lead to Billie being awarded a Distinguished Flying Across award in addition to two other Air Medals consisting of 11 oak leaf clusters. Billie was a rare, preeminent soldier and patriot, but that was not all.
Having completed almost 100 missions, Billie was entitled to return home as of July 1944. Over the moon with joy about being able to see his loving Peggy again, Billie wrote to his faithful bride a letter enthused with excitement, expressing that he missed her dearly and was making his way home soon.
Heartbroken With Disappointment
Sadly, fate had a different idea concerning Billie’s future, and so instead of boarding the ship he was assigned to, Billie was told his trip home would have to wait.
Billie had to sit aside and watch others make their way onto the ship that was intended to take him home on account of having too many wounded troops on board. Poor Billie simply had no room, and to make things worse, the next ship that would make its way towards the U.S. was weeks away.
It Wasn’t His Time
As if they had not been through enough, the low capacity on the ship prevented Billie from boarding it. It was this call that forever changed their lives.
Since there was not much to do until the next cruise home, Billie continued carrying out missions for the army. The last flying mission Billie had also consisted of the last moment he was alive. Sadly, Billie’s plane was shot down as he was flying over the town of Les Ventes in northern France.
The Decision That Changed His Life
As his plane was spiraling down from the sky above, Billie had a crucial decision to make. With only minutes left to make the call, Billie did the unthinkable.
His plane was hit. Thanks to Billie’s years of training, he vastly comprehended what was about to happen.
Identity Revealed
Weighing his options at the speed of light, Billie realized he had a choice to make – flee the plane by ejecting from his seat and thereby save his own life, or stay in the descending blasting aircraft, divert it away from the French townspeople below and inevitably plunge towards his death. It was a tough call to make, nearly impossible for some… But not Billie.
His plane was hit. Thanks to Billie’s years of training, he vastly comprehended what was about to happen.
They Had No Idea Who He Was
Weighing his options at the speed of light, Billie realized he had a choice to make – flee the plane by ejecting from his seat and thereby save his own life, or stay in the descending blasting aircraft, divert it away from the French townspeople below and inevitably plunge towards his death. It was a tough call to make, nearly impossible for some… But not Billie.
Billie died that day in that horrid crash that took his life, so the town of Les Ventes thought the least it could do was honor his memory, which it has been doing ever since that day. However, the town did not have a lot of information about their hero, so they assumed the selfless pilot was a Canadian.
Extreme Measures
They buried him in their local cemetery and spoke of him in plenty of occasions, but they had no idea who he was.
It did not matter if he was of British, Canadian or American origin – what he did was heroic. Billie willingly gave up his own life and any future dreams he had for himself – and at a very young age at that – for the sake of others, strangers he knew absolutely nothing about.
Heading Back Home
Billie was always the first one to volunteer during his service, always put others’ needs and comfort in front of his own, but this was extreme even for him.
Once Peggy heard of her husband’s body’s whereabouts, she acted quickly and had him shipped over so that he could be close to her. His remains were moved to a grave in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.
His extraordinary, selfless act and show of courage saved many lives, which is why he is still spoken about admiringly in the French town of Les Ventes to this day. It is “the most decorated grave in all of Normandy” according to CBS News.