By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LaPlace native Nemours “Nem” Montz, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, became the 106th member of the U.S. Air Force’s 384th Bomb Group to sign a B-17G wing panel last week as part of a national project.

“I think it’s pretty significant because a lot of these veterans are slowly passing away,” Nem’s son, Wayne Montz said, adding communicating with his dad is slowly getting harder because of his father’s sight and hearing difficulties. “Thank God he still has his memory.”

Wayne’s cousin Tom Madere contacted the 384th Bomb Group Inc. recently so Nem could participate in the 384th Bomb Group Veterans Signing Project, started in 2010 when a genuine B-17G wing skin panel was donated to the 384th Bomb Group Inc.

The panel is available for any 384th Bomb Group veteran who served in any capacity in the group from January 1943 to February 1946 to sign.

At the completion of the project, when officials said all possible signatures have been gathered, the wing panel will be placed in a place of honor in the 384th Bomb Group permanent display at the Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

Alabama resident Keith Ellefson, a combat data specialist for the 384th Bomb Group Inc., traveled to LaPlace with the wing and his friend Mike Jerrell — both served in and retired from the U.S. Army — last week so Nem could autograph the piece.

Ellefson said the wing panel is shipped to different states — 27 so far — so veterans can sign it and tell volunteers their stories.

According to the group’s website, which honors and preserves records of the 384th, the 384th Bomb Group flew 316 combat missions over Europe in B-17 aircraft during World War II in the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign against Axis powers.

Wayne said Nem was originally drafted into the Army, but couldn’t march properly because of his bad feet.

“The officials said, ‘well you can fly,’” Wayne recounted laughing, adding it was then his father joined the Air Force.

Nem flew in his first mission, one of 30 total, in 1943. His last mission was on June 5, 1944, the day before D-Day.

“He was there at the worst time,” Ellefson said of Nem’s flights, which he said laid much of the groundwork for the Normandy invasion.

“I’m surprised they let you come home,” Ellefson told Nem laughing.

Jerrell said Nem is “one of our true heroes.”

Nem’s wife Shirley, with whom he will celebrate 70 years of marriage with on Jan. 31, said Nem was “lucky to come back.”

Shirley said Nem never really talked much about his missions, but one time she visited the site of a B-17 bomber.

“I wondered how they all fit in there,” she said laughing.

She appreciates the work of the 384th Bomb Group Inc. and them including her husband in the project.

“It’s wonderful what they’re doing and getting people interested,” she said.

Ellefson said at least 15 veterans are lined up to sign the panel in the upcoming months.

“Time is not on our side with this project,” he said of the aging veterans. “We will keep it going as long as we have volunteers to tote it around.”

For more information on the Bomb Group Inc., visit 384thbombgroup.com.