{"id":12836,"date":"2017-11-06T12:52:48","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T19:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=12836"},"modified":"2024-01-15T11:20:17","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T18:20:17","slug":"the-power-of-listening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/the-power-of-listening\/","title":{"rendered":"The power of listening"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"B-24
The B-24, also called the Liberator, was a long-range heavy bomber used during World War II. Source: britannica.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The B-24 bomber flew low over a rail line in Rome<\/a> to destroy a supply route that was critical to the Germans during World War II.<\/p>\n

Vern Bingham, now in his 90s, was the plane\u2019s navigator and an Army Air Force lieutenant.<\/p>\n

The American bombers hit their targets, blowing up the train tracks. But their plane took heavy enemy fire in return.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey did a good job on us,\u201d Bingham said. \u201cWe lost two engines and could only turn to the right.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pilot ordered the crew to bail out of the plane. But Bingham called back to the pilot through the plane\u2019s communication line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t need to bail out. I can get you into Naples,\u201d Bingham said.<\/p>\n

\"WWII
WWII navigator Lt. Vernon Bingham, second from left, and his crew in front of their B-24 bomber. Source: b24bestweb.com\/bigoperator-v2.htm<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pilot trusted Bingham, who knew southern Italy well from his many previous flights over the area. Through a series of circles, Bingham guided his crew and several other planes, to safety.<\/p>\n

Because of his ingenuity and heroism, Bingham received the Distinguished Flying Cross, given to those who demonstrated heroism or extraordinary achievement while in aerial flight. The award went mostly to pilots, not navigators. Bingham received it in 1944.<\/p>\n

A lifetime later, Bingham slipped and fell at his senior living facility in Fort Collins. That\u2019s when UCHealth Emergency Medical Services\u2019 Alex Smith met Bingham. Fortunately, the World War II hero didn\u2019t suffer any broken bones in the fall, but Smith transported Bingham to UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital<\/a> for a head scan.
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Veterans among us: saluting our service members<\/strong><\/p>\n

View all the stories:<\/p>\n