John ‘Jack’ Rowan: A Navigator’s Journey from the Skies to Prisoner of War

In this deeply moving episode, host Diana Maul Halstead interviews Bill Rowan, whose father, John “Jack” Rowan, served as a navigator on a B-17G Flying Fortress during World War II. Their conversation delves into the remarkable and harrowing experiences of Jack Rowan as a member of the 351st Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force. Bill recounts his father’s life, from humble beginnings in Staten Island, New York, to his enlistment in the Army Air Corps in 1940, and his journey as a navigator, culminating in his time as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany.

Listeners will hear vivid details of Jack Rowan’s service, including the perilous missions over Europe, the heartbreak of being shot down on his 31st mission, and the brutal realities of captivity in Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII-A. Bill shares the emotional impact of his father's experiences, the indomitable spirit of POWs, and the enduring legacy of those who served.

This episode shines a light on the resilience of Jack Rowan and the camaraderie that sustained these airmen during some of history’s darkest moments. Bill also reflects on how his father’s service shaped their family and inspired a tradition of military service in the Rowan lineage.

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