San Juan Island ‘Lucky Bastard’ featured in newly published book

Published 12:39 pm Friday, January 9, 2015

Don Craddock of San Juan Island is featured in the recently published book, “Lest We Forget,” a compilation of stories about WWII veterans.

The book is published by the Washington State Daughters of the American Revolution.

Craddock is featured in a chapter called, “One Lucky Bastard,” written by Friday Harbor’s Minnie Knych.

As a B-17 pilot during WWII, Craddock received the “Lucky Bastard” award for having successfully completed 35 bombing missions over Germany. During WWII the average number of missions for a B-17 pilot was six.

Craddock’s plane was named the “Embraceable You” in honor of his and his wife Betty Jane’s favorite song. A portrait of Betty Jane was also on the tail of the plane.