When Airman William Magee's plane was hit during a bombing run in World War II, he parachuted to safety in the snowy hills of Southern Yugoslavia. Through the generosity of the Serbian partisans, Magee and his fellow crewmembers were able to survive.
The Bosnian women Magee encountered were particularly intrigued with the soldier's parachute. "They marveled over the silk material." After spending nearly three months in their country, Magee tore off a panel of his parachute and gave it to the women as a token of his gratitude for their aid. When he was able to rejoin the allied forces, Magee sent another panel of the parachute home to his wife, Sue. Back in the states, Sue was expecting their first child. She had already been informed that her husband was Missing in Action and had little hope of his safe return. Once the silk panel was in her possession, she quickly had it made into a symbol of her renewed faith; a baptismal gown for their upcoming child.
"I have eight children, twenty-four grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. That's a lot of children!" remarked Magee. Each one of them was baptized wearing the gown that was created from his parachute. That list of family members includes his grandson, our own Jeff Magee, Export Sales Account Manager for United Performance Metals. "I was baptized in that gown, and I am very proud to be a part of this family and this great tradition." And it won't stop there. The Smithsonian Institute has asked Magee for a piece of the parachute silk for their WWII memorabilia. Although he's considering it, for now, his family legacy will remain at home where it can be kept safe and ready for the next generation.
Posted July 31, 2012
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