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Exactly 80 Years Ago Today, a Grandfather’s Legacy Begins

Christmas Eve, 1944: A pivotal moment during World War II that would change the course of a young man’s life. For David MacHauer, a 20-year-old law student at Loyola University in New Orleans, this fateful day marked the beginning of a legacy—one that would echo through generations.

The moment arrived as MacHauer was manning the ball turret of a B-17 bomber, nicknamed the “Miss Bea Havin’,” flying over the Belgium-Germany border at an altitude of 25,000 feet. As enemy planes closed in, the bomber’s crew had to rely on each other and their training to survive the barrage.

With enemy fighters zeroing in, MacHauer’s quick response was a matter of life or death. What happened next would become part of his family’s cherished history, remembered even as the years passed. Today, 80 years later, MacHauer’s bravery is still a story worth telling.

The Danger of Being in the Ball Turret

David MacHauer was not just any crew member of the “Miss Bea Havin’”—he was stationed in one of the most dangerous positions on the plane: the ball turret. Positioned at the belly of the bomber, the ball turret was a cramped, spherical plexiglass dome. From there, MacHauer manned twin .50-caliber machine guns, ready to defend against any attack.

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It was a perilous assignment. The ball turret, which had a diameter of just 3.5 feet, offered little protection. The gunner had to wedge himself into the small space, completely isolated from the rest of the crew, without even a parachute to rely on. In the event of an emergency, the gunner had to hope that his fellow crew members could pull him back into the cabin, equip him with a parachute, and get him out of the plane before it was too late.

The lack of mobility in the ball turret, combined with the constant threat of enemy fire, made the position one of the most dangerous on the plane. Yet, MacHauer manned the position with determination, never hesitating when the enemy came into view.

The Day of the Attack

The critical moment came on Christmas Eve, 1944. The “Miss Bea Havin’” was part of a larger bombing raid over German-occupied Belgium. In the early stages of the flight, the bomber was supposed to be escorted by a group of U.S. fighter planes that would protect the slow-moving B-17s from enemy fighters. However, fog had delayed the escorts, and the bombers were left vulnerable.

As the crew flew deeper into enemy territory, the warning came through the intercom: “Company front of 30 to 30 coming in at the tail!” The bomber was under attack. At first, MacHauer hoped the planes approaching were friendly fighters, delayed by the fog. But that hope quickly vanished when the first flash of enemy cannon fire lit up the sky.

In the seconds that followed, MacHauer trained his machine guns on the approaching German fighters and began firing. His war-time diary recounts the shock he felt when the aircraft was hit, signaling the start of a harrowing series of events. Despite the intense pressure, MacHauer held his ground, continuing to fight back as best he could.

Fate or Luck?

What happened after that remains a subject of debate—was it fate, luck, or a combination of both that allowed MacHauer to survive the attack? He had already made a series of decisions earlier that would later be described as critical.

For example, the ball turret gunner had no parachute, and the lack of a chest-worn chute meant that if the bomber went down, MacHauer would have to rely on the other crew members to help him. Given the confined space of the turret, getting to his parachute would be a difficult and time-consuming task. But for now, the young gunner continued to do his job, knowing full well the risks involved.

At that moment, it was clear that he and his fellow crew members were part of a far larger story—the survival of the mission, the crew, and, ultimately, the continuation of a legacy. A legacy not just defined by the history books, but by the family and friends who would remember MacHauer’s courage and determination long after the war had ended.

A Legacy Continues

David MacHauer’s story is one of many from that era—a reminder of the immense bravery and sacrifices made by young men and women during World War II. For MacHauer, his service would eventually come to an end, but the impact of his actions has echoed through the generations of his family.

Now, 80 years later, his family continues to honor his memory. His descendants often reflect on the choices he made that Christmas Eve—choices that not only defined his legacy but also the future of his family. MacHauer’s story is a testament to the valor of those who fought and survived in the skies above Europe during one of history’s most brutal conflicts.

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