Although a native Texan from Wichita Falls, Berry “BB” Skaggs moved with his family into southwestern Oklahoma, settling in Lawton, where he obtained most of his schooling. After completing High School he attended Cameron Jr., A.&M. College near Lawton where he was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, the Aggie social fraternity, and the boxing team. He entered the Army Prep School, Camp Bullis, Texas in 1938 and attained the first of his many ambitions by qualifying for West Point. He had his choice of either an Army or Congressional appointment, from Mr. Jed Johnson of Oklahoma, and he chose the latter so that one of his friends could have the Army appointment.
BB, as he was known to one and all, worked diligently and persistently from his start in life, and throughout his days in the Corps, and he did a good job in all he set out to do. His industrious habits kept him on a high standing in the classroom, yet he found time for extracurricular activities. He was quite an adept dancer as we well remember in the ballroom at Cullum Hall. His excellent physical make-up and keen mind proved him in the intercollegiate boxing ring. Although reared in the vicinity of the Field Artillery School. BB gained another of his ambitions by graduating with Wings, and opening a fighting career in the Air Force. Oklahoma had given us another fightin’ man!
Shortly after graduation, BB married his school days’ sweetheart, the former Clarisee Rene Finch, in the Post Chapel at Fort Sill. Thus, another phase of his active and ambitious life was fulfilled.
The next few months then were busily spent in B-24 combat crew training before B., as a Captain, joined the 466th Bomb Group under the 8th Air Force near Norwich, England. BB’s brother Douglas, now a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF, was based near Norwich and was able to visit him frequently. Of BB’s missing-in-action Doug wrote: “On his third combat mission over Oscherslaben, Germany BB was reported as missing. I immediately went over to his base and talked with several other pilots who were on the mission. They were hit by a swarm of fighters shortly after leaving the target. Several planes (about six or eight) were shot down. BB and his crew were pretty well shot up, and the plane went out of control. The aircraft engineer was the only one able to parachute and the others went down with the burning plane which crashed and exploded. The remains of the crew are buried together in the National Cemetery near St. Louis.”
BB had many close friends and a definite niche in the Air Force. His friends were denied his abundance of personality and warm ness, and the Air Force his wealth of knowhow and potential. BB came in fighting, always fought well, and one can rest assured that he went out fighting too. The Long Gray Line added another distinguished member, B. B. Skaggs.
To B.B. we say,
“No one has success until he has the abounding life. This is made up of the many-fold activity of energy, enthusiasm and gladness. It is to spring to meet the day with a thrill at being alive. It is to go forth to meet the morning in an ecstasy of joy. It is to realize the oneness of humanity in true spiritual sympathy.” — Lillian Whiting.
Maxims from Hubbards Scrap Book.
—A. D. S. and J. F. F.