As if one plane crash was not enough, Julieann survived a second near-fatal crash just months later. On January 20, 1946, while traveling from Korea to Japan, her plane, a Douglas C-47 cargo plane, was caught in a violent storm. “We were tossed around like dice in a cup,” Julieann recalls. “The plane shot up to 16,000 feet before plummeting 3,500 feet in seconds. I was lifted from my seat and hit my head on the ceiling. We were all thrown around like ragdolls.” The plane, which lacked seat belts, eventually skidded into the Sea of Japan. The crew and passengers, including Julieann, were forced to abandon the plane, preparing for impact by crossing their arms and leaning forward. THE SECOND PLANE CRASH: A CLOSE CALL OVER THE SEA OF JAPAN Julieann’s journey as a USO performer took a harrowing turn on August 27, 1945, when she was aboard a C-54 aircraft bound for Manila, Philippines. The plane was meant to land on a military airfield, but due to a miscalculation, the plane landed too quickly, causing the tires to blow. As the plane veered off the runway, the impact was violent. The aircraft flipped onto its nose and skidded into thick overgrowth, but by miracle, all passengers survived. “I remember the scariest part was evacuating the plane,” Julieann says. “We had to climb down a ladder from the wing, and that was nerve- wracking. It felt like we were so close to disaster.” But the troupe pressed on. Julieann stayed in Manila, where she joined an all-girl band and continued to entertain the soldiers who had come to rely on their performances. The band became a favorite among the troops, with soldiers frequently writing letters to express their gratitude. SURVIVING THE FIRST PLANE CRASH: A NARROW ESCAPE
RECONNECTING WITH EUGENE: A BOND FORGED IN SURVIVAL A few years ago, Julieann received an unexpected message: “My name is Eugene Poynter, and I was the Crew Chief on your plane that ditched in the Sea of Japan on January 20th, 1946.” Overjoyed, Julieann immediately called Eugene, and they began a series of conversations that would last for months. Eugene had long sought out survivors of the crash, and with the help of his son and daughter- in-law, he reconnected with Julieann. They exchanged stories and photos, with Julieann sharing details of the USO shows they performed before the crash. Eugene, stationed at the back of the plane, recalled his role in preparing life rafts as the plane hit the stormy waves. He revealed that the left wing had cracked upon impact, and he feared they would not survive. Eugene praised the young pilot, Joe Zinno, for safely landing the plane despite the storm. Their conversations continued for months until Eugene’s sudden illness and passing. Julieann was saddened but remained in contact with his family. Eugene’s son later sent her a photo of him as a 17-year-old soldier. Julieann was struck by how young he looked, remembering him as the caring, kind soldier who had dealt with the wounded during the crash. His memory stays with her, especially every January 20th anniversary. In the freezing cold of January, they took refuge in two rubber life rafts and drifted at sea. Julieann temporarily lost her hearing, and some passengers sustained serious injuries. Yet, their survival was a testament to the bravery of the crew and the resilience of the performers. “Fortunately, a Japanese fishing boat found us, guided by the faint light of our Zippo lighters,” Julieann recalls. “I remember seeing the boat approach, but I do not recall how we got onto it. The fishermen never spoke a word to us, and I never saw them again.”
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