The Man Who Could Put Hell Out, Passed Away. Cootz Matthews.

[twyacht]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/us/08matthews.html

A joke has it that St. Peter was showing a Texan around heaven, with the Texan claiming that everything he saw was better in Texas. St. Peter tired of the routine and pointed to the fire of hell. “Do you have anything like that in Texas?” he asked. The Texan said no, then added, “But there are a couple good old boys in Houston who can put it out for you.”

Cootz Matthews

Tail gunner on a B-17, shot down on his first mission, and like falling off a horse, he got right back in that tail seat, and kept going.

Married 4 times to two women.

John Wayne portrayed him in Hellfighters, and he revolutionized explosives used to extinguish oil well fires. Full story at link.

RIP Mr. Cootz Matthews.  Certainly, a man's man, with a hell of a life.

[Solus]

doesn't sound like the kind of guy to dial 911 when he felt threatened....

The world needs more men like him...just as an example to show everyone how close to the edge you can get