 STUBBS, ERSKINE H.  Erskine H. Stubbs, a resident of Albuquerque for 60 years and former prisoner of war, passed away on March 17, 2014. He was 93. He passed away in Orange Park, FL, in the loving care of his nephew Ellis McWilliams and spouse Macy. Known affectionately to his many friends as "Stubbs" and to family members as "Uncle Buddy", he was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran who served for 21 years. He was born on May 18, 1920 in Lumpkin, GA, to Henry and Lula Stubbs. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. A gifted marksman, he was selected to serve as the right waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the 44th Bomber Group (H) 66th Squadron of the 8th Air Force based in England. Following a mission on February 24, 1944, Stubbs' B-24 fought off over 40 German fighter planes while returning to England. Although 4 to 5 fighter planes were shot down, the B-24 was hit by enemy aircraft around 1:30 a.m. over Gotha, Germany and burst into flames. After bailing out, Stubbs landed in a snow-covered forest where he suffered a cracked neck and back. He and the pilot, 2nd Lt. Harold Etheridge, were captured by armed villagers. Lt. Etheridge reported that "They were quite abusive and made life miserable for Sgt. Stubbs because he could not raise his arms in surrender." A German witness reported that a policeman wanted to shoot Stubbs to end his suffering. As the villagers were threatening to kill the captives with pitchforks, an elderly German World War I veteran with a bushy white mustache rushed to the scene to protect the Americans. He pointed his rifle at the villagers and ordered the mob to disperse. "The old veteran saved our lives," Stubbs recalled. "The 24th of February, 1944 at times seems like only yesterday; at other times it is like a lifetime ago. There's no way to forget it - only some parts of it." During the next 18 months, Stubbs was among the 143,000 U.S. military personnel and civilians who were held captive by Germany or Japan during World War II. He was imprisoned at Stalag Luft IV Gross Tuchow in Prussia (now Tychowo, Poland) where prisoners experienced brutal cold in unheated huts, severe hunger, and harsh guards. The prisoners were later sent to the notorious Wobbelin Bei Lundwigslust concentration camp established by the SS in Germany. In the final months of the war, Stubbs and his fellow POWs were forced to march over 600 miles in extreme winter conditions to prevent them from being liberated by advancing allied armies. It was estimated that as many as 1,500 POWs from Stubbs' camp died during what came to be known as "The March." Stubbs said his long column of POWs marched 10 to 20 miles per day with little or nothing in the way of food, clothing, shelter or medical care. "We had to help each other," Stubbs said. "The stronger helped the weaker survive." The prisoners were finally repatriated on July 7, 1945. Like many POWs, Stubbs weighed about half his pre-war body weight. Stubbs survived hardships because he was a determined optimist, who always looked for the best in any situation. A cheerful and friendly man, Stubbs went on to serve a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force that included serving in Germany where he developed life-long friendships with German citizens. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1963, he served with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Albuquerque. Stubbs met the love of his life, Reba Thomas, while both served at Kirtland Air Force Base. They married in 1950 and established a permanent home in Albuquerque. Stubbs loved New Mexico and had a deep appreciation for the state's people, culture and beauty. He built second homes near Jemez Springs and Questa where many happy times were shared, especially fishing. A prolific reader, he had a keen interest in public affairs and life-long learning. He also was a Lobo fan and an outstanding cook, renowned for his fried trout and hush puppies. But Stubbs' hallmark was his love and appreciation of others. It was often said that Stubbs never met a stranger. Through his many acts of kindness and generosity, he enriched many lives whether it was by delivering gifts of groceries to elderly neighbors, helping others in need, or making charitable contributions. The grace of his good works will be sustained through the many lives that he touched. In addition to his nephew Ellis, Stubbs is survived by nephews Dr. William Swagerty, Roger Garvin, Fred Thomas and Charles Wood; nieces Nancy Anderson, Ann Marie Holder, Cristina Holder, Jessica Holder, Frances Kersey, Patricia Miller and Janet Sherwood; and 12 great-nephews and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Reba, in 1990, and his loving sister, Bernice. He was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization. His cremated remains will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. At his request, there will be no ceremony. Special thanks to the staff at Heartland Health Care Center in Orange Park, FL who provided friendship, compassion, dignity and quality care. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you perform random acts of kindness towards others in Stubbs' memory or a donation to your favorite charity.
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