The Grey Ghost

[lyric1]

 

[BBQsam]

 

Walter J. Gruzas
1930 - 2020.

[MrGeezer]

For many who did not know his story....

He was a 15 year old Lithuanian kid at the beginning of WWII.  The Germans invaded and saw this kid and gave him crap because he wasn't in the military.  He joined a Luftwaffe Anti-Aircraft gunner.  He received honors for getting kills of Soviets' aircraft.  After the war he left Europe and came to our game.  His "eye" as a gunner was impeccable in-game.

Tail winds, my brother Vilkas!   (Vilkas means "Wolf" in Lithuanian.)

<<<<<S>>>>>

ROX

[Molsman]

For many who did not know his story....

He was a 15 year old Lithuanian kid at the beginning of WWII.  The Germans invaded and saw this kid and gave him crap because he wasn't in the military.  He joined a Luftwaffe Anti-Aircraft gunner.  He received honors for getting kills of Soviets' aircraft.  After the war he left Europe and came to our game.  His "eye" as a gunner was impeccable in-game.

Tail winds, my brother Vilkas!   (Vilkas means "Wolf" in Lithuanian.)

<<<<<S>>>>>

ROX

 Very Well Said Rox. As a squad mate of the late Vilkas I was always happy not to be on the end of his sites either when he was on the ground guns or a gunner in the buffs. The best part was Vilkas was always a great wingman no matter what role he played. It was a great honor to fly with him and he also enjoyed talking to my wife on Facebook about the sweets she always posted and many times we tried to send something to him but that customs crap always gave it a dead end.

[TequilaChaser]

This saddens my heart.  Unfortunately we don't replace men like him, ever!.  Hearing him sing in FSO was a treat.

Hope you don't mind the editing I did to your post, Wayne....

For those of us that had the pleasure of enjoying Vilkas in other areas of the game besides the MA, AvA, FSO,...such as in scenarios or koth but more importantly the Training Arena!

I can easily say that Vilkas spent and shared any & all the help he could, even if it was just flying as a target drone like to help new players and old ones alike to help them practice their gunnery

He continuously offered his time day after day and years on years welcoming new players and helping them while helping the AHTC, never wanting or expecting anything in return...not even accepting an invite to join the  AHTC (Aces High Training Corps)....

>SALUTE< & GODSPEED, Vilkas!   Our wonderful memories of you will always be with us all!

TC

[Slate]

      Vilkas

     To survive the war fighting for the Luftwaffe no small feat.

      Fair skies and tailwinds. We shall all follow your flight path eventually. 

[KCDitto]

 

Sad news indeed. He was such fun on FSO nights.

As Zam said, he could shoot bad guys down even in JU-88s from that back seat.

I remember one FSO, it was over Italy and JG11 was in 190's with the task of attacking bombers.

Vilkas had come in late and took off. I was trying to talk him to us when over VOX he says "I see bombers" The Allies had come in from a different direction then we thought they would. I asked Our bombers?  He said not unless we are flying B-17s!
He guided us right to a perfect head on pass.

He will be missed

 

[Eagler]

Sounds like the world lost another good one

Thanks for sharing

<S>

Eagler

[morfiend]

Sounds like the world lost another good one

Thanks for sharing

<S>

Eagler

  Yes,yes we did!   

  I spent many hours with Vilkas,I could tell so many stories but frankly I'm not quite ready to  do that. Walter was a man of many talents,his best was being a good friend.



   

[waystin2]

I remember Vilkas. My sincerest condolences to family and friends.

[WxMan]

My condolences to JG11 and friends.

[DH367th]

 

[DmonSlyr]

  Vilkas

[Lusche]

 

[Blooz]

VILKAS!!