On the road
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Harley-Davidson Snowmobile.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Honor Flight DFW #10 trip Profiles
Claude, who lived in Wichita Kansas on the day Pearl Harbor
was attacked, was 18 years old when he was inducted into the U.S.Army. That
date was October 10, 1944.
He was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division,
383rd Battalion. The 96th was known as the “Deadeye”
division. The division saw 200 days of combat in such locations as Ryukyus Island
chain and the Southern Philippines as well as other locations.
Claude saw service on Okinawa, the first island in the Japanese
empire to be invaded by American forces. The initial attack was eerily easy.
But as the Marines headed north, and the soldiers headed to the southern part
of the island, resistance became brutal.
Claude was assigned to be a flamethrower. This position was
a particularly hazardous one since the Japanese were terrified of the weapon.
Flamethrower operators were targeted especially by Japanese snipers. One shot
to the tanks on the back of a soldier and jellied gasoline would explode,
killing the operator and all around him.
Claude survived Okinawa and the war, eventually obtaining
his PH.D while going to school on the G.I.Bill.
He taught handicapped children and adults at the university level.
His awards include the Purple Heart, Army Occupation Medal,
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.
Claude was discharged in November, 1946.
Honor Flight trip #10 Profiles
Peter has an interesting story, and he has written a book
about his wartime experiences! Born in Cleveland Ohio, he received a coveted
scholarship to the Cleveland’s School of Art, and later attended the famous
Chicago Art Institute.
War clouds were forming, with the German’s and Italian’s
marching into Europe and Africa since 1939, and the Japanese spreading their
power throughout the Pacific, and especially China, where there were notorious
atrocities committed by Imperial Japan
in that country.
The U.S. had a draft lottery in 1941 in anticipation of war,
and sure enough, Peter’s number was pulled, number 90 in the draft, and he was
in the Army now! He was sent to Pine Camp New York for training, and eventually
was sent overseas to Europe, arriving in Normandy 10 days after the invasion.
An interesting aspect of Peter’s wartime career was that his brother also
served in the 4th Armored, of Patton’s famous 3rd Army!
Like Peter, his brother was a sergeant in an assault tank, which was basically
a Sherman tank with a larger gun, with the top exposed to the brutal winter of
1944-45.
Peter kept a diary during his army career, and that with an
excellent memory really brings to light the danger and excitement of Patton’s
army pushing through France and Germany. Peter’s unit was involved in heavy
fighting up to and including the Battle of the Bulge, then to the end of the
war. Once, while he was on watch, and everyone else was asleep, he heard a dull
thud nearby. He investigated the sound and found an artillery shell had landed
in the midst of his unit. Not knowing if it was a dud, or time delay, he
alerted his unit, including his brothers section, which was nearby, and
evacuated the area. Later, the gunners fired several rounds at the partially
buried shell, and it exploded!
Peter survived the war and earned 5 battle stars from his
service in Europe. He immediately went back to the Art Institute of Chicago to
continue his studies in the Fall of 1945. After graduation, he taught at a
college level, but later had a career teaching art in the Chicago school system
that lasted 25 years! He now lives in Saginaw Texas and continues to take
classes in art from the local community college. He draws and paints every day,
last year completing 200 works of art!
Peter says to visit the WWII Memorial will be a wonderful
tribute to the people who served with him during the war.
Honor Flight trip #10 Profiles
Ormand enlisted in the U.S.Army on November 8, 1943 at the
age of 21.
He was assigned as an M.P. in the European Theater of
operations. His most memorable experience was taking part in the invasion of
Normandy on June 6, 1944.
Ormand later became a police officer and credited his
experience in the military influencing his decision in going into the field of
law enforcement.
December 7, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Ye Olde Pub
These two pilots met some 60 years later and became friends. Sadly they died within 6 months of each other a few years ago.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Honor Flight DFW trip #10 Profiles
Ambrosio was working for the Herman Supply House as a deliveryman
on Sunday, December 7, 1941. On that day his world would change as well as
thousands of other men and women around the country.
He entered the U.S.Navy on July 28, 1944 as a Seaman Apprentice.
Ambrosio eventually made his way to the South Pacific and
participated in the invasion of the island of Okinawa. His job was the
operation of the U.S.Navy’s landing craft known as “Higgins Boats.” These craft
were an innovation that was unknown up until WWII. The front of the craft was
hinged and allowed troops to exit forward instead of jumping off the sides.
This was seen as safer and more efficient.
It was also very hazardous duty as the drivers had to place
themselves high enough in able to see over the ramp at the front of the landing
craft. Many times, these drivers were singled out by gunners on shore to be hit
and possibly disable the craft.
He also had the duty of taking his craft onto the beach and
transporting the wounded off the beach onto hospital ships offshore.
Ambrosio was awarded the WWII Victory Medal with one star.
He was discharged from the Navy in July of 1946.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Honor Flight DFW Trip #10 Profiles
On Sunday, December 7, 1941 Glenn was home in Corsicana, Texas
when he heard of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Glenn entered the U.S. Army on February 16, 1943. He was
nineteen years old.
Assigned as an infantryman, Glenn saw combat as a member of
the 78th Infantry Division. Later he was assigned to the 66th
Infantry and the 104th Infantry Divisions.
Glenn saw action in the European and African-Middle Eastern
theaters.
His military service taught him greater respect for his
fellow man and caused him to grow up from a teenager to a man.
After being awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and Purple
Heart, he was discharged on November 27, 1945 with the rank of Tech sergeant.
Honor Flight DFW Trip #10
William was living in Los Angeles California when he heard
of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii.
He entered the military on October 14, 1942 at the age of
twenty.
While a member of the Army Air Force, William was a member of
the Quartermaster Corps and was assigned as a truck driver.
William says that his was experiences were mostly routine
but the experience caused him to grow up and mature quickly.
His experiences point out the fact that for every serviceman
fighting overseas during WWII, there were many, many servicemen and women driving
the war machine in important and sometimes critical jobs.
William was discharged from the AAF on January 4, 1946 with
the rank of Corporal.
Honor Flight DFW trip #10 Profiles
Robert was at home on Sunday, December 7, 1942 when he heard
the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His next question may have
been,”Where’s Pearl Harbor?” His life would never be the same again.
Robert entered the Army Air Corps on January 1, 1943 at the
age of twenty.
He was a pilot in the famous Flying Tigers in the
China-Burma-India Theater. Specifically he was a member of the 14th
Air Force, 31th Fighter Group, and 529th Fighter Squadron. He started his
career flying the P-40 War hawk. These are the planes that are famous for
having the shark’s mouth, or tigers teeth painted on the nose of the airplane.
Later Robert flew the P-51 Mustang. This fighter is arguably
the most famous and best warplane to come out of WWII.
Robert was discharged from the military on January 1, 1950
with the rank of Captain. He generally believes that his military career was
very positive, and that the discipline involved in flying airplanes helped him
immensely later in life.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Pearl Harbor. We remember December 7,2012
I know that I'll never forget it, and I know that the veterans will feel the same way.
Additionally, I want to thank Laura Leppert, Daughters of WWII, the Washington DC chapter of the DAR, Honor Flight National and others who made all this possible for the WWII heroes in attendence.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
December 7, 1941
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
1978 Rolling Stones
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
November-December 2012 Asylum Mobilitarium
November-December 2012 Asylum Mobilitarium
Recently I found myself hanging out at Strokers on a nice October Saturday afternoon. This afforded me the opportunity to introduce a friend of mine to the culture of the motorcycle. This friend is somewhat new to the lifestyle of Harley-Davidson in particular and motorcycling in general. Saturday’s being somewhat slower and only slightly less crowded than most Sunday’s at the legendary bike destination, the people watching was better and sight lines were ah…better.
My friend was amazed at the seemingly different types of people present. Lawyers, doctors, plumbers, car salesman, felons and the latest in biker chic was apparently of great interest. I related that this venue probably gave a greater cross section of riders than almost any other biker-friendly hangout in Dallas.
Just take a bench and take in all that is glorious in the local biker world. Stroker’s clientele is 90% Harley-Davidson people. But you will see the rare sport bike rider, a Victory rider looking for respect and his place among the other big bikes and yes, the occasional weirdly silent Gold Wing. Teutonic BMW riders in their high tech gear and extra gas tanks, Triumph guys that can’t help but look cool. Then there are the Moto-Guzzi riders who are as passionate as Harley folk. But mostly it’s the Orange and Black that is represented.
Since the Harley lifestyle is a social thing, slightly more of those throttle-twisters will be riding two up than riding solo. There are many happy couples hanging out enjoying each other and the lifestyle they’ve chosen to share. It’s always been that way. The Founder’s promoted that from the beginning.
Of course on the other hand there is always the ex wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend showing up on another bike with a new soon to be the next ex. It can be a touchy situation. This writer has seen tears flowing as the ex walks by with the new, hopefully improved version. I’ve also seen slaps on the back and howling laughter as the poor, unsuspecting new flavor of the month looks over and wonders “why are those people laughing and pointing at me?”
You’ll also notice on any Saturday or Sunday that there are women sitting around looking for backseats and guys frantically hoping not to be riding solo for very long. For women it’s that ageless 80’s club thing. Turn, flip the hair, glance around, turn and talk to your friend, then repeat. For guys it’s taking that long look behind dark shades that will keep the dude from being caught staring too long.
Looking around, you might see the newly divorced rider who has a shiny new vest and a deer in the headlights look at all the strange goings on. He may elect to submit to the extreme peer pressure in his divorced guys bike club and go helmet-less. The Sons of Anarchy doo rag expertly tied to cover a receding hairline will do nicely this day.
There are the veterans standing around who have no more room for any additional patches on their leather or denim vests and have that bored been there done that look. They’ve “Seen the Elephant” more times than they would like to remember. Motorcycle crashes are hard to forget. Friends are too. They don’t ride without a helmet but respect the right for the other guy to do so if he wishes’.
There are the two really sunburned gal’s dancing by themselves since noon in front of the Bad Company cover band on stage. SMU students in bikini’s (well that’s their story) selling beer, working their way through school. Their soon to be ex boyfriends standing close, but not too close, giving the evil eye to any and all possible new boyfriends, or friend-boys even. Then there are other girls in bikinis attempting to wash bikes still too hot to touch, the steaming pipes resulting in a bad hair day.
At opposite ends of the covered patio you will see the bike-riders from the different outlaw bike clubs eyeing each other suspiciously but keeping in mind this is neutral territory. There are the wanna-be outlaw club members trying to stay out of the way of the real bad boys. HOG members just being social and having a good time. Then there are the posers desperately trying to look cool. Rolex riders, weekend warriors, they are all there.
As a leg is thrown over the iron horse and wait for your friend to saddle up behind you, the pilot glances over the crowd. You occasionally spot people who obviously have seen too many bars and too many bad relationships in the group. You can spot them. You just know!
And as you ride off up Harry Hines, pipes blasting in the cool Fall air, you wonder if you were observing the masses, or were you actually looking in your bikes rear view mirror.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Honor Flight #10
I really enjoyed escorting two of the 43 WWII veterans to DC this weekend. Howard Hollinger who was in the Coast Guard in WWII serving at a radar station in the Aleution Islands in Alaska.
Then there was Joe Hilderbrand who landed at Anzio beach head in 1943, wounded in Southern France in 1944, the war was over for him. Not quite, he still suffers pain from that wound to this day.
Beautiful weather, great folks.
Then there was Joe Hilderbrand who landed at Anzio beach head in 1943, wounded in Southern France in 1944, the war was over for him. Not quite, he still suffers pain from that wound to this day.
Beautiful weather, great folks.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Honor Flight DFW profiles and interviews
Theodore left home in Pennsylvania and arrived at the Naval Training Center at Sampson, New York on February 9, 1944. He was seventeen years old. At this young age Theodore was appointed leader of several hundred men stationed there.
During this time Theodore trained from morning until night in how to be a sailor in the US Navy. Once, he was participating in a training exercise simulation “abandoning ship.” As he was hitting the water off an eighty five foot tower into a swimming pool, he tilted his head slightly. All he remembers is waking up in a hospital. Later he was in the hospital with what was called “cat fever,” and to this day Theodore doesn’t really know what this ailment consisted of.
Theodore graduated from boot camp as a Seaman Second Class. He then was shipped overseas on the famous pre-war luxury liner the Queen Mary. The ship had been painted a sea going grey camouflage paint, hence her nickname “The Grey Ghost.” This ship was so fast that destroyer escorts were not needed. It was thought that German U-Boats could not catch her. Indeed she was never hit and now is a tourist attraction (and very haunted) in Long Beach California. Theodore remembers the trip across the Atlantic took seven days and that everyone got sick because of the very rough North Atlantic seas.
On the Queen Mary, he sailors had boat drill every day. During these drills, all the men had to stand topside by the ships railing. Looking up, the men could see the several hundred WACS who were staring down at the men from the top most deck of the ship. Unfortunately there was also barbed wire! The guys and gals waved at each other with the grim faced military police looking on.
The Queen Mary finally docked at Roseneath, Scotland where the sailors were billeted in Quonset huts to wait for their individual assignments. Soon Theodore and another sailor were on a train to Portsmouth, England to meet their new ship and crew. There he discovered that he was to be assigned to an ocean going US Navy tug. His jobs were numerous on board the tug. The worst job was “flaking the chain,” as the anchor was pulled up into the ship. It was dangerous work that involved being in a man hole size space and stowing the chain in neat rows as it came up. The fear was losing a hand or finger in the links in the dimly lit and cramped space. The sailors took turns doing this and luckily Theodore survived this with hands and fingers intact.
Being in England, he enjoyed many days (and nights) of shore leave. As was the case all over England, the British servicemen disliked Americans as they thought that they were “oversexed, overpaid, and over here!” Theodore remembers brawls breaking out at dances where the Yanks on one side of the dance hall, and the Brits on the other would square off after the bands last note was played. They would then meet in the middle and the fight was on!
Theodore’s tug participated in many rescues of ships in the English Channel prior to and after June 6, 1944. Speaking of D-Day Theodore participated in that invasion. He was 18 years old and was a crewman on his tug, ATA-125. His ship was assigned to the area of Omaha beach which many historians consider the worst of all the beaches to land.
Theodore’s job on the morning of Operation Overlord was to be positioned on the port side to watch for mines, submarines or debris in the water. While patrolling the channel at Omaha Beach, he saw thousands of Allied planes flying towards France. It was an awe inspiring sight. There were also thousands of ships in the channel that day, every size and shape imaginable.
Theodore’s tug as assigned the task at one point of towing a huge barge that he described as being as big as a house. His crew put a big steel cable on it and towed it across the English Channel to Omaha Beach. This barge was loaded with ammunition, barbed wire and other supplies of war. Another smaller tug then took charge of the barge to take it onto the beach proper.
He had a prime spot on his tug to see everything that was happening on Omaha Beach. At one point he saw a soldier with no shirt on, but a bandoleer of ammo across his chest that was standing on the bow of a small boat. He believes this soldier was an Army Ranger, assigned to climb Point Du-Hoch on Omaha Beach.
Theodore’s tug was ordered to advance to the beach to rescue a beached ship. They found the LST (Landing Ship-Tank) stuck on the beach and could not back off. They threw a heavy cable across to the LST and started towing. Just as they got off shore, the LST started to sink. The tugs Bosun got a fire ax and cut the cable. The cable sprang back and hit the side of the ship with a loud crack. This kept Theodore’s tug from going down along with the LST.
Theodore’s tug crossed the channel many times in the next couple of months towing giant artificial harbors called “Mulberry’s.” These were sunk off shore the beaches and became harbors for small boats to deliver supplies to the beaches. He was there on June 19th and 20th when the infamous gale swept through the English Channel. Many of the artificial harbors were destroyed because of this storm.
After the invasion of Normandy, Theodore’s tug was ordered to the South of France for the invasion of the “soft underbelly” of occupied Europe. His ship sailed down the coast of France to Portugal, Spain then North Africa. After a stop in Algeria, his ship arrived in the port of Naples Italy. The next stop was Toulon, France as part of the invasion forces. After taking the beaches the tug anchored off St.Tropez, France for a long time and enjoyed R&R on shore as well as swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
Theodore eventually was stationed on shore at Marseille France. He became a “seaman guard” guarding warehouses full of military supplies. The French people attempted several times to break into the warehouses and fired on the guards on occasion.
Later Theodore worked at the Naval Supply Detachment. One of his jobs was to pick up German prisoners in a truck and take them to their work detachments. Apparently the German’s liked working for the Navy and Theodore became friends with several, including one prisoner named Willie.
Theodore’s good duty lasted until the naval detachment was sent home after the end of the war. He was the youngest sailor in age with the least amount of time on the base. He had to stay longer than the rest of the sailors but he made the best of it. On December 1, 1945 he was promoted to Storekeeper Second class. His job was to turn over all buildings, vehicles and supplies to the French Navy. Finally it was time for Theodore to return to the states. He sailed on a Swedish troop transport for nineteen days in rough seas crossing the Atlantic. He spent most of the time in bed seasick, along with most of the other sailors.
He enjoyed a few weeks of leave then reported to the Navy’s receiving station at Pier 92 in New York City. Later he was assigned to the USS Ozbourne (DD 846) a new destroyer. The Ozbourne then sailed for Cuba. After this shakedown cruise for the new ship, they finally docked at Guantanamo Bay. Theodore got off the ship at this location for a minor operation. He never went back to the ship however and was transferred to Bainbridge, Maryland on June 6, 1946. He was honorably discharged two days later.
Another interesting fact! Theodore eventually reenlisted in the Army and retired as a “Bird” Colonel!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
September 2012 Asylum Mobilitarium
Cont. from last month.
Central Track was also the place where Smith and his partner would find “Deep Ellum Shafts.” These were thin bladed knives that were carried by some of the locals and easily concealed. Sometimes the overworked Vice officers would have uniformed officers like Smith come along on raids of the joints along “The Track.”
As soon as police would enter the smoke filled bar, one could hear the unmistakable clinking of these knives hitting the floor. The motor officers would “jack ‘em up” looking for guns and any shafts that didn’t hit the floor. Sometimes the blues singers would admit to smoking grass, and as the stale air was full of it, somebody, well everybody was smoking dope. But this was part of the bluesman mantra. More often than not, the boys in blue would just have them eat it. Of course this did the trick as well, with the band playing very long and very fast after the police left.
Other times, without the Vice boys, Smith and the other motor jocks would stride in, boots gleaming, and pull out the brass knucks from a special place in his Sam Browne belt. Once, a newcomer said the wrong word and generally failed the “attitude test.” Smith smashed the guys face, turned around and walked out of the bar. These motor jocks were big, tough men, who rode big motorcycles. It took this kind of officer to survive in this area, and weakness shown would be an open invitation to failure. The police had to win every time, or it would be total chaos on “The Track.”
Cruising south away from the anarchy that was Central Track, Smith and his partner stopped at Label’s Pawn Shop. There were several swarthy looking guys standing nearby. Smith’s partner went in and asked Mr. Label if these guys were bothering the customers coming in. Label said no. Smith’s partner reported that these guys were musicians and were here for a concert at the Pythian Hall at Good (later Good Latimer) and Elm Streets.
After a late lunch at Issy Miller’s Café at Elm and Central Track, Smith decided it was time to take his new Harley on a test run. One of the best straight roads around was Samuell Blvd, which was on the way to Buckner Orphans Home and the country. His 1936 Harley-Davidson VL was much faster than his old 1929 model, smoother riding too. For fun he kicked the police siren, mounted on the right rear of the footboard with his boot. The siren engaged the rear tire and a great wail began. People and dogs scattered as he and his partner grinned at each other as they sped east on Samuell. He remembered that he must buy red lights for his new mount. It would be years before the department would furnish them.
Smith turned into Grove Hill Cemetery. His partner knew what the mission was. Smith went far back into the park leaving his partner at the cemetery gates. Here he found his old friend Motorcycle Officer Clarence Isbell. Marshall, his middle name which he went by was killed ten years previous on Forest Ave. Isbell and his partner was chasing a large touring car. As Isbell pulled up beside the car to order the driver to pull over, one of the occupants in the rear seat shot Isbell in the right temple. His partner chased the car but lost it. Isbell had ridden his bike a few yards apparently before he went down with his mount, probably dead before he hit the ground.
The suspect car was found the next day in the Trinity River bottoms. The vehicle was equipped with Acetylene tanks, mounted in the trunk. This was often used by hijackers, and stick-up men for fast getaways. The street where Isbell was killed was just a few blocks south of his home. Smith knew Marshall’s wife and kids who still lived at the house at 3003 Grand Ave. right down from Fair Park. He was comforted by the fact that the suspects were executed just two months after the murder of his friend. Smith wiped a tear from his cheek, made sure he was composed, and rode fast past his partner who still parked at a respectable distance at the gate.
Sometimes the two motor officers would stop and pay their respects to Motor Officer Ernest Leonard, killed just last year riding on old number 13. This police Harley was also known as the “Widow Maker” by the newspapers, never by the motor jocks however, who believed karma was ever present and one didn’t tempt fate by calling up evil monikers. Leonard was one of two Dallas officers killed between May and August 1935 on this most notorious of DPD Harley-Davidson’s. Police officials said that after the second wreck that the bike would be destroyed. Later it was found that indeed, it had not. Typical City of Dallas it was thought.
Not speaking, Smith and partner rode west towards the station. As he parked his bike, Smith noticed that this bike sounded different than his old one as it crackled and popped while cooling down. These machines speak to you he often thought. It was more of a sing song sound. Beautiful. “I’ll get to know this one too,” he said out loud. He started to call out to his partner to come and listen but he was out the door to the local police watering hole. Smith decided to leave it at that and hurried to catch up, as he was very thirsty.
September 2012 Dallas Police Shield
Luke J. Bell was an officer with the DPD less than a year when he was shot and killed in Ira Buck’s Garage at Elm and Houston streets. Officer Bell had served in WWI as a Private in the 11th Signal Corps in the U.S.Army. He had also been an embalmer for a period of time before joining the DPD on December 2, 1929.
Richard Rehm was 29 years old. He was a small time crook who had a pencil thin “Charlie Chaplin” type mustache. He was on parole from Buffalo New York for armed robbery. It’s not known what brought Rehm to Dallas or of what Rehm had been arrested for that caused him to be in Officer Bell’s paddy wagon that 18th day of May, 1934.
Officer Bell was 35 years old when he transported Rehm to the county jail, which at that time was at Elm and Houston streets. We all know how Dallas tends to tear down buildings of an historic nature. I’m a Dallas boy so I’ve seen this. Amazingly, the old county jail still stands.
It’s not known if the paddy wagon detail was Bell’s regular duty, or as happens many times, he just rotated into that job once a week or whatever. He had been on the department for about five years or so. To this author, it seems like this was considered a “good job” at the time and one had to be a good officer to get this plum assignment.
As Bell opened the paddy wagon door, Rehm as often happens now, bolted across the street. Luke Bell, as any officer hopefully would do, chased Rehm into Ira Burk’s Garage. There, Rehm the scumbag raised his arms as if to surrender. Officer Bell was handcuffing the suspect when Rehm grabbed Bell’s pistol. Bell fought him. But in the fight, Bell was shot in the chest which traveled to his hip area. He died at the scene. Photos from the DMN shows Ira Burk standing by the bloodstained wall where Officer Bell had died.
Rehm, along with Bell’s pistol ran outside and leaped into a car with an unknown driver. He then got into a car owned by Lynn Harrell of 2519 Maple Ave. He rode a short distance then Harrell jumped out. The suspect drove Harrell’s car for some time then wrecked out. He then found some state highway department guys in a truck and forced (?) four of the employees to drive him for a time. He let the workers out and then wrecked this vehicle. He tried to commandeer another vehicle but it wouldn’t start.
At this point, Rehm was somewhere between Frisco and Hebron. At this time of course, this was farm country. He then encountered W.H. Kelly who was a school bus driver. He told Kelly to move over and started driving. Eventually he ejected Kelley and then law enforcement caught up with Rehm in Kelly’s vehicle. A gun fight ensued where Rehm was hit by some shotgun pellets and other ordinance. He was captured in Denton County by Dallas Police detectives Archer and Jones with Bell’s pistol still in his possession.
Officer Bell left behind a wife, two brothers, and two sisters. He was 35 years old when he was killed. He was buried at the American Legion Plot of Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Rehm was quickly convicted for the murder of Luke Bell. His lawyer was able to gain a mistrial because a juror signed his name in a manner that “was not correct.” A change of venue was granted to Grayson County where Rehm was amazingly only given 30 years for the murder of Officer Bell.
He was remanded to Huntsville on January 16, 1936. Justice was served however on August 22, 1938 when Rehm, still with the pencil thin mustache no doubt, was finally stabbed and killed by another prisoner.
This mental midget was buried probably late at night with no witnesses’ in the local prison cemetery.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Honor Flight DFW Profiles trip # 9
James was working in a railroad yard in Waywoka, Oklahoma on Sunday December 7, 1941. He joined the Army Air Corps on January 19, 1943 at the age of 19.
He was trained as a pilot and soon found himself shipped overseas to the European Theater of operations. He flew P-51 Mustang’s with the 2nd Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group of the 15th Air Force based in Italy.
James also flew C-47 cargo planes in Egypt. He even flew C-46 Commando cargo planes in China, flying over “The Hump.” James flew a total of 347.5 hours in these different aircraft. He returned to the U.S. in November, 1945.
He chose to stay in the AAF and was there when the change occurred with the Air Force becoming a separate part of the military in 1949. He stayed in and retired in 1966 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Profiles Honor Flight DFW trip #9
Joe was home at Avant, Oklahoma on the day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
He joined the US Army and was inducted on July 27, 1943 at the age of 19.
Soon, he was shipped overseas to the European theater of operations. He was a squad leader with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was assigned to the Third Division, 7th Infantry Battalion. He saw service in Italy and France.
The 3rd Infantry Division was known as the “Rock of the Marne” for its service at Chateau Thierry in July 1918 during WWI. During WWII the division saw 233 days of combat in such places as Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, and Rome-Arno in Italy. Later the division saw action in Southern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe.
Joe saw a lot of action, and saw many men killed and wounded during combat. He was wounded on September 11, 1944 in France. He was sent to a hospital in the rear. He remained in the hospital until he was discharged in October 1945.
Joe used much of what he learned and experienced as far as maturity and reliability in his personal life. He joined Phillip’s Petroleum on January 8, 1946. This was the only job he ever had and retired on April 1, 1985.
For his wartime service, Joe earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart. Others included the European Theater Medal with three bronze stars, and the French Legion of Honor medal.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Honor Flight DFW profiles trip #9
Richard was a freshman at Central High School in Memphis Tennessee on December 7, 1941. The next day, America declared war on Japan.
He joined the Army and was inducted on June 15, 1943 at the young age of 18.
Richard was sent overseas to the European theater of operations. He was assigned to 1st Platoon, K Company of the 409th Infantry Regiment of the 103rd Infantry Division. This division was called the “Cactus Division.” It was activated on November 15, 1942 and was sent to Europe on October 6, 1944. It saw combat for 147 days in places like the Rhineland and Central Europe.
Richard participated in the rescue of the American divisions that were being decimated during the “Battle of the Bulge,” in the Ardennes Forest.
He has written extensively about his service in Europe during this time. There is an especially poignant story of Christmas 1944. He and some buddies were in a farmhouse in an area called Alsace-Loraine. There was another farmhouse across the way where a French woman and her baby lived. Richard and the other soldiers in his squad heard the baby crying from inside the farmhouse. The Americans walked across the road and offered their meager “C” and “K” rations to the French woman and her Mother. Richard also offered some new white t-shirts to the family in an attempt to keep the baby warm. The French family, who at first reluctant to let the American’s in their house, kissed the soldiers and accepted the gifts.
As the American’s walked outside into the frigid winter air, the coldest in decades, nobody said anything but all of a sudden the squad started singing “Jingle Bells.”
Richard of course has always remembered this Christmas. No doubt the French family does too.
Richard remained in Germany after the surrender and was a member of the army of occupation in that country. He thanks God each day for his happy family and for his life in the United States. He has never been afraid since the war, and thinks of every day as a gift!
He was discharged on March 30, 1946 with the rank of PFC. He had been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Rifleman, and the European Theater Ribbon.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Honor Flight dfw profiles trip # 9
Fred was at home in Dallas Texas on December 7, 1941. His wife had just returned from church when they heard the news that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Just over a month later, James joined the Army on January 22, 1942 at the age of 22.
After basic training, James was sent overseas to the Pacific theater of operations. There he joined the 43rd Infantry Division, the “Winged Victory Division.” This division was activated on February 24, 1941. It went overseas on October 1, 1942 and was in combat a total of 370 days.
James was a part of the Tank Section, 743rd Ordinance Company. He was the ranking non-commissioned officer and directed all phases of the tank sections operations.
He participated in five island invasions. These included Russell, Rendova and New Georgia of the Solomon island chain, which included Guadalcanal. He also is a veteran of the landings at Atapi, New Guinea and Luzon, Philippines.
His most memorable wartime experience is when he went on a Navy rescue mission on November 11, 1943. He went up in a PBY Catalina flying boat as a gunner. He was present when the rescue plane set down in the Pacific to rescue a B-24 Liberator crew that had went down. He was also present, this time on land when his unit helped liberate the P.O.W. camps at Santo Tomas, and Camp O’Donnell in the Philippines. There James helped liberate some of the emaciated survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March.
James said that he really matured during his time in the military. He received the Asiatic-Pacific medal with four stars, the Good Conduct medal, and the Philippine Liberation medal.
He was discharged on August 28, 1945 with the rank of Staff-Sergeant.
1960's Rockers at The Ace Cafe London
Honor Flight DFW trip #9
WIlliam was still in high school when the war started. On that Sunday December 7, 1941 he was taking a Sunday drive with his dad when word of the attack on Pearl Harbor came over the radio.
On May 6, 1943 at the age of 18 William joined the Marines. After basic training he began advanced training and became a member of the Marine Corps Parachutists. Eventually he was assigned to the headquarters company, 27th regiment of the 5th Marines. Later during the Iwo Jima campaign and the occupation of Japan he was in the headquarters company of the 2nd Marine Division.
William says that his experience during WWII caused him to learn discipline and matured him to such an extent that it has lasted all of his life.
He was discharged on May 6, 1947 with the rank of Sergeant.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Honor Flight DFW profiles trip #9
Ralph was already in the US Army on December 7, 1941. He was in the Infantry and stationed at Camp Forrest in Tennessee. He had joined the Army on March 5, 1941 at the age of 19.
His job during the war was that of 1st Gunner, squad leader of a mortar unit, section leader and platoon sergeant.
Ralph was assigned to Company I of the 132rd Infantry regiment of the famed Americal Division. The Americal Division was formed on May 27, 1942 in New Caledonia. This division was in combat for 600 days in campaigns such as the Northern Solomon Islands and Southern Philippines.
His wartime experiences included the assault n Mt Austen on Guadalcanal and leading recon patrols in the dense jungles of Bougainville.
Ralph was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic action during combat in April 1944 on Bougainville against the Japanese.
He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was discharged in June, 1944.
Honor Flight profiles trip # 9
Evan was an 18 year old civilian on December 7, 1941. He was living in El Paso, Texas.
He joined the Army Air Corp on February 22, 1943 at the age of 19.
After basic training, Evan was shipped overseas to England. He was assigned to the 668th Squadron of the 416th Bomb Group of the 9th Army Air Force.
As a Corporal, Evan’s jobs included that of an aircraft armorer, bomb loading and machine gun maintenance.
Some of most memorable war experiences included D-Day mission, missions supporting American units during the Battle of the Bulge, V-E Day and of course V-J Day. Evan was greatly relieved when the Japanese surrendered. He was at a disembarkation point at Marseilles France waiting to be shipped to the Pacific. Instead the ship took him to Boston!
Evan took advantage of the GI Bill to attend dentistry school at Northwestern University.
He received six battle stars on his European Campaign Ribbon. The 416th Bomb Group received a group citation for taking out the last bridge used by the German army fleeing from the Allies in the Falaise Gap in Normandy France.
Evan was discharged on October 15, 1945.
Honor Flight DFW profiles trip #9
George was a student at Texas A&M College when the news was reported that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
He reported for active duty on June 5, 1943 at the age of 18. After basic training, George was shipped overseas to the European Theater of operations.
George was assigned to Company C, 1258th Combat Engineers Battalion of the 3rd US Army. This was General George S. Patton’s command.
He saw combat as a line sergeant in several major river crossings in the march across Europe to eventually take Berlin. These included the rivers Saar, Meuse, and the Rhine. Each of these crossings was significant in that Germany considered these barriers to be major obstacles for the Allied Armies. Some thought that the Allies would never be able to cross these rivers since they were so heavily defended.
George’s most memorable experience was when he had the opportunity of attending the Nuremburg war crime trails after Germany surrendered.
George was awarded the European Theater Campaign ribbon with three battle stars. He also stated that his wartime experiences matured him greatly, giving him leadership abilities that helped him later in life.
He was discharged on May 23, 1946.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Rolling Stones 2012
Bikers Prayer
Arkansas 2012
Beach Boys 50th
Honor Flight DFW profiles trip # 9
John was still in high school on December 7, 1941. That day, when the Japanese started the war by the surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet, John was living in Granville New York.
He reported for basic training in the Marine Corps on August 16, 1943 at the age of 18.
After basic training John was shipped to the South Pacific. He was assigned as an anti-aircraft gunner. He participated in the Palau Islands campaign. Among the islands in this chain was the island of Peleliu, the scene of savage fighting between Marines and the Japanese.
John says that his experience in WWII caused him to grow up in a hurry. He also found out that there was a big-big world outside of his hometown of Granville, New York!
He was discharged as a Corporal on February 8, 1946.
Honor Flight DFW profiles trip # 9
James was studying for a Monday morning pop quiz on December 7, 1941. He was a student at the UT Galveston Medical branch. Eating lunch in his fraternity house that day he heard that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. The next day war was declared on Japan.
He was inducted into the US Navy in October 1943 at the age of 22.
James served his internship at NAS San Diego. Later while at Pearl Harbor, he was one of only twenty doctors who were interns outside the continental U.S.
Eventually James was assigned to the destroyer, USS McCaffery, DD-860.At one point James was the surgeon responsible for four different destroyers.
James’ most memorable wartime experience was when his ship was hit by a typhoon in the Pacific. Another time his ship was involved in a firefight with Chinese communists in a Chinese harbor.
James was discharged from the Navy on September 9, 1946. He has said by that time he felt like he was really cosmopolitan, a real world traveler!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Honor Flight profiles trip# 9
William had joined the Army and reported for basic training on December 23, 1939. He was 23 years old. On December 7, 1941, he was stationed at Camp Murry Washington. He was in the 153rd Infantry Division at the base.
He eventually found himself in the Aleutian Islands. He was an MP and also an infantryman on the islands of Adak, Umnak, and Kiska. These islands were cold and windy most of the time. When it wasn’t snowing, it was raining. When the weather became somewhat warmer, the runways and base caps became seas of mud. It was a remote outpost but an important one. The Japanese had landed on several islands at the start of the war in an attempt to secure their northern flank. The US Army and Navy finally pushed out the Japanese and the Americans began building additional runways and improved living conditions for their military personnel stationed there.
William’s most memorable experience was when a Japanese Zero fighter flew over the base on the island of Umnak. He and many others grabbed whatever weapon that was near at hand and shot at the enemy plane. It’s not known whether the plane was actually hit.
William made a career out of the Army, retiring at the age of 47 on March 31, 1963. He had attained the rank of E-6 Sergeant.
Profiles Honor Flight DFW trip # 9
Eldon was a freshman at Northwestern State College in Alva Oklahoma when he heard the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
He joined the Navy and reported for basic training in October, 1942 at the age of 19. Soon he found himself in aviation training to become a naval aviator.
Eldon had a long career in the Navy. He served in the Atlantic and the Pacific theaters of war on the USS Tarawa, CVA-40 during WWII. He served in various air groups including bombing squadrons. In fact one of his most memorable experiences actually happened during the Korean War. He had been called back to active duty like so many thousands of WWII veterans to fight in what is now called “The Forgotten War.” He had to ditch his dive bomber in the cold waters of the Pacific off the Japanese coast. Luckily he was picked up and survived the ditching.
He served in the Navy until 1965. During that time he was based at NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola Florida, and was the senior officer at the US Naval Academy on a chemistry committee. He also did research and development on propulsion systems for missiles and space vehicles for NASA.
Eldon received many awards including several Air Medals for his service in WWII and Korea.
He was discharged after a great career on August 31, 1965 with the rank of LCDR.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)