Harley-Davidson's, US Army, Fiji in S.Pacific 1942

White Christmas from the film "Holiday In" 1942

Harley-Davidson Snowmobile.

In the early 70's HD produced snowmobiles for a few years. I've heard that most thought them too heavy, and (natch) too expensive. But I'd like to have one...

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 96^th Infantry Division, 383^rd Battalion. The 96^th 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 4^th Armored, of Patton’s famous 3^rd 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

Me with James Hardwick, Pearl Harbor survivor at the WWII Memorial Pearl harbor remembrance event in D.C.

Happy birthday KEEFF!

Ye Olde Pub

Famous incident in December 1943 where a German pilot, seeing that the B-17 is crippled, decides to escort the plane to the English Channel and to safety.
These two pilots met some 60 years later and became friends. Sadly they died within 6 months of each other a few years ago.

Motor Cops for Kids ride 2012

Funny it is...

October 2012

B-17 Flying Fortress

Typical pre-flight briefing. Possibly 8th AAF in England from the looks of the weather.

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.

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 78^th Infantry Division. Later he was assigned to the 66^th Infantry and the 104^th 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 14^th 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.

Pearl Harbor. We remember December 7,2012

I want to think American Airlines, the Reingold Public Relations firm in D.C. (especially Chelsey, Ashley, Brian and Jill) and our four WWII heroes for an extraordinary experience at the 71st Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony this past Friday.
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.

December 7, 1941

Really excited to be traveling with several survivors of the attack with to DC. This is for the Pearl Harbor events scheduled for Friday December 7, 2012 at the WWII Memorial.