Silver Star Finally

Robert Bailey was awarded the Silver Star medal for saving DeBoard’s life in World War II. It took 63 years for him to get the Silver Star.

You can read the full article here:

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20081220/TOPSTORIES/812190210

Veteran's Day 2008

Thank a Veteran for their service today. We owe them our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy everyday.

Airman missing from World War II identified

The AP is reporting the remains of a service man have been identified.

"NORWALK, Conn. - The remains of a U.S. serviceman from Norwalk missing in action from World war II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Monday that the remains of Staff Sgt. Martin F. Troy, U.S. Army Air Forces, of Norwalk will be buried on Nov. 20 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.

On June 30, 1944, Troy was on a B-24H Liberator participating in a mission to bomb an oil refinery in Blechammer, Germany. The plane was shot down by German aircraft and crashed into a swampy area near Nemesvita, Hungary, beside Lake Balaton."

US experts in Germany to search for missing WW2 GIs

Over 78,000 GIs are still unaccounted for in Germany from World War 2. A team of experts are now going to comb through Germany to search for these troops and bring them home. You can read the full story here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2965560/US-experts-in-Germany-to-search-for-missing-WW2-GIs.html

Chef Julia Child, others part of WWII spy network

Appears Julia Child was doing more than cooking during World War 2. You can read the full story here:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/14/spies.revealed.ap/index.html

Alleged Seattle-area Nazi could lose citizenship

The Justice Department asked a federal court Tuesday to revoke the citizenship of an 86-year-old man, saying he served in a Nazi unit that slaughtered 17,000 Serbian civilians during World War II.

Read the full story here at nbc.

Holocaust siblings meet after 66 years

Still having families reunite after they were torn apart from the Holocaust. You can read the full story from CNN here.

Brother and sister were separated in 1942.

Operation Last Chance for Nazi's 'Dr. Death'

Sorry for the lack of posts. Been enjoying the summer weather.

I find this hard to believe, but in the year 2008 we're still going after war criminals from WW2. Dr. Aribert Heim who documented the murdering and tourturing of many victoms is believed to be alive and in hiding in Chile. He was an SS Doctor at a concentration camp in Austria. They just don't get any worse then this:

You can read the full story here.

Also read more about Dr. Aribert Heim here.

June 6, 1944 - 64 years ago

It was 64 years ago today that our brave soldiers hit those beaches in France to start the end of the Nazi's reign on Europe. I often think of the speech that Dwight Eisenhower gave the night before the invasion:

"You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41.

The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeat in open battle man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground.

Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.

The tide has turned.

The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.

We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

Remember all of our soldiers that gave their lives for our freedom then, today, and tomorrow.

Memorial Day 1945

My grandfather told me this weekend where he was on Memorial Day in 1945. 63 years ago him and his fellow members of the 97th infantry division where on their way back home from the Europe through Le havre France after the end of Word War II. They were coming home for fur low for a couple of weeks on the USS Brazil where they would wait to be shipped to Japan as part as the large invasion force. Probably lucky for my grandfather this invasion force turned into an occupational force, but they were ready and willing to be part of it even though it didn't come to fruition.

Don't forget this Memorial Day to thank a veteran for their service to our country. We have so many freedoms because of their sacrifices. It shouldn't take a special day to remember and be thankful for them.

As WWII vets pass, memories preserved

As their ranks shrink, the National World War II Museum is one of several organizations rushing to preserve the personal accounts of veterans. Other such efforts are sponsored by the Library of Congress and the U.S. Latino and Latina WWII Oral History Project.

Read the full story here

Bomb defused in Tokyo

A 1 ton bomb dropped in Tokyo from a U.S. B-29 bomber during World War II was discovered in March. 16,000 people had to be evacuated in the area so the bomb could be defused.

The rusty bomb was defused by a team from Japan’s Self-Defense Force in Chofu, on the outskirts of Tokyo, said Tokyo Fire Department official Shigeru Ishikawa.

Women who saved children from Holocaust dies

Great story about a Polish woman who devised a plan to save Jewish children from Warsaw Ghetto passed away. She smuggled them out and gave them false identies to hide them from the Nazis. Great story and worth reading.

Jews march in Poland in memory of Holocaust

OSWIECIM, Poland - Some 10,000 young Jews, Poles and World War II survivors took part in the March of the Living on Thursday, an annual event at the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau that honors the memory of some 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Check out full story here

Warsaw ghetto's 220 young fighters honored

The last surviving leader of the 1943 Warsaw ghetto uprising paid silent tribute Saturday to the heroes of the doomed revolt by young Jews against Nazi troops that started 65 years ago.

Great story about how the a small group of Jews fought the Nazi's in Poloand in the 1943. You can read the full story here and read about the last survivor.

Updated: Pictures released of German WW2 raider Kormoran

I've found some pictures of the HMAS Sydney and the German ship that sunk her the HSK Kormoran. The group responsible has started a website with some images and information. Take a look. This is great stuff.

http://www.findingsydney.com/

Alleged Nazi hit man charged over executions

Msnbc.com is reporting that an 86-year-old man who acted as a Nazi hit man for a Waffen SS death squad that executed Dutch civilians during World War II has been charged with three counts of murder, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

I find it completely weird that 63 years after the end of World War II that we're still bringing these guys to justice. Check out the full story here.

Pictures released of German WW2 raider Kormoran

"The first images of a German merchant raider sunk in a fierce battle with an Australian warship more than 66 years ago were released on Tuesday by international deep-ocean wreck hunters.

The HSK Kormoran was badly damaged in a battle with the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney on November 19, 1941, and was scuttled by her crew, while the Australian warship sank with the loss of all 645 crew off the West Australian coast."

As I've been unable to locate and pictures yet we'll keep you posted. This is a great find as i've posted about it earlier.

Charlton Heston 1923 - 2008

Charlton Heston passed away on April 6, 2008. Heston was born on October 24^th, 1923 in Illinois. He served for two years as a radio operator/gunner in WW2. After the war, he and his wife Lydia worked as models in New York’s rough Hell’s Kitchen area. It was around this time Charlton began to find work in Theatre, and later on TV and films. By 1959, Heston had won his first Oscar, the coveted ‘best actor’ award for his stunning performance in Ben Hur.

This great man will be missed by all for his many contributions to Hollywood, society, and our country.

How Hitler would have rebuilt Berlin

Interesting program coming that explains Hitler's plans for Berlin. His obsession with art and designing would have led to great changes in Berlin's landscape. You can read the full wright up here and check out the tv special.

Sunken German war ship found off Australia

A search for a Australian ship lost during WWII has found the German vessel that sunk it. The German ship was the DKM Kormoran. The Aussie ship was the HMAS Sydney. The HMAS Sydney, with her sinking with all hands represents the greatest ever loss of life in an Australian warship; Sydney was also the largest vessel of any country to be lost with no survivors during the war. The crew had 645 members. You can read the full story here of the finding of the DKM Kormoran. Search for the HMAS Sydney continues.

Tigercat F7F

Another post from my trip back in January to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo Museum. On June 30 1941 the Navy ordered the F7F Tiger Cat. The Tigercat was one of the boldest designs in the history of the combat aircraft. It was the first twin-engined fighter to enter production for service on board aircraft carriers and the first Navy fighter to have a nose wheel undercarriage. The single seat twin-engine configuration was chosen to achieve the highest performance and the heaviest armament attempted in a Navy fighter. The Tigercat entered service to late to take an active combat role in WW2. They did however, service as photo reconnaissance aircraft during the later months of the war. The terrific fire power available in the Tigercat made it valuable attack aircraft and they did see some action in Korea in the attack role.

Tigercats were proving themselves during a time that jet aircraft were becoming popular and their production was limited to 362 total units. You can read more about this great aircraft here.

Sgt. Woodrow Keeble

Its men like this I find extraordinary. They go above and beyond service to a country that never fully accepts them. Sgt. Woodrow Keeble became the first full blooded Siox to be awarded the nation’s highest military award this last week. He saw service in WWII, but the medal was for action he saw in the Korean War. You can read the full story here.

There are similar stories with Japanese American troops that fought in Germany against the Nazis. Amazing stories of men who gave all and are now only becoming recognized for their sacrifices.

Treasure hunters dig for Hitler's gold

Great Story. Treasure hunters in DEUTSCHNEUDORF Germany have begun digging at the spot where the legendary "Amber Room" treasure may be hidden. In 1944, Hitler realizing the defeat of Nazi Germany, had all valuables taken and hidden in a secret location. These treasure hunters may have found that location. Read the full story here and see pictures of the digging.

Rep. Tom Lantos dies

Just noticed that NBC is reporting that Rep. Tom Lantos of California, the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress, has died.

Rep. Tom Lantos, R-Calif., was serving his 14th term in congress at the time of his death. He was born to Jewish parents in Budapest, Hungary, and was 16 when Adolf Hitler occupied Hungary in 1944. He survived by escaping twice from a forced labor camp. You can read the full article here.

Frank Buckles

Found some more information I thought I would share with you about the last surviving World War I veteran. Seems he didn't serve in WW2, but was captured by the Japanese and spent 3 years in a prison camp. You can read much more info here.

1 of 2 last WW1 veterans in U.S. Dies

1 of the last 2 known U.S. World War 1 veterans has died. Harry Landis died on Monday at the age of 108. He tried to enter the service during World War 2, but was considered too old at the age of 42. You can read the full story here.

The last known World War 1 veteran in the U.S. is Frank Buckles who is 107. You can read about him here.

Photo of war reporter Ernie Pyle found

NBC is reporting that a photo provided by Richard Strasser, perhaps never before published, shows famed World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle shortly after he was killed by a Japanese machine gun bullet on the island of Ie Shima on April 18, 1945.

You can read the full story here.

Nazi guard loses bid to stay in U.S.

It always seem that every year or so we find out about another SS guard hiding out somewhere avoiding capture. NBC is reporting that one is about to be deported from the U.S.

Seems that its been hard to prove that he was actually a guard and not just a regular army soldier. He's been passed around several times and the case has been in and out of court for years. You can read the full story here.

Gerald Astor Writer on Americans in Combat dies

The New York Times is reporting that Gerald Astor has passed away. He was 81. Gerald was a writer on Americans in Combat.

Besides his accounts of the Battle of the Bulge and the air war in Europe, Mr. Astor wrote of World War II in books including “The Greatest War: Americans in Combat, 1941-1945,” “June 6, 1944: The Voices of D-Day,” “Operation Iceberg: The Invasion and Conquest of Okinawa in World War II” and biographies of Maj. Gen. Terry Allen, a leading combat commander in both North Africa and Europe, and the Nazi medical experimenter Dr. Josef Mengele.

He also wrote “The Right to Fight: A History of African Americans in the Military” and “Presidents at War,” an account of presidents’ evolving assertion of authority to take military action in the absence of a Congressional declaration of war.

Through interviews and correspondence with veterans and accounts from their journals, Mr. Astor, who served with the 97th Infantry Division in the Second World War, told of combat as experienced by foot soldiers, sailors and pilots.

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless

Interesting story about this Dauntless: "This particular SBD , BuNo 06624, flew from the USS Ranger during the invasion of Africa, "Operation Torch," during which time it scored a near miss on the bow of Vichy French Battleship Jean Bart in Casablanca Harbor and dropped another bomb, which put the light cruiser Primauguet out of commission. It also was part of a mission that attached submarine pens in the harbor during which at least one French sub was destoryed. Lt. John "Jocko" DeVane Jr. , who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism, flew most of its missions.

After its tour on the Ranger, 06624 flew anti-submarine and anti-blockade runner patrols from the USS Santee in the Caribbean and South Antlantic. It was then transfered to Glenview NAS near Chicago, IL for Carrier Qualification training. Cadet pilots would fly out over Lake Michigan to practice landings and take-offs from the decks of either of two luxury paddle wheelers converted to flattops. These were the USS Wolverine and USS Sable.

While being flown by Ensign E.F. Anderson USNR, on 19 September 1943, the aircraft was on approach to the USS Wolverine. Ensign Anderson surmised he was low on fuel and thought he had switched to the Left Main fuel take when the engine cut out. Though the Landing Signal Officer gave him a wave off, he forced a landing, missed the wire and went over the side. He survived, but the aircraft spent over 50 years at the bottom of Lake Michigan. What exactly happened is not known as the Left Main tank had 40 gal. of fuel in it when the aircraft was recovered.

Through the efforts of the Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans Association and leaders of the AirZoo, the aircraft was acquired from the National Museum of Naval Aviation on long-term loan. The U.S. Navy still owns the aircraft.

Over nine years and countless hours of work, volunteers and staff at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo have returned the plane to a museum quality display craft and a tribute to all the mean and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom during times of war."

P-80 Shooting Star

Unaware to me was that the U.S had a jet fighter during WWII. I always thought we got our jet technology from Germany after the war. Well, we got all the good jet technology from Germany anyways. The P-80 Shooting Star never saw any combat during the war, and for good reasons. The Shooting Star began to enter service in late 1944. There were 12 prototypes made. One of the first was lost in an accident that killed chief engineering test pilot Milo Burcham. Several went to Europe and England for operational tests. On the 28th of January 1945 Major Frederic Borsodi was killed in a crash caused by an engine fire that temporarily grounded the P-80. Because of the delay the Shooting Star saw no combat in World War II. After further improvements and testing (I'm guessing German technology after the war) the P-80 saw extensive combat in Korea.

Grasshopper

Today I want to bring your attention to a neat little plane that played a big part for the 97th Infantry Division Field Artillery.

During WWII, "Grasshoppers" performed a wide variety of functions throughout the world such as for artillery fire direction, pilot training, glider pilot instruction, courier service, and front line liaison. Members of the Civil Air Patrol flew thousands of hours in light planes such as the L-4 searching for enemy submarines in U.S. coastal waters.

Pictured above is a fine restored example from my recent trip to the Kalamazoo Air Museum. You can also learn more about this plane at our website under the Equipment Section and click on the Piper L-4.

Spanish Messerschmitt

This will be the first of many posts with information from my recent trip to the Kalamazoo Air Museum in Kalamazoo Michigan. Something pretty neat that I figured out on the tour. The plane pictured on the right is a Messerschmitt ME-109, but not just any Messerschmitt. A Spanish one. Germany was allied with Spain during the war and gave technology and tooling for Spain to make their own Messerschmitt planes named the Hispano. This plane along with many others saw action in the Spanish Air Force during World War 2. Really neat stuff.

Historic Photos of World War II: Pearl Harbor to Japan

Just caught wind on the news of a new book coming out next month:

With fact-filled photo captions and chapter introductions by author Bob Duncan, Historic Photos of World War II Pearl Harbor to Japan reveals the humanity and the sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Second World War, in striking images selected from the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Naval Historical Center, and private collections.

“It has been said that the past is a country into which we may not travel, but photos and images left to us are a key-hole view into that past,” explains Duncan “With the passing of the generations who fought in that war, these photographs are becoming the last, sustaining glimpses of our fathers and grandfathers as young soldiers.”

This 10 x 10 gift book showcases these beautifully reproduced historic photographs in a large, high-quality format and includes well-researched text. Historic Photos of World War II Pearl Harbor to Japan masterfully retells the story of American soldiers, sailors, pilots, and Marines who fought in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War.The publication is the second in a series of books highlighting the key figures and events of World War II. Turner Publishing’s Historic Photos series has been acclaimed as a staple in the collection of anyone who loves history.

Stop by and check in out on amazon.com. Good Stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/Historic-Photos-World-War-II/dp/1596524227/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200689178&sr=8-1

Welcome!

Welcome to the Blog spot for the 97th Infantry Division Field Artillery. We'll post weekly information here about news and information regarding World War II and the 97th. Check here often.