Help me find WW2 stories that deserve to be researched for free
2014 marks the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. By some estimates, we’re currently losing about 1,000 WWII veterans per day – not to mention the non-military survivors of the second Great War.
I want to find somebody who really needs some research done and deserves to have it done for free.
For the next 30 days, I’m inviting anyone to tell me about a member of the U.S. military who died in active service during World War II, whose story you need to know – and why. ...
Incoming Message: Classified, Ruth-less
Along with 94 other B-24 Liberators of the 2nd Air Division, “Ruth-less”, B-24 tail #41-24282, rumbled down the runway at Shipdham, in East Anglia, England. The bomber was named in honor of the pilot’s girlfriend, Ruth: since he was away from her, he called himself, and his bomber, “Ruth-less."
Their target was a mysterious construction site at Pas-de-Calais, on the coast of France. Although the purpose of the site was yet unknown, it would turn out to be one of the launching ramps...
Frigatebird
by Bill Beigel
White and black wings, almost mirage and full-breathing shadow
Spinning, skimming arabesque above the water
The slightest turn to the surface of the wings
A radical shake and shift in flight and speed and balance and more balance
Right-angle-sharp wing tips leave their course in the water
For only the briefest glance of a second, maybe it is just a fast joke
As fleeting as everything else on and under the sea
Except the colors, without argument
The sunken, deep, dirty,...
The Last Tight Mountain Turn
by Bill Beigel
The jeep sped around the last of the tight mountain turns, and soon was making great time along the road that crossed the alluvial fan at the base of Monte della Torraccia. He’d probably be back in time for dinner in the mess tent. He looked forward to some good strong black coffee.
Everything looked the same to Staff Sergeant Keyes as he passed the Brazilian field artillery battalion and the Canadian aid station.
He slowed down the vehicle to make the final turn...
Bill’s WW2 Almanac for January 21: Featuring Col. Randy’s Flying Circus
These entries are from my World War II Almanac for January 21 (1944 - 1945).
Alley, Archie D., 1st LT, 1030th Army Air Force Base Unit, died of 1/21/45 of “tumor cerebella involving the left hemisphere” at the AAF Convalescent Hospital, Santa Ana, CA, copy of “Physical Examination for Flying” results, possibly serving as an instructor in a training squadron (Austin, TX)
Barszcz, Regina, PFC, WAC, Detachment Buffalo AAA, died 1/21/44 of brain inflammation at Fort Dix, NJ,...
LOST B-25 “El Aguila” (“The Eagle”) With Crew and Passengers
It was an ordinary flight, an “Administrative” mission. A B-25 "Mitchell" bomber, nicknamed “El Aguila” (“The Eagle”) was ordered to make a cross-country flight, from Nadzab, on the island of New Guinea, to Owi Island, off the north-east coast of this large Pacific island. Weather forecasts included some light rain, but no major problems were foreseen.
The bomber left the field at Nadzab on August 30, 1944, as scheduled, but did not reach Owi Island. It was years later that...
Simmons’ Creek
by Bill Beigel
Walking the beach at dawn is a habit. There are many places where I can find a crescent ring of tiny shells.
The shells are embedded and enmeshed in a tangled mass of sea grass and feathers and dark, coarse sand. They are nearly hidden. But when the sun is just right, the shells shine out to me. I have picked up many handfuls, but usually end up tossing them back into the ocean. I enjoy the small splash they cause, and the ripples that tickle the surface for a few...
Bill Beigel’s WWII Almanac for January 15
By now you might have found the interactive calendar feature in my new web site. It's my WWII Almanac. After more than a decade of researching American military casualties from WWII, I created a log of all of the individuals that I've researched. They're all listed in my Almanac by the date of their death with a summary of how they died and some other details.
There is far more to their stories than I can put into the Almanac; in most cases, only I and a small handful of others know these...
Three men among many who died from Torrance, CA
Torrance, CA has been my hometown for many years. The City of Torrance created a memorial to the war dead of our city, which has a partial list of names of our citizens who died in wars ranging from World War I to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among the many heroes of Torrance who gave their lives in our nation’s wars, here are stories of three of them who ultimate sacrifice in World War 2. I've researched many others and will share more in the days and weeks to come.
2nd LT...
Lieutenant Edward P. Haupt and the USS Grampus
The submarine USS Grampus (named for a species of dolphin) was commissioned by the Electric Boat Yard at New London, CT, on May 23. 1941. Few there that day would have guessed that its service in the United States Navy would be of less than two years' duration and that its crew of 71 men would be lost forever.
A line officer on the Grampus was Lieutenant Edwin Paul Haupt. Although he was born in Los Angeles, he spent much of his boyhood in Tulare, California. As a young...
Five From the 464th Bomb Group
The 15th Army Air Force, based in...Wee Willie and the photo that started it all
Above is B-17 “Wee Willie”...Debut for Debach
It was the very first combat mission...From Panatella to Ploesti
The 15th Army Air Force, based in...Six B-24s From Baker Box Downed
The men – the boys, really...The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
More than 260 UCLA students, faculty ...
Talk Radio One’s Steven Spierer Interviews WW2 Researcher Bill Beigel
Steven Spierer Talk Radio One Interview...Captain Norman L. Aigner: An Ordinary Guy
If you’ve been reading my blog with...Tomas Garza’s Daughter – “Now I Don’t Feel Empty”
Like most children of World War II...“Fresno Marine Dies in Action in Pacific War” – Fresno Bee, Oct 21, 1944
Private First Class Huston R. Fannon,...“Fresno Officer Dies in Action on German Front,” Fresno Bee, April 3, 1945
This article is part of a series...The Pheley Brothers of Fresno, California
This article is part of a series...
Wee Willie and the photo that started it all
My father was Paul D Jessop, he spoke of your Grandfather a lot. My father passed away in 2011 .The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
Hi Bill, Thanks for putting this together. My grand uncle, 2nd Lt. Robert L. Woolfolk attended UCLA and I believe he graduated in 1936. He was on the waterpolo team. He was a bombardier in the 571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group and his aircraft "Decatur Deb" was shot down on May 28, 1944. He and six others perished while three were able bail out and became POWs. This is written up the in the book "Bloody Skies: U.S. Eighth Air Force Battle Damage in World War II." There is a B-17G tail gunner's compartment on display at the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to this crew. Regards, Nick VeronicoBill’s WW2 Almanac for January 21: Featuring Col. Randy’s Flying Circus
Hi! Randall Col Randy is actually my great grandfather and I was wandering if you ever new him? I am curious to know more about him.Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort
Interesting....very hard to know the 'who hit who'.....Fort had enough flying time to be a instructor, I know nothing about the other pilot. If Pastor Jeff had information on her being talked into a situation, I would love to know if reliable. Regardless, so many losses in so many ways.... My take is the WAFS/WASPS deserve a bit more of history's 'time in the books'. Many thanks for the commentary, StarrRemembering the Fallen: WWII Veterans of UCLA, Major Robert C. Maze
Bill, Are you still working on this blog? Rosemarie is my mother in law. She passed away 10 years ago. Her (and Roberts') son Robert Maze Jr is alive and well. I was googling Admiral Radford and ended up googling links... Thank you for your efforts here. Kim WoodsFrom Panatella to Ploesti
I’m looking for information on My Great great GRANDFATHER WAS ON A B-24 LIBERATOR CALLED: Diamond li
Bill’s WWII Almanac
