Bill’s blog archive: Daily Posts

“Hairless Joe” crew’s story recounted at 463rd Bomb Group Reunion, Oct 18, 2014

The 463rd Bomb Group said goodbye to one of their own at their annual reunion night; a man shot down and killed over Italy more than 70 years ago. At the annual reunion of the 463rd Bomb Group, held this year in Albuquerque, veteran World War 2 historian and lecturer Bill Beigel of Torrance, California, told the story of “Hairless Joe,” a B-17 belonging to the group, based in Italy. “Hairless Joe” was hit over its target of Marzabotto, Italy, on June 5, 1944. Six men were...
41 Basset Ave 1945 1
41 Basset Ave 1945 1
41 Basset Ave 1945 1
41 Basset Ave 1945 1
41 Basset Ave 1945 1
41 Basset Ave 1945 1

“How am I to know?”

"How am I to know?" is the ironic caption on William Hummer’s yearbook photo from Dover High School, class of 1941. William “Bill” Minton Hummer was killed in Operation Varsity in WWII at the age of 22. He was a stand-in for a regular crew member on an extremely dangerous mission, dropping supplies at tree-level to troops in heavy fighting in Germany just before the end of the war. According to the 44th Bomb Group historian, due to the risk of friendly-fire accidents, the B-24s on...
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS
Leonard J. Crandell 44th BG 67th BS

2nd Lt. William M. Hummer of Mine Hill, New Jersey

2nd LT William M. Hummer, born Nov. 3, 1923 in Dover, NJ, was the son of John W. and Beatrice V. Hummer, living at Basset Avenue in Mine Hill.  He was a very active youth, as his Physical Examination for Flying medical report shows.  In 1939, he broke his right clavicle playing football.  In 1940, he broke his left leg playing baseball, and in 1941, he broke his jaw wrestling. He entered the Air Corps July 22, 1944, and was assigned to the 67th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, based in...
American Legion Badge1
American Legion Badge1
American Legion Badge1
American Legion Badge1

Brooklyn honors immigrant son, SGT John Sardiello

SGT John Sardiello was born on August 17, 1918.  Like many of the men who served in World War 2, he was the descendant of immigrants. His parents, Joseph and Mildred (Millie), came to the United States in 1913.  Joseph Sardiello established a mattress-making business in Brooklyn. On January 24, 1941, Sardiello entered the Army, and was assigned I Company of the 119th Infantry Regiment, part of the 30th Infantry Division He was killed in the ferocious post D-Day fighting in the...