Bill’s blog archive: Daily Posts

Fresno Vets Memorial

“Fresno Marine Dies in Action in Pacific War” – Fresno Bee, Oct 21, 1944

Private First Class Huston R. Fannon, USMC This article is part of a series honoring the battle-dead of the city of Fresno, California. The memorial was dedicated on November 8, 2019, at the Fresno City Hall. The following article ran in the Fresno Bee on October 21, 1944. I researched the death of PFC Fannon in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project. "Fresno Marine Dies in Action in Pacific War" Source: Fresno Bee, October 21, 1944 Mr. And Mrs. Raymond W. Fannon of 2304...
Fresno Vets Memorial

“Fresno Officer Dies in Action on German Front,” Fresno Bee, April 3, 1945

This article is part of a series honoring the battle-dead of the city of Fresno, California. The memorial was dedicated on November 8, 2019, at the Fresno City Hall. The following article ran in the Fresno Bee on April 3, 1945. I researched the death of 1st LT Howard in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project. "Fresno Officer Dies in Action on German Front" Source: Fresno Bee, April 3, 1944 First Lieutenant Joseph W. Howard, 29 year old infantryman, was killed in action March...
Fresno Vets Memorial

The Pheley Brothers of Fresno, California

This article is part of a series honoring the battle-dead of the city of Fresno, California. The memorial was dedicated on November 8, 2019, at the Fresno City Hall. The following articles ran in the Fresno Bee on in November and December, 1944. I researched the Pheley brothers in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project. "Second Son of Fresno Family Dies In Action" Source: Fresno Bee, November 29, 1944 Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Pheley, Route 11, Box 594, today were notified by the war...
Fresno Vets Memorial

“Fresno Soldier is Killed in French Fighting,” Fresno Bee, September 26,1944

This article is part of a series honoring the battle-dead of the city of Fresno, California. The memorial was dedicated on November 8, 2019, at the Fresno City Hall. The following article ran in the Fresno Bee on September 26, 1944. I researched the death of PFC Potter in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project. "Fresno Soldier is Killed in French Fighting" Source: Fresno Bee, September 26, 1944 Mrs. Ida Potter, of Route 10, Box 121, today was notified by the war department...
Fresno Vets Memorial

“Army Names Base After Ex-Fresnan,” Fresno Bee, March 19, 1948

This article is part of a series honoring the battle-dead of the city of Fresno, California. The memorial was dedicated on November 8, 2019, at the Fresno City Hall. The following article ran in the Fresno Bee on March 19, 1948. I researched the death of Brig. Gen. Howard K. Ramey in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project. Army Names Base After Ex Fresnan Source: Fresno Bee, March 19, 1948 The United States Army Air Force base at Punta Borinquen, near Aguadilla, on Puerto...
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag
Fresno Vets Memorial Flag

Hometown Heroes – Fresno Unveils New Veterans Memorial

On Friday, November 8, 2019, the City of Fresno unveiled a brand-new memorial honoring 464 local heroes who died in battle in wars ranging from World War I to Afghanistan and Iraq. Earlier this year, the City of Fresno contacted me, seeking to confirm names of four Fresno citizens who had died in battle in World War II. Over the next weeks, I spent many hours searching for records to identify all of those who fell in battle in World War II or the Korean War, whose names would eventually...