Tomas Garza’s Daughter – “Now I Don’t Feel Empty”
Like most children of World War II veterans, Anna Bowen knew very little about her father’s experiences in the war. She knew that as Private First Class (PFC) Tomas Garza, her dad had been wounded in the leg – she had seen the scar where a bullet or shrapnel had gone through. But as with nearly every WWII soldier, Tomas never talked about the war.
Anna recalls:
She continues, “I am very grateful to Bill for helping me piece together my dad’s time in WWII, because it was always...
Parker Fondren’s Daughter
Clients come to me from many places and for many reasons. Some come from universities or towns, hoping to learn about the WW2 military service of their students or citizens.
Some are from overseas, hoping to find out the story of a particular American serviceman who died in the liberation of their nation.
Many are family historians, such as Donna King of Tennessee. In September of 2017, Donna wrote to me with a poignant inquiry about her uncle, Parker Fondren. As many clients who are...
A successful mission, but for the loss of a father
The weather was good, for Northwest Europe, on February 9, 1945. The only climate-related information that was reported was cloud cover at 12,000 to 14,000 feet. The P-51 Mustangs of the 20th Fighter Group left their base at Kingscliffe, England early that morning. Their mission was to escort B-17s of the 1st Air Division to an oil industry target at Lutzkendorf, Germany. As was the standard operating procedure, the fighters were under orders to attack any targets they could along the way,...
The final notes of Pfc. Max Poster
Max Poster’s personal effects were like those of most of his fellow infantrymen of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment. At the time of his death, his possessions included a tobacco pouch; a plastic box, contents not specified; two books, and one lot of miscellaneous papers. Not much to mention or remember.
But they also included an ocarina.
An ocarina is a wind instrument of ancient origin, perhaps first used 12,000 years ago in China and Mesoamerica. Typically, it is in the shape of a...
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...
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”...From Panatella to Ploesti
The 15th Army Air Force, based in...Six B-24s From Baker Box Downed
The men – the boys, really...Debut for Debach
It was the very first combat mission...The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
More than 260 UCLA students, faculty ...
SSGT Morris Meyers: The Man My Dad Never Stopped Waiting For
SSGT Morris Meyers | The Man My Dad...TEC5 Genaro A. Caruso — What the Records Don’t Tell Us
(Troop C, 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance...Nicasio C. Sifuentes: One Week at the Front
(Company A, 10th Armored Infantry...PFC Oscar B. Oakman: The Last Man to Die in the 94th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
(PFC Oscar B. Oakman, 4th Armored...The 4th Armored Division: The Spearhead of Patton’s Third Army
Activated in April 1941 at Pine Camp,...Talk Radio One’s Steven Spierer Interviews WW2 Researcher Bill Beigel
Steven Spierer Talk Radio One Interview...
LOST B-25 “El Aguila” (“The Eagle”) With Crew and Passengers
Hi Georgia: So sorry for this slow response. I'd love to connect with you some time. I suspect that there is information on your great-uncle that is unknown to you. Rather than write up a lengthy e-mail, I suggest that we get on the phone for a brief discussion of our research options. Please use this link: https://calendly.com/ww2research/30min to my calendar to schedule a phone meeting. There is no cost for this research consultation with me; I look forward to talking with you. Best regards, BillSix B-24s From Baker Box Downed
Hello April: Sorry for this slow response. I'd be happy to trade some history with you. You can reach me at bill.beigel@ww2research.com. I might even be able to locate some information that is new to you. Best, BillFive From the 464th Bomb Group
Hi Janice: I apologize for my late replay to your note! We can certainly re-create your father's service with the 454th Bomb Group. Rather than write up a lengthy e-mail, I suggest that we get on the phone for a brief discussion of our research options. Please use this link: https://calendly.com/ww2research/30min to my calendar to schedule a phone meeting. There is no cost for this research consultation with me; I look forward to talking with you. Best regards, BillThe Murder of WAC Private Byrl Babcock
I agree with Vanessa. This is such a compelling story and so well written. It really packed a punch to read that she didn’t return to her base after her leave ended… there was no answer at the hotel room… she and her husband both died of gunshot wounds…Lt. Ecke personally accompanied Byrl’s casket on the journey to CA, stood as honor guard during the funeral, and presented the flag to Byrl’s mother. I loved learning that her headstone did NOT have the last name of her abusive husband who murdered her! I am very curious now to look at WW2 memorials to see if I can find any women’s names listed. It never occurred to me to look before.SSGT Morris Meyers: The Man My Dad Never Stopped Waiting For
So you know how I feel about my cousin, 2Lt A.D. (Alvis Deryl) Noble, I know that he was born on my grandfather's farm in Hopkins Co. Texas, where my father and his and 5 other brothers and 4 sisters were born, then the next information I have is the casualty report after his death as his records were lost in the St. Louis fire. I was born in 1956, 12 years after his death. But I want to thank you once again for your help with what I do know about 2Lt Noble. Sincerely A .D. ( Alan Dale ) NobleSSGT Morris Meyers: The Man My Dad Never Stopped Waiting For
WOW. Great job Something like that for the crew of the B2 nine Salvo Sally that bombed Masaki yes Japan on April 28, 1945. The flight engineer Fred MacDonald was my first cousin husband. The plane went in the ocean. Most likely the gunners are got out and got in parachutes, but only one survived and I found him in St. Louis Missouri Japan held a huge memorial for the crew on April 28, 2018. The survivor was Jack B Cannon. He died. I think he was 94.
Bill’s WWII Almanac
