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...
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...
Five From the 464th Bomb Group
The 15th Army Air Force, based in...Debut for Debach
It was the very first combat mission...Wee Willie and the photo that started it all
Above is B-17 “Wee Willie”...The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
More than 260 UCLA students, faculty ...MIA: No man left behind?
Two crews from the 449th Bomb Group...Sweatin’ It Out
“Sweatin’ It Out,” B-24...
Parker Fondren’s Daughter
Clients come to me from many places and...“He’s definitely our young soldier” – Remembering 2nd Lt Donald I. Gunn
In the course of nearly two decades of...PRESS RELEASE: UCLA Alumni Assoc. Honors World War II Casualties in Veterans Day Event, Beigel to Speak
Press Release: WWII Researcher...Remembering the Fallen: WWII Veterans of UCLA, Major Robert C. Maze
Rosemarie and Robert Maze are the only...UCLA Veterans Day Commemorative: “Remembering the Fallen”
UCLA Alumni Association Hosts Veterans...APG 2017 Annual Professional Management Conference | Washington, DC 10/1/2017
Researching the Silent Generation:...
“Presumed Deceased, Remains Not Recovered”
Hi Carolan: Thanks for this interesting inquiry. It is always unusual to see about an RAF crew flying a Fortress. Regarding this missing B-17, do you know 1) a tail # for the Aircraft; or 2) the names of any of the other crew mates? Best, Bill“Presumed Deceased, Remains Not Recovered”
Braithwaite C R Flight Sergeant Bomber Command 214 Sqd 1945-03-21 Fortress III 1945-03-21 Fortress III KJ112 BU-P Oulton 130 BS Lost without trace Killed Runnymede How can I find out if this plane was ever recovered? It was shot out of the air over Hamburg and witness saw it crash at the mouth of the Elbe RiverMIA: No man left behind?
Hi Jamie: It appears that SSGT Grooms' remains could not be found after the crash, and he remains forever "Missing in Action". Best, BillMIA: No man left behind?
It would be so nice to get the remains of Given Grooms back. His sister my grandmother has passed away now. But for the rest of us it would be nice to lay him to rest close to her.“Devastating Hitter” Hideo Akiyama
Hi Earl: Glad you enjoyed it! Best, Bill“Devastating Hitter” Hideo Akiyama
Love this story. It is of my uncle! I wish you had more photos of the 442 regiment.
Bill’s WWII Almanac
