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”...Sweatin’ It Out
“Sweatin’ It Out,” B-24...From Panatella to Ploesti
The 15th Army Air Force, based in...Honoring Lt. George H. Cannon, USMC, on Medal of Honor Day
On December 7, 1941, 1st LT George H....
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:...
LOST B-25 “El Aguila” (“The Eagle”) With Crew and Passengers
Hi Bill,-I wonder if you can assist me,-back in the 1970's I used to work with a gentleman,at SEBEL-Furniture,in Canberra,Australia,-He was the Boss & a "real great bloke"-He was in the 5th Air-Force,in New-Guinea,during W.W.2,&flew as a Radio-op.in a B_25 -Michell,& had a large picture of it,in his office,& I as a 30 y.o, used love hearing about how they really had to"make-do"with everything,they could find,& throw together,to keep them flying.He married an Aussie girl,& settled in,Canberra Aust,I lost track years ago,but often think of him,& can still see the big photo,of his B-25,his first name,was John,but I cant remember his last name,but His B-25, had a really big "nose-art" of a lady,with the words"HOW"S YA OLD TOMATO"--Is there any way I can trace this B-25 ??--all the very best,to you and your endevours,-John Caldwell, Tasmania Australia.Five From the 464th Bomb Group
Hi Bill, A couple corrections. Hard Hearted Hannah was 41-28755. (MACR 5431) 42-52449 had transferred to the 465th BG/724th BS and was lost with that group on 6/6/44. (MACR 6125) As mentioned above, 42-78088 was also lost, but the crew bailed out over friendly territory and was rescued so there was no MACR. Source - 464th Bomb Group Narrative Mission Report dated 6/6/44, page 2.Honoring Lt. George H. Cannon, USMC, on Medal of Honor Day
Hi John: You are correct; he was on Midway, not Wake. I'll made a correction to the article. Best, BillSix B-24s From Baker Box Downed
Hi Sandy: Thanks for this note and the correction of the town where LT Sharples lived. Some years ago, I researched LT Sharples and his entire crew (for the next of kin of two of the men on board on their final mission), and have extensive records on the search for his remains, and a great deal of detail on his crew mates. Best, BillHonoring Lt. George H. Cannon, USMC, on Medal of Honor Day
The body of the article references Cannon being on Wake Island. He was on Midway.Six B-24s From Baker Box Downed
Lt Russell Sharples was actually from Thornville, Ohio not Thornton. The lady he was married to was my mom. Her maiden name was Wava Eileen Foster though she went by Eileen. They married when she was 18. She was presumably widowed by the time she was 19. She was told Russ was presumed dead although that was sketchy. He never returned and she never heard any more of his remains. My mom passed away August 1, 2012. I know she always kept whatever keepsakes she had of him. There may be something in the boxes I haven't gone through yet. Mostly we have always wondered whatever happened to him .
Bill’s WWII Almanac
