Bill writes about: WWII

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

“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...
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1
Parker Fondren Phyllis Lee Fondren 1

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...
2nd LT Robert L. Schanen

Lt. Robert L. Schanen, Navigator of “Ascend Charlie”

Yesterday, I received this email from the relative of the navigator on Ascend Charlie's final mission. Ascend Charlie was a B-17 Flying Fortress (tail #42-5903) from the 390th Bomb Group, 571st Bomb Squadron. You can read my full article on "Ascend Charlie's" last mission here.. Dear Mr. Beigel, I just want to thank you for the piece you wrote about the "Ascend Charlie'" crash. Lt. Schanen was my grandmother's cousin and she speaks so fondly of him. I had always known he was killed in...
Joseph H Reus Wwii

Shot Down Twice

People who visit ancient battlefields or ruins of ancient cities will see evidence of great dramas played out, but they may be left with many more questions than answers. Who were the actual men who fought in the wars? What were their experiences? Their thoughts? Their fears? Who were their families and their friends? Sadly, the answers to most questions like this are lost in the distant past. Fortunately for me, I am an historian who researches the American flyers of the 8th Air Force,...
Cornelia Clark Fort and fellow female pilots
Cornelia Clark Fort and fellow female pilots
Cornelia Clark Fort and fellow female pilots
Cornelia Clark Fort and fellow female pilots
Cornelia Clark Fort and fellow female pilots

Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort

In the course of researching the World War 2 military casualties buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX, I came across the name of Cornelia Clark Fort, who is buried in a cemetery by the same name in Nashville, TN. Cornelia’s headstone reads, “Killed in service to her country.” It’s an interesting and meaningful inscription, since women were not allowed to enlist as flyers in the military. And although women were extremely influential in the war effort, and some even died...
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Ft. Worth, TX

WW2 Dead buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Texas

Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas, is named after the Jewish cemetery in Israel. “Mount Olivet” means “Mount of Olives”; the Jewish cemetery is of ancient origin, famous for its many biblical associations, and still in use today. More than 60,000 souls lay at rest at its central Texas namesake in Tarrant County. Among them are fifty-two men who gave their lives for our freedom in World War 2. In late 2010, a private citizen – a hospital administrator and local resident,...
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