PFC Oscar B. Oakman: The Last Man to Die in the 94th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
(PFC Oscar B. Oakman, 4th Armored Division, U.S. Third Army)
A famous photograph in the May 14, 1945, issue of Life magazine shows a soldier killed in Leipzig, described as “the last man to die in the war in Europe.”
But there never seems to be a last man to die in a war.
There is always one more.
Oscar B. Oakman was from Amaranth, Pennsylvania, near the Maryland border. Drafted at age 29, the self-employed farmer would have been one of the older men in his unit — the “older...
The 4th Armored Division: The Spearhead of Patton’s Third Army
Activated in April 1941 at Pine Camp, New York, the 4th Armored Division began with only a handful of soldiers and grew quickly as America prepared for war. After completing large-scale maneuvers in Tennessee and advanced desert training in California, the division sailed for England in early 1944 as part of General George S. Patton’s new Third Army.
The 4th would soon become one of Patton’s most celebrated units—fast, aggressive, decisive, and repeatedly placed at the tip of Third...
Captain Norman L. Aigner: An Ordinary Guy
If you’ve been reading my blog with any regularity, you have probably come across more than one article about an “ordinary guy” who was completely extraordinary in battle.
This article is about one such man. There is a recurrent theme pointing to Norman Aigner being quite an average guy. Don’t get me wrong: Speaking from experience, being an average, ordinary guy is a pretty good thing to be in this life. But I am always in awe of men who prove themselves to be unspeakably brave and...
Bill Beigel Researches Michigan WWII Casualties, MIAs, and POWs
These summaries are posted to honor these selfless men from Michigan who served and lost their lives. This list includes Medal of Honor recipient 1st Lt. George H. Cannon ~ Bill
Abel, Andrew W., TEC5, Camp McCoy, died of “poisoning acute, carbon tetra chloride, adema, pulmonary”, 12/21/44 at Station Hospital, Fort Sheridan, IL. TEC5 Abel was on temporary duty assisting the Postal Department as a truck driver. While at Antlers Hotel in Milwaukee fell asleep in bed; a fire occurred, and...
Brooklyn honors immigrant son, SGT John Sardiello
SGT John Sardiello was born on August 17, 1918. Like many of the men who served in World War 2, he was the descendant of immigrants. His parents, Joseph and Mildred (Millie), came to the United States in 1913. Joseph Sardiello established a mattress-making business in Brooklyn.
On January 24, 1941, Sardiello entered the Army, and was assigned I Company of the 119th Infantry Regiment, part of the 30th Infantry Division
He was killed in the ferocious post D-Day fighting in the...
Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Francis Wai
Francis Brown Wai was born on April 14, 1917, in Hawaii. Francis was the son of Kim Wai and Rosina Wai. Kim Wai had immigrated to Hawaii from China; in Hawaii, where he established himself as a successful banker and was both well-known and well-regarded. Francis, Kim's eldest child, had three brothers and one sister. Francis was an avid athlete and graduated from Hawaii's elite Punahou High School in 1935.
He attended Sacramento Junior College from 1936 - 1937, where he played quarterback in...
Memorial Day: 1945
Memorial Day, May 30, 1945. The War in Europe is over, but the bloody struggle in the Pacific continues on, with no end in sight.
P-47 "Jugs" of the 318th Fighter Group were raiding targets on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. This mission was a so-called “Heckler” mission. These raids had no specific target; the intent was to harass and attack whatever target they might come across.
The weather was bad; it was listed as “completely closed in” at the base of the 318th on the...
“Presumed Deceased, Remains Not Recovered”
It was Tuesday, May 30, 1944. Memorial Day.
83 B-17’s of the 1st Bombardment Division were in the air. Their target was the aircraft industry factories at Dessau, Germany, where the Elbe and Mulde rivers converge in Saxony.
According to Squadron records, the crew of B-17 tail # 42-39975, nicknamed “Just Plain Lonesome”, of the 1st Bombardment Division’s 91st Bomb Group, had averaged 16 missions flown each. A tested, veteran crew.
But at about 11:15 AM, the ‘Flying Fort’...
“Maxwell House”
The desperate search for 2nd Lt. Peter Pokrifcsak
The letter was dated July 2, 1944. Like so many tens of thousands written during the War, it was a plea for information, any information at all. It was written by Ellen Kroboth, girlfriend of 2nd Lieutenant Peter G. Pokrifcsak and friend of his family. (Ellen's last name is misspelled in the typed letter.)
Chaplain Frank L. Whitney:
I am writing on behalf of Lt. Peter Pokrifcsak’s family and myself. We want to thank you very...
B-Beer
Like many young Americans, Carl Joseph Van Horn, of Columbus, Ohio, was eager to “get into the fight.” So, in July of 1941, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was trained as a navigator.
When America entered the war in December of 1941, Van Horn stayed with the RCAF, while being assigned 12th Replacement Depot of the United States Air Corps.
While flying out of Coningsby, he flew a number of night missions, as Commonwealth crews typically did. He was credited with flying...
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...Debut for Debach
It was the very first combat mission...Six B-24s From Baker Box Downed
The men – the boys, really...The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
More than 260 UCLA students, faculty ...
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...Captain Norman L. Aigner: An Ordinary Guy
If you’ve been reading my blog with...Tomas Garza’s Daughter – “Now I Don’t Feel Empty”
Like most children of World War II...“Fresno Marine Dies in Action in Pacific War” – Fresno Bee, Oct 21, 1944
Private First Class Huston R. Fannon,...
Captain Norman L. Aigner: An Ordinary Guy
Thank you for your comment! Please tell us a little more about your inquiry at this link https://www.ww2research.com/contact/ and we'll be in touch. Best - Bill BeigelFrom Panatella to Ploesti
Great blog. My late father was a bombardier based out of Panatella. His plane was Jackpine Joe. Worked Ploesti and Germany. See Jackpinejoe.comWee Willie and the photo that started it all
My father was Paul D Jessop, he spoke of your Grandfather a lot. My father passed away in 2011 .Captain Norman L. Aigner: An Ordinary Guy
I'm trying to find out about a veteran who was with the 3rd Infantry under Patton. The only info I have is a basic training image has the unit flag: RTC 207C Infantry Name: James Anderson Foster Jr from NCThe World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
Hi Bill, Thanks for putting this together. My grand uncle, 2nd Lt. Robert L. Woolfolk attended UCLA and I believe he graduated in 1936. He was on the waterpolo team. He was a bombardier in the 571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group and his aircraft "Decatur Deb" was shot down on May 28, 1944. He and six others perished while three were able bail out and became POWs. This is written up the in the book "Bloody Skies: U.S. Eighth Air Force Battle Damage in World War II." There is a B-17G tail gunner's compartment on display at the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to this crew. Regards, Nick VeronicoBill’s WW2 Almanac for January 21: Featuring Col. Randy’s Flying Circus
Hi! Randall Col Randy is actually my great grandfather and I was wandering if you ever new him? I am curious to know more about him.
Bill’s WWII Almanac
