Gil was a member of the 17th Airbourne Division "Thunder From Heaven" During WWII. He took part in Operation Market Garden and Battle of the Bulge - The Ardennes Offensive. Among other honors, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Belgium Victory Medal.
February 25, 2010
Cpl Warren Edward Tietz
branch: Army
service: Pacific Theater
Warren joined the 32nd Red Arrow Division in Australia. He went with General MacArthur’s Division from Australia to Japan. He fought in the major battles for New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon. Medals awarded are: Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star for New Guinea, Bronze Star for Philippines/Leyte, Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 3 Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Thompson Machine Gun expert, Rifle Sharpshooter, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, U.S. Army Meritorious Citation, U.S. Presidential Unit Citation.
On the way back to the U.S., Warren rode the troop train through the demolished cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
February 24, 2010
PFC Salomon Trujillo
branch: Army
service: South Pacific
Salomon Trujillo served in the Civilian Conservation Corps for 3 years during the Great Depression. He married in Las Vegas, New Mexico, a month before WWII began and moved to Denver, Colorado with his wife. He served in WWII with the U.S. Army from 1942-1946. Salomon was sent to Hawaii, then by ship to New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. His activity in the South Pacific with the Anti-Tank Company, 136th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Division was in the 90 day combat zone, Baguio Philippine Islands. His next activity was the demobilization in Japan after the war.
Salomon's two brothers also served in WWII and are still alive. Salomon retired from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and King Soopers Warehouse. My parents have two children, are in their 90's and have celebrated 68 years of marriage. I thank all WWII Patriots for their courageous service and Studio 1430 for honoring them!
February 23, 2010
2Lt James William McGuire
branch: Army Air Corp
service: Normandy, France
Pilot of the “Denver Doll” B-17. He was killed on his 13th mission when his B-17 was shot down over Germany. Several of the surviving members of the Denver Doll were taken prisoner by the Germans. I was a year old so I didn’t really know my Dad personally, but through my Mom and Dad’s family, found that he was a wonderful man. I will be travelling to visit and pay tribute to my Dad in May of 2010. He is buried at Normandy Cemetery. My son 1st Sgt. Devin G. Rogers and family will accompany me. Devin is stationed in England and is in the Army Intel.
February 22, 2010
Capt James W. O'Leary
branch: Army Air Corps
service: England
In 1927 – Six year old James (Jim) O’Leary fell in love with flying. He saw a JN4 Jenny land in a cow pasture. He decided to become a flyer. When WWII started, Jim joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a B-17 pilot. During 30 missions over Germany, he saw friends die, witnessed heroic deeds, and several times his damaged plan landed “on a wing and a prayer”. January 22, 1945, Jim led the 8th Air Force into the Ruhr Valley and destroyed the #2 synthetic fuel plant, which shortened the war. He flew for United Airlines and was smoke jump coordinator for Kootnai National Forest. He flew into his late seventies. In the late 1990’s he flew for the last time in a B-17 at Bozeman, Montana. For all of his valor and courage in WWII, his greatest accomplishment was his 65 year marriage with eight beautiful children.
February 19, 2010
Sgt Richard O. Moore
branch; Army
service: France
My father, Richard O.Moore was attached to the 5th Amphibious Engineer Group on D-Day, June 6th 1944. We learned in 1993 that dad was one of the first on Omaha Beach, and was instrumental in blowing up part of the "blokhaus" that was positioned above the beach where the Germans were firing on the soldiers below (depicted in the opening segment of the film "Saving Private Ryan"). Because of his bravery that day, dad was awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars and by the French government, La Croix de Guerre avec Palmes, which is the highest honor given to foreign soldiers during combat. Dad survived Omaha Beach without a scratch, and saw no further combat. He was assigned to the Coca-Cola bottling plant in France where he oversaw the prisoners who were manufacturing the Coke products. He met my mother, Pierrette, in Cherbourg, France a few months later. They were introduced by my mother's brother, Serge Bourgeois, who was with the French Underground and working with the Intelligence division at my dad's base. They were married in 1945. Dad came back to Colorado with Mom in 1949 where he worked in the transportation industry for many years.
In the late 1960's early 1970's dad developed some land in Breckenridge, CO and went into Real Estate which was part of his family's business. Dad loved Colorado, he was born in Loveland, CO but, he also loved France very much, we returned many, many times. Every time we went, we would go to the site of the D-Day invasions. We were interviewed by Walter Cronkite in 1964 for the 20th Anniversary, and in 1994 I had the pleasure of visiting with Mr. Cronkite in France, when my mother and I were honored guests of the United States for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. even though dad never spoke of that day, I knew that it was the day that changed his life forever. He was a wonderful husband and father and when he passed away on January 4, 1991 he and mom had been married for 46 year. He always called my mother, his "French War Bride" and she always called him "mon soldat American" (my American Soldier). Mother died in 2006. I still miss them to this day, and I am so proud that I am the daughter of two such wonderful people.
February 18, 2010
T-Sgt Eugene A. Rokosz
branch: Army
service: European Theater
Len and I would like to nominate our dad, Eugene A. Rokosz as the veteran of the day. “Geno” as he was called, graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago in 1937. After graduation, he worked for the Crane Co. in their parts and shipping dept. before joining the U.S. Army on June 3rd. 1943. He served his country on active duty for 1 yr. 7 mo.’s and 2 days. After basic training, Gene was assigned to the 184th. Ordnance Depot Co. as a parts clerk. His military records show he was promoted from private directly to supply sergeant and sent overseas where he was responsible for issuing and requisitioning parts for trucks, jeeps and tanks. Of his promotion, Gene would said it was because of his former parts job with the Crane Company but Rick and Len feel it was most likely due to his great personality and leadership abilities. Gene took part in the invasion of Normandy, landing on Omaha Beach, D-Day plus 3. He was awarded the Purple Heart when he was wounded in action near Saint Sauveur, France on August 7th. 1944. The convoy Gene was riding in was attacked at night German fighters. Gene lost three toes and carried a 12-inch long scar in his back from the piece of shrapnel that took off his toes as he dove for cover from his jeep.
After receiving a medical discharge, he returned home to his loving wife and childhood sweetheart Stephanie Bedus. Together they raised two sons Rick and Len. Gene worked for the Western Electric Co.( the manufacturing arm of the old Bell Telephone System), where he designed telephone switching systems. Upon retiring from Western Electric and loosing his wife to Leukemia, Gene lived with his son Rick and his family. He liked to “putter” around the house as he used to say, doing the lawn, painting and general fix up type things. Gene also volunteered to read children’s books during story time at a local elementary school, an activity he found to be most rewarding. He said many of the kids would call him “grandpa”. They would climb up in his lap, listen intently to the story he was reading and than they'd ask when he was coming to read to them again. Gene joined his wife Stephanie in eternal life on April 26th. 1998 but his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of his boys and their families. (The picture submitted is Gene and his wife Stephanie)
February 17, 2010
1Lt Stanley M. Smith
branch: Army Air Force
service: Guam, Pacific Theater
Stan was called to active duty in February 1943. He was a deferred member of the Army Air Force and in college at the time. After basic training, he was assigned to formal pre-flight training. His next assignment was teaching training techniques to new pilots. When word went out that pilots were needed to fly multi-engine aircraft, Stan volunteered and was assigned B-29 training and ultimately to the Pacific Theatre. He arrived in Guam and was assigned to the 19th Bomb Group.
Shortly after the 2nd Atomic Bomb was dropped on Japan, Stan and his crew were scheduled to drop supplies to our prisoners of war northwest of Tokyo. They left in the middle of the night and after locating the camp, dropped their supplies to about 500 men who were waving as the plane flew over at low levels. These POWs, for the first time, may have realized that the war was over and they would soon be going home alive. On return to their bas, this crew flew over Tokyo and the Emperor’s Palace without a shot being fired at them.
February 16, 2010
Cpl Charles F. Glasmann branch: Army
service: Europe
U.S. Army Cpl. Charles F. Glasmann (1907-1992) served in WWII with the 90th Division. Chuck was a 37 year old jeweler when he went to war and was considered the “old man” of the outfit. The 90th Division landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. They moved into Normandy liberating many towns and villages, during which he was wounded and awarded the Bronze Star. By November 1944, he and the 359th Infantry strategically held a bridge over the Mosel River on the Belgium-French Border from the Germans. He was wounded three more times and awarded the Bronze Star two more times. The unit received the Presidential Unit Citation and an Army Meritorious Unit Citation from Gen. George Patton. After his 4th injury he was evacuated to Paris. During his recovery as the war was finally ending he was given permission to cut the leather seats out of destroyed aircraft to make much needed leather watch bands for his fellow GI’s.
He made many French friends during this time. Upon returning to his beloved Colorado (3rd generation), he and his wife Mildred started Glasmann Jewelers in the Empire Bldg at 16th and Glenarm. Over the next 40 years he designed and created many custom pieces of gold and precious stone jewelry. He was especially proud to make the bolo ties for the “Round-up Riders of the Rockies.” Over the years he told many, many stories about his war experiences but most were about France and the French people and the relationships he formed. The 90th Division returned to Utah Beach in June 1984 and were heartily welcomed by the people with parades and ceremonies and were invited to stay in their homes. He was very proud to have served his country.
February 15, 2010
Major Charles Ray Glanville branch: Army & Army Air Corp
service: Kweilin/Yunnan Prov., China
Chuck was attached to the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force. The 75th Squadron was nicknamed “The Tiger Sharks” (the 75th Squadron is now flying A-10’s and have adopted the WWII Tiger Shark emblem). He first flew a P-40 (36 combat missions) then transitioned to the P-51 (30 combat missions). Primary mission was search and destroy ground targets and escort for cargo planes flying over the Hump. Times of service in China were July 1944 to Aug 1945 and received the Air Medal, DFC, Unit Citations, and Ribbons for Offence and Defense of China and the Asiatic Pacific. He now resides with his wife Lee at the Dayton Place Retirement Community in Denver, CO.
February 12, 2010
Col Paul Thomas Johnston
branch: USMC
service: Pearl Harbor, South Pacific
Col. Paul T. Johnston, USMC Graduated from Creighton University in 1940, commissioned Second Lieutenant, USMC. Ordered to sea duty with Marine detachment aboard the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor Oahu in July 1941, and survived the Japanese attack Dec. 7, 1941, although in its aftermath was reported "missing in action". Attended flight training and became an instructor in fighter aircraft. As Commanding Officer, Marine Fighter Squadron 441 (Corsairs), participated in the invasion of Okinawa, and served with occupation forces in Honshu, Japan.
Commanded Marine Aircraft Group 26 in New River, N.C., while it developed the recovery techniques for a successful recovery of the 7 original astronauts in the Mercury Program and participated in the recovery of several astronauts. After duty as Commanding Officer MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, returned to the mainland and retired June 30, 1966. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and several campaign medals.
February 11, 2010
SSG Edwin Andrew LeCorchick
branch: Army Air Corps
service: England
My father, Edwin Andrew LeCorchick, was a tail gunner on a B-17 during World War II. He kept a diary of his combat missions. While I was growing up we would casually discuss the diary and occasionally I would even read part of it. The event that I remembered most was that my dad's plane crashed into the North Sea killing two of his crew mates, Charles Smiley and Joseph Roderick. To honor these men, my mom and dad proudly named me Charles Joseph LeCorchick when I was born. Sometime every April, Dad would talk about his "un-birthday", the day that his plane crashed. I talked very little with him about this event.
A few years ago, several years after my father died, my mother gave me a copy of Dad's diary. My dad's diary has made an impression on me in many ways. I will mention a few. 1.) The obstacles that B-17 crews faced on every mission are almost unimaginable. The extreme cold they endured at their flying altitudes, the precariousness of flying in and aligning into formations in the never-ending overcast conditions of winter in England relying on rudimentary navigational equipment, the constant barrage of flak guns as their planes were within range of enemy targets, and the horrors of air-to-air combat with enemy fighter planes and watching other B-17s being shot down are difficult to fathom. 2.) My dad had the utmost regard for the pilots of the fighter planes that escorted the B-17s on their bombing missions. 3.) Dad didn't feel like he could go on another mission after surviving the North Sea crash, but yet he had the intestinal fortitude to do so not once but three more times, including his very last mission to Berlin, always a rough assignment.
Flight crews often got "milk runs" for their last mission, but not Dad. He'd already flown two difficult missions to Berlin. I don't think that I could have handled one mission, yet my dad flew over 25. The first daytime raid of Berlin by B-17s occurred on March 4th, 1944. There are conflicting reports as to why, but many of the B-17s returned to England and only a few planes completed the assignment. My dad and his crew were one of the crews that made this historic mission. While not a major military victory, the psychological effect, positive for Americans and negative for Germans, was immeasurable. In fact, the 95th Bombardment Group was uniquely rewarded its third Distinguished Unit Citation for this mission. I proudly nominate my father, Edwin Andrew LeCorchick, for consideration to be a "Studio 1430 Patriot." This nomination is submitted in honor of my father, his fellow crewmates, and all other men and women who sacrificed so much for our country during World War II. Sincerely, Charles LeCorchick
February 10, 2010
SSG Sol Brautigam
branch: Army (80th Inf Div)
service: Europe
Sol entered as a private and was promoted to staff sergeant during his time in Europe. Like many who served, he told few stories of his WWII experience. Landing at Utah Beach, August 3, 1944, he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Sol was very caring for his men. When one young soldier lost his glasses & couldn't see at night, Sol waited with him overnight in the Belgium woods until daybreak when they could move on.
One moonless night traveling behind a dark convoy, his jeep hit a hole & turned on its side. When daylight came, it was discovered that only because the windshild was up (jeeps had windshields that could be folded flat) had the jeep been saved from tumbling into a deep bomb hole. Sol was among those that liberated Buchenwald & Ebensee concentration camps. At Blue Ridge Div. Reunions, his troops were always so happy to see him.
February 9, 2010
PO-3 Elbert Clell Howell
branch: Navy (USS Pine Island)
Service: Panama Canal
My Father served in the Navy during WWII as a Aviation Machinest Mate and Flight Engineer on PBM Mariners. During the war, he was stationed at NAS Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone flying ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare), missions to keep the canal from falling into the hands of the Japanese or Germans. After the war, he was reassigned to VP-MS-2 and boarded the Sea Plane Tender USS Pine Island for Tsing Tao China as part of the Army of Occupation for Japan. While there on a JATO, (Jet Assisted Take Off), take off for a routine ASW patrol, one of the JATO rockets broke loose from it's mounting, causing the PBM-3 to catch fire and crash. The Chinese National Police fished the crew from the sea and returned them to shore.
After his tour in the Pacific, he left the Navy and worked at a steel mill in Virginia for 10 years, where he met my Mother. Once married, he joined the Air Force in the mid-fifties and served as a Weather Forcaster until a brain hemorrage brought his career to an end. As a result, most of what I know of his service, I've learned through research, as he'd lost much of his memory from the brain injury. My father past away in June 2008 from COPD. For his Navy Service he'd been awarded the American Campaine medal, WWII Victory, Navy's Army of Occupation with the Japan bar, and from his Air Force service, the AF Good Conduct and National Defense Medals.
February 8, 2010
Cpl Tony P. Guzman branch: Army
service: Europe
My father served from November 17, 1943 to November 29, 1945. In the European war. He was then captured in the Battle of the Bulge on December 16th and he was a prisoner until April 29, 1945. He has received the bronze star and two purple hearts. He is a loving father and husband and grandfather. To this day he is the one who holds this family strong and together. We are all proud to call him our father, not just for serving our country but for who he is. We love him very much.
February 5, 2010
1Lt Julie McKenzie & Lt Cmdr Robert T. Fitzpatrick branch: Army (Julie) - Navy (Robert)
service Panama Canal Zone
Julie McKenzie (Fitzpatrick) served as a nurse in the U.S. Army from May 23, 1941, to January 11, 1945. A Georgia girl, Julie signed up in Savannah, and was sent to Camp Blanding, Florida, where she began active duty immediately. In December 1941 she sailed to Panama, where she was stationed at the 210th hospital unit at Fort Gulick, in Colón, on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. It was in Panama that Julie met and began dating a handsome young naval officer, Bob Fitzpatrick. Their request for permission to marry was refused by both the chief nurse and the base commander, so the couple appealed to the chief chaplain at Quarry Heights, who represented the governor of the Panama Canal Commission. The chief chaplain approved their request, and Julie and Bob were married, in November 1942, at the submarine base at Coco Solo (near Colón).
Julie’s commander was so angry about the incident that she transferred Julie to the 218th hospital unit at Fort Amador, on the Pacific side, where a new airstrip had been built in the jungle at Rio Hata. Julie remembers the surprise of a wounded soldier who, upon wakening in the jungle and seeing Julie, exclaimed, “Oh my! A white woman!” (Bob’s commander, a more sympathetic sort, promptly transferred Bob to the Pacific side so that he could be near Julie.)
After returning to the United States, Julie served at Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, New York. Robert T. Fitzpatrick, Lieutenant Commander, served in the U.S. Navy from June 15, 1942, to November 23, 1946. Bob had gone to Panama in 1940 and was working for the Panama Canal Commission as a civil service employee, servicing submarines at the Mount Hope dry dock, in Colón.
He volunteered for duty and was commissioned as an ensign because of his degree in chemistry. His first assignments with the Navy, as an ordnance specialist, were at the same dry dock, where he installed degaussing cables (essentially a network of electric coils) on former fishing boats that the Navy was converting to minesweepers. He also installed magnetometers at the Colón and Balboa entrances to the Canal (to protect the canal from invasion by enemy submarines). The Navy also installed degaussing cables on its battleships and adjusted the magnetic fields to protect the ships from dangerous magnetic mines.
After returning to the United States, Bob served at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, in Bayonne, New Jersey. He sailed to Nagasaki on the USS Atlanta (CL-104), serving as 1st lieutenant and damage control officer. After leaving the service, he worked as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He subsequently worked as an aluminum smelter, a labor relations manager, a public utility analyst, and a bank security officer. Julie and Bob raised six children and are now blessed with 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Now 97 and 94, respectively, Julie and Bob live in Westminster and are healthy and vibrant.
February 4, 2010
Capt. George W. Knight branch: Army (Corp of Engineers, 300th Combat Btln)
service: Europe
My dad joined the Army in late 1942. After basic training in Oregon, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry, Army Corps of Engineers. His unit sailed from New York City to Birmingham, England in 1943. Coming from Arkansas, he was amazed by NYC’s skyscrapers. His best memory, however, was seeing Frank Sinatra perform live at Radio City Music Hall! My dad was in England for nearly a year. He saw the destruction of London, and came away with tremendous respect for the British people. In June 1944, “The Fighting 4th” landed at Omaha Beach.
My dad fought at Sainte Mere Eglise, through Normandy, and on into Paris. Christmas 1944 saw him at Bastogne, at the Battle of the Bulge. A lieutenant by this time, he led 5 of his men to capture a whole nest of German machine guns. My dad was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions. VE Day saw his unit in Germany. He was on his way to the Pacific when victory was finally declared. My dad passed away in 1992. Today he lies peacefully in the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
February 3, 2010
Anne Marie Debbaut-Monier branch: civilian
service: Belgium
My grandmother was born in Belgium (12-31-83) and came to the United States in 1919 with her three children (my mother was one of them), only to return to Belgium in 1930 to care for her parents and was caught in World War II and was unable to return to the United States. While there she opened a little store which not only served as a store, but a hiding place for British and American soldiers. I have enclosed a certificate of appreciation from Air Chief Marshal and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a copy of some of the soldiers she saved and a newspaper article written about her. There were so many heroes during World War II and Marie was my hero.
February 2, 2010
Ens. James Edward McManus
branch: US Navy
service: South Pacific (Coral Sea)
I would like to tell you about my uncle Jim (James Edward McManus). He died before I was born, so I never had the privilege to know him. I have met several individuals he graduated with from high school in Marble, CO and they have very fond memories of him. My dad, John A McManus (deceased) told us many stories from when they were growing up. Uncle Jim was reported missing when his ship, the U.S.S. Sims, was sunk as a result of enemy action in the Coral Sea in May 1942. He had graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD in February 1941. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. My uncles and father helped cup the block of marble used for the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC. This block of marble became a memorial to a man who helped cut it out of the mountain of marble in Colorado.
February 1, 2010
PFC Clair L. Case branch: Army
service: Philippines
Clair Case was my father. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese in 1942 and survived the Bataan Death March. He endured starvation and torture until freed by the allies in 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart. While this was my natural father, I never knew him because my parents divorced when I was a year old, a couple of years before the war began. My half sister whom I met in 1982 (at our father's funeral) gave me this info. She said that he would never talk about his war experience, but they were never allowed to have rice in the house because all he got to eat in prison camp was a couple of teaspoons of rice a day (sometimes it was bug infested). He had been a good trumpeter in a couple of bands pre-war, and also in the Coast Artillery Band after he was in the military. However, in prison camp, the Japanese guard hit him in the mouth and split his lip. He never played trumpet again. He was 6 feet tall, but only weighed 95 pounds when liberated.
Cpl Gil Herrera
Cpl Warren Edward Tietz
PFC Salomon Trujillo
2Lt James William McGuire
Capt James W. O'Leary
Sgt Richard O. Moore
T-Sgt Eugene A. Rokosz
1Lt Stanley M. Smith
branch: Army
Major Charles Ray Glanville
Col Paul Thomas Johnston
SSG Edwin Andrew LeCorchick
SSG Sol Brautigam
PO-3 Elbert Clell Howell
Cpl Tony P. Guzman
1Lt Julie McKenzie & Lt Cmdr Robert T. Fitzpatrick
Capt. George W. Knight
Anne Marie Debbaut-Monier
Ens. James Edward McManus
PFC Clair L. Case