Col. William M. Bower branch: Army Air Corps & Air Force
service: Japan, North Africa & Italy
Bill was born 2/13/1917 in Ravenna, Ohio. He went to school at Kent State in nearby Kent, but did not graduate due to the Great Depression. In 1940, he was elected to be a pilot cadet and graduated with his class (40F) from Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX. He trained bombardiers here at Lowry in 1941 and lived in Park Hill with four other lieutenants. Dad met my mother on a blind date at the Brown Palace Hotel.
He was in Pendleton, OR when the war broke out but was soon transferred to Columbia, SC. it was there that a Lt. Colonel by the name of James Doolittle came and asked for volunteers for a special mission. that mission was the DOOLITTLE TOKYO RAID (look it up on YouTube). He was the pilot of the 12th takeoff from the USS Hornet on april 18th, 1942. by the 6th of june he had circumnavigated world and was back in the states on a bond tour with his bride to be. from there he went back to columbia where he married mother on august 18th.
he left for europe on 9/5/1942 and was one of the very first AAF squadron commanders to and in north africa. he spent the balance of the war in the mediterranean theater. he was squadron c.o. of the 310th/ 428th, operations officer for the 310th and finally wing operations officer for the 57th.
March 30, 2010
Sgt. Edward (Buster) E. Hainlen
branch: Army
service: South Pacific
He joined the army in 1942. Served in the Signal Corps. Then the 5th Air Force where he was responsible for communications. He was stationed in the Marianas, Philippines, Australia and New Guinea.
He came down with malaria and was sent home just before Iwo Jima.
March 29, 2010
Lt. Frank Royal Fisher
branch: Navy
service: South Pacific
Frank Fisher was born in Denver, attended South High School, and went to Colorado School of Mines on a full scholarship, graduating in 1940. He joined Sinclair Oil Co. as an engineer after graduation. When war broke out Frank joined the US Navy and applied for submarine school. After graduation from Navy training the new Ensign joined the newly commissioned submarine Seahorse in March 1943. In September 1943 Slade Cutter was promoted to command of the boat and Frank Fisher was made torpedo plotting officer. Frank was assigned to the Seahorse for six war patrols. During that time the Seahorse saw plenty of action and sunk her full share of the two-thirds of all Japanese shipping sunk by U.S. submarines. The Seahorse accounted for over 47 million tons of Japanese ships, a total of 21 including one enemy submarine. Frank was awarded the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars and promoted to Lieutenant as a result of his actions.
After WW II Frank rejoined Sinclair which became Atlantic Richfield. In June 1973 he was named Environmental Protection Manager during construction of the Alyeska pipe line. In my younger days I wondered why Uncle Frank would apply for duty in those iron coffins and endure living in tiny stinking quarters for two months at a time. He never talked about it but I finally realized he always wanted to be effective in whatever he did. He saw Japan as an island nation totally dependent of shipping to feed itself and maintain its empire. He recognized the U.S. submarine as the most effective weapon to destroy that shipping as indeed it was. U.S Marines were surprised when they landed on Saipan to find no barbed wire in the defenses. The barbed wire Japan planned for Saipan's defense was at the bottom of the Pacific.
March 26, 2010
S1C & GM2 Louie Berard
branch: Navy
service: South Pacific
Louie Berard served in WWII from 1942-1945 as a Machine Gun Instructor at Corpus Christi, Texas. He completed Anti-Aircraft Training aboard the battleship USS NEW YORK BB-34. He served aboard the ammunition ship USS Mauna Loa AE-8. He performed duty under instruction at the Landing Craft Training Centers at San Diego and Morro Bay, California. He was a Divisional Section Leader; Department Duty Petty Officer and a member of The Boat Commanders and Captain's Boat. He transported casualties on USS Missoula APA-211 and also the first Flag that was raised on Suribachi.
Louie received an autographed book from the author of "Give Me Fifty Marines Not Afraid To Die" Iwo Jima, Lt. John Keith Wells, USMCR that says, "To Louie Berard - carried us to Saipan and furnished us the first Flag on Iwo." Louie is also referenced in the book "Iwo" by Richard Wheeler. Louie returned home to Des Moines, Iowa, then moved to Arvada, Colorado where he owned Louie's Barber Shop for 17 years. Louie died at the age of 89 in December, 2008.
March 25, 2010
SSgt Lloyd Avril Bailey
branch: Army
service: Europe
We were trained from the day we were inducted to make the Omaha Beach Landing in northern France. Our battalion, the 147th Engineers Amphibian Combat Battalion, landed on Omaha Beach at H Hour plus one, or at 7:00am on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Our job was to clear the beach for the next three months; that was necessary to support our combat troops that were moving on toward Germany. This included hospital supplies to care for our wounded and dying troops. No matter what you were doing, hospital supplies took priority over anything that was moving.
March 24, 2010
Sgt John B. MacBride
branch: Air Force
service: England
My father, John MacBride, flew 30 missions over Europe. He was in the 486th. Bomb Group which flew the 5Grand (a very famous B-17 - the 5,000th made by Boeing and signed on the fuselage by all the employees!). He was a waist gunner and he kept a diary of the missions, which can be found on the "Unger's Crew" website along with some great pictures.My dad was also a musician who played many instruments and collected old albums.
When he passed away in 1984, he had over 10,000 L.P.s which my mother donated to a jazz station in AZ. Growing up, we didn't hear much about his time in the Air Force, but after he died we found a copy of his diary and learned a lot about his days in the service. There are some good websites about the 5Grand and other B-17s if you go to B-17, 5 Grand. I learned a little bit more about my dad trough them. I will always be proud of him for all he did in and out of the air force.
March 23, 2010
F.O. Clifford Francis Decker
branch: Army Air Force
service: England
My Dad, Clifford F. Decker, served with a B-17 heavy bomber group. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force's 381st Bombardment Group, 535th Bombardment Squadron at Ridgewell, England. After basic training, Cliff was trained as a Bombardier/Navigator and promoted to the rank of Flight Officer. He arrived at the 381st in December of 1944 and flew on several bombing missions from then until the group flew their final mission in April of 1945. After WWII, Clifford attended college in Laramie, Wyoming on the GI Bill; after graduating, he moved his family to Denver in 1950 and pursued a career in purchasing, contract administration, sales, management and Real Estate.
He also returned to the US Air Force in the 1950s and continued serving his country in uniform as an Information Officer for his USAF Reserve unit. He retired from the reserves with the rank of Major when the unit was disbanded in the late 1960's. He also remained active in the 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association. Clifford Decker passed away in July of 1990. He was buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver. His widow, 3 sons and one daughter all still reside in the Denver metro area.
March 22, 2010
Lt. Victor & P.O. Nancy (Loker) Yeager branch: Victor - Army Air Corps, Nancy - SPARS/Coast Guard
service: both - USA
Nancy (Loker) & Victor Yeager, my aunt and uncle, stood together for country, and also as poster couple for recruiting. As Roosevelt declared war, Nancy Loker was in Natick, MA taking a crash business course at Marlborough (Boston). She joined the Coast Guard (S.P.A.R.S). Farm boy, Victor Yeager, Longmont, CO, was working his pharmacy apprenticeship in Wyoming. He enlisted in O.C.S. Army Air Force; induction was in Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO, pre-flight at Waco, TX then to Cadet Pre-flight training at Boca Raton, Fla. Nancy was in Palm Beach Florida, graduated from Yeoman School.
While at a dance, Air Force Cadet Yeager asked to cut in. Victor shared about his family's Colorado ranch; asked her for a date for next leave. When he was late, Nancy almost left not realizing he had to thumb (hitchhike) his way; fortunately she listened to his explanation. The following winter they met at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC, then took a train to Framingham where her parents met them. They married 2-23-1945 with a reception in the Loker's Natick home. Among friends and relatives was her Uncle, Donald Loker, Lt. Commander of the Navy, and his wife. He was the former "Don Winslow of the Navy," and movies under the stage name "Don Terry." Farming and wartime travel prevented Victor's family attending.
With their honeymoon over, Vic reported to Army Air Force Field, Hammer Field, Fresno CA. Nancy reported back to SPAR Barracks, Embassy Hotel, NY. Papers filed, she transferred to CA with the 12th Naval District - San Francisco. Seeing Vic every weekend made being assigned to Personnel at C.G. Hqtrs. SF tolerable but she liked recruiting back east. A break came; a C.S. Petty Officer recognized her from NY and obtained permission for a Publicity Run, using the couple for a recruiting poster series: "A.O. Officer and SPAR Petty Officer Dating". They were shown meeting at a train, on Telegraph Hill, at a drinking fountain, etc. He didn't mention they were already married!
Pregnant in 1945, Nancy received an Honorable Discharge as the war ended on V.J. (Victory over Japan). She and Victor lived in Fresno until Nancy traveled by train home to MA to have their baby. Victor was discharged in March 1946, one month before their daughter's birth. They had two daughters and two sons, one of whom preceded Victor in his 1994 death. Nancy continues to embrace life at the age of 89 living in Arizona. Uncle Vic had a quick wit and contagious laugh. A peacemaker in life he tried to help people see both sides. To his early death, at 75, he adored Nancy and she him. They were a unique couple and are very special to me.
March 19, 2010
PFC Juan Trujillo branch: Army
service: South Pacific
Juan G. "John" Trujillo, served in the Civilian Conservation Corp from 1939-1941. He served in the U.S. Army from September, 1941-1945. He was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas; Camp Roberts, California and Fort Lewis, Washington. He then went from San Francisco to Australia, then to New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. He served in Company L, 163rd Infantry, 41st Division in Papua New Guinea and Southern Philippines. He got sick with malaria in the Philippines.
After the war, he returned to his hometown, Clayton, New Mexico, married and moved to Pueblo, Colorado and had 4 children. He worked at the Pueblo Ordinance Depot, then retired as a Custodian from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He also worked at the YMCA for 15 years. My Uncle John's brothers, Gilbert and Salomon Trujillo were also in WWII at the same time and our families are very thankful for their sacrifice, safe return and that they're still with us.
March 18, 2010
Lt Omer P. Griffin
branch: Navy
service: Pacific
Griff served on the destroyer USS Sterret for three and one half years and was involved in ten sea battles including; Guadalcanal, Vella Gulf, Kwajalein Atoll, Tinian, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Guam, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa. On April 4, 1945 the Sterret was at Picket Station #4, northeast of Okinawa when it was attacked by three Kamikaze aircraft. The Sterret shot down the first two attackers, but the third, made it through the barrage and struck the destroyer on the starboard side at her waterline. Griff was Officer of the Bridge during that attack and stayed at his post watching the Kamikaze pilot ram his ship.
March 17, 2010
Cpl Alphonso J. Suazo
branch: Army
service: Europe
My grandfather Alfonso J. Suazo who was born October 17, 1919 in La Jara, Colorado, grew up in the town of Brighton where his parents owned a farm. Alfonso married his wife of 64 years, Donna, in Denver where they lived and raised their two children. In 1942, he was drafted along with his three other brothers to serve his country during WWII. My grandfather served in European theater under General George Patton's Third Army as a light tank driver. He fought in numerous campaigns throughout France and Germany including the Battle of the Bulge.
Alfonso was the lead tank to arrive at Buchenwald Concentration Camp to liberate the camp's prisoners. While he served his country, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart and other decorations including a certificate of merit. He was discharged from the Army at the rank of Corporal at the end of the war. Alfonso, in his later years, regularly attended his Sixth Armored Division and 69th Tank Battalion Reunions and was a member of the GI Forum in Denver until his passing in 2008.
March 16, 2010
2Lt Ruth Virginia Nelson
branch: Army Nurse Corps
service: Camp Carson, CO
After Ruth Nelson got her R.N. at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota she went on active duty as an Army Nurse at Camp Carson where the wards that she was in charge of had all trench foot cases. One of these was all German prisoners who had their own German medics. Years later she was in charge of all the medical wards at Colorado General Hospital, and then in charge of all the Surgical Wards at the same hospital. She is buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
March 15, 2010
CPO Alexander Joseph Aloise
branch: Navy
service: South Pacific
In the U.W. Navy, my brother Alex served as an Aviation Mechanist Mate from 1940 through 1946. He trained in San Diego, California before being shipped to the South Pacific to serve on the U.S.S. Lexington Aircraft Carrier in late 1942. On a mission in the coral Sea - American & Japanese engaged in a fierce battle. A number of ships were sunk on both sides, including the Lexington. Alex was rescued after spending an hour in the sea by a U.S. Navy destroyer. After convalescing for several months in California. He was activated to serve on the Naval bases in Hawaii & Corpus Christi, TX before being honorably discharged in Dec 1946. He passed away in late 2009 at the age of 88. I also want to honor my 2 other brothers, Frank & Bill, who served in the South Pacific with Navy & Marine Corps respectively from 1942 to 1946. Thanks, Rick for allowing me to honor my family members who stepped up when we needed them most.
March 12, 2010
Pvt Bruce E. Berends
branch: Army 10th Mtn Div
service: Italy
My dad trained for the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale when he was just 17 years old. The Division included skiers, some mountain climbers and a handful of flalanders like him. His baptisim by fire was the assalt on Mt. Belvedier and Riva Ridge. He learned early the old Army adage, "Don't volunteer for anything", but forgot when asked "Who can speak German?" He volunteered and was hit by a direct mortar barrage, while guarding a couple of German prisoners. The Germans jumped into a ditch but my dad was wounded in the arm, groin and mouth.
He was wounded again near Castel d'Aiano. He arrived home in Chicago on VJ night just as the victory celebration was begining. He took advantage of the GI Bill and received a degree from CU, married, and had a successful career in the publishing business. My dad is 84 years old and he helped me write this essay and still receives a small disability pension and medical care through the VA.
March 11, 2010
Sgt Garnett Gaines Harris
branch: Army Air Corps
service: Lowry & Buckley Fields,Denver
I nominate Garnett Gaines Harris, born 6 November, 1920, in Amherst County, VA, the youngest of 8 children. His father was a country doctor and Garnett “Little Doc” often drove him on his rounds along rural lanes in a horse-drawn buggy. When the United States entered World War II Garnett tried to enlist but was turned down because he was blind in one eye. Later, when more troops were needed, Garnett was drafted into the Army Air Corps, receiving his basic training at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. He traveled on a troop train to Lowry Field, Denver. There he was declared limited service, not scheduled for combat.
Until the end of the war, Garnett was an instructor at both Lowry and Buckley Fields, teacher Sperry gun sights to future bombardiers. We married in April 1943, and were blessed with four children and six grandchildren. After being discharged in 1946, Garnett worked as a salesman and small business operator in Denver and Aurora. Garnett died in July 1986. Garnett fought no battle and received no medals, yet his service was of use in ending the war and securing the peace. I am proud of that.
March 10, 2010
The 5 Slope Brothers:
Sgt Clifton B.- Army - Europe
Cpl Eldon - Army - Europe
Ssgt Arvid - Army Air Corps - Europe
Ssgt Kenneth - Army - Europe
Cpl Raymond - Marines - Pacific & Occupied Japan
The 8 children of Clifton Stolpe: Clark,Claudia,Collin,Carli,Conley,Curt, Cal, and Cathy - would like to honor our five Stolpe heros who served and survived WW11. Before the Sullivan act all five of my grandmother's boys were in the War in diferent Capacities. My Father, Clifton Stolpe of the 69th Infantry Division was with the 1st 12 men to meet up with the Russians lead by Lt Robertson which turned the war around. He was also on Omaha beach 10 days after D-day and was one of the liberators of the Wurzen concentration camp. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge and served from 1943-1946 and was 3yrs after in the Reserves.
His favorite story is when he was sleeping on the running board of a truck someone kicked his boots. Twice. He looked up and saw all this gold shining in the sun. He finally recognized General Eisenhower. He said he jumped a mile in the air and saluted. Eisenhower said "At ease soldier. Just trying to get by here". My Dad recieved every medal you can think of but he didn't get his Bronze Star until 40 Yrs later. He met up with his brother Arvid in London and cousin Gordon Nedergard in Frankfort and his brother Eldon in Belgium.
Raymond Stolpe was in the Marines and served from Dec 43 to April 46. He has spent the last 12 yrs writing his book called "Big Blue Blaze - Pacific War Trail". He submitted his book to one publisher who added a lot of vular language. His book is a more spiritual rendition but the publisher said "No one swears like a Marine." Ray is going to resubmit it to another publisher like Guidepost because he's a very spiritual man and he said the Marines he served with weren't like that. He was on the islands and also occupied Japan after the Bombs.
I also have 2 uncles on my Mother's side. Retired Air Force Robert Dahl and Buck Sergent Darrel Dahl, Air Corps. I don't think anyone has a bigger story to tell but we would like to honor all of our fighting uncles. My Uncle Eldon was on Omaha Beach 19 days after D-Day.
March 9, 2010
WO Lynn Ira Padgett branch: Navy (submarine)
service: Pacific
I am proud to nominate my uncle, Navy Warrant Officer Lynn Ira Padgett, as a Studio Patriot. Uncle Lynn was born in 1920 in Sedgwick, Colorado. He joined the Navy in 1942 and attended boot camp in San Diego, then electronics school at Texas A&M and finally radar school at Treasure Island, California. He volunteered for submarine duty and after completing training in New London, Connecticut, began his naval service on the U.S.S. Sperry at Midway. Upon returning to Pearl Harbor, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Finback, SS230. The Finback left Pearl Harbor in December, 1943 on patrol, and Lynn served a total of six patrols, all on board the Finback.
During the tenth patrol in September, 1944, the Finback was assigned lifeguard duty near the Bonin Islands. She rescued five American pilots during the patrol, undoubtedly saving their lives. One pilot was shot down near ChiChiJima, where the Japanese notoriously executed all American pilots that were captured there. The pilots all had to stay on board the Finback until it returned to base at the end of the patrol. Those flyboys were apparently pretty happy to be on solid ground again! Lynn stayed with the Finback until December 8, 1945. By then, the Finback had been transferred to the Atlantic through the Panama Canal and was based at New London, Connecticut until it was decommissioned in 1950.
Returning to Denver, he married Evelyn Fredericksen and began working as an electrician, raising three children. In January of 1988, one of those rescued pilots invited all the men from the Finback to a special celebration, in thanks for their hospitality (and saving his life). Unfortunately, Lynn passed away in 1986, but Evelyn attended this event, accompanied by her son, Coast Guard Warrant Officer Patrick Padgett. The pilot, accompanied by his wife and two of his sons, personally thanked every one of the men or their survivors. This event took place at Blair House in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 1989. The pilot was none other than George H.W. Bush, and the celebration occurred prior to Mr. Bush's inauguration as forty-first President of the United States. The men of the Finback were also invited to attend the Presidential Ball as well as the inauguration itself. How different a place might our country be, if not for the brave service of the men of the U.S.S. Finback, including Lynn Padgett.
March 8, 2010
Lt Joe Elton Bullivant
branch: Navy
service: USA and Pacific
Lt. Bullivant is my Father in law, and served as an Electrical Engineer and Acoustic Engineer during WWII. As an Acoustic Engineer he worked in Navy Yards here in the US and in the Pacific to develop ways to mask the acoustic signature of ships to fool the acoustic Japanies mines. These mines were placed at the entrances to our ports by Japanese submarines, and were anchored to the bottom. When the microphone on the mine picked up the acoustic signature of a "high value target" like an aircraft carrier, it would release from the bottom and float to the surface in the path of the ship.
In short he developed ways to make an air craft carrier sound like a garbage scow and a mine sweeper sound like an aircraft carrier. That way the carrier could slip past the mines unscathed and the mine sweeper could get the mines to come to the surface while they were looking for them. Though he never once fired a shot in anger, he helped save the lives of countless sailors by protecting them from unseen mines. He served from 1942 to 1946 and lives today in Springfield VA.
March 5, 2010
LtCmdr Clyde A. Shomper branch: Merchant Marine & Navy
service: Pacific
My father, Clyde Shomper, began his career with the Merchant Marine in 1935. On April 6, 1942, in the Bay of Bengal, while enroute to Calcutta, the SS SELMA CITY was bombed, strafed, and sunk by Japanese aircraft 30 miles off the coast of India. Dad was wounded when a bomb made a direct hit 30 feet away. The crew made for Vizagapatem (now Vishakhapatnam), India in lifeboats. Four weeks after the sinking of the SELMA CITY, he left Bombay, on May 3, 1942 on the SS POLYBIUS, bound for Trinidad and eventual repatriation in the US.
After rounding the Cape of Good Hope and steaming for the States, The POLYBIUS was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat (U-128) 300 miles east of Trinidad on June 27, 1942. She sank in less than 5 minutes with the loss of 11 men. Shomper navigated his lifeboat with 12 men aboard (one died) and landed on Macquerite Beach near Port of Spain, Trinidad, 4 days later on July 1, 1942. After surviving 2 sinkings in the span of less than 3 months, my father decided "it was time to fight back". He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the USNR and was assigned to USS BOLIVAR (APA-34), an attack personnel transport. He participated in the amphibious landings on Kwajalien, Saipan, Guam and Leyte. My father left the Navy in 1946 with the rank of Lt. Cmdr. and died in 1980.
March 4, 2010
Capt William A. Medesy
branch: Army
service: North Africa & Sicily
William A. Medesy was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Army Reserve on April 27, 1934. Ordered to active duty on July 1, 1941 2nd LT Medesy was assigned to the 33rd Field Artillery Battalion. He participated in the 1941 Carolina Maneuvers and landing maneuvers in January 1942. He was promoted to 1st Lt on February 1, 1942. He completed basic officer training at Fort Sill, OK in March 1942. 1st Lt Medesy left the US on August 1, 1942 with the First Infantry Division and trained in England and Scotland. On November 8, 1942 1st Lt Medesy participated in the invasion at Oran, Algeria.
He saw action throughout the duration of the Tunisian campaign from January 1943 to May 1943 and received the Purple Heart for a wound received during combat at El Guettar. He became commander of Battery C, 33rd FA Bn on February 25, 1943 and on May 8, 1943 he received a battlefield promotion to Captain. Captain Medesy landed with the assault troops on Sicily on July 10, 1943 and was in action until the 1st Division was relieved following the battle for Troina. Captain Medesy left the 33rd FA Bn on August 23, 1943 due to malaria, chronic back problems and exhaustion. Following medical convalescence he was retired as disabled on April 7, 1944. On August 9, 1944 Captain Medesy was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy during the Sicilian campaign.
After completing military service Dad returned home to Durham, NH, and resumed his teaching position at the University of NH, where he was also Dean of Men and a veterans' counselor from 1944 to 1956. He earned a PhD in education from Columbia University in 1952. From 1956 to 1960 he was director of the State University of New York Agricultural and Technical Institute on Long Island. In 1960 he moved to Colorado and became the first president of Rangely College. In 1963, he became president of Mesa College, retiring in 1971. During retirement he volunteered as a teacher and English language tutor and recorded talking books for the blind. Dad's parents emigrated from Hungary to the USA, and he was always so proud of being born an American. He was a valiant patriot and a brilliant educator. Kind and dignified, he loved his country and his family. He passed away Feb.1, 2000 at age 90, and was buried with honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
March 3, 2010
Maj Theophilus Marcus Rizzi
branch: Army Air Force
service: Southeast Pacific & Berlin
My dad, who is now deceased, was a bomber/ reconaissance pilot in the Southeast Pacific. He was stationed at Kahuka AFB, Oahu, Hawaii, and flew photo-combat missions out of the Navy Base located on Eniwetok Atoll, in the Marshall Islands. My dad flew primarily B-17s and B-24s during WWII. He had to fly over potential bombing sites on various islands, like the island of Truk, and photograph them before participating in the bombing of them. Japanese fighters hidden in foxholes were a constant threat to the safety of his crew and plane.
My dad stated that his greatest accomplishment as a bomber pilot during WWII was that none of his crew ever got hurt during a bombing mission. In 1944, he was awarded an Air Medal by the Commanding General of the Army Air Force. After WWII, my dad was a Squadron Commander for the Berlin Airlift.
March 2, 2010
Maj Robert S. Johnson
branch: Air Force
service: England
Born Feb. 21, 1920, Bob became the first pilot to exceed Eddie Rickenbackers record of 26 kills, shooting down 27 German planes in a span of 11 months. He was always agressive to the point that he was labeled a "lone wolf". A member of the famed 56th Fighter Group (The "Wolfpack") flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross with the 56th Fighter Group, the renowned Zemke's Wolfpack. Named for its commander, Col. Hubert Zemke, the Wolfpack boasted five of the top 10 American air aces in Europe.
When he returned to the United States in June 1944, Johnson was reunited with his wife, Barbara, and they were greeted by President Roosevelt at the White House. Later that day, he received a standing ovation from members of the U.S. Senate when he appeared with his wife in the visitors' gallery, and the couple had tea with Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House afterward. He left us Dec. 27, 1998. He never lost a wingman.
March 1, 2010
Cpl Richard Lee Klassen
branch: Marines
service: Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Saipan
Left for Pearl Harbor – Dec 1943. Participated in operations against Saipan M.I. – June 44 – July 44. Finian, M.I. July 44 – August 44. Okinawa Ryukyu Isl – 1-14 to April 45. Occupation of Japan 24 Sept 45 to Dec 45. Nagasaki 2 Marine Division 2nd tank Battalion. My husband lost his father and brother while he was fighting for his country. His brother was fighting in Germany in the army.
Col. William M. Bower
Sgt. Edward (Buster) E. Hainlen
Lt. Frank Royal Fisher
S1C & GM2 Louie Berard
SSgt Lloyd Avril Bailey
Sgt John B. MacBride
When he passed away in 1984, he had over 10,000 L.P.s which my mother donated to a jazz station in AZ. Growing up, we didn't hear much about his time in the Air Force, but after he died we found a copy of his diary and learned a lot about his days in the service. There are some good websites about the 5Grand and other B-17s if you go to B-17, 5 Grand. I learned a little bit more about my dad trough them. I will always be proud of him for all he did in and out of the air force.
F.O. Clifford Francis Decker 
Lt. Victor & P.O. Nancy (Loker) Yeager
With their honeymoon over, Vic reported to Army Air Force Field, Hammer Field, Fresno CA. Nancy reported back to SPAR Barracks, Embassy Hotel, NY. Papers filed, she transferred to CA with the 12th Naval District - San Francisco. Seeing Vic every weekend made being assigned to Personnel at C.G. Hqtrs. SF tolerable but she liked recruiting back east. A break came; a C.S. Petty Officer recognized her from NY and obtained permission for a Publicity Run, using the couple for a recruiting poster series: "A.O. Officer and SPAR Petty Officer Dating". They were shown meeting at a train, on Telegraph Hill, at a drinking fountain, etc. He didn't mention they were already married! 
PFC Juan Trujillo
Lt Omer P. Griffin
Cpl Alphonso J. Suazo
2Lt Ruth Virginia Nelson
CPO Alexander Joseph Aloise
Pvt Bruce E. Berends
Sgt Garnett Gaines Harris
The 5 Slope Brothers:
WO Lynn Ira Padgett
Lt Joe Elton Bullivant
LtCmdr Clyde A. Shomper
Capt William A. Medesy
Maj Theophilus Marcus Rizzi
Maj Robert S. Johnson
Cpl Richard Lee Klassen