Biographies - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Military biography

HUNT, Helen Smith (wife) — 7 Apr 2000 12:00:00 GMT

Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie

ccountr1 — 30 Jun 2008 10:45:46 GMT

PHOEBE FAIRGRAVE OMLIE
Walsh Heritage, ND USA 1881-1981 Vol 1 p.200

Vernon Omlie was survived by his mother, his sister: Lillian Tverberg, his brother Melvin and his wife: Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie. Phoebe was never a North Dakotan, but her life, so closely bound to Vernon's, her accomplishments and her appointments, helped by his teaching, are really a tribute to him.

She won every air race she ever entered. On winning the Los Angeles to Chicago cross-country, against both men and women in 1930, she was asked to speak over the airport radio to a national hook-up; always brief, she spoke only about three sentences, the last of which wa "I didn't win this race. Wernon Omlie did, he taught me all I know about flying."

In 1936, she was appointed by President Roosevelt as head of the Federal Air-Marking program; in 1937 she was chosen by the National President of the American Legion Auxiliary at their National Convention to be the main speaker, which is always boradcast over the national hook-ups. She has filled many similar requests from other national meetings. She was the only woman flyer on the Ford Reliability Tour in 1929. during Word War II, she was the liason between the Federal Departments of the Navy and Commerce, with number two priority flying for women in the U.S. During that same war period, she headed a school for women flyers to become "ferry" pilots. At the close of the war, the federal government set up a program of evaluating the efficiency of airports, etc, who wished to be accredited as suitable and competent schools for this work. Phoebe headed this program. She was a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board for a number of years. She invented an air response gadget for the instrument panel of a plane, by which the gadget made an instantaneous record of how long it took a flyer to respond to a command from the ground, and to put the command into action. This invention, along with numerous others by Phoebe and Vernon, together or individually, are in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.

The August, 1929, issue of the American Monthly Magazine carried a very special feature, several pages long, occasioned by recent feats of Phoebe. The cover of the magazine was a picture of the kind of plane she flew, a Monocoupe. the first page of the article had a similar plane picture, with pictures of Vernon and Phoebe, with the feature by-line: "There's no stopping a woman with courage like this."

In 1923 or 1924, the newsreels carried a picture of Herbert Hoover, then Secretary of Commerce, handing to Phoebe Omlie, the first transport pilot's license ever issued to any woman in the United States and added to it the first world's transport pilot's license for a woman flyer.

It is no wonder the order of the "Quiet Birdmen" selected Phoebe to be one of their "Queen Bees", and equally exclusive group of the best, (only about ten) women flyers of the world.

Vernon taught Phoebe not only to fly a plane, but to assemble one, to take it apart, to be her own mechanic, even to make her own plane, her famous little "puddle jumper", its replica being in the Smithsonian Institute.

This artile about Mrs vernon Omlie (Phoebe) is added to the OMLIE history, not to redound to her fame, but as a tribute to Vernon who was both her teacher and her husband.

--page 200, Vol 1, Walsh Heritage, ND 1881-1981

Sgt John Gallagher, Silver Star Medal

sjtrout — 7 Aug 2004 6:57:39 GMT

"For those who missed Normandy and Cassino, Manila would do." *

Sgt. John Gallagher of New York was with G Trp, 2nd Sqdn, 8th Cav Reg, 1st Cav Div: the second serial of the Flying Column, Lt.Col. Haskett “Hack” L. Connor, Jr. commanding with Company B 44th Tank Bn., attached, the first serial to enter Santo Tomas. For heroism at the battle at Far Eastern University, across from Old Bilibid Prison (POW) in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday night February 3, 1945, Sgt John Gallagher was awarded the Silver Star medal. The battle prevented the Japanese from attacking Santo Tomas Internment Camp at the time it was being liberated and is said to have had more fire power unleashed than at any other battle of the war, to that point. Sgt Gallagher repeatedly risked his life to go into the streets and under tremendous fire power, he rescued at least ten downed, unconscious soldiers; my father, the rifle platoon leader, was one.

"For those who missed Normandy and Cassino, Manila would do." This is six days later, Friday, February 9, 1935,* click on http://www.ngb.army.mil/gallery/heritage/manila.asp to view a painting and a description of the battle from the history of the 37th Infantry Division of the Ohio National Guard.

Lt. Samuel Kershaw - Amer. Pilot

ALuckhardt2001 — 23 Apr 2005 10:54:27 GMT

Did you serve or know someone who did during WW2 from the Sherburn Area.

regreg84 — 21 Dec 2007 9:06:53 GMT

Hi All
Looking for stories relating to men and women that served with the forces during World War Two from the Sherburn Area of Durham, Including the villages of Sherburn Village, Sherburn Hill, Shadforth, Pittington, and Littletown. Also stories please from the people that lived through the war years from the said village, stories on home life, evacuees, etc etc.

Thanks
John

Hunt, Sanford B. Col. USMC

HUNT, Helen Smith (wife) — 7 Apr 2000 12:00:00 GMT

WWII vet was a waist-gunner.

Laura — 16 Apr 2006 6:34:41 GMT

Chess L Harper (aka: Robert or Kenneth) b. 20 SEPT 1921 in Texas. He married in 1942 and had 6 children. He was a waist-gunner in WWII (1943 and a reinlistment 1948) and he flew in 32 missions over Germany. He was shot down in enemy teritory and put his parachute on in mid-air. He and the radio man were the only ones that servived and were missing in action for weeks. He passed away 1997 in Oregon. He married several times, but first to Etta M. Roberts. Any ties to this man (my dad) please email me at wodiandhubby@yahoo.com Thanks, Laura

Garth Lewis Hall, USN

Brenda Beaman Parker — 6 Jul 2000 12:00:00 GMT

from Arkansas newspaper clipping, date and newspaper unknown (includes picture of Garth) -
SPA SEAMAN WILL WITNESS JAP SURRENDER
Seaman 2-C Garth Lewis Hall, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Hall, 107 Madison, and a member of the U.S.S. Missouri crew, will be present today when the formal surrender of Japan is made aboard that ship, anchored off the Tokyo coast.
Seaman hall was assigned to the Missouri at Camp Shumaker, Calif., following completion of his basic training at San Diego Naval Base, and has been in the Southwest Pacific since mid-November, 1944. He has seen action in a number of engagements in which the big battlewagon has participated. The Missouri made her triumphant entry into Tokyo Bay as Admiral Halsey's flagship on August 27.
The young Hot Springs seaman was induced August 14, 1944. He has three brothers and a brother-in-law in the service. A brother, Lyman R. Hall, yoeman 1-C, has served two and one-half years with a patrol squadron in the Atlantic. Another brother, Pvt. Dallas W. Hall is with the Craft company in the Philipines, and a third, Oliver Earl Hall, SC3-C, is serving on the LCI (G) 407, was in the invasion of Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, and other of the Pacific Islands, and is now in the Japanese invasion armada. His brother-in-law, Capt. Edgar E. Parker is with the Seabees at Manila.

Capt. Arthur B.(Barney) Cleaveland

and421 — 29 Jan 2005 9:06:11 GMT

LT LOUIS READ GEORGE

Jane Slaughter — 6 Apr 2000 12:00:00 GMT

Blacks in WW2-Calvin C. Davis-Benzie & Manistee Co. Michigan

SMurphy6063 — 25 May 2003 1:51:57 GMT

WWII biographical sketches

Amy Bleacher — 3 Apr 2001 12:00:00 GMT

Check out the book _The Human Tradition in the World War II Era_, edited by Malcolm Muir, Jr. at the Scholarly Resources website. This collection of brief biographical sketches tells the stories of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served in the European and Pacific theaters. The book also discusses the critical homefront life and the trials and accomplishments of minority groups during this tumultuous time.

WWII Veterans visit

cecelia white — 8 Apr 2003 2:54:37 GMT

I would be interested to know if there are any WWII Veterans out there who remember visiting St. Ann's Orphanage in Orpington, Kent, England in the 40's.
I was nine or ten years old at the time and have never forgotten their generosity and, again, when we were evacuated to Coventry and St. Helen's, Warwickshire. Their kindness and generosity has stayed with me all of these years. May GOD Bless them all. Tom Brokaw was right, when he called them the "Greatest Generation" of our time.

James B. Annis and the USS Indianapolis

Michael James Annis — 6 Jul 2000 12:00:00 GMT

The story of war hero James B. Annis (1920-1945) and the tragic sinking of the heavy crusier, USS Indianapolis.
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/annisall/JamesB.html

Oliver Earl Hall, USN

Brenda Beaman Parker — 6 Jul 2000 12:00:00 GMT

from newpaper clipping, date and paper unknown; handwritten note, "A few mistakes in this, but most is correct. Picture taken from one of you and Junior. Good, isn't it? Mom -
RETURNS TO STATION
Oliver E. Hall, 20, petty officer, 3-C, U.S. Navy, has returned to Santa Cruz, Calif., after spending a furlough here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Hall, 107 Madison Avenue, and other relatives in Williamsburg, Va.
Before entering the sirvice in January, 1943, he attended Hot Springs high school. He received basic training in San Francisco, and went to sea in May, 1943. Officer Hall has seen active service at Kiska, Attu and the Gilbert islands.
While stationed in the South Pacific he was taken seriously ill and was operated on at the Navy hospital, Pearl Harbor. From there he was sent to the convalescent hospital at Santa Cruz.
Officer Hall has two brothers and one brother-in-law also in the service. Lyman R. Hall, seaman 2-C, is stationed at the Naval base in Newport, R.I., Sgt. Dallas W. Hall is with the regular army stationed in Oakland, Calif., and Chief Petty Officer Edgar Parker is at the Naval base in Williamsburg, Va.

James Alton Cleveland, US Army

Brenda Beaman Parker — 6 Jul 2000 12:00:00 GMT

Pvt US Army WWII; killed in WWII - enlisted at Orange, Texas, before anyone new there would be a war and was sent to the Philipines a few months before the war started; he was taken as a Japanese prisoner of war soon after the war started and was in the Death March; he was last seen by a Timpson soldier who saw him getting on a prisoner ship; American planes sunk the Japanese ships not knowing that they carried American prisoners ; headstone was placed in his memory beside his parents in Corinth Cemetery at Missionary Baptist Church near Timpson, Shelby County, TX

A.L. Mitchell NX32272 Sandakan death marches

@@aurora42@hotmail.com — 8 Jan 2006 7:01:04 GMT

Albert Leslie Mitchell was born in 1898 at Lower Towamba near Eden NSW Australia. He was the seventh child of John Thomas and Fanny Mitchell (nee Bridle). Les went to school at Lower Towamba and worked on the family farm. He became a dairy farmer and grew prize-winning maize. He was a member of the local Council and was instrumental in getting a road built to serve the properties which until then had relied on bullock teams along the river.

In 1941 at the age of 43 Les joined the AIF. He was in the 2/20 Battalion went to Singapore and became a prisoner of war when Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15th February 1942 and was in Changi prison. He was one of the 2434 POWs sent from Singapore to Sandakan to work on airfield construction. There were only 6 survivors all of whom were escapees. The others suffered diabolical treatment and were sent on a series of death marches. The true facts were kept secret and have only come to light in recent years.

Les died at Paginatan on 22nd June 1945, the cause of death being given as Malaria.

His name appears on Panel 14 of the Labuan Memorial, Malaysia.

Lt. Nan M. Everhart - WAC

ALuckhardt2001 — 23 Apr 2005 10:54:27 GMT

Lt. George K. Snyder - Pearl Harbor

ALuckhardt2001 — 23 Apr 2005 10:54:27 GMT

D-DAY, SIXTH OF JUNE....BILL BISHOP

DOZIER HENDRY — 8 Apr 2003 3:12:42 GMT

Bill Bishop, my first cousin, was one of the members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army that parachuted behind enemy lines in the D-Day Invasion. He was wounded comming down and as he hit the ground rolled into a ditch where he lay for a day or 2 until a French girl found hom.

He is now living in Cairo, Georgia. He is a retired Jewelery Store Owner.

Biography-Sgt Jess McNair Alley

Bill Alley — 25 May 2000 12:00:00 GMT

My uncle joined the Army in Jan 1942, assigned to the 143rd Med Company. He later requested transfer to the airborne infantry, and was subsequently trained at Ft. Benning, then assigned to Co.A, 508th PIB, 82nd Airborne Division. His first combat jump was on June 6, 1944 into Normandy. One of three survivors from his C-47, he became one of those LGOPs (Little Groups of Paratroopers) who continued combat operations behind German lines, and was listed MIA for 6 days. Later he was in Operation Market Garden in Belgium; later still, was returned from an England hospital in support of the 101st Airborne at Bastogne. Was again wounded (3rd award)and evac'e to England.

Jess was discharged in 1945 with 102 points, 3 PH, Army Commendation, and three stars in the ETO. He returned to Joplin, MO, resumed family life, and retired from the General Steel Company. He attended one 82nd AA reunion circa 1980.

If anyone has further (or corrected) information, I would appreciate it, as I am compiling a family history which will include Jess, his brother Bill (my father) who served with Co.A, 1st Bn, 5th Marines on Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa, and me, who served in Korea and Vietnam.

William H. Alley
Col USMCR (Ret)

World War II and the Alaskan Highway

adnits — 3 Jul 2001 2:57:00 GMT

Raymond Anderson (1913-1987) served in US Army Engineer Corps bridge construction units. Raymond's "A Soldier's Photo Album" website contains the photographs he came home with after World War II. Raymond entered the US Army 15 April, 1941 at Ft. Bliss, Texas and received a honorable discharge on 18 September 1945.

His discharge lists the following theaters; Rhineland, Ardannes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France.

Service outside Continental United States; Canada and Alaska, 14 March, 42 to 28 August, 43; Europe (EAME) 26 April, 44 to unknown. He returned to the United States and discharged through the Separation Station at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas 18 September, 1945.

Raymond worked in the motor pool and had the unglamorous task of "military occupational speciality Auto Mech 014", Raymond Anderson was present to see and made contributions to many important historical events. The Alaskan Highway seemed to be the part he was most proud of.

Raymond was born, raised and made his home in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas. His military training served him well throughout his life.

Many of those he served with are also pictured on the Website.

MEMOIRS of Nathan Lawrence

Curtis Eugene Ezell — 20 Apr 2000 12:00:00 GMT

Ray Houston Jones, Co. C, 18th Infantry

MelissaJones47 — 20 Nov 2003 4:11:31 GMT