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My dad, Kenneth E. Sivula, died when I was a boy. All I know of his war record was that he was a bombardier. I ran into this site accidentally and was excited to see my father's name in the memorials section, where he is listed as a member of the 443 squadron. I'd love to here from anyone who knew him or could tell me more about his wartime experiences. Thanks, Chris Sivula 11/28/05 [ ] Hello to all the members and family of the 320th. My grandfather was Joseph
A. Villelli, he was a 1st Lt. with the 442nd and to my knowledge flew several
missions over France and Germany during his time of service. It is with great
sadness that I inform you of his passing on February 2nd, 2000. I was unaware of
your website at the time to pass this information along. If there are any
surviving members of his group or crew out there, please contact me. I've heard
some stories of his adventures, but would welcome any new information I can
learn about his time of service. Thank you all, and have a very happy holiday
season. Hallo,
Hello, I need help! My
heroic uncle William J. Hoenk died when his B-26 went down in the Med on a
mission near Tunisia,
Africa. Personal accounts in
a letter written to my Grandmother (Bill’s Sister) by Lt. Homer Cheshire
indicated that he was the only crewman not to escape the aircraft before
sinking. I know that the pilot of this B-26 was Lt. Richard Chick, and that all
crew members perished in the Sea except for Lt. Cheshire. I am trying to create
a family memorial for Bill, and need specific information on the specific plane
he was in (nose art), unit patches, insignias, medals, etc. Anyone who can
provide this information would be a huge help to this project. Thanks in advance
for any assistance in helping me assure that Bill’s memory and sacrifice will
not pass into obscurity. Respectfully, Dear All, Robert J. Morris, Photographer/Tailgunner with the
442 Bomb Squadron passed on 10 June 2005. He was preceeded by his wife Barbara
and is survived by his son Michael Morris of Fond du Lac WI and son Steven
Morris of Anna IL. After a couple years of college and meeting my mother, Bob
pursued a career in photography that culminated in a portrait studio in Beaver
Dam Wisconsin. His work recieved the highest critical acclaim and he was sought
out by corporated chiefs, governors, and all who could appreciate his unique
ability to get a subject to drop their mask and reveal their true selves for the
camera. I am the grandson of Lamar S. Timmons; 320th, 441st; co-pilot of LADY HALITOSIS; if anyone has any info, pictures or whatever I'd be greatly appreciative. I too know the military, I have 15 yrs as U.S. Army Infantry, Opreation Iraqi Freedom vet as well as multi-peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and am proud of my service just as my grandfather was. I don't have much info about him and I know it's out there. Thankyou to all B-26 vets, for I can now understand your sacrifice and dedication to the mission. E-MAIL( nebiros2001@yahoo.com). SSG Eric R. Knott Ralph B. Woolf passed on June 20th. He was a beloved husband,
father, grandfather and great grandfather. He leaves wonderful memories to his
wife of 57 years, Doris, Children Joyce (Dennis) Fath, Craig (Sue), Deane, and
Keith Woolf. Grandchildren Tracy, (Alan) Bates, Seth, Elizabeth, Nicki, and
Kathy Woolf and Jacob Wineinger and Great-grandaughter, Amber Bates. He was a
B-26 Pilot in the U. S. Army Air Corp. during WWII, a consummate salesman,
wedding photorapher, and so much more to many friends and family. He will be
most remembered for his legendary jokes. He will be deeply missed! Donations
can be made to the Hospice
of Palm Beach County
or the American
Cancer Society
It
is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of
Mr. Ralph Woolf of the 320th Reunion Association. Our
hearts go out to Mr. Woolf’s family and our thoughts
are especially with his sweet wife Doris. I met
Ralph and Doris for the first time at the San Jose reunion
in 2003. I knew very little of the 320th and my
father’s service with the group, but Ralph immediately
embraced my attendance and took me in, and by the end
of the reunion I had one of the richest experiences
of my life. I know Ralph and the other men and
women who have worked so diligently to keep the memory
of the 320th alive have blessed the lives of countless
people. I for one will not soon forget the kindness
and efforts of Ralph and Doris. My sincere condolences
to Ralph’s family and to the families of others like
Mr. West, Mr. Wagar, and Mr. Perkinson, who have passed
since our last reunion. It
was like a rifle shot heard in a crisp still day when
I learned of the passing of our friend Ralph Woolf.
Were I allowed to write Ralph's epitaph, it would read
simply: Well done, O good and faithful servant.
For the past several years, Ralph was the keystone that
helped keep the 320th BG Reunion Association not just alive,
but vibrant. For those of us who were privileged to know
him we realize that we have lost much more than a friend.
He seemed to care little for the recognition. The satisfaction
of the great results he achieved was enough for him.
He will be remembered for his gentle humor, kind
gestures, and a freely given smile. Those were
his trademarks. We will miss him and our thoughts and
prayers go out to Doris and the rest of Ralph's family. I have just finished typing a transcript of the
Uncle Bill's war diary. He was a gunner/engineer in the 441st of the 320th.
His name was George Willis Lewis from Conway Springs, Kansas. (1921-1994). He
flew on 62 combat missions from July 44 thru the end of the war. His diary
often mentions flying "transition". What does that mean? His diary is fantastic
including a mission(August 22, 1944) when his plane was shot down by flak and
ditched off Corsica. If interested, one can read his diary here on the
320th B.G. website. Click here: George Willis Lewis Diary
Hi - does any one remember staff /sergeant Vito Rinaldi was a tailgunner 320th
441sqd north Africa? Any response would be greatfull! Thank you. Richard Rinaldi 6/15/05 [ ] It
is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you
of my father, Ben West's passing. Ben died on 7 May
in Tucson, AZ after a short illness. He was surrounded
by his loving family in his final days, which I know
was a comfort to him. I
and the rest of the 320th veterans and families are
very saddened to hear of the loss of our friend - Ben.
Ben was an inspiration. He contributed many stories
for the website, some of which are still in need of
being added. Our thoughts go out to you and the rest
of your family. This is an absolutely world-class website. The amount of information here
is staggering. It is the best WWII/military site that I have seen. It has saved
me years of research, letter-writing and phone calls. I have been able to
download the mission summaries of all 40 of my father's (TSgt Pat J. DeSantis,
444th) combat missions. The crew lists on the mission summaries also helped me
to locate the wife of one of the tailgunners that flew with my dad. I sent her
a photo of her husband that had been sitting in my dad's album for 62 years. She
was thrilled to get it, her husband passed away 13 years ago. She made copies
for her children and grandchildren - she didn't have any photos of him during the
war. This site helped one family to remember the proud wartime service of one of
the "Greatest Generation". I
recently sent pictures my father made while he was stationed
in North Africa with the 320th BG to Dr. Franz Reisdorf
to be scanned and archived. These pictures mean a lot
to me and my family and I wished to have them digitally
archived so that they could be preserved for the future.
The negatives have long been discarded and the
prints are 60+ years old and becoming very fragile. Dr.
William M. Lankford
Carrollton, GA 6/5/05 [ ] Dr. Lankford - Thanks for your kind words. I would also like to express my own personal gratitude to the other historians that have helped provide the information on this website. I would especially like to thank Joe Seiley, Donna Guidry, and Mary Reisdorf. Thanks as well to Victor Tannehill who so diligently documented the history of the 320th before us. - Dr. Franz Reisdorf, Chief Historian After further research I have discovered that the
B-26 for which my father was crew chief, "Jeanie"(II), was the same aircraft
that was called "Barbara ("Sis")". The Serial No. was 41-14890 and Battle No.
84 (not S/N: 42-107532 and Battle # 86. as stated in my previous post here). To
quote my father's war diary: ""2-2-44:
#890 went on a practice mission, on landing the left main tire blew out, put new
tire on. Let Hoover[Allan C.?] paint a picture on the ship and name it after his
wife Barbara "Sis". There are numerous
references to "Jeanie" as "#890" in Dad's diaries. My father continued to call
this aircraft "Jeanie" or "Jeanie II" in his diaries.
I seems I have solved the mystery of the two
"Jeanies" for which my father was crew chief. The older aircraft, a B26B-4, was
S/N:41-18061, but had no battle no., since she was sold to the French in the
beginning of Sept. of 1943. The 320th began using battle nos. later that month
as seen in the "Missions" section of this site. The second "Jeanie" (my father referred to as
"Jeanie II") was S/N: 42-107532 and battle no. 86. This aircraft is listed
under "320th Aircraft"/"Serial Nos." on this website, but not given a name. She
is listed as shot down by enemy fighters on 11-5-44. This aircraft had
completed over 120 missions.
My father was T/Sgt. Nick Sheppard, crew chief of
"Jeanie" of the 444th squadron. There were two "Jeanie"s. The first was S/N:
41-18061 (Battle no. unknown). This aircraft flew 34 missions and had 1 enemy
fighter downed before being given to the French. This B-26 was piloted by Capt.
D.K. Coulter. I'm looking for any additional photos and her battle no. (Or any
other info. for that matter). I am searching for any survivors or any airmen who served with my cousin, Peter Paul Cockrell. Paul served with the 441st Bomber Squadron, 320th bomber. He was shot down over Italy on July 17, 1943 and was listed as MIA. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal and other Army medals. He was never found. I don't know the name of his figher plane or any of his crew mates. However, I am thankful for the men that served with him and knew him at the last. He was only 23 when he died, and had not even married to my knowledge. He has a brother that is still living. Any photos of the group with Paul in them would be greatly appreciated. This is a wonderful site and a great memorial for our great men who fought in a heartbreaking war. Thanks! Beverly
Stout Hello! As a volunteer at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida, I am working on a display about Drane Field as a training field 1942-1944. We would appreciate photos of personnel at the base. We would be happy to return original photos after we have made copies. The display will be on exhibit during the Sun-n-Fun Fly-In April 12-18th and until 2006. Please send photos to Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland, FL 33811 attn. Suzy Eickhoff. Thanks! Suzy
Eickhoff My grandfather, James Wagar is preparing to leave our world. I and the rest
of his family would appreciate a phone call or message to him reminding him of
all the people that truly care about him. This small gesture may help him.
Please...let him know that you care. He needs it right now.
Thank you, Mark Borland Question: Does anyone know the origin "When you get
home, remember us, and say we gave all of our tomorrows for your
today"? The quote is from the last page of Tannehill's Boomerang!: The
Story of the 320th bombardment Group in World War
II.
Jerry Headley Great Website, Happy to know better the 320th BG which was at Alto in Corsica . Happy New Year. Dominique Taddei author of the book USS CORSICA l'Île Porte Avion. Dominique Taddei I am seeking any info on 1st Lt Edward N. Bond. My daddy flew with the 17th, 319th, or the 320. I don't have much to go on since Daddy didn't talk much about the war and when he did it was only bits and pieces. Do know he was a Bombardier, was attached to the 335th at Kirkland Field, NM for training, he was at Barksdale for a while also, and Bombardier refresher in Midland TX. He talked of a flyer who had a dog that flew missions....the plane that man was in was shot down over Italy, the last thing Daddy recalled seeing was the man bail out with the dog in his arms. He never found out what happened to him. I realize it's a long shot to find anyone who knew him but I am praying at least to find out some info about his military service., bombardier, trained at Kirkland Field, stationed at Barksdale prior to going overseas. Flew out of Italy/North Africa. Have very little info since Daddy wouldn't talk! Any help appreciated. Judy HI! My Father SSgt Patrick W. Fox passed on when I was age 4 (1973). I have been desperately trying to find out information about his service to his country in WWII. I submitted a request to the NARA for copies of his military records and was told that they were destroyed in a fire in 1968 and was directed to the VA for assistance. I received a copy of his Enlisted Service Record. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 in Los Angeles, CA. He attended radio operator's school in Madison Wisconsin. He was in Naples Foggia Campaign. Was a radio operator/mech. He had an aircrew member badge (wings). He was discharged in Dec 1945 from March AFB, Riverside Ca. On his honorable discharge papers it reads discharged from 556th AAF BU. If there is anyone who served with my father or new of him please contact me. I would be most grateful. Patrick
W. Fox II Happy New Year to you, you have a great
website: As we move into the new year, I encourage all to take a moment to remember the brethren that we lost over this last year. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.
Franz
Reisdorf, MD on behalf of the 320th B.G. Reunion Association |
Copyright(c) 2006 320th B.G. Reunion Association. All rights reserved.