Bits of War: A Congressional Gold Medal and Two More Remains Identified

**  Nicholas Robolino awarded Congressional Gold Medal posthumously.  He was a member of a top secret air group of B-24 bombers in the 492nd Bombardment Group called "The Carpetbaggers" tasked with dropping supplies and spies behind German lines.

**  Marine killed at Betio, Tarawa, identified and buried in Iowa.  Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Channing Whitaker.  He was only 17 when he enlisted in 1942 and was killed Nov. 22, 1943.  Many Marines killed there were not identified at the time and DNA is being used.

**  U.S. Army Air Forces Tech Sgt. Max W. Lower was on a B-24 when it was shot down during Operation Tidal Wave on August 1, 1943, over the oil fields at Ploiesti, Romania.  Some 310  died that day but his body was not identified and buried in Romania and then in a U.S. military cemetery in Belgium.

His body was identified using DNA.  He is now buried in Utah.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Japanese Aircraft Carriers-- Ernest Childers-- Goldstar Museum in Iowa

From November 22, 2019.

**  Japan is getting aircraft carriers for the first time since World War II.  Two helicopter destroyers are being  modernized into de facto aircraft carriers.

**  Plaque dedicated at Fort Drum (NY) to Lt. Col.  Ernest Childers, the first Native-American to receive the Medal of Honor.  Was a member of Co. C, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.

From Oklahoma and a member of the Muskogee Creek Nation.  Received Medal of Honor for bravery during combat in Oliveto, Italy, in September 1943.

**  The Goldstar Museum at Camp Dodge in Iowa has a new exhibit on Iowans serving in Europe during the war.  More than 262,000 Iowans served during the war and 8,398 were killed.

--GreGen

Bits of War: A Piece of USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies, and NCIS Episode

**  March 12, 2020:  A piece of the USS Arizona is heading to Lake Havasu Cuty, Arizona.

**  Cabell County's last Pearl Harbor survivor has died at age 98.  West Virginia.  March 13, 2020  T.R. Tommy Wickline was 19 and on the USS Maryland that day.  He had enlisted in the Navy at age 16.

**  Christopher Lloyd to star in upcoming "NCIS" episode where he will be playing a USS Arizona survivor.   Looking forward to this one.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Three U.S. Lost Aircraft Found-- Life at Fort Bragg During the War-- Tuskegee Airmen Honor

Bits of War--  Some recent World War II stories.  February 23, 2020.

**  THREE U.S. LOST AIRCRAFT FOUND:  Three U.S. aircraft shot down in Pacific discovered 76 years later.  During Operation Hailstorm in Feb. 1944.     Forty Americans were killed and 20 aircraft lost.  Two of them were SBD-5 Dauntless dive bombers and one TBM/F1 Avenger.  They were located 100 to 215 deep.

Operation Hailstorm was the U.S. Navy attack on Truk Lagoon an anchorage for the Imperial Japanese Fleet.  It resulted in a huge American victory.

**  LIFE AT FORT BRAGG DURING THE WAR:   Newsletters show life at North Carolina's Fort Bragg during WW II.   Now online at N.C. State Archives Military Collection.  For the first Thanksgiving after the U.S. entered  the war,  said that special services would be held and the men were to have turkey, dressing, gravy and cranberries.

**  TUSKEGGEE AIRMEN HONOR:   Tuskegee Airmen fought racism at home while defending America abroad.  Fox News.  This also includes President Trump's salute during the State of the Union speech to Brigadier General Charles McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen.

He also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.  During those three wears, he flew 409 missions against our enemies.

The article includes Trump's remarks about Mr. McGee and his great grandson who wants to join the new U.S. Space Force.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Dozens of Bombs Found, Niece Wants Uncle Returned, WW II Vet and Tomb Sentinel Honored, Finally

1.  DOZENS OF BOMBS FOUND--  36 bombs were found over a three day period at German city of Neutraubling  Some were still live and exploded.    A new industrial park is being built  There was a Messerschmitt plant there during the war and it was heavily bombed.

2.  NIECE WANTS UNCLE'S REMAINS RETURNED TO IOWA--  William "Bill" Querl, was killed in the war and buried in the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

The American Red Cross brought his mother news of his death on September 16, 1942.  She had lost her husband, had two sons in the military and was about to lose her home.  devastated, she signed a document to allow his body to be buried in the Philippines.  She regretted it ever since.

3.  WORLD WAR II VETS AND TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS GUARD, 100, FINALLY HONORED--  Jack Eaton is the oldest living Tomb of the Unknowns Sentinel.  However, the plaque honoring former Sentinels where his name should have been had omitted his name.  It is now on the plaque.

--GreGen

Bits of War: A Pearl Harbor 101st and Bell Ringing

Bits of War.

1.  A PEARL HARBOR 101ST BIRTHDAY--  Bernie Rubien celebrated his 101st birthday in Rancho Mirage, California.  he was in the Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force for 25 years.  He celebrated with his best friend, 98-year-old Clarence Lux, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran.

Both men were stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, but did not know each other then.  They met many years later when they belonged to the Coachella Valley Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.  They are the last two members living of the group that at one time had 24 members.

2.  A BELL RINGING--  The bell in the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center Tower rang 21 times on Friday, September 13 for Lauren Bruner who died on September 11, 2019.

Ruth Campbell, wife of USS Arizona survivor Joe Campbell and leader of the USS Arizona Survivors Group visited the campus for the bell ringing and paid her respects at the USS Arizona Mall memorial.

--GreGen

Bits of War: USS North Carolina-- USS Arizona Memorial-- Last Japanese Soldier to Surrender (1974)

Bits of War.

1.  USS NORTH CAROLINA--  The USS North Carolina hosted "Battleship Alive" this past Saturday, April 27.  Re-enactors were all over the ship portraying the daily routine  of its crew.

2.  USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL--  This will remain closed for a second straight Memorial Day because of needed repairs to its dock.

3.  LAST JAPANESE SOLDIER TO SURRENDER--  Nakamura Teruno was captured on the Indonesian island of Morotai in December 1974.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Oldest Pearl Harbor Vet Turns 106-- New Book on Dorie Miller-- Another USS Oklahoma Unknown ID'd

1.  OLDEST PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR--  Ray Chavez of San Diego turns 106.

2..  NEW BOOK ON DORIE MILLER--  There is a new biography on Doris "Dorie" Miller called "Pearl harbor and the Birth of the Civil Rights Movement" by Thomas W. Cutrer and T. Michael Parrish

3.  ANOTHER USS OKLAHOMA UNKNOWN IDENTIFIED--  3-19-18--  Navy Fireman 1st Class Jarvis G. Outland.

Sure Glad They Are Identifying the Unknowns of the Oklahoma.  --GreGen

Bits of War: Pearl Harbor-- Wofford College Beats UNC!!

1.  PEARL HARBOR--  The Dec. 6, 2017, Fortune magazine had an article "What You Should Know About the Pearl Harbor Attack."

It mentioned that after the first wave came in, there were five additional attacks that lasted until 9 p.m., December 7, 1941.  I knew of the two waves, but not the additional attacks.  Unfortunately they didn't say anything about the other attacks.

The article also mentioned that the wreck of the USS Ward, the destroyer that engaged the Japanese mini submarine at the harbor entrance before the planes arrived, had been found at the bottom of Ormoc Bay, Philippines.  I had heard nothing of this story.

2.  WOFFORD COLLEGE--  Still all excited by Wofford College's huge victory over defending national champion and #5 UNC last week.  The Carolina student newspaper describes it as an "unthinkable upset."

In case you are wondering why I included this, I also found that the Wofford College campus was taken over during World War II to train Army Air Corps officers.

Go You Wofford Terriers!!  --GreGen

Bits of War: Winston Churchill's Secret Bunkers and Quonset Huts

**  From the March 9, 2017, Express (U.K.)  "Winston Churchill's SECRET bunkers hidden all over Britain in THESE classified locations.

There was, of course, a serious threat of German invasion in the early 1940s.  There were over 600 secret bunkers spread out over the British landscape.  It was planned to have specially-trained groups of soldiers conduct guerrilla type operations out of them.

**  From the February 17, 2016, Wilmington (NC) Biz  "Proposed Mixed-Use Project Includes Historic Wilmington Structure."

A quonset hut in Wilmington, constructed after World War II is on the path of preservation.  The U.S. Navy used quonset huts a lot during World War II because they were light and easy to build.

Quonset huts were named after Quinset Pointe, a peninsula and former site of a Rhode Island Navy base where they were first made.

--Quon me.  --GreGen

Bits of War: More Pearl Harbor Deaths-- Daniel S. Schroeder and Bud Christopherson

Always sad as the Greatest Generation continues to pass away.

**  Jan. 31, 2017, Reading Eagle  "Man believed to be Berks County's last Pearl Harbor survivor passes away."

Daniel S. Schroeder, 96, of Wernersville.  Former U.S. Navy captain  he was 21 years old on the USS Ash and had been guest of honor of the 75th anniversary commemoration back in December.

**  Jan. 30, 2017, Statesman Journal

Alvin "Bud" Christopherson 1925-2017.  Memorial service held Jan. 23, 2017 in Portland.  Pearl harbor survivor at Schofield Barracks.  Earned a Bronze Star that day.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Deaths-- Bob Adler (Served on USS West Virginia) and Ken Hartle (Pearl Harbor Survivor)

**  Jan. 17, 2017, Lake County (Wisconsin) Now:  Robert "Bob" Andler, 96.  Born April 30, 1926 in Chicago.  Died Jan. 8, 2017.  In World War II served on the USS West Virginia from March 1944 to May 1946.

**  January 30, 2017 Times of San Diego "Navy Diver  Retrieved Bodies From Pearl Harbor, Dies in Escondido at age 103" by Tom McAllister.

Ken Hartle died January 24.  He may have been the oldest remaining Pearl Harbor salvage diver.

He wouldn't talk about recovering bodies at Pearl Harbor, but did speak of towing unexploded torpedoes and salvaging ships.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Pearl Harbor-- Rent-A-Car Foundation-- Mount Diablo Beacon

As we near the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

1.  RENT-A-CAR FOUNDATION--  This foundation has donated $50,000 for the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

2.  MOUNT DIABLO BEACON--  The Mount Diablo Beacon is to be relit on this December 7 by Pearl Harbor survivors.  This is sponsored by the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.  The light was extinguished after Pearl Harbor was attacked and stayed dark until Pearl Harbor Day in 1964 when it was relit by World War II Admiral Chester Nimitz who suggested that it be relit every December 7th after that, which it has been.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Pearl Harbor: 100 to Be Honored-- Joe Triolo to Be Honored

As we are just now four days away from the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

1.  100 TO BE HONORED--  Over 100 Pearl Harbor survivors will be honored for the 75th anniversary of the attack ceremony in Hawaii.

2.  JOE TRIOLO TO BE HONORED--  Pearl Harbor survivor Joe Triolo of Des Plaines, Illinois, was on the USS Tangier on December 7, 1941, and is expected to attend the annual Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony December 7 at the Prairie Lake Theater in Des Plaines.  He is one of the last surviving men in northern Illinois.

The event is put on by the Sons & daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.

--GreGen

Bits of War: On USS Pennsylvania-- USS Arizona Memorial in Arizona

1.  ON THE USS PENNSYLVANIA AT PEARL HARBOR--  U.S. Navy veteran and Oakland, Ca., native Mickey Ganitch was on the USS Pennsylvania during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

2.  USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL IN ARIZONA--  The USS Arizona Memorial at the University of Arizona Mall is expected to be completed this month, just in time for the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack.

--GreGen

Bits of War: PT-109-- Death of Pear Harbor Survivor

1.  PT-109:  August 2, 1943.  PT-109, commanded by LT (jg) John F. Kennedy, was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagira off the Solomon Islands.  Two crew were killed and Kennedy led others to a nearby island.

2.  DEATH OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR--  From 7-31-13 Kitsap Sun.  William Payne Powell, 95, of Bremerton  (Dec. 1, 1917 to July 18, 2013).  On USS Dale at Pearl Harbor and served on submarines in the war.  His ashes were scattered at sea from the submarine USS Michigan.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Ration Your Bacon-- Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors

Bits of the war.

1.  RATION YOUR BACON--  From the March 8, 2013 Guardian UK "Unthinkable? Ration you bacon second world war style," editorial.

With obesity rates in the U.K. on the rise it is suggested that amounts of bacon be reduced to what they were during World War II.  Bacon rationing in the U.K. didn't end until 1954.

2.  SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS--  From the Feb. 16, 2013, Highland (Ind.) Times.  The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Indiana Chapter 2, met at Michael's Restaurant.  www.sdphs.org.  I am glad to see an organization carrying on such as this.

--GreGen

Bits of War: WWII Mine Found-- British Arctic Convoy and Bomber Command Vets Honored

Short Stories of World War II.

1.  WWII MINE FOUND--  Jan. 28, 2013.  A fishing boat came across an unexploded World War II mine off Brixham, England.  Bomb disposal units called in and carried out a controlled explosion.

2.  BRITISH ARCTIC CONVOY AND BOMBER COMMAND VETS HONORED--  Feb. 23, 2013.  They will be receiving awards in recognition of heroism and bravery within weeks according to Defence Minister Mark Francois.

Production of the Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp will start this week.  Up to a quarter million veterans and families of those who have died are eligible.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Death of Pearl Harbor Survivor-- Bob Hope

1.  DEATH OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR--  From the Dec. 14, 2012, Yakima Herald "Pearl Harbor survivor and Granger native dies one day before the attack's 71st anniversary."  Herb Fairbanks, 96,  Was 25 years old and on the USS West Virginia when the attack came.

2.  BOB HOPE--  From the Jan. 26, 2013, KMJ Now "World War II Legacy of Bob Hope & Bing Crosby."  Bob Hope aired 144 radio shows during the war. Only nine were recorded at NBC studios.  The rest were on location at various military bases.

--GreGen

Bits of War Back in 2012: Tank Found-- Jewish Observance-- Wee Vee Reunion

Bits of War.  2012

1.  TANK FOUND--  A rare Wold War Ii tank was discovered under the mud of the Warta River in eastern Poland.  The British-made Valentine tank is extra important because there are no other preserved examples in Europe.  It served in the Red Army of the Soviet Union and is thought to have sunk in the river in 1945 during the final thrust into Germany.

2.  JEWISH OBSERVANCE--  October 3, 1942, The Jewish Welfare Board of the Army and Navy Committee announced that final preparations were being made to entertain Jewish servicemen in the Wilmington, N.C., area for the observance of the High Holy Days.  Aiding in the effort were Rabbi Thurman, Rabbi Bronstein, Chaplain Blumenthal and Mr. Snyder.

3.  WEE VEE REUNION--  Eleven men who had served on the battleship USS West Virginia during World War II were present as were two who were on it at the Pearl Harbor attack.

--GreGen