Middle of the week and time for Letters From War Wednesday. Today, we feature a note from World War II veteran, Franklin Jacob, who served in Northern Europe with the 841st Ordnance Company. After we initially spoke several years ago, Jacob sent me a letter, which I found to be timeless. Though Jacob has since [...]
In this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we stray from an actual letter to bring you a Silver Star citation from the Battle of Dillingen, Germany. Sergeant Hobert Winebrenner, author of BOOTPRINTS, served with the 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, throughout Northern Europe. He earned the award for his heroics at Dillingen. “For gallantry [...]
Hump Day, and time for Letters From War Wednesday. Today we feature a truly amazing postcard from World War II. American soldier, Harold Hastings served with the 168th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division. He was lost on February 17, 1943, when his unit was surrounded and attacked by the Germans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass [...]
Can’t blame our soldier boys for missing home. This edition of Letters From War Wednesday, dated December 1942, comes to us from Pvt. Ernie Leatherman, stationed at the time at a camp in Pomona, California. Leatherman would later serve with the 2nd Armored Division, “Hell on Wheels,” in North Africa and Northern Europe. “Here I [...]
I run in fits and spurts. Right now I’ve got this U.S. Army Air Corps bug going that I can’t seem to shake. For this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we feature a short note from Donald Parker, who served in World War II with the 499th Bomb Group. Most of our Air Corps [...]
For the newly drafted, plucked from hometowns across the country, life in the service was an adjustment, to say the least. Terry Weber was drafted by the U.S. Army in December 1965, during the Vietnam War. Following Basic Training, he reported to Fort Polk, Louisiana for AIT in March 1966. “I don’t like the Army, [...]
Over the past week, we’ve logged multiple posts on Pete DeBrular and the Garveston Twelve, who served with the 492nd Bomb Group out of North Pickenham, England. Just 25 miles to the southeast set the Tibenham Airfield, home to the 8th Air Force’s 445th Bomb Group. In this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we [...]
If you checked in for yesterday’s post, you’re familiar with airman Edward Paul “Pete” DeBrular and the Garveston Twelve. On this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we’ll take a look at Pete’s last note home, dated June 2, 1944, just two days before his death at Garveston, England. Dear Aunt and Uncle: I just [...]
In May 1864, General Grant launched his Overland Campaign, a relentless war of attrition aimed at forcing Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia into submission and ending the American Civil War. This Letters From War Wednesday features a note from infantryman Charles Fall, who served in Grant’s army with the 26th Michigan of Hancock’s II Corps. [...]
B-24 Bomber Pilot, Bob Gage, possessed a wonderful sense of humor. In this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we feature a November 1942 note home from San Antonio, Texas, where Gage was continuing his pilot training. “Here I am again with another change of address. I’m in the Pre-Flight school now. This is really [...]