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2021 POW/MIA Recoveries Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window. These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. Type in the last name of the individual, conflict, rank or state you are searching for in our search bar. Results will automatically show. Actkinson, Marvin D. Age 18, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Sudan, Texas Missing in action 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 12/10/2021 Agard, Robert C. Age 19, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Buffalo, New York Missing in action 07/19/1950 Taejon, South Korea Accounted for 10/19/2021 Alexander, Hugh R. Silver Star Age 43, US Navy Rank: Lt. Commander Conflict: WWII Hometown: Potters Mills, Pennsylvania Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 12/14/2021 Alumbaugh, Lloyd A. Age 21, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Jasper, Missouri Missing in action 11/28/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 06/07/2021 Andrews, Charles Age 25, US Army Rank: Private Conflict: WWII Hometown: Plainfield, Illinois Missing in Action 12/04/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 07/30/2021 Ashby, Welborn L. Age 24, US Navy Rank: Fireman 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Centertown, Kentucky Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 01/22/2021 Avolese, Paul A. Age 35, US Air Force Rank: Major Conflict: Vietnam Missing in Action 07/07/1967 Mid-air collision enroute to Vietnam from Guam Accounted for: 07/20/2021 Bailey, Gerald J. Age 24, US Navy Rank: Seaman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Seattle, Washington Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 03/15/2021 Ballance, Wilbur F. Age 20, US Navy Rank: Seaman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Paw Paw, Michigan Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 06/03/2021 Barber Brothers US Navy Fireman 1st Class Malcolm J. Barber, age 22 Fireman 1st Class LeRoy K. Barber, Age 20 Fireman 2nd Class Randolph H. Barber, age 19 Conflict: WWII Hometown: New London, Wisconsin Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 06/16/2021 Barnett, William L. Age 21, US Navy Rank: Fireman 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Fort Scott, Kansas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS West Virginia Accounted for 01/04/2021 Bates, Harold E. Age 27, US Navy Rank: Fireman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Rush Center, Kansas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 04/22/2021 Battles, Ralph C. Age 25, US Navy Rank: Fireman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Boaz, Arizona Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 07/08/2021 Bazzell, Benjamin R. Age 18, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Seymour, Connecticut Missing in action 11/30/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 12/07/2021 Beek, Eldert J. Age 20, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Sibley, Iowa Missing in actoin 12/01/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Remains returned by N. Korea July 27, 2018 Accounted for 04/30/2021 Belden, Howard R. Age 19, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Hague, New York Missing in action 12/01/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 11/17/2021 Belt, Walter S., Jr. Age 25, US Navy Rank: Fireman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Killed in Action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 08/26/2021 Blanchard, William E. Age 24, US Navy Rank: Boilermaker 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Tignall, Georgia Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 04/23/2021 Blanton, Raymond C. Age 19, US Army Rank: Staff Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Richmond, Virginia Killed in action 10/14/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 06/09/2021 Booe, James B. Age 42, US Navy Rank: Bandmaster Conflict: WWII Hometown: Veedersburg, Indiana Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 02/25/2021 Boughman, Ralph S. Age 21, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Union, South Carolina Missing in action 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Remains returned by North Korea 07/27/2018 Accounted for 03/01/2021 Bradley, Carl M. Age 19, US Navy Rank: Fireman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Shelley, Idaho Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 05/14/2021 Brotherton, Clarence W. Age 20, US Army Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Gibson City, Illinois Killed in Action 10/14/1044 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 08/23/2021 Butts, Rodger C. Age 47, US Navy Rank: Ship's Cook 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 10/19/2021 Carney, Harold F. Age 23, US Navy Rank: Machinist's Mate 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: New Diggings, Wisconsin Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 10./07/2021

2019 POW/MIA Recoveries Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window. These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. Type in the last name of the individual, conflict or rank you are searching for in our search bar. Results will automatically show. Angle, Donald E. Corporal, age 21, US Army MIA 07/25/1950, S. Korea Accounted for 09/08/2019 Laid to rest 10/06/2019 Arthurholtz, Marley R. Private 1st Class US Marine Corps, age 20 WWII KIA 12/07/1941 USS Oklahoma Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Accounted for 10/31/2019 Artley, Daryle E. Quartermaster 2nd Class US Navy, age 21, WWII USS Oklahoma Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Accounted for 11/27/2019 Laid to rest 05/15/2020 Austin, John A. Chief Warrant Officer USS Oklahoma WWII Accounted for 1/8/2019 Avant, Joe T. Corporal, age 20, US Army Missing in action 11/30/1950 Chosin Reservoir, N. Korea Accounted for 11/13/2019 Laid to rest 12/13/2019 Bainbridge, John E. Tech. 5th Grade, age 23 US Army Missing in Action 12/02/1942 Papua (present: New Guinea) Accounted for 08/29/2019 Laid to rest 9/29/2019 Bayens, John R. Private First Class, age 20, US Marine Corps Reserve, WWII Killed in action 11/22/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accouned for 11/20/2019 Laid to rest 12/16/2019 Bennett, Ralph L. Cpl., US Army, Age 22, WWII KIA 6/13/1944 Accounted for 6/7/2019 Benson, Edwin F. Private,US Marine Corps age 22, WWII MIA 11/20/1943 Betio Island of Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 10/29/2019 Betar, Autrey John Corporal, age 18, US Army Missing in actoin 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, N. Korea Accounted for 11/20/2019 Black, Waldean Pvt., US Marines, Age 20, WWII KIA 12/7/1941 USS Oklahoma, Pearl Harbor Accounted for 6/26/2019 Blitz Twins, Leo and Rudolph Leo Blitz, Machinist's 1st Mate Rudolph Blitz, Fireman 1st Class Age 20, WWII KIA 12/7/1941 USS Oklahoma Accounted for 6/27/2019 Blosser, Jackey D. Corporal, US Army, age 21 Missing in Action 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, N. Korea Accounted for 12/17/2019 Boschetti, Joseph F. Private, US Army, age 23 KIA 11/20/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 10/21/2019 Brandenburg, William E. Pfc., US Marine Reserves Age 19, WWII MIA 11/22/1943, Betio Island Accounted for 6/5/2019 Brandt, Oris V. Seaman 1st Class, US Navy Age 20, WWII KIA 12/7/1941 USS Oklahoma Accounted for 5/29/2019 Bray, Robert L. Corporal, US Army, age 18 MIA 7/20/1950 Taejon, South Korea Accounted for 10/17/2019 Brockett, Norvin D. Corporal, US Army, age 18 MIA 12/06/1950 Chosin Reservoir, N. Korea Accounted for 10/29/2019 Buan, Norman A. Private 1st Class US Marine Corps Reserve age 27 KIA 11/20/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 10/31/2019 Burchfield, Riley Sgt. 1st Class, US Army age 21, Korea Died while POW 02/1951 POW Camp 5, N. Korea Accounted for 11/27/2019 Laid to rest 01/10/2020 Burk Jr., Millard Seaman 1st Class, US Navy Age 19, WWII KIA 12/7/1941 USS Oklahoma Accounted for 6/13/2019 Burke, John T. Private 1st Class, age 18 US Marine Corps, WWII KIA 11/21/1943 Betio Island Accounted for 10/01/2019 Laid to rest 10/26/2019 Butler, Billy J. Cpl., US Army, Age 19, Korea Died as POW January 1951 Accounted for 6/21/2019 Cagle, Connie Private, US Army, age 23 KIA 11/22/1942, WWII Buna (Papua), New Guinea Accounted for 10/23/2019 Cates, James G. Master Sergeant, age 29 US Army MIA 12/03/1950 North Korea Chosin Reservoir Accounted for 08/26/2019 Laid to rest 09/21/2019

2020 POW/MIA Recoveries ​ Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window. ​ These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. ​ NOTE: POW/MIA recoveries and family notifications were severely lessened due to the Covid19 outbreak causing the shutdown of DPAA activities for a large portion of 2020. Type in the last name of the individual, conflict, rank or state you are searching for in our search bar. Results will automatically show. Athon, Frank A., Jr. Age 29, US Marine Corps Reserve Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Cinncinnati, Ohio Killed in action 11/23/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 08/08/2020 Banks, Layton T. Age 20, US Navy Rank: Coxswain Conflict: WWII Hometown: Dallas, Texas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Accounted for 08/27/2020 Brown Jr., Roy Age 22, US Army Rank: Private Conflict: WWII Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa Missing in Action 2/02/1942 Papua (present day New Guinea) Accounted for 01/16/2020 Brown, William L. Age 18, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Sesser, Illinois Missing in Action 2/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 01/15/2020 Cale, Ralph L. Age 29, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Covington, Virginia Missing in action 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 03/23/2020 Cansler, James J. Age 21, US Army Rank: Private Conflict: WWII Hometown: Boliver, Missouri Missing in Action 12/19/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 03/03/2020 Chess, Patrick L. Age 24, US Navy Rank: Shipfitter 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Yakima, Washington Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 09/10/2020 Cole, Duane O. Age 23, US Marine Corps Rank: Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Niles, Michigan Killed in action 11/20/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 03/11/2020 Collins, Glenn E. Age 21, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Tucson, Arizona Missing in action 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 07/27/2020 Cooper, Thomas H. Age 22, US Marine Corps Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee Killed in Action 11/20/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 02/06/2020 Corn, Robert L. Age 24, US Navy Rank: Fire Controlman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Baker City, Oregon Killed in Action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 02/13/2020 Cruz, Jacob Age 18, US Marine Corps Reserve Rank: Private Conflict: WWII Hometown: Los Angeles, California Killed in Action: 11/22/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for: 10/02/2020 Dick, Harold L. Age 22, US Navy Rank: Gunners Mate 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Tipton, Missouri Killed in action 07/24/1944 USS Colorado offshore of Tinian Island Accounted for 11/11/2020 Doddo, Louis S. Age 30, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: South Norwalk, Connecticut Killed in Action: 07/07/1944 Island of Saipan Recovered as Unknown 1950 Accounted for 11/30/2020 Drefahl, Elmer E. Age 22, US Marine Corps Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Killed in Action: 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for: 12/17/2020 Drews, Harold F. Age 21, US Army Rank: Master Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Elgin, Illinois Missing in Action 12/12/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 02/06/2020 Evans, Junior C. Age 20, US Army Rank: Private First Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Hall County, Texas Killed in Action 12/12/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 01/15/2020 Ferguson, Earl F. Age 26, US Army Air Corps Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Philip, South Dakota Missing in action 08/01/1943 Ploesti, Romania Accounted for 03/24/2020 Flaherty, Francis C. Age 22, US Navy Rank: Ensign Conflict: WWII Hometown: Charlotte, Michigan Killed in Action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 09/10/2020 Flanagan, James M. Age 22, US Navy Rank: Seaman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida Killed in Action: 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for: 10/19/2020 Gebser, Paul H. Age 39, US Navy Rank: Machinist's Mate 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: San Diego, California Killed in Action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 02/25/2020 Gillen, John E. Age 20, US Marine Corps Reserve Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Champaign, Illinois Killed in action 11/22/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 07/15/2020 Hash, Billie Joe Age 18, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Corbin, Kentucky Missing in Action 12/05/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 06/16/2020 Heavin, Hadley I. Age 28, US Navy Rank: Fireman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: BAxter Springs, Kansas Killed in Action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS West Virginia Accounted for: 02/04/2020 Hill, Jesse "Johnnie" D. Age 20, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Highland Park, Michigan Missing in Action 12/02/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 09/28/2020

Indiana Spirit of '45 A 501c3 non-profit organization Fed. EIN 47-3227931 Honoring Our Nation's Heroes Since 2010 Email: Spiritof45_Indiana@yahoo.com July 4 Parade Application - CLICK HERE Since the founding of our organization in 2010 we have watched our "Greatest Generation" pass on at an alarming rate of one every ninety seconds and have strived to pass on their "Spirit" of Unity, Courage, Selflessness and Strength on to our state, community and nation. At the same time we are also moving our focus to insure that our Korea, Vietnam, Cold War and those currently serving are being honored in the same way that our WWII generation is honored. ​ We now have five buglers in our area, ready and willing to sound Live Taps for Military Honors, memorial services, national holidays and private services where the sounding of Taps is authorized. Looking towards our future we will be looking to add an Honor Guard to our organization due to the fact that so many surrounding communities are losing their Guards due to a lack of funds and/or volunteers. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Since December of 2012 we have carried on the weekly tradition of "Taps on the Square" to honor the lives, service and sacrifice of those who served and passed on the previous week. The ceremony began as a call went out to buglers nationwide to sound Taps for seven days at seven o'clock to honor the memory of the twenty-six precious lives taken during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. On the last day a member of our community asked to have Taps sounded in memory of a loved one who passed...Taps on the Square began that evening and has continued every Friday evening, regardless of Weather Conditions. Our most important program is our "BATTLE BUDDY' Support Group, which meets every second and fourth Wednesday each month. Our Men and Women who have served and are serving may leave the combat zone but are still fighting their own battles when they return, whether it is PTSD, depression, adjustment to civilian life or one of the many other issues affecting our Veterans. We accept everyone equally, regardless of race, age, gender or era served. We've had each other's six before, we still have it now because in our Veteran family...NO ONE FIGHTS THE DEMON ALONE! Indiana Spirit of '45 programs and events are solely supported by donations of those who wish to see them carried on. If you wish to support us please click on the "DONATE" button, or through our Venmo QR code, located below. Your donations are tax deductible. A 501c3 non-profit organization Fed. EIN 47-3227931

2017 Recovered POW/MIA's Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window. These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. Type in the last name of the individual you are searching for in our search bar. Results will automatically show. Aiello, Michael Andregg Jr., Henry Appleby, Gene J. Atkins, Albert E. Baer, Donald Bailey, Shirley E. Ball, William D. Bauder, James R. Bean, Howard W. Betchley, George Blanchette, Alberic Borders, Edward L Bussa, George S. Carbone, Joseph C. Cargile, Murry R. Casto, Charles Ray Cook, Sidney A. Counter, Pete M. Cowan, William W. Critchley, Walter G. Crosby, Frederick P. Crowder, Samuel Damewood, Louis A. Dragoo, Clarence Dunn, Larry M.

2018 POW/MIA Recoveries Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window. These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. Type in the last name of the individual, conflict or rank you are searching for in our search bar. Results will automatically show. Adkins, Marvin B. Age 20, US Navy Rank: Gunners Mate 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Seattle, Washington Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 11/20/2018 Akers, Joseph Age 22, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Kenova, West Virginia Missing in action 11/25/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 11/27/2018 Aldridge, Willard Henry Age 20, US Navy Rank: Seaman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Sitka, Kansas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 05/17/2018 Allen, Clarence Age 23, US Army Air Corps Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Venice, California Missing in Action 10/12/1944 Dusseldorf, Germany Accounted for 05/16/2018 Anderson, Melvin C. Age 31, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Killed in action 11/25/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 10/04/2018 Arickx, Leon Age 22, US Navy Rank: Seaman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Mitchell, Iowa Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 06/29/2018 Ashley, Fred W. Age 22, US Army Rank: Private First Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Emmett, Idaho Killed/Missing 05/04/1945 Paseka, Czechoslovakia Accoutned for 10/12/2018 B-17 Crew 323rd Bomb Squadron TSgt. Allen A. Chandler Jr SSgt. Robert O. Shoemaker TSgt John F. Brady SSgt Bobby J. Younger 1st Lt. John H. Liekus Missing in action 11/02/1944 Merseberg, Germany Accounted for 06/27/2018 Backman, Walter H. Age 22, US Navy Rank: Radioman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Wilton, North Dakota Killed in Action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 05/22/2018 Bailey, Elwood R. Age: 22, US Marines Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Parma, Michigan Missing in action 08/24/1942 Guadalcanal Island Accounted for 10/04/2018 Bailey, John S. Age 28, US Army Air Corps Rank: Technical Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Woodstock, Virginia Killed/Missing 01/21/1944 Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 06/05/2018 Baker, David Age 18, US Army Rank: Private First Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Gary, Indiana Missing in Action 11/28/1950 Yongbyong, North Korea Accounted for 06/15/2018 Baker, Donald L. Age 20, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Thornton, Arkansas Missing in action 09/06/1950 Haman, South Korea Accounted for 06/11/2018 Ball, Billy R. Age 20, US Army Rank: Private First Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Died as POW 09/18/1942 Cabanatuan POW Camp, Philippines Accounted for 04/30/2018 Barker, Raymond A. Age 22, US Marine Reserves Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Evanston, Illinois Killed/Missing 11/20/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 04/30/2018 Barrett, Wilbur C. Age 26, US Navy Rank: Seaman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: El Dorado, Kansas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 12/17/2018 Bauder, James R. Age 35, US Navy Rank: Captain Conflict: Vietnam Hometown: San Fernando, California Missing in Action 09/21/1966 Quynh Phuong Village, Vietnam Accounted for 12/11/2018 Beed, Milton M. Age 30, US Army Rank: Sergeant 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Meadow Grove, Nebraska Died as POW 10/31/1951 Suan POW Camp, North Korea Accounted for 04/18/2018 Bensinger Jr, Alfred Gady Age 25, US Army Rank: Sergeant 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Died as POW, 01/1951 Hofong Camp, North Korea Accounted for 02/08/2018 Blancheri, William H. Age, US Navy Rank: Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Los Angeles, California Killed/Missing 11/20/1943 Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll Accounted for 12/17/2018 Blue, Willie E. Age 19, US Army Rank: Private First Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana Missing in action 08/31/1950 Pusan, South Korea Accounted for 05/22/2018 Boegli, William A. Age 25, US Army Rank: Private Conflict: WWII Hometown: Sedan, Montana Killed in action 09/30/1944 Angaur Island, Palau Island Chain Accounted for 12/17/2018 Boyce, James L. Age 21, US Army Rank: Sergeant 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Carnegie, Pennsylvania Missing in Action 07/11/1950 Chonui, South Korea Accounted for 12/13/2018 Campbell, William V. Age 20, US Navy Rank: Seaman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Elizabethton, Tennessee Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 10/04/2018 Canty, John Age 22, US Army Air Corps Rank: Staff Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Winsted, Connecticut Killed in action 06/22/1944 France Accounted for 07/03/2018

Local and State Events Listed by date If you have an event you would like posted please send the information to: spiritof45_indiana@yahoo.com

2023 POW/MIA Recoveries Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window.These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. Type in the last name of the individual, conflict, rank or state you are searching for in our search bar. Results will aut omatically show. Barncord, Cecil E. Age 24, US Navy Rank: Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Topeka, Kansas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 04/06/2023 Bennett, Franklin H. Age 20, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Glendive, Montana Died while a Japanese POW 07/19/1942 Bataan Death March Accounted for 01/20/2023 Callahan, Archie, Jr. Age 19, US Navy Rank: Mess Attendant 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Newark, New Jersey Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 04/06/2023 Carillo, Carmen Age 20, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Lompoc, California Missing in action 05/17/1951 Gangwon Hongchun, Korea Accounted for 03/28/2023 Christie, Alton Age 18, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Jasper, Florida Missing in action 07/05/1950 Osan, South Korea Accounted for 01/20/2023 Coon, Ellis Age 30, US Army Rank: Sergeant 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Mount Herman, Louisiana Died as POW 04/15/51 POW Camp #5 Pyoktong, North Korea Accounted for 04/05/2023 Crotty, Richard E. Age 22, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Geneva, Illinois Missing in Action 09/01/1950 Yongsan, South Korea Accounted for 04/17/2023 Derrington, Ralph Alva Age 42, US Navy Rank: Chief Machinist's Mate Conflict: WWII Hometown: Columbus, Ohio Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 03/13/2023 Di Petta, Anthony Age 24, US Navy Aviation Rank: Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Nutley, New Jersey Killed in action 09/10/1944 Accounted for 03/10/2023 Eeds, Charles W. Age 23, US Army Air Corps Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Durant, Oklahoma Died while a POW of Japan 07/19/1942 Cabanatuan POW Camp, Philippines. Bataan Death March Accounted for 02/06/2023 Ferrel, Frank C. Age 31, US Army Air Corps Rank: Technical Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Roby, Texas Killed in action 08/01/1943 Ploiesti, Romania Operation Tidal Wave Garrigus, Charles Age 24 US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: Korea Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana Missing in action 12/01/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 01/20/2023 Goggin, Daryl H. Age 34, US Navy Rank: Warrant Officer Machinist Conflict: WWII Hometown: Everett, Washington Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 01/30/2023 Green, Thomas F. Age 19, US Army Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: Vietnam Hometown: Ramona, California Killed in action 10/26/1971 Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam Accounted for 01/06/2023 Grimes, George T. Age 19, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Quinlan, Texas Missing in action 07/20/1950 Taejon, South Korea Accounted for 05/02/2023 Hartman, Harry F., Jr. Age 19, US Army Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Mays Landing, New Jersey Died while a POW 03/31/1951 POW Camp #5, Pyoktang, North Korea Accounted for 03/13/2023 Holoka, John Jr. Age 25, US Army Air Corps Rank: Technical Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Cresson, Pennsylvania Killed in action 06/22/1944 Versailles, France Accounted for 03/22/2023 Knoll, Gregory V. Age 22, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Garden City, Kansas Killed in action 11/07/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 03/17/2023 Kolb, Ralph D. Age 19, US Army Air Corps Rank: Staff Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: McGehee, Arkansas Killed in action 08/01/1943 Ploiesti, Romania Operation Tidal Wave Accounted for 04/27/2023 Kretzer, Harold Age 32, US Army Air Corps Rank: Technical Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Odin, Illinois Killed in action 08/01/1943 Shot down over Ploiesti, Romania Accounted for 01/06/2023 Matuszak, Thaddeus S. Age 31, US Army Rank: Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Missing in action 09/11/1944 Dornot, France Accounted for 03/36/2023 McKeon, Matthew L. Age 25, US Army Rank: Technical Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Euclid, California Killed in action 11/09/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 03/16/2023 Meyer, Melvin B. Age 25, US Army Air Corps Rank: 1st Lieutenant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Pattonville, Missouri Killed in action 05/29/1944 B-17G Shot down Leipzig, Germany Accounted for 01/17/2023 Mills, Edgar L. Age 25, US Army Air Corps Rank: Staff Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Tampa, Florida Killed in action 01/18/1944 B-17-G Shot Down over Memmingen, Germany Accounted for 03/27/2023 Minogue, John F. Age 24, US Army Air Corps Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Richfield, California Killed in action 08/01/1943 Shot down over Ploiesti, Romania Operation Tidal Wave Accounted for 03/16/2023 © 2023 by Indiana Spirit of '45

2022 P OW/MIA Recoveries Indiana Spirit of '45 would like to Thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) for their wonderful work in recovering and identifying our Heroes who have been brought home to their Families. To view a photo please click on it to view in a pop up window.These Memorial Tributes are free for you to download and share, we don't charge because the price has been paid by those we Honor. Type in the last name of the individual, conflict, rank or state you are searching for in our search bar. Results will automatically show. Addison, Baker E. Medal of Honor Recipient Age 36, US Army Air Corps Rank: Lt. Colonel Conflict: WWII Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Killed in Action 08/01/1943 Shot down over Ploiesti, Romania Accounted for 04/28/2022 Alexander, Robert L. Age 27, US Army Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Tolley, North Dakota Killed in action 07/07/1944 Island of Saipan, Mariana Islands Accounted for 08/19/2022 Note: Photo of Pfc. Alexander could not be located at time of publishing. Memorial will be updated if photo is located. Allison, Hal J. Age 21, US Navy Rank: Fireman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Paducah, Kentucky Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 02/22/2022 Barrow, Pearl F. Age 36, US Army Rank: Private Conflict: WWII Hometown: Wichita, Kansas Killed in action 11/20/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 03/24/2022 Benson Jr., Edward H. Age 22, US Army Air Corps Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia Killed in action 03/22/1945 Sorido Air Strip, Biak Island Accounted for 03/10/2022 Blaylock, Clarence A. Age 20, US Navy Rank: Fireman 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 06/08/2022 Bock, John G. Jr. Age 18, US Navy Rank: Seaman 2nd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 08/17/2022 Boemer, Paul L. Age 21, US Navy Rank: Coxswain Conflict: WWII Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 03/21/2022 Born, Donald M. Age 19, US Army Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Steubenville, Ohio Missing in action 07/30/1950 Chinju, South Korea Accounted for 08/02/2022 Bowen, Sanford Keith Age 26, US Army Rank: Private 1st class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Ashland, Ohio Killed in action 01/20/1945 Reipertswiller, France Accounted for 06/13/2022 Boyd, Herald R. Age 25, US Army Air Corps Rank: Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Granger, Texas Killed in action 02/03/1945 B-17G shot down over Berlin, Germany Accounted for 08/18/2022 Breedlove, Jack A. Age 19, US Navy Rank: Fire Controlman 3rd Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 05/03/2022 Bridger, Kenneth L. Age 17, US Army Rank: Private 1st Class Conflict: Korea Hometown: Colville, Washington Missing in action 11/30/1950 Chosin Reservoir, North Korea Accounted for 02/17/2022 Brooks, William Age 19, US Navy Rank: Seaman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Cumberland Gap, Tennessee Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 05/31/2022 Brown, Jack S. Age 22, US Marine Corps Reserve Rank: Corporal Conflict: WWII Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia Killed in action 07/08/1944 Island of Saipan, Mariana Islands Accounted for 07/14/2022 Brown, Lawrence L. Age 21, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Died while a POW 03/31/1951 POW Camp #5, Pyoktong, North Korea Accounted for 5/10/2022 Burger, Oliver K. Age 26, US Navy Rank: Water Tender 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: San Pedro, California Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Accounted for 03/09/2022 Canup, Grady H. Age 30, US Army Rank: Staff Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Greenwood, North Carolina Killed in ation 11/14/1944 Hurtgen Forest, Germany Accounted for 03/11/2022 Carney, Roy Age 20, US Army Air Corps Rank: Staff Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: Electra, Texas Killed in action 08/01/1943 B-24 Liberator shot down over Ploiesti, Romania Operation Tidal Wave Accounted for 09/22/2022 Carroll, John M. Age 32, US Army Air Corps Rank: Technical Sergeant Conflict: WWII Hometown: New York, New York Killed in action 08/01/1943 B-24 Shot Down Ploiesti, Romania Operation Tidal Wave Accounted for 11/30/2022 Casinger, Edward E. Age 21, US Navy Rank: Fireman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Senath, Missouri Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 08/17/2022 Casola, Biacio Age 26, US Navy Rank: Seaman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Bronx, New York Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Press Release issued by DPAA 01/12/2022 Charvet, Paul C. Age 26, US Navy Reserve Rank: Commander Conflict: Vietnam Hometown: Grandview, Washington Missing in action 03/21/1967 Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam A-1H Skyraider shot down Declared 'Presumed KIA' December 2,1977 Press Release issued by DPAA 01/13/2022 Cherry, R.B. Age 19, US Army Rank: Corporal Conflict: Korea Hometown: Dallas, Texas Died as POW, Winter 1950 Camp 5, North Korea Returned by North Korea as Unknown 01/16/1954 Press Release issued by DPAA 01/07/2022 Clement, Hubert P. Age 30, US Navy Rank: Fire Controlman 1st Class Conflict: WWII Hometown: Inman, South Carolina Killed in action 12/07/1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Oklahoma Accounted for 08/04/2022

Welcome to the POW/MIA Recovery Page To view our POW/MIA recoveries by year please click on the year and the gallery will open. Our search bar will allow you to search by name, conflict, year and rank. These memorials are posted after family notifications and interment preparation has begun, the families of our Heroes always come first. All of our memorials are free to download and share. 112 Recoveries 209 Recoveries 194 Recoveries 74 Recoveries 145 Recoveries 122 Recoveries 46 Recoveries (Updated 05/07/2023) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Stories of Service ​ Keeping the Memories of those who Serve Alive!! Frank Williams & Judy Frank Williams and Judy survived Japanese POW camps together and were beloved by their fellow prisoners of war. Lt. Luella Lorenz Cochran Lt. Cochran's story of becoming a US Army Nurse, serving in Europe during World War II. Wonderfully told through letters Luella wrote home. Margaret Ray Ringenberg US Army WASP, WWII Nancy Harkness Love Founder of the WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferry Pilots). Robert Wright & Kenneth Moore The combat medic Heroes of Angoville-au-Plain, France. 6 June 1944 Rosalind P. Walter The First "Rosie the Riveter"

Welcome to our "Found" page! Items on this page have been researched and we have located the individual or next of kin. These heirlooms have now gone home to their families. ​ To view an item and its search history click on the photo to open in a full view. Grisham, Paul O. US Navy Wallet located McMurdo Station, Antarctica 2013 Lost in 1968 Search Started 01/20/2021 Mr. Grisham located 01/26/2021 Returned to Mr. Grisham 1/30/2021 Howard, Paul Dennis US Navy Wallet found at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, 2013 Lost in 1968 Search Started 1/20/2021 Next of Kin Located 01/28/2021 Returned to Daughter 02/01/2021 Mr. Howard passed 2016 Schofield, Albert R. US Navy ID Bracelet from Charlestown Naval Yard Purchased in thrift shop in New Hampshire, December 2017 Search Started 01/19/2018 Family Located 09/23/2019 Item returned to Granddaughter 09/29/2019 Spiritof45_indiana@yahoo.com

Items located on our "Lost Item" page are currently being researched in an attempt to locate the owner, or owners next of kin. Any information that can be passed on to us for an item is greatly appreciated and will be used to send these heirlooms home. If you have information please email us using the link below. These photos and information are free to be downloaded and shared to assist in searching for their homes. To view an item and its search history click on the photo to open in a full view. Spiritof45_indiana@yahoo.com Cornwell, Lee Gideon Bible presented from father to Lee Cornwell, US Army, Vietnam Era Found in a dresser drawer in a rental house on North Apopka, Inverness, Florida in 1983 or 1985. The gentleman didn't want to throw away a Bible and it was kept until his passing then passed to his son in Vermont. The Bible is in the possession of Indiana Spirit of '45 until the family is located. Bible travel history: Given to Lee Cornwell by father Vietnam Inverness, Florida New Brunswick, Canada Weybridge, Vermont Martinsville, Indiana It is time for it to trave home to family. Search started 03/20/2021

ABOUT Indiana Spirit of '45 A 501c3 non-profit organization Fed. EIN 47-3227931 INDIANA SPIRIT OF '45 , previously known as Keep the Spirit of '45 ALIVE - Martinsville, is a non-profit, all volunteer organization formed by members of our community and Veterans organizations . Our goal is to Honor our Greatest Generation as well as ALL who have served our nation since, carrying on the same "SPIRIT" that was shown by our WWII generation. Our organization depends solely on the support of donations from those who support our programs, events, missions by our buglers to honor our heroes and countless future events. Indiana Spirit of '45 is also the primary sponsor of "Battle Buddy Support Group" as we strive to help those with PTSD overcome their issues without stress or pressure. Our weekly tradition of "Taps on the Square" continues, we have honored our Fallen, Veterans who have passed, Police/Fire killed on duty and recovered POW/MIA's with live Taps every Friday evening, for over nine years, regardless of weather conditions since December 2012. Please consider donating to help our organization continue serving those who have served us. A 501c3 non-profit organization Fed. EIN 47-3227931

CONTACT Information Phone: 765.315.863 4 Mailing Address: 540 E. Highland St. Martinsville, IN 46151 Email: info@indianaspiritof45.org Our events are funded strictly through donations and volunteers. Helps us by making a tax deductible donation to our events by mailing a check, payable to "Indiana Spirit of '45", to : Indiana Spirit of '45 540 E. Highland St. Martinsville, IN 46151 or Click on "DONATE " A 501c3 non-profit organization Fed. EIN 47-3227931 Questions, comments or suggestions? Please fill out our form below and we will contact you as soon as possible. . Name Email Subject Message Thank You for contacting Indiana Spirit of '45 Send

Nancy Harkness Love (February 14, 1914 – October 22, 1976) Founder of the WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferry Pilots). Nancy Harkness was born in Houghton, Michigan to a wealthy physician. She earned her pilot's license at the age of 16 only a month after flying for the first time. She attended Milton Academy in Massachusetts and Vassar College in New York, at the latter, she earned money by taking students on rides in a rented aircraft. In 1936, she married Robert Love, a major in the US Army Air Corps Reserve and took on his name; they later had three daughters. The Loves established their own company Inter City Aviation in Boston, Massachusetts, which became very profitable. In 1937 and 1938, she flew as a test pilot for various companies, testing out new innovations such as the three-wheeled landing gear. She also helped marking water towers with town names to serve as navigational aids. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In May 1940, after the European War had already begun, Love wrote to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Olds, who was in charge of establishing a ferrying command within the US Army Air Corps, in an attempt to start an organization of female ferrying pilots. She presented a list of 49 women each with more than 1,000 flying hours, but despite the qualifications, Olds' superior, General Hap Arnold, turned down the idea. In 1942, her husband became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ferry Command and she joined the civilian Air Transport Command. Her office was located in Baltimore, Maryland and she flew her own aircraft on her daily commute from Washington DC to Baltimore. Colonel William Turner of the Air Transport Command Ferrying Division soon noticed Love's skills as a pilot, and she used the opportunity to present the idea of a women ferrying organization once again. Several months later, the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, WAFS, was born with 29 initial members, and Love was placed in command of the new squadron. In Sep 1942, they began to fly out of the New Castle Army Air Field in Wilmington, Delaware, United States under Air Transport Command's 2nd Ferrying Group. By Jun 1943, she was commanding four squadrons of WAFS pilots in the US states of Texas, Delaware, Michigan, and California. On 5 Aug 1943, her squadrons merged with pilots from the Women's Flying Training Detachment based in Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas, forming the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP. She was named the head of WASP, and under her command the female pilots flew almost every aircraft used by the Americans during the war during ferrying missions. Personally, she was the first woman to be certified to fly the P-51 Mustang fighters, C-54 Skymaster transports, and B-25 Mitchell bombers, while also being certified to fly many other models. WASP was disbanded in 1944, but Love continued to work with the Air Transport Command. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Love and her husband were decorated at the same time: he received the Distinguished Service Medal while she received the Air Medal. Her citation noted her operational leadership in the successful training and assignment of over 300 qualified women fliers in the flying of advanced military aircraft". In 1948, she was given the rank of lieutenant colonel in the newly formed United States Air Force Reserves. She passed away in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. She was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio in 2005. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Margaret Ray Hilgenberg June 17, 1921 ~ July 28, 2008 US Army WASP WWII Margaret Ray was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She first became interested in aviation at the age of eight after watching a barnstormer aircraft landing near her family farm. As a child, her neighbors would at times take her into the air in cropdusters. After learning more about flight, she initially wanted to be a flight attendant rather than a pilot, as she told journalist Tom Brokaw (who featured her in the book The Greatest Generation) in an interview later in her life. ​ "I started out flying because I wanted to be a stewardess... and I thought 'what if the pilot gets sick or needs help? I don't know the first thing about airplanes' and that's where I found my challenge. I never intended to solo or be a pilot. I found it was wonderful". ​ After taking lessons, Ray had her first solo flight in early 1941 at the age of 19. In 1943, she became a pilot with the United States Army's Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, ferrying aircraft from factories to military bases in the continental United States. In 1945, after the WASP program was disbanded, she briefly worked a commercial aircraft pilot then became a civilian flight instructor; she would hold the latter profession on and off until retirement. When the Pacific War ended, she was hired by a local radio station on a leaflet-dropping mission over Fort Wayne, with the notes titled "Japan Surrenders!", flying as low as only about 100 feet in altitude. In 1946, she married Morris Ringenberg and took his last name; they would later have two children. ​ In the 1950s, Ringenberg became racing aircraft, becoming regular participants to races such as the Powder Puff Derby, the Air Race Classic, the Grand Prix, the Denver Mile High, among others. In 1979, she ferried US Senate candidate Dan Quayle around Indiana on his campaign. In 1988, she won the Air Race Classic. In 1994, she completed the Round-the-World Air Race at the age of 72, with two co-pilots. In 1998, she published her autobiography Girls Can't Be Pilots. In 1999, she was awarded the NAA Elder Statements in Aviation Award in Washington, DC, United States. In Mar 2001, she flew in a race from London, England, United Kingdom to Sydney, Australia at the age of 79. In 2003, her husband passed away. In 2007, her daughter Marsha Wright published the book Maggie Ray: World War II Air Force Pilot about her. In 2008, she completed the 2,312-mile Air Race Classic race at the age of 87. About a month after completing the Air Race Classic, she passed away in her sleep in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States while attending the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual air show. At the time of her death, she had logged over 40,000 hours in the air. Sources: Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation " Smithsonian Institution (Photo) ​

Lt. Luella Lorenz Cochran US Army Nurse Corps WWII ​ ​ ​ ​ Luella shared her story with her great niece, Katherine Bertsch Compagno, who wrote "Aunt Lou's" story . We are pleased to publish her story, for the first time, publicly with no editing of the original story by her great niece. NURSE LUELLA LORENZ COCHRAN, US ARMY, WW2 Written by her great niece, Katherine Bertsch Compagno ​ Introduction ​ Peaceful daily routines were shattered on 7 December 1941; Luella’s memoirs tell the story of America’s entry into World War II, “Yes, we had read the papers re: ‘trouble abroad’ and of U.S. ships being at our base at Manilla, but we had not actually realized the acuteness of the situation and sensitivity of our location. All the stories were of remote places, we were secure, nil could happen! But it did. The voice of Franklin Delano Roosevelt came over the radio, loud, clear and angry, “This day of December 7, 1941, will live in Infamy!” The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Wake Island, Guam and Midway Island. The American people had suddenly been shaken from their lethargy and aura of security. ​ “Selling Bonds was our first initial thought. By 14 December, the employees of Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn Hospital and peoples of the neighborhood had secured a local hall, set up booths, and sold bonds. The Blood Bank setup was sponsored by Brooklyn Cancer Institute; they tested blood types. The Flower Booth gave a pot of flowers to encourage everyone to have their blood typed. Everyone was active and busy. Forty years later Bob Hope was heard to say on TV, ‘Selling bonds was hard work in 1941.’” ​ The United States had finally joined the global effort against the three Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan); the war would be fought not only in the Pacific Ocean against Japan, but in Europe and North Africa against Nazi Germany. The conflict had begun in 1939; previous diplomacy had surrendered the Sudetenland and Austria to German control. Nazi troops occupied the Rhineland. In March 1939, Hitler’s troops completed the occupation of all of Czechoslovakia; at last Great Britain and France moved to react with military force. But America perceived it as a European problem; they chose to help with supplies in the Lend-Lease program beginning in March 1941 (described by Winston Churchill as “the most unselfish and unsordid financial act of any country in all history”), but did not declare war nor commit their troops to action. ​ Hitler and Germany were well prepared; while the Allies armed and prepared for action, Germany swallowed Poland and the Danzig corridor, then Finland and Norway. The German army massed on their western border at the “West Wall”, called the Siegfried Line; it reached from the Swiss border near Basle through Aachen and north to the Netherlands. On 10 May 1940 the Battle of the Low Countries began; Germany eventually marched through Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium to invade France. The Allied troops withdrew to Dunkirk; after Boulogne fell on 25 May and Calais on 27 May, they were evacuated to Britain, and France was left in the hands of Germany. The Battle of Britain began, an aerial assault meant to weaken Britain for German invasion. By October 1940, the threat of invasion had passed for Britain; Germany turned eastward and attacked Greece, Yugosloavia and the Soviet Union in 1941. ​ Luella and her husband Frank continued their civilian efforts in 1942, the year that saw German domination in Europe with major fighting in North Africa and Russia. Luella became a “Member of United States Citizens Defense Corps, of the Office of Civilian Defense and entitled to wear and use the insignia of the Emergency Medical, Kings County. Unit Enrollment No. SS-75.” She also worked for “Selective Service, New York City Headquarters; This identifies Luella Cochran as a Volunteer Social Medical Worker, engaged in a voluntary Rehabilitation Program in association with the Selective Service System of NYC. Medical Division.” ​ In July 1943, the month that saw the invasion of Sicily by Allied forces, “Frank and I sat down and decided to join up. He went into Merchant Marines, at Banana River [Naval Air Station in Florida; after the war it became the Air Force Missile Test Center and then Eastern Space and Missile Center, part of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station] and Norfolk, Virginia, and I went to #1 Whitehall Street, NYC. One would be prone to exclaim or question why I had waited for two years! However, only the younger nurses were asked for by the government [at first]. We older nurses kept busy at our daily work schedules from 9 to 5 and gave the evenings to preparation.” And so begins Luella’s memoirs of her military service, dedicated: “To my parents Frank and Rosa Lorenz, to my husband Frank Cochran, who was the inspiration in our combined civilian and war efforts, to all the men and women who served our country in past wars, and to my brother Joseph Lorenz, who was killed in France in World War I.” SO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE ARMY NURSE CORPS!! ​ “Activity was everywhere; we had always had the National Guards, the Navy peacetime fleets, and trainees in the Marines, etc. Draft boards were put at strategic points. I served on a Selective Service Board in Brooklyn, and gave First Aid Courses after brief training by the Red Cross; also learned the Morse Code, and studied to learn the names and silhouettes of different planes. Many nights I ‘plane spotted’. Frank and I served as Block Captains ascertaining the population make-up of our neighborhood; we served at bond rallies and made booths for the sale of flowers; we made a ‘Blood Pressure Etc.’ booth and sold bonds at a building granted to Kings County Hospital for this. ​ “Later I volunteered at the 14th Tactical Regiment, Brooklyn, to serve as an usher, etc., as that armory put on maneuvers, preparatory to their going to camp for training brush-up before entering some active male unit. I served in N.A.S.W. [National Association of Social Workers] as a civilian. We were given Army ranks; I finally made Major. Then, too, we ourselves set up a female unit similar to the civilian unit of WAAC [Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps; this soon became the Women’s Army Corps, WAC], learning military conduct and maneuvers (in drill classes), which encouraged many girls to sign up with the male units such as Marines, Coast Guard, etc.” On 3 December 1943 (two days after Teheran Conference at Teheran, Iran, where Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to make the liberation of France their top priority), Luella applied for enlistment in the Army Nurse Corps. “Then filled out consents for physical (medical and surgical) from Bellevue. All we 7 nurses did was to jump and then they tested our heart; also step in water re: pes planes [flat feet]. Heart, lungs, chest and feet approved.” On 13 December she was accepted and sworn in to service at Whitehall Street. “Then my order came to report to Atlantic City for Nurse Basic Training on 1 May 1944. This covered orientation, military courtesy, physical defense, gasses, individual defense against chemical warfare, first aid and oxygen therapy. It was only after we had passed all these and many more that we were graduated and considered as fully inducted into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. I feel that our induction was on 13 December 1943 when we received our first physical exam at Whitehall Street, NYC, and pledged our allegiance with raised hands. However, I realize that only the fittest were accepted; the training was a ‘weeding-out’ process for our protection and that of our country and men who would eventually come under our care. Thus whether we would have the stamina and health for the hardships ahead.” ​ In January 1944, Allied forces began landing at Anzio, Italy, while Russia announced the end of the German siege of Leningrad. British and U.S. Air Force bombers attacked Berlin. On 25 March 1944, “Mrs. Luella B. L. Cochran” was appointed Reserve Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps and pronounced “Physically Qualified by The Surgeon.” On 8 April, as Allied troops continued their advance through Italy, Luella was ordered to report on 31 May 1944 to England General Hospital, Atlantic City, New Jersey, for Basic Training, with Assigned Duty to the General Nursing Service. Her memoirs continue the story, ​ “So Frank helped me put furniture in storage . . Frank then left for the Merchant Marines at Banana River [in east central Florida near Cape Canaveral]. I gave Mom’s and Jo’s address in Dayton as my permanent one. Secured attorney to handle affairs while away; this he did FREE as service to war effort. On 31 May 1944, I departed for Active Duty and training in the Army Nurse Corps.” “What to Take With You: Go prepared as you would for general duty in a civilian hospital. Take your white hospital uniforms and civilian clothes. Take a complete uniform in your traveling bag, so you may go on duty if baggage is delayed. After you are on duty, you will receive the regulation uniform equipment. Insignia can be purchased at the station.” ​ May 31 was the date of the Allied breakthrough in Italy; plans were well underway for the Allied invasion and landing at Normandy in June. Luella took the Oath of Office and gave the pledge of the Army Nurse: ​ “I accept the responsibilities of an officer in the Army Nurse Corps. I shall give faithful care to the men who fight for the freedom of this Country and to the women who stand behind them. I shall bring to the American soldier the best of my knowledge and professional skill. I shall approach him cheerfully at all times under any conditions I may find. I shall endeavor to maintain the highest nursing standards possible in the performance of my duties. I shall appear fearless in the presence of danger and quiet the fears of others to the best of my ability. My only criticism shall be constructive. The reputation and good name of the Army Nurse Corps and of the nursing profession shall be uppermost in my thoughts, second only to the care of my patients. I shall endeavor to be a credit to my Country and to the uniform I wear.” ​ Atlantic City in the 1940’s was a small seaside town, without the casinos which dominate today. Atlantic City Memory Lane web site describes “the Boardwalk, Steel Pier and Steeplechase Pier; Mr. Peanut walking around, the Sodamat and Salt Water Taffy; Ice Capades, Miss America Pageant, open air fish and fruit markets. The only forms of gambling in those days was pitching pennies or baseball cards; games were pinball and Pokerino. The traffic lights were mounted sideways and there was no yellow. Walking along the beach during WW II, they found an occasional life raft, various fuel containers, and other debris which mostly had German writing on them. A big hurricane in 1944 tore up the boardwalk and both piers.” ​ During the war, American soldiers ‘took over the town’; they billeted at resorts and drilled in town. The Haddon Hall, Chalfonte and Traymore Hotels were converted to the Thomas England General Hospital. Nurses from England General Hospital marched in Atlantic City Boardwalk parades with Army bands; they even made their own float. After the war, England General Hospital continued caring for injured American soldiers, especially amputees, before it finally closed. The building is now the Resorts Hotel and Casino. The Army Nurse Corps in World War II web site explains the training, ​ “The Army Nurse Corps had fewer than 1,000 nurses on its rolls on 7 December 1941. . . Six months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, there were 12,000 Army nurses on duty. Few of them had previous military experience, and the majority reported for duty ignorant of Army methods and protocol. In July 1943, Lt. General Somervell, Commanding General, Army Service Forces, authorized a formal four-week training course for all newly commissioned Army nurses. This program stressed Army organization; military customs and courtesies; field sanitation; defense against air, chemical and mechanized attack; personnel administration; military requisitions and correspondence, and property responsibility. From July 1943 through Sept. 1945 approximately 27,330 newly inducted nurses graduated from fifteen Army training centers.” ​ On June 1, Luella sent a postcard home picturing Haddon Hall, Atlantic City, “This is where part of the Hospital is & where we eat. 2nd day here -- getting oriented. Will write all about it in my letter in the next few days. Love to all, Lou; 2nd Lt Luella L Cochran, A.N.C.; #n758226 ; Class No 7; England Gen Hospital, Atlantic City NJ” Lt. Luella Cochran's first assignment ​ A Masters’ Degree thesis by Marston Mischlich describes Lt. Cochran's first hospital assignment. ​ “Atlantic City was virtually transformed into a basic training and medical care center in 1943. Headquartered at Convention Hall, the largest building in the city, the Army referred to the take over of more than forty resort hotels simply as Army Air Forces Basic Training Center No. 7. Haddon Hall Hotel, a seventeen-story beachfront hotel, was turned into a station hospital servicing tens of thousands of Army Air Forces recruits. It had approximately a two thousand-patient capacity. With the number of casualties from all fronts mounting at a steady rate, the need for additional hospital space became increasingly evident. As a result of this need, the Army Air Forces set aside several of the largest hotels in Atlantic City for the creation of a general hospital. “Each hotel had its own particular purpose. For example, Colton Manor was occupied by the nurses of the new hospital; the Traymore was converted to a convalescent facility by December. All convalescent patients were moved to the Traymore, and all psychiatric patients were placed in the Chalfonte Hotel, an eight-story hotel adjoining Haddon-Hall, which consisted of eight hundred beds. The new General Hospital took on the gigantic task of handling severely wounded patients from overseas battlefields including: North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Falaise, Gab, Mons, and Aachen. In March 1944, 254 casualties were the first to come directly from the battlefield in Italy to Thomas England General Hospital, followed in July by casualties from the Normandy invasion. ​ “On October 7, 1943, the hospital received word that it had a name, "Thomas M. England General Hospital, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Marcus England, Medical Administrative Corps, United States Army." Lieutenant Colonel England was a hero of the yellow fever experiments in Cuba, in 1900. He volunteered under Major Walter Reed to stay in a bed previously used by a yellow fever victim, for twenty days, in order to prove that mosquitoes, and not contact with an infected person or object, was the fever’s method of transmission.” June 6 was ‘D-Day’; 150,000 Allied troops stormed ashore on the beaches of Normandy as part of the largest invasion in history. This began a long struggle for the liberation of France and opened a second major European front. On 27 June 1944, as American forces were fighting for control of the French port of Cherbourg, Luella was transferred to Rhoads General Hospital in Utica, New York, east of Syracuse. She received her Officer’s ID card: ​ WAR DEPARTMENT ID; Luella B.L. Cochran; 2nd Lt., ANC; Blue eyes, blond hair; “The bearer of this card is engaged exclusively in the removal, transportation and treatment of the wounded and sick. . . & is entitled to respect and protection from the enemies of the United States, as required by Article 9 of the Geneva Convention of July 27, 1929, for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick of armies in the field, and by other agreements and the established practice of nations. [Red Cross symbol printed on back in color]” She was issued uniforms; woolen skirts and trousers in olive drab, and dresses made of cotton seersucker; each came with a nurse’s cape. By July, Frank had entered active service with the Merchant Marines. Fighting continued in France with an assault at Caen and slow progress through Normandy. Paris was liberated after four long years of Nazi occupation on 25 August. On 29 August, 15,000 American troops marched down the Champs Elysees. . . Liberty ships were the EC-2 type designed for ‘Emergency’ construction by the United States Maritime Commission during World War II; President Roosevelt nicknamed them ‘ugly ducklings’. The Liberty Ship web site, which contains a master list of names, describes these vessels, ​ “The Liberty ship was 441 feet long and 56 feet wide, built to a standardized mass-produced design; it cost less than $2,000,000. The 250,000 parts were prefabricated throughout the country in 250-ton sections and welded together in about 70 days [this was the job of ‘Rosie the Riveter’]. The three-cylinder reciprocating steam engine was fed by two oil-burning boilers, producing a speed of 11 knots. The five holds could carry over 9,000 tons of cargo, plus airplanes, locomotives and tanks lashed to its deck. A Liberty ship could carry 2,840 jeeps, 230 million rounds of ammunition, or 440 tanks. They carried a crew of about 44, with 12 to 25 Naval Armed Guard.” September 1944 saw the Allies liberate Luxembourg and Antwerp, Belgium; the U.S. First Army pushed five miles into west central Germany near Trier, which was the first American engagement of the war on German soil. In October 1944, U.S. troops cracked the Siegfried Line north of Aachen, Germany, Athens was liberated in Greece, and General MacArthur stepped ashore at Leyte in the Philippine Islands. Luella was transferred to Camp Maxey or Maxie, an infantry training camp ten miles north of Paris, Texas (northeast of Dallas near the Oklahoma border). Luella traveled by train from New York to Texas. . . ​ Active from July 1942 to October 1945 with a troop capacity of 44,931, Camp Maxie had varied terrain with an artillery range, obstacle course, infiltration course and a ‘German Village’ for training maneuvers. Army service forces were also there; Luella joined personnel from various states who were assembled to form the 125th Evacuation Hospital with Colonel R. Ball as Commanding Officer. The hierarchy of medical service provided to troops in the European Theatre was detailed in a booklet found amongst Luella’s memoirs, That Men Might Live, The Story of the Medical Service, ETO,“Medical Service’s basic 10-link chain of evacuation [is as follows]: 1/ company aid men (more than 2,000 combat Medics died from D-Day, the landing at Normandy, to V-E Day, when Victory in Europe was achieved); 2/ litter bearers; 3/ battalion aid stations; 4/ division collecting and clearing stations; 5/ field hospitals; 6/ evacuation hospitals; 7/ hospital trains, planes and ships; 8/ general hospitals; 9/ convalescent hospitals; 10/ general hospitals in the U.S. . . ​ “Forward ambulance drivers transported patients either to field or evacuation hospitals. Field hospitals, compact mobile units working under tents, primarily were concerned with severely wounded, non-transportable cases. These units worked as far forward as a division clearing company to bring surgery closer to the battlefield. . .“Evacuation hospitals were located a few miles back of the division clearing stations. These hospitals had 400 to 750-bed capacities and retained patients longer than did field hospitals. Semi-mobile, they kept up with the advance, moving into an area, erecting tents, and receiving first casualties, all within a few hours. During big drives when casualties were high, 10 to 12 operating tables were in use 24 hours a day. More than 10,000 operations were performed by the 2nd Evac’n Hospital alone during 8 months on the Continent. Men with minor wounds often returned to duty from the Evacuation Hospitals, but others requiring additional treatment and long convalescence were sent to Com Z General Hospitals by train and plane.” ​ The different categories will help us to understand Luella’s nursing duties overseas. Notice the mobility of the various hospitals, as they followed the changing lines of battle. The hospital designation did not apply to one geographical location, but to a unit which moved from place to place as needed. Such mobility required tents, and constant packing and unpacking. ​ The Army Nurse Corps in World War II web site further explains, “More than 59,000 American nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. Nurses worked closer to the front lines than they ever had before. Within the ‘chain of evacuation’ established by the Army Medical Department during the war, nurses served under fire in field hospitals and evacuation hospitals, on hospital trains and hospital ships, and as flight nurses on medical transport planes. The skill and dedication of these nurses contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among American military forces in every theater of the war. Overall, fewer than four percent of the American soldiers who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease. ​ “The need for nurses clarified the status of the nursing profession. In June 1944 [the Army] granted its nurses officers’ commissions and full retirement privileges, dependents’ allowances, and equal pay. . . Nurses specializing in the care of psychiatric patients were in great demand. One out of every twelve patients in Army hospitals was admitted for psychiatric care, and the Army discharged approximately 400,000 soldiers for psychiatric reasons.” Despite Luella’s psychiatric experience, her memoirs recall, “I was told in Texas in [October] 1944 to buy a book to study anesthesia, which I did.” ​ “Nurse anesthetists were in short supply in every theater of operations, so the Army developed a special training program for nurses in that specialty. More than 2,000 nurses trained in a six-month course designed to teach them how to administer inhalation anesthesia, blood and blood derivatives, and oxygen therapy as well as how to recognize, prevent and treat shock.” ​ However, Luella did not have six months at Camp Maxey to complete such a training program; this might explain why she never received the official rating of Anesthesia Specialist, although those were the duties she performed during much of her service overseas. She served with the 125th Evacuation Hospital as Nurse, General Duty (3449). Luella’s letter dated 23 October 1945 explains further, “By spec number I mean that according to what you do, you have a number. For instance, mine might be 3449, which means I am a general duty nurse; the anesthetist’s number may be 5436. Anyone looking at them would know immediately what our abilities are. I preferred to keep my old spec number instead of taking that of an anesthetist.” ON THE MOVE, WITH ORDERS ​ Luella’s Military Service Records Book shows that on 17 November 1944, as the U.S. Ninth Division and First Army attacked at Geilenkirchen (located between Aachen and Mönchen Gladbach about twenty miles from the Rhine River), she was “Issued: 2 blankets, wool OD; 1 helmet, steel complete; 1 roll, bedding complete; 1 bag, duffel; 1 can, meat; 1 knife; 1 fork; 1 spoon; 1 canteen; 1 cup & 1 cover, canteen; 1 pr. anklets, wool; 1 bag, canvas, field; 1 belt, pistol; 1 pouch, first aid, packet; 1 pr trousers HBT; 1 suspenders, belt; 1 strap, carrying; 2 shirts, HBT; 2 pr. panties, women’s wool; 2 pr. trousers, outer cover; 1 pr. trousers, wool liner; 2 pr. leggings, canvas; 2 shirts, wool OD; 4 pr. stockings wool, knee length; 1 pr. overshoes, arctic; 1 pr. mittens and shell, trigger finger wool; 2 pr. anklets, wool.” ​ From 28 to 30 November, Luella and the 125th traveled from Camp Maxey, Texas to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. “En route north our train stopped at noon at St. Louis, Missouri, for a five-hour layover. Ruth and I dined with Mom Lorenz and sister Jo at home of nephew Hugh Bertsch and family. We returned to train by 5 pm.” Camp Kilmer was activated in June 1942 as the first and largest staging area to be built solely for that purpose in the United States. By the end of the war, it had processed more than two and a half million troops. The camp was named for Sergeant Joyce Kilmer, the poet soldier who was a member of the 42nd Rainbow Division during World War II; he was killed by a sniper during the Ourcq River campaign in 1918 (his story is told more fully with that of our Joseph Lorenz, a member of the Rainbows who was also wounded at the Ourcq River). Camp Kilmer was an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation, Army Service Forces’ Transportation Corps, located at Stelton, New Jersey, two miles east of New Brunswick and 32 miles from New York City. ​ On 30 November, Luella was issued a lightweight service gas mask; in early December the U.S. 95th Infantry Division occupied the Bridge at Saar, Allied troops took Ravenna in Italy, and German troops seized all the silver coin in Utrecht. Luella received booster immunization shots and more clothing on 4 December, including “1 cap, wool knit; 1 jacket, field women’s; 1 pr. shoes, field, women’s”. Her memoirs include a clipping from Stars and Stripes, Daily Newspaper in the European Theater of Operations; the photo shows a very large ship with a net draped down its very tall bow section, captioned, “Nurses scheduled for overseas duty learn how to scramble down landing nets into a lifeboat as part of processing at Camp Kilmer”. Several nurses are seen hanging from the nets. ​ By midnight of 8 December, Luella and other members of the 125th Evacuation Hospital were aboard the British ship Monarch in New York Harbor. The ship was built in 1931 by Vickers-Armstrong Shipbuilders at Walker on Tyne, England. The Monarch had three funnels, two masts, a cruiser stern, steam turboelectric engines, quadruple screw, speed of 19 knots, and accommodation for 799 passengers in 1st class, 31 in 2nd class, and a crew of 456. Until 1939, she was on the New York-Bermuda run; from November 1939 to 1946, Monarch served as a British troopship (she also carried American troops after 1942). Luella was lucky in her cabin assignment, “for our home from 9 to 22 December, sixteen of us drew the Royal [Dominion] Suite; others enjoyed two to a cabin.” ​ Monarch slipped out of New York Harbor by 2 am on 9 December 1944; the United States had been at war around the world for three long years. Luella was headed overseas for what would eventually be sixteen months of service. And now the letters begin; Luella wrote home often, and asked the family to save her letters; she planned even then to make a scrapbook and write her memoirs. Unfortunately, military censorship regulations severely limited topics and places that she could discuss, as detailed in War Department Pamphlet No. 21-1, 29 July 1943; WHEN YOU ARE OVERSEAS; ​ “THINK ! Where does the enemy get his information? Information that can put you, and has put your comrades, adrift on an open sea; information that has lost battles and can lose more, unless you personally, vigilantly, perform your duty in SAFEGUARDING MILITARY INFORMATION. Censorship Rules are Simple and Sensible. . . concise statements drawn from actual experience outlining types of material which have proved to be disastrous when available to the enemy. ​ “TEN PROHIBITED SUBJECTS; Don’t write about 1/military information of Army units; 2/military installations; 3/transportation facilities; 4/routes, convoys, ports, incidents; 5/movements of ships, troops or aircraft; 6/plans, forecasts or orders; 7/effects of enemy operations; 8/any casualty; 9/Don’t formulate or use a code system, cipher or shorthand to conceal the true meaning; violations will result in severe punishment; 10/your location. . . Luella often wrote about her living conditions, but seldom mentioned her actual work as a nurse. A major concern during her early letters was whether her mom Rosa was receiving the monthly allotment checks which Luella had authorized. The first letter we have is a V-mail dated 9 December, on board ship, ​ “V-mail; This is an expeditious mail program which provides quick mail service to and from soldiers overseas. A special form is used which permits the letter to be photographed on microfilm, the small film transported, and then reproduced and delivered. Use of V-mail is urged because it greatly furthers the war effort by saving shipping and airplane space.” “Dearest Mom and All; Thoughtt I would drop you a few lines to let you know I am feeling swell, as yet, and not a bit sea sick. We have been told that we might tell you that we are aboard ship. We are having quite a time eating English meals but guess it is only the beginning of many types of meals we will all be eating. This morning we had kidney on toast for breakfast. Tonight we had roast beef, macaroni, potato and broccoli and lemon meringue pie and coffee. The coffee was English style with milk in it. Before I forget it, I sent you $20 Mom by registered mail on Pearl Harbor Day. . . let me know if you also received a check. . . I have a lower berth but luckily no one is over me; in case they get sea sick, I won’t get ‘the works’. Just wrote Frank. Do keep well. Went to Communion last Sunday, yesterday and will go tomorrow. So don’t worry. All is well. Have a very merry Xmas and Happy New Year. Much love to all of you. One of the girls just brought me your letter, will write again tomorrow. This letter is for all the family.” ​ She wrote on 14 December to her friends, “On way to England; “Dear Girls; Have a few minutes before mess (dinner at 6:30 to you). . . We have a rowly-powly English Steward and he rolls his eyes very gleefully and I do believe he’s enjoying waiting on us girls. We find plenty of things to amuse us. Lt. Ruth Fehrmann and I, being card sharks at pinochle, take the boys over. Today we had a good fight on our hands as they were determined to win it back, only $1.50. They won back 50¢ but had a hard time doing it. There is very little I can tell you. Each day is like the other. Am getting a great thrill out of my first sea voyage and spend as much time outside on deck as possible. Au Revoir, Lou” ​ Another V-mail dated 16 December said, “Dear Mom and All;. . . We are having a very uneventful trip which news should make you very happy. I exchanged some American money for English money last night but it all looks like a bunch of stuff I would ordinarily gather up for souvenirs. . . Ruth and I now have confined our card playing to the officer’s lounge. Last nite eight of us girls gave a song fest over the ship’s P.A. system. . . Tell everyone I said hello. . . Do write Frank and tell him all about things. . . Write often; much love to all; Please consider this letter for all; Lou” ​ [Note added in memoirs: “In the night when near England our ship was veered sharply to the starboard side and we were all dumped onto the deck. This sudden action of our ship’s commander saved us from the bottom of the deep blue sea. This I have related verbally many times but never, to my knowledge, wrote re: it to the family. Told them when I got back to the states in April ’46.”] Arrival in England (including the only letter found from Luella's husband Frank, serving in the Merchant Marines) ​ On 16 December 1944, German forces launched a surprise counterattack against the Allied Forces in Belgium who were headed to cross the Rhine River after all their advances since the D-Day landings at Normandy. Cassell Atlas of the Second World War explains the tactics of the Battle of the Bulge, ​ “Hitler had determined to attack the Allies before they reached Germany. His plan was to break through the Allied front in the Ardennes Forest, split the Americans from the British, and capture Antwerp, disrupting Allied supplies and destroying their armies. . . The offensive was imaginative and daring and came very close to success. [They lacked] air cover, but low clouds and a heavy snowfall [covered the advance] of eight Panzer divisions on 16 December. German success. . . Eisenhower was compelled to commit reserves. . . By 20 December Bastogne [Belgium] was encircled. . . German forces headed for the Meuse River. . . Allies had recovered from their surprise; St. Vith fell [to the Germans] on 22 December, but the delay [had stalled the Germans]. The 24th saw the high-water mark of the German offensive. With empty fuel tanks and stiffening opposition, the Ardennes offensive ground to a halt and the Allies proceeded to [slowly] squeeze out the bulge [which had reached almost as far as Dinant, Belgium, on the Meuse River].” ​ On 22 December 1944, the Monarch docked at Southampton, on the southern coast of England. It remains England’s principal port for transatlantic passenger service with extensive dock facilities. At last, Luella had arrived in the European Theater of Operations. She then went by train to her station at Camp Penally at Tenby, South Wales (a fishing center east of Pembroke and west of Swansea on Carmarthen Bay). Tenby’s web site boasts, “Tenby (Dinbych-y-Pysgod, the ‘Little Town of the Fishes’) is a medieval walled town and one of Wales favorite resorts. Four sheltered beaches and safe bathing waters attract families; its ancient harbor, surrounded by Regency houses in pastel colors, is a focus for artists. In the Middle Ages, Tenby had a prosperous sea trade with France, Spain, Ireland and England. The high point of the town is dominated by the ancient parish church.” ​ Luella’s memoirs were brutally honest, ​ “Horrible!! We were housed in broken down, deplorable Nissen Huts [designed by Lt.-Col. Peter Nissen, usually tunnel-shaped huts of corrugated iron with a cement floor]. Dirt floor, broken windows and showers, a wood-fed 18-inch-diameter 3-foot-high stove, no running water and 7 nurses to a hut. They had previously been condemned as unfit to house British troops! O yes! Preserve England! but the dilapidated Nissen Huts condemned for England’s men and U.S. Colored Troops were OK for American nurses !!” but her first letter home on 23 December 1943 showed a sense of humor, ​ “Somewhere in England; Dear Mom and All; Just a few lines to let you know that I arrived in Great Britain and am well and happy. Had a very pleasant and uneventful voyage. The ride through the country following was very beautiful. It was interesting to note how beautifully green the grass is still and the many gardens with vegetables still intact in the ground. The villages are quaint and picturesque; [few] have houses over 2 stories high and all are made of brick. Visited Southampton. This will probably reach you sometime after Xmas but I do hope you had a lovely one and have a grand time New Years. We are living in Nissen huts [drawing of half a cylinder turned horizontal with round roof and walls] and keep warm with a small stove which we stoke continually. We have the ‘softest’ beds, a plain wooden litter with a straw ticking on top. No sheets. We have had many laughs at having to make concessions in doing many things in the primitive manner. This morning I borrowed a hatchet and cut up a large limb for firewood; cut my thumb and wore the skin off the other [smiley face]) We are now going out to find us some greens for Xmas decoration. Do write often and soon. Much love to all; pass this letter on to the family. Hope you are feeling okay . . . ​ Photos in her albums show uniformed nurses wearing heavy coats and helmets; the buildings are quonset huts with one straight wooden side for the door and windows. An aerial photo shows several large buildings surrounded by farm fields, with a village in the distance. Other views are in town and at the shore. Subsequent letters (most sent by V-Mail) continue to tell the story, ​ “Dearest Mom and All; Well, here it is Xmas Day. We’ve had a very nice one considering. Last night we met in the enlisted men’s recreation hall with another unit and sang Xmas carols after which some of the male officers of our gang and some nurses went around to all the huts and serenaded them with carols. This morning we walked 3 miles to church. The ravages of war can be plainly seen in the neighborhood, also the scarcity of anything Christmasy did not allow them to be able to do any trimming and the church itself held only the crib and a few flowers were on the altar. The priest had such a thick Welsh accent that unless we listened very attentively we could not understand him. We have great sport firing our little stove. It is only about 18” in diameter and 2 feet high so that on top we have our flat iron. We also feed the coal at the top; the only thing is that we have no stove lid so we have a piece of tin covering it made from a tin can. Our Xmas tree has been made by gathering limbs of holly and tucking them in a musette bag hung on the wall. We are giving the enlisted men a party tonight so we spent yesterday going through our foot lockers gathering sufficient gifts, even if it’s ever so small, for each boy. Yesterday we nurses braved brambles, swamps and ditches to gather holly and mistletoe with which to trim their hall. . . I realize this is small writing and hope you can read it. We are all keeping snug and warm in our sleeping bags. There are several gadgets and grand things to have on camping trips. Haven’t used the fishing pole yet. The flat iron is a godsend. Am well and so far don’t even have a cold. Love to all, Lou” ​ “1944 Dec 29, [Tenby]; Dearest Frank, Mom and all; I wrote on Xmas Day and altho there really hasn’t been much happening, there really has been in the way of our living over here. Each day provides a new adventure in trying to get along. The first day we did have some hot water and were able to take a trickle shower bath but now we just fill our helmets with water and do our ablutions around our little tubular stove. Imagine seven girls all taking baths at one time and the comments and remarks that are made. We laugh until the sides of the hut seem to actually bulge. We are rationed and get but 5 pkgs of cigarettes a week and 2 bars of candy, 1 bottle of lighter fluid to last 4 weeks. We are also rationed in soaps, powder, cologne, etc. Today we went on an 8 mile hike in all to see a castle built in 1100. You should see us dressed. I have on my pink woolie shirt, a long sleeved undershirt (khaki), a brown pullover sweater and a herring-bone twill waist, a pair of brief pants, long drawers to match a long undershirt, a pair of woolen ski pants and over this a pair of herringbone twill pants; 2 pairs of stockings, 1 long cotton and one short cotton, my field shoes, a wool cap and helmet, then a web belt around my waist, after first putting on a field jacket from which hangs my canteen and first aid kit. Our meals are G.I. [government issue?] and are very good, which means chiefly that they are cooked food and plenty of it. [They] leave out all the tasty flavoring. ​ “Haven’t received any mail from home for nearly a month but it should be coming along any day now. Altho you do not hear from me, please keep your letters coming. At present I don’t need a thing. . . Did you get my check? If you are wondering what to do with it, it may help with the coming baby or pay for some lessons in private tutoring for Judy in a language; right now I wish I had taken more French. My knowledge of German comes in good stead. Keep your eyes on Eisenhower. He is chief of European Theater of Operation. If possible will you please send coffee? Part of our evenings are taken up making a cup of something hot to drink in our canteen cups. I was foolish not to bring along one of those whistling teapots or a 2 cup coffee pot. O well; We do hope to get into the nearest town on some weekday but this damned Army thinks that Sunday is the day of rest and no day is needed to get necessities for existence. We are only here waiting for the next move. . . I take my shoes to bed with me so they’ll be warmer to put on when I get up. These Nissen huts sure are airy!! Please send this letter on to Frank; My news were in the 2 previous letters; Much love and write; Lou” ​ At this time, Frank was serving as a purser on the USS Pio Pico, a Liberty Ship launched by California Shipbuilding Corporation in Los Angeles in January 1943. USS Pio Pico was operated by Marine Transport Lines. Liberty Ships were cargo ships manned by the U.S. Merchant Marine; their mission was to carry supplies overseas to Allies and to American troops. They carried a small Naval Armed Guard and traveled in convoys protected by destroyers or other Naval ships; many were lost to the German submarines, but USS Pio Pico survived the war only to be scrapped in 1960. 2,751 Liberty Ships were launched during World War II; only two remain today as museums (SS John W. Brown, moored at Pier One in Baltimore, and SS Jeremiah O’Brien, docked at Pier 45 at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf). A Liberty Ship website explains, ​ “Liberty and Victory ships and tankers were crucial to America’s war efforts on both fronts during World War II and contributed to the ultimate Allied victory. The U.S. merchant fleet transported an estimated 85% of the troops, ammunition and supplies used to support the Allied war effort in both the European and Pacific theaters. . . Victory and Liberty ships were crewed by members of the U.S. Merchant Marine and defended by an all-volunteer group of U.S. Navy sailors called the Navy Armed Guard. The operation of these ships during World War II came at great human cost: The Merchant Marine suffered more loss of life, by percentage of their ranks, than any other branch of service. U.S. Merchant Mariners and the Navy Armed Guard are the forgotten heroes of World War II.” ​ We have one letter from Frank that Luella saved; written from Charleston, South Carolina, on New Year’s Eve 1944. 1944 Dec 31; “My own Darling, Sweetheart, Loved One, Lieut. Luella; Gee, it seems ages since I’ve written but we’ve been at sea, and while we’ve been in port here in Charleston for three days I’ve been so terribly busy making out papers, paying off and taking the crew to the customs office to sign on foreign Articles and to the health dept. for physicals and the Coast Guard and Intelligence for one thing and another, that to sit down and write an interesting letter would be a task. I’ve worked till midnight nearly every night since I came aboard on the 23rd. . . finishing up all the captain’s letters and reports and making a final 1944 payroll because a new income tax starts tomorrow. . . There are 40 men in the crew so you know I have a lot to do. ​ “When we go to sea after we are loaded here, I will be busy for a few days getting the commissary set up so I can sell to the crew, but after that there is very little aboard for the purser until we arrive at our next Port. We are loading day and night now. . . constant noise of the stevedores shouting and the hoists throwing the cargo into the holds. We had a terribly foggy and rather rough trip coming down from NY but I was very busy and hardly had time to go on deck and see the ocean at all. A new chief radio operator just came aboard. . . all of the officers are real swell guys and we have lots of fun in the Officers mess at meal times and at night when we hit the ice box. . . there is always coffee ready. “It seems rather funny to be an officer and be “sir’d” by the crew, and it is funny how no one calls the other by name. Every one is called by his title. The captain and everyone calls me “Purser”. I’ve only been to Charlestown (one hours ride away) once. . . Nearly everyone went in tonight for New Years Eve, but I am just as happy aboard ship, thinking of you dear and the time on New Years when I met the sweetest girl in the world. How I love you now and think of all the good years we have had together and the better ones we are going to have when this war is all over and we are together again. I get $150 per month on this job, plus 66 2/3 percent bonus every day we’re at sea . . . $50 a month I have ordered sent home to you in care of Kahn. . . $5,000 insurance policy. . . also $10,000 and the original $25,000. Not worried a bit about the future. We’re going where it is pretty safe and will see some great parts of the world. Goodnight my sweetheart, “YOUR DEVOTED AND LOVING, Frank; With Kisses.” Letters Home from England, 121st Stations Hospital ​ On 8 January 1945, Luella and her friend Lt. Ruth Fehrmann were assigned to temporary duty with the 121st Station Hospital at Braintree, England (located north of Chelmsford in Essex, about 40 miles northeast of London). “A station hospital is where the boys from the continent are first sent to here in England for care and disposition, which means either back to duty or to the States or limited service.” An aerial photo in her memoirs shows a large complex surrounded by a windbreak of trees and patchwork farm fields. There are four areas of building clusters (one labeled medical wards, another surgical wards); most of the buildings are long rectangles, except for the smaller ones labeled nurses’ headquarters. Smaller village houses line the access road. Luella attended classes; she studied and gave anesthesia. Luella’s first case was a leg amputation. In later years, she described her service “in England, France, Germany and Europe”: “Primary duties were anesthesia and surgical nursing. Was in charge of a surgical ward and contagion. Administered anesthetics to patients under the direction of a surgeon and advised the patients’ condition and reaction to the anesthesia during operations. Immediately following anesthesia, maintained the equipment for anesthetic administration in serviceable condition.” But her letters seldom describe her daily duties, due to censorship... ​ “1945 Jan 11; Dearest Mom and all; Have just come on duty and have a few minutes before taking temps. Am on temporary duty at a station hospital in another part of England. My pals, Burns and Fehrmann and myself plan to see Kappie [at London] soon as the run is short. She is Frank’s niece, remember? We are having nice winter weather here with a light snowfall; quite different from the penn area when any ally was a ten to one shot by any man’s code [italics added for emphasis; recall her posting at Camp Penally in South Wales]. We are in Nissen huts, American make [drawing of perpendicular walls and gable roof] which are wooden and insulated, and thus much warmer and more comfortable, even tho only heated by a small stove, than the British made streamlined air conditioned one [drawing of horizontal half cylinder wi