A WWII Vet connects with history he has made.......

[Dadsguns]

First and foremost,   to all past, present, and future veterans that have given so much and asked for so little.

I would like to share what I have learned of a Veteran from WWII, this hit home a little since this Vet is my Father in Law William G Stephan(misspelled in the photo as stephen).  He is a RET LT COL USAF and has been for many years, he rarely if ever even spoke about the war and what role he has played in his part of what he experienced.  That has changed a bit in time and I hope that he will tell me more.

After many years of me knowing him and getting tidbits of what he did, he has started to talk about it a bit.  Some things he wants to forget and some he clearly remembers.  

After finding and sharing with him a site that has alot of history behind his unit including pictures of the war, it brought back alot of memories for him and he started to really open up.

He by no means knows how to surf the net, and until recently has been introduced how to use it.  To see his eyes gaze in excitement upon a picture of him and rekindle those memories of fellow pilots some 65years ago when he was only 20 as a pilot on a B-25 in WWII was a moment I will treasure forever.

This summer I spent some time with him at the Pungo Airport in Virginia Beach, at the time they had a B-25 on display and he really talked about that plane and missions he was involved in.
 
In Honor of this Veterans Day, I would like to share this with you :

This is the site for the 489th and other Bomber Squads.
http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/page.html

This is the picture of the actual plane he flew "Ruthie"


This is a picture of him when he was only 20, they look really young.


If you know of a Vet, take the time and thank them for what they have done, and you might get the story of a lifetime.

[Rich46yo]

 

[KgB]

I feel horrible for not taking interest in my grandfathers WW2 stories when he lived. I didn't appreciate the gift of life, simple right to exist veterans gave us until he died. Pathetic.
Eternal glory to WW2 veterans

[Dadsguns]

I feel horrible for not taking interest in my grandfathers WW2 stories when he lived. I didn't appreciate the gift of life, simple right to exist veterans gave us until he died. Pathetic.
Eternal glory to WW2 veterans

 

I'm sorry to hear that KGB.  I am sure you could find out many things about him if you search.  There is still a story to be told if you find it.

I was thankful for him to share what he experienced, I think he opened up to me when he found out that I was to deploy to Afghanistan for the first time a few years ago, fearing that I may experience what he may have in WWII.  He was interested in my experience upon my return and we really shared more and more after that.

None of his children seem to be interested as much as me, None were ever in the military and have been civilians for life and I think that is the difference.  

  

[KgB]

Messed up Internal- Eternal,shame on me:)

[lowZX14]

It's great that you have someone to share those stories with you Dads.  Next time I come down there I'm going to let you know and maybe we can go out to the museum together.  I went earlier this year and absolutely loved it and bet as they have more time they will grow some especially upstairs.  I also want to go check out were they do the restoration which if I remember right is over in Smithfield.  Just a heads up I may be that way in early December but I'll let you know.

[Dadsguns]

It's great that you have someone to share those stories with you Dads.  Next time I come down there I'm going to let you know and maybe we can go out to the museum together.  I went earlier this year and absolutely loved it and bet as they have more time they will grow some especially upstairs.  I also want to go check out were they do the restoration which if I remember right is over in Smithfield.  Just a heads up I may be that way in early December but I'll let you know.

Sure, let me know when your coming, I can PM you my Cell. 
Few weeks ago while attending a class at the Northwest Base, I had to drive past the airport each morning.  One end of runway is next to the road and as I was approaching there was a P51 running preparing for takeoff, I whipped in the parking lot and got to watch him throttle up and takeoff, what a wonderful time that was.  I called DccBoss on the phone and was telling him about it at that moment.....   

Next time I go by, I will ask about the restoration hanger and if anyone can visit there.   

[lowZX14]

Sure, let me know when your coming, I can PM you my Cell. 
Few weeks ago while attending a class at the Northwest Base, I had to drive past the airport each morning.  One end of runway is next to the road and as I was approaching there was a P51 running preparing for takeoff, I whipped in the parking lot and got to watch him throttle up and takeoff, what a wonderful time that was.  I called DccBoss on the phone and was telling him about it at that moment.....   

Next time I go by, I will ask about the restoration hanger and if anyone can visit there.   

From what I understood from the last time I was there they gave tours of the place but I'd have to check.  Just looking at the website I think you have to buy a membership for $50.00/year to gain access to the Fighter Factory where they do the restorations.  Not a bad deal but I wouldn't probably spend that much going down there each year.

[Dadsguns]

From what I understood from the last time I was there they gave tours of the place but I'd have to check.  Just looking at the website I think you have to buy a membership for $50.00/year to gain access to the Fighter Factory where they do the restorations.  Not a bad deal but I wouldn't probably spend that much going down there each year.

I just got off the phone with the F/F Restoration hanger (its in Suffolk) and its FREE.... Mon-Fri 0800-1630.  
The guy sounded more excited than me when I told him I would like to come and see some of the projects..... take it they dont get many visits...    

Phone number is 757-539-8440


Found a shot of the visit with my Father in Law (in white) standing next to the B-25




And the good looking 51

[Selino631]

This is my grandfathers story:

My grandfather is a Pearl Harbor survivor. was a Lt. JG in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the USS Detroit which was a crusier. the morning of December 7th he was in a patrol boat picking up officers at a dock. He said that he heard aircraft coming in but they had a werid engine sound. when he looked up he saw red circles and then they started panicing, they radioed in "Japs!!! Low Japanese aircaft inbound!!" 3 of the officers they picked up orderd them to take them to there ship, the USS Nevada. when they got about 10min out of the nevada a low Japanese fighter (not sure what type, he says) strafed there boat the sailor directly infront of him got his head ripped up. some bullets got in the fuel tank and caused the boat to be launched 5 feet in the air throwing him and the crew off into the water. the 3 officers were able to swim to the Nevada. He decided to report to the Detroit. he swam to Ford Island, along the way when fighters would come in a strafe the sailors in the water they would have to dive down and grab the pipeline that ran along the bottom of the harbor. once he made it across the island he boarded the detroit and manned his battle station. The Admiral of the USS Detroit got a message that the Nevada was trying to get out to sea and needed escort, so the Detrioit, several destroyers and frigates helped it escape the chaos, but when they made it out of the harbor on the radar of one of the Destroyers they picked up several ships ib to there postion, over the radio on the Detroit they said " All Hands, we've picked up several objects on our radar, we beleive its the enemy strike force, we are all that there is to fight, may god be with us". Fortuently they found out soon enough that it was teh Aircraft carriers coming from Californa.

[Dadsguns]

http://media.causes.com/576542?p_id=30076446

A video trubute to our Military's Finest.......

[321BAR]

my uncle introduced me to a man he was friends with for many years. he was a vet from Monte Cassino and the stories he had made me see how terrible war is... sadly this man passed away a year ago. he saved many lives, and also saw many young men die... multiple times he had his own lucky encounters. im happy to have met him. i just wish i could remember his name so i could tell you it.  to all veterans

[Corsica]

Hello DadsGuns,

As the "489th Bombardment Squadron on Corsica" ( http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/page.html ) website creator, it was very nice to learn about your Father-in-law William G. Stephan. Thank you for additionally pointing out the typo in the 489th Bomb Squadron Book.  Anyway, it would be great if you have any photos, documents, mission logs, or other information about your father-in-law's time in the 489th Squadron to contribute to my website for the purpose of preserving this interesting history.  Please let me know if you can contribute digital copies of any such materials for this purpose?

*Cheers*

Corsica

First and foremost,   to all past, present, and future veterans that have given so much and asked for so little.

I would like to share what I have learned of a Veteran from WWII, this hit home a little since this Vet is my Father in Law William G Stephan(misspelled in the photo as stephen).  He is a RET LT COL USAF and has been for many years, he rarely if ever even spoke about the war and what role he has played in his part of what he experienced.  That has changed a bit in time and I hope that he will tell me more.

After many years of me knowing him and getting tidbits of what he did, he has started to talk about it a bit.  Some things he wants to forget and some he clearly remembers.  

After finding and sharing with him a site that has alot of history behind his unit including pictures of the war, it brought back alot of memories for him and he started to really open up.

He by no means knows how to surf the net, and until recently has been introduced how to use it.  To see his eyes gaze in excitement upon a picture of him and rekindle those memories of fellow pilots some 65years ago when he was only 20 as a pilot on a B-25 in WWII was a moment I will treasure forever.

This summer I spent some time with him at the Pungo Airport in Virginia Beach, at the time they had a B-25 on display and he really talked about that plane and missions he was involved in.
 
In Honor of this Veterans Day, I would like to share this with you :

This is the site for the 489th and other Bomber Squads.
http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/page.html

This is the picture of the actual plane he flew "Ruthie"
(Image removed from quote.)

This is a picture of him when he was only 20, they look really young.
(Image removed from quote.)

If you know of a Vet, take the time and thank them for what they have done, and you might get the story of a lifetime.

[Dadsguns]

Awesome. Glad to meet you Corsica.
I plan to visit them for Thanksgiving.  He actually called me today and is digging up some of his old photos, he said he has one of Ruthie also somewhere.   I will let you know what he finds and I will pass it along that I have spoke to you and your interest in posting it on your site.  I am sure he would gladly share what he has.  These are seniors you know, they don't throw away anything and that means boxes of stuff to go through.  

I want to thank you for taking the time to create that site, I assure you my Father in Law does as well.  I hope it continues to connect these men with the past and hopefully to even catching up with one another.

[Brooke]

Thanks for the stories, folks!