Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Gtoraii on December 18, 2001, 12:34:00 PM
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Guys
Does anyone have an idea how I would find some WW2 vets, I would like to interview some, specifically people who served as ground crew and pilots in the south pacific, from late 42 to mid 44. I am writing a book, and I want to ask things I can't find in the books I have on the subject.
Any ideas? the only one I can think of is contacting the local VFW, and asking if they have lists and contact info.
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Sorry bud..can't help you....
Try Dago though....he has a post in here about a B-17 pilot...although I think his friend was in the European Theatre...but, he may know some people who can help you...private message him (Dago).
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Internet search..
1. Find squadrons posted/assigned to south pacific; I.E; from books you already have on subject. Ideal would be a squadron that still exists. Many Navy units active in this era are still active, as well as some Marine units.
2. Contact those squadrons, ask for the 'Historical Weenies'. You may be able to do that via the internet.
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Are you limiting this to air corp? My wife's Dad was a Marine grunt in PTO made 3 shore landings. Including Bouganville.
[ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Tah Gut ]
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Tah Gut
Marines would be great, part of the book is about them, the other the Army Air Corp.
And thanks for the input guys!
[ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Gtoraii ]
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look for info on 'the marine corp league' my dad goes to the meetings and there are many other retired marines there
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http://www.475thfghf.org/ (http://www.475thfghf.org/)
you can contact surviving pilots there.
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Just a thought. Do you have a VA hospital in your town? If you do you will likele find some WW2 vets there who would live to talk to ya. Good luck!
(http://www.13thtas.com/mav13sig.jpg)
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On the VA hospital thing. Go slow there. Some of these fellows don't want to talk about it AT ALL.
My father-in-law worked for Gen. Patton as a tank commander. My curiosity about his experiences in WW2 have made keeping my mouth shut very difficulty at times. But I've been told, by family, that the man has never even watched a war movie. He is the salt of the earth type in all other respects. But he does not like to talk about his war.
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Thanks for the input guys!
Easymo, your right, I only want to talk to them if they are willing, I do not want to make life tougher on any of these men.
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Check the Civil Air Patrol's out and the Confederate Air Force.
CAP has a lot of WW2 vets.
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GTOraii,
My father-in-law said today that he REALLY would love to discuss his experiences with you. Let me know how to put you in touch.
[ 12-25-2001: Message edited by: Tah Gut ]
[ 12-28-2001: Message edited by: Tah Gut ]
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I can put you in touch with a B-25 pilot from the 345th BG, New Guinea vet.
He talks some; goes to grade and high schools sometimes when they request it.
Send me an outline of what you'd like to talk about and your E-Mail via private message.
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Stumbled into this page by chance, lots of e-mails of vets.
http://www.usspennsylvania.com/bb-38email.htm (http://www.usspennsylvania.com/bb-38email.htm)
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Tah Gut
WOW that's great, I just got back from Colorado, so I missed this thread for a few days.
my email is Jtisor@pinnaclesys.com
I should have lots of time, since the holidays are coming to a close.
[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: Gtoraii ]