Issue #139 | December 2025 | | |
In This Issue of
Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time SM
December 2025 Edition
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History Enthusiasts:
We continue with our history of America at 250 in this December Issue. Pictures of Pearl Harbor; the official report of the USS Cassin (DD-372) on December 7.
Take a look at a few of the artifacts chosen for our America 250 exhibit in the USH-Constitution mobile museum.
We need your help, fundraising in the last month of the year.
Wishing all of you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Want to help Support Our Mission?
Sons of Liberty Museum - Secure Donation
Army Air Corps Museum - Secure Donation
Thank you for all of the great artifact donations!
We want to send out a special thank you to all of our volunteers who have been helping us on many projects. We could not have accomplished so much without your assistance!
Thank you for your support!
Artifacts help tell the stories, money makes the engine run, please
Donate Now!
We tell history! Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time.
Remember those that made the #ultimatesacrifice #mia #pow #kia #sonsofliberty. #patriots #army #navy #marines #aircorps #airforce #coastguard #spaceforce #merchantmarine; all those that have worn the cloth.
Join us on this journey.
In Their Memory,
Robert Coalter, Executive Director
Jason Weigler, Executive Director
Major Robert Weigler, Jr. US Army Ret. - Director
"Saving Military History One Soldier At A Time".SM
"Saving History One Soldier At A Time"SM
| | Fundraising. We Need You! | | Want to create a permanent memorial for your veteran or family member? Instead of a brick that wears away from foot traffic, memorialize that special veteran on the side of the USH-Constitution our mobile museum. | | |
Bronze
This is a 2 1/2" x 22" name placard. This is a 2 row display with the first line containing the name and the second a unit, conflict and branch. The top row is approx. 1" tall and the 2nd line 3/4".
2 1/2" x 22" - $750
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Silver
This is a 2" x 36" name placard. This is a 1 row display with the line containing the name, unit, conflict and branch. The lettering is approximately 1 1/2" tall.
2" x 36" - $1375
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Gold
This is a 5" x 36" name placard. This is a 2 row display with the first line containing the name and the second a unit, conflict and branch. The top row is approx. 2" tall and the 2nd line 1 1/2".
5" x 36" - $2000
| | We launched our America at 250 exhibit in the mobile museum on Veteran's Day. Following we highlight a few of the chosen artifacts for this exhibit. | | |
Captain Rex Latham
1965 Arlington State College ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate,
Infantry Officer, Airborne Qualified
82nd Airborne Division
Service Dates 1965 – 1969
Served as a rifle platoon leader, weapons platoon leader, company
commander and advisor to an Army of the Republic of Vietnam infantry reaction battalion.
Awards & Decorations
Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal w/ 1 OLC, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Silver Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Airborne Qualification Badge, 325th Infantry Regiment Unit Crests
CPT Latham’s dress tunic was selected to represent the U.S. Army in Vietnam in the "America at 250" exhibit at the Sons of Liberty Museum Mobile Museum.
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Walter Nahirny served in the 346th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. Corporal Nahirny's uniform is part of the Sons of Liberty Museum's collection.
The wool Ike jacket is adorned with the 87th Infantry Division acorn patch on the right shoulder, indicating combat service. The collar displays brass "U.S." insignia and crossed infantry rifles. The lapels bear the distinctive insignia of the 346th Infantry Regiment. On the left breast is the Combat Infantryman Badge, accompanied by (left to right) the Good Conduct Ribbon, American Campaign Ribbon, and World War II Victory Ribbon. Below these decorations is the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal ribbon with three campaign stars. The overseas cap features the 87th Infantry Division badge. On the left shoulder is the 2nd Service Command patch, indicating Nahirny's stateside assignment prior to his discharge from the U.S. Army.
Walter Nahirny's Ike jacket was selected to represent the U.S. Army in World War II in the "America at 250" exhibit at the Sons of Liberty Museum Mobile Museum.
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1LT Anthony M. Corsello
Born 20 Aug 1922 – Died 10 Jan 2012 (89 y/o)
Service Dates 1942 - 1945
US Army Air Forces, Navigator, B-24 Liberator,
35 Combat Missions over Europe,
455th BombGroup,
741st Bomb Squadron
Awards & Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal,
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 3 Campaign Stars, Navigator Wings
1LT Corsello’s dress tunic was selected to represent the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II in the "America at 250" exhibit at the Army Air Corps Museum Mobile Museum.
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PFC Robert W. Lakota
Born 26 Mar 1919 – Died 15 Sep 1974 (55 y/o)
Service Dates 1942 - 1945
US Army Military Police
Manhattan Project
Awards & Decorations
WWII Victory Medal,
Honorable Discharge Emblem
PFC Lakota’s dress tunic was selected to represent the U.S. Army in World War II in the "America at 250" exhibit at the Sons of Liberty Museum Mobile Museum.
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MSG Harold O. Woodruff
Service Dates 1941 - 1945
US Army Air Forces
Awards & Decorations
Good Conduct Medal,
American Defense Service Medal,
American Campaign Medal,
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 3 Campaign Stars,
WWII Victory Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Uniform Features a unique custom tab over the AAF patch "England, Africa, Italy".
MSG Woodruff's dress tunic was selected to represent the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II in the "America at 250" exhibit at the Army Air Corps Museum Mobile Museum.
| | | | | Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 | | |
As we mark the anniversary of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, we continue to expand the history we offer on the Day of Infamy. The following is from an official report of the USS Cassin (DD-372) a destroyer that was present in the harbor. We have transcribed crewmembers of the USS Cassin based upon muster rolls. These were performed quarterly, thus the last roster (muster roll) was 30 September 1941. Making it likely that 99% of this crew remained on the roster by 7 December.
DD372/A16-3/
UNITED STATES FLEET
DESTROYERS, BATTLE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
U.S.S. Cassin (372)
Pearl Harbor, T.H.,
December 13, 1941.
From:The Commanding Officer. To:Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. Subject:Air Attack on Pearl Harbor, T.H., December 7, 1941. Reference:(a) Art. 712, U.S. Navy Regulations.
- At approximately 0750 Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, as I stepped from my cabin to go below to breakfast, my Chief Gunner's Mate, E.L. JAMES, dashed into the passageway and said, "Captain they are here, bombing Hickam Field".
- I stepped aft and out the starboard passageway door and about 100 feet away from the starboard side of #1 drydock facing inboard, and at an altitude of approximately 100 feet I saw an airplane with large red discs on bottom wings. I ordered JAMES, E.L., C.G.M., to sound general quarters and started for the bridge. JAMES had the word passed as there was no power on the general alarm.
- The Cassin had no 5"/38 caliber guns ready for service as ordnance alterations being accomplished rendered them inoperative. Men were despatched to the Navy Yard to see if parts could be obtained. The .50 caliber guns were prepared at once.
- About 0800 I saw another plane come down in a glide to about 75 feet on a course paralleling drydock #1 on port side facing outboard. It turned slightly in the channel and dropped a torpedo definitely aimed at the California from a distance of not over 200 yards. The plane kept going and disappeared from sight.
- A few moments later the Helena opened fire, followed by the Pennsylvania. The Cassin and Downes opened up with .50 caliber machine guns.
- The Executive Officer, Gunnery Officer and Communication Officer were ashore, as was the JA talker. By voice I called down to gun #2 to expedite obtaining breech plugs at the yard if possible and ordered men to seek protection of gun shelters, as I had no guns to fire. Many of them stayed well out to see what was going on. Others assisted repair party who led out hoses and stood by for handling damage.
- About 0810 a Japanese plane crashed over the trees near the hospital, passing low (parallel to the Pennsylvania and Downes) with a tail of flame 50 feet long.
- A few minutes later five high altitude (12,000 feet) bombers passed overhead from forward aft and let go large bombs. These were let go after they passed overhead of drydock #1.
- Shortly, I saw Captain C.D. SWAIN, U.S. Navy and Lieutenant Commander B.E. MANSEAU, U.S. Navy coming down to the drydock. I went out to meet them and was requested to close up both destroyers preparatory to flooding drydock even though about 30 ports below main deck forward were off on Cassin preparatory to blanking and shell plating on both destroyers forward was off preparatory to replacement by heavier plating.
- All hands except the machine gunners were directed to close up the ship as well as possible. This was done from lower decks up which later facilitated abandoning as closure was practically completed and most men were on main or forecastle deck. Power cables led from one compartment to another and had to be cut. Also leads from large portable blowers forward had to be disconnected.
- After I returned to the bridge I saw another group of five high altitude bombers pass overhead the same as in paragraph 8 above.
- About 0830 the Pennsylvania called by semaphore and sent a message "Senior destroyer officer report aboard". This message was interrupted by signalmen having to lie down due to terrific gun fire from enemy and own ship and came in two attempts.
- About this time Lieutenant (jg) J.D. PARKER, acting commanding officer of Downes, requested permission to open fire with 5"/38 caliber on blocks which I immediately granted. His #3 gun was assembled in time to fire two shots before he was hit.
- Closure being well underway and .50 caliber shooting rapidly I started from bridge for the Pennsylvania. I had secured phones and called to signalman to notify Ensign F.M. CULPEPPER I would be right back. When I was almost to bow of Pennsylvania the Downes was hit by a small bomb on after deck house. Smoke and dust were rising as I ran along the dock.
- The 3"/50 caliber on the Pennsylvania quarterdeck were firing fast, quietly and efficiently.
- I climbed amid terrific blasts of fast shooting guns to Pennsylvania conning tower then to next level above to Captain C.M. COOKE. He asked me if we were preparing for flooding of dock stating that even without propellors he wanted to get it flooded. I told him "Yes" and left. Apparently Captain SWAIN and Lieutenant Commander MANSEAU had not seen the Commanding Officer of the Pennsylvania regarding flooding at the same time they saw me.
- At sometime between by arrival at brow of Pennsylvania and my departure the Downes had apparently been hit again at about 0850 and hug flames were rising all over her and on starboard side of Cassin. A hug hole in dock abreast of Cassin's stern was emitting clouds of smoke.
- I skirted this hole on the double realizing from the nature of the flames that the fire could not be fought successfully. I later found out that there was no water at all with which to fight the fire. #3 .50 caliber gun was on fire due to lack of cooling water. There was none in men's washroom due to interrupted service from Yard. As soon as I was past this hole I started waving for men to get off. The word had been passed to abandon ship, which word was repeated all through the ship. The men were all converging toward brown from forward and aft. I kept shouting for the men to "step out" as the flames and heat as I passed the stern of Cassin were terrific and I feared a magazine explosion. I arrived at the brow as the last group of men came off. I estimate that there was another five minutes in which men could have gotten off. Ensign CULPEPPER was the last man off. I thought there was a hole in the brow, which I later found was caused by a small bomb which dropped through just a few feet ahead of Ensign M.E. CALLICOTT, USNR. This bomb went through the ship without exploding. I believe another small bomb hit in galley passage, but am not sure.
- Within a few minutes the first hose arrived from the yard then others. The first six or eight hoses I kept on the port side of the Cassin, because wind was carrying flames over the Downes and I tried to get a concentration of hoses on Cassin's depth charges and torpedo tubes to keep them from exploding. Nine of the twelve torpedo warheads melted off.
- It was necessary to move back from the dock several times due to heat and to fragments from several small explosions which followed each other at close intervals.
- About 0915 there was a terrific explosion on the Downes and flames shot about 60 feet in the air, which was filled with fragments. Hoses were practically torn away from fire fighting parties consisting of men from Cassin, Downes and yard employees. All hands retreated from the dock and sprawled on the road. Lieutenant (jg) PARKER, a few feet to my right, was hit and TALBERT, C.L., F1c of the Cassin, to my left, was hit. I at first thought PARKER's neck had been badly cut due to large amount of bleeding and seeing a small truck stop close by, I directed him and TALBERT to get in and go to the hospital. Within a short time he was back, minus his coat and with his head bandaged, rejoining the fire fighting forces. I believe his hospital corpsman fixed him on the spot.
- The fire on the Cassin was brought under control about 1045. The Gunnery Officer arrived shortly after we abandoned ship and joined Lieutenant SPEER, of the navy yard, at one end of the Cassin. Both of these officers did excellent work.
- Commander L.P. LOVETTE, Commander Destroyer Division FIVE and the Executive Officer of Cassin arrived while the fire was raging. With one quick look, the Division Commander told me to take charge of Cassin and Downes as he would got at once to Reid or Conyngham to sortie. Emergency signal for sortie had been hoisted before Downes and Cassin were hit (neither had a mast). Commander LOVETTE returned in about ten minutes from Cummings to tell me he would go out on her and would take 25 men from Cassin to include the best gunnery and torpedo personnel. About 60 went to the Cummings, but 40 were returned.
- It has not been possible as yet to salvage .50 caliber ammunition remaining or to check on amount expended.
- The conduct of the men was superb, particularly the quiet over all supervision by the Chief Boatswain Mate, J.T. STRATTON, who seemed to be everywhere at the same time directing closure and abandoning. At no time was there any fear or panic, but merely rage not only at enemy attack but at inability, after months of training, to be able to return the fire. The entire crew behaved in accordance with the best traditions of the Service.
[signed]
D.F.J. SHEA.
LCDR Shea was the USS Cassin, Commanding Officer.
USS Cassin Crew List
| | Sgt. Harold Wilcox, 5th Bombardment Group, based at Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor, TH December 7, 1941. | | Hangar 15 at Hickam Field, 7 Dec 1941 | | Barracks at Hickam Field with fires burning in background on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. 7 Dec. 1941. | | B-17 burns on the tarmac at Hickam Field December 7, 1941. | | Soldiers barracks following Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Hickham Field. | | USH-Constitution, (MM-1776) | | |
MM-1776
Our grand opening (Oct 21, 2023) of our new mobile museum, MM-1776.. Thank you to American Legion Post 453 for hosting this event and dinner.
Veteran Memorials
With the launch of our new mobile-museum trailer we have a place for a visual honorarium and memorial for your veteran. Honor your veteran family member with a permanent marker on our new mobile-museum.
Like bricks or pavers, this permanent memorial will be seen by many at schools, veteran and civic events. Get your Veteran Memorial Today!
Read more about Sons of Liberty Memorials
Read More About Army Air Corps Memorials
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Exhibits
The opening exhibit of MM-1776 contained artifacts of admirals and generals.
There are over 60 represented in this display. The oldest uniform was from a LT General who as a young Lieutenant fought in the Spanish American War. There is an admiral who had become a Navy Double-Ace in World War II as fighter pilot on both the USS Lexington and USS Enterprise. There is a uniform from one of the commanding generals of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam and other commanders during that time. Modern day generals are well represented including the digitals of General David Petraeus, commander of all coalition forces in Iraq/Afghanistan. There are helmets, wings and other artifacts in addition to the uniforms in this snapshot of military leaders of multiple generations.
2025 -
We continue to provide a number of exhibits and programs in the MM-1776.
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If you are looking to volunteer with a non-profit we would welcome your assistance. We have a need to transcribe over 150,000 of these index cards. Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Stars and Purple Heart. Getting this information into our database will allow us to make this data searchable. Contact us to get started!
We are also looking for General Orders of World War II, digital copies are welcome; volunteers to transcribe this data.
Transcription of monthly unit histories and other documents are projects to help us recover and preserve history and are fantastic accounts written close to the actual events rather than decades later as memories may fade.
| | Missing in Action & Buried Unknowns | | |
There are still thousands classified as Missing in Action or as Buried Unknowns. In our partnership with the MIA Recovery Network we have established data on our websites regarding MIAs.
The quest to account for those of our nation's Missing in Action is one of the most noble of endeavors. There are also a large number of recovered remains that are buried in ABMC cemeteries where the identity is unknown. These are known as X-Files.
The recovery of MIAs pose a number of challenges. For example, Navy or Merchant Marine ships that were sunk are unrecoverable and thus ship manifests are the primary and often only source of names for those that have perished but are still accounted.
Each conflict has had its own challenges. At the end of World War II the military had established more than 360 temporary cemeteries, but the dead were being found continually in farm fields, forests, small church cemeteries, isolated graves and the shores of combat zones. These dead were collected and the remains consolidated into the fourteen permanent European, Mediterranean, and North African Cemeteries maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission along with two permanent cemeteries in the Philippines and Hawaii.
Monetary donations are needed and very welcomed to support these efforts to create case files.
Please consider a Supporting Donation today. Thank You.
#neverforget #bringthemallhome
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Sons of Liberty Museum
The Sons of Liberty has hundreds of uniforms and thousands of other artifacts in our collection from the U.S. Revolutionary War to Present day. Our web presence now numbers in excess of 500,000 pages. We continue to accept new material for education and research programs.
Our collection includes memorabilia from the front line soldier to the rear echelon clerk. Drivers, infantrymen, pilots, tankers, seaman, medical, artillery, armorers, engineers, quartermasters and much more. Those that were drafted or volunteered; those that did a single tour or made it a career. Those that returned with all types of injuries and those that gave their full measure; killed in action (KIA). All MOS are welcome from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines.
Monetary donations help us preserve and display these pieces of American History. Thank you for your support.
We are Saving Military History One Soldier At A Time. We are honoring the service of the Citizen Soldier.
#sonsofliberty
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Volunteers
We need volunteers to transcribe award and roster documents. You will place the material into a spreadsheet where it will be added to our database and website. We welcome new dedicated volunteers to work from home and help us with this project!
Interesting Links & Resources
Researching History: Military Records
Honor Roll: Veteran Rosters and History
Donations
We welcome donations of monies for operational costs. Artifact donations are sought in the form of papers, books, photos, gear, uniforms, jackets, medals, ribbons, weapons, equipment, scrapbooks, biographies, diaries and more. Please Contact Us
Revolutionary War, War if 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Cold War, Gulf War and current conflict donations accepted. From small to large multi-item donations, they all tell a story.
We need you ! We need your help to further our mission of preserving and bringing this history to the public. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
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Army Air Corps Museum
The Air Corps Museum online presence encompasses over 500,000 web pages with thousands of photos and other materials. Our artifact collection contains hundreds of uniforms, albums, logs, medals and more from the Army Air Service, Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force.
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Cold War, Gulf War and current conflict donations welcome!
Volunteers
We need volunteers to transcribe documents, placing the material into a spreadsheet. We welcome new dedicated volunteers to help us with this project! Work from home.
Interesting Links & Resources
Trace a Family Members Military Service: Research a Veteran's Military History
Honor Roll: Army Air Corps Veteran Roster, Honor Roll
Donations
We welcome donations of papers, books, photos, gear, uniforms, jackets, medals, ribbons, weapons, equipment, scrapbooks, biographies, diaries, letters and more. Please Contact Us
Monetary donations help us preserve and display these pieces of American History. Thank you for your support. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
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Items have a story, what tale do yours tell?
| | Museum Expenditures-Donations | | |
As a non-profit it's important to let our patrons know where some of their money is going.
This riker-mount display box is one of the most important pieces that we use. They contain ribbons, medals, patches, pictures and other small memorabilia items. They are great to help reserve items as well.
Each year we purchased 500 of these items. We will fill them all with great artifacts in less than 12 months.
$5000.
Constant Contact charges us $1200 annually to create, store and send this newsletter.
Our web servers, domains and hosting cost $8200 / year. Our hosting requirement of storage will only increase over the coming years as we continue to add to our online material.
The annual total for just these three components is $14,400. Naturally, we have other expenditures, but 100% of monetary donations go to operations. All staff and directors are volunteers.
Monetary donations are needed and very welcomed to support these efforts.
Please consider a Military Museum Donation today. Thank You.
| | Rescued History & Museum Quality | | |
We rescue a lot of military artifacts; items destined for the trash heap. From torn papers and faded ribbons to moth damaged uniforms decades pass and the condition of items deteriorate. These artifacts still have a story to tell.
Many museums only want items in pristine condition, we say differently. Some so called museums only want materials from a well known commander written up in history books or the fighter ace or a man who would fly to the moon or a Medal of Honor recipient.
While we have artifacts such as these we also have the items of the draftee who answered their nation's call and served their tour and then went home. Some were not so fortunate, special place in our hearts for the KIAs. In our mission of "Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time" it is about all who have worn the cloth of our nation's military. Artifacts help us bring stories to life no matter their condition.
We accept donations of artifacts in ALL CONDITIONS.
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The Cinema, another way to describe it is it's our own Netflix.
130 combat films represented by 209 clips and 1436 minutes of footage will keep you watching for hours.
Army, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marines. WW2 and Vietnam. There's something for everyone.
This is a subscription service of $14.95/month.
Take a few minutes and go see what's "Now Showing" and decide if you want to signup and start watching.
Sons of Liberty Virtual Cinema
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301st Bombardment Group, B-17 Flying Fortress. England, North Africa, Italy during World War II.
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USS Hilbert. Destroyer Escort, DE-742. Pacific Theater of Operations, World War II.
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Interested in reading and watching; check out some of the material below.
WATCH:
On X:
US Army Air Forces and Lafayette Escadrille, North Africa World War II 1942-43. US General Carl Spaatz. (In Color)
Airfield Activity on Iwo Jima (color).
B-25s of 41st Bombardment Group in the Pacific in Color
SBD Dauntless over the Pacific (color)
American Tanks in the ETO (color)
On Facebook:
With the US Army in North Africa 1942.
Normandy: Infantry Hits the Beach
Medics Tend to Wounded GIs in Europe, WWII
332nd Fighter Group Men, Interview in Italy
B-29 Superfortress: Pacific World War II in Color
READ:
1942 Operational Diary of the 10th Air Force (Beginning 1 June).
Charles Lawton, 443rd Troop Carrier, Pilot Encounter Narrative
Historical Background on the History of the 5th Air Force of World War II
5th Air Force Highlights Bismark Sea, Lae and Rabaul.
Army Air Forces on D-Day
Air Operations, 1 March 1941, Territory of Hawaii
Message From Admiral Stark to Admiral Kimmel 4 June 1941
4th Infantry Division on Utah Beach on D-Day
US Army Studies, D-Day the Cross-Channel Attack.
Pearl Harbor Attack, Experiences of the 580th Signal Air Warning Bn.
1st Infantry Division, After Action Reports 6 June 1944
18th IR, 1st Infantry Division, Unit History June 1944
115IR, 29th Infantry Division, June 1944 After Action Report
D-Day Operations 4th Infantry Division
Army Rangers, Combat Interviews 6-8 June 1944
D-Day on Normandy 6 June 1944
101st Airborne Pathfinders on D-Day
Sun Tzu Observes D-Day Invasion of Normandy
| | Preserve This History, Honor the Service, Provide Education For Future Generations | | Thank You For Your Support ! | | | Thank You For Your Support ! | | | |
---- What is Liberty ? ----
"definition. the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views."
Merriam-Webster defines it as " the power to do as one pleases, the freedom from physical restraint and freedom from arbitrary or despotic control.
---- So what is a Son of Liberty? ----
In our context and beginning these were the men and women in America who wanted their liberty and freedom from the King of England. They desired a right of self-determination for their lives. They fought for this liberty and codified it in the Constitution of a new country. To keep this liberty they created a military to ward off the any would-be belligerent. Since the War of Independence until and including the present day the men and women who have worn the cloth of our nation's military are its Sons of Liberty. They have fought enemies in other nations, they have fought each other and they have stood as sentinels of the watch.
We celebrate the service of these individuals, we tell the historical story of these selfless patriots.
---- The Sons of Liberty Museum ----
Over 15 years ago we chose a name for this organization and our sister the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. We believe these names accurately describe these men and women who serve. We will not change any name to satisfy a radical viewpoint or computer algorithm. We don't allow for any revisionist history, we tell the factual stories.
We are Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time.SM
Our Mission
Saving Military History One Soldier at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Airman at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Marine at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Aviator at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Seaman at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Infantryman at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Patriot at a TimeSM
Saving Military History One Citizen Soldier at a TimeSM
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Need a Good Book, DVD?
Check out these titles.
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Somewhere In Italy
I was a navigator in the 459 Bomb Group 758 Bomb Squadron flying B-24's from Torre Giulia Field, tower named 'Coffee Tower', a gravel airfield near Cerignola, on the Foggia Plains of Southeastern Italy during the period August 4, 1944 to May 16, 1945. I flew 50 combat missions over targets in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia and Northern Italy.
Project Option: 6×9 in, 15×23 cm
# of Pages: 386
IsbnSoftcover: 9781714032860
Publish Date: Dec 12, 2019
Buy It $24.99
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Rigor Mortis:
The Machine and His Men
Most aircraft of World War II had pictures of sexy girls, tributes to sweethearts, songs and home. The planes were fondly referred to in a feminine manor. That was not the case with this B-17 tail number 42-25233. He was Rigor Mortis.
This is the story of Rigor Mortis and his men who flew over 120 missions from North Africa and Italy in 1943 and 1944.
Project Option: 8×10 in, 20×25 cm
# of Pages: 382
IsbnSoftcover: 9781714727803
Publish Date: Apr 20, 2020
Buy It $33.95
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A Novel of MACVSOG in Vietnam. By Gene Pugh a Special Forces Recon Team Member.
Get Your Copy From Amazon for $21.95.
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Surrender Not an Option
Survivors guilt is not the only thing that is bothering Allen Purvis. He has to relive in his mind the battles in a denied area when he was assigned to MACVSOG the ultimate secret organization during the Viet Nam war. He is put to the test when he commands his friends to sacrifice themselves to save the others of the unit. Wendy Salas, nurse at the 95th Evacuation Hospital sees the horrors of the war everyday. Her pain is personal. A chance meeting on R&R in Hong Kong brings these two people together as soul mates in a hope that one of them can save the other. Purvis like the others wondered why they were saved and the answer was there all the time.
- Paperback : 312 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1539108333
- ISBN-13 : 978-1539108337
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.71 x 9 inches
Gene is a member of our advisory board.
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A Novel. By Gene Pugh a Special Forces Recon Team Member during the Vietnam War..
Hardback: $35.99
Paperback: $19.99
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The Reunion Mission
A chance meeting at a military reunion brings Sam Waters together with his former Viet Nam War teammates. But that is not the only surprise. A promise made a long time ago is now called to be cashed in. Will his teammates put their lives on the line for him and his family? Is that bond still there? Because of a rash act on his part the whole mission could be jeopardized. A new future and his past must come to terms for him to move forward.
From Fort Bragg to Dallas and Panama follow the continuing story of Sam Walters and Allen Purvis.
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1662848889
- Price: $35.99
- Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1662848870
- Price: $19.99
Gene is a member of our advisory board.
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USAAF
Aircraft Weapons of WWII
By Tom Laemlein
Read More & Order Your Copy
Tom is a member of our advisory board.
Many of the photos and illustrations in this book, some of them in color, are strong enough to be displayed in full page format. The images deliver the gritty details of USAAF armaments’ use down to their nuts and rivets, and the high-velocity rounds they fired. This is a unique photo-study, with many of the photos never-before published.
U.S.A.A.F. Aircraft Weapons of WWII
This book focuses on the war-winning weaponry of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. With 144 pages containing more than 250 photos it offers stunning visual details of the machine guns, cannons, bombs, and rockets carried into battle by USAAF bombers, fighters, and attack aircraft.Many of the photos and illustrations in this book, some of them in color, are strong enough to be displayed in full page format. The images deliver the gritty details of USAAF armaments’ use down to their nuts and rivets, and the high-velocity rounds they fired. This is the first photo-history of its kind, with many of the photos never-before published.
Combat conditions dictated that many aircraft were adapted into roles for which they were not designed. As necessity is the mother of invention, aircraft were modified in both their roles and their armament. B-25s became ground attackers, A-20s became night fighters, and every wartime USAAF fighter was adapted to carry bombs.
| | | | 8th Air Force 1943 to D-Day
Enjoy this history of the 8th Air Force from 1943 to D-Day in World War II with this discovered archival film footage. The first footage is in early 1943 on a heavy bombardment mission over Europe. View the heavies as they hit German targets. Watch gun camera footage as fighters of tangle with the enemy in the air. Follow fighters as they attack airdromes and trains.
Watch the men on the ground and in the air with mostly black and white, silent footage.
There is a lot of unidentified aircraft/groups but quite a bit of identified.
Identified: 44th, 91st, 93rd, 94th, 95th, 100th, 303rd, 305th, 385tth and 445th Bombardment Groups.
4th, 55th, 56th, 78th, 352nd, 353rd, 355th, 356th, 357th, 359th and 361st Fighter Groups.
Watch bombers in formation and as they fly through flak (ack-ack). Some have feathered props. Ground crews await the group returns and aid wounded airmen. View some of the nose art that were a source of pride. View B-17s and B-24s in a number of scenes.
Feel like you are in the cockpit of a P-47 Thunderbolt or P-51 Mustang fighter as they attack Me-109s, FW-190, ME-110, JU-52, JU-88, HE-111 and other German Aircraft. Fly with aces Beeson, Gabreski, Anderson, Blakeslee and many more. Find out which pilots would later become prisoners of war (POWs) and some would be killed in action (KIA). Strafing footage shows fighter pilots attacking aircraft on the ground, airdrome facilities and other strategic and tactical targets including trains and marshalling yards.
Missions include Wilhelmshaven, Berlin, Warnemunde, Solingen, Leverkusen, Emden, Bremen, Munster, Schweinfurt and others.
229 minutes of black and white footage and visual record of the 8th Air Force: 1943 to D-Day in action in World War II from early 1943 to D-Day.
Price Each: $34.99
Buy Now: 8th Army Air Force
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By Kenneth Breaux
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The author takes the reader on a compelling odyssey, beginning with a wartime mystery which endured for nearly sixty years. A compelling and often gripping story of loss and discovery.
About the Author:
Kenneth Breaux served as a Naval Officer during the Vietnam era, where he first became acquainted with the plight of MIA's and their families. He spent over twenty years on active and reserve service and retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander.
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"Courtesies of the Heart"
In the early morning hours of September 11, 1944, US Army Air Forces P-51 pilot Lt. William Lewis climbed into an overcast sky with the 55th Fighter Group on a mission escorting bombers. He had already flown more than 100 hours of combat over Europe. Over the channel he joined a vast fleet of more than 1,000 airplanes including the B-17’s of the 100th Bomb Group bound for Germany. This day’s combat would be one of the largest aerial engagements of the war, conducted at the very edge of operational range. By the next day, all of the aircraft were accounted for or known to be lost. Among the missing was Bill Lewis, who would remain an MIA for almost sixty years.
A chance discussion in a Texas home on New Years Eve 2001 regarding the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, a renovated Czech schoolhouse in the village of Kovarska, experts from the US Army in Hawaii, and Czech volunteers extended and fulfilled the Courtesy of the Heart begun by a gracious German citizen in September 1944 in the Thuringer Wald of Germany.
This is the fascinating story of how a Tulsa World War II pilot came home on Memorial Day 2004, only a few months short of sixty years from the time he flew his last mission. The book began a new role for the author, whose retirement has since become centered around the families of the missing in action of World War II and the search for their remains, and the origin of a not for profit company called MIA Recovery Network and a second book called “Known But to God: America’s Twentieth Century Wars and the Search for the Missing”.
Read More and Order
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James Joseph Farrell
An American Story
By James & Barbara Farrell
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James Joseph Farrell was born October 27, 1921 and grew up during the Great Depression. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1939.
He served with distinction in North Africa in 1942-1943 with the 301st Bombardment Group, 32nd Bomb Squadron flying 51 missions as an aerial engineer, top turret gunner.
He earned his pilot wings in 1945. This is his story.
Paperback $34.95
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Known But to God
America's Twentieth Century Wars and the Search for the Missing
Available Amazon: Paperback $20.00.
There are many books written about epic battles, heroic soldiers and the remarkable events that occur during a war. This book contains little of that history. This book is about the more than 70.000 men who remain missing after America's wars. Their names appear in our cemeteries, on gravestones marked "unknown," on commemorative walls listing the missing or simply in after-action reports inadequate to the task of declaring a life at an end. Americans are sensitive to the injustice and incompleteness of such records. So, the United States is the only country publicly committed to searching for missing warriors' remains and to identifying and finally honoring them. This commitment has been inconsistently fulfilled, however, and results have been mixed. This book shows how modern warfare loses its dead in ways that make them harder than ever to find after battle. It tells the story of families who never give up hope and of the volunteers and officials who try to help them. But it's also the story of how our government too often has failed to make finding the missing possible -- and what we can do about it.
About the Author:
Kenneth Breaux served as a Naval Officer during the Vietnam era, where he first became acquainted with the plight of MIA's and their families. He spent over twenty years on active and reserve service and retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander. He is the Director of the MIA Recovery Network and is a member of the Sons of Liberty Museum Advisory Board.
Available December 2022 at Amazon: Paperback $20.00.
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The Flying Grunt
by Alan Mesches
Inspiring story of a young man from a humble background to decorated veteran of Korea and Vietnam who was almost selected as an astronaut.
Richard Edward Carey enlisted in the Corps in 1946, he later earned a commission, fighting at Inchon and Chosin in Korea before becoming a pilot—flying every aircraft in the Marine arsenal during his 38-year military career.
Carey would provide critical intelligence decisions enabling the successful defense of the Chinese attack on Hagaru-ri at the Chosin Reservoir, Korea. In 189 days of combat, he escaped death seven times, and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals.
In Vietnam, he flew 204 combat sorties, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 16 Air Medals. In 1975, from Saigon, Carey led history’s largest helicopter evacuation of refugees.
This biography is based upon hours of interviews with the general, his papers, speeches, and Marine Corps documents that captured an exceptional and inspiring life.
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Lt. General Richard Carey, signs the Museum copy of his biography March 2, 2023.
What's inside 'The Flying Grunt'
Chapter 1 The Early Years
Chapter 2 On to Korea
Chapter 3 A New Role—Chosin Reservoir Campaign
Chapter 4 Reflections on Chosin Reservoir
Chapter 5 After Chosin Reservoir
Chapter 6 Aviation Career Begins
Chapter 7 Mid 1950s to 1960s
Chapter 8 Fighter Pilot in Vietnam
Chapter 9 Vietnam Media Coverage
Chapter 10 Post-Vietnam War
Chapter 11 Evacuation from Vietnam
Chapter 12 General Carey’s Supplement to the Command Chronology on Frequent Wind
Chapter 13 Mayaguez Rescue
Chapter 14 Back to Headquarters Marine Corps (HMC)
Chapter 15 Atlantic Command
Chapter 16 Final Assignment Quantico
Chapter 17 A Brief Entry into Politics
Chapter 18 Aiding the Dallas District Courts
Chapter 19 General Carey Continues to Serve in Retirement
Chapter 20 The Chosin Few Monument Project
Chapter 21 Family
Read More & Get Your Copy
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MIAs - Missing in Action
We have information on over 90,000 MIAs. This includes most all the World War II MIAs and some from World War I, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War.
With our strategic partners, the MIA Recovery Network, we want to tell the last chapter in the life of these Citizen Soldiers.
We would also like your help in telling the first chapters of the lives of those still Missing in Action. Do you have service photos of a family member that is or was MIA? News articles? Service related material?
Material on Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines MIAs:
Army, Navy, USMC Missing In Action
Air Corps:
Army Air Corps Missing In Action
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X-Files - Buried Unknowns
There are many citizen soldiers whose body was recovered, but they are unidentified. There are thousands of these unknowns buried in American Battle Monument Cemeteries around the world. They are also known as X-Files.
Material on Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines X-Files can be found:
Army, Navy, Marines: Buried Unknowns
Army Air Corps Buried Unknowns
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Awards, Rosters
Unit Documents
We need you ! A continued big thanks to our fantastic army of volunteers. We have much more so if you can type and have a couple hours each week we can use you !
Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force
We have received material on many units and are hoping to compile much more.
Unit Citations, Awards, Transfers, Rosters
Many groups received unit citations during their particular conflict. The paperwork, in triplicate, would include a roster of all assigned and attached personnel. We are seeking and requesting copies of those roster documents. Please search your papers, talk to your association and help us out with this information and get them to us pronto!
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Attention Website Owners &
Veteran Associations
Many WWII veterans organizations have shut. Many these organizations had developed some type of website, some with enormous amounts of data and history. Sadly, many had/have not made provisions for their website to be continued and thus when the bill stops being paid, the website disappears and all the work and information is lost. We want to help and we need you to help us. If you know of a disbanding group, please have them get in contact with us; we would like to bring their website and information under our wing. If they want to continue to maintain it we can give them access to continue that as well. One of our top goals for this and every year is to preserve this history not lose it!
Not a WW2 unit? That's ok. We are also interested in your history and want to help preserve it. Korea, Vietnam and all other conflicts.
If your organization has physical materials such as uniforms, patches, photos and other memorabilia do you have plans for them when you cease operations? We would be honored to be the custodian of your group's history.
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| | | We would like to send a shout out to our website design partner, InterNet Partners, who has helped us with a variety of database programming and web design over the years. | |
Contact
Sons of Liberty Museum
Army Air Corps Library and Museum
Directors' Line: 214.957.1393
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