Issue #145 | Memorial Day 2026 | | |
In This Issue of
Saving Military History One Soldier at a Time SM
Memorial Day 2026 Edition
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History Enthusiasts:
In this issue we include some photos of Memorial Day at the DFW National Cemetery followed by the Purple Heart and Bronze Star of a fallen patriot during World War II.
Recently we announced that we added over 1500 WWII pilot encounter reports to our www.8af.org website and over 4000 WWII US Marine Corps Silver Star Citations to the Sons of Liberty Museum website. We continue to bring you history with fascinating reading and stories of honor and daring.
In this issue, read the report of two legends of the sky and the Silver Star Citation of two Marines who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
This year is a great time to sponsor a school field trip for the mobile museum. Our area of travel is the North and Central Texas area. Please help us reach these students augmenting their 1776-2026 studies by sponsoring a daily visit that can reach up to 750 students per visit!
Want to have a memorable corporate event? If you are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, contract us to bring the mobile museum with stories of sacrifice and leadership.
Your support enables us to bring exhibits like our America 250 display to the public. We are honored by your support.
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
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Dawn breaks over the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Veterans Day 2026. Through the early morning mist and dew filled grass sentinels of remembrance adorn the hills. Nearly 100,000 patriots rest here. Texas quarried granite headstones are paired with over 60,000 flags that were ceremonially placed one foot in front of each maker on Sunday.
We were privileged and honored to attend bringing the USH-Constitution, our mobile museum for the first time on this Veteran's Day. Families, Veterans and many children were able to tour the museum in addition to the 11:00 AM memorial program capped by howitzer salute.
Our current exhibit "America 250" contains artifacts of all branches of service from World War I through Present Day and even contains artifacts of veterans that are interred at the DFW National Cemetery.
A expected crowd north of 10,000 patriots visited the cemetery this day to pay their respects... to remember.
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George O. Sporel
Killed in Action
23 August 1944
Normandy, France
2nd Armored Division
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We have added over 1500 pilot encounter reports by 8th Army Air Forces fighter pilots in World War II to the www.8af.org website. Read these official reports from the pilots themselves created immediately upon return to their bases. Read a few here..
Hubert Zemke
56th Fighter Group 09/03/1943
HEADQUARTERS FIFTY SIXTH FIGHTER GROUP APO 637 U.S. ARMY Personal Combat Report 65th Fighter Wing F.O. No. 51 VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 121
Colonel Hubert Zemke
Combat 3 September 1943
63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group
Approximately 0845 hours Northwest of Romilly-Sur-Seine
Clear and unlimited with few high thin cirrus clouds
One FW 190 destroyed
On the mission of this date, I was acting as Group Commander leading the 63 rd Fighter Squadron. We had been escorting a large box of bombers for sometime and had past to the west of Paris enroute to target. The 63 rd Squadron was immediately over the rear of the bombers when suddenly it was noted that four enemy aircraft were going through the bombers on a head-on attack. These four enemy aircraft after going through the bombers, recovered well to the left hand side of B-17 formation, and turned in the general route to the target to climb and fly to a position for another attack. As they regained altitude and began to fly up ahead, I continually kept my eye on them. At a point five miles ahead of the bombers and well to the left, these four aircraft had reassembled, and were flying in line abreast in preparation for another head-on attack. At this time they must have been five to seven thousand feet directly below the position of my squadron. It was then that I rolled over and dove to make an astern attack. I was followed down in this attack by Lt. Jansen and Capt. Goodfleisch. The enemy continued to fly in a straight line directly ahead and my closure on their position was quite rapid. At a point approximately 600 yards from the enemy, I noticed that tracer ammunition was going past my right wing. Believing that Lt. Jansen had opened fire, I gave to cease firing, as we were still out of range. At this same time, I hastily glanced back and noticed on airplane to my rear going down. This airplane was probably the one Captain Goodfleisch shot off my tail. At any rate I closed to within 400 yards of their number three man, who was somewhat behind and opened up with a long burst, at about a ten to fifteen degree deflection. No results were seen. Again I opened to at approximately that range, or a bit less with two more bursts and no evident strikes were seen. Just after the final burst, the underpart of this airplane began to belch black smoke and the airplane began to slowly turn to the left. It recovered to the right slightly, then fell off slightly to the left, nosed down and finally went into a vertical dive toward the ground, streaming black smoke, in flames. Capt. Goodfleisch saw this airplane go down and in. Immediately thereupon, I concentrated my fire on the number two man of the formation and gave him a several second bursts at 300 yards. He had probably sensed my position and broke for the deck in a half roll. The number one man also broke for the deck so I recovered in a left climbing turn to try and engage the number four enemy aircraft. This aircraft circled once below me and rolled over for the deck. I recovered to 22,000 feet where I found that I was by myself, so I continued back to the bomber formation where I tacked onto a flight of the 61st Squadron, and returned home. Until the time of landing, I did not know that I had been hit by enemy aircraft, which I had not seen behind, when going into the initial dive. However it was through the help of Captain Goodfleisch that these aircraft were dispatched with disastrous results from my tail. I claim one FW 190 destroyed.
HUBERT ZEMKE, Colonel, Air Corps
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Francis Gabreski
56th Fighter Group 09/03/1943
Headquarter 61st Fighter Squadron., AAF Station 365, APO 637,
US Army. Personal Combat Report, 65th Fighter Wing.
F.O. No. 51., VIII Fighter Command F.O. No. 121.
a. Combat.
b. 3 September 1943
c. 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Group.
d. 0 900 hours.
e. St. Germain, France
f. Visibility Fair, 1/10 Low cloud.
g. FW - 190.
h. Pilot believed killed.
i . Leading Keyworth White Flight, I made landfall in over St. Valery and proceeded to. Hornoy, where we met the bombers at 27,000 feet at 0825 o'clock. Upon rendezvousing with big friends, I spotted a large formation of fighters a great distance away from us at about 10 o'clock. Immediately I shoved everything forward. Climbing to meet the oncoming fighters with a little altitude to our advantage. We managed to get to 36,000 feet. Upon investigating the huge force of fighters, we found that the fourth group intends to escort bombers by flying 10,000 feet above them. Not being derogatory, I would suggest that we be constructive so that we're never caught short chasing each other over the sky, thus losing our support for our bombers. After about a fifteen minute goose chase, we were once more alongside the big friends approaching Paris. Just at that moment, ten FW-190's were spotted above and at about 10 o'clock to the Bombers, quite a distance away. Once more we started climbing well above 30,000 foot., while at 32,000 feet we found ourselves at the same altitude with the Jerries. Still well out ahead of us, the 190 's started diving for a head on attack on the bombers. Being directly in between the bombers and the attacking fighters, White Flight dove head on into them. I fired 2 long bursts at two individual ships. Scared the hell out of them, but didn't hit them. Thus, about eight of them broke off their attack. Making one large sweep around the Bombers, I picked up a lone FW-190 flying below and to the left of the Bombers, preparing to make another run at the Bombers. I directed the flight into a shallow turn to the right and fell directly behind the lone ranger. Dove 4000 feet, closed to 400 yards, I opened up firing till I closed to about 50 feet. Pieces from the wings, fuselage and canopy were seen flying off. I pulled up circling. The 190 went into a spin, my wingman and I watched the plane spin and hit the ground. No parachute was observed. I claim one FW 190 destroyed.
FRANCIS S. GABRESKI,
Major, Air Corps
Armament Report Name Aircraft Ammunition Expended
Major Francis S. Gabreski 7871 977 rds. .50 cal. AP&I
| | USMC Silver Star Citations | | |
We have added over 4000 World War II US Marine Corps Silver Star Citations to the Sons of Liberty Museum website. Read these citations depicting gallantry in combat action by Marines in WWII. Read a few here.
On this Memorial Day, we honor the following two Marines, Killed in Action.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to
CORPORAL LYLE E. WAGAMAN,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,
for service as set forth in the following
Citation
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. Pinned down with his entire company by a furious barrage of enemy machine-gun fire, Corporal Wagaman unhesitatingly risked his life to advance into an area of hostile blasting and Japanese sniper fire to rescue a severely wounded Marine who was struggling to reach a position of safety. Placing the wounded man on his back, he crawled toward a defliladed position of comparative safety but was mortally wounded by fire from several hostile positions before reaching the protected spot. His unflinching courage and self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of his comrade reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Wagaman and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
For the President,
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy.
R--Tipton, Iowa.
Dec--Tipton, Iowa.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to
SECOND LIEUTENANT SIDNEY WASSERMAN,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE,
for service as set forth in the following
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Leader, attached to Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, during action on enemy Japanese-held Okinawa, Ryukyu Group, 11 June 1945. With his platoon's advance disrupted by heavy automatic weapon fire, Second Lieutenant Wasserman ran forward of the lines to seek a covered route by which his men could advance and returned to lead his unit to a position near the objective. Twice he reorganized his scattered platoon under intense hostile barrage. When the attack from his position was halted by machine-gun fire, he launched a lone assault against the Japanese, destroying an enemy emplacement before he fell, fatally wounded. His outstanding leadership, initiative and unwavering devotion to duty inspired his men to complete their mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President,
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy.
| | 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
| | USH-Constitution, (MM-1776) | | |
MM-1776
Mobile Museum 1776, the USH-Constitution.
Veteran Memorials
Our mobile-museum trailer has a place on the side for a visual honorarium and memorial for your veteran. Honor your veteran family member with a permanent marker on our 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 were 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.
Fall 2025 -
Opening of our America 250 exhibit unveiled on Veterans Day.
2026 -
America 250 exhibit featuring all branches of service from the Revolutionary War to present day.
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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; along with 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 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, there is 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
Read More & Order Your Copy
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”.
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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
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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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