The best thing about this WWII video project is when I get emails from family members of the men of the 354th Fighter Group that I have not heard from before.

Last week I received an email from a son of one of the crew chiefs. He had seen a photo of his father featured in our video about Kong Wah Kau on youtube.

He contacted me and I finally discovered the name of Chuck Tighe's crew chief!

Crew Chief Fred G. Sollberger (left) and Chuck Tighe (right) pose in this photo.

I don't think Chuck kept in touch with Fred after the war, but during our interviews with Chuck he mentioned how much respect he had for his crew chief. He explained that the crew chiefs kept the pilots alive by keeping their planes in top condition.

I was able to find a few more photos of Fred G. Sollberger in the photos Chuck lent me for this video project. I sent them on to Fred's family.

Fred G. Sollberger and Chuck Tighe

Crew Chief Fred G. Sollberger

Fred G. Sollberger and unknown

Crew Chief Fred G. Sollberger

Chuck viewed this blog a lot and always sent me emails about the posts. Chuck passed away a few weeks ago. I will miss him. I know Chuck would be very happy that we connected with his crew chief's family and sent them his photos!

Fred passed away in 1972.

Rest in Peace, Chuck and Fred.

354th Footage on wesite

Some interesting footage of the 354th found on PATHE NEWS website:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/us-air-base/query/mustang

 

 

Bill Davis' plane (SPORTY) can be seen; also JULLIANE HI.

 

Col. George Bickell is also seen.

 

 

Enjoy

Chuck Tighe has passed away

I just received the sad news that Chuck Tighe passed away on Thursday. Chuck was in the 355th Fighter Squadron. He is featured in many of our videos. I will miss him. Rest in Peace, Chuck!!!!

NEW VIDEO - WILLIAM W. LOUIE - ARTIST

William W. Louie was an original member of the 354th Fighter Group. He started with them in the states then traveled with them to Europe and through the end of the war. His duties included painting the nose art and murals.

In this tribute video we talk with Will about his career AFTER the war. We also get a look at many of his paintings.

(Throughout the years, Will has been a great resource for information about the 354th Fighter Group and his photos have featured in many of our videos. Thanks Will!!!)

Sad News - Our friend Paul Cornell passed away

I got the sad news that Paul Cornell passed away last month. It was an incredible shock, as I just exchanged emails with him recently. He was a kind and generous man. He will be missed! His friend, Ted Skowronek of the 354th passed away earlier in the year.

Rest in Peace, Paul.

(photo of  me, Ted Skowronek and Paul Cornell)

A Webpage about Bob Stephens

I just found a nice webpage about Bob Stephens!


http://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/stephens_robert.htm



It has some great photos and lots of information! Check it out!

Another photo found on FOLD3.com

I confirmed these pilots are from the 354th by looking through Steven Blake's book about the 354th.

The men in the photo are 2nd Lt. Richard F. Poole (manning the gun), Capt. Glendon J. Buer and 2nd Lt. Walter P. Meyler.

James W. Edwards' Obituary

I just found this obituary of James W. Edwards who served in the 356th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Group. We had the pleasure of meeting him and interviewing him at the 2008 Reunion.



http://www.theunion.com/article/20090409/OBITUARIES/904099990

Rest in Peace, Jim!

LOWELL BRUELAND PHOTO

I just found another document on FOLD3.COM (formally FOOTNOTE.COM) relating to the 354th Fighter Group.

In this photo, Lowell K. Brueland (Captain at the time) receives the Distiguished Service Cross for actions on July 28, 1944!

WAU KAU KONG's MACR

I just found a few more documents on FOLD3.COM (formally FOOTNOTE.COM) relating to the 354th Fighter Group.

These are the pages of Wau Kau Kong's MACR report (2327). It seems like at least one page is missing.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

DON BLAKESLEE MIAMI HERALD

I found this MIAMI HERALD article in my collection. Don Blakeslee led the first flights of the 354th. He was not in the 354th, but was brought in to lead them at the beginning.

On June 13, 1944 1st  Lt. William R. Perkins was shot down while flying a mission with the 354th Fighter Group.



                                                                  He is not forgotten.

Life's website has a great collection of color WWII photos:
http://life.time.com/history/d-day-rare-color-photos/?iid=lb-gal-viewagn#1

Before and After D-Day:

Rare Color Photos

 

All photos by Frank Scherschel — Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

 

Peggy Harris on CBS NEWS

I had the pleasure of meeting Peggy during some of the 354th Reunions! She is quite a gal!

"Winning Your Wings" 1942 - Jimmy Stewart Recruitment Film

I just found this recruitment film in my WWII video archives.





"Winning Your Wings" is a short film designed to encourage recruits for the American Army Air Forces. According to imdb.com it was released on May 28, 1942, co-directed by John Huston and nominated for an Oscar!

I wonder how many men of the 354th saw this film before they enlisted! I bet many!



More about Jimmy Stewart's military career : http://www.militaryhub.com/military-people.cfm?id=44

D-DAY Newsreel

A newsreel about D-DAY that I recently found in my WWII video collection.

SNAFU - a funny song from WWII featuring Martha Raye

What is the meaning of SNAFU? - Situation Normal All Fouled Up or (F***ked Up)

I recently found this in my WWII video collection! Enjoy!

Skowronek Evades Capture - MACR: August 25 1944

MACR 8493 page 1

MACR 8493 page 2

MACR 8493 page 3

MACR 8493 page 4

MACR 8493 page 5

MACR 8493 page 6

MACR 8493 page 7

MACR 8493 page 8

MACR 8493 page 9

MACR 8493 page 10

MACR 8493 page 11

MACR 8493 page 12

Ted Skowronek has passed away...

 I got news that Ted Skowronek  passed away a few days ago. Rest in Peace, Ted!

LOOK MAGAZINE - PUGNACIOUS PUPS AD

On a visit to the Ft. MacArthur Museum in San Pedro, California, I found this ad from a Look Magazine. It is an ad for Oldsmobile (GM) using the 355th Fighter Squadron's insigne! What a pleasant surprise for me to see the Pugnacious Pups logo featured on the wall of the museum.

I believe this ad is from the June 13, 1944 issue of LOOK MAGAZINE. (I found this information on the www.2Neat.com website)