Personal Stories and Biographies

85th Fighter Squadron

The last letters to and from the parents and a friend of pilot John R. Anderson, MIA on 21 April 1943,
provided by his nieces Molly Anderson and Jane Anderson Jones.

 “Uncle Jim’s Life,” by Chuck Dennis, about his uncle, Crew Chief James E. Dennis.

The life and military service of Crew Chief Lyle E. Mason, provided by his son Gordon Mason.

A letter from pilot Melvin Keith Davis, MIA on 21 March 1943, and newspaper articles about him from the collection of his sister, Evelyn Davis, and provided by his nieces and nephew.

Reminisces of Armorer Charles W. Sinclair, from his niece Adrienne Flagg.

A letter for his grandson’s school assignment by Crew Chief Montie L. Whittenberg, provided by his son Ron Whittenberg.

The life story of Frederick T. Brox, Ordnance Section, from his son Fred Brox.

The life story of Crew Chief Ralph C. Cox, from his son Ralph Cox Jr.

A synopsis of the military service of pilot Donald I. Lawless, provided by him.

An autobiography by pilot Powell A. Scheumack.

A biography of Stanley J. Sum, Engineering Section, from his daughter Mariann LoSasso.

Memories of Edgar G. Babineau, Transportation Section, by his niece Diane M. Dell’Omo.

Reminisces of Crew Chief Truman O. Wallace, by his niece Dawna Stone

Personal memories and the artwork of mechanic Al (Aaron) H. Kramsky, provided by his son Paul Kramsky

A 2014 article on pilot Charles “Don” Munroe by M.K. Thomas from the Tioga County Courier.

Armorer Elven “Al” G. Hubbard’s life and family after the war, from the Hubbard family

“Eltzwar:” Pilot Merlin S. Eltzroth’s autobiography chronicling his adventures with the 79th FG, edited by the Eltzroth family.

The life story of sheet metal worker Tilford “Tip” H. Weaver, from his daughters Laurien Weaver Monaghen and Martha Weaver Dickey

The life of pilot Stewart H. Spencer, by his son Paul Spencer

The life story of pilot Thomas E. Cox, from the Cox family

A Johnson City Press article on pilot William L. Ryburn, provided by Corey Spann

Remembrances of pilot Robert F. Laird, by his son Robert Laird

The wartime experiences of pilot Gerald “Gerry” Teldon, provided by him, and an article about receiving his long overdue military awards at a family ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, on 29 July 2022

The story of the search for pilot Loren Hintz, KIA on 25 April 1945, via his family

“The wartime experiences of pilot Robert “Bud” Ryan, shot down on his 75th missions in WWII and in Korea,” provided by his daughter Vicki Spencer”

The biography of welder Troy W. Clay, killed in a C-124 crash on 20 November 1955, by his son Ron Clay

 The life of pilot Ray Hagler, provided by his family

War Department letters and telegrams about pilot Irvin C. Hoerr, MIA on 20 February 1945, provided by his family

Newspaper articles about pilot Roy Larson, provided by his family

The life of pilot George St. Maur Maxwell, from “Soninlaw71-usmilitaryfrom.”

A tribute to the life of pilot Romie R. Royse, from the Royse family

Newspaper articles about pilot James F. Hannon (KIA), via Eva Hopkins

“A Farm Boy goes to War,” by Reid P. Nelson, Gas Bowser Operator, provided by his daughter Maureene Nelson Plotner.

An interview of Crew Chief Matthew J. Killewald for his granddaughter’s school assignment, provided by his son Brian Killewald.

The adventures of pilot Robert H. Allard following his bailout over China in July, 1945, while later flying with the 1^st FS of the 413^th FG, provided by his son Forrest Allard.

Mechanic Henry Nivins’ Soldier’s Medal award, provided by his daughters Julie Kelly and Janice Large

Pilot Saverio P. Martino’s Certificate for Valor and newspaper articles, provided by the Martino Family

A tribute to the life of armorer Charles W. Ford, provided by the Ford Family

A tribute to pilot Donald W. (Bud) Guilfoyle by the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame.

A biography of painter Everly (Ev) J. McGath, from his daughter Joni Coniglio

A tribute to the life of line chief Lloyd T. “Sie” Good, provided by his daughter Laurie Olds

A tribute to the life of electrical specialist Rocco Soranno, by his daughter Marlene Iaciofano

A veteran’s tribute to pilot George E. Huntsberger, by his great grandson Bryce Simpson

“The chapters of pilot Henry Kent’s life: from flyboy to cartoonist to educator…and more,”
by Steven Mayer of the Bakersfield Californian, and the Kent family

A biography of Parachute Rigger Edgar “Ed” T. Boone, from his family.

John “Jack” H. Kauffman article for Vol. 2 No. 5 1969 issue of Air Combat

“A Life Fully Lived” -The biography of pilot Jack (John) H. Kauffman, by his daughter Kim Kauffman

A 2012 interview with pilot Walter L. Manning at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, transcribed by his daughter Julie Jackson

Selected letters written home by pilot George I. “Buddy” Harris, KIA on 6 April 1943, provided by his niece Keri Crawford

Memories of communications section Robert Quin Ford, Jr., killed in a motorcycle accident in Italy in 1943, by his cousin Judith Mitchell

Arthur E. Halfpapp

“Letters and mementos of Arthur E. Halfpapp, KIA, and his recovery and return home” by Jack Sr. and Jr. Sipe

Armorer Sgt. Gerald Kelton life story from his daughter Sherry L (Kelton) Yandow

A biography of pilot Harley T. Davidson, by his daughter Christine Davidson

Part 1 of a book based on the journal of pilot Elmer N. Pollan, by his grandson Neil Pollan

Part 2 of a book based on the journal of pilot Elmer N. Pollan, by his grandson Neil Pollan

A school assignment about Crew Chief Roger J. McAvoy by his grandson Brian McAvoy Costin, provided by Pat McAvoy Costin

POW letters and mementos about pilot Robert P. Norman, provided by his family

Anecdotes of pilot Raffaele “Ralph” Pasquale, provided by his son Andrew Pasquale

A biography of Communications Section Linwood E. Mann, provided by his family

The WWII recollections and stories of Chester Van Cleave, Engineering Section, as told to his sons Donald and Joe Van Cleave

Pilot Harry F. Sheraw, killed in a flying accident while stateside.

The life and some anecdotes of combat flying by pilot Emery A. Dietrick, provided by his son Michael Dietrick.

The diary of Wendell M. Simmons, KIA on 18 Dec. 1943, provided by his nephew Walter Simmons

Newspaper articles from pilot James E. McGovern’s time with the 79th FG, from Jim McGovern

Pilot Kensley M. Miller, KIA on second combat tour over Japan while with the 462nd FS of the 506th FG

Newspaper articles and photographs of mechanic Sterling J. Sullivan, provided by his son Stanley Sullivan

Awards and photographs of pilot William C. Waller, provided by his daughter Marion Waller-Scherer

The World War II Adventures of pilot “Lucky” Harry R. Lloyd, from his daughter B. Jane Lloyd

The WWII memoirs of pilot Charles Jaslow, provided by his daughter Sarah Jaslow

A tribute to the life of pilot Frank M. Huff, by his daughter Robin Nagle and San Diego Union-Tribune Staff Writer Jack Williams

A tribute to pilot Herman F. Heubel, by his daughter Janet Rosenfield

Pilot Jack G. Maye’s POW experience, from his daughter Monica Maye

A 2004 interview of pilot Leonard Vara Fuentes by the Voces Oral History Center at UT-Austin

Awards and commendations for pilot Leo S. Korpanty, provided by his family

The wartime diary of mechanic Howard J. Farmer, provided by his daughter Renee Adair

The life story of William R. Newlon, transportation section, from his son Jarold Newlon.

The written recollections and letters of Operations Clerk Richard F. Hobbs, from the Hobbs family

Letters from medic Conrad J. Erdman to his future wife Catherine, provided by their son Donald Erdman