Category Archives: World War II (1939-1946)

Samuel Gilbert PFC – U.S. Army, 4th Infantry Division; European Theater, France World War II (1943-1945) POW Stalag 7A Sam Gilbert, whose given name is Samuel Gilbert, was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 6, 1919. His father and … Continue reading →

Hawley Dwight Smith Private First Class – Army Airborne Infantry; 17th Airborne Division, 194th Regiment; 82nd Airborne Division, 194th Regiment – Glider & Paratrooper World War II (1944-1946) Hawley Dwight Smith was born on October 26, 1924 in Denver, Colorado.  … Continue reading →

Will Pereira Motor Machinist Mate 2nd class – US Navy (USS LST-70) World War II (1943-1945) Asked why his ship’s crew played the same role in the World War II invasions of Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, gunner’s mate Edward … Continue reading →

Morton Hubert Tallen Staff Sergeant – US Army World War II (Dec. 1941-Nov. 1945) Mr. Morton Hubert Tallen was born June 25, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois.  His father had many occupations while Mr. Tallen was growing up, including a cab … Continue reading →

Richard Francis Guetter U.S. Army, Corporal 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment World War II (1941 – 1945) Richard “Richie’ Guetter, born in 1923, grew up in Larkspur, California.  He attended Tamalpais High School.  He was … Continue reading →

Max Thelen, Jr. Lieutenant—U.S. Navy—USS Heermann World War II (1941-1946) Max Thelen, Jr. was born on August 18, 1919 in Berkeley, California. He lived in Berkeley for his entire childhood and adolescence. His father was a graduate of Harvard Law … Continue reading →

Herbert Douglas Swasey Sargent—U.S. Air Force— 509 Composite Group World War II (1942-1946) Herbert Douglas Swasey was born in San Francisco, California on May 15, 1922.  He grew up San Francisco where his father worked as a house painter and … Continue reading →

John Paul Hourigan Seaman 1st Class—U.S. Navy—USS Grundy World War II (1944-1946) John Paul Hourigan was born in Albany, New York in 1926. His father, Paul Hourigan, served on the USS Arizona during WWI. While in high school Hourigan’s mother … Continue reading →

Benson B. Roe Senior Lieutenant – U.S. Navy Medical Corps, USS Philadelphia World War II (1945-1946) Dr. Benson B. Roe of San Rafael, CA was born on July 7, 1918 in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in the suburban area … Continue reading →

Asa Hanamoto US Army, Military Intelligence Service – Technician 3rd Grade World War II (1944-1946) Asa Hanamoto, a veteran of World War II, grew up as a farm boy in Auburn, California.  He parlayed the skills learned on the farm, … Continue reading →

Stanley Peter Kosta Staff Sergeant – U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Division, 47th Infantry Regiment World War II (1943-1945) Stanley Peter Kosta of San Rafael, CA was born on May 5, 1917 in San Francisco. At the age of ten, Kosta … Continue reading →

Raymond Peter Rossi Sergeant – US Army Medical Corps 34th General Hospital World War II (1942-1946) Raymond Peter Rossi of San Rafael, CA was born on November 26, 1920. The son of Italian immigrants, Rossi spent his childhood in San … Continue reading →

Noel Turner U.S. Army Air Corps, 22nd Bombing Group, 2nd Squadron World War II (1942 – 1945) Life as a young man was good on Catalina Island.  There were beautiful beaches, girls and, in the summertime, big-name bands would come … Continue reading →

John Busterud U.S. 3rd Army, 90th Infantry Division, 357th Regiment World War II (1943-1946) Before the United States entered World War II, it was apparent to John Busterud and most of his high school colleagues that they would be getting … Continue reading →

Edward John Sotelo United States Army, 44th Infantry Division, Corporal World War II (1944-1946) Edward John Sotelo was born in Jerome, Arizona on July 21, 1923. His upbringing was tough because when he was very young his father passed away. … Continue reading →

Alvin Theodore Anderson United States Navy, Radio Technician 2nd Class, USS Quapaw World War II (1943-1946) Alvin Theodore Anderson was born on February 14, 1925 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He grew up in Colorado Springs and graduated from high school … Continue reading →

Joseph Pearlman US Army, Chief Technician 5th Grade World War II (1943-1946) Pacific Theater Joseph Pearlman, 92, of Novato California is a proud veteran of World War II.  He was born in Detroit Michigan March 19, 1920.  Pearlman grew up … Continue reading →

William W. Schwarzer Second Lieutenant – U.S. Army Military Intelligence, Military Police, Mobile Field Intelligence Unit 4, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force; U.S. Army Reserves, Military Intelligence World War II (1943-1946) Few surviving WWII veterans describe their time in the … Continue reading →

John Leonard Craig 2nd Class Petty Officer – U.S. Navy, USS Hunter Liggett, USS General J.H. McRae World War II (1943-1946) When asked to share some wisdom for future generations, John Craig responded, “When you work, do the best you … Continue reading →

Henry Louis Listnan Petty Officer First Class – U.S. Navy, Harbor Defense World War II (1940-1945) Hank Listnan was born on May 31, 1919 in San Francisco. Growing up in the Glen Park district of San Francisco, Listnan remembers having … Continue reading →

Albert Mario Ranzani US Army, 832nd Engineer Aviation Battalion – Private First Class World War II (1943-1945) Albert Ranzani of San Rafael, California is a member of an elite group in Marin County.  Ranzani is one of four men in … Continue reading →

John Orval Sutter US Army, 9th Armored Division, 9th Armored Engineer Battalion, C Company – Staff Sergeant World War II (1944-1946) European Theater and Battle at Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany John Orval Sutter, a resident of San Rafael, California, … Continue reading →

David Edwards Simonds US Army Medical Corps – Surgical Technician 4th Grade Lawson General Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia World War II (1944-1946) David E. Simonds, a Greenbrae, California resident, is a classic car enthusiast with a keen eye for detail. … Continue reading →

Raymond Phillips Barker US Navy – Naval Supply Corps – Lieutenant Commander USS Worden & USS General M.M. Patrick (AP-150) World War II (1940 – 1948) Pearl Harbor Survivor Raymond Phillips Barker, an unassuming veteran of World War II, survived … Continue reading →

Henry D. Holt US Army, National Guard, Anti-Aircraft Artillery – Corporal US Air Force, Anti-Aircraft Artillery – Lieutenant World War II (1939 – 1945) Born in Shanghai China, Henry Holt came into this world in 1921.  Shortly after birth, Henry’s … Continue reading →

Norman H. Palter U.S. Navy, Radar Officer, USS Icefish  Lieutenant (Senior Grade) World War II (1942-1945) Norman H. Palter was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.  His father owned a shoe store while his mother stayed at home.  He had … Continue reading →

Marshall B. Figari US Navy, Communications Officer, USS Sangamon – Lieutenant World War II (1942-1946) American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2 Battle Stars), Philippine Liberation Medal (1 Battle Star), Letter of Commendation (Admiral Kinkaid) Marshall “Monte” Bernard Vincent Figari … Continue reading →

 Irwin “Hap” Kaufman US Army Air Corps, Glider Pilot & Office of War Information World War II “The intrepid pilots who flew the gliders were as unique as their motorless flying machines.  Never before in history had any nation produced … Continue reading →

Lawrence Daniels US Army Air Force, 8th Air Force, Air Combat Command, B-24 Bomber Pilot World War II Lawrence “Larry” Daniels was twenty-two years old and lived in the United States when he was drafted into the fighting of World … Continue reading →

Robert Hough U.S Air Force Signal Corps, 5th Division World War II Campaign Ribbon, Presidential Citation, Good Conduct Medal Marin County native Robert Hough was born in Kentfield, where he also spent the first 18 years of his life. Having … Continue reading →

George Mitchell US Army, 100th Infantry Division, 398th Battalion Army Corps World War II The beginning of the story of my 84 –year-old interviewee, George Mitchell, goes back to Wyoming, Ohio in 1943.  Mitchell was a high school senior at … Continue reading →

Fran Jenkins U.S. Navy, Seaman Warrant Officer World War II (1940-1946) Pearl Harbor Survivor On December 7, 1941, an enormous force of Japanese ships and planes launched an attack on Pearl Harbor, determined to destroy the United States Navy base … Continue reading →

Lew Johnston US Army Air Force, 61st Troop Carrier Squadron, Troop Carrier Pilot – 1st Lieutenant World War II (1941-1945) It all began when young Lew Johnston went out and stood next to the airfield in Dayton, Ohio.  He saw … Continue reading →

Joseph V. Lopez U.S. Navy, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Fighting Seabees World War II (1939 – 1945)  You may find Joe Lopez walking the streets in the Forbes area of San Rafael any sunny day of week.  At the age of … Continue reading →

Harry J.  Blatt US Army, 15th Cavalry Group – Master Sergeant World War II At age 23, Harry J. Blatt was drafted, enabling him to join the army shortly before he was called to service.  He was the manager of … Continue reading →

Denis M. Parsons US Army, 101st Airborne Division, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment World War II (1942-1945) Denis M. Parsons was a Sergeant with the 101st “Screaming Eagles” airborne division.  Parsons was drafted into the army in November 1942 after Pearl … Continue reading →

George Larsen Radioman, United States Coast Guard World War II (1939 – 1945) Good Conduct and Campaign Medals Pearl Harbor Survivor George Larsen was born on February 21, 1918, in San Francisco, California, but he later moved to Marin County … Continue reading →

Donald W. Davis Captain – Army Infantry World War II (1941-1945) Medal of Occupation & Medal for Officer Training Donald Davis was born in Los Angeles, California, on September 4, 1921. He grew up in San Francisco, California, the son … Continue reading →

Henry Milton James Army Corps of Engineers, WDC 4th Army, 61st Engineer Combat Unit – Colonel World War II (1940-1944) Henry James was born on December 18th 1916 in San Francisco, CA. He grew up in the bay area his … Continue reading →

Wendall McWhinney Private First Class – U.S. Army, 103rd Infantry Division, Field Artillery World War II (1943-1945) Battle Stars Wendall McWhinney was born in Los Angeles, California, on October, 23, 1923, and grew up in Montana. His father was an … Continue reading →

Turner G. Brashear Captain – U.S. Air Force, 535th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Squadron, & 8th Air Force World War II Turner Brashear was only nineteen years old when he joined the U.S. Air Force in World War II.  He … Continue reading →

 Philip Economon U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division World War II (1940-1945) Awarded Bronze Star for Meritorious Service Spending the first five years of his life in Regina, Canada and growing up in Los Angeles, California, Economon was one of four … Continue reading →

Fran Jenkins U.S. Navy, Seaman Warrant Officer World War II (1940-1945) Pearl Harbor Survivor Fran Jenkins, born in Spokane Washington, grew up in Marin County. His mother was the principle of the Ross Grammar School, while his father worked as … Continue reading →

Michael N. Khourie U.S. Navy – Ensign and Chaplain World War II (1943 – 1945) Michael N. Khourie was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 10, 1922. Growing up, his father was a merchant and his mother was a housewife. … Continue reading →

Fielding Louis Greaves Lieutenant Colonel – U.S. Army, Assistant Executive of Battery A, Field Artillery World War II Fielding Greaves was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1923. He was the son of a WWI veteran, who was called back into … Continue reading →

David Wilson U.S. Navy, Quartermaster 3rd Class World War II (1943 – 1945) David Wilson was born in Rockford, Illinois in 1926. Growing up in La Grange, Wilson’s father fought in the Army during WWI. Serving in the Navy, Wilson … Continue reading →

William Warren Taylor U.S. Army, 86th Infantry Division, 343rd Regiment World War II (1943 – 1945) European Theatre & Pacific – Bronze Star Recipient William Warren Taylor was born on August 25, 1925. He is a native to Plainfield, New … Continue reading →

Edward “Ed” Tanner U.S. Army Air Corps World War II (1941-1945) 5 Air Medals Edward “Ed” Tanner was born in Macksville, Kansas, on December 31, 1920.  Moving to Yuba City, California, as a young boy, Tanner gained plenty of experience … Continue reading →

George Vroom Banning Lieutenant, Navy World War II (1942-1945) Letter of Commendation for Service George Vroom Banning was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on April 22, 1917, and he grew up there his whole life. His mother was a housewife, … Continue reading →

John Murray Fox Colonel – U.S. Marine Corps, 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division, “C” Company; Battalion Headquarters Company; and Headquarters and Service Company of the 24th Regiment World War II (1942-1946) John Murray Fox, 91, of Greenbrae, California is a … Continue reading →

William C. Callender U.S. Navy, Aerial Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class World War Two (1946-1949) Award for Good Conduct and Marksmanship Though William Callender was born in Sacramento, he grew up in Lake Tahoe, where his parents ran a small bar … Continue reading →

Bill Tom U.S. Army Airborne, 17th Airborne Division & Medic World War II, European Theatre of Operation Bill Tom was an 18-year-old “drop-out” who was drafted and served as a medic in the US Army Airborne in England and Continental … Continue reading →

Beatrice Brown WAVE in U.S. Navy Supply Corps, Lieutenant Junior Grade World War II (1939-1945) Born and raised in Salisbury Center, New York, 93-year-old Beatrice Fairchild Brown grew up during the Great Depression.  Fortunately, her family lived in a small … Continue reading →

Helen Buckley Nugent WAVES, 7th Regiment World War II (1943 – 1945) Helen Buckley Nugent, 91, of Greenbrae, California is proud to have served her country during World War II.  According to Nugent, she was a part of the “giving … Continue reading →

James H. Shaw US Army, 83rd Division, 331st Infantry World War II (1943-1946) James H. Shaw, 87, of Marinwood , California is a humble veteran of World War II.  Like many veterans of this era, Shaw views his service as … Continue reading →

Joe Gargiulo U.S. Coast Guard, Lieutenant, Maritime Engineer World War II (1943- 1946) Joe Gargiulo, Coast Guard veteran, survived kamikaze attacks while serving on troop ships in the Pacific during World War II. Age: 85 Branch of military: U.S. Coast … Continue reading →

Army Air Forces, Women’s Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) World War II (1942-1944) Congressional Gold Medal Awarded in 2010 Based out of: Avenger Field and Merced Army Air Field Planes Flown: At-6, BT-13, PT-22; Class: 44-W-4 Between 1942 and 1944, at … Continue reading →

U.S. Army, First Lieutenant, 450th Bombardment Navigator World War II Awarded Chevalier in the French National Order of the Legion of Honor Lucas Valley resident, Earl Shanken, 90, is among hundreds of American World War II veterans who have received … Continue reading →