Ain't the internet grand? WWII - 485th Bomb Group

[WaterburyBob]

Originally posted by Jacksmyname:
Bob, very cool find, and thanks for posting.
Your post got me curious about my father. He and my mother went their seperate ways when I was about a year old (I'll be 60 in a few months). Growing up, he was never really "dad" to my sister and me. So, I really know nothing about him. What I did learn about him, just a few years ago, makes me ok with the fact that I didn't attent his funeral, or try to establish a better relationship with him as I grew older. I won't go into detail here.
However, Bob's post got me thinking, so I Googled his name. Well, one of the first "hits" was of the 303rd Bomb Group, Hells' Angels.
Stationed in England during the war.
Sure enough, there was a ground crew member with the same name.
Only two photos showing him, but my first reaction was "Holy cow..that's him!!"
I contacted my sister, and based on some photos of him that she has, she's also sure it's the same guy. She says that he was stationed in England during the war, and worked on those bombers.
Now, here's the *possible* kicker.........
While continuing to search, I clicked on a link with his name on a web site where people post who are looking for long lost relatives, loves, etc.
A woman in England posted about looking for her half sister. Her mother was married to a Sgt. in the air force who's name was the same as my father's.
I have a half sister, by my father's first marriage (haven't seen her in over 50 years).
Her name is the same as the half sister the woman in England is looking for. The marriage broke up, and he took their daughter back to the states, told her it would be a better life, etc.
That child's name, and my half sister's name, are the same!
He took her back to Philadelphia, which is where my father was born.
Are you with me so far?
I answered her post with what info I have, and sent her the links to the web photos I found. I just heard back from her. She has one photo of her mother and her husband, and she says it's the same guy.
She also sent away for the birth certificate for the daughter they had, and the father listed, including rank and serial number, match the info on the bomber group web site.
I just e-mailed her, with the caveat that my half sister, and her half sister, might not be one and the same.
But I have to tell ya, if this is all a coincidence, it's a WEIRD coincidence!

It just *might* be that I have a half sister in England. If so, it would be an amazing thing to learn at the age of 60.

Thanks again Bob for your starting post on this!

That is just awesome, Jack.
Please let us know when you find out more.

 

[rocketdog]

My father-in-law was a ball turret gunner in the 486th. Here's the 486th website for those who might be looking for info. on relatives.

http://www.486th.org/index3.htm

 

[toroflow1]

Great story, and thanks for posting that website.

Here is another website that I like to read regarding the 101st, (Band of Brothers). I figured others might enjoy it also...
http://www.101airborneww2.com/index.html

 

[Jacksmyname]

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:

Originally posted by Jacksmyname:
Bob, very cool find, and thanks for posting.
Your post got me curious about my father. He and my mother went their seperate ways when I was about a year old (I'll be 60 in a few months). Growing up, he was never really "dad" to my sister and me. So, I really know nothing about him. What I did learn about him, just a few years ago, makes me ok with the fact that I didn't attent his funeral, or try to establish a better relationship with him as I grew older. I won't go into detail here.
However, Bob's post got me thinking, so I Googled his name. Well, one of the first "hits" was of the 303rd Bomb Group, Hells' Angels.
Stationed in England during the war.
Sure enough, there was a ground crew member with the same name.
Only two photos showing him, but my first reaction was "Holy cow..that's him!!"
I contacted my sister, and based on some photos of him that she has, she's also sure it's the same guy. She says that he was stationed in England during the war, and worked on those bombers.
Now, here's the *possible* kicker.........
While continuing to search, I clicked on a link with his name on a web site where people post who are looking for long lost relatives, loves, etc.
A woman in England posted about looking for her half sister. Her mother was married to a Sgt. in the air force who's name was the same as my father's.
I have a half sister, by my father's first marriage (haven't seen her in over 50 years).
Her name is the same as the half sister the woman in England is looking for. The marriage broke up, and he took their daughter back to the states, told her it would be a better life, etc.
That child's name, and my half sister's name, are the same!
He took her back to Philadelphia, which is where my father was born.
Are you with me so far?
I answered her post with what info I have, and sent her the links to the web photos I found. I just heard back from her. She has one photo of her mother and her husband, and she says it's the same guy.
She also sent away for the birth certificate for the daughter they had, and the father listed, including rank and serial number, match the info on the bomber group web site.
I just e-mailed her, with the caveat that my half sister, and her half sister, might not be one and the same.
But I have to tell ya, if this is all a coincidence, it's a WEIRD coincidence!

It just *might* be that I have a half sister in England. If so, it would be an amazing thing to learn at the age of 60.

Thanks again Bob for your starting post on this!

That is just awesome, Jack.
Please let us know when you find out more.

Thanks Bob.
A correction:
The woman in England wouldn't be my half sister, as her father was a second marriage for her mother.
But it's still very cool. Just spoke with my sister, and based on more info she gave me and additional info from England, it's looking more and more positive that my half sister is this woman's half sister, so I guess we're still sort of related in a round about way.
This woman's mom passed away 30 years ago today. It would really be nice if I can get more info for her. In her words, she's desperate to find her half sister. Problem now is that no one knows where she is.
But, hopefully we'll find out more.

 

[dragonslayer808]

My Dad's plane and crew was given the name "The Lucky Dogs" based on being effectively shot down 3 times without the loss of the aircraft or any injury to the crew. One time landing at an airfield in France that had been recaptured from the Germans only moments before they arrived.

Superstitions ran strong through these bomber groups throughout the war, so alot of attention was paid to things surrounding anything lucky. Dad allways said that during the war the Good Lord had him by the right hand. The intresting thing reguarding all the concern for luck was brought to a sobering conclusion when, upon returning from his tour of duty and once again on US soil. He was looking for something and couldn't finf it. Out of chance he checked the right pocket of his bomber jacket, not really expecting to find it, for he never used the pockets on the jacket.

In that pocket he found a dime and three pennies, thats right he served his 35 mission tour of duty with 13 cents in his bomber jacket. I guess he was right when he said the Good Lord had him by the right hand.

 

[Jacksmyname]

Update:
Hi all. Well, we've confirmed that the photos I found on the 303 Bomber Group are indeed my father. And his daughter, my half sister, is also the woman in England's half sister.
Found out some more info that's also interesting to know.
Unfortunately, no one knows where our half sister is now. Last known location was near San Diego years ago.
I've passed on all the info we have to Fay (in England), including half's sister's married name. She signed up on Ancestry.com and has found more stuff, so maybe she'll have some luck in finding her half sister (Carol), whom she's never met. Carol surely doesn't know she has a half sister in England.

 

[Beaver]

My dad was a B-29 pilot on Tinian during WWII. Not a day goes by that I'm not affected by the courage and patriotism of these airmen. The war ended, Dad was a Major and 25 years old. 30 missions over Japan, including the Mar 9th 1945 night time-low level raid over Tokyo that burned 16 sq. miles. Dad sailed home with Marines with combat pay, landed in S.F. Dad said he had the hottest streek of poker luck he ever had. Landed with $7000. Paid cash for Mom and Dad's first house in Toledo, Oregon. These airman are my heros, needless to say. God Bless All.