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

[WaterburyBob]

I was "looking around" the internet, and I found a site for the 485th Bomb Group Association. My father was in the 485th during WWII, stationed at first in England and then in Italy from 1943 until the end of the war.

I was very pleased to see the crews listed, and to see my father's name. I was even more pleased - excited, actually - to see the photo below of his crew from the 828th Squadron. I remember seeing that photo when I was a kid.

Anyway, the internet is great. Here's the photo. My father is the second from the left in the front row.

Here's a link to the site if anyone else is interested - 485th Bomb Group

 

[WaterburyBob]

I was "looking around" the internet, and I found a site for the 485th Bomb Group Association. My father was in the 485th during WWII, stationed at first in England and then in Italy from 1943 until the end of the war.

I was very pleased to see the crews listed, and to see my father's name. I was even more pleased - excited, actually - to see the photo below of his crew from the 828th Squadron. I remember seeing that photo when I was a kid.

Anyway, the internet is great. Here's the photo. My father is the second from the left in the front row.

Here's a link to the site if anyone else is interested - 485th Bomb Group

 

[Bullman]

I took a report last week from a gentleman who was a Mustang pilot for the 55th fighter group. He told me he got shot down over Holland and spent a few months dodging the Germans before he got out. He is quite a guy and I am going to try and get back out there sometime to look over his memorabilia.

 

[jcall]

That is great info you have found. I need to get as much of the details of my grandfather when he served in the Navy in WWII. Long story short his ship he served on had taken over a japanese occupied island. After the enemy was secured they collected the thier rifles, ground off the japanese sun from the rifle and each crew member was allowed to take two rifles with them. He has since passed and my brother and I now have the rifles. One was a basic infantrymans rifle and the other was a sniper rifle. Both had bayonets as well.

Veterans of all era's are very much appreciated for thier service.

 

[gunsmith11]

periodically i look for things from my father that was in the34TH INFANTRY in Italy late ww11

 

[truckemup97]

That's really cool, Bob. The guy to your father's right looks kind of like Lee Marvin.

I know my uncle was part of a bomber crew over Europe, but I have no idea what group/wing he was in. Anyone know how to find out on the internet?

 

[WaterburyBob]

Originally posted by truckemup97:
That's really cool, Bob. The guy to your father's right looks kind of like Lee Marvin.

I know my uncle was part of a bomber crew over Europe, but I have no idea what group/wing he was in. Anyone know how to find out on the internet?

I found that site simply by searching on my father's name. It's worth a try.

On the chance that he happened to be in the 485th, you could search the 3,100-name personnel list on that site (upper right button).

 

[Stonecove]

Awesome find!
Stonecove

 

[2Loud4You]

I wish I had more info about my grandfather's service in WWII but he didn't like talking about it. Now he's senile so anything he says has to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[Indiana George]

Originally posted by truckemup97:
That's really cool, Bob. The guy to your father's right looks kind of like Lee Marvin.

You're right, Truckemup!

And Bob's father's smile reminds me of Sean Penn's!

That is indeed a cool find, Bob. I'm sure that it means alot to you and hope that you continue to find more information.

 

[Frank237]

Great photo!

My wifes Dad flew B-24's in the 493d BG.

FN in MT

 

[jp zanoya]

That's great Bob! I have had a similar experience with the net. My father piloted a B-17 with the 447th BG.
I have been able to get quite a bit of information on the internet, including photos of Dad and his plane.
The plane was "named" SCHEHERAZADE and it was flown on over 100 missions.

 

[dragonslayer808]

Thank you for starting this thread. I really don't know how I want to phrase this so I will just throw it out there.

Sgt. Lila Bradley
Ball turret gunner B-17
457th Bomb Group
750th Sq.

1920 to 1986
I miss you Dad.

 

[truckemup97]

Several of those guys wrote books that look like they would be very interesting. Link.

 

[armenius]

What a bunch of Heroes!The odds of making all there tour and living was very low.Tere will ever be another bunch like these.God Bless 'EM All.

 

[armenius]

Correction
There will never be another bunch like these!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

That is so cool! Glad you found that stuff! I have a lot of photos My Dad took when he was with the Army Air Corps in Africa. I have his IKE jacket and dog tags, medals and such. They are the most treasured thing's I have as we lost Dad six years ago.

 

[K.38]

Another good place to look for interesting history is to check out antique shops and used book stores for old small publisher or self published books. I have found a few over the years and they are very interesting.

The writing may not be polished but the stories are from the heart and are very good.

 

[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!


Thanks again Bob for your starting post on this!

 

[jcall]

Dragonslayer - WOW! That is very cool. Its nice that you have your fathers bomber jacket to cherish. Its amazing that items like that are still around. Means more whens its kept in the family like you did.