WWII Roundtable

07/08/2023

03/13/2022

02/19/2022

The Berlin Airlift, officially known as Operation Vittles, was one of the most important military operations following the end of WWII. The Soviet

02/19/2022

01/18/2022

01/14/2022

A 'Triple Crown' War Veteran receives the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor Eric Holcomb 🇺🇲

01/13/2022

Rest in peace, Bob Vollmer...
Indiana's Hero🇺🇲

After 56 years at the Indiana DNR, Bob Vollmer retired in 2020 at 102 years old.

01/06/2022

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of USS Indianapolis survivor Granville Crane’s passing yesterday evening.

Among the youngest crew members to join Indy’s service during the war, Granville reported aboard ship in April 1943 at the age of sixteen. He was aboard for eight of the ship’s “thriller battles,” as he later called them. After the ship was torpedoed in July of 1945, Granville was among the men floating in the Haynes group. He would later share that throughout the ordeal, he clung to his Christian faith, praying aloud constantly but making no bargains with God. After the ordeal, thankful to be alive and back home with his family, Crane became a pastor, and served the church for 60 years. Last night, he was called home, at the age of 95. May he rest In peace.

With Granville’s passing, there are now only 2 living USS Indianapolis survivors with us. Let us continue to honor their stories and keep the legacy of their shipmates alive.

01/06/2022

Rest in peace, Hero🇺🇲❤🇺🇲

Lawrence N. Brooks, the oldest World War II veteran in the U.S. — and believed to be the oldest man in the country — has died at the age of 112. https://abcn.ws/3zua9va

09/27/2021

Congratulations to World War II Veteran who was presented the Sagamore of the Wabash Award 🇺🇲

Daviess County, Washington, IN:
Ned B. Kent, 104-year-old World War II veteran received the “Sagamore of the Wabash”.

Indiana State Police Superintendent, Doug Carter, presented Kent with the award on behalf of Governor Eric Holcomb. Superintendent Carter helped petition for the award for Kent to receive, after they met during memorial services at the State Police Post in Jasper, IN. Retired Trooper, Gordon Hochmeister, has brought Kent to the memorial service on several occasions.

Kent was born in 1920 in Greene County, In. Kent graduated from Sandborn High School and from Lockears Business College and was drafted by the US Army in January of 1941. Kent served four years and nine months in the US Army, serving in the European Theater of War in Africa and Italy.

Congratulations!

09/23/2021

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETTY!!

Happy 100th to Ranger Betty Reid Soskin!

Betty Reid Soskin is the oldest active ranger in the National Park Service. Over the past decade and a half, Ranger Betty has shared her experiences as well as the efforts and sacrifices of women from diverse backgrounds living and working on the WWII home front at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Learn more about Betty’s inspiring work at: https://www.nps.gov/rori/learn/historyculture/betty-reid-soskin.htm

To mark this occasion, share your birthday messages, photos, or experiences attending one of her programs.

Want a virtual stamp? Visit the Passport To Your National Parks website at http://ow.ly/LB3a50G2vPN



Image: Betty Reid Soskin in front of park visitor center. NPS

08/27/2021

07/17/2021

September 2019
Pledge of Allegiance 🇺🇲

05/06/2021

FAREWELL, SAILOR

USS Indianapolis CA-35 Survivor James Smith loved his family, his ship, and his donuts (he had a great story about them aboard Indy). He also loved life, all 96 years of it.

It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to this hero. James passed away today. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

He shared his stories in person and on Zoom, never failing to captivate his audience and also managing to make them laugh. To say he was a treasure is an understatement.

Fair winds and following seas, James.

03/30/2021

Arizona - World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday by skydiving

A 100-year-old veteran celebrated his century on Earth by jumping out of a plane, thousands of feet above the ground.

03/25/2021

Announcing the Indiana Vietnam Veterans Gift!

A FREE Gift to Indiana Veterans who served during the Vietnam War 1955-1975 Indiana's own Sammy L. Davis, Medal of Honor - Vietnam 1967 "Welcome Home, my Brothers and Sisters. This free Gift of Gratit

03/05/2021

02/15/2021

Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen 🇺🇲

A preview of Robin Roberts’ special on the legendary group of African Americans who were the first men of color to fly as pilots in the U.S. Air Force.

02/03/2021

Today we recognize FOUR CHAPLAINS DAY- The Four Chaplains were four World War II chaplains who died while rescuing civilian and military personnel as the troop ship SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943. Congress established February 3, as Four Chaplains Day in 1988. This day is observed across the country with official proclamations and, sometimes, flags flying at half-mast. Pictured from left, Alexander D. Goode, George L. Fox, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington.

https://www.laureloutlook.com/content/remembering-four-chaplains

The Four Chaplains, also referred to as the “Immortal Chaplains” or the “Dorchester Chaplains,” were four World War II chaplains who died while rescuing civilian and military personnel as the troop ship SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943 after being torpedoed by a German submarine.

01/29/2021

Battle of the Bulge Veteran 🇺🇸

12/16/2020

Jim "P*e Wee" Martin (G/506)

Jim "P*e Wee" Martin (G/506)

(YouTube link) Friends: On this 76th anniversary of the beginning of the "Battle of the Bulge" I will be participating in this livestream. It is my understanding I will be on at approximately 2:30 EST here in the U.S.. I look forward to seeing everyone and answering your questions.

12/11/2020

Brandywine Creek Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

Brandywine Creek Chapter member Bonnie Keahey Wooten shared these photos of her maternal uncle, Paul Eugene Stephens, a Pearl Harbor survivor. Her uncle Paul was a Lieutenant JG on USS Tracy which was docked at Pearl Harbor for repairs on December 7, 1941. Paul and his fellow sailors were awakened by bombing and ran down to the harbor to man small boats pulling survivors from the water. It was a day he never forgot. His parents and five sisters at home were anxious until they heard he had survived the horrible attack. Today, we remember the attack at Pearl Harbor 79 years ago.

12/08/2020

Indiana Aviation

🇺🇲❤🇺🇲❤🇺🇲
Famous WWII Army Air Corps Veteran Chuck Yeager dies

"Right Stuff" Chuck Yeager, 97, passes away. Rest in eternal peace, Hero🇺🇲

12/05/2020

Indy Veterans

Indy Veterans

'It was do or die': Hoosier Air Force veteran, Bob Pedigo, recalls World War II
🇺🇲❤🇺🇲
https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/indianapolis/it-was-do-or-die-hoosier-air-force-veteran-recalls-world-war-ii

11/25/2020

Former Tuskegee Airman Frank Macon dies at 97

🇺🇲Former Tuskegee Airman Frank Macon dies at 97.
Rest in peace, Hero🇺🇲

One of only two original, remaining Tuskegee Airmen in Colorado has died.

11/25/2020

First Soldiers Graduate Basic Training in WWII Throwback Uniform

First Soldiers Graduate Basic Training in WWII Throwback Uniform

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/11/23/first-soldiers-graduate-basic-training-wwii-throwback-uniform.html

New soldiers at Fort Sill were the first to graduate Army Basic Combat Training wearing the service's new Army Greens.

11/24/2020

Jim "P*e Wee" Martin (G/506)

Jim "P*e Wee" Martin (G/506)

11/21/2020

13 WHAM ABC

13 WHAM ABC

TREMENDOUS: This 105 year old WWII veteran got a surprise birthday party.

11/19/2020

Learn the Story of the Tuskegee Airmen at Lucasfilm.com | StarWars.com

LEARN THE STORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

https://www.starwars.com/news/tuskegee-airmen

The acclaimed documentary Double Victory, the film Red Tails, and all-new educational resources celebrating these unsung heroes of World War II are now available on the official Lucasfilm website.

11/18/2020

CAF Dixie Wing to Dedicate P-63 Kingcobra in honor of WWII “Rosie the Riveter”

CAF Dixie Wing to Dedicate P-63 Kingcobra in honor of WWII “Rosie the Riveter”

https://commemorativeairforce.org/news/caf-dixie-wing-to-dedicate-p-63-kingcobra-in-honor-of-wwii-rosie-the-riveter?utm_source=CAF+Members&utm_campaign=1b584efbc2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_12_21_04_16_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7ca59ea8d2-1b584efbc2-90159789&mc_cid=1b584efbc2&mc_eid=1de798d191

November 16, 2020, Peachtree City, GA– On Saturday, November 14, 2020, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing held a dedication ceremony for their assigned P-63 Kingcobra. The aircraft was named "Miss Betty" in honor of long time Wing member Betty Bishop. During World War II Bishop worked fo...

11/14/2020

One man’s urgent mission: Photographing World War II veterans before they’re gone

One man’s urgent mission: Photographing World War II veterans before they’re gone

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/11/11/world-war-2-veterans-photographs/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Jeffrey Rease has captured images of more than 100 veterans, ages 93 to 104, for his Portraits of Honor project. But the pandemic has made his effort even more challenging.