T h e S t a r
Issue 53 "We Speak Their Names" June 2009
Bachants Featured in Newsreels, Stars and Stripes War-Fame Triplet Finds Answers by Nancy Bachant
photograph of my father in the trenches, looking at a picture of his A just-born triplet daughters before he was killed in the Normandy Invasion, holds a special place in my heart. The Bachant triplets (Nancy, Karen and Ja- net) were born on March 30, 1944. A little over four months later, on August 1, our fa- ther was killed along with his entire crew in Normandy outside of Avranches, on the road to Rennes, when his half-track suf- fered a direct hit from a shell launched by a German “88” anti-tank gun hiding in the Muriel Bachant, with her triplet daughters, while PFC Herbert hedgerows. Our father never met us, his Bachant was Missing in Action, in a photo printed in newspapers triplet daughters, and I have spent many around the country during World War II. years researching the details of his life to share with my sisters, our mother, and our Inside: children. Features My journey of discovery about our father Last Wish ...... 3 included researching historical archives, 'Mama Jo' Fund ...... 5 creating framed pictures and making mem- New Orleans Board Meeting ...... 6 ory albums. I was inspired by AWON and I am grateful for the guidance this organiza- Dutch Painting ...... 10 tion gave me in seeking the closure I need- ed. Departments For the last ten years I have been research- AWON Board Message ...... 2 ing his unit, requesting his records, find- Reaching Out ...... 8 ing newspaper articles, and collecting other New Members ...... 9 WWII items. I ordered and received four AWON Connections ...... 16, 17 Gold Star lapel pins (one for each of us, and AWON Board News ...... 22 one for our mother), service medals, and ...and much, much more! ...continued on page 18
The Star • JuneThe 2009Quarterly Newsletter of the American WWII Orphans Network 1 Board Messages
by Barry Barr-Finch
Editor's note: This is the second which we wouldn’t have done in a series of columns that rotates in a public place. among the board of directors, I know that some gatherings who discuss AWON activities they have had Sharing Circles like lead. This issue's column is about AWON FOUNDER AWON's Regional Coordinator Pro- we do at the conferences. Ann Bennett Mix gram, which is guided by Barry Sometimes members gather Barr-Finch. to go to a special place like a memorial. Each LRC can do AWON OFFICERS Some of you may have heard what works best. President the term “Regional Coordina- Judi Kramer, who shares the Judy Geis Hoffman tors” and know what that is all duties of LRC with me for the Vice President about, but I know that many state of Washington, assists Ed Peters more do not. me with selecting a date, time, Secretary Bonnie Crane Blackford Hellums Some time back I took on and location for the event. Treasurer the job of Director of Region- Then I send out the notice Norm Burkey al Coordinators. It has been a to my email list. She writes work in progress and may not or calls all those who do not AWON DIRECTORS ever “arrive.” What I do is try have email. We also post it on Barry Barr-Finch to get local members togeth- the list serve. That lets peo- Norma Nicol Hamilton Kathy Le Comte er for some kind of gathering. ple who might be visiting the Bob Meek The idea is that orphans meet area know so they can join if Gerry Conway Morenski on a somewhat regular basis. they like. The conferences provide a We try to publish any pictures setting for this, but less than of “where two or three” gather AWON ADMINISTRATION half our members get to con- in The Star. I also send out Database Manager Ann Bennett Mix Pub. Relations Patricia Gaffney-Kindig ferences for one reason or an- the photos to the attendees. Bookstore Manager Walt Linne other. Some never get there. When an LRC is planning on The Star Editor Kathy Le Comte That is where Local Regional a gathering, they can con- Asst. Editor Rosalie Miles Francisco Coordinators (LRC) come in. tact me for an updated list of Webmaster Rik Peirson In many states we have members. I always send them ListServ Moderators Judy Hathaway, someone who is supposed to the names of members whose Judy Hoffman be putting together some op- membership has lapsed, as portunity for local members to well. It should be a gathering on the Web: www.awon.org meet and share their stories. for orphans, not just mem- These can be in public places bers. Email us at: [email protected] like restaurants, or private Another function of the LRC homes, for example. In Wash- is that you can be a go-to per- The Star is a quarterly publication of ington State, we try to meet son for situations when there the American WWII Orphans Network twice a year. In the past we is an issue with a local mem- (AWON), a nonprofit 501 (c) 3, nonpolitical, public service organization, serving the have always been at restau- ber, such as a sickness or children of U.S. servicemen killed in WWII. rants, but as you might see death in the family. The Star is published and mailed from here in The Star, we met in a I encourage you to get in- Springfield, Illinois. ISSN 1941-370X (print) 1941-3769 (online). Copyright 2009 by the member's home this last time. volved in this wonderful en- American WWII Orphans Network. All It was very successful and we rights reserved. were able to see two videos, ...continued on page 3 Issue #53 1M (06-09) 2 American WWII Orphans Network Playne's Last Wish Fulfilled
Editor's Note: When AWONer Karen tears, just the cards I got dealt. a pacemaker which gave her Whitney Playne died in December, she re- I really have a sixth sense that the ability to keep on going. quested that her story be written and sent this all comes from the stress in Like many of you, Karen to The Star. Karen was very grateful for AWON and her AWON family. Here, we the womb syndrome... My amaz- knew very little about her fa- honor one of her last wishes. ing recovery is the training Mom ther, Pfc. Everett Earl “Bud” provided. She taught me to stand Playne. Her mother would by Joan Albarella on both feet and come up fighting not discuss her father and aren Whitney Playne even though her step-father passed away on De- was a good and kind “Dad,” cember 27, 2008, from Karen always felt there was K an empty hole in her life. a heart attack and complica- tions of vascular disease. It When her mother died, was her wish that she share Karen was finally given sev- the story of her search for her eral letters and military docu- father with her AWON broth- ments wrapped in a rubber ers and sisters. band, including the telegram In a response to AWON mem- and insurance and benefit pa- ber Rik Peirson’s welcoming pers, as well as an obituary, email in early 2001, Karen in- cemetery contract, sympathy card, and two letters written troduced herself: Karen Whitney Playne I just retired from the State Uni- in 1945 by one of her father’s Army buddies. versity of New York at Buffalo, no matter what. So I could take She wrote: thirty years of service, decent care of myself and not end up in Mom suffered greatly... Four pension. Can you believe “the the predicament she was in when months pregnant, husband kids” are pensioned off? And I my Father was killed. I guess I killed, zero money. I have yet to have to be one of the younger got a little of the MP spirit born find out if my Father even knew ones, born in 1946... into me, too. they were expecting me. And I I ended up taking early retire- In 2004, Karen learned that know, although she never said ment because I had open-heart four of her five bypasses were it, that she knew he didn’t hit surgery at 43, five bypasses... No occluded. By 2006, she had his head on some dumb bridge. What actually happened I have Message, from page 2 We really need to have more yet to discover. Mom filled me of these positions filled. Right with hints and stories without deavor. It is a great way to now some of the places where ever really coming right out and meet people with similar there are no LRC are parts of telling me anything about my backgrounds, share your sto- Texas and California (they are father. It’s unreal, really, how ries, and possibly make some both huge states), Louisiana, suddenly I’ll flash on something new friends. If you don’t know Missouri, Tennessee, South she taught me and it’s a clue. your LRC, contact me and I Carolina, northern New Eng- Karen was forever grateful to will put you in touch. If you land, and the Dakotas. And members of AWON for help- think that you might like to some of the states where we ing her find the resources and help with this project, I can have LRCs need more help. contacts necessary to discov- help you work out that as well. For a list of current Local Re- er more about her father. He If you have ideas for improv- gional Coordinators and the was born on St. Patrick’s Day ing this important job, please states or regions they cover, don’t hesitate to let me know. see page 4. ...continued on page 20 The Star • June 2009 3 AWON's Local Regional Coordinators
Contact the people listed below to meet others or for information about gatherings in your area. If your state isn't listed, a volunteer is needed. Keep this list for future reference. Alabama Ginny Bugg [email protected] Phoebe Daniel Palmer [email protected] Arizona Patricia Fabri [email protected] Charli Hewlit Greenlees [email protected] Arkansas Shirley Jackson McKinney [email protected] California Patricia Behan Armstrong [email protected] Dianne Wiegand Baczynski [email protected] Roger Connor [email protected] Sharon Crowley Connor [email protected] Colorado Marilyn Bowers Jensen [email protected] Connecticut Bill Chiodo [email protected] Florida David Colinan [email protected] Jamie Duke McCollum [email protected] Jimmie McCollum [email protected] Beth Marshall Miller [email protected] Hawaii Vanita Rae Smith [email protected] Idaho Chickie Shields Berry [email protected] Robert Wasmer [email protected] Illinois Susan Chadd [email protected] Indiana Barbara Kelly [email protected] Iowa Terry Boettcher [email protected] Kansas Jaclyn Rackley [email protected] Eugene Zachman [email protected] Kentucky Bonnie Oates [email protected] Maryland Phyllis Epstein Louis [email protected] Massachusetts Gerry Conway Morenski [email protected] Michigan Judy Epsha [email protected] Minnesota Patricia Ball Morrison [email protected] Mississippi Adrian Leist Caldwell [email protected] Nebraska Mary Ann Lazio Otte [email protected] New Jersey Millie McConnell Cavanaugh [email protected] New Mexico Pat Cervenak Albani [email protected] Lorin McCleary [email protected] New York Sandra Chichilla MacDuffee [email protected] Maggie Malone [email protected] Joan Marlow [email protected] North Carolina Patty Wheeler [email protected] Ohio Nick Mott [email protected] Oregon Ellen Kullmann Houx [email protected] Catherine Webber [email protected] Pennsylvania Janice Ott Buterbaugh [email protected] Lynne Lecrone [email protected] Brenda Thomas Kightlinger [email protected] Texas Andy Loog Mannering [email protected] Jerry Pinkerton [email protected] Utah Rodney Clawson [email protected] Virginia Ellen Jones Blackburn [email protected] Diane Lassitter [email protected] Washington Barry Barr-Finch [email protected] Judi Hollis Kramer [email protected] Wisconsin Dave Stanek [email protected]
4 American WWII Orphans Network 'Mama Jo' Fund to Help Orphans Attend National Conferences
On January 4, 2009, Jo- "I had no idea what to do," sephine "Mama Jo" Stanek Dave remembers. "(But) lat- passed away. She was the er that evening at dinner I mother of AWON member thought of Mom's concern and Dave Stanek and well known affection for all the AWONers to many AWONers, especially she had met and an idea was those who met her at AWON's forming." national conferences. In her With the aid of Gerry Moren- memory, Dave has estab- ski and Sam "Big Bro" Tan- lished the Mama Jo Memorial nenbaum, they created the Fund to help orphans attend Mama Jo Memorial Fund. The future AWON conferences. monies will be used as grants Dave shared the story of his to help other orphans attend three beloved parents with AWON conferences. The Star. "Mom did whatever she His mother and father, Al could to help me find out Stanek, met in early 1942. Josephine “Mama Jo” Stanek about Dad, from funding my Al flunked his physical in first trip to Washington, D.C., July 1942. The couple then 1944. He was Killed in Action for the No Greater Love cer- planned a September 1942 on November 29, 1944, on emony in 1990, to both of my wedding. In October, Al was the Siegfried Line near Lin- trips to Germany to visit the promptly drafted and by No- nich, Germany. At the time, place Dad was killed," Dave vember was in training in Josephine was seven months explains. "So it seems fitting Texas with the 102nd Infantry pregnant with Dave. Al knew Mom's death not be just her Division. the baby was a boy and named passing but her continuing to The 102nd "The Ozarks" him David. help the orphans that were so were shipped out to France Al's remains were bought special to her. In many ways in September 1944 and went home in 1948. Recently, Jo- they were all her children." into action on October 23, sephine gave Dave an 8mm The photo accompanying film of some of the funeral this article is very special to ceremony in color. Dave. In her last photo she In the March issue, Josephine remarried Dave's was wearing the blazer that the new member list- Uncle Jerry, Al's brother, also she wore often at the nursing an Army Air Corps veteran home. Proudly displayed are ing for Dick Albani of WWII. They were married the American Flag, the Gold was incorrect. February 12, 1949. Star, and Dave's father's pic- It should have read: "My step-dad was wonder- ture that he had made for the ful," Dave says. "I was treat- dedication of the National ed like his own son and he WWII Memorial in 2004. Richard "Dick" Albani, always spoke proudly of his Contributions to the Mama NM, nephew of brother, Al." Jo Memorial Fund may be S1C August Albani, The day Josephine died the sent to AWON, care of AWON Navy funeral home asked Dave if Treasurer Norman Burkey, he wanted to establish a me- 308 Colgate Dr., Forest Hill, morial in lieu of flowers. MD 21050. The Star • June 2009 5 AWON Membership Growing Board to Meet in New Orleans AWON Founder and Data- 1,000 others, resulting in a base Manager Ann Mix re- significant number of renew- The AWON bylaws require ports that membership in- als and new members. the Board of Directors to meet creased 36 percent in recent Every issue of The Star once in person during off- months. also has the expiration date conference years. It is also required that the board give As of this April, member- printed above the receiver's notice to the membership pri- ship stands at 821, up from mailing address to help re- or to the meeting. 604 last year. mind them to renew on time. This year's meeting will be The Board of Directors be- But there are many indi- held in New Orleans on Sat- lieves membership has been rect ways AWON attracts urday, November 7. It coin- increasing for several rea- members, including free cides with the opening of the sons, most notably because issues of The Star, the National WWII Museum's of the reminder notices AWON website, Regional expansion, The Victory The- Ann mails and emails on a Gatherings, AWON's Memo- ater. The ribbon-cutting ceremo- monthly basis, which is labor rial Day Wreath Project and, ny will be Friday, November intensive. particularly, members who 6. Some board members will Also, last fall Membership are always on the lookout arrive on Thursday to attend Chair Bob Meek sent a sur- for opportunities to sign up the ceremony and others will vey to more than 200 lapsed potential new members. arrive Friday. Most will leave members, and Board Presi- Thanks to everyone for your on Sunday. dent Judy Hoffman sent a commitment to AWON. The exact meeting place has personal letter to more than not yet been determined and hotel arrangements are pend- ing. If any members would President's Column Correction like to attend the board meet- ing they should contact Board When submitting my column for the December STAR, President Judy Geis Hoffman I used the speech I gave at the conference in which I at [email protected], or introduced the special awards for Rik Peirson and Doni call 210-492-0827. Troglio. I also mentioned that Ann Mix was among those New Policy on missed this year. I neglected to edit the column to include President Emerita, Patricia Gaffney-Kindig, who regret- Member Cards fully was also unable to attend. I did mention her absence As of this year, we have several times during the conference to the attendees but switched to a permanent she certainly should have been included in my STAR col- AWON Membership Card umn as one of AWON's missing stalwarts. I thought this rather than sending a new would be a good time to remedy the situation since I want one each time you renew. to announce that Patricia will be attending a Congres- This will save printing and sional reception in Washington, D.C., in May, as well as mailing costs. Your dues will giving a speech over Memorial Day weekend at the Na- continue to be acknowledged tional WWII Museum in New Orleans. Her public relations as received by either email or efforts to keep AWON's name out there are always ap- postal mail. If you have any preciated by me and the Board of Directors so, thank you questions about your card, Patricia for all that you do. Judy Hoffman please contact Judi Kramer [email protected]. 6 American WWII Orphans Network Meetings Set for MIA Families
The Defense Prisoner of War / Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) and Joint POW/MIA Ac- counting Command (JPAC) hold meetings around the country every year to update con- cerned families about recovery efforts of missing military personnel. At the Family Updates, loved ones learn about the worldwide effort to account for missing service members and have the opportunity to meet the specialists and scientists who carry out that mission in the field. The meeting schedule for the remainder of 2009 is:
June 27 Nashua, NH July 23 - 25 Washington, DC August 29 Minneapolis, MN October 23 - 24 St Louis, MO November 21 Jackson, MS
You must call one of the following numbers to register, free of charge:
Air Force: 800.531.5501 Army: 800.892.2490 Marine Corps: 800.443.9298 Navy: 800.443.9298 The 2010 Family Update schedule includes meetings in Orlando, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Seattle, Syracuse, Omaha, and other major cities. For more information go to: www.dtic.mil/ dpmo/family_support_omfpr/familyeventsched.htm. The story of a recent WWII recovery appears on page 22 of this issue. Call for Tributes! Add a Tribute to the AWON Website! This could be one of the most long-lasting and satisfying ways to remember your Father, Grandfather, Brother, or Uncle. Just be a current AWON Member! Here’s How: 1. Have a look at our website’s TRIBUTE section at www.awon.org (click “Our Fathers” ) to see what others have done; 2. Check the web page on “How to prepare a Father Tribute” – (at www.awon.org/check5.html); then 3. Scan (or have a Kinko’s scan) your best picture of your loved one in uniform; 4. Collect your thoughts, memories, and service record of your loved one; 5. Send your JPG-formatted image and between 500 and 1,100 words to our Tribute Stager, Nancy Sue Johnson. Her E-Mail address is . . . [email protected]. If you need her snailmail address, just call Nancy Sue at 406/721-6775.
Don’t let another day go by. AWON is honored to help you honor your Father or loved one! . . . a Tribute page is yours for the asking.
The Star • June 2009 7
Half Page for The Star: 7.5” x 4.5” Prepared for AWON by Day One • Any questions, please call Rik: 805/965-7841 • Last Updated: 2/9/09 AWON Margraten Reaching Out... Fund Grows; Trip
AWON Public Relations Planned for 2010 by Patricia Gaffney-Kindig President Emerita, AWON Board of Directors AWON Margraten Liaison Gerry Conway Morenski n April 25th, I attend- etal identification laboratory announces that due to the ed a Family Update in the world, was also pres- generosity of several AWON members with ties to the Meeting, one of eight ent. Seeing him again was a O Netherlands American Cem- meetings the Defense POW/ particular joy for Michael and etery (aka Margraten), an MIA Office (DPMO) and the me, given that he had handled additional $1,300 have been Joint POW/MIA Accounting the identification process for added to the AWON Mar- Command (JPAC) hold annu- the remains of both of our fa- graten Gift Fund. ally in cities around the coun- thers. In 2008, AWON received try to inform families of MIAs The DPMO publicizes the $5,200 from the Adoption what the experts have been Family Update Meeting for a Committee at Margraten. doing to solve the mysteries 350-mile area around the city The fund now totals $6,500. dating back to WWII. There in which they are meeting. The fund will assist "Mar- were about 120 people pres- The Denver Post had a front- graten kids" who have not ent including AWON members page article about the meet- yet visited their father's Michael Kindig, Marilyn Bow- ing on Saturday and a follow- grave. ers Jensen, Ann Benham and up story on Sunday. Members who would like to her parents, Katherine Giles Family members were en- add to this fund may send a Stiewig and Nathan Stiewig. couraged to donate DNA sam- check to AWON – Margraten Ralph Jones left early due to ples in the event their loved Gift, c/o AWON Treasurer an illness in his family. one is identified. We learned Norm Burkey, 308 Colgate A team of thirty specialists that all of today’s servicemen Drive, Forest Hill, MD 21050. from DPMO and JPAC was and women are required to Morenski also reports that present. The morning was donate their DNA. she has received 18 inquiries dedicated to presentations While the DPMO and JPAC into the 2010 Margraten visit. about efforts to locate and discourage promotion of or- "As soon as plans are identify MIAs. The afternoon ganizations at the Family firmed up, I will be in con- tact with these kids person- was devoted to breakout ses- Update Meetings, I was able ally," Morenski says. "For sions according to the conflict to tell families of WWII MIAs those of you who have fa- in which the MIA was lost. about AWON after the meet- thers, uncles, or grandfathers Johnie Webb, JPAC Deputy ing. I gave them AWON busi- at Margraten and have never to the Commander for Public ness cards and suggested made the trip – please think Relations & Legislative Affairs they look at our website. about joining us." and AWON Advisor, led the Morenski adds that anyone WWII session explaining cur- PR Rounds in May who wants to travel to Mar- rent and future missions. This On May 21st, Michael and I graten with AWON is wel- was a small group but the in- will attend the fourth annual come to join them. clusion of WWII MIA families Gold Star Wives Congressio- For more information about is new and growing. nal Reception in Washington, the Margraten Fund or trip, Dr. Tom Holland, Director of DC, that will celebrate the contact Morenski at (978)225- the Central Identification Lab- 8367, or email: dutiem@com- oratory (CIL), the largest skel- ...continued on page 9 cast.net. 8 American WWII Orphans Network Welcome New Members
Robert Bruner, TX, grandson of 2LT Dale E. Plambeck, AAF Eileen Roseland Buckhouse, GA, dau of 1LT Robert H. Roseland, AAF Stephen Corwin, OR, son of TEC4 Philip J. Corwin, Army Jacquelyn Emmett, VA, niece of PVT Charles O. Frinks, Army Joan Hercker Fitzpatrick, PA, dau of SSGT Joseph H. Hercker, AAF Penny Taylor Gill, MA, dau of 2LT Thomas H. Gill, AAF Kenneth Heermann, CO, brother of LT Arnold R. Heermann, AAF Judith Goebel Jantz, UT, dau of PVT Arlo J. Goebel, Army Beatrice Adams King, VA, great-niece of PVT Joe C. Adams, Army Patricia "Pam" Miller, OH, niece of CPL William K. Miller, Army Kimberly Milward, AZ, granddaughter of PVT Horace M. Bogue, Army Katherine Olson, NH, dau of PVT Edward W. Allord, Army Gail Pacifica, CA, dau of MAJ John C. Wilkins, AAF Gennaro "Jerry" Palmento, VA, son of PVT Jerry C. Palmento, Army Ed Sanders, IL, son of PFC John S. Sanders, Army Sharon Parmenter Smith, FL, dau of SGT Robert S. Parmenter, Army Richard Szczepanski, PA, son of TSGT Joseph L. Szczepanski, AAF Kenneth Timmer, MI, son of PFC Gerrit W. Timmer, Army Patricia Vorce, MA, dau of SSGT David C. Collum, Army Howard Walker, KS, son of PVT Wallie H. Walker, Army Judith Gorham Way, MI, dau of PVT Roy S. Gorham, Army (new members since the March issue of The Star)
Kindig, from page 8 museum; we look forward to WWII and the Children Who spending time there. Love Them. If you’re interest- newly-created Department of ed, please send an 8” x 10” of Veterans Affairs Office of Sur- PR Support your father (it’s not necessary vivors Assistance. From there, I am profoundly grateful to that he be in uniform) with we’ll be going on to New Or- AWON’s board of directors for name, rank, outfit and date of leans where I have been in- their support of my efforts to death on the back, and a 5” x vited to speak at The Na- promote our organization’s 7” of yourself as a child, with tional WWII Museum on May agenda. They’ve made it pos- your name and contact infor- 23rd. What an honor! This is sible for me to give AWON mation on the back. Please a result of meeting Stephen a solid presence when and do not send originals, as the Watson, Vice President and where it counts — always with photos cannot be returned. Chief Operations Officer of the hope of finding other or- Participation in this project is the Museum, at the seminar phans of WWII. understood to grant permis- held on the Queen Mary in sion to exhibit the albums at Long Beach, California, last Fathers' Albums AWON conferences and other August. Thanks to Chickie I am still accepting photo- events in which we participate Shields Berry for establishing graphs for the albums, Por- such as the WWII Weekend in AWON’s relationship with the traits of Men Who Died in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Star • June 2009 9 But AWONer Has Her Own Surprise Dutch Honor Missing Airman in Painting
by Adrian Leist Caldwell treat Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. But Den- y husband, nis asked if it would Robert, and be possible for me to M I have made video a story of my many trips to Holland father and the crew searching for infor- that he could show mation on my father’s at the meeting. I in- B-17G, serial number stantly agreed. 42-3795, that crashed Then he emailed me off the coast of Hol- a picture of the special land on 4 February gift. It was a beautiful 1944. All ten brave watercolor painting young airmen were by one of their mem- lost that dreadful, bers, Kees Stoutjes- stormy day returning dijk. It shows the B- from a bombing raid Kees Stoutjesdijk, left, presents Adrian Leist Caldwell with 17G 42-37975 with on the Frankfort, Ger- his watercolor painting of her father and his aircraft. the square D of the many, rail yards. 100th Bomb Group on Four bodies of the friends during our ganize a foundation the tail, crashing into crew were recovered, search. One special honoring airmen who the stormy waters off but six remain miss- young man is 34-year- crashed on his island the coast of Holland ing in action includ- old Dennis Noten- of Goeree had come near the old Ouddorp ing my dad, SSGT boom of Dirksland, to fruition. The first Lighthouse. My fa- Leroy “Babe” Leist, Holland. He and a meeting of WO2 Goer- ther’s face is imposed the tailgunner. Three group of friends are ee-Overflakke would in the clouds solemn- of the four recovered actively searching be March 14, 2009. ly looking down on are buried in the Ar- for my dad’s elusive Dennis was nervous his own fate. dennes American plane. I continue the but ecstatic about the My husband and I Cemetery in Belgium, dream of finding the meeting. He told me instantly broke into and one was returned plane and recovering of the plan to honor tears. Kees had cap- home to Michigan. the six men so that my dad's crew dur- tured the moment of The six MIA’s are they may be given the ing this meeting, and my heart perfectly. honored on the Tab- military honors so de- a special presentation Robert said, “We must lets of the Missing served albeit 65 years gift they had for me. go.” Within a week, at the Netherlands later. He expressed his wish he had taken his final American Cemetery In late February, that we could attend chemo treatment and and Memorial, Mar- we received a phone but knew it was not received clearance graten, Holland. call from Dennis. possible due to my from his oncologist to We have made many His many months of husband’s regiment wonderful Dutch dedicated work to or- of chemotherapy to ...continued on page 17 10 American WWII Orphans Network A very heartfelt discussion occurred on the AWON listserv in April and May about the decisions our families had to make to bury our fathers. Assistant Editor Rosalie Miles Francisco compiled this sampling of some of the information, thoughts, and feelings that were shared.
My Dad, Army Lt. Theodore Rowman, is buried in ...My mom, my grandmother, my baby sister and I the Epinal Cemetery in France. Does anyone know if traveled from my hometown (Florence, AL) to Cairo, that gives us orphans any claims to citizenship or any Georgia, for my dad's funeral in April 1949. I was other rights in the country they died and remain in 6.5 yrs old. Since the gravesite was over 400 miles the U.S. cemetery in, under ANY laws or privileges? from my home, I did not have an opportunity to return p JoAnne Rowman Morrissey, daughter of Army Lt. to the cemetery until I was an adult. Later I did visit Theodore Rowman, buried Epinal Cemetery, France Hamm Cemetery and thought, at the time, that I would have preferred my dad had been left there - it Here is a reply I received from Martha Sell at the Ameri- was so peaceful and serene. But, as I got older and can Battle Monuments Commission about the cemeter- ultimately joined AWON, I quickly realized how fortu- ies: “The use of the land on which the overseas American nate I was to have had the chance to attend my dad's military cemeteries rest was granted to this Commis- funeral. p J. Lee Mathis, son of CPL Jasper Alton sion by the host country free of rent or taxation in per- Mathis, buried Longbranch Cemetery, Cairo, Georgia petuity. The soil on which the cemeteries is located is not "U.S. soil" such as are the U.S. Embassies. These ...I was nine years old when my dad was returned cemeteries are subject to laws of the host country.” for burial and my then stepfather would not allow me p Victor Muller, brother of PFC Joseph Muller, buried to attend the funeral. My dad was buried at Golden Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg, B-9-30 Gate National Cemetery near San Bruno, California. I was married with children before I visited for The U.S. Quartermaster Museum the first time. Since then we visit every website has a pamphlet that lists time we are in the area. p Chickie the burial options families had Shields Berry, daughter of CWO in 1947-1948. Here are short John Coleman Shields, buried excerpts: 1. Remains may be Golden Gate National Cem- returned to the United States etery, California or any possession or territory thereof, for interment by next My father's only sibling is still of kin in a private cemetery. 2. residing in their childhood home Remains may be returned to a at the age of 87. She told me that foreign country, the homeland of the my mother was given the opportu- deceased or the next of kin, for interment nity to bring my father's remains home, by next of kin in a private cemetery. 3. Remains but my mother left the decision up to his parents. may be interred in a permanent U.S. Military Cem- They declined because they thought there would be etery overseas. 4. Remains may be returned to the too much hurt in going through a service for him. I United States for interment in a national cemetery. p don't understand that. However that being said, and Pat Letellier, son of Sgt Maj Lawrence John Letellier, though I wish I could visit my father more often, I am buried Long Island National Cemetery, New York happy that he is buried in Belgium. Having visited the cemetery in 2007, I saw for myself how the Belgians My mother chose not to have my father returned to respectfully treat the cemetery and those buried the United States... Mom's decision not to have him there. p Diane Pollard, daughter of CPT James How- reburied in the family plot in Monte Vista, Colorado, ard Hardy, buried Henri-Chapelle Cemetery, Belgium was somewhat upsetting to his family, but they ac- cepted her wishes. His mother later had a plaque After my father and his crew remains were discov- placed in the plot noting his death in WWII. p Bob ered in late 1956 on Mindanao, Philippine Islands, Wasmer, son of Carl A. Divine, buried Henri-Chapelle and identified in Hawaii, they were returned to the Cemetery, Belgium states via Oakland, California for group burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado, on July My father is buried at the Sicily-Rome cemetery in 15, 1957. As my mother did not attend, nor was I Nettuno, Italy. My father told my mother before he left allowed to attend, my grandmother was presented home that, "if I fall on foreign ground leave my body the flag at the burial service. When I was older and there, I will not be with it but with you." My mother married, she gave me the flag, which I have tri-folded did as he wished and my dad's parents basically in its case. p Dave Fish, son of Capt Doit Leon Fish, disowned both of us after that. p Larry Strother, son USMC, buried Fort Logan National Cemetery, Colo- of Raymond Snowden Strother, buried at Sicily-Rome rado, N-38 Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, 1-10-21 The Star • June 2009 11 List Tips & Topics News, stories and information found on the AWON ListServ by Rosalie Miles Francisco
Canteen on YouTube sanceman.blogspot.com/2009/03/revisiting- Bill Chiodo suggests this YouTube piece. It balikpapan-raid.html. is about the canteen that served food to troop trains in North Platte, Nebraska: http://www. ppppp youtube.com/watch?v=J0415Zoea2Q&featur e=related_ Military Museum of North Florida Jamie Duke McCollum reports on the new ppppp Military Museum of North Florida in Reyn- olds Park along Florida 16 near Green Cove Color Footage After Normandy Landings Springs. It contains memorabilia that Bud Nel- Victor Muller recommends this site for ac- son began collecting in 1943. The museum is tual color footage after the Normandy land- in a 4,000-square-foot World War II-era Quon- ings, showing the film crews:
ppppp Railroad Personnel Sources Carlene Rhodes, a newcomer to the List- B-24 Raid Over Truk on YouTube serv, asks for help finding information about Sharon Crowley Connor recommends this the USS Warrington and others who served YouTube clip for those whose dads served on on that ship. She also is seeking information the B-24. It is shot from inside a B-24 as they about the Kansas City Southern Railroad and were conducting bombing raids over Truk. It how to get the employment records from her is shocking to see how close the planes were dad’s work as a fireman. Kathy Le Comte Lup- to each other. Sharon says, “Now I can un- ton suggested several websites for anyone derstand how one faulty movement could looking for railroad sources, including: http:// cause a collision, as happened with my dad.” www.rrb.gov/mep/genealogy.asp; http://www. The fellow who sent this said that he was a genealogytoday.com; and http://www.fami- military pilot, and however close they appear, lytreeconnection.com/records/railroad.html. they're even closer! http://www.youtube.com/ Researchers also should check the Kansas watch?v=kjvXDRfqrVI. She also recommends State Archives, or the archives of any state this site to anyone who had dads associated your father lived in, for other records pertain- with the Balikpapan raid: http://bayourenais- ing to the railroad. 12 American WWII Orphans Network AWON BOOKSTORE Price List and Order Form
BOOKS (Authors in bold are orphan or family members)
New! A Soldier's Daughter Normandy by Lois Brown Klein $17.00 by Walter Ford Carter $24.95 New! The Ordinary Infrantrymen: Heroes Then, Heroes Again ____ Soldier's Son by Imogene Woods and Twelve WWII Infantrymen $15.00 by Ben McClelland $28.00 New! Full Fathom Five: A Daughter's Search ____ D-Day + 60 Years: A Small Piece of Airborne History by Mary Lee Coe Fowler $29.95 by Jerome J. McLaughlin $25.00 New! Now I Know - A War Orphan’s Journey of Discovery ____ They Also Served: Women's Stories from the World War II by Thomas G. Ratliff $17.95 Era by Jeanie Sutton Lambright ____ When Your Number's Up: Meritocracy Goes to War hardcover $35.00 softcover $24.00 by Raymond S. Ross, PhD. hardcover $20.00 softcover $10.00 ____ Finding Billy by Diana Thompson Dale, niece $16.95 ____ Sporty Course (bomber pilots) by Col. Jack Swayze $10.00 ____ Father Found: Life and Death as a Prisoner of the Japanese in World War II ____ The Hotton Report (about The Battle for Hotton) by Duane Heisinger $13.95 by Robert McDonald $13.95 ____ I Can Hear the Guns Now: A WWII Story of Love and ____ World War II: A Legacy of Letters - One Soldier's Journey by Sacrifice Clinton Frederick $26.95 by Thomas G. Ratliff $20.95 ____ In Their Memory: American WWII Orphans Network ____ An 8th Air Force Combat Diary by Turner Publishing Company by John A. Clark $49.95 Standard Book was $49.95 SPECIAL $20.00 Leatherbound Book was $79.95 SPECIAL $30.00 ____ When I See a Forty and Eight... I Remember World War Two ____ The Fighting Tigers: The Untold Story Behind the Names on by Jacques Adnet $12.00 the Quachita Baptist University WWII Memorial by William Downes $24.95 ____ Love Always, Ben by Huey Tyra, nephew $19.95 ____ The War Journey of Major Damon "Rocky" Gause by Maj. Damon "Rocky" Gause, foreward by Damon L. ____ For Those Who Love, Time Is Not Gause by Kay Brigham $30.00 $21.95 ____ Lost in the Victory: Reflections of America's Orphans of ____ Love, Honor and Cherish: The True World War II Story of a WWII Screaming Eagle and a Courageous Woman by Susan Johnson Hadler and Ann Bennett Mix $32.50 by Sandra Bonilla Thompson $23.00 ____ After the Liberators: A Father's Last Mission, A Son's ____ Touchstones: A Guide to Records, Rights & Resources for Lifelong Journey Families of American World War II Casualties, second edition by William C. McGuire II $16.95 by Ann Bennett Mix $21.95 ____ Shobun: A Forgotten War Crime in the Pacific ____ No Greater Sacrifice, No Greater Love: A Son's Journey to by Michael J. Goodwin $19.95 The Star NEWSLETTERS ____ * Individual issues $2.00 includes P&H ____ * All archived issues: $35.00 includes P&H ____ * Special! Most recent five issues: $7.50 includes P&H
More AWON Merchandise and Order Form on Other Side
The Star • June 2009 13 AWON BOOKSTORE Price List and Order Form
VIDEOS
____ AWON 2004 Conference & WWII Memorial Dedication ____ AWON 2000 Conference: Journeys - Finding Our Fathers Special $15.00 by Justin Taylan was $15.00 Special $10.00
____ We Speak Their Names: A Tribute to Our Fathers ____ Sleep My Sons: The Story of the Arisan Maru produced by Patrick Tierney and Terry Boettcher by Shawnee Brittan $30.00 was $15.00 Special $10.00 ____ The War in Europe by Shawnee Brittan $30.00
AWON Logo Products
___ *AWON Note Cards with Envelopes ___ Gold Star Crystal Pendant 1 1/8” (28mm) $10.00 (pkg. of 20) $20.00 ___ Gold Star Crystal Pendant 1 ½” (40mm) $20.00
___ Windbreaker (blue) $40.00 NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! (circle size: S M L XL 2X 3X) ___ Gold Star Earrings $20.00 ___ Denim shirt ___ short sleeve ___ long sleeve $40.00 ___ * Lapel pin $10.00 (circle size: S M L XL 2X) ___ *AWON auto magnet $6.00 ___ Golf shirt ____ white ____ blue $35.00 ___ * Magnetic WWII Memorial picture $1.00 (circle size: S M L XL 2X) ___ * Magnetic AWON picture holder $2.00 ___ * AWON holiday ornament $10.00 ___ T-shirt (navy) $20.00 NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! (circle size: S M L XL 2X 3X) ___ *AWON Lanyard and Name Tag/Ticket Holder ___ Hat $15.00 (4” x 6”) blue with white lettering $6.00 AWON Gold Star Crystal Pendant (no chain included):
Order Form
Postage and handling: $5 for each item. Items marked Name: with an asterisk (*) include P&H. For multiple purchases: Up to $40: $9 P&H $40-$60: $10 P&H Over $60: $12 P&H Address: Name on card: Card Number: City/State/Zip: Exp. Date: Type: Visa M/C Washington State residents add 7.8% sales tax: $ Email:
Total: $ Or send check or money order to: AWON Bookstore Signature: 5745 Lee Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216 email: [email protected]
For more information and color photos go to: www.awon.org/bookstore/bookstore.html 14 American WWII Orphans Network Recently on the AWON Listserv, members discussed their memories of visits by the Veter- ans Administration when they were children. After WWII, the VA was charged with looking after the welfare of orphans receiving VA benefits. As you'll read, this duty was carried out in varying degrees. Assistant Editor Rosalie Miles Francisco spent many hours reading and compiling the comments below. Not all comments could be included. Some responses have been edited for clarity or space.
I remember 'the man' very well. My man came to my do I remember any visits to the house to check on our residence to see me and to discuss my future with me "welfare." I know that mom received money from the and with my mom. He showed up more than once, and VA for my brother's and my needs, and some money made sure we understood that the VA would take care for her, and of the existence of a trust fund for us, al- of my education if I took care of my studies. I know though I didn't give it much thought. I remember hav- that the visits began before I was 10 years old. My ing to get signatures at the Dean's office (or registrar) visitor was definitely from the VA - which took good showing I was enrolled in college in order to get the care of me. p Pat Letellier $110 each month... When I was finally able to get my trust fund money, my wife and I paid cash for a new I remember my mother taking the "Man from the VA" 1964 VW. Between us, the VA, and graduate teaching into the dining room and showing him receipts... My assistantships, I did finish college (BS, MA, and PhD). mother must have been very convincing because he p Bob Wasmer never talked with me. p Patricia Ball Morrison ... Mom died in 1955 of cancer when I was 10 years Yes, I recall Mom saying (back then) that she was in- old. The one person left in my life who loved and af- structed to spend most of the money, and if she didn't firmed me was taken away from me. I ended up going it would indicate I wasn't being taken care of. She kept to live with an aunt and uncle I did not want to live ledger pages which she showed me. In about the fourth with. I remember the yearly trips to the lawyer's office grade, she bought me a piano and I took lessons. I to review the accounting ledgers and to interview me think she cleared it with "them" that it was a legitimate to determine if I was still a brat and doing OK. Yes, use of the money. I also recall there being $200 left I remember taking tests, and more tests, and finally when she turned it all over to me when I reached legal a battery of tests to make sure I was college mate- age. p Sharon Connor rial... Whenever I dated someone to a point of becom- ing serious about marriage, my aunt would go into a There may be others like me and my brothers, we were sermon about how this girl isn't interested in me, just Poor! My mother and stepfather lived off our money my trust fund money... It does appear that all of us had and celebrated the checks arrival at the local tavern. I the same tribulations, just different circumstances. p can't remember them ever buying us kids (three of us) Bruce Brodowski anything out of that money, not even clothes... I also don't remember anyone ever coming to the house or I've been reading with utter amazement and awe all of checking on our welfare. We all left home by the time the recent correspondence regarding orphan benefits. we were 17 years old and were on our own from that Specifically, the schooling. If I'm not mistaken, the law day on. So, I had a different experience. We all three which provided for this was not enacted until too late did take the tests to go to college but by then we were to do me any good. But even so, I have no recollec- too messed up to follow through... I am posting this tion at all of my mother being visited by anyone from because I believe I can't be the only one who had ex- the VA to check up on us. She got her $39 each month periences like this? p Annie Mix which was from daddy's $10,000 insurance (she con- tinued to get this until her death at age 92!) and she ...I do not remember being visited by anyone from got some pathetic amount for my brother and me until the VA after my mother started receiving payments. we reached age 18. Since he was 17 and I was 15 at It certainly may have occurred, I just don't remember the time of daddy's death, this didn't last very long... it, nor do I remember her ever mentioning it. I vaguely Believe me, I'm not writing this with any feelings of remember taking a test, but I don't recall much about resentment... I've just been astounded about all of the it... After she remarried, she and my stepfather started things you went thru. Visits to your mother, monthly depositing all the money that came for me in a savings payments, interviews, tests, etc. I guess what I'm say- account... When I turned 18 she and my stepfather ing is that none of us can have it all. I had the wonder- turned the savings account over to me to use for my ful years of knowing my daddy, which the majority of college expenses... I also remember buying my first you did not, yet I missed out on the other things which car with some of that money... a '64 blue mustang, four you did have. Such is life I guess. I certainly have no on the floor. I wish I still had it! p Diane Pollard regrets and I wouldn't trade the years with daddy for all the schools in the world, but it does seem rather I don't recall being tested by the VA in high school, nor ironic. p Jean Frinks Reid
The Star • June 2009 15 AWON Connections Pictures and Stories of Members Gathering Around the Country
Sills and his wife, Delores. It was a great eve- ning spent talking about our dads. Ken also showed us his Pennsylvania Gold Star li- cense plate and gave us an application to ob- tain one. On Saturday we toured the campus of Penn State University, bringing back many fond memories. The weekend went by far too quickly. Pictured, from left, are Lynne Le- crone, Jeanne Rhinehart, Janice Buterbaugh, Ken Sills and Delores Sills. And Janice adds: “Look at the size of those salads!” Janice
Sixteen AWONers, spouses and friends gath- ered at the Point Loma Café in San Diego in January for lunch, conversation, and sharing of memorabilia about our fathers. It was the fifth such get-together for the SoCal regional group. In the photo, left to right, are Dick and Barbara Swensen, Barbara Smith, Phyllis Mathy, Anne Shaules, Dale Roybal, Sharon Connor, Rita Blair, (behind Rita is Al’s friend Kim), Al Rivers, Linda Porter, Roger Connor, Eleanor Simmons, Mickie and Ken Hansen, In April, fifteen orphans and seven guests at- and Bob Porter. Sharon tended the fourth AWON gathering at Hoss's Steak and Sea House in York, Pennsylvania. Orphans from five states attended: Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It was wonderful to welcome five new orphans, and it was exciting to spend time together and get to know one another. Of course, sharing our fathers' stories is al- ways the highlight of our time together and so interesting. It is great that we can remember and honor our fathers and know that others understand and care. Hopefully, we will gath- er again on April 24, 2010, to continue con- The “traveling trio” of Lynne Lecrone, Jeanne versations, visit with friends, and welcome Rhinehart and Janice Buterbaugh spent an other orphans. Pictured, front row, from left extended weekend in March at State Col- are: Lynne Lecrone, Ken Sills, Phyllis Louis, lege, Pennsylvania, at the Village of Penn Susan Anders and Pat Barker. Second row: State. We spent time reminiscing, discussing Donna Allen, Linda Litofsky, Donna Pressley, our wonderful and brave fathers and just re- Roger Mabie and Mary Stillwater. Back row: laxing. Friday evening we had dinner at the Norm Burkey, Rusty Lerch, Ken Underwood, American Ale Restaurant with AWONer Ken Ed Peters and Janice Buterbaugh. Lynne 16 American WWII Orphans Network Linda Chauvin hosted 15 orphans and two spouses at her West Seattle home on Puget Sound in April. Everyone enjoyed a pot luck lunch with lots of great salads, good conversations, sto- ries and father books. The group also got to watch two great videos about Linda and how the mystery of her father was finally solved, and a video about how Bill Knudsen learned about his father, whom he didn’t know existed until he was an adult. The pictures above only show nine of the participants: On the left, from left: Bill Knudsen, Sherry Haxby, Linda Chauvin, Barry Barr-Finch and Rosalie Miles Francisco. On the right, from left: Nancy Sue Banchant, Steve Wilkins, Sharon Wilkins and Judi Hollis Kramer. Not pictured are: Jan Harwell, Shirley Santini, Nancy Thaut, David Francisco, Cliff Marks and Tom Brewer. Barry
Caldwell, from page 10 that is what it said as it was It was even more beautiful in Dutch). I do not know why than I imagined. Once again, make the trip. We called Den- this surprised me as I have I found myself close to my fa- nis to tell him. learned from years of travel- ther and close to tears. When he answered the phone ing to Holland that the Dutch After meeting Kees, I knew I said, “Dennis, I have decid- are still appreciative of the for certain that this work was ed not to make the video.” I men like my father who will- done from his heart. He put could hear the disappoint- ingly came to liberate their heart and soul into it. I am ment in his voice when he po- country from so many dark honored to have his special litely replied, “Oh, okay…” years of oppression. work in my home for all to Then I said, “We have de- Once again I was happy to see. I then presented Dennis cided to come in person. He honor the memory of my fa- with an engraved plaque for yelled out, “No way!!! That is ther and his crew. Each time I his foundation expressing my great!” have the opportunity to speak deep appreciation for their The day of the first meeting of my dad who was taken be- continued dedication to hon- of the Foundation WO2GO fore I was two years old, I re- or the men of WWII. was a bustle of excitement. alize that death does not take I shall never forget the peo- The displays of WWII vehi- away the love that a daughter ple we met, the warm wel- cles instantly took Robert’s has for her father, regardless come we received, or the new attention. The crowds who of how young the daughter. friends we made that special began to gather took mine. I Each time I tell my story, I day in Middelharnis and the knew I was to speak, but nev- find myself drawn closer to first meeting of the WO2GO er imagined such a gathering. the man who was my dad. Foundation. For more infor- I even noticed placards on the As I finished, Kees presented mation about the WO2 Go- street announcing I would me the watercolor painting I eree-Overflakke Foundation, be a guest speaker (I assume had seen in Dennis' email. go to: www.wo2go.nl. The Star • June 2009 17 Bachant, from front page to follow their own personal were married he was already voyages of drafted newspaper articles. I found discovery. into the online a copy of a photograph Herbert army, in of the Bachant triplets some- B a c h a n t May 1940. one was selling, many news- was a me- They mar- paper articles concerning us chanic with ried in Oc- and our family, a copy of our the 94th Ar- tober 1941, 6th War Bond Drive picture mored Field and a few with the three of us eating the A r t i l l e r y weeks lat- bonds, a copy of the Disney Battalion of er he was Bonds we were presented at Patton’s 4th r e l e a s e d the bond rally, and an origi- A r m o r e d because nal service flag just like the D i v i s i o n . PFC Bachant “in the trenches” he was too one I saw in a newspaper ar- He arrived in France July 15, old. Then came Pearl Harbor ticle in which my mother was 1944, after training at Pat- and our mother remembers featured. There were a lot of ton’s desert tank camp near him getting the phone call to newspaper articles about us Needles, California; at Camp report back for duty imme- because the day before our Bowie near Brownwood, Tex- diately. She followed him to mother delivered triplets her as; and at Pine Camp near Camp Bowie where he was roommate had quadruplets! Watertown, New York. Her- undergoing more tank train- I have put together a won- bert and his wife Muriel were ing, and while there, she be- derful album that includes both from the New York/ came pregnant. She begged information on our father’s New Jersey area. Herbert was him to go AWOL when he ancestors, pictures from his born in Clifton, New Jersey, came for a last visit to the early years gathered from rel- to a Methodist family whose hospital where she spent the atives, and even three origi- Dutch ancestors settled New last six months of her preg- nal v-mails he sent to his rela- York City in the 1600s and nancy. He told her that it was tives in his own hand! I was whose French ancestors set- his duty to his country to go thrilled to find that one of tled Quebec in the 1500s. His despite the pregnancy. these v-mails great grandfa- He found out we were born mentioned his ther was killed by reading the Stars and Stripes e x c i t e m e n t at Second Ma- while stationed in southern about the im- nassas during England before the invasion. pending triplet the American It was in an article on the front birth. I have Civil War. Muri- page. He sent our mom a tele- even found and el’s family came gram, which I have, saying, bought an old from more re- “Happy you got your wish, newsreel of our cent immigrants all girls.” In a letter to her he birth, and digi- from Germany said that he, “can’t wait to see tized one that and England. his little girls grow up.” A few was taken when Herbert was days after we were born my he was reported a bus driver sister Janet had a blood prob- MIA. in the Bronx, lem so the army sent a soldier I am now shar- and he met our with instructions to find PFC ing our fam- mom driving a Bachant to get a blood sample ily’s story with transport bus. to help with the diagnosis of AWON mem- He was older Janet’s problem. The Associat- bers and en- than Muriel, ed Press accompanied the sol- couraging them Muriel and Herbert, c. 1942 and when they dier looking for PFC Bachant 18 American WWII Orphans Network and presented Herbert with a pers around the country re- Bond Rally in New York City. picture of Muriel and the new- porting on the missing father The triplets appeared with the born triplets. They also took a of the Bachant triplets. In last living Civil War veteran picture of him looking at the September, Muriel received in New York, radio personal- photograph and it appeared a knock at the door, and two ity Molly Goldberg, and with in many papers throughout soldiers told her that Herbert politicians and other digni- the country. The caption re- was killed in action on August taries at the rally. ported that our father was 1, 1944. Later, Our fa- looking at his newborn trip- she received ther was lets in a trench, “somewhere a hand-writ- original- in England waiting for the in- ten letter from ly bur- vasion.” Our mother still has General Wood. ied in a the original picture on her The letter from make- wall in her Bergenfield, New General Wood s h i f t Jersey, apartment. said, “I am so g r a v e With her husband over- sorry, your let- w h e r e seas, it was very difficult for ter came too he fell, our mother to handle trip- late. By the but then lets without help. There were time your letter was in- newspaper articles request- arrived, your terred in ing nurses to help her. A husband had a group baby carriage company built already been grave in The Bachant triplets at a bond rally, as they a triplet carriage for her, but killed.” Our appeared in The New York Times St. James it tipped us over and couldn’t mother told Cem- pass through the door or up me she felt so etery in the stairs of her fourth floor guilty that she waited so long France with two other casual- walk-up flat. Some wonderful to write that letter. Our father ties from his half-track. While help was given to her by the never saw us, but he did see tracing his steps in France, Red Cross, the Children’s Aid that Associated Press photo. my triplet sisters, Janet and Society, and most of all, the The army sent the contents of Karen, and I visited St. James Practical Nurses Association. his wallet to our mom, and I and the Patton memorial in In July, our mother wrote to have framed the pieces. They Avranches, the town that he General John S. included a helped to liberate the day be- Wood, Major picture of fore he died. There we saw the General Com- each one of stone arrow at the Patton mon- manding of the us, a French ument pointing to the road 4th Armored banknote, and from which he would not re- Division, re- a newspaper turn. In 1949, our grandmoth- questing that article about er requested that his grave be he allow Her- our birth that moved from St. James Cem- bert to come our mom had etery in France back to Amer- home to help sent him. ica, and it was relocated to her with the Three months Hampton National Cemetery triplets. In Au- after Her- in Virginia in 1950. By that Karen Bachant Sellars, Dr. Janet gust of 1944, Bachant, and Nancy Bachant, at the Pat- bert’s death, time our mother had remar- Muriel received ton Memorial in Avranches. the War De- ried and her new husband, a telegram say- p a r t m e n t our step-father, wanted her to ing Herbert asked Mu- forget everything about her was MIA. There were more riel to appear with her trip- newsreels and articles in pa- let daughters at the 6th War ...continued on page 20 The Star • June 2009 19 Albarella, from page 3 of Japan via Burma. He was her memories. Just recently, killed September 29, 1945, we found out that when our in 1923 and grew up in his while guarding a train, most father announced to his army hometown of Pittsford, New likely moving supplies or buddies that he was the father York. He became a machin- prisoners-of-war out of Bur- of triplet girls, his unit gave ist and met her mother, Jessie ma. After several convenient him a parade! They marched Wagner, from nearby Roches- military burials, his body was in front of him in celebration ter. They married on Hallow- brought to Pittsford in Octo- like he was a general! That een 1942, and he enlisted in ber 1948. must have been a very proud the Army four months later. The details of Pfc. Playne’s moment for a private. He was assigned to the new- death have always contained I found the search for my fa- ly-formed 153rd Military Po- inconsistencies. Karen spent ther, Herbert Bachant, to be lice Service Company. years tracking down descen- a way to deal with the emp- His wife accompanied him dants of people who lived in tiness of losing him. Again I to several of his duty stations the village where his body thank AWON for awakening in the south and southwest. was taken off the train, the me to the journey of discov- But in July 1945, his compa- military men who worked ering our father’s story and ny was ordered to report to burial detail in that area, and I encourage other AWON Monterey, California, for de- Pat Mooney, the Army bud- members to take a similar ployment overseas. On the dy who wrote to her mother journey. long train ride to California, about her father’s death and her mother and father met burial. She found answers to Additional Note: Although Pfc. Clifford Chipman, anoth- some of her questions, and our mother and father were er member of the 153rd, and in April 2001, she emailed not high school educated, our his wife Gertrude. Clifford AWON with this update: mother was determined to would be one of the Army My Father was killed in Burma, send us to college. As she held buddies mentioned in the let- 29 Sept 1945. Like most of us, I each one of us up at our birth, ters sent to Jessie Playne that knew nothing about him. After she said to us our names and tried to explain the details of Mom died I came into possession then said, “and you are going her husband’s death. of two letters written by a fellow to college.” We all went to the Pfc. Playne was sent to India same college in Pennsylvania to take part in the invasion ...continued on page 21 with the help of a War Or- phans stipend. Janet became a PhD Clinical Psychologist, Bachant, from page 19 to his grave at Hampton. The cemetery was too remote for college professor and writer first husband. He asked her our mother to visit after her in New York City; Karen is to throw out all pictures, uni- second husband died, and her a retired middle school math forms, and letters our father health was not good enough and science teacher in Lon- had written every day to our for her to make the trip. Af- don, England; and I am a re- mother. She managed to hide ter I visited the cemetery last tired social service worker on away the telegrams and some year, I gave her pictures of the Vashon Island, Washington, pictures in his army camp site so that she could see it for having served in VISTA and book, but the rest is lost. herself. My sisters Karen and other social service organiza- Last Memorial Day I finally Janet intend to visit Hampton tions. We are all married with visited our father’s grave at soon. grown children. This June we Hampton National Cemetery My sisters and I will never will all be together in New to see our father’s final resting get over not knowing our fa- Jersey and New York, visiting place. Until Memorial Day last ther, but we are constantly our mother and having a re- year, neither I, nor my moth- learning new things about him union with our other friends er or sisters, had ever been from our mother as we probe and relatives. 20 American WWII Orphans Network Albarella, from page 20 into a hotel and immediately to Gertrude’s house. called Mrs. Chipman. ...I set out from Buffalo to- soldier, Pat Mooney of Evans- I simply said, ‘Hi Gertrude, tally unplanned, unprepared, ville, Indiana, giving my mom this is Karen Ann from Buffalo.’ and with only the clothes on my the details of my Father’s death. Her response was, ‘You’re in back, my debit card, no maps... One night I was sitting on my Rising Sun aren’t ya?’ She told it was forty hours if not more be- bed reading the letters for about me I had been on her mind for the fore I got some sleep. But Rising the 100th time and a light went past three or four days. We talk- Sun and this wonderful woman, off in my head. There is a sen- ed for hours about my father and who knew my Father and shared tence which reads, ‘Chipman some theories of what really hap- those last days with my Mother, and I wanted to get to Bud’s fu- pened in Burma (like he didn’t was worth every mile of the drive neral…’ Suddenly I knew that really die from hitting his head through the night. She touched Rising Sun, Indiana - one of the on a bridge). She reassured me my heart over and over again, ‘clues’ my Mom had planted in that my Father actually knew he but I think the most touching my head as a young girl - and was about to be a father - some- was when she asked me if I would ‘Chipman’ of Pat Mooney’s let- thing I always wondered about. like to drive out to the cemetery ter, went together. Rising Sun is wonderful- no where her husband is buried so I I got on the Internet and found wonder Mother planted the clue could pay my respects to a man that there really was a Chip- in my head. Mrs. Chipman lives who served with my father. man in Rising Sun. I wrote a in a little white house on top of a I am indebted to Kathy and letter and about four days later, very high windy hill which looks John Lupton and Rik Peirson Gertrude Chipman, my father’s down on Rising Sun, an Ohio for locating the remainder of buddy’s widow, was on the River town. She and her hus- these emails. Karen was so phone. The first thing she said band, Clifford farmed 165 acres grateful to the orphans for was, ‘Karen Ann, I’ve waited 50 until his death about four years being her sisters and broth- years to hear from you!’ ago. ers who understood that part I nearly fell over with excite- The road to her house was nar- that was missing in her life. ment. She was with my mom in row, winding and very hilly You became a resource for her California when the men shipped with a ten-foot drop-off to a family quest and a sounding out for Burma and was with her beautiful creek below. I remem- board for her disappointment the day Mom went to the doc- bered driving up there with my and loss. tor to find out she and Dad were mother when I was about three. It was very important for expecting. I cried! Mom could It’s amazing what is stored in Karen to honor her father never tell me anything. one’s brain. and, again, the AWON fam- So last Monday night I was sit- I wandered around in awe while ily helped. In the summer of ting at my kitchen table feeling Mrs. Chipman went into the 2007, Carol Downs Brooks a bit bad about a funeral I had house to get her pocketbook and and Madeline Teremy joined just attended when another light when she came back out she saw Karen at a regional meeting went off: ‘Karen Ann, ya just me studying one of her beauti- and visited her father’s grave never know when it’ll be your ful fields. She said, ‘Go walk out and the new war memorial in funeral. GO TO RISING SUN yonder there in that field.’ I was Pittsford that lists his name. AND MEET MRS CHIPMAN.’ drawn to its beauty! After a bit, Karen was so proud and So at midnight, I left Buffalo, I turned around and she waved grateful. New York... me back. Only then did she tell Like most AWON members, I drove down through Penn- me that my mother and I had Karen was a true patriot. I be- sylvania, across Ohio, over Cin- walked in that field together, lieve she is happy and reunit- cinnati (sent a quick salute to hand in hand, and stopped at ed with the father she never Nick and Darlene Mott 70 miles about the same spot. Fifty-two knew. I believe he is telling north) and pulled into Rising years earlier, Mom picked me up her war stories, and she is lis- Sunday at 10:30 a.m. I checked at that spot and carried me back tening intently. The Star • June 2009 21 Guidelines for submitting Airman Missing material for publication in Palau Found AWON Board Business •Topics considered for publication 18 January 2009 in The Star include, but are not The Department of limited to, unit reunions, visiting Defense POW/Miss- November Minutes: Norma Nicol-Hamilton discussed battle or crash sites, cemeteries, ing Personnel Office reconstruction of the November 2008 minutes that were ceremonies, seeking or finding lost. families and veterans, poetry, (DPMO) reports that etc. S/Sgt. Jimmie Doyle, Financial Report: Treasurer Norm Burkey reported missing in action that he should have a financial report ready before the •Email copy-ready articles and from World War II, March meeting. He reported there were many end-of- pictures to the editor in Word, has been identified. year renewals. WordPerfect, RTF, or in the body of an email. High resolution He was buried with Database: Gerry Morenski led a discussion about jpeg, bitmap, gif or tiff images are full military honors in maintaining AWON's database. preferred. Text and pictures also April in his hometown Archiving AWON Materials: A report by Norma Nicol- can be mailed. Photos returned of Lamesa, Texas. Hamilton was tabled. upon request. On September 1, Alliance for Voting Rights for Active Duty Military: •Please keep text to one page 1944, Doyle was one The board voted to become signatories. (500 to 1,000 words), including of eleven men on AWON National Advisors: The board decided to pictures. board a B-24J Libera- develop a policy regarding national advisors to AWON. tor bomber that was Judy Hoffman will draft a policy for vote in March. •Email short articles about shot down near the resources, queries, book/movie Earmark Donations: The board discussed AWON's recommendations, and general town of Koror, Re- three donation funds: the Memorial Day Wreath Fund, the public of Palau. Three information for the List Tips Margraten Gift, and the new Mama Jo Memorial Fund. column to the assistant editor. crewmen parachuted Judy Hoffman and Norm Burkey will draft a policy on from the aircraft and accepting earmarked donations. •Preference is given to material died while prisoners written by and about AWON Mama Jo Memorial Fund: The fund will assist orphans members. of the Japanese. The other eight crewmen, wanting to attend National AWON Conferences. Dave •Authors retain copyright including Doyle, went Stanek will chair the committee to set criteria for who can to published original writing. down with the plane receive assistance, with Gerry Morenski as a committee Permission to reprint should into the sea between member. be obtained from the author by 2010 National Conference: The next conference is contacting the editor. Babelthuap and Koror Islands. slated for the eastern United States, and the City of Kathy Le Comte, Editor In 2004, a Joint Philadelphia was proposed. Barry Barr-Finch will 869 S. Columbia Ave. POW/MIA Account- research the Philadelphia area and Judy Hoffman will Springfield, IL 62704-2342 ing Command team call potential east coast co-chairs. (217) 787-6512 [email protected] conducted an under- 2009 AWON Board Retreat: The board will hold its water investigation required off-year board meeting in New Orleans. The Rosalie Miles Francisco, of aircraft wreckage date will be set at the March meeting. Assistant Editor submerged off the AWON Survey: Bob Meek reported he had a ten percent 2815 W. Tilden St. southern coast of Ba- Seattle, WA 98199 response rate from the recent survey of former members, (206) 284-0940 belthuap Island. Be- including some renewals. Bob was congratulated. [email protected] tween 2005 and 2008, Next Board Meeting: The next telephonic meeting of salvage teams exca- the AWON Board of Directors is March 15, 2009. vated the site three Deadline for the times and recovered Bonnie Crane Blackford Hellums, Secretary September Issue human remains, ma- terial evidence, and is This is a condensed version of the minutes. For the August 1 identification media. complete minutes, visit www.awon.org. 22 American WWII Orphans Network American WWII Orphans Network Application, Registration & Renewal Form
I would like to become a member Membership Levels Register my father/family member and me only Any child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Coast Guard or Merchant Renew my membership Marine, who was killed, remains missing in action, or who died in the line of duty or later died of wounds or injuries sustained during World War II, is eligible to join as an Orphan Member. Any direct relative is eligible to join as Information about You a Family Member. Any individual, including friends of those killed in World War II, those who wish to participate in AWON activities, or organizations with an interest in and compatible with AWON’s purposes and goals, are Name eligible to join as an Associate Member. Spouse's Name Address Check Your Membership Category: City, State, Zip Orphan Family Associate Phone (home, work, cell, other) E-mail Relationship to Serviceman Dues and Payment Options Your Date of Birth Basic annual membership dues are $25. Members Would you like to receive The Star electronically? Y N wishing to provide additional financial support to Where did you hear about AWON? AWON and its activities are encouraged to join at one of the following supportive levels: Information about WWII Serviceman Who Died Check one: Basic: $25 Sponsor: $50 Be as complete as possible. If you do not have some of the information, leave it blank and we may be able to provide it to you. Gold Star: $100 Donor: $150 Do not delay mailing the application for lack of information. Patron: $250 Founder: $500 Benefactor: $1,000
Name Members at the Sponsor level and above may receive a free copy of the second edition Last First M.I. of Touchstones: A Guide to Records, Rights and Resources for Families of American World War II Casualties, by AWON Founder Ann Bennett Mix. Birth Date Date of Death Place of Death I am donating at the Sponsor level or above and would Where Buried like my free copy of Touchstones: Yes___ No ___ Military Unit Service Number Amount Enclosed: $ Additional details about serviceman's death and/or service: (rank, medals, etc.) I give permission to AWON to release my name, address, email address, phone number and relationship to and pertinent information about the serviceman to other members. I understand the list of members is confidential and will never be sold or given to any other organization or business. I hereby release AWON from any liability that may arise from the release of Home Town and State information. Wife’s Maiden Name Signature (optional) Did widow remarry? Y N Names and addresses of your siblings with same AWON is a humanitarian, nonprofit, nonpolitical, public service organization father, and/or additional family members: under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Federal Tax code (EINB #91-1538912). Membership is not required to register in our database.
Mail form and payment to:
Norm Burkey AWON Treasurer (Please include information on another sheet, if necessary.) 308 Colgate Dr. Forest Hill, MD 21050 The Star • June 2009 23 AWON Mission AWON Headquarters To locate and bring together sons 5745 Lee Road and daughters of those who died or Indianapolis, IN 46216 are missing as a result of American (540) 310-0750 involvement in World War II, honor the [email protected] service and sacrifice of our fathers and www.awon.org provide information and support to these people who were orphaned by the war. AWON Directory Address Corrections National WWII Museum Campaign Ann Bennett Mix [email protected] Chickie Shields Berry [email protected] Archives Public Relations Ann Whelan O'Connor [email protected] Patricia Gaffney-Kindig [email protected] Bookstore Reading Air Show Walt Linne [email protected] Norm Burkey [email protected] Dues Regional Coordinator Project Norm Burkey [email protected] Barry Barr-Finch [email protected] First Inquiry Coordinator The Star Editor Patty Temte [email protected] Kathy Le Comte [email protected] Asst. FIC The Star Asst. Editor Janice Ott Buterbaugh [email protected] Rosalie Miles Francisco [email protected] Headquarters Washington D.C. Events Ed Peters [email protected] Phyllis Epstein Louis [email protected] Knit Your Bit Project Washington D.C. Liaison Norma Nicol Hamilton [email protected] Lee Mathis [email protected] Margraten Liaison Assoc. D.C. Liaison Gerry Conway Morenski [email protected] Jeanine McKenzie Allen [email protected] Memorial Day Wreath Project Webmaster Sharon Crowley Connor [email protected] Rik Peirson [email protected]
The Star Editor, The Star Non-Profit 869 S. Columbia Ave. U.S. Postage PAID Springfield, IL 62704-2342 Springfield, IL Permit No. 500 Address Service Requested
24 "Breaking Down the Wall of Silence" American WWII Orphans Network