Final Flyby
Robert Edward Schnell (April 3 1916- June 3 2007) - Born in Benwood,WV Bob enlisted in the navy from high school,serving on the battleship USS New York and studied at the Naval Academy 1936-37.He married Ileane Beatty August 19,1939 and was a West Virginia State Trooper from 1940 to 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.After cadet and pilot training,he was assigned to the 459th BG and the 756th Bomb Squadron in the 15th Air Force, Italy.
Lt Bob Schnell`s B-24 was shot down on 459th BG Mission # 86, 8/7/44,target Blechhammer,Germany oil refinery.The 756th BS War Diary for August 7,1944 states that a German ME 109 fighter scored a direct hit on Lt Schnell`s B-24 rudder and a portion was knocked off.His plane was last sighted over Yugoslvia losing altitude and about to crash. Five parachutes were seen exiting the plane.
Other members of Lt Schnell`s crew were: Lts Meech,Colin and Kaden; Sgts Scholetize,Bachat and Crotty; and Cpls Brosky,Wojiechowski and Cheickering.
Bob was a P.O.W. in Stalag VII-A, 1 km north of Mooseburg,35 km northest of Munich, Germany in a flat area surrounded by hills.The camp barracks were rectangular wood building divided into A & B sections by a central room for washing and eating.POWs slept on triple-dek wooden bunks with gunny sack mattresses filled with excelsior. Gradually the number of men per barracks increased from 180 to 400. Men slept on tables, floors and on the floor. The barracks had no heat and were damp,cold and unhealthful
Bob was liberated on August 29,1945 by Combat Team A,14th U S Armored Division. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal,POW Medal,European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Bob returned to the WV State Police,retiring in 1961 and retired for good in 1980. 
Delbert Woffard - Former President of the 459th Bomb Group Association.
Joe Tin Lee - former gunner in the 759th Bomb Squadron, passed away 12/8/2001.
Former 2nd LT George Ostroot Jr. 759 th B S Navigator and 459th BGA Member No.512 passed away 2/16/07 at St Louis, MO. His story of being shot down 6/16/44 on 459 BG Mission No.60 and becoming a P O W will be listed under 759th BS Servicemen Stories.
Ludwig J. Phillips of the 756th BS/459th BG passed away on 12 February 2008 after a long illness.
2nd Lt Rex Goddard of the 757th BG was born on December 21, 1921. He completed 50 missions and received the DFC. Lt. Goodard passed away on February 12, 1995.
1st Lt George Bryant was a Co-Pilot on James Oogle's crew in the 759th BS.
S/Sgt Robert R. Dejongh was a member of the 758th BS. A memorial dedicated to him was discovered in Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. It is thought that S/Sgt Dejongh was MIA/KIA while executing M#80 July 24th, 1944 in Normandy, France.
Sgt John D Baker served with the 758th BS. It is unknown when he passed away, but he is listed on a memorial located in the Epinal Cemetery.
2nd Lt. Que D Jones was killed in action while serving with the 758th BS on April 28th, 1944. He was a Co-Pilot on Mission # 29, target Porto San Stefano Docks, Italy. Read more in the "Servicemen's Stories
2nd Lt. John Zimmer was killed in action by heavy flak while flying his aircraft in the 758th BS on April 28th, 1944. He was on Mission # 29, target Porto San Stefano docks, Italy. Read more in the "Servicemen's Stories"
Thomas W. Perry It is with great pride and much sorrow that I inform you that my Father, Thomas W. Perry passed away on June 17, 2008. He was assigned to the 459th Bomb Group, 758th Squadron and grearly enjoyed sharing his experiences at Giulia Field up to his final day on earth.
Thank you for your wonderful newletter "Pathfinder", we have greatly enjoyed reviewing past issues, especially the Fall 1997 piece on "Perry's Paupers".
He really got a kick out of it. Michael Perry 513 Foxgate Quarter Chesapeake VA 23322 757-410-1778 nckate2@aol.com
Mryl M. Graham 758th Squadron passed away Monday, July 14, 2008. He attended one of the reunions some years back in Boise, ID and thoroughly enjoyed meeting his "BTO" (Big Time Operators) flying buddies of the 758th Bomb Squadron.
S/Sgt. Harry Jobe Jones 757th Squadron passed away February 12, 2003. He entered the service November 21, 1942 and was discharged July 7, 1945.
S/Sgt. Michael J. Horvath,, passed away 05-05-1997 due to complications during heart surgery. He was originally from Chicago, Illinois.
Robert G DeGroat age 81 of Wilmington, DE passed away January 30, 2003. During WWII, Lt. DeGroat flew B-24 Liberator Bombers with the 459th Bomb Group, 758th Squadron, 15th AAF in Italy. He was shot down 15 December, 1944 and spent five months as a POW at Luft Stalag IIIA, Luckenwalde, Germany. Post war, he was a flight instructor in C-46 and C-119 transports with the USAF Reserve, retiring in 1972 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Forrest "Frosty" G. Hunt, 90 of Decatur, IL died May 17, 2008. During WWII, 1st Lt. Hunt was a Bombardier in the 756th Squadron of the 459th Bomb Group. He flew 50 missions while in Italy.
Lynn Fairbanks Spaulding, 85 of Las Vegas, NV died May 30, 2008. Lynn was born in Taylor, Wis. and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. after his graduation from Mt. Horeb High School. In 1944, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. at Ellington Field, Ft. Worth, TX, where he earned his "wings" with Class 44-E. He was assigned to the 15th AAF and flew B-24 Liberators out of Cerignola, Italy with the 459th Bomb Group. Lynn retired as a Major from the U.S. Air Force at Nellis AFB.
Claude Lorraine Porter, 86 of Niceville, Fla. died Jan. 16, 2003. Claude enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps and became a B-24 Pilot with the 756th Squadron of the 459th Bomb Group in Italy. He was shot down on a raid to Ploesti, Romania. 2nd Lt. Porter became a POW of Germany and spent one year ia a hospital in Vienna, Aus. which was bombed repeatedly while he was there. He retired a Lt. Colonel in 1973 with 23 years of service.
Robert R. "Bob" Brown, 86 of Charleston, WV died June 16, 2003. Born on March 1, 1922, Bob was a graduate and senior class president of the Charleston High School class of 1940. Bob entered WWII and served as a Bombardier in the 757th Squadron of the 459th Bomb Group. Bob ended his career with the U.S.A.F. in the Strategic Air Command.
Wallace ( Wally ) E. Albritton - 756th Squadron
Ludwig J. Phillips - 756th Squadron
Robert H. Redfield - 756th Squadron
Anthony P. Sylvestro - 756th Squadron
Charles J. Aiesi - 758th Squadron
David Blain - 757th Squadron
Louis J. Frauenholtz - 757th Squadron
Thomas R. Girvan - 757th Squadron
Anthony Pepitone - 757th Squadron
George S. Reese - 757th Squadron
William H. Reinbold - 757th Squadron
Robert C. Sneed - 757th Squadron
Howard A. Allen - 759th Squadron
Hessel H. Holland - 759th Squadron
Thomas A. McCann Jr. - 759th Squadron
Ben Nozicka - 759th Squadron
Robert C. Read - 759th Squadron
Sgt. Anthony Pepitone, side-gunner in the 459th/757th squadron passed away in 2003.
Capt. Frank T. Romanoski Sr., 87, of the 757th Bomber Squadron passed away on December 17, 2008. He resided
in Plymouth Meeting, PA. but was born in Shamokin, PA.on Feb. 3, 1921. His obituary can be found in the Shamokin News Item at Newsitem.com.
John M. "Jack" Morin, 86, an Agawam resident for 60 years, died Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Mercy Hospital. Born June 20, 1921 in Chicago, IL, he was a son of the late Earl H. Sr. and Loretta (McCoy) Morin. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago in 1938, and studied at Northwestern University. Jack enlisted in the armed services and was called to duty in March 1942 as an Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet. He was deployed to Italy in January 1944 and was in command of a B-24 with the 758th Squadron, 459th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force.
Charles M Millan was a Bombardier in the 459th BG and 757th Squadron. He remained in the Air Force Reserve for 28 years and retired as a Major. He passed away 1/23/95.
Charles Selicious died 7-12-1997 of congestive heart failure. He was a cook in the 756th Squadron. He owned a restaurant his entire life after he got out of the service. He settled in Whatelt, Mass.
T/Sgt L. T. Burnett passed away in August of 2007. L.T. Burnett was born in Okemah, OK on August 6, 1923 where he lived most of his life working on his parents' farm. He enlisted on the 25th of May in 1943 and entered active service in the Army Air Forces on June 1, 1943 at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma. He was stationed in Italy at Giulia Airfield with the 459th Bomber Group, 757th Squadron. He participated in 50 missions as radio operator and waist gunner and his plane was shot down once. On September 19, 1945 he was discharged from the military under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Air Command. During his time in the military he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Distinguished Unit Citation and was a T/Sgt upon his separation. Sometime after the War, L T opened a grocery store in the small town of Haskell, OK where he brought his small town life experiences to help the town grow. Everyone who ever worked for him or shopped in his store remember him as a kind man. On August 9, 2007 L T Burnett lost his battle with cancer and was buried in Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, OK. He is survived by one brother, Thurman, his wife, Barbara, his three children Leland, Mary, and Wanda as well as his grandsons Lance, Lyle, Curtis, Kevin Paul, Matthew and Jacob.
Dr. John H. Jack Wilmes, 84, of Lincoln, formerly of Nebraska City, died at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 surrounded by his loving family after a long struggle with Parkinsons and pancreatic cancer.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1925 to John Herman and Kathryn Josephine (Zech) Wilmes in Creston, Iowa. He graduated from Creston High School in 1943. Jack served in the 15th Army Air Force, 758th Sqn of the 459th Bomb Group and he was shot down over Austria on 25 Feb 1945 during World War II. His plane was heavily damaged during combat over Austria and he was classified as missing in action until recovered by U.S. Forces behind Russian lines.
He graduated from Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Ill., and began his practice in Bedford, Iowa. He married Betty Noblet in June of 1953 in Maryville, Mo., and the couple moved to Nebraska City in October of 1953 where he practiced optometry for the next 30 years.
Dr. Wilmes was active in the community where he served as commander of the American Legion Post #8 and the VFW. He was active in St. Marys Catholic Church, Scouting, coaching baseball and driving the Lourdes school bus. He served on the Lourdes School Board and St. Marys Hospital Board and was a member of both the Nebraska and National Optometric Associations.
The couple retired to Lincoln in 1982 to be near family.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jim.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Lincoln; three sons, Mark Wilmes of Fort Worth, Texas, Mike Wilmes and wife Trish of Lincoln, and Jay Wilmes and wife Ann of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Jordan Wilmes, Jacob Wilmes and Abigail Wilmes, all of Lincoln; sister Mary Thompson of Westminster, Colo.; several nieces and nephews; other family and friends.
2nd Lt Harold Welborn of the 758th BS passed on, Feburary 16, 2010 in Prineville, Oregon. He was a navigator, and a good friend.
David Waltman
S/Sgt. Paul H. Frackman Born 3 Feb. 1919; Died 29 July 1985 during admittance to Veterans Home in St. Cloud, Minn
Cpl. Jan A. Norby Born 16 Oct. 1920; Died 29 May 2008 in Boise, ID
S/Sgt. Calvin Harold Fletcher 756th Squadron (Member # 931) died on January 20, 2006 at age 86.
2nd Lt Gerard St, Hilaire passed away on June 10th in Laconia, NH after a long illness
Jerry Gleesing, a World War II bomber pilot who survived German prison camps and returned to his childhood sweetheart, died Sunday at age 85.
Gleesing was commander of the Spokane Inland Empire Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, a group that has remained prominent at local veterans events despite its diminished membership in recent years.
He held this chapter together, said Ruth Cunningham, the groups adjutant. He told us we would keep going as long as we can.
Gleesing also served as state commander of the American Ex-Prisoners of War in 1996-97 and 2003-04, Cunningham said.
In 2001, The Spokesman-Review reported that the chapter, made up of ex-POWs and their spouses, had 140 members. Today, 60 members remain, including 26 ex-POWs, most of them veterans of World War II, Cunningham said.
Jerry is irreplaceable, said senior vice-commander Don Head, a former infantryman who was captured by the German army at the Battle of the Bulge. We are just going to miss him.
In 1942, Gleesing enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age 18. After completing basic training and flight school, he returned to his hometown of LaMoure, N.D., and in 1944 married Nancy, the girl he couldnt leave behind.
Gleesing soon was deployed to Italy as a flight officer with the 15th Air Force, 459th Bomb Group. On Jan. 15, 1945, Gleesings B-24 was shot down and the crew bailed out over Yugoslavia and was taken prisoner. It was only his second mission.
While he starved in a German prison camp, his wife gave birth to their first child, Mary Jean.
Gleesing was liberated at Moosburg, Germany, on April 29, 1945, and returned to the U.S. in time for his first wedding anniversary.
After graduating from North Dakota University, he taught agricultural education at the high school level until going to work in commercial agriculture. The family moved to Spokane in 1971.
Jerry and Nancy Gleesing, who had seven children, were to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary on June 1.
Head said Gleesing had been looking forward to the dedication of the states new Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake on Memorial Day. The ex-POWs have been invited to participate in the ceremony.
It will be the last hurrah, I think, Head said of the group.
T/Sgt. Truman Kennedy 758th Squadron, passed away on 12-14-10 in Greensburg, PA. He flew missions on a B-24 Liberator named "Hot Shotsie" during WWII.
Sgt. Joseph W Schnepp - 757th Squadron
Joe passed away in 2001 and he's now flying above the radar. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was with the 757th as a Ball Turret Gunner. His wife passed a year later but their memories are still alive. Joe certainly performed above and beyond the call and we know he is looking down upon us all! Thank you Joe for the time you gave us! Fly high and keep'em in your sights!
Joseph Warren Schnepp
8 Jan 1924-2 Dec 2001
Wife Shirlie Schnepp
Deceased 22 Dec 2006
Children:
Dennis Schnepp, Cindy Bond, Marc Schnepp
Lester Hale, 756th Squadron, passed away on February 18, 2011.
PAIGE - Haskell E., Jr., of Mt. Sinai on March 18, 2011 in his 86th year. Beloved Husband of Elizabeth for 64 years. Loving Father of Patricia Clark (Bob), Geraldine Paige and Haskell Paige III. Devoted Grandfather of Paige Ruane, Elizabeth Mary, Haskell Eugene IV and Joseph Michael. Great Grandfather of Scarlett Elizabeth, Haskell Eugene V, Clark Christopher, and Jacob Charles. Haskell was a proud WWII: Veteran, He was a Nose Gunner assigned to the 459th Bomb Group, 757th Squadron. Haskell was shot down in the Italian Alps and was a POW until he was liberated by the Russians. Among his many metals, he was most proud of his Air Metal and Purple Heart. Haskell was an educator all of his life, and retired at age 62 as Deputy Superintendent of Herricks Public School District in Nassau County. Reposing Moloney's Port Jefferson Station Funeral Home, 523 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station where a religious service will be held Monday. Funeral Mass Tuesday St. Gerrd Majella R.C. Church. Cremation Private. Visiting Monday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Red Cross.
T/Sgt. Edward "Ed" Sanford III 757th Squadron of Park Street Attleboro a loving husband, father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather passed on Friday March 18, 2011 at the
age of 92. He was the beloved husband of Alice D. (McNamara) Sanford. Born
in Attleboro on February 3, 1919 he was the son of the late Raymond and
Bertha (Boswell) Sanford. Ed was a graduate of Attleboro High School. He
attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and Northeastern University.
Ed was a WWII Aviator serving with the 757th Squadron, 459th Heavy
Bombardment Group of the 15th US Army Air Force in Italy. He rose to the
rank of Technical Sergeant as a B-24 Lead Radio Operator receiving credit
for 52 missions over Southern Germany and Occupied Europe. He won special
commendation for courageous service in aerial combat by "Shooting" a
difficult radio direction bearing when his aircraft became lost in heavy
cloud and fog. Ed was shot down 3-times surviving with his crew. He is a
"Caterpillar Club" member.
Ed was a tool maker and worked many years for the Raytheon Company on the
MIM-23 Hawk and AIM-7 Sparrow missile programs. At mid career he shifted
to engineering, working as both a Methods and Industrial Engineer at
Raytheon and other Aerospace Corporations. Ed was a member of the Masons
and Shriners. He also belonged to the VFW and American Legion. For many
years he enjoyed taking his family on day trips to Horse Neck Beach and
staying at East Dennis. He especially enjoyed camping at Curlew Pond. He
was an avid chess player, enjoyed wilderness hiking, salt water fishing
and taking his grandchildren on flying lessons. In retirement Ed and Alice
enjoyed traveling cross country in their RV visiting several National
Parks including Big Bend.
Ed's "Final Flyby" began at 3:00 AM from Epoch Senior Healthcare of
Norton. Though no longer powered by 4-1200 HP Pratt & Whitney's, he is
winging his way on course to his final destination. His wit, humor and
character will all be missed.
In addition to his wife Alice, Ed is survived by a son; Edward Sanford IV
and his wife Nancy of Bainbridge Island, Washington, two daughters; Mary
A. Moore and her husband James of Attleboro and Suzanne L. Lofgren and her
husband Peter of Norton, eight grandchildren; Heather Kelley, Jason
Burtwell, Kimberly Lofgren, Patrick Lofgren, Kevin Lofgren, Jennifer
Lofgren Robbins, Janna Sanford and Evan Sanford and four great
grandchildren; Connor and Charles Lofgren, Shaelyn and Braeden Kelley.
2nd Lt. John Grush of the 758th BS
John Lee Grush, Sr., a retired insurance executive died on Sunday, September
24, 2006. He was 86 years old. Mr. Grush was a lifelong resident of River
Ridge, LA. He served his country in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He was a
graduate of Fortier High School, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
from Tulane University. While in the Air Corp he was a navigator on a B-24 bomber in
the 15th Air Force. On a mission over Budapest, Hungary his plane was hit by flak and it was necessary to bail out. He spent the last 10 months of war as a prisoner of the Germans in Stalag Luft III, the infamous prison where 'The Great Escape' took place. His decorations are the Purple Heart, Air Medal, European Area of Operations, and POW Medal.
Before his retirement he owned and managed Grush and Manard Insurance Agency. He was past president of Professional Insurance Agents of New Orleans. He was one of the founders of Paradise Manor Community Club and held a lifetime honorary membership in that Club. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans, South Louisiana Chapter Ex-Prisoners of War, River Ridge Community Association, and an honorary member of Harahan Rotary Club. Beloved husband of the late Ruth Riviere Grush. He is survived by four sons; J. Lee and David A. of River Ridge, R. Brink Grush of Mandeville and Gene R. of Friendswood, TX. He is also survived by four beautiful daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at the Kenner Funeral Home of L. A. Muhleisen and Son, 2607 Williams Blvd. on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 1:00 o'clock p.m. Visitation on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Times Picayune 09-27-2006
S/Sgt. Tom Sullivan 757th BS
SULLIVAN, THOMAS J. age 76, of Northport, NY died March 27, 2001. He served as a B-24 RO in the 459th BG, 15th AF, based in Italy, was shot down in June 1944 and held POW in Luft 4. A life member of AXPOW, he was currently serving as JVC of the Long Island Chapter. Survivors include his wife Mary, 6 children and 10 grandchildren.
S/Sgt. Tom Sullivan 757th BS
SULLIVAN, THOMAS J. age 76, of Northport, NY died March 27, 2001. He served as a B-24 Radio Operator in the 459th BG, 15th AF, based in Italy, was shot down in June 1944 and held POW in Luft 4. A life member of AXPOW, he was currently serving as JVC of the Long Island Chapter. Survivors include his wife Mary, 6 children and 10 grandchildren.
2nd Lt. Robert A.McCombs 756th BS
Robert Allen McCombs died unexpectedly (December 29, 2005). He was born July 21, 1923 in New Salem, PA to Nora Kelly McCombs and Charles Allen McCombs. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Doris Dietz McCombs and his daughter, Bonnie McCombs Krohne. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he graduated in 1947 from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA., after serving with the Air Force in World War II. He was a Captain in the 15th Air Force, 459th Bomb Group, 756th Squadron as a Bombardier, stationed in Italy. Bob was a ``lifer'' at the Aetna, as an officer in the Group Division. Bob was a member of the Insurance City Chorus Barbershop Group, the Farmington Country Club, the Old Guard, the Coventry Fishing Club and the New Britain Museum of American Art. He was a former member of the Red Oak Hill Swim Club and the Hartford Tennis Club, and volunteer with Meal-On-Wheels. Bob leaves behind his daughter, Barbara McCombs Anthony, his son-in-law, Charles Hand Anthony, Jr., and two granddaughters, Kelly McCombs Anthony and Blair Bonnie Anthony. The burial will be private, and a celebration of his life will be held at a future date. Donations may be made in his name to the New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain, CT 06052. Online messages of remembrance and sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com
1st Lt. Richard A. Murray 757th BS
WWII War Hero
Beloved Husband, Father and Grandpa
Richard A. (Dick) Murray a 42-year Rio Linda resident died on Monday,
Feb. 27, 2006, at Mission Carmichael Heathcare Center in Carmichael . He
was 84. Mr. Murray was born on September 18, 1921 in Nashwauk, MN and
spent most of his youth in Hibbing, MN were he graduated from Hibbing
High School. He attended Nashwauk Junior College until his enlistment in
the Army Air Corp. Richard graduated from basic training and flight
school as a 1st Lt. and was immediately assigned to the newly formed
459th Bomber Squadron, 15th Air Force. In July 1944 Lt. Murray and his
new crew flew their B-24 Liberator from Tonapah, NV to Giulia, . On
August 3rd the crew of the "Bugs Bunny" commanded by Lt.Murray flew the
1st of 35 successful combat missions to Friedrichaven, . The "Bugs
Bunny" logged a total of 255 hours over targets in , , and
Additionally, Lt. Murray volunteered to fly 5 non-combat rescue missions
transporting much needed gasoline to fuel Gen. Patton's tanks during his
dash across to save the surrounded American troops during the Battle of
Bulge. For his meritorious service Lt. Murray received the Distinguished
Flying Cross. Richard returned to California and was soon working as a
bus driver in Los Angeles . It was on his bus that he met the love of his
life, Joan Kathleen Wagner whom he married on May 5, 1948 and was
dedicated to for 51-years. The young couple soon moved to Proctor, MN
where they had 5 of their 6 children. In 1964 the Murray family
relocated to Rio Linda where they had their 6th child. Richard purchased
a Beacon Service Station where he worked until his retirement in 1987.
While living In Minnesota Richard loved hunting and fishing with family
and friends. He enjoyed taking his young family on camping trips and he
volunteered much of his spare time as a Scoutmaster. In his later years
he volunteered at the Senior Companion and Homes for Humanity rograms in
Reno But his real passion was gardening and spending time with his
grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mission Carmichael Health
Care Center for the loving and caring dedication that they showered on
our beloved father. He is survived by his brother Donald and
sister-in-law Audrey of Howell, MI; his sister Janice and brother-in law
Howard Clune of Sun City, CA; daughter Patricia Williams of Chico;
daughter Kathy and son-in-law Terry Edwards of Auburn; daughter Teri and
son-in-law Bob Chisholm of Sparks, NV; son Richard Jr. and
daughter-in-law Helen of Granite Bay; son Leonard and daughter-in-law
Elizabeth of Elverta; and son Tim and daughter-in-law Janet of Rio Linda.
Additionally Richard was loved and will be dearly missed by 22
grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by
his parents Malcolm and Elvina Murray; his brother Leonard Murray and his
beloved wife Joan Kathleen Murray. Visitation day will be on Friday,
March 3, 2006 from 4 to 8PM and the military services will be conducted
on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at 1:00 PM at Chapel of the Chimes, 4701
Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA (916) 922-5833. Donations in his
memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the 459th Bomber Group
Scholarship Fund % Mr. John Devney, Treasurer; 90 Kimbark Road,
Rochester, NY 14610 .
1st Lt. Marshall W. Spieth, 759th BS, 82, of West Hartford, died Wednesday, (January 14, 2004). He was the son of the late Fred and Anna May Burgraff Spieth of Louisville, KY. After graduating from Manuel High School in Louisville, Marshall attended Duke University on a track scholarship until he interrupted his education in 1943 to enter the U.S. Army Air Corps. As a first lieutenant in the 459th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force, he piloted a B-24 on 25 missions over Europe for which he received several awards of the Air Medal.
After his discharge he completed his degree at Georgia Tech. graduating in 1948. He was employed as a production manager by Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga, TN until 1962, when he moved to their Windsor offices as a systems manager. After his retirement in 1985, he tutored Hartford Public School students at Asylum Hill Congregational Church where he was an active member. He was honored by Senator Lowell Weicker with the Internal Revenue Service's Director's Award for 16 years of contributions to the Tax Counseling For the Elderly Program for the Connecticut-Rhode Island district through which he served as a tax preparer at the West Hartford Senior Center. He was also a member of the Old Guard, ATO Fraternity, the 459th Bomb Group Association and Connecti-Kids Tutoring. Marshall was an avid golfer, tennis player, and vegetable gardener before moving to the McAuley Retirement Center. He was an avid Lady Huskies fan.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Georgia Rauschenberg Spieth and their two daughters and their families, Marsha Spieth and Hubert Cloke of Silver Spring, MD and their children, Christian and Ann Cloke, and Anna Pope Spieth Willis and Michael Willis of Memphis, TN and their children, Marshall and Drew Willis. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, February 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Asylum Hill Congregational Church's tutoring program or the charity of your choice. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
1st Lt. Louis Trerice HUGHEs
1st. Lt. Louis Trerice Hughes, Age 88, was born November 7, 1920 in Norfolk, VA. He and his brother, Jarvis, did not have an easy boyhood and both had to mature earlier than they should. Both grew into fine men.
Lou joined the US Army as a very young man and was one of the very first members of the US Army Air Corps, which later became the US Air Force.
His military career spanned 35 years, visiting countless countries on five continents, in both times of war and times of peace. He was stationed at Hickham Field, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. He miraculously escaped injury by gunfire as the Japanese Zeroes strafed and bombed that base, as well as attacking nearby Pearl Harbor. He spent five nights in a foxhole, eating only Vienna Sausages and maraschino cherries he had "liberated" from the nearby Officer's Club. He could never look at those "foods" ever again!
He was trained as a bombardier / navigator in B-17s, B-29s and his beloved B-24s. His WWII years saw both the Pacific and European Theatres, including refinery bombings in Ploesti, Romania, as well as action in North Africa. He flew 50 missions over Romania and Germany. He lost too many friends and saw too many planes fall. He received many commendations, including the Bronze and Silver Stars.
His continued Air Force career included overseas action in the Korean War and a tour of Vietnam, being in Saigon during the Tet Offensive.
He met Joanne Hebert Nelson in 1953 in Spokane, WA while he was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. They married 3 months later. His "Good Wife" (as he liked to call Joanne) came with a ready-made family from her earlier marriage. He accepted and loved both Jo Ann (Joby) and Charles (Chuck) as his own, and was very proud to talk about "his" new children.
He and Joanne had four more children, Roger, Randy, Mary Elizabeth and Leslie. Sadly, they lost both Randy and Mary at birth.
In 1970, after 35 years of travel and duty stations (with and without his family, both abroad and in the states), Lou retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and the family settled in Spokane.
He spent many happy years playing golf and gin rummy with friends at Wandermere Golf Course and was, for many years, Marshal of the annual Wandermere Amateur Golf Tournament. He leaves many buddies at the course, including his closest friend of 35 years, Bob Ross, as well as Herb Brown and Niles Selden.
He and Joanne traveled to Scotland, Ireland, England and Egypt during these retirement years. They cruised to Alaska and took the train across Canada from British Columbia and ending in Nova Scotia, where they met (and came to know) a number of his distant relatives.
Lou loved the Marx Brothers and Buster Keaton, as well as Hope and Crosby. He watched and read everything on WWII. He was an avid stamp collector for years and years and had amassed an amazing collection. The St. Joe River saw him fly fishing for many years. He liked lemon meringue pie and a good steak dinner. He never met a dog he didn't like.
Though he fought in three wars, he was a gentle man and never raised his hand in anger to family or friends. Though fiercely proud of his country and his service, he hated war, saying there was nothing glorious about it. "It always ends with loved ones crying on both sides and the problems are never really solved."
Our well-loved Dad and husband died quietly November 7, 2008, on his 88th birthday. He leaves a family deeply saddened by his death, but better for having had him in our lives. He taught us honesty, conviction, values and strength. He knew we loved him. Missing him are his wife of 55 years, Joanne, in Colville, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Joby and Spence Garrett, Antrim, NH; son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Vicky Hughes, Tiburon, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Lina Hughes, Spokane, WA; and daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Tom Shuhda, of Colville, WA.
He has six grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. His grandson, Graham, known to Dad as his "fine lad" will miss his "Bop" especially.
His brother and sister-in-law, Jarvis and Jesse Hughes, Pasadena, MD loved him very much and grieve at his passing.
S/Sgt. Donnell Everett Scott, Jr - 757th Squadron
Donnell Everett Scott, Jr., of Burlington, NC, passed away on January 26, 2012, at the Hospice Home in Burlington surrounded by his family. He was born in Morehead City, NC on July 3, 1925 and grew up in Graham, NC. He was the son of Brigadier General Donnell Everett Scott and Margie Norwood Gray Scott.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Haywood Ruffin Scott, infant son Thomas Ruffin Scott and sister Jean Gray Scott McNair.
He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Orange, VA and The University of North
Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Mr. Scott was a World War II veteran, serving in the US Army Air Corps as a tail gunner in a B-24 bomber group, 459th BG, 757th Squadron. He flew 23 missions, three after being shot down in enemy territory.
Mr. Scott owned several textile operations in the Graham/Burlington area during his career. He was very active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Alamance and First Union National Bank. He was a founding member of the Burlington Day School and a charter member of the Alamance Country Club. Mr. Scott was also very involved in his church, the Church of the Holy Comforter, serving on the Vestry for many years. An avid sportsman, Mr. Scott loved duck hunting with his sons and friends at Currituck Sound and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He also loved to hunt quail and dove and enjoyed fishing at his beloved Nags Head. He also enjoyed his men's lunch group of many years, the ROMEO's. His main passion above anything else was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 59 years, Dorothy. He was a loving father and grandfather to his four children and nine grandchildren. Generous to a fault, fun loving and kind to all, he was a true Southern Gentleman.
He is survived by his sons, Don E. Scott III and wife Sherry of Elon, NC and Steve H.
Scott and wife Deb of Burlington, NC, daughters, Margie Scott Workman and husband Dennis of Burlington, NC and Lee Scott Worth and husband Hal of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Don Scott IV, Steve Scott, Jr., Virginia Scott VanRensselaer, Gray Workman, Elizabeth Workman, Anne Workman, Catherine Worth, Sarah Scott Worth and Hallie Worth. The faily will receive friends at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2012 in the parlor of The Church of the Holy Comforter in Burlington, NC. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on January 30, 2012 at The Church of the Holy Comforter. Interment will follow at the Scott family plot in Linwood Cemetery, Graham, NC.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Holy Comforter, 320 E. Davis
Street, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Hospice of Alamance- Caswell Foundation, Inc. 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.
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