The Hertz Donut Edition – Research Tour Travelog
Up at 4:45 a.m., so I could find a Hertz location to replace my vehicle (road damage to front bumper, cause unknown) and found a place at 6:30. My replacement vehicle is a minivan called the Interstate Rocket Ship, or I.R.S. Also, I lost some of my luggage – unless it is buried in the van!
On the road, I saw a bumper sticker that said “DADDD,” which stands for “Dads Against Daughters Dating Democrats,” so at least I know where I am.
On today’s museum tour itinerary was the Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks in Springfield, Missouri, affectionately known as AMMO. AMMO is situated in a long strip mall, flanked by:
- A XXX adult bookstore
- A glass pipe emporium (aka head shop)
- A motorcycle repair shop
- A massage parlor
Two museum volunteers gave me a 45-minute tour of AMMO. One of the volunteers is a Vietnam War vet, 3rd Marine Division. He told us a harrowing story of being wounded by a booby trap in Quang Tri Province (where a lot of very bad sh*t went down) and how 20 guys in his platoon weren’t as lucky as he was.
Upon leaving the Air Museum, I discovered that Missouri is literally crawling with armadillos. Use your imagination as to how I might have figured that out.
Lots of rain along I-44 today.
On the way into St. Louis, saw the Gateway Arch, which I last saw in in the rear view mirror of my old blue Toyota in September of 1983, after having worked there as a Park Service Ranger all summer. It is a beautiful, magnificent structure.
Fantastic downpour/electrical storm here in Pontoon Beach, IL, as I write this. Hoping that lightning will strike the huge ‘Denny’s’ sign next door……
On the World War 2 research front, I prepared one proposal: TSGT John D. Scarbrough, 385th Bomb Group, downed over Mecklenburg Bay, Germany, on February 24, 1944; and I was notified that I will be receiving payment to research PVT Claude R. Grogg, Jr.
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Wee Willie and the photo that started it all
My father was Paul D Jessop, he spoke of your Grandfather a lot. My father passed away in 2011 .The World War II Dead of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
Hi Bill, Thanks for putting this together. My grand uncle, 2nd Lt. Robert L. Woolfolk attended UCLA and I believe he graduated in 1936. He was on the waterpolo team. He was a bombardier in the 571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group and his aircraft "Decatur Deb" was shot down on May 28, 1944. He and six others perished while three were able bail out and became POWs. This is written up the in the book "Bloody Skies: U.S. Eighth Air Force Battle Damage in World War II." There is a B-17G tail gunner's compartment on display at the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to this crew. Regards, Nick VeronicoBill’s WW2 Almanac for January 21: Featuring Col. Randy’s Flying Circus
Hi! Randall Col Randy is actually my great grandfather and I was wandering if you ever new him? I am curious to know more about him.Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort
Interesting....very hard to know the 'who hit who'.....Fort had enough flying time to be a instructor, I know nothing about the other pilot. If Pastor Jeff had information on her being talked into a situation, I would love to know if reliable. Regardless, so many losses in so many ways.... My take is the WAFS/WASPS deserve a bit more of history's 'time in the books'. Many thanks for the commentary, StarrRemembering the Fallen: WWII Veterans of UCLA, Major Robert C. Maze
Bill, Are you still working on this blog? Rosemarie is my mother in law. She passed away 10 years ago. Her (and Roberts') son Robert Maze Jr is alive and well. I was googling Admiral Radford and ended up googling links... Thank you for your efforts here. Kim WoodsFrom Panatella to Ploesti
I’m looking for information on My Great great GRANDFATHER WAS ON A B-24 LIBERATOR CALLED: Diamond li
Bill’s WWII Almanac
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