PBM Sailors Uniform

[Terry K.]

I have to relay this story. I was a rural carrier for 22 years and used to ask anyone I could if they were in the service. I had a large number of people that were of Polish decent on my route and many I found out had served in WW2. I finally got to ask a man named Florian Tamulwicz(spelling) and he said yes. Over the next few years I would keep asking him about it but he wouldn't say much other than he was in the Navy. One day I caught him out by the box and talked some more. He told me he was a flyer when he was in and I told him I would be interested in his uhiform and anything else if he wanted to get rid of it. He said he didn't want to and stated that I had most likely never seen one like his. The next time I saw him( I only got to talk to him if he was by the box or I had to go to the house to deliever something to him) at the box he said his daughter had his uniform, but sometime he would talk to her for me.( I figured I never see it) A couple of years later I had to go to his house andbring him a box. It was around Christmas and was nasty outside so I was invited in and given something warm to drink and some Polish cookies(hmm, hmm yummy) I think it was then when he brought out a pisture and an award document. He was standing with his crew mates in front of a PBM holding a Thompson SMG, wearing a bandoleer and shoulder holster. The award doucument was for a DFC. I was astounded, to say the least. He was just showing me thoughas I never got to get those items. He never said anything else and I had to leave. Anyway the next year or so his daughter got sick, and then his wife. They both ended up dying and Florian ended up living alone. One year around the 4th of July holiday we had not seen him so his nephew went to check on him, but he found he had passed away a couple of days before. I waited what I thought was an appropriate time and asked his nephew about his uniforms and medals. I told him his daughter might have the uniform, but he did not know. He said he would ask around in the family for me.(I knew most of them, as I was there mailman too)Anyway no one knew what happened to any of the stuff, and I let it go. Later they cleaned out the house and sold it to some other people on my route, so I asked them to keep an eye out for anything military ih the house or in the side sheds. Well about two or three years went by and the new owners decided to sell the house. So one day the son(25-26 years old) flagged me down and asked me if I still was interested in military uniforms, I answered to the affirmitive and he told me to wait. He came back with a plastic bag full of Navy EM uniforms. He said he found them in the attic way back in a corner under some other stuff.

[Terry K.]

Anyway inside the was three complete uniforms and a hat. All were "crackerjacks" and in one I found his initials. Here is a picture of that one. It is for an aerial gunner and radioman. I have never gotten anything else, even though I have tried, I guess the medals and pics and docs are gone. I hope one day to find out more about him, and get some pics of him. I medically retired last year so I don't see his relatives any more, but am going to call the ones I know best. This story took place over a number of years.

[Terry K.]

If I remember corectly the ribbons were in ther but I have added the air crew wings. I hope you enjoyed the story of me getting the uniform.

Terry

[Brian Keith]

Great story and nice save. Good luck on the research! Nice looking uniforms!

BKW

[Jason G]

Wow. Incredible story and a fantastic save!

[Terry K.]

Thanks to all that posted. I will try to get more pics today of his sleeve insignia.

Terry

[Rakkasan187]

Thats a story Terry,

 

That story is similar to my experience with a Chaplains grouping that took me about 10 years to gather. Although not complete I have more items and information now than I did 10 yrs ago when all I had was a dress green and dress blue hat.

 

A great save!!!

 

Leigh...

[Terry K.]

Thanks everyone!

Here's a pic of one of his rank badges

[Terry K.]

gunners patch

[River Rat]

Thanks to all that posted. I will try to get more pics today of his sleeve insignia.

Terry

 

Great save. It's a pity how much awsome heritage is being lost. I know you'll treasure this having known the man.

[Terry K.]

Great save. It's a pity how much awsome heritage is being lost. I know you'll treasure this having known the man.

River Rat

You know it. I just wish I could get the pics and documents.

Terry