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My Dad during WWII


I Hate Moths
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Here are 2 reference letters addressed

To the Commanding General Third Service Command Baltimore Maryland

 

. The first is from the Parish Priest, Father Thomas C Brown of Saint James Church in the West End, Pittsburgh Pa.

 

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The second is from Sister Marie Benedict , Principal at Saint James High School. Also in the West End

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Both letters speak pretty highly of Dad

Had I believed all of his old school stories, I would have thought going to war was safer.

 

 

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  • 3 months later...

Hi I hate moths,

 

I hope you don't mind, I did a little work on the photo of your mom wearing your dad's jump wings, I hope this works.....

 

cheers,

 

-John

post-105780-0-77062300-1420406071.jpg

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  • 3 months later...
I Hate Moths

Hi I hate moths,

 

I hope you don't mind, I did a little work on the photo of your mom wearing your dad's jump wings, I hope this works.....

 

cheers,

 

-John

Just a wonderful job! The original was only the wallet size, and spent over 50 years in Dad's back pocket.

 

Thank you

Tom

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  • 1 year later...
I Hate Moths

New York Port of Embarkation

The SS Oneida Victory sailed from Le Havre France August 13, 1945

Dad had spoke of being on his way to Japan when the war ended.

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Dad back home wearing jump suit.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here is the order to report, dated March 5 1943. Included is a street car token

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Aviation Cadet training letter from July 23 1943

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Kansas state College , Manhattan Kansas

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Some of Dad's travels and dates written on the reverse side of photo shown above.

Fort Meade,Camp Polk, Sheppard Field, Manhattan Kansas,Santa Ana Army Air Base, Presidio, Fort Jackson, Fort Benning

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Great post. My Dad, most of my uncles and friends dads were all WWII vets. Most rarely talked about what they did. Most of the time Dad was just Dad. But then I'd see old photos and it would sink in what he saw and did. I'm very glad you have so much of his history preserved.

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Dad had these patches, but no 13th airborne. ??? I remember him buying one as a pattern for the 13th plaque that he carved.

 

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Here's a sketch of the place Dad called home, on Army Air Corps stationary. I wonder if he drew it from a photo, by memory, or was he just there. The angle that it is drawn from would place him in a tree, high above the ground.

44 Albany Street, Pittsburgh Pa. An area that was called Chicken Hill back then. The last house on a dead end street, it had no neighbors. I have many fond memories of times spent there.

The model was part of my Grandfathers miniature railroad display. I think it was done in the 1950's

 

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$100. during the war in some cases was equal to two weeks pay. I really enjoyed your coverage, and could feel the pride in your dad. Jack

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  • 2 weeks later...

Written on back of photo "C-47, Gliders Marshalling Area, France"

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C-47 and unknown paratrooper

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Written on back of photo "Inside of Cathedral Reims France"

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  • 4 weeks later...

Thank you for sharing this fantastic chronicle of your father's service. The picture of your Mom with Dad's jump wings really hit me. You should be very proud of them both. Jim G.

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  • 2 months later...
I Hate Moths

Here is a panorama of Camp Mackall, with the original tube. It is addressed to my grandmother at 44 Albany St. Pittsburgh Pa

 

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I Hate Moths

Five unknown paratroopers, probably from the 13th airborne. The trooper on the far right appears to have the golden unicorn patch.

 

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Cadet nurses awaiting orders to report. My mom, Madeleine Keating, is second from the left.

The hand written note at the bottom suggests that this clipping was sent to Dad

 

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  • 4 months later...

Mom and Dad were attacked by a rabid dog while he was home on furlough. They had taken different courses of action. Dad chose fight, while mom chose flight. Dad got bit on the hands, and mom got bit on the rear end. This surely gives some clarity to that age old question of, Fight or Flight !

 

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13th Airborne starts home

July 25 1945

 

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Hi Tom,

I forgot all about fixing up the photo of your mom, it was my pleasure! Now you can make a copy and put it in your wallet! ;)

cheers, John

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  • 2 months later...

Dad's dog tags, gemsco wings, and a p38.

He always had that can opener ready for action until the day he died. I am sure that it would work today.

They are stamped U.S. KOOLAIRE

 

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