WWII Stories ©
Charlevoix County and Emmet County
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
Ken Starr On Pearl Harbor With Weapon
Military Story and Memories of Kenneth J. Starr
Ken Starr
[Told to his stepdaughter Karla J. Howard Buckmaster March 2007]
My folks, Alva & Goldie Starr, owned, and ran, the Gray Gull Tavern right next to the beach in the village of Walloon Lake Michigan. My family lived on the second floor over the tavern. I worked across the street at the Spalding’s general store for which I drove up the North Shore of the lake on its Seven Hills road, once a day, taking grocery orders, and making deliveries. Those hills meant some carrying of heavy grocery loads, and large buckets of fuel oil, down to the cottages; and then hiking back up the hillside to the vehicle. So, at twenty-two years old, the decision to leave that job behind was not complicated. I made arrangements with Mr. Holmberg, who delivered the Gobel Beer to our tavern, to hitch a ride in his truck on one of his beverage runs into Detroit Michigan. Mr. Holmberg dropped me off in Detroit where I hoped to enlist in the Navy. My dad had served in both W.W.I & W.W.II with the Navy; some of that time as a parachute instructor. My brother Miles Starr also served in the Navy in W.W.II as an aircraft mechanic in Guam. I tried to volunteer there in Detroit into the Navy like my dad, and my brother, but the Navy would not accept me due to my hay fever. I then approached the Detroit Army Recruiting Office and discovered the Army was more than happy to have me enlist with them.
I became a part of the United States 405th Army Ordnance Company where I worked on guns and vehicles. We were not an attached unit, but rather, we were assigned to various places. Our Company was even split sometimes, and sent to different locations. I had joined the Army in 1939 during Peacetime, which gave me an advantage when we servicemen lined up for our military pay; my unit was first in line, and the other servicemen, lined up according to rank. A couple of years passed quickly. I had been away from the states long enough so my “short-timer’s box” was already packed and I was scheduled to leave the Hawaiian Island of Oahu on the next ship that would be heading back to the states.
It was a sunny Sunday on Oahu... December 7, 1941. I had just finished breakfast in the chow hall. Before I would be leaving for the states, my buddy Joe Krupski and I decided to take the opportunity, of the off-duty sunny day, to go for a hike on the island. We hopped on to one of the electric buses to ride to the bottom of a beckoning mountainside. We had decided to climb the mountainside which offered a shear drop-off on the other side, but had foot and a half, to two-foot, ledges ascending the inland side. We could pull ourselves up a ledge at a time by grasping a weed or a piece of vegetation on the next upper ledge. Joe and I bantered, as we climbed from one ledge to the next, that if we should happen to fall, we would have quite a few bounces before hitting bottom. I had been on the island for two years, but that was my first time to attempt climbing the luminous mountainside.
As we were arriving at the top, we could hear the roar of engines in the distance. Even though we had reached a towering height, our perspective was somewhat limited. We could see the entry to Pearl Harbor vaguely, but we could not see the harbor itself. We could see one of our American ships lobbing artillery, and darting back and forth in front of the harbor entry, as if in maneuvers. We were surprised to think the military would have maneuvers on a weekend, but figured that was what was happening as we could not fathom it was an enemy attack. We were on the mountainside a couple of hours, and only later did we learn that what we had seen had been our destroyers “tossing tin cans” at real enemy two-men submarines which had infiltrated the harbor. The Japanese mini-submarines had been launched from ships just over the horizon to coordinate with their massive air attack within the harbor. At least five of the enemy’s midget subs made it into the harbor. From our vantage point, we could not see the total, and utter, shock wave of explosives that was penetrating, and destroying our Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were making their sneak attack, at low altitudes, on our military.
Even as Joe and I descended the mountainside, and native children watched us and said nothing, we knew nothing of the devastation that lay in the harbor. As the returning electric bus drove us closer to our home base, Fort Armstrong on Pearl Harbor, we began to comprehend the enormity of what had been transpiring. We shuddered at the sight of the lawns on the side streets already lined with wooden boxes used for coffins. We came upon soldiers in helmets with their rifles ready who explained the situation. Everything had been strafed, even fire trucks, so for the next couple of years, fire trucks had to be shipped to the Hawaiian Islands to replace those destroyed. Once darkness fell, my duty was to walk the streets of Honolulu, with rifle, and order “all lights out, or the lights will be shot out”. Cigarettes could only be lit and smoked under a blanket to keep the enemy from seeing any source of light for a target. We were certain that the Japanese would be back to invade the island. This fear of invasion by the Japanese led to special issues of American money bills to be overprinted with the name Hawaii on both sides, as a security measure. At that time the Hawaiian Islands were a U.S. Territory, but now our 50th state. Those bills came out in the summer of 1942, and could be declared worthless if the enemy tried to cash them.
Before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, my tour of duty was to have been “up” in just a couple of weeks. After the attack, my “stay” in the military was extended for two years, but that one particular day has stayed with me every day of my life. The next day President Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941, as “a date which will live in infamy” and it certainly has for me... even now, 66 years later in 2007. Later on, after that fateful day, my U.S. Army Ordnance unit hooked up with the Wildcats of Georgia National Guard. Our units boarded the same ship at Pearl Harbor and proceeded to Guadalcanal where we rendezvoused with the U. S. Marines who already had been fighting in the foul jungles of Guadalcanal. Our ship anchored out. I did not fight at Guadalcanal, but rather was just allowed to get off the ship to stretch my legs at the base on Guadalcanal. I was there long enough to smell the stench where dead enemy bodies had previously floated in the water or lay rotting in the jungles. The natives around the base all chewed betelenuts, or palm nuts from an areca tree, which turned their mouths blood red.
The Guadalcanal hookup with the U.S. Marines made up our Task Force which jointly headed to the Palau Islands, an eighty mile long chain, in the PTO [Pacific Theater Operations]. There, we were to help to take Palau away from the Japanese who had extensive networks of caves worked into the very small islands southeast of the Philippines. Our Task Force hit the beaches at Peleliu and Angaur Islands of the Palaus in the Pacific Ocean. Peleliu was only six miles from Angaur and that trip made for the shortest plane flight I have ever had in my life. When we landed on Angaur, we were greeted by dead Japanese, and bloated horses, the refuse of previous battles. The island of Angaur is only three miles long, and offered no room for escape from the carnage and its blowflies. The blowflies were so bad that as I ate, I had to swat away flies from my food and mouth with one hand, and use my other hand to get the food to my mouth. We lived in holes when we first landed, and later lived in packing crates. From crates, we graduated to tents. I persevered in that situation for about a month before I was shipped back to the states. I learned later that the mess hall that was ready for use shortly after I left there, had its roof blown off by a typhoon. Just before that, my First Sergeant went to bat for the servicemen who had been overseas more than three years, which included him, and me, so his endeavors allowed me to return stateside.
I rode a Dutch passenger liner, named something similar to Wilde Breden, which had been pressed into service, back to Pearl Harbor. At Pearl Harbor I boarded a different ship which carried me to San Francisco. There, I was given thirty days to make my way by train, with a brief detour to my Michigan home, to finally disembark at Staten Island New York. On Staten Island, I drove an Army ambulance, which lined up repeatedly with dozens of other Army ambulances, to greet the walking, and non-walking, wounded, who arrived on ships from the ETO [European Theater Operations]. The walking wounded disembarked mid ship by descending the gangplank. We moved the injured to New York City hospitals, some of which were makeshift medical centers, because the regular hospitals could not hold all of those in need. One of the medical centers, where I delivered, must have been previously an elementary school because the drinking fountains were very low to the floor, and it appeared that the bed wards had been classrooms. Ambulance driving remained my duty in the U.S. Army until I was discharged on 20 July 1945 from Fort Sheridan in Illinois, north of Chicago. I had spent 4 years, 8 months, and 20 days in Foreign Service, and 10 months stateside. My experiences overseas with the U.S. Army allowed me to earn the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, 1 Bronze Star, and 2 Battle Stars.
My folks, Alva & Goldie Starr, owned, and ran, the Gray Gull Tavern right next to the beach in the village of Walloon Lake Michigan. My family lived on the second floor over the tavern. I worked across the street at the Spalding’s general store for which I drove up the North Shore of the lake on its Seven Hills road, once a day, taking grocery orders, and making deliveries. Those hills meant some carrying of heavy grocery loads, and large buckets of fuel oil, down to the cottages; and then hiking back up the hillside to the vehicle. So, at twenty-two years old, the decision to leave that job behind was not complicated. I made arrangements with Mr. Holmberg, who delivered the Gobel Beer to our tavern, to hitch a ride in his truck on one of his beverage runs into Detroit Michigan. Mr. Holmberg dropped me off in Detroit where I hoped to enlist in the Navy. My dad had served in both W.W.I & W.W.II with the Navy; some of that time as a parachute instructor. My brother Miles Starr also served in the Navy in W.W.II as an aircraft mechanic in Guam. I tried to volunteer there in Detroit into the Navy like my dad, and my brother, but the Navy would not accept me due to my hay fever. I then approached the Detroit Army Recruiting Office and discovered the Army was more than happy to have me enlist with them.
I became a part of the United States 405th Army Ordnance Company where I worked on guns and vehicles. We were not an attached unit, but rather, we were assigned to various places. Our Company was even split sometimes, and sent to different locations. I had joined the Army in 1939 during Peacetime, which gave me an advantage when we servicemen lined up for our military pay; my unit was first in line, and the other servicemen, lined up according to rank. A couple of years passed quickly. I had been away from the states long enough so my “short-timer’s box” was already packed and I was scheduled to leave the Hawaiian Island of Oahu on the next ship that would be heading back to the states.
It was a sunny Sunday on Oahu... December 7, 1941. I had just finished breakfast in the chow hall. Before I would be leaving for the states, my buddy Joe Krupski and I decided to take the opportunity, of the off-duty sunny day, to go for a hike on the island. We hopped on to one of the electric buses to ride to the bottom of a beckoning mountainside. We had decided to climb the mountainside which offered a shear drop-off on the other side, but had foot and a half, to two-foot, ledges ascending the inland side. We could pull ourselves up a ledge at a time by grasping a weed or a piece of vegetation on the next upper ledge. Joe and I bantered, as we climbed from one ledge to the next, that if we should happen to fall, we would have quite a few bounces before hitting bottom. I had been on the island for two years, but that was my first time to attempt climbing the luminous mountainside.
As we were arriving at the top, we could hear the roar of engines in the distance. Even though we had reached a towering height, our perspective was somewhat limited. We could see the entry to Pearl Harbor vaguely, but we could not see the harbor itself. We could see one of our American ships lobbing artillery, and darting back and forth in front of the harbor entry, as if in maneuvers. We were surprised to think the military would have maneuvers on a weekend, but figured that was what was happening as we could not fathom it was an enemy attack. We were on the mountainside a couple of hours, and only later did we learn that what we had seen had been our destroyers “tossing tin cans” at real enemy two-men submarines which had infiltrated the harbor. The Japanese mini-submarines had been launched from ships just over the horizon to coordinate with their massive air attack within the harbor. At least five of the enemy’s midget subs made it into the harbor. From our vantage point, we could not see the total, and utter, shock wave of explosives that was penetrating, and destroying our Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were making their sneak attack, at low altitudes, on our military.
Even as Joe and I descended the mountainside, and native children watched us and said nothing, we knew nothing of the devastation that lay in the harbor. As the returning electric bus drove us closer to our home base, Fort Armstrong on Pearl Harbor, we began to comprehend the enormity of what had been transpiring. We shuddered at the sight of the lawns on the side streets already lined with wooden boxes used for coffins. We came upon soldiers in helmets with their rifles ready who explained the situation. Everything had been strafed, even fire trucks, so for the next couple of years, fire trucks had to be shipped to the Hawaiian Islands to replace those destroyed. Once darkness fell, my duty was to walk the streets of Honolulu, with rifle, and order “all lights out, or the lights will be shot out”. Cigarettes could only be lit and smoked under a blanket to keep the enemy from seeing any source of light for a target. We were certain that the Japanese would be back to invade the island. This fear of invasion by the Japanese led to special issues of American money bills to be overprinted with the name Hawaii on both sides, as a security measure. At that time the Hawaiian Islands were a U.S. Territory, but now our 50th state. Those bills came out in the summer of 1942, and could be declared worthless if the enemy tried to cash them.
Before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, my tour of duty was to have been “up” in just a couple of weeks. After the attack, my “stay” in the military was extended for two years, but that one particular day has stayed with me every day of my life. The next day President Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941, as “a date which will live in infamy” and it certainly has for me... even now, 66 years later in 2007. Later on, after that fateful day, my U.S. Army Ordnance unit hooked up with the Wildcats of Georgia National Guard. Our units boarded the same ship at Pearl Harbor and proceeded to Guadalcanal where we rendezvoused with the U. S. Marines who already had been fighting in the foul jungles of Guadalcanal. Our ship anchored out. I did not fight at Guadalcanal, but rather was just allowed to get off the ship to stretch my legs at the base on Guadalcanal. I was there long enough to smell the stench where dead enemy bodies had previously floated in the water or lay rotting in the jungles. The natives around the base all chewed betelenuts, or palm nuts from an areca tree, which turned their mouths blood red.
The Guadalcanal hookup with the U.S. Marines made up our Task Force which jointly headed to the Palau Islands, an eighty mile long chain, in the PTO [Pacific Theater Operations]. There, we were to help to take Palau away from the Japanese who had extensive networks of caves worked into the very small islands southeast of the Philippines. Our Task Force hit the beaches at Peleliu and Angaur Islands of the Palaus in the Pacific Ocean. Peleliu was only six miles from Angaur and that trip made for the shortest plane flight I have ever had in my life. When we landed on Angaur, we were greeted by dead Japanese, and bloated horses, the refuse of previous battles. The island of Angaur is only three miles long, and offered no room for escape from the carnage and its blowflies. The blowflies were so bad that as I ate, I had to swat away flies from my food and mouth with one hand, and use my other hand to get the food to my mouth. We lived in holes when we first landed, and later lived in packing crates. From crates, we graduated to tents. I persevered in that situation for about a month before I was shipped back to the states. I learned later that the mess hall that was ready for use shortly after I left there, had its roof blown off by a typhoon. Just before that, my First Sergeant went to bat for the servicemen who had been overseas more than three years, which included him, and me, so his endeavors allowed me to return stateside.
I rode a Dutch passenger liner, named something similar to Wilde Breden, which had been pressed into service, back to Pearl Harbor. At Pearl Harbor I boarded a different ship which carried me to San Francisco. There, I was given thirty days to make my way by train, with a brief detour to my Michigan home, to finally disembark at Staten Island New York. On Staten Island, I drove an Army ambulance, which lined up repeatedly with dozens of other Army ambulances, to greet the walking, and non-walking, wounded, who arrived on ships from the ETO [European Theater Operations]. The walking wounded disembarked mid ship by descending the gangplank. We moved the injured to New York City hospitals, some of which were makeshift medical centers, because the regular hospitals could not hold all of those in need. One of the medical centers, where I delivered, must have been previously an elementary school because the drinking fountains were very low to the floor, and it appeared that the bed wards had been classrooms. Ambulance driving remained my duty in the U.S. Army until I was discharged on 20 July 1945 from Fort Sheridan in Illinois, north of Chicago. I had spent 4 years, 8 months, and 20 days in Foreign Service, and 10 months stateside. My experiences overseas with the U.S. Army allowed me to earn the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, 1 Bronze Star, and 2 Battle Stars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The pages below from Ken Starr's "Christmas in Hawaii" booklet are part of Ken's Story and Memories of his military service on Pearl Harbor. The booklet includes the 1941 Christmas Menu which was to be the dinner to be served on the Christmas after the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Many of Ken's military comrades did not get to partake of that planned Christmas menu.
Cover of 1941 "Christmas in Hawaii" Booklet
|
1941 Christmas Menu Page from Booklet
|
Company "B" Quartermast Battalion-Separate (HM) ~ 32nd Separate Quartermaster Company (LM) Fort Armstrong, T.H.
Photo Above, and names listed below: Ken Starr stood in the second row from the front, two over to the right of the center fold of the booklet page. The bottom portion of the same page includes Ken's name along with the name of his mentioned buddy Joseph Krupski in Ken's story written out above.
Two Maps Below: Both maps below were drawn by cartographer Ruth Taylor White. Ruth's artistic style is unique with her background of being a traveler, an illustrator, and a cartographer. She was prolific in the number of maps she drew. Both maps below are in Ken's booklet, and issued by the Hawaii Tourist Bureau, to alert visitors, and the military to the fascinations of the islands around them. Now, Ruth Taylor White's vintage maps are just as prolific on the internet.
Great Events in Hawaii's History ~ Cartography by Ruth Taylor White
Island of Oahu where Ken Starr was stationed ~ Cartography by Ruth Taylor White
Published in a Florida newspaper when Ken and Marion Starr were living there.
Ken Starr is in the third row back from the front, and three in from the right hand end.
Recognition given while Kenny was living in Inverness Florida
|
|
|
|
The four items above were brought back from Hawaii by Kenny Starr. The items were evidently meant to be used as stickers as the back of each item has a covering like old postage stamps used to have, where if they were licked, they could then be stuck upon something else.
"Pearl Harbor Remembered" Patch Commemorating the 50th Anniversary for the USS Arizona Memorial
|
Kenny Starr loved history books like this one that was his.
|
Kenny Starr carried these booklets on his tour of duty in the South Seas... and was on Pearl Harbor the day it was bombed!
|
12 August 2018 Maple Hill Cemetery, Clarion, Michigan
|
16 December 1941 ~ Petoskey Evening News
Back Description on Below Postcard: "Dedicated to the everlasting memory of those lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial stands above the sunken hull of the once proud battleship."
Personal Postcard of the Memorial of the U.S.S. Arizona in Pearl Harbor
2 October 1943 ~ Petoskey Evening News
Military Experience of JC Fike
JC Fike & wife Doris Howard Fike
JC was born in Charlevoix County Boyne Falls MI to Henry and Mable O'Neil Fike. JC served in WWII in the 103rd Infantry Division from 1942 to 1946. He had to stay one year after the war ended to complete his time. JC was stationed in Europe, spent time in Italy, Germany, Austria, France, as well as many other places. He was a medic who had to go into the hills to help wounded soldiers, although he did not carry a gun. His only protection was the medic symbol on his uniform, which meant the enemy was not to harm him. He was home for almost 4 years after WWII, but then because of his skills, he was called back to fight in the Korean War where he was a medic with the 1786th Heavy Artillery. Later in life, JC and Doris lived in Midland MI.
Doris Howard Fike passed away 20 May 2013 in Midland MI.
Doris Howard Fike passed away 20 May 2013 in Midland MI.
Sharon Crego
1925 ~ 2013
1925 ~ 2013
11 December 1941 Northern Michigan Review Articles Below
|
|
15 August 1945 The Petoskey Evening News Front Page Headlines
And Part Of "Petoskey Observes Victory" Article Below Right
And Part Of "Petoskey Observes Victory" Article Below Right
Front page of article
|
Front page article continued
|
Article and Two Photo/Text clippings below: Petoskey's Foster Boat Co. was one of Northern Michigan's most important producers of goods for the armed services during WWII as the Canvas Division. The company produced canvas products such as tank covers, half-tank covers, canvas boat fender, tarpaulins and other similar items.
8 August 1946 ~ Northern Michigan Review photo accompanied photo below, and article at right...
8 August 1946 ~ Northern Michigan Review photo accompanied photo above, and article at right...
|
8 August 1946 ~ Northern Michigan Review article accompanied the two photos at left...
|
4 September 1947 ~ Northern Michigan Review
~ Petoskey's FIRST WWII War Casualty ~
Bernard Eugene "Barney" Cutler
Bernard Eugene "Barney" Cutler
16 July 1942 Northern Michigan Review
9 July 1942 ~ Northern Michigan Review
|
Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection
9 July 1942 ~ Northern Michigan Review
|
~ LaBrecque Brothers of Boyne City ~
The five LaBrecque Brothers’s sister Edna, now deceased, married one of my Howard Cousins... Gold Howard. Edna’s younger years were known to have been very difficult. Her father Louis LaBreque who had been born in Canada had died in Boyne City MI by 1926 when Edna was only about seven years old. On the 1930 Charlevoix County Boyne City MI census Edna was listed with her mother Prudence Mullan LaBreque, and her brothers Jay 15, Fred 14, Lee 11, Edna 10, and Joseph 6. Edna’s brother William “Howard” LaBreque was born in about 1914, so perhaps had already left home as he was not listed on the 1930 census with his mother and siblings. In 1938, just eight years after that census was taken, Edna’s mother Prudence had passed away too. Edna’s family losses continued when all five of Edna’s brothers entered fighting in WWII... only two of her brothers returned alive. The older four LaBreque brothers all were drafted into the military; but Joe, the youngest, enlisted because he was too young at 17 to be drafted. Joe’s guardian, Boyne City’s Dr. Conkle, had to sign papers for Joe to enlist to go to war.
By 1942, all five brothers were fighting in WWII, all over the globe, but only two survived the war. Fred (16 March 1916 ~ 2 December 1942) was killed in New Guinea, Joe (25 June 1926 ~ 18 June 1944) was killed in Italy, and Lee (17 July 1918 ~ 27 November 1944) was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. At that time, the government gave the family the option of leaving the soldiers buried overseas, or having their bodies brought home at government expense. Edna made the decision to have her brothers’ bodies brought home, to Boyne City in Maple Lawn Cemetery. Over 400 attendees were at the funeral service. While the community was overwhelmed with such tremendous loss, the loss of the three siblings was tragic for Edna, and the two remaining brothers who often did not learn of their siblings’ deaths until months later due to poor communications. Edna was the one who received notice of her brothers’ deaths because their parents were deceased.
Even with their siblings’ deaths, Howard remained in the military and served his time in Italy, and Jay finished his military time in Germany. Howard and Jay returned home without much fanfare and continued to live in Charlevoix and Emmet counties; Howard died in 1979, age 65, and Jay died in 1978, age 63. Sister Edna (LaBrecque) Howard died 11 October 2010, age 90, at home in Saginaw, MI. Edna attended several John L. and Katie (Wireman) Howard family reunions in Chandler Township, Charlevoix County with her daughter Elaine (Howard) Gates, and Elaine’s daughter Julie Gates.
The fact that so many children from a single family served, and gave, their lives during wartime for the cause of the United States, was fairly unnoticed until the movie “Saving Private Ryan” directed by Steven Spielberg was released in 24 July 1998 starring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. The premise of “Saving Private Ryan” was the same as what had transpired for the LaBrecque Family. Although an award winning movie was not made specifically about the LaBreque Family, its history remains the same as the “Saving Private Ryan” movie, and the family’s genealogy is definitely woven into the Fabric of the American Flag with its symbolism of independence and unity. ~ Karla Howard Buckmaster
By 1942, all five brothers were fighting in WWII, all over the globe, but only two survived the war. Fred (16 March 1916 ~ 2 December 1942) was killed in New Guinea, Joe (25 June 1926 ~ 18 June 1944) was killed in Italy, and Lee (17 July 1918 ~ 27 November 1944) was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. At that time, the government gave the family the option of leaving the soldiers buried overseas, or having their bodies brought home at government expense. Edna made the decision to have her brothers’ bodies brought home, to Boyne City in Maple Lawn Cemetery. Over 400 attendees were at the funeral service. While the community was overwhelmed with such tremendous loss, the loss of the three siblings was tragic for Edna, and the two remaining brothers who often did not learn of their siblings’ deaths until months later due to poor communications. Edna was the one who received notice of her brothers’ deaths because their parents were deceased.
Even with their siblings’ deaths, Howard remained in the military and served his time in Italy, and Jay finished his military time in Germany. Howard and Jay returned home without much fanfare and continued to live in Charlevoix and Emmet counties; Howard died in 1979, age 65, and Jay died in 1978, age 63. Sister Edna (LaBrecque) Howard died 11 October 2010, age 90, at home in Saginaw, MI. Edna attended several John L. and Katie (Wireman) Howard family reunions in Chandler Township, Charlevoix County with her daughter Elaine (Howard) Gates, and Elaine’s daughter Julie Gates.
The fact that so many children from a single family served, and gave, their lives during wartime for the cause of the United States, was fairly unnoticed until the movie “Saving Private Ryan” directed by Steven Spielberg was released in 24 July 1998 starring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. The premise of “Saving Private Ryan” was the same as what had transpired for the LaBrecque Family. Although an award winning movie was not made specifically about the LaBreque Family, its history remains the same as the “Saving Private Ryan” movie, and the family’s genealogy is definitely woven into the Fabric of the American Flag with its symbolism of independence and unity. ~ Karla Howard Buckmaster
11 August 1998 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued below...
11 August 1998 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued from above...
~ Bill Steffens' AIR RESCUE SERVICE logo design ~
2 May 2013 Petoskey News Review
|
~ 23 September 2013 ~
Bill Steffens and His Cap With His
AIR RESCUE SERVICE logo design
|
|
~ News Article Below About Bill Steffens and His Logo Design ~
11 November 2013 Veterans Day with Bill Steffens and other Emmet County veterans
~ Stevens Brothers ~
Milford, Russell, Arthur
Milford, Russell, Arthur
Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Same article as LEFT, but more complete ~ Submitted by Norm Stevens
|
The three Stevens Brothers (sons of Carl and Elfie Stevens) of Walloon Lake MI each served in the military during WWII. George Thomas Lasater, long time sheriff of Charlevoix County, compiled a book published in 2005 titled Charlevoix County's Contribution to World War II Volume 1. In Mr. Lasater's book, Milford, Russell, and Arthur's military contribution is described.
Arthur served in the US Army Air Force and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He became a pilot instructor which almost brought about his demise. In April of 1944 "During a nightime training flight in an AT-6 with a student, their plane was struck by another trainer, cutting the trainer in half and killing the student pilot. Arthur was able to parachute to safety. He became a member of the caterpillar club." Wikipedia.org states: "The Caterpillar Club is an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft."
Arthur volunteered for the military along with his friend Dean Scroggie, another Walloon Lake resident. Dean also crashed stateside (into a river in Maryland), but Dean did not survive. Arthur spent his entire service time as an instructor at Eagle Pass TX where he trained pilots in AT-6 and P-47s. After serving in the military, Arthur worked at, and retired from, Bell Telephone Company. Arthur married Louis Gruler of Petoskey, and they had one daughter Cheryl.
Milford R. Stevens, became a Staff Sergeant in the US Army. Milford's basic training was at Camp Callan and Camp Haan, California, and was shipped overseas in February of 1944. Milford's classification was Signal Corps. His organization was the Headquarter Battalion 585th Company A Battalion with missions of Normandy Invasion, D-Day and Battle of the Bulge. Milford returned to work for Bell Telephone Company like his brother Arthur, and also for Ford Credit Company. Milford married Barbara Bevins and had two daughters Debbie and Connie.
Russell Stevens attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant with the US Army Air Force. Like his brother Arthur, Russell was also a pilot instructor. Russell had volunteered for pilot training after he graduated from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant MI. Russell was awarded his "Silver Wings" upon completion of his twin-engine advanced training at Pampa Army Air Field, Pampa TX. Russell was in pilot training with a P-38 when the war ended. Russell finished his civilian career as a minister. Russell married Betty Trumble and had three children: Candice, Cindy and Russell Jr.
Arthur served in the US Army Air Force and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He became a pilot instructor which almost brought about his demise. In April of 1944 "During a nightime training flight in an AT-6 with a student, their plane was struck by another trainer, cutting the trainer in half and killing the student pilot. Arthur was able to parachute to safety. He became a member of the caterpillar club." Wikipedia.org states: "The Caterpillar Club is an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft."
Arthur volunteered for the military along with his friend Dean Scroggie, another Walloon Lake resident. Dean also crashed stateside (into a river in Maryland), but Dean did not survive. Arthur spent his entire service time as an instructor at Eagle Pass TX where he trained pilots in AT-6 and P-47s. After serving in the military, Arthur worked at, and retired from, Bell Telephone Company. Arthur married Louis Gruler of Petoskey, and they had one daughter Cheryl.
Milford R. Stevens, became a Staff Sergeant in the US Army. Milford's basic training was at Camp Callan and Camp Haan, California, and was shipped overseas in February of 1944. Milford's classification was Signal Corps. His organization was the Headquarter Battalion 585th Company A Battalion with missions of Normandy Invasion, D-Day and Battle of the Bulge. Milford returned to work for Bell Telephone Company like his brother Arthur, and also for Ford Credit Company. Milford married Barbara Bevins and had two daughters Debbie and Connie.
Russell Stevens attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant with the US Army Air Force. Like his brother Arthur, Russell was also a pilot instructor. Russell had volunteered for pilot training after he graduated from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant MI. Russell was awarded his "Silver Wings" upon completion of his twin-engine advanced training at Pampa Army Air Field, Pampa TX. Russell was in pilot training with a P-38 when the war ended. Russell finished his civilian career as a minister. Russell married Betty Trumble and had three children: Candice, Cindy and Russell Jr.
2 September 1941 ~ Northern Michigan Review
Friends in uniform... Dean Scroggie and Arthur Stevens ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
13 August 1942 ~ Northern Michigan Review
|
Brothers; Arthur in Uniform with Lester Stevens ~ From the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Two photos below: Arthur Stevens was a pilot instructor at Eagle Pass Texas.
Arthur Stevens, three men in from back right ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
Arthur Stevens, two men in from the right ~Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
Arthur Stevens ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Arthur Stevens ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Arthur Stevens ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Arthur Stevens ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Arthur Stevens at Stamford TX ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Arthur Stevens at Stamford TX ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
|
Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
Art Stevens ~ Submitted by Art's nephew Norm Stevens
|
Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
The Reverend Russell L. Stevens, 86, born in Walloon Lake, passed away November 15, 2010.
Russel Stevens ~ Submitted by Russel's nephew Norm Stevens
|
Russell L. Stevens ~ Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers
The photo below probably includes Milford Stevens who wrote on the back of the 29 July 1942 Battle Creek Mich. postcard to AV/C Arthur V. Stevens, Group VI Sqd 2, Flight 13, A.A.F. Pre Flight School. (pilot), Kelly Field Texas: "PVT. Milford Stevens, CoB 1609th. C.A. S.U. R.R.C. BKS. 1047, Fort Custer, Mich. Dear Art, Here is a picture of our barracks. Most of the gang are from around home. Will be shipped pretty soon. I think will probably be the Signal Corp. Did I tell you Betty came back from Calif. just before I left home. Sure was glad to see her again! Love Mil."
Fort Custer MI ~ Submitted from the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens
The photos in the slideshow below were all in the Photo Album of Arthur Stevens.
Most of the photos were not labeled, but must surely include Eagle Pass TX where Arthur was stationed.
If anyone recognizes the people or locations of any of the numbered photos,
please contact this webmaster.
Click on a photo to "pause" the slideshow.
Most of the photos were not labeled, but must surely include Eagle Pass TX where Arthur was stationed.
If anyone recognizes the people or locations of any of the numbered photos,
please contact this webmaster.
Click on a photo to "pause" the slideshow.
The last three photos of the above slideshow are similar photos to the roof top dancing, on-line in one of the (1944) Eagles military yearbooks. The page is labeled as "Cadet Club". The text on the page stated: "Unaccustomed as I am... to making speeches, I would like to recall a few nostalgic glimpses of what I'd call week-ending... for that's what they were. Yes, it was fairly windy up on the roof at times, and when the 'Skyliners' gave out with some mellow jive this made the ensuing terpsichorean antics all the more noteworthy.
Though at times we were short on partners we were long on liquid refreshment which made our club a pleasant stop on--say--a return trip from Mexico. Which fact should bring to mind a few more vivid recollections without too much strain on those very flexible memories of ours... no doubt!"
On the link above for the Eagles military yearbook, click on: View Items > Title "Letter E" to reach Eagles military yearbook.
Though at times we were short on partners we were long on liquid refreshment which made our club a pleasant stop on--say--a return trip from Mexico. Which fact should bring to mind a few more vivid recollections without too much strain on those very flexible memories of ours... no doubt!"
On the link above for the Eagles military yearbook, click on: View Items > Title "Letter E" to reach Eagles military yearbook.
Petoskey High School Hi-Light Newspaper
1 June 1945 ~ Petoskey Evening News
|
CMDR. Edward K. Shanahan retired 1 January 1950 after 22 1/2 years commissioned service in the U.S. Navy. He and his wife the former Phila Armstrong were reared in Charlevoix where they plan to make their home.
19 January 1950 ~ Petoskey Evening News
|
Article Below: William Underhill of Boyne City to receive treatment for WWII leg injury.
7 February 1950 ~ Petoskey Evening News
Francis (Frank) Joseph Whitman
Francis (Frank) Joseph Whitman, 91, of L’Anse died peacefully at Baraga County Memorial Hospital with his family by his side on Friday afternoon. He was born Aug. 14, 1918, in Chicago, IL, and was the son of the late Jacob Peter and Gertrude Gangolf Wittmann.
Frank graduated from Boyne Falls High School where he was an excellent basketball player and also a recognized Michigan Golden Gloves boxing champion. He was selected as first alternate to Annapolis Point Military academy.
Following high school, and due to the Depression, Frank was initially employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps but then found employment at a Detroit Block Factory where he secured enough capitol to build and open a Boyne City restaurant, The Rainbow Gardens.
Frank was drafted in 1941 and proudly served in WWII in the First Infantry Division. He fought in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily. On D Day, Frank landed on Omaha Beach in the third wave of troops and miraculously survived without a scratch after his boat was hit and sunk on the way in.
Following this, Frank fought in many major battles in Europe including the Battle of the Bulge. At the end of the war he was on the edge of the Czechoslovakian border and returned to the States after having been away from home for five years. In his later years he would commemorate his survival of D Day by buying breakfast every June 6th for friends, family and all present at the Night Owl Diner in L’Anse.
Following his honorable discharge Frank returned to Boyne Falls and married his high school sweetheart Margaret Zelinski, who had waited for him through the years of the war. Together they moved to L’Anse, MI, where Frank began managing the Whirl-I-Gig Dance Hall, eventually becoming owner, and later adding a bowling alley to the operation; this business remains in the family today.
Frank also learned the trade of bricklaying, and founded Whitman & Sons Construction Company in 1947, which built many of the commercial buildings that currently exist in L’Anse. Frank remained active and even continued brick laying well into his 80’s, assisting his sons on their construction projects. He also donated his skills as a stonemason to build numerous monuments in the Village of L’Anse and his craftsmanship is most prominently displayed on the sandstone welcome sign as you enter the village.
In 1968 he went into partnership with six other L’Anse businessmen forming Pequaming Properties Inc. and purchased Henry Ford’s entire historic Pequaming village including Henry Ford’s summer home, The Bungalow. They subsequently developed and subdivided the entire property.
Frank was an avid and accomplished hunter, fisherman and trapper. He was an expert fly fisherman and his many trophy deer racks still adorn the walls of the Whirl-I-Gig. Frank spent his winters hunting coyote and bobcat with his hunting dogs and was a beekeeper in the summers, a hobby he maintained up until the last years of his life. He had an excellent sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories. He particularly enjoyed lively discussions about politics.
Frank served numerous terms on the L’Anse Village council and continued to serve until a few years ago. He was also the Building Inspector for the Village of L’Anse. Frank was a member of the Ottawa Sportsmen’s Club, the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union and the UP Trappers Association.
Frank was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret, his brother John Whitman, his sister Marge Hills and his grandson Andrew. He is survived by his eight children, Frances (Greg Sides), Michael (Rosa), Daniel (Theresia), Evelyn (Dale Aho), Keith (Annette), David (Elaine), Yvonne (James Andersen), and Ronald (Daisy) as well as his 13 grandchildren, Amy, Jacqui, Ana, Jourdan, Jessica, Jackie, Abe, Hannah, Zachary, Tovah, Christian, Jack, Michael, Neil, Paul and Emily and one great granddaughter, Bashalena Marie. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Sam (Becky) Carson and sisters Anna (Frank) Shaler and Molly (Jerry) Collins.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Baraga County Memorial Hospital for their exceptional care of Frank and the kindnesses they extended to Frank and his family. In addition they would also like to thank the Baraga County Home Care and physical therapy staff.
Visitation was held on Monday, Nov. 30 from 5-8 p.m. at the Jacobson Funeral Home with the Baraga County Area Veterans conducting military rites at 7 p.m. under the direction of the American Legion Post #444.
The funeral mass was held on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in L’Anse with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Fr. John Longbucco officiated. Burial will be in the Pequaming Cemetery. The Jacobson Funeral Home in L’Anse is assisting the family.
Friends may sign Frank’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com
~ Wednesday, 2 December 2009
~ PHOTO STORIES OF RALPH TAYLOR ~
(Photos Submitted from the Collection of Ralph Taylor's Daughter Louisa)
(Photos Submitted from the Collection of Ralph Taylor's Daughter Louisa)
Ralph Taylor ~ 1940s Petoskey newspaper
Wikipedia gave the following description of the Service History of the USS La Moure County (LST-883) ship (named after LaMoure County ND) on which Ralph Taylor of Walloon Lake Charlevoix County MI served. This listed history coincides with the text as written on the backs of the photos which are in the Collection of Ralph Taylor's daughter Louisa Taylor.
"World War II, 1945
After shakedown off the Florida coast, LST-883 departed New Orleans for the west coast on 28 February and arrived San Pedro, California on 26 March. Steaming via Seattle, Washington the landing ship reached the Hawaiian Islands on 1 May and trained there until sailing for the western Pacific on the 24th.
She carried Seabees via the Marshalls and the Marianas to battle-torn Okinawa where she arrived on 26 June. After discharging men and equipment, she embarked veterans of the 6th Marine Division and sailed on 10 July. Steaming via Guam, she reached Pearl Harbor on 5 August. During the rest of August she joined in amphibious training operations in the Hawaiian Islands."
"World War II, 1945
After shakedown off the Florida coast, LST-883 departed New Orleans for the west coast on 28 February and arrived San Pedro, California on 26 March. Steaming via Seattle, Washington the landing ship reached the Hawaiian Islands on 1 May and trained there until sailing for the western Pacific on the 24th.
She carried Seabees via the Marshalls and the Marianas to battle-torn Okinawa where she arrived on 26 June. After discharging men and equipment, she embarked veterans of the 6th Marine Division and sailed on 10 July. Steaming via Guam, she reached Pearl Harbor on 5 August. During the rest of August she joined in amphibious training operations in the Hawaiian Islands."
On 30 May 1945 Ralph Taylor crossed the International Dateline and participated in the Dragon Party on the ship USS LST 883. The men were before the Royal Order of Golden Dragon Officers Shelton and Captain Cook. The men shaved the name of the ship into the tops of the hair on their heads as USS LST 883. The Skipper was wet down, and then sentenced as he stood before the Royal Dragon and King Neptune.
Ralph Taylor had the photos below of the two ships USS Nevada and USS West Virginia, although neither was the ship on which he was stationed during WWII. Ralph's ship was the USS LST 883 shown above.
Submitted from the Collection of Louisa Taylor
|
Submitted from the Collection of Louisa Taylor
|
An Armada of ships and airplanes were at the ready for the invasion of Japan, but it never happened because President Truman authorized the dropping of the atomic bombs at Nagasaki and Hiroshima which resulted in the Japanese surrender. The photos on the Warbird Information Exchange webpage of the many ships are amazing.
The USS Missouri was Renovated by 1986.
(Article Below)
(Article Below)
7 May 1986 ~ Petoskey News Review
Petoskey Man... Richard L. Brown had been reported
killed in action at Pearl Harbor. LATER: Found Alive!
Article Below: "His funeral and obituary had been reported in the Petoskey newspapers.
Just two weeks later, on Christmas Eve, 1941, the error was discovered and the telegram 'Your son is alive' brought a fantastic Christmas present to his grief stricken family and community".
killed in action at Pearl Harbor. LATER: Found Alive!
Article Below: "His funeral and obituary had been reported in the Petoskey newspapers.
Just two weeks later, on Christmas Eve, 1941, the error was discovered and the telegram 'Your son is alive' brought a fantastic Christmas present to his grief stricken family and community".
Richard L. Brown... 16 January 1960 ~ Petoskey News Review
In the text with the photo below, "Laubrich said that skin diving was originated during World War II by demolition squads and the equipment used at that time was dangerous to users. The French were responsible for developing the aqua-lung and many persons now have skin diving as a hobby."
23 March 1960 ~ Petoskey News Review
The bodies of those who lost their lives during WWII were being returned long after the war was over...
Pfc. Roy C. Hass, Pfc. Paul N. Wilkins, and John W. Puckett.
Pfc. Roy C. Hass, Pfc. Paul N. Wilkins, and John W. Puckett.
13 May 1948 ~ Petoskey Evening News
|
15 May 1948 ~ Petoskey Evening News
|
Veterans Recall Good Times and Bad at
Mackinaw City Reunion
John Whitmore of Petoskey beside scale model of his ship USS Brister...
Mackinaw City Reunion
John Whitmore of Petoskey beside scale model of his ship USS Brister...
21 June 2000 ~ Petoskey News Review article continues below...
21 June 2000 ~ Petoskey News Review article continues from above...
Bob Brower holding a special cane honoring him for his military service
Bob Brower did not enter the military from Charlevoix nor Emmet County, but his parents owned and ran Brower's General Store in the Village of Walloon Lake (Charlevoix County) from 1946 until 1964 when they retired. Bob and his wife Myra "Stevens" Brower, in 2017, have moved back to Emmet County where Myra lived for many years.
In honor of his military service, Bob's cane label reads: "Army 18 Sep 1950 ~ 17 Sep 1953 AND 43rd Engineer Construction Battalion." |
Bob Brower's special cane created in honor of his military service
|
Bob Brower's special cane created in honor of his military service
|
Annabelle Homme Jenkins (1920-2018) of Boyne Falls, Michigan, worked in Washington D.C. as a teletype operator. "She had the great honor of receiving the teletype message relaying the news that World War II had ended."
Article Below: Oldest WWII veteran to be remember at museum service....
112 years old on 5 January 2022, in New Orleans.
112 years old on 5 January 2022, in New Orleans.
15 January 2022 ~ Petoskey News Review
WWII
WWII Chronology
WWII Memories
WWII Military STILL Photo Collection
WWII Military OTHER Photo Collection
WWII Chronology
WWII Memories
WWII Military STILL Photo Collection
WWII Military OTHER Photo Collection
