Add a Memory
Make a Donation
World War II Veterans
World War II Veterans
Obituary
Guest Book
World War II Veterans Obituary
392 Entries
November 21, 2024
Where did Russell black serve
June 18, 2023
Phillip Ridley Ledet, Jr.
How you can show support
Linda Humphrey
May 31, 2021
Thank you to all the brave men and women who gave their all for family and Nation.
Linda Humphrey
May 31, 2021
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Ellis Riley
May 28, 2021
Thank you all for the Bravery you exuded. YOUR acts of heroic Bravery will never be forgotten!
Everett Gunther
May 28, 2021
Brenda Gunther
May 25, 2021
Earl boardman
BARBARA PEDEVILLANO
March 30, 2021
My father died a little over 3 months ago. He was 98 years old. My family and I have lost a wonderful, courageous, compassionate, and loving man.
As I grew up, I viewed my dad as a complicated man. He lived a life that I knew nothing about. He never talked about his past, and it wasn’t until I retired 4 years ago from Walter Reed that I came to know and understand the man he truly was. Oh, I knew the things most people know about their parents, he loved us, he dedicated his life to his family, he was an honest church going man, he loved to play golf, he loved photography (indicated by the thousands of negatives, photos, movies he left behind that will take the rest of my life to go thru) and he loved and enjoyed life for 64 years with his wife Gloria, his children, grandchildren and great grand-children. Yet, he always loomed larger than life – this short 5’7 Italian man who could scare me just by looking at me especially after my mother had said just wait till your father gets home. But, still as I grew, for some reason he was almost an icon, a man whose respect and love I never wanted to lose. Not just because he was my dad, but he was inherently a good man. It wasn’t until we had this time together, that I learned just what kind of man he truly was. He was, and always will be, the embodiment of what has now become known as the greatest generation.
My dad was born on July 19, 1922, in Bayonne, NJ. His mother Mary Scaffidi was a New Yorker whose family emigrated from Palermo, Italy. His dad Phillip was an Italian immigrant from Sicily that came in thru Ellis Island. Phillip Pedevillano came to America not only seeking a better life for his family but to become an American citizen. Phillip fought in WWI as a doughboy thru which he gained his Citizenship. Dad had 1 brother Salvatore, and a sister Josephine. Being strict Catholics, they were raised on 4 values of which they were never to waiver: They were: LOVE OF GOD, LOVE OF FAMILY, LOVE OF FLAG, AND LOVE OF COUNTRY.
Like millions of men of his generation, dad answered the call to serve after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He felt it was his duty, as did millions of others, to defend and fight for their country.
Dad was 18 years old when he enlisted – he was so young, his parents had to sign for him. His parents were not happy, but dad told them if he did not get their permission he would go to Canada and enlist. They relented and thus, began his military service.
Dad chose to serve in the US Army Air Corps. Trained as a bombardier, he was sent to the European front and was based in Thurleigh England – home to the 306th Bomb Group. On arrival he was assigned to the 369th Bomb Squadron known as the (The Fightin Bitin). There he would meet the other 9 members of his squadron and they would become lifelong friends.
He was the youngest bombardier in the 306th, and much younger than the other members of his squadron. That must have been the time they started calling him JUNIOR.
He flew a total of 5 missions being shot down on the fifth. Prior to being shot down he said he always felt safe and knew he was headed home as they left the French air space and flew over the white cliffs of Dover. When I asked about his B-17 He said the two most dangerous places to be in a B-17 were bombardier and tail gunner. The bombardier at the front of plane as they had to have visual over the landscape, and the tail gunner in the rear facing backwards for enemy planes that might come up behind them. I asked him what it was like being shot at while you were plotting the bomb drops. He laughed and said oh hell, I was 19 it was an adventure. That was how he saw it. It was his job, and he did it. Later on, he did admit that you are too busy to be scared you just want to get thru it.
His plane “The Miscarriage” was attacked on April 24, 1944. They had lost their B52 cover planes due to bad weather and German air strikes. Their assignment was to head to Oberpfaffenhofen Germany and bomb the munitions factory. A few miles out they were attacked by Focke Wulfs and German Messerschmitt’s two of the best German air fighters. After they were hit the pilot gave the order to bail out. There were ten crew members per B-17. Out of the ten crew members on board three were badly wounded. They were the navigator, and the two waist gunners.
Luther Victory, the tail gunner and dad were two of the five crew left on the plane. Luther was in the back pulling parachutes. As dad walked to the rear of the plane, he noticed the navigator was wounded, he helped him to the back where Luther and the two waist gunners were. Luther and dad got the parachutes on the 2 waist gunners and dad told Luther to bail out. Once Luther was clear of the plane, Dad helped the two waist gunners and Navigator out of the plane. Dad then headed back to the front of the plane where he still had to pull all the pins on the bombs and salvo his load. As he plotted the drop, he then destroyed the Norden Bombsite so as not to fall in enemy hands. Just prior to the bombs dropping he bailed out.
He was on the run for three days before being captured by the Germans. Once captured he was sent to an interrogation camp and then spent 14 months as a POW in two different camps (Stalag Luft III and Stalag 7A). During his interment my dad endured a 300-mile forced march from one camp to another. It was 50-degree below with snow and said to be the coldest winter in 50 years. In April of 1945 he was liberated by General George S. Patton. My dad said the only time he cried as did thousands of others was when Patton’s 3rd Army took down the Swastika flag and raised the American Flag which showed it was now under the Allied control.
Dads entire life was dedicated to his family, his love of God, flag, and country. Dad always said he was no hero – he only did what millions of other young men and women did. General H. Norman Schwarzkopf once said "It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”— That was my dad and his fellow crew members of the B-17 “The Misscarriage”.
Thank you, dad, what a life you had, what a legacy you left. Here’s wishing you the White Cliffs of Dover.
George Martin
February 20, 2021
In honor of Gordon Martin. Top turret gunner . WW -2 went down in Black Sea.
Ray Barnett
February 12, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Howard Horton
December 30, 2020
In honor of my father Lt. Col. ( Ret) Howard C. Horton who served in WW11, Korean and Vietnam. He died November 25th, 2020 at 97.5 years young. He was Purple Heart Recipient for WW ll and also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a hero and a remarkable man and proud to serve the country he loved so much.
December 27, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
December 9, 2020
In loving memory of my dad/father Paul Creasey Fowler, 1924-2019, WWII Veteran, who proudly served on the U.S.S. Iowa in the South Pacific.
Lisa Kaan
December 1, 2020
In loving memory of my mother Renee Rattet WWII Veteran. We will love you and miss you always. She was 99 when covid19 got her. 1921-2020
Renee Rattet
December 1, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. WWII veteran born March 25, 1921. Passed from covid19 on Nov. 29, 2020 at 99 years if age.
November 18, 2020
Jim Pass
October 24, 2020
William Seeger
Linda Freeman
September 19, 2020
Thank you for standing our post. You have allowed your families and mine to have enjoyed the freedoms we cherish.
John Morrissey
September 9, 2020
Real American heros
Wade thorne
August 4, 2020
Wade
Thorne
James Erick Norsetter
July 3, 2020
Second Lieutenant Ann Katherine Persinger ( Norsetter)
US Army Nurses Corps.
While stationed at Ft Benjamin, IN,
Ann met and nursed my father,
Staff Sgt Irvin Marlow Norsetter
US Airforce,. Irv contracted scarlet fever and was shipped to Ft Benjamin. The fever damaged his heart, he died in September of 1971, 52 years of age.
1LT Francis N. Siedor
Siedor Francis
May 9, 2020
A brave pilot who flew 50 missions in a B-17 in WW2. He flew "west" on 1 August 1986
William Condon
April 11, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Eugene Wheeler
February 7, 2020
To thr cousin I carry your first name as my middlename with pride.
Homer J Jr. Mitchell
February 7, 2020
My Dads three bronze stars,Im proud of you dad and thankyou.
Aaron Spector
December 17, 2019
Aaron served in the Army as part of the 29th Infantry Division. He and his brothers landed on Omaha beach on 6 June. He was one of the fortunate ones who survived Omaha Beach, liberated the town of Saint Lo, and finally reached Germany before being injured. Aaron passed away peacefully Dec. 6 2019. We all appreciate his service, dedication, and love for his country.
Gail Jackson-Lyons
June 6, 2019
Arnold Lorbeer was the most kindest person I ever met, when the Holy Bible say a friend stick closer than a brother, it was referring to Arnold, I literally watch him walk flights just to visit a sick friend, and he was there always, until his friend Fred Abmeier aka Freddy pass away. Arnold and I stayed in contact with each other always after that, but unfortunately when Arnold pass NO ONE contacted me until way after his funeral 4months later, sob sob...so now I come to this quest book which I set up a forever Memorial for anyone that want visit Arnold Lorbeer World War II Veteran Memorial sign. Thank you for your services, and as we signed our letters to each other . my other email ([email protected])
Best Regards.
alvin
June 6, 2019
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Dr. Frank J. Biondolillo (1927-2018)<br />US Navy Aircorps
Beth Biondolillo Beale
May 27, 2019
In loving memory of my Dad on this first Memorial Day without him. He served in WWII in the US Navy Air Corps on the USS Bennington in the Pacific Theater battles 1944-1945. I will love you and miss you always...until we meet again, Pop. Semper Fortis.
Jeff Zapinsky
April 15, 2019
An incredible generation of selfless men and woman who literally saved the world from the monstrosity of totalitarianism. We owe much to all those who sacrificed everything so that we can enjoy the freedoms of democracy. Truly the GREATEST GENERATION!
Shelby Hatch Daniels
October 30, 2017
Shelby Hatch Daniels
October 30, 2017
SHEILA and Joseph Santos
July 23, 2017
So sorry all are love
March 2, 2017
Carlton Lee Milano, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather died on December 28, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was born on July 29, 1926 in Donaldsonville, LA where he resided most of his life. He was a World War II Veteran and served in the U.S. Army, 41st Infantry Division as a Medic. During the war he was assigned to the campaign in the Philippines and was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, going to and watching LSU football games, and traveling the U.S. to visit family and his war buddies in Chicago and Pittsburgh. He married the love of his life, Beverly Claire Meyer in August 1952 and has been widowed for seven years. He is survived by two daughters, Jamie Milano Roques of Baton Rouge and Leslye Claire Milano of Prairieville. Preceded in death by his middle daughter, Carlene Milano Wirth and his parents, Frank Milano, Jr. and Eunice Templet Milano. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Dr. Rebecca Claire Roques- Davis and husband, Steven Davis, and Kimberlye Wirth; three great grandchildren, Solie, Thomas, and Levi Davis, son-in-law, Maurice Wirth, and close family friend, Joelle LeBlanc. Also survived by his only brother, Frank Milano, III, and his wife Doris Fabre Milano, of Donaldsonville and sister-in-law, Bernadette Frey Meyer, of Kenner. The family wishes to extend thanks to his caregivers throughout his short illness, the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital and special heartfelt thanks to his longtime physician and friend Dr. Howard H. Russell, Jr. of New Orleans, LAVisitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Donaldsonville, on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. ''' 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. ''' 11:00 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church, Donaldsonville on Wednesday, December 31 at 11:30a.m. Entombment in Ascension Catholic Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA 70130 or visit http://nationalww2museum.org for more information.
George F. Greene
Linda Greene
January 29, 2017
Funeral for George F. Greene 1920-2015
Linda Greene
January 29, 2017
Linda Greene
January 29, 2017
In Loving Memory of my Father George F. Greene. WW2 Veteran from 1942-1946 North African Campaign. R. I. P.
Jesse Moore
December 20, 2016
My Grandfather served proudly. A hard working man, who loved his Country, and Family...Clyde Haynes, we love you!
junior bettinger
December 14, 2016
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Joanne Katherine Pearson Hawkins
November 13, 2016
In Loving Memory of my Husband, John Pearson Hawkins, who served in the Navy in World War II in the Pacific aboard the PT 276 Minesweeper. Jack went to sleep on August 7th 2012 at 6:15 p.m. with his loving wife, Joanne, of 45 years by his side.
October 7, 2016
Eugene Lester ("Obie") O'Brien died on October 4, 2016, after a short illness, in Centralia, Wash., at the age of 91. A veteran, a logger, a carpenter, a police officer and state trooper, an Alaska pioneer and bush pilot, a hunter, a skipper, a fisherman, guitarist and harmonica player, a teller of tall tales and a man's man, Obie was born in Chehalis, Wash., on June 24, 1925, and raised in South Bend, Wash. and Randle, Wash. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy "Dot" Anne (Buher), in 2000, after nearly 54 years of marriage; by his son, Dale, in 2008; by his granddaughter Mave, in 2005; by his brother, Tilton, in 2015; by his mother, Martha (Lester), in 1987; and his father, John Henry, in 1942. Survived by two of his three sons, Dennis, of Winlock, Wash., and Dan, of St. Louis, Mo.; by five of his six grandchildren; by 14 great grandchildren; by many cousins near Randle, Wash. and Alexandria, Minn.; and by many in-laws and friends across the country. Obie had served in the Navy during World War II, in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. He was a landing craft coxswain and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. In the South Pacific, his service included time on Espiritu Santo, the largest island of Vanuatu, and the setting for James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, on which the musical South Pacific was based. Obie married Dorothy Buher on Nov. 8, 1946, served a few years as a logger in the Randle area, and then as an Officer in the Bremerton Police Department. He moved his family to Anchorage, Alaska, in the summer of 1955, where he had enlisted in the Alaska Territorial Police, served as the first bush pilot for the Alaska State Troopers and retired from the Troopers as a Lieutenant in 1975. Obie and Dot raised their sons on moose meat, deer, salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab, teaching them all how to hunt and fish and survive in the wild. In their retirement, Obie and Dot were the proprietors of O'Brien Charters out of Ketchikan, offering sports fishing and sightseeing tours of Southeast Alaska on the 65 foot MV Monte Carlo, for 10 years, settling after that in Winlock, Wash., where they spent the rest of their lives. Obie lived independently in their Winlock home right up until the time of his death, after a very brief stay in a nursing facility. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=eugene-l-obrien-obie&pid=181752619#sthash.NjHedpyM.dpuf
Abby Walgurski
September 22, 2016
In loving memory of Robert D. Detuno Jr.
KIA on January 23, 1945 in France
Your passing August 3, 2016 will always be on our mind. Thank you for your great service to in WWII Pacific Theater, Okinawa and other foreign lands
Patricia Chylinski
September 19, 2016
We love you Dad, Mom, Joanne and Patti
Patricia Chylinski
September 19, 2016
CWO Ret James Toler
September 16, 2016
I am 92 years old and survived WWll, why I don't know, but I lost some buddies and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to all families who lost loved ones in that terrible conflict.
Robin Gott Penicka
September 14, 2016
In loving memory of my grandfather, Orville Russell Gott. We love you and miss you pawpaw.
August 15, 2016
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
July 2, 2016
In honor of my grandpa, Nicholas Araiza, whom fought in WWll and survived but recently died in 2012.
Sgt. Elmer Suiter Atkinson
Esther Atkinson-Turmelle
June 3, 2016
Esther Atkinson-Turmelle
June 3, 2016
In memory of my great uncle, Elmer Suiter Atkinson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1944.
My pa pa Lawerence J Marshall never forgotten
Ashley Jefferson
May 2, 2016
Donna Roth
April 22, 2016
My father, a classic good citizen, who emigrated from Canada, was proud to be an American. He instilled civic and charitable responsibility in his children. He also taught us to treat each customer with respect, count back change and to be good to your word. My father's memories of WWII included empathy for the prisoners of war that were taken by his unit and the forlorn mothers who followed the allied forces begging for food for their children. He had the heart to understand that the average German citizen suffered deeply from the depression and then the ravages of war.
Ed Burns
April 17, 2016
God bless all the WW2 Veterans.
Barry Jarreau
April 8, 2016
OFFERING PRAYERS FOR ALL FALLEN SOLDIERS.
Royal Lewis III
March 27, 2016
Thank you for standing up for me. I wasn't even born yet but I have learned and understand to the best of my ability just how important your actions and deeds of bravery meant to a free United States of America! And, to the free world as well. My late father was a member of your honored group. All the veterans of this world war are the absolute bravest of all people!!! Thank you for standing up for all of human society. You are truly the Great Genration!! It is with a true and genuine honor, love and respect, I say thank you!!
JEAN KRZYWANSKI
February 14, 2016
TO ACHILLES KELLY STUMPUS WHO SERVED IN Bastogne, during the battle of the bulge . Whe the Begian People thanks him .
James B. Simms 526-945
The Simms Family
January 11, 2016
In loving memory of James B. Simms 5/4/1920-1/11/2016. WWII Vet (1942-1946) U.S.C.G. South Pacific, U.S.S. LST 26. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
Caryn Cain
December 17, 2015
World War II took many of America's gallant warriors but they will never be forgotten. A modern generation must remember their sacrifices and valor that defended the American dream. All veterans are saluted!
William Young
October 2, 2015
To our dad, WW2 POW LUFT 4or5 we will always love and admire you.
July 22, 2015
With sincere sympathy on the lost of your loved one, may it comfort you that God promised to bring an end to wars as promised in Isaiah 2:4. A world free from suffering is soon at hand through a heavenly government that you can trust in, as promised at Daniel 2:44
June 12, 2015
To all who served, thank you. My dad served on the USS YUMA from 1943-1956 as an engineers mate. He died while on leave, before her decommissioning in 1957, in Seattle, WA. Nickname was Al. In his memory, cudos to all.
Constance King
May 28, 2015
To all Veterans, Thank you so much for standing for such a tremendous cause; the protection of our country!
William Hall, 1st Lt. U.S. Army Infantry WWII
Kathleen Hall
May 18, 2015
Remembering William M Hall of Somerville Massachusetts; 1st Lt. U.S. Army, Served 1943-1945 - Purple Heart & Bronze Star recipient. April 7th, 1918 - December 14th, 2014. A wonderful father, husband and friend to many.
Showing 1 - 100 of 392 results
Make a Donation
in World War II Veterans's name
How to support World War II's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor World War II Veterans's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored