DAHLIN, AXEL R. April 11, 1944 age 24 KIA England

AXEL ROLAND DAHLIN b. Aug 15, 1920 Sundale, Manitoba, Canada d. April 11, 1944

Killed in Action Stalham, Norfolk, England

2^nd Lt O-687997 Army Air Force 790^th Bomb Squad 467^th Bomb Group

Buried Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley, Michigan

 

Parents: John Conrad & Mary/Anna Marie (Martell)

Siblings: Gerda Kristina, Myrtle, Mildred, Edith, Albert, Violet
Spouse: Irene Turski  

15014 Mark Twain

John and Mary were both born in Sweden and immigrated to Canada. All their children were born there. In 1927 the entire family came to Detroit to join Uncle Osterberg who lived at 15014 Mark Twain. The Dahlins had 7 children – a lot of people in any house. But quickly they owned a house in Brightmoor on Bentler. John was a carpenter perhaps that accounts for their regularly moving. Unfortunately as is typical for houses in Brightmoor they’re all gone now.

The family found employment as soon as they were out of school. In 1940 the 3 oldest daughters lived elsewhere; Edith was a dental technician and Axel a frame man for the telephone company.

Axel was busy in school He received special mention in the 1937 yearbook’s Inside Stories: ‘Axel Dahlin was hitching his wagon to a star when he built a raft in preparation for the time when he will travel o’er the wide, wide world. He goes polling up the Rouge River with a song in his heart and a trill in that characteristic whistle of his.’  His song was ‘Asleep Awake’.

Draft registration was Feb 13, 1942 in Detroit. Axel was 5’10”, 179 lbs with blue eyes and red hair. He worked at Kelsey Hayes Wheel Co. In the military he joined the Army Air Corps and attended a Texas navigation school from which he graduated in 1943. On Jan 5, 1944 he married Irene Turski in Detroit, barely three and half months before his death. She remarried in 1949.



Skinner Crew

He was navigator on a B-24H produced at Ford’s Willow Run plant. Serial #42-52531 names ‘Devil’s Hostess’. The plane was on its second combat mission to the Focke-Wulf factory in Ascherleben, Germany. On its return it crash landed onto a bungalow at Stalham Green, Norfolk, England.

Devil's Hostess crew 7 KIA 2 RTD:
2nd/Lt. Jack M. Skinner Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Charles L. Stuckman Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Axel R. Dahlin Navigator KIA
2nd/Lt. Emmett L. Wilder Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Raymond J. Eaton Engineer KIA
S/Sgt. K. Norris Harshbarger Jr. KIA Radio Op.
Sgt. Myer L. Miller Gunner
Sgt. Phillip J. Mastrandea Gunner
Sgt. Truman S Thompson
S/Sgt. Russell E Reed KIA

Devil's Hostess Crash

 

HOPPEL, WM. CLARK Aug 26, 1943 age 22 DNB Ontario

WILLIAM CLARK HOPPEL  b. June 28, 1921 d. Aug 26, 1943 Died Non Battle

Rodney, Ontario, Canada

2^nd Lt O-670391 Air Corps

Buried: unknown

Margaret Schloff

August Herman 1911

Parents: August Herman & Margaret Grace (Schloff)

Siblings: Jean Ellen (Biddinger), Lloyd August

Father August came from a large family in Bair, Cambria Co., Penn. He graduated from University of Michigan in 1911 as a dentist. Mother Margaret Grace was born in Buffalo; the two married in 1917, he was 11 years her senior.  Over the years the dental practice occupied various sites along Grand River Avenue near downtown. By 1940 the family lived in one of the premier properties at 18843 Bretton Dr.,in Rosedale Park, even had a live in servant. But by 1942 the family rented a more modest house at 16196 Oakfield, then 16903 Monte Vista.

18843 Bretton Dr.

William, also known as Clark, graduated from Redford in June 1939. He did his draft registration in Missaukee Co, but in 1942 enlisted in Detroit as a Pvt in the Air Corps.  Oddly his father submitted his own required draft registration in 1942 in Oscoda Michigan. Was there some advantage to be had registering in the northern hinterlands as opposed to the place of residence?

William took his preliminary and basic training at Kelley and Bonham fields in Texas. Then he received his commission after completing an advanced flying course at Moose field in Texas.

On Aug 26, 1943 he started flight from Romulus Air Base in Michigan where he was stationed (now this is Detroit Metropolitan Airport). Over near Rodney, Ontario, at 5 o’clock Mrs. Colquhoun was on her farm when she saw a flight of planes flying westward overhead. She noticed one drop away from the rest. A wing tipped and it roared earthward. He thought was that the plane was going to crash into her home, but it landed 200 feet away with a terrific crash. It went nose first into the ground then turning over.

Mr Colquhoun raced from his barn to the side of the plane. Three neighboring farm boys leaped into an automobile and sped to the fallen aircraft. When they reached the plane flames were roaring about the fuselage. In spite of the intense heat and extreme danger the climbed up and dragged the pilot’s body from the cockpit. They were so swift in their actions that flames had only slightly burned the body about the hips. Only when the flier was laid on the ground did they discover he was already dead. The three boys were commended for their heroic actions.

The plane was  an AT6 s/n 43-12773. William was the only occupant.

SHEPARD, HAROLD V. Nov 7, 1943 age 22 KIA Italy

HAROLD V. SHEPARD  b. July 18, 1921 d. Nov 7, 1943 Killed in Action Italy

Pvt 36590607 Army 15^th Inf Reg 3^rd Inf Div

Buried Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Lazio, Italy

Parents: Sueddon (Sueton) Ferris & Sadie Blanche (MacDaniel)

Siblings: Samuel F., Margaret , Louise L., Henry C., Mary E., William ‘Billie’ A., Helen B., Fred E.
Spouse: Kathleen Stock  

The parents were born in Tennessee, came to Michigan after the birth of their first two children. Sadie was pregnant nearly every year over 11 years, a short gap and the last child as of the 1940 census. The family moved a lot but around 1940 lived at 18413 Burgess which put Harold close to Redford. House another empty, overgrown lot now. Suetton worked long term as a die setter for Holley Carburetor Co.

Harold worked for the same carburetor company when registered for the draft Feb 12, 1942. He was 145 lbs at 5’7” with blue eyes and blonde hair. He married Kathleen Stock Oct 3, 1942 in Detroit.

Port at Casablanca

On 8 November 1942, the 15th landed at Fedela, Morocco, and participated in the capture of Casablanca against strong Vichy French resistance on 11 November. The regiment remained on duty in Morocco until March 1943, serving with other divisional units as the honor guard for President Roosevelt during the Casablanca Conference. In March 1943, the 15th moved to Tunisia, where it trained for further amphibious operations until July.

The 15th was part of the 3rd Inf Div's Task Force Joss in the invasion of Sicily on July 1943. The regiment fought with distinction at Palermo, Messina, and elsewhere in the Sicilian Campaign. At the close of the campaign, the 3ID (including the 15th) conducted a month of training before crossing onto the Italian mainland in September. The 3rd Inf Div and the 15th fought on the Volturno River and farther north on the Italian peninsula, breaching the German Winter Line in November 1943.

 

GAYNOR, ROBERT E. March 4, 1945 age 24 KIA Iwo Jima

ROBERT EDWARD GAYNOR  b. June 18, 1920 Kentucky d. Mar 4, 1945 

Killed in Action

Iwo Jima

Pvt 944825 Marines Co. A 1^st Bn, 26^th Mar Reg, 5^th Mar Div

23530 Sunnyside

Buried Arlington Cemetery, Virginia

Parents: George W & Edna Sarah (Gittings)
Siblings: George W, Mary Liliian, Floyd D & Lloyd C.
Spouse: Glendora Betty Thompson

The parents and Robert were born in Kentucky. They came to Michigan in the 1920’s and soon owned their home at 23530 Sunnyside. This is very close to where I grew up, just on the Detroit side of the original Redford cemetery along the Rouge River. It is the sort of street that’s out of the way where people dump things, but the house is still there is good shape.

After Robert left high school he worked as a mechanic. He married Canadian born Glendora Betty Thompson June 1, 1941 in Detroit; they lived at 15813 Deering in Livonia. He worked at Cadillac Motor Car Co. when he registered for the draft July 1, 1941. He stood 5’9”, 178 lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. It was May 1944 when he enlisted in the Marines.

Boot camp was in San Diego. Then he shipped out to the Volcano Island, home to Iwo Jima. The Battle of Iwo Jima, Operation Detachment was a major battle from Feb 19 to March 26 1945. The US fought for and captured Iwo Jima to get the two completed airfields and one incomplete. They could be brought into service for emergency landing by B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers damaged over Japan. After the heavy losses incurred in the battle the strategic value of the island became controversial.

Robert was initially buried at Kazan Retto Cemetery on Iwo Jima, the 5^th Marine Div cemetery. The US Govt returned the island to the Japanese in 1968 after the bodies of the men in the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th Division cemeteries were removed to the U.S. Robert was buried in Arlington in 1949.

(Glendora remarried 1946.)

 

 

BROWN, GORDON Feb 4, 1943 age 26 DNB Tunisia

GORDON MILNER BROWN b. June 3, 1916 d. Feb 4, 1943 Died Non Battle Tunisia

2^nd Lt O-663589 Army Air Corps 434^th Bomb Squad 12^th Bomb Group Heavy

 

Buried North Africa American Cemetery & Memorial, Carthage, Tunisia

Parents: Gordon Scouler & Hazel Louise (Milner)

Siblings: Kenneth, Allan, Donald H, Thomas W

17790 Trinity

19241 Lancashire

While father Gordon was born in London, Ontario; his family immigrated to the US shortly after his birth. Hazel was born in England and she moved to Canada in 1910. They married July 1915. Gordon was already a bookkeeper in 1910 and later worked as an accountant and then auditor at an auto factory. Their houses improved as did his employment. From 727 sq ft at 17790 Trinity they moved with their 5 sons to 1,900 sq ft in North Rosedale on Lancashire. In the 1940’s the parent moved to Howell.

Young Gordon granduated from Redford and attended Mariette College in Ohio for 2 years before he enlisted June 28, 1941. He was 5’6” at 133 lbs. Dec. 1941 he was at Fort Houston, Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His squadron was re-equipped with modern B-25 Mitchell medium bombers in California in April 1942 after which they were deployed to Egypt to support British forces in the Western Desert Campaign. Their ground personnel were transported by ship around the Cape of Good Hope to India then on to Cairo. Aircraft were flown via the transcontinental route to Morrison Field, Florida the fitted with long range auxiliary fuel tanks before departing to South America. Then they crossed the Atlantic to Liberia then north across central Africa to Cairo via Khartoum. Much different than today’s long range planes.

From Aug 1942 to June 1943 the 434^th supported the British Eighth Army as they advanced into Tunisia and later participated in the invasion of Sicily and Italy.

There is no information on the accident that caused his injuries. Gordon received a Purple Heart.

Their High School - Redford High School

First a short summary on relevant history to provide background info, short and sweet.

Michigan was part of the Northwest Territory back in 1787. The Territory underwent divisions into states and then counties that started as broad swaths of the Michigan area. Wayne County went from the Detroit River to the other side of the area. As settlers came in and there were enough residents to provide a minimal government structure the counties increasing became smaller in the southern tier of Michigan. Then the land survey of 1818 took place in order to divide the land into parcels that could be sold primarily to pay of war debt from 1812. The township range system is a very practical method of dividing counties into township of 36 square miles. They each get a unique identifier, such as T1S, R10E for Redford. Redford was founded in 1833; the state established in 1835.

The First Redford Township High School

Each township was authorized to determine whether to maintain a local school. Redford soon had 10 separate school districts. There was no high school and any student who wanted to continue after grammar school went to Detroit with the Township covering the fee. In 1913 Detroit raised the fee to discourage non-residents; that year the Township had to pay for 13 high school applications. So in 1914 they constructed a two story building on Grand River at Six Mile Rd., the first Burt School. But it was so large, people thought. By 1921 it was too small and a new school was built across the street, the first section of Redford High School. This area around the school was the heart of the township, Sand Hill. It was the commercial hub, had the upscale neighborhoods, movers and shakers lived here  and was centered on Grand River Ave, a major thoroughfare. It grew quickly while the rest of the township remained rural. South Redford School District didn’t even have a high school until 1957. 

1921



But residents of the fast growing Sand Hill and Rosedale neighborhoods lamented the poor roads and cash strapped school system. They envied the wonderful improvements in Detroit next door. So the citizens in 1926 voted in favor and 2/3 of the township was annexed by Detroit, including the schools located there. The township lost the high school and several elementary schools which became part of the Detroit Public School system. Even the president of the Redford Union district Board of Education left with the schools.

So for several years Township students again had to go to high school in Detroit. It was 1931 before the township had a temporary high school combined in an elementary school.  A new Township high school was finally constructed 1941.



Pewabic Tile Drinking fountain

Meanwhile Redford school underwent several additions and improvements over the years to accommodate the fast growing populace. Oddly placed staircases had to accommodate sections from different construction periods. And some corners of the school were just plain weird to get to. The school was located on a main bus route (there was no public bussing – they walked). For much of its history it was a premier Detroit school. Students came from wealthy Rosedale Park, blue collar Brightmoor, and all the neighborhoods in between. There were college prep classes, ROTC, and vocational instruction.

RHS 1948

 

The information is taken from the book “Redford Township, Michigan an Early History in Photos” which provides a detailed account of the township history. An entire chapter focuses on schools.

 

The New Memorial Plaque



Unclear is what geographic area the school covered and whether students could easily attend high schools outside their neighborhood. Some of the Memorial Plaque students seemed to live in far areas of Detroit.  As for nearby high schools: MacKenzie 1928-demolished 2012, Cooley 1928-closed 2010.

Another situation evident when researching these students was an assumption made that everyone graduated so had a senior photo in the yearbook. This is based on modern day thinking. In actuality prior to WWII completion of high school was a bit of a luxury. Consider that during the 1930’s Depression many chose employment over school as evidenced in the census data. Also prior to WWII Detroit was quite a boom town with all those new factories expanding offering jobs and steady pay; those same factories 40 years later contributed to its decline.

Redford was closed 2007. Demolished 2012. Today a Meijer complex is on the site. Truthfully, current Detroit is better served with a retail store rather than a school.

RANK, LAWRENCE DALE Dec 5, 1944 age 19 KIA Surigao Strait, P.I.

LAWRENCE DALE RANK  b. May 16, 1925 Redford d. Dec 5, 1944 Killed in Action

Surigao Strait,  Philippines Islands

Radioman 3c LSM 8627636 USNR

17586 Trinity

Buried Greenwood Cemetery, East Tawas, Michigan

Parents: Christopher C. & Hazel May (Boomer)

Lawrence was the only child of Chris and Hazel. They lived on Trinity for some 20 years. Chris was an interior decorator. In 1930 they had a boarder living with them.

Hazel Rank

Larry had been in a minor auto accident on the day he was to take a college exam which may having exempted him from the draft. His father Dhris demanded he apologize and make amends to the owner of the car he damaged. Because he missed taking this exam he was drafted, and eventually killed. This story was told by Larry’s Uncle D.C. McCormick to his son Dallas.

 

Larry graduated from Redford June 1943 and enlisted Aug 27, 1943. He attended radio school in Evanston, Ill. A newspaper notice reports he visited his parents on March 2, 1944.

 

USS LSM 23

In the Navy he served on a Landing Ship Medium. Muster rolls show him as being on USS LSM-23; 8 were KIA in Surigao Strait on Dec 5.  LSM 23 was in service after the war. The photos show LSM 20 sunk in Surigao Strait after hit by a Japanese Kamikaze attack on Dec 5. It was hit just aft of the conning tower some 3 feet above the water line. With the loss of 8 enlisted men and the wounding of 9 others. While Rank’s LSM 20 was not sunk, the photos show the action in the Surigao Strait that day.



LSM 20 sinking

Larry was reburied in the East Tawas cemetery in 1949.



 

Photos of Navy ships:  http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/14/14020.htm 

 

MCALLISTER, MELVIN Aug 15, 1945 age 29 DNB France

MELVIN ROY MCALLISTER  b. Dec 9, 1945 Becher, Ont, Canada d. Aug 15, 1945

Died Non Battle Europe/France

S Sgt 36509930 Army Air Force Base Unit 1411

Buried Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia

 

Parents: Harry & Harriett (Booth)

Siblings: George, Wilfred B., Francis Henry
Spouse: Doris Mary (Branch)
Children: Donna Marie, Melvin R., James H., Patricia Anne

The entire Canadian McAllister family (excepting Francis who was born later) crossed the border from Canada in 1927. Their father crossed previously and had a U.S.  address of 15107 Bentler. He worked as a metal finisher in the auto factory.

After Melvin attended Redford, He married Doris Mary in 1934 and they lived at 15474 Blackstone. He became a naturalized citizen. Melvin was 6’ at 174 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes when he registered for the draft Oct 16, 1940. By that time he had had 4 children and was a welder for Chrysler Corp. His youngest two children died before they reached one year.

In April 1944 the Army Air Forces developed a new organization known as the Army Air forces Base Unit to standardize unit designations assigned to bases. The 1411 Base Unit was at Istres Air Base near Marseille, France. When the combat united moved north into eastern France Istres was used by Air Transport Command as a transshipment point for supplies and Allied personnel being administratively controlled by the 1411^th AAFBU. At the end of the war Istres was used as a staging point between Occupied Germany and Morocco for air transport of personnel back to the United States. It was returned to full French control in October 1945.

Wife Donna remarried 1947, divorced in 1951.

Initially buried at Luynes-Aix-En-Provence Melvin was returned for reburial at Arlington Feb 28, 1950. He is buried next to his brother Wilfred, also on the memorial plaque.

 

WEHN, CHARLES Nov 4, 1944 age 19 KIA Italy

CHARLES “BUD” A. WEHN  b. 1925 d. Nov 4, 1944 Killed in Action Italy

Sgt 36585284 Army Air Corps 451^st Bomber Group Heavy, 727^th Bomber Squad



Buried Holy Selpuchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan

Parents: William W. & Josephine (Kiefer)
Sibling: Rose





William W. Wehn

Josephine Wehn

His parents were children when they immigrated with their families circa 1902-1909; they came from what was the Austrian Empire before WWI after which members states declared their sovereignty. They spoke German. William’s family farmed in Unionville, Tuscola Co., hers was in Cleveland. But at one point they both resided Unionville and married 1921 in Caro. I know that area well having relatives there who emigrated before 1900. Then they went to Detroit where William lived in 1920. By 1940 they were in their home 16186 Woodbine.

The 451^st Bomb Group operated with the 15^th Air force Jan 1944 – May 1945 functioning primarily as a strategic bombardment organization.

Bud was on the crew of a B-24H #42-95239 piloted by William R. Young.  The B-24H was the first production version of the Liberator to be built with a nose turret. On Nov 4, 1944 the group took off for Kufstein, Germany on mission number 144It was a successful raid, but two planes received intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. The one plane left the formation after crossing the Adriatic and crashed into a mountain in Italy. Their remains were discovered after the war. 11 crew died. MACR 9677. He received an Air Medal and Purple Heart.

      

Mission Report



OURY, NOEL A. Nov 26, 1944 age 22 KIA Germany

NOEL ARMAND OURY  b. Dec 25, 1921 Cochrane, Ont., Canada d. Nov 26, 1944

Killed in Action Germany

2^nd Lt Co-Pilot O-1998532 Army Air Force 852^nd Bomb Squad 491^st Bomb Group

Buried Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia

Parents: Harry Michael & Mary

Sibling: George LaVerne

This family demonstrates some real cultural diversity. Both parents were born in England. Harry came alone on a ship in 1913 from England to Portland, ME, final destination Toronto.  Mary was Irish and lived in Toronto. One year old Noel arrived with his mother on June 24, 1923 in Detroit by ship from Canada join Harry already in Detroit. Harry became a mill operator at Ford Motor Co. They moved around the city same as several other families here. From Washburn to Woodmont and back to Washburn. Perhaps this was wan effect of the Depression and changing employment circumstances.

Noel registered for the draft Feb 16, 1942 in Detroit; he worked as a newspaper station supervisor and also was a student at Michigan State College. At State College his sport was fencing. He stood 5’9”, 140 lbs with hazel eyes and brown hair. In August 1942 he entered the service from Henrico, Virginia so he shows up in records having Virginia residency.

Nancy

On July 1943 he had a landing accident in a PT-17 at Parker Aux Field, Florida. In 1944 he was stationed at Westoverfield, Mass. That same year in March he married Nancy Bolling Williams from a socially prominent Richmond, VA family. The wedding announcement in the newspaper describes her as ‘one of Richmond’s loveliest debutantes’.

SN 42-110167 Firebird

Then he was stationed at the base in Norfolk, England. Noel was on the crew of a B-24J Liberator, SN 42-110167 “Firebird”, piloted by 1^st Lt. Daniel C. Budd. The Misburg Riad was scheduled for Nov 26, 1944. The objective for the 491^st  was the one remaining oil refinery still in production at Misburg. This would mark the second latgest air battle of WWII. The target was no stranger to the Group – it was over Misburg on Sept 12 that the 491^st lost 2 planes but that was over two months ago; they weren’t losing planes these days. This strike would require deeper penetration into Germany than any of the other targets scheduled the next day.

Here is an Air Force training film about the B-24 Liberator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeQKXS7HEik



Briefing was at 0530 and by 0904, thirty-one planes were up and forming. At 1012, one craft aborted with a gas leak, and shortly after the formation left the English coast at 1030, another aircraft turned back with no radio. Little is known of the events aboard ‘Problem Child’, ‘Firebird’ or Cloughley’s plane. Of the 28 men manning these 3 planes 24 were KIA. German records do state that the wreckage of these aircraft, together with Warczak’s from the low squadron, were so close together that it was impossible to determine what bodies belonged to what B-24. Thirty-one B-24s were dispatched that day – 3 turned back, 28 reached the target, 16 never returned.

 

Misburg Refinery

Noel was buried at Arlington in a grave with other crew in 1950. Note the Remarks: he is buried in a common grave.

(Nancy remarried 1952 to a man whose name was actually Fauntleroy.)

RICH, JOHN. Jan 1, 1945 age 20 DOW Belgium

JOHN ' Jack' LINDSEY RICH b. Jan 10, 1924 Des Moines, Iowa d. Jan 1, 1945 Died of Wounds

Bois De Magery Woods, Acul, Belgium

Pfc 3656442 Army C Company, 55 AIB, 11^th Arm Div



16145 Pierson

Buried Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg

 

Parents: John Lindsay & Mae Ann (Caldwwell)

Siblings: Robert John, Elizabeth, Jean

The family came from Iowa in the 1920’s. John and Mae married in Ohio. John was an insurance agent and served in the Army as a Lieutenant. He died in 1939 of pneumonia. They lived at 16145 Pierson; bet that big silver maple was there a when Jack lived there.In the 1940’s the family lived at 15440 Evergreen with Mae’s mother. The house now has a dense evergreen stand blocking any street view.

Young Jack did his draft registration Jan 30, 1942 in Detroit, 5’7” 139 lbs with brown eyes and hair. He was employed at Stinson Aircraft.

Training Photo

The 55^th Armored Infantry Battalion left Guignicourt, France on Dec 29, 1944. They moved to Ebly, Belgium and on to Vaux Les Rosieres. The next day they attacked with the objective of getting the high ground near Acul. The attack succeeded and they pressed on to take Acul despite strong German resistance.

He received a Purple Heart.