LETTER #10 - 20 JAN 1944 TO HIS BROTHER

This is the insignia that came with this letter.

Taken from the book "Finding Your Father's War" by Jonathan Gawne p. 293-294.

My Uncle would be part of the air crew as a gunner.

LETTER #9 - 19 JANUARY 1944

Facts on the history of Keesler Air Force Base.  See link below:

http://www.keesler.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4881 

This picture was taken in 1944 so probably the way he saw it.

Another 1944 picture from Keesler Field

This had to be quite a sight for a midwestern guy, seeing this for the first time!

One item he does not want to see again soon! 

Page 1 of a Flight Log book of my Grandfather's.  These are the only entries in the book so not sure how long he continued his flying lessons.

Page 2 of my Grandfather's Flight Log Book.

It seems at this point, he is tired, lonely and frustrated.  Lots of mental and physical tests going on.  I am sure he is not alone and probably speaks for the majority of service men going through this.

Paying Respect - 12 August 2012 ~ Geneva, Illinois

On Sunday, I finally made a visit to see my Uncle Louie's grave site with my daughters.  This was my first time at the cemetery.  I wanted to pay my respects to my Uncle and thank him for his service.  I placed an American Flag on his grave.  I stood there thinking of his life and how short his life was (he died at age 50 from a blood clot or aneurysm in the brain).  Unfortunately, I don't have many memories of him, but I hope by blogging his time in the Army, I revive his spirit at the moment in time when he was 18, an enlisted young man doing his duty for his Country.  A young man writing to his parents and younger brother about his surroundings and the unknown of the future.  Gives me great pride to have these letters and to share with family.  ~ Cindy

Me paying my respect to my Uncle Louie.

Uncle Louie's Grave marker.   Note he was promoted to Staff Sargent.  

(We had to move the flag in front because the ground was so hard.)

While we were in Geneva, Illinois that day this plane kept flying low and around us.  I presumed there was an air show going on nearby, but I thought how ironic seeing this plane above us.  It reminds me of the type of plane my Uncle Louie would have seen or been in during WWII.  Also, while at the grave site it flew directly over house as if to give a salute....coincidence?

Here is his memorial on Find-A-Grave that I have created:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=91189363