Today is the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe. I always think of my Grandpa Bill on this day. He is pictured here in 2003 with his wife of 57 years, Arletta.

#VEDay75
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Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, reporting for induction on September 22, 1942 to Scott AFB in Kansas City to attend the Midland Radio School. His nickname in the class was “Beer Belly Bill.” Here he is in 1943.

In March of 1944, he arrived in Cerignola, Italy, assigned to the 1103 Service Company, 43rd Services Group in the XV Service Command with the 15th Air Force.

He didn’t talk much about the war, but a couple years ago I read about his units while in the visiting archives at Maxwell AFB.

Cerignola was described in the medical report as “an overcrowded cesspool of humanity”

This is a photo of the 1103 and 1149th Signal Companies radio repair room, where he likely worked.

I event found mention of him in “the Little Bird,” the 43rd's group newspaper. (Kneissel!)

The 459th Bombardment Group, between Mar 1944 and Apr 1945, flew strategic bombardment missions raiding targets such as oil refineries, aircraft and munitions factories, industrial areas, airfields & communication centers in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, +elsewhere in E. Europe

On August 9, 1945, Grandpa Bill was on a transport ship approaching the Panama Canal heading to the Pacific theater. His ship did not enter the canal due to the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. His ship eventually turned back to the east cast as the war ended.

He was a quiet, kind, man and loving grandfather. He attended every concert, play, or sports game I had as a child, always with a few dollar bills in his hand as he would shake mine. A big Vikings fan. He appreciated the life he built. I miss him. #VEDay75