Hi Robert – thanks for the kind comments, it is a big learning curve doing this but I am enjoying the challenge. I think that the site will grow pretty wildly. Just now it is on free hosting and on a basic free template. I hope to keep at it and develop it over time I am happy that people want to contribute –
Thanks Ghis – I hope so, it is rewarding for me to do this after all this time – there will be more to come shortly and some interesting developments to report and it will grow.
Nice website. The pictures of Aldborne are great. My Uncle served in the 506 A company and was probably living at those stables. He was killed in Normady.
Rodge:
Even though I was not with the 101st during d Day 1944
(I was with the 82nd 508th.) I appreciate any website like yours that documents what paratroopers did and are doing.
Good work. If you need anything from my facebook pictures or pages or links please feel free to use them anyway you would like.
I will try to link yours to mine
Zane schlemmer
Thank You Zane, that is very kind and I appreciate it – my family only met one 82nd trooper as I said he was Bob Godfrey, later of the 517th Signal Company, 17th AB Div.
I really enjoyed reading the stories about your family and memories of the war when my father was stationed in Aldbourne with the 506th. Thanks for posting.
WWII Purple Heart Found By Salvation Army
Group Seeks Owner Of Killed Airman’s Items
Reported by Carley Gordon
POSTED: 2:49 pm CST February 17, 2010
UPDATED: 9:56 am CST February 18, 2010
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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A donation to a Salvation Army in the northeast has set off a big search effort that has ties to middle Tennessee.
Related: Watch This Story
Salvation Army workers in upstate New York recently found two World War II artifacts that belong to Sgt. Richard Owen of the 101st Airborne, who was killed during the D-Day invasion in 1944.
The items had been tossed amongst a box of random donations. Now, workers are crossing state lines to find the rightful owner of the items.
Owen received the Purple Heart posthumously after Germans shot his plane down in what became known as the famous Plane 66 crash. Owen and 16 of his comrades and five flight crew members all perished.
Salvation Army employees found Owen’s picture and certificate in the box of donated items.
“We do find a lot of unusual items, but these particular items seem very valuable to somebody. We thought we might do some research and see if we cannot find out who they belong to,” said Captain Ronald Heimbrock of the Massena New York Salvation Army.
It’s been a month since the discovery. On Wednesday, Fort Campbell historian John O’Brien joined the search. Within a half hour, he found some unexpected answers.
“To pick out one name and be able to trace their story is not always easy to do. In this particular case, Sgt. Richard Owen was a member of the Easy company 506th parachute infantry. The famous Band of Brothers,” said O’Brien. “The crash was so catastrophic that actually the plane actually burned for three days.”
In 1944, Fort Campbell didn’t exist yet, but Owen was briefly stationed at what was then called Camp Campbell. He came by train and stayed for just three days.
Still, O’Brien said those few hours could be the key to turning someone’s trash into another family’s treasure.
“There are veterans with footlockers full of pictures and a mind full of memories. Yes, someone could see this tonight and say, ‘Sgt. Richard Owen, I knew him,’ and then we would add another piece to the puzzle,” said O’Brien.
Hi Rodge, I have been researching 1st Lt. Walter J. Gunther Jr.101stAB/506/D. Co. KIA 6,june,1944, Ste. Mere Eglise, for just over a month now and it has been an AMAZING journey through history. I came across your site and WOW. This is a WONDERFUL site. These men should NEVER BE FORGOTTEN for their service to humanity.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS,
Kent Gunther
Thank you Kent – I am hoping to keep building and expanding the site and a lot of good folks are now supporting what I am trying to do here, including some veterans and their families. I am now also considering gathering more material specifically to do a book about D/506th as I feel they are one of the lesser covered battalions from the regiment’s history during WWII.
Your research sounds interesting and please keep me posted – Thank you again – Rodge
Enjoy your website. Hope to be able to share any information that I discover. I’ll be attending a dedication at the Camp Toccoa site July 21, 2011. The last remaining building and 5+ acres of land have been donated to the Currahee Military Museum.
fantastic website, looking for information on george l potter jr, and you have some pics i havent seen before. if you have any more of him in combat would be hugely appreceiated
Looks like you have a good start of what will be a very interesting website.
I served for a while with the 3/506, 101st, in Vietnam for a while at the end of 1970 after the last brigade of the 9th Division pulled out.
Hi Robert – thanks for the kind comments, it is a big learning curve doing this but I am enjoying the challenge. I think that the site will grow pretty wildly. Just now it is on free hosting and on a basic free template. I hope to keep at it and develop it over time I am happy that people want to contribute –
Best Wishes
Rodge
Hi Rodge,
I saw your mail in Don Burgetts forum, and got a little curious.
I’m sure it will be a very good site. It looks good allready. Goodluck.
Ghis
Thanks Ghis – I hope so, it is rewarding for me to do this after all this time – there will be more to come shortly and some interesting developments to report and it will grow.
Best Wishes – Rodge
Nice website. The pictures of Aldborne are great. My Uncle served in the 506 A company and was probably living at those stables. He was killed in Normady.
Hi, thanks Ed -who was your Uncle?
I hope to be back over in Normandy next month to meet up with a 506th Vet.
Regards – Rodge
Rodge:
Even though I was not with the 101st during d Day 1944
(I was with the 82nd 508th.) I appreciate any website like yours that documents what paratroopers did and are doing.
Good work. If you need anything from my facebook pictures or pages or links please feel free to use them anyway you would like.
I will try to link yours to mine
Zane schlemmer
Thank You Zane, that is very kind and I appreciate it – my family only met one 82nd trooper as I said he was Bob Godfrey, later of the 517th Signal Company, 17th AB Div.
They were based at Chiseldon Camp near Swindon.
Take care – always an honour.
Rodge
I really enjoyed reading the stories about your family and memories of the war when my father was stationed in Aldbourne with the 506th. Thanks for posting.
Thank You Dan, it makes it worthwhile for me when others enjoy the site. It has a long way to go but getting there will be good.
Rodge
Good luck Rodge, you have a winner here. Moose.
Thank You Moose – it has a long way to go but I am enjoying doing it and I have plenty of ideas for the future.
Take Care – Rodge
Need any more pictures, let me know.
Kevin, yes please I have quite a few saved from before but would like to add further with captions. email me – thanks again
Rodge
CAN YOU HELP?
I am trying to locate further information and a possible photograph of:
Sgt. John J. Houk, I/506th (Pathfinder?) Killed in Normandy…..
Thank You
WWII Purple Heart Found By Salvation Army
Group Seeks Owner Of Killed Airman’s Items
Reported by Carley Gordon
POSTED: 2:49 pm CST February 17, 2010
UPDATED: 9:56 am CST February 18, 2010
facebook
del.icio.us
buzz
digg
reddit
›› Email
›› Print
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A donation to a Salvation Army in the northeast has set off a big search effort that has ties to middle Tennessee.
Related: Watch This Story
Salvation Army workers in upstate New York recently found two World War II artifacts that belong to Sgt. Richard Owen of the 101st Airborne, who was killed during the D-Day invasion in 1944.
The items had been tossed amongst a box of random donations. Now, workers are crossing state lines to find the rightful owner of the items.
Owen received the Purple Heart posthumously after Germans shot his plane down in what became known as the famous Plane 66 crash. Owen and 16 of his comrades and five flight crew members all perished.
Salvation Army employees found Owen’s picture and certificate in the box of donated items.
“We do find a lot of unusual items, but these particular items seem very valuable to somebody. We thought we might do some research and see if we cannot find out who they belong to,” said Captain Ronald Heimbrock of the Massena New York Salvation Army.
It’s been a month since the discovery. On Wednesday, Fort Campbell historian John O’Brien joined the search. Within a half hour, he found some unexpected answers.
“To pick out one name and be able to trace their story is not always easy to do. In this particular case, Sgt. Richard Owen was a member of the Easy company 506th parachute infantry. The famous Band of Brothers,” said O’Brien. “The crash was so catastrophic that actually the plane actually burned for three days.”
In 1944, Fort Campbell didn’t exist yet, but Owen was briefly stationed at what was then called Camp Campbell. He came by train and stayed for just three days.
Still, O’Brien said those few hours could be the key to turning someone’s trash into another family’s treasure.
“There are veterans with footlockers full of pictures and a mind full of memories. Yes, someone could see this tonight and say, ‘Sgt. Richard Owen, I knew him,’ and then we would add another piece to the puzzle,” said O’Brien.
If you knew Owen or where his family members may be living today, please e-mail Heimbrock at Ronald.Heimbrock@use.salvationarmy.org
Hi Rodge, I have been researching 1st Lt. Walter J. Gunther Jr.101stAB/506/D. Co. KIA 6,june,1944, Ste. Mere Eglise, for just over a month now and it has been an AMAZING journey through history. I came across your site and WOW. This is a WONDERFUL site. These men should NEVER BE FORGOTTEN for their service to humanity.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS,
Kent Gunther
Thank you Kent – I am hoping to keep building and expanding the site and a lot of good folks are now supporting what I am trying to do here, including some veterans and their families. I am now also considering gathering more material specifically to do a book about D/506th as I feel they are one of the lesser covered battalions from the regiment’s history during WWII.
Your research sounds interesting and please keep me posted – Thank you again – Rodge
Enjoy your website. Hope to be able to share any information that I discover. I’ll be attending a dedication at the Camp Toccoa site July 21, 2011. The last remaining building and 5+ acres of land have been donated to the Currahee Military Museum.
fantastic website, looking for information on george l potter jr, and you have some pics i havent seen before. if you have any more of him in combat would be hugely appreceiated