Today in Ohio World War II History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans advance!

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Ohio World War II veterans from Clarksburg Ohio continue to work their way in hopes for an end to the war.

March 11, 1944: Howard Eisenbrey departs Clarksburg Ohio following an extended furlough with his parents, bound for Foster General Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. Lt. Lewis Garrison officially arrives the ETO attached to the 466th Bomb Group, serving as a Navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator.

March 11, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse, part of the 777th Tank Battalion, motors toward Zingsheim, Germany and stays with civilians for six days while resting and performing regular maintenance on the battalion's tanks. Kenneth Dean departs the European Theater to return to the U.S. Willis Cleary and the 23rd Regimental Personnel Group depart the village of Kommern, Germany and arrive Ahrweiler, Germany with plans to cross the Rhine River at Remagen once the bridge is secured by the 9th Armored Division. Cleary's regiment moves into German homes and raids a local distillery. Pictured above is Cleary's grandson Vic Cleary standing in streets of Kommern in May of 2000.

March 11, 1946: Dwight Casto's ship departs the ETO bound for the United States. Wendell Carroll's troopship docks in the United States.

World War II ace Aust out of Jail after 8 years! He was in Jail???

I just came across a post through Google Alerts that Abner Aust, P-51 Mustang ace from World War II was "finally" released from jail following 8 years of imprisonment. I can't believe he was even in jail. How did I miss that? My wife and I ate dinner with him once (see photo).

See the story about his release from jail.

I am sorry to hear about it.

World War II Now and Then: Exploring German's Network of Bunkers

I enjoy Now and Then photos from World War II. This is a classic example. On the left is a photo of a typical German bunker placed in a forested area to defend a specific sector of the German line. On the right is Vic Cleary and Nick Cleary examining a similar bunker just outside the twin Belgian villages of Krinkelt and Rocherath, that was part of the Siegfried Line defense at Heartbreak Crossroads. The 2nd and 99th Infantry Divisions attacked through this area and fought many days against a fierce and well defended German Army.

Even though they are oftentimes difficult to find without a map from the period, or a guide (like we had), there is plenty to see in the Ardennes Forest and it is amazingly preserved. If you enjoy studying World War II, it is well worth the trip!

World War II update for Clarksburg Ohio: Today in Ohio Military history - January 19, 2009

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

January 19, 1942: John Martin enlists in the U.S. Army starting his military service during World War II.

January 19, 1943: Scott Dinkler (photo left L to R: Scott Dinkler with brother Carl Dinker) returns to Patterson Field, Ohio after a 5-day furlough with his parents in Clarksburg Ohio.

January 19, 1944: Amos Morris writes to Pryor Timmons, Superintendant of Clarksburg High School that he was just off a five-day train trip across the country to California for restaging and that he recently received a promotion to 2nd Class Petty Officer. Eugene Overly’s troopship docks in England.

January 19, 1945: Carl Dinkler (pictured above and on the right, with brother Scott) returns to Temple, Texas following a Christmas furlough to Clarksburg, heading back for more therapy and recovery from his wounds received while fighting near Brest, France, part of the 8th Infantry Division’s 28th Infantry Regiment, A Company. Don Harmount is enjoying a furlough home from Foster Field, Texas. Joe Kelly is training at Camp Wolters, Texas as part of the 3rd Platoon, A Company, 56th Infantry Training Battalion. Max Willis receives his discharge from the U.S. Army, ending his World War II service. Solon Graham travels to Westover Field, Massachusetts.

Clarksburg Ohio Airmen and the 18th Depot Repair Squadron in Iran during World War II

A rarely covered but interesting part of World War II was the American effort in Iran assigned to supply Russia with weapons and equipment to fight the Germans on the Eastern front. The 18th Depot Repair Squadron was based in Abadan, Iran staffed with technical ground crew tasked with receiving American made aircraft oftentimes packed in crates, assemble and test them, and hand them off to Russian pilots to fly off to war.

Proudly, two Clarksburg Ohio men, Paul Willis and Scott Dinkler served in this unit. Dinkler served as a mechanic and Willis along the flight line interfacing with pilots during the test flight procedure. Later, Willis was assigned flying duty and served as a flight engineer aboard a number of the group's specially modified transport aircraft designed to carry VIP's from one point to the next throughout the Middle East. During this period, he spent a considerable amount of time based in Teheran, Iran.

The video above is a collection of photos Mr. Willis gave to Vic Cleary in 2005 to include in his collection of Clarksburg Ohio World War II memorabilia. If you like rare photos of World War II aircraft you will enjoy this video!