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VETERANS DAY 2022 - FF LODDs & SALUTE TO FF MILITARY VETERANS
- Thread starter mack
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2007
- Messages
- 3,471
I will post information on my son James, or Zing Jr. He was a USMC ARFF FF serving at Futema MCAS and Ie Shima in the prefect of Okinowa. He then did two tours in Iraq at several military installations and then returned to Camp Pendleton. He was approached by civilian contractor WSI and did a year's tour @ Al-Asad. He then became a Federal firefighter with tours @ Peoria ANG facility, Dahlgren Surface Weapons Center on Truck 28 and finally at Navy Book Camp back in Illinois. Finally he got a civilian gig with Joliet FD. In addition he is a Sgt+ with the Army National Guard having deployed to Djibouti Africa for 9 months as well as a secret deployment to Poland when the Ukraine situation escalated. He is second from the left in the T-28 shot.
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Peter Dannhardt - LODD - US Army Air Corps 2LT Navigator - Plane crash Santa Barbara, CA - 7/4/1943 - FDNY - E 15
Plane crashed on 04 July 1943. The ship was using fuel at an excessive rate prior to losing two engines over the Pacific off the coast of Santa Barbara. Pilot Johnson ordered the crew into their parachutes and turned the plane around, heading back towards Santa Barbara. Two airmen, Dannhardt and Prosser were lost at sea.
Major Thorel 'Skip' Johnson and crew named their next plane, B-24D #42-40837 'Bob 'N Pete' after Lt Robert Prosser and Lt Peter Dannhardt, the two crew members that were lost at sea.
Plane crashed on 04 July 1943. The ship was using fuel at an excessive rate prior to losing two engines over the Pacific off the coast of Santa Barbara. Pilot Johnson ordered the crew into their parachutes and turned the plane around, heading back towards Santa Barbara. Two airmen, Dannhardt and Prosser were lost at sea.
Major Thorel 'Skip' Johnson and crew named their next plane, B-24D #42-40837 'Bob 'N Pete' after Lt Robert Prosser and Lt Peter Dannhardt, the two crew members that were lost at sea.
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James Dingee - LODD - SP3 US Navy Reserve - KIA Sicily, Italy - 8/23/43 - FDNY E 282
JAMES DINGEE WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO ENGINE 282. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES NAVY. HIS ARMED SERVICE NUMBER WAS 8087463. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN SALERNO OR PALERMO, ITALY ON AUGUST 23, 1943.
FF Dingee died in Salerno, Italy, fighting a fire that was started on a submarine chaser by a bomb that was dropped during an air raid.
JAMES DINGEE WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO ENGINE 282. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES NAVY. HIS ARMED SERVICE NUMBER WAS 8087463. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN SALERNO OR PALERMO, ITALY ON AUGUST 23, 1943.
FF Dingee died in Salerno, Italy, fighting a fire that was started on a submarine chaser by a bomb that was dropped during an air raid.
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Robert Gates - LODD - TEACH3C US Navy - USS Redwing - Sank 6/27/1943 - FDNY E 253
Robert George Gates was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 253. He was inducted into the United States Naval Reserve on November 1942. He was a Teach 3rd Class. He was assigned to the USS Redwind which sank off Tunisia after hitting a mine, 27 June 1943. His death was related due to combat. His armed service number 7088883.
Robert George Gates was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 253. He was inducted into the United States Naval Reserve on November 1942. He was a Teach 3rd Class. He was assigned to the USS Redwind which sank off Tunisia after hitting a mine, 27 June 1943. His death was related due to combat. His armed service number 7088883.
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Robert Johnston - LODD - Cadet US Army Air Corps - Crash San Marcos Army Airfield, Texas, 12/31/1943 - FDNY E 293
Robert w. Johnston was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 293, Woodhaven, Queens, New York. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps as a Aviation Cadet. He died in a training accident at the Army Air Force Navigational School, San Marcus Army Airfield, San Marcus, Texas, on December 31st 1943. His service ID number was 12176706.
Robert w. Johnston was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 293, Woodhaven, Queens, New York. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps as a Aviation Cadet. He died in a training accident at the Army Air Force Navigational School, San Marcus Army Airfield, San Marcus, Texas, on December 31st 1943. His service ID number was 12176706.
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Edward Nelson - LODD - LT US Navy Reserve - Killed 4/26/1944 - Prior Service USMC - FDNY L 30
Hugh Bonner Medal 1941
Edward James Nelson was a New York City Fireman assigned to Hook and Ladder 30. He had served in the United States Marine Corps from April 30th 1934 to April 29th 1938. During World War II, he was inducted into the United States Naval Reserve on August 11th, 1942. His armed service number was 192635. FF Nelson was killed in a plane crash flying an F-6-F Hellcat from Brooklyn to Lynchburg, Virginia.
On January 25th, 1941, he rescued a woman from a burning 4th floor apartment. He was lowered from the roof to the 4th floor where he swung into the window. He grabbed the 160lb woman and was lowered to the street. He was awarded the Hugh Bonner Medal for this rescue.
Hugh Bonner Medal 1941
Edward James Nelson was a New York City Fireman assigned to Hook and Ladder 30. He had served in the United States Marine Corps from April 30th 1934 to April 29th 1938. During World War II, he was inducted into the United States Naval Reserve on August 11th, 1942. His armed service number was 192635. FF Nelson was killed in a plane crash flying an F-6-F Hellcat from Brooklyn to Lynchburg, Virginia.
On January 25th, 1941, he rescued a woman from a burning 4th floor apartment. He was lowered from the roof to the 4th floor where he swung into the window. He grabbed the 160lb woman and was lowered to the street. He was awarded the Hugh Bonner Medal for this rescue.
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Joseph O'Flaherty - LODD - US Army Air Force - Killed in plane crash Naples, Florida 3/4/1944 - FDNY L 105
JOSEPH O'FLAHERTY WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO LADDER 105. WAS ENLISTED IN THE USAAF AND WAS KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH IN NAPLES, FLORIDA.
JOSEPH O'FLAHERTY WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO LADDER 105. WAS ENLISTED IN THE USAAF AND WAS KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH IN NAPLES, FLORIDA.
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Howard Colbert - LODD - US Army SSG - KIA Saipan 7/9/1944 - FDNY E 292
Howard V. Colbert was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 292, Woodside, Queens, New York. In 1940 he was living at home with his father and mother Edward and Elsie. Also along with his four other brothers. Edward, Curtis, Wilbur, William and his sister Elaine. They resided at 105-31 62nd Drive, Forrest Hills, Queens, New York. His service ID number was 32015920. At that time he was making 1800 dollars a year for a 52 work week. He entered the United States Army from Queens, New York. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, with the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was killed in action On the Japanese Island of Saipan. He was returned to the United States with the WW II dead from Saipan. He was entered in Long Island National Cemetery on January 4th 1949, Section J, Plot 15207. A footnote; There maybe documentation that Howard V. Colbert served in Company E, 71st Regiment, New York National Guard.
Howard V. Colbert was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 292, Woodside, Queens, New York. In 1940 he was living at home with his father and mother Edward and Elsie. Also along with his four other brothers. Edward, Curtis, Wilbur, William and his sister Elaine. They resided at 105-31 62nd Drive, Forrest Hills, Queens, New York. His service ID number was 32015920. At that time he was making 1800 dollars a year for a 52 work week. He entered the United States Army from Queens, New York. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, with the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was killed in action On the Japanese Island of Saipan. He was returned to the United States with the WW II dead from Saipan. He was entered in Long Island National Cemetery on January 4th 1949, Section J, Plot 15207. A footnote; There maybe documentation that Howard V. Colbert served in Company E, 71st Regiment, New York National Guard.
George Cridland - LODD - US Navy Reserve Ensign - Killed in training accident Cecil Field Naval Air Station, FL - 9/5/1944 - FDNY Military Service Squad
GEORGE CRIDLAND WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO MSD (Military Service Unit). HE WAS ENLISTED IN THE USNR AND WAS KILLED DURING A TRAINING ACCIDENT AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION CECIL FIELD, JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA.
GEORGE CRIDLAND WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO MSD (Military Service Unit). HE WAS ENLISTED IN THE USNR AND WAS KILLED DURING A TRAINING ACCIDENT AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION CECIL FIELD, JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA.
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Emile Steiner - LODD - US Army SSG - KIA Italy - 5/22/1944 - FDNY E 36
Emile A. Steiner was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 36. He was inducted into the United States Army. His Armed Service Number was 32353325.He was assigned to the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was KIA on May 22nd 1944. During Operation Diadem in Italy.
Emile A. Steiner was a New York City Fireman assigned to Engine 36. He was inducted into the United States Army. His Armed Service Number was 32353325.He was assigned to the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was KIA on May 22nd 1944. During Operation Diadem in Italy.
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Eugene Steffens - LODD - US Army Air Force 2LT - KIA Magdeburg, Germany - 8/4/1944 - FDNY L 122
Second Lieutenant Eugene Franklin Steffens, Army serial number O-819636, was born at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on March 15, 1916. His parents were Harry J. Steffens (9 Apr 1883 – 3 Dec 1936), who was born in Germany; and Mary Katherine (Danzer) Steffens (abt 1883 – 18 Nov 1968), who was born in New York. His parents married at Brooklyn, New York on November 5, 1904. His father was a chauffeur and owned a garage. He had a brother, Harold Martin Steffens (17 Oct 1905 – 29 May 1955). By 1930 the family lived at 301 East 2nd Street in Brooklyn.
By April 1940 he completed four years of high school and worked for a laundry company. He married in September 1940. His wife was Mary Jeanette (Hansen) Steffens (4 Feb 1919 – 14 Aug 2012), who was born at Oslo, Norway. He registered for the draft at Brooklyn, New York on October 16, 1940. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had blue eyes and blonde hair. At that time he and his wife Mary lived at 621 17th Street in Brooklyn, and he worked for the Pilgrim Laundry Company. Later he became a New York City fireman and was assigned to Ladder Company 122. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at New York City, New York, on December 9, 1942.
He completed Army Air Forces pilot training and was assigned as copilot on the heavy bomber crew of Second Lieutenant Charlton A. Deuschle. The crew completed B-17 operational training at Sioux City, Iowa in June 1944. They deployed from Kearney, Nebraska in a B-17 via the north Atlantic ferry route on June 15, 1944, and arrived in England on June 30, 1944. They inprocessed at the Combat Crew Replacement Center at Bovingdon, England in early July 1944, and were assigned to the 838th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group on July 24, 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. Here is Lt Deuschle's crew roster on August 5, 1944:
B-17G 43-38007 – 838th Bomb Squadron
• Deuschle, Charlton A – 2/Lt – Pilot – POW
• Steffens, Eugene F – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Underwood, Allan B – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Gregory, Jesse E – 2/Lt – Bombardier – KIA
• Late, Carl L – T/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Cochran, William J – S/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Hinkson Jr, Harry M – Sgt – Tail Gunner – KIA
• Deelaney, Grady E – Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Haglund, John L – Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
• Crooker, Robert J – Sgt – Waist Gunner – POW
Lt Steffens and seven of his crew mates were killed in action on August 5, 1944 when their aircraft, B-17G 43-38007, was shot down by flak on a mission to bomb an aircraft engine factory at Magdeburg, Germany. The aircraft received direct hits just before bombs away, and exploded within seconds. The fuselage broke apart aft of the ball turret, and part of the right wing came off. Most of the men were either killed instantly, or were ejected from the aircraft without their chutes. The aircraft crashed near Lostau, Germany, about 13 kilometers southwest of Burg, near Magdeburg. (The Germans reported that it crashed between Gerwisch and Biederitz, just south of Lostau—vicinity of 52.173°N, 11.731°E.) Pilot 2/Lt Deuschle and gunner Sgt Robert J. Crooker survived and became prisoners of war. The dead were buried initially at the village cemetery in Lostau (possibly in Alter Friedhof Lostau, the Old Lostau Cemetery).
After the war, Lt Steffens' remains were reinterred at Ardennes American Cemetery at Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, in Plot D, Row 13, Grave 28.
Second Lieutenant Eugene Franklin Steffens, Army serial number O-819636, was born at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on March 15, 1916. His parents were Harry J. Steffens (9 Apr 1883 – 3 Dec 1936), who was born in Germany; and Mary Katherine (Danzer) Steffens (abt 1883 – 18 Nov 1968), who was born in New York. His parents married at Brooklyn, New York on November 5, 1904. His father was a chauffeur and owned a garage. He had a brother, Harold Martin Steffens (17 Oct 1905 – 29 May 1955). By 1930 the family lived at 301 East 2nd Street in Brooklyn.
By April 1940 he completed four years of high school and worked for a laundry company. He married in September 1940. His wife was Mary Jeanette (Hansen) Steffens (4 Feb 1919 – 14 Aug 2012), who was born at Oslo, Norway. He registered for the draft at Brooklyn, New York on October 16, 1940. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had blue eyes and blonde hair. At that time he and his wife Mary lived at 621 17th Street in Brooklyn, and he worked for the Pilgrim Laundry Company. Later he became a New York City fireman and was assigned to Ladder Company 122. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at New York City, New York, on December 9, 1942.
He completed Army Air Forces pilot training and was assigned as copilot on the heavy bomber crew of Second Lieutenant Charlton A. Deuschle. The crew completed B-17 operational training at Sioux City, Iowa in June 1944. They deployed from Kearney, Nebraska in a B-17 via the north Atlantic ferry route on June 15, 1944, and arrived in England on June 30, 1944. They inprocessed at the Combat Crew Replacement Center at Bovingdon, England in early July 1944, and were assigned to the 838th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group on July 24, 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. Here is Lt Deuschle's crew roster on August 5, 1944:
B-17G 43-38007 – 838th Bomb Squadron
• Deuschle, Charlton A – 2/Lt – Pilot – POW
• Steffens, Eugene F – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Underwood, Allan B – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Gregory, Jesse E – 2/Lt – Bombardier – KIA
• Late, Carl L – T/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Cochran, William J – S/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Hinkson Jr, Harry M – Sgt – Tail Gunner – KIA
• Deelaney, Grady E – Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Haglund, John L – Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
• Crooker, Robert J – Sgt – Waist Gunner – POW
Lt Steffens and seven of his crew mates were killed in action on August 5, 1944 when their aircraft, B-17G 43-38007, was shot down by flak on a mission to bomb an aircraft engine factory at Magdeburg, Germany. The aircraft received direct hits just before bombs away, and exploded within seconds. The fuselage broke apart aft of the ball turret, and part of the right wing came off. Most of the men were either killed instantly, or were ejected from the aircraft without their chutes. The aircraft crashed near Lostau, Germany, about 13 kilometers southwest of Burg, near Magdeburg. (The Germans reported that it crashed between Gerwisch and Biederitz, just south of Lostau—vicinity of 52.173°N, 11.731°E.) Pilot 2/Lt Deuschle and gunner Sgt Robert J. Crooker survived and became prisoners of war. The dead were buried initially at the village cemetery in Lostau (possibly in Alter Friedhof Lostau, the Old Lostau Cemetery).
After the war, Lt Steffens' remains were reinterred at Ardennes American Cemetery at Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, in Plot D, Row 13, Grave 28.
Bernard McGreevy - LODD - USMC 1 LT - KIA Saipan - 6/15/1944 - FDNY L 16
BERNARD MCGREEVY WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO LADDER 16. WHO INDUCTED INTO THE U.S.M.C. HE SERVED AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT, COMPANY G, 6th MARINES, 2nd MARINE DIVISION. AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON JUNE 15, 1944. ON THE FIRST DAY FOR THE BATTLE OF SAIPAN. HIS BODY WAS RETURNED FROM 2nd MARINE DIVISION CEMETERY, MARIANAS iSLANDS. HE WAS INTERRED IN THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC, HONOLULU, HAWAII.
BERNARD MCGREEVY WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO LADDER 16. WHO INDUCTED INTO THE U.S.M.C. HE SERVED AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT, COMPANY G, 6th MARINES, 2nd MARINE DIVISION. AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON JUNE 15, 1944. ON THE FIRST DAY FOR THE BATTLE OF SAIPAN. HIS BODY WAS RETURNED FROM 2nd MARINE DIVISION CEMETERY, MARIANAS iSLANDS. HE WAS INTERRED IN THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC, HONOLULU, HAWAII.
Henry Innes - LODD - USMC PFC - KIA Okinawa - 5/18/1945 - FDNY L 33
HENRY BENEDICT INNES WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIRE FIGHTER ASSIGNED TO LADDER 33 IN THE BRONX. HE WAS IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE. HE SERVED AS A PRIVATE 1st CLASS, 29th MARINE REGIMENT, 6th MARINE DIVISION HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON MAY 18, 1945 ON THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA, JAPAN. HIS SERVICE # 886804. HE WAS RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES AND WAS INTERRED AT LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY
HENRY BENEDICT INNES WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIRE FIGHTER ASSIGNED TO LADDER 33 IN THE BRONX. HE WAS IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE. HE SERVED AS A PRIVATE 1st CLASS, 29th MARINE REGIMENT, 6th MARINE DIVISION HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON MAY 18, 1945 ON THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA, JAPAN. HIS SERVICE # 886804. HE WAS RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES AND WAS INTERRED AT LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY
Thomas Taylor - LODD - US Army Air Corps - Killed in plane crash in Alabama - 6/3/1945 - FDNY Ladder 131
THOMAS F. TAYLOR WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO LADDER 131. HE WAS ENLISTED IN THE USAAF AND WAS KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH ON JUNE 3, 1945 AT NAPIER FIELD, DOTHAN, ALABAMA
THOMAS F. TAYLOR WAS A NEW YORK CITY FIREMAN ASSIGNED TO LADDER 131. HE WAS ENLISTED IN THE USAAF AND WAS KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH ON JUNE 3, 1945 AT NAPIER FIELD, DOTHAN, ALABAMA
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