Herbert K. Oehmichen

MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHY for HERBERT KARL OEHMICHEN, WWII VETERAN

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Proudly Served Our Country

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Herbert Karl Oehmichen was born in New York City in 1915. His father Paul Oehmichen was born in Leipzig, Germany. He was a conscientious objector and in 1910 left Germany for NYC to avoid being drafted by the German government to fight in WWI. He went back to Germany in 1913 to marry his love, Erna Israelzik, a Jewish woman born in Berlin. They returned to NYC and had two children, Herbert and Elinor. The whole family moved back to Germany in 1920 and settled first in Naumburg and then in Gera in 1928 where Paul and his brother owned a leather goods and shoe repair shop.

In 1934, when Hitler came into power, Herbert’s parents sent him back to NYC. It was their intention to reunite with Herbert but by the time the war started his parents and Elinor were not allowed to leave.

Herbert enlisted in the Army on 23 October 1941 at Camp Grant, Illinois and completed basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on 29 December, 1941 with rank of Mess Sergeant. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School and from 5 August 1942 thru 13 February 1943 he was 2nd Lieutenant, Regimental Mess Officer in the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion. From 14 February 1943 thru 30 June 1943 he was 1st Lieutenant, Battery Officer in the 333rd. From 15 August 1943 thru 3rd December 1943 he was 1st Lieutenant, 777th Field Artillery Battalion. From family oral history and photos, it seems he was stationed at Camp Beale in California possibly from the summer of 1943-through December of 1943. Herbert honorably served our country from the beginning to the end of the war.

Because of his fluency in German he was later transferred on 4 January 1944 to Camp Ritchie, MD for POW Interrogation training, completing the training on 3 March 1944 and was transferred to the Military Intelligence Section on 30 April 1944 with the rank of Captain. He went overseas as a Prisoner of War Interrogation Officer attached to the 359th Infantry, 90th Infantry division, 3rd Army. He landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day and served in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.

On 12 June 1944 in the vicinity of Amfreville France, Captain Oehmichen organized a patrol to rescue 4 wounded paratroopers trapped behind enemy lines. He led his group through fire of various calibers approximately two miles into hostile territory to reach the causalities. He then supervised the evacuation of the wounded men from their precarious position to the safety of friendly lines. Captain Oehmichen received a Bronze Star Medal for this heroic achievement.

In 1944 Erna Oehmichen was deported to the concentration camp Theresienstadt in German occupied Czechoslovakia. Her sister Grete and brother-in-law Georg were also deported to Theresienstadt. Paul Oehmichen went into hiding. Elinor, being a US citizen, was allowed to work in a labor camp as a foreign worker. Most likely after the US Third Army liberated the Mauthausen Concentration camp on 5 May 1945, Herbert went to Gera. Once in Gera, he located his father and he and another man from Gera went to Theresienstadt. Although the camp had been recently liberated it was still dangerous to enter into the camp. According to family oral history Herbert risked his life to locate his mother and the wife of his traveling companion. He found them near death from starvation. Herbert reunited his mother with the remaining family in Gera. Erna recovered and she and Paul returned to the US where they settled in Milwaukee along with Herbert, his wife Bette and infant daughter Cynthia.

After the war, Herbert had a long career as Brewmaster with the Miller Brewing Company, settling in Southern California in 1967. He passed away in 1990, just two weeks shy of his 75th birthday. He is survived by his two daughters Cynthia and Lore.

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Written by Herbert’s youngest daughter, Lore Oehmichen, 02/24/2020, @HKO90THWWII

Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson, Jr.

BIOGRAPHY for CLARENCE "BUD" ANDERSON JR, WWII VETERAN

Proudly Served Our Country and Still Serving Our Community

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“Bud” Anderson was born January 13, 1922, in Oakland, California, and was raised on a farm near Newcastle, California.  He was introduced to aviation at the age of seven when his father took him to a small dirt airfield where he took his first flight in an American Standard biplane.  Bud recalls that it was intoxicating, exciting, and a little frightening.  In 1941, at the age of 19, Anderson learned to fly through the Civilian Pilot Training Program while attending college.  He entered the U.S. Army Aviation Cadet Program in January 1942 and earned his wings and commission in September 1942.

Anderson, who was decorated 26 times for his military service, proudly served his country for 30 years through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.  His awards include two Legions of Merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, sixteen Air Medals, the Bronze Star, the French Legion of Honor, and the French Croix De Guerre, as well as many campaign and service ribbons.

Anderson, the last living Triple Fighter Ace (pilots with 15 or more victories in the air), began his military career escorting heavy bombers over Europe in the P-51 Mustang during World War II.  He served two combat tours during the War with the 357th Fighter Group, 363rd Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force (USAAF), flying 116 missions in 480 hours and destroying more than 16 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and one more on the ground.  As lead of his squadron, Anderson was promoted to Major at the age of 22, a young age even for a highly effective officer in wartime.

After the War, Anderson became a well-regarded fighter test pilot starting with cold weather testing of the F-82 and continuing with testing many models of early jet aircraft.  He was involved with some very unusual flight test programs including the first experimental flights to couple aircraft together at the wing tips while in flight.  The purpose of the test, Project Tip-Tow, was to prove the concept of increasing the range of an aircraft by attaching free floating panels that would carry fuel to the wing tips.  Later, in 1952, Anderson participated in flight tests to develop a parasite jet fighter that would be carried by the long-range B-36 Bomber, Project FICON (Fighter Conveyor).The recon fighter would drop from the mother ship, conduct a highspeed photo mission and then return to hook onto the bomber’s retractable trapeze. Although the program was successful, Strategic Air Command (SAC) elected not to use it, since inflight refueling became common during that period. From 1957 through 1965, Anderson served as Chief of Flight Test Operations and later as Deputy Director of Flight Test at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base.  He has flown over 130 different types of aircraft and has logged nearly 10,000 flying hours.

After the Korean War, Anderson served as Director of Operations for the 58th Fighter-Bomber Group and commanded the 69th F-86 Squadron.  Upon returning home from Korea, “Bud” resumed experimental flying at Edwards Air Force Base piloting the “Century Series” fighters as well as numerous other aircraft.

Anderson later served as Commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing during the Vietnam War where he flew the F-105 in bombing strikes against enemy supply lines.

When he retired in February 1972, Bud had completed 30 years on active duty.  Shortly afterward he joined McDonnell Aircraft as manager of the company’s Edwards AFB test facility, focusing on the new F-15 program.

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9/10/2019, JDW

Charles "Chuck" Neighbor

BIOGRAPHY for CHARLES "CHUCK" NEIGHBOR, WWII VETERAN

Proudly Served Our Country and Still Serving our Community

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Charles H. “Chuck” Neighbor was born in Iola, Kansas on December 13th, 1924.

While attending Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University) in Emporia, Kansas; as he washed dishes to help pay for tuition, he recalls listening to President Roosevelt (FDR) in a radio broadcast stating that it was now necessary to draft 18 year olds.  Just after turning 18, he was drafted into the Armed Services in 1943 soon after completing his freshman year.  Following induction at Fort Leavenworth was basic training at Fort Fannin, Texas as newly formed Company B, 78th Battalion. Other training locations included Fort Meade in Baltimore, Maryland; Camp Shanks, New York; and various locations in England.  Training included use of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and limited training to use a flame thrower.

Mr. Neighbor was later assigned to the 29th Division, 116th Regiment, E Company, 2nd Battalion; a division which would later be known as one of the first to storm the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day, one of the most significant dates in WWII.

On June 6th, 1944, D-Day, the beginning of the Allied invasion of Europe, Charles Neighbor boarded Higgins Boat #2 along with other comrades from the 116th Regiment.  They were one of the first groups to land on Omaha Beach in Normandy.  Due to bad weather and rough seas, they landed nearly 2 miles from the intended target and found themselves mixed with members of the 1st Division known as “The Big Red One”.  Mr. Neighbor recalls this a favorable mistake since the 1st had battle experience from the North African campaign.  The 1st and 29th worked together to control the beach head in one day but the cost to do so was high; many sacrificed their lives that day including the Company Commander and Section Sergeant.  It was not until 2-3 days later that they would reunite with the remainder of E-Company.  Over the next month they worked their way inland to the battle of Saint Lo (The Battle of the Hedgerows), a major strategic crossroads held by Nazi Germany since 1940.  It was during this battle on July 13th that Chuck Neighbor received his first injury, shrapnel from an enemy mortar round hitting him in both the back and left side of his head.  Soon after, he was medivacked to England where he recovered until October.  He then rejoined the 29th as they pushed further inward through France closer to Germany.  In January of 1945, he sustained a second injury from shrapnel hitting his left leg during the battle of the Rorer River Crossing.  Following recovery in England, he would later rejoin E-Company where they would meet Russian Forces at the Elbe River during the surrender of Germany in early May of 1945.  After the surrender, the 29th was assigned post war occupation of Bremerhaven, a port city in northern Germany.

After his discharge in October of 1945, Mr. Neighbor returned home to Iola, Kansas where he was welcomed at the train station by his mother Josephine; aunt, Catherine; and sister, Catherine May.  Charles’ brother Howard was still serving with the US Navy in the Pacific.  Charles returned to school at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas where he would receive a Mechanical Engineering Degree.

He married Clarice in 1950.  A few years later, they moved to Roanoke, VA after accepting a job with the Hercules Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, VA.  Chuck worked for almost 30 years before retiring in the late 80’s.  They raised a family including sons Chad, Keith, Chris, and daughter Jonelle.

Mr. Neighbor worked with Bob Slaughter, another D-Day Veteran, to help establish the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.  Chuck resides in Roanoke where he attends monthly meetings of the Post 64-29th Division, Profiles Of Honor, and events at the National D-Day Memorial.

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Created DHS 5-2-19

Dallas Bowman

MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHY for DALLAS BOWMAN, WWII VETERAN

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Proudly Served Our Country and our Community

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It was an honor and privilege to talk with Mr. Dallas Bowman on the 30th day of January 2019. Mr. Bowman was born in Augusta County, Weyers Cave, Virginia on October 30th, 1922.

He enlisted in 1942 at the age of 20; attended primary training in Arcadia, Florida (May-June 1943); basic training in Montgomery, Alabama (July-Sept 1943); and other training sites including Lawrenceville, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and Courtland, Alabama.

Mr. Bowman trained in planes including the Stearman PT-17 bi-plane, Vultee BT-13 Valiant, and twin engine Beechcraft AT-10. He piloted heavy bombers including the B-24 Liberator, B-17 Flying Fortress, and the B-29 Super Fortress. During his service, Mr. Bowman was assigned to the 2nd and 20th United States Army Air Forces, 498th Bomb Group, and 73rd Bombardment Wing. During most of World War II, the 498th was stationed in the Pacific Ocean on the island of Saipan; a point from where it could conduct bombing missions over Japanese controlled territories as well as the Japanese mainland.

Bowman piloted missions including the “The Last Raid” on August 14th, 1945, just after the nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This mission included over 1,000 heavy bombers dropping over 8 million pounds of ordinance, the final mission that forced Japan into unconditional surrender, bringing World War II to an end. One of his most dangerous missions was after the end of the war making a supply drop to a prisoner of war camp deep within a valley. In order to hit near the target he had to fly dangerously low to make the drop and then quickly increase altitude to avoid crashing into the mountain at the end of the valley.

Mr. Bowman was very fortunate not to have been injured during the war but had two close calls. The first was returning from Guam to Oakland, California; landing a B-24 in a rain storm by radio signal only. The second involved a head on collision in an automobile while driving from one base to another in the United States. Thankfully, no one was hurt in either vehicle.

Part of Mr. Bowman’s career included being Parts Manager at the Studebaker dealership in Timberville, VA. He also consulted with several businesses in the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valleys and developed special accounting procedures for automotive dealerships.

For Mr. Bowman’s 95th birthday, he flew in a restored PT-17 Stearman bi-plane like the ones that he trained in prior to entering World War II.

Bowman lived in Roanoke, Virginia with his two daughters Barbara and Brenda, Granddaughter Tracy, along with other family and friends. He was an active member of the 8th Air Force Fellowship Group and participated at venues including the National D-Day Memorial and Profiles of Honor. He passed away March 13, 2019.

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Created DHS, Veterans Biographies Foundation, 2-9-19

Robert O. Bowser

MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHY for ROBERT O. BOWSER, WWII VETERAN

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Proudly Served Our Country

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Robert O. Bowser was born on February 10th, 1925 in Tidal, PA.  He grew up on his Grandfather Helm’s farm. He finished 8th grade and at 14 years old went to work cleaning and delivering cars for a local car dealer.  Bob was quite the “hell” raiser when he was young; he was always in trouble with the cops for speeding. He felt leaving town was the best option for him because he was in so much trouble all the time and needed discipline.  So, in January 1943, at age 17, he lied about his age and signed up for the US Army.

Obedience in the military came pretty darn fast.  He watched other guys in his platoon get in trouble and learned very quickly not to volunteer for anything and keep his mouth shut.  Robert’s basic training was at Fort Eustis, Virginia where he trained in hand-to-hand combat, bayonet usage, shooting rifles (M1) and throwing grenades.  He also drove a truck while explosive charges were set off under and around the vehicle simulating battle conditions to see how he would react.

After basic, as a “Private 1st Class,” he was assigned to “Battery A 634th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion” and drove a half-track armed with a quad 50 caliber turret mounted on the back.

From Fort Eustis he went to Army Camp Shenango in Meadville, PA to await overseas deployment. On October 9, 1943, in New York City, he boarded an English ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean to England.  He landed in Southhampton, England on October 17, 1943 and then transferred by train to Bournemouth for field training.  His anti-aircraft training was in New Castle, England.

Robert was awarded 5 bronze stars for his participation in 5 major battles. Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944 is known as the bloodiest battle.  He was with the third wave going ashore. Surviving the invasion at Normandy and about 7 weeks later, St. Lo – Battle of Hedgerows in July 1944 was the next battle he survived.

December 1944, came the Battle of the Bulge.  Trying to fight his way out while Germans fought their way in, he was completely surrounded for 9 days outside of St. Vith.  With help from General Montgomery and General Bradley, on December 25th his platoon broke through the German line.

February 1945, during Battle of Roer River Crossing, he had to protect the Infantry from aircraft and ground fire so engineers could build a foot and pontoon bridge to get trucks and tanks across.

March 1945, Battle of Remagen was the last and worst big battle he survived before the war ended. November 1945, in Cherbourg, France, he boarded a Navy ship to go home.

Some things he said he would “never” talk about like the effects of “after war” and bringing family members home for burial.  Some things he was not proud to say he did. But, in war and desperation, people do desperate things.  A lot of times he was scared to death, but had to put his fears aside. He had a job to do. Robert was very proud of his service to his country and what he did to maintain our freedom. He lived with these memories every day of his life.  Robert died, February 13, 2018 at age 93, a very proud veteran.                                                         

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Written by daughter, Lynda Suwala; Created DHS, Veterans Biographies Foundation, 4-26-19