Welcome to Dreambook,
If you have a minute, please sign my Dreambook too!
| Name: | Mackenzie |
| Comments: | You have an outstanding good and well structured site. I enjoyed browsing through it. |
| Name: | john d speakman III |
| E-mail address: | jspeak6272@aol.com |
| Comments: | I have done plenty of research On Tino and my grandfather's mission. if you have any extra information, could you email it to me? |
| Name: | Jeffrey E Camp |
| E-mail address: | jec25@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | My dad trained and flew with Bruce Caturani. They were best frends.may oldest brother was named bruce after him.his plane went down on his first mission, my father never knew he survived the crash. |
| Name: | Joey Reaves |
| E-mail address: | wrigleyjoe04@gmail.com |
| Comments: | This is awesome to see, Dudley Wayne Reaves was my grandpa's oldest brother and just to check it out I looked his name up on Google...that lead me here....we just lost grandpa 3-4-10 and miss him everyday...one of the 4 brothers is still alive and he actually got married to D. Wayne's widow... |
| Name: | Mike Simpson |
| E-mail address: | Mike@445BG.org |
| Homepage URL: | http://445G.org |
| Comments: | This is a wonderful tribute to a gallant warrior. I have since learned that Sidney and his copilot (2lt Clapp) stayed at their flight controls, trying to keep the aircraft level while the rest of the crew bailed out. The aircraft was brought down by a large rocket fired from a Junkers Ju-88 twin engine fighter that struck the nose of their B-24 and started a fire.
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." American King James Version Bible Mike Simpson 445th Bomb Group Unit Historian & Webmaster http://www.445bg.org |
| Name: | Ted Funk |
| E-mail address: | nonrent@att.net |
| Comments: | My uncle was a co pilot on the plane this man flew on. He was killed by flak on June 28th 1944 I beleive the only person to die that day on the plane. I am very familiar with the saga of Sidey Brown and his crew in August of 1944. These men are impossible to thank for the bravery and honor they exhibited.
Ted Funk Nephew of Richard William Funk 2nd Lt. USAAF |
| Name: | John Speakman III |
| E-mail address: | jspeak6272@aol.com |
| Comments: | I have always known the stories of Sidney's bravery. My pop-pop would rarely talk about his experience from ww1...but since i was young, and being the first born grandchild, it all comes back to me. The stories he used to tell, i never appriciated till i got older. If it wasn't for the bravery of your son, i may not be here today, and for that, i salute him. Please feel free to respond back...and thank you |
| Name: | Tanya |
| Comments: | Wow..i am very impressed!!!
God Bless You, Tanya |
| Name: | Adriana |
| Comments: | I like your site. Very good work. |
| Name: | Marisa (Speakman) Reeder |
| E-mail address: | marisareeder@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Hello, my name is Marisa (Speakman) Reeder. My grandfather was John D (Jack) Speakman, who flew with Mr. Swanson. I found your website with the help of armyairforces.com because I was looking for more information about my grandfather. Your website has sent me through a flood of emotions and I thank you for it, and for the sacrafice Sindey made, so that my grandfather could live, and in turn gave me life. |
| Name: | Kevin E. Brown |
| E-mail address: | keb@metalflow.com |
| Comments: | My Dad was a tail gunner in the 703rd and made it home, although he was shot down twice. I still am overwhelmed thinking of what these brave men did and endured. |
| Name: | Robert Graham |
| E-mail address: | r.graham@insightbb.com |
| Comments: | My dad was Robert A. Graham, the waist gunner on Lt. Swanson's B-24. Dad is gone now, but I have heard all of my life over and over what a great guy Lt. Swanson was, and how proud the crew was to name the plane Swan's sons. They were all heroes and did their best for their country. God Bless the families of all of these brave men, especially Lt. Swanson and the others that gave everything for their country. |
| Name: | Hal |
| E-mail address: | Hallysoffman@aol.com |
| Comments: | My dad was in 703 squadron of 445th Bomb Group of 8th Air Force also (he made it home).
While looking for information about him, I came across your beautiful tribute. Very, very good work. |
| Name: | Thurman Pritchard |
| E-mail address: | tindall1922@yahoo,com |
| Comments: | I also was in class 43B and flew B-24s...Everyone can can
be very proud of this young man. May God Bless You, Thurman Pritchard |
| Name: | Jessica L Fink |
| E-mail address: | jesfink@gmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.jesfink.com |
| Comments: | It is wonderful to be able to read these stories and see all the photographs. Thank you so much for putting your time into this. I feel very proud to have a Great Uncle who fought for my country.
Sincerely, Jessica |
| Name: | Dennis Daniels |
| E-mail address: | Seatraining@aol.com |
| Comments: | My Uncle, Lt Ralph Clapps was the co-pilot on the ill fated mission on 24 February 1944. I spoke with Robert Graham and Robert O'Gorman, two members of the crew in the late 1990's about the mission and what had happened. My family, together with the Swanson family dedicated a memorial plaque to the crew that is displayed in the Memorial Gardens of the 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, GA. This plaque lists all the crew, both those KIA and who served as POW's. Robert Graham who was in the top turret at the time a rocket struck the nose of the ship feels that Lt Swanson and my Uncle had a chance to bail out, but chose to stay with the ship to insure the surviving crew members could bail out. Unfortunately, before Swanson and my Uncle, who was badly wounded when the rocket hit the nose of the Liberator never had a chance to bail out. Shorty after the last crew member bailed out, the ship became engulfed in flames and control was lost. |
| Name: | Sergio Aspers |
| E-mail address: | sergio.aspers@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Dear Reader!
My father in law adopted a grave of Sidney Swanson D, 1st LT, 701 BombSquadron 445 Bomb Group (H) Reg nr: 0-737493 This grave is in L row 18, 5th grave... We often visit this to refresh flowers, if u want to, I can send u pictures... Dear Receiver, I found all your email adresses on http://www.fallennotforgotten.nl/ My name is Sergio Aspers and I am 32 years of age, and living in Maastricht The Netherlands near the American Cemetery and Memorial at Margraten. It is the only U.S. military cemetery in this country. Covering 65,5 acres, it is the final resting place of 8,301 American military service-members who gave their lives in the service of their country and the liberation of Europe in 1944 and 1945. Paying a tribute to the many young service-members who gave their life for our freedom, my father in law decided to adopt the grave of 1LT Sidney Swanson D. Please be advised that this mail is sent of personal interest! Name: Swanson Sidney D 1LT Reg: 0-737493 701st Bomb squadron 445 Bomb Group H State: Hennepin County, Minnesota USA I've been looking and searching the internet and local library for information or relatives about/ from Sidney Swanson D. This is a difficult part. I only found Hennepin County http://media.nara.gov/media/images/28/32/28-3168a.gif So if maybe you have some information or documents of people from Hennepin County Minnesota who fought in Europe during WW2. Perhaps you know a source that can help us further finding what we need and wish to know. Could you please check, discover if there's any information of Sidney Swanson D, who was 1lt at the 701st Bomb Squadron 445 Bomb Group H available? Because there is this huge respect in The Netherlands for those who gave their lives for our Freedom during Worldwar 2 we really want to make sure that these guys experiences and words will never ever been forgotten!! The aim of this mail is to provide as much as possible imformation. We heard some positives reactions from relatives who didn't had any information about their lost family member I attached a picture Sidney Swanson's grave hoping you can help me finding some information, I really hope my English isn't too bad so you could read this mail clearly. Many Thanks in Advance and all my best to you! Sergio Aspers Sergio Aspers Ramershaag 74 6228 EW Maastricht Netherlands |
| Name: | Bruce Eric Caturani |
| E-mail address: | a273md@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Here is an update on what I have ebeen able to discover since I last posted. 2nd Lt Bruce G Caturani was reported MIA as late as 13Apr44. Apparently taken POW by the Germans,and interrogated at Dulag Luft, and finally sent to Stalagluft 1, in Barth, Germany. Liberated in May 45.
I made a request from the National Personnel Records for 2nd Lt Caturani's military records. I searched every website I could to find info. I located passenger manifests that indicated 1st Lt Bruce G Caturani returning from Frankfurt to NY in 1953. I located record of him at Luftstalag 1, North Compound. I also searched and re-searched the 445th Bomb Group website. I searched all the air-crew photos and I was able to find a photo with 2nd Lt Bruce G Caturani with another crew(The Henry Letzter Crew). Again, I returned to your website and reveiwed your guest book entries.I found the entry by Robert Neis. I recognized the name from the Letzter crew. I was able to email him. He gave me some information and also the name and location of Henry Letzter's Daughter!! She, in turn, was able to email me some information that I did not possess.Meanwhile,I received a response from the National Personnel Records indicating that the records were lost in a fire in 1973.I made copies of everything I was able to find on the web and from Neis and Judy Letzter and sent them to the NPR and asked them to search again. Finally, I received a package from them with a brief synopsis of his Military career. I have also tracked down Bruce G Caturani's son. Unfortunatly, Bruce G Caturani, passed away in 1994. What a shame I was never able to meet him. I plan on traveling to NY and visit with his son and perhaps fill in the gaps. Thank you, once again, for posting Sidney's Story on the web. Were it not for your tribute to your relative and His service to our country, I would never have known about my relative and his service to our country. Sincerely yours, Bruce Eric Caturani 2Sep07 |
| Name: | Jean Marc Trepanier |
| E-mail address: | wavelands@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://wavelands.tripod.com/wave.html |
| Comments: | Very-much tutched!
I also lost an uncle at "Juneau beach" on D-Day 06/06/1944, he died 3 days later... :( Lovely site Debby!!! A Canadian now living in Brasil |
| Name: | Mike Simpson |
| E-mail address: | 445BG@cox.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://445th-bomb-group.com |
| Comments: | Wonderful tribute to a fine pilot. The 445th Bomb Group lost 13 good crews on Feb 24, 1944 against a heavily defended target. Only the best crews were flying that day, which speaks well of Tino's leadership abilities for such a young man. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. |
| Name: | Bruce E. Caturani |
| E-mail address: | 273md@earth-comm.com |
| Comments: | Wow! I don't know where to start. I was researching the Eighth Airforce on the web and came across "Sidney's Story". Imagine my shock to find a 2nd Lt Bruce G. Caturani in the story. I called my father(77) and asked about him. He did not known that his cousin Bruce G. had served in WWII. What a shock to both of us. My dad lost track of him in the late 1930's. I am trying to find any info I can on what happened to him. I am in touch with Luftstalag 1 archivists and am hopeful. BTW, I served in the US Army as a crew chief on helicopters. Best regards and thanks for the new research project you have given me.
Bruce Eric Caturani |
| Name: | Bruno G. Caturani |
| E-mail address: | jaguarabilia3flyboy@verizon.net |
| Comments: | The 1st Lieutenant Bruce G. Caturani was taken prisoner in 1944 and according to Gov-Records.com was at Stalag one for the duration. Lt. Caturani was a distant cousin of mine and although we kept in touch with his Father, a renowned surgeon, very little was discussed in my presence, no doubt because of my tender age at that time. |
| Name: | Thomas Sirianni |
| E-mail address: | Tsirianni |
| Comments: | My great uncle was Sidney's co-pilot Ralph T Clapps. These men were true hero's. We can be proud of them for their bravery and selflessness |
| Name: | Gaetan Desjardins |
| E-mail address: | oxygen2060@yahoo.ca |
| Comments: | Truly a very nice site!
We owe so much to our World War 2 heroes. Their memories will live on forever. To all our heroes who have passed away and to those that are still living. Thank You! We shall never forget! God Bless! |
| Name: | Bob Wilson |
| E-mail address: | kauaihermit@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Very Interesting and nice Tribute. |
| Name: | Andy WILSON |
| E-mail address: | familywizz@tiscali.fr |
| Comments: | A very moving account of a "family at war" |
| Name: | Robert Neis |
| E-mail address: | yarneis@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | My uncle, Cyril T. Neis from St. Cloud, MN, was a flight engineer and top gunner in the 701st Squadron. He flew on the same missions. His pilot was Henry T. Letzter. Henry was the last living member of my uncle's crew. Henry died this week. This is some information regarding Henry. Henry R. Letzter, of DeKalb, IL, died on January 17, 2005. Henry served with the 445th Bombardment Group at Tibenham airfield in England. He was the pilot for 31 missions with the 701st Squadron, February 22, 1944 – June 25, 1944. As a Major and acting commander of the 703rd Squadron, he was the command pilot for 5 missions, November 9, 1944 – January 13, 1945. The 703rd Squadron was previously commanded by James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart, the actor. All members of Henry’s 701st Squadron crew are now deceased. |
| Name: | Rose Mary Graveline |
| E-mail address: | Rose.Graveline@uvm.edu |
| Homepage URL: | http://ncjonesfamily.homestead.com/joejones.html |
| Comments: | What a moving tribute. Thanks for doing such a great job of honoring such a wonderful man.
My brother, Joe, was killed in Vietnam and I made a page for him some years ago. I really like the format you used and may add some of Joe's medals and citation letters in that format, too. |
| Name: | Laura Fischer |
| Comments: | I am deeply sorry for your loss |
| Name: | David Honish |
| E-mail address: | rem280guy@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.h3tacticaledge.com/ |
| Comments: | Ran into this site after entering a yahoo search for images of B-24's. My late uncle was a pilot with the 757th Sqdn., 459th BG, 15th AF who flew 50 missions over Europe. |
| Name: | Mike Simpson |
| E-mail address: | 445BG@cox.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://445th-bomb-group.com/ |
| Comments: | Excellent website; just a couple of comments. Reduce the size of your graphics - take too long to load. Jimmy Stewart was the Squadron Commander,703rd Bomb Squadron, 445th. Will add your site to my link page. |