by Commander | May 10, 2020 | Living Histories
Gattis Ervin Allen (known as G.E.) was born on May 1, 1911, in the town of Marshall (Madison County), North Carolina. He passed away in 1997. Like many of our fathers, my daddy never talked to me about his service in the Pacific in WWII, and I wasn’t smart...
by Commander | Apr 20, 2020 | Living Histories
By Ed Cottrell Edwin Cottrell served in the Army Air Corps from August 1942 through 1945, then enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in 1950 and completed 28 years. His father, Dr. Elmer Cottrell, served in the U.S, Army in World War I. Also serving in the U.S. Army in...
by Commander | Mar 26, 2020 | Living Histories
There is a group photo on my wall, from my wife’s side of the family. It was taken a couple of years before Sy Smolen died. In the photo are 31 people, including Sy, who sits in the middle leaning on his cane. But for three factors—the right landing beach, an Army...
by Commander | Jan 10, 2020 | News
Local WWII veterans Harold Wellington and George Sarros were honored at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on January 8. Wellington served in the Merchant Marine, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy, serving in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Sarros...
by Commander | Oct 25, 2019 | News
Brevard’s Lieutenant Colonel Bill Clarke (U.S. Air Force, retired) visited 96-year-old Ray Pegram in Rutherfordton, NC to compare stories about flying in the WWII-era C-47 troop carrier. That plane became known as the “Gooney Bird” when it was used in Vietnam. Clarke...
