http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/eve...ruce-gamble.jsp

The Japanese captured the Southwest Pacific island of New Britain mere weeks after Pearl Harbor. Almost immediately, the Allied counter-invasion began – and continued for more than 44 months.

Rabaul, at the northern tip of the island, was the key: a nearly impregnable stronghold of supplies, weapons, and airfields that served as a launching point for Japanese operations on Buna, Port Moresby, and Guadalcanal. At its peak, the powerful “fortress” of Rabaul boasted an air fleet of six hundred planes and housing for a hundred thousand Japanese soldiers and naval personnel.

Fortress Rabaul describes the island’s role during the first year and a half of the war in the Pacific and the stories of the men who fought there, including Lt. Edward “Butch” O’Hare – who earned the Medal of Honor for turning back an entire wave of Japanese bombers – and Fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, whose death en route from Rabaul’s airfields dealt the Japanese military a blow from which it would never fully recover.

Bruce Gamble earned his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in 1982, and logged nearly a thousand hours as a navigator while completing two deployments aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Gamble also instructed student naval flight officers for two years. He is the author of four books on World War II, and received the 2010 Adm. Arthur W. Radford Award for excellence in naval aviation history and literature.

Ok... quite a while back I got one of those power point emails that played a version of taps that was kind of peppy with a little bit of an orchestra playing in the back ground.

Does anyone happen to know what version that was or who did it?

Thanks!

Dear forum members and readers:

Just received this letter from a woman in France. She seeks our help finding the members of this soldier's family, or any photos, etc, you can muster. If anyone has any info at all, please post it here or contact me as soon as you can. With appreciation, M1

Dear Madam,

 

I'm writing from Normandy, France and I'm searching for information about PFC George KASHULA from Pennsylvania.

 

I explain why I'm searching for. I belong to a french association named "Les Fleurs de la Mémoire". Since last year, George Kashula's grave was assigned to me and I visit his grave to put flowers. Since, I decided searching information to know more about him, perhaps find a picture of him to put a face on a name.

 

George Kashula belonged to the 453rd Truck Company, 5th engineer special brigade. His army serial number was 13128251. He was killed on june 6th 1944, Omaha Beach (dead of wounds) and is buried at american cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer. His town was Wilkes-Barre (PA) and was enlisted at Luzerne (Luzerne County).

 

I would be most grateful if you have other information or a picture.

 

Respectfully

 

Catherine MEUNIER

Happy Independence Day

Many thanks to all who served our great country, from WWII vets through everyone who is serving today. You have helped keep this GREAT country alive and kicking and a testament to our forefathers. Thank YOU!

My wish is for all to have a relaxing and enjoyable 4th of July weekend with your family and friends. God bless everyone!

Don't let the politicians on either side, try and change us into something we are not. Let's keep the dream of a UNITED STATES, just as our forefather's envisioned it, with liberty and justice for all. IN GOD WE STILL TRUST!

Can I hear a few amens my brothers and sisters!

America!

Jim Hennessey reminded me about translators. Since we have members and readers who span the globe, this is good info to share. Here's one he suggested, followed by the one I've been relying on for years.

http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp

http://www.freetranslation.com/translate-version3.asp

bonne chance et s'amuse - ha-ha! That's French if you don't recognize the language!