Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Our World War II Veterans May We Never Forget ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [News](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/blog-news) - [Pittsburgh Area Funeral Home Becomes Veterans Choice™ Provider ](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/pittsburgh-area-funeral-home-becomes-veterans-choice-provider) - Local Funeral Home Becomes Veterans Choice™ Provider The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does an excellent job providing veterans burial benefits. However, the VA, does not provide or pay for funeral or cremation arrangements, transportation or military honors. Veterans & Family Memorial Care, the nation’s most widely used funeral home network for veteran’s cremation and - [Military Education Benefits and Lindenwood Online University](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/military-education-benefits-and-lindenwood-online-university) - Many active members of the U.S. Armed Forces and military veterans are taking their education to the next level by earning an undergraduate or graduate degree that will help them earn a promotion in rank, a commission, or start them on a new career path. Many colleges label themselves “military friendly,” but what should you - [Pittsburgh World War II Memorial Dedication December 6th!](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/pittsburgh-world-war-ii-memorial-dedication-december-6th) - On Friday, December 6, the City of Pittsburgh will dedicate a World War II Memorial. The Memorial is located on the North Side of Pittsburgh between Heinz Field and PNC Park. In order to provide Commission Members the opportunity to attend this dedication in support of our World War II Veterans, the State Veteran’s Commission - [Screenshot 15](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-15) - [Social Security Special Benefits for Qualified WWII Veterans](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/social-security-special-benefits-for-qualified-wwii-veterans) - Program Description Special benefits can be paid to certain World War II veterans. These include veterans who served in the active U.S. military from September 16, 1940 through July 24, 1947. It also includes Filipino veterans who served in the organized military of the Philippines from July 26, 1941 through December 30, 1946 (while those - [Veterans Funeral Benefits](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/veterans-funeral-benefits) - FEDERAL BENEFITS Veterans Funeral Benefits and Beinhaur These benefits are offered to qualifying veterans by the federal government. Beinhauer’s can relieve the burden of filing for these benefits by completing and submitting the paperwork on behalf of your family. In conjunction with the federal benefits, many local county organizations offer even more benefits that Beinhauer’s - [I am a World War II Veteran](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/i-am-a-world-war-ii-veteran) - World War II (WWII) was the most widespread war in history with more than 100 million people serving in military units. About 16 million Americans served during WWII, and many of those Veterans are now receiving VA benefits including Pension and Health Care. WWII Veterans who were a part of the Occupation Forces assigned to - [A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/a-little-known-benefit-for-aging-veterans) - By SUSAN SELIGER As veterans age, many are unfamiliar with a benefit that can help pay for care at home or in assisted living or a nursing home. Ricardo Arduengo/Associated Press As veterans age, many are unfamiliar with a benefit that can help pay for care at home or in assisted living or a nursing - [screenshot 1](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-1) - [Screenshot 2](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-2) - [Screenshot 3](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-3) - [Screenshot 4](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-4) - [Screenshot 6](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-6) - [Screenshot 7](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-7) - [Screenshot 8](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-8) - [Screenshot 9](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-9) - [Screenshot 10](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-10) - [Screenshot 11](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-11) - [Screenshot 12](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-12) - [Screenshot 13](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-13) - [Screenshot 14](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-14) - [Screenshot 5](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/slideshow/screenshot-5) - [Robert Morris Helps Veterans](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/news/robert-morris-helps-veterans-education) - Many colleges and universities recognize the experience and dedication that both active military members and veterans bring to the college classroom, whether that classroom is on campus or online. Robert Morris University, an accredited university near Pittsburgh, PA, with more than 5,000 enrolled students. has long had a well-deserved reputation as a top-rate business school ## Pages - [Home](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/) - On November 1st, forty-three Pittsburgh area WWII Veterans were able to see the WWII Memorial in Washington DC for the very first time. They were able to experince a new camaraderie with other local veterans as well as honor fallen comrades. This spring our non-profit group from Pittsburgh will be offering more trips with the - [Contact](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/contact) - Our World War II Veterans 1120 McLaughlin Run Road Bridgeville, PA 15017 412 206 0097 ext. 22 Director and Sponsor Dan Cavanaugh Dan Cavanaugh is a local business man who has always had a passion for history. Dan's father served in the 3rd Army, 65th Infantry Division in WWII. He started collecting oral histories - [Chapter 07](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-07) - CHAPTER 7 Developing the Shuri Defenses Map 18 XXIV Corps Advance 6-15 April 1945 By the morning of 6 April the Japanese noted that the "lines were drawn for a full scale battle."1Leading elements of the 7th and 96th Divisions, driving forward on the heels of the retreating12th Independent Infantry Battalion, had run - [Chapter 06](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-06) - CHAPTER 6 Action in the North Securing the Eastern Islands1 The rapid initial progress of Tenth Army had cleared the shore line of Chimu Wan and that of a large portion of the upper bay in Nakagusuku Wan by 5 April. Mine sweepers, operating under Admiral Blandy as Commander, Eastern - [Chapter 02](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-02) - CHAPTER 2 Planning ICEBERG The fundamental principle underlying all operations of war--to project superior combat power, successively, upon the decisive points of a theater of war--is simplicity itself. The difficulty lies in recognizing these points and selecting the most favorable lines of operations. A different state of policy, strategy, and relative strength requires continual - [Tuskegee Airman Gallery](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/gallery/tuskegee-airman-photo-album) - In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role in U.S. military history over the past 300 years. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights - [Tuskegee Airmen War Accomplishments](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/gallery/tuskegee-airman-photo-album/tuskegee-airmen-war-accomplishments) - In all, 992 pilots were trained in Tuskegee from 1941 to 1946. 450 were deployed overseas, and 150 lost their lives in accidents or combat. The toll included 66 pilots killed in action or accidents, 84 killed in training and non-combat missions and 32 captured as prisoners of war. The Tuskegee Airmen were credited by higher - [Code Talkers Gallery](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/gallery/code-talkers-gallery) - Code talkers were Native American Marines serving in the United States Armed Forces who primarily transmitted secret tactical messages. The Code Talkers transmitted these messages over military telephone or radio communications nets using formal or informally developed codes built upon their native languages. Their service was very valuable since codes can be broken, but languages - [Events](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/events) - On November 1st, forty-three Pittsburgh area WWII Veterans were able to see the WWII Memorial in Washington DC for the very first time. They were able to experience a new camaraderie with other local veterans as well as honor fallen comrades. This spring our non-profit group from Pittsburgh will be offering more trips with the - [Sponsors](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/sponsors) - If you would like to help sponsor this website please fill out the form to the right! - [Appendix VIII](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-viii) - Appendix VIII Navy Unit Commendations The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the AMPHIBIOUS RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC for service as follows: "For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Gilbert Islands, from November 19 to 26, 1943; the Marshall Islands, from January 30 to February 23, 1944; - [Appendix VII](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-vii) - Appendix VII Marine and Naval Corpsmen Medal of Honor Winners CORPORAL RICHARD E. BUSH, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Severely wounded while leading the first squad to penetrate the Mt. Yae Take inner defenses, he was evacuated to a nearby aid station. When an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the wounded men, - [Appendix VI](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-vi) - Appendix VI Marine Casualties 1 APRIL-22 JUNE 19451 MARINE CASUALTIES KIA DOW WIA MIAPD CF TOTAL Officer Enlisted Officer Enlisted Officer Enlisted Officer Enlisted Officer Enlisted Officer Enlisted ReconBn, FMFPac . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . 2 10 . . . . . . . - [Appendix V](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-v) - Appendix V Japanese Order of Battle1 ARMY UNITS Unit Strength Thirty-second Army Troops Headquarters 1,070 Ordnance Depot 1,498 Ordnance Duty Unit 150 Field Freight Depot 1,167 36th Signal Regiment 1,912 Okinawa Army Hospital 204 27th Field Water Purification Unit 244 Well Digging Unit 34 Defense Construction Unit 108 7th Fortress Construction Duty Company 322 2d - [Appendix IV](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-iv) - Appendix IV III Amphibious Corps Task Organization1 III AMPHIBIOUS CORPS . . . MajGen Roy S. Geiger Corps Troops . . . . . . LtCol William F. Whitaker Headquarters and Service Battalion Signal Battalion 3d Separate Radio Intelligence Platoon, Mobile Communication Unit 43D, Detachment, Air Warning Squadron 1st Military Police Battalion, FMFPac (less - [Appendix III](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-iii) - Appendix III Command and Staff List of Marine Units on Okinawa 1 APRIL-22 JUNE 19451 Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, FMFPac CO Maj James L. Jones ExO Maj Earl R. Marquardt S-3 1stLt Leo B. Shinn HqCo 1stLt James R. Bentley A Co Capt Merwin H. Silverthorn, Jr. B Co 1stLt Russell E. Corey III AMPHIBIOUS - [Appendix II](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-ii) - Appendix II Chronology 1944 2 January U.S. Army troops land at Saidor, New Guinea. 31 January-7 February U.S. forces assault and capture Kwajelein and Majuro Atolls in the Marshalls. 16-17 February Task Force 58 strikes Truk, revealing weakness of that base. 17-22 February U.S. forces assault and capture Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls. - [Appendix I](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/appendix-i) - Appendix I Bibliography The main sources consulted in the preparation of the narrative of the Okinawa operation have been the reports, journals, war diaries, orders, and plans of the units involved. Descriptions of specific actions have been based mainly on the records of the units most directly concerned. In general, the lowest echelons - [Chapter 11](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-11) - CHAPTER 11 Campaign Summary The Clean-up Drive1 Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima and Lieutenant General Isamu Cho, respectively commander and chief of staff of the Japanese Thirty-second Army, fulfilled their last obligation to the Emperor on the night of 21-22 June. In the traditional manner of adherents to the warrior code of their - [Chapter 10](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-10) - CHAPTER 10 Ushijima's Last Stand Breakout to the South1 Rain squalls on 30 May continued to hamper Tenth Army operations, as forward elements maintained a steady pressure on the collapsing enemy front. The problem of keeping an adequate supply of rations and ammunition up with assault troops were almost impossible - [Chapter 09](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-09) - CHAPTER 9 Reduction of the Shuri Bastion The 11 May attack of Tenth Army was a massive, coordinated effort to destroy the defenses of Shuri. It inaugurated two weeks of bloody, close-in combat that took the lives of thousands of men. For each attacking division the battle for Shuri took the name and - [Chapter 05](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-05) - CHAPTER 5 Seizure of the Beachhead By the early morning hours of 1 April 1945 more than 1,300 ships of the Central Pacific Task Forces had gathered in the darkness surrounding Okinawa. Transports and LST's bearing the III Amphibious Corps and XXIV Corps moved to their assigned areas off the Hagushi beaches. There - [Chapter 04](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-04) - CHAPTER 4 Japanese Defensive Preparations1 In early summer of 1944, as the tide of battle turned inexorably against the Japanese defenders of the southern Marianas, staff planners in Tokyo faced a thorny problem. Japan was losing the war it had started so confidently in December 1941. To the south and to the east, - [Chapter 03](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-03) - CHAPTER 3 Preparations for the Assault Training and Rehearsing1 Because of the vast distances separating Tenth Army Headquarters and its subordinate commands, General Buckner charged corps and division commanders with the responsibility for supervising unit training. At Schofield Barracks on Oahu, army section promulgated training directives for appropriate echelons of - [Chapter 01](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-01) - CHAPTER 1 Background They had come from the vast reaches of the Pacific, these men who stood offshore at Okinawa before dawn of 1945's Easter Sunday. The impersonal summons of strategy had gathered them from the coconut groves and kunai plains of the Solomons, the coral islands of the Marshalls, - [Chapter 08](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/chapter-08) - CHAPTER 8 IIIAC Enters the Lists The steady attrition of the XXIV Corps drive to the south was reflected in mounting Japanese casualty figures. By the end of April the 62d Division, which bore the brunt of the early fighting, had been reduced to less than half its original combat strength. Many officers of the Thirty-second - [Battle of Okinawa](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa) - Okinawa: Victory in the Pacific by Major Chas. S. Nichols, Jr., USMC Henry I. Shaw, Jr.Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps 1955 COVER PICTURE: Marines hurdle a stone wall as they drive inland from the Hagushi Beaches on L-Day at Okinawa. AMERICAN COLORS are raised over Ara Saki, - [WWII Photo Gallery](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/gallery/wwii-photos-gallery-01) - This gallery is a representation of some of the photos from World War II. We will continue to expand this collection as we do research on the Internet and new photos are submitted. We will add separate galleries as it becomes to big. - [Foreword](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/battle-of-okinawa/foreword) - Foreword The Okinawa Operation was in many ways the most difficult of the Pacific War. Conceived, launched, and supported at long range, it required meticulous detail in both planning and execution. Bad weather, defenses which employed the rugged terrain with great skill and cunning, and a well-trained, resolute defense force - [Oral Histories](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/oral-histories) - Always a flier at heart By Colette Bancroft Published July 26,2005 Henry Bohler 80, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, plans to attend the national convention this fall in Orlando. The painting to his left is a rendition of a photo taken of him while he was in the service.TAMPA - At 80, - [Bill Baker](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/oral-histories/bill-baker) - Royal Naval Rating Seaman Bill Baker By Dan Cavanaugh Curiosity guided me to retired Royal Naval Rating Seaman Bill Baker. We sat purely by chance across from each other in a quaint restaurant on a Jersey shore, with tables so close conversation seemed required. Slim and extremely fit for 81, his gray hair was combed - [Connie Hennig](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/oral-histories/connie-hennig) - Connie Hennig - US Army By Dan Cavanaugh One of the first 300 woman on Omaha Beach - D-Day plus 90 at the SHAEF -- Supreme Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces Enlisting And I went to the Waves first. Because we had a summer home at the beach, Narragansett Bay. I thought, "I'm going to get - [Bill Cavanaugh](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/oral-histories/bill-cavanaugh) - Bill Cavanaugh 3rd Army 65th Infantry Division By Dan Cavanaugh We landed in LaHaurve, France and we had to cross into Germany right before the Siegfried Line. Did you ever hear about that? It's a big fortification that the French built after World War I with the intention that Germany could never again fight there - [Henry Bohler](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/oral-histories/henry-bohler) - Always a flier at heart By COLETTE BANCROFT Published July 26, 2005 [Times photo: Daniel Wallace] Henry Bohler, 80, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, plans to attend the national convention this fall in Orlando. The painting to his left is a rendition of a photo taken of him while - [Medal of Honor Winners U-Z](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/medal-of-honor-winners-u-z) - World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (U-Z) Medal of Honor (A-E) | Medal of Honor (F-J) | Medal of Honor (K-O) | Medal of Honor (P-T) | Medal of Honor (U-Z) URBAN, MATT Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel (then Captain), 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, World War II. Place and date: Renouf, France, 14 June to 3 - [Medal of Honor Winners P-T](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/medal-of-honor-winners-p-t) - World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (P-T) Medal of Honor (A-E) | Medal of Honor (F-J) | Medal of Honor (K-O) | Medal of Honor (P-T) | Medal of Honor (U-Z) PAIGE, MITCHELL Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Place and date: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 26 October 1942. Entered service at: Pennsylvania. Born: 31 August 1918, Charleroi, Pa. - [Medal of Honor Winners F-J](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/medal-of-honor-winners-f-j) - World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (F-J) Medal of Honor (A-E) | Medal of Honor (F-J) | Medal of Honor (K-O) | Medal of Honor (P-T) | Medal of Honor (U-Z) *FARDY, JOHN PETER Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. - [Medal of Honor Winners K-O](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/medal-of-honor-winners-k-o) - World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (K-O) Medal of Honor (A-E) | Medal of Honor (F-J) | Medal of Honor (K-O) | Medal of Honor (P-T) | Medal of Honor (U-Z) *KANDLE, VICTOR L. Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near La Forge, France, 9 October 1944. Entered service at: Redwood City, - [Medal of Honor Winners A-E](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/medal-of-honor-winners-a-e) - World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (A-E) Medal of Honor (A-E) | Medal of Honor (F-J) | Medal of Honor (K-O) | Medal of Honor (P-T) | Medal of Honor (U-Z) ADAMS, LUCIAN Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near St. Die, France, 28 October 1944. Entered service at: Port Arthur, Tex. - [Gallery](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/gallery) - Code talkers were Native American Marines serving in the United States Armed Forces who primarily transmitted secret tactical messages. The Code Talkers transmitted these messages over military telephone or radio communications nets using formal or informally developed codes built upon their native languages. Their service was very valuable since codes can be broken, but languages - [WW II Posters](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/gallery/ww-ii-posters) - The below gallery is a group of Posters from World War II. These posters cover everything from Bonds, Enlistment and others. ## Events - [Pittsburgh World War II Memorial Dedication](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/mc-events/pittsburgh-world-war-ii-memorial-dedication) - Memorial Dedication Begins at 10:00 AM Outdoor Ceremony (Dress Appropriately) Free Parking available at Rivers Casino with free shuttle to Memorial Site State Veteran’s Commission Begins at 1:00 PM Meeting will be held in the Press Box Dining Room at Heinz Field Enter Heinz Field through the Press Gate on the Southwest Side of the ## Categories - [News](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/category/news) - [Slideshow](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/category/slideshow) ## Event Categories - [General](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/mc-event-category/general) ## Picture tag - [Lasky](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/ngg_tag/lasky) - [Tuskegee](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/ngg_tag/tuskegee) - [Balad](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/ngg_tag/balad) - [UAV](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/ngg_tag/uav) - [unmanned](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/ngg_tag/unmanned) - [Local Tuskegee Airmen receives highest civilian honor](http://www.ourwwiiveterans.com/ngg_tag/local-tuskegee-airmen-receives-highest-civilian-honor)