Maureen Sullivan Army, European, Uncategorized, WWII

Hilbert Margol

Hilbert Margol and his twin brother, Howard, served in the 42nd “Rainbow” Division out of Oklahoma during World War II; both served as gunners with 105MM gun batteries. They would be shipped to Europe in early 1945, serving in the Alsace, Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns. Both brothers witnessed the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, and both served with the Army of Occupation in Austria just after the war ended.

Maureen Sullivan American, Army, Korea, USAF, WWII

Allison “Doc” Blaney

“Doc” Blaney joined the Army on his 18th birthday in 1943. Trained as a medic and a paratrooper, he parachuted near Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion at Normandy; he would spend the next six days treating the wounded in an old chapel. He was also at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he joined the Air Force, and served during the Korean War in photo intelligence.

Maureen Sullivan American, Pacific, USAF, WWII

Thomas Dahill

Thomas Dahill joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, shortly after graduating from Arlington High School. He eventually became a navigator on a B-24, and was sent to the Philippines and New Guinea. He would fly 45 missions, including one that would be the longest trip ever made by a B-24.

Tom Dahill drew this portrait of the B-24 to which he was assigned as a navigator.
The map of the Sulu Sea where Dahill took part in the longest trip undertaken by a B-24.
Maureen Sullivan Army, European, Korea, USA, Vietnam, WWII

Winston E. “Pat” Flynn

“Pat” Flynn joined the Army in 1943, wanting to join the 10th Mountain Division as a skier. Instead, he was trained for combat infantry. He served with the 157th Infantry Regiment, and saw action in Italy and France. After the war, he stayed a civilian for about a year before rejoining the Army for another 20 years. Flynn would see action in Korea with the 9th Infantry Regiment, and in Vietnam as part of the Special Forces.

Interview conducted by James Ramsey

Pat Flynn and his medals
Pat Flynn at his home in Lexington, 2019
Pat Flynn recuperating after a Special Forces mission.
Pat Flynn receiving a field commission to second lieutenant.

Maureen Sullivan American, Homefront, WWII

Margie Labedz

Margie Labedz MP3

Margie Labedz was the daughter of a World War I veteran who did her part in WWII as a member of the Victory Troubadours, a group of singers and dancers who entertained at local veterans’ hospitals. She also remembered other activities on the homefront such as rationing and air raid wardens. Her future husband, as well as her brothers and her two sons, have served in the military. Labedz is a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Maureen Sullivan Massachusetts, Navy, WWII

Andre Proulx

Andre Proulx joined the Navy shortly after the start of WWII. He was first assigned to a cruiser, the USS Flint, then transferred to the USS Douglas H. Fox, a destroyer. Proulx was assigned to one of the vessel’s 5-inch gun mounts; he survived a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa. In 2013, he was among several veterans who received overdue medals.

Maureen Sullivan African, Army, European, USA, WWII

Mario Aiello

Mario Aiello grew up in Readville (part of the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston) and was drafted into the Army in 1942. He became a Technician 5th Grade, and was part of the 5th Army’s 75th Field Artillery Battalion. Aiello saw action in North Africa and Italy, and would earn a Bronze Star.

This interview was conducted with Aiello’s son, Stephen Duggan, at the Bedford VA Medical Center.

Mario Aiello in later life
Mario Aiello’s discharge paper
Mario Aiello and his mother in Readville
Maureen Sullivan European, Korea, Navy, WWII

James Nicholl Jr.

 

James Nicholl Jr. joined the Navy in 1944 to honor his father and history teacher. He would serve on several vessels, including an armed cargo vessel and mine sweeper, in Scotland, Russia and the North Atlantic. Nicholl would also serve during the Korean War.

James Nicholl Jr. during WWII.

 

James Nicholl Jr. among a group of veterans receiving diplomas from Everett High School.

 

James Nicholl’s certificate of honor for his service in the Korean War.

 

Citation from the American Legion; Nicholl served as a commander for Post 210.

 

 

Maureen Sullivan Army, European, USA, WWII

Ferdinand “Fred” Lucontoni

 

“Fred” Lucontoni was drafted into the Army in 1943, and served in General George Patton’s 3rd Army, 733 Field Artillery Service Battery, as a machine gunner. He remembered seeing “thousands of planes” flying overhead en route to a bombing mission at St. Lo in France; Lucontoni also took part in the Battle of the Bulge.

This interview was recorded at the Bedford VA Medical Center by James Ramsey.