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searching info Willis Vern Dawkins
Posted:
By: Jean Dawkins
On: 06/25/2003
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I am seeking info on Willis Vern Dawkins master sergeant
on ground crew of B17 "Heavenly Body". He was at Deenthorpe
in 1944-45. Helped evacuate POWs at end of war. I am
interested in anything anyone knows of him and any photos
if possible. His first plane (above) was shot down over
Germany on the first series of raids and I do not know the
name of his second plane. My Dad passed away in 1988 and
wouldn't talk of the time that he spent during the war. He
was in the 612 bomb squad of the 401st bomb group. Thank
you for any info that you can share! Jean
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Re: searching info Willis Vern Dawkins
Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 06/26/2003
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Info and pictures of ground staff can be hard to find. If you have any of his photos, I'm sure the website and Group Association would be interested in copies. I can tell you that there are negatives in the National Archives of Heavenly Body: A65449AC, A65455AC(J), 65457AC(J), and A65704AC(J). It's been a while since I checked with them. The (J) may be a shot of the nose art on a jacket. There are instructions in another message on the forum on how to order xeroxes of the photos from the archives and photos from companies that can pull negatives and make photos you can order.
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Re: searching info Willis Vern Dawkins
Posted:
By: Jean Dawkins
On: 08/10/2003
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I just now found your reply. Thank you for your quick
answer and for the suggestions...I will follow up on
them. My Mother does have a few snapshots taken on
the base, mostly of my Dad. But as soon as we get a
scanner I will see if she will let me share them.
Maybe someone else can spot someone that they know.
Thank you again! Jean
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Re: searching info Willis Vern Dawkins
Posted:
By: claudia(glowik)gravin
On: 11/26/2005
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hello,
i was on line trying to get information on obtaining the bronze star for my father, walter glowik, when i came across your request on the 401st forum site. my dad is 84 years old and in poor health and would very much like to get the bronze star (meritorious) that he earned but did not obtain because he was shipped out of england. if you could help me in any way to accomplish this, i would be very grateful.
i am sorry to hear that your dad has passed away but i told my father about your hope of finding out any information about your dad and he was happy to share his memories of him with you.
my father remembers your dad as "Dawk" as he hated anyone to call him willis or vern! they apparently used to go into the town of weldon with bill bennett, paul fahs, wallie matthews, and ruddy beharka for beers and my dad did not smoke at that time so he would give his cigarette rations to his friend Dawk. my dad said that Dawk was a very good crew chief (that was my dad's job as well but on another airplane called Sugar)and he remembers that dawk loved to sing country western songs and tell funny country stories.
i can tell you that my dad remembers your dad very fondly.
sincerely, claudia gravin
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Re: searching info Willis Vern Dawkins
Posted:
By: Michael Dawkins
On: 11/02/2006
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I am very glad to read your dads memories of my grandfather. He was a very good man! I hope you were able to obtain the bronze star for your dad. Thank you for sharing!
Sincerely, Michael Dawkins
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