Belleville, IL Our War: WWII special section, Belleville News-Democrat

Our War: WWII

A war far away, long ago — recalled by the metro-east men and women who fought it

It was a war fought seven decades ago, in the mud and muck of Europe and the strangling jungles of the South Pacific. "Our War: WWII" tells the stories of the metro-east men and women who fought that war, saved the world for democracy, and returned home to live out their lives. See below for their...

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OUR WAR: WWII

The Korean War: 60 years doesn't seem so long ago for these veterans

About 50 residents gathered Thursday at the Korean War Memorial at Melvin Price Park for a ceremony commemorating today's 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
OUR WAR: WWII

Our War: Despite long POW status, local vet still has no enemies in his life

Joseph Purlee for decades volunteered to fix his neighbors' lawn mowers or appliances, then taught the next generation to repair their own.
OUR WAR: WWII

Our War: Air Corps introduced Belleville man to B-29s, A-bomb

Ed Bott never flew in an airplane until the U.S. Army Air Corps drafted him in February 1943.
OUR WAR: WWII

Our War: Belleville veteran liberated Chamorro

Ruthie Wehmeyer's been gone for two years, seven months, four days.
OUR WAR: WWII

'War is hell': Caseyville vet served in four major campaigns

When World War II veteran Oscar L. Covarrubias talks to local students about his experiences fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, he tells them how devastating war is and how lucky he and his three brothers were to come home.
METRO-EAST NEWS

Seeing it start: Millstadt veteran served before WWII hit America

Millstadt resident and World War II veteran Herman Pellmann was on guard for America even before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
OUR WAR: WWII

Life as a target: Soldier served with Patton during war

"Got damn it's hot out here," the jokester said. Then Heltzel saw the three gold stars. Gen. George S. Patton Jr. spent much of that day during World War II in Heltzel's machine gun emplacement at the front.
OUR WAR: WWII

Our War: Match made in 'hell' withstands test of time

She was a nurse, he a pharmacist. They were both stationed at an Army hospital in Okinawa during World War II, danced to the only record available at the camp, "Paper Moon," and have spent the past 63 years together.
OUR WAR: WWII

Our War: Radio operator on B-17 bomber was captured late in war

Frederick Adams was an amateur pilot as a teenager and figured he would eventually join the war effort flying bombers over their targets.
OUR WAR: WWII

Our War: O'Fallon radio operator, gunner flew 25 missions

The Royal Air Force pilot was the best, until he shot up the mess hall. "He went into his briefing and found out our next mission was to Berlin and they wanted us at 12,000 feet, which was really low," said Vassil Georgeff, 90, of O'Fallon. "He went in the mess hall and shot it up. I never heard...