From Richard A. Pfarrer, Maj, USAF (ret)

 

31 December 2006

 

Richard A. Pfarrer, Maj, USAF (ret)

 

Mr. Allen R. Cooley

 

I wish to thank you for your very quick response to my inquiry about reference sources for the 423rd Bombardment Sqdn of the 306th Bombardment Group. My uncle, who is interned at the American Cemetery in St Avold France, died while on the daylight bombing mission over Schweinfurt on 14 Oct 1943. I have visited his grave at least nine times while stationed in Europe.

 

Your suggestions on where to look took me quickly to the definitive source; FIRST OVER GERMANY by Russell A Strong, who also published a Combat Diary for each of the four squadrons in the 306th BG. I was astounded to learn that this Group was the inspiration for the movie and subsequent TV show “12 o’clock High” and that two Medals of Honor where awarded to crew members of the 306th in 1943.

 

Your assistance has greatly aided my personal version about “The Greatest Generation” in conjunction with my genealogical research.

So far, I have uncovered literally dozens of relatives with military service since the Revolutionary War. Here are a few of the more recent

ones:

 

Dr. Theodore R Pfarrer (my father) WWII enlisted at age 17 in 1945 (27 yrs in USAAF/USAF)

Dr. Walter Eitner (uncle), pilot, Burma and China

Felix Eitner, (grandfather) ambulance driver in front lines of France, WWI

Richard Clynes, (my grandmother’s Uncle) PFC, USMC, Indian Wars, Spanish American

James Clynes, (my grandmother’s Uncle) Cpt, USA, Indian Wars, Spanish American, WWI

Richard J Clynes, (son of James) Lt Col, USA, WWI, WWII, Korean

Richard J Clynes, Jr, Lt Col, Vietnam

Schuyler W. Bacon, Capt, USN, WWII

George A Morrison, (my father’s uncle) Merchant Marine (north Atlantic) WWI, USN CB in South Pacific WWII

Edgar Weber, (my father’s cousin) USN CB, South Pacific WWII

John (Jack) Donahue, (my father-in-law) Lt Col USAF, pilot WWII

Eugene H. Mitchell, (wife’s great Uncle) Col USA, (West Point), WWI, survivor of death march & POW in Philippines, WWII

Frederick Mitchell, (son of Eugene) Col, USA, (TX A&M), Vietnam

 

Doubtlessly, I will be calling upon you for assistance in the future. I applaud your dedication to documenting the sacrifices these veterans made to keep our democracy alive. I hope that others will join me in supporting your mission to preserve the memory of these great patriots.

 

Sincerely,

 

Richard A Pfarrer

 

Joined by my brother, Mark D. Pfarrer, LCdr, USN (ret)

           Sister-in-law Jill Donahue Reid, Cmdr, USN (ret)

           Brother-in-law, John E Reid, Lt Col, USAF (ret)

 

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