Looking around, interesting stuff here. I am interested in WWII history. I have several family members who served in the war. My dad lost his brother in the Market Garden mission. He was in the 101st Airborne.
You came to the right place. Lots of friendly people around here, with a lot of accumulated knowledge. We are always eager to know new stories.
Great! My father in law was also in the European Theater. The stories are few, as they did not talk much about the war. I do know my father in law was in a tank which transversed through Europe. I will need to get the information correct before I share the stories.
Hello and welcome Deerite1. I'd be very interested in learning more about your uncle KIA in Holland. (See my site). WOuld very much like to add him if at all possible...Stevin
Welcome to the forum Deerite. Lots to learn here and a whole bunch of friendly lads to help out. Happy posting.
Stevin I was able to access your site through aol. Very nice. I will be updating you on my uncle, PVT Pete G. Valencia. I do know before he was KIA he made three or four jumps. The first was Normandy.
Pete was born in 1913 in Arizona and enlisted on may 2nd, 1942 in Los Angeles. That's all I can find so far...
Deerite, If your uncle Pete G. Valencia belongs to the 1 st Battalion 502nd Parachute Infantry, and was KIA at 20 Sept. 1944 at Sint Oedenrode The Netherlands, and he is burried at Los Angeles then please respons.
Hi Mystory, this thread is 4 years old now and I'm afraid the Gentleman hasn't posted here since 2007.
Deerite1, It is my wish that you possibly read this sometime, I’ve tried to find you but without result, herewith is my-story. I was born during the war in 1942 at Sint Oedenrode,in the Netherlands. After the war my Mother told me several times that during the liberation in our neighbour an American soldier was killed in action. She describes him as a nice looking, tanned young man with dark hair. In the Years which followed, I was told this story several times. During the 60s celebration of our liberation in 2004 I was thinking who will know more about this, and I thought that one of our neighbors who was during our liberation 15 year old, so he could remember, and he did. He told me the following story: After the liberators were dropped between Son and Sint Oedenrode a group of them settled down in the neighborhood (across the road) from the house where he was living with his family. Sometimes they visited this family as well, including the day of 19 Sept. 1944. In that time his Mother was on the other side of the road to dry the laundry nearby the river “De Dommel” Then she came back in the house to tell that she had seen German soldiers on the other side of the river. A soldier in the kitchen was eating a sandwich and understood what was going on. He takes his sten-gun and took in his other hand the sandwich and walked across the street to go to the river. After he crossed the street there was on his left side, a hedge, about 50 meters long. Directly after he walked out the end to the end of the hedge he was shot by the Germans. He was hit in his head and died immediately. (my mother told he was hit around the area of his mouth) The neighbor who told me the story remembered the name from the soldier as Peter Valencia and he told me that Peter Valencia after he died was buried at the War cemetery at Son (Wolfswinkel) and later in Los Angeles. As well he told that the name from Peter Valencia was at a Memorial in Groesbeek with number 51. After I’ve listened to his story I sent an email to the Liberation Museum with the request for information about Peter Valencia. The answer was that Pete G. Valencia was killed on 20 Sept. 1944 in Sint Oedenrode, he was a member from the 1st Battalion 502nd Parachute Infantry and he was buried in Los Angeles. Maybe this information is what you are looking for. Every time when we are in Sint Oedenrode and celebrating our Liberation I feel grateful to all the soldiers and their families who brought us our Freedom back. God bless them all. This feeling we give further to our children and grandchildren. Salute, Jan At Google earth you can find the location where Pete G. Valencia was killed. 51 33' 36.99"N,5 27' 1.24"E
Dear Jan, It's been years since I have been on this site. Thank you so much for the in formation you have provided. My father is still alive and I will share this with him. Again Thank You for your time and sharing your knowledge of how my uncle was killed. Sincerely Dee Wright
Jan, as you can see, I managed to contact the original poster. I thank both of you for your interest, and I'm glad the forum has been able to help.
Deerite1, Dee, Great that LRusso did find you and that you could read my-story. The neighbor who has told me what was happened is still living in Sint Oedenrode, 82 years old. I will tell him that you have read what he was told to me. Thanks to your family at what they have done for us. Greetings, Jan