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AirShow Photos, 13678360 Finn Cove, Los Angeles, CA (2025)

09/09/2025

🎖️ Today, we honor PVT Filimon Castillo, who tragically passed away as a prisoner of war in the Philippines on August 30, 1942, at the age of 22. Born on October 15, 1919, in Lemitar, New Mexico, to Silvestre and Manuelita Castillo, Filimon was one of two brothers who served during World War II.

After enlisting in the Army on March 28, 1941, Filimon was assigned to the 200th Coast Artillery Corps in the Philippines. As the situation worsened following the Japanese attack, he and his fellow soldiers were forced to become infantry troops after their artillery was destroyed. Following the surrender of US Forces in Bataan, Filimon was captured and endured the harrowing Bataan Death March. He ultimately died at Cabanatuan POW Camp on August 30, 1942.

His remains were recovered after the war, and he is interred at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Plot L Row 9, Grave 80, with a memorial marker also located at Santa Fe National Cemetery in New Mexico. His older brother, Ignacio, also served in the Philippines and faced dire conditions as a POW, ultimately going missing when the Arisan Maru was sunk on October 24, 1944.

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09/09/2025

🎖️ On this day, we remember Sgt John Hodges Jr, who lost his life in a tragic crash 80 years ago. At just 20 years old, he was serving in Japan on August 30, 1945, when his B-29, 44-61554, was on a mission to deliver vital supplies to POWs in Fukuoka Prefecture. Unfortunately, thick fog and rain caused the aircraft to collide with a mountain near Mount Oyaji, resulting in the loss of all 12 crew members.

Born on November 22, 1924, in Norfolk, Virginia, to John and Daphne Hodges, John grew up with at least one sister. He attended Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania before enlisting in the USAAF, where he became a B-29 radar operator with the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, and 40th Bombardment Group, 45th Bombardment Squadron.

In recognition of his bravery, Hodges was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. He rests at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, Section M Site 1207. A stone monument stands in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, honoring his and his comrades' sacrifice.

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09/09/2025

🎖️ Remembering PVT Donald Monti, KIA 81 Years Ago;
On August 28, 1944, Donald Joseph Monti was killed in action in France at the age of 20.

Born on November 5, 1923, in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, he was part of a loving family with at least one brother and a sister.

Enlisting in the Army, Donald served in the 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, during intense combat to capture the heavily fortified German-occupied port city of Brest.

PVT Donald Monti is honored at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France, Plot G Row 4 Grave 15, a testament to his bravery and sacrifice.

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09/08/2025

PVT Joe Mach was killed in action on September 2, 1944, at 28 years old, while serving in France. Born on February 8, 1916, in Ennis, Texas, he was part of a family with three sisters and a brother. Joe was married to Wilma Juricek, and together they had two daughters, Victoria and Wilma Jo.

He enlisted in the Army on January 12, 1944, and was part of the 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division when he was killed near Brest, France. Joe is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France.

Wilma eventually remarried after Joe's passing and died in 1986. Their daughter Victoria also passed away at the age of 71 in June 2011. The legacy of Joe Mach serves as a testament to the sacrifices made during the war.

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09/08/2025

Tec4 Paul Denitti was killed in action on August 10, 1944, in France, at the age of 24. Born on June 21, 1920, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, he was the second of seven children born to Italian immigrants Matthew and Antoinette Denitti. In 1942, he married Rose Marie Erdely.

Paul served with the 15th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division, during a critical offensive when his unit faced significant losses, potentially including his own. He is honored at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France, with a memorial marker at Belle Vernon Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

His widow, Rose, remarried in 1946 and had several children, passing away at the age of 93 on March 15, 2015. Paul's sacrifice is a heartfelt reminder of the impacts of war on families.

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09/08/2025

2Lt Philip Higinbotham, one of two brothers killed in action during World War II, lost his life on August 5, 1944, at the age of 27 while serving in Brittany. Born on October 16, 1916, in Franklinville, New York, he was the third of five brothers and faced the tragedy of losing his father in 1937.

After graduating from Hamilton College and pursuing graduate studies in Geology at Tulsa University, Philip enlisted in the Army in 1942. He served bravely with the 25th Armored Engineer Battalion, 6th Armored Division, until he was killed during the advance through Brittany.

Philip's final resting place is at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France. His younger brother, S/Sgt Frederick Schauffler Higinbotham, was also killed in action over Belgium on December 6, 1944, and is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

The legacy of their family continues, with their oldest brother William Alfred Higinbotham known for his contributions to the Manhattan Project and their other siblings also serving during the war.

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09/08/2025

On August 26, 1944, 2Lt Carleton Sacco was tragically killed in action at the young age of 22. Born on May 18, 1922, in Long Branch, New Jersey, he grew up in Manasquan and graduated from high school in 1939 before enlisting in the USAAF in February 1943.

After completing flight school and earning his pilot wings on February 8, 1944, Carleton was assigned to the 390th Bomb Group, 568th Bomb Squadron, flying B-17s from RAF Framingham. During a bombing mission to Brest, while still over England, his B-17G 'Ding-Dong Daddy' collided with another B-17, resulting in the loss of the entire crew.

2Lt Sacco is memorialized at Long Island National Cemetery in New York and was posthumously awarded a second Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster for his exemplary service. He is also honored on the Manasquan War Memorial, alongside other local fallen heroes.

Thanks to William J Duffy for sharing his story and image.

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09/08/2025

Captain Claude Lawson Jr., the second of two brothers killed in action during WWII, tragically lost his life on August 27, 1945, at the age of 24. He was on a critical mission to air drop supplies to Allied POWs in Japan when his B-29 Superfortress, designated 'Temper Eleven,' crashed into Mount Tapochau while approaching Isley Field on Saipan, resulting in the loss of all ten crew members.

Born on November 12, 1920, in Alabama, Claude was the eldest of three brothers in the Lawson family. He served bravely with the 402nd Bomber Squadron of the 502nd Bomb Group, 20th Air Force.

Captain Lawson is laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, Section Q, Site 866. His younger brother, PFC Bob Rutledge Lawson, was also killed in action in Germany on March 6, 1945, at the age of 21, and is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial.

The surviving brother, William Moseley Lawson, pursued a career in medicine and passed away at 92 on January 1, 2019. Their story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by brave individuals during the war.

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09/08/2025

🎖️ Honoring a Hero 83 Years Ago;
USMC PFC Gerald Mack was Killed in Action on August 7, 1942, during the crucial landings in the Solomon Islands at just 20 years of age.

Born on January 14, 1922, in Washburn, Wisconsin, Gerald was the youngest of five children, with his mother passing away in 1939.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving with the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, during the significant Guadalcanal Campaign.

PFC Gerald Mack's bravery led him to participate in the initial landings on Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo, where he paid the ultimate price for freedom.

He is laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, ensuring his legacy lives on.

Gerald's older brothers, John and Thomas, also served during WWII, with John in the USAAF and Thomas in the Army; both have since passed away.

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09/07/2025

🎖️ Commemorating 83 Years Ago;
On August 10, 1942, F1 Robert Waymon Edwards tragically lost his life following the Battle of Savo Island at just 23 years old.

Born on July 18, 1919, in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, he was the second of three sons to Robert and Elsie Edwards.

Robert enlisted in the Navy and was aboard the USS Astoria during the fierce battle when the ship was heavily damaged by Japanese forces at dawn on August 9, 1942, ultimately sinking that same day.

His date of death is recorded as August 10, suggesting he may have been wounded during the clash, transferred to another vessel, and later succumbed to his injuries, leading to his burial at sea.

Fireman First Class Robert Edwards is commemorated at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, representing his bravery and sacrifice.

His older brother, Lemuel, served in the Army and passed away in 1986, while his younger brother, Lloyd, also served in the Navy during WWII and passed in 2005.

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09/06/2025

🎖️ Meet Edwin Millson, a dedicated bombardier with the 379th Bomb Group, photographed in front of a B-17 at RAF Kimbolton on July 24, 1943. Born on June 18, 1922, in Seattle, Washington, he was the youngest of three brothers and faced early loss when their mother passed away in 1933.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1940, Edwin joined the Washington National Guard before enlisting in the Army as a Sergeant in the 41st Infantry Division. He became a bombardier in the 8th Air Force, successfully completing 48 bombing missions over Europe, including 8 as lead bombardier.

Following the war, he continued his service in the USAF, holding various leadership positions, including Director of Training at Mather AFB and Planning Officer at the Pentagon, retiring as a Colonel. His accolades include 2 Legion of Merit awards and 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Edwin passed away at 87 on August 7, 2009, and rests with his second wife, Marian, at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Los Altos, California.

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09/06/2025

🎖️ Remembering PFC Charles Williams, who was killed in action on August 12, 1944, in Brittany, France, at the age of 27. Born on July 23, 1917, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, he was the eldest of four siblings. After enlisting in the Army on April 10, 1942, he served with Company B, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division.

Wounded on August 8, 1944, he succumbed to his injuries four days later and now rests at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France, Plot G Row 11 Grave 10.

Tragically, his younger brother, PFC Donald Williams, was also KIA on Okinawa on May 11, 1945, at just 20 years old, and is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. Their brother Herbert served in the Navy and passed away at 94 in 2016.

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