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bodypilot90

help on getting a ww2 vet's body back to the US

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ok I don;t even know where to start. My Uncle died in WW2 he was a tail gunner in a bomber. In april of 1943 a group of almost 500 bombers left north africa to bomb oil fields used by germany. less than 10 returned. For some reason he never made it back to the states. I know where his grave is in europe. Anyone know how I might get the military to move him state side? HELP!!!

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Where is his grave?

Is he buried in a war cemetary? If so what are your reasons for bringing his body back? Will it give you closure to have him closer? Have you been to the site?

I have been to many of the cemetary's in France, including the US site at Omaha Beach, and I find them very peaceful and moving places to be they also help remind us that what happened cannot happen again. If all these were relocated then this effect would be dramatically reduced.

I do not wish to stir this into an argument but I would be very interested in why you wish to relocate a body buried for 60 years.

Sorry for your loss also, it affected all of us a great deal - my grandparents lived in Coventry during the blitz and miraculously made it through even though theirs was the only house left standing in the street.

CJP

Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people

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Is he buried in a war cemetary?



Yes in belgium.

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If so what are your reasons for bringing his body back? Will it give you closure to have him closer? Have you been to the site?



My Mom really wants him back state side.

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I do not wish to stir this into an argument but I would be very interested in why you wish to relocate a body buried for 60 years.



well his wife at the time was the hold up. She was pissed because he was divorcing her and had changed the insurance to my grand mother. His wife just passed away. That's why the change

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Sorry for your loss also, it affected all of us a great deal - my grandparents lived in Coventry during the blitz and miraculously made it through even though theirs was the only house left standing in the street.



Thanks.

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If her heart is set on it then i would speak to your department of Veterans affairs or the equivalent - try www.vfw.org. Even try the army. Also the US Embasy in Belgium.

It will probably be quite difficult and costly but probably possible - not sure.

You may wish to consider what i suggested earlier and take mohammed to the mountain so to speak. A trip to Belgium to the site may help your mum put things in perspective and understand the sacrifice. He is currently with the men he died with - what would he have wanted?

CJP

Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people

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You may wish to consider what i suggested earlier and take mohammed to the mountain so to speak. A trip to Belgium to the site may help your mum put things in perspective and understand the sacrifice. He is currently with the men he died with - what would he have wanted?



Wise words here...I'd give that some thought personally. Wish I could offer more.
~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

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Wow, Vet from the raid on the Ploesti, Romainian oil fields. That was a murderous, and costly raid. I would suggest contacting some of the Veterans gropups, VFW, American Legion, AmVets. They should be able to help, or point you in the direction of someone who can. Good luck.
--------
To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities.

--Nevil Shute, Slide Rule

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ok I don;t even know where to start. My Uncle died in WW2 he was a tail gunner in a bomber. In april of 1943 a group of almost 500 bombers left north africa to bomb oil fields used by germany. less than 10 returned. For some reason he never made it back to the states. I know where his grave is in europe.

Billy....from one veteran to another....take your mom to visit his resting place...dont remove him from his buddies. He has been lieing in a hallowed place of honor for all these decades.
Leave him with the other heroes .

bozo



bozo
Pain is fleeting. Glory lasts forever. Chicks dig scars.

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ok I don;t even know where to start. My Uncle died in WW2 he was a tail gunner in a bomber. In april of 1943 a group of almost 500 bombers left north africa to bomb oil fields used by germany. less than 10 returned. For some reason he never made it back to the states. I know where his grave is in europe.

Billy....from one veteran to another....take your mom to visit his resting place...dont remove him from his buddies. He has been lieing in a hallowed place of honor for all these decades.
Leave him with the other heroes .

bozo



Bozo is right.

I've visited a lot of American cemeteries in Europe, and they are really beautiful, moving places, well maintained both by the US and by the local people.

I used to live a few miles from the one in the UK (Madingley, near Cambridge, 8th AAF mostly). It is in such a lovely spot that not only do Americans visit it, but it is a favorite place for the locals too. We used to go there just to walk in the grounds on a summer afternoon.
...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

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I live near the San Gabriel Cemetery where the Patton Family plot is.
General George S Patton wanted to be bury with his men instead of with his family. (see attached pictures)

Also did you know that the men who survived the bombing/sinking of the Arizona can upon their death have their ashes entombed with the crew on the sunken battleship. Many have in the past 2 decades.

Take your mom to Europe and tour the cemeteries and museums. Maybe your mom will change her mind.

Good Luck,

Nick

Nick D

The key to Immortality is- first living a life worth remembering”

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I agree with the direction this thread has taken so far. It would be best to leave him in the ground. We say "rest in peace" for a reason.

Try and arrange for your mum to visit the actual grave. It will likely move her to see how many of his fellow heroes surround him.

(The first thing I thought when I saw the title of this thread was that perhaps all of your deceased family are together at one place of resting) If it is important to her that he have a grave state-side then perhaps it would benefit you all to bury a box of personal artifacts in this location. Each of you chose something and discuss amongst yourselfves why you chose it. Often, this is what family and friends will do when they have lost a loved one and the body cannot be recovered. I would include in it, a picture of his grave in Europe. You can mark it as an official grave. 'Tis but a monument, a place to pay hommage after all. When they put him in the ground, they said "Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust", you are to consider him one with the earth now. Actually transporting his physical body is all but pointless.

Just my $0.02CND. I hope for ease on your mother and your family.



My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

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Billy....from one veteran to another....take your mom to visit his resting place...dont remove him from his buddies. He has been lieing in a hallowed place of honor for all these decades.
Leave him with the other heroes .



Jim, I value your opinion a lot. I'll work on getting her to leave him be. My thoughts were along the lines of leaving him him in a different land was bad. But with his fallen buddies is prolly where he would want to be

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