Two
Family Members Meet
Taken:
26 Jul 2005 - Bradenton, FL.
On
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 – The family of two
of the four men lost when Crew 46 had to ditch
met in Bradenton, FL. for lunch. Robert (L), son
of Sgt William T. Davenport, Right Gunner and
Kenneth (r), brother of S/Sgt Lawrence J. Toeppe,
Left Gunner, met for lunch and shared letter’s
written to and from each of their families, 60
years ago regarding the loss of their loved ones.
These
letters also include some from the surviving members
of Crew 46, which told of what happened and why
they had to ditch.
As
it turns out, Davenport and Toeppe live within
30 minutes from eachother.
Ken found the web site and submitted photos and
information in 2004, which included photos of
his brother, letters from surviving crew members
explaining what happened as well as AAF letters
to his parents regarding the Award of the Purple
Heart and Air Medal phostumiously to his brother
Lawrence.
Robert found the site not long after and recently
submitted Letters his mother received about the
loss of his father, William
as well as photos
and orders.
On
hand for this occasion former Sgt
Robert Weiler (center), Left Gunner, Crew
30, 61st BS and his son, Pete (webmaster/Assoc
Historian)
Note:
On the eve of the luncheon, Joel Markowitz, brother
of Sgt Charles Markowitz, Tail Gunner, also lost
in the ditching, found the web site and contacted
Davenport and Toeppe, in search of wanting to
learn more about what happen as well as share
the letters his mother received from their family
and the survivng crew members.
|
The
following have been submitted by:
Robert Davenport, Son of Sgt William T. Davenport, Right
Gunner
Joel Markowitz, Brother of Sgt Charles Markowitz, Tail
Gunner
Ken Toeppe, Brother of S/Sgt Lawrence J. Toeppe, Left
Gunner
These
letters were sent from crew members to their family or
from crew/family members to the family of the men listed
above regarding the loss of loved ones. |