chapter 23-3
10/19/2014
Warren's List
the survivors
As the hidden details begin to emerge from the shadows, you just wonder how many thousands and millions of tragic stories were spawned by one mad man who turned the world upside down.
Nelson included 40 names and addresses in his diary. I guess thirty of them must have included his dozen room mates (4 X 3 tier bunks) in Barrack Block 129 and room 14 and others he was close to along with, of course, ten of his crew mates.
I had called one listed as Albin J. Rzeszotarski in Texas years ago before he passed away. I'd noticed his original nearby Amsterdam address and visited his brother who owned the Mohawk Dairy. Was difficult conversing due to the aging process but I now find out that he graduated from Harvard University and Union College. Moon Astronaut Neil Armstrong had presented Albin the Silver Snoopy award for his NASA work crucial to the success of Apollo 11.
Nelson's navigator Robert M. Hildorf's colorful obituary chronicles their attempt at evading capture. I recall Nelson also mentioning the Pres. Nixon appointed Federal Judge Anthony A. Alaimo. There is a well documented story from Paul Moll. There are so many stories and sub stories. You have to be amazed at the character building that resulted from going through such an ordeal. This is just a cursory search. Mostly correct. Deserves more attention.
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Diary Listings (actual photo with home address)
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*Nelson L. Warren on Tommy 1/L Pilot A/C 316 Squad 331 Group 94 missing 7Oct44 Targets Assigned Bohlen, attack by fighters (FW 90) before I.P. last seen 5115N-1125E at 1210 alt 25,000 no chutes observed by crew of A/C 577, 960
*Richard G. Debus on Tommy 2/L 2/L CoP obit
*John A. McMillan on Tommy 2/L Bomb
*Robert M. Hildorf on Tommy 2/L Nav like to dive bomb sheep, saluted German pilot who shot them down, tried to get back to England with Nelson before capture
Anthony A. Alaimo U.S. District Judge Florida from Jamestown
Harold E. Daniels
Kay Waldorf ?daughter Miss Wool America Vinton, Iowa
Paul Moll interesting longer story alive 2011
O.V. Robichadd
Carson Hughes Jr. library collection
Francis E. Torr shot down 119 Madison St Cortland, NY
Frank Johnson obit repatriated pow list 17 Floral Ave, Cortland, NY
Albin J. Rzeszotarski I contacted Albin's brother at the Mohawk Dairy Amsterdam and called Albin in Texas but communication was difficult.
*Charles P. Benear on Tommy crash Fuerstenberg on 10/7/44 in B-17 'Tommy' #4297316 C.R.B. S/S RadOp
*Floyd J. Cosgray on Tommy S/Sgt B.T. obit
*John Thomas. Blair on Tommy Sgt T.G. T.G. 00 01
*Royal B. Vaughn on Tommy S/Sgt T.T.
*Arthur J. Sturgeon on Tommy S/Sgt R.W.
One of the other prisoners at Luft III was Bob Freihofer who Nelson told me that he either knew back then or had met at a later POW get together. Bob passed away a few years back but as President of our local bakery etc was a prominent member of our community in the Capital District. Another local and TV personality, Andy Rooney wrote of losing this great friend and mentions him in his book.
Kriegie Kids site (they re-enacted the 60 mile force march in Germany 2009)
Related Links on this web site
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