Sons Of The American Legion Squadron 1

✨🇺🇸Annual American Legion Post 1 Field Days BBQ. 🇺🇸✨

FYI

in 1944, Fred Hargesheimer was rescued by the USS Gato SEVEN MONTHS after being shot down over New Britain island, Papua New Guinea!

Hargesheimer was flying a Lockheed P-38F-4 on a photo reconnaissance mission on June 5, 1943, when his plane was attacked by a Japanese Ki-45. He managed to bail out despite injuries and a jammed canopy. He fought to survive in the jungle for a month before being found by members of the Nakanai tribe. They sheltered him for five months in the village of Ea Ea, risking their lives to protect him from being found by the Japanese. He eventually met up with Australian Coastwatchers who moved him inland until the rescue by submarine could be arranged.

Years after the war, he learned the tribe needed a school and raised money to build one. He returned to the island several times over the years to help the tribe who helped him, even living with them for a few years along with his wife. In 2000, he was proclaimed "Suara Auru," or "Chief Warrior" in the native language. In 2006, he returned for the last time, even visiting the site where the wreckage of his old P-38 had been recently found. He passed away in 2010.

Hargesheimer is pictured at right along with RAAF Wing Commander William Townsend, another of the downed flyers rescued by the Gato.

Never To Be Forgotten!!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/sons-share-father-s-world-war-ii-diaries-with-the/article_9c3109bf-dbe6-526f-86fa-bd42570087b5.html

Sons share father’s World War II diaries with the world Reading the diaries of the late Robert Toeppe, of Racine, from his 17 months in the Army Air Corps during World War II are like stepping back in time and

Thanks to all Veterans!

Detachment Commander David P. Hendee receiving his Commanders class certificate in Indianapolis. Congratulations

Raffle tickets are on sale and the dinner/dance will be November 2nd starting at 5:30!