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MEN OF THE 508TH READIED FOR THE INVASION WITH
PRACTICE JUMPS |
 Biagio
"Ben" Bennardi (left) and Carl Jackson are suited up
for a practice jump in England as the 508th honed their skills in preparation for
the real thing. The man at right rear is unidentified. |
Half A Stick
"Ben" Bennardi (left) and others
await the boarding order (courtesy of Irv
Shanley) |
 [l-r]
Lts. George Miles, John J. Jampetero and
Joseph I. Shankey on D Minus One preparing for the jump into Normandy.
Miles was the only one of the three to survive.
*photo courtesy George Miles) |
 Tom
O'Halloran, Tom Porcella, John Delury and Richard Longworth
are all smiles in Wollaton's Tent City.
(Courtesy Tom Porcella) |
 Tec/5
Charles H. Rogers, Hq Hq, was one of thousands that suited for the
D-Day Jump. He was a Pathfinder in Chalk 18.
Although he survived the Normandy invasion he was
KIA in Holland on 20 Sep 1944 |
 Pfc
William R. Chestnut
Company F is fully togged for a jump, perhaps D-day itself.
Note what may be a high school class ring on his left hand |
 Robert
J. Broderick & Marion R. Estrada
grab some shuteye while they can |
 H
Company Training
Jump
(row 1, sitting) unknown,
(row 2 - kneeling) [William H. Farmer?], John P. Delury, Sgt. William
A. Medford, Daniel T. Furlong, Stanley L. Cleaver (row 3 - standing)
first 2 unknown, Lt. Victor Grabbe, unknown, Thomas F. McClafferty,
Benson.
There were two jumps scheduled in England but one was cancelled due
to ground fog in the DZ. It is unknown which mission this photo
represents.
(NOTE: There were two men named Benson in Co. H.
It is uncertain whether the man pictured is Kenneth O. or Robert W.
Benson] |
 Combat
Photographers of the 165th Signal Photo Company prepare for a
jump at an airfield in England prior to D-Day. Second from left is
Staff Sergeant Reuben Weiner who was attached to Regimental
Headquarters Company. The other three men were attached to other
airborne units for the invasion.
(courtesy of Irv Shanley)
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