Cousin Billy in uniform, Grandpa Ben, Mom, Uncle Charlie, Grandma, Cousin Ethel and Aunt Ida Rabinowitz.
Hammer Family c. 1945
Category Archives: Military
Battle Damage – Cologne
Results of Wednesday, January 24, 1945 raid on Cologne, Germany in which 91st Bomb Group, 401st Squadron participated.
Refer to this page for more information.
B-17 Missions – Uncle Eli
Chart of 26 bombing missions flown by Lt. John E. (Jack) London, 91st Bomb Group, 401st Squadron, Bassingbourn, UK.
Click here for details
Ben Schwartz
Reply
Benjamin Schwartz was born Dec 1890 in Volochisk, Ukraine, and came to the U.S. with his family in 1892 at the age of 2. He was naturalized June 5, 1917 and enlisted in the U.S. Army several months later, February 24, 1918.
Ben served as a PFC in the 312th Infantry, 78th Division, Co. B, based in Ft. Dix, NJ. The 78th was famously known as the “Lightning Division” and “Newark’s Own.”
The 312th returning home to Newark, NJ
The 312th served heroically in the battles of St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Lorraine in 1918. The Argonne was the unit’s victory — at a cost of 900 men, while 2200 returned home.
Inset detail about the unit
Ben was wounded in action when he was gassed in battle. Relatives report he was always sick after that, and died young (1941) due to complications from that experience. He was discharged May 31, 1919.
He married Frances Talkowsky November 15, 1925 in Newark, NJ.
He and Frances had 2 sons, Jerry and Edward. Jerry served in the Army from 1946-47. Edward served two Army tours, his first from 1951-1955, then from 1969-1972 during the Vietnam era. His death date seems to coincide with his Army discharge date.
Israel Atlas – WWI Draft Registration
The US declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. This was the "First Registration" on June 5, 1917, for men aged 21 to 31. Israel, 24, was the sole supporter of his family and therefore exempt from service.
Grandpa in Uniform
Grandpa Morris in the U.S. Army 1917-18. He was stationed at Camp Gordon in Georgia.
Uncle Eli and Air Crew
USAAF B-17 Training Camp, Alexandria, LA c.1944
Uncle Eli and B-17 Crew. Written on back of photo: “Back Row – Aerial Gunners; Front Row – L to R: Olson, first pilot, Jones, co-pilot, London, Navigator, Potts, Bombardier.” Final stage of training before joining the 91st Bomb Group, 401st Squadron in Bassingbourn, UK.