Forums46
Topics537,992
Posts9,731,505
Members87,053
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Memorial Day tribute a few days early
#2336304
05/27/11 05:22 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,157
10pointers
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,157 |
Well my computer is on the fritz at the house so I figured I get this done at work just in case its totaly dead by Memorial Day. The photos and story is about my Great Cousin Sgt. Emil E. Havelka of the 100th US Army Air Corp from WWII. Some of the last photos taken of him alive by family on final leave/furlough before deployment to England. Emil with all his brothers and sister Emil on top of his favorite tractor a John Deere Model B. Emil and part of his crew( he is second from the left) A photo he sent home not sure its his plane or just one that he photographed? Copy of Pilots report on the 14th mission The 100th Heavy Bomb Group flew its last mission on April 20th, 1945 and VE Day followed on May 8th, 1945. The photos and the subsequent meeting of Emils sister Dorthy contributed to my inspiration to write a story about Emil and have it published in the local Jarrell newspaper that was released this week just in time for Memorial Day. My research took me weeks to compile searching the internet and reading the numerous letters the family have saved. Below is his story submitted to the Jarrell Star Ledger. It has received great attention and his story has now been submitted to the Texas Czech Historical Society for admission to their Wall Of Honor for Veterans. I have support from the town and work is underway to have a street named in his honor. I know this is a long read but I hope yall enjoy. Jarrell Memorial Day Remembrance SGT Emil E. Havelka Growing up one of the first things I remember about the Grandparents farmhouse was an old photo on the right side of the living room wall. This photo depicted a soldier of someone that at the age of five I had never met or known of his existence. I finally questioned my dad one day on the identity of who it was. He told me it was his cousin Emil who had died in WWII in a bomber over Germany. I asked him many questions about him and he revealed all he knew. It was sad at my age to think that he had died but being at such an early age in my life could not even comprehend the suffering his family rendered or the sacrifice that he made as so many others of that era did. Move forward thirty years or so. My Grandfather had passed away and on one evening I sat with my Grandmother looking thru old family photos. As I turned the pages puzzled at the B&W photos my grandma would quickly give the low down on every picture that I inquired about. When this one photograph appeared I was taken back. I had an ideal of who it was but needed verification. My grandma said it was Cousin Emil before he went to war. In the photograph was the airman Emil Havelka dressed in his US Army fatigues sitting on top of his favorite John Deere B tractor. She said to me that it was probably one of the last photos taken of him before his deployment. I asked at that time if I could have it as I cherished the photo coming from a farming family. My grandma approved and the photo went into my safe for protection where it has remained. Pan to Christmas 2010 I receive a card from Dorothy Havelka (sister of Emil) filled with old photos of family my dad and grandfather in particular. At that time the photo of her brother came to mind and the motion was started to learn more about Emil’s story. I quickly had the photo scanned and copied. I contacted Dorothy to inquire about her brother and gave her a copy of the photo. She was really taken with my interest and at that time I asked permission to publish the photo and to do a write up about his life. This is where the story really starts. Mr. John & Mary (Kohutek) Havelka’s son Emil Havelka was the oldest of four brothers Johnny (Army vet), Jerry (Army vet) and Teddy and one sister (Dorothy), born on the 28th of October 1925 in Cornhill, Texas. He grew up on the farm and labored and enjoyed life as any youngster in Williamson County. He was schooled at Cornhill Holy Trinity School where he was a class favorite of Sister Berhnard who made accommodations for him, as he was the only student in the 8th grade class. He attended High School in Schwertner Texas briefly before transferring to Jarrell High School. He later graduated from High School 1943 were he excelled in academics and athletics. Dorothy expressed that he was very agile, always running instead of walking. In track his specialty was the high and long jump and I was told that he was of Olympic stature. On the farm he loved the John Deere B and as he plowed you could hear him sing songs such as “Kentucky” or the “Beer Barrel Polka” over the Popping Johnny. The family lived in a two story farmhouse and his room was filled with wooden airplanes hanging from the ceiling that he had constructed. Aside from his love for family and the farm his next love was aviation which he dreamed of being a pilot. When the war broke he was too young to enlist but upon graduation he enlisted into the Army Air corp. His family pleaded with him to go to college and then enlist as an officer but he made his mind up and left for basic training at the age of 17 leaving behind family, friends, sweetheart Margie Sladecek and one mutt dog trixie. Military life took him straight to Las Vegas Nevada stationed at now Nellis Air Force base. He went to gunnery training school for the B17 and B24 Liberators. Early on he learned one of the keys to morale was letters written too or received from home. He spoke of the intense training and the heat from the desert of Nevada. Upon graduation he was stationed in the northeast and was not able to disclose exact location but stated it was the coldest place he had ever been. At this juncture training became slower and he had more time on his hands and talked of how they spent their free time playing cards. He hated to admit his gambling addiction but said it a great way to pass the time away. He was originally assigned to the 69th Bomb Squadron were he made good friends with his entire crew, his best friend was Leroy Kubuske but before final deployment the squadron was broken up he was reassigned to the 100th Bomb Group 350th squadron. His crew was assigned a B-17 Flying Fortress named “The Big Iron Bird” and Emil was given the nickname rabbit by the crew for his blonde hair. They left the states on 7th of January 1945 and landed in Iceland where they spent their final training before leaving for England on the 21st. Emil wrote letters of his new home and how cold being 15,000 feet up was (sometimes -50 degrees). The family sent what they could, he requested wool socks and cigarettes (Lucky Strike Greens) to fill the void that the military could not supply. Emil now a Sergeant and Waist Gunner was proud of his ship and spoke well of it and the crew. On Feb 19th the red light was on and their plane number was on the board. After all the time and training tomorrow was going to be the big day, Mission 1 Nuremberg, the payload was delivered on target and his crew headed for base unscathed. Emil and his crew flew 12 more successful missions over the next month from Berlin to Munich sustaining a couple of Flak hits on two missions. The final day the final mission number 14, destination Plaken Germany and a tank factory. On that night Emils father said that his black & white mutt howled all night, he felt that something bad had happened. The letters to the family from Emil now ceased until the day the war department sent a telegram that Emil was MIA. Time for the family was spent on prayer for answers. Dorothy said that her father took it the hardest not knowing Emils fate. It was not until after the war and the only survivor the pilot Bernard Painter a POW revealed what had happened on that faithful day of March 21st 1945. In his report he told how the plane had lost engine number one due to oil failure on the super charger and left the formation of the group leaving them prey to the Germans. Five German ME 262 fighters attacked at 09:40 knocking out the second engine and putting the plane to flames. Painter called for them to bail and tried to assist but was cut off by the flames. Painter said that was the last he saw any of his crew. Three chutes were seen with two on fire by other witnesses. Emil was now classified as KIA but no body had been found. It was not until Jan. 26th 1950 that a Letter from the Department of the Army stated Emils bomber crashed near the Donates Cemetery, Freiberg, Germany, and that the remains of the crew members were recovered and buried there. The bodies were exhumed and then reburied in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky. Emil is survived by his sister Dorothy Havelka of Austin Texas and brother Teddy Havelka of Jarrell Texas.
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: 10pointers]
#2336352
05/27/11 06:00 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
A great write up, thanks for sharing.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: dogcatcher]
#2336390
05/27/11 06:46 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
|
Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
Thats awesome. The soldiers, sailors, and airmen from WWII are the greatest warriors of all time. If it weren't for their sacrifices we would all be speaking Japanese or German by now.
SPC DeWitt, Scott US Army
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: SapperTitan]
#2336527
05/27/11 12:25 PM
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 144
War
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 144 |
Excellent story That about sums up what Memorial Day is all about Thanks for sharing
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: War]
#2336536
05/27/11 12:38 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
|
Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Excellent story and thanks for sharing.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: stxranchman]
#2336542
05/27/11 12:42 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 682
B84
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 682 |
Now thats a true hero. Awesome story, thank you for sharing.
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: B84]
#2336619
05/27/11 01:27 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811 |
Great story. Gone but never forgotten.
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: TxAg]
#2336728
05/27/11 02:18 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,282
JGL Hunting
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,282 |
Come hunting with us! Click the link below to learn more! JGL Hunting
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: JGL Hunting]
#2337055
05/27/11 05:08 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
bigrustyjackson
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556 |
Lifetime NRA Member
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: AtxCityHunter]
#2337192
05/27/11 06:07 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 101
firedog79
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 101 |
Thanks for sharing. Excellent write up.
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: firedog79]
#2338025
05/28/11 02:23 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 170
homerunslayer07
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 170 |
Great job uncle! I'm sure he is smiling down on you!
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: homerunslayer07]
#2338085
05/28/11 02:56 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,434
silentex
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,434 |
Never too early to show our appreciation! It should extend far beyond one day.
Justin H. NSC: Firearms & Hunting Supplies
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: silentex]
#2338141
05/28/11 03:28 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,011
NDN98
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,011 |
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: NDN98]
#2338158
05/28/11 03:36 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,484
hawk
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,484 |
One of the "greatest generation"! Thank you for sharing this great story with us!
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: Jeff Williams Outdoors]
#2339083
05/28/11 10:36 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 182
Fishbox
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 182 |
Thank you for giving us a glimpse of a Patriot and Hero.
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: Fishbox]
#2340000
05/29/11 04:58 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,157
10pointers
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,157 |
Thanks for all the positive responses
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: 10pointers]
#2340742
05/30/11 03:33 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 709
Hard Knocks
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 709 |
WOW!a great story about Americas greatest generation
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: Hard Knocks]
#2340785
05/30/11 03:54 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,910
TreeBass
Old Weller
|
Old Weller
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,910 |
great story, thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: TreeBass]
#2341153
05/30/11 02:51 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 15
timmytoot
Light Foot
|
Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 15 |
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: timmytoot]
#2341234
05/30/11 03:52 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 641
kuntry_kid
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 641 |
Excellent to see stories like this on Memorial Day. Thank you for sharing.
I am a proud United States Air Force NCO and I thank all of you for your support!!!
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: kuntry_kid]
#2341245
05/30/11 04:01 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18,770
HuntingTexas
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18,770 |
That is a great story
" In God We Trust "
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute a few days early
[Re: HuntingTexas]
#2341295
05/30/11 04:21 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,841
twice70
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,841 |
That is a great story
|
|
|
Re: Memorial Day tribute (second year)
[Re: 10pointers]
#3250949
05/28/12 03:58 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,157
10pointers
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9,157 |
I figured I would pay tribute again to my cousin (posted last Year). May all Rest In Peace tomorrow, this Memorial Day.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|