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USS Block Island Association

WW II War Years And 9-11-01
 May We Never Forget!

This page is dedicated to my brother James B. Owen and all the men and women who served during WW II  (Tom Brokaw called them "The Greatest Generation"), and to those heroes who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Heroes of WW2 Heroes of Sept. 11, 2001

This is the last picture taken of my brother Jim and me before he went down with the USS Block Island in the Atlantic on May 29, 1944.

Jack and Jim Owen
Newspaper article on the sinking of the USS Block Island. USS Block Island story
A picture of my younger brother Odell, taken during Navy "boot camp."  My brother served on two different ships.  He was aboard the  USS Arenac when the Japanese surrendered, and aboard the USS Appalachian when the first Bikini Atoll atomic bomb test was made.  Odell joined the Navy  in early 1945 not long after his 17th birthday.
A picture of my younger brother Odell
Odell served aboard the USS Appalachian pictured here.  USS Appalachian
The Japanese Invasion Money was brought back by Odell from the Philippines.
Invasion Money
George Aronsen standing by a war weary B-17 returned from Alaska.  The picture on the airplane had to be "cleaned up" by adding -et to the name, and a bathing suit on the girl when it was returned to the States.
Frozen Ass-et
Leon Reeder and I are pulling an inspection on a B-17.  I worked with Leon for many months.  I am the one on the left. Leon lives in La Grange, Texas.
Leon and Jack
No, the Third Air Force emblem was not scanned crooked.  That is how it was worn.
3rd Air Force Insignia
B-29s lined up on the ramp.  I worked on B-17s and B-29 during most of my three years in the service.  I  spent most of my time in the 2nd Air force and the 3rd Air Force.  I took my training on B-29s at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington.
B29 on ramp
I'm the third one from left in the first standing row.  I'm  6' 2", so take a look at the guy on the right.
The Gang!
B-29 in flight
B-29 in flight
B-29 on mission to Japan
B-29 on mission to Japan
B-17 receiving Flak over Germany
B-17 receiving Flak over Germany
B-17 in flight
B-17 in flight
Hidalgo County, TX built a Memorial to the County Veterans who lost their lives in combat during WWII. 
Memorial
My brother Jim's name is inscribed along with the hundreds of others from Hidalgo County who gave their life during that conflict. My brother Jim's name is inscribed
In memory of September 11, 2001
In memory of September 11, 2001