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My Dad Elvin Ray Farris |
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This is the only picture I have of my dad while in the service. I don't know if this was when he was in the Army Air Forces 100th Bomb Group or when he re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserve.Hoping someone can give me some information on what the insignias are on the uniform.I'm currently waiting on my father's military records. From what my brother could read on my father's discharge papers,he was in the 100th Bomb Group..Army of US HQSDET(which I do not know what that means);he was enlisted on active service 8 Oct 1942 then was discharged on 26 Dec 1945; then in 1949 enlisted in the Air Force Reserve. I do know he was an airplane engine mechanic while in the Army. He spent most of his duty time in England but did go to France and Germany at some point but for how long I don't know. While in England he met a lady by the name of Rose..i have no further information but do know that she was his girlfriend at the time.I am looking for the picture I have of them together to post here at a later date, maybe someone will recognize her. |
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This is a picture of my dad and my oldest brother Donnie,taken at the old airport in Mexia,Texas.Believe pic was taken in 1953 or 1954.I can remember my dad taking us nearly every Sunday to the airport to watch the planes. We never grew tired of it. My dad had a great love for airplanes.I know he was a pilot because I remember seeing a copy of his pilot's license at one point but due to a fire that destroyed my home in 1981 I no longer have it.I only have about 3 pics of my dad that I received from my grandmother after my house burned.I still have many memories of my dad. He loved to fish and when we weren't at the airport we were on the river bank at Ft.Parker State Park between Groesbeck and Mexia.He would always stop and get us a stick of summer sausage,cheese,and crackers and pop to take with us.
For about 25 years my dad worked at the Ford dealership in Teague,Texas as a body repair man,till his health would no longer allow him. He semi-retired but would go down ever so often and do a little work.I think he mostly went down out of habit and to shoot the bull with the guys who were his second family.Some of his family included Mr.Joe Sprueill,Mr Curry,Weldon Terry,Forest Woods,Mr Boyd,Johnny Red and others I can't recall at this time. When my father passed away it was these men who came to offer their support in any way possible before anyone.I know that the ones I remember their names are all gone now so I'm sure dad and all of them are up there shooting the bs as always. I love you daddy,I miss you.Give mama hugs and kisses and tell her I love her too. |
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Due to the kindess of Mr.Jack O'Leary I have some other information on my father: He told me that more than likely my father was at Thorpe Abbotts in England for a long period of time,in the ground crew engineering group. In the group's 1947 Unit History,CONTRAILS,my father is listed on page 42..there is a pic of my father E.Farris,along with H.Moit,T.Gregory,and I.Clark.They were attached to AIRCRAFT #564...44-8564 XR-B on Hardstand #18. This was a 349th Bomb Squadron hardstand. Mr.O'Leary states that his dad's crew flew aircraft off this when my father was there and that they probably met in passing to go to their ship,or warmed up in their hut,tent by the ship. The photo of them was probably taken in mild weather from the way they are dressed...probably May or June,1945. 44-8564 was a Pathfinder aircraft (PPF)44-8564BN-Z that flew 16+ combat missions with the 303rd BG,359th BS...Lt.Fillinggame flew this a/c on a June 3,1945 mission from Hardstand #18.I also understand the 1947 100th BG unit history is an approx.300 page hardcover book that was printed after the war and offered to every 100th BG veteran via a mailing for a few dollars,then...now in 2004 the book is VERY RARE, and hard to find,sells for approx.200-300 dollars if lucky to find a copy for sale.As of this writing I'm trying to get in touch with Mike Faley who I'm told might have a copy of the photo in the 100th photo archives.So please if someone knows Mike have him email me. |
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Research Page |
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