bigpigeon.us webpage WW II Dead, updated by RAC 17 Apr 2020.
This webarea is built around a roster of 454 WW II dead, the majority of whom lived in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, with the county seat of Council Bluffs being the only city.
The larger city of Omaha, Nebraska is across the Missouri River to the west.
Still in development Apr 2020. Data not proofread.
This webarea is built around a roster of 454 WW II dead, the majority of whom lived in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, with the county seat of Council Bluffs being the only city.
The larger city of Omaha, Nebraska is across the Missouri River to the west.
Still in development Apr 2020. Data not proofread.
Big Pigeon WW II Dead webpages:
My WW II Dead reports:
- Roster Access - access point for WW II Dead roster webpages; alternatively, click for direct access:
- Using the Roster - understanding and using the WW II Dead roster.
- About the Roster - WW II Dead roster background information.
- Where They Lived - Pott. Co., other Iowa county, other state.
- Where They Died - War with Japan, War with Germany, stateside, died after separation.
- WW II Dead - Photos - in its early stages; currently has only 17 images.
- WW II Dead - Groups - more info on some Pottawattamie County area dead.
- WW II Dead - Outliers - veterans' names I have found that fit into special categories.
- Useful Links - links to web resources used in my WW II Dead project.
My WW II Dead reports:
- Concordance Report - matches WW II campaigns or battles with bigpigeon.us webpage(s).
- Maritime Losses Japan Report - major naval losses in the War with Japan.
- Maritime Losses Germany Report - major naval losses in the War with Germany.
Sources for the WW II Dead webpage:
- The webpage header image shows the Pottawattamie County, Iowa Veteran's Plaza on the east side of Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs. See more at http://genealogytrails.com/iowa/pottawattamie/veterans_plaza.htm.
Epigraph from Veterans Plaza Memorial, Bayliss Park, Council Bluffs, Iowa
In honor of the veterans in my WW II Dead roster to whom we owe so much, I have included the following eloquent and moving epigraph, The Glory of their Spirit by the late Richard W. Peterson of Council Bluffs.
In honor of the veterans in my WW II Dead roster to whom we owe so much, I have included the following eloquent and moving epigraph, The Glory of their Spirit by the late Richard W. Peterson of Council Bluffs.
When destiny demanded and country called,
they in answer left our rolling hills
and great river valley, and learned the arts of war. Then, on and beneath restless waves of the deep,
in endless skies and across vast oceans to island shores, on broad plains and barren hillsides, in dark forests,
on snow-covered mountains and in the rubble of smashed villages
and cities they faced and fought, with valor and dedication,
those who challenged our ideals and freedom and,
in the very vortex of combat, were then greeted and embraced by Death. The soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen were not born
to die in the youth of their lives – yet they did.
They were not born to die death of violence – yet they did.
By cruel and brutal circumstances of war, they gave their lives
that we might live our lives and years in liberty and peace.
Never should we forget their ultimate sacrifice.
We now in their memory carve their names in stone,
and enshrine them in our hearts;
we now cast in eternal bronze, figures who in sorrow and
in the long, long thoughts of youth
reflect on the last measure of devotion given by those we now honor, and we join their mute and motionless yet eloquent presence
in their silent meditation,
Thinking not only of the passing of the departed patriots,
But remembering the glory of their spirit.
© Richard W. Peterson, reprinted with permission of Kip (Peterson) Sherbondy.
they in answer left our rolling hills
and great river valley, and learned the arts of war. Then, on and beneath restless waves of the deep,
in endless skies and across vast oceans to island shores, on broad plains and barren hillsides, in dark forests,
on snow-covered mountains and in the rubble of smashed villages
and cities they faced and fought, with valor and dedication,
those who challenged our ideals and freedom and,
in the very vortex of combat, were then greeted and embraced by Death. The soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen were not born
to die in the youth of their lives – yet they did.
They were not born to die death of violence – yet they did.
By cruel and brutal circumstances of war, they gave their lives
that we might live our lives and years in liberty and peace.
Never should we forget their ultimate sacrifice.
We now in their memory carve their names in stone,
and enshrine them in our hearts;
we now cast in eternal bronze, figures who in sorrow and
in the long, long thoughts of youth
reflect on the last measure of devotion given by those we now honor, and we join their mute and motionless yet eloquent presence
in their silent meditation,
Thinking not only of the passing of the departed patriots,
But remembering the glory of their spirit.
© Richard W. Peterson, reprinted with permission of Kip (Peterson) Sherbondy.