Zesch, Edward, SSgt

Ordnance/Maintenance (Enlisted)
 
 TWS Ribbon Bar
Life Member
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Current Service Status
USAAF Veteran
Current/Last Rank
Staff Sergeant
Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
AAF MOS 612-Airplane Armorer-Gunner
Current/Last AFSC Group
Ordnance/Maintenance (Enlisted)
Primary Unit
1945-1945, AAF MOS 612, 34th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Service Years
1944 - 1946
Voice Edition
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Staff Sergeant

 Official Badges 

WW II Honorable Discharge Pin Honorable Discharge Emblem (WWII) Armament Specialist


 Unofficial Badges 




 Additional Information
What are you doing now:

Charter Member
National WWII Memorial
 
Note:
I am in the Registry along with my dad (Bernard Zesch), Dolores' dad (Gilbert Johnson) and her two brothers (Clarion Johnson, Carl Johnson). Dolores' dad and brothers were WWII US Navy veterans who served in the Pacific Theater. My dad was a US Army MP in New Guinea during WWII.
 
 Founding Sponsor
National Museum
US Army 

Note:
My dad (Bernard  Zesch) and I are listed in the Soldier's Registry.

Charter Member
The National World War II Museum

 
Member
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

Founding Member
American Air Museum in Duxford, England


Member 
RAF Men
dlesham Airfield Association
 Gunners Association
B-17 Alliance Foundation

Member
The Eighth Air Force Historical Society

Member
Air Force Gunners Association

 

   
Other Comments:



 

   
 Photo Album   (More...


 Ribbon Bar


USAAF Aerial Gunner Badge


 
 Unit Assignments
8th Air Force7th Bombardment  Squadron, Heavy34th Bombardment Group,  Heavy
  1944-1944, 760th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron (Cadre)
  1945-1945, 8th Air Force
  1945-1945, AAF MOS 612, 7th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy
  1945-1945, AAF MOS 612, 34th Bombardment Group, Heavy
 Combat and Non-Combat Operations
  1941-1945 World War II
 Reflections on Service
SSgt
Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Air Force.
Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. Where did you go to basic training and what units, bases, or squadrons were you assigned to? What was your reason for leaving?
If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which made a lasting impact on you and, if life-changing, in what way?
Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which was your least favorite?
From your entire military service, describe any memories you still reflect back on to this day.
What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or other memorabilia, which one is the most meaningful to you and why?
Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?
List the names of old friends you served with, at which locations, and recount what you remember most about them. Indicate those you are already in touch with and those you would like to make contact with.
Can you recount a particular incident from your service, which may or may not have been funny at the time, but still makes you laugh?
What profession did you follow after your military service and what are you doing now? If you are currently serving, what is your present occupational specialty?
What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?
In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career? What do you miss most about your time in the service?
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Air Force?
In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.
 Colleges Attended 
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  1955-1960, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
 My Aircraft/Missiles
  1944-1946, B-17 Flying Fortress
 Other News, Events and Photographs
 
  Our Daughter Julie, Flight Attendant.
  Chattanooga Choo Choo
  Papa
  Our Daughter (Linda Manhart) and Her 66th Birthday Cake
  Zesch Family Tree
  Residences of EZ and DZ
  EZ Associates
  Biography
  Earl and Fathers Day Flowers from Julie
  Blue Angels
  Memories of Italy and Monaco
  Dolores and Earl
  Normandy Arromanches, France
  Normandy Pointe du Hoc, France
  Normandy Utah Beach, France
  May 06, 2012, Dolores
  May 06, 2012, Event at Santa Monica, CA Air Museum 1994
  May 06, 2012, Earl and Dolores Marriage Vows 1996
  May 07, 2012, 150th Anniversary of Battle of Manassas (Civil War)
  May 07, 2012, Recollections of my 7th Bomb Squadron off-duty activities
  May 07, 2012, Visit To Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
  May 09, 2012, Celebrities/Personalities
  May 11, 2012, Tuskegee Airman Victor Miller
  May 11, 2012, 8th AFHS Reunions
  May 12, 2012, Extract from Maury Anderson's Notebook, Stories from Airmen Who Survived
  May 13, 2012, 2006 Hawaii Vacation
  May 13, 2012, Pigeon Forge, TN
  May 13, 2012, Visit With Our Nephew Steve Beck (Delta Pilot and Former USAF F-15 Pilot)
  May 13, 2012, Catalina 2006
  May 13, 2012, Visit with Beau Manhart (Grandson) and Family in Minnesota
  May 14, 2012, Bob Lillie (my Right Waist /Armorer Gunner)
  May 14, 2012, John Hopper (my Pilot)
  May 14, 2012, Ernie Waite (Fellow Airman)
  May 14, 2012, John Foley (Johnny Zero)
  May 14, 2012, Linda and Dolores
  May 14, 2012, Earl and Scott (grandson)
  May 14, 2012, Flying Fortress Caricature
  May 14, 2012, World War II Honorees
  May 14, 2012, Earl's Aircrew
  May 14, 2012, Miscellaneous Family Photos
  May 15, 2012, French Documents
  May 16, 2012, Jill's Graduation from UCSB
  May 17, 2012, My Mom
  May 17, 2012, B-17 MIZPAH
  May 17, 2012, Bill Williamson (My Ball Turret Gunner)
  May 17, 2012, Waist Gunner
  May 17, 2012, P-47 Thunderbolt
  May 19, 2012, B-17 in Milwaukie, OR
  May 19, 2012, Oregon
  May 26, 2012, World War II Honorees in the National World War II Memorial Registry
  May 27, 2012, Earl's Retirement from TRW July 1, 1989
  May 28, 2012, Memorial Day 2012
  May 31, 2012, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
  Jun 02, 2012, High Flight
  Jun 02, 2012, The Falcon
  Jun 02, 2012, "Pappy" Boyington (Col. Gregory Boyington, USMC, Ret.)
  Jun 02, 2012, Dolores - Mothers Day 2012
  Jun 02, 2012, 34th Bomb Group History
  Jun 02, 2012, Uncle Sam Beckons
  Jun 02, 2012, Christmas in Loudon, TN 2010
  Jun 02, 2012, Biograhical Sketch of Edward Earl Zesch
  Jun 02, 2012, Tennessee Riverboat Cruise 2011
  Jun 03, 2012, Chowhound Articles
  Jun 03, 2012, Food Drop Documents
  Jun 03, 2012, Miniature Planes and Other Vehicles
  Jun 06, 2012, Earl and Dolores in Europe 1984
  Jun 25, 2012, Our Daughter Julie
  Jun 26, 2012, Chattanooga Choo Choo
  Jun 26, 2012, Cousins
  Jul 04, 2012, Our Friends, the Beelers and the Gaars
  Jul 04, 2012, Our Pacific Princess (Love Boat) Cruise
  Jul 04, 2012, Julie's Landscaping
  Jul 05, 2012, Dolores' 75 Year Old Picture Stamps
  Jul 06, 2012, Julie and Steve
  Jul 06, 2012, Julie
  Jul 06, 2012, Sharon and David Beck
  Jul 30, 2012, Julie, Jill, Drew and Their Dogs at Big Sur, CA July 2012
  Jul 30, 2012, Scott and Cyndi Manhart with Their Boys, Trey, Trent, Ty and Scotty
  Jul 30, 2012, Emmy Manhart
  Sep 21, 2012, California Trip
  Sep 26, 2012, Manhart Family Tree 2012
  Sep 27, 2012, Great Grandchildren
  Nov 10, 2012, Last Resume'
  Nov 14, 2012, Dan and Linda Pigeon Forge, TN Nov 2012
  Nov 19, 2012, My Old Bomb Group
  Nov 19, 2012, Some Past History
  Nov 22, 2012, Julie's Turkey
  Nov 24, 2012, Linda and Dan - Tennessee Volunteers Football Fans
  Nov 27, 2012, Christmas Trees Loudon, TN 2012
  Dec 20, 2012, Our daughter, Julie, with her son (Drew), daughter (Jill ) and their pets
  Dec 28, 2012, Our Aircrew at OTU (Overseas Training Unit) Alexandria, LA
  Dec 28, 2012, Our Aircrew in England 1945
  Dec 28, 2012, Family Photo 1944
  Mar 21, 2013, Dolores' Jig Saw Puzzle
  Apr 12, 2013, Foriegn Places Visited During 1984-1985
  Apr 21, 2013, Julie and her children Drew and Jill
  Apr 29, 2013, Gloria's Birthday Celebration
  Apr 29, 2013, Our Daughter (Linda Manhart) and Her 66th Birthday Cake
  May 04, 2013, Gloria Beck and Julie O'Connor
  May 04, 2013, Family Gathering at Gloria Beck (my sister) Surprise 80th Birthday Party in Blue Ridge, GA
  May 10, 2013, Dolores and Her Mothers Day Flowers 2013
  May 16, 2013, World War II Aviation Pictures
  May 23, 2013, Our Grandson Drew O'Connor HS Graduation
  Jun 25, 2013, Banning VFW Pictures
  Jun 25, 2013, March Field, CA
  Jun 25, 2013, Senior Citizen Pretending to be 19 Again!
  Jun 27, 2013, Earl and Piper Cub (similar to one he soloed in )
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores
  Jun 27, 2013, Earl and PT-17 Stearman
  Jun 27, 2013, Earl and B-17
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Actor Earl Holliman
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Performer Frankie Laine at Palm Springs Follies
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Former Kings Hockey Player Marty McSorley
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Actor (Extra) From Movie Silverado
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Performer Bill Dana at Palm Springs Follies
  Jun 27, 2013, Earl and Performer Kay Starr at Palm Springs Follies
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Angels Catcher Bob Boone
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores with "George Bush"
  Jun 27, 2013, Dolores and Dick Rutan (pilot of the Voyager. Jeana Yeager was co-pilot)
  Jun 27, 2013, Vintage Military Equipment
  Jul 11, 2013, Earl and Fathers Day Flowers from Julie
  Jul 18, 2013, Shadow Box of Earl's Fathers Day Roses
  Aug 11, 2013, Cathy and Terry Beeler Visit
  Sep 10, 2013, Blue Angels
  Nov 26, 2013, Road Trip
  Jul 15, 2014, 34th Bomb Group Memorial
  Aug 20, 2014, Big Bands
  Aug 20, 2014, Big Bands
  Oct 14, 2014, Operation Manna/Chowhound
  Jan 16, 2015, Ernie Waite
  Jan 16, 2015, Anniversary
  Mar 17, 2015, American Air Museum in Britain
  Jul 05, 2015, Our Daughter Julie, Flight Attendant
  Jul 05, 2015, Family Reunion
  Jul 05, 2015, Heather, Linda's Ragdoll Kitty
  Sep 21, 2015, Commemorative Brick
  Apr 05, 2016, Visit to National WWII Museum
  Jun 28, 2016, Our B-17 in Alexandria AAF, LA in 1945.
  Aug 12, 2016, VFW Honor Wall
  Aug 28, 2016, My Model Airplanes, Cars and Ships
  Mar 01, 2018, Aviation Related Movies Enjoyed Over The Years
  Mar 01, 2018, 8th AFHS Reunion in New Orleans 2017
  Mar 04, 2018, My 92nd Birthday Dinner
  Mar 04, 2018, B-17 Models
  Mar 04, 2018, My Sister and I
  Mar 04, 2018, Special Calendar
  Mar 05, 2018, 34th BG Memorial Dedication November 9, 2014
  Mar 05, 2018, TRW Retiree Pins and Letters
  Mar 05, 2018, Springfield, IL
  Mar 05, 2018, Julie's Trip to Washington, DC
  Mar 05, 2018, My A-2 Jacket
  Mar 05, 2018, Oak Glen, CA
  Mar 05, 2018, Prague
  Mar 05, 2018, Gloria, Sox and Tippy
  Mar 05, 2018, New Delta Uniforms
  Mar 05, 2018, 8thAFHS Reunion in New Orleans, LA 2017
  Mar 05, 2018, Dolores, Linda and Julie
  Mar 05, 2018, Julie, Jill and Drew Pets
  Mar 05, 2018, Family Lunch in New Orleans
  Mar 05, 2018, Gloria and Daughters
  Mar 06, 2018, Douglas Test Team
  Mar 06, 2018, Celebrities
  Mar 06, 2018, 34th BG Reunion
  Mar 06, 2018, Cars of Dolores and Earl
  Mar 07, 2018, Julie in Edinburgh
  Mar 07, 2018, Julie in Dublin
  Mar 07, 2018, Scot Manhart and His Family
  Mar 07, 2018, Gaar and Beeler Family
  Mar 07, 2018, Little Julie
  Mar 07, 2018, National WWII Memorial
  Mar 08, 2018, Julie and Delta
  Mar 08, 2018, Earl and Dolores 50th Anniversary
  Mar 08, 2018, Danny Manhart in the Military
  Mar 09, 2018, Montage of Julie's Photos
  Mar 23, 2018, Basic Training
  Apr 10, 2018, Aerial Gunner Diploma
  Apr 16, 2018, FaceTime
  Apr 23, 2018, Dolores' Beautician License
  Apr 23, 2018, Patrol Boy
  Apr 23, 2018, Gift from Linda
  Apr 23, 2018, Dolores' Degree
  Apr 24, 2018, Wall Items
  Apr 24, 2018, Seiko Clock
  Apr 24, 2018, EEZ USAAF 1944-46
  Apr 24, 2018, Sonic
  Apr 28, 2018, Aerial Gunnery Training Film
  May 05, 2018, Nostalgia
  May 15, 2018, B-17 Models
  May 19, 2018, Reflections After Returning from Europe 1945
  May 21, 2018, Flexible Gunnery Training
  May 27, 2018, Assignment Italy
  May 27, 2018, An Old Job Application
  May 28, 2018, Old Radio Programs Recalled
  Jun 03, 2018, Automobile Goodies of the Past
  Jun 03, 2018, Pilots at Douglas Aircraft Co.
  Jun 03, 2018, Additional Tasks on B-17
  Jun 04, 2018, Our Flight to Stone, England from Savannah, GA
  Jun 05, 2018, Looking Back Part 1 (Dad's baseball equipment, etc)
  Jun 06, 2018, Looking Back Part 2 (high school,Davidson Commission)
  Jun 07, 2018, Looking Back Part 3 (Chicago World's Fair, bike)
  Jun 08, 2018, Looking Back Part 4 ( Field Museum)
  Jun 08, 2018, Looking Back Part 5 (W J Miles, Grandma apt, Glen Ellyn)
  Jun 09, 2018, Looking Back Part 6 (Weston, U of I)
  Jun 09, 2018, Looking Back Part 7 (Martin, CO land)
  Jun 10, 2018, Looking Back Part 8 (Calumet HS)
  Jun 11, 2018, Looking Back Part 9 (TRW Programs)
  Jun 11, 2018, Looking Back Part 10 (Great Depression)
  Jun 11, 2018, Looking Back Part 11 (Crystal Lake, YMCA)
  Jun 12, 2018, Animal Fun
  Jun 13, 2018, Our Dogs
  Jun 13, 2018, Celebrities/Personalities Dolores or I Have Met
  Jun 14, 2018, Our Pet Friends
  Jun 14, 2018, More Reflections on the Great Depression
  Jun 15, 2018, Some Past Memories
  Jun 18, 2018, Some Items Young People Had During the 1930s and 1940s.
  Jun 23, 2018, Motorcycles
  Jun 23, 2018, Dad's and/or Mom's Cars
  Jun 24, 2018, TRW OMV
  Jun 24, 2018, Pilot Dreams
  Jun 25, 2018, War of the Worlds (radio broadcast)
  Jun 25, 2018, Assignment England
  Jun 26, 2018, Hazard Pay?
  Jun 27, 2018, Our First Car
  Jun 28, 2018, High Altitude Testing
  Jun 30, 2018, Planes of Fame Museum
  Jul 04, 2018, University of Illinois Sports Greats
  Jul 09, 2018, Bicycles in England
  Jul 09, 2018, Green Gas
  Jul 12, 2018, Homesick
  Jul 13, 2018, Weston Memories
  Jul 13, 2018, Brief Experience in Architecture
  Jul 13, 2018, Marbles, Spinning Wooden Tops and Yo Yos
  Jul 13, 2018, Buckingham Palace
  Jul 14, 2018, Fish and Chips
  Jul 15, 2018, Oops!
  Jul 15, 2018, Memories of Torrance Airport
  Jul 16, 2018, Skiing Humor
  Jul 16, 2018, Colorado
  Jul 16, 2018, Mission Viejo
  Jul 16, 2018, Lucerne, Switzerland
  Jul 17, 2018, Rose Bowl
  Jul 17, 2018, Towel Service
  Jul 20, 2018, Favorite Cars
  Jul 21, 2018, Roller Skates and Skate Boards
  Aug 20, 2018, Big Bands
  Oct 11, 2018, Memories of Italy and Monaco
  Dec 02, 2018, Book of Remembrance
  Mar 03, 2019, My 93rd Birthday
  Mar 17, 2019, Chowhound Crew
  Jun 28, 2019, My Favorite Aviation Movies
  Sep 17, 2019, DAR re 34th BG Memorial Walter Hines Page Chapter (UK)
  Sep 21, 2019, B-17 Combat Crewman and Wingmen
  Sep 21, 2019, Metal Detecting
  Sep 21, 2019, Dolores' Stamps
  Sep 21, 2019, A Memory
  Sep 21, 2019, Friendly Encouinter
  Sep 21, 2019, Dolores' Beautician License
  Sep 21, 2019, Assignment Italy
  Sep 21, 2019, Chattanooga Choo Choo
  Sep 21, 2019, Memories of the Gaar Family
  Oct 06, 2019, Quilt
  Oct 07, 2019, British Humor
  Jan 18, 2020, Flexible Gunnery Training
  Mar 28, 2020, Invaders from Mars
  Apr 09, 2020, Movie Theaters, Past and Present
  May 03, 2020, Renting Woes
  May 06, 2020, Horsing Around
  Sep 15, 2020, Norwin Park Drive In
  Sep 15, 2020, More of My Jobs
  Sep 17, 2020, Papa
  May 18, 2022, Other Photos
 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
Dept of California8th Air Force Historical SocietyAir Force Memorial (AFM)
  1988, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Dept of California (Sacramento, California) - Chap. Page
  2008, 8th Air Force Historical Society - Assoc. Page
  2016, Air Force Memorial (AFM) - Assoc. Page
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