If you are a Veteran, reconnect with the people you served with on Together We Served!
Ordnance/Maintenance (Enlisted)
TWS Ribbon Bar
Service Photo
Service Details
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
What are you doing now:
Charter Member
National WWII Memorial
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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.
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 Founding Sponsor
National Museum
US Army Â
Note:
My dad (Bernard Zesch) and I are listed in the Soldier's Registry.
Charter Member
The National World War II Museum
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Member
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
Founding Member
American Air Museum in Duxford, England
MemberÂ
RAF Men dlesham Airfield Association
 Gunners Association
B-17 Alliance Foundation
Member
The Eighth Air Force Historical Society
Member
Air Force Gunners Association
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Other Comments:
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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.
Dolores and Earl
Normandy Arromanches, France
Normandy Pointe du Hoc, France
Normandy Utah Beach, France
Zesch Family Tree
Residences of EZ and DZ
EZ Associates
Biography
Our Daughter (Linda Manhart) and Her 66th Birthday Cake
Earl and Fathers Day Flowers from Julie
Blue Angels
Our Daughter Julie, Flight Attendant.
Memories of Italy and Monaco
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Papa
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