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The Death of Major John E. Adams

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When you research your veteran, are you also researching the collaterals? Those who served with your veteran? Died with your veteran? If not, you could be missing out on incredible information that provides context to your veteran’s service.

As I was reviewing old files and reading some new Official Military Personnel Files I received, I wanted to share part of the story of the death of Major John E. Adams. His IDPF is important for two reasons. First, it provides details about his death aboard the British Hospital Ship, the “St. David”. Second, it provides two eyewitness accounts of his death and the sinking of the ship by two Army Nurses who survived. For one nurse, this was her second ship sinking so far in the war.

When we try to understand what our military ancestors experienced and why they came home changed, were afraid of something, or couldn’t cope with certain things, their military records may help us know why. The records of others may assist as well.

While there is much to tell about Adams’ life and service, today I’ll share with you the circumstances around his death. You can download his IDPF below to read further. I have not yet scanned his OMPF.

The Bombing

The British Hospital Carrier “St. David” was hit by a bomb from an enemy plane at approximately 1930 hours, 24 January 1944, 20 miles off the coast of Port Anzio, Italy, and sank within five or six minutes after being hit. Major Adams was last seen on his ward on “B” deck. Statement of eyewitnesses who were the last known persons to see Major Adams are attached. (Source: OMPF for John E. Adams, ASN: O-345350).

Affidavit of 2nd Lt. Laura R. Hindman, N-724590, ANC 

1 February 1944

This is to certify that I was aboard the British Hospital Carrier “St. David” on the night of January 24, 1944, at the time the ship was sunk as the result of a direct hit by an aerial bomb. We had left the port of Anzio, Italy at approximately 1730 hours in company with the other British hospital carriers “Leinster” and “St. Andrews”. The ships were lighted in the manner prescribed by the Geneva Convention as soon as the 5 mile limit was reached. They stood out brilliantly in the night as the result of the lighting. I was the surgical nurse on the surgical team headed by Major John E. Adams aboard the “St. David”. We had been given no especial duties and no boat station assignment in the event of an emergency, or the necessity to abandon ship.

The ship was hit at approximately 1902 hours. All lights on the ship immediately went out. At the time, I was in my stateroom on Deck “C” with 2nd Lt. Anna Bess Berret, my roommate. With the aid of a flashlight, we grabbed our life preservers and started for the stairway. We had ascended to “B” Deck and Major Adams was standing at the head of the stairs holding a flashlight and, presumably, waiting for us to come up from below. Major Adams helped me put on my life preserver and commented, “Well, Ruth, you have gotten it again”. (Note: Miss Hindman was aboard the British Hospital Carrier “Newfoundland” when it was bombed and sunk on September 12, 1943 about 20 miles off Salerno Beachhead.)

After I had gotten the life preserver on, I sat down on the steps and hastily put on my shoes. I then started up the steps from “B” Deck to “A” Deck when I realized that I had left Miss Berret behind in my haste. I turned and called to her to “come on”. At this very moment I saw Major Adams for the last time. He had gone into the resuscitation ward on “B” Deck where he had several seriously ill patients. I am sure that his motive was to see that these cases were evacuated from the ship. Miss Berret and I bounded out onto “A” Deck portside and were immediately ordered into the nearest lifeboat. Just as we were getting seated someone exclaimed that the ship was sinking.

From the position of the mast it was evident that the ship was rolling over on its portside. Someone screamed for everyone to jump out of the lifeboat and clear the ship as much as possible. Due to the resultant panic and confusion at this instant, I was unable to get out and was carried beneath the surface of the water. In fact, at this time, the entire ship sank and I was dragged down with it. I am unable to say by what means I became extricated from the sinking wreckage.

The next thing I knew I seemed to be coming up to the surface but each of the two times that I came up, I seemed to be caught beneath some part of the ship. When I came up for the third time, I was free of the wreckage and the ship had completely disappeared. There were numerous screaming survivors in the water about me. We were eventually rescued and carried aboard the British Hospital Carrier “Leinster”.

I feel that Major Adams lost his life attempting to rescue the patients. Knowing the rapidity with which the ship sank after we left him, there is practically no chance for him to have escaped.

Affidavit of 2nd Lt. Anna B. Berret, N-726259, ANC 

1 February 1944

I, ANNA B. BERRET, N-726259, certify that the following is a true statement of the facts surrounding the disappearance of Major JOHN E. ADAMS, O-345350.

I was serving with Major Adams as anesthetist aboard HC “St. David” on January 24, 1944. Our duties were purely professional and were assigned no emergency stations.

About 1930 hours 24 January 1944, the ship having been under way from Port Anzio beachhead about two hours, the weather being somewhat rough, all lights inside and outside the ship being on, I was dozing in my berth when I noticed a rather loud thudding noise, a heavy jar which almost threw me from my berth and an immediate failure of the lighting.

I obtained my life belt, and together with 2nd Lt Laura R. Hindman, N-724590, who shared a cabin with me on “C” deck, proceeded up the stairs to “B” Deck. At the head of these stairs we met Major Adams, who was supervising the evacuation of litter patients at this point, and was apparently waiting for us to come up.

By this time I had managed to adjust my life jacket, Miss Hindman had not and Major Adams told her to put her jacket on and helped her to adjust and tie it. Miss Hindman sat down and put her shoes on, then suggested that we go to A Deck and preceded me up the stairs.

While waiting my chance to go up the steps I saw Major Adams go toward the back of the resuscitation ward where there were still patients in bed. I never saw him again. As soon as we reached the port outside portion of A Deck we were told to get in a life boat which we did.

The boat was rather crowded when we got in, and almost immediately the boat began to be lowered. The ship was now rolling toward our side, and someone shouted to jump, which we did. As soon as I got above the surface of the water I noticed the last bit of the ship going under, a rounded part, apparently the bottom of the ship, with no other identifiable features.

The total time from which I last saw Major Adams until I saw the last of the ship was about two or three minutes. It seems impossible to me that Major Adams could have had time to complete the evacuation of litter patients which he had voluntarily undertaken and cleared the ship himself.

I know that had Major Adams come with us when we left B Deck, instead of going to the assistance of the remaining patients, a most meritorious and self-sacrificing action which he was certainly not required to do, he would not now be missing in action.

Context

Reading those statements we obtain great context as to the events that led to the sinking of the ship, the loss of so many lives, and what the nurses themselves experienced. Imagine how this context may help explain who a veteran became after service. Imagine how discovering this information may help future generations heal, forgive, understand. There is so much more that can be discovered through military research. Are you ready to begin?

Download John’s IDPF.

Others Killed in the Sinking of the “St. David”

According to John Adams’ IDPF, these indivdiuals were listed as Missing In Action as a result of the sinking.

S/Sgt John R. Lovett 34267994

Cpl. Reuben M. Bowers 19059532. Read his IDPF.

Pfc. Norbert C. Elffors 36280168

Pfc. Gilman Halbakken 37091385

Pvt. Thomas Bianche 33704442. Read his IDPF.

Pvt. Andrew A. Bordash 32806747. Read his IDPF.

Pvt. John H. Cohoon 13093911

Pvt. Mario Croce, Jr. 36587784

Pvt. Edgar Kline 35010659. Read his IDPF

Pvt. Leo J. Patton 33783921

Pvt. Theodore L. Pederson 36222407 Read his IDPF  

Pvt. John C. Smith 34771775

Pvt. Bernard H. Thompson 37207081

Pvt. Willard D. Vieths 36553782

Would you like to research your veteran? I can help!

If you’d like help researching your WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam veteran or writing their story, let’s chat. I offer free phone consults for potential new clients. Email info@wwiirwc.com to get started today!

You can also learn my 2-part military research strategy in my Research a Veteran program available at my online course site. Explore this and other research and writing webinars at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School store.

© 2025 WWII Research and Writing Center

World War II Officer Discharge Cards

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Every research project I touch for personal or professional projects, I learn something new. This week I received some new Official Military Personnel Files for Army and Army Air Force service members. Included were some sample records, all of which I had already seen and used before, except one. This new record is the World War II Officer Discharge Card.

Issues Researching Army and Army Air Force Service

We all know about the 1973 Fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. It destroyed approximately 80% of the Army and Army Air Force service files. However, many of them are not completely destroyed and pieces are recoverable today with new technology. Additionally, we can use Army Morning Reports to reconstruct the footsteps of a soldier or airman. And now, there is another resource to help us with Officer records. The World War II Officer Discharge Card.

This card provides us with the important details we need to reconstruct service, all on one piece of paper. It’s even slightly more valuable than the Separation and Discharge Paper because we know all the units someone was part of during service.

Using these cards we have the dates and units in which someone served. From here we would of course request the OMPF (service file) and start Payroll, Roster, and Morning Report research to fully reconstruct where someone was and the major things happening to them.

Once these details are gathered and placed into a Timeline of Service, we are ready to find contextual records and learn what happened to them and their unit while overseas.

This is an incredible resource, one I wish existed for enlisted men as well. But even researching them has gotten easier with the placement of some Morning Reports online.

Be sure to request this record for your Army Officer when doing World War II research. It is certainly one I will be adding to my list of things I obtain with each new client project.

Would you like to research your veteran? I can help!

If you’d like help researching your WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam veteran or writing their story, let’s chat. I offer free phone consults for potential new clients. Email info@wwiirwc.com to get started today!

You can also learn my 2-part military research strategy in my Research a Veteran program available at my online course site. Explore this and other research and writing webinars at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School store.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

Ask THIS Question Before Hiring a Researcher

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The #1 question you should ask a professional military researcher, a Certified or Accredited Genealogist, professional genealogist or museum BEFORE you hire them for research is….

If the service file burned, what records will you use to reconstruct my veteran’s service and tell me what units he/she was in and where he/she was?

If the researcher cannot answer this question and only responds that if the records burned, nothing can be done – go find a different researcher.

Military research is a specialized area of the genealogical and history research world. I don’t care if someone has initials after their name because they have a genealogy certification or accreditation, or a Ph.D. – if you don’t understand what to do if the records burned, the potential client should be referred to someone who knows and can do the work.

Ask the question and save yourself time and money when doing military research from World War I – Vietnam. I’ve seen all too often in social media groups and new clients who tell me they hired someone they thought knew what they were doing, only to discover they had no idea how to actually find answers if the records burned.

Can I Help You Find Answers?

To request a free consult email info@wwiirwc.com and let’s discuss your military research project.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

From Lost Leads to False & Incomplete Stories

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The Risks of Using a Museum for Veteran Research

Families searching for their World War II veteran’s records may assume a local or national military museum can provide the information they seek. After all, military museums are filled with display cases full of medals, uniforms, stories, and artifacts. One would think the knowledge to research military service would be known by their staff. Right?

WRONG.

Display case from the 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne, Belgium, October 16, 2015.

While military museums are equipped to gather artifacts and tell stories, perhaps even record oral histories (which they may not research to prove validity), they are not taught how to accurately research a veteran’s service. Relying on a military museum to gather facts and put a report, story, or book together, will usually leave you with an incorrect story and missing facts. An incorrect story for which you paid a lot of money.

Before you invest time and your hard earned money into a museum for research, let me help you understand why hiring a professional military researcher is the way to go if you want an accurate story.

Reasons to Not Hire a Museum

Museum staff are not trained in military research.

Museums hire those who have degrees in curation, writing, exhibit design, and conservation. There are no degree programs teaching you how to research veteran service. I know because I have a history degree and this was not something offered.

When I started researching my veteran ancestors 15 years ago, the word in the genealogy community and world was, All the Records Burned. Knowing that I could find answers, I studied, over thousands of hours and my own money, the records from World War II. I created the 2-part strategy to research any veteran even if the file burned. Then I wrote the books and created the classes which I teach. Still today, besides my comprehensive programs, there are only a few people teaching accurate military research. And they aren’t in military museums.

Families don’t know what they don’t know, so how can they ask?

Military museums and less than ethical researchers know the general public doesn’t know what it doesn’t know. It’s well known, that there was a fire at NPRC in 1973 so they can get away with charging you a lot of money to only give you a Final Payroll Worksheet if the service file burned. The Final Payroll Worksheet by the way, only says they served. It’s of no use to actual research as it normally doesn’t provide a unit.

The museum can give you a fake narrative of your veteran’s service because they didn’t reconstruct it and verify it using other records like Morning Reports, Rosters, Payroll Reports, Muster Rolls, and online databases which provide puzzle pieces. When you don’t know the research process or what records to request, the museums can charge a lot and give you nothing.

Museums do not access the necessary military records.

From the information pages and start your project pages, it’s clear the museum will request the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) from the NPRC in St. Louis and if it burned, well you’re out of luck and money. The museum tells you nothing may be discovered (to cover their butt), but not that they aren’t doing accurate research. Now, if they get a file, you can pay more to see what other pieces of paper or online source you can find on your own, they will provide. Basically, they aren’t telling you what could be available so how would you know if they don’t look for it?

Museums offer packages which may not provide all the information you need and deserve.

It is clearly stated in the FAQ and package details on the museum websites, what they provide. The problem is, if you don’t know what you actually need and they are not giving you full information about what can be found, how can you make an educated decision to hire or not hire?

Let’s look at the Research a Veteran page from the National WWII Museum’s Website. It tells you for $150 + tax you can hire them to request your veteran’s OMPF and if applicable, the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF). But if the OMPF burned, that’s all you’ll get unless they have some piece of information in their library that may relate to your veteran’s service.

Two points to consider here:

  • You can request this file on your own through NARA’s website. Once you have it, if you need help deciphering it or moving forward, you can hire a researcher or go to a genealogy society for help.
  • Another option is to purchase a coaching session with a professional like me to learn what the file and contents mean and where to go next. This particular session is not for hiring me to do a project, but to help you do it on your own.
  • If you hire a military research professional, this is one of the many files we will obtain for you. If it burned or if it is complete, we still obtain many other records to tell you where your veteran was and what they were doing while in service.

I invite you to read the FAQ on the National WWII Museums’ Page (scroll down below the package pricing) and notice how they basically tell you repeatedly that if the OMPF burned, you are out of luck. If they find there is a full OMPF then they will ask you for more money to do more research.

You risk receiving generalized or incorrect information.

Military museums request that you send them the veteran’s Separation and Discharge Paper so they have a unit to research. They assume that a veteran was only in one unit and the unit on the discharge paper was a combat unit.

This is the wrong way to approach research. Why?

  • The unit on a discharge paper is not the only unit in which someone served. If we are talking Army and Army Air Force, it could be a combat unit. It could be a discharge unit only. The unit in which they were transferred to go home. For other branches, the discharge lists ships, stations, and units in which someone served and the research needs to be done to see when that happened.
  • Service members often moved through units from training to combat. Army and Army Air Force in particular, especially by 1943, moved through Replacement Depots as well before going to a combat unit. You have to reconstruct this service to know when someone was in a unit. How can you tell their story if you don’t know exactly when they were in a unit?
  • If someone was in the 5th Infantry Division throughout his entire combat experience, you still have to reconstruct to determine if this is true. If he was wounded end of July 1944 and removed from the 5th Division into the hospital system, then a Replacement Depot, and then back into the 5th by December 15, 1944 – the history belonging to the 5th Division while he was away does not apply to his service story. He wasn’t there to experience it so it isn’t his story. Museums will overlook this or not know to consider it – therefore you will receive inaccurate information.

Let’s look at another museum, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library Military Genealogy Page. Be sure to scroll down their page and download the FAQ PDF as it contains more information, similar to what the WWII Museum says about what they can and cannot access. They also request and will search the unit on your discharge paper, but will you get an accurate story? No.

The Museums specify they will search their archives or library for information.

This means if they do not have the appropriate military records, you will receive no information. It also means if they have not properly reconstructed military service, you may receive inaccurate or false reports or books as the end product. Museums also tend to have generalized unit histories prepared to copy and paste into a report they provide. Ask yourself, do I want a general history or MY veteran’s history?

A Better Option – Hire a Military Research Professional

If you are interested in obtaining the accurate story of your veteran’s service and the documents needed, consider hiring a professional researcher. There are a few excellent researchers out there, myself included.

Each of us runs our business and offers differently, so you need to ask yourself what it is you really need. Some firms only pull records to send you, leaving you to decipher what it all means. Others, like mine, provide research reports and personalized service to ensure you get what you need and all questions are answered.

To help you figure out which path to take, I wrote an article about questions to ask and things to consider before hiring any research professional. A Word of Caution: Hiring a Military Researcher

My experience with clients who hire a museum first.

I have recently had a few clients hire me after hiring the National WWII Museum to conduct research. These people only received a Final Payroll and maybe a General Order or Special Order from them. The OMPF burned and the client didn’t want to spend more to get nothing.

Reviewing the offers by various museums, to me it’s clear they are looking for new revenue streams but not actually providing answers in the best way. Honestly this boggles my mind because these museums are supposed to be experts. Yet, they have no idea how to accurately move through the process to find answers.

Let’s Work Together to Find Your Veteran’s Story

I offer free phone consultations to any potential client. I do not have a form on my website that asks for info and gives you a package price. Each project is customized based on your specific needs and questions.

Prior to a consult I ask for documents you have, information I need to start digging, and the questions you’d like answered. Then I dig a little and determine what can be done. At that point, we schedule a phone call where I explain my two-part research strategy, what you receive in both parts, and fees and time. I’m one of the only professional military researchers that provides research reports with your documents. Everything is clearly explained so you can easily share with family. I also am one of the few who can take your research and turn it into a book.

In each phone call to discuss options, we do not rush. I listen to the stories about your veteran. I ask a lot of questions and take the time to explain everything you receive and the fees and time associated. Throughout the project, I stay in touch and when it’s complete, I’m available to answer your questions or listen as you process the sometimes shocking information I discover.

If you’d like to learn more and discuss a possible project, email me at jennifer@ancestralsouls.com and let’s get started.

You can also learn my 2-part military research strategy in my Research a Veteran program available at my online course site. Explore this and other research and writing webinars at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School store.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

A Life Cut Short. Emil Paul Ratay

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A part of my family I know very little about are the Ratay/Ratajs. My great grandma Marie Rataj married Jan Holik. Marie had a brother named Joseph who lived briefly in Chicago like the rest of my Czech ancestors but then after military service (1912-1917), he moved his family to Cleveland, Ohio. I have a few scattered photos of this part of the family but most individuals are not identified. My cousin Emil Rataj/y is one of my military ancestors who was killed in service. This is part of his story.

Emil Paul Rataj was born 11 October 1921 in Ohio to Joseph and Steffee (nee Chaloupka). He was one of four children born to this family. His brothers were:

  • Joseph Albert Rataj born 25 December 1916 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. He married Vilma Kralik.
  • Aldrich Rataj born 18 May 1918 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. He married Ruth Ridge. Aldrich served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
  • Woodrow Thomas Rataj born 23 July 1928 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. Woodrow served during the Korean War Era. He married Judith Huntsman.

Emil’s Brief Military Service

Emil Ratay photo

On 14 February 1942 he registered for the World War II Draft in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on 6 April 1943. His ASN was initially 35057948. At that time he was working at the Brost Pattern and Casting Company in North Royalton, Ohio.

2 January 1944  Emil was transferred from Headquarters, Maxwell Field, Alabama to 64th AAFTD, Southern Aviation School, Camden, South Carolina. To report for class starting 17 January 1944 in elementary pilot training.  Emil was part of Class 44-G and being moved with Squadron E, Group VIII.1

22 March 1944  Email was a member of Class 44-G of trainees were sent to Basic Flying School. Class would commence on 26 March 1944. Emil was transferred to start school at AAFBFS, Bush Field, Augusta, GA.2

4 August 1944 Emil earned his wings and completed his initial training at Columbus Army Air Field in Columbus, MS and officially became a Flight Officer (F/O) on active duty. At the same time, his ASN changed from that of an enlisted man’s to a Flight Officer and was T-65456. He was then transferred to Squadron T 815th AAFBU in Malden, Missouri.3

13 December 1944 Emil married Mildred Margaret Schreiner before going on an overnight flight on a C-47 on which he was Killed. Emil was to receive his 2nd Lt. Commission a few days later. Mildred was staying in town about 20 miles from the base so she could be with him when he was promoted.4

Accident Description

2nd Lt. Robert M. Moser and his crew took off from Malden, A.A.F. at approximately 0030 hours, 13 December 1944, in airplane #43-16047 after completing 3 hours and 15 minutes of glider tow under the supervision of his instructor, 1st Lt. Guy C. Wallis. The mission was to be a routine training flight to complete two hours of optional flying time.

One hour and 45 minutes later, aircraft #43-16047 crashed two miles northeast of Zalma, Missouri, in a rough wooded area. The crash and resulting explosion attracted the attention of Mr. L.A. James and his wife who live a mile and a half from the scene of the crash and were nearest inhabitants. Mr. James investigated and reported the crash to this station. There were no witnesses that saw the actual crash. Mr. James stated that both he and his wife had heard an airplane flying over his house a few minutes prior to the time of the crash but they had not heard anything unusual, such as an airplane flying extremely low or having engine trouble.

The scene of the accident gave very little evidence as to the possible cause or causes that resulted in the crash. The plane flying from north to south at a speed estimated by the Accident Board to be between 180 and 200 MPH hit the tree tops in a left wing low altitude of 45 degrees or more, sliced through 36 yards of trees, glanced from the top of the first ridge, shown in accompanying diagram (In Air Force Accident Report), and exploded upon impact with the next ridge. While the apparent altitude of the airplane was left wing low, the direction of travel was straight forward, more or less eliminating the possibility of a spiral.

Read Emil’s Air Force Accident Report.5

Members of the crew Killed in the crash

Pilot – 2nd Lt Robert M. Moser, O-829532

Co-Pilot – Flight Officer Emil

AE – Engineer CPL William H. Schauss 35732429

RO – Radio Operator CPL Kenneth H. Newell 39208274

Individual Deceased Personnel File

Emil’s IDPF is only 12 pages long.6 He was married only a few hours so his legal next of kin was still listed as his mother. As the plane exploded, it’s unlikely any of the four crew were able to be properly identified, yet Emil’s IDPF shows a $100 charge for a casket and a $15 charge for embalming. After a fiery crash, it’s unclear what would have remained to embalm or casket. It’s likely for each man casketed, a set of remains was placed into the casket not fully knowing if it was the correct man. there are no documents showing any type of identification by authorities or Graves Registration. Although it is likely a Graves Registration didn’t exist stateside to handle these types of deaths.

Read Emil’s IDPF.

Obituary

Flight Officer Emil P. (Rataj), residence. North Royalton, O., beloved husband of Mildred (nee Shreiner), son of Joseph and Steffie; brother of Joseph, jr., W. O. J. G., Aldrich F., U. S. Army in England, and Woodrow T., suddenly Dec. 13, 1944, at Malden, Mo. Friends may call at Searles & Bassett Funeral Home, corner State and Royalton rds., Royalton, after 10:30 a. m. Saturday and until 12 noon Monday. Services at the Baptist Church, Royalton rd., Monday, Dec. 18, at 2 p. m. Member of the Clark K. of P. Lodge No. 764, the Patternmakers Association of Cleveland and Czechoslovak Society of America, Cleveland Chapter No. 219.

Burial

Emil was buried in North Royalton, Ohio Cemetery, Sec B lot 310 4, on 18 December 1944.

Would you like to research your veteran? I can help!

If you’d like help researching your WWI, WWII, Korea, or Vietnam veteran or writing their story, let’s chat. I offer free phone consults for potential new clients. Email info@wwiirwc.com to get started today!

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

  1. Special Order #2 dated 2 January 1944. HQ Maxwell Field, Alabama. National Archive, College Park, MD. ↩︎
  2. Special Order #59 dated 22 March 1944. HQ 64th Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment, Southern Aviation School, Camden, SC. National Archives, College Park, MD. ↩︎
  3. Special Orders #197 dated 4 August 1944. HQ Columbus Army Air Field, Columbus, MS. National Archives, College Park, MD. ↩︎
  4. Arkansas, Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957, , database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NMVR-NXF : 9 March 2021), Mildred Margaret Schreiner in entry for Emil P Ratay, 12 Dec 1944; citing Marriage, Greene, Arkansas, United States, county offices, Arkansas; FHL microfilm 2,171,099, ; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : downloaded 2 February 2022). National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, application for Emil Ratay death 13 Dec 1944. ↩︎
  5. Air Force Accident Report for Aircraft #43-16047 dated 13 December 1944. Maxwell Air Force Base, Maxwell Field, AL. ↩︎
  6. “IDPF for Emil Ratay, SN T-65456,'” Killed on a training flight 13 December 1944, National Archives, 92: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO. ↩︎

Writing the Stories of War Workbook

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In 2016 I launched my book Stories from the WWII Battlefield Volume 3: Writing the Stories of War. This book is now available as a PDF workbook download on my website, Ancestral Souls Wisdom School.

Description:

Stories can save us. Stories have the power to heal. Stories help us preserve the past and provide hope that history will not repeat itself. For some cultures, storytelling is the primary method for transmitting a family or group’s collective history. For others, writing the stories to share with family or the world, is the method. When we write, we must ask ourselves, what writing really matters?

Consider the words you write as your legacy. Find ways to share your writing to document your life, to remember those who are no longer here, and to honor those who survived a time when the world was collapsing in chaos.

All the questions researchers need to start writing the stories of World War II from a U.S. perspective or overseas theater of war perspective, to honor those who lived in those chaotic years, are included in this volume. This book contains more than 500 writing prompts plus writing workbook, covering multiple themes for writers in the U.S. and overseas. This is the most important writing reference guide researchers need to begin writing the stories of World War II.

Are you ready to start writing? Purchase your Workbook today.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

War’s Echo in the Body

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The Medical Legacy of World War II Service

As Veteran’s Day approaches I felt called to look into the service of my great uncle, Frank J. Kokoska. My mom told me Uncle Frank had a lot of health issues, mostly in his hands and feet, due to his World War II service. Until the last few days, I really had no idea what those might have been. Although I assumed at least one disease, malaria, based on the fact he served in a Combat Engineer unit in the Pacific Theater. I always tell students it’s never a good idea to assume anything in military or family history research, and so far I’ve not found evidence of malaria but I have found a couple of other diseases.

Frank J. Kokoska

My great uncle Frank was born in Chicago, Illinois on 17 August 1906.1 In 1940 just before World War II began, he worked as a Conductor and Motorman for Rapid Electric Transit Line (’L’) in Chicago.2 At the age of 34, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Frank J. Kokoska

The family story was that Frank enlisted as a way to help “keep his nephew Frank J. Winkler” safe. He promised his sister Jenny Kokoska Winkler, that he would make sure Frank made it through the war.

No one could have promised that. It was unrealistic but probably made Jenny feel better that her son was going to war and someone would take care of him. Frank had been drafted in October 1943 after starting college. He was the family’s only son which made him the favorite son and grandson.

Frank J. Winkler

Frank Winkler ended up training at Camp Wolters, TX, an Infantry Replacement training center before being shipped to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), where he joined the 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division on 23 June 1944 and was Killed In Action within 24 hours near La Fossardiers, France. His date of death was 24 June 1944.3

You can read Frank Winkler’s story in my book, Stories of the Lost. While Frank Winkler was shipped to the ETO, his uncle Frank was shipped to the Pacific (PTO) to serve in C Co. 108th Combat Engineer Bn.4

Frank Kokoska’s Health Issues

While I’m still in the process of researching Frank’s service, here is what I know about his health issues once overseas.

12 September 1944 – 19 September 1944 Frank was admitted to the 161st Station Hospital base section “F” with FUO (fever of unknown origins) which was later diagnosed as Dengue Fever. Dengue fever is an illness spread by the bite of mosquitos infected with a dengue virus.5

I wondered what was the difference between Dengue Fever and Malaria if both are transmitted by mosquitoes. Apparently, the two diseases are spread by two different types of mosquitoes. Dengue is caused by the dengue virus while Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Dengue fever usually presents as: a high fever along with nausea, vomiting, rash, headache, and body aches. Malaria often presents as: fever, headache, and chills. I’ve often heard veteran families say that their veteran suffered the rest of their life from Malaria. I wonder if that is because the parasite infection was not properly treated and the parasite removed? I’m no doctor so I’m not sure.

9 November 1944 – ? Frank was admitted to the 237th Station Hospital at Finschaffen, New Guinea for dermatitis eczematoid on both hands. Dermatitis may result in different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash.6

6 December 1944 – ? Frank was again admitted to the 237th Station Hospital at Finschaffen, New Guinea for dermatitis eczematoid.7

March 1945 – Frank was admitted for Prostatitis, chronic (non-gonococcal); Diagnosis: Arthritis, Chronic, osteo-(hypertrophic degenerative), according to a Hospital Admission Index Sheet. A few months later, in July 1945 when Frank left the hospital he was processed for discharge.8

As you can see I have a lot of research to do on Frank’s service. But his health issues did make me think about the impact of service on a veteran and the family’s health.

Veteran Health Impacts the Entire Family

In conversation about the health of our nation’s veterans, we often hear people talk about issues and diseases related to Agent Orange and Vietnam service. I think we forget about our veterans who served prior to that and the chemicals, bugs, and conditions they endured which impacted their health.

I hear many clients tell me their dad served during the Battle of the Bulge and had trench foot. His feet were never the same the rest of his life. It impacted his ability to walk, withstand cooler or colder temperatures, and live a healthy, “normal” life.

Other clients whose fathers were Prisoners of the Japanese and endured Beri beri, malaria, dengue fever, malnourishment, and an assortment of other diseases, were impacted the rest of their lives. Perhaps they had malarial issues surface now and then. They had trouble keeping weight on or eating.

We know from World War I and gas attacks that the chemicals used to defeat the enemy (also used in World War II and other wars) created a host of illnesses within the veteran while in service and afterward. Those illnesses may have created changes in their DNA, eggs or sperm, which would have resulted in children born with potential issues.

We have learned throughout the years that chemicals absorbed or breathed into the body can create impacts on egg and sperm and therefore create generational health issues. Studies have been done on this and the stress and trauma related to military service that get passed down. This article is not a study on this and those article are easy to locate online if you are interested.

This article is however an invitation for you to ask deeper questions. Go beyond, the ‘what did grandpa do in the war’ type of questions to ‘how did the trauma, stress, weather, bugs, and chemicals’ impact his health? How did that impact the family when he returned home? How did it impact his descendants?

The Impact on the Family

Not only might have children inherited potential issues as a result of service and what the veteran was exposed to, but the entire family had to process and deal with the changes in the returning veteran.

The diseases and illnesses suffered overseas may have continued once the veteran was home and trying to resume a “normal” life. Hospital visits and stays were common among many families whose veterans had endured a lot of illness. Changes in family routines to accommodate illness, health, movement, and other issues had to be addressed. Families often also endured an early death of their veteran due to his exposure while in service.

These are issues we rarely touch on. Issues we need to address so our families can process and heal the trauma of war.

I certainly have a lot more research to do on Frank and my other family’s veterans, but this gives me a lot to think about. Have you explored these issues in your family history? What did you discover?

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

  1. National Archives and Records Administration, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;), Database online. Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2007;), Database online. Number: 349-09-5303; Issue State: Illinois; Issue Date: Before 1951. ↩︎
  2. Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2002;), Joseph Kokoska Year: 1940; Census Place: Cicero, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00777; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 16-145. ↩︎
  3. Army Morning Report, 115th Infantry Regiment dated 4 July 1944. Entry for Frank J. Winkler, ASN 36695605. National Archives, RG 64, National Archives, College Park, MD. ↩︎
  4. Frank J. Kokoska Letters, , letter from overseas about war bonds and monthly paycheck. Lists C Co 108th Engineer Bn and ASN 20617411. Letter date 24 April 1944. ↩︎
  5. National Archives and Records Administration, “Morning Reports ca. 1912-1946. RG 64 Records of the National Archives and Records Administration,” digital images, NARA, NARA Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov : download 1 November 2025), A&D Sheet Number 137, 161st Station Hospital dated 12 and 20 Sept 1944; citing entry for Frank J. Kokoska. ↩︎
  6. National Archives and Records Administration, “Morning Reports ca. 1912-1946. RG 64 Records of the National Archives and Records Administration,” digital images, NARA, NARA Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov : download 1 November 2025), C Co 108th Eng Bn (C) dated 9 March 1944 entry for Frank J. Kokoska. ↩︎
  7. National Archives and Records Administration, “Morning Reports ca. 1912-1946. RG 64 Records of the National Archives and Records Administration,” digital images, NARA, NARA Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov : download 1 November 2025), A&D Sheet dated 7 Decmeber 1944 for 237th Station Hospital; citing entry for Frank J. Kokoska. ↩︎
  8. “U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954,” digital images, National Archives and Records Administration; Hospital Admission Card Files, ca. 1970 – ca. 1970; NAI: 570973; Record Group Number: Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army), 1775-1994; Record Group Title: 112, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com : viewed/copied 18 August 2021), entry for Frank J. Kokoska; ASN 20617411; Mar 1945-July 1945 Convalescent Hospital Stay. ↩︎

Remembering the Fallen

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Behind every World War II service record lies a story of courage, sacrifice, and loss—especially for those who were taken prisoner, went missing, or died in service. Military records, specifically the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), hold the keys to uncovering these powerful stories, revealing the truth of what happened and honoring the men and women who paid the ultimate price.

On Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CDT, I’m presenting WWII Sacrifice.

In this program you’ll learn:

  • What records were created by the American Grave Registration Service for World War I & World War II. How to access those records and tell your veteran’s story.
  • We will explore online resources for locating information.
  • We will identify Prisoner of War records and where to locate them.
  • I’ll share a case study on James Privoznik who was Killed in Action 11 January 1945. Through our research, writing, and travel journey, I’ll tell you his story and how I found information when most would say it is impossible.
  • Students also receive a program workbook and several IDPFs to download and examine. These IDPFs contain a lot of interesting information.
  • Replay available.

Access to the program workbook, files, and replay is six months.

Register today to save your spot for this important webinar, WWII Sacrifice.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

World War II Sacrifice Program

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Live webinar, Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CST, World War II Sacrifice.

Our Fallen Deserve to be Remembered

Behind every World War II service record lies a story of courage, sacrifice, and loss—especially for those who were taken prisoner, went missing, or died in service. Military records, specifically the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), hold the keys to uncovering these powerful stories, revealing the truth of what happened and honoring the men and women who paid the ultimate price.

In this program, you’ll learn how to locate, interpret, and piece together POW, MIA, and death records to reconstruct the full story of a veteran’s experience—from capture to liberation, or from loss to legacy. Let the records guide you as you give voice to the silent heroes of your family’s past.

A replay will be available for this program. Learn more and register at World War II Sacrifice.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

When to Hire a Ghost Writer for a Veteran Book

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I believe every person carries within them at least one story that is waiting to be written, shared, and remembered. For many, that story is tied to a family veteran. Maybe it was a father who never spoke about the war but lived its effects for the rest of his life. Maybe it was a grandfather whose medals, letters, and flag sit in a dusty box deep inside a closet. These are loved ones whose legacies deserve to be documented and shared.

Let’s be honest, the thought of starting a book project can send someone into freeze mode because it can be overwhelming. It’s possible you might even feel a little intimidated at the thought of sharing your words. I’m not a writer, how could I possibly tell a story? Is that what you’re thinking? The problems are, you feel overwhelmed, are unsure where to start, may not have all the documents you need, and just don’t understand the processes to complete a book project.

This is where I can help. We can work together and I can be your co-creator, your storyteller, developmental editor, or even your ghost writer. I can help you turn your thoughts and words into a powerful book ready for publication.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s explore the ways a ghost writer can assist you on your book writing journey.

What Clients Require

It’s been my experience the last 15 years of being a military researcher and writer, that many clients want to create some sort of veteran book. It might a simple photo book. Perhaps a book based off a trip to Europe. Some have asked for complete veteran biographies from birth to death. In other cases it has been a collection of family veteran stories told in one volume.

The problem for the clients who have hired me to write or co-write has been that they normally do not want to write an entire book themselves. Although, I have had a couple clients do all the writing and I served as Developmental Editor. Some other issues clients have faced are lack of time, little desire to do the work, or lack of knowledge on the process of research, writing, and publishing.

There is nothing wrong with these problems or issues. We are not meant to be great at everything. We have the ability to hire an expert in areas we need assistance. If the toilet clogs, we call a plumber. Car dies we call a mechanic. Need a book written, we can call a ghost writer.

Benefits of a Ghost Writer

How can a ghost writer help you bring to life your veteran’s story?

  1. I am able to help you organize your materials, prepare research plans, and transform fragments of story, memory, emotion, and documents into a cohesive story.
  2. Listening to you in discussions throughout the process, I am able to help craft the voice of the book to your voice. I also help ensure the voice remains yours throughout the book.
  3. With my extensive research background, I am able to help you discover answers where you may have hit a brick wall. This allows you to fill in blanks and tell a deeper story. Additionally, I will help you verify and cite the sources for the information you present.
  4. Through the research process we can also identify which family stories are fact, which are fiction, and which are somewhere in between. It is important to distinguish these within your book so readers are not confused.
  5. I can help you bring depth and emotion to the book. I will often suggest other things to add to the story, including the impact of war on the veteran, family, and future generations. More of my clients are including this aspect of the veteran story in their private family books. Others are now including some details in books published for public consumption.
  6. As a ghostwriter, I also serve as a project manager who can help guide you from start to finish. Concept to published book.

These are just some of the ways a ghost writer can help bring your veteran book to life. Whether you need assistance in some of the writing or all of the writing, a ghost writer can help.

Are you ready to start writing your veteran book? Veteran’s Day is approaching along with the fall and winter holidays. It’s a great time to get started on research, writing, and gathering materials and stories from family.

From War to Words

If you would like to dive more deeply into the process of writing a veteran’s book, there is still time to join my new workshop, From War to Words. This is a brand new 3-Part Workshop + Coaching + Project Guides to Help You Turn Service into Story, and Memory into Legacy. Workshop one begins Wednesday November 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

As we approach the holidays, now is a great time to start thinking about writing a veteran book. Family gatherings can provide new stories, photos, genealogy and military documents, and insight.

This is not just another webinar series. It’s a writing journey—with coaching support, research tools, writing prompts, PDF guides, and expert guidance through research, writing, design, and publication.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center