Hello everyone!! My name is Ulithi, after the anchorage the US fleet used in the later part of the Pacific War. I just joined today. I have been interested in WW2 since I was a child. Now I am 29, and have a little time to actually read and study it more. I am really into Naval warfare, but do have a special place in my heart for all the other stuff. I have recently become interested in Winston Churchill. This is the most amazing conflict ever in my opinion. Hard to find people who study this as much as the American Civil War and such. I live in Albuquerque, NM USA. Never got down to Trinity Test site yet, but have been to the National Atomic Museum many times! My big hobby is oil painting, especially maritime subjects - ocean liners, carriers, and such, but I have on occasion painted the occasional Supermarine Spitfire. Both my Grandfathers served in the Aleutian Islands during the war, one in the 11th Air Force, one in the Army Alaskan Department. I finally am getting around to reading "The Thousand Mile War" about the Alaskan/Aleutian war. My piece of memorabilia I am most proud of is a ring my Grandfather made on Kiska Island made from the aluminum of a crashed Zero fighter propeller. Sadly I have never traveled to any real battle sites. I went to Germany in high school as part of an exchange program. I saw an ampatheater built by the Nazi's outside of Heidelberg. I also was lucky enough to go the Zeppelin museum in Friedrickshaven!
Welcome to this fine place Ulithi. I don't know how much research you have done, but here are some sites to give you some basic info on your grandfathers. 11th AF - 11th Air Force - WWII - World War II HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Guarding the United States [Chapter 9] If you know specific units, we can probably come up with more information.
Hello ULITHI, Welcome to the forums ULITHI, looking forward to your postings and hope to see some of your maritime oil paintings. Regards Kruska
Darren, I have the history for the 344th Squadron of the 343rd FG of the 11th Air Force. They were stationed at Shemya. If by chance he was there let me know and I'll get busy transcribing. I'm resurrecting this in the hopes you're still checking in (we miss ya buddy - and your great painting)
Welcome aboard. Had a trip planned to your part of the world last spring but life got in the way-this year maybe. Good to have you.
Guys, glad you are welcoming of new members, but this thread is 9 years old. Darren paints some really great photos of the Pacific War.
Yeah I think he drops by now and then, but it's been a while. I think I remember he cruised by here last Fall.
Darren/Ulithi is has been a member for nearly 10 years, but I've no problem with anyone welcoming him again! These days his attention is mostly dedicated to his young children, which I can identify with, as I've two little ones aged one and five myself.
