Joseph Olbinski of Marnego, Illinois

From: Aycock, Christopher B LTC USAR 75TH DIV (BCTD) CMDGRP

To: Dave Meyers, SRC, PGR

Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 7:14 PM

Subject: Capt Joseph Olbinski, MIA since 23 MAY 1944 - event in Marengo, IL

Hello Dave,

Follow up what we talked about regarding the event in Marengo next Tuesday honoring Capt Joseph Olbinski.

Some background: Capt Joseph Olbinski, an Army Air Force C-47 pilot was reported MIA on 23 MAY 1944. His aircraft - what little there is left of it - was found in north Burma a few years ago. Joe's brother Edwin, age 82, lives in Marengo, IL. He had another brother (Robert) but he died last year. Bob also was a pilot in WWII, for a B-17 rather than a C-47, but was reportedly shot down on his first mission, and spent the war in a German POW camp. Edwin was too young for service in WWII, and exempt in Korea due to his brothers' service.

Joe's unit was the 4th Troop Carrier Squadron. On 2 MAR 10, Lt. Col. Rod Lewis, the commander of the 4th Airlift Squadron (which is the current day designation of Joe's unit), is coming with a couple of his people to Marengo to present the only personal effect discovered from the missing aircraft that clearly belonging to Joe - one of his ID tags.

There was other stuff for the other three crew members, and for the three passengers (Privates, most likely replacements for what was then Rangers in the Burma region), but this ID tag is all that could be positively identified as belonging to Joe.

Since there is little in the way of identifiable human remains, a group interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, but not until late May or June. At this time, this is the only planned event to honor this particular Soldier individually.

Normally an event like this would be held in the privacy of the next-of-kin's home. However, Mr. Olbinski has been kind enough to share this moment with other veterans and the youth and public of Marengo, sort of as encouragement to show that even 65 years after being reported MIA, our Soldiers are not forgotten. This is a good news story, and Mr. Olbinski, a very understanding fellow, is letting us be part of it.

Members of your organization, should you decide to attend, and the VFW, American Legion, and Elks Club, as well as the principal from the local high school and some of his students, plus some community leaders and along with friends and family are gathering at the American Legion Post 192 in Marengo at 1000 hours to honor this fallen Soldier and comrade.

Sort of a welcome home after 65+ years of being MIA...

Your part, should you decide to participate, would be limited to attending and that is all I am look for, really. Well, to perhaps talk one-on-one to some other veterans and to the NOK and his family. If you want to do more, please tell me what, and I'll advise the 4th AS project officer so they can consider it for inclusion in the event.

This is something I know you want to part of, so I have no doubt it will be worth the trip.

Please advise me of what kind of turn out from the VFW you might expect so that I can get the right number of chairs set up. And if you can pass this along to Rolling Thunder, that would be great.

Thanks for your service and support to you and your team.

Christopher Aycock

LTC, FA

SGS

3rd Battle Command Training Brigade (BCTB),

75th Battle Command Training Division (BCTD)

4^th AS:

I just returned and will post more photos later. Three for now.