During the month of May, Oakwood will be part of a celebration highlighting the extraordinary local efforts to end World War II. Much of the focus will be on the brilliant cryptologist Joseph Desch, an Oakwood native. His collaboration with Alan Turing initiated the production of Bombe machines at the factories of the National Cash Register Company; their combined talents and commitment were instrumental to Allied victory. In addition, the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) will be honored as well. These women were brought to Oakwood’s Sugar Camp to train for their vital role in operating the cryptographic machines built in Dayton. As part of the upcoming celebration that coincides with the 80th anniversary of VE Day, The Oakwood Historical Society would also like to include the stories of other unsung heroes submitted by local residents. These individuals exhibited bravery and talents that also contributed to that victory in Europe, as well as the Pacific. These are excerpts from their stories:
Submitted by Alan Scheffer, nephew
Robert “Bob” Schaeffer was born and raised in Oakwood and an Oakwood High School graduate. After service in the military during WWII, he returned to Oakwood, married Isabel Kuntz, of the Kuntz Lumber family and raised his family. His 4 children also graduated from Oakwood High School. Bob was a pilot in the Marine Corps. He was part of the interesting story of the Naked Gunman, made famous by a WWII photo taken by Horace Bristol. The photo featured a gunner on a rescue plane manning his position naked. The gunner was naked at his station because he had just been rescued an injured pilot. The rescued injured pilot was our unsung local hero, Bob Schaeffer!
Submitted by Christopher Nealis, grandson
Walter J. Halsey was a part of 101st Airborne. His outfit is closely associated with the "Band of Brothers" accounts. He was in the Glider Infantry, serving on D-Day in Europe on the French Coastline. Later he was captured in Einhoven, Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. From there, he was transported to Munich where he was interred in Stalag VII A until the end of the war. His left behind keepsakes for his family, including his POW Bible provided by the International Red Cross. In this Bible he made initial notes regarding his capture in Einhoven. His family also has his Purple Heart.
Submitted by Kathy Young Ellis
Howard G. Young raised his family in Oakwood. He was a skipper of a PT boat, and participated in the battle of Leyte. John R. Young was in the Navy and was in Saipan for 18 months as a supply officer.
Submitted by Brian Parks, son-in-law
John J. Beshada was involved in three important missions during WWII: Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. The success of these campaigns was even acknowledged in the Readers Digest by General Knowlton, the Company Commander.
Submitted by Bill Duncan, nephew
Richard Dutro served in the famed 42nd Rainbow Division of the American 7th Army and was awarded a Bronze Star. His division liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. While visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., a women spotted his WWII veteran’s ball cap and initiated a conversation. After hearing his story of his wartime experiences, she declared that she had been one liberated from Dachau by Richard’s unit. They then had an emotional embrace.
If you would like to honor your own unsung hero, please submit your story to us! Contact us at info@oakwoodhistory.org