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The Great Expedition Encounters a Hurricane

February 7, 2024 by Jenny Ashcraft | 14 Comments

In late October 1861, more than 80 ships carrying US sailors and soldiers set sail from Hampton Roads, Virginia, for Beaufort, South Carolina. The mission was dubbed the Great Expedition, and it was in response to President Lincoln’s call for a blockade of Confederate ports in the South. The newly formed South Atlantic Blockading Squadron hoped to develop a base at the Port Royal Sound in South Carolina. Unbeknownst to Navy officers, the armada was heading straight into the path of a hurricane. Before the Battle of Port Royal began one week later, Union soldiers and sailors fought for their lives in a battle against Mother Nature. Some did not survive.

On October 29, 1861, the Naval fleet assembled at Hampton Roads. They set sail arranged in three parallel lines, each following another at about a half-mile distance. The USS Wabash took the lead as flagship.

USS Wabash, flagship during the Great Expedition

The Expedition enjoyed calm seas and light winds for the first few days. However, a tropical storm churning off the tip of Florida was climbing the eastern seaboard and had developed into a hurricane.

On November 1, while rounding Cape Hatteras, the winds intensified and increased to a gale. Heavy seas caused the orderly columns of ships to disassemble, and the fleet scattered. One sailor aboard the Wabash described water crashing over the gunboats and side-wheel steamers lurching so ferociously that their paddles revolved in the air. Throughout the night, timbers creaked and groaned as the ships rolled and pitched in the storm.

Onboard the steamer Winfield Scott, 500 soldiers from the 50^th Pennsylvania fought to keep the ship afloat as waves battered it. The masts broke, and a huge seam opened onboard the vessel, allowing torrents of ocean water to spill in. The soldiers worked feverishly to pump out the water, throwing anything with extra weight overboard, including their guns, knapsacks, and overcoats.

Another ship, the Bienville, tried to come to the rescue, but the engineer and several crew members from the Winfield Scott abandoned their posts and leaped into the rescue boat, which was then swamped. Miraculously, the Winfield Scott survived the storm and was towed to safety by the steamer Vanderbilt.

The SS Governor sank during the storm, but in a daring rescue by the USS Isaac Smith and the USS Sabine, all but seven of the nearly 700 men were saved before the ship went down.

On November 4, the battered ships began to assemble outside the Port Royal Sound. On November 7, the Battle of Port Royal began, and despite its weather-worn fleet, Union forces took control of Fort Walker and Fort Beauregard, and Confederate forces retreated. Union forces then established a base of operations to support the Union blockade of Confederate ports.

Bay Point, South Carolina – Fort Beauregard

If you would like to learn more about the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron or the Battle of Port Royal, search Fold3® today.

Operation Carpetbagger: The WWII Mission to Supply Resistance Fighters

February 1, 2024 by Jenny Ashcraft | 73 Comments

In January 1944, the military launched a top-secret operation called Operation Carpetbagger. The aim was to supply European resistance fighters with weapons, supplies, and secret agents behind enemy lines. The effort required risky night missions flown in specially modified B-24 Liberator Bombers under the direction of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) – the forerunner of today’s CIA.

The Carpetbaggers were part of the newly redesignated 801^st/492^nd Bombardment Group and operated out of Harrington Field, a Royal Air Force base in England. Since the clandestine missions were flown only at night, the B-24s were painted glossy black to evade searchlights. Aircrews flew at dangerously low altitudes, using landmarks and rivers illuminated by moonlight to navigate. As they neared a drop zone, a special air-ground directional device named “Rebecca” inside the plane communicated with a ground beacon named “Eureka” to guide the aircraft. When the plane was within a few miles of the drop zone, the aircrew contacted partisans on the ground using a special two-way radio called an “S-Phone.”

*B-24 Liberator “Scrappy” – 42-52749. Modified and painted black.*

Once the aircrew verified that it was partisans on the ground and not Germans, they dropped steel containers containing everything from radios to weapons through the bomb bay doors. The ball turret was also replaced by a special cargo hatch called a “Joe Hole.” Crews could drop supplies or even OSS agents (called Joes) via parachute through the Joe Hole.

Most of the Carpetbagger missions were flown to supply French partisans in advance of D-Day operations in June 1944. Carpetbaggers also flew missions to Norway, Denmark, and Germany. They finished their final full-scale mission in September 1944. According to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Operation Carpetbagger completed 1,860 sorties and delivered 20,495 containers and over 11 thousand packages of vital supplies to European resistance fighters. In addition, more than 1,000 parachutists dropped through Joe Holes into enemy territory.

Their secret night missions, deep in the heart of occupied Europe, were crucial to arm and assist resistance fighters who sought to undermine Nazi Germany. Those involved were sworn to secrecy, and their contributions remained classified for some 40 years following the war.

In 2018, the remaining Office of Strategic Services members, many of whom had worked with Operation Carpetbagger, were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal for their efforts in establishing intelligence networks and training resistance operations during WWII.

To learn more about Operation Carpetbagger, search Fold3® today.

New Civil War Records: National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers

January 22, 2024 by Jenny Ashcraft | 18 Comments

We are pleased to announce the addition of records for soldiers who resided in National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938. This free collection contains records for twelve National Homes where disabled soldiers and sailors could live following the Civil War.

During the Civil War, many benevolent and philanthropical groups ran soldiers’ homes where disabled soldiers could live and receive care on a short-term basis. In 1865, Congress approved the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Later, the name was changed to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.

National Soldiers Home in Togus Springs, Maine – The New England magazine

The first Soldiers’ Home opened in 1866 in Togus Springs, Maine. This collection contains records for that home in Maine and others in New York, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, South Dakota, Tennessee, Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon, and California.

Admission to Soldiers’ Homes was voluntary, and soldiers and sailors could request which home they wanted to live in. Once admitted, veterans were issued uniforms, assigned companies, and followed military-like rules. Soldiers were free to leave when they wanted, but residents had to request permission for temporary leave. Violators were subjected to extra work duty as punishment. Over time, National Homes became less bureaucratic and offered recreation, entertainment, games, and libraries.

If you have an ancestor that resided in a Soldiers’ Home, this collection contains home registers. The register contained four sections: Military History, Domestic History, Home History, and General Remarks. These sections can provide valuable genealogical information such as which company and regiment a soldier served in, time and place of discharge, cause of disability, the soldier’s physical description, occupation, residence, the name and address of the nearest relative, and more.

The National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was absorbed into the Veterans Administration when the VA was established in 1930.

Start exploring the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers collection today on Fold3®.

Fold3® 2023 Year in Review

January 16, 2024 by Jenny Ashcraft | 2 Comments

Before we dive into 2024, we wanted to pause momentarily and say thanks! As a Fold3^® member, your generous support helps us to continue the crucial work of preserving military records. We had an incredible year in 2023! Let’s look back at a few of the highlights we achieved together.

We’ve already hit the road running in 2024, and we’re committed to working hard, bringing more military records to the site, and ensuring that your Fold3 membership will continue to increase in value. From our entire team at Fold3^®, thank you, and Happy New Year!

December 1941: Patriotism Prevails as Enlistees Flock to Recruitment Offices Following Pearl Harbor

December 12, 2023 by Jenny Ashcraft | 45 Comments

As the magnitude of the attack on Pearl Harbor became apparent in December 1941, men eager to defend the country flocked to military recruitment offices. On December 8, newspapers reported that lines formed nationwide as men waited to enlist. Some recruitment offices stayed open around the clock to accommodate demand. In many cases, brothers enlisted together, and sometimes fathers and sons. We searched our archives to discover more about some early enlistees. Here are a few of their stories:

The same day Pearl Harbor was attacked, 21-year-old Roland “Rolly” Bumpus, Jr. of Massachusetts, announced to his family, “Tomorrow, I’m going to enlist in the Navy,” he said. “O.K., son,” said his father. I’ll join up again with you.” Roland Bumpus, Sr. had served in the Navy during WWI. They both applied for enlistment, and Rolly, Jr. was accepted. He was assigned to serve on the USS Ingraham (DD-444). The ship served as an escort for convoys bringing supplies to Europe. On August 22, 1942, in heavy fog, the USS Ingraham collided with the oil tanker Chemung off the coast of Nova Scotia. Depth charges in the ship exploded, and the Ingraham sank quickly, killing more than 200 men. Rolly, Jr. died in the incident. He had served for just eight months.

In Philadelphia, Navy officials announced on December 10 that four brothers from the Irion family had enlisted. The boys were Frederick, 25, Edward, 23, Perry, 20, and James, 18. Their mother, Louise Irion, said she just had one regret. “I had wanted to have the boys home with me for Christmas, she said, “but I guess they will be needed sooner than that…I’m glad for the opportunity to give my sons,” she said. Muster rolls show that at one point, all four boys served aboard the USS Tuscaloosa. The Irion brothers served throughout the entire war and returned home safely.

Benjamin Kuroki was the 22-year-old son of Japanese immigrants from Hershey, Nebraska. On December 10, 1941, he and his brother Fred went to a recruitment office and tried to enlist. The official said he had to check with his superiors before allowing the boys to join. They were given permission and enlisted in the US Army but faced constant prejudice. Ben was passionate about flying and became a decorated gunner in the 93rd Bombardment Group. He flew 58 bombing missions (including some over Japan) and received three Distinguished Flying Crosses. Ben Kuroki passed away in 2015 at age 98.

Prince H. Wilson enlisted in the US Marines on December 8, 1941. The Montana native’s brothers John and Fabian also served during WWII. Prince fought in the Battle of Bougainville and reunited with his brother John in November 1943 while fighting on the island. Prince was a Paramarine and served in the 1^st Parachute Battalion, 1^st Marine Parachute Regiment, Company B. On November 29, 1943, just two days after reuniting with his brother, Prince was killed in action on Bougainville.

These stories represent a small fraction of the many families impacted when the United States entered WWII. Do you have ancestors who enlisted early on during WWII? Share your experiences in the comments below and search our collection of military records today on Fold3®.

Christmas in a Japanese Prison Camp

November 29, 2023 by Jenny Ashcraft | 35 Comments

On December 8, 1941, hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan launched an attack on the Philippines. In the following days, Japanese troops advanced rapidly towards Manila, the capital city. The US Army, under the direction of General Douglas MacArthur, decided to vacate Manila and move their forces, consisting of US soldiers and Filipino fighters, to the Bataan Peninsula. When the military left, thousands of American and British civilians, including men, women, and children, were left in the city. Many of them became POWs at Santo Tomas Internment Camp. Conditions at Santo Tomas were dire, but as Christmas 1942 neared, internees realized they could band together to create a holiday celebration for children at the camp. One of those prisoners was Associated Press correspondent Raymond P. Cronin. He recorded his experience and published it following his liberation.

*Areal photograph of the Old Hospital (Engineering building) of Santo Tomas University in Manilla in 1945. Surrounding the buildings are shanties built by internees at the camp.*

With their military protectors gone and Japanese forces occupying Manila, Allied civilians (considered enemy aliens) were transported to the University of Santo Tomas. The university was a walled compound containing various buildings on roughly 50 acres. Prisoners arrived with meager possessions; some had only the clothes on their backs. Internees worked together to establish living quarters, plant gardens to provide food, establish medical facilities, and construct additional latrines.

In late September, the prisoners from diverse backgrounds with various skills gathered to discuss the upcoming holiday season. They decided to organize their own Santa’s workshop. They were determined to provide Christmas gifts for every child in the camp. They built new toys out of wood scraps and painted them bright colors. They repaired old and broken toys donated to the camp by Filipino friends. With meager materials, prisoners carved, crafted, and created the gifts. Soon, internees had built cars, scooters, and rag dolls, complete with doll wardrobes. Shortly before Christmas, internees learned that a group of children had just arrived from the Iloilo Internment Camp. There were no gifts for the new arrivals, so the internees worked feverishly to construct 100 more presents.

Christmas morning arrived, and Santa came to the guard gate at Santo Tomas. For a moment, Japanese soldiers seemed to get in the spirit of things and let Santa in without a pass. Internees gathered around a giant Christmas tree brought in from the Baguio Mountains. There, Santa distributed hundreds of gifts. Every child in the camp received presents and words of cheer. Compassionate friends on the outside donated roasted turkeys, pigs, ice cream, cakes, and candy.

For 3,500 internees at Santo Tomas Internment Camp, the Christmas of 1942 was never to be forgotten. Except for a few prisoners released on exchange, those interred at Santo Tomas spent three years as POWs. They were liberated in February 1945.

If you would like to learn more about the Fall of the Philippines and the Battle of Manila during WWII, search Fold3® today.

Eight Brothers All Serve in the Civil War

November 13, 2023 by Jenny Ashcraft | 87 Comments

During the Civil War, regiments were often raised in communities where soldiers knew one another. It was common for brothers, cousins, and even fathers and sons to serve in the same company. Recently, we came across an 1883 newspaper article about the extraordinary sacrifice of the Moore family from Pennsylvania. Dr. James and Harriet Barton Moore’s eight sons enlisted in the Union Army. We examined their service records and found a remarkable story of one family’s military service. All eight sons survived the war, though some were wounded and suffered from the injuries for the rest of their lives.

Kimber A. Moore, *courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

Kimber A. Moore was the oldest Moore son. He was born in 1817 and enlisted in October 1861 at age 43 in the Pennsylvania 77^th Infantry, Company F. At the time, Kimber was married with seven children of his own. Kimber was the oldest man in his company and was greatly respected. Both officers and enlisted men often sought his counsel. He fought in many battles, including Shiloh, Corinth, Stones River, and Chickamauga. According to his obituary, he was seriously wounded and endured years of suffering. The effects of his injury eventually led to his death in 1889 at the age of 72.

John C. Moore, *courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

John C. Moore was the second son. He was born in March 1824. When the call for volunteers came in 1861, John wanted to take up arms, but physical limitations prevented him from doing so. Instead, he enlisted to serve in the quartermaster’s department and served throughout the entire war. John died in 1895 at age 71.

Dr. Charles W. Moore, *photo courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

Charles W. Moore was born in 1826. He was married with three children and was a respected physician when he left his practice to enlist in the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Charles served first as an assistant surgeon and later as a head surgeon. He tenderly bound the wounds and cared for injured soldiers, often amidst heavy fighting. He died in Nebraska in 1902 at 75.

Joseph Addison Moore, *photo courtesy of Westshore Genealogy from Find a Grave*

Joseph Addison Moore was born in 1833 and enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After three months, he reenlisted as a Lieutenant in the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry. Joseph commanded his company during the Battle of Antietam and lost one-third of his company when they were either captured or killed. In 1863, he returned to the 147^th with a commission as captain in Company B. This was the same company his brother James served in. During the Battle of New Hope Church, He was wounded in both legs and discharged with a disability. He was also suffering from chronic diarrhea throughout his service. Following the war, Joseph served as principal of one of Pennsylvania’s soldier’s orphans’ schools, where he helped educate nearly 1,000 of his lost comrade’s children. Joseph died in 1911

James M. Moore, *photo courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

James M. Moore was born in 1835 and enlisted in 1861. James was severely injured during the Battle of Chancellorsville, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was also wounded at New Hope Church and was discharged with a disability. He suffered the effects of his service for the remainder of his life. Some of the battles James fought in included Gettysburg, Cedar Mountain, and Resaca. James died in 1915 in Nebraska.

Benjamin F. Moore, *photo courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

Benjamin F. Moore was born in 1838 and enlisted on April 19, 1861, in Chambersburg, PA, in the Independent Light Artillery Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company D, under Capt. Charles Thomas Campbell. He also served in the Maryland 12 Infantry and the Pennsylvania 6^th Cavalry. Benjamin fought in 37 different engagements during the war. His military record contains a letter dated September 1864, in which Benjamin requested five days leave to return home following the death of his mother and the severe illness of his father. Benjamin died in 1925 in Nebraska.

William Henry Harrison Moore, *photo courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

William Henry Harrison Moore was born in 1840. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania 126^th Regiment, Company B. When he had fulfilled the term of his enlistment, he re-enlisted in the Third Artillery and was discharged along with the rest of the regiment at the war’s end. Moore fought at Antietam and Chancellorsville and died in 1886 in Nebraska.

Curran E. Moore, *photo courtesy of JohnnE from Find a Grave*

Curran E. Moore was born in 1843 and enlisted in the Pennsylvania 202^nd Regiment, Company K, in 1864. He also served in the 20^th Pennsylvania Regiment, Company I. He mustered out on August 3, 1865. He also suffered health challenges from his service, including chronic diarrhea during the war. Curran died in 1926 in Nebraska.

The Moore brothers were descended from a long tradition of military service, beginning with their grandfather, who served in the Revolutionary War. To learn more about the Moore family or to discover more about your family’s military service, search Fold3® today!