Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Author Voices: Thulani Davis

Tuesday, February 20, 2024


Author Voices: Thulani Davis
Register here

Saturday, February 24, 2024 online and free 1-2pm

Join online for a discussion with Thulani Davis, librettist of “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X,” as she discusses her recent book “The Emancipation Circuit.” 

Honored with the 2023 Museum of African American History Stone Book Award, this book reveals how the political organizations and networks that slavery survivors formed during Reconstruction laid the foundation for the first mass Black political movement for equal citizenship in the United States.

Joining her in this conversation from Tagney Jones Hall: The Opera Center, will be Bianca Dang, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Washington.

Thulani Davis also wrote “My Confederate Kinfolk,” “1959,” “Maker of Saints” and “Playing the Changes.”

In partnership with the Seattle Opera.

Sponsored by the King County Library System Foundation.


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Humanities Washington presentation in Mountlake Terrace February 17, 2024: “A Space for Black History”

Monday, February 12, 2024

A special presentation from Humanities Washington on a very timely topic:

“A Space for Black History”

Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 2:00-3:30pm

Across the country, efforts to suppress Black history in libraries and classrooms have taken root. Anger against “critical race theory” and “wokeness” has led to new laws prohibiting what can and cannot be taught to students of all ages, and what books can remain in libraries. 

Why are there efforts to limit this knowledge? Are some ideas just too dangerous? If so, how do we decide what those are as a society? Shouldn’t we have the freedom to think, to know, to aspire?

To counter some of these efforts, professor Luther Adams – Free Man of Color, uses Black thought, images, and poetry, as well as local history, to create an open space to ask questions about Black history and why it matters to all of us.

Luther Adams – Free Man of Color (he/him) is an associate professor of ethnic, gender, and labor studies at the University of Washington, Tacoma. 

As a student and teacher of Black history and culture, his work brings together the interdisciplinary study of urban, southern, labor, and religious history to understand Black culture and life. 

He is following up his first book, Way Up North in Louisville: African American Migration in the Urban South, 1930-1970, with a history of African Americans’ long struggle with and against police brutality. Adams lives in Tacoma.


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Miyawaki Forest Program events in May, June, and September

Sunday, February 11, 2024


The Shoreline Historical Museum has many exciting events coming up around the Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project that they would love to share with the community.

Save these dates and keep updated on events and other information through the "Miyawaki Forest Page".

The Shoreline Historical Museum and the adjoining Miyawaki Forest are located at 18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.


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Event honoring Edwin T. Pratt held at Shoreline Community College Tuesday

Thursday, February 1, 2024

SCC President Jack Kahn spoke to the gathering
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

On Tuesday January 30, 2024 Shoreline Police, in partnership with Shoreline Community College, City of Shoreline, and Shoreline Community College Foundation, hosted an event to remember the life and legacy of Edwin Pratt.

Shorecrest Culinary Arts Program catered the event.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Catering was provided by the Shorecrest Culinary Arts program.

Poet E. Mandisa Subira
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Poets E. Mandisa Subira and Kilam Tel Aviv performed their original works. 

Jean Soliz photo by Steven H. Robinson
Jean Soliz, who was close to the Pratt family in Shoreline spoke of Pratt's life.

Ken Winnick talked about his work with the Pratt archives. 

Poet E. Mandisa Subira 2nd from left (next to Bristol Ellington) and Mayor Chris Roberts, right, were both speakers at the event. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Mayor Chris Roberts read the proclamation from the City of Shoreline naming January 30, 2024 as Edwin T. Pratt Remembrance Day. 

Police chief Kelly Park opened and closed the program.

Update: E. Mandisa Subira was misidentified in the last photo. Now corrected.


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Mayor Roberts proclaimed January 30, 2024 as Edwin T. Pratt Day of Remembrance in the City of Shoreline

Mayor Chris Roberts with Sarah Haycock, who was responsible for having the Shoreline Children's Center named for Edwin T. Pratt. (See previous article) Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Edwin T. Pratt, born December 6, 1930, was a civil rights leader and the Executive Director of the Urban Metropolitan League of Seattle. His work was pivotal in implementing the Equal Opportunity Act in the Greater Seattle area, fighting housing discrimination, segregation, employment bias, and police brutality.

He intentionally moved to Shoreline with his family to highlight the segregation within housing communities. On January 26, 1969, Edwin Pratt was killed outside his home in Shoreline, and the crime remains unsolved.

Following the murder of Edwin Pratt, Thursday, January 30, 1969, was declared a public day of mourning. At that time, acting Seattle Mayor Floyd Miller issued a proclamation ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff and urged the public to attend a memorial service for Pratt at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle.

At the Tuesday, January 30, 2024 council meeting, Mayor Chris Roberts proclaimed January 30, 2024 as Edwin T. Pratt Day of Remembrance in the City of Shoreline.

To honor this Day of Remembrance, the City Hall flag was flown at half-staff. 


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Sno-King School Retirees sponsors Humanities Washington program about Woody Guthrie in the Northwest

Joel Underwood, Woody Guthrie scholar
Photo courtesy Humanities Washington
“That Ribbon of Highway: Guthrie in the Pacific Northwest” with Joel Underwood, from Humanities Washington, hosted by Sno-King School Retirees on Thursday, February 15, 2023 12 - 3pm 

Sno-King School Retirees organization and Humanities Washington invite the community to an engaging program with Joel Underwood, a member of the 2024-2025 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. 

Come to enjoy hearing narrative about Woody Guthrie and songs about his time and work in the Northwest along the Columbia River and touring the Grand Coulee Dam Project in 1941.

This free event takes place in-person on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 12pm in the Board Room of the Edmonds School District ESC, 20420 68th Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98036. 

Doors open at noon for a Meet and Greet and a brief meeting. The program begins about 1pm.

About the talk

In 1941, folksinger and activist Woody Guthrie composed 26 songs in 30 days while riding along the Columbia River and touring the Grand Coulee Dam Project. 

His songs and his unique, authentic voice chronicled both the grandeur and the perils of what he called “The Greatest Thing That Man Has Ever Done” as an employee of the Bonneville Power Administration. 

His time here in the Pacific Northwest inspired a swell of patriotism that led Guthrie to enlist in the U.S. Merchant Marines in World War II. After his time with the Merchant Marines, he returned home to fame and notoriety, but also tragedy and great personal loss. 

Joel Underwood blends his talents, skills and experience to perform a program that is part concert, part theatrical drama, and part lecture. Audience members will sing along to “Roll on Columbia,” “Pastures of Plenty,” and the ever popular “This Land is Your Land,” and learn of the sometime tragic stories behind the songs. 

About Joel Underwood

As a teacher, folksinger, historian and actor, Joel Underwood began his career with 25 years teaching high school history. This led to his drive to get his master’s degree in American History with a focus on folk and protest music. 

He received a Woody Guthrie Fellowship and was granted access to the Woody Guthrie Archives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he researched Woody’s time in the World War II Merchant Marines. He continues to tour as a musician, both solo and with his daughter. He is a local state resident living in Olympia and clearly has an affinity for the Washington State and its unique history.

Humanities Washington is a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to spark conversation and critical thinking using story as a catalyst, nurturing thoughtful and engaged communities across our state. 


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HistoryLink.org: Native Americans attack Seattle on January 26, 1856

Friday, January 26, 2024

Artist's depiction of settlers seeking shelter in Seattle blockhouse, 1856
Painting by Emily Inez Denny, Courtesy MOHAI (MP1955.921b)


Native Americans attack Seattle on January 26, 1856.
By Walt Crowley and David Wilma
Posted 2/15/2003

On the morning of January 26, 1856, after months of raids and clashes with federal troops in southern King County and in Thurston County, Native Americans attack Seattle. 

Previously warned by friendly Indians, most settlers had barricaded themselves in a blockhouse. 

The attackers are driven off by artillery fire and by Marines from the U.S. Navy sloop-of-war Decatur, anchored in Elliott Bay. 

Two settlers and an unknown number of raiders perish in the all-day "Battle of Seattle."



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Naval Chapel listed on National Register of Historic Places

Sunday, January 7, 2024

The chapel sits in a grove of evergreens in the middle of the Fircrest property
Photo by Janet Way

After four years of hard work by Shoreline resident Janet Way, the Naval Chapel located in a small grove of trees in the middle of the Fircrest property, has been listed on the 
National Register of Historic Places maintained by the National Parks.

Interior of the Naval Chapel at Fircrest
Photo by Janet Way

Listing as it appears on the weekly report of the National Parks registry of historic places:

WASHINGTON, KING COUNTY,
Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel,
1902 NE 150th Street,
Shoreline, SG100009645,
LISTED, 12/26/2023

Last fall it was listed on the Washington State Registry of Historic Places (see previous article)


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HistoryLink: On this day in 1928, interurban train service between Seattle and Tacoma ended

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Seattle-Tacoma interurban streetcar, Kent, ca. 1909
Photo by Asahel Curtis, Courtesy MOHAI (2002.3.1435)

HistoryLink File 2671

On December 30, 1928, the last electric interurban railcar leaves Seattle for Tacoma. This marks the end of 26 years of regional interurban service between the two cities.

Down in the Valley

Interurban service between the two cities began in 1902, following Puget Sound Traction, Light & Power Company's acquisition of an incomplete railway launched by Henry Bucey in 1901. PSTL&P completed the line, which it called the Puget Sound Electric Railway, and inaugurated service on September 25, 1902.

The Seattle-Tacoma line extended from downtown Seattle along 1st Avenue to Georgetown. From there, it roughly paralleled the Duwamish River to Tukwila. A branch line veered east toward Renton, while the main track shot straight down the valley through Kent and Auburn. At the Pierce County line, the tracks turned west, heading fairly straight into downtown Tacoma.

The Seattle-Tacoma interurban was a godsend to farmers in the Kent Valley. Prior to the rail line, goods had to be transported to the cities by horse teams and wagons over rough roads. The electric trains allowed for quick transport of milk and produce. One of the line's freight trains became known as the Spud Daily, due to its service to the valley's potato farmers.

End of the Line

Although the Seattle-Tacoma interurban served the two cities well, by the late 1920s the line was suffering from financial difficulties. New roads networked throughout the valley, and many farmers and commuters were buying trucks and cars. Highway 99 was under construction, and the Seattle-Tacoma link was completed on October 18, 1928. This spelled the demise of the interurban.

Motorman Roy Kelly left Seattle with the last interurban on the night of December 30. After reaching Tacoma, he returned the train to Kent on schedule. From there, he and his crew were sent out to pick up all remaining freight cars, and in the early hours of December 31, the power was shut off. Thus ended 26 years of interurban service.

Source:

Warren Wing, To Tacoma by Trolley (Edmonds, WA: Pacific Fast Mail, 1995).


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Memorial to veterans of the War of 1812 at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Garden

Monday, November 13, 2023

 
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

This monument in Evergreen Washelli memorializes the veterans of the War of 1812 - said to be our actual war of independence - who died in Washington Territory.

One of the names is a prominent one in Washington history. George Bush 1789/90  - 1863 who died in Thurston County. 

HistoryLink.org has an article on him:

George Bush (ca. 1790-1863) was a key leader of the first group of American citizens to settle north of the Columbia River in what is now Washington. 

Bush was a successful farmer in Missouri, but as a free African American in a slave state, he faced increasing discrimination and decided to move west. 

In 1844, Bush and his good friend Michael T. Simmons (1814-1867), a white Irish American, led their families and three others over the Oregon Trail. 

When they found that racial exclusion laws had preceded them and barred Bush from settling south of the Columbia River, they settled on Puget Sound, becoming the first Americans to do so. 

Bush established a successful farm near present day Olympia on land that became known as Bush Prairie. He and his family were noted for their generosity to new arrivals and for their friendship with the Nisqually Indians who lived nearby. 

Bush continued modernizing and improving his farm until his death in 1863. Said by some sources to be named George Washington Bush in honor of the first president, he has no known family connection to the two later presidents who share with him the name George Bush.

More of the article is here - a fascinating historical account!

By Kit Oldham 
Posted 1/31/2004 
HistoryLink.org Essay 5645


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Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail at Bastyr University Gardens

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Bastyr's Sacred Seeds Trail
Photo courtesy Bastyr University

The Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail at Bastyr University is part of an international network of Sacred Seed gardens created to address the rapid loss of biodiversity and plant cultural knowledge. 

The vision is to build collaborative gardens all over the world that act as “living libraries” and seed banks for local ethnomedicine plants — bringing together botanists, indigenous peoples, herbalists and schools. 

Visit the website to print and take along your own self lead learning maps for all ages, such as the Plant Quest scavenger hunt map, or explore the trail virtually from home. 

The Sacred Seeds Trail is open to the public, so everyone can enjoy this special outdoor treasure in Kenmore!

Bastyr University 14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore WA 98028


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Shoreline Historical Museum annual meeting November 4, 2023 at Sheridan Market and Roadhouse

Saturday, October 21, 2023

The Shoreline Historical Museum is very excited to announce our 49th Annual Meeting on Saturday November 4, 2023 from 1pm-3pm!

Join us at the Sheridan Market and Roadhouse, 15348 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155, to learn about all the great things our Museum community has accomplished and hear Dan Larson's presentation "Tales of Tuberculosis".

The event will be in person and available to stream, please visit our website for the Zoom link.

Parking is limited and we encourage people to carpool. You can find a parking map here

Light refreshments will be provided as well as food and drinks for purchase.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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King County Archives awarded grant to digitize 200 archival items

Friday, September 29, 2023

King County Archives building

The Washington Digital Heritage (WDH) grant program for the 2023-2024 federal fiscal year was developed to support public, tribal, special, and academic libraries in carrying out a variety of digital initiatives focused on archival and special collections. 

Proposals receiving priority consideration for award included those demonstrating: broad accessibility of project outputs to the general public; a desire to develop sustainable local digital programs; and adoption and/or dissemination of regional standards and approaches to digitization.

Thirteen libraries received awards for 2023-2024. Progress on the grant projects will run through August 31, 2024.

This grant was awarded by the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library Division, funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The King County Archives was awarded $14,495

King County Archives will digitize at least 200 selected archival items from its collections and create an online exhibit about the developments of disability rights and services in King County government. 

The exhibit will highlight how issues of freedom, race, justice, equity, and economic opportunity impacted those with disabilities in King County and Washington state. 

King County Archives will hire student assistants to help digitize materials, a social media and graphic design contractor to help with promotion, a writing and editing contractor for the exhibit narrative, and a specialist from the University of Washington’s Center for Technology and Disability Studies to audit the exhibit to ensure it meets web content accessibility guidelines. 

Through the work in creating the exhibit, King County Archives will also develop a set of best practices for creating accessible online exhibits. The project will be shared through social media, OER commons, and announcements targeted to King County employees and other information professionals.

The archives is located at 1215 E Fir St, Seattle WA 98122


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My Edmonds News: The story of Edmonds’ forgotten Starbucks

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Our friends to the north, MyEdmondsNews.com have a fascinating historical article The story of Edmonds’ forgotten Starbucks by Brad Holden.

It was located in Old Milltown, a small shopping center in the heart of Edmonds that has been gone so long that I forget it existed.

I loved the place and went there often. I bought coffee at the coffee shop when the Starbucks name meant nothing. It was full of attractive small shops, historical photos, and a huge mill wheel. The wooden floors were uneven and creaky.

Slowly the shops closed and were not replaced. Finally the entire building was torn down. The lower level with shops accessible from the outside, still exists.

--Diane Hettrick



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Own a piece of local history - Town / Country Market to auction off old Central Market letters

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Own a letter of your very own!
Own a piece of local history in the form of cool decor! Town / Country Markets is auctioning off its Shoreline and Poulsbo Central Markets lighted “Central Market” letters from the old signs. Proceeds are being donated to two food banks.

They're big! They're bold! They're... letters! 

Accent your patio, show off a backyard conversation piece, or add vintage flair to your small business. Snag a piece of history and help to provide food and resources for your neighbors in need.

The auction starts Monday, September 11 - 14 at new.biddingowl.com/townandcountry. Win a little piece of local history and own a supercool letter.


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Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest now listed on WA State Historic Registry

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Janet Way

Today, September 1, the Washington State Advisory Council voted unanimously to approve the listing of the Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest School in Shoreline, built in 1944 during WWII, on the State Registry of Historic Places.

The Chapel and 2.6 acres of surrounding forest was nominated by the Shoreline Preservation Society and Northwest Vernacular, an expert historic consulting firm. It was previously Landmarked by the Shoreline Landmarks Preservation Board in 2021, after receiving two grants from 4Culture.

The WA State Advisory Council praised the nomination and condition of the building and beauty of the grounds, now managed by DSHS and owned by Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The Advisory Board also recommended the Chapel nomination be forwarded to the National Parks Service for approval for the National Register of Historic Places. Their process will likely take a few months to complete.

The Chapel was conceived by Captain JT Boone, Commander of the Hospital Naval Base as a place of respite to restore the spirits of the over 2000 sailors and marines being treated for wounds received in the Pacific battle theater and stationed in the barracks at the site. 

Captain Boone was an inspirational leader who had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in WWI and served as physician to three presidents.

Janet Way, Chair of Shoreline Preservation Society said, 
“We are extremely proud that our beautiful, historic gem at Fircrest School set in a Northwest Forest ecosystem, is receiving the recognition it deserves and can continue to be an inspiration to generations to come, for the healing work done at the Naval Hospital and that the Chapel can continue to provide refuge for people in Shoreline and the entire State.”

Fircrest is located at 15800 15th Ave NE in Shoreline WA 98155.


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Sno-Isle Genealogy Meeting Wednesday: Ever wonder what gets tossed into a privy?

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Wicker's Building, Heritage Park, Lynnwood
Photo from wikimedia commons
Sno-Isle Genealogy hybrid meeting Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Ever wonder what gets tossed into a privy (outhouse)? or how this relates to genealogy? 

Megan Caves' thesis research weaves together multiple stories of indigenous and Euro-American families who surrounded and interacted with an archaeological deposit originally excavated and analyzed in 2008 from Arlington, WA. 

Her reanalysis of the archaeological assemblage employs a biographical approach which looks at how the "lifetimes" of artifacts discarded in the privy are connected to families who owned and occupied the site between 1890 and 1940. 

This is the topic of a presentation at the Sno-Isle Genealogy Society meeting on Wednesday September 6, 2023, to be held 7 to 9pm at the Wicker's Bldg, 19921 Poplar Way, Heritage Park, Lynnwood

You may attend in person or via zoom at https://bit.ly/SnoIsleSept23 

  • Passcode: 436122
  • Meeting ID: 854 1305 2523

Megan Caves has worked as an archaeologist in the Pacific Northwest since 2018 and just received her Master's Degree in anthropology.


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Shoreline Walks: Historical Borders and Boundaries Walk and Talk Thursday July 27, 2023

Monday, July 24, 2023

Shoreline Historical Museum
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Historical Borders and Boundaries Walk and Talk
Thursday, July 27, 2023 10:00am

Join staff from the Shoreline Historical Museum in a walk and talk discussing this history of borders and boundaries in the City of Shoreline. Be a part of the conversation and explore different ideas relating to the borders and boundaries that have developed over time in our area. 

This walk and talk will ask participants to actively participate in conversations. It is rated moderate for some small hills and up to two miles in length.
 
Walk is approximately 2 miles, 1.5 hours
Walk Rating: Moderate
Meet at: Shoreline Historical Museum Parking Lot, 18501 Linden Ave N. Shoreline (additional parking across street at Fred Meyer)
Walk Leader: Shoreline Historical Museum

SHORELINE WALKS
Explore neighborhoods, parks and trails on some of the best walking routes in our City. Designed for adults ages 50+ but open to all ages and abilities, each walk is led by a Volunteer Walk Leader and all walks are free. No need to sign up, just show up at the meetup location and we'll take care of the rest!  Friendly dogs on a leash are welcome to join.


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Memorial Service for long lost WWII B-24 hero on 80th anniversary of Operation Tidal Wave - August 1, 2023

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Alfred "Freddy" F. Turgeon
Portrait by Michael Reagan
The Gold Star Family of USAAF TSgt Alfred “Freddy” F. Turgeon (MIA/KIA) today announce a Memorial Service in his honor to be held on the 80th Anniversary of his being Killed in Action (KIA) on August 1, 1943. 

The memorial Service will be at the Memorial Garden Columbarium at St Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 722 N 145th St, Shoreline, WA 98133

TSgt Turgeon was listed as one of over 80 known but unidentified casualties of the “Ploiesti Raid” interred in Romania and then Belgium. 

Through the efforts of the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) using advances in DNA technology, TSgt Turgeon was Identified and Repatriated to his Family in 2021 after being missing for 78 Years.

Technical Sergeant Alfred “Freddy” F. Turgeon was the Radio Operator and Waist Gunner on the storied Consolidated B-24 Heavy Bomber, “The Vulgar Virgin” when he was killed while engaged in Operation Tidal Wave over Ploiesti, Romania on 1 Aug, 1943.

Alfred was born in 1919 in Worcester Massachusetts to Ruth Cutler and Alfred Turgeon Sr.

A young 21yr old Alfred enlisted in the Army Air Corp in the summer of 1941.

He was assigned to the 9th Air Force and after extensive training at Barksdale, LA and Wendover, UT was deployed with the 98th Bomb Group (Heavy) - 344th Bomber Squadron to North Africa in late 1942.

They were known as “The Pyramiders.” The Squadron flew multiple combat support missions out of Benghazi, Libya to targets in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Greece. 

On 1 August 1943 the ”Pyramiders” joined the other B-24 Squadrons of the 98th in Operation Tidal Wave, the low level daylight bombing raid on the Nazi Oil Refineries at Ploiesti, Romania.

TSgt Turgeon was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Bronze Star with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Good Conduct Medal, The Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, The American Campaign Medal, The European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, The World War II Victory Medal and The Purple Heart.

TSgt Turgeon was interred with Full Military Honors at the Memorial Garden of St Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Shoreline Washington on Aug 28, 2021. He lies next to his sister, Lorraine Bass (Cutler) in the family columbarium.

He is survived by his sister, Mrs Joan Mackie (Cutler, Tucker) of Shoreline Washington, Nephews Phillip (Laurie) Tucker and Craig (Patricia) Tucker of Ketchikan Alaska and David (Barbara) Bass of Indianapolis, Indiana and Niece Kathy (Don) Newman (Tucker) of Seattle Washington along with numerous great nieces and nephews.

Alfred Turgeon was on board the Vulgar Virgin B-24 Liberator when it was attacked.
Only the captain survived. (Photo courtesy of David Bass)

From The American Air Museum

“On that day, 47 B-24 Liberators of the 344th Squadron took off for the raid against the Ploesti oil refineries.

"Only 21 returned safely.

"THE VULGAR VIRGIN', flying as the lead aircraft in the "E" Section of the 98th's formation, took a direct hit in the nose section by flak over the target and burst into flames. 

"The pilot pulled out of formation and ordered a bail out. It is believed they were still too low for the chutes to open and only the pilot, Wallace Taylor, one of the four who got out, survived. 

"This was the crew’s fate: 
  • Capt. Wallace C. Taylor, Pilot (POW), 
  • F/O Paul W. Packer, CoPilot (KIA), 
  • 1st Lt. Jack K. Wood, Navigator (KIA), 
  • 1st Lt. Robert N. Austin, Bombardier (KIA), 
  • T/Sgt. Gerald E. Rabb, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (KIA), 
  • T/Sgt. Alfred F. Turgeon, Radio Operator/Left Waist Gunner (KIA), 
  • S/Sgt. Ralph M. Robbins, Gunner/Asst. Eng. (KIA), 
  • S/Sgt. Louis Kaiser, Right Waist Gunner (KIA), 
  • S/Sgt. Donald H. Duchene, Tail Gunner (KIA), Sgt. Arthur B. Van Kleek, Tunnel Gunner (KIA). Aug 1, 1943.”
“B-24D Liberator bomber, flown by Capt. Wallace C. Taylor, in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, "The Pyramiders", and the 344th Bomb Squadron flown out of the USAAF Air Base at Benghazi, Libya. 

"Lt. Taylor and 'THE VULGAR VIRGIN' flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the large mission to destroy the German oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania on August 1, 1943. Their target was code named, "White IV", the Astra Romana refinery. 

"As the two groups, the 98th and the 44th Bomb Groups, being led by Col. Leon Johnson and Col. John R. Kane, approached their targets, the entire area was already on fire and compromised by the flames, smoke, and exploding delayed action bombs previously dropped by the 93rd Bomb Group ahead of the attack plan. 

"When the 98th bomb Group, led by Col. Kane, entered a wall of smoke and flames over the Astra Romana refinery complex, #41-24198, 'THE VULGAR VIRGIN', did not reappear coming out of the smoke, shot down and lost over their target.”

See previous article from Shoreline Area News



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Historian David Buerge to speak at RB Library Saturday on Indigenous Communities of Richmond Beach

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Historian David Burge will speak at the 
Richmond Beach Library Saturday
Indigenous Communities of Richmond Beach

Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 1:00pm-2:30pm at the Richmond Beach Library

Local historian David Buerge will discuss research on the lives of the indigenous peoples who traveled through and inhabited the Richmond Beach area. 

Registration not required. The library is located at 19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline WA 98177.


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