This is my Father-in-Law, Reverend LeRoy Edward William Holmberg, Sr. He is the son of Edward Henry Holmberg and Gladys Helena Franson. His wife, Doris June Kelsey Holmberg is still living in Washington State near their eldest daughter and her family.
Roy (or 'Bumpa' as his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him) joined the Army Air Corp as a Cadet Pilot in 1943. His entire class of aviation hopefulls were converted to 'Gunners' and sent to England with the Eighth Air Force. For most of his overseas time, he served as a 'Belly Gunner' or a Ball Turret Gunner on a series of B-24 Liberators, working his way up to serve as a Bombardier for the last several missions over Europe.
His unit was the 506th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 2d Division, 8th U.S. Army Air Force, based at Shipdham Airfield, England. They were called, 'the Flying Eight Balls.' The enemy kept shooting his planes full of holes, and so his crew moved from plane to plane, but their most frequently used ones were, 'Chief's Delight, 'The Hit Parade,' 'Down De Hatch,' Consolidated Mess,' and the 'Jose Carioca'
He is credited with 35 combat missions over Europe, many over Germany, to bomb marshalling yards, oil refineries, and airfields. He returned to the States in late 1944, spending two months in a medical ward with a bleeding ulcer. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, and he was awarded five Air Medals and EAMETO Medal with two Battle Stars.
Following his service, he met and married the love of his life, Doris June Kelsey. They made a lifetime ministry in the Baptist Church after he graduated from Bob Jones University. Along the way, they had five children, the youngest of whom is my wife.
We endured what might have been the longest wedding ceremony on record at the Springwells Avenue Baptist Church, where he was the pastor. As a matter of fact, after my knees fell asleep on the kneeling bench, he told me that I could kiss my bride and then signed the marriage license.
Roy and Doris spent their retirement years living in Florida, where he is now buried. We'll see you again soon, Dad Holmberg...
Roy (or 'Bumpa' as his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him) joined the Army Air Corp as a Cadet Pilot in 1943. His entire class of aviation hopefulls were converted to 'Gunners' and sent to England with the Eighth Air Force. For most of his overseas time, he served as a 'Belly Gunner' or a Ball Turret Gunner on a series of B-24 Liberators, working his way up to serve as a Bombardier for the last several missions over Europe.
His unit was the 506th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 2d Division, 8th U.S. Army Air Force, based at Shipdham Airfield, England. They were called, 'the Flying Eight Balls.' The enemy kept shooting his planes full of holes, and so his crew moved from plane to plane, but their most frequently used ones were, 'Chief's Delight, 'The Hit Parade,' 'Down De Hatch,' Consolidated Mess,' and the 'Jose Carioca'
He is credited with 35 combat missions over Europe, many over Germany, to bomb marshalling yards, oil refineries, and airfields. He returned to the States in late 1944, spending two months in a medical ward with a bleeding ulcer. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, and he was awarded five Air Medals and EAMETO Medal with two Battle Stars.
Following his service, he met and married the love of his life, Doris June Kelsey. They made a lifetime ministry in the Baptist Church after he graduated from Bob Jones University. Along the way, they had five children, the youngest of whom is my wife.
We endured what might have been the longest wedding ceremony on record at the Springwells Avenue Baptist Church, where he was the pastor. As a matter of fact, after my knees fell asleep on the kneeling bench, he told me that I could kiss my bride and then signed the marriage license.
Roy and Doris spent their retirement years living in Florida, where he is now buried. We'll see you again soon, Dad Holmberg...
This is my Father-in-Law, Reverend LeRoy Edward William Holmberg, Sr. He is the son of Edward Henry Holmberg and Gladys Helena Franson. His wife, Doris June Kelsey Holmberg is still living in Washington State near their eldest daughter and her family.
Roy (or 'Bumpa' as his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him) joined the Army Air Corp as a Cadet Pilot in 1943. His entire class of aviation hopefulls were converted to 'Gunners' and sent to England with the Eighth Air Force. For most of his overseas time, he served as a 'Belly Gunner' or a Ball Turret Gunner on a series of B-24 Liberators, working his way up to serve as a Bombardier for the last several missions over Europe.
His unit was the 506th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 2d Division, 8th U.S. Army Air Force, based at Shipdham Airfield, England. They were called, 'the Flying Eight Balls.' The enemy kept shooting his planes full of holes, and so his crew moved from plane to plane, but their most frequently used ones were, 'Chief's Delight, 'The Hit Parade,' 'Down De Hatch,' Consolidated Mess,' and the 'Jose Carioca'
He is credited with 35 combat missions over Europe, many over Germany, to bomb marshalling yards, oil refineries, and airfields. He returned to the States in late 1944, spending two months in a medical ward with a bleeding ulcer. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, and he was awarded five Air Medals and EAMETO Medal with two Battle Stars.
Following his service, he met and married the love of his life, Doris June Kelsey. They made a lifetime ministry in the Baptist Church after he graduated from Bob Jones University. Along the way, they had five children, the youngest of whom is my wife.
We endured what might have been the longest wedding ceremony on record at the Springwells Avenue Baptist Church, where he was the pastor. As a matter of fact, after my knees fell asleep on the kneeling bench, he told me that I could kiss my bride and then signed the marriage license.
Roy and Doris spent their retirement years living in Florida, where he is now buried. We'll see you again soon, Dad Holmberg...
Roy (or 'Bumpa' as his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him) joined the Army Air Corp as a Cadet Pilot in 1943. His entire class of aviation hopefulls were converted to 'Gunners' and sent to England with the Eighth Air Force. For most of his overseas time, he served as a 'Belly Gunner' or a Ball Turret Gunner on a series of B-24 Liberators, working his way up to serve as a Bombardier for the last several missions over Europe.
His unit was the 506th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 2d Division, 8th U.S. Army Air Force, based at Shipdham Airfield, England. They were called, 'the Flying Eight Balls.' The enemy kept shooting his planes full of holes, and so his crew moved from plane to plane, but their most frequently used ones were, 'Chief's Delight, 'The Hit Parade,' 'Down De Hatch,' Consolidated Mess,' and the 'Jose Carioca'
He is credited with 35 combat missions over Europe, many over Germany, to bomb marshalling yards, oil refineries, and airfields. He returned to the States in late 1944, spending two months in a medical ward with a bleeding ulcer. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, and he was awarded five Air Medals and EAMETO Medal with two Battle Stars.
Following his service, he met and married the love of his life, Doris June Kelsey. They made a lifetime ministry in the Baptist Church after he graduated from Bob Jones University. Along the way, they had five children, the youngest of whom is my wife.
We endured what might have been the longest wedding ceremony on record at the Springwells Avenue Baptist Church, where he was the pastor. As a matter of fact, after my knees fell asleep on the kneeling bench, he told me that I could kiss my bride and then signed the marriage license.
Roy and Doris spent their retirement years living in Florida, where he is now buried. We'll see you again soon, Dad Holmberg...
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
