My 24th entry in Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” family history blogging challenge. The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. My 24th ancestor is […]
#52Ancestors: WWI And PFC William James Mara Read More »
My Family History
My grandfather, Michael John Flanagan (1927 – 1997) served in the US Navy from June 15, 1944 to March 18, 1948. Grandpa never talked about the war, or his military service, in general with us grandkids. I only remember hearing him lecture us against tattoos anytime, as little kids, we would ask about the blue
Michael John Flanagan’s Missing WWII Navy Years Read More »
My Family History
USS Thompson refuels from USS Arkansas, April 1944. Department of Defense photo. When my grandfather, Ship’s Cook 3rd Class Michael John Flanagan (1927 – 1997) left the USS Mervine on February 20, 1948, he transferred to the USS Thompson for his final month of service in the Navy. The USS Thompson (DD-627) was a Navy destroyer commissioned
Michael John Flanagan’s Final US Navy Duty Assignment, The USS Thompson Read More »
My Family History
USS Mervine (DD-489) off New York Navy Yard, 23 January 1943. Photo courtesy of the US National Archives. As Memorial Day approaches, I am honoring a World War II veteran who thankfully made it back home — my grandfather Michael John Flanagan (1927 – 1997). Grandpa claimed to have served on multiple Naval ships while
Michael John Flanagan And The USS Mervine Read More »
My Family History