I, Pim, adopted the grave of Harry G. Dunbar, JR.
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In his honor we remember all who fell in this war...
they died for our freedom lest we forget...
He was a SGT in 72th squadron of 434 troop Carrier GP and died as a KIA on 19th of september 1944, He was decorated with an airmedal and a purple heart.
His mother died when he was a teenager and, at the time of his death, he had four brothers and three sisters.
For a period of time, he and his family lived in one of the four houses owned by his parents, where Harry met his future bride.
They married in 1937 and became the proud parents of three sisters prior to 1943.
At one time, Harry drove a large truck throughout the state of Ohio.
He also played the guitar and enjoyed playing cards with friends. Harry was in the U.S. Army Air Forces and attached to the 434th Troop Carrier Group of the 72nd Squadron - 53rd Troop Carrier Wing - 9th Troop Carrier Command.
The 434th was activated on February 9, 1943 and used the C-47, Waco CG-4A glider and the Horsa glider (1943-45).
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The Group saw action in the following campaigns:
Normandy: D-Day, June 6-7, 1944, Holland,
Arnhem: September 17-25, 1944,
Relief of Bastogne: December 1944 ,
Germany, Wessel: March 24, 1945.
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The Group also participated in secondary operations:
Reinforced ground troops - St. Lo breakthrough, July 1944, Resupplied Patton's 3rd Army across France - September 1944,
Numerous resupply missions from England to France and Germany Evacuated Prisoners of War after V-E Day.
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Harry was with this unit for more than a year before he was declared "Missing In Action" in September, 1944.
The next spring he was officially declared "Killed In Action".
According to his daughter Ruth, Harry was a very loving person and his three little girls were very special to him.
We are allready in contact with one of his daughters Ruth Tatum, and she is proud to overwatch our work from a distance.
Further research into Harry G. Dunbar, JR. Is ongoing if you have any information with regard to his life or about his military service.
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To : VOV45
Subject: Relative of Harry Dunbar
My name is Judith Dunbar(Bray)
Jan 29, 2006 at 22:10:56
This message is for VOV45 webmaster regarding
the request to contact the daughter of the man who is
buried in Margate, Harry Dunbar.
I believe her name is Francis and she is in contact with Harry's and my father's brother Elmer.
I will attempt to get your E-mail address to her so that she can contact you.
I have never met her, but my father knows her.
Harry G. Dunbar was my father's brother.
I have a copy of the letter that the family who takes care
of Harry Dunbar's grave wrote to my Father and had planned
to write or E-mail to thank them.
My Father is 86 and not feeling well, but I know that he was touched by this kindness.
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Dear VOV45,
My name is Robert Merz, and I am writing today to thank you for tending the grave of Mr. Dunbar, a US crewman shot down during WWII.
You wrote to his brother Norman in Garrettsville some time ago, and I do not believe you ever received a response.
I wanted to write to you myself, and explain, but I have just now obtained your address to do so!
Norman Dunbar (the serviceman's brother) is now 90 years old, and unfortunately, he is very confused most of the time.
He no longer recognizes his family members, though he does have some few lucid moments.
His wife, Helen, is 87, and also in the beginning stages of dementia.
When I asked my wife to obtain your information for me, so that I can write to you, Helen did remember your writing, but could not find your information.
She could not recall if she had written to you or not (we do not believe she ever did, but that she meant to).
Fortunately, my mother-in-law had jotted down your e-mail address, and was able to forward it to me yesterday.
I want you to know that our entire family is very appreciative to you.
We are touched that you take your time to tend this grave. Norman has never had the opportunity to visit, and likely never will.
I do not know if you are familiar with Norman's service?
He served in the Navy aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard as a sonar operator.
Since I am the family "history buff," I thought I would take a moment to write to you, and to express our gratitude.
I am related to the Dunbars by marriage (my wife, Lauren, is Norman's granddaughter).
I am hoping that this brief letter finds you all well, and that you will take a moment to respond, so that we can continue to converse.
I also hope that you have a wonderful Holiday season.
Warmest regards,
Robert Merz
Warren, Ohio
USA
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To: VOV45
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 8:34 PM
Subject: Relative of Harry Dunbar
My name is Patricia Gagnon.
My father is Harry Dunbar's brother.
My parents do not have internet, so I am writing this letter for them.
My mother is telling me that Harry was married and had 3 girls. For some reason, he gave them all boy nicknames.
Harry loved to dance and was quite good at it.
He was extremely handsome.
We are looking for pictures and I will email them to you the minute we find them.
My parents have lived in their current house for over 20 years and things get lost.
Our entire family thinks what you are doing is the most beautiful thing ever.
We are most honored.
I, myself, get chills when I view your website.
If our young men must die, I can think of no more worthy cause than to free people like you.
It makes the loss bearable and beautiful.
Feel free to email me at any time.
Patricia Gagnon
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Sent to us by email...thank you relatives...of Harry G. Dunbar!!!
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In 2007 we got a mail from Hans den Brok who was in contact with Ruth Tatum-Dunbar , daughter of Harry G. Dunbar...
This is what he found in his trace-project:
Your father was a crewmember of a C47 of the 72nd Troop Carrier Squadron.
This squadron was sent somewhere in 1944.
They first combat mission was over Normandy, towing gliders.
On September 17th, they would drop paratroopers of the 101st airborne division near Veghel.
They left from Aldermaston air base.
The serial flew a different path and the paratroopers were dropped on the wrong spot.
They were dropped near the Heeswijk Castle.
There are planes flying from right to left and planes flying underneath. your father was in the serial flying underneath.
At the time of the drop, your fathers plane was hit already.
This resulted in wounding one of the paratroopers.
He didn't jump over the castle.
The planes made a turn to the left and headed back to England.
Shortly after the turn, your fathers plane was hit again.
This time, the damage was big.
Most probably, your father and another crewmember helped the wounded trooper to get out of the plane.
When he was out, the plane was to low for the crew to bail out safely.
The plane crashed south of the village Boxtel.
Not all crewmembers were in the plane then. your father was first buried at the local cemetery by Dutch civilians.
In the police report it is mentioned that your father had a picture with three children, I assume you were one of these children.
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If you have any information please leave a note.
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