Pittsburgh WWII stories: Preserving Our Legacy is a compilation of local stories from WWII. Each compelling entry gives an intimate look at life on the front lines, behind enemy lines, and on the home front. These first hand accounts are powerful and inspirational. The book includes a forward from author, professor and noted WWII expert, Donald Goldstein, Ph.D of the University of Pittsburgh. |
With World War II veterans dying at an estimated rate of one thousand per day, it's more important than ever to preserve their memories.
That's the intention of WQED-TV's Emmy-winning "OnQ" team, as they sit with local veterans and let the camera roll. Each personal story will be separately produced to include archival images, film and photographs – then posted with prominence on WQED's website, which can be viewed by everyone from international veterans groups to a veteran's great-grandchild living in a far-off state.
For Pittsburgh-area television viewers, the stories would also be featured within "OnQ" – WQED's flagship broadcast, weeknights at 7:30pm.
Production of this WWII memory made possible through a generous contribution from The Platt Family Foundation in honor of Joseph P. Platt, PT Boat crewman in the Phillippines (1941-45).
Support WQED and receive as our gift the Pittsburgh WWII Stories: Preserving Our Legacy companion book. This book offers a compilation of local stories from WWII. Each compelling entry gives an intimate look at life behind enemy lines and on the home front during the war.
CLICK HERE to pledge online.
 Abie Abraham
The Ghost of Bataan
Career Army M/Sergeant, PTO
Renfrew, PA
Mr. Abraham is a survivor of the Bataan Death March and was a Japanese POW in the Philippines.
WATCH THE VIDEO
 Les Banos
The Good Spy
Secret Agent for Allies
Penn Hills, PA
Mr. Banos was placed by the Hungarian Resistance in the Hungarian SS.
WATCH THE VIDEO
 Laurette Smith Cribbins
On the Home Front
"Rosie the Riveter"
Ross Township, PA
Ms. Cribbins was a "Rosie the Riveter" for the Dravo Corp.
WATCH THE VIDEO
 Clarence "Code" Gomberg
Capturing History
3rd Army, 343rd Medical Battalion, Hospital Train #5
Stanton Heights, PA
Mr. Gomberg provides an emotional look back on his Army service and wonders "Who will put a flag on my grave?" WATCH THE VIDEO
 Alvin Morton
A Dime for Dooley
8th Air Force, ETO
Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Morton provides insight into what the flyboys were experiencing before each mission.
WATCH THE VIDEO
 Julia Parsons
Decoding the U-Boat Threat
Navy WAVES
Forest Hills, PA
Ms. Parsons was stationed in Washington, D.C. working on the highly "Top-Secret" efforts to decode the German U-Boat communications. WATCH THE VIDEO
 David Rothbart
In One Man's Hands
22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Army
Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Rothbart's job was to replace soldiers who were killed or wounded on the front lines.
WATCH THE VIDEO
 Larry Slater
A Son's Story
Father-William Slater, Navy, USS Monaghan
Mt. Lebanon, PA
Mr. Slater proudly recounts the story of his father's valiant efforts at Pearl Harbor.
WATCH THE VIDEO
 John Weinert
On the Front Lines
C Company, 12th Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Army, ETO
McCandless Township, PA
Mr. Weinert saw action from right after D-Day to the end of the war in the European Theatre of Operations. WATCH THE VIDEO
 Kenneth Whitlock
Breaking Barriers
51st Defense Battalion, Provost Sergeant, Marine Corp.
Allison Park, PA
Mr. Whitlock was in the first group of African American Marines to be sent oversees to fight in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. WATCH THE VIDEO
If you would like to support WQED's WWII Oral History Collection project, please contact:
Amanda Nickeson Cherry
ancherry@wqed.org
412-622-1380
Special Thanks to Soldiers and Sailors Military Museum and Memorial
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