Tuskegee Airmen Archives - Megan Smolenyak

Genealogy Roundup, February 17

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:41:57 +0000

Memorial Service of Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson – Tuskegee Airman Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson gave his life for our country in WWII. Recovered and identified 75 years later, he received his long overdue honors at @ArlingtonNatl. (VIDEO)

The Family Tree of Pharrell Williams and Why He Almost Didn’t Exist – Pharrell Williams just appeared on ‘Finding Your Roots’, so I thought I’d share some of my unexpected findings when I took a deep dive. Both Liberia and Nat Turner’s Rebellion play a role. This is a video version (if you have any kids or grand kids, they might enjoy it) and here’s a text version, if you prefer reading.

Name Game: Celebrities Have Nothing on the Rest of Us – Hope you’ll enjoy my latest! Please feel free to comment, too.

DNA doesn’t lie! Today’s comic from theargylesweater.com/

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Genealogy Roundup, May 27

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 27 May 2020 15:34:09 +0000

On Memorial Day, remembering her dad’s close call at end of World War II – Helped my friend Sean Kirst out with another one of his lovely tales of history hiding in your back yard.

Memorial Service of Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson – I was privileged to research the case of CPT Lawrence E. Dickson, a Tuskegee airman who was killed in WWII. I also attended his moving memorial service last year and invite you to watch and share.

Correcting the Record of WWI Hero and Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Henry Johnson

Famous Genealogist Solves Her Own Family’s Mystery – You can see the original title in the URL. The editor likes me so took liberties.

9 years ago now. Lovely memory of meeting former President Obama in Ireland.

Photo Credit: Marines under Creative Commons license

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Genealogy Roundup, May 29

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 29 May 2019 14:59:57 +0000

Memorial Service of Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson (VIDEO) – Killed in a WWII plane crash on December 23,1944, Tuskegee Airman Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson was recently recovered in Europe and identified by DPAA 75 years after his loss. His daughter chose to have him buried at Arlington National Cemetery. She, family members, Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails,” and many others were on hand to honor his memory and service. I’m honored to have had the privilege of researching his family for the U.S. Army.

A Memorial Day Tribute to Dad for his Service in Vietnam

Army Repatriation: Bringing Them Home – I *loved* chatting with Amy Johnson Crow about my repatriation work with the Army, so hope you’ll consider giving this podcast a listen. Thanks, Amy!

The Statue of Liberty was created to celebrate freed slaves, not immigrants, its new museum recounts

Remains of Korean War vet travel back home to Dublin – Since I’ve been on the road for a few weeks, I’m playing catch up checking on the status of the cases of the soldiers I’ve researched over the years. There’s been a burst of identifications, so please bear with me as I post each of the recent IDs – starting with CPL James Cordie Rix who was only 17 when he died. He was one of my first cases. Believe it or not, I researched his family in 2000. Welcome home, CPL Rix.

Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (Woods, R.) – Welcome home, Pfc. Roger Lee Woods. Honored to have researched your family (2010).

Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Ross, D.) – Welcome home, Pfc. Dale W. Ross. Honored to have researched your family (2013).

Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (Lawler, C.) – Welcome home, Cpl. Charles “Chuck” Stanley Lawler. Honored to have researched your family (2005).

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Genealogy Roundup, February 27

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 15:21:49 +0000

First came the home DNA kits. Now come the support groups – I’ve been doing genetic genealogy so long that (as a beta tester), I was 23andMe’s first customer to learn something I wasn’t expecting. Surprise results are very common.

The ASL sign for DNA is better than the English for DNA

Custom playing cards are helping people share their family trees – “Your grandmother could be the queen of hearts.” Yes, yes she could.

Tuskegee Airman posthumously honored after decades MIA – Another lovely piece about Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson, a Tuskegee airman who will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery next month – this one about his daughter receiving his medals. Honored to have had the opportunity to find her.

Stephen King, wife give $1.25M to genealogical society

Photo Credit: Jason Pratt under Creative Commons license

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Genealogy Roundup, November 21

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 15:25:37 +0000

Last B-24 – PBS documentary about CPT Lawrence Everett Dickson, a Tuskegee airman I researched for the Army. He brought an electric guitar to battle, so I especially appreciate his daughter’s musical selection for his burial.

Who’s Behind That Beard? – Well, Facebook is still convinced that I’m my sister, but this is still cool!

Jeff Goldblum Is Going Back to His Roots – Who’s going to watch?

Photo Credit: PBS/Nova

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Genealogy Roundup, August 15

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 14:30:34 +0000

Tuskegee airman’s daughter gets a golden ring found at his wartime crash site – Love this piece re: hero, Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson. So honored to have had the chance to research his family.

The Crack Squad of Librarians Who Track Down Half-Forgotten Books – I librarians.

Sons Get ‘Certitude’ After Receiving Their Missing Father’s Korean War Dog Tag – Honored to have researched family of Master Sgt. Charles H. McDaniel. Hoping his remains have also been recovered.

The Revolving Door Citizenship of Tomi Lahren’s Great-Great-Grandfather – This was a new one on me…

New Port of New York Passenger Records

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Genealogy Roundup, August 1

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 14:52:13 +0000

DNA to X-ray: Military has variety of tools to ID remains – I’ve been telling folks that we already have DNA reference samples from relatives of most of the Korean War soldiers who remain unaccounted for, but didn’t know the exact figure. It’s 92% of the 8,100. Also, this piece neglects to mention that we also do occasional WWI cases.

Pentagon identifies Tuskegee Airman missing from World War II – So, so honored to have had the opportunity to research the family of Tuskegee airman Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson. Welcome home, Sir.

He found 15 books in a Sierra dumpster. Then he found out they belonged to Thomas Jefferson. – Check those dumpsters, y’all!

In a Historic Building, Your Feet Might as Well Be Jackhammers – An aspect I hadn’t given a lot of thought to before. Delighted that they featured the Tenement Museum, one of my favorites!

Photo Credit: DPAA | Taken by Staff Sgt. James Thompson

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Genealogy Roundup, April 11

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:04:09 +0000

After 73 years, the remains of a Tuskegee airman lost over Europe may have been found – What a privilege to research this case. An identification hasn’t been made yet, but it’s looking likely. His widow just passed away last December. Hoping to welcome Tuskegee airman Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson home soon.

I should mention that his brother was also a Tuskegee airman. Remarkable family.

US Woman Sells Home to Find Welsh Roots – Good for her!

Wanted: Volunteers who like history … and can read cursive – Yup, there’s that handwriting issue again.

Remains of war vet found – Pleased to see another soldier I researched back where he belongs. Welcome home, CPL William C. McDowell. RIP.

Soldier Missing From Vietnam War Accounted For (Kipina, M.) – Staff Sgt. Marshall F. Kipina who gave his life in Vietnam has been identified. RIP, and welcome home, Sir. Honored to have researched your family.

Historian who stole WWII dog tags from the National Archives is sentenced to year in prison – He got off easy given what he did. Glad to hear of 95% recovery. Hoping for 100%.

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Genealogy Roundup, August 23

Megan Smolenyak — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:36:49 +0000

In Search of Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson, Tuskegee Airman – Interesting video about a case I’m working on at the moment. Have done the research – now in the making contact phase. Hope to submit shortly!

5 Questions That’ll Bring You Closer to Your Dad – One of those situations where our half-hour discussion got boiled down to a paragraph (I’m the last in this series), but may be of interest to my fellow genies.

What Is It Like To Be . . . a Genealogist? – Did a fun interview with Kidsville News about being a genealogist!

Soldier Killed During World War II Accounted For (Johnson, R.) – So pleased that Pvt. Rudolph Johnson is coming home. Honored to have researched his family.

Airman Killed During World War II Accounted For (Fazekas) – Welcome home, 1st Lt. Fazekas. Privileged to have researched your family.

Photo Credit: Screenshot from DPAA video

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