Tyler Jon Kocheran is Getting Married!

Here is the invitation. Congratulations Tyler & Leandra!

Mike - NEW Information

Thanks to this site the following information was posted by Herb Harpe




http://b24bw.proboards33.com/index.cgi

T/Sgt Michael Kocherhan was radio operator on "Lil' Blon-Dee' S/N 42-73424. 343rd Bomb Sq. 98th Bomb Group, when it was hit by FLAK on 29 March 1944, just after bomb release and burst into flames. Within a few seconds both wings broke off and no chutes were seen.The pilot was Eric F Siemens. Robert Reed was a S/Sgt gunner.
B - 24 # 41- 29136 JU Q
" El Toro - Bull of the Woods "446th BG , 707th Sq.9/6/45
RFC Altus , Ok. - Scrapped
Herb Harper, Former Historian 98th Bomb Group Vets. Assoc.

The El Toro "Flying Bull" patch was designed by Walt Disney in 1944. It survived virtually unchanged until the close of the Air Station.

Below is El Toro Bull of the Woods plane

Our Family Hero - Mike Kocherhan

World War II hit our family as it did many thousands of families. Mike joined the air corps and was stationed in Europe. This is our story about Mike, the guy who loved to tinker with cars.

The crew at right and below is Mike's "El Toro the Bull of the Woods" B24 Liberator. He was NOT with this crew when he was killed. Mike filled in for another crewman of another plane. The worst part about this was he had flown his last flight with his crew and the El Toro crew would go on to provide air support for the landings at Normandy. Mike is standing, far right. Grandpa Kocheran would write a letter to his commanding officer inquiring about Mike. Nobody told the family he was on another plane when he was killed. I believe for a while, Grandpa and Grandma refused to believe he was dead. In the end, however, they did receive proof that Mike was killed, his plane bombed with a full payload, and crashed into the mountainside of Northern Italy, the Tyrol region.

The invitations on the left were written by the wonderful people of the area of Steinegg. Hans Mahlknecht was a child when he saw the plane crash. He ran over to the site and will never forget the horror he witnessed. Hans was instrumental in having the memorial built across the mountain from the crash site. THANK YOU HANS! The site and families was found by Keith Bullock and Keith was also instrumental in helping Hans and the surrounding areas in building the memorial. Keith and Hans are dear family friends now. Steve, Theresa, Steve, Jr., Ray, Linda, and Heather all visited Steinegg in 2004 to commemorate yet again the sacrifice of these young men. When you are in Italy, please visit Steinegg, which is located on the mountaintop above Bozen, Italy. You will love the warmth of the people.

Here are Linda, Ray Tygenhof with their daughter Heather and brother, Steve Jr., at the memorial site near Steinegg, Italy.

Please double click on the invitations to read about the ceremony. Mike's original crew of the 446th Bomber Group is pictured below.

The picture of this crew is the plane Mike was killed aboard.


Here is a picture of the handsome lad....Michael Kocheran

Janos-John and Maria-Mary Passenger Records

Grandma was listed as Ivanne or Irene the baby she and grandpa had in the old country. I believe what happened is this: Irene was her daughter who was very young and traveling with her. Off to the right on the original ship's manifest is listed "Maria". The below confirms her hometown as Grandpa's does and the ship Rotterdam. I hope my search is done. My father's surname spelling is K O C H E R A N.