WW2 In America : Drive Up Palen Pass Road (California) Onto A World War Two Era Battlefield

[@jakers8947]

My Grandpa's records were in that fire for WWII. he's disappointed about it but knows what he experienced and still talks about his time served. currently alive and well at 102!

[@taggjill15]

God bless him!

[@sailingmohican2767]

Thank him for his service ..my father was 101st airborne ( pathfinder ) he passed the day the blizzard of 78 started in Michigan ...if I could have 1 more minute with him I would so cherish him we never know what we have till its gone..

[@valiantwarrior4517]

I’m very grateful for his service! 🙏🏻

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you sir for your family service to our country. America! Home of the free because of the Brave!

[@robertreese2600]

Be with him as often as you can. I miss mine dearly.

[@robertmcclain5032]

Hi Chig, you were traveling through my old childhood stomping grounds from the 60's and early 70's. There was a mock war around the Riverside mountains. One army on the Arizona side and one on the Calif. side. Calif. lost the battle and buried everything form rations to halftracks. After heavy rains we'd find ammo cans with blanks, tank shells, land mines, and much more in the washes. A friend of mine who lived in Waterwheel camp back then had uncovered a couple of jeeps from the conflict. Patton was in that area training his troops desert survival and road building. There are allot of copper and silver mines in the area from the 1890's to the mid 1930's. My friend Jack from waterwheel was a rock hound and found many fossils from that region.

[@aquachigger]

I'll be back out there next spring. If you can shoot me a GPS to any of the sites I'd love to check them out. Thanks aquachigger at gmail.com

[@dianeburnejko2908]

Be careful all alone out there in that big beautiful dessert. You are showing me places I would never see on my own. Thank you!👍

[@trimbaker1893]

Chigg you made me chuckle...When you say "we'll have to burn the truck in place..." I used to carry a for sale sign behind the seat of my old '67 C-20 Chevy. Any time I had to work on it out in the boondocks, I would tell it, see...I'm puttin the sign in the window til you get running again!

[@br6145]

Loving this desert series Chigg. Got some balls venturing that far out in the Ford!

[@AstarOfDavid]

Just loving these California/Arizona dessert videos.

[@JoeVanDyke4240]

This is in my backyard, Chigg. I know all sorts of places around Blythe for you. Where you camped is Palen Pass. To the East there is a bunch of Machine gun nests, and barb wire. There is also a nearly buried bunker, 1ft thick concrete that has "US Army Gen GS Patton" painted on the entrance

[@marilyngordy3670]

Great info

[@saltypatriot4181]

Fuck yeah

[@jjdogg0]

You live the life I've dreamed about...my grandfather's are ww2 vets, finigan is a purple heart recipient, dad served 2 tours in Nam(marine corp)..i enlisted in 93 for us navy...ive lived in Hawaii for 4 years, dream come true...but always long for the desert southwest..louis lamour influenced this desire. Youre lucky man (I never saw battle)

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you for you and your family service to our country

[@aquachigger]

Today we leave the geode beds and drive up the Palen Pass road so that we can explore the WW2 Palen Pass battle site tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the drive-up. It was a stunning area and I hope to return soon. Special thanks to all of my supporters over on Patreon! Follow Chigg’s Army! My Patreon: www.patreon.com/aquachigger Instagram: instagram.com/aquachigger/ Facebook: facebook.com/chiggsarmy/ Twitter: twitter.com/BeauOuimette T-Shirts: www.bonfire.com/store/aquachigger/ Thanks for watching…. The Chigg

[@MrThenry1988]

Your killing it brother. Stop by ohio on your way back. I'll check back. I'm west of Columbus where Indians and old houses lived.

[@joe1645]

Look at the treasure of Victorio Peak, Chigg. Its a fascination station of mystery!

[@blackrabbithandcraft4124]

That dumb truck stop is my Arizona to California nap spot haha. If you come up the 99 fwy towards Fresno we can go running some good sports. Lots of snow coming down.

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

If you can get any numbers on the vehicles in your Dad's photos you can research the unit from those. Each vehicle was assigned them so it shouldn't be hard to track them. Now I see why you joined the Spearhead Division! "I'll cast my boot over it" 👍🎧⛏️🇺🇸

[@davec5153]

Wouldn't Britain have records of the different units, they would have needed it for certain things and campaigns where it was more than just British forces. Not the soldiers names but the different unit numbers. Imperial war museum might be able to tell you.

[@20greeneyes20]

I've been to Arizona , Nevada, Utah, California desert hiking and when I closed my eyes to sleep all I saw was rocks and more rocks. I couldnt shake them from my mind. I never seen soooooooo many rocks in my life.

[@thedumpsterwillprovide1267]

Thanks for all the adventures this year. Merry Christmas.

[@neillh]

Thank you for taking us along on another great adventure 👍

[@harrisonmantooth3647]

Say Chigg, it sounds like you might be close to Chiriaco Pass (Summit). This was an 18,000 acre training facility Patton used to train his troops before they went overseas to fight in North Africa. There is a Museum there that's full of WW2 Memorabilia. If you're close, you may want to check it out. I've visited several times and each time, I came away with more knowledge and, a greater admiration for our veterans that fought for our Freedoms that we enjoy today. Thanks for sharing another great video with us.

[@jerrydempsey3490]

The number of vapor trails in the sky is amazing. 😎

[@hollymaffia7352]

Wow noticed them too! Lots of them!

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Chig... please get in the habit of closing your door when you're out in the desert. Keep your keys with you at all times. Even though you may think you are alone, you just never know. I used to plunk around the deserts for a couple of years with a Jeep and a Suzuki dirt bike. You just never know who or what is around you until you stop. The interior light draws down the battery too 🙂

[@georgetidd8972]

True, also flys get in your rig.

[@wormkillerdan6486]

My Dad was over there with Patton's 7th armored, Company C, 33 Combat engineer battalion. He was on a train from Camp Polk, LA for days to get there. Wrote of P-51Mustangs strafing his half track, pilots throwing out tomato's! :) A lot of the soldiers didn't know where they were going so they were trained in desert for Africa and Ft. Stewart, Ga and Ft Polk, LA for Europe. Went over on the second wave to England, then over to France. Wrote of eating steaks and spuds and having a glass of fancy wine. The next week he was in Selligny, France, a German stronghold. Horrific fighting, lots of casualties, Dad was wounded and captured with others. Spent the rest of his time in Stalag 7A in Moosberg, Germany. There's a lot of info out there, try the Veterans Administration they also have files that you can request. There are some web pages on the VA webpage that you can do name searches. Whats your dads first name Beau, I'll keep in mind when searching. Be Safe, Have Fun!

[@rickyb2200]

The dessert landscape is amazing, thanks for sharing with us about your dad that was interesting , my dad was in the Marine Corps during that era. Thanks again Chigg

[@hopeegallon9881]

I love the adventures you have taken us on

[@strglitter]

This is fascinating, I live in Indiana and have never been to the desert out west. I love this series, thank you. I bet you needed new tires on the Chigg rig too! Thanks

[@genecarlsonii3115]

Beau. My grandfather also served with Patton in N. Africa, and was his French interpreter for a time. He was a gunner and photographer for the AAF. He served in N. Africa, Italy and Germany post war. I inherited his antique signet ring that he picked up in N. Africa.

[@dyllan6303]

Watching from South Africa💪 really enjoy your videos Chigg

[@TNgrandee3]

My Dad trained out there in 1943. He wasn't sent to the front because of a surgery he needed. He always talked about how hot it was in the day and freezing cold at night. His Army records were destroyed in the St. Louis fire as were mine (Navy) and my brothers'. I always enjoy your trips out to the dessert.

[@RobbyTripp]

Thank you for your service as well as the service of your family members. So they have NO record of your guys’ service at all?! That’s crazy so you aren’t eligible for benefits?

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you for you and your family service

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

According to Don Shipley,,,NO Navy records were destroyed in the fire.

[@Dashbshots]

In relation to the temps, notice the man made clouds in the background now. In the past a desert would be extremely hot during the day and very cold at night because of no clouds. Cirrus clouds still allow heat to come through during the day but they hold the heat into the earth at night. Making it warmer. That's a big part of global warming. The spreading of sub micron aerosols for different programs which effect the temps. Weather modification, radar and or radio signals, etc... Spreading the aerosols is as easy as adding a jet fuel additive. Barium, Strontium, etc... Then people wonder why cancer is everywhere. Depending on where you live, if they say it's going to rain, watch for increased temperatures before the rain because of their aerosols spreading.

[@taggjill15]

I remember that fire. Ashes floated around for days. My dad joked that the ashes from his records probably landed on our lawn.

[@auspiciouscloud8786]

I LOVE watching your videos, you are one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE you tubers! Probably because you remind me so much of myself!! So nice to watch you and hear your insights! ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you!

[@terrencebuller7676]

This is absolutely awesome trip thank you for taking us along. take care 👍

[@montyhunter2260]

Just found your channel, watched a couple of the Kenny Veach episodes, I really enjoyed them thank you very much.

[@aquachigger]

Welcome aboard!

[@brkentelevision]

I’m hooked on your videos. Started with the new kenny v and been watching your entire back log. I really enjoy watching you just enjoy life, history and nature.

[@saltypatriot4181]

I did the same thing . And I don't know what made me revisit Kenny ? And I happened to find this guy with great recent content

[@westho7314]

"Dynamite Room" would be located far away from those rock structures which are likely dugouts where miners slept. and stow rooms Alot of depression era speculative small mining enterprises in the Palen area.

[@Mona-lu6qt]

It's hard to believe that you are only 200 miles inland from Los Angeles, it's a whole different world. I would love to see what that place looked like when those buildings were built. Fascinating to hear that your father served under Patton, thank you both for you service. Can't wait for the next one!

[@joshuamitcham1519]

Good God. I wouldn't even visit California at this point. I went in the mid 90's and it was a hell hole of filth and wretches..and by looking at the national news it's only gotten worse. I live in Houston and driving around LA was just like driving through the north Houston ghettos only in perpetuity.

[@Mona-lu6qt]

@@joshuamitcham1519 I agree that humans have made California a place I don't care to return to either, but it's still some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen.

[@JD-ps6od]

This has been an interesting series of videos, can’t wait to see the next one!

[@johnganshow5536]

And that's why I drive a 4 door lifted JLU Wrangler with 35 inch tires, because I'm always driving on roads like that here in Arizona. Looks like you had a lot of fake clouds ( chemtrails ) overhead out there...

[@ashmaybe9634]

Yep, chemtrails were heavy that day.

[@nunyabuziness8421]

This guy has a natural ability to narrate on the fly with a lot of knowledge of everything.That is not easy to do and its enjoyable watching his videos

[@aquachigger]

Thanks. I appreciate the kind words.

[@kathyharrison9848]

My Dads’ Med records supposedly burned in that fire from Korea. I found a group that has salvaged a good many records. For a few, they actually can go straight to the records and research what was lost! My dad deserves his due for mom. Again, the sands of many colors make me love the desert! 👍👍👍🥰🥰🥰

[@c103110a]

I love these west-coast/desert explorations.

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Great historical info Chigg , your great, keep it up 👍

[@dougalexander7204]

Chigg goes ‘wheeling’ in the Chigg Rig. Tell me, Ford needs to offer an Aquachigger signature truck, without saying Ford needs to offer an Aquachigger signature truck.

[@DramaMustRemainOnTheStage]

Awesome content. My mom and dad served in WWII Mom was a WAVE Officer. A Lt JG. The highest rank a female officer could obtain at the time. Dad was in the Marines and had to salute mom before they got married in 1947. They homesteaded in Alaska and my sister was born there in 1949 when Alaska was still a territory. They built their cabin and lived there a few years until the cabin burned. They returned to mom's home state of GA and went to University of Georgia vet school. Brother and sister #2 & 3 born there. Then they returned to dad's home state of Colorado. I was born in Durango at the time Dad taught on the Ute Reservation. They then returned back to Georgia where dad was offered the job of Commandant of Cadets at Gordon Military School in Barnesville GA. Moms sister and brother in law lived there as Uncle Jack opened his medical office there in 1935ish. So thank you for your service and God bless your dad for his as well.

[@andrewmoss1187]

Don’t think my little truck can go where the Chigg Rigg can go! Great vid Chigg!

[@elcajoia619]

One of our favorite riding places is out there, after the rains and the dirt gets compact it's as good as it gets for dirt bikes.

[@anomalousanonymous]

About 12:00 minutes in when you come across that old building, while you are far off the old Pony Express trail running North and South through Nevada, it does appear to be the same type of construction as some of the old Pony Express stations running through the Nevada deserts.

[@bubblesmckenzie4125]

Thanks for taking me on this journey. I'm having a good time with you. 👀❤️

[@erpi-ks1by]

My dad was in the 446th BG - 30 missions over Germany came home and joined up for Pacific war. Went to Las Vegas Army Air Field to start training on CFC on the B29s. His class was to start August 6th. He was home beginning of November! Btw, there are a ton of Bomb Group associations that you can use to research your Dads path thru the war. If he was on heavy bombers it should be easy. If he was on medium bombers than more research will need to be done. Don’t give up Chigg! Info is out there. Also since you are in California, you might want to check out Cero Gordo. There is a guy who bought the ghost town and mine and is trying to preserve it. Has a channel called “Living in a ghost Town” or close to that. Safe travels my friend.

[@aquachigger]

Thanks. I did email The Gordo but never got a response. I'm back east now but do plan to go back out in the spring. I know my dad trained as a ball turret gunner but I'm not sure even for what aircraft. I can't figure out how to even research what group he was in.

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you for your family's service to our country

[@CSM_Gray]

@@aquachigger B-17s and B-24s were the two with ball turrets. I'm trying to research what AAF units served under Patton 9th Air Force is my first guess. Was his last name the same as yours? That could help the guys good at researching. I assume you don't have a photo of his in his dress uniform do you.

[@williamallen3715]

Chigg , my Dads records were lost in that same fire. 1973 library of Congress. Wood structure. He also went in in 1942. AAA combat photographer. Was on Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. That’s all I know for sure . Did so much more. But because of that fire I’ll never know.

[@aquachigger]

Yep, it was a tragedy for many of us.

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you for your family service to our country

[@TsarEventsDMC]

Thank you for wonderful video! Love it so much! It is really interesting and motivating! Cannot wait when all of us start travel again! Thank you for helping to promote tourism! love it xx

[@neolahoodrat6571]

you have inspired me chig, luv YOUR vid's

[@ranmarelg]

Wow! Chigg, my dad also served in Patton's Third Army, Artillery Division. I ran into the same challenges with records, but I do also have his discharge papers.

[@tedfuchs9132]

Everytime I see the desert with this type of terrain it reminds me of the areas around here that have been strip-mined for coal. Maybe eons ago some aliens came here to do some heavy duty mining? All of those smaller hills and mounds look exactly like debris piles leftover from mining

[@mtbikemike1]

Ford should offer you a free truck for all the free publicity they're getting. That pickup of yours is a beast on the backroads! I bet Dodge would come through :-)

[@aquachigger]

my ears have perked up...lol.

[@fortyfourrobo544]

Great videos. I used to drive desert center 177 to the 62 to 95 to the 40. I always wondered what is out there. Thx for taking the time to share your adventures!

[@janjohannessmith7033]

You are the man Bo, thank you

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

Two things Chigg . 1. never Never NEVER pick up a rock in the desert before knocking it over with your foot , or a stick. Your asking for a scorpion sting ... 2. Next time you go , take a battery powered UV/black light , and then shine it around your camp at night. The desert is ALIVE at night , and the nasty little stingers glow .. I know your home now , but there’s always next year ... 🤠🎸🎶🙏🇺🇸

[@curtiscalcaterra3342]

Check the last unit he was assigned to- find an admin with a Facebook page that does history/reunions. Minutes from the meetings may be available. Good luck fellow Veteran- as always, look forward to your posts. Side note: a Teacher I work with asked how your recovery from Beaver bum bite was- I said without missing a beat " Hard to say....He hasn't posted any photos to date". We love the History you share and some of our Students are tuning in. God Bless you !!

[@rossgross7497]

Great adventure you had. Thanks for sharing.

[@budrohammbone2806]

Hey Beau ! Wild trip to some desolate areas, very interesting. To Me anyway. I expected to see a bit more fauna......... They can only hear you coming the for two or three miles. So, maybe not. Watch for the desert samsquanches near the water holes anyway...... Safe Travels, pop a red flare if you need us.

[@aquachigger]

lol...will do.

[@braddocksgarage]

You should probably mount a winch on your truck, Chigg. I call them portable insurance. And get yourself a ground anchor to attach too. I taught my IAV stryker operators how to winch in arid climates when trees, large rocks and other vehicles aren't present to anchor to.

[@alexrogan3845]

Don't forget to close you're doors those darn bee's just love you.

[@patriotjon8535]

I paused the video for a moment to go do something, When I got back, I noticed how dirty my computer screen was, So I began cleaning it. I stopped at the 5:53 mark in the Video... It is a scene from inside the "Chigg Rig" The dirt I was trying to clean off my computer screen was in actuality the BUGS smashed on the Windshield of the Truck...!!! Love your Videos Aquachigger...!!! Hope your windshield got clean...!!!

[@joecitizen8745]

Awesome cloudage in this video.

[@sosteph86]

Loving all the videos lately

[@UAPology]

Thank you so much for these videos! They allow me to live vicariously through them. Used to love exploring & 4 wheeling.. Those clouds above you were a pretty good match with the terrain. You could see contrails slowly fanning & spreading out from the wind turning into clouds from all the plane routes that go by. Chemtrails anyone?

[@MikeHere]

Thanks Chigg

[@billywilliams2521]

Love your channel wish I could get out to the Nevada and explore some day. I'm hoping I can someday. I grew up in Alabama just south of Montgomery I know of places down there where we have found pre Indian artifacts atlatl heads and grinding stones and one friend found bones. So much stuff just washes out of mounds next to the creek in Grady Alabama. Keep adventuring maybe I'll catch you out there someday. Hawk

[@kaylanitreasurehunter1262]

good luck buddy... from Indonesia crystal stone finder. amazing video. thanks👍❤🙏

[@ernestbateman8485]

Somebody Call SHOTGUN

[@debispilker4392]

Great video in the desert!

[@mandymitchell6388]

Enjoyed watching. Thanks!

[@chadmaycroft7163]

Hey Beau, You mention that you have several pictures of your father in active duty, you might post some of those pictures. It's amazing what people can identify based on a small hint in a photo. I'm sure you've thought of this but I thought I would mention it. In my case thankfully my Grandmother chose to write a book about the family history and it has a large section devoted my grandpa who served as a corpsman on Iwo and Okinawa among other places. Keep up the good work, I've been following along since the good ol' days of "HOLD YOUR BREATH!" Be safe!

[@gray4766]

Beautiful… Don’t have to say anything else. Thanks chiggs.

[@aquachigger]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bruinsfan8278]

While your driving i keep cleaning my tablet, ooops, its your Wind shield! Haha!

[@yorkiemom1892]

I love your doggy and kitty. So sweet!

[@FatJohnsGarage]

There is a legend of a Spanish galleon out in that area that’s full of gold. You should check out calico. It’s a couple hundred miles north but it was a huge silver mine. Lots at mines, lots of colored rocks

[@miraclestone]

Hey. I am fully addicted to your channel. I noticed that in that second rock ‘building’ you walked in had a stone at the bottom with a very cool picture on it.

[@aquachigger]

Cool, thanks!

[@justplain8793]

Timestamp?

[@loanthebank9820]

Can someone please explain what's the main goal of this man?

[@miraclestone]

@@loanthebank9820 producing eye candy! This area of the US is so foreign to me, literally, I live in Canada. It’s also his delivery…honest, well produced, and very knowledgeable. Can’t get enough. !!

[@richardwarnock2789]

Beau it's there's got to be a Old KOA campground somewhere out there he hehe!!! Thank's Hope your exploring somewhere a little greener and moist!!!

[@sherismith5242]

love the military history. my dad was in Korean war

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you and thank you for your dad service to our country

[@hobbydayz9140]

My grandpa was part of the group who broke the japanese code

[@janjohannessmith7033]

Thank you for your family service to our country. Never forget the Navajo code talkers

[@tarrasams7423]

Wow it's absolutely beautiful there

[@melikemusic753]

The chemtrail thumbnail... Wow

[@procabAD]

The stone buildings date to the 1880s and were used by a stage coach line. Later they were repurposed by a mining operation. Each of the camps of the Desert Training Center had small airfields. A little north of Palen Pass is Rice Army Air Field. Its runways are much larger than the others and its sole purpose was to train for air ops. Judging by your comments about your father he probably would have been there.

[@hardyakka6200]

That was a bit up and downy mate. I use the hand throttle when crossing boulder-strewn creek beds as I didn't want to snap an axle.

[@RCTanksTrucks247]

Awesome, I love more WWII content.

[@natehoot9714]

If Ford doesn't sponsor you after this trip, they're insane.

[@janetdoten9908]

Love the videos of our American history. To all the men & women who served on foreign soil and here at home, Thank you. You are the greatest generation of all times.

[@mattparks5621]

That was a good history lesson.

[@russbonk1372]

This trip sure has been rough on the ole Chigg-mobile!!

[@Secret_Squirrel_Scottishgamer]

I was just thinking.. imagine if you had a monster truck for travelling over that terrain how awesome would that be lol!

[@headrot2443]

Been waiting for these adventures

[@charliemansonUK]

Loving this series of videos Beau, maybe not the $1000 warning of things to come though! Peace Charlie 🇬🇧

[@jkaz7509]

Said this on another of your videos. Watching Chigg is better than anything on TV. It’s good for my soul! And he’s pretty hot too haha (I know I’m not the only lady thinking it 😂)

[@Dirtdiggerjohn]

The rock structure is Pattons cabin Palen Pass

[@andrewkiwi1]

I have a friend who's a published writer and goes out into the desert a bit north of you on route 66 on the national trails highway.. He sits under a road bridge and writes and hikes around the area. It gives him peace of mind and clarity for writing. On the little lane off the highway to where he camps on the right there were dark rusty coloured spots on the google earth image at the side of the road. I asked him what they were. They are a pile of old rusty tins that you'd get baked beans or corn in. I asked what they were doing out there on the exact middle of nowhere. It was from the people traveling across the desert on Route 66 on their way to California from the east in the 20s and 30s . They'd camp together for the night just off the road to avoid the cops and trouble makers, just like in the movie "The grapes of wrath" 80 to 90 years ago and the pile of cans are still there. You think the desert is empty but no it isn't you just have to look around. Enjoy your time there Beau.

[@aquachigger]

lol... you may see those exact tin can piles in an upcoming video. I was at a loss as to why they were there. Thanks for sharing.

[@royrice8597]

And I thought the roads in the oil fields of west Texas were bad! (South of Midland.) 👍👍👍

[@scars187]

My Grandfather served in north Africa too. Same story with his records but my cousin says he was awarded a purple heart. The only thing I know is he brought back some landmine shrapnel.

[@daveneil3963]

Some where out there is a place with names all over the place written in rocks. My wife and I put ours out there. I heard it was an exercise for Patton's men to keep their minds busy. The scenery you are in looks much like the area where the names are.

[@silverwheelspatriot1764]

Merry Christmas Chigg and Chiggs Army

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

With Patton, you can bet he had those Sherman's going places they were never designed to go. On their third day there of training he had a 20 mile forced march! Who wouldn't have wanted to serve under "Old blood and guts"! Wish we had a few like him now. The middle east would have been over decades ago.

[@marilyngordy3670]

Little known fact, he was Trump's biological father. Look at picture comparisons.

[@keithmaxwell2169]

The Middle East would have been DONE In 6 Months time

[@juliafromwisconsin]

I love to combine family history with trips! My dad was a photographer in the army at the end of WWII and his older brothers served in that war also, one flying over the “hump” in Asia and the other in the Pacific. I have managed to find some records on their service. I have a subscription to Fold3 that has Nat’l Archives military records, I can try to look up your dad’s name - I just did a quick Google search and found his name - sorry if that is stepping on your toes in terms of privacy - I feel a little creepy looking up info on people who have not asked, but I will see what I can find. I have done historical research all my life - just retired last week after 30+ years teaching in higher ed. Love your videos Ching - and all the work you put into them!!!

[@paulplatt5074]

Cool Stuff! I'm a watching.

[@vintagethrifter2114]

Not all of the records were lost. The fire didn't affect the Navy or Marine records, only the Army and Army Air Force. There are also other ways to rebuild his record. The record wouldn't be one percent complete but it would still give you a better idea. If he was in the Army Air Force, you can start by contacting individual Bomb Group/Bomb Squadron museums. They will have better records, including photos.

[@c103110a]

A great place for a dirt bike. I could eat those trails up at 30 - 40 mph.

[@tiktok11150]

I live in CA and some go deep into the desert to look for quartz crystals so that might be what the little pile of tailings are from. Sir...you really needed a drone. It's a long hike to nothing most of the time in the desert.

[@Lee-qp6gf]

He sure has a lot of trust in that Ford.