Michael Louis (Mike) Trad

August 26, 1943

Another young fellow from here has gone into the Navy - - MIKE TRAD - - and is at present stationed at Jacksonville.

November 25, 1943

MIKE TRAD, also of the Navy at Jacksonville, was home for a few hours this week.

December 23, 1943

Well fellows, here it is Christmas, 1943 - a heck of a long time since Christmas, 1941. Let's all hope it will be a short, short time 'till December 25, 1944. All I can say to you is that we certainly hope you see your own special wish come true this Christmas Day. Our own Christmas is being made very enjoyable by being remembered by all you fellows with your letters and cards. Since last week we acknowledge cards from T/Sgt. Steve Cyzycki of Courtland, Ala., A/C Howard Hunter at the University of South Carolina, S. C., S/Sgt. Louis Simpson at Sheppard Field, Texas, Pfc. Dexter Knight at Marine Base, New River N. C., Seaman MIKE TRAD at Jacksonville.

February 24, 1944

MIKE TRAD, who has been stationed at the naval base in Jacksonville for the past several months, was recently sent to Memphis, Tenn. where he expects to graduate from Aviation Machinist school during March. Mike expects to go to gunnery school when he completes his training in Memphis. He said to tell all of his friends hello.

March 23, 1944

According to information from the public relations office of the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee, MICHAEL TRAD has completed the course of training in the aviation machinist's mate school there. Mike enlisted in the navy last July and received his boot training in Jacksonville.

April 6, 1944

A short letter nom MIKE TRAD and he is back in Jacksonville, being transferred after completing AAM school in Memphis. He is now taking "my course in aerial gunnery." He added that he likes it better down here.

May 11, 1944

MIKE TRAD, Machinist Mate of the Jacksonville Naval Base, spent the past weekend at the home of his parents here.

September 14, 1944

AMM/3C MIKE TRAD was home on a 10-day leave here visiting his folks.

July 13, 1944

Also a letter from MIKE TRAD, in the Navy and recently transferred from Jacksonville to Miami. Mike said in part:

"I finally graduated out of gunnery school and was sent for flight time in the TBF (torpedo bomber). The base is nice and I like it very much. It's one of those down here for operations and the best I've been on. Will be here for eight more weeks any way.

I wish some of the other fellows could be as lucky as I was to be stationed so near to home as I have been. It surely means a lot to anyone. It did to me I anyway.

I would like to have the paper forwarded to the address on this envelope, please, and I want to thank you again for sending me the paper."

(OK, Mike, we are changing your address this week.)

December 14, 1944

Another from MICHAEL (MIKE) TRAD, who is now at Boca Chica, Florida, with his navy air unit.. Mike doesn't stay very long at any place lately.

January 25, 1945

MICHAEL TRAD PRESUMED DEAD AFTER PLANE CRASH

MICHAEL LOUIS TRAD, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis N. Trad of Bunnell, has been reported missing "and presumed dead" after the crash of a plane in which he was an aerial gunner off the Boca Chico navy air base near Key West.

The parents here received a telegram from Lt. Com. R. D. Hutchins of the navy there, Saturday saying Michael was missing, then a second telegram was received Monday saying he was presumed dead. The telegram stated that the "plane crashed violently at sea" and "no part of plane recovered. . ."

An Associated Press dispatch from Key West yesterday said that Ensign Farley Brauw, 22 of York Haven, Pa., pilot of the single-engine plane was rescued after two days and nights adrift. Air base officials said that in addition to TRAD, Eugene Patrick Nolan of Chicago also lost his life in the crash.
Pilot Brauw said today that he does not know how he escaped from the cabin of the plane after it plunged into the ocean.

"I do not know how I was freed; when I came to the surface, neither the plane nor the other two men were in sight," he said.

"I saw a bundle which I recognized as the rubber life raft, inflated it, and climbed inside," he related.

Gunner TRAD was graduate of Bunnell high school and enlisted in the navy nearly two years ago. TRAD also had the rating of Aviation Machinist Mate.