Tag Archive: In Memoriam

In Memoriam

James E Adams 

17 Dec 1930 – 6 Feb, 2024

James E Adams

Jim served a total of 6 years, 1949 to 1956, in the U S Navy. He served 20 years as a Regular U.S. Army officer in the Corps of Engineers. The Military Records show entitlement to medals for Korean Service, National Defense Service with 1 bronze service star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign with 1960 Device, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service, Parachutist’s Badge, Vietnam Service with 1 silver and 3 bronze service stars, Navy Occupation, Overseas Service (2) and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. Upon retirement he served 10 years in Public Works in Edmonds and Mukilteo. 

James E Adams

He is survived by his spouse, Fem; his two daughters, Kathie Adams and Judi Wheeler, plus two grandchildren, Nicole Noel and Micah Wheeler. 

Until recently, Jim was a very active member of our Post. No one enjoyed Buddy Poppy distribution more than Jim (as you can see) ! 


Fred J. Diedrich 

20 July 1923 – 1 March 2024 

Fred J. Diedrich

Fred was born in Jerome, Idaho to Pearl and Fred Diedrich. His family moved to Marshfield, OR (now Coos Bay), where he grew up. When World War 2 started, he volunteered for the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, and was stationed in Wollaston Park, England. There, he met and married Maud Annie Mary Stanley, aka “Nancy” in 1945. 

During the war, he parachuted into the Invasion of Normandy at St. Mere ‘Eglise, the Battle of the Bulge at St. Vith, Belgium, Operation Market Garden at Nijmegen, Holland and was an honor guard after the war in Berlin. He received an honorable discharge, was awarded a bronze star, and later received the French Foreign Legion medal of honor for his service liberating France. 

Fred J. Diedrich

His wife Nancy was later transported to the US with other war brides and children on the Queen Mary Ocean Liner and the Empire Builder train to reunite with him in Oregon. He and Nancy lived in several locations including Nottingham, England, Roseburg, Oregon, Albuquerque, New Mexico and most recently, Seattle, Washington. After the war, Fred had a career in the plywood industry, and Nancy had a career in banking. They also built and renovated a multitude of houses and had many successful real estate ventures.  

Fred was a trickster and a kidder – loved a good laugh, good food and good company. He kept himself busy tinkering in his wood shop, building houses, churches, sheds, helping others with their building projects and puttering around. He and Nancy traveled extensively when they retired in their late 50’s and were devoted gardeners.

Fred J. Diedrich

Fred is survived by his wife Nancy, his son Richard Diedrich, M.D. and his wife Angela Fernandez Diedrich, their children, his son Paul Diedrich, Structural Engineer, and his wife Betsy Braun. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings Ida and her

husband Don Kelly; Dick Diedrich and his wife Mary; Esther and her husband Ed Conley; Betty and her husband Grover Rigsby,; Louise and her husband Carlos White, and sister Alice Diedrich. He had 7
grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, numerous other relatives, a multitude of friends and acquaintances including the lunch club at the Edmonds Senior Center, the Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870, his Seattle neighbors, and many others.

He will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington later this year, and a celebration of his life will occur then.

Many thanks to Past Commander Fred Apgar for this obituary.

In Memoriam: James M. Traner, Past Post & District Commander Vietnam Veteran

In Memoriam 
James M. Traner 
Past Post & District Commander Vietnam Veteran
In Memoriam
James M. Traner
Past Post & District Commander
Vietnam Veteran

We lost our long time comrade and friend on July 22. Jim died of a sudden heart attack while, of all things, attempting to boat a large salmon. Jim was a 50 year VFW member and a key member of our leadership staff for many years. His organizational and accounting skills will be sorely missed.

From our resident cartoonist, Post Commander Duane Bowman, a tribute to Jim Traner

From the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans: (Addressed to Terry Traner & family)

From our resident cartoonist, Post Commander Duane Bowman, a tribute to Jim Traner

Please accept the condolences of the Troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry’s veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. Jim was a dedicated and courageous warrior, and in a crucial time, became one of us, one of our own. He served honorably and faithfully with the Legendary Blackhorse Regiment in the Howitzer Battery of the 1st Squadron from August 1967 thru March 1969. Exhibiting daring and courageous acumen, he was in the fore front, as the regiment completed its mission throughout large areas of Vietnam. James Michael Traner’s name will be published in our newsletter, Thunder Run, acknowledged solemnly during the Memorial Service at our annual reunion, and be enrolled on the scroll with our honored dead. As grateful Americans, we pause and salute a brave man, a recipient of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; he proudly honored our regiment. He wore the uniform, was willing to sacrifice, and even put his life on the line for his country, his family and his fellow man. Chaplain Bill Karabinos (11th ACVVC).

For a full Obituary of Jim‘s post service life visit www.beckstributecenter.com. (under Obituaries)

SGT James Traner Reporting as Ordered
From our resident cartoonist, Post Commander Duane Bowman, a tribute to Jim Traner

In Memoriam 

Never Forget… 

Al Boyett

Al Boyett

Al Boyett We lost another of our brothers when Al Boyett, who had served as our Post Surgeon for a number of years, passed away recently. Al had been suffering from a long bout with cancer. 

Boyett was born June 30, 1937 in Williamsburg Alabama and moved to Seattle in 1948. Married Jo Nazworthy December 6, 1963 to Jo Nazworthy he became father to Tahnya Boyett 1966. The family moved to Bothell 1973, where they have lived since. 

Al was drafted into the Army and served in Korea. After the war, he joined BBoys Auto Parts from 1956 until he purchased the auto parts store which he owned from 1974 to 1981. He then worked for an auto parts warehouse, Mar- Lac Distributing until he retired after 2011. 

B-Boys was a founding member of the Washington Automotive Industry Association, in a effort to bring support to the automotive industry and to provide health insurance to employees. 

Al graduated in 1955 from Lincoln HS and later technical school for space and missile electronics. He became a pilot in 1970 and belonged to Bellevue Air club. Al was a Member of Northlake Lutheran Church since 1974 and a past member of the Bellevue Air club, Elks, and a Good Sam’s member serving the Tired & Retired chapter of Good Sam’s. 

In Memoriam: George H.W. Bush President, Navy Veteran, VFW Life Member

In Memoriam: George H.W. Bush President, Navy Veteran, VFW Life MemberLike many wartime pilots, Lt. j.g. George H.W. Bush named his airplane after a girl back home. But he had to call it “Barbara III,” since he lost his first two planes — one during training and one to enemy fire. That’s how dangerous flying was in World War II. There were 16 pilots in George H.W. Bush’s squadron, according to retired Adm. Samuel Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command. “Half of them were killed or captured before the end of the war,” Cox said.

He flew the TBM “Avenger”, a carrier based torpedo/ bomber which had a three-man crew. His target on Sept. 2, 1944, was a Japanese radio transmitter on the island of Chichi Jima.

His plane was hit as he began his run into the target but he stayed with it until he dropped his bombs. Out over the water, Mr. Bush told his crew to bail out.

“The Japanese came out after him. Some fighters from the flight were able to strafe the Japanese boats and keep them away during the four hours that Bush was actually in the water,” Cox said. A U.S. submarine got to him before the Japanese could. A 20-year-old George H.W. Bush spent 30 days on that submarine thinking, as he later told the author James Bradley, “Later, I learned that neither Jack Delaney nor Ted White had survived. One went down with the plane; the other was seen jumping but his parachute failed to open.” Bush has been quoted as saying “I think about White and Delaney every day”

George H. W. Bush was one of eight VFW members who have become U.S. Preseidents.

Source: CBS NEWS December 4, 2018, 6:41 PM