Almost seventy years after Peggy Harris and her beloved husband married, she managed to slowly unravel the facts and truth behind his suspicious disappearance. Peggy never even thought of throwing in the towel she was determined to find out.
70 Years After She Married The Love Of Her Life The Truth About Him Unraveled
Vanished Out Of Nowhere
It is evident that love can overcome all- time was no obstacle for Peggy and Billie. The fresh couple had been married for a mere six weeks until Peggy never got see her beloved again. However, Peggy was certain that there was something shady about what she was told and she was destined to uncover the truth.
Vanished Out Of Nowhere
Continued On
This was not going to be an easy discovery but Peggy was ready to get down and dirty to find the missing pieces to the story. As time went on Peggy continued to gather information, she approached any and every lead she had, it was clear that solving Billie’s disappearance was going to be a tough challenge. Any evidence she may have possibly been able to get her hands on was gone but she was too determined to stop there…
Continued On
The Mystery
The story of forever standing love that Peggy had for her husband was an inspiration to people far and wide. Regardless of circumstance or outcome love has its way of prevailing all. The story led to tons of people acknowledging that life’s hardships should not get them down, rather they should push through any and every hardship.
The Mystery
Unusual Method Of Meeting
Let’s start at the very beginning of how these two love birds crossed paths. Peggy worked at Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base from the young age of 18, she was an electrical instrument mechanic. Peggy did not know she was about to meet the father of the man she would soon fall in love with. Billie’s father also worked on the base and served as an assistant supervisor. When Peggy and Billie’s father crossed paths, Billie’s father knew this was the woman for his son. Peggy was different from the other girls- sure she was intelligent and pretty but she had something magical about her.
Unusual Method Of Meeting
Not Your Typical Girl
Peggy was the only female mechanic on the Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base but it was something else that set her apart. Peggy truly followed her intuition, she listened to her heart and this is what set her apart. This job was not often given to females and especially in the 1900s women generally stayed home. Peggy, on the other hand, had her heart set on following her instincts in a different direction.
Not Your Typical Girl
Perfect Match
Peggy went about her work on the base and minded her own business, she would soon come across Billie’s dad who was stationed in the propeller section on the base. Before she knew it she had met Billie, from the first moment sparks were in the air. Peggy defied the gender norms of the times as she wanted more for herself than just to land a wealthy husband. She wanted to be involved in protecting her country and did this by combatting tough mechanical issues on the daily.
Perfect Match
Courtship As It Should Be
Peggy and Billie had not met at a party or a social gathering but rather, very romantically, they had become pen pals. In these times this was a major communication device and a popular way for men to court and flirt with women in their own way. Let’s remember in this time there was no social media, no sliding into DM’s nor Facebook messaging or even Skyping. Mail was the best and only way to communicate across distances.
Courtship As It Should Be
Informal
From the beginning, Peggy was a bit hesitant to write to Billie, after all, it was his father that had requested she do such a thing. Billie was currently learning to be a pilot and his father had the brilliant idea of motivating him with letters from a young lady. Peggy was a bit uneasy about the situation. Peggy informed Billie’s father that she doesn’t communicate in that manner with unfamiliar men.
Informal
Taking Action
Billie’s father was starting to see maybe Peggy was a tad shy or simply uninterested in his son. He took matters into his own and started chatting up Peggy to Billie instead. Before he knew it, Billie was sending Peggy letters. Peggy said that she was a bit scared in the beginning, she did not know Billie. This all changed when Billie took leave and visited Peggy- the two instantly hit it off.
Taking Action
Being Friends Was The Basis
Billie lived in San Antonio, Texas and this was rather far from the base where Peggy was stationed. Thus, the two had no other choice but to write to one another. After the first time, they met in person this letter exchange was a regular thing. They had become best friends through these letters and as the letters came in so did their feelings. Eventually, Billie started taking it up a notch with the flirting and the couple were officially courting.
Being Friends Was The Basis
Commitment To One Another
The new couple truly did everything just as they were supposed to. Billie then proposed to his love, Peggy, ho of course, said yes! The two married in 1943 on the 22nd of September. Their wedding took place in Florida. The couple had no idea what the obstacles that lay ahead were going to be, they simply hoped their love was enough. It’s as if the hardship started instantly…
Commitment To One Another
No Money
Billie was still a student pilot and Peggy a mechanic, neither of the two had any savings or even considered saving for their future. Peggy had given Billie her high school class ring on their wedding day as she could not afford to buy him a traditional ring. Billie did not mind at all the only thing he cared about was being with Peggy, the rest he believed would come naturally. Although, it was a tough time filled with anxiety and uncertainty the couple had the utmost faith in their love.
No Money
A Hard Beginning
The couple had their heads set on the future and knew that they definitely, wanted to have children. They were broke and needed to think up a plan on just how they could start a family togetehr. They decided that Billie would be the provider for the family and Peggy would remain at home in order to look ater and raise the children when they had.
A Hard Beginning
Updates
The couple were planning their futures and utterly enjoying their new marriage However, it was truly a time of anguish, of highs and lows that were so extreme on their emotions. The two were happy, celebrating their new marriage as well as Billie’s graduation from piloting school. Billie had completed the U.S Army Air Corps training in San Antonio and felt a sens eof pride. However, along with his new accomplishment came a letter he never expected…
Updates
An Oath
Bilie and Peggy had no answers to their questions or plans to solve their problems. They had both committed themselves to serving their country and the government had come calling. They were in agreement that the oath regarding the army stood above the oath of their marriage. Reality had struck them and they knew they would have to put their plans of starting a family on hold as they had made a commitment to duty. They had not spent so much time married but they were not the type to back down nor let anyone down.
An Oath
Real-World Problems
Peggy felt truly unsettled as she witnessed her husband pack his thing up. Peggy understood that she had no option but to let him go. Billie was serious about the oath he took, about protecting his country and although they knew the dangers at risk- they still said goodbye with hope and faith that either one would be safe.
Real-World Problems
No Backing Down
World War II was in motion and peaking meaning men were being called up left, right and center. The military needed men with specific skills and Billie was skilled but also stood out above the rest. He was a top recruit for them and had yet to be called. Billie was well aware that the day was coming. When he was called up it was somewhat a right of passage as he had the need and aim to fight for his country since piloting school.
No Backing Down
Females Were Bystanders
When interviewed Peggy discussed how she dreaded the day he was going to be called up. Peggy discussed how the men were sent to Tallahassee and all their wives were put up in a hotel. The wives received instructions at the hotel that informed them to return home and discuss with absolutely no-one about where their husbands were sent. Thus, Peggy did just as all the other women did as she bid her husband farewell and prayed that her husband along with the other men would make it to their destination safe and sound. When this occurred Billie and Peggy had come to the realization that they had been married for just six weeks, a short but euphoric time.
Females Were Bystanders
Sworn To Secrecy
The women returned back to their homes and went about their business, holding the secrets they had to. As time went on, one by one they began to receive word that their loved ones had arrived safely. For Peggy, this was one of the last pieces of information she would receive… Peggy never received any more intel or information about her husband over the course of the war. Her husband Lieutenant Billie Harris’ whereabouts were unknown to his beloved wife. The army underwent major beurocracy and organizational issues that led to information being lost and misconveyed all the time.
Sworn To Secrecy
Anarchy
Peggy tried to the best of her ability to find out any information during the chaotic time. It did not make any sense that this entire time he had not written to her. The couple had started their relationship through letters, they had courted through these letters- there was no reason he would stop that now. The military was in anarchy and things were extremely disorganized. Peggy received a message from the Army’s Supreme Head Quarters in France saying that her husband was returning home. The news was incorrect and she soon came to understand if she wanted to hear from him again she would have to come about it by herself.
Anarchy
Unreliable Telegrams
This whole ordeal was an emotional rollercoaster and it was not coming to an end any time soon. On the 7th of July, a telegram informed Peggy that Billie had gone missing. Peggy broke down but soon picked herself up and decided she was going to find out exactly what had happened. Something wasn’t sitting right with Peggy- she read and re-read the Telegram until she realized that it was incorrect. She had handwritten letters from Billie that were dated after the Telegram was sent, the letters clearly depicted he was alive and well. Peggy went straight to the telegraph office where she received a message stating the date was wrong and that Billie had actually gone missing in action on July 17th. Her gut told her something just wasn’t right…
Unreliable Telegrams
No Intel
Peggy clung to any and every piece of information she could find. She truly wished that Billie was just in a hospital somewhere. Billie’s parents too held on to the belief that their son was simply being processed. Maybe, he had succumbed to an injury involving memory loss and this was why he had not returned home as of yet. Peggy just knew within herself that something was not right. She had terribly strong instincts to keep digging, she yearned to look into her beloved Billie’s eyes. Nothing could have prepared her for what was about to happen…
No Intel
Red Cross Assistance
It was in 1945 when Peggy had discovered that Billie was in fact dead. Peggy and his parents exhausted all efforts to retrace Billie’s whereabouts but time and time again they fell short or reached some kind of dead end. Their last resort was getting in touch with the Red Cross in hope that they would have even an iota of information for them. Peggy was set on getting answers, her Billie was not going to be just another instance of brutality due to the war!
Red Cross Assistance
Slight Advancements
Holding on with all her might to the incling of hope given by the Red Cross, Peggy was told that they would give them any clues they had on what happened to Billie. No official search would be conducted but they would tell her what they knew. Data began pouring in and the truth started formulating or Peggy. What were the answers sh had uncovered?
Slight Advancements
Completely Commited
The cloudy and saddening times of World War I and II left wives and families devastated as they wold receive telegrams regarding the fate of those they loved most. In some cases, servicemen would deliver the news but Peggy was one of many that never received information about her Billie. No one had come knocking on Peggy’s door, no telegram had been received and after 70 years she was left with no update. Peggy was devoted to Billie and as far as she was concerned she would remain married to him for the rest of her life.
Completely Commited
Girl Power
From day one Peggy was known as defying the norm, she was extraordinary. Peggy was determined to be a mechanic for the Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base and she would never turn against her morals and values. She would never compromise her drive and never did. Peggy was stubborn in the sense that she would never give up until she uncovered what happened to \Billie. She devoted her life to finding Billie. This determination and strong will is what led Peggy to search as long as 70 years after his disappearance.
Girl Power
Nights Of No Shut Eye
Peggy kept on digging but things were simply not making sense. Reports stated that Billie was missing and others stated that he was found dead. Uncovering the truth was becoming increasingly difficult, nothing would stop her. Time was no obstacle for Peggy her determination persevered no matter how many years passed. She was not raising any symbol of peace or a white flag just yet. Peggy’s life long search was about to pay off…
Nights Of No Shut Eye
Unthoughtful Announcement
2205 had rolled around and Peggy was still searching for answers. Word had begun to spread regarding Peggy’s story. Local congressman, Rep. Thornberry decided to make a public announcement regarding the situation at hand. However, he was completely misinformed and did not know any of the details in fact. Rep. Thornberry had discussed that Billie was a troop and continued on with incorrect information and statements. His team had provided the wrong information- he ended up making another statement and a public statement to Peggy. He apologized for relaying false information.
Unthoughtful Announcement
A Lack Of Empathy
The appology was seen as a publicity stunt as Thronberry was not remorseful in the slightest. Mishandled information left Peggy in the same desperate situation she had to find out exactly what had happened to her husband. Little did she know that reliable leads were coming. The truth was on its way and ALton Harvey, Billie’s cousin had answers.
A Lack Of Empathy
Putting The Puzzle Together
Alton Harvey was just as determined to find out about his familial history. It was not simply to provide his loved ones’ with closure but it was evidently to solve a mystery just as much. Alton discussed with Peggy how he would never have married her and then just disappeared and he too believed that something happened to Billie and he would get to the bottom of it. In the time frame of Billie’s long absence, he had requested his military records and this was what brought about a new realm of information…
Putting The Puzzle Together
Out Of The Blue
Alton had tasked himself with rummaging the Department of the Army’s files to get the truth and to the bottom of Billie’s story. However, when he received access to the secret and dispersed files of the war he noticed that another individual had been digging into Billie’s record too. He came to an unexpected find- a young French woman was also asking about Billie and digging into his story, who was she?
Out Of The Blue
Questions And More Questions
This French lady had asked for the same files that Billie’s cousin Harvey was looking at. However, this French woman had requested them almost a year and a half before Harvey had received them. Who was she? Why was she so determined to find out about Billie? Did this woman have the answers to decade-old questions?
Questions And More Questions
The Facts
The information that Harvey stumbled upon left him utterly in shock. Billie was so much more than a simple soldier trying to stay alive. Billie flew the P-51 Mustang which flew over the English Channel every day. He had received an esteemed award, the Distinguished Flying Across award as well as 11 Oak leaf clusters and different medals. He was a patriot, a soldier but he was much much more…
The Facts
About To Return
Billie had finished almost 100 missions in his time of the war. He had been given the right and opportunity to go home, this as supposed to happen in July 1944. Apparently, when Billie received word e would be returning to his beloved wife he was ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy. Fate had other ideas. Billie wrote a letter to \Peggy in order to inform her of his arrival and excitement to be reunited. However, when Billie was about to board the boat he received heart-wrenching news…
About To Return
Devastated
The ship Billie was to board was packed with wounded and injured soldiers. The ship had simply no place for even one more soldier and he was forced to step aside as his fellow patrons would make the trip back to America before him. It would take weeks before another ship arrived and he was forced to wait yet again. The day arrived where Billie would journey home, but again he was informed he would have to wait. This moment changed Billie’s life forever…
Devastated
Taken To Soon
He was not willing to just sit around and wait for the next boat and decided he would make use of his time in this foreign country. Billie decided to take to the skies yet again and embarked on more missions. The choice Billie made, to return to active duty would drastically change the life of his beloved Peggy forever. In Billie’s last mission he flew over Les Ventes, where his plane was shot. The plane began t spiral, Billie lost control and had to make the hardest decision he has ever had to make. Within seconds Billie’s instincts kicked in and he made a decision…
Taken To Soon
Impeccably Well Trained
Billie’s plane was debilitated and could not really be maneuvered. Townsfolk and innocent bystanders looked above as they witnessed the plane descending from the sky above them, they were horrified. Billie was impeccably well trained and he knew exactly how to react. His instincts kicked in and he knew he had two choices. His first option was to eject from the cockpit which would lead to the plane falling into the town and killing many innocent people. His next choice was to remain in the plane and take any necessary measures of steering out of the way. This meant he would have no chance to escape. For Billie, this wasn’t necessarily a choice…
Impeccably Well Trained
Finally Found
Billie’s plane supposedly glided through the sky until crashing in a forest found on the outskirts of this city. The plane crashed away from anyone, it landed with great force. Only one life had been taken in this accident. It was brought about that the woman who had requested the same files as Harvey was named Valerie Quesnal. Valerie was a community member of the town that Billie chose to save. She had been trying to find information for the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Les Ventes and wanted to present information about Billie as he was known for saving their town.
Finally Found
Unidentified
The town of Les Ventes strongly felt obligated to honor those that sacrificed their lives to save their town and their people. However, the town remembered the incident of a man crashing into the trees but had little information on him. They had originally thought that the pilot was Canadian and buried him in their sacred graveyard. The townsfolk honored many of the soldiers that had fought in the war but they had no further information on some of their roots.
Unidentified
Extra Precautions
The people of Les Ventes did not care whether Billie was American, Canadian or even British it was that he had saved their town and to them, e was a hero. Billie was the epitome of a brave fighter, he sacrificed himself to save the lives of so many others. He was completely selfless. Billie was known as one to eagerly volunteer, he thought of others before himself always. On this dreaded day, Billie sacrificed his entitlement to a life with Peggy so that he could save others.
Extra Precautions
Returning To Base
Peggy got word of where he was buried and set out to bring him home immediately. SHe wanted Billie to be near her and made the proper plans so that this could happen. Billie’s remains where moved to Normandy American Cemetary. Until now, Billie is spoken of in adoration and with such inspiration. Many people simply loved him and others are grateful to him. CBS discussed that his gravesite is the one with the most decor and outpour of love in all of the cemetery.
Returning To Base
Les Ventes Will Forever Commemorate
Harvey in all his thoroughness discovered that the townspeople had gone against the rule of the Germans in order to provide Billie with a formal heroic burial, one that he truly had earned. Through all these years and decades they have honored the memory of Billie and acknowledge that he saved them. As a commemoration the people of the town march down the street named after Billie, Place Billie D.Harris- they do this 3 times annually.
Les Ventes Will Forever Commemorate
An Idol
The townsfolk were unsure if Billie had family or if anyone would ever come to find him and thus they constant;y decorated his gravesite in order to celebrate and honor him. Many of the folk regarded Billie as their specific real-life superhero. The town’s mayor is brought to tears almost every time he talks of Billie. They are eternally grateful to that single moment where Billy decided to place the lives o others above his very own. Peggy used to send flowers ten times within a year in order to commemorate her husband and honor the time that they once shared together.
An Idol
Paying Respects
Once the story was discovered Peggy started making yearly trips to the town in order to honor her husband. Peggy goes as far as walking out into the woods to the spot where the plane went down. Peggy attends these visits alongside Guy Surleau- he is the one witness from that fateful day and recalls the details. Guy feels regretful that he could not do something more for Billie. However, Peggy has had conversations with him where she expresses that she is simply happy her husband had a friend close by.
Paying Respects
Feeling Settled
If Alton Harvey had not gotten involved and asked for those specific documents they would never have found the gravesite. The pair needed closure along with the rest of the family and they had finally received it. Peggy felt as though a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders, after seven decades she deserved this feeling. She knew without a doubt he was honorable and that his life’s purpose was to help people. Billie will forever be a hero. Peggy never remarried nor lost the desire to search for her husband of just six weeks.
Feeling Settled
A Love So Strong
Peggy’s search has come to an end unfortunately, she did not have the opportunity to grow old with her beloved Billie but his memory will always serve her and be lived on by her. Peggy visits Billie’s grave every day of her life and is still fully committed to him. Peggy never once lost her passion and love for her husband Billie Harris. Their love is what kept her motivation and drive to uncover his story and bring her Billie home.
A Love So Strong