Albany WWII brothers memorialized at Nimitz

By Donnie A. Lucas

Three brothers from one Albany family who each served in World War II have been recently memorialized with a plaque on the Memorial Wall at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg.

The trio of Dillingham brothers – Benny (Bud), Bill, and J. Lee (Toby) – each served in the war, and all returned home at its conclusion.

The plaque was arranged by Toby’s daughters, Brenda Pratt of Breckenridge and Cathy Seith of Friendswood, and placed at the museum in December.

“We are planing a trip down to Fredricksburg to see it,” she said. “It is a way to honor my Dad and his brothers for their contributions to the war effort.”

There were actually five Dillingham brothers, along with two sisters. The oldest was Frank Dillingham who had to stay home to operate the family farm and produce food products for the effort.

The second brother in line was Benny (Bud) E. Dillingham, who served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946, followed by Bill J. Dillingham, who also joined the Army Air Corps, serving 1942-43. The youngest of the three who served was J. Lee (Toby) Dillingham, U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946.

Their mother, Mollie Dillingham, had to sign for Toby to join when he turned 17 years old.

The plaque states that “Mollie Dillingham sent three sons to serve in the military and was blessed that all three returned home.”

There was actually a fifth brother, Joe, who was too young to serve.

The brothers had two sisters, Pansy Shelton and Carrie Tatum.

Numerous family members still live in Albany.

The museum, officially known as the National Museum of the Pacific War, is open daily except Tuesdays.