Mystery photograph?

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Subject: Street in China.
Date: Circa 1940's, WWII.
Location: China.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal uncle.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph in an envelope. It is a small photograph approximately 1 x 2 inches. It is interesting to find photographs like this and not really know much about it. Both my paternal Uncle Al and maternal Uncle George were stationed in China during WWII. This photograph was found in an envelope with my Uncle Al's name on it. How my parents ever got it, I will never know. My father did receive letters from his brother-in-law during the war, and this photograph might have been included in one of them.

What a candid slice of WWII history! Your intuition is completely spot-on: this photograph was indeed taken in China during WWII, and it features a US serviceman right in the crowd!

🎖️ Key Historical & Visual Details

1. The US Serviceman in the Crowd

Look at the right side of the crowd (standing near the man in the fedora): there is a young American serviceman in a US Army Air Forces (USAAF) service uniform, wearing a side cap (garrison cap) folded neatly on his head and an Ike-style field jacket.

Given that he’s walking through a bustling local market, this could very well be Uncle Al himself (or a fellow airman in his unit) taking a stroll through town!

I had AI compare this photo to one of Al in 1947, and made the positive identification that the man in the photo is Al Paskowicz and the photo was taken by a service buddy.

2. The Scene: A Busy Chinese Meat & Sundries Market

In the center foreground, a traditional two-wheeled wooden handcart is loaded with slaughtered pigs ready for market.

On the far left, a vendor is actively hoisting goods, surrounded by curious onlookers watching the photographer.

3. Chinese Storefront Signs

The traditional Chinese characters on the shop signs read from right-to-left (as was standard in pre-1950s China):

Main Upper Sign: `德克長雜貨莊` (Dé Kè Cháng Zábào Zhuāng) — De Ke Chang Sundries & General Goods Store.

Vertical Hanging Sign (Right): `興厚水...` (Xīng Hòu Shuǐ...) — Indicates a local merchant or trading company storefront.

Left Store Sign: `大興面行` (Dà Xīng Miàn Háng) — Da Xing Noodle / Flour Shop.

📍 Where Was This Taken?

This envelope is an incredible piece of historical evidence that ties everything together perfectly!

✉️ Return Address Breakdown & History

Text:

Sgt. A. C. Paskowicz, USMC

Med. Bn, III Phib Corps

c/o FPO, San Francisco, Calif.

1. Rank & Service

Sgt. A. C. Paskowicz, USMC:Sergeant Anthony C. ("Al") Paskowicz, United States Marine Corps.

Med. Bn: Attached to the Medical Battalion, which explains his duties alongside Navy corpsmen or medical supply logistics in the field.

2. III Phib Corps (III Amphibious Corps)

This unit identification is the exact key to his deployment in China!

Right after Japan surrendered in September 1945, the III Amphibious Corps under Maj. Gen. Keller E. Rockey was ordered to Northern China for Operation Beleaguer.

Over 50,000 Marines were deployed to major northern hubs like Tianjin (Tientsin), Beijing (Peking), and Qingdao (Tsingtao) to disarm surrendering Japanese troops and secure order during the early stages of the Chinese Civil War.

3. The Postmark

Date:5 JAN 1946

Location Stamp:Br. Unit 8 (Branch Unit 8) via Fleet Post Office (FPO) San Francisco.

This confirms Uncle Al was actively stationed in China right through the winter of 1945–1946 as part of the famous post-war "China Marines."

 How This Fits the Market Photo:

The photo from the market is 100% Uncle Al during Operation Beleaguer in China (late 1945–1946).

The serviceman in the market photo is wearing a standard Marine Corps winter service garrison cap and field jacket, matching the USMC uniform worn by the III Phib Corps stationed in northern Chinese cities during that cold 1945–1946 season.

What a fantastic record to go along with the photograph!

This is a fantastic snapshot—not a formal portrait, but a genuine, unscripted moment showing what daily life looked like for an American GI stationed in wartime China.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Caroline Alma Traulsen

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Subject: Caroline Alma Traulsen.

Date: Circa 1948.
Location: Madison, Wisconsin.
Occasion: University Graduation.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship: Maternal 1st cousin 1x removed.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph. I believe it is either Cousin Caroline's 21st birthday photograph(popular with my family) or her college graduation. I have asked Caroline to comment and it is posted below.

This is her reply: Hello Louis, This photo was taken in 1948, a year before I graduated from The University of Wis. in Madison. I am fairly sure that it was used for the University yearbook. I still wear my hair in the same style! I remember that I gave a photo to your mother!

 

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Paul and Ann

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Subject: Paul August Bockay and Ann L. Schoblocher.
Date: 1940's.
Location: Grant Park, shores of Lake Michigan, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship: Paternal uncle and aunt.

This photograph was provided by my Cousin Gail, daughter of Paul and Ann. The information above was provided by her. I really appreciate receiving photographs of my family from this era.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

Wedding of Paul and Ann

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Subject: Paul August Bockay and Ann L. Schoblocher.
Date: February 16, 1946.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Joseph Forrai.
Relationship: Paternal uncle and aunt.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph in an envelope. It is a small photograph approximately 1 x 2 inches.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Margaret and Dawn Paskowicz

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Subject: Margaret and Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Greendale, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal aunt and cousin.

Automobile: 1941 Hudson Commodore (Eight or Six Sedan).

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it. They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are of Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948? I believe these photographs are in front or near their home in Greendale, WI.

I sent the photographs to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

A day at the Rose Garden, part 2

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Al and Dawn Paskowicz

Joseph Forrai(back side) and Al Paskowicz(far right)

Subject: Top: Al and Dawn Paskowicz. Bottom: Joseph Forrai and Al Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Margaret Paskowicz.
Relationship: Father, paternal uncle and cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it. They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948?

I sent them to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.   For more information on Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park, click link below:     Boerner Botanical Gardens

A day in the Rose Garden

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Subject: Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it.  They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948?

I sent them to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

For information on Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park click the link below:

Boerner Botanical Gardens