Returning Home

Welcome Home, Wes: The Return of a Hero

After years of service across the Pacific—from the rugged airfields of New Guinea to the heat and dust of Australia—Staff Sergeant Wesley Andrew Hochgraber finally returned home in early 1946. Having served with distinction in the 93rd Airdrome Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Forces, Wes carried home more than his uniform and military decorations; he brought back stories, memories, friendships, and the enduring spirit of a man who had faced war and looked forward to peace.

This section honors that homecoming. It explores what life looked like for Wes as he transitioned from jungle airstrips and military camaraderie to family dinners, a thriving house-moving business, and decades of love shared with his wife, Betty Roehl, and their growing family. Through letters, photographs, recollections, and the “book” he always referenced—a cherished collection of wartime memorabilia—we celebrate the man behind the uniform and the life he built in the heart of Illinois.

Wes didn't just come home. He came back with a purpose, a story, and a legacy that continues to inspire.