The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

I had been working on the below timeline, with the help of AI, to address the salient points in my novel. I will sy this that it took several days to get it right. Many time the timeline would be inaccurate as it related to the sequence of events. I asked AI to provide historical information for each section of my story line.

The information in the timeline comes from the data, narration, and letters within the story. However some information in the timeline did not come from the information in my story. This is the scary part about working with AI. It can grab data and information from the “net” even though that information is not provided to it or even asked to search for it. When ther following information popped up on the construction of my timeline, I was shocked!!. Where and how did it get this information; all correct?

– Worked as a technical artist for Convair-General Dynamics, contributing to promotional materials for the interior of President Kennedy’s aircraft.

– Joins Ryan Aeronautical, heading their Zero Defects graphics program.

– Teaches as a graphic art instructor at San Diego City College.

– Launches his own graphic art and financial consulting business.

Not one of the above bullet points was written into my story, because they go beyond the 1942-1956 timeline I used in developing this story.. It went to 1959, because in closing my story, I wrote that my stepmother Jonnie received her citizenship papeers that year.

BTW, in my post from last week, I asked this group to read two letters and to respond to which one, none, or both were written by AI. Only two people responded so I wrote them a personal message where I provided the answer.

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P. Frank Freeman Timeline (1942–1959)

A Personal Journey Through War, Love, and Bureaucracy Amid Global Upheaval

This chapter of Frank Freeman’s life—set against the sweep of World War II, postwar reconstruction, Cold War politics, early civil rights struggles, bureaucracy, and the fragile promise of democracy—culminates in both loss and quiet resistance as well as bitter disappointment and determined resolve. What began as a battle for love and legitimacy became a prolonged fight for fairness within a system that often refused to see him. Frank’s story in these years is one of persistence: as a father, a husband, a worker, and a citizen demanding recognition. It is a story not just of love and family, but of navigating systems stacked against him, fighting for dignity, and leaving a paper trail that continues to speak long after the voices have faded.

Part I: World War II and the Aftermath (1942–1945)

1942-1943

Amid the global conflict of World War II, Frank Freeman is drafted into the U.S. Army. He begins basic training at Fort Custer, Michigan, followed by cavalry training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He is later assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for technical drafting work.

Historical Context: The U.S. is fully engaged in World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The draft pulls millions into military service, including Black Americans serving in segregated units.

1944–1945

Frank is deployed to Europe as Allied forces liberate Nazi-occupied territories. He serves in Germany during the final months of the war and into the U.S. occupation. Frank meets Sophie, a young French woman, in Paris during his assignment to France. Their relationship blossoms during a time of uncertain peace and deep racial tensions in both Europe and America.

Historical Context: D-Day occurs on 6 June 1944. Germany surrenders on 8 May 1945 (V-E Day). Postwar Europe is in ruins, and the Allied occupation begins across Germany and Austria.

Part II: Marriage, Separation, and Bureaucracy (1946–1947)

Historical Context: In the early postwar period, interracial marriage involving U.S. soldiers is discouraged by military regulations. France, by contrast, had no formal ban.

29 April 1946

Frank and Sophie marry in Paris in a rare interracial and international civil ceremony.

Spring–Summer 1946

Frank attempts to stay in Europe as a civilian employee to remain with Sophie. He faces delays and opposition from the U.S. military bureaucracy, including stalled paperwork and resistance tied to race and marital status.

July–August 1946

Frank continues to live in Germany working as a civilian for the U.S. Army. Sophie remains in France. Their separation begins shortly after their wedding.

February & April 1947

Frank visits Sophie in Paris. These visits reflect the emotional and physical strain on their marriage, with moments of rekindled intimacy overshadowed by growing tension.

July 1947

Frank formally files for divorce, citing infidelity. The accusation fractures any remaining hope of reconciliation. The filing of the divorces is rescinded.

August 1947

Sophie disappears from communication. Her mother, Antoinette, writes to Frank, noting that Sophie has missed a planned family vacation and hasn’t returned.

Part III: Estrangement, Reunion, and Renewed Loss (1948–1951)

Historical Context: The Cold War begins to take shape, and Germany is divided into East and West. The Berlin Blockade (1948–1949) brings heightened tension.

1948–1950

Frank remains in Germany as a U.S. civilian employee. Sophie’s location and life during this time remain uncertain.

1949-1950

Frank and Sophie welcome their new son to the world. The name Daniel is given to their son by Addie Mae, Frank’s mother. The family calls him Danny.

Summer 1951

Sophie vacation in St. Jean with her parents and her young son, Danny. During trip to Paris to retrieve his family after their vacation, Frank discovers telegrams from Kiefer, Sophie’s tennis instructor, suggesting an ongoing relationship.

September 1951

Antoinette suffers a heart episode. Sophie returns to Paris, then reappears in November living in Frankfurt—this time not with Frank, but in Kiefer’s apartment.

Part IV: Final Break and Custody Struggles (1952–1953)

1951-1952

Frank and Sophie are functionally estranged. Letters from Antoinette continue to arrive at Frank’s apartment, but Sophie never sees them—he intercepts and withholds them.

February 1953

Frank begins gathering legal evidence for divorce. Helga, the family’s nursemaid, provides a signed statement describing Sophie’s emotional and physical abuse towards Frank.

6–9 March 1953

Following a confrontation with Frank over her loyalties to Sophie, Helga resigns. Jonnie Reimer and her surrogate mother Mrs Friedel Ebert assume care of young Danny.

Spring–Summer 1953

Frank attempts to bring Jonnie to the United States. However, immigration barriers under Public Law 414 (Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952) prevent him from securing her visa due to his unresolved marital status.

Late 1953

Frank learns that Sophie has filed for divorce unilaterally in France. The judgment is dated 6 January 1954, but French courts delay full recognition until early 1955.

Part V: Discrimination, Advocacy, and Exit (1954)

Historical Context: The Civil Rights movement is gaining momentum in the U.S. The Brown v. Board of Education decision is issued by the Supreme Court on 17 May 1954, declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Mid-1954

Jonnie gives birth to Frank’s second son. The U.S. Consulate refuses to grant her a visa, citing his still-pending divorce from Sophie.

9 August 1954

Frank receives a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice from the U.S. Army. He and five other Black civilian employees are laid off—while none of their white counterparts were affected.

3 September 1954

Desperate for options, Frank writes a detailed letter to Canadian immigration authorities—laying out a 10-point case for allowing Jonnie and him to enter Canada.

7 September 1954

Frank joins two other Black workers in filing a formal class-action grievance, alleging racial discrimination in the RIF process.

10 September 1954

He sends a copy of his visa appeal to Congressman John Dingell, seeking relief under proposed revisions to the very law that has kept Jonnie from traveling with him to the United States.

16 October 1954

Frank writes a formal protest letter to Mr. Herman Damboldt, Deputy Fair Employment Officer, alleging racial bias in the denial of Jonnie’s visa and the RIF layoffs. He states that five Black men—including himself—were terminated, while white employees in similar positions remained.

18 October 1954

Congressman John Dingell replies, acknowledging Frank’s earlier letter (dated 13 October) and confirming receipt of materials related to discrimination under Public Law 414.

21 October 1954

Frank writes to Senator Charles Potter requesting assistance with reinstatement to federal service following his discriminatory layoff. No progress is made on Jonnie’s visa or Frank’s job appeal despite continued follow-ups to the NAACP and Congressman Dingell.

22 October 1954

Frank and two other Black U.S. civilian employees jointly petition the NAACP for help in their “plight”—appealing for assistance in challenging systemic bias.

Part VI: Crisis and Confrontation (1955)

Historical Context:

In early 1955, racial tensions remain high in the U.S. following the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling. In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks will soon refuse to give up her seat (December 1955), launching the modern Civil Rights Movement. Abroad, Black American servicemen and civilians like Frank face persistent systemic discrimination even after World War II, particularly in U.S. military bureaucracies overseas.

13 January 1955

Frank receives a letter from Frederick W. Weber, Civilian Personnel Officer, notifying him that logistical support is being withdrawn and offering return transportation to the U.S. by 31 January.

14 January 1955

Frank and two other complainants—Lewis Armstrong and Arthur Ellison—write a powerful rebuttal to Weber, protesting the removal of support and the threat of forced repatriation before their appeal is heard. Frank also sends a copy to Roy Wilkins and Clarence Mitchell at the NAACP.

Same Day – 14 January 1955

J. Francis Pohlhaus, NAACP counsel, contacts the Army Fair Employment Officer, who agrees to review the case. Logistical support is reinstated shortly after.

2 February 1955

Formal hearing held in Frankfurt before the Army grievance board to review charges of racial discrimination in Frank’s Reduction in Force and promotional history.

February 1955

Frank collects statements and documents to rebut accusations made during the hearing. A key letter from Miss Darlene Knusen supports Frank’s claim that his promotion was wrongly reassigned due to favoritism.

25 February 1955

Frank marries Jonnie Reimer in Frankfurt. Their marriage certificate is issued by the Standesamt Frankfurt/Main, making their union legally recognized by both German and U.S. authorities.

17 March 1955

Jonnie receives U.S. Immigration Visa No. I-7xxxx2 after more than two years of denials and delays. She and Frank are now legally able to travel to the United States as a married couple.

21 March 1955

Frank petitions to be returned to his prior position while his case remains under appeal.

23 March 1955

Northern Area Command denies the request. His former position was “abolished” due to Reduction in Force, and he is approved for separation and return to the U.S., though his appeal may continue.

27 April 1955

Frank accepts repatriation travel orders for himself, Jonnie, and their son. They are scheduled to depart Frankfurt on 3 May 1955.

3 May 1955

Frank, Jonnie, and their infant son depart from Bremerhaven aboard the Darby. Danny, who has been living with Frank’s mother Addie Mae for over 19 months, awaits their return in Detroit.

Part VII: Final Appeals and New Beginnings (1955–1956)

Historical Context: Anti-communist sentiment fueled political and social anxieties at home and abroad. Federal agencies began to face increasing scrutiny regarding discriminatory practices, though progress was slow and often met with resistance. For African Americans like Frank, this era represented both continued struggle against systemic racism and the cautious hope of new legal and social opportunities.

30 June 1955

Frank writes again to Senator Potter following the denial of his reinstatement.

13 July 1955

Senator Potter replies: the Army has received all evidence, but the review will take time.

19 December 1955

The President’s Committee on Government Employment Policy issues its advisory opinion: Frank’s allegations of racial discrimination in connection with his separation and promotions are not substantiated. The Secretary of the Army is advised accordingly.

23 January 1956

Frank, now living in San Diego with his family, receives formal notification from the Department of the Army: his appeal is officially denied. His long campaign for justice in the federal service comes to an end.

Late 1955 – Early 1956

Frank and Jonnie settle in San Diego. With their two sons, they begin a new chapter. Frank rebuilds his professional life, working in aerospace and graphic design.

Part VIII: Citizenship and Stability (1956–1959)

Historical Context: The late 1950s saw gradual but significant shifts in the United States as the Civil Rights movement gained momentum with landmark events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956) and the rise of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. The federal government began to confront segregation and discrimination more directly, though legal and social equality remained elusive. During this period, immigration policies were slowly evolving, and naturalization became an important pathway for many immigrants seeking full participation in American society. For families like Frank’s, this era represented a hard-won opportunity for citizenship, personal stability, and laying the foundations for future generations amid a nation still grappling with its ideals and realities.

1956–1958

Frank thrives professionally in San Diego:

– Works as a technical artist for Convair-General Dynamics, contributing to promotional materials for the interior of President Kennedy’s aircraft.

– Joins Ryan Aeronautical, heading their Zero Defects graphics program.

– Teaches as a graphic art instructor at San Diego City College.

– Launches his own graphic art and financial consulting business.

January 1959

After a complex multi-year effort involving letters to the U.S. Consulate, Congressman Dingell, and repeated documentation, Jonnie receives her U.S. Citizenship and Certificate of Naturalization in San Diego, California.