ERCUMS, KARLIS

• 1899, May 9 - Born, in Liepaja
• 1919 - 1920 - Participated in the Battles for Latvian Independence
• Autumn, 1920 - Enrolls in Military College.
• 1922 - Graduated from Military College, assigned to the cavalry. An accomplished rider, who won many military riding championships.
• 1926 - Transferred to the Aviation Division, enrolled in flight school.
• 1928 - Graduates from flight school and assigned to the Naval Aviation Section.
• 1934 - Flying with the Naval Aviation Section, logs a total of 19 hours, 20 minutes.
• 1936 - Named Commander of the 8th Naval Aviation Squadron, promoted to Captain.
• 1940 - Soviets demand use of the Liepaja air base and Ercums is required to move his Squadron elsewhere.
• Nov.10, 1940 - (Soviet occupation) he is removed from his post, the military is liquidated.
• 1940 - Under Soviet occupation, Serves in the Latvian squadron (24th Territorial) and is one of the original flight commanders.
• 1941 - Escapes Soviet deportation by hiding in the forests.
• 1943, April 17 - (German occupation) he is drafted into the Latvian Legion (33 gren. Commanded by V.Janums)
• 1944, February 24 - leads a recon patrol to establish contact with the rest of the division and is ambushed by Soviets near Glasacevo. Thirteen members of the 33-member patrol were lost.
• 1944, July 15 - Seriously wounded in battle, evacuated to hospital in Germany. Awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd Class.
• 1951 - Emigrates, with his family, to Houston, Texas. Finds employment as an airport mechanic.
• 1968 - remarries, after the death of his first wife, and moves to Los Angeles.
• 1975 - Diagnosed with malignant cancer.
• 1977 - Seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident.
• 1982, August 22 - Died of cancer in Los Angeles, California.