T/Sgt. Anderson served as the top turret gunner and flight engineer aboard B-24G serial number 42-78318 named "All Meat - No Potatoes." The aircraft's target for the day was the synthetic oil refineries at Blechhammer North, Germany. While over the target, Anderson's aircraft took a direct flak hit, tearing off the #1 engine and putting the plane into a spin. Five of the crew we able to bail out, and became prisoners of war. In post-war interviews, surviving crewmembers remember seeing Anderson dead in his top turret position, apparently killed by the initial flak hit.

Anderson was from Wakefield, Massachusetts.

Pvt. Harry R. Araiza served with Co. L, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Araiza was killed in action 26 October 1944. After landing in southern Fance, the 45th Infantry Division pushed northward, running into heavy resistance from German forces holding the High Vosges Mountains. As part of this campaign, the 157th Infantry Regiment was involved in a protracted battle with the 21st Panzer Division near the towns of Bru and Jeanmenil. It was during this action that Pvt. Araiza was killed.

Initially buried in Epinal Cemetery, Epinal, France, Araiza's remains were later repatriated to Golden Gate National Cemetery. Araiza was from Los Angeles, California.

1st Lt. James M. Baker, 34th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, was KIA 20 July 1944  aboard B-26 Ser #42-96021. While on their bombing run against the Ostiglia Road Bridge near Corniglio, Italy, Baker's aircraft was hit by accurate anti-aircraft fire, knocking out one of the plane's two engines and jamming the bomb bay doors open. Numerous eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane lose altitude, even as the crew began to jettison all loose equipment. The aircraft eventually struck a mountain overlooking the town of Bosco di Corniglia, exploding on impact.

 Baker was from Chicago, Illinois. He is buried with his fellow crewmen in a mass grave at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery.

Pfc. Joseph L. Bale III served with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, and was killed in action on 30 January 1945. In addition to his posthumous Purple Heart shown here, he was also awarded a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross (location unknown).

Bale's posthumous DSC citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism in action on 30 Jan 1945 near Wihr-en-Plaine, France when his battalion was attacked and halted by enemy tanks, which rolled over the assault riflemen and killed others. With 88mm machine gun fire and rifle grenade fire, Pfc Bale fearlessly attacked with his rocket launcher, ignoring shells exploding five yards away and machine gun bullets which raked the position, he knocked out an enemy tank, forcing the Germans to withdraw. Later the same morning when his Bn. Op. was attacked by another tank at 100 yards, he braved shell fire in a single-handed attempt to destroy it, but was mortally wounded.

Bale was from Detroit Michigan. He is buried at Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France.
 

Zeke crashes into the USS St Lo flight deck.

Secondary explosions aboard the St. Lo.

The USS St. Lo, early 1944

Electricians Mate 2nd Class Herman W. Banks was killed in action 25 October 1944 aboard the escort carrier USS St. Lo during the Battle Off Samar. After surviving the earlier morning's attack on the Task Force, at 10:51 a.m. the ship was called to General Quarters in anticipation of an air attack. As the St. Lo was landing planes, a kamikaze aircraft entered the landing pattern and crashed into the flight deck, its bombs penetrating the hangar deck where crews were refueling and rearming planes. The resulting explosions from the ship's own ammunition and gasoline ultimately reached the bomb stowage, causing a massive explosion which eventually sank the St. Lo.

Banks was from Yellow Springs, Ohio. He is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Philippines.

Warren W. Becker, Camp Mackall, ca. 1943

Sgt. Warren W. Becker served with Co. I, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.  He was KIA on September 27, 1944, during Operation Market Garden near Groesbeek, Holland.

Originally buried in the US military cemetery in Molenhoek, Holland, his remains were later repatriated to Eden Cemetery in Schiller Park, IL. Becker was from Chicago, IL.

Col. Bender was the Regimental Commander of the 331st Inf. Regt., 83rd Division, and was killed in action 11 July 1944 when the jeep he was traveling in was hit by a German 88 shell near  Marchesieux, France. Bender won his Silver Star during WWI. He is buried at Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent, France. 

Bender was from East Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is buried at Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France

Aerial strike photo of the Enoura Maru

Captain Roger S. Benson, HQ Battery, 1st Battalion, 59th Coastal Artillery, was a prisoner of war aboard the Japanese Hellship Enoura Maru, when it was struck by dive bombers from the USS Hornet, while at anchor at Takao, Formosa on January 9, 1945.

Benson was from Coudersport, PA.

S/Sgt. Belter was KIA 11 February 1945 during house to house fighting in Oberhoffen, France. He served with Co I, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.

His posthumous Silver Star was awarded:

for gallantry in action on 11 February, 1945 in France. While attacking well-fortified houses in an enemy held town... Sgt. Belter volunteered to lead his squad across open, fire-swept terrain into a group of houses where they could deliver fire on the enemy's rear. Fully aware of the danger involved he started to advance across the open space. While running towards his objective Sgt. Belter was killed by machine-gun fire. His heroic action inspired his comrades to renewed aggressiveness against the hostile force.

His body was never recovered. Sgt. Belter was from Park Falls, Wisconsin.

Pfc. Beyer, Ordinance Department, was KIA 24 October 1944 while being transported as a POW aboard the Japanese transport Arisan Maru when the ship was torpedoed by an American submarine in the Bashi Straits while en route from Manila to Formosa. Of the 1340 prisoners aboard the Arisan Maru only nine were known to have survived the sinking.

Beyer was from Alhambra, California

S/Sgt. Bradshaw, Medical Department, died of wounds on 25 January 1945, while being transported aboard the Japanese transport Brazil Maru en route from Formosa to Japan and was buried at sea by his captors. Of the 1620 prisoners who began transport on 13 Dec 1944, approximately 500 survivors reached Japan on Jan 30, 1945.

Bradshaw was from Ontario, California.

Pfc. Bruce, 502nd PIR, 101st Airborne Division, was KIA 3 January 1945 near Bastogne. He is permanently interred at Luxembourg American Cemetery, Hamm, Luxembourg.

Bruce was from St. Louis, Missouri.

S/Sgt. Charles J. Buehler served with the 341st Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomb Group. He was killed in action on 27 January 1944.

Buehler was from Pottsville, PA. He is buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA.

Fires aboard the USS Franklin, 3/19/45

Seaman 2nd Class Harold Burke served aboard the aircraft carrier  USS Franklin (CVN-13).  On March 19, 1945, the Franklin maneuvered within 50 miles of the Japanese coast, in order to launch fighter sweeps against Honshu and shipping strikes in Kobe Harbor. A Japanese bomber attacked the Franklin, dropping two bombs on her flight deck, which set off ammunition, bombs and rockets. Burke along with 723 other shipmates were killed in that attack. 

Burke is officially listed as missing in action. He was from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Sgt Burke was KIA 12 May 1944 while serving with 548th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group. On that date Sgt. Burke was the tail gunner aboard a B-17G, 42-31787, when it was rammed by an enemy fighter near Coburg, Germany.

Burke was from Audubon, Iowa.

Pfc. Thomas B. Byrd served with Co. D, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division and was KIA on 15 June,1944 near Les Rosiers, France. On that date the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 505th PIR were ordered to attack west with the objective of taking the town of St.-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. While approaching the hamlet of Les Rosiers, Co. D ran into heavy German resistance, including two 75mm anti-tank guns and a 37mm antiaircraft gun.  During the course of the engagement, Byrd was killed in action.

Byrd was from McKinley County, New Mexico

Flight Officer John L. Carmichael served with the 425th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group. Carmichael was KIA on August 29, 1944 while on a mission to Yochow, China. 

He is buried at the Punchbowl Cemetery in Hawaii. Carmichael was from Iowa.

Captain Donald T. Childers served as Company Commander of Co. E, 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts. After intense fighting on Bataan, the Philippine Scouts and other American units surrendered to overwhelming Japanese forces in April 1942. After surviving the Bataan Death March and horrific condition as a POW at Camp O'Donnell, Childers was KIA on October 24, 1944 aboard the Japanese transport Arisan Maru when the ship was torpedoed by an American submarine in the Bashi Straits while en route from Manila to Formosa. Of the 1340 prisoners aboard the Arisan Maru only nine were known to have survived the sinking.

Childers was from Oregon.

Pvt. Combs served with Co. B, 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Division, and was KIA 10 October 1944 during the severe fighting during the 1st Division's assault on the fortified town of Aachen.

Combs was from Jackson County, Illinois and is buried at Ava Evergreen Cemetery in Ava, IL.

Pfc. Conklin, Medical Dept, 381st Infantry Regt., 96th Division, died of wounds on 12 April 1945 in the 31st Field Hospital, Okinawa of shrapnel wounds to the head and neck. 

Originally buried at the 96th Division Temporary Cemetery on Okinawa, his remains were later repatriated to the National Memorial Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Conklin was from Georgetown, KY.

Pfc. Wesley W. Daw, HQ Co., 3rd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, was KIA 26 Sept 44, near Lucy, France of gun shot wounds to the chest and back.

He was initially buried in the US Military Cemetery, Andilly, France. He was permanently interred in the US Military Cemetery, St. Avold, France. Daw was from Divide, Colorado.

1st  Lieutenant Hollister G. DeMotts served as a liaison pilot with the 121st Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on 9 February 1945. 

His first Silver Star citation reads:

First Lieutenant HOLLISTER G. DEMOTTS, 02036472, Field Artillery, United States Army. For gallantry in action between Palo and Pinamopoan, Leyte, Philippine Islands, from 23 October to 17 November 1944. During this period Lieutenant DeMotts voluntarily made flights as liaison pilot over enemy territory in which enemy Zero pilots were active and enemy ground fire was directed at our planes when they were over enemy territory, despite his awareness of the fact that liaison planes are slow, unarmed, unarmored, extremely vulnerable, and not ordinarily intended for such flights. On one of these flights his plane was hit by enemy ground fire, finally being forced down behind our lines. Lieutenant DeMotts' unusual courage and willingness to risk his life to meet military necessities are worthy of the highest traditions of military service.

His second, posthumous, Silver Star Citation reads:

First Lieutenant HOLLISTER G. DEMOTTS, 02036472, Field Artillery, United States Army. For gallantry in action at Luzon, Philippine Islands, between Olongapo and Dinalupihan, from 1 February to 9 February 1945. During this period Lieutenant DeMotts voluntarily made flights in liaison plane over enemy territory from which enemy ground fire was directed at our planes,  despite his awareness of the fact that liaison planes are slow, unarmed, unarmored, extremely vulnerable, and not ordinarily intended for such flights. While adjusting the fire of his battalion on an enemy strong point which was holding up the advance of our forces, he was shot down by enemy ground fire. Lieutenant De Motts' devotion to duty and outstanding courage reflect the highest credit upon himself and his military service.

Sgt. Kenneth Detrick served with Company C,  23rd Tank Battalion, 12th Armored Division and died of wounds on 13 April 1945, after being wounded on April 10th. 

Detrick's Bronze Star Citation reads:

For meritorious service from 10 to 21 January 1945, in the vicinity of ***********, France. In an engagement with the enemy, Sergeant Detrick's tank succeeded in definitely knocking out five enemy tanks as they attacked along the canal leading to **********. Waiting patiently, Sergeant Detrick allowed the enemy to get within 300 yards before giving the command to fire, although endangering his own life and equipment. On the night of 20 January, Sergeant Detrick with one other tank was given the mission of defending a bridge across this canal. During the night the enemy attempted a dismounted attack which these two tanks repulsed, leaving an unknown quantity of enemy dead to their immediate front. The following day, Sergeant Detrick again with another tank, flushed out a pocket of resistance, capturing many prisoners and killing an uncounted number of the enemy.

Detrick was from Gettysburg, Ohio.  He is buried in New Harris Creek Cemetery in Newberry, Ohio

Sgt. Donnelly, 641st Bomb Squadron, 409th Bomb Group (L), was killed in a midair collision aboard A-20G serial number 43-9703 on 11 June 1944 during assembly 3 miles from their Air Base in Little Walden, England.

Pf. Herbert K. Dow served with Company E, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on July 15, 1944 near Leghorn, Italy.

Dow was from Lynnfield, Massachusetts.  He is buried at Florence American Cemetery, Via Cassia, Italy. 

Torpedoman 3rd Class Hal H. Dupuy served aboard the submarine USS Shark (SS-314). The Shark failed to return from her third war patrol. She was officially listed as missing in action on November 7. 1944.

The Shark 's last contact was made with the USS Seadragon on October 24th, when she stated she had made contact with a single freighter and was preparing to attack. A short time later the Japanese Hellship Arisan Maru, carrying 1800 American Prisoners of war, was sunk by a torpedo from an American submarine.  No other submarine reported this attack, and it can only be assumed that the Shark made the attack on the Arisan Maru, and perished during or after the attack.

Dupuy was from Duncan, Oklahoma.

Seaman 1st Class Vinton J. Earle served aboard the USS Golet (SS-361). The Golet failed to return from her second war patrol. After the war, Japanese records indicate a successful anti-submarine attack was made on a boat on June 14, 1944 within Golet's assigned patrol area. It is assumed that it was indeed the Golet sunk on this date.

Vinton was from Lisbon Falls, Maine.

Tec5 Edwards, a combat medic with the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division, was KIA at the Remagen bridgehead on 9 March 1945.

Edwards is buried in Gosport Cemetery, Gosport, Indiana.

Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class John L. Egnew served with Navy aviation squadron V-205, flying PBM-3s Martin Mariners out of Trinidad.  While on anti-submarine patrol on 6 August 1943, Egnew's aircraft spotted the German U-boat U-615. At approximately 1320 hours, Egnew's aircraft reported that they were attacking the U-boat. Five minutes later they reported their position, and stated they had damaged the boat. A few minutes later a third report came in stating "DAMAGED, FIRE." His aircraft was never heard from again.

After a two day running battle with the U-boat, the U-615 was eventually sunk. Surviving crewmembers of the boat, in interviews recorded after their rescue, told of shooting down Egnew's PBM, which crashed into the sea nearby the U-boat.

1st Lt Ellison, Co. E, 511 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division was killed in action February 8, 1945 while attempting to rescue trapped troops during the assault on Manila near Nichols Field.  Ellison was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic actions on 10 December 1944 during a counterattack against Japanese positions.  

Interestingly, Albert's son, Robert J. Ellison, who he never met, went on to become an award winning photojournalist during the Vietnam War, and was killed in action on March 6, 1968 near Khe Sanh, two weeks before his feature photographs were published in Newsweek

Lt. Erwin  was KIA 20 June 1944 over Misburg Germany while serving with the 838th Sq., 487th BG. Lt. Erwin was from Texarkana, Arkansas. On 20 June 1944, Lt. Erwin was the pilot aboard B-24H serial number 42-95217 on a bombing mission against the oil refinery and storage depots at Hannover-Misburg, Germany. While over the target Lt. Erwin's plane took a direct hit from enemy flak which tore off its tail.

Lt. Erwin was originally interred in the German military cemetery at Hannover-Limmer. His remains were repatriated and his final resting place is at Woodlawn Cemetery, Texarkana, Arkansas.

S/Sgt Feuer served with the 337^th Bomb Squadron, 96^th Bomb Group. On June 13, 1943, acting as right waist gunner, his B-17 was attacked by 3 FW-190's off Kiel, Germany.  With the aircraft on fire and out of control, the crew bailed out.  Two of the crew survived to become POW's, while the others landed in the Baltic Sea and were presumed to have drowned. 

S/Sgt Feuer's remains were found on the Kiel shore, and he was repatriated to Cedar Park Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois

Parachute Rigger 2nd Class Fisher served aboard the escort carrier USS Liscombe Bay. On November 24, 1943, the Liscombe Bay was struck by by two torpedoes launched by IJN submarine I-175. The carrier sank within 30 minutes, with the loss of life of 646 officers and men.

Fisher was listed as MIA and officially declared dead on November 25, 1944.  He was from Nebraska.

2nd Lt. Flanzer, 708th Bomb Sq., 445th Bomb Group, was KIA 3 March 1945, near Westerhausen, Germany.  On that date, Lt. Flanzer was the nose turret gunner aboard B-24J Serial Number 44-48844 on a bombing mission to the oil works at Magdeburg, Germany. Five miles from the target the B-24 took a direct hit from flak which tore its rudder off. Five members of the crew were able to parachute to safety.

Flanzer and other deceased crew members were initially interred in a civilian cemetery in Westerhausen, Germany. His remains were later reinterred in the US Military Cemetery, St. Avold, France. Flanzer was from Abingdon, Pennsylvania.

Sgt. Foster, 32nd Photo Recon Sq., was KIA 20 April 1944 aboard the Liberty Ship SS Paul Hamilton when the ship was torpedoed by German bombers off Cape Bengut, Algeria while en route from Norfolk, Virginia to Bizerte, Tunisia. The ship was carrying a crew of 47 merchant seamen, 29 Naval armed guard, and 504 USAAF personnel. There were no survivors.

Foster was from Jameson, Missouri

Ensign William Butcher Foster served aboard the USS DeHaven (DD-469). On February 1, 1943 the DeHaven was operating with Task Group 67.5, supporting the movements of ships attempting to establish a beach head at Marovo on Guadalcanal. At approximately 1500 hours the ship was attacked by six Japanese bombers, and was struck by three bombs. The DeHaven lost all way and immediately began to sink by the bow, going under within minutes of the attack.

Foster is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.  He was from White Plains, NY.

Staff Sergeant William C. Foster served with the 764th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group. Foster was killed in action on October 4, 1944, when his B-24J "Lucky Lady" was downed by flak over West Marshalling Yard at Munich, Germany.

Foster was from Pennsylvania. He is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France.

Marvin Polk Frink was born on April 14, 1941 in Fresno, California. He graduated from the University of Florida in June 1941 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Frink applied for a commission in the US Naval Reserve. After assignment to the Naval Training School (Aeronautical Engineering) at the California Institute of Technology, he was ordered to report to the Sixteenth Naval District at Cavite, Philippine Islands. Official records show that Ensign Frink survived the initial Japanese attacks on Cavite, and reached Corregidor, and was there at the time of capitulation.

Ensign Frink was carried on the roster of those missing in action, until he was officially declared dead on December 17, 1945.

Frink was from Tallahassee, Florida.  He is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery.

EDWIN GLANTZ

Pvt. Edwin Glantz served with Company B, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division. Glantz was killed in action on January 21, 1944, as two regiments of the 36th Division attempted to cross the Rapido River near Sant' Angelo, Italy. Faced with accurate and deadly artillery and small arms fire, the attack was easily repulsed by German defenders on the opposite shore over a two day period.

The subject of Congressional hearings in 1946, the Rapido River crossings were called  "one of the most colossal blunders of the Second World War," a "murderous blunder" that "every man connected with this undertaking knew...was doomed to failure" before it took place.

Pvt. Glantz is buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.  He was from Scranton, PA.

Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Sylvester T. Greenwald was killed in action on July 1, 1944, while serving with the 2nd Marine Division on Saipan.

He is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Greenwald was from Cooksville, IL.

A B-26 co-pilot, 2nd Lt Earl T. Grindstaff, 455th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, was MIA presumed KIA on 13 December 1943 when his aircraft went down in the sea during a bombing mission to Shipol Airfield, Amsterdam, Holland. 

Grindstaff was from Corpus Christi, Texas.

T/5 Harold H. Grossman served with the 478th Amphibian Truck Company.  In the early morning hours of 28 April 1944, a convoy of LST's formed up in the English Channel near Slapton Sands, South Devon, to perform a rehearsal for the upcoming Normandy invasion   At 0220 on 28 April, this convoy was attacked by German E-Boats which broke through their covering force. LST 507 and LST 531 were sunk in this attack. 1946 servicemen died in this attack, including T/5 Grossman.

Grossman was from Ossining, New York.

Pvt. Neal R. Haft served with the 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division, and was killed in action on July 15, 1944.

Haft was from Mooreheadville, PA. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in North East, PA.

Pvt. Hajduk served with Co. I, 26th Inf., 1st Division and was KIA 30 March 1943 in Tunisia. 

He is permanently interred  at Gafsa Cemetery, Tunis, Tunisia.  Hajduk was from Belleview, PA.

USS Robalo

Torpedoman 3rd Class Howard L. Hamilton served aboard the USS Robalo (SS-273). Robalo under Cmdr. M.M. Kimmel, departed Fremantle on June 22, 1944 to conduct her third war patrol in the South China Sea in the vicinity of the Natuna Islands. After traversing Makassar and Balabac Straits, she was to arrive on station about July 6th and stay there until dark on August 2, 1944. On July 2nd a contact report stated Robalo had sighted a Fuso-class battleship with air cover and two destroyers for escort, just east of Borneo. No other messages were received from Robalo and when she did not return from patrol, she was reported as presumed lost.

Seaman 1st Class John M. Hanna served aboard the Escort Carrier USS Gambier Bay when it was sunk by Japanese gunfire on October 25, 1944 during the Battle Off Samar.

Hanna is listed as missing in action.  He was from Staunton, Virginia.

2nd Lt. Hanranhan, HQ Company, 19th Engineers, was KIA 14 August 1943 in Sicily. 

Initially buried in Gela, Sicily, he was later repatriated to Fairmount Cemetery, Willow Springs, IL.  Hanrahan was from Chicago, Illinois.

Pfc. Homer Hansen served with the 455th Medical Collecting Company. He was on temporary duty with the 319th Medical Bn., 94th Infantry Division to assist in the evacuation of casualties in their drive to clear the Saar-Moselle triangle. Hansen was killed in action on February 8, 1945.

Pfc. Hansen is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery. He was from Cook County, IL.

Harrelson is pictured at upper right

S/Sgt. William E. Harrelson Jr. served with the 723rd Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, and was KIA 3 March 1944, as his B-24, "Maggie Zass," crashed during take off from their base at Manduria, Italy. The pilot attempted to abort the take off half-way down the runway. Eyewitness accounts relate that observers saw the aircraft in a nose-down attitude with wheel brakes smoking. However, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft in time, and it ran off the runway, setting off 5000 pounds of bombs and a full load of aviation gas, killing the entire crew. Harrelson was from Richmond, Virginia.

Harrelson served with S/Sgt. Charles W. Merrill, and S/Sgt John E. Sullivan, who was also killed in the same accident.  See their groupings below.

2nd Lt. Jack Harris, 423rd Bomb Sq., 306th Bomb Group was KIA 28 July 1943 while on a bombing mission to Wolfun, Germany. Harris, the pilot of B-17F #42-29779. While over target, Harris' aircraft was attacked by German fighters, which shot up two engines and destroyed controls to the tail. Harris was last seen in the pilot's seat, attempting to hold the plane level while he crew bailed out. Four of Harris' crew safely bailed out and became POW's. Six went down with the aircraft, including Harris.

1Lt Wilbur D. Hart, 4th Information and Historical Service, Ninth Army, was killed in action 10 January. 1945, near Weisweiler, Germany. The role of the Information and Historical Services is described as follows:

Several hundred soldier­historians advanced the Army's historical effort. Their primary focus was the creation and preservation of written documentation, but interviews were used to complement those sources. Historians attached to higher headquarters, as well as members of the Information and Historical Service teams of field armies, moved freely about the battle lines to gather interviews. The collection process occasionally began while units were still in action, but the majority of interviews were conducted about a week to ten days after the action or sometimes even later. After interviewing an individual, part of a unit, or the entire unit, the historians would summarize their interview notes to create a narrative of the specific action.

Historians conducted interviews as close to the actual battlefield as possible in order to stimulate a soldier's recall of events. ... The historian's search for information was not always easy. Although not considered "combat" soldiers, three historians were killed in the line of duty and two others wounded by mines while interviewing front­line troops in the European Theater.

---From Stephen E. Everett, Oral History Techniques and Procedures (Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1992)

Hart was from Commerce, Texas. Initially buried at Margraten Cemetery, his remains were returned home in 1948.  He now rests in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Cooper, Texas.

 

2nd Lt. Harvey was KIA 1 April 1944 while serving with 567th Bomb Sq., 369th Bomb Group. On that date Lt. Harvey was the bombardier aboard B-24J SN 42-99977 on a mission to Ludwigschafen, Germany. At approximately 1100 hours over the target the plane took a direct hit from flak and exploded in midair. One crewman parachuted to safety.

Harvey was originally buried in the civilian cemetery at Bodersweier Kreis Kehl, Baden, Germany. His permanent burial place is the US Military Cemetery, St. Avold, France. He was from Borger, Texas.

Henry's P-51B

2nd Lieutenant Lloyd F. Henry flew with the 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group. Henry was lost on 18 April 1944 while flying P-51B 43-6579 named "S.N.A.F.U."

On that date, the 4th Fighter Group, led by Col. Blakeslee, flew a Penetration, Target, and Withdrawal Support mission to Berlin. After engaging 25+ Me 109's and FW 190s as they attempted to attack the bombers, the Group then strafed Juterborg A/D and Fassberg A/D. In the course of this engagement, the 4th Fighter Group sustained three casualties (2 KIA and 1 POW), including Lt. Henry.

Initially buried in Neuville-En-Condroz Cemetery, Leige, Belgium, his remains were later repatriated to a private cemetery in Indiana. Henry was a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tec4 Hodson, 90th Signal Company, 90th Division, was killed in action 1 April 1945 near Rodenbach, Germany. 

His Silver Star citation reads:

 While transporting his radio to the rear in a vehicle, Technician Fourth Grade Hodson encountered elements of an enemy division.  In a desperate effort to prevent his equipment from falling into enemy hands, he opened fire upon the troops.  The hostile forces closed in on him, but he continued the firefight until he was mortally wounded.

Hodson is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Holland.  

Pfc. James T. Hoke served with Co. M, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. Hoke is officially listed as missing in action on D-Day, June 6, 1944. On that day his regiment was attached to the 4th Infantry Division for the D-Day landings. Official records show that Hoke was listed as lightly wounded in action, and was told to remain on the beach for treatment by advancing medics. It was assumed that Hoke was later hit by artillery or mortar fire. 

Hoke was from Huntsville, TX and is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery.

S1c Huston served aboard the USS Cobia, SS-245.  On 26 February 1945 the Cobia was involved in a surface action against Japanese sea trucks. During the action the submarine was strafed by Japanese machine gun fire, killing Seaman Huston, who was manning a .50 cal. machine gun. S1c Huston was buried at sea the following day.

Huston was from Parkersburg, WV.

Sgt. Kendle was killed in action on D-Day, June 6, 1944 on during the first wave at Dog Green Sector, Omaha beach. Sgt. Kendle served with Co. B, 743rd Tank Bn. His unit was one of the only companies of DD tanks to land on the beach ahead of the incoming infantry troops.

Kendle is buried at the US Military Cemetery, St. Laurent, France. He was from Council Grove, Kansas.

S/Sgt Kulp, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, was KIA June 12, 1944 in the battle for Carentan. 

Kulp was from Frankfort, Kentucky and is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery, St Laurent, France

S1c Kyrklund was serving aboard the USS Franklin on March 19, 1945 when the aircraft carrier was struck by Japanese bombs off the coast of Japan.  The Franklin sustained 724 KIA's and 265 WIA's in the attack.

Kyrklund was from San Diego, California.

Pfc. Curtis B. Lain Jr. served with Battery A, 462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, which was part of the 503rd Regimental Combat Team assigned to the recapture of Corregidor. On February 26, 1945, Lain's Battery was involved in mopping up operations at Monkey Point, sealing cave entrances which held remaining Japanese defenders. Unbeknownst to the American forces, the Japanese had stored a large number of explosives there. At approximately 1100 hrs. a tremendous explosion shook the Monkey Point, killing over 50 soldiers, including Pfc. Lain. 

Lain was initially buried at USAF Cemetery Mariveles #1 on Bataan.  His remains were later repatriated to Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC. Lain was from Lakeland, FL

SSgt. Harry E. Lain served with the 449th Bomb Group, 716th Bomb Squadron. On May 24, 1944 Lain was serving as the tail gunner aboard B-24 serial number 42-52243, named Shamrock.  While over the target at Wiener-Neustadt the group encountered intense, heavy and accurate flak. Shamrock was hit in the bomb bay over the target. Lain was last seen with severe burns and on fire due to the flak explosion. The crew suffered six crewmen POW and 4 KIA, including Lain.

Lain was from Rochester, NY.

Pfc. Laurence H. Lane served with the 41st Quartermaster Co, 41st Division. He was KIA/MIA on May 29, 1944 when his supply dump was struck by Japanese bombers on Biak Island, New Guinea.

Lane was from Los Angeles, California.

WALTER H. LANE

Pfc. Lane served with Co. C., 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division and was KIA 31 January 1943 near Djebel Keurn er Rhezala, Tunisia. 

He is interred  in the North African American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia. Lane was from Vergennes, Vermont.

The only known photo of the Skill, taken while under construction.

Location of sinking. The USS Skill is now a popular dive location off the coast of Italy.

MM3c Lardie, USNR, was MIA presumed KIA when the minesweeper USS Skill was sunk on 25 September 1943 by the German U-Boat U-593 off Salerno, Italy.

The USS Skill (AM-115) was laid down on 28 November 1941 by American Shipbuilding Co. of Cleveland, Ohio; launched on 22 June 1942; and placed in service on 17 November 1942, Lt. Comdr. E. J. Kevern, USNR, in command.

After a brief shakedown cruise, Skill was ordered to the Mediterranean Sea where she swept mines and performed other mine-warfare countermeasures along the North African coast before the invasion there. After the initial invasion at Salerno, Italy, she was assigned patrol and convoy duty in that area. She returned to the area from escort duty on 25 September 1943 and was assigned a patrol station. At 1140, not long after she had taken station, her forward magazine exploded. This was probably due to a submarine's torpedo because a survivor, whose station was on the bridge, later reported having seen a wake of undetermined origin paralleling the ship at a distance of about 150 yards.

Skill was blown in half and the forward section capsized. The after half caught fire, and the flames moved aft until that section exploded and sank at about 1200. Ten minutes later, the capsized bow slipped beneath the waves. Of her 103 officers and men, none of the officers and only 32 of the men survived.

Lardie was from Northville, Michigan.

PhM3c Grayson Blackwell Lassiter, USNR, served with 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division.  On March 1, 1945 Lassiter was severely wounded on Iwo Jima.  He died aboard a hospital ship 3 days later. Included in the group is a United Daughters of the Confederacy posthumously awarded Cross For Military Service.  Lassiter was from Portsmouth, Virginia.

Lassiter's grandfather, T. Augustus Lacy, served with Company I, 1st Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.  Lacy's United Confederate Veterans Southern Cross of Honor is shown on the left.

For additional photos of this group, follow this link.

Lieutenant Commander Lounsbury was Commanding Officer of the USS Dickerson (APD-21).

Dickerson (DD-167), a Wickes Class destroyer, was launched in 1919. In 1943 she was converted into a high speed attack transport (APD) and given the new designation APD-21.

Dickerson was southwest of Okinawa on the night of 2 April 1945 when the Japanese attacked in strength. One of the kamikaze planes approached the destroyer in a long, low glide, and slashed off the tops of her two stacks before smashing into the base of her bridge, toppling her mast and starting intense gasoline fires. Almost simultaneously another plane scored a direct hit on the center of her forecastle. The explosion tore a hole in the deck almost the complete width of the ship. Despite immediate fire and damage control measures, Dickerson's crew was forced to abandon ship when the raging fires threatened her forward magazine.

Fifty-four officers and men, including LCDR Lounsbury, were lost. The USS Bunch (APD-79) and USS Herbert (APD-22) stood by to rescue survivors, and Bunch succeeded in putting out the fires which had virtually demolished Dickerson. The smoldering hulk was towed to Kerama Retto, then was towed out to sea and sunk on 4 April 1945.

Lounsbury is officially listed as missing in action. He is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii

2nd Lt. McCluskey was a pilot with the 359th Fighter Sq., 369th Fighter Group, and was MIA presumed KIA while flying P-51C Ser No 42-103743 on 10 August 1944 on a bombing mission near Wingen-Sur-Moder, France.

McCluskey was from Edgerton, Kansas