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A few items from my personal Purple Heart
collection
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LAWRENCE N. ANDERSON
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.
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HARRY R. ARAIZA 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.
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JAMES M. BAKER
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.
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JOSEPH L. BALE III
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.
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Zeke crashes into the USS St Lo flight deck.

Secondary explosions aboard the St. Lo.

The USS St. Lo, early 1944
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HERMAN W. BANKS
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. |
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Warren W. Becker, Camp Mackall, ca. 1943

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WARREN W. BECKER
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. |
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JAMES D. BENDER
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
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Aerial strike photo of the Enoura Maru
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ROGER S. BENSON
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. |
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FRANK J. BELTER
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.
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FREDERICK H. BEYER
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
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VANCE A. BRADSHAW
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.
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LEONARD E. BRUCE
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.
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CHARLES J. BUEHLER 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.
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Fires aboard the USS Franklin, 3/19/45
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HAROLD BURKE
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. |
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VERNON C. BURKE JR
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.
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THOMAS B. BYRD
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 |
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JOHN L. CARMICHAEL
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. |
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DONALD T. CHILDERS
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. |
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ROY H. COMBS
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. |
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WILLIAM W. CONKLIN
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. |
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WESLEY W. DAW
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.
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HOLLISTER G. DE MOTTS
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.
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KENNETH J. DETRICK
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 |
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JOHN R. DONNELLY
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. |
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HERBERT K. DOW 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. |
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HAL H. DUPUY
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.
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VINTON J. EARLE 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. |
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WILBUR F. EDWARDS
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.
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JOHN L. EGNEW
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. |
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ALBERT J. ELLISON
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 |
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ARTHUR D. ERWIN
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.
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WALTER A. FEUER
S/Sgt
Feuer served with the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th
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
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RAYMOND P. FISHER 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.
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CHARLES P. FLANZER
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.
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Charles E. Foster portrait during training

The explosion of the
SS Paul Hamilton
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CHARLES E. FOSTER
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
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WILLIAM B. FOSTER
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. |
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WILLIAM C. FOSTER
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. |
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MARVIN P. FRINK
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. |
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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.
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SYLVESTER T. GREENWALD 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. |
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EARL T. GRINDSTAFF
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.
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HAROLD H. GROSSMAN
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. |
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NEAL R. HAFT
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. |
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AUGUST J. HAJDUK
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.
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USS Robalo
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HOWARD L. HAMILTON 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.
The following information was received via the Philippine guerrillas
and an U.S. Navy enlisted man who was a prisoner of war at Puerto
Princesa Prison Camp, Palawan, P.I. On August 2, 1944, a note dropped
from the window of the prison cell in which survivors from Robalo
were held was picked up by an American soldier in a work detail and
given to H.D. Hough, Y2c, USN, another prisoner. On 4 August, Hough
contacted Mrs. Trinidad Mendosa, wife of guerrilla leader Dr. Mendosa,
who furnished further information on the survivors.
From these sources, he put together the following facts:
Robalo was sunk July 26, 1944, two miles off the western coast
of Palawan Island as a result of an explosion of her after battery. Four
men swam ashore, an officer and three enlisted men: Samuel L. Tucker,
Ens.; Floyd G. Laughlin, QM1c; Wallace K. Martin, SM3c, and Mason C.
Poston, EM2c. They made their way through the jungles to a small barrio
northwest of the Puerto Princesa camp. They were captured there by
Japanese Military Police, and confined in the jail. They were held for
guerrilla activities rather than as prisoners of war, it is said. On
August 15, 1944, a Japanese destroyer evacuated them, and nothing
further is known of their destination or whereabouts. The Japanese may
have executed them or the destroyer may have been sunk. At any rate,
they were never recovered and their note stated that there were no other
survivors.
It is doubtful that a battery explosion could be sufficiently violent
to cause the sinking of the ship; more likely Robalo struck an
enemy mine.
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JOHN M. HANNA
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. |
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JOHN F. HANRAHAN
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. |
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HOMER HANSEN
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. |
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Harrelson is pictured at
upper right
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WILLIAM E. HARRELSON JR.
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.
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JACK HARRIS
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.
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WILBUR D. HART 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.
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JOHN B. HARVEY
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.
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Henry's P-51B |
LLOYD F. HENRY 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. |
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LEE A. HODSON
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. |
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JAMES T. HOKE
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. |
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The USS Cobia is now a National
Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI

Plaque to Houston aboard the Cobia

Houston's gun position showing location of
plaque

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RALPH C. HUSTON, JR.
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.
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ROSS L. KENDLE
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.
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LOUIS J. KULP
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 |
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FRANKLIN G. KYRKLUND
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. |
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CURTIS B. LAIN, JR.
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
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HARRY E. LAIN
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. |
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LAURENCE H. LANE
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. |
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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.
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 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.

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RICHARD J. LARDIE
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. |
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GRAYSON B. LASSITER
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. |
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RALPH E. LOUNSBURY JR.
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
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PAUL E. McCLUSKEY
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 |
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