PFC Orvalee Maynard

courtesy of Polly Fry Hagerman

PFC Orvalee Maynard was born 14 Jun 1922 in Kiahsville, West Virginia.  He was the 5th of 9 children born to Elijah Wayne and Bertha (Frye) Maynard. The family farmed and by 1940 it was Orvalee who was shown as the principal farmer in the family although everyone else undoubtedly did their share of chores. When he registered for the draft in 1942, Orvalee was working for the Island Creek Coal Company and living in Verdunville, West Virginia.

That didn't last much after registering because Orvalee was drafted in November 1942.  After his training he was eventually sent to England and on 22 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to  L Company 116th Infantry. PFC Maynard was wounded on 15 Jul 1944, evacuated to hospital and then died of his wound(s) on 16 Jul 1944.

PFC Maynard was repatriated in 1948 and now rests forever in the Community Memorial Gardens in Wayne, West Virginia.

Brothers also served during the war. Earl Maynard served in the Army 1942-1945; Charles Leonard Meyers served in the Navy aboard the DE-41, USS Brackett.