SSG Melvin Francis Thomas

courtesy of Séb

SSG Melvin Francis Thomas was born 4 Sep 1911 in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 3 children born to George Washington and Rebecca Jane (Martin) Thomas. His father worked as a farm hand and they lived for several years near Clover Hill, Virginia. Melvin apparently didn't go to school past the 8th grade and went to work in a shoe factory. 

Melvin also enlisted in the Virginia National Guard serving in G Company 116th Infantry, the Farmville, Virginia unit. It is likely that the $4 or so a month income was pretty attractive at that time. When the unit was federalized on 3 Feb 1941, Melvin was a 30-year old PVT as he trained with the unit at Fort George Meade, Maryland, in the Carolina Maneuvers, and Camp Blanding, Florida before the unit was sent to England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942. Once there he trained with his unit in preparation for the planned amphibious landing and invasion of Nazi occupied France. PFC  Thomas landed with his unit on 6 Jun 1944. Due to the extensive losses on 6 Jun 1944, the entire regiment had to go through a period of taking in replacements and reorganization. Melvin must have demonstrated leadership in the first 2-weeks of the fighting in France as he was promoted to SSG on 20 Jun 1944. SSG Thomas was killed in action on 30 Jun 1944. 

SSG Thomas rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery. 

PVT James Kaleph Martin Sr

courtesy of Dennis Healy

PVT James Kaleph Martin Sr was born on 16 Jul 1907 in Baltimore, Maryland.  He was the 4th of 5 children born to Robert L. and Anna Marie Martin.  His father worked as a hotel watchman and later the family farmed. James married Helen Elona Szelesy. The couple would have 3 children by 1938. James worked as a driver and Helen as a housekeeper. In 1940 James was working for Balto Transfer Company.

James was drafted in October 1943. After his basic training he was sent to Europe.  On 22 Jun 1944 PVT Martin was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry. He was killed in action on 30 Jun 1944.


PVT Martin was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Baltimore National Cemetery.

PFC Fred Bryant

PFC Fred Bryant was born 6 Jul 1920 in Fayette County, Kentucky to Arthur B. and Amanda (Hoskins) Bryant.  The family farmed.  In 1940, Fred was working as a carpenter as was his father. Together, they made $670 in 1939.

After entering the service and attending training, Fred was sent overseas.  On 19 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry.  On 30 Jun 1944 PFC Bryant was killed in action.

PFC Bryant was repatriated and now rests forever in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

PVT Joseph Denes Hosszu Jr

PVT Joseph Denes Hosszu Jr was born 29 Aug 1916 son of Joseph Denes and Theresa (Balogh) Hosszu in Hungary.  The immigrant family settled in Hammond, Indiana.   About 1937 Joseph Jr married Violet Alice Biksey with whom he had several children. 

Joseph was drafted 22 Sep 1943 and was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944. 
He is recorded as being seriously wounded on 30 Jun 1944 and transferred to hospital.  It was there that he died of his wounds.  

He was repatriated in 1948 and now rests forever in Oak Hill Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana.   

PVT Wendell P. Lewis

courtesy of Mike & Bushy Hartman

PVT Wendell P. Lewis was born 29 Jul 1912 in Mattoon, Illinois the only son of four children of David Morgan and Marion (Phillips) Lewis. His father was a machinist.  Wendell attended college and got a 4-year degreeIn 1940 Wendell was a teacher in a private school and reported a 1939 income of $800.  He was still living at home with his father who was working for a medical company, still as a machinist and reported a 1939 income of $3000. 

Wendell was drafted in July 1943. After his basic training he was sent to the European theater in August 1943 and on 22 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry.  He served in that unit as a rifleman until killed in action on 30 Jun 1944.

PVT Lewis was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT Chester W. Payton

courtesy of Frogman

PVT Chester W. Payton was born 31 Oct 1909 in Webster, Indiana. He was the 2nd of the 3 children of Columbus and Elizabeth (Hild) Payton. His father worked as a retail grocer and then as a farmer for many years. About 1932 Chester married Opal Gladys Sweeney and they had a daughter the following year. The marriage did not last and Chester re-married Bessie Spellman before 1940. In 1940 they were living at 215 West Market Street in New Albany, Indiana where Chester worked as a baker.

Chester was drafted in October 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to Europe and on 22 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry. PVT Payton was killed in action on 30 Jun 1944.

PVT Payton rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery. There is also a cenotaph in the Bethany United Methodist Cemetery in New Middleton, Indiana.

Chester's great-grandfather, Thomas H. Ellis, served as a PVT in I Company 11th Indiana Cavalry in the Civil War.

PFC Cecil C. Cassidy

courtesy of Fred Day

PFC Cecil C. Cassidy was born 1920 in Middletown, Ohio to Oliver Pierce and Eva (Brewer) Cassidy. The family had moved to Middletown from Menifee County, Kentucky. His father worked in a paper mill.  In 1940 Cecil was married to Juanita and working for the railroad.  He reported an income in 1939 of $144.

After Cecil was drafted in December 1942 he was sent overseas and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He was with the unit on D-Day, participating in the amphibious assault.  PFC Cassidy was wounded on 30 Jun 1944, evacuated and died of his wounds that same day. 

PFC Cassidy is buried in Woodside Cemetery in Middletown, Ohio.

Brother, Herbert William Cassidy, also served (1941-1945) during the war. 

PVT Alvis Russell Francis

PVT Alvis Russell Francis was born in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas to Alvis Celler and Edith Grace (Newall) Francis. 

Alvis was drafted in November 1943.  He was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 22 Jun 1944.  He was killed in action 8 days later, on 30 Jun 1944.

PVT Francis rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.  

PFC Huntington Peyton Paul

PFC Huntington Peyton Paul was born 18 Aug 1921 in Rockingham County, Virginia. He was the 2nd son of John Gray and Elizabeth Huntington (Gibb) Paul. Both parents were sales people for various companies. In 1930 his father divorced Elizabeth who had moved to Washington, D.C. and married Jessie Wood Bouldin. The family lived in Roanoke, Virginia.

Huntington likely enlisted in the Roanoke unit of the National Guard for the $1 he was paid for each day of drill at the local armory. When the unit was federalized in February 1941 he was working as an actor. PVT Paul then trained with the unit at Fort Meade, Maryland, in the Carolinas for the maneuvers and at Camp Blanding, Florida before shipping out on the Queen Mary in September 1942. At some point he was transferred to L Company 116th Infantry. Once in England the unit trained for the amphibious landing at Omaha Beach. PFC Paul took part in the landing but he reportedly stepped on a land mine when attacking a machine gun position outside of Saint-Lo and was killed in action on 30 Jun 1944.

PFC Paul was repatriated and now rests forever in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

His father served as a CPT in 6th Tench Mortar Battalion, 6th Division in France in WW1 and as a LTC in the Chemical Corps in WW2. His maternal uncle, John Willard Gibb, served as a PVT in C Company 2nd Virginia Infantry during the Mexican Punitive Expedition. Great-grandfather, Robert Asher Gray served as a PVT in B Company 9th Virginia Cavalry (Johnson's).

PVT Robert J. Jones

courtesy of Bessie Savery

PVT Robert J. Jones was born in 1917 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Standiford Burkett and Lula Bertha (Helms) Jones.  His father was working as a laborer for the city in 1920 but was unemployed according to the 1930 census.  By 1940 his parents had separated, each claiming to be widowed on the 1940 census. In 1940 his mother was working as a seamstress and had a reported 1939 income of $412 and paid $8 a month rent for their house.  In 1940, Robert was working as farm labor but had no income for 1939.

Robert was augmenting his income by being a member of a local National Guard unit.  He was activated/federalized in November 1940.  His reported occupation there was that he was a carpenter.  We have been unable to trace Robert's military career but we know that he was likely assigned to G Company 116th Infantry prior to the amphibious assault on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944 and that he participated in that mission.  PVT Jones was killed in action on 30 Jun 1944.

PVT Jones is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.  

PVT Aram Menzigian

courtesy of Dominique Potier

PVT Aram Menzigian was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on 27 Jul 1924. He was the 2nd of 3 sons born to Manoog and Alta Yeraney (Angley) Menzigian. His father was an Armenian native of Turkey who had immigrated in 1909 at the time of the Turkish massacres of Armenians. The depression was tough on the family. In 1930 his father ran a candy shop and they had a  home valued at $2500. By 1940 his father was working as a barber and they rented their home for $25 a month but his father only reported a 1939 income of $624. Aram did not have the opportunity to attend high school.

At the time he was drafted in March 1943, Aram was working as a waiter. After his initial training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He trained for and participated in the D-Day amphibious landings of 6 Jun 1944 at Omaha Beach in Normandy. He fought with the unit until killed in action on 30 Jun 1944.


PVT Menzigian rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

Aram's old brother, Paul Menzigian, served in the U.S. Army from February 1943 to January 1946.

PFC Joseph L Pellegrini

courtesy of Skip Farrow

PFC Joseph L. Pellegrini was born 13 Feb 1923 in Senglea, Malta. He was the 3rd of the 4 children born to Joseph Frank and Carmella M. (Deberro) Pellegrini. Both parents and his 3 older brothers were also natives of Malta. His younger sister Lena was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1932. His father worked as a carpenter. In 1940 the family paid $16 a month rent at 225 29th Street in New York but his father only reported a 1939 income of $700.

After Joseph was drafted and completed his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to 1st Platoon B Company 116th Infantry. He would have trained with the unit for the planned amphibious landing that was to be part of the invasion of occupied France. Joseph was a part of that assault on the Normandy beach code-named Omaha and was wounded on 6 Jun 1944. PFC Pellegrini was evacuated to hospital in England where he died of his wound(s) on 29 Jun 1944.

PFC Pellegrini rests forever in the Cambridge American Cemetery in Coton, England.

TSGT Ernest Webster Bishop

TSGT Ernest Webster Bishop was born 23 Sep 1916 to Robert Lee and Queen Victoria (Robertson) Bishop of Albemarle County, Virginia.  This family of 14 was supported by the family farm.

Ernest entered the service 15 Nov 1940.  Assigned to K Company 116th Infantry he participated in the assault on Omaha Beach on D-Day.  He was killed in action on 29 Jun 1944 (D+23). 

His body was returned in 1948 and TSGT Bishop is buried in Monticello Memorial Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

PFC Aristedes P. Manos

courtesy of Frogman

PFC Aristedes P. Manos was born 22 Dec 1924 in New York City, New York. He was the youngest son of Peter Manos. His father was a native of Sparta, Greece. In 1947 Peter would be living at 43 East Fourth Street, Brooklyn.

Aristedes was drafted in May 1943. After training he was sent to the European theater. On 13 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry. PFC Manos was killed in action on 29 Jun 1944.

PFC Manos rests in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT William Lee Burk

PVT William Lee Burk was born 19 Feb 1925 in Finley, Oklahoma to Thomas Robert and Betty Mahala (Parrott) Burk.  His father worked in a lumber mill and in road construction. In 1940 the family owned their home valued at $500 near Finley. Thomas reported 1939 earnings of $1000 and William had just entered the work force. In 1943 William was working for Clark and Stockton in Finley.

After entering the service, William was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry.  He probably participated in the D-Day landings.  On 29 Jun 1944, PVT Burk was killed in action.

PVT Burk is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT John George Palmo

PVT John George Palmo was born 29 Mar 1923 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Patrizio John and Rosaria (Fusci) Palmo. Both of his parents were natives of Italy. His father worked in various factories. John married Julia Pignotti on 26 Jul 1943.

John was probably drafted in late 1943. After his basic military training as a rifleman he was sent to the European theater and on 19 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry. PVT Palmo was killed in action on 29 Jun 1944.

PVT Palmo rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

John and Julia had no children.

PVT Joseph John Planster

PVT Joseph John Planster was born 30 Apr 1907 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the first of the 6 children of Joseph and Agatha (Meskinis) Planster. Both parents were natives of Lithuania. His father's original surname was Plokstis and it is unclear when the family actually changed to Planster but it seems to be about 1940-1941. Father Joseph worked in various factories to support his family and diedof a heart attack in 1936 at the age of 60. After his death the family moved to 252 North Lawrence Street in Philadelphia and were living there in 1940. In 1940, Joseph was working as a Bell Captain at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel and registered for the draft under the name "Planster".

Joseph was drafted in October 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to England and the replacement depot and then transferred to B Company 116th Infantry on 16 Jun 1944. PVT Planster was killed in action on 29 Jun 1944.

PVT Planster rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

Joseph's only brother, John Joseph Planster, served as a SGT in the 385th Infantry and was killed in action somewhere in the vicinity of Giessen, Germany on 5 Apr 1945. John Joseph is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. The brothers 2 youngest sisters were affiliate members of the Augustinian Order and lived in the home at 252 North Lawrence until December 2018.

PVT Darwin Leo Snipes

PVT Darwin Leo Snipes was born 16 Dec 1922 in Bonanza, Kentucky. He was the youngest of 6 children of Joseph Jeremiah and Cora (Spradlin) Snipes. His parent's families had been in the area for generations. His father farmed and of course everyone helped as age permitted. Darwin's formal education ended with grammar school and he went to work for A. B. Ewing in Prestonburg in a coal mine.

Darwin was drafted in March 1943. Before heading overseas to the European theater in May 1944 he would have undergone his basic military training and was likely assigned to a training unit. We know that he had a furlough just before shipping out. He was transferred from the 92nd replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944. PVT Snipes was struck in the back by mortar or artillery shell fragments and killed in action just 10-days later, on 29 Jun 1944 near Saint-André-de-l'Épine just north-east of Saint-Lo, France.

PVT Snipes was repatriated and re-interred in Snipes Family Cemetery #2 in Prestonburg, Kentucky. 

Maternal great-grandfather, Jeremiah Hackworth, served in I Company 14 Kentucky Infantry (USA) as a PVT while his paternal great-grandfather, William James Snipes, served as a PVT in E Company 5th Kentucky Mounted Infantry (CSA) during the Civil War.

PVT Paul Dotson Killebrew

Paul in 1942

PVT Paul Dotson Killebrew was born 27 Oct 1924 in Stewart County, Tennessee to David Brunson and Cynthia Francis (Parker) Killebrew. His father managed a store and farmed.

Paul may have been working in aircraft manufacture when he was drafted in October 1943.  After basic training he was sent to Europe and on 19 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Killebrew was killed in action 10 days later on 28 Jun 1944.

PVT Killebrew is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.  There is a cenotaph for Paul in the Powell Cemetery in Lafayette, Kentucky.

PFC James Lavaille Stuart

courtesy of Joy Riggers

PFC James Lavaille Stuart was born 30 Oct 1917 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of the 6 children born to Thomas Otis and and Emily Ann (Rowlands) Stuart. His father was a printer who would work for several newspapers and end his career in the field at Smith Brothers Company in Pittsburgh. The family would live at 173 Montclair Street in Chartiers, 173 Clairhaven in Pittsburgh, and finally owning a home just a block or 2 away at 1226 Elmont Street in 1940. The last was valued at $3200 in 1940 and in 1939 Thomas had reportedly earned $1800 as a printer. Although he was 22-years old, James was still unemployed when he registered for the draft in 1940 perhaps because his education had not progressed beyond grammar school.

James voluntarily enlisted in the army on 4 Mar 1942. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to I Company 116th Infantry. PVT Stuart trained with that unit for the planned amphibious assault and took part in the D-Day landings on 6 Jun 1944. PVT Stuart was promoted to PFC on 24 Jun 1944. He continued to fight with the unit until killed in action on or about 28 Jun 1944. There is some question as to the date and circumstances of his death. Apparently he was last seen on the 28th but he was not reported as missing in action until 30 Jun 1944 and he was not dropped from the rolls until 8 Sep 1944 when the unit was fighting in Brest, France. At some point an army clerk apparently erroneously recorded the date as 28 Feb 1945. 

PFC Stuart's body has never been found. He is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery.

James' father served as a PVT in B Battery Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Spanish American War. James' brothers also served. Charles Orr Stuart and Jesse Reid Stuart served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

PFC Mario James Capano

PFC Mario James Capano was born 12 Apr 1924 in Calabria, Italy to Joseph and Michelena (Rizzo) Capano.  The family came to New York in November 1929.  In 1940 the family was doing well, Joseph was working as a bricklayer as was one son and another son was working as a plumber.  Mario was not working yet.  The family took in $3800 in 1939, pretty good for the time.

When Mario was drafted in February 1943 he was living in Delaware and working as a welder.  Assigned to K Company 116th Infantry on D-Day, he survived the assault.  On 19 Jun 1944 he died of wounds. 

PFC Capano is buried in Cathedral Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

PVT Orin Dewahe

PVT Orin Dewahe was born 4 Apr 1922 to Don and Lucy (Chemesie) Dewahe.  The place of birth is given as "Hopi Res 93", Navajo County, Arizona.  On the 1930 census his father's employment is given as "home gardening" and his mother's as "baskets at home".  The family was living in Winslow, Arizona. By 1937 they had adopted a daughter, Winona.  

Orin was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jun 1944.  He was again transferred, this time to L Company 116th Infantry on 23 Jun 1944.  PVT Dewahe was killed in action on 25 Jun 1944.

In 1948 he was repatriated and buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

SGT Kenneth Raymond Thompson

SGT Kenneth Raymond Thompson was born 26 Sep 1914 in Athens, Tennessee. He was the youngest of the 8 children born to Jesse Alverine and Sophrona Marie (Billings) Thompson. He may have been born as Raymond  His mother died of a pulmonary embolism just 3 months after his birth. She was only 38-years old at the time. It no doubt fell to his 17 and 16-year old sisters to care for him as the family was still together in 1920. His father farmed along the Cedar Springs Road in McMinn County, Tennessee and then he died in 1922 of prostate cancer at the age of 57. We don't know where 7-year old Kenneth and his 8-year old sister Cecile went. They aren't living with any known family members in 1930 but they may have been together. Cecile married in 1936 and Kenneth may have moved to Los Angeles, California at that time. Kenneth gave his address as 327 South Main Street in Los Angeles when he registered for the draft in October 1940. 

Kenneth was drafted in February 1942, in-processing at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California. After his initial training he was sent to England and assigned to A Company 116th Infantry. PVT Thompson trained for and participated in the D-Day amphibious assault at Omaha Beach and survived it. He was promoted to SGT on 20 Jun 1944 as the whole regiment and particularly A Company took in a number of replacements for D-Day casualties and reorganized for the continuing fight in the bocage region of France. He was shot in the chest and died on 25 Jun 1944. 

SGT Thompson was repatriated and re-interred in the Cedar Springs Cemetery in McMinn County, Tennessee where he rests forever with other family members. 

SGT Kenneth Field Payne

SGT Kenneth Field Payne was born 3 Jul 1908 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He was the first born of 4 children of Thomas Turner and Maude S. (Taylor) Payne. His father worked as a machinist for a railroad. His mother died of influenza in 1919 and Kenneth and his 3 sisters were sent to the Children's Home on Market Street in Charlottesville, Virginia while his father, now working as a carpenter, was boarding elsewhere in the city. His father re-married in 1920 and had 3 more children by 1927. Kenneth attended 1 year of high school before entering the work force. By 1930, Kenneth was working as a mill hand in a local lumber mill and living with the rest of his father's family of 15 on Belmont Park Road in Charlottesville. In March 1937, his father had to be hospitalized and he died in April 1937 of tuberculosis.

PFC Kenneth Payne had been enlisted in K Company 116th Infantry for a couple of years when it was federalized on 3 Feb 1941. He would then train with the unit at Fort Meade, Maryland, in the Carolina Maneuvers, and at Camp Blanding before sailing with his unit for England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942. Once in England, Kenneth trained with his unit for the planned amphibious invasion of occupied Europe. PFC Payne was a part of that operation on 6 Jun 1944 and took part in the landings at Omaha Beach and fought with K Company after that. On 20 Jun 1944, he was promoted to SGT. SGT Payne was killed in action on 25 Jun 1944.

SGT Payne was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Monticello Memorial Park in Charlottesville, Virginia.

PVT Whitsel R. C. Brown

courtesy of Frogman

PVT Whitsel R. C. Brown was born in Tennessee.  His mother's first name was Vena (by 1946 she had remarried a man with the last name of Sexton).  PVT Brown was serving with C Company 116th Infantry on 24 Jun 1944 when he was killed in action.  PVT Brown was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT Gerald Edward Brock

PVT Gerald Edward Brock was born 12 Dec 1912 in Du Quoin, Illinois.  He married Jessie Irene Summers. 

Entering service in September 1943, he was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944.  PVT Brock was killed in action on 24 Jun 1944.

PVT Brock was repatriated and is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Du Quoin, Illinois. Jessie did not remarry. 

PVT Harvey J. Baril

PVT Harvey J. Baril was born in 1922 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Adrian Joseph and Eva (Poisant) Baril.  His father was an assembler at a typewriter plant and, later, as a watchman for the W.P.A.  His mother died in 1933.

Harvey was drafted in December 1942.  Assigned to C Company 116th Infantry on D-Day, PVT Baril was killed in action 24 Jun 1944. 

His younger brother, Arthur Joseph Baril, was drafted in April 1943 and served for the rest of the war.  

PFC Blane Avery

courtesy of Frogman

PFC Blane Avery was born 8 Oct 1920 in Hart County, Kentucky to William Curtis and Annie (Brown) Avery. The family farmed. 

Blane was drafted in January 1943, trained and sent overseas.  On 13 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 23 Jun 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital where he died on 24 Jun 1944.

PFC Avery is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery. 

PVT Paul John Zito

PVT Paul John Zito was born in East Boston, Massachusetts on 9 Jan 1917 the first of 4 children that would be born to Angelo and Carmella (DeAngelis) Zito. His father was a native of Salerno, Italy. The extended family, which included Paul's grandparents, lived together in his grandfather's home at 83 Chelsea Street in East Boston. Paul's father worked for and rented from his older brother Vincent Zito in a trucking firm and later opened his own firm. Paul completed the first year of high school and then went to work for his father as a driver. He was able to complete high school later.

Paul was drafted in October 1943. After about 5 months of basic military training he was sent to England in early 1944. After D-Day the 116th Infantry required a number of replacements.  PVT Zito was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry on 16 Jun 1944. He was killed in action 8-days later on 24 Jun 1944.

PVT Zito rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

Brother, Joseph Paul Zito, was serving as a Platoon Sergeant in the Marine Corps when he was wounded in action during WWII.

PVT Roy Calvin Ireland

PVT Roy Calvin Ireland was born 15 Aug 1923 in Oak Forest, Pennsylvania the only son of Charles Albert and Sara Jane (Taylor) Ireland. His father supported the family as a road maintenance/construction worker and farm labor. The family's reported 1939 income was $324.

Roy was drafted in February 1943.  After basic training he was sent to England and assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with that unit for the amphibious assault on the French beach code-name Omaha and participated in that action on 6 Jun 1944.  PVT Ireland was killed in action on 24 Jun 1944. 

PVT Ireland was repatriated and is buried in Greene County Memorial Park in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

2LT William Francis Quinlan

at St. Thomas Military Academy, St. Paul, MN

2LT William Francis Quinlan was born 16 Aug 1916 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the oldest of the 6 children born to William J. and Catharine (McMahon) Quinlan. His father worked in coal company founded by his grandfather. During young William's life he was first vice-president and then president of the firm. The family lived in a home at 5216 Wayne Avenue in Chicago which was valued at $6000 in 1940. William graduated Saint Thomas Military Academy in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

William enlisted in 1940. After his basic military training he was selected for officer candidate training. He married Karolyn J. Dalton, probably in early 1943. The couple would have a daughter born at Fort Benning, Georgia in December 1943. After that, William was sent to the European theater. 2LT Quinlan was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 20 Jun 1944. 2LT Quinlan was killed in action on 23 Jun 1944.

2LT Quinlan rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

His brother John D. Quinlan served in the U.S. Army.

PFC Robert Arthur Bruick

PVT Robert Arthur Bruick, b. 1923 - d. 23 Jun 1944. Middle son of Llewelyn Fred and Hilda (Linnemeier) Bruick, Robert was born in Fort Wayne Indiana and graduated from North Side High School in June 1943. On 16 Jun 1944 he was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry in which unit he served until killed. Robert was finally laid to rest in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mer, France.

2LT George F. Hofmann

courtesy of Bessie Savery

2LT George F. Hofmann was born 18 Oct 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to George Philip Lawrence and Edna Rose (Wooley) Hofmann.  His father was born in Bavaria and worked as a carpet layer for over 20 years and as a carpet sewer.  In 1940, George was himself working as an apprentice carpet layer. The family reported a 1939 income of $1520. George married early, about the time he was 16, but was not living with his wife, Ruth E. Phillips Hofmann or their son, Kenneth Ralph Hofmann in 1940.  His wife and son were living with her parents. 

When drafted in April 1941, George was apparently still working in the carpet laying trade.  After his initial training, selection as an officer candidate and then commissioning, George was sent to Europe and assigned to A Company 116th Infantry on 16 Jun 1944.  George was killed in action on 23 Jun 1944. 

2LT Hofmann is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT Frederick Joseph Aniello

PVT Frederick Joseph Aniello was born in 1925 in Hartford, Connecticut to Orlando Frank and Ellen J. (Maher) Aniello.  His father was a barber.  Frederick graduated from high school in 1942.

He had been working as a file clerk when he was drafted in July 1943.  Sent overseas, he was already assigned to F Company 116th Infantry on D-Day and participated in the amphibious landing with that unit.  PVT Aniello was killed in action on 23 Jun 1944. 

PVT Aniello is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PFC Virgil Milton Wallace

courtesy of Kenneth Greene Jr.

PFC Virgil Milton Wallace was born 31 May 1922 in Humphreys County, Tennessee. He was the first of William Andrew and Jewell Edna (Monroe) Wallace's 3 sons. His father farmed on land he owned. The 2nd Wallace son was born in January 1930 but only lived 15-days. The 3rd son was born sometime after 1940. Of course Virgil grew up helping his father farm but was able to complete 3-years of high school. When he registered for the draft in 1942 he gave his father as his employer. 

Virgil was drafted in November 1942. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England where he was assigned to some unit outside the 29th Division. PVT Wallace was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944. The regiment was still fighting in the hedgerows that were typical of this part of Normandy when PFC Wallace was shot and killed in action on 23 Jun 1944. 

PFC Wallace was repatriated in 1951 and re-interred in Union Cemetery in Dickson, Tennessee. 

Great-grandfather, Andrew Jackson Wallace served as a PVT in G Company 12th Tennessee Cavalry (USA) during the Civil War. Andrew's brother James served in Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry (CSA) during the same war. 

SSG William M. Abernathy

SSG William M. Abernathy was serving with B Company 116th Infantry when he was killed in action on 22 Jun 1944.  He was serving with that unit when it made the amphibious assault on D-Day.

We don't currently know anything else about SSG Abernathy. 

PFC Ezra Lee Hubbard

PFC Ezra Lee Hubbard was born in 16 Jul 1909 in Pound, Virginia to James Monroe and Matilda Jane (Mullins) Hubbard. The family farmed near Roberson, Virginia. By 1940, James had to take some work with the Works Project Administration (WPA) and reported $180 income for 1939.

Ezra was drafted in May 1941. After completing his initial training he may have been assigned to C Company 116th Infantry before the regiment departed for England in September 1942.  He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault that was to take place on 6 Jun 1944 and took part in that action.  PFC Hubbard was killed in action on 22 Jun 1944.

PFC Hubbard is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT Monte Carlo Barnes

PVT Monte Carlo Barnes was born 21 May 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to John Charles and Myrtle Barnes.  His father worked as a conductor and then guard on the el-train. 

After entering the service, Monte was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jun 1944.  Monte was wounded and captured on 20 Jun 1944.  He was held in a dressing station and died of his wounds on 22 Jun 1944.

PVT Barnes is buried in Brittany American Cemetery. 

PVT Harry Kopko

PVT Harry Kopko was born 25 Jul 1925, most likely in Detroit, Michigan to Dymnian "Dan" and Anna Kopko.  His father worked as a machinist for Ford.

After entering the service, Harry was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jun 1944.  PVT Kopko was killed in action on 22 Jun 1944.

PVT Kopko was repatriated and is buried in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy, Michigan.

2LT Anthony James Kukis

2LT Anthony James Kukis was born 29 Mar 1915 in Kingston, Pennsylvania the youngest of seven children of Andrew and Felixa (Orlowski) Kukis. His parents were both natives of Poland. His father was a coal miner.  Andrew died in 1932. Anthony graduated from Kingston High School in 1934. Anthony moved to California and began working for Sears Roebuck and Company in Los Angeles.

Anthony entered service in October 1941 while living in California.  Married to Gladys Mildred Barisano on 29 Aug 1942. Anthony was certainly exceptional in some way to be selected for officer training before he was sent to England.  He was noted on the morning as "on duty" with K Company on 1 Jun 1944 indicating that he was one of the many "extra" officers assigned to the invasion forces. 2LT Kukis was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 6 Jun 1944. 

 "In Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, after successfully leading his section on in fighting its way from the beach to the selected assembly area for his battalion, he found that the rest of the unit had failed to reach the point. Without delay, he contacted remnants of two Ranger battalions, attached his group, which had suffered numerous losses, to this force, and continued in the attack. The forceful leadership, the initiative and courage displayed by him inspired his men to greater efforts and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service."

2LT Kukis was killed in action on 22 Jun 1944.

2LT Kukis was repatriated in 1948 and is buried near his parents in Saint John's Cemetery in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

His wife married Ernest Wayne Smith on 1 May 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brother, Edmund Chester Kukis, served in the Army from 1941 to 1945.

PVT Thomas Richard McCammon

PVT Thomas Richard McCammon was born 6 Apr 1925 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  He was the oldest of 6, all sons, born to Thomas Ray and Sarah Ellen (Brechbiel) McCammon. His father worked in the pipe shop of a refrigeration manufacturer. Young Thomas managed to complete 3 years of high school.

Thomas was drafted in July 1943. After training he was sent overseas to England and assigned to M Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault that would be part of the invasion of occupied France. He took part in the D-Day landings and fought with the unit as the regiment struggled to push inland. His unit listed him as missing in action on 9 Jun 1944 but returned to the unit on 12 Jun 1944. PVT McCammon was wounded on 21 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 22 Jun 1944.

PVT McCammon was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred with family in Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

Brother Frederick Harold McCammon served in an artillery unit in Korea, 1950-1951.

SGT Julius Franklin Abernethy

SGT Julius Franklin Abernethy was born 22 Oct 1919 in Hickory, North Carolina to Albert Edwin and Helen (Graham) Abernethy.  Julius was named for his paternal grandfather.  He married Marguerite Mae Merrill in Macon, Georgia on 22 Sep 1943.

SGT Abernethy was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry on 16 Jun 1944 from the replacement depot.  He was killed in action 22 Jun 1944. 

SGT Abernethy is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

Marguerite remarried in 1949. 

PVT Robert Lee Wilkerson

PVT Robert Lee Wilkerson was born 1 Sep 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the youngest of the 5 sons born to William Jonathan and Glee Zola (Rhoads) Wilkerson. His father worked in a steel plant and later in a service station. The family lived at 1164 Graff Street before moving across town to 628 Beville Avenue. Robert graduated from Arsenal Techinical High School. He went to work for Walls and Demrich Dental Lab.

Robert was drafted in April 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England in early 1944. Once in England he was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry and participated in the final training for the planned amphibious landing to liberate occupied France. PVT Wilkerson took part in the D-Day landing and fought with the unit until killed in action on 22 Jun 1944. 

PVT Wilkerson was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

All of Robert's brothers served during the war as well.

PVT Clifford Henry Charter

PVT Clifford Henry Charter was born 28 Mar 1924 to Henry Oriel and Bessie Grace (Tannery) Charter.  A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Clifford was the eldest of 2 children.  His father worked as a baker.

Clifford entered service on 8 Feb 1943 and was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 16 Jul 1944.  2 days later, on 18 Jul 1944, he was reassigned to C Company 116th Infantry.  He was killed in action 22 Jun 1944.

He now rests forever in Sperry Rest Haven Cemetery, Sperry, Oklahoma.

PFC Stanley William Keister

PFC Stanley William Keister was born 30 Dec 1922 in New Haven, Connecticut the only child of William Joseph and Grace L. Keister.  His father worked for many years for Winchester Repeating Arms.

In February 1943, Stanley was working as an apprentice machinist when he was drafted.  Sent to Europe after his initial training, he was transferred from the replacement depot to M Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944.  PFC Keister was wounded on 21 Jun 1944 and evacuated but died of his wound(s) the next day, 22 Jun 1944.

PFC Keister was repatriated in 1948 and is buried in East Lawn Cemetery in East Haven, Connecticut. 

PVT Joseph Wilburn Davis

PVT Joseph Wilburn Davis was born 21 Feb 1911 in Violet, North Carolina to James Mattiason and Rosana Davis.  The family farmed.  About 1935 he married Mary Jo Rose and in 1936 they had a son.  In 1940, Joseph was working on construction for the Tennessee Valley Authority.  He reported a 1939 income of $380 and his father an income of $280.

When Joseph was drafted in September 1943 he was divorced.  Sent overseas, on 16 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to D Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Davis was killed in action on 22 Jun 1944. 


PVT Davis was repatriated and is buried in Unaka Cemetery in Unaka, North Carolina.

Joseph's son had at least 2 sons who are still living. 

PFC Maurice Joseph Ott

PFC Maurice Joseph Ott born 8 Oct 1918 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania the 8th child of Reverend Joseph Warren and Ida Myrtle (Haight) Ott of Altoona, Pennsylvania. His father was a Chiropractor. Maurice married Mary Stavana. In 1940 his employment is given as Corporal in the National Guard.

Maurice was drafted in December 1942 after being discharged from the National Guard.  He was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry on D-Day and then on 11 Jun 1944 reassigned to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 21 Jun 1944 PFC Ott was killed near Couvains, France.  He is now buried in Hillcrest Cemetery in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

PFC Marshall Earl Smithpeters

PFC Marshall Earl Smithpeters was born 27 Aug 1921 in Mazon, Illinois. He was the 5th of 6 children born to Wilford Harrison and Sadie L. (Tiemann) Smithpeters. His youngest sister, Viola, died in 1923 only 6 days after her birth. Marshall's father supported the family by working at an oil refinery but died suddenly in November 1930. His mother re-married and Marshall lived with his mother and step-father, Charles Savage while he completed high school. He then went to work for George Koch and Sons of Evansville, Indiana and became a trained welder.

Marshall was drafted in October 1942. After completing his military training he was sent to England and assigned to H Company 116th Infantry. He trained for and participated in the amphibious assault on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He survived that and continued fighting with his unit until wounded on 17 Jun 1944. Evacuated to hospital in England where he died of wound(s) on 21 Jun 1944. He was then interred in the Brookwood Cemetery in the county of Surrey, England.

PFC Smithpeters was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Plattville Cemetery in Plattville, Illinois.

His brother, George William Smithpeters, served in the U.S. Army during the war. Great-grandfather, Harvey J. Bolerjack, served as a PVT in H Company 13th Illinois Cavalry (USA).

PFC Harvey Benjamin Elliott

courtesy of Homer Swain

PFC Harvey Benjamin Elliott was born 20 Oct 1924 in Rolla, Missouri. He was the 2nd of 9 children and oldest son of Benjamin Wilbert and Viola Mae (Harsh) Elliott. 

Harvey was drafted in August 1943 and trained first at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and then Camp Wolters, Texas near Mineral Wells. He went home on furlough in early March 1944 and then was sent to the European theater. He was first in Northern Ireland and then England where he was sent to a replacement depot. From there he was transferred to M Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944. He wrote home telling of the heavy German artillery fire. PVT Elliott was wounded on 21 Jun 1944 and, despite evacuation to a field hospital, died of his wound(s) the same day. 

PVT Elliott was repatriated in 1948 and was re-interred in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett, Missouri. 

Brother, Paul Eugene Elliott, served as a SGT in the U.S. Army in the Korean war.

PFC Adolph C. Noll

courtesy of Glenn

PFC Adolph C. Noll was born 11 Mar 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the first of the 3 children born to Adolph Conrad and Frances (Vrba) Noll. His father worked as a stevedore and truck driver. Young Adolph did get married.

Adolph was drafted in May 1942. He might have been assigned to G Company 116th Infantry before the unit boarded the Queen Mary and sailed for England in September 1942 but he was certainly assigned to the unit and trained with it for the amphibious invasion of occupied Europe and took part in that effort on 6 Jun 1944. PFC Noll fought with the unit until killed in action on 21 Jun 1944.

PFC Noll was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.

His great-gradfather, Christian Noll, had immigrated from Württemberg, Germany and served with D Company 103rd New York Infantry and was injured in the attack on Fort Wagner near Charleston, South Carolina.

CPL Clarence Lamar Coates

CPL Clarence Lamar Coates was born in 1924 in Casa, Arkansas to Jerry Anderson and Ada (Tanner) Coates.  Jerry supported the family by farming. 

We don't know when Clarence began his military service.  The morning report is a bit unclear on when or to which unit he was assigned but he may have been assigned first to B Company 116th Infantry and then D Company.  This occurred on 10 and 13 Jun 1944.  CPL Coates was killed in action on 20 Jun 1944.

CPL Coates is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and has a cenotaph in Casa Cemetery in Casa, Arkansas.

PFC Mervel E. McCormick

courtesy of WFDB

PFC Mervel E. McCormick was born 16 Jun 1923 in Winchester, Virginia. He was the 5th of 10 children born to Albert Henry and Elsie Viola (Weaver) McCormick. His father worked as a plumber and later for the Winchester city street maintenace department. The family had lost 2 of their sons, one in 1924 and another as an infant in 1931. By 1940, Mervel was working with is father on the city street crew. The household, with 5 members working, reported a 1939 income of $2740.

Mervel joined the local National Guard unit in 1939. He was with that unit when it was federalize in 1941 and trained with I Company 116th Infantry at Camp Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida before going to England in September 1942. Mervel trained in England with his unit for the planned amphibious assault that would be part of the invasion of occupied Europe. PFC McCormick was with the unit for that operation on 6 Jun 1944. He continued to fight with the unit until wounded on 19 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. PFC McCormick died of his wound(s) on 20 Jun 1944.

PFC McCormick was repatriated and re-interred in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

Brother, Albert Henry McCormick Jr., served in the U.S. Army 1939-1945. Grandfather, Charles Washington Weaver, served D Company 9th Virginia Infantry and in I Company 25th Virginia Infantry (CSA) during the Civil War.

PVT Albert R Bryan

PVT Albert R Bryan the son of James Lewis and Goldie L Bryan of Williamsport, MD. His mother, Goldie, died three years after he was born. He was raised by his grandparents Frederick and Barbara E (Marks) Byron.He had settled in Camden New Jersey, and lived at 1043 Princess Avenue, in the Parkside section. A welder at New York Shipbuilding, he was engaged to be married to Miss Nicoline Valentino of 1152 Haddon Avenue when he was drafted in August 1943.

Albert Bryan was sent overseas and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division in April of 1944. Assigned to C Company 116th Infantry, he was wounded in the fighting in Normandy on June 19, 1944. He died as a result of these wounds the following day, June 20, 1944. Albert Bryan was survived by his grandmother, of Williamsport, MD. His father, James Bryan was killed in a car accident the same day Albert Bryan died. Albert is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

PVT Leonard Charles Krugis

PVT Leonard Charles Krugis was born 15 Mar 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio the youngest of four children of Andrew George and Mary Krugis.

Leonard was drafted in August 1943.  He might have been assigned to A Company 46th Infantry before he was shipped overseas. Sent to England, Leonard was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He might not have had much time to train with the unit for the amphibious assault that took place on 6 Jun 1944 but he survived that and fought on with the unit until killed in action on 19 Jun 1944 (D+13).

PVT Krugis was repatriated in 1948 and is buried Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.  Leonard's older brother, Alfred, served in the Marine Corps during the war.

PFC William George Wolford

PFC William George Wolford was born 22 Feb 1920 in Windber, Pennsylvania. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to Noah Austin and Anna (Bateman) Wolford. His father was a coal miner. Noah died in Johnstown Memorial Hospital on 4 Aug 1931 so by 1940 William's 2 older brothers were supporting the family by working for the Civilian Conservation Corps earning a reported total of $328 in 1939. William's education had not progressed beyond grammar school and he was still unemployed in 1941 although he might have worked for a time at a power generation station.

William was drafted in February 1942. After completing his basic military training he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry possibly before the unit was sent to England in September 1942. Once in England he trained for the amphibious landing that was to be an integral part of the effort to liberate Nazi occupied France. PFC Wolford took part in the D-Day landing on 6 Jun 1944 and continued to fight with his unit until he was killed in action on 19 Jun 1944. 

PFC Wolford was repatriated and re-interred in the Dunmyer Cemetery in Salix, Pennsylvania.  

William's father and served in WW1 as a PVT in the 1st Section Training Battalion 158th Depot Brigade

SSG Elijah Webster Martin

SSG Elijah Webster Martin was born 3 Jun 1916 in Clover, Virginia.  He was the youngest of 12 children born to John David and Mary Elmira (Tatum) Martin. The family farmed. In 1940 Elijah was living in Norfolk and working as a salesman for A&P Tea Company. He reported a 1939 income of $560.

PVT Martin entered into federal duty with his National Guard unit, F Company 116th Infantry, on 3 Feb 1941. He was with the unit when it trained at Camp Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida before shipping out for England in September 1942. He continued to train with the unit as it prepared for the amphibious assault on occupied France.  It was in that time period that he must have demonstrated competence and leadership ability that resulted in his promotion to SSG. He was with the unit in the landing on 6 Jun 1944 and fought with the unit until he was killed in action on 19 Jun 1944. SSG Martin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star. On 6 Jun 1944 he secured cover for disorganized men and helped to organize them into a fighting unit under heavy enemy fire.

SSG Martin was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the family cemetery in Clover, Virginia.

PFC Elwood Evert Newville

PFC Elwood Evert Newville was born 17 Jun 1924 in Hesperia, Michigan. He was the oldest of the 4 sons born to Howard and Dora P. (Fairchild) Newville. His father worked as a machine operator in a factory reporting a 1939 income of $1636. Elwood had just started working when the census was taken in 1940 and he had completed just 3 years of high school. On 5 May 1942 he married Doris Mae Wiers and they had a daughter in October 1942. Their daughter died 25 December 1942 of pneumonia resulting from influenza.

Elwood was drafted in March 1943. After basic training he probably had another assignment before being sent to the replacement depot from which he was transferred to F Company 116th Infantry on 18 Jun 1944. PFC Newville was killed in action on 19 Jun 1944.

PFC Newville was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in West Hesperia Cemetery in Hesperia, Michigan.

Great-grandfather, Byron Fairchild, served as a PVT in F Company 36th Pennsylvania Infantry in the Civil War. 2X great-grandfather, Nathaniel P. Wolcott, served in A Company 29th Indiana Infantry, was captured and died in Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Doris would re-marry and is still living as this is written.

2LT Joseph John Lesczynski

2LT Joseph John Lesczynski was born 8 Sep 1918 in Plains, Pennsylvania to John and Sophie (Arcizewski) Lesczynski.  His parents were both natives of Poland. His father was a coal miner.  Joseph graduated from Plains High School in 1936. In 1940, Joseph was working as a clerk for Chubbison Insurance Broker of New York, an insurance underwriter, and reported a 1939 income of $900 from working an average of 40 hours a week.  His father was working an average of 21 hours a week and reported a 1939 income of $700. 

Joseph was drafted in March 1941.  He went first to Fort Dix, New Jersey then Fort Belvoir in Virginia. 2LT Lesczynski was commissioned after completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning and was stationed for a time at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was sent overseas to England in November 1943. 2LT Lesczynski is recorded in the morning report as being on duty with M Company 116th Infantry on 1 Jun 1944.  This was a plus up to hopefully ensure that there would be officers who survived the amphibious landing scheduled for the 5th. Weather delayed the landings until the morning of  6 Jun 1944 and he landed with M Company and served as a platoon leader.  2LT Lesczynski was killed in action on 19 Jun 1944.

2LT Lesczynski was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Plains, Pennsylvania.

PFC Frenchman Ratliff

courtesy of Sheila Compton Ramsey

PFC Frenchman Ratliff was born 23 Sep 1914 in Murphy, Virginia. He was the 8th of the 10 children born to Manuel Washington and Victoria (Hackney) Ratliff. 3 of those would not survive infancy and 1 died before the age of 12. His father farmed and would die in 1928 of heart failure at age 51. The family continued to farm off Route 605 near Sand Lick, Virginia.

Frenchman was drafted in May 1941. In accordance with policies in effect at that time he was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland and assigned to D Company 116th Infantry. He would train with the unit there, in the Carolina maneuvers and at Camp Blanding, Florida before boarding the Queen Mary for England in September 1942. After arriving in England he trained with the unit for the planned amphibious assault that was to be a part of the invasion of occupied France. He was with the unit on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944 for the landing and fought with the unit until killed in action on 19 Jun 1944.

PFC Ratliff was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Ratliff Family Cemetery in Dickenson County, Virginia.

Frenchman's younger brother, Kindred Ratliff, served as a SSG in the Army Air Corps during WW2 and later opened Ratliff Jewelers in Haysi, Virginia.

PVT Perry Rose

courtesy of Jared Lester

PVT Perry Rose was born on 18 Mar 1916 in Sword's Creek, Virginia. He was the 8th of 9 children born to John Henry and Rebbecca Irene (Compton) Rose. The family farmed near New Garden, Virginia. His father died suddenly on 23 Dec 1928. The family continued to farm.

Perry was still farming when he was drafted in May 1941. Like most draftees in the early war period he was sent to a regional training center, in this case Fort Meade, Maryland. It was there that he was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry. He then trained with the unit there, participated in guarding the eastern coast, trained at Camp A. P. Hill, in the second Carolina maneuvers and at Camp Blanding, Florida before going to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and then shipping for England in September 1942. After arriving in England the regiment and PVT Rose trained for the anticipated amphibious landing to liberate occupied Europe. PVT Rose was with D Company when it participated in the landings at Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944 and fought with the unit until killed in action in the hedgerow fighting on 19 Jun 1944. 

PVT Rose was repatriated and re-interred in Davis Cemetery in Russell County, Virginia.