PVT Sherman James Skeens

courtesy of Tommy Wood

PVT Sherman James Skeens was born 17 Aug 1919 in Castlewood, Virginia. He was the youngest of 7 children of Andrew Jackson and Nancy (Jones) Skeens. His father farmed in Russell County for many years. The economy was still struggling in 1940 and Sherman (apparently called James by the family) was in the Civilian Conservation Corps reporting a 1939 income of just $95. He then went to work for the state highway department.

Sherman was probably drafted in late 1941 or early 1942. He was soon assigned to D Company 116th Infantry trained with them and went to England with them in September 1942. Once in England he trained with the unit for the amphibious landing planned to be a part of the invasion of occupied France. It was in that assault that he was killed in action on 6 Jun 1944, D-Day.

Originally interred in France, PVT Skeens was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred together with family in what is now the Spruce Pine Hollow Cemetery in Castlewood, Virginia.

Grandfather, Joseph James Skeen, served as a PVT in the 21st Virginia Cavalry (CSA) in the Civil War.