SGT Quinton Edwin Ogle

courtesy of Jean

SGT Quinton Edwin Ogle was born 26 Jun 1924 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of the 4 sons born to William Hercules and Rachel (Beler) Ogle. His father had worked as a fireman and laborer in the oil industry in various places in Oklahoma before moving the family to Los Angeles County, California after 1940. Quinton was unemployed when he registered for the draft in early 1942.

When he was drafted in March 1943, Quinton was working in a foundry. After his initial training he was sent to England and assigned to A Company 116th Infantry. Despite heavy losses in A Company on D-Day PVT Ogle was not promoted until he was promoted to SGT on 13 Sep 1944. It is possible that he was not assigned to A Company on D-Day. SGT Ogle was killed in action on 30 Sep 1944.

SGT Ogle was repatriated and re-interred in Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California near his father and a brother.

Great-grandfather Armistead H. Beler served as a PVT in 6th Battalion Mississippi Cavalry during the Civil War.

SSG Cecil Frederick Runnells

courtesy of Royzee

SSG Cecil Frederick Runnells was born on 26 Sep 1920 in Monroe, Ohio. He was the youngest of the 8 children born to Elias and Emaline (Marshall) Runnells. His father was a teamster but died in October 1930. Cecil went to work at Kentham foundry.

Cecil was drafted in September 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Runnells was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. He was almost immediately transferred to A Company 116th Infantry on the 23 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman. He was injured (a non battle casualty) on 3 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital but returned to duty on 6 Aug 1944. Cecil was promoted to SSG on 21 Aug 1944 just before the regiment conducted a road march to attack Brest, France. SSG Runnells was killed in action on 29 Aug 1944.

SSG Runnells is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC Paul Stoner

courtesy of Yvonne Freed Dunne

PFC Paul Stoner was born 29 Aug 1912 in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. He was the only son and youngest of the 2 children born to William Henry and Rebecca Alice (Leitch) Stoner.The family was farming on a rented farm along Bellefonte and Lewiston Road near Potter, Pennsylvania in 1920 when Paul's mother died. His father apparently did not remarry and by 1930 Paul was living with the Dayton Lansberry family on their farm on Earlystown Road near Potter. Shown as a boarder on the 1930 census he was probably working the farm with Lansberrys. In any event, Paul never attained more than a grammar school education. On 13 Dec 1938, Paul married local girl, Laura M. Koch in Winchester, Virginia. The couple lived for a time on Main Street in Spring, Pennsylvania where Paul worked for a White Rock Company in nearby Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania earning a reported 1939 income of $800 and paying a rent on their home of $10 a month. Other than the trip to Winchester to marry, there is no evidence that Paul had ever been much more than 10-miles from his place of birth. 

It appears that he might have been enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard but had been discharged for more than 6-months when he was drafted in December 1942. After training and various assignments at Fort McClellan, Fort Meade and Camp McCoy he was sent to England in May of 1944. PFC Stoner was not transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry until 5 Jul 1944. He was wounded the very next day as the unit was struggling to capture Saint-Lo when explosion caused a large stone to strike him in the back. Evacuated to hospital he returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 20 Jul 1944. He was wounded again on 7 Aug 1944 near Vire, France but returned to the 116th again on on 9 Aug 1944 this time to B Company but was transferred back to C Company the next day. He was again wounded, this time by a bullet in the chest, and sent to the hospital on 25 Aug 1944. Evacuated to England, he died in hospital there on 29 Sep 1944 perhaps due to an embolism of the pulmonary artery caused by the bullet wound. This may very well have been in Cambridge but we don't know right now.

PFC Stoner was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Paul and Laura had no children and Laura never re-married.

 

CPL William E. Holden

CPL William E. Holden was born in 1924 in New York state the son of Edward Francis and Frances V. (Fischer) Holden.  His father was a letter carrier.

After William entered the service he was eventually sent to the European Theater of Operations and on 11 Aug 1944 was transferred from the replacment depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  CPL Holden was killed in action on 27 Aug 1944.

CPL Holden is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

T5 Clifford Donald Grover

T5 Clifford Donald Grover was born 6 Feb 1925 in Clarendon, Vermont to George Abbott and Deborah Susan (Eddy) Grover. The family farmed.

After entering the army in July 1943, Clifford was sent England in December and assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry and was with that unit in the amphibious assault of 6 Jun 1944.  It was for his actions in that landing that he received the first Bronze Star. He was awarded the Bronze Star again for action on 17 Jul 1944.

On June 7, 1944, Pfc. Grover distinguished himself in combat by laying and maintaining communication lines between command posts. This work was performed under intense enemy artillery fire and was vital to the establishment of the Normandy beachhead. And for heroic achievement in military operations against the enemy of July 17, 1944,Pfc.Grover's courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Clifford was a non-battle casualty on 5 Jul 1944,, evacuated and returned to the unit on 7 Jul 1944.  On 19 Jul 1944, he was promoted to T5, likely at least partially in recognition of his actions on the 17th.  He was lightly wounded again on 4 Aug 1944, near Vire, but remained on duty.  T5 Grover was killed in action on 20 Sep 1944.

T5 Grover was repatriated and is buried in the East Clarendon Cemetery in East Clarendon, Verrmont.

PFC Frank Zepeda Aguilar

courtesy of DMart

PFC Frank Zepeda Aguilar was born 23 Mar 1923 in Nueces County, Texas to Francisco and Lola J. (Zepeda) Aguilar.  Francisco supported his family of 7 as a waiter, delivery "boy" and later working at C&C Theaters in Corpus Christi.

Frank entered the service in July of 1943 and was sent overseas where he was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He was a PVT with the unit on D-Day. He was apparently wounded, when is unknown, nor is it known when he returned to the unit.  However, he was again wounded on 13 Jul 1944 and evacuated to the hospital.   He returned to F Company on 14 Aug 1944.  Frank was promoted to PFC on 15 Aug 1944.  He was wounded again on 5 Sep 1944 and returned to the unit 5 days later on 10 Sep 1944. PFC Aguilar was wounded yet again on 17 Sep 1944 and he died of those wounds on 19 Sep 1944. 

Repatriated in 1948, PFC Aguilar was buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas.

PVT Steve Mandich

courtesy of Erin Proctor

PVT Steve Mandich was born 6 Sep 1924 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of 3 children born to Andrew Michael and Sofie (Kosanovich) Mandich. His father was a native of Yugoslavia and worked in a steel mill reporting a 1939 income of $800.

Steve volunteered for military service on 15 Jul 1942 in Pittsburgh.  After training he was sent overseas to the European theater in August 1944. We do not know when he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry. PVT Mandich was killed in action on 18 Sep 1944.

PVT Mandich's final resting place is in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Alexander Sike

PVT Alexander Sike was born 15 May 1917 in Utica, New York. He was the oldest of the 3 sons born to Joseph and Anna (Fylip) Sike. Both parents were natives of Poland. His father worked as a spinner in a cotton mill and the family lived in a rented home at 512 Patter Street and then 520 Whitesboro Avenue in Utica. Alexander was working for the New York Central Rail Road by 1940. He married Flora B. Gadziala sometime after April 1940 and their first child, a daughter, was born in December of that year. They would have a son born in 1943.

It may have been because of his railroad work that Alexander was not drafted until January 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater arriving in England in late August and in France in early September. PVT Sike was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 10 Sep 1944. The regiment was moving to attack German forces defending Brest, France and PVT Sike was killed in action in that fighting on 18 Sep 1944.

PVT Sike rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

TSGT James Bilinski

photo courtesy of MandyK

TSGT James Bilinski was born 16 Jan 1918 in Moravia, New York to Tomascz (or Thomas) and Mary (Taralo) Bilinski.  Both parents were Polish immigrants.  The family farmed.  In 1940, James was driving a truck for a saw mill. He reported an income of $505 for 1939.

James entered the service in June 1942.  He was eventually assigned to Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry and made the D-Day landing with that unit.  James was promoted from SSG to TSGT on 20 Jun 1944 serving as a Platoon Sergeant. On 18 Sep 1944 he was killed when a captured German pistol was accidentally discharged.  We are researching the details of this incident.

TSGT was repatriated in 1949 and is buried in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in Auburn, New York with other family members. 

PVT Leo Lewin Lewellyn

courtesy of Joy Riggers

PVT Leo Lewin Lewellyn was born 12 Aug 1915 in Syracuse, New York the oldest surviving child of three children born to Herbert Porter and Irene Lewellyn. His father was an engineer.Herbert died in 1930.

Leo wasn't drafted until March 1944. After basic training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 4 Sep 1944. PVT Lewellyn was killed in action on 18 Sep 1944.

PVT Lewellyn was buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Franklin Clark Joseph Anderson

PVT Franklin Clark Joseph Anderson was born 2 Sep 1914 in Chicago, Illinois to Ewald Warren and Mary (Kohler) Anderson. His father worked as a typesetter.

When Franklin entered the service in November 1940 he is noted has having 4-years of college and being an actor and single.  It is also noted that he enlisted for the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet.  Whatever had happened in his military service, on 9 Sep 1944 Franklin was assigned from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Anderson was killed in action on 17 Sep 1944.

PVT Anderson is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

SSG Jerome Bergstein

SSG Jerome Bergstein was born 20 Aug 1925, probably in Brooklyn, New York, to Morris and Hannah D (Wexner) Bergstein.  He was the 2nd of 4 children.  His father worked variously as a process server and a salesman.  Jerome attended only 2 years of high school before he was drafted.

Jerome was drafted in December 1943.  He was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry on 23 Jul 1944 as a PVT.  On 15 Aug 1944 he was promoted to PFC.  On 14 Sep 1944 he was promoted to SSG apparently skipping a couple of ranks (CPL and SGT).  He was killed in action 17 Sep 1944. 

SSG Bergstein is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York. 

PFC Howard Harry Ruby

PFC Howard Harry Ruby was born on 6 Apr 1924 in Elwood City, Pennsylvania. He was the 6th of 10 children born to Clifford James and Iva Louise Elizabeth (Weller) Ruby. 2 siblings had died in infancy before he was born. His father worked for the National Tube Company manufacturing seamless steel tubing earning a reported 1939 income of $2712 which seems quite a bit above average for the time. The family home on River Road in Franklin was valued at $3000. Howard attended Lincoln High School in Elwood City but didn't graduate in 1943. 

Howard was drafted in March 1943. After his basic military training he was eventually sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 23 Jul 1944 where he served as a rifleman. PFC Ruby fought with the unit from Saint-Lo to Vire and then Brest before he was killed in action 17 Sep 1944.

PFC Ruby was first buried at the Brittany military cemetery and repatriated in 1948. His older brother, PVT Clifford Thomas Ruby was serving with the 23rd Infantry when he was killed in action near Hill 192 in the vicinity of Saint-Lo on 26 Jul 1944. He was initially buried at the military cemetery at St. Laurent and repatriated with Howard. The brothers were re-interred together in the North Sewickley Cemetery in North Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Great, great-grandfather, Andrew H. Ruby served as a PVT in E Company 78th Pennsylvania Infantry (USA). Sister, Grace Catherine Ruby, served as a SSG in the Women's Army Corps during the war. Brother, Jack Robert Ruby, served as a CPL in the U.S. Army in Korea.

PVT Erwin Norman Wegener

PVT Erwin Norman Wegener was born in Niagara Falls, New York on 5 Aug 1925. He was the 4th of 5 children of Chester Clarence and Florence Barbara (Zimmer) Wegener. The Wegener family lived on Grove Avenue in Niagara Falls since before 1900 and Erwin grew up living at 1041 Grove Avenue which the family owned and which was valued at $4200 in 1940. His father was a tool maker earning a reported $2038 in 1939 which was a good income for the time. Erwin completed only 1-year of high school before going to work for the New York Central Rail Road maintaining the Whirlpool Bridge over the Niagara River. 

Erwin was drafted in November 1943 and after about 5-months of basic military training was sent to England in May or June 1944. PVT Wegener was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 14 Aug 1944 to serve as a machine gunner. He was killed in action in Brest, France on 17 Sep 1944.

PVT Wegener was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Riverdale Cemetery in Lewiston, New York. 

Ervin's 2 older brothers, James Francis Wegener and Chester A. Wegener, also served in the U.S. Army during the second world war.

PVT Clyde W. Lee

PVT Clyde W. Lee was born in 1908 in Wichita Falls, Texas.  In 1940 he was living with his wife Frances at 224 Cincinnati Street, El Paso, Texas managing Piedras Cleaners, a dry cleaning plant.  His wife was working as a stenographer.  They reported a combined income for 1939 of $2080 and rented their house for $15 per month. 

Clyde was drafted in June 1942.  He was eventually sent to Europe and may have served in another infantry unit before he was assigned from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 5 Sep 1944.  PVT Lee was killed in action on 17 Sep 1944.

PVT Lee is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.  We believe that by 1948 his wife had re-married because his sister, Eula Mae Lee Huffman, was his next of kin on the interment record. So far as we know the couple had no children.

TSGT Theodore Ford Fettinger

TSGT Theodore Ford Fettinger was born 14 Oct 1922 in Newark, New Jersey to Edwin Forrest and Louise Houghton (Ford) Fettinger.  His father worked as a secretary for an advertising agency.  Theodore attended the Forestry school in the University of Maine. 

After Theodore left school to serve his country he was sent overseas and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  It appears that he was with the unit on D-Day.  On 20 Jun 1944 he was promoted to SSG and then on 19 Aug 1944 he was promoted to TSGT.  As a platoon sergeant, he was reportedly shot by a sniper as the unit attacked German positions in Brest, France.  TSGT Fettinger was killed in action on 17 Sep 1944.

TSGT Fettinger is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. There is a cenotaph in his memory in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, Maine.

PVT Daniel C Brennan

PVT Daniel C Brennan was born 22 Sep 1923 in Butte, Montana the youngest son of Michael Joseph and Anastasia (Jackson) Brennan.  Michael Brennan was a miner and worked in a copper mine.  Older brother Frank contributed to the family by working in a packing house.  Michael died in 1939. 

Daniel was drafted in March 1943.  It appears that he was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry on D-Day.  On 9 Sep 1944 PVT Brennan was transferred to F Company 116th Infantry.  On 17 Sep 1944 he was killed in action. 

PVT Daniel is now buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte, Montana. 

PVT Albert Alfred Hermand Vincent

PVT Albert Alfred Hermand Vincent was born 8 Jun 1914 to business man Joseph Louis Sebin and Albertine (Gardner) Vincent.  His father was a businessman who worked for and then headed the Vincent Bottling Company of Auburn and Lewiston, Maine a company which Albert's grandfather Sabin Vincent had helped start. The Vincent Company closed in 1962 or 1963.  Prior to the war, Albert worked as advertising manager.  On 26 Apr 1939 he married Aurore Cecile Daigle of Auburn.

Albert was drafted in November 1943.  Assigned to G Company 116th Infantry 13 Aug 1944 then to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry on 25 Aug 1944 he was killed in action on 16 Sep 1944.

After the war, Albert's body was repatriated and he was buried in Saint Peter's Cemetery in Lewiston, Maine.

THE LEWISTON DAILY SUN, LEWISTON-AUBURN, MAINE, THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 8, 1948, PAGE TWO (internet edition)

FUNERALS: PVT. ALBERT A. VINCENT
Committal services for Pvt. Albert A. Vincent were conducted Wednesday morning by Rev. Fr. Caouette of St. Louis Church at St. Peter's Cemetery. The body arrived at the Maine Central Railroad Bates Street Station escorted by Sgt. George Sartorelli, Brooklyn Army Base, N.Y. Bearers were Regis Lepage, Richard R. Vincent, Arthur A. Legendre, Laurier O. Fontaine, Phillippe Ouellette and Laureat Michaud. Pvt. Vincent is survived by his widow, the former Aurore Daigue; three daughters, Constance, Claire, and Marie; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Vincent; and a sister, Mrs. Gerald Leblanc, all of Auburn.

Aurore never remarried and raised her girls and made a living operating Vincent Gift Shop.  She died in 2005 and is buried with her husband.  

PVT Raymond Goldberg

PVT Raymond Goldberg, b. 3 Jan 1918 - d. 16 Sep 1944. Son of Abraham Michel and Sarah Rose (Trinsky) Goldberg. Abraham and Sarah were from Kovno, Lithuania (in the Pale) and had moved to Hartford, Connecticut. Raymond married Rose Ziff and they had a son. He was drafted in October 1943 and assigned first to I Company to which he was apparently assigned on D-Day. Then on 5 Sep 1944 he was reassigned to K Company, 116th Infantry. He is buried in Zion Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut.

PVT Philip H. Hulett

PVT Philip H. Hulett enlisted from Michigan.  He was transferred from the replacement depot on 3 Sep 1944 to L Company 116th Infantry.  He was wounded on 14 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 16 Sep 1944.

We are fairly certain that Philip was repatriated because he is not listed as buried in one of the overseas cemeteries.  However, his records may have been lost in the 1973 fire at the St. Louis records center as there are none of his military service available to us.  Searches for obituaries and death notices have been unsuccessful. 

SGT Joseph Jerome Thompson

SGT Joseph Jerome Thompson was born 21 Jul 1915 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the 4th of the 9 children born to Samuel Anthony and Ellen Mary (Tierney) Thompson. Both parents and his eldest brother were natives of Scotland, his father from Carfin, in Lanarkshire. His parents had immigrated in 1910 and soon moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania where his father worked as a coal miner. His mother Ellen suffered from heart disease and she died in 1937 at the age of 50. The family rented 183 Smith Street in Canonsburg for $25 a month and Samuel reported 1939 earnings of $1900. Joseph was working as a butcher for Central Market earning $960 in 1939. He married a nurse from Washington County, Pennsylvania, Nellie Judish, in December 1940. 

Joseph was drafted in August 1943. He took his initial military training at Camp Blanding, Florida and left for England in April 1944. However he was not assigned to B Company 116th Infantry until he was transferred from the replacement depot to the unit on 17 Jul 1944. At this time the unit was in the vicinity of Saint-Lo and PVT Joseph fought with the unit in the liberation of Vire. He was promoted to PFC on 13 Aug 1944. PFC Thompson was with the unit as the regiment began the campaign to liberate Brest. Although it wasn't recorded in the morning report, he was promoted to SGT sometime before 15 Sep 1944 when he was wounded by German machine gun fire. Evacuated to hospital he underwent surgery but died on 15 Sep 1944. 

SGT Thompson was ultimately interred in the Brittany American Cemetery. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his actions on the day he died. 

Younger brother, Gerard Alphonsus Thompson, also served in the U.S. Army during the war.

SSG Donald J. Kerstetter

SSG Donald J. Kerstetter was born in 1917 to Charles Augustus and Mary May (Thew) Kerstetter.  His father was a long time public school teacher. 

Donald was working as a driver when he was drafted in April 1943.  After his initial training he was sent to Europe and on 11 Aug 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry as a CPL.  He was promoted to SSG on 13 Sep 1944.  SSG Kerstetter was killed in action on 15 Sep 1944.  

SSG Kerstetter is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Charles Anderson Reeves

courtesy of E. Renkin

PVT Charles Anderson Reeves was born 5 May 1921 in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He was the 8th of 13 children born to Albert Warner and Lillian (Reed) Reeves. 4 of his siblings died before 1940. In Charles' lifetime, his father supported the family with work in a foundry and a boiler factory. In 1940 Charles was in the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Charles was working as a heavy equipment operator when he was drafted in December 1943. After he completed is basic military training he was sent to the European theater in July 1944. PVT Reeves was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944. He was wounded on 14 Sep 1944 in the attack on Brest and died of his wound(s) in hospital on 15 Sep 1944.

PVT Reeves was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Bristol Cemetery in Bristol, Pennsylvania.

PVT William Bryant Strader

PVT William Bryant Strader was born 2 Feb 1920 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of 9 children born to John Bryant and Jettie Elizabeth (Gammon) Strader. His father supported the family by farming, at first on rented land and later on a farm he owned, near Tunstall, Virginia. William was working on the family farm in 1940 but then went to work for the Riverside Cotton Mill in Danville, Virginia.

William was drafted sometime in 1943 and after his basic military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Strader was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944 while the regiment was near Vire, France. He fought with the unit as it moved through Brittany in the effort to liberate Brest and was injured, a non-battle casualty, on 5 Sep 1944, sent to hospital and immediately returned to duty. He was transferred to A Company 116th Infantry the next day and fought with that unit until killed in action in Brest on 15 Sep 1944. 

PVT Strader rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

2 of William's great-grandfathers served during the Civil War. It just so happens that they were brothers. Stephen Neal Strader served as a PVT in K Company 13th North Carolina Infantry (CSA) losing the sight in his left eye and being captured and confined at Camp Lookout until the end of the war. Robert B. Strader served as PVT in 18th North Carolina Cavalry. Sister, Bertha Bell Strader, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956.

PVT Frederick Charles Shaw

PVT Frederick Charles Shaw was born 2 Sep 1910 in Adams, Massachusetts the 6th of the 12 children born to Joseph Ashbrook and Annie (Cromblehome) Shaw. His mother had been born in Blackburn, England. His father supported the family by working as a spinner in a cotton mill for several decades. Unfortunately, 2 of Joseph and Annie's daughters died before Frederick was born. Frederick became a baker and went to work for Hammond Baking Company for several years and then became an assistant to his brother who operated a cafeteria for the Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates. He married Laura May Norman in 1934. The couple would soon have 2 children sharing their home at 79 Commercial Street in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Frederick was drafted in December 1943. He trained at Camp Croft, South Carolina and Camp Shelby, Mississippi before training at Fort Meade, Maryland. PVT Shaw was then sent to the European theater in August 1944 and transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. He fought with the unit in the campaign to liberate Brest and was killed in action on 15 Sep 1944.

PVT Shaw rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Brother, Nelson Raymond Shaw, served in the U.S. Army infantry 1942-1945 including service in Italy. Lawrence Shaw served in the U.S. Army airborne infantry in New Guinea.

SSG James Arlon Gilbert

SSG James Arlon Gilbert was born 19 Jan 1923 in Decatur, Illinois to John Henry and Viola May (Coats) Gilbert. His father worked as a machinist for a railroad.  His parents divorced and his mother re-married.

When drafted in December 1942, James was working in metal fabrication.   Sent to England, James was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry.  We think it likely that he participated in the D-Day amphibious assault. Sometime around 15 Jul 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital.  He was returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 5 Sep 1944.  PFC Gilbert was promoted to SSG on 11 Sep 1944.  SSG Gilbert was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944.

SSG Gilbert is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Gustav Torres Martin

PVT Gustav Torres Martin was born 16 Dec 1917 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was a son of Gustavo Torres and Mercedes Martin.  His father worked in a factory. In 1919 his mother moved with him and his older brother to New York City. Sometime before 1930 his mother married again.  She was working as dressmaker.

Gustav enlisted in the New York National Guard and Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion 212th Coastal Artillery.  The unit was federalized on 10 Feb 1941.  On 5 Sep 1944 PVT Martin was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry. PVT Martin was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944.

PVT Martin rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Henry William Szymanski

PVT Henry William Szymanski was born 2 Dec 1917 in Buffalo, New York. He was the youngest of the 6 children born to Joseph and Mary (Rutkowski) Szymanski. Henry's mother was a native of Poland. His father worked as a coal miner and did well enough that he bought a house at 422 Gruley Street in Avoca, Pennsylvania which was valued at $2500 in 1930. Henry married Henry Golack on 2 Sep 1939 and  Henry worked forVolhe Coal Company in Pittston,  and A&P stores in Scranton before the couple moved to Waterbury, Connecticut. 

Henry was drafted in December 1943. After completing his military training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944 while the unit was still fighting to secure Brest, France. PVT Szymanski was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944. 

PVT Szymanski was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Duryea, Pennsylvania. 

PVT Francis J. Murphy

PVT Francis J. Murphy was born 30 Mar 1911 in Taunton, Massachusetts. He was the 6th of 7 children born to John Francis and Alice Augusta (Smith) Murphy. His mother was a native of Ireland. His father worked as a machinist, janitor. Francis married Mary Christine Dooley in 1935 and he was working as a clerk in the First National Store in Taunton by 1941 he was the manager. Francis reported a 1939 income of $1200.

Francis was drafted in December 1943. After his basic training he was sent to the European theater and on 5 Sep 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to  C Company 116th Infantry. His father and mother would both die in 1944. PVT Murphy was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944.

PVT Murphy was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Saint Francis Old Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.

2LT Durwood Chestlee Settles

2LT Durwood Chestlee Settles was born 14 Jul 1916 the son of Norman Leonard Shanks and Clovis Hurd. Norman was 37, married and had a daughter. Clovis was 17 and single. In April 1918 she married George Clark Settles who apparently adopted Durwood. The couple then had 4 more sons including a set of twins. George was a miner who supported his growing family on 35-60¢ a day and the family was living in Rock, West Virginia. We don't know why for certain but by 1930 Durwood was living with his maternal grandparents William Jonathan and Rosa Lee (Gunter) Hurd at 10 Water Street,  Martinsville, Virginia where William had a job as a planer in a furniture factory. George died in November 1933 in a hospital for the insane. Durwood completed high school and found work at the Dupont factory in Waynesboro, Virginia where he boarded with a widow, Mrs. Grace Parrish Marsh, at 869 Kenmore Avenue. His mother re-married, this time to William Cleveland Lusk and he was also a coal miner. William died in 1943. By this time Durwood had met and married in Neva Byrde Bassist of Harrisonburg, Virginia in February 1942.

Durwood was drafted in March 1942. He first went to Camp Lee near Petersburg, Virginia. He then went to Fort George Meade, Maryland and was sent to England and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division. Durwood and Neva had a son born in January 1943. While in England he was identified as a promising candidate for officer training and sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for Officer Candidate training. Commissioned after graduating he returned to the division when he was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 20 Jun 1944 to serve as a platoon leader. He fought with the unit for 16 days before being wounded and evacuated to hospital. While he was recuperating from his wounds in England, Neva had another son in August 1944. 2LT Settles was again transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 9 Sep 1944. He was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944 leading his platoon in the action to clear German defenders from the area of the moat of Fort Montbarey at Brest, France. MAJ Dallas, the 1st Battalion commander, directed that 2LT Settles body be recovered before the attack recommenced at 1700 on 16 Sep 1944.

2LT Settles rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

All of the brothers served during the war and 2 others died in service. PFC Roy Bernard Settles was killed in action on Guam while serving with Company "C", First Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force on 28 Jul 1944. SM3c Earl Hurd Settles was killed in action at Okinawa on 4 Apr 1945 when serving aboard LCIL-82 which was sunk by a Japanese assault demolition boat. S2c Carl Clark Settles served in the Atlantic aboard the USS Opal. CPL Glen William Settles served in Headquarters 14th Infantry Regiment and in the Panama Canal Zone. 

One son and 2 grandchildren survive.

PVT Dominic San Severino

PVT Dominic San Severino was born in 1920 or 1921 most likely in Watertown, Massachusetts the 4th of 7 children to Dominic and Mary (Narducci) San Severino. Of all his siblings it appears that only older brother Sabatino also served. Sabatino survived the war and lived until 1990.  Dominic never married.

Dominic was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944 and was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944.  He is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

PFC Percy Wesley Foster

PFC Percy Wesley Foster was born in Lingo, New Mexico on 7 Sep 1920 to James William and Annie Lorene (Mask) Foster.  His father supported the family by farming and he had an income in 1939 of $900. In 1940 Percy was going to school and working as a janitor.

When Percy volunteered in May 1942 he was an actor with 3 years of college.  After training he was assigned to Cannon Company 116th Infantry. His name does not appear in the morning report.  He died 14 Sep 1944.

PFC Foster is buried in Causey Cemetery in Causey, New Mexico. 

PFC John Crimi

PFC John Crimi, b. 23 Jan 1924 - d.14 Sep 1944. Son of Calogera Carl and Rosa (Marzuko) Crimi of St. Louis, Missouri. He was drafted in March 1943 and was ultimately assigned to C Company 116th Infantry. He buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis along with others from his immediate family. This photo is on his headstone.

PVT Martin Louis Cox

PVT Martin Louis Cox was born 31 Jan 1909 in Ottawa County, Kansas to Martin Luther and Ellen Mary (Priest) Cox.  His mother died in 1932.  The elder Martin worked as a teamster. He married Helen Jeanette Williams in 1927 and they had 3 daughters.  He drove a truck to support his family. 

Drafted in December 1943 he was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry on 4 Sep 1944.  PVT Cox was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944.

PVT Cox is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.  

SGT Ozro Thurston Whitacre

SGT Ozro Thurston Whitacre was born 9 Jan 1923 in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was the 4th of the 7 children born to Robert English and Thora Mae (Anderson) Whitacre. His father did odd jobs and mother worked as a laundress in Coffeyville and then his father worked on a Works Progress Administration road crew earning a reported 1939 income of $288. Ozro worked as a orchestral musician in 1940 before going to work at the Crane Packing Company in Chicago, Illinois. 

Ozro was drafted in 1943 and sent to England after completing his basic military training. PVT Whitacre was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 7 Jul 1944 when the unit was in the fight to seize the important road junction city of Saint-Lo, France. He must have demonstrated leadership as well as military competence because Ozro was promoted to SGT on 25 Jul 1944 as the unit approached Vire, France. He fought with the unit until 30 Jul 1944 when he suffered a non-battle injury and went to hospital. He was returned to the unit on 4 Aug as it completed the liberation of Vire. SGT Whitacre then was with the unit as it progressed up the Brittany peninsual and in the fight for Brest, France. SGT Whitacre was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944. 

SGT Whitacre rests among other heroes in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Ozro's brother, Robert Anderson Whitacre, also served as a SGT in the U.S. Army during the war.

TSGT Joseph Spector

courtesy of C Giano

TSGT Joseph Spector was born 17 Sep 1914 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was the 2nd child of 4 children of Russian Jewish immigrants, David L. and Esther (Batush) Spector. His father worked as a tin smith in a packing plant and an independent shop. After high school, Joseph worked as proprietor of his own grocery at 329 Concord Street in Saint Paul and continued living with his parents at 343 Robie Street, also in Saint Paul, about a 37 minute walk.

We are unsure of when he was drafted or where he served prior to being transferred from the replacement depot on 7 Aug 1944 but he was already a SGT and was assigned as a squad leader in I Company 116th Infantry. This was right at the end of the fight to liberate Vire, France and the entire division was redirected to the priority fight to capture and remove the Nazi threat at Brest. SGT Spector fought with the unit until wounded in action on 6 Sep 1944 on the Conquet Peninsula, France probably in the attack on Hill 53. He was then evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 13 Sep 1944.

TSGT Spector rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery. A cenotaph memorializing him is in the Temple of Aaron Cemetery in Roseville, Minnesota with his family.

His older brother, Jack Spector, also served in the U.S. Army in Europe during the war.

SGT Charles Vinson Russell

courtesy of SirromC

SGT Charles Vinson Russell was born in 1915 in Maryville, Tennessee. He was the youngest of the 9 children born to Issac J. and Amanda Frances (Jackson) Russell. Frances was Isaac's second wife and Charles had 6 older half-siblings. Isaac supported the family by farming but he died at the age of 70 in October 1930. By 1940 Charles an his brothers Paul and Luke were working for a local coal company each earning a reported 1939 income of $470.

Charles was drafted in November 1942. After basic military training he was sent to England. PFC Russell was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 10 Jul 1944. He was injured on 25 Jul 1944 (non battle casualty) and evacuated to the hospital. PFC Russell returned to the unit on 25 Aug 1944. He was promoted to SGT on 11 Sep 1944. The unit was fighting in the attempt to liberate Brest and SGT Russell was wounded that same day. He died of his wound(s) later on 11 Sep 1944.

SGT Russell is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC Donald Eugene Culver

PFC Donald Eugene Culver was born 22 Oct 1924 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to Germaine Bennett and Emma (Murphy) Culver. His father worked variously as an insurance agent and manager of a grocery store.

In May 1943 when Donald was drafted he had graduated from high school and was working as a "checker" in a grocery (likely his father's).  Sent overseas on 11 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry.  He was killed in action just one month later on 11 Sep 1944.

PFC Culver is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC Benny Garcia Gallegos

PFC Benny Garcia Gallegos, b. 25 Apr 1923 - d. 11 Sep 1944. Son of Jose Gamboa and Teadora G (Garcia) Gallegos. Both of fhis parents were born in Chihuahua, Mexico and migrated through New Mexico where Benny was born to San Bernadino, California. Benny enlisted 13 Jan 1943 and was ultimately assigned on 4 Jul 1944 to A Company 116th Infantry. His name is also spelled Gallogos on the morning report. PFC Gallegos is buried in Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, San Bernadino, California.

PFC Louis John Turzer

PFC Louis John Turzer was born 16 Apr 1908 in Chicago, Illinois the 2nd of 5 children born to Louis and Marie (Schnirer) Turzer. Both parents had immigrated from Eastern Europe. His father worked as a teamster for a grocery and as a shipping clerk to support the family but died in April 1923 at the age of 46. Louis got a job as a laborer in a publishing company and in July 1930 married Theresa Wanda Hendricks. The couple had a son in March 1933. By 1940 Louis was working as a pressman for Herald-American earning a reported 1939 income of $1548 and renting an apartment in the rear of 2860 Woodard Street in Chicago.

Louis was probably drafted in late 1943 or early 1944. He was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 13 Aug 1944 to serve as a rifleman. PFC Turzer was wounded on 5 Sep 1944 in the outskirts of Brest, France and evacuated to hospital where he died on 11 Sep 1944.

PFC Turzer is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

Son, James Patrick Turzer, served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

PVT Leslie Dean Teegardin

PVT Leslie Dean Teegardin was born 20 Aug 1918 in York, Indiana. He was the 4th of 7 children of Leslie Jay and Mildred Imogene (Hart) Teegardin. His father farmed, first on rented land along Vistula Road near Milgrove, Indiana and then worked as a tool maker in Battle Creek, Michigan where the family lived on West Rittenhouse Road. Leslie was able to complete 1 year of high school. He then married Hazel Jeanice Crandall and went to work as an attendant for Dan the Tire Man in Battle Creek where he lived with his wife at 11 Buckeye Street. The couple had a son in May 1943. 

Leslie was drafted and after his initial training was sent to England where he was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious landing that was planned as part of the liberation of Nazi occupied France. PVT Teegardin was wounded in the left wrist and right arm less than 10-minutes after landing. Evacuated to hospital in England. He was transferred to Headquarters 29th Infantry Division and then from there back to G Company on 5 Aug 1944. He was again wounded on 3 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound on 10 Sep 1944.7 days later, at 7:24 in the morning, his daughter was born in Battle Creek.

PVT Teegardin was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Reese Cemetery in Springfield, Michigan.

Great-grandfather, Archer Dwelley, served as a PVT in C Troop 12th Indiana Cavalry (USA) in the civil war dying of disease. Great-grandfather Andrew Jackson Truchey served as a wagoner in K Company 14th Ohio Infantry (USA).

SGT Chester Ray Trawick

SGT Chester Ray Trawick was born 27 Feb 1920 in Damascus, Arkansas. He was the first born of the 7 children of Elmer Pitts and Ida Jane (Tarkington) Trawick. His father rented a farm near Union, Arkansas. Chester went to work in public works. 

Drafted in October 1941, SGT Trawick probably had several assignments before being transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 8 Sep 1944. He was killed in action on 9 Sep 1944 in Brest, France.

SGT Trawick was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Holland Cemetery in Gravesville, Arkansas.

SGT John Stephen Jurkovec

courtesy of Richard Boyer

SGT John Stephen Jurkovec was born 22 Jan 1919 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Stephen and Leonora Jurkovec.  His father died later that same year. His father was a crane operator for Carnegie Steel when he registered for the 1918 draft. Both parents were born in Slovakia, then a part of the Austra-Hungarian Empire. His mother worked in a laundry.

John was working in the laundry business when he was drafted in November 1941.  Eventually sent to the European theater, he was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 11 Aug 1944.  It is likely he had some experience in another unit because he came to A Company as a SGT.  Wounded on 26 Aug 1944 SGT Jurkovec was returned to the unit from the hospital on 2 Sep 1944.  He died of his wound(s) on 9 Sep 1944.  It was noted in the morning report that the initial wound was not reported.  Did he hide a wound in order to return to his unit?

SGT Jurkovec was not repatriated until 1950 and he was buried in the Saint Augustine Cemetery in Millvale, Pennsylvania.  

 

PVT Loyd Atwood House

PVT Loyd Atwood House was born 11 Dec 1922 in Jesamine County, Kentucky to Clifton and Clara (Walker) House. The family farmed.

Loyd was working as a farm hand when he was drafted in January 1944. After training as an infantryman, Loyd was sent to Europe and on 14 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry.  PVT House was killed in action on 8 Sep 1944.

PVT House was repatriated and is buried in the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Loyd's brother Hansel made the army a career (1948-1975) serving as a motor sergeant and a CWO in Vietnam and is also buried at Camp Nelson National Cemetery.

PVT Coy Richardson Peebles

PVT Coy Richardson Peebles was born 9 Jul 1912 in Milburn, Kentucky. He was the youngest of the 4 children born to Iva Carl and Katie Ethel (Richardson) Peebles. His father farmed near Milburn. Coy did graduate from high school. His father died of a heart attack at age 65 in 1938. Coy and his mother tried to make a go of the farm which was valued at $800 in 1940. However, Coy and his mother moved to Madison, Illinois where Coy worked in a factory making leather goods.

Coy was drafted in September 1942. We do not know where he went after his initial military training. It was on 8 Sep 1944 that he was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry. Before the day was over, PVT Peebles was killed in action on the 8th as the unit attacked Brest, France.

PVT Peebles rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

1LT James Robeson Myers

courtesy of D. Graham

1LT James Robeson Myers was born 7 Apr 1919 in Tar Heel, North Carolina which had been his family's "seat" for about 200-years. He was the son of Patrick Henry and Mary Eliza (Robeson) Myers. His father was a civil engineer who reported a 1939 income of $6000. The family had lived for some time during the 1920s and 1930s in Honduras where his father worked for a fruit company. James was not employed when he registered for the draft in 1940.

We think that James was commissioned as a 2LT in April 1941. What assignments he had before being assigned to L Company 116th Infantry we do not know. It seems that he was assigned to L Company on 1 Jun 1944 as one of the officer plus-ups intended to ensure that at least some officers survived the landings to lead the units inland. 1LT Myers was wounded and sent to hospital on the 7 Jun 1944. He was returned to the unit on 12 Aug 1944 to serve as Commanding Officer (CO). On 31 Aug 1944 he was reassigned to I Company 116th Infantry to serve as the CO there. 1LT Myers was killed in action on 8 Sep 1944 in the attack on Brest, France.

1LT Myers is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery and there is a cenotaph for him in Beth Car Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Tar Heel, North Carolina.

Grandfather, William Winfield Scott Myers, served in K Company 4th Georgia Cavalry (CSA). Great grandfather COL Thomas Robeson Jr served in the Revolution and Robeson County, North Carolina is named for him.

PVT Harry Ellsworth McDonald

PVT Harry Ellsworth McDonald was born 16 Aug 1922 in Washington County, Indiana. He was the 4th of 5 children born to George H. and Eva M. (Duncan) McDonald. His father worked in a wall paper factory. Older brother John died of cholera in 1920 at age 13 months. Harry never made it to high school.

Harry entered the Army in December 1942 and attended training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Seattle, Washington; Fort Ord, California; Camp Philips, Kansas; and Fort Meade, Maryland.  He was then sent to England and reportedly assigned to I Company 116th Infantry about 1 Sep 1944. He fought with the unit through to 8 Sep 1944 when he was killed in action.

PVT McDonald was repatriated and re-interred in the Claysville Cemetery in Campbellsburg, Indiana.

Brother, William Edward McDonald, served in the U.S. Army 1943-1945, also in the infantry in the European theater.

PVT Edward Francis Koscelnak

PVT Edward Francis Koscelnak was born 29 Jan 1924 in Port Griffith, Pennsylvania, the first child of Frank Stephen and Mary Ann (Polvaca) Koscelnak. His father worked as a motorman in a coal mine, the number 14 Jermyn Green Colliery. A sister had died of diptheria at the age of 3 in 1932.

Edward was drafted in October 1943.  After his initial training Camp Haan in Riverside California he was sent to England.  We aren't certain but he may have been assigned to I Company 116th Infantry prior to the amphibious assault on Omaha Beach. There is no mention of him in the morning report until he is noted as being killed in action on 8 Sep 1944.

PVT Koscelnak is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. Brother Stephen Koscelnak served in the U.S. Air Force in Korea, 1952-1954.

PVT Abram Gregory Swanton

PVT Abram Gregory Swanton was born 12 Mar 1911 in Boonton, New Jersey. He was the 3rd of the 9 children born to Abraham Hutchinson and Rose (Cowan) Swanton. His mother was a native of Ballinagh, Ireland and had immigrated in 1904. His father was a truck driver and owned a home valued at $1500 in 1930. The family lived at the home at 292 Springdale Avenue in East Orange, New Jersey. His father would later manage and own a trucking company and move to another home valued at $9500 by 1940. Abram did not pursue his education past the 8th grade but also went to work in the trucking business and married, probably in 1934. He and his wife, Regina, were renting a home at 530 Central Avenue in Newark, New Jersey in 1940. Abram was driving a truck for a local brewery, Peter Ballantine & Sons, and reported a 1939 income of $2184. 

Abram was drafted in Jun 1943. With his income cut to just $600 a year, less than 1/3rd of what he had been making, Regina was forced to move to a flat in East Orange. After completing his military training, PVT Swanton was sent to England in August 1944 and transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. This was in the midst of fighting in Brest, France and he was wounded by artillery or mortar fire just 3 days later. Despite being rapidly evacuated and undergoing surgery to repair his abdominal wounds, PVT Swanton died of those wounds on 8 Sep 1944. 

PVT Swanton was repatriated in 1947 and re-interred in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, New Jersey where he rests forever with his wife and near his parents.  

Regina never re-married. Older brother, Robert James Swanton, and younger brother, Philip John Swanton, also served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

PVT Philip Anthony Ronca

PVT Philip Anthony Ronca was born 24 Sep 1916 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of the 7 children born to Pasquale and Philomena (Orrico) Ronca. A brother, Michael, was born prematurely and died in infancy. His father was a building contractor. Philip attended Liberty High School and graduated in 1936. he then went to work for Bethlehem Steel and designed homes for his father. He became a member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He married Viola E. Schlener in December 1941 and they had a daughter in June 1942. His mother died a month later from injuries she sustained when her home's heating furnace exploded.

Philip was drafted in December 1943 and after completing basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida was sent to the European theater on 29 Jun 1944. PVT Ronca was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. The unit was in the midst of the attack on Brest and PVT Ronca was killed in action there on 8 Sep 1944.

PVT Ronca was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Two of Philip's brothers also served in WW2, Pasquale Frederick Ronca in the U.S. Army and Robert Francis Ronca in the U.S. Navy. Their youngest brother, Richard John Ronca served during the Korean War. Viola re-married. Philip is survived by 4 grandchildren and several great grandchilden.

PFC Charles Edward Mattern

PFC Charles Edward Mattern was born 25 Aug 1916 in Kenmare, North Dakota. He was the 2nd of the 4 children born to Harry William and Lydia Rosetta (Lefferts) Mattern. Charles was not registered but he was of Native American (Anishinaabeg) descent through his mother's family. His parents divorced in 1922 and both remarried. His father farmed, worked in a gravel mine, and in whatever else could provide an income making a reported 1939 income of $551. Charles went to work after after completing the 8th grade and in 1940 was working in a coal mine but only worked 18 weeks in 1939 earning $240. Nonetheless he married Frances Eileen Levchenko on 16 Dec 1941. Just 6 months later the couple would have twins. Premature at a time when such things were not as well understood as today, both died. Charles and Frances moved to Tacoma, Washington for better job opportunities. The couple had a son in May the following year.

Charles had already been drafted in December 1942. Wherever else he may have been assigned he was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman. PFC Mattern served with the company until wounded when shot on 7 Aug 1944. He died of his wound in a field hospital near Vire, France on 8 Aug 1944.

PFC Mattern was repatriated in 1953 and re-interred in the Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot, North Dakota.

Great-grandfather, Addison North Atwater, served as a PVT in I Company 189th New York Infantry (USA) in the Civil War. Grandfather, Oliver Paxson Lefferts, served as a PVT in Captain John Q. Adams Company of the First Regiment of Calvary (USA) 1884-1889.

PVT William Scherer Mercer Jr

PVT William Scherer Mercer Jr was born 8 Oct 1924 in Groseclose, Virginia. He was the 3rd of the 5 children born to William Scherer and Delia Alice (Kitts) Mercer. The family farmed. His father died in 1929.

When he registered for the draft in 1942, William was working for Hercules Powder Company making smokeless cartridge powder used in ammunition. William was probably drafted in mid-1943. After his initial training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Mercer was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. William was wounded on 4 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. We do not know when he was returned to the unit but he was killed in action on 8 Sep 1944.

PVT Mercer rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Sister, Myrtle Lucille Mercer, joined the Cadet Nursing Corps and attended the Sinai Hospital School of Nursing.

PFC Steven Smerko

courtesy of SirromC

PFC Steven Smerko was born 22 Mar 1914 in Chicago, Illinois. Born as Stephan Szmyrko, he was the 2nd son of Joseph and Sophie (Horodyski) Smerko. Both parents were natives of what is now Poland but originally Ukrainian. The family name, was like those of many immigrants, simplified in spelling. Sophie died in 1929 and Steven and his older brother went to live with their Aunt Anna Smerko Duniec and her husband and were still living with them in 1940. Joseph did remarry but apparently did not bring the boys to live with him. Steven was working in a wholesale donut shop, perhaps donuts were a welcome bonus to his reported 1939 income of $780. He and his brother were supporting his aunt and uncle. When he registered for the draft later in 1940 he was apparently working for the Amling Company, a wholesale florist as was his brother.  Steven married Rita Theresa Schiavone in September 1941.

Steven was probably drafted in late 1943 or early 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and from there to a replacement depot. PVT Smerko was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944 to serve as a rifleman. The regiment was then moved to liberate Brest, France and in the fighting on the approach recently promoted PFC Smerko was killed in action on 7 Sep 1944.

PFC Smerko is buried with many other soldiers of the 116th in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Brother Anthony also served in the U.S. Army during the war. Rita and Steven had no children.

PVT A J Comte

PVT A. J. Comte was born 15 Sep 1923 in Jasper County, Texas to Barney L and Julia Laura (Brown) Comte.  Barney worked as a teamster.  A J's parents both died in 1934 when he was only 11 years old.  A. J. only achieved a grammar school education.  A. J. apparently never had another name, he even enlisted under this name and is recorded this way on the morning reports.

A. J. was drafted in January 1943.  By D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He came through all the fighting apparently uninjured until 7 Sep 1944 when he was killed in action. 

PVT Comte is buried in Zion Hill Cemetery in Jasper, Texas. 

SSG Gerard Francis Sena

courtesy of Royzee

SSG Gerard Francis Sena was born 6 Mar 1910 in Luzzi, Italy. He was the youngest of 7 children born to Guiseppe and Filomena (Montemurro). He immigrated with his mother and siblings in 1913. The family lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania living at 521 Haines Street. Guiseppi died at age 77 in 1931. Some of the family including Filomena moved in with Gerard's brother William at 722 East Haines Street which he owned and was valued at $3000 in 1940.

Gerard was drafted in May 1941. He would have been sent to a regional training center and assigned to a unit. It is probable that he had experience as an infantry leader because he was a SSG when transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944. He fought with the unit as a squad leader through operation Cobra and in the early days of the fight to liberate Brest, France. SSG Sena was killed in action on 7 Sep 1944 in Brest.

SSG Sena is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC James Frank Cervo

PFC James Frank Cervo was born 17 Sep 1925 in Fairmont, West Virginia to Joseph and Mary Katherine (Barberio/Barber) Cervo.  His father was an Italian immigrant who worked in the steel and construction industries. 

James was drafted in November 1943 and sent overseas.  He was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 23 Jul 1944 and then 3 days later he was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  James was promoted to PFC on 15 Aug 1944.  On 7 Sep 1944 PFC Cervo was killed in action. 


PFC Cervo is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

T4 John Odell Lee

courtesy of Rodney A. Arnold

T4 John Odell Lee was born 8 Apr 1920 in Franklin County, Mississippi the second of three sons of John Farrison and Laura Drusilla (Wallace) Lee.  Jake, as his father was known, was a farmer. 

John entered the army in Jan 1942.  He may have been assigned to several other units before and after being sent to Europe.  He was already a T4 when he was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944.  T4 Lee was killed in action on 7 Sep 1944.

T4 Lee was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Midway Cemetery in Meadville, Mississippi.

Older brother, Elonzo Morrell Lee, served as a SGT in the Army during the war and younger brother, Leroy Lee, also served in the Army during the war, attaining the rank of T4.