PFC Daniel Francis DeGenova

PFC Daniel Francis DeGenova was born 16 Feb 1911 in West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Angelo and Anna DeGenova. Both his parents were Italian immigrants. Angelo worked as a millwright.

Daniel was drafted in February 1942.  After his five months of initial military training he was sent overseas and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry with which unit he made the D-Day landing.  PFC DeGenova was killed in action by artillery fire on 30 Oct 1944.

PFC DeGenova was repatriated in 1948 and is buried in Saint Vitus Cemetery in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

T5 Henry Herman A. Gossman

T5 Henry Herman A. Gossman was born 22 Nov 1912 in Baltimore, Maryland to Frank M. J. and Margaret M. (Brinkmeyer) Gossman. His father was a carpenter and worked in a lumber mill.  In 1940 Henry was working as an attendant in a department store with a reported 1939 income of $1200.

Henry was still single when drafted in January 1941.  It is possible that he was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry before the regiment was sent to England in September 1942. Henry was part of the amphibious landing force that came ashore at Omaha on 6 Jun 1944.  On 20 Jul 1944 Henry was wounded by shrapnel in his left foot but remained on duty.  T5 Gossman was killed in action on 30 Oct 1944.

T5 Gossman was repatriated in 1947 and rests forever in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. 

T5 Harry Norman Stone Jr

courtesy of Darrell Landrum

T5 Harry Norman Stone Jr was born 18 Sep 1919 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was the 3rd of 5 children and oldest of the 2 sons of Harry Norman and Jane Maude (Tolley) Stone. His father worked as a street car conductor in Lynchburg. The family lived with grandfather James Stone at 918 5th Street before renting at 700 Polk Street. By 1940 the elder Harry had begun working in a retail grocery earning a reported 1939 income of $1040. Harry Jr. was working as a truck driver for a dairy but his income is unknown but by October 1940 was unemployed.

It is very possible that PVT Stone had been wanting to earn the $1 a day that service in the National Guard paid when he enlisted in B Company 116th Infantry. He was serving with the unit when it was federalized in February 1941 and trained with the unit at Fort Meade, Maryland, in the Carolina Maneuvers near Fort Bragg, North Carolina and at Camp Blanding, Florida before the unit was sent to England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942. Once in England he trained with the regiment as it prepared for the amphibious landing as a planned part of the effort to liberate Nazi occupied France. He was hospitalized with acute appendicitis in February 1944. This may be why he was not with the unit on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, and T5 Stone is recorded as having been transferred from the replacement depot to B Company on 17 Jul 1944. He fought with the unit from St-Lo to Vire and through the campaign to liberate Brest. T5 Stone stepped on a land mine on 24 Oct 1944 near Aachen, Germany and evacuated to hospital. He died of his wounds on 29 Oct 1944.

T5 Stone was repatriated in 1947 and re-interred in the Fort Hill Memorial Park in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Great-grandfathers served in the Civil War. Macajah Stone served as a PVT in E Company 34th Virginia Infantry (CSA). William B. Petticrew (Pettigrew) served as a PVT in B Company 8th Virginia Infantry (CSA). Thomas S. Cumby served as a PVT in H Company 18th Virginia Infantry (CSA).

PVT Howard E. Peterson

courtesy of Skip Farrow

PVT Howard E. Peterson appears to have been born 30 Jul 1913 in Butte, Montana. He was the youngest of the four sons of John A. and Mary (Reinwand) Peterson. John was a miner in Mary died in 1929 and John remarried soon after. Howard and one brother were residents in the Montana Industrial School in Miles City.

Howard was living in Butte when he enlisted in the Army, probably in 1935. Howard was stationed in Hawaii and at Fort McDowell, California on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. We also know that he was serving in the medical corps and was likely trained as a medic. Prior to D-Day, perhaps months prior, PVT Peterson was assigned to the 104th Medical Battalion in England. He was with that unit on 6 Jun 1944. PVT Peterson was assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry on 18 Jul 1944 and then was immediately attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry and served as a medical aidman in the Aid Station. Wounded by artillery fire on 15 Jul 1944 near Saint-Lo, he was relieved from attachment while in the hospital and then returned to duty with the Medical Detachment 116th Infantry on 16 Aug 1944.  PVT Peterson was wounded again on 27 Aug 1944, this time in the torso. He was first evacuated to a field hospital and underwent a splenectomy and then eventually evacuated to a military hospital at Cambridge, England where he died of his wounds on 28 Oct 1944.

 PVT Peterson rests forever in the Cambridge American Cemetery.

We know that his brother, MSG James J. Peterson was serving at what is now Edwards Air Force Base but was then known as Muroc Army Air Base in 1946.

CPL Nick Mitchell

CPL Nick Mitchell, b. 22 Feb 1894 (as Nickodemas Mitchum) - d. 28 Oct 1958. Son of James Wesley "Nick" and Sarah Elizabeth (Childress) Mitchum in Rockingham County, NC we know that he had several siblings. A member of C Company 116th Infantry in WWI, he was wounded. He worked as an electrician in Raleigh, NC after the war and died at the VA hospital in Kecoughton, VA. He is buried in the Raleigh National Cemetery in Raleigh, NC.

A quick note/addendum... Nick's dad may have been born Nicholas Mitchell as his grandfather was J W (likely James Wesley Mitchell) but for some reason his father went by Mitchum for most of his life, as borne out by his children often using that surname. In fact, to this point, Nick is the only child that we've found who used the surname Mitchell. In any case, Nick's mom was born in Pittsylvania County which likely was a reason he enlisted in the Danville unit and thence to C Company 116th Infantry.

PFC Earl Thomas Jr

courtesy of James Burke

PFC Earl Thomas Jr was the first born of 3 children of William Earl and Julia (McElhannon) Thomas. He was born 5 Jun 1923 in Cisco, Texas. His mother died in 1930 and Earl was apparently sent to an orphanage in Corsicana, Texas and was still living there when he registered for the draft in 1942. Earl had only completed 3 years of high school.

Earl was drafted in June 1943. Sent to the European theater after completing his basic military training, PVT Thomas was assigned to M Company 116th Infantry in early 1944. He was with the unit on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, in the amphibious landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He was wounded on 8 Jun 1944 by artillery fragments in a wrist and foot and sent to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 9 Aug 1944. Earl was promoted to PFC on 10 Aug 1944. PFC Thomas then fought with the unit through the campaign to liberate Brest and through the Netherlands into northern Germany. PFC Thomas was wounded by artillery fragments in the back into a lung, evacuated to hospital and died of his wound(s) there on 25 Oct 1944. 

PFC Thomas was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon.

PVT Joseph J. Leon

courtesy of Glenn

PVT Joseph J. Leon was born 18 Jul 1922 in New York, New York to Arturo and Julia Leon. His parents and older siblings were natives of Puerto Rico. His father owned a cigar store and the family traveled several times to and from Puerto Rico.

We think that Joseph "fudged" his birth date to enlist in the New York National Guard in 1939 (M Company 71st Infantry).  His unit was federalized on 16 Sep 1940.  However, PVT Leon was not transferred to B Company 116th Infantry until 11 Aug 1944 and came to the unit from the replacement depot.  He was wounded on 3 Sep 1944 and evacuated to the hospital.  Again, we do not know when he returned to the unit but he is shown as being promoted to PFC on 20 Sep 1944.  Despite this entry in the morning report he is still shown as a PVT in the entry recording his being killed in action on 25 Oct 1944. 

PVT Leon was repatriated and is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.

PVT Glenn David Llewellyn

courtesy of  Kathy Merris Mills

PVT Glenn David Llewellyn was born 21 Oct 1924 in Dobson, North Carolina to Henry and Nina Ardella (Love) Llewellyn.  The family farmed.

After entering the service Glenn was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Llewellyn was killed in action on 23 Oct 1944.

PVT Llewellyn was repatriated in 1947 and now rests forever in the Central View Missionary Baptist Cemetery in Dobson, North Carolina.

Uncle, John Graves Llewellyn served as a SGT in the Army during WWII. Older brother Thomas Franklin Llewellyn served as a CPL in the Army during the war.

SGT George Evert Jones Jr

SGT George Evert Jones Jr was born 3 Jan 1920 in Indianapolis, Indiana to George Evert and Icie (Evans) Jones. His father was a salesman. 

George was drafted in November 1941. After his basic training he was assigned to Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry, perhaps before the unit departed for England in September 1942.  If so, he would have trained for and taken part in the amphibious assault  place on 6 Jun 1944. SGT Jones was killed in action on 22 Oct 1944.

SGT Jones is buried in the Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.

PFC Joseph Kovaleski

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Joseph Kovaleski was the son of John Kovaleski.  Although his father lived in Washington, Pennsylvania in 1948, Joseph entered the service from Ohio.

He was sent overseas after his initial training.  Sent to England he was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry.  We believe that he participated in the D-Day landings.  PFC Kovaleski fought with the unit until 16 Jul 1944 when he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital. Joseph returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 28 Aug 1944.  He fought with the unit through the battle for Brest.  PFC Kovaleski was killed in action on 22 Oct 1944.

PFC Kovaleski was buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

PFC Duling Montgomery Angel

PFC Duling Montgomery Angel was born 6 Jun 1922 in Whitley County, Kentucky to Henry Bird and Laura (Harp) Angel.  His father was a railroad repairman.  In 1940, Duling was driving a truck and had reportedly earned $360 in 1939. 

Duling was drafted in November 1942 and was recorded as being married.  The regimental headquarters lost everyone on one of the boats in which it landed on D-Day and on 14 Jun 1944, Duling was one of the necessary replacements reporting for duty with Headquarters 116th Infantry.  On 22 Oct 1944, PFC Angel was wounded by artillery fire and evacuated to hospital where he died that same day. 

Repatriated in 1948, PFC Angel is buried in Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. 

SGT Paul Willard Smith

courtesy of David Sifford

SGT Paul Willard Smith was born on 23 Nov 1919 in Frisco, Oklahoma (now a ghost town) in Canadian County. He was the 5th of 9 children born to Benjamin Franklin and Nellie V. (Butler) Smith. His father was a laborer and during the depression the family moved quite a bit living mostly in Belton and Lubbock, Texas. His father was known to most as "Frank" and in 1940 he was paying $10 a month rent and reporting a 1939 income of $624. Paul married Obeda Alyene Johnston originally from Mena, Arkansas. The couple had their first child, a boy, in September 1942.

Paul was drafted in late 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. We do not know if he was home on furlough when he and his wife had their 2nd child, a daughter this time, in June 1944. PVT Smith was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. PVT Smith was injured in action on 3 Aug 1944. He returned to the unit direct from the hospital on 10 Sep 1944 and was promoted to PFC on 12 Sep 1944. He must have demonstrated some leadership skills because he was promoted to SGT on 18 Oct 1944 as the unit moved into Germany and against German forces in Aachen. SGT Smith was killed in action on 22 Oct 1944.

SGT Smith was repatriated and re-interred in May of 1948. He now rests forever in the City of Lubbock Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas.

Paul and Obeda's daughter died when she was accidentally suffocated in November 1944.

PVT William Richard Simpson

PVT William Richard Simpson was born 10 Apr 1925 in Oneida, New York. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to George Edwin and Gladys Eva (McClellan) Simpson. His father worked in a furniture factory in Vernon, New York for many years. The family was living on Foster Street in 1940 which they rented for $14 a month. His father reported a 1939 income of $1200 or about $25000 in today's money. By 1943, William was working for Ledley Drug Company.

William was drafted in July 1943. he trained at Camp Croft, South Carolina before heading to Fort Meade, Maryland and shipping out for England. As you can see from the shoulder insignia he is wearing in the photograph, PVT Simpson was at one time assigned to the 17th Airborne Division. PVT Simpson was sent to England and on 13 or 20 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry. He was transferred to B Company 116th Infantry on 2 Oct 1944. He was wounded in action on 21 Oct 1944 and evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 22 Oct 1944.

PVT Simpson was repatriated in 1947 and re-interred in Glenwood Cemetery in Oneida, New York.

William's brother, Donald Edwin Simpson, served as a a CPL in the Dutch East Indies.

PFC Carmen Vasquez Ramos

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Carmen Vasquez Ramos was born Juan Carmen Vasquez Ramos on 16 Jul 1910 in Santa-ana Pacueco, Guanajuato, Mexico. He entered the country at El Paso, Texas on 28 Sep 1926 and moved to Chicago, Illinois where he eventually became a section foreman at an iron foundry. He married Lucille Morales, also a native of Mexico, in Chicago on 28 Mar 1931. The couple lived at 1456 Washburne Avenue in Chicago.

Carmen was drafted in November 1943 and was trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia in C Company 3rd Infantry Training Battalion. On 13 Apr 1944 he was sworn in as a naturalized citizen of the United States. PVT Ramos was then sent to England, probably after a 14-day furlough to visit his wife in Chicago, and he was then moved on to the replacement depot. PVT Ramos was transferred from the replacement depot to H Company 116th Infantry on 21 Jul 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944. PFC Ramos continued to fight with H Company until killed in action in Germany on 22 Oct 1944.

PFC Ramos was interred in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

T5 James Edward Frazier

T5 James Edward Frazier was born 12 Dec 1907 in Aquia, Virginia to George Washington and Annie Runia (Dickerson) Frazier.  His father farmed. 

Drafted in May 1941 he was assigned to the 116th Regimental Headquarters.  He was with that element when wounded in October 1944.  He died of those wounds on 21 Oct 1944.

T5 Frazier was returned to the U.S. and is buried in the Aquia Episcopal Church Cemetery in Aquia, Virginia. 

PFC Clifford Leroy Ulam

courtesy of Scout

PFC Clifford Leroy Ulam was born 30 Apr 1924 in Edwardsburg, Michigan. He was the youngest of the 9 children born to John David and Sarah Loretta (Hodges) Ulam. His father supported the family on a rented farm near Volina, Michigan. Clifford did not progress beyond grammar school and went to work as a farm hand. He was working for Ernest Benjamin in Lawton, Michigan in 1942. 

Clifford was drafted in April 1943. After his basic military training he was probably sent to England but we do not yet know where. PFC Ulam was transferred from the replacement depot to H Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 as the regiment approached Vire, France. He served as an ammunition handler in support of unit operations in the battle of Vire and was wounded a shoulder and foot by artillery fire on 6 Aug 1944 but remained on duty. He continued to serve through the Brest campaign and as the regiment moved into Germany near Aachen. Details are lacking but PFC Ulam was killed in action on 21 Oct 1944. 

PFC Ulam was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Almena Cemetery in Paw Paw, Michigan where he will rest forever with family members. 

Clifford's older brother, John David Ulam Jr, served in the U.S. Army during WW2. Grandfather, George Hodges, served as a PVT in K Company 13th Michigan Infantry (USA) was wounded at Chickamauga and had his right foot amputated. Grandfather, John Burton Ulam, served during the Civil War as a PVT in H Company 30th Michigan Infantry (USA).

PVT John J. Popovich

PVT John J. Popovich was born 23 Feb 1916 in South Fork, Pennsylvania. He was the 3rd of 8 children born to Michael and Elizabeth (Ferencik) Popovich. His father worked as a coal miner and in a steel mill where he reported a 1939 income of $1200. The family owned their home valued at $2000 at 254 Marigold Street in Munhall, Pennsylvania. In 1940, John was working as a driver for a bakery and he reported a 1939 income of $800. He was still living with his family. Establishing an independent life, he married Susan Evans on 21 Jul 1941. The couple had a daughter in November 1942.

John was still driving in January 1944 when he was drafted. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater in July 1944. PVT Popovich was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. He fought with the unit until killed in action on 21 Oct 1944.

PVT Popovich was repatriated in 1950 and re-interred in Saint Nicholas Cemetery in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

PFC John Joseph Bishop

PFC John Joseph Bishop was born 2 Jun 1912 in Gilmanton, Minnesota to Frank Joseph and Mary Victoria (Wagner) Bishop.  Father Frank was an engineer on the railroad.  In 1930 John was working odd jobs to contribute to the large family of 13. 

We don't know when John began his service but he was assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry in time to participate in the D-Day landings.  He went back and forth between the Medical Detachment and Headquarters 2nd Battalion (at their aide station) and was thought to be missing in action a couple of times.  He was killed in action on 20 Oct 1944. 

PFC Bishop is buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. 

Several of his brothers also served in WWII: Ralph Frank Bishop (PFC, Army), George Lawrence Bishop (PFC, Army), Joseph Anthony Bishop (PFC, Army).  Brother Bernard Donald Bishop served in the Army in Korea.

PFC Samuel Aaron Rothenberg

PFC Samuel Aaron Rothenberg was probably born in Newark, New Jersey in 1924. We believe he was the son of Samuel A. and Esther (Wosnitzer) Rothenberg. His father was a hatter who owned his own factory.

Samuel probably enlisted after June 1941. His basic military training may have been at one of the regional military training centers established earlier that year, perhaps at Fort Meade, Maryland where it is possible that he was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry. If so, he would have trained there, during the Carolina maneuvers and at Camp Blanding, Florida before going to England with the 116th. He trained there for the amphibious landing planned as part of the invasion and liberation of occupied France. He took part in that attack on 6 Jun 1944 when the company landed in the first wave at Omaha Beach. He was wounded in action on that day and evacuated to hospital. PFC Rothenberg returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 10 Aug 1944. He was wounded again in the fight for Brest and again sent to hospital on 14 Sep 1944. He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 30 Sep 1944. PFC Rothenberg was killed in action on 19 Oct 1944 near Wurselen, Germany.
 

PFC Rothenberg was repatriated and re-interred in the Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun Cemetery in Elizabehth, New Jersey.

PVT Chester Kalman Kleinman

PVT Chester Kalman Kleinman was born on 20 May 1913, in the New York, New York. He was the youngest of five sons of Hyman and Sarah Kleinman. Both parents had immigrated from Russia. His father ran a laundry and his parents had retired by 1940.

Chester was apparently working as a foreman in a manufacturing firm when he was drafted in October 1943.  After training he was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry on 4 Sep 1944 where he was to work as a message center clerk.  There must have been some problem as he was reassigned on 2 Oct 1944 to A Company 116th Infantry as a rifleman.  A Company was in 1st Battalion 116th Infantry.  PVT Kleinman was killed in action on 19 Oct 1944.

We believe that PVT Kleinman was repatriated and is buried in a Jewish cemetery somewhere in the New York City area, possibly in New Jersey.  He is not buried overseas. 

PFC John Henry Lauer

PFC John Henry Lauer was born 6 Jan 1917 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania the second of five children of Charles Koerper and Arah C. (Ross) Lauer. His father worked as a carpenter and in a steel factory.

John was drafted in March 1942.  As shown in the photo he at one time held the rank of CPL in another unit but we don't have the details of all his service.  As reflected in the unit morning reports it seems that he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry in England prior to 6 Jun 1944 and participated in the landing at Omaha beach serving as a rifleman.  PVT Lauer was promoted to PFC on 1 Oct 1944. He was thought to me missing in action and then found to be wounded and evacuated to hospital on 10 Oct 1944.  PFC Lauer died of his wound(s) on 18 Oct 1944.

PFC Lauer was repatriated and re-interred in Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

His brothers also served. James Wagner Lauer served in Service Battery 905th Field Artillery Battalion (1942-1945). Charles Edward Lauer served in C Battery 840th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (1942-1945).

PFC Raymond Fews Hess

PFC Raymond Fews Hess was born 4 Aug 1916 in Williamstown, Pennsylvania to John Clarence and Cora Ann (Haskins) Hess.  His father was a coal miner.  In 1940 Raymond was working at the mine as well and still living with his parents.  The family had a combined reported 1939 income of $1650.

Raymond was drafted in May 1943.  He had been working as a bookkeeper/clerk. Raymond was sent to Europe.  On 22 Jul 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry.  Interestingly, his military occupational specialty (MOS) is given as 803-Bugler.  PFC Hess was killed in action on 18 Oct 1944.

PFC Hess was repatriated and is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Williamstown, Pennsylvania.

PVT James B. Pawlik

PVT James B. Pawlik was born 12 Feb 1907 in East Saint Louis, Illinois. All we know of his parents is that they were both natives of Poland. We think that James enlisted in the Army and had been serving in the Canal Zone in 1930, returning aboard the USS Chateau Thierry in 1932. On 16 Jul 1934 he sailed aboard USAT Republic for Hawaii. He was not there, he shipped out for San Francisco aboard the USAT Republic on 7 Aug 1934. He served with the 35th Infantry at Fort McDowell, California. James was discharged in 1935 and went to work for a railroad.

James married Lucia Stiso, a native of Chicago, on 30 Jun 1937. He may have left the railroad for a bit. In 1940 he was working as a packer and Lucy was working as a milliner. Although they were working all through 1939, together they made about $1300 and paid $15 a month rent on their flat at 3232 South Wells Street in Chicago. James and Lucy had a daughter born 7 Dec 1942.

We aren't certain when James re-entered the Army but it appears that he was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry prior to D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. He worked as an ammunition handler and as an anti-tank gun crewman.  PVT Pawlik was killed in action on 18 Oct 1944 near Aachen, Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star.

PVT Pawlik is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.

James wife, Lucy, never re-married.  The couple had 10 grand-children 8 great grand-children.

SSG Ernest Joshua Howard

SSG Ernest Joshua Howard was born 10 May 1923 in Leota, Missouri to Peter Nero and Myrtle Mae (Wicker) Howard. The family farmed and then Peter operated a grocery store. On 14 Jun 1941, in Fulton County, Arkansas, Ernest married Veda Ruth Cotter. The Howards moved to Kern County, California.  In December that same year they would have a son, Kenneth Dean Howard.  Kenneth died 4 Mar 1942. 

Ernest was working on a dairy farm when he was drafted in October 1943.  On 17 Jul 1944, he was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry where he served as a rifleman.  PVT Howard was promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944. He is next noted in the morning report as being a SSG when he was killed in action on 18 Oct 1944.

SSG Howard was awarded the Silver Star for actions on 16 Sep 1944 when he fired 25 rifle grenades from an exposed position in indirect fire and managed to force Germans from a position allowing the platoon to advance. 

SSG Howard is buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

PVT James Carl Yandell

courtesy of Danny Riley

PVT James Carl Yandell was born 8 Dec 1919 in Crittenden County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of the 4 children of George Wilson and Nancy Adeline (Perryman) Yandell. His father was a miner working in the local fluorspar mines for the Fairview Fluorspar and Lead Mining Company. James' youngest brother, Thomas Nathan Yandell, was born in March 1926 and died of hemophilia just 9 days later. After some time George was able to purchase a home on the Sisco Chapel Road which was valued at $500 in 1940. James also went to work in the fluorpsar mines. 1939 was not a good year in the mines and the pair only worked a total of 36 weeks earning a reported $310 for the family. George died of tuberculosis at the age of 59 in 1941. James was working for Charles Reed of Marion, Kentucky as a driller in the mines.

Just a year later, in September 1942, James was drafted and entered the service and Evansville, Indiana. PVT Yandell was likely in England long before D-Day but was not transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jun 1944. It was during this time that the regiment was struggling to maintain unit strength and combat effectiveness after the losses on 6 Jun 1944 and PVT Yandell was again transferred, this time to F Company on 22 Jun 1944 where he served as a rifleman. Where PVT Yandell actually was is in question because he was recorded as being wounded by artillery fire on 20 Jun and evacuated to hospital from which he was not discharged until August 1944. PVT Yandell was transferred from the replacement depot to the Medical Detachment 116th Infantry on 15 Aug 1944 where he initially served as a duty soldier, likely doing whatever was required in operations. He is shown as serving as a medical aidman when he was again wounded by artillery fire on 16 Oct 1944. Evacuated to a higher level hospital PVT Yandell died of his wounds on 18 Oct 1944 despite treatment.

PVT Yandell was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Marion, Kentucky.

James other younger brother, Robert Charles Yandell, also served in the U.S. Army during WW2

SSG Ralph Leroy Oveson

Argus Leader, 14 Nov 1944

SSG Ralph Leroy Oveson was born 27 Mar 1924 in Minnehaha County, Minnesota. He was the 4th of the 9 children born to Albert Cornelius and Alma Maria (Froseth) Oveson. His father worked as a laborer on farms in the area of Brandon, Minnesota and later in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ralph apparently moved out of the household prior to 1940. By 1943 he was working for a defense contractor in Los Angeles, California.

Ralph was drafted in December 1943. He trained at Camp Fannin, Texas before shipping overseas in June 1944. PVT Oveson was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. He must have demonstrated leadership and soldier skills to have been promoted from PVT to SSG by the time he was killed in action near Aachen, Germany on 18 Oct 1944.

SSG Oveson rests forever in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

Ralph's brother, Arnold Leland Oveson, also served in the infantry during the 2nd world war.

PFC Oscar James Johnson

PFC Oscar James Johnson was born 16 Jan 1919 in Simpson County, Kentucky to Aaron and Sarah J. (White) Johnson. The family farmed. Oscar probably married Lillian Carline Baugh in 1941. 

Oscar was working as a sales clerk when he was drafted in April 1942. He and Lillian were blessed with a daughter in early 1943. We don't know where he was until he was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 5 Sep 1944. However, it is likely he had been serving with another unit. PVT Johnson was promoted to PFC on 21 Sep 1944.  On 17 Oct 1944, PFC Johnson was killed in action.

PFC Johnson was repatriated and is buried in Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, Kentucky. It seems that Lillian never remarried. 

PVT Manuel R. Flores

PVT Manuel R. Flores was born in Pima County, Arizona in 1917 to Francisco and Carmen Flores. In 1940 Manuel worked at the city nursery to support his family.

Manuel was drafted in January 1944. On 5 Sep 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 17 Oct 1944 he was missing in action but that was later determined to be the day he was killed in action.

Manuel is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PFC Bert Shegan

courtesy of Rob and Debi Felten

PFC Bert Shegan was born 8 Oct 1906 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of the 6 children born to Joseph and Andja (Yunovich) Shegan. Both parents were natives of Yugoslavia. His father had immigrated in 1902. By 1930 Joseph was working as an inspector in a pipe mill and Bert was driving for a grocery store. One sister was working as a packer for a Crown Chocolate Company and a brother was also working as a driver for a grocery. Bert married Daisy Belle Nolder before 1940 and also began working in a steel mill. The couple was living at 649 Monongahela Avenue in Glassport, Pennsylvania which they rented for $29 a month. Daisy was also working at a mill and together the couple reported a 1939 income of $1500. Bert registered for the draft in October 1940.

Bert was drafted in August 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater, probably in July 1944. PFC Shegan was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. He then fought with the unit in the effort to liberate Brest and as the unit pushed into Germany in the vicinity of Aachen, Germany. He was killed in action on 17 Oct 1944.

PFC Shegan was repatriated and re-interred in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania.

Bert's brothers also served their community and country. Michael Milan Shegan was a policeman in McKeesport for many years. David Joseph Shegan served as a CPL in 652nd Engineer Battalion during WW2. Rudy Joseph Shegan served as a CPL in the United States Marine Corps during the war.

PVT Charles F. Carroll

PVT Charles F. Carroll enlisted from Maryland.  Assigned to D Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 22 Jun 1944, Charles was first wounded on 1 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 15 Aug 1944.  PVT Carroll was killed in action on 17 Oct 1944.  He was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal.

PVT Carroll is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery.  He was survived by his wife Florence.

PFC Earnest Leon Stafford

PFC Earnest Leon Stafford was born in Blount County, Alabama on 18 Sep 1917 to John Thomas and Della Katherine (Murphee) Stafford on a farm near Oneonta.  Second born of 7 children, he was working as a farm laborer in 1940.  Drafted in March 1943, Earnest was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry on 9 Aug 1944.  PFC Stafford was killed in action on 16 Oct 1944.  He is buried in Antioch Methodist Cemetery in Oneonta, Alabama.

PVT Clifford Gail Pillers

PVT Clifford Gail Pillers was born 17 Jun 1923 in Callao, Missouri. He was the 2nd of the 3 children born to Elbert Lee and Ruth A. (Morris) Pillers. His family farmed in Macon County in Missouri. Clifford graduated from high school in 1940 and continued farming.

Clifford was drafted in November 1943. Inducted at Fort Leavenworth, PVT Pillers had his basic military training at Camp Fannin, Texas. In May 1944 he had a 10-day furlough before he shipped out for England. Clifford was in England in July 1944. From there he was sent to the replacement depot and on 27 Jul 1944 was transferred to Headquarters 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry to served as a field lineman. PVT Pillers was wounded near Vires on 7 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was transferred from the replacement depot back to the unit on 6 Sep 1944. Initially reported as missing in action, it was later confirmed that PVT Pillers had been killed in action near Aachen, Germany on 16 Oct 1944.

PVT Pillers was initially buried in the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium but was repatriated in 1947 aboard the USAT Joseph V. Connolly and re-interred in Locust Grove Cemetery in Callao, Missouri.

T5 Robert Richard Bart

T5 Robert Richard Bart was born 15 Jun 1918 in Peoria, Illinois to Valentine William Joseph and Antoinette F. (Korman) Bart.  His father worked in a paper mill.  Although the 1940 census doesn't show any employment for Robert, on 12 Oct 1940 he married Violet Wilhelmenia Janssen.  They would have one son. 

When Robert was drafted in December 1942, the record indicates that he was working as a meat cutter.  After his military training as a truck driver he was sent overseas and on 3 Sep 1944 assigned from the replacement depot to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry.  T5 Bart was killed in action on 16 Oct 1944.

Returned to the U.S. in 1947. T5 Bart was buried in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in Peoria, Illinois. Violet married Joseph P. Bart, one of Robert's older brothers, on 2 Nov 1946 in Peoria. Son, Robert William Bart, was on the All Army Rifle team during his service. A grandson survives.

PFC John Thomas Owens

PFC John Thomas Owens was born 4 Aug 1907 in Troy, New York. He was the first of 8 children born to James Joseph and Mary J. (Burke) Owens. The family moved to Hamilton, Ohio less than a year later. His father worked as a machinist. John would follow suit and also become a machinist working at Columbia Tool and Machine Company.

John was drafted in March 1943. His father was struck by a driver in a hit and run incident and killed in September 1943. John was sent overseas in May 1944 and reportedly served with 48th Armored Division, one of the "phantom" divisions created to deceive the enemy about troop strength and disposition. PFC Owens was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 13 Aug 1944. PFC Owens died on 16 Oct 1944.

There is some question as to the manner of PFC Owens' death. It was reported at the time and his family was told that he was killed in action but that entry in the unit's morning report indicates that he committed suicide by hanging himself. Sadly, suicide among veterans is not uncommon now and likely was not as uncommon then as we would like to believe. 

PFC Owens was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PFC Curtis Leo Tatum

PFC Curtis Leo Tatum was born 21 Mar 1923 in Cumberland County, North Carolina probably in Cedar  Creek. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Robert Leo and Cora Jane (Jackson) Tatum. Robert was a mechanic in a garage in Cross Creek, North Carolina. We think that Robert died in 1929. Cora didn't remarry and the older sons worked to support the family.

Curtis was in his senior year in high school when he was drafted in December 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the England in June 1944 and from there to the replacement depot from which he was transferred to B Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. He was transferred from B to A Company 116th Infantry on 23 Jul 1944. PVT Tatum was promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944. A Company was near Aachen, Germany on 13 Oct 1944 when PFC Tatum was struck in the back by fragments from an artillery shell. Evacuated to hospital he underwent surgery but succumbed to his wound(s) on 16 Oct 1944. 

PFC Tatum was repatriated and re-interred in the Cedar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Great-grandfather, Allen M. Jackson, served as a PVT in I Battery 2nd North Carolina Artillery (CSA) in the Civil War.

PFC Junior Benson Hamrick

PFC Junior Benson Hamrick was born 8 Jun 1924 in Webster Springs, West Virginia to Lorenzo Benson and Ora Ann (Pritt) Hamrick.  His father was a coal miner. Junior was able to complete 3-years of high school.

Junior was drafted in January 1944. After completing his military training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry on 9 Aug 1944. He fought with the unit in the campaign to take Brest and was still with the unit when he was killed in action at Aachen, Germany on 16 Oct 1944.

PFC Hamrick is buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

His brother, SSG Victor L. Hamrick, was a waist gunner on B-17 "Short Snorter III" (#42-5337), 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force and was lost when his plane was shot down on a mission to Schweinfurt, Germany. He is remembered on the wall of the missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery.

TSGT Leo James Nash

courtesy of Skip Farrow

TSGT Leo James Nash was born 7 Sep 1923 in Lena, Illinois. He was the only known child of Rachel Fey "Rae" Mead. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Richard Henry and Estella Octavia (Adams) Mead. His grandfather worked at various jobs including laborer on a stock farm and  a cabinet maker.

Leo was working for Kraft Cheese Company when he was drafted in July 1942. After basic training he was sent to England and assigned to A Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault on occupied France which would take place on the Normandy beach at Vierville-sur-mer on 6 Jun 1944. PFC Nash survived the landing and fought with the unit in the bocage. He was promoted to SSG on 20 Jun 1944, having likely had numerous opportunities to display his leadership skills and knowledge in his greatly depleted unit. SSG Nash was serving as a squad leader when he was wounded on 30 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was apparently returned to the unit on 2 Aug 1944 and promoted to TSGT on 13 Sep 1944. TSGT Nash was wounded by a land mine on 8 Oct 1944 and evacuated to hospital eventually being evacuated to Cambridge, England where he suffered gangrene and died of his wound(s) on 16 Oct 1944.

TSGT Nash rests forever in the Cambridge American Cemetery.

Grandfather, Richard Henry Mead, served as a PVT in E Company 2nd Wisconsin Infantry in the Spanish-American War. Great-grandfather, Ephraim P. Mead, served as a PVT in H Company 14th Wisconsin Infantry (USA) in the Civil War.

SGT William Harold Altham

SGT William Harold Altham was born 13 Jan 1917 in Sharon, Pennsylvania to William Henry and Anna (Golden) Altham. His father was a janitor for many years.  Before the war, William himself was a mill worker. 

William was drafted in May 1942.  He married Virginia Euna Bottoms 26 Jun 1943 in Anniston, Alabama. Assigned to E Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 22 Jun 1944 he was wounded on 18 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. William and Virginia had a son born on 23 July 1944. William returned to E Company on 15 Sep 1944.  He was killed in action on 16 Oct 1944. 

SGT Altham is buried in Crestwood Memorial Cemetery in East Gadsden, Alabama. Virginia did not remarry until 1958. William's brother, Ralph Allen Altham, also served (1942-1945).  

PFC Stephen Samuel Baggar

PFC Stephen Samuel Baggar was born 24 Sep 1919 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Nicholas and Sofie (Gambilo) Baggar.  His father worked for a railroad for many years and his mother died in 1940. Stephen graduated from Dickinson High School in Jersey City in June 1936. Both parents were natives of what is now Poland. As an oiler for the railroad, Nicholas had a 1939 income of $1560 and owned home on 364 York Avenue in Jersey City which was valued at $1500 (although valued at $22,000 in 1930). Also in 1940, Stephen was shown on the census as a "new worker" who had a 1939 income of $48.

Drafted in October 1942, Stephen had completed high school.  On 13 Jul 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry.  He was killed in action on 16 Oct 1944.

Brothers John and William Baggars also served during the war. 

PVT WIlliam Henry Glasgow

PVT William Henry Glasgow was born 16 Jul 1914 in Halifax County, Virginia to William Berryman and Lessie Oleaner (Anderson) Glasgow.  His father was a farmer. 

William was a member of the National Guard unit in Farmville, Virginia when the unit was federalized in February 1941.  Assigned to Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry, he was apparently wounded on 13 Jun 1944 and went to hospital.  He was returned to the unit on 29 Aug 1944.  In the fluid actions as the unit advanced on Germany, he was first noted as MIA and then as killed in action on 16 Oct 1944. 

He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PVT Willard Edgar Kuehner

courtesy of Patty

PVT Willard Edgar Kuehner was born 26 Jul 1914 in Columbus, Ohio to Edgar and Mabel V. (Reinkens) Kuehner.  His father worked variously as a coal dealer and an accountant. Willard was able to attend college and he married Genevieve Marie Herrick in 1940. Also in 1940, he was working as a bookkeeper for Ohio National Bank in Columbus and reported a 1939 income of $1250.

Willard was drafted in October 1943.  Sent to Europe after basic training, he was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry on 4 Sep 1944 where he was to serve as a message center clerk. PVT Kuehner was killed in action on 16 Oct 1944. 

PVT Kuehner is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. Genevieve re-married in 1946, they apparently had no children.

The following is the last letter from Willard before he was killed:

Censor's Stamp - Lt. PL Jones

To: Mrs. Willard E. Kuehner, 1427 Parsons Ave. #5, Columbus 7, Ohio

From: Pvt. W. E. Kuehner 35296314, Hdq Co 2 Bn 116 Inf APO 29 c/o PM New York N.Y.

Oct 11 1944

My Darling,

We just finished a couple of very bad days, being wet and cold and having no place to sleep except a hole in the ground. I'll tell you, Honey, its no fun and if I couldn't have you back there waiting for me I don't think I would dig so deep. It all seems so useless to have to spend the best years of your life living like this. It has been so long since I had a bath that I stink. One bright light to all this is I am getting your mail. Those pictures sure looked natural & I like that perky hat & purse. I enjoyed reading Bill's letter. He has had a lot of the same experiences I am having I guess but at least he has a truck to sleep in. The last two nights I've slept sitting up in the hole expecting water to come in any time. Tonight should be better as we have a new place. I am sorry you are being bothered by the neighbors. I know just the type. I think the best thing to do is to have nothing to do with them at all. This is one of Mom's Vmail. Normally we have plenty but it came in handy this time. Honey you are right about taking it where it should go & the name you couldn't get was Uncle Charlie Reinkens. Honey your letters are a real booster. Your description of us going to a football game sure made me homesick. We had so much fun. I have been in Belgium & Holland and the countries both are nice looking. In Holland we stayed in an orchard and had some of the best apples and it was there I talked to those little kids. There seems to be one Jerry plane come over every night about dark and the fellows call him "Bed Check Charlie". Honey you tell Mabel I witnessed the whole show that her husband was in and I mean we were really glad to see them coming. Honey I suppose I am leaving a lot of questions unanswered but the time that elapses from when I get the letters till when I have a chance to write makes it hard. As you say when I get back a lot of things will be much clearer. The weather has been the worse (sic) thing against us so far this time. I am glad I don't drive a truck. You know me in mud.

All my love,

Willard

PFC John Calvin Sullivan

PFC John Calvin Sullivan was born 16 May 1924 in Union County, Georgia. He was the 3rd of 8 children born to Richard Barney and his 2nd wife, Florida Bellzoria (Hood) Sullivan. John had 5 older half-siblings of his father and Richard's 1st wife, Florida's older sister, Miranda, who had died of tuberculosis in 1919. Richard supported his family by farming in Union County, Georgia near Choestoe. When John registered for the draft in 1942 he was working for his half-brother, Oscar, in Colorado

John was drafted in October 1943 and began his military service at Fort McPherson, Georgia. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Sullivan was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. He fought with the unit in the liberation of Brest and on 20 Sep 1944 he was promoted to PFC. PFC Sullivan was shot in the body near Aachen, Germany on 13 Oct 1944. Evacuated to hospital he underwent a splenectomy but died of his wound(s) on 16 Oct 1944.

PFC Sullivan was repatriated and re-interred in the Union Baptist Cemetery in Choestoe, Georgia.

Older brother, Francis Marion Sullivan, served as a CPL in the U.S. Army during WW2.

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PVT Stacey Woodrow Smith

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Stacey Woodrow Smith was born 21 Feb 1915 in Shawmut, Horton township, Elk County, Pennsylvania. He was the 5th of the 9 children born to William Edwin and Catherine Nora Jane "Jennie" (Starr) Smith. His father worked as a foreman in tile manufacture, as a coal miner, and in a clay plant. By 1940, Stacey was working in a steel mill for the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation which then and now produces specialty steels. In May of that same year he married Isabelle Marion Stobert. The couple lived at 622 3rd Avenue in Tarentum, Pennsylvania a small duplex which still serves as a home today. The couple's first daughter would be born in January 1942 and the second in July 1943.

Stacey was drafted in January 1944. Sent to the European theater after completing his basic military training he was then transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry on 9 Aug 1944. Just a few days later, on 14 Oct 1944, PVT Smith was wounded in the vicinity of Aachen, Germany and evacuated to a hospital. He died of his wound(s) on 15 Oct 1944.

PVT Smith is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Stacey's younger brother, Dale R. Smith, was an aviation cadet when he received word of his Stacey's death. Older brother, Kenneth Edwin Smith, served in the Army during both WW2 and Korea attaining the rank of MAJ. Father, William Edwin Smith, served as a PVT in B Company 10th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Spanish-American War.

PFC Joe Anton Pelc

PFC Joe Anton Pelc was born 29 Nov 1918 in Chesterfield county, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 5 children born to Anton Frank and Sena (Stech) Pelc. His parents were natives of what is now Ukraine. His father farmed on a place along North Road near Dale, Virginia. His mother died of cancer at age 36 in 1927. His father re-married 2 years later. Joe would work with his father on the farm for several years.

After Joe was drafted he was sent to England and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious landing that was part of the invasion of occupied Europe. PFC Pelc was apparently wounded on 20 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 15 Aug 1944. PFC Pelc was killed in action near Aachen, Germany on 15 Oct 1944.

PFC Pelc is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Benjamin Theodore Oslewski

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Benjamin Theodore Oslewski was born 23 Sep 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the 4th of 5 children born to John George and Anastasia (Duziak) Oslewski. Both parents were natives of Poland. His father supported the family by working in an auto plant. Anastasia died in 1935. His father would remarry in 1936 but divorce Anna Talek Lasek Oslewski in 1941 on the grounds of cruelty.

Benjamin was probably drafted in 1943 and after his basic combat training was sent to the European theater. PVT Oslewski was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944. PFC Oslewski was evacuated as a non-battle injury to hospital on 4 Sep 1944. He was returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 30 Sep 1944. Initially reported as missing in action, PFC Oslewski was killed in action on 15 Oct 1944.

PFC Oslewski rests forever in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

The family was visited by another tragedy almost exactly 6-years later when, on 31 Oct 1950, Benjamin's older brother John Edward Oslewski stabbed and killed their father in an argument about money.

PVT Robert S Ellery

PVT Robert S. Ellery was born 28 May 1914 in Oregon.  He was drafted in October 1942 while living in California.  He might have been working as a foundryman.

On 10 Oct 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry. PVT Ellery was killed in action on 15 Oct 1944.

He is buried in  Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. 

SGT William Lewis Rucker

SGT William Lewis Rucker was born 29 Aug 1916 in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of the 4 children born to Frank Milton Rucker and his first wife, Dola Jane (Myers) Rucker. His father farmed for others. His mother died from the influenza in January 1919. His father married her younger sister, Lula Bell Myers in late 1920. The couple would have 6 children. Many family members moved to Forsyth County in North Carolina. William married Nancy Ann Merritt in November 1939. The couple lived on Winston Salem Road in Lewisville, North Carolina and William worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

William was drafted in November 1942 and went first to Camp Croft, South Carolina. After completing basic training PVT Rucker was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the planned amphibious assault that was to be part of the effort to liberate occupied France. PFC Rucker was wounded on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He didn't return to the unit until  29 Jul 1944 as the unit approached Vire. He fought in the liberation of Vire and at Brest. It was at Brest that he was promoted to SGT on 17 Sep 1944. He was killed in action in the fighting at Aachen, Germany on 15 Oct 1944.

SGT Rucker was repatriated in 1951 and re-interred in the Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

His half-brothers also served. Russell Owen Rucker, served in the U.S. Army 1943-1945. Henry Jackson Rucker and James Milton Rucker both served as CPLs in the U.S. Army in Korea.

1LT Roland Arthur Remick

1LT Roland Arthur Remick was born 9 May 1915 in Bristol, New Hampshire. He was the oldest of the 3 children born to Edwin Sherman and Alice Corinne (Bailey) Remick. His father worked as a carpenter. Roland completed high school and went on to attend the University of New Hampshire graduating in 1940.

Roland was working as a salesman when drafted in January 1942. As a college graduate he was an obvious candidate for officer candidate training after which he was commissioned as a 2LT. While stationed at Camp Howse he married Miss Alvin Flay Pierson of Dallas, Texas on 26 Dec 1942. Serving in various units he was eventually sent to the European theater. Alvin gave birth to a son, James Roland Remick, in Alexandria, Louisiana on 24 Mar 1944. It is possible that 1LT Remick was stationed at Camp Robinson or Polk at that time. On 12 Aug 1944 1LT Remick was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry to serve as a platoon leader. Roland was killed in action on 15 Oct 1944 in the vicinity of Aachen, Germany.

1LT Remick is buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. There is a cenotaph memorializing him in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, New Hampshire.

PFC Donald D. Sawyer

PFC Donald D. Sawyer was born 11 Jun 1925 in Biddeford, Maine. He was the only child of Lester M. and Mary A. (Ham) Sawyer. His father supported the family by farming along Boom Road near Saco, Maine.

Donald enlisted in the army in June 1943. PFC Sawyer was sent to England and assigned to D Company 116th Infantry probably in early 1944. He would not have had much time in training for the amphibious landing in which he took part on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. He was wounded on 23 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit directly from the hospital on 6 Sep 1944. He fought with the unit in the liberation of Brest and then in the attack on Aachen, Germany. PFC Sawyer was killed in action there on 15 Oct 1944.

PFC Sawyer was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Biddeford, Maine.

PFC John Michael Higgins Jr.

PFC John Michael Higgins Jr. was born in Manhattan, New York on 1 Aug 1922. He was the oldest of the two children born to John and Ellen (Shaunessy) Higgins, both of whom immigrants from County Mayo, Ireland. In 1935 the family was living in an apartment at 2342 Ryer Avenue in the Bronx. His father supported the family working as a "tollman" for the subway system earning about $1400 a year. They were still at the same address in 1942 and young John was working for Ethel Corporation in the Chrysler Building.

After being drafted and completing his five months of training, John was sent to the European theater, England, and was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry prior to the D-Day landing on 6 Jun 1944.  Fighting with the unit through France and into Germany, he was killed in action near Aachen on 15 Oct 1944.

PFC Higgins was repatriated and re-interred in the Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York. 

PVT Henry Filllmore Merrill

PVT Henry Fillmore Merrill was born 21 Aug 1915 in Pocomoke, Maryland.  He was the 4th of 5 children born to Edward Marvin and Jesse Lee (Callahan) Merrill. His father was a builder and contractor. His grandfather operated a clothing store in Pocomoke. Henry married about 1939 to Hilda Louise Morris. The couple would later have a daughter. Henry worked as a clerk for  American Stores Company and reported a 1939 income of $720. He would work for I. H. Merrill in Pocomoke before he was drafted.

Henry registered for the draft in 1940 but wasn't drafted until January 1944. After training he was sent to the European theater of operations. On 13 Aug 1944 PVT Merrill was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry. He was killed in action on 14 Oct 1944.

PVT Merrill was repatriated in 1947 and re-interred in Parksley Cemetery in Parksley, Virginia where he will rest forever next to his wife, Louise, who never remarried.

His brothers, Homer and Edward both served during the war and Homer was wounded in Europe.

SGT William Joseph Giroux

SGT William Joseph Giroux Was born 15 Aug 1914 in Chicago, Illinois to William Joseph and Mary C. (Grogan) Giroux.  His father died in 1923. In 1940, William was working as a clerk for a railroad and reported a 1939 income of $1600.

William entered the army in November 1942.  After training as a radio operator, William was sent to England and assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry on 14 Jul 1944.  He was immediately reassigned that same day to Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry. He was a SSG at that time.  On 18 Aug 1944 he was reduced in rank to PVT and then promoted that same day to T4.  On 17 Sep 1944 William was promoted to SGT.  SGT Giroux was killed in action on 14 Oct 1944.

SGT Giroux was repatriated in 1947 and buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.

PVT George Truett Smalley

PVT George Truett Smalley was born 26 Jul 1915 in Bailey County, Texas. Called Buck by his family, he was the 2nd child and only son of George Andrew and Ama Belle (Collins) Smalley. His father farmed for others and clerked at harvest time. His father later enlisted in the Navy, prior to WWI, and served for several years. It was during this time that Buck's parents became estranged and his mother moved with her 2 children to Floydada, Texas. Ama wanted a good life and a good education for her children and despite the difficulties of single-parentage and the Great Depression she managed, clerking and with the hard work of both children doing small jobs, to put both children through college. Buck attended West Texas State University for 2 years and then 2 years at the University of Texas in Austin where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in business administration. So, each child helped the other through their education. George married Martha June White on 9 Jan 1943. The couple would have a son by the end of the year. Buck worked as a salesman for John Deere Implement Company, Wilson Packing Company, and J. M. Radford Wholesale Grocery Company. Buck moved his family to Clovis, New Mexico where his sister was living with her family and their mother.

Buck was drafted in October 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Smalley was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. PVT Smalley was killed in action near Aachen, Germany on 14 Oct 1944.

PVT Smalley was repatriated and re-interred in the Floydada Cemetery in Floydada, Texas.

As mentioned, Buck's father served as Chief Yeoman for 4 years in the U.S. Navy. Great-grandfather, George Washington Smalley served as a PVT in D Company 5th Tennessee Infantry (USA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather John Berry Collins served in B Company 42nd Georgia Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War.