PVT Walter Karl Marks Kaal

PVT Walter Karl Marks Kaal was born Christmas day 1910 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the Dutch born William Baron and Margaret (Donk) Kaal. His father was a cigar maker and the family moved to Chicago before 1920.  In 1940, Walter was working as a paint tester and reported a 1939 income of $1236.

Walter entered Army service on 23 Dec 1943 and after his training was sent to Europe.  He was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. Walter was wounded on 30 Jul 1944 and did not return to the unit from the replacement depot until 15 Nov 1944.  On 20 Nov 1944 he was again transferred, this time to B Company 116th Infantry. PVT Kaal was killed in action on 29 Nov 1944.

PVT Kaal was repatriated and is buried with family in Mount Hope Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

PFC Albino Castro Hernandez

PFC Albino Castro Hernandez was born 16 Dec 1915 in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico to Giberto and Catarino (Castro) Hernandez.

Albino entered the service and was sent to England.  We believe he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry prior to 6 Jun 1944 and participated in the D-Day amphibious assault on Omaha Beach.  He was wounded 8 Aug 1944 and sent to the hospital.  He did not return to the unit, from the replacment depot, until 14 Nov 1944. PFC Hernandez was killed in action just 2 weeks later on 28 Nov 1944.

PFC Hernandez was repatriated in 1948 and now rests forever in San Fernando Cemetery #2 in San Antonio, Texas.

SGT Marvin Herbert Scharf

SGT Marvin Herbert Scharf was born in Chicago, Illinois on 22 Feb 1924. He was the 2nd of the 3 sons born to Dr. Lewis Edward and Addie (Jonesi) Scharf. His father was a physician who worked for the U.S. government in the Veterans Administration and because of that the family sometimes moved and ended up in Los Angeles County, California. In 1940 the family was living in Huntington, New York, they then moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where Marvin graduated from Central High School. The family then moved to Austin, Texas and Marvin attended the University of Texas. Unfortunately a complete higher education wasn't to be for Marvin.

Already in the U.S. Army reserves, Marvin was called to active duty in March 1943. After infantry training he was eventually sent to the European theater. PFC Scharf was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman despite at least some previous medical training. He was promoted to SGT on 1 Nov 1944. SGT Scharf then served as a squad leader in G Company in the fighting at Baesweiler, Setterich, Ungerhausen, Englesdorf, and finally, Koslar. It was on 28 Nov 1944, the day that Koslar was officially declared captured/secured that SGT Scharf was wounded later dying of his wound(s) on that same day.

SGT Scharf was repatriated and re-interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

PVT David Buroker Moore

PVT David Buroker Moore was born 6 Jun 1911 in West Liberty, Ohio. He was the 3rd of 5 children born the Martin Washington and Nellie D. (Buroker) Moore. His father farmed and his older sisters worked as stenographers before they were married and oldest sister, Millicent, was also a pilot. David was fortunate to complete high school.  About 1934, he married Glady Leona Nill and in February 1935 the couple had the first of 2 sons. David was working in a factory in 1940 and reported a 1939 income of $900.

David was drafted in April 1944 and after his basic training was sent to Europe. PVT Moore was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. PVT Moore was killed in action on 28 Nov 1944.

PVT Moore was repatriated and re-interred in Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio.

Sister, Millicent Eloise Moore Noll, was an early female pilot flying cropdusters in the 1920s and 1930s and she flew for the Red Cross during WW2.

SGT Martin Benson Love

SGT Martin Benson Love was born 11 Nov 1919 in Leominster, Massachusetts the youngest of three children of Andrew and Margaret Elizabeth (Benson) Love.  Andrew was a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland and Margaret a native of Ballymote, Ireland, and both had immigrated about 1907. The family lived for many years at 9 Morton Street in Leominster. Andrew was janitor/custodian in the Leominster school system reporting a 1939 income of $1562.  Martin was a clerk in a retail store and reported a 1939 income of $936 but was still living with his parents. 

Martin was drafted in February 1942 and was sent to England in October 1942.  He was then assigned to H Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with that unit for the amphibious assault on French beaches in Normandy for the invasion of Hitler's "fortress Europe". PFC Love fought with the unit from 6 Jun 1944 through 25 Jul 1944 when he was promoted to SGT.  He was wounded on 6 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. It may have been in this action that SGT Love carried a wounded comrade 300 yards to the rear, under fire, to ensure that he got life-saving care.  It was for that act that SGT Love was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.  SGT Martin returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 27 Oct 1944.  He was killed in action one month later, on 27 Nov 1944.

SSG Leo was repatriated and buried in the Saint Leo Cemetery in Leominster, Massachusetts. Older brother Joseph Andrew Love also served in the Army during the war, in part at Camp Swift, Texas.

PVT Kermit Joseph Robey

courtesy of Frogman

PVT Kermit Joseph Robey was born 11 Jun 1909 in Largo, Maryland. He was the 5th of the 6 children born to Sumerseth Smith and Mary E (maiden name unknown) Robey. His father managed farms in Prince George's County, Maryland for several years before moving with the family to Washington, D.C. where he worked as a handyman. By 1930 Kermit was working as a salesman in Washington but still living with his family at 563 15th Street Southeast. He married Irene Edith Jones in late 1932 and the couple would have 4 children by 1940. Kermit was then working maintaining refrigeration units earning a reported 1939 income of $1200. The family was living at 901 I Street South Central in Washington for which they paid $30 a month rent. They had a 5th child in 1941. Kermit was working for the Terminal Refrigerated and Warehouse Corporation.

Kermit was drafted in March 1944. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater arriving sometime in October 1944. On 25 Oct 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. PVT Robey was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944 in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany.

PVT Robey was repatriated and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PFC Woodrow William Crabtree

PFC Woodrow William Crabtree was born 20 Mar 1915 in Lebanon, Virginia to Charles Becom and Maggie (Combs) Crabtree.  The family of 8 supported themselves by farming.

Woodrow was drafted in April 1941.  He was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and participated with that unit in the D-Day landings.  He was wounded on 8 Jun 1944 to hospital.  On 21 Jun 1944 he was dropped from unit rolls. On 16 Nov 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company and then on 21 Nov 1944 transferred to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 27 Nov 1944 PFC Crabtree was killed in action. 

PFC Crabtree is buried in the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, Virginia.

PVT Charley Montgomery Wilkinson

PVT Charley Montgomery Wilkinson was born 5 Feb 1914 in Mabelvale, Arkansas which is now part of Little Rock. He was the 3rd of the 5 children born to George Isaac Welch and Margaret Leona (Smith) Wilkinson. He also had 3 older half-siblings from his mother's first marriage some of whom lived with the family, particularly when Charley was younger. George was a minister who pastored several churches over time and did other work to support his family. The family lived in several places in Saline County, Arkansas before moving to Cordell, Oklahoma. Charley apparently entered the work force after completing the 8th grade. By 1932 Charley had moved to Smith County, Texas where he met and married Florence Omen Grimes. Over the next 7-years the couple would have 2 sons and a daughter. In 1940 Charley was working for the Works Progress Administration but despite working full-time in 1939 he reported an income of only $250 for that year. The family was renting their home in Cherokee County, Texas for $3 a month. 

Charley was drafted in April 1944 initially training at Camp Wolters, Texas before being sent to the European theater. PVT Wilkinson was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944 while the unit was in action against German forces near Aachen, Germany. PVT Wilkinson then fought with the unit until he was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wilkinson was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Jacksonville City Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas.

Charley is shown in the photo above with his wife and children shortly before he left for Europe. Younger brother James Leon Wilkinson served in C Company 9th Infantry before being commissioned and eventually serving as a CPT in the U.S. Air Force.

PVT John Benavidez Rodriguez

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT John Benavidez Rodriguez was born 27 Sep 1917 in Santa Rita, New Mexico. He was the oldest of the 3 children born to Marcelo Madrid and Lucia (Benavidez) Rodriguez. His father worked at various jobs including meat packing. John married Jennie Romero about 1935 and in 1936 they had a daughter followed by a son just a year later. In 1940 John was working for the Works Progress Administration on flood control projects and earning a reported 1939 income of $700.

Although he had registered for the draft in 1940, John wasn't drafted until March 1944 and was working as a farm hand at that time. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Rodriguez was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 25 Oct 1944 and participated in the fighting at Baesweiler, Setterich and Koslar before being killed in action at Koslar on 27 Nov 1944.

PVT Rodriguez rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Robert P. Gandara

PFC Robert P. Gandara was born 20 Jul 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Pedro Mendez and Carmen (Zamora) Gandara.  Both parents were born in Mexico.  His father was working as a stone grinder in 1940 with a reported 1939 income of $102. 

After entering the service, Robert was sent to Europe and was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944. He was killed in action with that unit on 27 Jun 1944.

PFC Gandara was repatriated and is buried in Cavalry Cemetery, in Los Angeles, California.

We do not know the details of his military service.  He may have served with the 335th before or during his overseas deployment. 

PFC Tony Andrew Molea

courtesy of BitsyBee

PFC Tony Andrew Molea was born 13 Jan 1923 in Keewatin, Minnesota. Some of his military records give his date of birth as 9 Oct 1921. He was the youngest of the 5 children born to Tony Andrew and Antonette (Bevacqua) Molea. Both parents were natives of Italy. His father worked in the iron mines and as a custodian.

Tony voluntarily enlisted in October 1942. We next see that he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jun 1944. Due to the tremendous losses suffered by A Company on 6 Jun 1944 in the Omaha Beach landings, a number of soldiers were "cross-leveled" into A Company from other companies and PVT Molea was one of those soldiers. He was transferred from B Company to A Company on 15 Jun 1944. He fought with A Company until wounded by artillery fire on 22 Jun 1944 when he was evacuated to hospital. He was returned from the replacement depot to A Company on 7 Aug 1944 to serve as a light machinegunner. On 23 Aug 1944 PVT Molea was again transferred, this time to C Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. He then fought with C Company until wounded on 16 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital. PFC Molea returned to C Company from the hospital on 4 Oct 1944. PFC Molea was transferred yet again on 6 Nov 1944 when he returned to A Company 116th Infantry to serve as an ammo bearer. He then fought with A Company until killed in action on 27 Nov 1944.

PFC Molea was repatriated and re-interred in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing, Minnesota.

His only brother, Frank Joseph Molea, also served during the war as a Military Policeman in Fort Mason, California.

PVT Carl Franklin Wilson

courtesy of Michael Beach

PVT Carl Franklin Wilson was born 27 Dec 1923 in Harrison, Arkansas. He was the 6th of the 8 children born to James Benjamin and Nina (Howerton) Wilson. His father farmed to support his family first in Arkansas, then near Dane, Oklahoma and then Cantonment, Oklahoma. The family's youngest child died in August 1931 when he was only 2-months old. Carl was able to attend high school but left after his 2nd year and farmed with his father.

Carl was not drafted until April 1944. After completing his basic military training which began at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was sent to the European theater. PVT Wilson was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. The unit was already in Germany at that time. He then fought as a rifleman with the unit until he was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wilson rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

Younger brother, Walter Forest Wilson, served as a MM3c in the U.S. Navy aboard several different ships during the war.

PVT Tony Heede

PVT Tony (Tonny) Heede, b. 19 Mar 1911 - d. 27 Nov 1944. Son of Alex and Kristine Johanne (Schou) Heede, Tony was born in Kristiansand, Norway and was naturalized in 1938. He lived in East Bridgewater, MA with his wife Joan and daughter June who survived him as did his mother and 9 siblings. PVT Heede was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry 24 Oct 1944. He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Robert Jackson Hugentobler

PVT Robert Jackson Hugentobler was born 16 Jul 1925 in Vevay, Indiana son of Madge May (Day). His name at birth was Robert Jackson Hetisimer although his mother had already divorced and married Robert Knoves Hugentobler with whom the family was living in 1930 and 1940.  "Jack" (as he was known) had 6 siblings and half-siblings. The senior Robert Hugentobler worked for the Indiana highway department and, later, as the sexton of a local cemetery where he made $780 in 1939.  Jack was working as a paper boy and made $40 in 1939.

When he was drafted in September 1943, Jack was working as a gas station attendant. His sister, Irene Hugentobler, died 28 Mar 1944. He was sent to Europe after his basic training and on 19 Jun 1944 transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman.  PVT Hugentobler was wounded for the first time on 16 Jul 1944 and evacuated.  He did not return to the unit from the replacement depot until 29 Oct 1944.  PVT Hugentobler was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

We don't know where Jack was buried but he is not currently buried in one of the overseas American cemeteries so we are certain that he was repatriated.  It is likely that he was buried in a cemetery, perhaps the same one at which Robert Hugentobler was sexton, near Miamitown, Ohio where the family lived. 

PVT Ralph Leonard Erickson

PVT Ralph Leonard Erickson was born 31 Jan 1915 in Youngsville, Pennsylvania to Edward Ludwig and Josephine (Thoresin) Erickson. His parents were both natives of Sweden. His father worked in a furniture factory. In 1940 Ralph was farming with two of his siblings.

Drafted in Sep 1943, Ralph was working as a lumberman in Warren County, Pennsylvania.  After training he was sent overseas and sometime  prior to 6 Jun 1944 he was assigned to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry.  He went to hospital for an injury on 2 Sep 1944 and returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 19 Sep 1944.  He was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PVT Erickson was ultimately laid to rest in the Netherlands American Cemetery.   

PFC Charles Thomas J Fletcher

PFC Charles Thomas J Fletcher was born 31 Oct 1924 in Kingsport, Tennessee to Charles Thomas J and Annie Pearl (Crawford) Fletcher.  His father farmed but Charles Sr died in 1928. His mother re-married. Step-father Luther Faris worked as a machinist. 

Charles was drafted in June 1943.  After training he was sent overseas and was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry in time to participate with that unit in the D-Day amphibious assault in which he was seriously wounded and evacuated to hospital. On 5 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot back to H Company.  On 11 Aug 1944 he is recorded on the morning report as being promoted to PFC. On 26 Nov 1944 PFC Fletcher was killed in action. 

A note on Charles' rank.  As mentioned above the morning report notes his promotion.  The headstone application was completed using the rank PFC which was crossed out and "corrected" to PVT and as you can see that is what is on the headstone.  I believe this is another one of those errors that seems to have commonly occurred where the personnel action was taken but for some reason the paperwork wasn't preserved/forwarded/recorded at higher headquarters or in personnel records.  We are certain that Charles thought he was a PFC at the time he was killed.

PFC Fletcher is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. 

PVT Robert Brant Allen

PVT Robert Brant Allen was born 16 Jun 1925 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Roy M. and Gladys J. (Brant) Allen.  His parents divorced early in his life and he and his sister and mother lived with his maternal grandparents. Robert was living in Shanksville, Pennsylvania when he registered for the draft in 1943.

Drafted in September 1943, he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  This was likely before D-Day.  On 13 Jul 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital.  On 4 Nov 1944 he returned to the unit from the replacement depot.  On 26 Nov 1944 PVT Allen was killed in action.

PVT Allen was repatriated, probably in 1948, and is buried in Somerset County Memorial Park in Somerset, Pennsylvania.

We have to note that while the grave marker indicates his rank as SGT (Sergeant) there is no record of him ever being promoted to that rank.  All the documents we can find note his rank as PVT (Private). 

PFC Edward Jacob Lippert

PFC Edward Jacob Lippert was born 22 Mar 1922 in Mascoutah, Illinois to John Adam and Lizzie Dora (Pleitner) Lippert. His father was a miner for Schubert Coal Company and he reported a 1939 income of $850.

Edward had 1 year of college and was working as a cashier when drafted in December 1942.  After training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 3 Jul 1944.  Edward was wounded on 18 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 13 Nov 1944. PFC Lippert was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Lippert was repatriated in 1948 and buried in Mascoutah City Cemetery in Mascoutah, Illinois.

PVT Murrell Lavelle Wood

PVT Murrell Lavelle Wood was born 23 Jun 1924 in Van Alstyne, Texas. He was the youngest son born to John Lavelle and Effie Lee (Nix) Wood. His father farmed in Grayson County, Texas but the parents divorced before 1930. Effie supported the family by working as a laundress. Murrell graduated from high school and then began work as a clerk for Southern Ice Company in Van Alstyne. Murrell married Alice Lurline England in February 1942 and the couple had a son in November of that same year.

Murrell was drafted in April 1944 and in-processed at Camp Wolters near Mineral Wells, Texas. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. PVT Wood was killed in action near Koslar, Germany on 26 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wood was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Van Alstyne Cemetery in Van Alstyne, Texas.

SSG Louis Thompson Weess

courtesy of Cathy Libby Small

SSG Louis Thompson Weess was born in Hillsboro, Illinois on 21 Jan 1920. He was the 2d of 3 children of Louis Weess and his 2nd wife, Frances Lydia (Thompson) Weess. His father worked in a coal mine in Hillsboro for many years. The senior Louis Weess died in 1939. Louis joined the Civilian Conservation Corps earning $150 in 1939. His mother and sisters went to work for the Work Progress Administration (WPA) as seamstresses earning a combined $710 for the same period. They were fortunate that they owned their home at 1607 Benton Street in Johnston City, Illinois. The home was valued at $500 in 1940. By 1941 Louis was able to find work with W. D. Hord in Rockford, Illinois working as a bookkeeper. 

Louis was drafted in October 1942. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault in support of the liberation of France and PFC Weess landed with the unit on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. He was wounded and evacuated to hospital on 3 Sep 1944 in the middle of the battle for Brest, France. PFC Weess was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company again on 29 Oct 1944 and promoted to SSG on 1 Nov 1944. SSG Weess was wounded on 26 Nov 1944 and evacuated to hospital but died of his wound(s) that same day. 

SSG Weess was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, Illinois.

PFC Harvey Roy Corum

PFC Harvey Roy Corum was born 31 Aug 1924 in Tennessee to Melvin Benjamin Kansas and Flora May (Bagwell) Corum.  In 1942 he married Geneva Irene Pratt.  They had one daughter.

Harvey was living in Cuyahoga County, Ohio when he was drafted in June 1943.  After training he was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry and landed with that unit on D-Day.  He was lightly wounded on 6 Jun 1944, by a bullet in the chin, but remained on duty.  On 12 Jun 1944 he was promoted to PFC.  On 26 Nov 1944 PFC Corum was killed in action.

PFC Corum was returned to the states and buried in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.

Geneva remarried in 1950.  The daughter has passed away. 

PFC Roy Carl Meier

courtesy of Fred

PFC Roy Carl Meier was born 8 Oct 1924 in Bessie, Oklahoma. He was the 2nd of the 4 children born to Carl and Edith Rebecca (Reinschmiedt) Meier. His father farmed in Washita County, Oklahoma for several years before his father moved to Bent County, Missouri.  His parents divorced and both remarried and Roy stayed and farmed with his father. He never attended high school.

Roy was drafted in August 1943. After his training he was sent to the European theater and on 19 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry where he served as a rifleman. Roy fought with the unit without apparent injury until killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Meier's body could not be recovered and he is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.

PFC Joseph John Fanello

PFC Joseph John Fanello was born in Chicago, Illinois on 28 May 1911 to Nicola and Rosina (Dispenza) Fanello.  Nicola was born in San Nicola-Dacrissa, Italy and Rosina was born in Palermo, Italy.  Nicola worked on the railroad to support his family of 6.  Later he owned and operated his own grocery.  In 1940 Joseph was working for the railroad.

Joseph was drafted in May 1942.  At some point in time he was assigned to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry, probably before the D-Day landings. PFC Fanello served with the unit until 26 Nov 1944 when he was killed in action.

PFC Fanello is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC John Joseph Masnica

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC John Joseph Masnica was born 14 Feb 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 5th of 6 children, all boys, born to Anton and Anna (Bambusek) Masnica who were both natives of Slovakia. His father had worked in an iron foundry but in 1940 may have been unemployed. 2 of the boys had died by the end of 1940. John had only started a regular job it 1940 but was unemployed when he registered for the draft in 1942.

John was drafted in March 1943 working in a job producing leather goods. After training he was sent to the European theater and on 22 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to H Company 116th Infantry. PFC Masnica was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Masnica was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

2 of his brothers also served during the war. Stephen Andrew Masnica served in the 1942-1945 and Paul Stephen Masnica served in the Army 1942-1945.

CPL Sherman Luther Ayars Jr

CPL Sherman Luther Ayars Jr, born 9 Nov 1920 in Ramsey County, Minnesota to Sherman Luther and Berdella Clara (Anderson) Ayars.  He had 2 sisters.  Sherman and his father were both typesetters although Sherman didn't go past 2 years of high school.  Both of Sherman's sisters graduated from high school.

In May 1942 Sherman enlisted.   He was assigned to Cannon Company 116th Infantry before D-Day.  On 28 Aug 1944 he was promoted to Corporal.  He was killed in action 26 Nov 1944.

CPL Ayars is buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

PFC Sebastian Salvatore Faggione

PFC Sebastian Salvatore Faggione was born 2 Jan 1922 to Joseph L and Concettina (Sblico) of Middletown, Connecticut. Both of his parents were Italian immigrants.  Joseph worked as a "track worker" on the city trolley and later in road construction. 

Sebastian still had only a grammar school education and was working in textile manufacture when he was drafted in December 1942.  After training he was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry and was with that unit on D-Day.  On 12 Jun 1944 he was promoted to PFC.  Sebastian was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Faggione was repatriated in 1948 and is buried in the Saint Sebastian Cemetery in Middlefield, Connecticut. 

PVT Murrell D. Ivens

PVT Murrell D. Ivens was born 14 Sep 1912 in Madisonville, Tennessee second of four sons of Charles Henry and Beuna M. (White) Ivens.  His father worked as a carpenter and mechanic. Beuna died in 1919 of septic peritonitis. His father re-married. Charles died in 1932 of unknown cause, he was found dead in the street. In 1930, Murrell was working for Knox Glove Company in Knoxville, Tennessee.  On 24 Mar 1934 he married Eloise Jane Newman.

Murrell was drafted in June 1943.  After basic training he was sent to Europe and on 24 Oct 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Ivens was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PVT Ivens was repatriated in 1949 and is buried in the Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee. Brother Ray also served in the Army during the war.

PFC Floyd Franklin Skinner

PFC Floyd Franklin Skinner was born 11 Sep 1909 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. he was the 2nd of the 6 children born to Enoch Dennis and Nellie Jane (Hughlett) Skinner. His father worked as a carpenter and his mother as a postmistress and storekeeper. The family lived in Fredericksburg before moving to Courtland. Floyd married Clara May Berry and the couple had a daughter on 2 Oct 1931. She had an irreparable congenital defect and died just 7 days later. Floyd and Clara would not have any more children. The couple bought a home at 1207 Dixon Street in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 1940 they were both working, Clara as a machine operator in a clothing factory and Floyd was working for Sylvania Industrial Corporation. They reported 1939 incomes of $672 and $884 respectively. 

After Floyd was drafted, probably in late 1943, he was eventually sent to the European theater. PVT Skinner was transferred to H Company 116th Infantry on 21 Jul 1944 to serve as a heavy machinegunner. He fought with the unit at Vire, Brest and into Germany. Promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944, following the liberation of Vire, he was killed in action in the attack on Koslar, Germany on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Skinner was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

PFC Donald Eugene Hunter

photo by Doc Wilson

PFC Donald Eugene Hunter was born 24 Apr 1925 in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania to Eugene Virgil and Harriet (Davis) Hunter.  His father was a coal miner whose reported income for 1939 was $300. 

Donald began his service in June 1943.  After training to be a rifleman he was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944.  PFC Hunter was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944. 

PFC Hunter is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery. His father served as a CPL in L Company 61st Infantry, 5th Division during WWI. 

2LT Elmer Raymond Koontz

courtesy of Nancy Ann Mull Buchanan

2LT Elmer Raymond Koontz was born 7 Feb 1920 in Detroit, Michigan to Locke E. and Nellie Katherine (Hill) Koontz.  His father worked as an assembler in an auto factory. In 1940, Elmer was living with his maternal grandmother and working as a shipping clerk with a reported 1939 income of $900.  Elmer married Fern Elizabeth Black in early 1942 and the couple were living in Huntington, West Virginia.

Elmer was drafted in June 1942.  After initial training he was identified as a candidate for officer training which he attended.  2LT Koontz was sent to Europe and on 24 Oct 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry to serve as a platoon leader. 2LT Koontz was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

2LT Koontz was repatriated and now rests forever in Wilson Cemetery in Newark, Ohio. He and Fern had no children and she re-married in 1947 to Glenn Edward Werts, a career Navy Warrant Officer.  They have passed on and are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery.

PVT Thomas Edward Govero

courtesy of Laura

PVT Thomas Edward Govero was born 26 Aug 1908 in Saint Francois County, Missouri to William Daily and Martha Emeline (Moses) Govero. His father was a miner who died in 1926. William is recorded as an orphan on the 1880 census and was working to support himself.  Thomas worked in glass manufacture and as a trucker or driver.  On 31 Aug 1940 he married Victoria Kerrigan.  They would have a son in 1942.

Thomas was apparently drafted in January 1944.  We don't know when he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry but he was killed in action while serving with that unit on 25 Nov 1944.

PVT Govero is buried in Blackwell Masonic Cemetery in Washington County, Missouri. Victoria re-married and had 2 more children.  Their son also had children who are still living.

2LT Joseph Albert Snedorf Jr.

Joseph in 1929

2LT Joseph Albert Snedorf Jr. was born 10 Jan 1909 in Slovakia. An only child, he immigrated with his family, arriving 14 Jan 1914 in New York aboard the Kronprinzessin Cecilie.The family soon moved to Chicago, Illinois where they lived at 2354 South Albany Avenue and his father worked as a clerk in a grocery store. Hard work provided well for the family who bought a home at 2508 61st Avenue in Cicero, Illinois. The home was valued at $7000 in 1930 but that fell to $4500 in 1940. Joseph was getting a good education. He had graduated in 1927 from Morton High School and in 1929 from Morton Junior College. Joseph had then attended the University of Illinois earning a BS in Education. Joseph also attend Northwestern University seeking a Master's degree. However, the great depression was apparently affecting the family. Joseph senior was still clerking at a grocery earning a reported 1939 income of $788 and Joseph Jr. was working as a supervisor for the Works Progress Administration adult education program at the McKinley School in Cicero with an income of $380 for the same year. He was later hired as a teacher. 

Joseph was drafted in June 1942. He took his basic military training at Camp Swift, Texas with the 379th Infantry in the 95th Infantry Division before going to Fort Benning, Georgia for Officer Candidate School. He then served at Camp Kohler, California and Camp Hood, Texas. Sometime in this period he married a local woman, Mildred R. Havel, and the couple established a home at 3425 Cuyler Avenue, Cicero. Unfortunately, 2LT Snedorf spent little if any time there as he was sent to the European theater in July 1944. He was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. 2LT Snedorf served as a platoon leader in fighting through Baesweiler and Setterich until he was killed in action in fighting in Koslar, Germany on 25 Nov 1944.

2LT Snedorf was repatriated and re-interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.

PFC James Wythe Brummett

PFC James Wythe Brummett was born 14 Aug 1923 in Wise County, Virginia to Samuel and Bertha (Johnson) Brummett.  His father worked in a coal mine. 

When he was drafted in April 1943, James as working as a miner in Logan County, West Virginia.  Sent overseas he was assigned to M Company 116th Infantry on 28 Aug 1944.  On 1 Nov 1944 he was promoted to PFC.  He was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

PFC Brummett is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

CPL Joseph Vega

CPL Joseph Vega was born 29 Jan 1924 in New York City. He was the only child of Joseph and Mary N. Vega. Both parents were born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City in search of economic opportunity. His father worked as a machinist, cigar maker and some other jobs to support his family. The family lived at 60 East 103rd Street in New York for many years. Joseph was able to complete 4-years of high school. 

Joseph was drafted in February 1943 and after completing his basic military training was sent to England. PFC Vega was transferred from the replacement depot to M Company 116th Infantry on 28 Jun 1944 to serve as a light mortar crewman. He was promoted to CPL on 19 Aug 1944. He continued to serve with M Company until killed in action on 25 Nov 1944 near Engelsdorf, Germany. 

CPL Vega was repatriated and re-interred in Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York. 

SGT Andrew Lawrence Hauser

SGT Andrew Lawrence Hauser was born in Cincinnati, Ohio 13 Dec 1917 the only child of Andrew and Marie (Glunz) Hauser.  His father was a native of Wurttemberg, Germany, a bookbinder and died in 1925. His mother was born in Baden, Germany.  After his father's death his mother took in lodgers to make ends meet.  Andrew managed to attend 2 years of college, worked as a clerk at Lunkenheimer Valve Company. He was married to Ruth Ann Kiln in September 1939. 

Andrew was drafted in December 1943.  He was sent overseas and on 9 Aug 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry.  On 11 Aug 1944 PVT Hauser was again transferred, this time to F Company 116th Infantry.  On 14 Sep 1944 he was promoted to SGT.  SGT Hauser was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

SGT Hauser is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Grady Andrew Sigmon

PVT Grady Andrew Sigmon was born 31 Jul 1925 in Franklin County, Virginia. He was the youngest of Andrew Jackson and Annie Laurie (Guslar) Sigmon's 6 children. The family farmed near Long Branch, Virginia on a property valued at about $600. Grady worked that farm with the rest of the family.

Grady didn't register for the draft until 1943 and he was drafted in April 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater in October 1944. On 25 Oct 1944, PVT Sigmon was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman.  He was killed in action 1 month later on 25 Nov 1944 in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany.

PVT Sigmon was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Sigmon-Shively Cemetery in Ferrum, Virginia.

Brother, Gail Edwin Sigmon, also served in the U.S. Army during WW2. Great-grandfathers Andrew Jackson Sigmon (for whom his father was named) and Thomas W. Sigmon both served as PVTs in G Company 37th Virginia Cavalry Battalion during the Civil War. Great-grandfather Jacob Gusler served as a PVT in the 11th Virginia Infantry Battalion.

PFC Duke Hopper Rodenhizer Jr.

PFC Duke Hopper Rodenhizer Jr. was born 20 Nov 1917 in Leaksville, North Carolina. He was the youngest of the 4 children born to Duke Hopper and Carolyn Emma (Hamlin) Rodenhizer. His father worked as a farm hand but died in August 1919 of tuberculosis at the age of 35. The younger Duke was not quite 2 years old. His mother told the census taker in 1920 that she had no employment. His mother never re-married and the children went to work to support the family. In 1940 Duke was working as a gas station attendant at Vernon's Service Station and his older brother Millard was working in a furniture plant and they reported 1939 incomes of $450 and $750 respectively. The sons lived with their mother on Claybrook Street in Stoneville, North Carolina in a home they owned valued at $800 in 1940.

Duke was drafted in November 1943 and after completing his military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Rodenhizer was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 where he served as a rifleman. He was promoted to PFC on 24 Jul 1944. PFC Rodenhizer was wounded in the attack on Brest on 5 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He didn't return to the unit until 13 Nov 1944 when PFC Rodenhizer was again transferred from the replacement depot. PFC Rodenhizer was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

PFC Rodenhizer rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC William Peter Kotchick

PFC William Peter Kotchick was born 9 Jun 1924 in Endicott, New York the third of six children born to Joseph and Irene M. (Schlossar) Kotchick. His parents were both natives of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. His father worked in a shoe factory and managed a restaurant.

William was drafted in March 1943.  After his initial training, William was sent to Europe.  He was already a PFC when transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. PFC Kotchick was killed in action one month later on 25 Nov 1944.

PFC Kotchick is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Wilhelm Arthur Hilse

courtesy Russ Pickett

PFC Wilhelm Arthur Hilse was born 22 May 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland to Erich and Mabel Hilse.  His father was a native of Germany and a coal dealer. 

Wilhelm was drafted in March 1943 at which time he was working as a farm hand.  After his initial training he was sent to Europe and on 24 Oct 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry.  PFC Hilse was killed in action on 25 Nov 1945.

PFC Hilse was re-interred in the Baltimore National Cemetery in 1948.

SSG Raymond G. Jahns

SSG Raymond G. Jahns was born 1 Aug 1918 in Kenosha County, Wisconsin to Adolph August and Elizabeth Margaret (Baechle) Jahns.  His father was a patrolman for the county highway department.

When drafted in March 1941, Raymond had been working as a farm hand.  After his initial training, he was eventually sent to Europe.  PVT Jahns was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jun 1944. SSG Jahns (we do not know when he was promoted) was wounded on 31 Jul 1944 and evacuated.  He did not return to the unit, again from the replacement depot, until 28 Oct 1944. SSG Jahns was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

SSG Jahns was repatriated in 1948 and is buried in Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Slades Corners, Wisconsin.

PVT Fred Lee Morton

courtesy of T. McManaway

PVT Fred Lee Morton born 3 May 1924 in Oakboro, North Carolina. He wa sthe 3rd of 5 children born to Henry E. and Bertha Mae (Smith) Morton. His father worked for other farmers.

Fred was single and working for other farmers as well when he was drafted in September 1943. Sometime after that, perhaps after his basic training but before he was sent to the European theater, he married Constance "Connie" Williams of Marshville, North Carolina. PVT Morton was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. He fought with that unit for almost a month before he was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

PVT Morton was repatriated and re-interred in the Smith Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Oakboro, North Carolina.

Son, Fred Lee Morton Jr., was born in March 1945. Brother, Jason Crowel Morton, was in training at Camp Blanding when Fred was killed.

PFC Joseph Rupinski

PFC Joseph Rupinski was born 14 Sep 1923 in New York City, New York. He was the 3rd of the 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, born to Wladyslaw and Aniela (Majerowska) Rupinski. Both parents were natives of Poland who had immigrated prior to meeting and marrying in New York in August 1914. We know that his father was from Osiek, Poland. The family lived first at 190 Dupont Avenue in Brooklyn and then moved next door to 192 Dupont where they were to live for decades. Wladyslaw worked in a copper works among other jobs to support his family.

Joseph was probably drafted in early 1944. After his basic training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Rupinski was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 5 Sep 1944 while the regiment was engaged in the fight to liberate Brest, France. He was promoted to PFC on 21 Sep 1944. PFC Rupinski fought with the unit in the attack on Aachen, Germany and beyond and was killed in the fighting at Koslar, Germany on 25 Nov 1944.

We are certain that PFC Rupinski was repatriated and re-interred with family members in the New York City area but do not know the location of his final resting place.

Joseph's brother Walter also served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

PVT Emilio Garza Cabrera

PVT Emilio Garza Cabrera was born 9 Oct 1914 in Nueces County, Texas to Bridigo and Antonia Cuevas (Garza) Cabrera.  His father was a laborer.

After entering the service, Emilio was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 24 Oct 1944. PVT Cabrera was killed in action one month later on 24 Nov 1944.

In 1949, PVT Cabrera was repatriated and buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. 

PVT Donald Otto Stauder

PVT Donald Otto Stauder was born 14 Aug 1923 in Southgate, Kentucky. He was the 2nd son of William F. and Elsie May (Bringmann) Stauder. His father died of tuberculosis in the Cincinnati Sanitarium on 16 May 1931. The family then lived at 4831 Main Avenue in Norwood, Ohio. Donald completed high school and worked for Perin's Service Station at the corner of Main and Weyer in Norwood (Main is now Montgomery).

Donald was drafted in June 1943. It was probably while home on furlough after completing his basic military training at Fort McClellan, Alabama that Donald married Violet M. Kinzel in December 1943. We don't know where he went before being sent to the European theater. PVT Stauder was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 27 Oct 1944 to serve as a heavy machine gunner. PVT Stauder was killed in action near Koslar, Germany on 24 Nov 1944.

PVT Stauder is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Donald and Violet had no children and Violet re-married and had children with her second husband. Brother, William Howard Stauder served in the Navy and left service as a Ptr1c serving in the South Pacific aboard the USS Kankakee and Patuxent.

CPL Edward Charles Wallace

CPL Edward Charles Wallace was born 2 Dec 1924 in Trenton, New Jersey. He was the 2nd of 3 sons born to Charles Andrew and Elizabeth Francis (White) Wallace. His father had been a fireman and became an engineer on the Pennsylvania Rail Road. The family lived at 159 Centre Street in Morrisville, Pennsylvania for many years. The 2-story home was valued at $700 in 1940 and is still standing today. Charles was only 48-years old when he died of a heart attack in 1941. Edward graduated from Morrisville High School in 1942. His photo here is his photo as a senior that year. Edward then went to work for Joseph McKenna about 5-miles from home in Yardley, Pennsylvania as a sales clerk.

Edward was drafted in May 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater in September 1944. CPL Wallace was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. He was killed in action just 1-month later on 24 Nov 1944. 

CPL Wallace was repatriated in December 1948 and re-interred in the Morrisville Cemetery in Morrisville, Pennsylvania where he will rest forever with his parents and other family members.

PVT Carl W. Flack

PVT Carl W. Flack Was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1907 the son of Karl and Gertrude (Fritz) Flack. His father was a painter, later auto painter.  His parents were apparently divorced about 1916 and both remarried later.  Both parents were immigrants. In 1931 Carl married Florence C. Fielitz. 

Carl was drafted in June 1943 and after training was sent overseas.  It is likely that he served with another unit before being sent to the replacement depot and transferred from there to E Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944.  He was killed in action on 24 Nov 1944.

PVT Flack is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PVT Samuel F. Heller

PVT Samuel F. Heller was born 13 Mar 1908 in Manhattan, New York to Leo and Rachel "Rae" (Forscher) Heller. For many years he and his mother lived in Manhattan with her parents, Bernard and Sarah (Breiter) Foescher.  Bernard was a furrier.  His mother married Vernon Hannon Creighton, a cotton goods broker, and they had a daughter and for a time Samuel lived with them.  Samuel married Edythe V. Levey 24 Nov 1935.  They had one son.  Samuel worked as a sales clerk to support his family.

In November 1943, Samuel was drafted and after his training was sent overseas.  On 24 Oct 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry.  One month later, on 24 November 1944, PVT Heller was killed in action. 

PVT Heller is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PFC Tillman Howard Flader

PFC Tillman Howard Flader, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on 23 Jun 1918 Son of Floyd Bernard and Velva G (Brown) Flader of West Lincoln, Nebraska. PFC Flader was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry when he was killed in action of 24 Nov 1944.  PFC Flader rests forever in Lincoln Memorial Park in Lincoln, Nebraska.

PFC Charles Robert Endres Jr.

PFC Charles Robert Endres Jr. was born 23 Apr 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Charles R. and Alvinia M. (Buse) Endres. His father was a teamster.  His father reported an income of $1430 for 1939. 

When drafted in February of 1943, Charles had completed 3 years of high school and was working as a shipping clerk. Completing his army training, Charles was sent overseas and sent from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. He was killed in action a month later on 24 Nov 1944.

PFC Endres was repatriated and is buried in Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

2LT Emerson Marvin Visch

home on leave before OCS

2LT Emerson Marvin Visch was born 11 Nov 1915 in Zeeland, Michigan. He was the only child of John Garrett and Carrie (Riemersma) Visch. His father worked as a foreman in a furniture factory operated by the Zeeland Furniture Company and, beginning in 1927, for the Wilcox-Gray Corporation in Charlotte, Michigan. Emerson lived with his family at 503 Lovett Street and 404 Warren Avenue in Charlotte while attending Charlotte High School. He graduated in 1934. He also worked for Wilcox-Gray before he found work at Miller-Jones Shoe Store in Charlotte and became an assistant manager there. Unfortunately, his mother had heart disease and died in January 1936. Emerson reported a 1939 income of $400 and was still living with his father in 1940. 

Emerson was drafted in January 1941 and initially went to Fort Custer, Michigan. He was then assigned to Jefferson Barracks in Missouri where he was promoted to SSG in the US Army Air Corps. He was assigned there when the photo shown here was taken while he was home in Charlotte on leave. SSG Visch had been identified as a possible officer and was sent to the officer candidate course from which he successfully graduated and he was commissioned as a 2LT. After several stateside assignments he was sent to England in April 1944. We don't know where he was in the interim but 2LT Visch was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry to serve as a platoon leader. He was wounded in action on 13 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital in England. 2LT Visch was returned to his unit, transferring from the replacement depot on 30 Oct 1944 to again serve as a platoon leader. 2LT Visch was killed in action on 24 Nov 1944 at Koslar, Germany. 2LT was reportedly posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism" on 24 Nov 1944 in staving off a German counterattack while armed only with a sub-machine gun. The citation says that "so vicious were his actions that 50 of the enemy threw down their arms in surrender." European Theater of Operations, US Army, General Orders No. 52 dated April 5, 1945. From 29 Let's Go - A History of the 29th Infantry Division in World War II had this to say about the incident in the muddy of trenches before Koslar:

"Lt. Emerson M. Visch, of I Company, had one of these normally operating guns - a submachine gun. When his company became engaged in a fire fight with the enemy in the trenches, the small-arms fire the men were able to deliver with their poorly working weapons was light and ineffectual. Aware of this, Lieutenant Visch assumed a daringly exposed position and sent a demoralizing volume of fire at the enemy position with his own gun. This was apparently all that was needed to break the enemy spirit. They called 'Kamerad!' Then fifty of them came over and surrendered. for this action Lieutenant Visch, who was later killed in the Koslar battle, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously."

2LT Visch was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Zeeland Cemetery in Zeeland, Michigan.

PFC John Rodriguez Velasquez

courtesy of Clifton Baccus

PFC John Rodriguez Velasquez was born 8 Feb 1924 in Seguin, Texas. He was the 7th of 10 children born to Seledonio and Tereza (Luna) Rodriguez. His father worked as farm labor in the area. Although the family was not wealthy, 4 members of the family working in 1939 reported a total income of $780, John was able to complete high school. After graduation, John got a job doing farm work for Mr. U. F. Hollaman in Port Lavaca, Texas. 

John was drafted in January 1944 and after completing his basic military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Velasquez was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 5 Sep 1944 while the unit was involved in the fighting with Nazi forces at Brest, France. He was promoted to PFC on 21 Sep 1944 having survived that fight. PFC Velasquez continued to fight with F Company as the regiment moved into Germany and was killed in action in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany on 23 Nov 1944.

PFC Velasquez was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Port Lavaca Cemetery in Port Lavaca, Texas.

SSG Chester John Marciszewski

SSG Chester John Marciszewski was born 27 Feb 1923 in Rochester, New York. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Dominik (Daniel) and Amelia (Pawlak) Mariszewski. Both parents were Catholic Polish immigrants. Two older siblings died of the influenza in 1918. His father worked as a moulder in an ironworks. Chester attended Benjamin Franklin High School.  By 1942 he was working for the American Laundry Machinery Company. In April 1942 he married Mary Lou Karl.

Chester was drafted in January 1943. After his training he was sent to Europe in May 1944. He was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944. PFC Marciszewski was wounded on 11 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was promoted to SGT on 17 Aug 1944. SGT Marciszewski was sent to hospital again on 9 Sep 1944, this time as a non-battle casualty, and returned to duty the next day. Chester was reduced in rank to PVT on 21 Sep 1944 for reasons unknown to us. His son was born in October 1944. He was promoted to SSG on 1 Nov 1944. SSG Marciszewski was killed in action on 23 Nov 1944.

SSG Marciszewski was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.

"For gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany, near Baesweiler, when the advance of Company K was impeded by flanking fire from an enemy machine gun. Sergeant Marciszewski, amidst heavy enemy artillery fire, seized an automatic rifle from a casualty and voluntarily charged the machine gun. Without assistance, he assaulted the position, firing his weapon from the hip, capturing the gun and three members of the crew. As a result of his aggressive and heroic actions, the company was able to advance from underneath the enemy artillery barrage and secure its objective."

SSG Marciszewski was interred in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Edward Michael Lanza

PFC Edward Michael Lanza was born 14 Aug 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Frank and Florence (Caruso) Lanza. His father was a native of Italy and started Victor Billiards Company, Incorporated, which would make what was considered a premier table after the WW2.

Edward was drafted in April 1943. After basic training, Edward was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. PFC Lanza fought with the unit until 23 Nov 1944 when he was killed in action. However, his body was not recoverable.  PFC Lanza is recorded on the tablets of the missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Robert Zibulsky

PVT Robert Zibulsky was born 27 Mar 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest of William and Luba (Schaeffer) Zibulsky's 3 children. His father was a pharmacist earning about $1500 in 1940. William Zibulsky was a Polish Jew from Ostroleka, Poland and had immigrated at the age of 11 in 1902. William and Luba had lost their 2nd child in infancy before Robert was born. The family lived at 50 Montrose Avenue in Brooklyn. Robert graduated high school at age 16 and found work at the West End Country Club in Loch Sheldrake, New York.

Robert was drafted, probably in early 1944 and after completing his basic military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Zibulsky was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944. He was wounded on 22 Nov 1944 near Setterich, Germany and died the next day of his wound(s).

PVT Zibulsky was likely repatriated and re-interred in the New York City area perhaps in the Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York.

PVT Charles Herlien

PVT Charles Herlien was born 20 Oct 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Renske (Grypstra) Herlien.  His parents were born in the Netherlands. John died in 8 Jan 1940.

Charles went into the service in June 1943. After completing his training he was sent to Europe.  We don't know what other unit(s) to which he may have been assigned but he was likely assigned to 415th Infantry, 104th Division before going to  and then being transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944.  PVT Herlien was killed in action on 23 Nov 1944.

PVT Herlien was repatriated in 1949 and is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.

Charles had 2 older brothers who served during the war, Lambert and Siebert both served in the Army.

PVT Roy Seldon Gorham

PVT Roy Seldon Gorham, b. 19 Feb 1914 - d. 23 Nov 1944. Son of William Harrison and Hazel Eugenia (Myers) Gorham of Muskegon County, Michigan. Married first to Ruth Iona De Young with whom he had a daughter and second to Marjorie H Knowlton all of whom survived him. Roy was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry Regiment on 27 Oct 1944.  He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.