PFC Charles Orlando Hubbs

PFC Charles Orlando Hubbs was born 11 Apr 1911 in Glen Easton, West Virginia to Charles Samuel and Elizabeth Ann (Mellon) Hubbs. His father was a carpenter.  Grandparents and cousins lived close by the family. In 1935 he married Ethel Allen and the couple had one daughter. Soon thereafter he and Ethel were divorced. On 22 Jan 1939, Charles married Helen Virginia Rine. In 1940 they lived in Moundsville, West Virginia and Charles was working as a "furnace man" likely doing installation, repair and servicing of furnaces. His reported 1939 income was only $300.

Charles was working as a driver when he was drafted in September 1943.  After his basic training Charles was sent to Europe and on 24 Oct 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry.  On 28 Nov 1944, Charles was wounded in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany and evacuated to hospital.  He apparently died of his wounds in hospital in Cambridge, England on 17 Dec 1944.

PFC Hubbs was repatriated and now rests forever in Riverview Cemetery in Moundsville, West Virginia.

PVT Herbert Chapman Whitaker

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Herbert Chapman Whitaker was born 21 Nov 1915 in Elmore County, Alabama. He was the youngest of the 5 children born to Auther Barney and Ella (Robards or Robberds) Whitaker. His father farmed, probably as a sharecropper in various places in Elmore County. Herbert did not continue his education beyond the 7th grade but went to farming with his father and then found work at the Tallassee Mills Company. Herbert married Lydia Elenor Knox in August 1941. 

Herbert wasn't drafted until March 1944 being inprocessed at Fort McPherson, Georgia and after completing his basic military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Whitaker was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. He was wounded by artillery fragments in the head and heal on 3 Dec 1945. Despite evacuation and treatment gangrene set in and PVT Whitaker died of his wounds on 11 Dec 1944.

PVT Whitaker rests forever in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

SSG Elmer Kleinjans

SSG Elmer Kleinjans was born 25 Nov 1920 in Wyoming, Michigan to Edward and Martha (Moll) Kleinjans. His father worked as a cabinet maker in a furniture factory. 

Elmer was working as a meat cutter when drafted in August 1942. After completing his initial training, Elmer was sent to England and assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault that would begin the invasion of "fortress Europe" and was with the unit on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. PFC Kleinjans was wounded on 7 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 24 Jul 1944. He was promoted to SGT on 1 Sep 1944 and was again promoted, this time to SSG, on 23 Nov 1944. SSG Kleinjans was wounded on 4 Dec 1944 and again evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 10 Dec 1944.

SSG Kleinjans was repatriated in 1948 and now rests forever in Grandville Cemetery in Grandville, Michigan.

PFC Harry Eiduson

PFC Harry Eiduson was born 11 Dec 1924 in Buffalo, New York to Joseph and Ida (Schulman) Eiduson. Joseph worked as both a dealer in coal and as a shoemaker. He had immigrated from Lithuania.  He made a fairly good living to support the family of 5, about $1800 in 1939.  They were prosperous enough that the family was able to purchase the home at 100 Cherry Street in Buffalo which was valued at $8000 in 1930. Ida was also an immigrant, having come from Poland. Not knowing which towns they were from they might not have lived that far apart before moving to the U.S.  Harry is not shown as employed on the 1940 census.

When Harry was drafted in June 1943 he was apparently a salesman.  We don't know where he was previously but he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 10 Oct 1944.  Harry was reported as missing in action on 6 Dec 1944. He was apparently wounded and captured on the 3rd.  He was recorded in the morning report as having died on the 9th of December.  For some reason, even though the internment record gives the date of death as 9 Dec 1944 it was mistakenly given as 1 Dec 1944 on the gravestone.

PFC Eiduson was returned to the U.S. in 1949 and is buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, New York.

Both of Harry's brothers also served in WWII. 

SSG Curtis Glenwood Gentry

SSG Curtis Glenwood Gentry was born 2 Jun 1911 in Fluvanna County, Virginia to Harry Dickerson and Annie Estelle (Melton) Gentry. the family farmed.  On 22 Dec 1938, Curtis married Willie Eddie Watts and they had a son a year and a day later. 

Curtis was a PVT in the Charlottesville, Virginia infantry unit when K Company 116th Infantry was federalized in February 1941.  He went through all the training the unit experienced at Fort Meade and Camp Blanding and shipped out with them to England in September 1942.  He then went through all the pre-invasion training the unit had for the amphibious landing that was to happen on 6 Jun 1944 on Omaha Beach.  He survived all that and was shot in the leg on 22 Jun 1944.  Evacuated to the hospital he was not returned to the unit until 16 Nov 1944.  SSG Gentry was wounded again on 8 Dec 1944 and again evacuated to hospital.  He died of his wounds there on 9 Dec 1944. 

SSG Gentry was repatriated in 1949 and is buried in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Palmyra, Virginia.  Willie did not remarry until 1961, she passed away in 1996.  So far as we know his son is still living.

PFC Clyde Elmer House

PFC Clyde Elmer House was born 12 Jan 1909 in Garland County, Arkansas to William Jefferson and Sara Lou Elva (Brown) House. The family farmed. On 21 Feb 1932 he married Era May Roach and they had one son.  Clyde also farmed to support his young family.

Clyde was working as a teamster when he was drafted in Jul 1942.  Trained as an infantryman/rifleman, Clyde was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944.  On 1 Dec 1944 PVT House was promoted to PFC.  On 6 Dec  1944, PFC House was killed in action. 

PFC House is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.  There is a cenotaph for him in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Royal, Arkansas. His wife remarried. 

SSG Charles Ross Barry

SSG Charles Ross Barry was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 27 Aug 1924 to Daniel Allan and Ann Barry.  The family moved to the United States in 1926.  2 years later his only sibling was born in Boston.

Charles was drafted March of 1943.  On 15 Jun 1943 he was naturalized while assigned to D Co, 37 Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Croft, South Carolina. He was sent overseas and on 9 Aug 1944 he reported for duty to E Company 116th Infantry.  On 1 Sep 1944 he was wounded, sent to hospital and dropped from the rolls.  On 18 Nov he returned to the unit and on 3 Dec 1944 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.  SSG Barry was killed in action 6 Dec 1944.

SSG Barry rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.  

PVT Frederick Evans Cassidy

PVT Frederick Evans Cassidy was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania on 5 Jan 1909 to William J and Jennie B (Whittle) Cassidy.  He was the 5th of 7 children.  His father worked in a silk mill.  When old enough Frederick worked in a ship yard and later as a pipe fitter in a refinery. 

In 1935 he married Pansy Mina McGee and they had 2 daughters by Oct 1940 when they divorced.  Frederick had served in 1941 and was recalled to service in September 1943.  He entered service at Fort George Meade, Maryland.

Assigned to B Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944.  He was in hospital for illness or non-battle injury on 24 Jul, returned to the unit on 28 Jul, wounded on 8 Aug, in hospital until 14 Nov when he was returned to the unit and then killed in action on 6 Dec 1944 near Koslar, Germany.  He rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

SGT Jesse George Salajczyk

SGT Jesse George Salajczyk was born 30 Aug 1924 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of the 2 sons born to George and Agnes (Polarki) Salajczyk. George also used the names Antoni Borlak and Wojiech Salajcyk (perhaps to help him leave his native Poland) and worked as a carpenter and laborer. He was Agnes' 2nd husband and she also had a daughter by her first husband. He abandoned the family in June 1940 and apparently went back to Maryland but the family including Jesse did not know this. Jesse did graduate from Academy High School in Erie in 1943.

Jesse was drafted right out of high school in in June 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to England and the European theater of operations. We do not know to which units he was assigned before being transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944. As a CPL he likely already had combat experience with another infantry unit. CPL Salajczyk was promoted to SGT on 23 Nov 1944 and officially began serving as a squad leader. SGT Salajczyk was killed in action on 5 Dec 1944 as the unit fought along the west bank of the Roer River in Germany.

SGT Salajczyk rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Jesse's brother, Thaddeus Casimer Salajczyk, also served in the U.S. Army in WW2. 

PVT Leonard Ray Shaw

PVT Leonard Ray Shaw was born in 14 Feb 1912 in Crawford County, Indiana, youngest child and only son of George Quimby and Sarah Ella (Pierson) Shaw.  He married Dorothy L Moore about 1936 and was the father of George Ray, Betty Frances and Bonnie Fern. In 1940 Leonard was working as a farm hand, probably for Howard Davis of Adams, Indiana.

Leonard was drafted in April 1944 and first assigned to C Company, 116th Infantry 28 Oct 1944 and killed in action on 5 Dec 1944.  

Leonard and Dorothy had 6 grandchildren and at least 6 great-grandchildren. Dorothy never remarried and died in 1990,  They now rest side by side in Mechanicsburg Cemetery in Mechanicsburg, Indiana.

PFC Calvin Ray Shealy

courtesy of Nolan

PFC Calvin Ray Shealy was born 6 Apr 1924 in Saluda County, South Carolina. He was the youngest of the 2 children born to George Lester and Aurie Lee (Shealy) Shealy. His father farmed near Germanville, South Carolina. Calvin completed 3 years of high school but moved away from the family home to do farm work elsewhere by the time he was 16 years old.

Calvin was drafted in November 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and England where he was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry. PVT Shealy was promoted to PFC on 7 Sep 1944. He had fought with the unit from D-Day through Saint-Lo, Vire, Brest, and Aachen. It was as the regiment was engaged in clearing the west bank of the Roer River that PFC Shealy was killed in action on 5 Dec 1944.

PFC Shealy was repatriated and re-interred in the Rehoboth United Methodist Church Cemetery in Saluda County, South Carolina. 

SSG James Eugene Schulz

SSG James Eugene Schulz was born 6 Feb 1922 in Dwight, Illinois. He was the eldest of 8 children of William Herman and Marie Theresa (Schopp) Schulz. His father farmed in Livingston County, Illinois. James only completed 1-year of high school and went to work for another farmer.

James voluntarily enlisted in August 1942. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to K Company 116th Infantry. He trained with that unit in England for the planned amphibious landing that was to be part of the liberation of occupied France. PFC Schulz took part in the landings and fought with the unit until wounded on 19 Jul 1944 by which time he had been promoted to SSG and was serving as a squad leader. Evacuated to hospital SSG Schulz spent almost 4 months recovering from his wound(s). He was returned to his unit via the replacement depot on 13 Nov 1944. He then fought with K Company through Baesweiler and Setterich. SSG Schulz was killed in action near Koslar, Germany on 5 Dec 1944.

SSG Schulz rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

4 of James' 5 brothers also served in the U.S. military.

PFC Donald J. Ogilvie

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Donald J. Ogilvie was born in 1921 in Buffalo, New York. He was the 4th of 5 children born to John Burton and Emma Emelie (Holmes) Ogilvie. His mother died just 3 years later and the children were split up among the grandparents. His father worked as a truck driver and although he re-married in 1939, the children remained with their now widowed grandmothers. Donald was able to complete 2-years of high school.

Donald was also working as a driver when he voluntarily enlisted in the Army for one year in September 1940. Donald was discharged in September 1941 and married Doris in that same year. He then started work as a machinist. He and Doris would have a daughter.

Then in November 1943 Donald was drafted and re-trained. He was then sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. PVT Ogilvie was promoted to PFC on 1 Nov 1944. PFC Ogilvie was killed in action on 5 Dec 1944.

PFC Ogilvie is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Brother, John Henry Ogilvie, was serving in the New York National Guard as a CPL when his unit was activated in 1941 and served through the war in the 174th Infantry.

PVT George Anthony Somers

PVT George Anthony Somers was born 4 Jan 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 3rd of 5 children born to Ralph and Ellen "Nellie" (Hagerty) Somers. A sister was still born in 1929 and his father left the family about the same time. Nellie moved her family to her parent's house at 5538 Market Street in Philadelphia. Interestingly, the family paid $50 a month rent for the home in 1930 but rent had fallen to $35 a month in 1940 due to the deflation connected to the Great Depression. By 1940 Nellie was working as a cashier and George was working as a newsboy at a newstand.

George was drafted in December 1942. He completed his basic military training and was sent to England in April 1943. Assigned to C Company 116th Infantry, PVT Somers participated in the training in amphibious operations to prepare for the liberation of France. He took part in the landing and was wounded on 6 Jun 1944. Evacuated to hospital and probably to England, PVT Somers suffered an attack of gastritis in September 1944 and was not returned to C Company via the replacement depot until 27 Oct 1944. Battlefield conditions took a toll on him and he was sent back to hospital with what was diagnosed as arthritis on 9 Nov 1944. He returned again to C Company on 3 Dec 1944. The regiment was fighting to clear the west bank of the Roer River and it was in that fighting that PVT Somers was struck by fragments from an artillery shell in his chest and foot. Despite being evacuated and receiving a transfusion he died of his wounds on 5 Dec 1944.

PVT Somers was repatriated aboard the USAT Lawrence Victory in August 1948 and re-interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

Brother, Joseph Vincent Somers, served as a TM2c in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Gantner (APD-42, a Buckley class destroyer escort) in the Atlantic Ocean.

PFC James Baume Stryker

PFC James Baume Stryker was born 11 Dec 1918 in Evanston, Illinois to Hird Franklin and Ruth Estey (Baume) Stryker.  One of 5 children, James attended Omaha High School and was in the ROTC. 

His father was an attorney and on the University of Omaha board of regents.   His mother was a graduate of Northwestern University.  His brother was also a graduate of Northwestern and attending law school at Michigan when he enlisted.  Sister Barbara would attend the University of Nebraska.  This is a family that valued education and it is certain that James would have had a high education had he survived the war.

James went into the service almost directly out of high school after spending only 1-year at Yale University, overseas with the 29th Division and was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry.  He participated in the D-Day landing, was promoted to PFC on 1 Jul 1944.  He was wounded and went to hospital on 11 Jul 1944 (near St. Lo).  On 28 Oct 1944 he was returned to the unit from the replacement depot.  While he was missing in action for a time it was later determined that he had been killed in a German minefield on 5 Dec 1944.

His brother, mentioned in the article, was an actor who enlisted in Washington, D.C. giving his home state as Indiana.  

PFC Stryker is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery.

SGT Mike Perales Sanchez

courtesy of Des Philippet

SGT Mike Perales Sanchez was born on 22 Nov 1923 in Argus, California. He was one of about 12 children born to Antonio Carlo Martinez and Julia (Perales) Sanchez. His parents had come to the U.S. from Mexico in 1911 and 1920 respectively. Julia brought their daughters Dolores and Inez with her. The family soon moved from Texas to California like many others at the time and at least for some years worked as migrant laborers. However, they eventually put down roots in Fresno County and lived in Firebaugh, California which, almost 100 years later, is still surrounded by extensive farms. Mike grew up doing farm work and was still doing that work in 1940.

Mike was drafted in late December 1943. Sent to Europe in late August 1944 that PVT Sanchez was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 5 Sep 1944 to serve as a rifleman. He must have earned the trust of his superiors because he was promoted directly to SGT, to serve as a squad leader, on 28 Oct 1944. He had fought at Brest, Aachen, Baesweiler, Setterich and Koslar when he was killed in action in fighting near Julich, Germany on 5 Dec 1944.

SGT Sanchez is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Note: Mike's family was very difficult to sort out. A combination of poor record keeping in the past and the family's low economic status when they entered the country likely contributed to this. So too did some confusing family trees done by other unknown genealogists. We think that this is the story of Mike and his family and if any reader has contradicting documentation we ask that they please share it with us so that Mike and his family's sacrifice for us is not distorted.

T4 Alex Medina Castillo

T4 Alex Medina Castillo was born 24 Apr 1917 in San Diego, California to Miguel Hernandez and Aurelia Jimenez (Medina) Castillo.  Both parents were born in Mexico.  Alex's dad was a shoemaker/shoe repairer.  Miguel died in 1941. 

Alex was drafted in March 1941.  We do not know where or in what units he served prior to his assignment to K Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. He must have had some experience because he was already a T4.  T4 Castillo was killed in action on 5 Dec 1944. 

T4 Castillo was likely repatriated sometime in 1947-1949 and now rests forever with his family in the Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego, California. 

Alex's mother, Aurelia, lived to be 97 years old.  His brother Ralph served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. 

PFC Millard Joseph Breaux

PFC Millard Joseph Breaux was born 4 Mar 1924 in Houma, Louisiana to Harry Etienne and Angele Corrine (Boudreaux) Breaux.  His father farmed sugar cane and vegetables for local sale. 

Millard had graduated from high school and was working as a sales clerk when he was drafted in March 1943. After his training as a medic Millard was sent overseas and on 14 Oct 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry.  He was killed in action by an exploding mine on 5 Dec 1944 as he attempted to evacuate wounded from a minefield near Hasenfeld, Germany.

PFC Millard is interred with his family in the Saint Francis de Sales Cemetery #2 in Houma, Louisiana.

PFC Julian Cerda Robles

PFC Julian Cerda Robles was born to Antonio Lopez and Carmen (Cerda) Robles on 28 Nov 1916 in San Antonio, Texas.  Both his parents were natives of Texas.  His father worked as a cement worker according to the 1931 city directory.  The family lived at 657 Magnolia Avenue for many years.  Julian was named for his paternal grandfather who was born in Mexico in 1834, prior to Texas nationhood.  Before his death but after the 1940 census, Julian married Olivia Jiminez.  Nothing else is known about his wife but we know that she lived at 1043 Shook Avenue, San Antonio, Texas.

Julian was drafted in June of 1943.  PVT Robles was apparently assigned to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry prior to D-Day.  He went to the hospital on 11 July as a non-battle casualty.  He was relieved from attachment and returned to the Medical Detachment on 18 July.  On 25 July he returned to the 3rd Battalion and then on the 27th was again relieved of attachment.  On 14 Sep 1944 he went to hospital with a "light" wound (but serious enough to go to hospital).  On 23 Sep 1944 he was returned to duty from the hospital and then promoted to PFC on 13 Nov 1944 to be effective 1 Jul 1944.  He was killed in action by an exploding mine on 5 Dec 1944 as he attempted to evacuate wounded from a minefield near Hasenfeld, Germany..  We are still looking for information on his Bronze Star medal but we believe it was for this action.

PFC Robles is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

Brothers Jesus (CPT, USAAF), Genaro (CPL, USA) also served.  

PVT Vernon Lafayette Richardson

PVT Vernon Lafayette Richardson was born 24 Feb 1918 to Lovell Allen and Maggie Arena (Holcomb) of Bardwell, Texas.  The 3rd of 7 children, he helped his father with the family farm.  Vernon married Clydie Mae Sumrow in Navarro County, Texas on 16 Apr 1938 when he was only 20 years old.  As late as 1940 he was still working on a farm. They had 3 children, 2 of whom are still living, and several grand-children.

We aren't certain when Vernon entered the service but he was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry on 28 Oct 1944.  PVT Richardson was killed on 5 Dec 1944.  He rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

Clydie re-married many years later and passed away in 2001.

SSG James Pershing Jordan

SSG James Pershing Jordan was born 16 Nov 1919 in Tyro, Virginia. He was the oldest of John Sewyn and Lacey (Fitzgerald) Jordan's 5 children. His father supported the family by farming his own farm near Massies Mill, Virginia. A younger brother died in infancy in 1931 and James' mother died at age 32 in 1935 and his father remarried in 1943. James would never meet his half-siblings. In 1939 James moved to Waynesboro, Virginia and took a room with the Mays family at 453 Winchester Avenue and worked at Wayne Manufacturing Company where he operated a rip saw. 

James was drafted in late February 1942 and reported to Camp Lee where he began his 5 months of military training. Before he was sent to England he married Helen Mae Taylor of East Rainelle,West Virginia on 29 Aug 1942. Soon after his marriage PVT Jordan left for England where he was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry. Once with the unit he trained for the planned amphibious invasion of Nazi occupied France and the now PFC Jordan took part in that landing. In the days that follow he demonstrated his competence and leadership abilities including an action for which he received the Silver Star for which the citation reads as follows:  

"While his company was advancing, PFC Jordan aided the advance materially by exposing himself and bringing fire upon an enemy emplacement. This enabled an officer and another enlisted man to outflank the position and neutralize enemy resistance, there-by killing seven Germans and capturing eleven others. His heroic action at the risk of his own  life reflects credit upon himself and the military service."

It was probably as the result of this that he was promoted to SSG on 14 Jul 1944. He was wounded in an arm and foot when the unit came under artillery fire. Evacuated to hospital, he did not return to the unit until 8 Sep 1944. He continued to fight with K Company until he was killed in action on 5 Dec 1944 near Koslar, Germany. 

SSG Jordan was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Riverview Cemetery in Waynesboro, Virginia. 

James Pershing Jordan is the nephew of CPT James Oren Jordan.

PVT Melvin Donald Butzner

PVT Melvin Donald Butzner (b. 9 Nov 1913 - d. 4 Dec 1944) born in Plymouth County, Iowa to John R (a native Virginian) and Lucy Bell (Swearingen) Butzner and was married to Helen Mathilda Smith. 

Melvin and Helen had one son, Melvin, who died shortly after he was born in 1937. Melvin had a brother, John, who also served in the military in WWII and Korea. 

Melvin enlisted 6 Oct 1943 and reported for duty to A Company, 116th Infantry on 13 Jun 1944. He was apparently wounded on 3 Jul and returned from the hospital on 14 Nov. Initially assigned to B Company, he must have managed to convince somebody to reassign him to A Company on 20 Nov. Initially declared MIA on 7 Dec his date of death was apparently found to be 4 Dec.. His body was not repatriated until 1949 or 1950.  He is now buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James, Minnesota.

His grandfather, John Hunter Butzner served in the Fredericksburg Light Artillery in the Civil War and was mustered out at Appomattox Court House.

PVT Bertie Lee Rich

courtesy of Tim Bear

PVT Bertie Lee Rich was born 1 Jan 1918 in Belcherville, Texas. His twin was Bonnie Laura Rich. Together they were the 6th and 7th children of the 12 children born to Walter Scott and Minnie Mable (Welker) Rich. His brother, Carl, did not survive infancy.

Bertie was drafted in March 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Rich was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 28 Oct 1944. He was killed in action on 4 Dec 1944 near Julich, Germany.

PVT Rich was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Nocona Cemetery in Nocona, Texas. 

Brother, Horace Edwin Rich, was killed in action on 21 Dec 1944 while serving as a SSG with G Company 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. He was also repatriated and re-interred with family at the Nocona Cemetery. Their great-grandfather, John Levi Billington, served as 3rd SGT in CPT Tyus' Company, 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers (CSA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather, Edward Cash Rich, served as 4th SGT, CPT Blythe's Company (A Company), 2nd Regiment Mississippi Infantry in the Mexican-American War.

PVT George Morris Nester Laine

PVT George Morris Nester Laine, b. 26 Jun 1917 - d. 4 Dec 1944, son of Ambrose Joseph Gilain and Emilie (Stolz) Laine in Kalamazoo, MI. He was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944, wounded 30 Jul 1944 and returned to the unit 27 Oct 1944. He had two children when he died, George and Bonnie. PVT Laine is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Peter W. Perrone

PFC Peter W. Perrone was born 10 Jul 1920 in Lodi, New Jersey. He was the youngest of 5 children born to Ciro and Antonina (LaBarba) Perrone. Both parents had immigrated from Sicily. His father worked hard to support the family who lived on Summer Street in Lodi for many years. Oldest brother Benjamin died in 1932 and Ciro died in 1939 at 54-years old. In 1940 the family was living in a house they owned at 21 Summer Street which was valued at $3000. Peter's older sister Rose together with her husband and son also lived with the family With Ciro gone, everyone in the family went to work but none of them worked for all of 1939. However, their combined reported income for 1939 was $2800 to support the family of 7. Peter did his part although he never advanced his education beyond grammar (elementary) school, working in a silk mill with other family members for 20 weeks of 1939 and earning $350.

Peter was drafted in January 1943. After his basic infantry training he was sent to the European theater. PFC Perrone was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 27 Oct 1944. PFC Perrone fought with B Company until killed in action on 4 Dec 1944.

PFC Perrone was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Saint Nicholas Cemetery in Lodi, New Jersey.

Both of Peter's surviving brothers also served in the U.S. Army during the war. James Vincent Perrone safely returned home. Anthony T. Perrone was captured in August 1944 and served out the war as a POW in Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11).

PVT Emilio Moreno Jr

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Emilio Moreno Jr. was born 31 Jul 1918 in Ademuz, Spain. He was the eldest of the 2 sons born to Emilio and Inez Ontala (Gomar) Moreno. Both parents were also natives of Spain. The younger Emilio immigrated in 1934 and after attending school worked, as his father did, as a toolmaker in the Stanley works in New Britain, Connecticut. The family lived at 164 Washington Street in New Britain. His mother died in 1937. Emilio was working for Argus Engineering in 1940. Emilio took the oath of citizenship on 30 Nov 1943.

Drafted in March 1944, Emilio was sent to Europe after completing his basic infantry training. He was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944. He suffered a non-battle injury on 14 Nov 1944 and it was serious enough to be evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 29 Nov 1944. PVT Moreno was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PVT Moreno rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Edward L. Gruezke

PVT Edward L. Gruezke was born 20 May 1919 in Dearborn, Michigan to Otto Henry and Mary (Kupkowski) Gruezke. The family farmed.  On 28 Sep 1937 he married Kathleen Fourn.

Edward went into military service in March 1944.  He was trained as a rifleman and sent to Europe.  He was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 10 Oct 1944.  PVT Gruezke was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PVT Gruezke was repatriated in 1949 and was buried in the Marble Park Cemetery in Milan, Michigan. We don't know what became of Kathleen.

PFC Wiley Lee Newman

courtesy of CJ

PFC Wiley Lee Newman was born 12 Oct 1924 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He was the 3rd of 8 children born to Wiley Lee and Linda (Gray) Newman. His father was half Choctaw and his mother was "full blooded" Cherokee. His father farmed.Wiley reported that he was self-employed when he registered for the draft in 1940.

Wiley was working as farm labor when drafted in November 1943. PVT Newman came down with the measles in the midst of his training which likely delayed his graduation by a week or so. After basic training, PVT Newman was sent to the European theater and on 15 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry. Wiley was injured on 5 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 9 Oct 1944. Wiley was promoted to PFC on 1 Nov 1944. PFC Newman was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PFC Newman was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred with family in Union Cemetery in Rye, Arkansas.

SSG Amos Ryland Buchanan

SSG Amos Ryland Buchanan was born in Mecklenberg County, Virginia in 1920.

Amos was a member of the Chase City National Guard unit when it was federalized on 3 Feb 1944.  Assigned to E Company 116th Infantry at the time of the D-Day amphibious assault on the beaches of Normandy, France,  he was wounded by shrapnel in his right leg on 30 Jun 1944 but remained on duty.  On 18 Jul 1944 he was promoted to SSG and on the same day was sent to hospital with a non-battle injury.  On 26 Jul 1944 he returned to the unit.  On 4 Aug 1944 he was wounded again and sent back to the hospital. We don't know when he was returned to the unit but he was with the unit when killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

SSG Buchanan is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Elden Lawrence Kuehn

PVT Elden Lawrence Kuehn was born 19 Jan 1922 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Herman August and Esther Lucy (Wolff) Kuehn. His father worked as a finisher in a furniture factory and as a laborer for the Works Progress Administration.

After entering the Army and completing basic training, Elden was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. PVT Kuehn was injured but not in combat on 3 Nov 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 29 Nov 1944.  PFC Kuehn was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PFC Kuehn was repatriated in 1949 and is buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

His brother, Robert Gene Kuehn, served as an Army PFC during the war.

PVT Harold Beck

PVT Harold Beck was born 23 Sep 1925 in New York City to Milton and Esther (Spector) Beck.  Harold was their only child.  Milton was a clerk for the US Postal Service. 

Harold was drafted in November 1943.  It appears that he was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry before D-Day and survived uninjured until 14 Sep 1944 when he went to hospital.  He returned to B Company on 15 Nov 1944.  Originally thought to be missing in action he was found to have been killed in action on 3 Dec 1944. 

PVT Beck's body was repatriated and he is buried in the Long Island National Cemetery. 

Milton Beck had served in WWI as a Corporal in C Company 137th Engineers and is also buried in the Long Island National Cemetery.

SSG Richard Henry Shuttleworth

Richard in 1939

SSG Richard Henry Shuttleworth was born 29 Sep 1922 in Camp John Hay, Philippines. He was the first-born of 2 children and only son of MAJ William Swann and Willian E. (Bell) Shuttleworth. His father was an Army dentist. As with most military families, they moved quite a bit. The family would live in the Philippines, Highlands and Plattsburg, New York and San Francisco, California before moving to Monterey, California. Richard attended Galileo High School in San Francisco, graduating in 1939. Richard was still unemployed but attending college and living in Pacific Grove, California when he registered for the draft in June 1942.

Richard had managed to complete 3-years of college when he was drafted in January 1943, After his basic military training he must have exhibited leadership potential because he was a CPL when transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. He was promoted to SSG on 1 Nov 1944. He fought with the unit in the vicinity of Aachen and was wounded on 27 Nov 1944 but remained on duty. SSG Shuttleworth was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944 as the regiment worked to clear the west bank of the Roer River.

SSG Shuttleworth was repatriated and re-interred in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. His parents are also buried there.

TSGT Parley Carlos Plaster

TSGT Parley Carlos Plaster was born 26 Mar 1913 in Swords Creek, Virginia. He was the oldest of the 5 children born to Henry Clinton and Mary Elizabeth (McGlothlin) Plaster. His father owned the farm on Big Lick Road (later known as Road Number 83) near Swords Creek that supported the family. By 1940, Parley and his brother Henry were working as coal miners as did most of their neighbors.

After local National Guard units were federalized in February 1941 there was a large call-up of men who had registered for the draft. Due to policies in place at the time, those men were sent to regional training centers where the likelihood of being assigned to one of those "local" National Guard units was better than later in the war. Parley and his younger brother Henry were drafted on 18 Apr 1941 and both were assigned to I Company 116th Infantry. They would then train with the unit at Fort Meade, Maryland, in the Carolina maneuvers and at Camp Blanding, Florida. He was then sent with the unit to England aboard the Queen Mary and trained there for the amphibious assault that would take place on 6 Jun 1944. SSG Plaster was wounded on 8 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He did not return to the unit until 19 Sep 1944 when he was transferred from the replacement depot. Parley was promoted to TSGT on 28 Oct 1944. he fought with the unit until 3 Dec 1944 when he was struck by shrapnel from a bouncing betty mine and killed in action during an attack on the Sportplatz outside Koslar, Germany.This was reportedly the same mine that killed PVT Ewal Garrett.

TSGT Plaster was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Plaster Cemetery in Swords Creek, Virginia.

Brother, Henry Jackson Plaster, was drafted with Parley and served with him in I Company 116th Infantry. Henry was wounded but survived the war. Their grandfather, Henry Lafayette Plaster, served as a PVT in G Company 29th Virginia Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather, Christopher Columbus Richardson, served as a PVT in G Company 14th Kentucky Cavalry (CSA).

SGT Edward R. Cawley

SGT Edward R. Cawley was born 21 Jul 1918 in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania to John Francis and Catherine H (Higgins) Cawley. Edward's grandparents, John and Bridget (Nallon) Cawley, had immigrated from Ireland.  Edward's father died in August 1925 when Edward was only 7.  Working as fire boss there was an explosion of gas in the mine and he suffered 3rd degree burns over his entire body.   In 1940 several of the children were working to support the family of 8 and reportedly earned $2090 in 1939.

Drafted in February 1943. He was shipped overseas in mid-September 1944. He was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944.  SGT Cawley was killed in action 3 Dec 1944.

Younger brother John Francis Cawley Jr served in the Navy during the war (1942-1946 and was overseas 39 months). John Francis served in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons 19, 23 & 16.

His mother died in 1948. 

PFC Henry Andrew Jones

PFC Henry Andrew Jones was born 24 Jun 1920 in Polk, Missouri to Louis Calvin and Mary Evylena (Mattingly) Jones.  His father farmed and died in 1938 of heart disease.

Henry was drafted in September 1943. Sent to Europe he was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944. On 5 Sep 1944 Henry was promoted to PFC.  PFC Jones was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944. 

PFC Jones is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Brother Randall Raphael Jones served Cannon Company 289th Infantry and was awarded the Bronze Star. Brother Philip Floyd Jones also served in the army during WWII.  Brother Pius Bernard Jones served in the Army from 1946 to 1947.

PFC Tillman Howard Waller

courtesy of Kathleen Englebretson

PFC Tillman Howard Waller was born 30 Sep 1912 in Taylor, Wisconsin. He was the 5th of 8 children born to Henry and Amanda Petrine (Matson) Waller. His father supported the family by farming in Jackson County, Wisconsin. After he turned 18, Tillman decided to look elsewhere for work and found employment in Washington and Oregon in sawmills. In 1940 he was working for E. B. Miller in Corvallis, Oregon. 

When he was drafted in July 1942, Tillman was working in King County, Washington. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He would have trained with the unit for the amphibious assault that was planned as part of the effort to liberate Nazi occupied France. He took part in the D-Day assault and managed to avoid injury until 2 Sep 1944 in Brest, France. Wounded by shell fragments in a foot, PFC Tillman was evacuated to hospital. He was not discharged until October and returned to G Company via the replacement depot on 16 Nov 1944. PFC Waller was then transferred to B Company 116th Infantry on 20 Nov 1944. PFC Waller was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944 in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany. 

PFC Waller was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. 

Brothers Walter Edwin Waller and Herman M. Waller also served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

SSG Melvin America Flammia

SSG Melvin America Flammia, b. 23 Jun 1924 - d. 3 Dec 1944. Son of America and Margaret Mae (Hall) Flammia of Richmond, Virginia. Melvin is on our right with an unidentified friend (a SSG) in England. He was drafted in Jan 1943 and ultimately assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  Promoted to SGT on 18 Aug 1944 and to SSG on the day of his death, 3 Dec 1944.  SSG Flammia rests in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Melvin was wounded on D-Day and is shown (but seldom identified) in one of the iconic photos of wounded from that day. This is the second photo we have in which SSG Flammia has been identified (he would have been a CPL or PFC in this photo). He is in the center of the picture. The man facing the camera in front has been identified as Nick Fine.

PVT Ewal Earman Garrett Sr.

courtesy Des Philippet

PVT Ewal Earman Garrett Sr. was born 4 Jan 1913 in Wise County, Virginia to Gilmer and Etta Cordelia (Brooks) Garrett.  His father was a coal miner in 1920 but was farming by 1930.  Ewal married Bonnie Jean Francisco on 25 May 1939, they already had a daughter in January 1939, and was working on a farm according to the 1940 census.

After entering the service, Ewal was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944.  PVT Garrett was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944 when he was struck by shrapnel from a bouncing betty mine during an attack on the Sportplatz outside Koslar, Germany.

PVT Garrett was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.  Bonnie did not re-marry.

TSGT Robert William Andrews

TSGT Robert William Andrews was born in February 1918 in Illinois to Henry William and Lydia Maria Sophia (Ellinghausen) Andrews.  His father worked as a carpenter and so was Robert in 1940.  The family was thus able to have an income of over $3300 in 1939.

Robert was drafted in June 1941.  We do not know to what other units he had been assigned but he was a SGT when transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944.  The morning report notes his promotion to SSG on 1 Nov 1944 and he was a TSGT when killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.  I should note that it appears that it is believed he was killed by a sniper.  We can not confirm that. 

TSGT Andrews is buried in Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, Illinois.

PFC William Austin Harper Jr.

PFC William Austin Harper Jr. was born 13 Jan 1920 in Iowa City, Iowa the 3rd and youngest child of William Austin and Ruby J. (Ham) Harper.  His father was a machinist and reported a 1939 income of $1300.  In 1940 William Jr. was working as a driver for a Purity Bakery and reported a 1939 income of $380. In June 1940 he married Charlene June Ford. He then went to work as an ambulance driver for the Yellow Cab Company in Iowa City.

William was drafted in March 1943.  After training he was sent to Europe and on 19 Jun 1944 transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry.   On 11 Jul 1944 he was wounded by artillery fire and evacuated to hospital. William returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 28 Oct 1944.  He was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PFC Harper is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

William and Charlene had no children.

PVT August William Vetter

courtesy of PollysGranddaughter

PVT August William Vetter was born 6 Jul 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the only child of August W. and Clara Marie (Hettinger) Vetter. His father was a fireman on the Wabash Railroad but died in 1928 of complications from strep throat. His mother re-married. August's step-father, Olando Lawrence Schnitzmeyer, was a foreman in a local quarry who reported a 1939 income of $2300. A pretty good income at the time, Olando was able to support a growing family which included August's 2 half-sisters born in 1937 and 1939. August found work in Omaha, Nebraska with Eaton's Metal Products which produced variety of tanks and pipes. 

August was drafted in late 1943 or early 1944. After completing his basic military training PVT Vetter was sent to the European theater and England. He was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944 to serve as a rifleman. It was during this time period that the regiment took in a large number of replacements after the losses of the first 2 weeks of combat in France. PVT Vetter then fought with G Company as the regiment participated in the battles at Saint-Lo, Vire, Brest, Aachen and Koslar. PVT Vetter was killed in action during operations to clear the west bank of the Roer River.

PVT Vetter was initially buried at Margraten Holland but repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Jefferson City National Cemetery in Jefferson City, Missouri.

PVT Ross Phillips Eldredge

PVT Ross Phillips Eldredge was born 27 Jan 1908 in Preston, Idaho to Horace and Hannah Annora (Phillips) Eldredge.  His father farmed. Ross married Ruby Lavina Hayward on 17 Nov 1928.  In 1930, father and son worked as laborers. In 1940, Ross and Ruby were living with her parents and they reported a combined income of $1006 for 1939. 

Ross was drafted in March 1944.  He had been working for a food packer so that might be one reason he was drafted relatively late in the war.  Trained and sent overseas, he was assigned to B Company on 10 Oct 1944.  He was injured on 29 Oct 1944 seriously enough to be sent to the hospital and not return to the unit until 29 Nov 1944.  PVT Eldredge was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PVT Eldredge is buried in the Dayton Cemetery in Dayton, Idaho. He and Ruby had no children. Ruby remarried. 

PFC Henry Ogle Burnett

PFC Henry Ogle Burnett was born 4 Jul 1915 in Asheville, North Carolina to Fred G. and Elizabeth W. Burnett. Fred worked in a cigarette factory and farmed. When he could, Henry worked as a laborer on road construction.

Drafted in April 1941, Henry was ultimately assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  We aren't certain at this time but it appears that he came ashore with the unit on D-Day and survived unscathed until he was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PFC Burnett is buried in the Piney Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Weaverville, North Carolina. 

PFC Vernon W. Pillen

PFC Vernon W. Pillen was born 22 Apr 1922 in Platte Center, Nebraska. He was the oldest of the 9 children born to Henry W. and Otillie Kunigunda "Gunda" (Melcher) Pillen. The family farmed near Burrows, Nebraska. Sister Thelma died in infancy in 1931. Vernon worked on the family farm and we know that he cut off part of his middle finger (which hand is unclear) in 1936 while working.

His finger injury didn't disqualify Vernon for service and he was drafted in December 1942. He was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana for his initial military training and in May 1943 was granted a furlough in conjunction with his transfer to Camp Howse, Texas. In February 1944, Vernon got another 10-day furlough. He was then transferred to the European theater. He went to England and then to France and was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 16 Jun 1944. PFC Pillen fought with the unit until wounded on 5 Jul 1944 and was evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 5 Sep 1944. He then fought with B Company in the attacks on Brest and Aachen. PFC Pillen was killed in action in the vicinity of Julich, Germany on 3 Dec 1944.

PFC Pillen was not repatriated until 1950 when he was re-interred in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Platte Center, Nebraska.

SSG Samuel Marinaro

SSG Samuel Marinaro - b. 12 Oct 1923 - d. 3 Dec 1944. Son of Emmanuel and Margaret E (Reisch) Marinaro, Samuel was born in Pittsburgh, PA (his father was from Sicily). He graduated from Peabody High School and enlisted 15 Feb 1943. On 14 Aug 1944 he was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry as a Private and wounded 1 Sep as the unit moved to capture Brest and promoted to Sergeant. He was wounded again 15 Oct 1944 and promoted to Staff Sergeant the next day. He was wounded again 26 Nov 1944 and again returned to duty and was still assigned to F Company when he died. SSG Marinaro was survived by his parents and sister Carmela Emma Marinaro. This photo was taken from his high school yearbook. SSG Marinaro is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Edward John Wiacek

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Edward John Wiacek was born 3 Apr 1925 in Syracuse, New York. He was the youngest of the 6 children born to Polish immigrants Ludwik and Stefania (Pawlowska) Wiacek. The family had been renting the house at 112 Wall Street in Syracuse since before 1920 and their broader extended family also lived on the street. Ludwik worked as a moulder in a foundry for all those years, earning a reported 1939 income of $700. Edward was able to attend 2-years of high school before beginning work.

Edward was drafted in April 1944. Starting at Fort Dix, New Jersey, PVT Wiacek completed his basic military training and was sent to the European theater. He was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. PVT Wiacek was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944. 

PVT Wiacek rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Brother, Walter Joseph Wiacek, served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. 

SSG Jean Herbert Painter

courtesy of LAB

SSG Jean Herbert Painter was born 23 Jan 1915 in High Park, Pennsylvania. He was the first of the 2 sons born to Herbert Cleveland and Rose (Yurt) Painter. His father worked for a glass manufacturer in Hempfield, Pennsylvania for many decades. He was eventually able to buy a home on Baughman Avenue in Hempfield that was valued at $2000 in 1940. Jean and his younger brother Edward worked at the same works by 1940. Their father reported a 1939 income of $1275, Jean earned $372 and Edward $20 but Edward had been unemployed for 13 weeks.

Jean registered for the draft in 1940 but wasn't drafted until January 1944. After completing his basic training he was sent to Europe and soon assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. Jean was promoted from PVT to SSG on 1 Nov 1944. He must have demonstrated strong leadership skills for this to have been done. Initially reported missing, SSG Painter had been killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

SSG Painter was repatriated and re-interred in the Brush Creek Cemetery in Irwin, Pennsylvania and rests there with his immediate family.

Younger brother, Edward Glenn Painter, was drafted in 1942 and served in the Army until 1945.

PFC Archie Ray Friend

courtesy of D. G. Keener

PFC Archie Ray Friend was born 9 May 1922 in Preston County, West Virginia. He was the 4th of the 5 children born to John Wesley and Myrtle Elizabeth (Bolyard) Friend. His father supported his family on a farm he owned southwest of Rowlesburg, West Virginia in Green Valley. Archie grew up to work the farm with his father. 

Archie was drafted in March 1944. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944. PFC Friend was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944 in the vicinity of Julich, Germany. 

PFC Friend was not repatriated until 1951 and he was re-interred in the Etam Cemetery in Etam, West Virginia near his parents.

PVT Frederick van Dorn Fowler

PVT Frederick van Dorn "Van" Fowler b. 25 Aug 1916 - d. 1 Dec 1944, son of Frederick James and Gretchen (Wertz) Fowler he was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and drafted 25 March 1944. His real name was Frederick Van Dorn Fowler but he apparently went by "Van" is entire life. He reported for duty with A Company 116th Infantry while they were engaged at Aachen, Germany and was killed during the drive on Julich. PVT Fowler is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Francis Neal DeWitt

PFC Francis Neal DeWitt was born 10 Dec 1924 in Anderson, Indiana to Lester Anderson and Martha Ellen (Hasitt) DeWitt.  A note on spelling of the family name.  It is common to spell this and other such names different ways depending on the person recording the name and DeWitt appears as "de Witt", "De Witt", and "Dewitt". 

Neal attended Alexandria-Monroe High School graduating in 1943. 

He was drafted in July 1943 and on 9 Sep 1944 assigned to A Company 116th Infantry.  Neal (that's what his family called him) was promoted to PFC on 21 Sep 1944.  According to the morning report he was thought to be missing in action 19-29 Oct 1944.  PFC DeWitt was killed 1 Dec 1944. 

PFC DeWitt rests forever in the New Albany National Cemetery in New Albany, Indiana.  

PFC Marshall Lavoyd Ray

PFC Marshall Lavoyd Ray was born 17 Dec 1924 in Okemah, Oklahoma. He was the oldest of the 7 children born to Daniel Cleborne and Ina Sythena (Hudson) Ray. Both his parent's families had moved to the area in the 1870s. His father did odd jobs and worked as a driver to support his family.

Marshall was drafted, probably in the latter half of 1943, and probably married Dorothy Dixon in that year. It is even possible that he was able to see their son who was born in January 1944 before he was sent overseas to the European theater. PVT Ray was transferred from the replacement depot to D Company 116th Infantry on 9 Aug 1944 near Vire, France. He would fight with the unit as it fought near Aachen, Germany and it was near there that he was promoted to PFC on 9 Oct 1944. As D Company moved deeper into Germany PFC Ray became a non-battle casualty and sent to hospital on 7 Nov 1944. He was returned to D Company from the replacement depot on 23 Nov 1944. PFC Ray then served with the unit until killed in action on 1 Dec 1944.

PFC Ray was repatriated and re-interred in Lightning Ridge Cemetery in Roff, Oklahoma.

PVT Joseph Harold Spooner

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Joseph Harold Spooner was born 15 Mar 1912 in Keeseville, New York. He was the only son and youngest of the 2 children born to Joseph and Malvina (Rougia) Spooner. His father worked as a day laborer before going to work for the city of Plattsburgh, New York where the family rented a place at 4 Allen Street for $15 a month. The younger Joseph married Georgianna Garrow in April 1933 and the couple lived in a home they owned at 100 Wall Street in Plattsburgh whicch was valued at $200 in 1940. They would eventually have a total of 8 children. In 1940 Joseph was supporting his family by working for the Works Progress Administration on a road construction project and reporting a 1939 income of $434.

Joseph was drafted in April 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater in late September 1944 and then transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 25 Oct 1944. He was with A Company for the fighting at Aachen, Baesweiler and Julich in Germany. PVT Spooner was killed in action near Koslar, Germany in the fighting to clear the west bank of the Roer River.

PVT Spooner rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery and there is a cenotaph to his memory in Saint Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh, New York.