PFC Dillard Cundiff Akers

PFC Dillard Cundiff Akers was born 8 Apr 1924 in Dublin, Virginia to John Dillard and Della Grace (Roop) Akers.  His father farmed and worked as a ferryman.  The family had moved to Giles County by 1940.

Dillard volunteered for service 17 May 1943.  Sent overseas he was assigned to Headquarters 72nd Ordnance Group.  Reassigned to E Company 116th Infantry as a rifleman on 31 Dec 1944.  He served with the unit until killed in action on 28 Feb 1945.

PFC Akers is now buried in the Newbern Christian Church Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia.

Brother, Archie Lee Akers, was also drafted and served in the Army from 1942 to 1946, 

PFC Walter Wesley Jones

PFC Walter Wesley Jones was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on 24 Apr 1921 to Walter Pinkney and Elma E (Moore) Jones.  Walter Wesley was first born of the 5 children and I imagine all helped on the family farm. Unfortunately, this is all we know about this family. 

When Walter registered for the draft he stated that he was unemployed.  He also had a tattoo on his left arm that said "Wesley".  We don't know when he entered service but he was transferred from HQ 13th Corps to F Company 116th Infantry on 1 Jan 1945, was promoted to PFC on 1 Feb 1945 and died of wounds on 28 Feb 1945.  According to the morning reports he was likely wounded on the 28th as well. 

PFC Jones is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

CPL Pierce Robert Duncan

CPL Pierce Robert "Bob" Duncan, b. 22 Oct 1924 - d. 28 Feb 1945. Son of Pierce and Stella Evonne (Hurley) Duncan of Lincoln, Nebraska. His father, who served in the Navy in WWI, had died at age 48 in 1938. Bob entered service in April 1943. In this photo he is on leave in Lincoln in 1943. He was ultimately assigned to E Company 116th Infantry. CPL Duncan is buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska.

PVT Claud R. Goins

PVT Claud R. Goins was born in Garrad County, Kentucky on 31 Aug 1923 the first born of Robert and Elizabeth (Gallagher) Goins. His father farmed.

Claud was drafted in July 1944 and sent to Europe.  On 15 Feb 1945 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Goins was killed in action on 28 Feb 1945 in the vicinity of Otzenrath, Germany.

PVT Goins is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Ivey Jasper Foster

PFC Ivey Jasper Foster was born 26 Sep 1910 in Caldwell County, North Carolina. He was the 2nd of the 5 children born to Andrew Jackson and Effie D. (Kendall) Foster. His father farmed in the Yadkin valley before moving the family to Lenoir, North Carolina and working in a furniture factory. By 1940 Ivey was working for Kent Coffey Manufacturing, then Caldwell Furniture both makers of furniture in Lenoir. His father was 67 and no longer able to work so his mother took a job as a presser in laundry in Lenoir. The family reported a 1939 income of $2716 of which Ivey earned $1040. 

Ivey was drafted in June 1942 and sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for initial processing. After completing his basic military training which took about 5-months, he was sent to the European theater in August 1944. PVT Foster was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry on 24 Oct 1944. He suffered a non-battle injury and was evacuated to hospital on 24 Nov 1944. PVT Foster returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 27 Dec 1944. He suffered another non-battle injury on 5 Jan 1945 and was evacuated to hospital again. He returned to the unit again just 1-week later. Promoted to PFC on 17 Feb 1945 Ivey was killed in action on 28 Feb 1945 near Lutzerath, Germany. 

PFC Foster was repatriated and re-interred in the Bellview Cemetery in Lenoir, North Carolina.

T5 Byron O'Bannon Saunders

T5 Byron O'Bannon Saunders was born 21 Jan 1905 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the youngest of the 2 children born to James H. and Gertrude Lillian (Minter) Saunders. His father was a clerk for R. G. Dun and Company (now Dun and Bradstreet) but died of tuberculosis in April 1906. The family then went to live with his paternal grandfather and Gertrude supported the family as a stenographer for an insurance firm. She died in September 1913, also of tuberculosis. The orphans were separated. Byron's sister, Elizabeth, was sent to the Presbyterian Orphans' Home in Louisville and Byron to their cousin, Susan Hawes' farm in Penn, Kansas where he likely helped work the farm for her and her sister. He had not been able to get more than a grammar school education. However, he left the farm at some point and moved back to Louisville. It was probably in looking for work that Byron enlisted in the Navy and held the rank of S1c while serving aboard the USS Wyoming from sometime in 1924/25 to 7 Oct 1927. Looking for work at sea, he applied for a Seaman's Protection Certificate in November 1927 but it is unknown if he actually went to sea as a merchant seaman. In 1940 Byron was living with his sister and her husband in Louisville and working as a machine operator for Louisville Paper Company earning a reported 1939 income of $720. The beginning of the war likely provided the opportunity and he went to work at the Naval Ordnance Station in Louisville.

By the time he was drafted in December 1942 he felt able to tell authorities that he had completed 2 years of high school. Byron was sent to the U. S. Army Air Corps where he served until he was transferred from the 9th Air Force Service Command to G Company 116th Infantry on 12 Jan 1945. At that time he held the rank of T5, equivalent of a CPL, but was assigned as a rifleman. T5 Saunders fought with his unit until killed in action near Hochneukirch, Germany on 27 Feb 1945.

T5 Saunders was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred to rest forever with other family members in the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

PVT Carl Vincent Rockett

PVT Carl Vincent Rockett was born 10 Aug 1923 in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was the youngest of the 4 children born to James S and Fannie B (McGehee) Rockett. His father worked at various jobs in supporting his family and the family lived in Beaver Creek in Hamilton County, Illinois. We are unsure how far Carl was able to progress with his education but he was working in a restaurant in 1940 when he was 16 reporting a 1939 income of $120 and his father was working for the Work Progress Administration (WPA) reporting 1939 income of only $105. He later went to work in the Hiram Walker & Sons distillery in Peoria. 

Carl was drafted in December 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Rockett was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 15 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman. The unit was at Saint-Lo, France at that time and soon began the push towards Vire. PVT Rockett was wounded on 23 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 19 Dec 1944. The unit was now in Germany and he was once again a rifleman in L Company. PVT Rockett was killed in action on 27 Feb 1945 as L Company and 3rd Battalion fought to control Immerath, Germany. 

PVT Rockett was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Springerton Cemetery in Springerton, Illinois.

PFC David Raymond Misky

David Miskey at age 19.

PFC David Raymond Misky was born 22 Oct 1922 in Waterbury, Connecticut to Nathan and Mary (Israel) Misky. Both parents were Jewish natives of Russia. His father was a furniture salesman. By 1940 David was living a good life. He had completed 2 years of college annd had married Ruth Rita Levine. David was the manager of a grocery in New Britain, Connecticut  where the couple lived.

David was drafted in March of 1944. He was sent to Europe immediately after completing his initial training. He was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 27 Oct 1944. He fought with the unit until killed in action on 27 Feb 1945.

PFC Misky was repatriated and re-interred in the Hebrew Benefit Association Cemetery in Waterbury, Connecticut.

His brother Abraham Misky served in the Army 1942-1945.

PFC William Stanley Niedzwiecki

courtesy of Fred

PFC William Stanley Niedzwiecki was born 27 Jul 1916 in Lowell, Massachusetts. He was the oldest of what would be 7 children born to Alexander H. and Mary (Nosinski) Niedzwiecki. Both parents were natives of Poland. The family soon moved to New Britain, Connecticut where his father worked for Stanley Tool Company. However, by 1940, Alexander was working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) reporting a 1939 income of $560 and paying $16 a month rent for a home at 36 Gold Street in New Britain (at which the family would live for several more years). In that year, William was working at the Stanley works as a buffer and reporting a 1939 income of $1460.William married Branka A. Kaminski.

After entering the service and completing basic training, William was sent to the European theater. He was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 27 Oct 1944. PFC Niedzwiecki was killed in action on 27 Feb 1945.

PFC Niedzwiecki rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Brother, Stanley William Niedzwiecki, served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

PVT Elmer Earl Higby

PVT Elmer Earl Higby was born 21 Aug 1924 in Mountain Grove, Missouri to Henry Albert and Lilly Pearl (Adams) Higby.  The family farmed. Elmer's mother died in 1936. 

Elmer was working as a farm hand when he was drafted in February 1944.  He was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 15 Feb 1945.  Just 11 days later, PVT Higby was killed in action on 26 Feb 1945. 

PVT Higby was repatriated and is buried in the Lone Star Cemetery in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

PFC Charles William Starina Jr.

PFC Charles William Starina Jr. was born 23 Mar 1924 in Hawkesville, Oklahoma. He was the 4th of 5 children born to Charles William and Iva Blanche (Overstreet) Starina. His parent's first born, a daughter, had died in infancy. Charles' father was a farmer in Garden, Kansas growing vegetables for market in nearby Joplin, Missouri. The family home was valued at $200 in 1940.  At age 18, young Charles was working in the Joplin Stockyards.

Charles was drafted just 2 days before his 19th birthday in March 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England in May 1944. He wasn't with the regiment for the D-Day landings but transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944. PVT Starina was wounded on 12 Jul 1944 near Saint-Lo, France and evacuated to hospital. After recovery he was sent to the replacement depot and returned to the unit on 12 Aug 1944. He was wounded again in the fighting for Brest on 2 Sep 1944 and again evacuated to hospital. This must have been a relatively inconsequential wound because he returned to the unit again via the replacement depot on 7 Sep 1944. He didn't stay with the unit for long as PVT Starina was injured on 17 Sep 1944 and again evacuated. This must have been more serious because he didn't return to the unit again until 3 Dec 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 11 Dec 1944. PFC Starina was killed in action near Julich, Germany on 25 Feb 1945.

PFC Starina rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Charles' father served as a PVT in A Company 314th Engineers, 89th Division in France during WWI. Maternal great-grandfather, William R. Overstreet, served in Missouri unit of the Confederate States Army during the Civil War.

SSG Wallace Rodriguez Romero Sr

courtesy of Des Philippet

SSG Wallace Rodriguez Romero Sr was born 11 Apr 1913 in Houston, Texas. He was the oldest and only son of the 4 children born to James Donaciano and Fannie Romano (Cardenas) Romero. His father was a native of Mexico City, Mexico and had worked as a cook and owned a grocery in Houston. Wallace married Janie Ramos in December 1934 and they would have a son in 1937. The family was living at 2009 Union Street in Houston and Wallace was working for Henke and Pillot Grocery Company.

Wallace was drafted in late 1943 and after his basic military training he was sent to the European theater arriving in September 1944. On 10 Sep 1944 PVT Romero was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry. He was promoted to PFC on 21 Sep 1944. Reported as missing in action on 17 Oct 1944 he was back with his unit on 18 Oct 1944. Wallace must have demonstrated leadership and competence in combat beyond that of his fellow soldiers because on 11 Dec 1944 he was promoted to SSG to serve as a squad leader. SSG Romero continued to fight with his unit until killed in action on 25 Feb 1945 in the attack on Lutzerath, Germany.

SSG Romero rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

SSG Frank J. Jones

courtesy Des Philippet

SSG Frank J. Jones was born in 1924 in Missouri the son of Isaac S. and Ethel Hazel (Thompson) Jones. His father worked in both the tire and metal fabrication industries.

Frank was drafted in September 1943.  He was sent to Europe and on 22 Jun 1944 transferred from  the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry.  On 11 Sep 1944 he was promoted to SSG.  He was wounded that same day and evacuated to hospital. He did not return to the unit until 18 Jan 1945.  SSG Jones was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945. 

SSG Jones is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. Brother Robert Isaac Jones served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the war.  Brother Donald Ray Jones served in the Army during the Korean War.

PFC John J. Clawson

PFC John J. Clawson was born 18 Nov 1924 in Allegan County, Michigan to Charles Samuel and Ethel (McDonald) Clawson.  Ethel died in 1926 and it seems that Charles never remarried.  Charles farmed to support his family. 

After John entered the service he was sent overseas and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry.  We believe this was prior to D-Day, 6 Jun 1944.  On 2 Jul 1944 John was wounded and sent to a hospital.  He was transferred from the replacement depot back to the unit on 4 Dec 1944.  On 17 Dec 1944 he was sent for 6 days temporary duty at the 29th Division training center and he returned to the unit on 23 Dec 1944. On 2 Jan 1945 John suffered a non-battle related injury and was again evacuated and returned to the unit from the hospital on 4 Jan 1945.  PFC Clawson was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945. 

PFC Clawson was repatriated in 1949 and is buried with his family in Poplar Hill Cemetery in Monterey Center, Michigan. 

PVT William C. Barnes

PVT William C. Barnes was born about 1925 in Michigan to Charles Henry and Alta Ferrol (Collingwood) Barnes. His father was working as a truck driver.

After entering the service William was sent overseas and on 9 Sep 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 30 Sep 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital.  On 18 Feb 1945 he was transferred from the replacement depot back to B Company.  He was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945. 

PVT Barnes is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

TSGT George Robert England

TSGT George Robert England was born 23 Jan 1921 in Cartersville, Virginia to James Nicholas and Minnie Caroline (Deidrich) England. His father was a lawyer who was injured in an automobile collision with a truck and died in 1929.  His mother was a public school teacher and older brother James was an electrician.

George was living in Sussex and a SGT in the National Guard when he was mobilized in Jun 1941.  He was already a TSGT assigned to F Company 116th Infantry on 6 Jun 1944 for the D-Day landings where he was wounded.  He went to hospital and returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 25 Jul 1944.  On 7 Aug 1944, near Vire, he was wounded again and again went to hospital.  He returned to the unit again via the replacement depot on 21 Dec 1944.  On 14 Jan 1945 he was transferred to B Company 116th Infantry and was killed in action 11 days later on 25 Feb 1945.  TSGT England was twice awarded the Bronze Star medal.

TSGT England was returned in 1948 and is buried in Cartersville Cemetery in Cartersville, Virginia. 

PFC Frank J. Severino

PFC Frank J. Severino was born 28 Apr 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the 3rd of the 7 children born to Anthony and Fortunata or Florence (Motte) Severino. Both parents were natives of Italy. His father had worked for the Lackawanna Rail Road and in 1940 was working for the Works Progress Administration on road construction. Frank had completed high school and begun work as a machinist.

Frank enlisted in the army in November 1942 supposedly for service in the Army Air Corps. We do not know anything of his service record before he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 14 Jul 1944except that he had been in a 2nd U.S. Army unit. PFC Severino was wounded on 20 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. We don't know how long he was in the hospital but he was back with the unit when he was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945 as the regiment moved south from Aachen.

PFC Severino rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Frank's father served as a PVT in A Company 305th Infantry in France during the first World War.

PVT Valentino Albert Misuraca

PVT Valentino Albert Misuraca was born 15 Jan 1919 in Buffalo, New York. He was the 4th of 5 children born to Alberto Bernard and Francesca (Malvica) Misuraca. His father worked at an auto factory. Valentino was able to complete high school. In 1940, Valentino married Phyllis B. Pillitteri.

Valentino enlisted in the New York National Guard on 21 Apr 1942. He was a member of B Company 74th Infantry. Whatever his status was, Valentino was drafted in August 1944. PVT Misurac was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to G Company on 15 Feb 1945. He was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945 near Weldorf, Germany.

PVT Misuraca is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Phyllis remarried. She was killed, with her husband and sister, in an automobile accident in Cartersville, Georgia in 1972.

PFC Vernon Earl Simpson

PFC Vernon Earl Simpson was born 1 Jul 1920 in Cherry Hill, Arkansas. He was the first born of 5 children born to Earl Franklin and Beulah C. (Risenhoover) Simpson. His father farmed in Smith Township, Arkansas and Vernon worked with his father, that being his recorded employment in 1940. Vernon had never progressed beyond grammar school. Vernon married Lillian Carrie Hurst on 20 Jan 1942.

Vernon didn't register for the draft until February 1942 and by that time he was working for Dupont making gun powders for ammunition for the war effort. He was drafted in December 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater in mid-August 1944. PVT Simpson was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 9 Sep 1944. He fought with the unit at Brest and was promoted to PFC on 20 Sep 1944. He continued to serve with B Company as a rifleman and was a non-battle casualty, injured badly enough that he had to be evacuated to a field hospital. PFC Simpson didn't return to the unit until 25 Nov 1944 and participated in the fighting at Koslar, Germany as well as the clearing of the west bank of the Roer River. PFC Simpson was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945 after the regiment crossed the Roer near Immerath, Germany.

PFC Simpson was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Grandfather, Joseph Addison Simpson, served as a PVT in the B Company 3rd Colorado Cavalry (USA). Great-grandfather, Robert P. Risenhoover, served as a PVT in G Company 2nd Arkansas Infantry (CSA), PVT 33rd Ohio Infantry (USA).

PFC Alfred W Daloe

PFC Alfred William Daloe,was born 27 Mar 1914 the son of Angelo and Incornata (DeFelice) Daloe, Alfred was born in Hartford, Connecticut and worked for the Fuller Brush company before entering service. Trained as a medic, Alfred was assigned to the 9th Air Force before being reassigned to B Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jan 1945 with which he was serving when killed in action on 25 Feb 1945. PFC Daloe is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.

PFC Thomas Nicholas Lanides

PFC Thomas Nicholas Lanides was born 24 Dec 1924 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was the oldest son of Nicholas Thomas and Theona (Georgiou) Lanides. His parents had both immigrated from Greece and his father worked as a tailor in Fitchburg. The family rented a home at 418 Broad Street and later at 1 West Street in Fitchburg while Nicholas operated his shop at 74 River Street. Thomas apparently completed only 1-year of high school before going to work. He might have been working for his father or other relatives. 

Thomas was drafted in January 1944 and after 5-months of basic military training was sent to the European theater. He was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944 to serve as a rifleman but he wasn't in the unit long. PVT Lanides was transferred to A Company 116th Infantry on 14 Aug 1944. He didn't stay in that company for very long either and was again transferred to B Company 116th Infantry on 23 Aug 1944. Why he was moved around so much is unclear. PVT Lanides was fighting with these units during this period and would have been at Vire, France, in the battle for Brest and with the regiment as it fought its way into Germany. PVT Lanides was injured, a non-battle casualty, on 11 Nov 1944. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 29 Dec 1944, again as a rifleman. He then fought with the unit until killed in action on 25 Feb 1945 near Julich, Germany.

PFC Lanides rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Raymond Edward Shelton

PFC Raymond Edward Shelton was born Raymond Ernest Shelton on 9 Jul 1913 in Philpott, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 5 children born to Thomas and Minnie (Turner) Shelton. His mother was attended by a local midwife, Elizabeth Gusley. Thomas worked as farm labor before buying his own farm in the Reed Creek area of Henry County, Virginia. However, the depression was hard on many people and by 1930 the family was farming on rented land the Horse Pasture district near Bassett, Virginia. Raymond went to work for Bassett Chair Company in the local factory and married Fannie Agnes Pegram about 1939. He supported his wife and himself on a reported 1939 income of $600. The couple would have a daughter, the 1st of 3 children, in May 1940 and Raymond registered for the draft in October 1940. A son would follow in November 1941 and the 2nd son in October 1943.

Raymond was drafted in April 1944 and initially sent to Fort Meade, Maryland. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Shelton was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 25 Oct 1944 to serve as a rifleman. He was a non-battle casualty, that is, he was injured somehow not connected to combat and sent to hospital. He did not return to the unit until 27 Dec 1944. Promoted to PFC on 7 Jan 1945, he continued to fight with the unit until he was killed in action in the vicinity of Lützerath, Germany on 25 Feb 1945.

PFC Shelton was repatriated and buried in the Mount Hermon Church of the Brethern Cemetery in Bassett, Virginia.

Raymond is survived today by several grand and great-grand children. 

SGT Benjamin F. Jolley

SGT Benjamin F. Jolley was born in 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to Laura Helen Jolley.  The family moved to San Diego, California.  After one failed marriage his mother re-married.  Benjamin's step-father, Leo Renno, worked for the railroad and reported a 1939 income of $1428.  Benjamin was working as farm labor in 1940 and reported a 1939 income of $75.  The family paid $7 a month rent for their house.

Ben was drafted in November 1942. We don't know where he went after basic training but on 6 Jul 1944 PFC Jolley was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry. Ben was promoted to SGT on 25 Jul 1944. While serving as a squad leader, SGT Jolley was wounded on 8 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 14 Dec 1944. On 17 Dec 1944 he was sent on temporary duty for 6 days to the 29th Infantry Division training center and returned to duty with C Company on 23 Dec 1944.  SGT Jolley was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

SGT Jolley is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery.  His mother died in 1991.

SSG Henry Neal

SSG Henry Neal was born 15 Jul 1911 in Hico, Texas. He was the oldest of 4 children and only surviving son born to William Richard and Nora Elizabeth (Brown) Neal. A younger brother was born 6 Sep 1925 and died the same day. His father farmed in Hamilton County, Texas. Henry married Anna Lou Gibson in February 1933. Unfortunately they would divorce. Henry remarried about 1939 to Opal Elafair Ricketson. In 1940 he was working for the Lower Colorado River Authority in Travis County, Texas and reported a 1939 income of $680 with which he was also supporting his mother. They paid a monthly rent of $8 for their residence.

After Henry was drafted and completed his basic training he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry and was with the unit at Aachen, Germany. PVT Neal was wounded on 14 Oct 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He had returned to the unit and was promoted to SGT on 1 Nov 1944. Henry was promoted to SSG on 14 Dec 1944. He was still with the unit when he was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

SSG Neal rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Henry had no children. Opal remarried in June 1945. Grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Brown, served as a PVT in  B Company, 8th Battalion Georgia Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War.

PFC Homer C. Cooper

PFC Homer C Cooper was born 7 Oct 1919 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to William Joseph and Esther (Bennett) Cooper.  William was variously a baker, an inspector in a steel mill and crane operator. 

Homer was drafted in August 1942.  He was eventually assigned to F Company 116th Infantry on 14 Aug 1944.  He was a non-battle casualty on 12 Sep 1944 and sent to hospital.  He was sent direct from the hospital to B Company 116th Infantry on 19 Sep 1944.  On 9 Nov 1944 he was back in the hospital, again an non-battle casualty.  On 26 Jan 1945 he was back to B Company, this time from the replacement depot.  He was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

PFC Cooper was returned to the U.S. and buried in Grafton National Cemetery in Grafton, West Virginia.  This was likely chosen because it was close to the family and they wouldn't have to purchase a plot in the national cemetery. 

PFC Arthur Camacho

PVT Arthur Camacho was born 27 Jun 1926In Los Angeles County, California to Jesse and Lola (Cabrera) Camacho.  Arthur's father died sometime between 1934 and 1940 and the family moved to Washington, California.  His mother was born in Mexico.  In 1940 Arthur together with his mother and 3 siblings lived with his maternal grandmother and an uncle.  His uncle cut barkfr the WPA and his mother worked in a cannery. The reported family income for 1939 was  $521. 

Arthur was likely drafted sometime in 1944 and was sent overseas as a rifleman.  On 15 Feb 1945 he was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry.  He was killed in action 10 days later on 25 Feb 1945.

PVT Camacho was repatriated in 1948.  At the time his mother lived at 405 2nd Street in Broderick, California.  PVT Arthur Camacho was buried in Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento, California.

PVT Robert Wesley Pick

PVT Robert Wesley Pick was born 31 Oct 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the 2nd of the 4 sons born to Otto Xavier and Lillian L. (Raquet) Pick. His father was stricken with polio at the age of 19 months but worked all his adult life in shoe manufacture and repair marrying Lillian in 1922. The family lived at 2515 California Street and 1634 Frisco Avenue.

Robert was most likely drafted in the fall of 1943. Knowing that he would be sent overseas as an infantryman he married 19 year old Elaine Mary Rose Lauschke in April 1944. The couple was most likely not together very long before PVT Pick shipped out for the European theater. He was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944. PVT Pick was wounded on 12 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He most likely went to England for treatment and to recover. PVT Pick was returned to B Company via the replacement depot on 3 Dec 1944. PVT Pick was then reported absent without leave on 15 Dec 1944 and taken into military custody on 22 Dec 1944. He was not returned to his unit until 7 Feb 1945. PVT Pick was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

PVT Pick was repatriated in 1948 and buried in Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.

PFC Robert Harry Chinn

PFC Robert Harry Chinn was born 27 Nov 1912 in King George County, Virginia to Henry Marshall and Mary Elizabeth (Bryan) Chinn.  His father farmed and operated a store. On 8 Mar 1939 he married Lucille Shirley Hart. In 1940, Robert was working with his father in that store.

Robert was drafted relatively late in the war, in January 1944.  On 4 Sep 1944 he found himself assigned from the replacement depot to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry. On 2 Oct 1944 he was again transferred, this time to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 28 Oct 1944 Robert was promoted to PFC.  PFC Chinn was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945. 

PFC Chinn is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. 

Lucille did not remarry until 1951.  So far as we know they had no children together.

PFC Russell G. Monroe

courtesy of Kate Jacques

PFC Russell G. Monroe was born 7 Apr 1924 in Woodford County, Kentucky. He was the 3rd of the 11 children born to James Elster and Lula Mae (Reed) Monroe. The family farmed near Bald Knob, Kentucky. Lula died of pulmonary tuberculosis in February 1943.

Russell was drafted in September 1943. He completed his training and was sent to the European theater. On 15 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry. PVT Monroe was promoted to PFC on 13 Aug 1944. He continued to fight with the unit until wounded on 27 Aug 1944. He was evacuated to hospital and returned to the unit on 14 Nov 1944. By then the 116th was fighting in Germany. PFC Monroe was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

PFC Monroe was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Franklin Cemetery in Frankfort Cemetery in  Frankfort, Kentucky.

Brother, Bolivar Kenneth Monroe, would serve 1951-1953. Great-grandfather, David T. Himes, served as a PVT in I Company 4th Kentucky Infantry (USA) and great-grandfather, Sylvester W. Reed, served as a PVT in A Company 45th Kentucky Infantry (USA) during the Civil War.

PFC Ralph Wayne Reed

PFC Ralph Wayne Reed was born 7 May 1910 in Fulton, Indiana. He was the oldest and only son of the 2 children born to William Benjamin and Flora Edna (McAlister) Reed. His father farmed and worked as a blacksmith in a coal mine. Ralph was farming when he married Clara Inez Maris in January 1931. The couple had twins in 1936 who were unfortunately premature and died the day they were born. They had a son the following year.

Ralph was drafted in April 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Reed was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 28 Oct 1944. He suffered a non-battle injury on 5 Dec 1944 and was evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 16 Dec 1944. He was again injured on 25 Dec 1944 and again evacuated. He returned to duty on 1 Jan 1945. Ralph was promoted to PFC on 12 Jan 1945. PFC Reed was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

PFC Reed was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Tangier Cemetery in Tangier, Indiana.

Clara never re-married and she passed away in 1998.

PFC Reuben Carl Post

courtesy of Robert John Chudek

PFC Reuben Carl Post was born 28 Apr 1925 in Almelund, Minnesota. He was the youngest of 7 children born to Karl Oskar and Anna Louisa (Hellström) Post. His parent were natives of Sweden who had emigrated to the U.S. in 1914 with their 4 oldest children. The family farmed a farm they owned in Chisago county, Minnesota near Chisago Lake in 1930 but by 1940 they lived in Chisago City. When Reuben registered for the draft in April 1943, he was apparently driving a truck of Harry Hawkinson of Chisago City.

Reuben was drafted in September 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and on 16 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry. He fought with the unit until wounded on 30 Jul 1944 and was then evacuated to hospital. PVT Post returned to the unit on 19 Sep 1944. He was again evacuated to hospital on 19 Oct 1944 but this injury was apparently not combat related. PVT Post once again returned to the unit on 27 Oct 1944. He was injured again, again not combat related, on 14 Nov 1944 and again evacuated to hospital. PVT Post was transferred from the replacement depot back to the unit on 12 Dec 1944. Reuben was promoted to PFC on 12 Feb 1945. PFC Post was killed in action on 25 Feb 1945.

PFC Post was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Chisago Memorial Park in Chisago City, Minnesota.

Brothers, Gunnar and Robert Stanley Post both served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

SGT Joseph Patrick Ireland

High School Graduation, Mt St Joseph HS - 1942

SGT Joseph Patrick Ireland was born 24 Apr 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland the only son of Mary C. (O'Rourke) Ireland.  He was raised in the home of his maternal grandparents graduating from Saint Joseph's High School in 1942. 

Joseph did not enter the army until St. Patrick's Day 1943.  After his basic training he was sent to Europe and on 22 Jul 1944 PVT Ireland was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry.  He was promoted to PFC on 14 Aug 1944.  He was again promoted on 9 Sep 1944, this time to SGT.  Joseph was wounded on 15 Sep and evacuated to hospital. He did not return to the unit until 7 Dec 1944 when he was transferred from the replacement depot. SGT Ireland was killed in action on 23 Feb 1945.

SGT Ireland was repatriated in 1948 and is buried with his mother and her parents in the New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

SSG Joseph Pecorella

SSG Joseph Pecorella was born 29 Jul 1922, probably in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest of the 9 children born to Casper and Angelina Pecorella. Both parents were natives of Italy. His father was a painter but died in 1928 when Joseph was just 6 years old. Joseph's oldest brothers and sister supported the family and Angelina never re-married.

Joseph was drafted in February 1943. After his initial military training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. We believe he was with the unit on 6 Jun 1944, D-Day, for the landing at Omaha Beach. He continued to fight with the unit. On 25 Jul 1944 PVT Pecorella was promoted to SGT. On 19 Aug 1944 he was again promoted, this time to SSG. SSG Pecorella was wounded on 3 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 7 Dec 1944. SSG Pecorella was killed in action on 23 Feb 1945.

SSG Pecorella was rrepatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Linden Hill United Methodist Cemetery in Ridgewood, New York.

CPT Howard Walker Raines

CPT Howard Walker Raines, b. 12 Dec 1883 - d. 17 Feb 1948. Son of Isaac P and Ida F (Wynn) Raines he was born in Danville. Howard served as company commander of C Company 116th Infantry during WWI. He worked for the United States Postal Service after the war and had been a bookkeeper before mobilization in 1918. He married Elizabeth Maude Lantz of Lancaster, PA in 1916. He died in Alexandria, VA and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

PVT Will Hall Nicholls

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Will Hall Nicholls was born 21 Aug 1925 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 2 sons born to John Henry and Emma (Curles) Nicholls. His father was a streetcar motorman in Norfolk and died in 1932 when Will was just 7-years old. The family lived at 1336 West 37th Street in Norfolk which they owned. It was valued at $1500 in 1940. Will's older brother, John Henry Nicholls Jr supported the family by driving a truck for a steam laundry and did that on a reported 1939 income of $430. Will did manage to complete 2 years of high school.

Will was working for Nolde Brothers, Inc., a wholesale bakery, when he was drafted in October 1943. After basic training he was sent to Europe. PVT Nicholls was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944. He was wounded the very next day, 6 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He did not return to the unit, via the replacement depot, until 15 Jan 1945. PVT Nicholls was accidentally shot by a fellow soldier on 11 Feb 1945 and evacuated to hospital again. He died of his wound on 16 Feb 1945.

PVT Nicholls rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.


His father served in H Troop 4th Cavalry March 1899 - March 1902.

LTC Harry Irvin Luftman

LTC Harry Irvin Luftman, b. 14 May 1897 (Germany) - d. 14 Feb 1988 (Lake Jackson, TX). The family apparently immigrated from Germany in 1904. All we know is that his mother Sarah was divorced by his father (name as yet unknown). Harry enlisted in the Virginia National Guard in 1918 and was with C Company 116th Infantry as a SGT after federalization in 1917. From that unit at Camp McClellan he apparently went to Officer's Training Camp at Fort Meyers and then commissioned as a 2LT, Ordnance Branch November 1917. Discharged in 1919, he returned to service in 1942 and served through 1946. Married twice, he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with his second wife Adele M (Braelow) Luftman.