PVT Phillip Fechuch

PVT Phillip Fechuch was born Philimon Fechuch in Cleveland, Ohio most likely late 1927 or early 1928 but his true date of birth is obscured. He may have been born in January 1928 although many official documents give 5 Dec 1922 and some researchers extrapolate it as being 5 Dec 1927. It is no wonder that there is some confusion about this young man's life. He was most likely the 5th of 6 children of Matthew and Anna (Gutz) Fechuch. It was the 2nd marriage for both of his parents and both were immigrants, Matthew from Russia and Anna from Poland. Phillip had two older half-siblings from his mother's first marriage. Matthew seemed to have attained the American dream. He had immigrated in 1911 and by 1930 he owned a home valued at $3000 and was working as a punch press operator in a local factory. The couple lost 2 children in infancy in 1924. Anna died in December 1931. Matthew remarried soon after. Phillip's education didn't continue past the 4th grade. In 1942 Phillip was arrested for vagrancy in El Paso, Texas and he told police he was 17 although he would have been 14 and reportedly looked to be 14. He soon went to New York where he registered for the draft and gave his correct place of birth but also the date of birth of 5 Dec 1922. He gave his height as 6-foot and weight as 137 pounds. His height might explain how he was able to convince people that he was older than he was. He may have been working as a driver.

Phillip was drafted in June 1943 while he was living in New York City. Like every other draftee he would have been given basic military training before any further assignments. PVT Fechuch would have been assigned to a unit about 5 months or so after in-processing. We don't know to which unit he was assigned but we do know that he was in hospital in January 1944 (bronchitis; cardiac disease; nervous disorder), February 1944 (enteritis) and November 1944 (diagnosed with tuberculosis) and returned to duty every time. The enigma of this young man's life continues as he is first recorded on the morning report in E Company 116th Infantry on 3 Dec 1944 as returning from hospital and as a SSG serving as a squad leader but many of the following entries over the following months are correcting his rank, first to SGT and then to PVT, and his duty position from squad leader to rifleman. PVT (after corrections) Fechuch is noted as being missing in action on 8 Dec 1944. E Company was engaged in fighting at Koslar, Germany. Official military records give the date of death as 6 Dec 1945 although this was long after Germany's surrender in May of 1945. It is more likely that this is a clerical error and it was determined that his actual date of death was most likely 6 or 8 Dec 1944. His body was not recovered. There appears to have been some record that PVT Fechuch was the recipient of a Bronze Star but we can find no record of the citation.

PVT Fechuch is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

The photo shown is purportedly of Phillip but might not be of him, we are uncertain of the source. His father Matthew served as a PVT in France during WWI in C Company 4th Ammunition Train.

MG Kenton Harper

MG Kenton Harper was born in 1801 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to George Kenton and Nancy (McClintock) Harper. He was the first of their two sons and his father was for many years the editor of The Franklin Repository, a newspaper published in Chambersburg. Kenton worked in the newspaper office learning the trade and not long after the age of twenty-one he moved to Staunton, Virginia and in 1823 began publication of his own paper, The Spectator which he did for sixteen years. During the administration of President Millard Fillmore, Kenton became an agent to the Indian Territory and after than a "confidential" assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. He also served in the Virginia House of Delegates representing Augusta County. 

Appointed as an officer of the Virginia Militia he was, in 1861, a Major General (MG) of the militia and had command of forces that captured Harpers Ferry. On reorganization of the Confederate States military he accepted a commission as Colonel of the 5th Virginia Infantry, commanding the unit at Falling Waters and First Manassas. He resigned his commission when Jackson would not give him leave to visit his dying wife but later accepted a position as Colonel in the Virginia reserves and was present at the battles of Piedmont and Waynesboro.

MG Kenton Harper died at his home, "Glen Allen", on 25 Dec 1867. He now rests forever in the Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia.

Son, Samuel Calhoun Harper, served as Quartermaster Sergeant in the 62nd Virginia Mounted Infantry (CSA).

PVT Herschel Paul Smith

PVT Herschel Paul Smith was born 25 Apr 1924 in Jeromesville, Ohio. He was the youngest of Walter Clarence and Ethel May (Marietta) Smith's 6 children. Walter supported his family by farming on a rented farm near Vermillion, Ohio but by 1940 had to move to Washington, Ohio where he rented a house for $8 a month and worked as farm labor for other farmers earning $430 in 1939. Herschel attended Loudonville High School and then worked at farming with his father. Herschel married Ruby Louise Sparr in March 1944.

10-days after his wedding, Herschel was drafted in April 1944. He attended his basic military training in Camp Robinson, Arkansas which is just outside North Little Rock. His wife was able to be there for the 17-weeks of his training. PVT Smith was then sent to the European theater and transferred from the 86th Replacement Battalion to B Company 116th Infantry on 25 Oct 1944 where he was to serve as a rifleman. This was in the rehabilitation area in the vicinity of Finkenrath, Germany. The unit would remain there until 16 Nov 1944 when the regiment began the attack on German forces in Baesweiler, Germany. PVT Smith was killed in action in Baesweiler on 17 Nov 1944.

PVT Smith was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Loudonville Cemetery in Loudonville, Ohio.

Brothers Walter Clarence Smith Jr and Kenneth Eugene Smith both served. Kenneth would die on 24 Oct 1950 as a result of his wound(s) received in Italy.

SGT Edgar Noland Dudley Embrey

courtesy of Hope

SGT Edgar Noland Dudley Embrey was born 15 Jan 1918 in Middleburg, Virginia. He was the 6th of the 7 children of Harvey Copeland and Mariah B. (Kirby) Embrey. His father supported the family by working for other farmers. Edgar found the same work by 1940 when the family was living in Fairfax County. Together, father and son had a reported income of 1939 of $1380.

Edgar was drafted in May 1941. It was probably soon after that he was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland and assigned to F Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit there and in the Carolina maneuvers before going to Camp Blanding, Florida and then to England in September 1942. Once in England the regiment trained intensely for the amphibious assault planned as a part of the effort to liberate occupied Europe. PFC Dudley took part in that attack and on 20 Jun 1944 was promoted to SGT. SGT Dudley was seriously wounded on 29 Jun 1944. He was evacuated to hospital and dropped from unit rolls. He was ultimately evacuated to COMMZ, arriving at Kennedy Hospital on 25 Sep 1944. SGT Dudley died of complications from his wound(s) on 25 Jun 1945.

SGT Dudley rests forever in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Upperville, Virginia. 

1LT Verne Vosburg Morse

1LT Verne Vosburg Morse was born 24 Oct 1918 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He was the 4th of 5 children of Wycomo Edward and Ethel Cornelia (Vosburg) Morse. His father worked as a conductor on the Pennsylvania Rail Road for many years. The family lived at 107 Allegheny Avenue in Oil City and 512 Jackson Street in Reynoldsville. Verne was able to graduate from high school. While his father earned $2000 as a conductor in 1939, Verne only earned 1/10th of that or $200 as a grocery clerk in 1939. When he registered for the draft in October 1940, Verne was employed by American Stores Company in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

Verne voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army on 27 Jan 1942. It was probably during his initial training or first permanent assignment that he was identified as being "officer material" and sent to officer candidate school. He also had to deal with family tragedy as both of his parents died at separate times in 1943. Sometime after commissioning he was sent to England and on 1 Jun 1944 was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry as part of the "plus up" of officers for the amphibious assault. Whether or not he ever had an opportunity to train for the event is unknown but he performed his duties very well indeed and he was promoted to 1LT and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

MORSE, VERNE V. Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Verne V. Morse (0-1292044), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Platoon Leader in an Infantry Company of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. In the initial assault upon the cost of France, First Lieutenant Morse landed with his platoon in the face of heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. This intense fire pinned the men down on a narrow beachhead, inflicting numerous casualties with resultant disorganization. In the reorganization and preparation of his platoon for attack, First Lieutenant Morse fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own safety, on numerous occasions exposed himself to the direct enemy fire. He then led his platoon in a successful assault upon the enemy positions. The personal bravery and superior leadership demonstrated by First Lieutenant Morse exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 29 (June 29, 1944) Home Town: Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.

 

His  heroics did not end and on 1 Jul 1944 he received the Bronze Star. Just 5 days later, on 6 Jul 1944, he was wounded and evacuated to hospital in England where he spent the next 3½ months recuperating. He was returned to D Company on 4 Nov 1944 and in actions in November and December 1944 earned 2 more awards of the Bronze Star. On 18 Jan 1945 he was sent on temporary duty to the replacement depot returning to D Company on 7 Feb 1945. He then continued to serve in D Company as a Platoon Leader until transferred to C Company 116th Infantry to serve as Company Commander effective 12 Mar 1945. The last action C Company saw was on 3 May 1945, at the Elbe River. Some time after that 1LT Morse contracted meningitis and was sent to hospital where he died of the disease on 5 Jun 1945. 

 

1LT Morse rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

Both of Verne's brothers also served in the U.S. Army in Europe during the war.

PVT Steve J. Kolevas

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Steve J. Kolevas was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on 28 Feb 1925. He was the only child of Greek immigrants John James and Tuxedo Duxea (Moustakas) Kolevas. His father was a cook and manager at a local sandwich shop. After graduating from high school, Steve went to work at Ennis Hardware Company in Reading. 

Steve was drafted in April 1943 and after his basic military training was sent to the European theater. We aren't certain to which units he may have been assigned. His military occupational specialty is given as Military Policeman in the morning reports. However, he was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 21 May 1945. PVT Kovelas was killed on 28 May 1945 when he was accidentally shot by another soldier who was cleaning his weapon. 

PVT Kolevas is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

LTG James Alexander Baber III

LTG James Alexander Baber III was born 4 Nov 1929 in Richmond, Virginia. He was the eldest of James Alexander and Edna Earl (Jenkins) Baber's 2 sons. The family lived with his grandfather, James Alexander Baber Sr. in his home at 1426 Perry Street in Richmond which his grandfather owned and was valued at $7000 in 1930. At the time his grandfather was working as a gas meter inspector and his father as a presser in a print shop. His grandmother died in 1935 and grandfather in 1939 and the home passed to his father who was now working as a clerk for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission earning a reported $1680 in 1939. By 1950 the family had moved to 132 East Belt Boulevard in Manchester, Virginia although James was attending college in Williamsburg.

His professional life is well described in his obituary published at the time of his death. "Jim attended John Marshall High School and excelled in both football and baseball, where he was voted to all-city and all-state in both sports. His leadership was not only exemplified on the playing field but also as a leader in the ROTC program, where he served as Battalion Commander. After graduating from John Marshall, he attended The College of William and Mary earning his B.A. degree in 1952. His passion for football and baseball continued throughout his college years and he excelled in both sports. He was later inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. 

Upon graduation, Jim was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and was assigned as Division Artillery Survey Officer, 1st Calvary Division in Japan during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1954, whereupon he joined the Virginia National Guard. He served as Commander of various National Guard Units within the Commonwealth and was federally recognized as Brigadier General in 1979. The pinnacle his career was when Jim was appointed Commander of the 29th Infantry Division of Virginia and Maryland in 1985 and federally recognized as Major General. He had risen to the two star rank before retiring as a designated three star General. For his service, Jim received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Virginia National Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Maryland National Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Virginia Army National Guard Service Medal, and the Virginia Army National Guard Bronze Star. 

From the very beginning, Jim was fated to be an inspiring leader. With his troops, he enjoyed a deep rapport and the camaraderie of lifelong friends. Jim received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1957 from T.C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond, where he also led as Student Body President and was a member of the National Moot Court Team, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society and McNeill Law Society. He was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1956 and practiced Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation law for over 50 years in Federal and State Court. He also served as a substitute Judge in the Richmond General District Court and surrounding counties for 26 years. He was Senior Partner at Bremner, Baber and Janus Law Firm. He distinguished himself by his take charge leadership and relentless work ethic. His great soldiery quality was matched by his desire to win battles for his clients and win the cases. Every case was a win-win because Jim saw the redemptive quality in every person no matter the outcome and treated everyone with dignity and respect. 

Jim was a 54-year member of the Fraternal Order of Freemasons at the Manchester Lodge #14 of Richmond. He was committed to the values of the Fraternal Order. Jim often quoted from an old Army song, "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away."  Besides his work for the Shriners in the Directors Staff, he was also charitable in less formal ways. "

MG Baber died 29 Apr 2017 and rests forever in the Westhampton Memorial Park in Tuckahoe, Virginia. 

Great-grandfather, John Avery Cersley, served as a PVT in I Company 6th Virginia Infantry (CSA) during the Civil War.

PFC James Louis Banchero

PFC James Louis Banchero was born 6 Sep 1925 in Petaluma, California the only child of Louis Jr. and Eunice (Pedrotti) Banchero.  His father worked at many jobs including running a tavern.

James was drafted in August 1944.  Sent overseas, he was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 4 Mar 1945.  He was promoted to PFC on 16 Mar 1945.  PFC Banchero was wounded by rifle fire on 24 Apr 1945 and died of his wounds later that day.

We think that PFC Banchero was repatriated and is buried in Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, California. 

SSG Walter Boger

SSG Walter Boger was born 9 Apr 1921 to Isaac and Sophia (Radke) Boger of Homestead, Kansas.  Isaac was a farmer who died in 1926.  The youngest of Isaac and Sophia's 5 children, by 1940 Walter was supporting his mother as a clerk in a grocery.

While we don't know at this time when Walter entered the service it appears that he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry prior to the D-Day landings.  On 16 Oct 1944 he was promoted to SSG. From 18 to 27 Dec 1944 he was at the 29th Division Training Center.  Returned to I Company, he was killed in action 24 Apr 1945 in the vicinity of Grippel, Germany.

SSG Boger is buried the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PFC Donald Albert Morton

PFC Donald Albert Morton was born 3 Aug 1924 in Burlington Junction, Missouri.  His parents, John Willard and Crystal Belle (Bartlett) Morton had 8 other children 2 of whom died in infancy, Donald was their second. While his father served as Saddler during WWI, his younger brothers were too young to serve during WWII but his brother Robert served in Korea. 

Donald entered service 5 May 1943 and was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry before D-Day or so it seems according to the morning reports as he isn't mentioned from 6 June until he was killed in action on 24 Apr 1945 near Grippel, Germany. He now rests forever in Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction, Missouri.

PFC Vincent Frank Mazzaferri

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Vincent Frank Mazzaferri was born 12 Oct 1923 in Verbicaro, Italy to John and Maria Francesca (Brasuina) Mazzaferri.  John immigrated in 1923 and brought Maria, Vincent and Vincent's older brother Joseph to the United States in 1930. John worked as a janitor to support his family earning $1370 in 1939.Vincent completed 2-years of high school before beginning work, probably to help support his family.

Vincent was apparently working as a carpenter's assistant or apprentice when he was drafted in late April 1943. We don't know much about his military assignments until he was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 5 Mar 1945.  PFC Mazzaferri was killed in action on 24 Apr 1945.

PFC Mazzaferri is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Charlie Ralph Gardner

PFC Charlie Ralph Gardner, b. 17 Jan 1924 - d. 24 Apr 1945. Son of the Reverend Robert Fulton and Mattie Esther (Warner) Gardner of Rockingham, North Carolina. Entering service in Jul 1943, Charlie was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry while the unit was in England and participated in the D-Day assault where he was first wounded. He returned to the unit on 24 Jul 1944 and then was injured (non-battle casualty) on 5 Aug 1944.  He came back to the unit after leaving the hospital on 5 Sep 1944.  Charlie went back to the hospital again a non battle casualty (illness perhaps) on 14 Nov 1944 and again returned to the unit on 11 Dec 1944.  He was at the 29th Division training center and back in the unit on 18 Mar 1945. He was killed in action on 24 Apr 1945.  PFC Gardner now rests in the Carolina Memorial Park, Concord, North Carolina.

PFC James Paul Ewing

PFC James Paul Ewing was born 4 Apr 1926 in Creighton, Missouri to James Upton and Ora Mae (Kepner) Ewing. The family of 7 supported themselves by farming.  Elder sister Elizabeth helped family income by teaching.

When James was drafted in August 1944 he had graduated from high school.  Completing his training he was sent overseas to replace soldiers who had been wounded or killed and was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry on 6 Mar 1945.  Wounded on 24 Apr 1945 and evacuated to hospital he died of wounds that same day. 

PFC Ewing was returned to the U.S. in 1949 and is now buried in Newton Burial Park in Nevada, Missouri. 

PFC Everett Eugene Evans

PFC Everett Eugene Evans was born 22 Jun 1924 in Carter County, Kentucky to Sam and Martha (Jones) Evans.

Entered service in September 1943 and after training was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  Likely participated in D-Day landings.  Wounded on 9 Oct he returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 6 Jan 1945.  Killed in action on 24 Apr 1945.

PFC Evans is buried in Bowen Chapel Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky. 

SGT Edward D. Peacock

SGT Edward D. Peacock was born 9 Sep 1918 in Buffalo, New York. He was the 7th of the 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) born to Frederick Wells and Dolly L. (Mensch) Peacock. His father was a railroad engineer but he died in 1922. It seems that the family struggled through the depression without Frederick's support. Consequently, all 4 of the 5 boys enlisted in the New York National Guard and served in D Company 174th Infantry. In 1940, Edward was working as a salesman at a department store but only reported a 1939 income of $90. The family of 6 adults as a whole had only brought in $1280 for that year.

Edward as well as his brothers was serving in D Company 174th Infantry when the unit was federalized in September 1940. The 174th was assigned to the 44t Division and sent to the west coast for a homeland defense mission. At some point Edward was sent to the European theater. On 11 Aug 1944 PVT Peacock was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry. He was promoted to PFC on 20 Sep 1944. PFC Peacock was injured on 14 Oct 1944 and sent to hospital. He did not return to the unit, via the replacement depot, until 5 Dec 1944. He was promoted to SGT on 11 Mar 1945. SGT Peacock was wounded on 7 Apr 1945 and sent to hospital. SGT Peacock died of his wound(s) on 19 Apr 1945.

SGT Peacock was repatriated and re-interred in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York. 

Edward's father served as a PVT in A Company 65th Infantry for a short time during the Spanish-American War. As previously mentioned, all his brothers had served with him in D Company 174th Infantry and all served during the war. The oldest brother, Frederick George Peacock, made the Army a career and rose to the rank of MAJ. Next oldest, Joseph Peacock, was the only brother who did not serve in the National Guard before the war and he was drafted in 1943 and served until 1945. Edward's younger brothers, William Robert Peacock and Raymond Warren Peacock, were both federalized with the unit in 1940 and seemed to have served the entire war with the 174th Infantry.

PVT Joseph Edward Stricker

courtesy of Dennis Healy

PVT Joseph Edward Stricker was born in Baltimore, Maryland on 19 Oct 1919. He was the only child of Howard William and Elsie Elizabeth (Brown) Stricker. His father worked as a machinist's helper but his parents divorced before 1930 and his mother re-married. Step-father, John Edward Weikel, worked for the railroad as a car inspector. The family lived at 2506 Franklin Street in Baltimore which they rented for $30 a month. The family was moderately well off, John reported a 1939 income of $1650 and Joseph was working as a pressman in a factory reporting a 1939 income of $650. Joseph then got a job with Bethlehem Steel as a welder. He married Lucille M. Palumbo in 1942 and they would have a son in February 1943.

Joseph was drafted just 4-days before his son's birth. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. He was transferred from Headquarters 9th Army to K Company 116th Infantry on 7 Dec 1945 to serve as a rifleman. Sometime in April 1945 Joseph was wounded but it was not reported. He died of his wound(s) on 6 Apr 1945. 

PVT Stricker was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Baltimore National Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

Son, Joseph Edward Stricker Jr, retired as Detective Sergeant with Baltimore County Police Department. Grandsons, Joseph Edward Stricker III and Michael John Stricker also served with the department.

PVT Attilio Joseph Simone

PVT Attilio Joseph Simone was born 4 Aug 1917 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 3rd of 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl, born to Joseph and Jenetta (Bonelli) Simone. While living in Philadelphia, his father worked in a steel mill. The family moved to 147 Shreve Street in Mount Holly, New Jersey and his father worked as a laborer for the Pennsylvania Rail Road. Attilio married Caroline D. Bardolf in and the couple had a son in 1939. The family lived at 969 Florence Avenue in Camden, New Jersey and Attilio worked as a helper in a forge earning a reported 1939 income of $1200.

Although he had registered for the draft in 1940 he was not drafted until May 1944. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and, on 1 Mar 1945, PVT Simone was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. He was killed in action near Dortmund, Germany on 6 Apr 1945.

PVT Simone rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Attilio is survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

CPT Berthier Botts Hawks III

CPT Berthier Botts Hawks III was born 21 Nov 1919 in Elizabeth City County, Virginia (now the city of Hampton) to Berthier Botts and Fannie Prince (Lashley) Hawks.  His father managed a coal grading company, was a salesman of road machinery, and later at the family home place in Totaro in Brunswick county, a farmer. He died in 1943.  CPT Hawks' grandfather, the first Berthier Botts Hawks, was a disabled veteran of E Company 56th Virginia Infantry in the Civil War.

Berthier was enlisted 14 Jun 1938 and rose to the rank of CPL by 2 Feb 1941. He was commissioned a 2LT effective 3 Feb 1941 and was promoted to 1LT effective 25 Jul 1942.  On 2 Jun 1944 he was on duty as Commander, C Company 116th Infantry and so led the unit during the amphibious assault on Omaha beach on 6 Jun 1944, D-Day.  He was injured in action on 10 Jun 1944 and evacuated to the hospital.  He was dropped from rolls and did not return to the Regiment from the replacement depot until 9 Dec 1944 when he was assigned command of I Company 116th Infantry.  He led that unit until killed in action on 6 Apr 1945.  CPT Hawks was awarded the Bronze Star but we have yet to find for what action he received the award. 

CPT Hawks was repatriated and rests forever in the Emporia Cemetery in Emporia, Virginia. 

PFC Pascal Alfonzo Prozzo

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Pascal Alfonzo Prozzo was born 1 Apr 1925 in Rutland, Vermont. He was the 4th of the 5 children born to Pascal and Angelina (Vecchione) Prozzo. Patsy's birth name was also Pascal but like his father he used the name Patsy. Both parents were natives of Italy. His father worked as a moulder in an ironworks.

Patsy was probably drafted in 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Prozzo was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jun 1944. He was a non-battle casualty on 4 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital but returned to the unit on 7 Jul 1944. He was wounded just 3 days later on 10 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital again. He would not return to the unit until 24 Jan 1945. Patsy was promoted to PFC on 12 Feb 1945. PFC Prozzo was killed in action on 6 Apr 1945.

PFC Prozzo rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Clifford Edgar Patton

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Clifford Edgar Patton was born 23 Aug 1918 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the 2nd of 4 and 1st surviving child born to Clifford Curtis and Emma Pearl (Brown) Patton. His father had worked as a farm hand but was working as a machinist in Indianapolis when young Clifford was born. In 1924 Emma had a heart attack due to hyperthyroidism and died. Clifford's dad died in 1928. Clifford was sent to live with relatives as were his 2 sisters.About 1935 he left Indiana for the promise of a better life in California and in 1940 was working as a pin setter in a bowling alley. Clifford apparently married Frances in 1942.

Clifford was working as a longshoreman when he was drafted in September 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. On 15 Feb 1945 he was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry. He was again transferred on 3 Mar 1945, this time to B Company 116th Infantry. PVT Patton was killed in action on 5 Apr 1945.

PVT Patton rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Ardell Winston Payne

PFC Ardell Winston Payne was born 15 Dec 1921 in Cartersville, Georgia. He was the 2nd of the 6 children born to Ollie and Bertha Mae (Bivins) Payne. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida after 1930 and would come to live in 954 East Monroe Street. His father worked as a steam shovel operator and for St. John's River Shipbuilding Company in Jacksonville. Ardell did not attend school beyond the 6th grade.

Ardell was drafted in June 1943. Despite his education level he must have been pretty smart because he was sent to training as a medic. After completion of that training PVT Payne was sent to England and assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry and then attached to D Company 116th Infantry in time for the amphibious assault at Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944. He was wounded on that day and sent to hospital. PVT Payne did not return to the unit until 27 Jul 1944 when he returned from the replacement depot to the Medical Detachment. He continued to serve with D Company until he was wounded a 2nd time on 14 Oct 1944 and again evacuated to hospital. He returned from the replacement depot again on 28 Jan 1945 and again served with the Medical Detachment. It was sometime during this period that he was promoted to PFC. PFC Payne continued to serve as a medic at the Regimental aid station until he was killed in action on 5 Apr 1945 near Waltrop, Germany as the regiment participated in mop up operations in the Ruhr industrial area.

PFC Payne was ultimately interred in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC C. J. Galloway

PVT C. J. Galloway was born 7 Feb 1925, in Butlerville, Arkansas.  After entering the army and being sent overseas he was transferred to Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry on 4 Sep 1944.  On 2 Oct 1944 he was transferred to A Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Galloway was killed in action on 5 Apr 1945.

PVT Galloway was repatriated and is buried in Butlerville Cemetery in Butlerville, Arkansas.

PFC Walter Bernard Heese

PFC Walter Bernard Heese was born 5 Mar 1922 in Marlin, Texas. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to Frank and Magdalena (Heese) Heese. Walter's father was a native of Lower Saxony, Germany and was his maternal grandfather but they don't seem to have been closely related. Frank Heese was farming on rented land on the Oenaville-Westphalia Road in 1920. The family continued to live near family in Falls County and in 1940 only Walter's youngest brother was not working as farm labor, probably for Herman Meyer. They were renting a house from him for $4 a month but reported no income for 1939. 

Walter wasn't drafted until 1944 and after his initial military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Heese was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 6 Dec 1944 to serve as a rifleman. He fought with the unit until wounded on 5 Apr 1945 and evacuated to a field hospital. PVT Heese died of his wound(s) on that same day.

PVT is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PFC Reese Philip Black

PFC Reese Philip Black was born 21 Oct 1912 to Charles Wilbur and Elizabeth (Evans) Black of Bordentown, New Jersey.  His father worked in a veneer mill and a steel mill.  Reese was a machinist. He married Marian A. Marlin and they had one son. 

Drafted in August 1943, after his training he was sent overseas.  We don't know when he was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. The first mention in the morning report is 1 Nov 1944 where it is noted that he has an "old injury".  On 17 Nov 1944 he went to hospital for treatment of that injury.  On 29 Nov 1944 he returned to duty with B Company. He was promoted to PFC on 16 Mar 1944. PFC Reese was killed in action of 5 Apr 1945. 

PFC Black is buried in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Trenton, New Jersey.  Marian apparently remarried and had other children. 

PVT William Elmer Slusher

courtesy of Martha Chrisman Riley

PVT William Elmer Slusher was born 20 Jul 1917 in Madison County, Kentucky. He was the youngest of the 4 children born to of James Millard and Elouria (Parker) Slusher. His father farmed near Blue Lick, Kentucky. Later the family moved to a farm valued at $2000 along Red Lick Road in Madison County. William farmed with his father. Sometime after October, 1940, William married Bessie Pearl Wilson and the couple farmed in Madison County.

William was drafted in April 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 28 Oct 1944. PVT Slusher was injured on 17 Nov 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 18 Mar 1945. The unit was near Waltrop, Germany when PVT Slusher was killed in action on 4 Apr 1945.

PVT Slusher was repatriated and re-interred in the Berea Cemetery in Berea, Kentucky.

Pearl never re-married and was buried next to her husband when she passed in 2004. The couple had no children.

2LT Oliver Earl Mayo

courtesy of Des Philippet

2LT Oliver Earl Mayo was born in 1921 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He was the 2nd of 8 children born to William Clarence and Leana Lois (Martin) Mayo. His father worked as a miller in a cement factory and a moulder in a stove factory. Oliver attended 4 years of high school and began work as a typesetter.

Oliver volunteered for Army service in August 1942. After enlistment he would have gone through basic training and Officer Candidate School before he was sent to the European theater of operations.  2LT Mayo was first assigned to F Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot. Serving as a rifle platoon leader, he was wounded just 5 days later and evacuated to hospital on 19 Jun 1944. It probably took a while to recover as he was returned to the regiment from the replacement depot, this time assigned to E Company 116th Infantry on 18 Oct 1944. On 30 Oct 1944 he was moved from a platoon leader position to serve as the company executive officer. 2LT Mayo was wounded again on 23 Nov 1944 and again evacuated. He was returned to E Company on 30 Mar 1945 to serve as a platoon leader but on 2 Apr 1945 was reassigned to C Company 116th Infantry to fill a platoon leader vacancy in that unit. 2LT Mayo was killed in action on 4 Apr 1945.

2LT Mayo rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

3 brothers served as well.  William Wade Mayo attained the rank of MSG.  Ivan V Mayo served as a SSG in the Army Air Corps. Andrew Jackson Mayo served as a SRCPO in the U.S. Navy. His father served in the Navy in WWI.

PFC Lawrence Lynwood Warble

PFC Lawrence Lynwood (or "Linwood") Warble was born 4 May 1920 in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was the 4th of 7 children born to William Irvin and Idella Marie (Sampson) Warble. His father farmed on his own farm in the Stonewall district of Rockingham County, Virginia in the southeast part of that county which currently includes the towns of Elkton, Grottoes and Massanutten. Younger sister, Hazel Marie Warble, died of pneumonia, age 2 in 1924. The Great Depression may have hurt the family because by 1940 the farm was sold and William had moved to Hummelstown, Pennsylvania probably to find work.

Like many other young men Lawrence found additional income in the National Guard, he as a member of C Company 116th Infantry in nearby Harrisonburg, Virginia. PVT Warble was federalized in February 1941 along with the rest of the 116th and posted in Fort George Meade, Maryland. Unfortunately, Idella died of uterine cancer at the age of 46 on 4 Mar 1941. Certainly able to attend the funeral, Lawrence returned to his unit and trained at Fort Meade, in the Carolina Maneuvers near Fort Bragg, North Carolina and at Camp Blanding, Florida before boarding the Queen Mary and sailing for England in September 1942. Once there he would have participated in all the training that the 116th underwent in preparation for the planned invasion of occupied France. In December 1942 a severe respiratory illness resulted in his hospitalization.  He was again severely ill, this time with pneumonia, in May 1944 but he recovered and returned to his unit. He took part in the D-Day landing and fought with the unit until he suffered a non-combat injury and was hospitalized on 27 Jun 1944. PVT Warble didn't return to the unit until 28 Dec 1944. He was promoted to PFC on Valentine's Day, 1945. He continued to serve as a rifleman in C Company until he was killed in action on 4 Apr 1945.

PFC Warble rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

3 of Lawrence's brothers also served. S1c Harry Ludwell Warble served aboard the USS Henry R. Kenyon (DE 683) in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. CPL William Herbert Warble also served in the Army during WW2. Youngest brother, SGT Daniel Leon Warble served from 1948 to 1953 including duty in the 24th Infantry in the Republic of Korea where he was captured in June 1950 and interned at the Ch'ang Song POW camp until the truce resulted in his repatriation.

PVT Donald Frank Raasch

courtesy of Steve Edquist

PVT Donald Frank Raasch was born 23 Aug 1920 in Lake City, Minnesota. He was the oldest of the 6 children born to Edward Carl and Anna Margaret (Prigge) Raasch. His father farmed in Belvidere Township. Donald would go to work for Red Wing Potteries as a driver.

Donald was drafted in September 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Raasch was transferred to A Company 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 1 Mar 1945. He was wounded sometime prior to dying of his wound(s) on 4 Apr 1945 but the wound(s) were not reported prior to that. It is unknown why that happened.

PVT Raasch was repatriated and re-interred in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

His brother, Delbert George Edward Raasch, served in the U.S. Navy as an AM2.

PVT Albert J. Genova

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Albert J. Genova was born in 1922 in Ohio.  Albert's mother's name was Anna, she had remarried by 1946 but we do not know what became of his father.  In February 1941, Albert was a PVT in a National Guard field artillery unit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was mobilized with that unit.

T5 Genova was transferred from the 227th Field Artillery Battalion to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry on 1 Aug 1944.  From 8 Jan 1944 to 14 Jan 1944 he was on temporary duty at the 29th Division Training Center.  On 19 Mar 1945 he was reduced in rank to PVT but we don't know why.  PVT Genova was killed in action on 4 Apr 1945.

PVT Genova is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.  Albert was awarded the Bronze Star but we do not know the circumstances.

PFC Wilbur Daniel Copeland

PFC Wilbur Daniel Copeland, b. 29 Sep 1924 - d. 4 Apr 1945. Son of Jack and Alene (Outlaw) Copeland of Bethune, South Carolina, married Bessie Lee Corbett. Assigned to C Company 116th Infantry. He is buried in the Quaker Cemetery in Camden, South Carolina.

CPL Ernest Monroe Hardy

CPL Ernest Monroe Hardy, b. 19 Mar 1894 - d. 22 Mar 1965. The youngest son of James Henry and Virginia Addie (Jones) of Danville, Virginia, Corporal Hardy served during WWI with C Company 116th Infantry in France and was wounded. At one time he was a resident of the Roseburg Branch of the US homes for disabled soldiers in Hampton, Virginia. In 1921 he married Rose Lee Boswell Dixon. For many years after the war he worked as a plumber in Danville. His father was a veteran of the Civil War and had served in E Company 38th Virginia Infantry. Ernest and Rose are buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Danville, Virginia.

PFC Warren Russell Davies

PFC Warren Russell Davies, b. 31 May 1912 - d. 17 Mar 1945. Son of Arthur James and Flora Jane (Miller) Davies of Muskegon, Michigan. Known to the family as Russell, his father died in 1932 and his mother remarried. Russell had 10 siblings and half-siblings of whom at least 4 had died before his father passed. PFC Davies was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry when he was killed. PFC Davies is buried in Lakeside Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan.

TSGT William C. Black

TSGT William C. Black is one of those men about whom we know very little. We believe he was born 16 Sep 1922 in Butler County, Ohio and was drafted on 11 Feb 1941 while residing in Jackson County, Ohio. We think he is the same William C. Black who married Miss Bernadine Current in Texas City, Texas on 5 Mar 1942 and that the couple had a son, William Roy Black in August 1943. The boy would died in February 1944. 

Black was assigned from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944 as a SSG, William was promoted to TSGT on 3 Dec 1944 at which time he became a platoon sergeant. He was wounded by artillery fire sometime in December 1944 but quickly returned to his unit. Wounded again on 1 Mar 1945, TSGT Black was evacuated to hospital in Cambridge, England where he died of his wound(s) on 11 Mar 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star but we do not know for what action this award was made.

Initially interred at Cambridge, we do not know if he was repatriated and reinterred in Ohio. 

PFC Herman Eugene Davis

PFC Herman Eugene Davis was born 12 May 1918 in Crowell, Texas to Robert Earl and Mattie Leona (Neely) Davis.  His father farmed along with his family of 8.

We don't know when Herman entered service but it appears that he might have been assigned to I Company 116th Infantry prior to the D-Day landing. He was promoted to PFC on 1 Oct 1944.  It seems that he avoided injury until 24 Nov 1944 when he was sent to the hospital (non-battle injury).  On 18 Dec 1944 he returned to the unit via the replacement depot.  Seriously wounded on 27 Feb 1945 he was again evacuated to the hospital.  He died of his wounds on 3 Mar 1945.

In 1949 his body was returned to his family and he was buried in the Crowell Cemetery in Crowell, Texas. 

SSG Karl Henry Metz

SSG Karl Henry Metz, b. 3 Oct 1916 - d. 3 Mar 1945. Son of Frederick and Julia Ann (Snyder) Metz, Karl was born in Coshocton, Ohio. This is his high school photo from the 1930 Coshocton High School annual. He worked as a laborer and salesman in Philadelphia and St. Louis. It was in St. Louis where he met his wife, Helen D Gerhard a nurse from Hazleton, Pennsylvania. They were married before he went overseas where he served with both A and B Companies, 116th Infantry before being killed. SSG Metz is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery. Helen never remarried and worked for many years in nursing in the Hazleton area before retiring and moving to Harrisburg where she died, aged 94, in 2011.

PVT Edward John Konefal

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Edward John Konefal was born in 17 Jul 1922 in Passaic, New Jersey the only son of Andrew Joseph and Mary (Rozmus) Konefal.  Both parents were natives of Poland. His father was a laborer in a silk mill. 

Edward was working in textile manufacture when he was drafted in June 1943.  After his basic training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was likely assigned to the unit not very long before the D-Day amphibious assault that took place on 6 Jun 1944.  He wasn't wounded that day but was wounded on 17 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  Edward did not return to the unit until he was transferred from the replacement depot on 16 Feb 1945!  PVT Konefal was killed in action on 1 Mar 1945.

PVT Konefal is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Ignatz Anton Kobza

PFC Ignatz Anton Kobza was born 29 Apr 1913 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the eighth of nine children born to Ignatius Anthony and Konstancja Augusta (Malecka) Kobza.  His father was a native of Topola, Poland and operated a saloon at 577 Maple Street in Milwaukee. His father died in 1930 and his mother in 1931 and he lived with one or the other of his sisters for a while.  "Ted", as he was known, worked in construction and joined the National Guard.

He was a PVT in a local National Guard unit when he entered federal service in October 1940.  It is possible that he joined G Company 116th Infantry before the regiment shipped out for England in September 1942.  However, we do know that he was assigned to the unit prior to D-Day and participated in the amphibious assault on Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944. PFC Kobza was wounded on 8 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 25 Jul 1944. Ted was wounded again on 7 Aug 1944 in the battle for Vire and again evacuated to hospital.  He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on Christmas Eve 1944. PFC Kobza was killed in action on 1 Mar 1945 at Giesenkirchen, Germany.

PFC Kobza was buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Claude Thomas Moore

PFC Claude Thomas Moore was born 11 Nov 1914 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He was the 2nd of 6 children born to William M. and Edna Bell (Beaty) Moore. The family farmed. On 1 May 1937, Claude married Gladys Beatrice Dunham. The couple moved to Yakima County, Washington where Claude worked as a farm hand.

Claude was drafted in August 1943. After his training he was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 24 Jul 1944. He was wounded on 4 Aug 1944 near Vire, France and did not return to the unit until he was transferred from the replacement depot on 3 Jan 1945. PFC Moore was killed in action on 1 Mar 1945.

PFC Moore rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Benjamin Edwin Smith

PFC Benjamin Edwin Smith was born 6 Sep 1919 in Paterson, New Jersey. He was the 4th of 5 children born to Arthur Cleveland and Julia Akers (Green) Smith. His father drove trucks for various companies. Benjamin married Averil Cecelia Daniel in June 1938 and the couple had their first son in November 1938 and their second in July 1942. Benjamin worked for Woolworth Company as a shipping clerk and then for Wright Aero.

Benjamin was drafted in June 1944, completed his basic military training and was then sent to the European theater in September 1944. However he was apparently not sent to a combat unit until he was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 15 Dec 1944. PVT Smith was promoted to PFC on 2 Feb 1945. He was killed in action on 1 Mar 1945 near Mönchengladbach, Germany.

PFC Smith rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

His brother, Albert Edward Smith also served in the U.S. Army in the European theater.

SGT Anthony Joseph Paradiso

SGT Anthony Joseph Paradiso was born 14 Apr 1922 in Tiffin, Ohio. He was the 3rd of 9 children and oldest son born to Salvatore and Maria Grazia (Cercelli) Paradiso. His father worked for what is now Webster Industries, Inc. in Tiffin. The family lived at the house he purchased at 380 Miami Street in Tiffin which was valued at $2000 in 1940. Anthony graduated from Calvert High School and worked as a clerk in a shoe store.

He was still in that line of work when he was drafted in September 1942. After his basic military training he would not be sent to Europe until June 1944. SGT Paradiso was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944 joining the unit near Vire, France. He was wounded by artillery fire on 1 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital. His recovery complicated by pneumonia, he returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 3 Jan 1945. On 5 Feb 1945 SGT Paradiso was sent to the 29th Division training center on temporary duty for 7 days. He was wounded in the face on 27 Feb 1945 but remained on duty. SGT Paradiso was killed in action on 1 Mar 1945.

SGT Paradiso rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

1SG Alfred Baker McClure Jr.

courtesy of Jay Kelly

1SG Alfred Baker McClure Jr. was born 7 Sep1913 in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 3 children born to Alfred Baker and Laura Hayes (Dean) McClure. Alfred senior worked as a carpenter.  Alfred junior managed to complete 4-years of high school.

Alfred was apparently working as a driver in Richmond, Virgina when he was drafted in May 1941. Assigned to the 116th Infantry at Camp Meade, Maryland, he must have demonstrated exceptional competence to be promoted to 1SG of C Company 116th Infantry before 6 Jun 1944. After training with the unit for the amphibious assault as part of the planned invasion of occupied Europe 1SG McClure participated in that effort.When there was some question about C Company's landing, 1st Sgt. Alfred B. McClure said that the first, second, and third assault sections sections arrived almost if not entirely intact. Alfred was wounded on 29 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to C Company on 12 Aug 1944 serving as 1SG with that unit until 11 Sep 1944 when he was transferred to I Company 116th Infantry. He was transferred again on 21 Oct 1944, this time to B Company 116th Infantry. 1SG McClure was killed in action on 1 Mar 1944.

1SG McClure was repatriate in 1948 and re-interred in Fairfax City Cemetery in Fairfax, Virginia.

PVT Saul G. Sloane

courtesy of PIN

PVT Saul G. Sloane was born 3 Sep 1915 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the 2nd of the 3 children born to Joseph and Sarah (Simcovitch) Sloane. His father was a native of Minsk, now Belarus and his mother from Poland what they had in common was their Jewish roots and spoke in Yiddish. His father worked as a salesman selling shoes in the Boston area and then tires in the area of Montebello, California where they family moved before 1930. Saul attended 3-years of college before he married Bertha Garber, a California native, in 1938 and the couple lived at 3415½ Vineyard Street  just off West Jefferson Boulevard in Los Angeles. Saul worked as a mail carrier and Bertha at a retail sewing station (presumably as a seamstress) earning a 1939 income of $2000 and $540 respectively. That was a pretty good income for the time and the couple paid $35 a month rent for their home.

Saul was drafted in October 1943. After his military training he was sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944. Having already attained the rank of T5, there was apparently a need to cross-level him and he was transferred to L Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944.  T5 Sloane fought with the unit until he was briefly captured on 29 Aug 1944 in the attack to liberate Brest but returned to duty after the Germans surrendered. He was injured by artillery fire and evacuated to hospital on 22 Sep 1944. T5 Sloane did not return to the unit until 22 Dec 1944 when he was reassigned as a rifleman. He then fought with the unit until killed in action in the vicinity of Monchengladbach, Germany on 1 Mar 1945.

T5 Sloane was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

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.