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 Julian Cerda Robles

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

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

PFC Robles is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

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

PVT Ralph Leonard Erickson

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

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

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

PFC Joseph John Fanello

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

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

PFC Fanello is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Ransom Theodore Eldridge

PVT Ransom Theodore Eldridge was born 1 Oct 1920 in Akin, Illinois to Joseph Wesley and Minnie Evelyn (Wilson) Eldridge. His father supported his family of 11 by farming in Franklin County, Illinois.  On 21 Sep 1941 he and Mable Louise Wilkerson were married in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Ransom entered service in May 1943 and after medic training was sent overseas and assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry and attached to  to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry to work in the aid station.  He was relieved from attachment (i.e. returned to the Medical Detachment) on 27 Jul 1944.  On 21 Nov 1944 he was killed in action.

PFC Eldridge was returned to the U.S. in 1948 and is buried in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, Illinois.

Mable remarried.  Brother Lloyd Joseph Eldridge served in the Navy during the war. 

PVT Donald R. Huckstedt

PVT Donald R. Huckstedt was born 23 Jul 1923 in Elgin, Illinois to Herman William and Harriet H. (Meisling) Huckstedt.  His father worked in an Elgin watch factory first assembling and then inspecting watches. He reported a 1939 income of $1637.  Donald's sister, Florence, worked as a clerk in the factory. Donald graduated from Elgin High School in 1942.

After Donald entered the Army he was sent to England about July 1943 and assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry as a field lineman. He was with the unit for the D-Day landings on 6 Jun 1944 and was wounded on that day.  Evacuated to hospital, he did not return to the unit until 5 Nov 1944.  PVT Huckstedt was killed in action on 19 Nov 1944.   

PVT Huckstedt is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

T5 Robert Richard Bart

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

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

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

SGT William Joseph Giroux

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

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

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

PFC Emery Harold Davidson

PFC Emery Harold Davidson was born 5 Jul 1922 in Rochester, New York to Frederick E. and Jennie V. (Lux) Davidson. His father was a carpenter. 

When drafted in October 1942, Emery was apparently working in some sort of chemical production.  His engagement to Dorothy Cochrane was announced in February 1944. Sent overseas he was assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry.  On 25 Jun 1944 he was reassigned to L Company 116th Infantry. On 15 Jul he was wounded in the right arm and sent to the hospital.  It is unclear when he was sent back to the unit but he was returned to duty from being MIA on 5 Sep 1944.  PFC Davidson was killed in action on 6 Oct 1944.

PFC Davidson was repatriated and rests forever with his parents in Grove Place Cemetery in Chili Center, New York. He and Dorothy never married.

CPL Leonard Ray Hurlbut

CPL Leonard Ray Hurlbut was born 26 Jan 1922 in Russell County, Kansas the 2nd son of Ralph Augustus and Caroly (Baustain) Hurlbut.  The family farmed. In 1940 all 3 of the men in the family showed a combined 1939 income of $325.

Leonard entered the service in November 1942.  Sometime after that he married Gena Lee Paschal.  After completing training as a bugler he was sent to Europe and on 15 Jul 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry.  Leonard was promoted to PFC on 1 Aug 1944. On 9 Aug 1944, he was transferred again, this time to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry.  Another promotion followed on 6 Sep 1944, this time Leonard was promoted to CPL.  CPL Hurlbut was killed in action on 6 Oct 1944.

CPL Hurlbut is buried in the Lucas Cemetery in Lucas, Kansas.

PFC Victor Joseph Vallei

PFC Victor Joseph Vallei was born 20 Mar 1916 in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania the 3rd of what would be 7 children of Altobrando and Nicolina (Pompa) Vallei. His father worked for the Pennsylvania Rail Road and the family lived at the home they rented at 614 Second Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania for many years which was very close to the rail yard. He owned the home by 1940 and it was then valued at $800. The building no longer exists. Altobrando reported a 1939 income of $921. Victor also went to work for the railroad. The family attended the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Juniata, Pennsylvania.

Victor was drafted in March 1942 and after training at Fort George Meade, Maryland and Fort Bragg, North Carolina he went to England. PFC Vallei was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 to serve as a scout. PFC Vallei was killed in action in Germany on 6 Oct 1944. 

PFC Vallei was repatriated in 1947 with intended re-interment in the Greenwood Cemetery in Altoona, Pennsylvania but was apparently re-interred in the Calvary Cemetery in Altoona where he is buried with his parents. 

T5 Clifford Donald Grover

T5 Clifford Donald Grover was born 6 Feb 1925 in Clarendon, Vermont to George Abbott and Deborah Susan (Eddy) Grover. The family farmed.

After entering the army in July 1943, Clifford was sent England in December and assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry and was with that unit in the amphibious assault of 6 Jun 1944.  It was for his actions in that landing that he received the first Bronze Star. He was awarded the Bronze Star again for action on 17 Jul 1944.

On June 7, 1944, Pfc. Grover distinguished himself in combat by laying and maintaining communication lines between command posts. This work was performed under intense enemy artillery fire and was vital to the establishment of the Normandy beachhead. And for heroic achievement in military operations against the enemy of July 17, 1944,Pfc.Grover's courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Clifford was a non-battle casualty on 5 Jul 1944,, evacuated and returned to the unit on 7 Jul 1944.  On 19 Jul 1944, he was promoted to T5, likely at least partially in recognition of his actions on the 17th.  He was lightly wounded again on 4 Aug 1944, near Vire, but remained on duty.  T5 Grover was killed in action on 20 Sep 1944.

T5 Grover was repatriated and is buried in the East Clarendon Cemetery in East Clarendon, Verrmont.

PFC Jack Hobart Holt

PFC Jack Hobart Holt was born 25 Nov 1924 in Coffeyville, Kansas the only surviving son of 7 children of James Hobart and Gladys Edith (Wolverton) Holt.  In 1930, Gladys was supporting the family as a bill clerk for a railway shipping company. However, by 1940, James was working as a school custodian and reported a 1939 income of $1200. 

Jack entered service in the Army in July 1943.  Trained as a medic and sent to England, Jack was assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry and from there attached to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry to work in the battalion aid station.  After the amphibious assault on D-Day and combat operations through the battle for Saint Lo, Jack was relieved from attachment and returned to the Medical Detachment.  He was himself seriously wounded on 29 Aug 1944 and died of his wound(s) on 5 Sep 1944.

PFC Holt is buried in the Restlawn Memorial Park and Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas.

CPL Jozef W. Nabozney

courtesy of Ted on "Find A Grave"

CPL Jozef W. Nabozney was born 30 Mar 1920 in Enfield, Connecticut. He was one of at least 8 children born to Stephen and Anna (Krol) Nabonzy. His parents were natives of Poland and his father worked as a day laborer (later for Bigelow-Sanford and Gordon Brothers). The family name has been spelled a number of ways with all the other family members apparently using "Nabonzy" in most cases.

Jozef's spelling of his last name may have originated with an Army clerk when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1938 or 1939. We don't know in what other units Jozef might have served but he was serving as a squad leader in Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. He continued to serve with the unit until wounded on 23 Jun 1944 and sent to hospital. He returned to the unit from the hospital via the replacement depot on 11 Aug 1944. CPL Nabozney was killed in action on 2 Sep 1944.

CPL Nabozney was repatriated and re-interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Enfield, Connecticut with his brother, Edward.

Brother, Frank S. Nabonzy, was a merchant seaman who served throughout the war on different ships in all theaters. Brother, PVT Edward R. Nabonzy, was killed in action on 13 Dec 1943 in Italy while serving as an aidman with Medical Detachment, 143rd Infantry and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

PVT Robert Virgil Poole Jr.

PVT Robert Virgil Poole Jr. was born 3 Aug 1925 in Detroit, Michigan the eldest of the 6 children of Robert Virgil and Dorothy Mable Royster. His father was working as a plumber's helper in 1940 reporting a 1939 income of $1440.

Robert was drafted, probably in late 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and on 16 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry to serve as a cannoneer. PVT Poole fought with the unit until killed in action on 2 Sep 1944 in the attack on Brest.

PVT Poole is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Rollin Woodford Davis

PVT Rollin Woodford Davis b. 1 May 1915 - d. 2 Sep 1944. Son of Jefferson Harry and Mollie B (Weir) Davis of Ashtabula County, Ohio. "Woodie" enlisted in 1943 and was ultimately assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry. PVT Davis married Lois Jane Hunter who survived him and never remarried. He is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

NOTE: We don't usually post childhood photos, but did this time because it is such a good one and there is none available of Rollin as an adult.

PVT George Irvin Williams

courtesy of Bonnie English Busch

PVT George Irvin Williams was born in Cleveland, Ohio on 15 Sep 1916. He was the 2nd of the 4 children born to Irwin and Mary Elizabeth (Gase) Williams. Irvin had started work as a laborer then became a rail road engineer earning a reported 1939 income of $1700. George completed 3-years of high school and then entered the work force working in the Lindsay Wire Weaving Company factory earning $1400 in 1939 and marrying a woman named Ann in early 1940. The couple lived first at at 813 East 143rd Street in Cleveland and then at 875 East 149th Street. They would have a son in 1941 and a daughter in 1942.

George was drafted in September 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to England awaiting the invasion of Nazi occupied France. PVT Williams was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry on 14 Jun 1944. 5-days later he was transferred to L Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. He suffered an unknown non-battle injury on 22 Jun 1944 and was evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 8 Aug 1944 while the unit was still in the area of Vire, France. He then fought with the unit in the attack up the Brittany peninsula to liberate Brest and was killed in action at Brest on 1 Sep 1944. 

PVT Williams was repatriated and re-interred in the Acacia Masonic Memorial Park Cemetery in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

Great-grandfather, Anthony Gase, served as a PVT in H Company 57th Ohio Infantry (USA), was captured and interned at Andersonville and survived the war.

PFC Gerald Kay Davis

PFC Gerald Kay Davis was born 28 Nov 1924 in Beaver Creek, Minnesota. He was the youngest of the six children of Harry Irven and Lavina (Hettinger) Davis. His father was a blacksmith who owned his home and business. Gerald or "Jerry" as the family called him, no doubt helped his father.

Jerry probably entered service sometime in 1943.  Trained as a medic and sent overseas he was assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry and then attached to Anti-Tank Company 116th Infantry.  On 1 Jun 1944 he was relieved from attachment and returned to the Medical Detachment and was with that unit on D-Day.  On 11 Jun 1944 he was attached to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry to work in their aid station.  On 18 Jul 1944 he was relieved from attachment and returned to Medical Detachment.  PFC Davis was killed in action on 31 Aug 1944. 

PFC Davis is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Dante Primiterra

courtesy of Stephanie Pepin

PVT Dante Primiterra was born 15 Mar 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 3rd child and only son of the 3 children born to Biagio and Chiara (Giardinelli) Primaterra. Both parents were natives of Chieti, Italy. His father had worked as a potter in Italy but worked as a carpenter in Philadelphia. Dante completed high school and began work as a machinist's apprentice.

Dante was drafted in November 1943. After his military training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry on 27 Jul 1944 as a field lineman running communications wire. PVT Primaterra was killed in action on 4 Aug 1944 near Vire, France.

PVT Primaterra rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Jesse James Bledsoe

PVT Jesse James Bledsoe was born 3 Jun 1922 in Rogersville, Tennessee to Mack D and Liza (Deskins) Bledsoe. His father farmed.  In 1940, Jesse was at the State Training and Agriculture School for Boys. 

Jesse was drafted in June 1941.  Assigned to Headquarters 3rd Battalion 116th Infantry from the replacement depot on 19 Jun 1944, PVT Bledsoe was probably serving as a runner/messenger for his battalion.  Wounded on 19 Jul 1944 and evacuated to the hospital, he died of his wounds on 20 Jul 1944.

PVT Bledsoe is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.