SSG James Pershing Jordan

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

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

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

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

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

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

SGT Martin Benson Love

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

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

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

SSG Chester John Marciszewski

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

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

SSG Marciszewski was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.

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

SSG Marciszewski was interred in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

SGT Elliott Arthur Salin

courtesy of M. Wincott

SGT Elliott Arthur Salin was born Elliott Arthur Salinsky on 19 May 1918 in New York City, New York. He was the youngest of the 3 children born to Michael Harris and Edith (Proops) Salinsky. His father worked in the manufacture of footwear (shoes and slippers). The family lived at 701 St. Nicholas Street and 17 167th Street to name just 2 of what were probably many homes they occupied. Sister, Leah Salinsky, died at age 19 in 1932. Elliott's mother died in 1934 and by 1940 his father had re-married and moved to Dudley, Massachusetts. Elliott managed to attend at least 1 year of college and also began working for a manufacturer rising to a foreman position.

Elliott was also living in Massachusetts when he was drafted in February 1942. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to Cannon Company 116th Infantry. He trained for the amphibious landing that took place on 6 Jun 1944 and in which he took part as a CPL. He was promoted to SGT on 20 Jun 1944 and fought with the unit through the drive to Saint-Lo, Vire, the capture of Brest and at Aachen. SGT Salin was killed in action on 20 Nov 1944 in the vicinity of Setterich, Germany. SGT Salin was awarded the Silver Star but we do not have details of the award at this time.

SGT Salin was repatriated and re-interred in the Montefiore Cemetery in Springfield Gardens, New York where is name is once again recorded as Salinsky and rests forever with other family members.

Note: We do not know why Elliott was enlisted under the name "Salin". His older brother Stanley also used that name. It may have been related to a desire to avoid being identified as a Jew if captured by the Germans or it might have simply been an attempt to Anglicize the family name to assimilate.

PVT Mortimer Nathan Lifsitz

courtesy of The Folks

PVT Mortimer Nathan Lifsitz was born 4 May 1921 in Detroit, Michigan to Max and Sophie Lifsitz. His father was a native of Bialystok, Poland and his mother a native of England. He and his father were both salesmen who worked together.

Mortimer entered the Army in May 1943. He was assigned to 1st Platoon B Company 116th Infantry on D-Day, was twice wounded and continued serving with the unit until killed in action on 17 Nov 1944.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Mortimer Nathan Lifsitz (ASN: 36598372), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany. On 17 November 1944, the advance of Company B, 116th Infantry was suddenly halted by decimating enemy fire. Seeing that the majority of its leaders had become casualties, Private Lifsitz attempting to lead assault, jumped to his feet and calling on the men to follow, started forward on the run. While charging toward the enemy positions, Private Lifsitz fell mortally wounded by enemy fire. Private Lifsitz lost his life in this encounter but in doing so displayed such personal courage and tenacity in the face of great danger that he materially influenced the results of the encounter. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Service. General Orders: Headquarters, 29th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 32 (1945)

PVT Lifsitz was repatriated in 1948 and buried in Macnelah Cemetery in Ferndale, Michigan.

PVT Bruce Milton Powell

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Bruce Milton Powell was born 20 Feb 1925 in Nogales, Arizona. He was the youngest of the 2 children, both sons, born to Thomas Morgan and Florence Beatrice (Finley) Powell. His father was working as a consular official for the United States State Department when Bruce was born. After completing high school when he was 18, Bruce moved to Los Angeles, California and when he registered for the draft in 1943 was working for Toby's Radio Shop.

Bruce was drafted in September 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Powell was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 16 Jun 1944. He was wounded on 30 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. PVT Powell returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 29 Oct 1944. PVT Powell was killed in action on 17 Nov 1944 as B Company fought on the outskirts of Jülich, Germany. He was awarded the Silver Star the citation for which says that he displayed exceptional devotion to duty as a radio operator under extremely heavy fire when he was mortally wounded.

PVT Powell was interred in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Older brother, James Otis Powell, served as a CPL in the U.S. Army 1946-1948.

T5 William Howard Campbell

T5 William Howard Campbell was born 30 Nov 1917 in Lansing, Ohio to John Joseph and Alice Ida May (Goines) Campbell.  William's father was a machinist and a car inspector for a railroad.  In 1940 the family was living in McAllen, Texas and William was working as a sales clerk in a grocery and had a 1939 income of $600.

William entered the service in April 1942.  After training as a medic he was sent overseas.  Sometime prior to the D-Day landings he was assigned to Medical Detachment 116th Infantry and attached to C Company 116th Infantry. While in England he apparently met and married a Miss Larman and they had one daughter.

Pfc. Cecil F. Randolph was hit in the leg by a machine gun bullet and went down in the water. Later a medic returned and pulled him up under a tank. The medic, T/5 William H. Campbell, was under fire during this act and was later awarded a silver star for his bravery.

 He was wounded on 1 Jul 1944 and evacuated to the hospital.  He must have been returned to duty with Headquarters 29th Infantry Division because on 7 Aug 1944 he was transferred from there back to the Medical Detachment. On 18 Aug 1944 William was promoted to T5.  T5 Campbell was killed in action on 13 Oct 1944.

T5 Campbell was repatriated in 1948 and buried in Laurel Cemetery in Mission, Texas.  His wife remarried. 

CPT Maurice Francis McGrath

CPT Maurice Francis McGrath was born 2 Aug 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Thomas Edward Joseph and Sara Teresa (Wilhere) McGrath. His father worked as an electrical inspector and as a foreman for the Philadelphia Transit Authority. He reported a 1939 income of $2500 and they owned their home valued at $4000. In short, a financially successful family in the midst of the Great Depression. Maurice attended St. John's High School and LaSalle College (class of 1939). He was a student at Temple University Law School when he entered the Army.

Maurice entered Army service August 1941. After completing training including Officer training he was sent overseas and assigned to Service Company 116th Infantry. He was with that unit serving as regimental transportation officer for the D-Day landing on 6 Jun 1944. On 15 Jun 1944 he assumed command of Service Company. On 13 Jul 1944 he was transferred to I Company 116th Infantry to serve as the company commander.

1LT McGrath provided a 2-page account of his activities on 6 Jun 1944 to LTC S. L. A. Marshall. He was first wounded in the abdomen on 15 Jul 1944 and he was in England recovering for more than a month not returning to the regiment until 28 Aug 1944 when he was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry to again serve as Company Commander.

A few weeks after D-Day, Maurice penned this poem:

Confusion

My brain is wracked, my spirit bent
I don't know where to turn
My scheme of life is all upset, rent,
Warped, distorted, left to burn,
Upon the shores of life's angry ocean.

Tossed into this new world reign
Of Terror,lonliness and greed that is blind
I wander aimlessly seeking in vain
Something to grasp; to hold; to find
A haven, a refuge free from commotion.

Oh confusion! A world upturned
From the civilized to the jungle land
You sent me searching far and I returned
With God - who has given me a guiding hand
In whom I found solace, comfort, and devotion.

CPT McGrath's L Company kicked off an attack on Baesweiler, Germany on 7 Oct 1944. After some initial resistance the Germans abandoned the town and CPT McGrath gathered L Company soldiers and directed them into the town. While accompanying his soldiers CPT McGrath was wounded and died soon after of his wound(s) on 7 Oct 1944.

CPT McGrath would be awarded the Bronze Star awarded for actions on D-Day and a Silver Star for gallantry in attack on Brest. He was repatriated in 1947 and re-interred in Westminster Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

His older brother, Edward, also served as an officer and when they met in France, after D-Day, was serving as a 1LT in the Anti-Aircraft battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. 

2LT Durwood Chestlee Settles

2LT Durwood Chestlee Settles was born 14 Jul 1916 the son of Norman Leonard Shanks and Clovis Hurd. Norman was 37, married and had a daughter. Clovis was 17 and single. In April 1918 she married George Clark Settles who apparently adopted Durwood. The couple then had 4 more sons including a set of twins. George was a miner who supported his growing family on 35-60¢ a day and the family was living in Rock, West Virginia. We don't know why for certain but by 1930 Durwood was living with his maternal grandparents William Jonathan and Rosa Lee (Gunter) Hurd at 10 Water Street,  Martinsville, Virginia where William had a job as a planer in a furniture factory. George died in November 1933 in a hospital for the insane. Durwood completed high school and found work at the Dupont factory in Waynesboro, Virginia where he boarded with a widow, Mrs. Grace Parrish Marsh, at 869 Kenmore Avenue. His mother re-married, this time to William Cleveland Lusk and he was also a coal miner. William died in 1943. By this time Durwood had met and married in Neva Byrde Bassist of Harrisonburg, Virginia in February 1942.

Durwood was drafted in March 1942. He first went to Camp Lee near Petersburg, Virginia. He then went to Fort George Meade, Maryland and was sent to England and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division. Durwood and Neva had a son born in January 1943. While in England he was identified as a promising candidate for officer training and sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for Officer Candidate training. Commissioned after graduating he returned to the division when he was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 20 Jun 1944 to serve as a platoon leader. He fought with the unit for 16 days before being wounded and evacuated to hospital. While he was recuperating from his wounds in England, Neva had another son in August 1944. 2LT Settles was again transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 9 Sep 1944. He was killed in action on 14 Sep 1944 leading his platoon in the action to clear German defenders from the area of the moat of Fort Montbarey at Brest, France. MAJ Dallas, the 1st Battalion commander, directed that 2LT Settles body be recovered before the attack recommenced at 1700 on 16 Sep 1944.

2LT Settles rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

All of the brothers served during the war and 2 others died in service. PFC Roy Bernard Settles was killed in action on Guam while serving with Company "C", First Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force on 28 Jul 1944. SM3c Earl Hurd Settles was killed in action at Okinawa on 4 Apr 1945 when serving aboard LCIL-82 which was sunk by a Japanese assault demolition boat. S2c Carl Clark Settles served in the Atlantic aboard the USS Opal. CPL Glen William Settles served in Headquarters 14th Infantry Regiment and in the Panama Canal Zone. 

One son and 2 grandchildren survive.

SGT Daniel J. Mulligan

courtesy of Time Traveler

SGT Daniel J. Mulligan was born 20 May 1924 in Mount Pleasant (now Valhalla), New York. He was the first-born and only son of the 2 children born to Daniel Michael and Helen L. (Collins) Mulligan. His father worked as a pressman in the printing industry. In 1940, the family lived at 9 Shelly Avenue, Mount Pleasant in a home that was valued at $4400. The elder Daniel reported a 1939 income of $2200.

Daniel was drafted in January 1943. After his basic training he was sent to other unknown units and promoted to SGT before being transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. SGT Mulligan was killed in action on 27 Aug 1944. SGT Mulligan was awarded the Silver Star but we do not know the particulars of that award.

SGT Mulligan was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in All Souls Cemetery in Pleasantville, New York where he rests forever near family.

His maternal uncle, John Joseph Collins, served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. His sister, Rita Joan Mulligan married a West Point graduate, Kenneth James Knowles, who retired from the U.S. Army as a LTC.

SGT Peter J. Ambrose

SGT Peter J. Ambrose was born in 1909 to Peter Joseph and Mary Ambrose in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.  Both parents had immigrated from Slovakia and the pre-Anglicized family name was Ambrozatms. His mother died 6 Jul 1936.

Peter was  drafted in June 1941.  He married Elizabeth on 7 Mar 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland where he had been living before the service came calling.  Assigned to K Company 116th Infantry, he was with that unit for the amphibious assault at Omaha Beach.  Then PVT Ambrose did more than is duty and was awarded the Silver Star. His silver star citation: In Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, during the initial action, when the troops were pinned down behind a hedgerow by the enemy,Sgt. Ambrose, with another soldier, advanced across a mine field in the face of extremely heavy fire with complete disregard for his own safety and set up a machinegun. By this brave act, he furrnished cover for the troops and enabled them to advance. His courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

On 20 Jun 1944, Peter was promoted to SGT, probably in part because of his demonstrated initiative and leadership.  On 6 Aug 1944 SGT Ambrose was wounded and evacuated to hospital.  He died of his wound(s) on 15 Aug 1944.

SGT Ambrose is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. Elizabeth remarried and moved to Portland, Oregon. 

PVT Robert Asher Pennell

PVT Robert Asher Pennell was born 26 Aug 1925 in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. He was the 4th of the 5 children born to Walter Ray and Barbara A. (McNaughton) Pennell. His father worked as a moulder in a stove factory reporting a 1939 income of $900 and paying a monthly rent of $18 on their residence at 60 West Main Street. Robert attended Mount Joy High School and graduated in June 1943.

Robert was drafted in November 1943. He took his training at Camp Craft, South Carolina and Fort Meade, Maryland before being sent to Europe in June 1944. Reportedly trained as a medic, he is listed on the morning reports as a rifleman. PVT Pennell was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 20 Jul 1944. PVT Pennell was killed in action on 7 Aug 1944 near Vire, France.

PVT Pennell was repatriated in 1943 and re-interred in the Mount Joy Cemetery in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.

His father served as a SGT in D Company 156th Machine Gun Battalion 42nd Division during WWI.

2LT Anthony James Kukis

2LT Anthony James Kukis was born 29 Mar 1915 in Kingston, Pennsylvania the youngest of seven children of Andrew and Felixa (Orlowski) Kukis. His parents were both natives of Poland. His father was a coal miner.  Andrew died in 1932. Anthony graduated from Kingston High School in 1934. Anthony moved to California and began working for Sears Roebuck and Company in Los Angeles.

Anthony entered service in October 1941 while living in California.  Married to Gladys Mildred Barisano on 29 Aug 1942. Anthony was certainly exceptional in some way to be selected for officer training before he was sent to England.  He was noted on the morning as "on duty" with K Company on 1 Jun 1944 indicating that he was one of the many "extra" officers assigned to the invasion forces. 2LT Kukis was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 6 Jun 1944. 

 "In Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, after successfully leading his section on in fighting its way from the beach to the selected assembly area for his battalion, he found that the rest of the unit had failed to reach the point. Without delay, he contacted remnants of two Ranger battalions, attached his group, which had suffered numerous losses, to this force, and continued in the attack. The forceful leadership, the initiative and courage displayed by him inspired his men to greater efforts and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service."

2LT Kukis was killed in action on 22 Jun 1944.

2LT Kukis was repatriated in 1948 and is buried near his parents in Saint John's Cemetery in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

His wife married Ernest Wayne Smith on 1 May 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brother, Edmund Chester Kukis, served in the Army from 1941 to 1945.

TSGT William Thomas Lemon

TSGT William Thomas Lemon was born 12 Oct 1918 in Purcellville, Virginia to Walter Henry and Frances Newton (Pelton) Lemon.  His father worked as farm labor and as a carpenter.

William was working as a plumber or steamfitter when he was drafted in May 1941.  He was likely assigned to C Company 116th Infantry soon after and trained with the unit at Camp Blanding and in England. TSGT Lemon was serving as a platoon sergeant on 6 Jun 1944, D-Day, when the unit participated in the amphibious landing that began the invasion of Hitler's "fortress Europe" in France.  He survived that day but was killed in action on 17 Jun 1944.

TSGT Lemon was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on the date of his death. The citation reads:

In Normandy, France, on June 17, 1944, while his unit was advancing, he, with utter disregard for his own safety, led his platoon over a hedgerow in order to keep the attack moving forward.

In so doing, he continually exposed himself to enemy fire and it was through his efforts that the platoon was inspired to continue the advance and capture the objective. Though he was killed in this action, the courage and leadership displayed by him reflect great credit upon himself and the military service."

TSGT Lemon was buried in Normany American Cemetery.

2LT William Gallagher Sampson

2LT William Gallagher Sampson was born in Alliance, Ohio on 18 May 1915. He was the youngest of Anderson Jaynes and Elizabeth Dunkin (Gallagher) Sampson. His father worked as an accountant/bookkeeper. By 1940 William was working as a store clerk for Schwabacher and Company, a hardware firm, earning a reported 1939 income of $1020, twice what his father earned in the same year.

William was drafted in 1941 and after his basic military service was identified as a candidate for officer training to which he was sent. After that he was sent to Europe and on 5 Jun 1944 was assigned to Cannon Company 116th Infantry as one of the additional officers sent to the regiment prior to the D-Day landings on 6 Jun 1944. He landed with Cannon Company and fought with the unit until 17 Jun 1944 when he was killed in action. 2LT Sampson was awarded the Silver Star for and Bronze Star for actions occurring on the date of his death.

2LT Sampson rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery. 

Grandfather, GEN Archibald Johnson Sampson, served as a SGT in C Company 43rd Ohio Infantry (USA) and CPT in the Civil War, as Attorney General of Colorado, Envoy to Mexico and Ecuador. Brother, Archibald Johnson Sampson (named for their grandfather) was drafted as a private in WW2 and left the U.S. Army as a LTC as well as a doctor.

1LT Edley Craighill Jr.

at Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA 1938

1LT Edley Craighill Jr. was born 22 Nov 1920 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 3 children and only son born to Edley and Julia Payne (Howard) Craighill.

PFC Craighill was a member of the Lynchburg National Guard unit when it was federalized on 3 Feb 1941. He was soon promoted to SGT then sent to Officer Candidate School and then volunteered for the airborne. He was assigned to A Company 501st Parachute Infantry, 101st Infantry Division. He was assigned to that unit when it jumped in support of the invasion of occupied France on the morning of 6 Jun 1944. The unit was tasked with securing the lock at Le Barquette to prevent the Germans from flooding the lower country and blocking entry to the Americans moving inland. As the unit crossed one of the last fields, the paratrooper bringing up the rear of the column lagged far behind and was felled by a bullet. 1LT Craighill dropped his weapon, crawled back across the wide and fire-swept space and dragged the man to safety. It was for that action that he was awarded the Silver Star. Later, at Carentan, 1LT Craighill was struck by fragments from artillery fire and killed in action on 14 Jun 1944,

1LT Craighill was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Edley's father also served in the 116th in various positions before being assigned to the 115th Infantry as Executive Officer serving in Normandy at the same time as his son. His grandfather, Robert Edley Craighill, had served as Executive Officer of the 116th Infantry at Camp McClellan, Alabama in 1918 and commanded the 1at Virginia Infantry as early as 1906. Great-grandfathers also served, Robert Templeton Craighill served as a PVT in 12th Virginia Cavalry, Edward Sixtus Hutter had served as a MAJ of Artillery (CSA) in the Civil War. Great-great grandfathers also served in the military, John Scarsbrook Langhorne served as a MAJ in 2nd Virginia Cavalry (CSA) and Thomas Massie Howard served as a PVT in CPT Barksdale's company of Virginia Militia in the War of 1812.

SGT Joseph Barr Churchill

SGT Joseph Barr Churchill, b. 12 Sep 1912 - d. 7 Jun 1944. Son of John and Jane (Veasey) Churchill of Philadelphia, PA, John was assigned to 1st Platoon B Company 116th Infantry. Wounded on 6 June, he died the next day. He was awarded the Silver Star, his citation reads as follows:

"Sgt. Joseph B. Churchill, 116th Inf, US Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Normandy, France. On 6 June 1944, Sgt. Churchill and his squad landed on the beaches of France under a withering barrage of enemy fire of all calibers. Despite seemingly insurmountable hardships, Sgt. Churchill led his men across the fire swept beach to positions on the high cliff overlooking the beach. At this point when the platoon was pinned down by enemy machine gun and sniper fire, he reached his destination and contacted friendly troops. While leading them forward, Sgt. Churchill was seriously wounded by enemy artillery fire. The outstanding leadership, courage, and unselfish devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Churchill reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Service."

SGT Churchill rests forever in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, New Jersey.

SGT Carl William Raymond

courtesy of Mike and Bushy Hartman

SGT Carl William Raymond was born 5 Apr 1916 in Minerva, New York. He was the youngest of the 4 children (3 boys) born to William James and Adeline A (Owens) Raymond. Carl graduated from Minerva High School and attended Albany Business College. His father died in 1935 and Carl took a civil service position in Washington, D. C. working for the U.S. Printing Office.

Carl was drafted in September 1942. After basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He must have had a good reputation as a soldier because he was promoted to SGT prior to June 1944. It was in England that he trained with his unit for the planned amphibious assault on occupied France. SGT Raymond was with L Company on 6 Jun 1944 when he was killed in action as the unit struggled to secure a beachhead in France. SGT Raymond would be awarded the Silver Star for his actions before his death.

SGT Raymond rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

2LT Stanley Harvey Schwartz

2LT Stanley Harvey Schwartz was born 2 Jun 1918 in New York, New York. He was the oldest of the 2 sons born to William and Florence (Levy) Schwartz. His father, a native of Austria, worked in a hat factory but later became a salesman for the wholesale of women's dresses. William reported a 1939 income of $2000. Stanley had likewise gotten into the garment industry and was working as buyer of ladies ready-to-wear earning a reported $900 in 1939. The family was living in an apartment at 1080 Anderson Avenue in the Bronx.

Stanley may have volunteered for service in 1941. We think that he may have completed some duty overseas before being returned to the U.S. for Officers Candidate School. After commissioning and further training he was sent to England. 2LT Schwartz was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry on 2 Jun 1944 just before the unit embarked on the Javelin Empire for the invasion.

Awarded the Silver Star for his actions in leading a platoon on D-Day.

...PVT Ingram Lambert jumped a wall and crossed a road to place a bangalore torpedo at a wire entanglement. He was killed, 2LT Stanley Schwartz, the platoon leader, jumped the wall and managed to blow the entanglement. The first man through the gap was shot but C Company managed to move up the bluff and off  the beach.
About three hundred yards beyond Vierville-sur-mer the company was fired on by two machine guns. The first platoon and an attached mortar squad deployed to the left to outflank them. The third platoon came forward to give covering fire. They did not see a target, however, so did not fire a shot. This was according to the training which the men had previously been given. The first platoon felt that covering fire, regardless of the accuracy, would have been of real assistance.
When the first platoon came within thirty yards of the gun without seeing it, the machine gun opened up. 2LT Schwartz, SSG Ted F. Moubray, and PFC Leo King were killed and PFC James Page was wounded. 

2LT Schwartz was repatriated and re-interred in the Temple Israel Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.  

Stanley's younger brother, Howard H. Schwartz, also served in the U.S. Army during the war.

COL Reginald Heber Kelley

COL Reginald Heber Kelley was born in Fresno, California on 23 Jan 1880. He was the 4th of the 8 sons of Reverend Douglas Ottinger and Anna Amelia (Fletcher) Kelley. His parents had lost their 3rd son soon after birth, just 2 years previous. His father had been born on Kelley's Island, in Lake Erie about 8-10 miles due north of Sandusky, Ohio. Douglas had moved to California in 1867 first working as a lawyer then becoming an Episcopal priest and missionary in California. The Kelleys lived in San Francisco, Watsonville, Alameda and Fresno. The family's home when Reverend Kelley died in 1915 was at 2206 Durant Avenue in Berkley, California. Reginald attended public school in Fresno and is first noted as being on the honor roll in the spring of 1889. He also attended public school in Alameda and San Francisco graduating as valedictorian from Trinity School in San Francisco in 1898. He attended the State University at Berkley and received a scholarship in 1901. 

Enlisting as a PVT on 18 Jun 1898 Reginald served in I Company 7th California Infantry until 2 Dec that same year. He was commissioned as a 1LT in D Company 1st Infantry Regiment, California National Guard in March 1902 where he served while attending university. He was commissioned a LTC in the California National Guard in May of that year due to his outstanding performance in the university's corps of cadets and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a result of this he was offered a Regular Army commission as a 2LT of infantry which was accepted and he received the commission in 1903 when he graduated from the University of California. Assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment, 2LT Kelley departed with the regiment for the Philippines in June 1903. Once there he was posted to Sorsogon in southeastern Luzon. Allowed leave in mid-1905, 2LT Kelley then reported to Fort Thomas, Kentucky. It is probable that 2LT Kelley served with the 4th Regiment in the Ute campaign in1906. Reginald was promoted to 1LT and reassigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment in May 1909 but returned to the 4th after only 1 month and returned to the Philippines until 1910 when the regiment returned to the United States. 

Reginald married Ione Candace Dille on 28 Jun 1910. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment at Fort Crook, Nebraska at that time. A daughter, Esther Myrick Kelley, was born at Fort Crook on 11 Dec 1911. She would be the couple's only child.

Promotions came quickly during the first World War. Promoted to MAJ on 20 Aug 1917 and assigned as inspector (IG) 29th Division at Camp McClellan near Anniston, Alabama. He went to France with the 29th in 1918 and was detailed at the Division Machine Gun officer to plan and coordinate the machine gun defense in the 29th Division sector. MAJ Kelley was promoted  to LTC on 30 Jul 1918 and to COL on 1 Nov 1918 commanding the 116th Infantry Regiment in the Meuse-Argonne offensive after relieving COL Harris on 10 Oct 1918. He was gassed in training on 4 Dec 1918 and returned from France, 3 Aug 1919. COL Kelley was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service during the war. The citation reads as follows:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Reginald H. Kelley, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. First as Division Machine-Gun Officer and later as Commanding Officer, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, Colonel Kelley displayed sterling qualities of leadership. By his high military attainments, sound judgment, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty he proved to be a material factor in the successes achieved by the 29th Division in the offensive actions in which they participated."

He served in the Quartermasters Corps from 13 Aug 1919 to 24 Aug 1919. He graduated from the School of the Line in 1922. COL Kelley then graduated from General Staff School 1923 and from 1923 to 1927 was an associate professor of military science and tactics and the University of California. He attended and graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 1928. COL Kelley was assigned 1929-1932 to Minneapolis, Minnesota as instructor of the National Guard in that state. In 1933 he was at Fort Benning as Director of Department of Experiment.

Ione passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Newnan, Georgia in 1935. COL Kelley then returned to the Philippines and commanded the 45th Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Brigade (Philippine Scouts) in 1937 at Fort McKinley, Philippines. It was in 1937 on this tour of duty that he met and married Ruth Steere Reno Fuller on 18 Sep 1937 in a ceremony attended by General and Mrs. Douglas MacArthur. He was next assigned as Chief of Staff of the 87th Infantry Division from 25 Aug 1940 to when he retired 9 Jun 1942 due to disability in line of duty. He was 62 years old at that time. However, it appears that he may have returned to active duty in some roll from 1 Jul 1942 to 20 Feb 1944 due to wartime exigencies. 

After retirement Reginald and Ruth lived a more normal life moving to Melrose, Florida. Reginald became the senior warden of the Trinity church in Melrose and Ruth worked in the Women's Auxiliary of the Diocese of Florida becoming president of that organization. There is little to no public record after his retirement possibly due to health concerns.

COL Kelley died on 18 Oct 1963 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Brother of CPT (Chaplain) Leslie Constant Kelley. They were the great, great, great-grandsons of Elihu Stow who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army during nearly the entire war. He enlisted as a private in Capt. Alden's company, Samuel Webb, Colonel, April 21, 1777, was mustered in Nov. 1777, taken prisoner, exchanged, July l, 1778, promoted to Corporal, March 20, 1780; Sergeant, July 1, 1781. Reginald's father had served as a 2LT in B Company 100th Ohio Infantry (USA) during the Civil War. Reginald's daughter together with her husband and 3 of their children were interned in the Philippines by the Japanese during WWII.

Note: This memorial was published 50-years after his death.