PFC Thomas E. Ewell

PFC Thomas E. Ewell (34652918) was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944.  He was killed in action on 7 Sep 1944.

PFC Ewell is one of those people of whom we know next to nothing. 

PVT Graydon Virgil Wise

PVT Graydon Virgil Wise was born 20 Jun 1910 in Chisolm, Minnesota. He was the 2nd of 3 children of Mark M. Pomeroy and Amanda Elizabeth (Anderson) Wise. He had a half-brother who lived with his father's first wife. His father worked for an iron mine to support his family but was killed in an automobile accident in December 1917. Graydon's younger brother was born just 5 months later. His mother re-married soon after and had 2 more children by step-father Frank Leonard Ramsdell who worked on state road construction and later farmed near Crosby, Minnesota. Graydon married Nellie Caroline Benson in February 1939 and was farming near Ogema, Minnesota. 

Graydon was drafted in December 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. The regiment was embroiled in the fight with German forces as the division attempted to liberate Brest, France. PVT Wise was killed in action in Brest on 6 Sep 1944.

PVT Wise was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Memorial Cemetery in Hinckley, Minnesota.

PFC Rainsford Whittier Parlee

at 16 years old

PFC Rainsford Whittier Parlee was born 19 May 1912 in Los Angeles County, California. He was the 3rd of the 4 children born to Norman Whittier and Hannah L. (Adamson) Parlee. However, a sister, Ruth, had died in infancy just 4-years earlier. His father was a native Canadian who worked as a bookkeeper and his mother was born in England. Rainsford graduated from the Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles in 1931.

On 2 Nov 1934 Rainsford married Caroline E. Gould but the couple would divorce in 1938 but had no children. In 1940 he was livin with his parents at 6519½ West Sixth Street which they rented for $40 a month. His father was working as an assayer for a mining company and reported a 1939 income of $1250. Rainsford was working as a printer and reported a 1939 income of $1500. Also living in the home were his brother and sister who were also working, his brother was an electrical engineer and his sister a stenographer. They brought another $3450 into the household which made the Parlee family very well off for the time. Riansford married again in March 1942, this time to Veronica Pauline Hoefs who had moved to California from Pierce County, Nebraska.

It was likely not long after his second marriage that Rainsford was drafted and sent to England where he was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He was with the unit from D-Day until he was killed in action on 6 Sep 1944 as the unit fought in the effort to capture Brest, France.

PFC Parlee was repatriated and re-interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California where he rests forever near all his immediate family.

Veronica never re-married. The couple had no children. 

PVT Robert G. Quintal

PVT Robert G. Quintal was born 30 May 1914 in Cheboygan, Michigan. He was the 4th of the 8 children born to Frank E. and Sarah Elizabeth (Hanna) Quintal. The family moved to Port Huron, Michigan in 1920. His father father was a barber but he died in 1923 at the age of 53. 3 of his siblings died before 1924. His older brothers supported the family and Robert was able to attend Port Huron High School. After high school Robert went to work for Mueller Brass Company now Mueller Industries.

Robert was drafted in March 1943, trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and after a 14-day furlough he went to England in January 1944. He was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry and survived the D-Day landing at Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944. He continued to fight with the unit until wounded on 15 Jul 1944 near Saint-Lo, France. He spent some time recovering in an English hospital and returned to the unit on 17 Aug 1944. PFC Quintal was in action with A Company until killed in action on 6 Sep 1944.

PFC Quintal was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Lakeside Cemetery in Port Huron, Michigan.

PFC Robert Arnton Heard

PFC Robert Arnton Heard b. 29 Dec 1921 - 6 Sep 1944. He is shown in this memorial article along with his family information so I won't repeat the information. PFC Heard was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry.  He is buried in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, GA.

PVT John Sharp Fish

PVT John Sharp Fish was born 9 Dec 1924 in Thornton, Michigan the youngest child of George Garfield and Helen M. (Bossenes) Fish. The family farmed. John attended Port Huron High School. He then went to work for Mueller Brass Company.

After he entered the service in 1942, John first whent to Fort George Meade, Maryland. He then received basic training as an infantryman at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was then assigned to Camp Atterbury, Indiana and was sent overseas to England in June 1944.  He was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 10 Aug 1944.  PVT Fish was killed in action on 6 Sep 1944. 

PVT Fish is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Duncan Stevens Mendenhall

PVT Duncan Stevens Mendenhall was born 5 Jan 1917 in Conrad, Indiana. He was the oldest of the 4 boys and 1 girl born to Joseph Virgil and Lucille Andrea (Beck) Mendenhall. His father worked as an elementary school teacher and then, for many years, as a mail carrier. Duncan graduated from Fowler High School in 1935 having been a member of the 1934 state champion basketball team. He was artistic and attended an art school in Indianapolis. He was then employed by By 1940 Duncan was working as a designer and press man in the Bower Show print shop. Duncan married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Dowell about 1942 and in December 1943 they had a daughter, Marsha Rae.

Duncan was drafted in November 1943 before his daughter was born. He trained at Camp Croft, North Carolina where his wife visited him with their daughter in March 1944. He then participated in a large exercise and enjoyed a 10-day furlough at home in mid-April 1944 before going to Fort Meade, Maryland and being shipped to England in the May of 1944. He served in England until 28 Aug 1944 when he was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry. PVT Mendenhall was killed in action on 6 Sep 1944.

PVT Mendenhall rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Great-grandfather Joseph Webster Mendenhall served as a PVT in B Company 30th Ohio Infantry (USA) during the civil war. 3 brothers served during WW2. Joseph Beck Mendenhall served as a LT in medical corps, John Elmer Mendenhall was a PVT in Burma, Pharmicist Mate 3 Robert Bond Mendenhall was in Bougainville.

PFC Martin Leonard Firestone

PFC Martin Leonard Firestone was born 12 Oct 1921 in Manhattan, New York to Joseph and Mildred (Black) Firestone.  Martin's parents divorced when he was young and he apparently lived with his father and moved to Los Angeles, California.

After he was drafted he was sent overseas and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He was apparently with the unit on D-Day.  On 24 Aug 1944 he suffered a non-combat related injury and was sent to the hospital and then returned to the unit from the hospital on 28 Aug 1944.  On 6 Sep 1944 he was killed in action.

PFC Firestone is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

PVT Joseph Martin Dent

courtesy Joy Riggers

PVT Joseph Martin Dent was born 4 Apr 1925 in South Charleston, West Virginia to Chapman and Effie (Smith) Dent.  His father was a foreman in a glass factory. After leaving school, Joseph got a job working at the Mound Theater on 7th Avenue in South Charleston.

Drafted in June 1943, Joseph had only completed 3 years of high school.  He was sent overseas and on 3 Sep 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Dent was killed 2 days later on 6 Sep 1944. 

PVT Dent is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

PVT Daniel Lawrence Mishloney

PVT Daniel Lawrence Mishloney was born 7 Jan 1922 in Alpena, Michigan. He was the 2nd of the 8 children born to Stephen Stanley and Mary (Stoinski) Mishloney. His father worked in an auto factory. Daniel was working for the Trans-American Garage in 1942.

Daniel was drafted and sent to Europe. PVT Mishloney was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. He was killed in action on 6 Sep 1944.

PVT Mishloney rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

Several of his brothers also served. Henry Mishloney served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946. Arthur S. Mishloney served in 7th Division Cavalry in the Korean War and was wounded. Edward Robert Mishloney served inthe U.S. Army 1953-1955.

1SG James Russell Morris

1SG James Russell Morris was born 18 Aug 1918 in Otter River, Virginia. He was the 5th of 9 children born to William Franklin and Queen Victoria (Owen) Morris. His father worked as an inspector in a cedar chest factory for many years. By 1930 the family had moved to  Altavista, Virginia where they lived on Eighth Street and later owned their home at 1012 Seventh Street which was valued at $2500 in 1940. By 1940, James was working as a salesman in the gas and oil industry and reported a 1939 income of $780 and was still living at home.

James had enlisted in the Virginia National Guard before it was mobilized in February 1941 but after the creation of the 1940 "yearbook". He trained with the unit at Fort Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida before being sent with the 116th Infantry to England in September 1942. It was sometime after mobilization but prior to deployment to England that James married Hilda West of Altavista.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry and was serving as a TSGT at the time of the amphibious landings on Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944. He was promoted to 1SG of the unit on 20 Jun 1944. He continued to serve with the unit until wounded in the La Trinite operation on 30 Aug 1944. Evacuated to hospital, 1SG Morris died of his wound(s) on 6 Sep 1944.

1SG Morris was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Green Hill Cemetery in Altavista, Virginia.

James and Hilda apparently had no children. Hilda remarried in 1946.

PFC Sylvester John Steinhoff

PFC Sylvester John Steinhoff was born 29 Jun 1921 in Bangor, Minnesota. He was the 9th of the 10 children born to Anton Wilhelm and Barbara Mary (Decker). His father was a native of Schapdetten, Germany and supported the family by farming on rented farms, first near Raymond and then near Brooten in Minnesota. Known as "Sally" to friends and family, Sylvester grew up in Padua, Minnesota where he attended public school. In 1942 he was working for brother-in-law, Jacob Essler in Sauke Centre, Minnesota driving a truck but still lived near Brooten on the family farm.

Sylvester was drafted in November 1943, completed his basic military training at Camp Blanding, Florida and was shipped out for the European theater in June 1944. After several weeks in England he was sent to France and transferred from the replacement depot to H Company 116th Infantry on 21 Jul 1944 to serve as a Heavy Machine Gunner. He fought with the unit in the liberation of Vire, France and was with the unit as it began its part in the liberation of Brest, France. PFC Steinhoff was killed in action at Brest on 6 Sep 1944.

PFC Steinhoff rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT William Mirs Jr.

PVT William Mirs Jr. was born 1912 in Elk Grove, Illinois. He was the youngest of 3 children born to William and Emma (Stadt) Mirs. His father was a native of Germany. His mother died in April 1913. His father married Rose Muth in March 1917 and the couple had a daughter the following year. His father farmed. In 1940, William was working as a roofer and reported a 1939 income of $900. He still lived with his father. Young William married divorcee Ruth Alice Sharick on 4 Sep 1943.

William's marriage likely took place just prior to his being drafted. After his initial training he was sent to Europe and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. He fought with the unit until wounded on 26 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. PVT Mirs died of his wound(s) on 5 Sep 1944.

PVT Mirs is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Older brother, Alfred Augustus Mirs, served in the U.S. Army Air Corp and Air Force 1942-1962.

PVT John A. Winiarski

courtesy of Grace D V

PVT John A. Winiarski was born 3 Apr 1924 in Buffalo, New York. He was the 6th of 7 children born to Franciszek and Stanislawa (Slowinska) WiniarskDecember 1943i. John's parents, both natives of Poland, went by the anglicized names of Frank and Stella respectively. His father was a mason but by 1940 was being supported by the oldest sons who reported a 1939 income of  $1510. Justin finished 3-years of high school and began work as a pattern maker for Heinz and Mauschaur Company in Buffalo.

John was drafted in December 1943 and after completing his basic military training was sent to the European theater. PVT Winiarski was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 14 Aug 1944 as the regiment was in the early stages of the fight to liberate Brest. PVT Winiarski was killed in action in Brest, France on 5 Sep 1944.

PVT Winiarski was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Saint Stanislaus Roman Catholic Cemetery in Cheektowaga, New York.

PVT Myron Paul Bleznuck

PVT Myron Paul Bleznuck was born 4 Jun 1918 in Boston, Massachusetts to Paul Thomas and Maria (Maczyoska) Bleznuck.  Both parents were Ukrainian immigrants coming from the "Pale" to which Russian Jews were confined.  They arrived in May 1913 and by 1930 father Paul was working in a rubber manufacturing plant to support his family of 4.  In 1940, Paul was still working in the rubber plant, Myron's older brother William was working as a truck driver and Myron was working in a printing plant. Myron married Lillian Wiligorska in 1940 and the couple would have a son.

Myron entered service in December 1943.  It appears that he was sent overseas and assigned to H Company 116th Infantry before the D-Day landings on 6 Jun 1944. On 1 Sep 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to a hospital.  He died of his wound(s) on 5 Sep 1944.

PVT Bleznuck was repatriated in 1948 and was buried in the World War 2 lot of the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Myron's older brother William also served in the Army, 1942-1946, rising to the rank of SSG in the 885th Signal Company, 301st Air Depot Group.

2LT Harry Edgar Tepper

2LT Harry Edgar Tepper was born 6 Jan 1913 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the first of the 3 children born to Harry Charles and Byrde Evans (Harris) Tepper. His father and many other family members earned their livelihoods working for the Illinois Central Rail Road and the Tepper family lived at 5711 Harper Avenue in Chicago. Young Harry would eventually also work for the Illinois Central after he graduated from Hyde Park High School where he was in ROTC and on the rifle team. He then worked as a bookkeeper for Cribben and Sexton Company, a stove manufacturer. He married Beatrice Iva (Bowsher) Johnson in 1941 becoming a step-father to her son Carl Frederick Johnson. The couple had a daughter, Darlene Joyce Tepper, in September 1942.

Harry was drafted in June 1942, before his daughter was born, and was selected for officer candidate training which he attended. After completing his training he was sent to England and assigned to F Company 116th Infantry as a Platoon Leader. He trained with his unit for the planned amphibious operation and took part in the D-Day landings on 6 Jun 1944. Wounded on 11 Jul 1944 he was evacuated and sent to hospital where he recovered. A little over a month later he was returned to France and transferred from the replacement depot to F Company again on 19 Aug 1944. According to the morning reports he was assigned as Company Commander on 4 Sep 1944 although still a 2LT. 2LT Tepper was killed in action the next day, 5 Sep 1944. 

2LT Tepper rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC Vanis Aaron Edison Tanner

courtesy of Joy Riggers

PFC Vanis Aaron Edison Tanner was born 31 Mar 1922 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma. He was the 5th of the 10 children born to Robert Lee and Liley Bell (McKinney) Tanner. His father farmed in the Bokoshe area. Vanis was working for Luke Peck in Dixon, California.

Vanis was drafted and after completing his basic military training was sent to Europe. He was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman. He fought with the unit through the Vire campaign and in the drive to liberate Brest where he was killed in action on 5 Sep 1944.

PFC Tanner was buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Brother, Louie Lebanon Tanner, also served in the U.S. Army during WW2.

PFC Henry Richard Holbrook

PFC Henry Richard Holbrook was born 2 Apr 1916 in Coeburn, Virginia to James Henry and Alba Avertia (Stapleton) Holbrook.  His father worked for the local railroad and in a coal mine and died in 1931.

Henry was working as a farm hand when he was drafted in May 1941.  Trained as a light mortar crewman, Henry was sent to England and assigned to C Company 116th Infantry.  He apparently participated in the D-Day assault at Omaha Beach.  PFC Holbrook was wounded on 4 Sep 1944 and died of his wound(s) the following day, 5 Sep 1944. 

PFC Holbrook is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

CPT Elmer Lee Faircloth

CPT Elmer Lee Faircloth was born 17 Jul 1911 in York, Pennsylvania to William Arthur and Caroline Amanda (Wolf) Faircloth.  His father was a carpenter.  His mother died in 1923 and he and his brother lived with his paternal grandparents.  On 23 Dec 1923 he married Louise E. Lloyd. They would be divorced by 1940.  In 1940 he was living with his brother Charles and working as a laborer in a foundry and reported an income of $220 in 1939. 

Elmer went into service 17 May 1941. He married York County native Mary Elizabeth Hammer on 26 Dec 1941.  After officer training he was sent overseas.  The morning report shows him as on duty with Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry as a 1LT on 1 Jun 1944.  He was promoted to CPT on 1 Aug 1944 and commanded the Headquarters Company.  On 4 Sep 1944, he was wounded by mortar fire reportedly while inspecting his soldiers.  He died of his wounds on 5 Sep 1944. 

CPT Faircloth is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.  Mary never remarried. He had no children. 

PFC Rene Joseph Richard

courtesy of C. Giano

PFC Rene Joseph Richard was born 10 Oct 1920 in Rumford, Maine. He was the 5th of the 14 children (8 daughters and 6 sons) born to Camille J. and Leonie Marie (Thibodeau) Richard. Both parents were natives of New Brunswick Province, Canada. His father worked in a paper mill in the Rumford and reported a 1939 income of $1400, pretty good for the time, and he rented the family residence on Middle Avenue in Mexico, Maine for $23 a month. He had only completed 2-years of high school when Rene began to work at the paper mill in 1940.

Rene was drafted in December 1942. After he completed his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to F Company 116th Infantry. He would have trained with the unit for the planned amphibious landings on the coast of Normandy, France and did take part in that assault on 6 Jun 1944. PFC Richard continued to fight with the unit until he was injured (a non-battle casualty) and evacuated to hospital. It must not have been too serious because he returned to the unit for duty on 11 Aug 1944. PFC Richard was killed in action on 5 Sep 1944 in the attack on Brest, France.

PFC Richard rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

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.

SSG Loren Luther Tryon

 SSG Loren Luther Tryon was born 1 May 1924 in Rodman, New York. He was the 7th of 10 children born to Elmer Preston and Carrie Belle (Harlow) Tryon. His father farmed a farm the family owned along Winona Road near Lorraine, New York but by 1940 was renting and farming along Torrey Road near Ellisburg, New York in the southwest corner of Jefferson County. A sister born 2-years before Loren had died in infancy. Loren did not get an education beyond grammar school and worked, probably with is father, as a farm hand but eventually found a job with a Mrs. Wheeler in nearby Mannsville, New York. 

Loren was drafted in December 1943. After his basic military training PVT Tryon was sent to the European theater probably arriving in June 1944. He was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 15 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman. Loren apparently demonstrated leadership skills and initiative because PVT Tryon was promoted to SSG on 18 Aug 1944. The 29th Division had just begun the drive to liberate Brest, France and was moving into Brittany. SSG Tryon was killed in action at Brest on 5 Sep 1944. 

SSG Tryon is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

PVT Antonio Charles Simone

courtesy of Royzee

PVT Antonio Charles Simone was born 27 Jun 1925 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of the 3 children born to Carmine and Giovana (Pagruralao) Simone. Both parents were natives of Italy and we know that his father came to the U.S. from near Naples in 1907. His father likely had many jobs and in 1940 was working as a caretaker for a private family earning a reported 1939 income of $1300. The family was living at 43 Pilgrim Street which they rented for $23 a month. Antonio's oldest sister, Mary, had passed away sometime before 1940. Antonio only completed 2-years of high school.

Antonio was drafted in October 1943. After completing his military training including radio operation he was sent to the European theater arriving in England about the time of  D-Day. PVT Simone was transferred from the replacement depot to Headquarters 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry on 27 Jun 1944 where he was to serve as a radio operator. PVT Simone served in that capacity at Saint-Lo, Vire and as the unit approached Brest. He was killed in action near La Trinite, France on 4 Sep 1944.

PVT Simone rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC James Earley Burnett

PFC James Earley Burnett, b. 24 Apr 1917 - d. 4 Sep 1944. Son of Asa Daniel and Lillie Ann (Wade) Burnette of Floyd County, VA. Enlisted in Apr 1941 and was ultimately assigned to Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion 116th Infantry. He is buried in White Rock Cemetery in Floyd.

PFC Robert Erwin Rupert

PFC Robert Erwin Rupert was born 12 Sep 1917 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania the son of Louisa Lois Terwilliger. It is unknown who his father was or what might have happened to him. His mother re-married in 1919 to Harry Owed Fedder with whom she would have 5 children. Harry was a WW1 veteran who supported his family working for the railroad but left the family by 1940. Robert helped support his family including his maternal grandparents by working as a spinner in a textile mill earning a reported $658 in 1939. Younger, half-brother Bruce also worked in the mill and also reportedly earned $658 for 1939. This income supported the family of 9 living at 472 East 8th Street in Bloomsburg. Robert married Vivian Katherine Gulliver on 30 Nov 1940 and the couple would have a daughter in September 1942 and a son in October 1943.

Robert was drafted soon after his son's birth in November 1943. After taking basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama he was sent to the European theater in May 1944 first going to England and then to France. He was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 13 Aug 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 18 Aug 1944. He was seriously wounded on 1 Sep 1944 as he fought with his unit in the attack on occupying German forces at Brest, France. He was evacuated to hospital and died of his wound(s) on 4 Sep 1944.

PFC Rupert rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Half-brother, Bruce Delroy Fedder, served in the U.S. Army 1941-1945. Great grandfather, John Cool Richart, served as a PVT in H Company 35th Pennsylvania Infantry and B Company 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry (USA) in the Civil War. Step-father Harry Owen Fedder served in the U.S. Army in the first world war.