PFC Charles William Quinlin

PFC Charles William Quinlin was born 17 Apr 1944 in Augusta, Kentucky. He was the youngest of the 4 children, all sons, born to Stanley William and Emma (Jett) Quinlin. His father worked in a garage in Augusta and later in bridge maintenance. Charles was working for L. V. Marks in 1942 and then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to work in a shoe and boot factory.

Charles was drafted in October 1943. After completing his basic military training PVT Quinlin was sent to the European theater. On 9 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to D Company 116th Infantry as a machinegunner. On 9 Oct 1944 he was promoted to PFC. PFC Quinlin fought with the unit until 1 Dec 1944 when he was killed in action.

PFC Quinlin was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Mount Zion Cemetery in Brooksville, Kentucky.

PVT Walter Karl Marks Kaal

PVT Walter Karl Marks Kaal was born Christmas day 1910 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the Dutch born William Baron and Margaret (Donk) Kaal. His father was a cigar maker and the family moved to Chicago before 1920.  In 1940, Walter was working as a paint tester and reported a 1939 income of $1236.

Walter entered Army service on 23 Dec 1943 and after his training was sent to Europe.  He was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. Walter was wounded on 30 Jul 1944 and did not return to the unit from the replacement depot until 15 Nov 1944.  On 20 Nov 1944 he was again transferred, this time to B Company 116th Infantry. PVT Kaal was killed in action on 29 Nov 1944.

PVT Kaal was repatriated and is buried with family in Mount Hope Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

PFC Albino Castro Hernandez

PFC Albino Castro Hernandez was born 16 Dec 1915 in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico to Giberto and Catarino (Castro) Hernandez.

Albino entered the service and was sent to England.  We believe he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry prior to 6 Jun 1944 and participated in the D-Day amphibious assault on Omaha Beach.  He was wounded 8 Aug 1944 and sent to the hospital.  He did not return to the unit, from the replacment depot, until 14 Nov 1944. PFC Hernandez was killed in action just 2 weeks later on 28 Nov 1944.

PFC Hernandez was repatriated in 1948 and now rests forever in San Fernando Cemetery #2 in San Antonio, Texas.

SGT Marvin Herbert Scharf

SGT Marvin Herbert Scharf was born in Chicago, Illinois on 22 Feb 1924. He was the 2nd of the 3 sons born to Dr. Lewis Edward and Addie (Jonesi) Scharf. His father was a physician who worked for the U.S. government in the Veterans Administration and because of that the family sometimes moved and ended up in Los Angeles County, California. In 1940 the family was living in Huntington, New York, they then moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where Marvin graduated from Central High School. The family then moved to Austin, Texas and Marvin attended the University of Texas. Unfortunately a complete higher education wasn't to be for Marvin.

Already in the U.S. Army reserves, Marvin was called to active duty in March 1943. After infantry training he was eventually sent to the European theater. PFC Scharf was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman despite at least some previous medical training. He was promoted to SGT on 1 Nov 1944. SGT Scharf then served as a squad leader in G Company in the fighting at Baesweiler, Setterich, Ungerhausen, Englesdorf, and finally, Koslar. It was on 28 Nov 1944, the day that Koslar was officially declared captured/secured that SGT Scharf was wounded later dying of his wound(s) on that same day.

SGT Scharf was repatriated and re-interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

PVT David Buroker Moore

PVT David Buroker Moore was born 6 Jun 1911 in West Liberty, Ohio. He was the 3rd of 5 children born the Martin Washington and Nellie D. (Buroker) Moore. His father farmed and his older sisters worked as stenographers before they were married and oldest sister, Millicent, was also a pilot. David was fortunate to complete high school.  About 1934, he married Glady Leona Nill and in February 1935 the couple had the first of 2 sons. David was working in a factory in 1940 and reported a 1939 income of $900.

David was drafted in April 1944 and after his basic training was sent to Europe. PVT Moore was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. PVT Moore was killed in action on 28 Nov 1944.

PVT Moore was repatriated and re-interred in Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio.

Sister, Millicent Eloise Moore Noll, was an early female pilot flying cropdusters in the 1920s and 1930s and she flew for the Red Cross during WW2.

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.

PVT Kermit Joseph Robey

courtesy of Frogman

PVT Kermit Joseph Robey was born 11 Jun 1909 in Largo, Maryland. He was the 5th of the 6 children born to Sumerseth Smith and Mary E (maiden name unknown) Robey. His father managed farms in Prince George's County, Maryland for several years before moving with the family to Washington, D.C. where he worked as a handyman. By 1930 Kermit was working as a salesman in Washington but still living with his family at 563 15th Street Southeast. He married Irene Edith Jones in late 1932 and the couple would have 4 children by 1940. Kermit was then working maintaining refrigeration units earning a reported 1939 income of $1200. The family was living at 901 I Street South Central in Washington for which they paid $30 a month rent. They had a 5th child in 1941. Kermit was working for the Terminal Refrigerated and Warehouse Corporation.

Kermit was drafted in March 1944. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater arriving sometime in October 1944. On 25 Oct 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. PVT Robey was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944 in the vicinity of Koslar, Germany.

PVT Robey was repatriated and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PFC Woodrow William Crabtree

PFC Woodrow William Crabtree was born 20 Mar 1915 in Lebanon, Virginia to Charles Becom and Maggie (Combs) Crabtree.  The family of 8 supported themselves by farming.

Woodrow was drafted in April 1941.  He was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and participated with that unit in the D-Day landings.  He was wounded on 8 Jun 1944 to hospital.  On 21 Jun 1944 he was dropped from unit rolls. On 16 Nov 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company and then on 21 Nov 1944 transferred to B Company 116th Infantry.  On 27 Nov 1944 PFC Crabtree was killed in action. 

PFC Crabtree is buried in the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, Virginia.

PVT Charley Montgomery Wilkinson

PVT Charley Montgomery Wilkinson was born 5 Feb 1914 in Mabelvale, Arkansas which is now part of Little Rock. He was the 3rd of the 5 children born to George Isaac Welch and Margaret Leona (Smith) Wilkinson. He also had 3 older half-siblings from his mother's first marriage some of whom lived with the family, particularly when Charley was younger. George was a minister who pastored several churches over time and did other work to support his family. The family lived in several places in Saline County, Arkansas before moving to Cordell, Oklahoma. Charley apparently entered the work force after completing the 8th grade. By 1932 Charley had moved to Smith County, Texas where he met and married Florence Omen Grimes. Over the next 7-years the couple would have 2 sons and a daughter. In 1940 Charley was working for the Works Progress Administration but despite working full-time in 1939 he reported an income of only $250 for that year. The family was renting their home in Cherokee County, Texas for $3 a month. 

Charley was drafted in April 1944 initially training at Camp Wolters, Texas before being sent to the European theater. PVT Wilkinson was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944 while the unit was in action against German forces near Aachen, Germany. PVT Wilkinson then fought with the unit until he was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wilkinson was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Jacksonville City Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas.

Charley is shown in the photo above with his wife and children shortly before he left for Europe. Younger brother James Leon Wilkinson served in C Company 9th Infantry before being commissioned and eventually serving as a CPT in the U.S. Air Force.

PVT John Benavidez Rodriguez

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT John Benavidez Rodriguez was born 27 Sep 1917 in Santa Rita, New Mexico. He was the oldest of the 3 children born to Marcelo Madrid and Lucia (Benavidez) Rodriguez. His father worked at various jobs including meat packing. John married Jennie Romero about 1935 and in 1936 they had a daughter followed by a son just a year later. In 1940 John was working for the Works Progress Administration on flood control projects and earning a reported 1939 income of $700.

Although he had registered for the draft in 1940, John wasn't drafted until March 1944 and was working as a farm hand at that time. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Rodriguez was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 25 Oct 1944 and participated in the fighting at Baesweiler, Setterich and Koslar before being killed in action at Koslar on 27 Nov 1944.

PVT Rodriguez rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Robert P. Gandara

PFC Robert P. Gandara was born 20 Jul 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Pedro Mendez and Carmen (Zamora) Gandara.  Both parents were born in Mexico.  His father was working as a stone grinder in 1940 with a reported 1939 income of $102. 

After entering the service, Robert was sent to Europe and was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944. He was killed in action with that unit on 27 Jun 1944.

PFC Gandara was repatriated and is buried in Cavalry Cemetery, in Los Angeles, California.

We do not know the details of his military service.  He may have served with the 335th before or during his overseas deployment. 

PFC Tony Andrew Molea

courtesy of BitsyBee

PFC Tony Andrew Molea was born 13 Jan 1923 in Keewatin, Minnesota. Some of his military records give his date of birth as 9 Oct 1921. He was the youngest of the 5 children born to Tony Andrew and Antonette (Bevacqua) Molea. Both parents were natives of Italy. His father worked in the iron mines and as a custodian.

Tony voluntarily enlisted in October 1942. We next see that he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jun 1944. Due to the tremendous losses suffered by A Company on 6 Jun 1944 in the Omaha Beach landings, a number of soldiers were "cross-leveled" into A Company from other companies and PVT Molea was one of those soldiers. He was transferred from B Company to A Company on 15 Jun 1944. He fought with A Company until wounded by artillery fire on 22 Jun 1944 when he was evacuated to hospital. He was returned from the replacement depot to A Company on 7 Aug 1944 to serve as a light machinegunner. On 23 Aug 1944 PVT Molea was again transferred, this time to C Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman. He then fought with C Company until wounded on 16 Sep 1944 and evacuated to hospital. PFC Molea returned to C Company from the hospital on 4 Oct 1944. PFC Molea was transferred yet again on 6 Nov 1944 when he returned to A Company 116th Infantry to serve as an ammo bearer. He then fought with A Company until killed in action on 27 Nov 1944.

PFC Molea was repatriated and re-interred in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing, Minnesota.

His only brother, Frank Joseph Molea, also served during the war as a Military Policeman in Fort Mason, California.

PVT Carl Franklin Wilson

courtesy of Michael Beach

PVT Carl Franklin Wilson was born 27 Dec 1923 in Harrison, Arkansas. He was the 6th of the 8 children born to James Benjamin and Nina (Howerton) Wilson. His father farmed to support his family first in Arkansas, then near Dane, Oklahoma and then Cantonment, Oklahoma. The family's youngest child died in August 1931 when he was only 2-months old. Carl was able to attend high school but left after his 2nd year and farmed with his father.

Carl was not drafted until April 1944. After completing his basic military training which began at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was sent to the European theater. PVT Wilson was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. The unit was already in Germany at that time. He then fought as a rifleman with the unit until he was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wilson rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

Younger brother, Walter Forest Wilson, served as a MM3c in the U.S. Navy aboard several different ships during the war.

PVT Tony Heede

PVT Tony (Tonny) Heede, b. 19 Mar 1911 - d. 27 Nov 1944. Son of Alex and Kristine Johanne (Schou) Heede, Tony was born in Kristiansand, Norway and was naturalized in 1938. He lived in East Bridgewater, MA with his wife Joan and daughter June who survived him as did his mother and 9 siblings. PVT Heede was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry 24 Oct 1944. He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Robert Jackson Hugentobler

PVT Robert Jackson Hugentobler was born 16 Jul 1925 in Vevay, Indiana son of Madge May (Day). His name at birth was Robert Jackson Hetisimer although his mother had already divorced and married Robert Knoves Hugentobler with whom the family was living in 1930 and 1940.  "Jack" (as he was known) had 6 siblings and half-siblings. The senior Robert Hugentobler worked for the Indiana highway department and, later, as the sexton of a local cemetery where he made $780 in 1939.  Jack was working as a paper boy and made $40 in 1939.

When he was drafted in September 1943, Jack was working as a gas station attendant. His sister, Irene Hugentobler, died 28 Mar 1944. He was sent to Europe after his basic training and on 19 Jun 1944 transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry to serve as a rifleman.  PVT Hugentobler was wounded for the first time on 16 Jul 1944 and evacuated.  He did not return to the unit from the replacement depot until 29 Oct 1944.  PVT Hugentobler was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

We don't know where Jack was buried but he is not currently buried in one of the overseas American cemeteries so we are certain that he was repatriated.  It is likely that he was buried in a cemetery, perhaps the same one at which Robert Hugentobler was sexton, near Miamitown, Ohio where the family lived. 

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 Charles Thomas J Fletcher

PFC Charles Thomas J Fletcher was born 31 Oct 1924 in Kingsport, Tennessee to Charles Thomas J and Annie Pearl (Crawford) Fletcher.  His father farmed but Charles Sr died in 1928. His mother re-married. Step-father Luther Faris worked as a machinist. 

Charles was drafted in June 1943.  After training he was sent overseas and was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry in time to participate with that unit in the D-Day amphibious assault in which he was seriously wounded and evacuated to hospital. On 5 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot back to H Company.  On 11 Aug 1944 he is recorded on the morning report as being promoted to PFC. On 26 Nov 1944 PFC Fletcher was killed in action. 

A note on Charles' rank.  As mentioned above the morning report notes his promotion.  The headstone application was completed using the rank PFC which was crossed out and "corrected" to PVT and as you can see that is what is on the headstone.  I believe this is another one of those errors that seems to have commonly occurred where the personnel action was taken but for some reason the paperwork wasn't preserved/forwarded/recorded at higher headquarters or in personnel records.  We are certain that Charles thought he was a PFC at the time he was killed.

PFC Fletcher is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. 

PVT Robert Brant Allen

PVT Robert Brant Allen was born 16 Jun 1925 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Roy M. and Gladys J. (Brant) Allen.  His parents divorced early in his life and he and his sister and mother lived with his maternal grandparents. Robert was living in Shanksville, Pennsylvania when he registered for the draft in 1943.

Drafted in September 1943, he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  This was likely before D-Day.  On 13 Jul 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital.  On 4 Nov 1944 he returned to the unit from the replacement depot.  On 26 Nov 1944 PVT Allen was killed in action.

PVT Allen was repatriated, probably in 1948, and is buried in Somerset County Memorial Park in Somerset, Pennsylvania.

We have to note that while the grave marker indicates his rank as SGT (Sergeant) there is no record of him ever being promoted to that rank.  All the documents we can find note his rank as PVT (Private). 

PFC Edward Jacob Lippert

PFC Edward Jacob Lippert was born 22 Mar 1922 in Mascoutah, Illinois to John Adam and Lizzie Dora (Pleitner) Lippert. His father was a miner for Schubert Coal Company and he reported a 1939 income of $850.

Edward had 1 year of college and was working as a cashier when drafted in December 1942.  After training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 3 Jul 1944.  Edward was wounded on 18 Jul 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  He returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 13 Nov 1944. PFC Lippert was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Lippert was repatriated in 1948 and buried in Mascoutah City Cemetery in Mascoutah, Illinois.

PVT Murrell Lavelle Wood

PVT Murrell Lavelle Wood was born 23 Jun 1924 in Van Alstyne, Texas. He was the youngest son born to John Lavelle and Effie Lee (Nix) Wood. His father farmed in Grayson County, Texas but the parents divorced before 1930. Effie supported the family by working as a laundress. Murrell graduated from high school and then began work as a clerk for Southern Ice Company in Van Alstyne. Murrell married Alice Lurline England in February 1942 and the couple had a son in November of that same year.

Murrell was drafted in April 1944 and in-processed at Camp Wolters near Mineral Wells, Texas. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. PVT Wood was killed in action near Koslar, Germany on 26 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wood was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Van Alstyne Cemetery in Van Alstyne, Texas.

SSG Louis Thompson Weess

courtesy of Cathy Libby Small

SSG Louis Thompson Weess was born in Hillsboro, Illinois on 21 Jan 1920. He was the 2d of 3 children of Louis Weess and his 2nd wife, Frances Lydia (Thompson) Weess. His father worked in a coal mine in Hillsboro for many years. The senior Louis Weess died in 1939. Louis joined the Civilian Conservation Corps earning $150 in 1939. His mother and sisters went to work for the Work Progress Administration (WPA) as seamstresses earning a combined $710 for the same period. They were fortunate that they owned their home at 1607 Benton Street in Johnston City, Illinois. The home was valued at $500 in 1940. By 1941 Louis was able to find work with W. D. Hord in Rockford, Illinois working as a bookkeeper. 

Louis was drafted in October 1942. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the amphibious assault in support of the liberation of France and PFC Weess landed with the unit on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. He was wounded and evacuated to hospital on 3 Sep 1944 in the middle of the battle for Brest, France. PFC Weess was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company again on 29 Oct 1944 and promoted to SSG on 1 Nov 1944. SSG Weess was wounded on 26 Nov 1944 and evacuated to hospital but died of his wound(s) that same day. 

SSG Weess was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, Illinois.

PFC Harvey Roy Corum

PFC Harvey Roy Corum was born 31 Aug 1924 in Tennessee to Melvin Benjamin Kansas and Flora May (Bagwell) Corum.  In 1942 he married Geneva Irene Pratt.  They had one daughter.

Harvey was living in Cuyahoga County, Ohio when he was drafted in June 1943.  After training he was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry and landed with that unit on D-Day.  He was lightly wounded on 6 Jun 1944, by a bullet in the chin, but remained on duty.  On 12 Jun 1944 he was promoted to PFC.  On 26 Nov 1944 PFC Corum was killed in action.

PFC Corum was returned to the states and buried in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.

Geneva remarried in 1950.  The daughter has passed away. 

PFC Roy Carl Meier

courtesy of Fred

PFC Roy Carl Meier was born 8 Oct 1924 in Bessie, Oklahoma. He was the 2nd of the 4 children born to Carl and Edith Rebecca (Reinschmiedt) Meier. His father farmed in Washita County, Oklahoma for several years before his father moved to Bent County, Missouri.  His parents divorced and both remarried and Roy stayed and farmed with his father. He never attended high school.

Roy was drafted in August 1943. After his training he was sent to the European theater and on 19 Jun 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry where he served as a rifleman. Roy fought with the unit without apparent injury until killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Meier's body could not be recovered and he is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.

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.

PFC John Joseph Masnica

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC John Joseph Masnica was born 14 Feb 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 5th of 6 children, all boys, born to Anton and Anna (Bambusek) Masnica who were both natives of Slovakia. His father had worked in an iron foundry but in 1940 may have been unemployed. 2 of the boys had died by the end of 1940. John had only started a regular job it 1940 but was unemployed when he registered for the draft in 1942.

John was drafted in March 1943 working in a job producing leather goods. After training he was sent to the European theater and on 22 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to H Company 116th Infantry. PFC Masnica was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Masnica was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

2 of his brothers also served during the war. Stephen Andrew Masnica served in the 1942-1945 and Paul Stephen Masnica served in the Army 1942-1945.