PVT Clyde Ramon Burton

PVT Clyde Ramon Burton was born in 2 Feb 1895 in Culpeper, Virginia the youngest of 3 children born to Edward and Octavia (Sullivan) Burton.  His mother died 2 years after his birth and his father apparently died before Clyde turned 15.  It seems that Clyde was then passed on to others to raise as he is not with his father in 1917

Clyde gave his occupation as farmer in Leon, Virginia  on 5 Jul 1917 when he enlisted in B Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry for Mexican border duty. Recalled for duty in Europe, PVT Burton trained with the Regiment at Camp McClellan and Anniston, Alabama before boarding the USS Finland for the trip to France.  His sister was listed as next of kin on the ship's manifest. PVT Burton was killed in action on 31 Aug 1918.

PVT Burton found his final rest at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

CPL Herbert William Fowlkes

CPL Herbert William Fowlkes was born in November 1892 in Haytokah, Virginia to Rufus C. and Alice (Anderson) Fowlkes.  The family farmed.  Alice died 22 Sep 1895 and Rufus remarried a year later.

Herbert enlisted in E Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 26 Jun 1916.  He was still assigned to the unit when it was mobilized and re-organized as part of F Company 116th Infantry. CPL Fowlkes was aboard the Finland when the 116th shipped out for France on 13 Jun 1918.  CPL Fowlkes was killed in action on 26 Aug 1918.

CPL Fowlkes was repatriated and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

CPL William H Newman

CPL William H Newman was born in January 1897 in Waynesboro, Virginia. He was the 5th of 7 children born to John William and Annette "Nettie" Catherine (Gardner) Newman. His father supported the family as a laborer.

After entering the service, William was ultimately assigned to A Company 116th Infantry.  He sailed with the unit to France aboard the USS Finland.  The ship departed Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918 and arrived at the port of Saint Nazaire, France on 28 June 1918. The unit underwent training in trench warfare before being put into the line in a "quiet" sector.  It was here that CPL Newman was killed in action on 24 Aug 1918.

CPL Newman is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Brother, Charlie Brown Newman, also served in the Army during the war.

PVT Dale Shively

PVT Dale Shively was born 26 Aug 1888 in Madison County, Indiana the 4th of 5 children born to John Wesley and Melissa (Strader) Shively. His father farmed but died in 1915. Dale moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in April 1915.

John entered service 29 Mar 1918 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was sent first to Camp Taylor, Kentucky then transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia and assigned to 19th Company, 2nd Infantry, Replacement Regiment. John was then transferred to Camp McClellan, Alabama and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He was shipped overseas whith his unit aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918. Accidentally killed 22 Aug 1918, "Somewhere in France."

PVT Shively was repatriated and now rests forever in the IOOF Cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana.

Father, John Wesley Shively served in A and E Companies of the 155th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War.

Supply SGT Bedford C. Lam

Supply SGT Bedford C. Lam was born 19 Sep 1896 in Alleghany County, Virginia the only son of Charles Davis and Anna Eliza (Moore) Lam. His father was a policeman in Covington, Virginia.

Bedford first enlisted in H Company 1st Virginia Infantry on 1 Dec 1914 at the age of 18.  His mother signed the permission because he was not yet of age. PVT Lam was still with the unit when it was reorganized for Federal service to form H Company 116th Infantry.  He was with the unit for training at Camp McClellan and when it sailed for France in June 1918.  Because of his experience he was eventually put in a position of responsibility as the unit supply sergeant. SGT Lam died of disease on 1 Aug 1918. 

Supply SGT Lam was buried in the Saint Mihiel American Cemetery.

PVT Alphus C. Robey

courtesy of Doc Wilson

PVT Alphus C. Robey was born 5 Jan 1895 in Alexandria, Virginia the 3rd of 6 children of Alpheus and Anne Elizabeth (Miller) Robey.  His father was a waterman and Alphus followed him into that work. The family lived at 114 Duke Street in Alexandria.

Alphus enlisted in G Company 1st Virginia Infantry and served on the Mexican border and was then one of those men assigned D Company 1st Virginia before it was reorganized as part of H Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with H Company at Camp McClellan and Anniston, Alabama.  He sailed with the unit from Hoboken, New Jersey with H Company on 15 Jun 1918 aboard the USS Finland.  PVT Robey was accidentally shot and killed on 25 Jul 1918. 

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

Older brother, Walter Everett Robey, served as a PFC in H Company with Alphus. Walter died in 1958 and is buried in Alexandria National Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.

PVT Enos D. Lewis

PVT Enos D. Lewis was born about 1890 likely in Henrico County, Virginia.  He was a member of B Company 116th Infantry when he died of disease on 7 Jul 1918.

PVT Lewis is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

PVT Howard Francis Doucette

PVT Howard Francis Doucette was born 25 Jul 1899 in Somerville, Massachusetts to William James and Clara Flora (Warner) Doucette.  His father was a house painter who died in 1907 of kidney disease. After his father's death, his mother worked as a chambermaid in the college dorms and as a domestic/house servant.

It would seem that there is some confusion about Howard's service.  He apparently served with the 104th Infantry, 26th Division and may have enlisted with that unit at the onset of the war because it was local to his residence.  PVT Doucette was killed in action on 6 Jul 1918.

PVT Doucette is buried in Aisne-Marne American Cemetery.  Brothers, William Clyde Doucette and Arthur Frederick Doucette, also served in the Army during the war. 

PVT Doucette is listed here because he was reported by then MAJ Hierome Opie in the "official" history of the regiment in the war as dying in service with the regiment.  However, there are no other records found to date that indicate that he was assigned to any other unit than E Company 104th Infantry. 

PVT Walter Samuel Arey

courtesy of Paul Davis Fair

PVT Walter Samuel Arey was born 29 Dec 1886 in Hinton, Virginia. He was the only child of George Washington "Pet" and Malinda Jane (Ray) Arey. Malinda was George's second wife and the family farmed near Ottobine, Virginia. Walter married Katie Francis Tasker in December 1905 and the couple had a son, Golden Lee Arey, in 1907. Walter also supported his family by working in the timber industry.

The couple may have already divorced when Walter enlisted in D Company 2nd Virginia Infantry on 20 Apr 1917 in anticipation of the federalization of this Virginia National Guard unit. Katie was remarried in June 1917. Walter served in the unit as a cook and went with the unit to Camp McClellan, Alabama. He died there of disease on 6 Jan 1918.

PVT Arey was brought home very quickly and interred in the Mount Clinton Mennonite Church Cemetery in Mount Clinton, Virginia. 

After Walter's death, Golden went to live with his paternal grandparents. 

PVT Phillip Fechuch

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

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

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

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

MG Kenton Harper

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

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

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

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

PVT Herschel Paul Smith

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

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

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

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

SGT Edgar Noland Dudley Embrey

courtesy of Hope

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

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

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

1LT Verne Vosburg Morse

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

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

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

 

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

 

1LT Morse rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

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

PVT Steve J. Kolevas

courtesy of Des Philippet

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

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

PVT Kolevas is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

LTG James Alexander Baber III

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PFC James Louis Banchero

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

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

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

SSG Walter Boger

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

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

SSG Boger is buried the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

PFC Donald Albert Morton

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

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

PFC Vincent Frank Mazzaferri

courtesy of Des Philippet

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

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

PFC Mazzaferri is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PFC Charlie Ralph Gardner

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

PFC James Paul Ewing

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

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

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

PFC Everett Eugene Evans

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

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

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

SGT Edward D. Peacock

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

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

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

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

PVT Joseph Edward Stricker

courtesy of Dennis Healy

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

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

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

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