PVT Earl R. Clark

PVT Earl R. Clark was born 27 Jan 1924 in Belleville, New Jersey the son of Catherine (later Hannan) Clark.  After he was drafted in April 1943 and completed his basic military training in September of that year he was sent overseas and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He was with that unit for the amphibious assault on 6 Jun 1944.  On 13 Jun 1944 he was wounded and evacuated to hospital.  On 17 Jul 1944 he was returned from the replacement depot to the unit.  PVT Clark was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.

PVT Clark is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. 

PVT Elmer Carl Levo

PVT Elmer Carl Levo was born 25 Jan 1907 in Collinsville, Illinois to Peter Paul and Laura (Cossono) Levo. Both parents were natives of Italy.  The family farmed and his siblings worked in various local industries. In 1940, Elmer was working at the Swift packing plant and reported a 1939 income of $1250. He married Emma Ruth Wyatt in January 1941.

After Elmer entered the service and completed basic training, he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 26 Jul 1944.  PVT Levo was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.

PVT Levo was buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

TSGT Willard Elmo Nichol

TSGT Willard Elmo Nichol was born 5 Feb 1917 in Washington Island, Wisconsin. He was the 6th of 7 children born to Oscar Asgrimur and Dora (Johnson) Nichol. Both parents were natives of Iceland. His father worked at a creamery making butter but died in 1927. Willard's older siblings supported the family in a number of jobs. By 1940 Willard was making a reported $1600 a year working as a traveling salesman for a machine company while his mother had a boarder to cover at least part of their $35 a month rent.

Sometime in 1941 Willard married Catherine M. Cattelino. They would live at 902 South Ninth Street in Escanaba, Michigan. Willard was drafted in March 1941. He and Catherine would have a daughter in 1942. He attended basic training at Camp Roberts, California and then went to Camp Blanding, Florida before being sent to England in June 1944. TSGT Nichol was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 24 Jul 1944. Initially reported as missing in action, TSGT Nichol was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.

TSGT Nichol is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Younger brother, Deane M. Nichol, was drafted but obtained a commission and served in the Army until retirement.

PVT Frank Harding Troxler

courtesy of Dan Whitehead

PVT Frank Harding Troxler was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina on 10 Oct 1920. He was the only child of Lewis Franklin and Mary Victoria (Dickey) Troxler. His father was a well-to-do farmer near Washington, North Carolina on his own land valued at $10,000 in 1930 although he latter went to work in one of the local textile mills earning $1600 in 1939 in that work. Frank married Rena Frances Walker in 1938. They had a son in 1940 and a daughter in 1941. Frank was working for White Tower Systems (an early fast food chain) in Detroit, Michigan when he registered for the draft in February 1942. Frank divorced Rena in November 1943. 

Frank was drafted, probably about the time of his divorce. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England and from there to the replacement depot. PVT Troxler was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 15 Jul 1944. Serving as a rifleman, he fought in the effort to liberate Vire and was wounded on 7 Aug 1944. Evacuated to a field hospital he died there of his wound(s) on 8 Aug 1944. 

PVT Troxler was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Raleigh National Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.

PVT Harry Sherman Cochran

PVT Harry Sherman Cochran was born 6 May 1923 in Gilfoyle, Pennsylvania to Orie Clinton and Ella Mae (Barr) Cochran.  Orie was a truck driver. Ella Mae died in 1943. 

When drafted in March 1943 Harry was working in glass production.  Harry was sent overseas in July 1944 and on 17 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Cochran was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944. 

PVT Cochran was repatriated in 1948 and is buried in the North Forest Cemetery in Marienville, Pennsylvania.

SGT Ivan Eugene Mote

SGT Ivan Eugene Mote was born 24 Jan 1924 in Servia, Indiana. He was the youngest of 3 sons born to Harry Earl and Golda Marie (Heeter) Mote. His oldest brother was a special needs child and lived much of his life in the Fort Wayne State School. His father worked at various jobs such as driving a truck for a dairy and working for South Bend Awning Company. He reported a 1939 income of $988 and owned the $2000 home at 2818 Horner Court in South Bend, Indiana. Ivan would work for the Electric Refrigerator Company in South Bend.

Ivan was drafted in December 1942 and after his basic training he was sent to England where he was assigned to M Company 116th Infantry. He trained with that unit for the remainder of 1943 and into 1944 as they prepared for the amphibious assault that would take place at Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944. PFC Mote continued to fight with M Company and was promoted to SGT on 20 Jun 1944. SGT Mote was wounded on 6 Aug 1944 and evacuated to a hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 8 Aug 1944.

SGT Mote was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Fairview Cemetery in Servia, Indiana.

Brother, Marvin Wayne Mote, served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Rochambeau (AP-63) during WW2.

SSG Earl Lee Teele

courtesy of Paul Hays

SSG Earl Lee Teele was born 17 Nov 1916 in Loudoun, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 8 children born to Joseph William and May Ann (Williams) Teele. His father worked as a farm laborer. Earl's mother, Maggie as she was called, died of influenza in 1918. He and the younger siblings were cared for by his older sisters, Ella and Mazie as well as his father. His father never remarried. Earl was working for Mrs. Howard White of Upperville, Virginia in 1940, probably on her farm.

Earl was drafted in May 1941. Sent to nearby Fort George Meade, Maryland for training, we believe that he married Mary Francis Grimes in late 1941 or early 1942. Assigned to G Company 116th Infantry, he then trained with the regiment in the Carolina maneuvers and at Camp Blanding, Florida before departing for England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942. Once in England he trained with the unit for the amphibious landing that was planned as part of the invasion of occupied France. He then took part in that attack on 6 Jun 1944. He fought with G Company through the bocage to Saint-Lo and to Vire. Earl was promoted to SSG on 25 Jul 1944. SSG Teele was shot on 7 Aug 1944. The machine gun bullet penetrated through the pelvis impacting his lower spine. Although evacuated to hospital and undergoing surgery, he died of his wound on 8 Aug 1944. 

Initially interred at La Chene Guerin cemetery in Percy, France, SSG Teele was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

SGT William Irving Smith

courtesy of Jdrhook

SGT William Irving Smith was born 17 Apr 1925 in Rockland, Delaware. He was the youngest of 9 children born to James Russell and Ella Anna (Badders) Smith. His father worked in a paper mill owned by Jessup & Moore Company and the later Delaware Paper Mills in the same place. After finishing school, William went to work for San-nap-pak Manufacturing Company, another paper mill that made feminine hygiene products,  in Rockland.

William was drafted in August 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to Europe perhaps as late as June 1944. PFC Smith was transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 24 Jul 1944. However, he had been promoted to SGT by 7 Aug 1944 when he was wounded and evacuated to hospital. SGT Smith died of his wound(s) on 8 Aug 1944 near Vire, France.

SGT Smith was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Cherry Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cherry Hill, Maryland.

PFC John Frank Wojtach

PFC John Frank Wojtach was born in Cleveland, Ohio on 2 Dec 1918. He was the youngest of the 4 children born to Boleslaw and Michalina (Murawska) Wojtach. Both parents were natives of Poland having immigrated in 1904 and 1905 respectively. His father worked at American Steel and Wire in Cleveland as a wire drawer. Boleslaw died in 1926 and Michalina supported her family working in a garment factory. John's mother remarried in 1936. Step-father Anton Rutkowski was a Polish immigrant, combat veteran of WW1 and also worked at American Steel and Wire. John graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland and worked as a time keeper for a play ground amusements company and for the Statler Hotel. 

John was drafted in May 1942 and after completing his basic military training was sent to England and assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry were he served as an anti-tank gun crewman. PFC Wojtach took part in the D-Day landing and fought with his unit until he was struck by fragments from an artillery shell and killed in action near Vire, France on 8 Aug 1944.

PFC Wojtach was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

PFC Frank Minnick

courtesy of Jan Robinson

PFC Frank Minnick was born 13 Feb 1908 in New Market, Virginia.  He was the 5th of 7 children born to Martin Christian and Melvina Virginia (Good) Minnick. His father worked at odd jobs, as farm labor and as a sawyer before dying of a paralyzing stroke in mid-January 1929. Before a year had passed Frank was sent to Pennsylvania to live with family there. By 1940 he had returned to Virginia working in Fairfax for W. S. Sisler.

Frank was drafted in May 1941. According to the system in place at the time he was most likely assigned to the 116th Infantry, then at Fort Meade, Maryland. Once there he was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry and eventually earned the MOS of transportation NCO. He went with the unit to Camp Blanding, Florida and then to England where he participated in training for the amphibious landing that would take place on Omaha Beach. He survived the landing and served until killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.

PFC Minnick was repatriated and was re-interred in Saint Matthews Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

Brother Herbert Leon Minnick served in France with the U.S. Army 1918-1919. PFC George William Minnick was killed in action on 22 Nov 1944 while assigned to F Company 411th Infantry.

PFC Fisher Pyles

PFC Fisher Pyles was born 17 Feb 1924 in Ritchie County, West Virginia. He was the 4th of the 9 children born to Ralph and Aletha (Adkins) Pyles. His father farmed and then began work in the coal mines in Wayne County, West Virginia. By the age of 17, in 1940, Fisher was also working in the mines as a coal loader. The family paid $5 a month rent for a place in Stonewall, West Virginia. His father reported a 1939 income of $510.  Fisher was working for James Fry when he registered for the draft in June 1942.

Fisher was drafted almost a year later, in May 1943. After his basic military training PFC Pyles was sent to the European theater and he was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman. He was again transferred, this time to A Company 116th Infantry on 23 Jul 1944. PFC Pyles was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.

PFC Pyles rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PVT Nathan Edward Marks

PFC Nathan Edward Marks was born 3 Jan 1921 in Calvert, Texas. He was the oldest of 3 children and only son born to Issie and Mae Elizabeth (Heading) Marks.  After he was born the family moved to Jackson County, Ohio. Nathan was named for his grandfather who had immigrated from Russia in what is now Poland. The family name was originally "Marx" but was apparently changed to the more "English" "Marks" in reaction to the anti-German sentiment that swept the United States during WW1. Nathan attended Oak Hill High School and the family lived in Oak Hill, Ohio. Nathan's father worked as a brick mason who reported a 1939 income of $900. By that time Nathan was working as a laborer in a nursery and he reported a 1939 income of $180. He later worked for Oak Hill Fire Brick Company in Oak Hill, Ohio.

Nathan entered the Army in August 1942. After training he was sent to England and assigned to L Company 116h Infantry and trained with the unit for the invasion of Nazi occupied France. He landed with the unit on Omaha Beach and fought with them until he was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944 near Vire, France. 

PFC Marks rests in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Sister, Maxine Elva Marks, joined the Cadet Nurse Corps. Grandfather Isaac Headings served in A Company 1st Ohio Artillery during the Civil War.

SGT Martin John Burke

SGT Martin John Burke was born 12 Aug 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Martin Joseph and Mary (Heneghan) Burke.  Martin Joseph Burke worked in construction to support his family of 10.

We don't know when Martin entered service but it appears that he was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry on D-Day.  Surviving that he was promoted to SGT on 25 Jul 1944.  SGT Burke was killed in action on 8 Aug 1944.

SGT Burke now rests forever with his family in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

PVT Edgar Elden Keaton

PVT Edgar Elden Keaton was born Elden Edgar Keaton on 29 Sep 1925 in Stephens, Kentucky, the only son of Hubert Bechome and Verna (Cassel) Keaton.  The family farmed.  In December 1943, Edgar married Opal Marie Ison. 

Within a couple of days after his marriage, Edgar was drafted.  After his training, Edgar was sent to Europe and on 23 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry.  Edgar was wounded on 7 Aug 1944 in the vicinity of Vire, France.  Evacuated to hospital, he died of his wound(s) the next day, 8 Aug 1944.

PVT Keaton is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery. His daughter was born 24 Sep 1944. Opal was twice re-married.

PFC Ernest Joel Michael Pessel

PFC Ernest Joel Michael Pessel was born 16 Jan 1925 in Frankfurt, Germany. He was the only child of Leo and Erna Julia (Simon) Pessel. In 1935 they had been living in Koenigsburg, Germany. The Pessel family was Jewish and immigrated to the U.S. in 1937 coming to the country aboard the SS President Roosevelt. Leo rented a home at 6540 Darlington Road in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for $100 a month and ran a boarding house reporting a 1939 income of $1800. Ernest attended Alderdice High School just 1-mile from his home and was in the French Club. Ernest graduated with honors in 1942 and went to work for the Pittsburgh Press (a newspaper) while studying to be a watchmaker.

Ernest was a big man for his time. When he was drafted in June 1943 he was 6-feet 4-inches tall and weighed 246 pounds. Ernest was sent to Camp Croft, South Carolina for his basic military training. While there he was naturalized becoming a U.S. citizen on 24 Sep 1943. PVT Pessel was sent to England in January 1944 and probably assigned to F Company as a rifleman soon after arrival. He participated in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944 and fought with the unit as it moved inland. PVT Pessel was wounded on 20 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. However, the wound must not have been very severe as he was quickly returned to the unit and promoted as well as moved to the position of ammunition handler, perhaps due to his size and strength. PFC Pessel was killed in action, reportedly shot by a sniper while serving as a radio operator, on 8 Aug 1944 near Vire, France.

PFC Pessel was repatriated and re-interred in West View Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Ernest's maternal grandmother died at Auschwitz as did other family members. His father, Leo, had served with the German army in the first World War.

SSG Stanley Cramer

SSG Stanley Cramer was born about 1915 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  His mother was Catherine Bellis Cramer. 

After Stanley entered the service he was sent overseas and on 13 Jun 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry.  Then on 15 Jun 1944 he was reassigned to A Company 116th Infantry.  He was promoted to SSG on 26 Jul 1944.  SSG Cramer was killed in action on 7 Aug 1944. 

SSG Cramer is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

PFC William Goodrich Niven

PFC William Goodrich Niven was born 12 Nov 1911 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to William Glentworth and Frances Griselda (Blassingham) Niven. His father had a truck farm outside of Washington but by 1940 was managing a farm for another and reported a 1939 income of $2000 for that work. The family owned home was valued at $4000 that same year.

William was working as a farm hand when he was drafted in April 1941. He was likely assigned to K Company 116th Infantry soon after that and participated with the unit in training at Fort Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida before sailing for England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942. Once in England he would train with his unit for the amphibious landing which was planned as a part of the invasion of occupied northern France. He would then participate in that landing on 6 Jun 1944 and continue to fight with the unit until killed in action on 7 Aug 1944 near Vire, France. 

PFC Niven rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

SGT George Mark McDonald

courtesy of Joy Riggers

SGT George Mark McDonald was born 25 Aug 1922 in Washington, District of Columbia. He was the oldest of 3 children born to Ronald Leroy and Ruth Ashmore (Kernodle) McDonald. His father worked as an accountant and assistant secretary. George attended 1-year of college.

George was clerking before he voluntarily enlisted in the Army in January 1942. He was first assigned to A Company 116th Infantry when PVT McDonald was transferred from the replacement depot on 5 Jul 1944. He was promoted to SGT on 25 Jul 1944. He was killed in action on 7 Aug 1944.

SGT McDonald rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

His father served as a 2LT in 1st Infantry in WWI. Great-grandfather, Josiah S. Kernodle, served as a PVT in K Company 47th North Carolina Infantry (CSA)

SGT Nathan Wolf

SGT Nathan Wolf was born 15 Jun 1918 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He was the 2nd of 5 children born to Samuel and Rose (Barth) Wolf. Both parents were Jewish natives of Poland and had immigrated before 1910. His father worked as a tailor, as a fabric salesman, and a restaurant manager. After leaving school Nathan went to work as a plasterer earning a reported $730 in 1939 and then as a bartender. 

Nathan was drafted in November 1942. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. PVT Wolf then trained with the unit for the amphibious landing that was a planned part of the liberation of occupied France. He was promoted directly to SGT on 25 Jul 1944 and served as a squad leader. He was acting as a squad leader when he was killed in action on 7 Aug 1944 at Vire, France. 

We do not know the location of SGT Wolf's resting place. We believe he was repatriated and re-interred near family.

PVT Alfred Hassell Surrency

 

courtesy of Joy Riggers

PVT Alfred Hassell Surrency was born 10 Jul 1925 in Sarasota, Florida. He was the youngest of the 2 sons born to Winder Hillman and Bille Esther (Hassell) Surrency. His father was a lawyer was elected to state legislature in 1938 as representative from Sarasota County. The family lived in and owned a home at 104 Third Street (now Fruitville Road) in Sarasota. The house was valued at $5500 in 1940. Alfred's older brother began attending the University of Florida in 1941 but died of a burst appendix in August 1942. His father was the county attorney at that time. Alfred was still a student when he registered for the draft in July 1943.

Alfred was drafted in November 1943 and began his military service at Camp Blanding, Florida. After completing his training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 11 Jul 1944 where he served as a rifleman. PVT Surrency was killed at Brest, France on 7 Sep 1944. 

PVT Surrency is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Grandfather, Alfred Houston Surrency, served as a PVT in B and K Companies of the 61st Georgia Infantry (CSA). Great-grandfather, William Wycliffe Rogers, served as a PVT in Great-grandfather, Addison Hassell, served as a PVT in C Company 29th Georgia Cavalry Battlion (CSA) in the Civil War.

PVT Albert Harold Robinson

courtesy of Robert Byrnes

PVT Albert Harold Robinson was born 15 Aug 1925 in Canandaigua, New York. He was the 5th of 7 children born to Albert Marion and Harriet May (Kidman) Robinson. His father farmed in Ontario County, New York and then near Potter, New York.

Albert was working as a driver when he was drafted in December 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Robinson was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 20 Jul 1944 to serve as a heavy machine gunner. He was wounded on 6 Aug 1944 on the outskirts of Vire, France and evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 7 Aug 1944.

PVT Robinson was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Rushville Village Cemetery in Gorham, New York.

PVT Alexander J. Halkoski

PVT Alexander J. Halkoski was born 18 Oct 1917 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Martinus and Magdalene (Groshek) Halkoski.  The family farmed.  His father was a Polish immigrant.  On 13 Sep 1941 he married Mayme Theresa Kulas.  They had a daughter in March 1942.

Alexander was drafted in December 1942. He was working in a foundry at that time.  He was trained as a rifleman and sent to England where he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He landed with the unit in the D-Day assault and fought with the unit until he was killed in action on 7 Aug 1944.

Alexander was repatriated and is buried in the Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Mayme did not remarry until 1951 and passed away in 2001.  Their daughter had several children and grandchildren and died in 2016. 

PFC William Barry Alexander

PFC William Barry Alexander was born 7 Jul 1911 to Parks Watson and Martha Caroline (Kennedy) Alexander of Cherokee County, Alabama.  The family soon moved to Menlo, Georgia where Parks worked as a deliveryman.  In 1930, William was working in a rayon mill. 

When William was drafted in December 1942 he is noted as being divorced with dependents. His father died just a bit over 6-months later.  William was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry on 23 Jul 1944 being transferred from the replacement depot. PFC Alexander was killed in action on 7 Aug 1944. 

Repatriated in 1948, PFC Alexander is buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery. 

PFC Thomas Leo Marcacci

PFC Thomas Leo Marcacci was born 2 Jul 1923 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.  He was the 5th of 6 children born to William Alfred and Helen Mary (Orgill) Marcacci.  His father worked in a pipe shop. Younger brother, Robert, died in 1929. Older brother, William, died in 1932 of cancer. Thomas had 1 year of college and was working at Roessing Manufacturing Company in 1942.

Thomas registered for the draft in 1942. Thomas was drafted in February 1943. After training he was sent to the European theater and on 25 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry. He was wounded on 6 Aug 1944 in the vicinity of Vire and evacuated to hospital. PFC Maracacci died of his wound(s) on 7 Aug 1944.

PFC Marcacci was repatriated and re-interred in Saint Joseph Parish Cemetery in Verona, Pennsylvania.

An older brother, John Alfred Marcacci, enlisted in the Army Air Corps, piloted bombers and rose to the rank of LTC during WW2.

PFC Harlen Marcum

courtesy of Penny Dye

PFC Harlen Marcum was born on 6 Apr 1921 in Martin County, Kentucky. He was the 4th of 11 children born to Randolph "Ran" and Betty S (Howell) Marcum. The family farmed near Emily, Kentucky in 1930 and Whitepost, Kentucky in 1940. Harlen was working for Sycamore Coal Company in Pike County, Kentucky in 1942.

Harlen was drafted in August 1942. After basic training he was likely assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He went to England and trained for the amphibious assault.  PVT Marcum was with L Company on 6 Jun 1944 in the landings on Omaha Beach. He was wounded in the thigh and foot by artillery fire on 9 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  Harlen returned to the unit on 20 Jul 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 26 Jul 1944. PFC Marcum was wounded by artillery fire again on 6 Aug 1944 in the vicinity of Vire, France and was evacuated to hospital. PFC Marcum died of his wound(s) on 7 Aug 1944.

PFC Marcum was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Caney Cemetery in Martin County, Kentucky.