[tex flag] Heart of Texas World War 2 Bios Callahan County Texas  [usa flag]

Private Afton C. Adams  

Afton Chase Adams born 26 May 1909 in Callahan County, Texas to Victoria McDougall (b. 1885 Taylor County, Texas - d. 1957 Callahan County, Texas) Age 24 and Eugene Olan Adams (b. 1885 Bosque County, Texas - d. 1976 Howard County, Texas) Age 24.

1910 Census age 11 months living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother. 1920 Census age 10 living in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and a sister. Married Myrtle Essie Childers, they had a son, Afton Chase Adams Jr. 1930 Census age 20 living in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and a sister, being single working for the city paper as a linotypist. Married Marie Long on 8 November 1932 in Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living in Cross Plains, JP6 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 30 living in Cross Plains, JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, working for the city paper as a linotypist and being divorced. He married Mary Jackson on 21 September 1940 in Callahan County, Texas. Registered for the draft at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living and working there for Jack Scott in the Review Office, and listed his wife, Mrs Mary Adams of Cross Plains, as his next of kin contact. Afton C. Adams asn-38372092 a married white male born Texas in 1909 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a printer with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 9 March 1943. [nba] .

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[Army] Private Afton C. Adams 38372092 US Army 30th Infantry Regiment 3rd Infantry Division. Late 21 May 1944, all three regiments (7th, 15th, 30th) of the 3rd Division shifted into place, spent a restless day under the scant cover of the Mussolini Canal and adjacent ditches. H-hour was 0630, 23 May 1944. The plan demanded the 30th encircle Cisterna, Italy from the left, the 15th to by-pass it to the right; the 7th to crash it head-on. On the 23rd, the division suffered 995 battle casualties, believed to be the highest ever sustained by a single division in one day's fighting. Marne-men kept slugging it out. By nightfall, most companies had lost key personnel; less experienced carried on. Pvt Adams was killed in action against the enemy German forces on 23 May 1944 in the vicinity of Cisterna, Italy. He was buried in a temporary grave in Italy until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on 23 July 1948.

KIA 23 May 1944


Technician Fifth Grade George M. Applin

George Mildred Applin born 21 June 1923 in Muleshoe, Bailey County, Texas to Eliza Elizabeth Bowen (b. 1905 Lavaca County, Texas - d. 1926 Baileyboro, Bailey County, Texas) Age 18 and Dan Applin (b. 1903 Sharp, Milam County, Texas - d. 1988 Callahan County, Texas) Age 20.

1930 Census age 6 living in JP5 Milam County, Texas with his father as widower and a brother. 1935 living in JP4 Irion County, Texas. 1940 Census age 16 living in JP4 Irion County, Texas with his father, stepmother, a brother and three sisters. Registered for the draft at Mertzon, Irion County, Texas on 30 June 1942 while living at Sherwood, Irion County, Texas and working for Howard Cargile at San Angelo, Texas and listed his father of Sherwood as his next of kin contact. George M. Applin asn-38371605 a single white male born Texas in 1923 residing in Irion County, Texas working as a farm hand with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 23 February 1943. [nba]

[Army] Technician Fifth Grade George M. Applin 38371605 US Army 526th Armored Infantry Battalion was in training at Camp Bouse, Arizona, located in Butler Valley approximately 20 Miles from the small railroad town of Bouse. Camp Bouse was occupied from August 1943 to April 1944 by the 9th and 10th Tank Groups. Tec5 Applin died in the Camp Bouse hospital on 11 March 1944 from an accidental gun shot to his head from an Army rifle. His body was shipped to Mertzon, Irion County, Texas. Tec5 Applin was interred in the Sherwood Cemetery at Sherwood, Irion County, Texas on 16 March 1944.

DNB 11 Mch 1944


Private Harrell T. Arledge

Harrell Thomas Arledge born 8 September 1908 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Tebie Belle Fulcher (b. 1884 Texas - d. 1967 Tom Green County, Texas) Age 24 and Thomas Worth Arledge (b. 1874 Fannin County, Texas - d. 1948 Callahan County, Texas).

1920 Census age 12 living in JP3 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1930 Census age 21 living in JP4 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother, working as a ranch hand. He married Leatrice Martin on 18 August 1932 in Callahan County, Texas. He married Doretha Oma Milford on 13 July 1940 in Callahan County, Texas. Registered for the draft at Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living and working there for C E Long Farming and listed his wife, Mrs Doretha Oma Arledge of Roscoe, as his next of kin contact. Harrell T. Arledge asn-18075439 a married white male born Texas in 1908 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a rancher with one year of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Lubbock, Texas on 4 April 1942. [nba]

[Army] Private Harrell T. Arledge 18075439 US Army 39th Infantry Regiment 9th Infantry Division. The Division went into position and began patrolling around Sbeitla and Kasserine, Tunisia. In late March, the 60th Combat Team was detached to fight the battle of Maknassy, while the remainder of the Division moved to El Guettar. Here, as part of General Patton’s II Corps, the 1st Infantry Division on the left and the 9th Infantry Division on the right were to attack on the Gafsa to Gabes line to relieve the pressure on General Montgomery’s British force to the south. Detachments reduced the 9th for this operation to six, and for several days to five Infantry Battalions. Principal handicap, however, was the almost complete lack of adequate maps. Nevertheless, the attack was launched on the morning of March 28th, 1943, and for the next 11 days a bitter battle was waged for hills 290, 369, and 772. Pvt Arledge was killed in action against the enemy German forces on 31 March 1943 in the vicinity between Gafsa, Tunis, Tunisia and Bouchebka, Kasserine, Tunisia. He was buried in a temporary grave in North Africa until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Ross Cemetery at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 16 March 1949.

KIA 31 Mch 1943


Private First Class Albert H. Bales

Albert Harvey Bales born 30 April 1920 in Lone Grove, Llano County, Texas to Lillie May Templeton (b. 1887 Llano County, Texas - d. 1985 Llano County, Texas) age 32 and Marvin Bishop Bales (b. 1884 Brown County, Texas - d. 1978 Llano County Texas) age 35.

1930 census age 9 living in JP2 Llano County, Texas with his parents and three sisters. 1935 living in JP2 Llano County, Texas. 1940 census age 19 living in JP2 Llano County, Texas with his parents and a sister. Married Miss Delma Leona Bains (b. 1920 Callahan County, Texas) on 24 April 1940 in Llano County, Texas, they had a daughter Joleta born in 1944 at Bexar County, Texas. Registered for the draft at Brownwood, Brown County, Texas for the Llano County Local Board on 1 July 1941 while residence at Lone Grove and being a student in Brownwood, listed his wife, Mrs Albert Bales of Brownwood, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Albert H. Bales 38701931 Company E 383rd Infantry Regiment 96th Infantry Division was on Okinawa Island fighting the enemy Japanese forces when he was wounded by a sniper's bullet. He died of the wounds on 3 June 1945 and was buried in a temporary grave on Okinawa Island. After the war, in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas on 14 April 1949. Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

DOW 3 Jun 1945


Radioman Third Class Petty Officer Dewey D. Bennett

Dewey Douglas Bennett born 26 May 1922 in Saltillo, Hopkins County, Texas to Aurelia Lois Key (b. 1901 Paris, Texas - d. 2002 Gila County, Arizona) and John Dewey Bennett (b. 1899 Dike, Texas - d. 1962 Winkler County, Texas).

1930 Census age 7 living in JP2 Hopkins County, Texas with his parents, a brother and three sisters. 1935 living in rural Hopkins County Texas. 1940 Census age 17 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and four sisters. Graduate of Clyde High School. Enlisted in the US Navy Reserve in November 1940 and listed his father, Mr. John D. Bennett, Clyde, Texas, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Radioman Third Class Petty Officer Dewey D. Bennett 3563298 US Navy USS New Orleans CA-32 fought at the Battle of Tassafaronga, on the night of 30 November 1942, engaging a Japanese destroyer-transport force, when the flagship USS Minneapolis CA-36 was hit by two torpedoes. New Orleans , next astern, was forced to sheer away to avoid collision, and ran into the track of a torpedo which ripped off her bow. Bumping down the ship's port side, the severed bow punched several holes in New Orleans' hull. A fifth of her length gone, slowed to 2 knots and blazing forward, the ship fought for survival. RM3 Bennett was killed in action against the Japanese forces. His body was recovered and buried in a temporary grave at Australia. RM3 Bennett's remains were repatriated to America in 1949 and reinterred in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas on 20 July 1949.

KIA 30 Nov 1942


Private First Class Earnest E. Botts    

eastland service book page 15
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Earnest Earl Botts born 23 March 1917 in Comanche, Comanche County, Texas to Mary Annie Vandivere (b. 1892 Clark County, Arkansas - d. 1981 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 25 and Jefferson Franklin Botts (b. 1883 Gonzales County, Texas - d. 1952 Rising Star, Eastland County, Texas) age 34.

1935 Living in rural Jones County, Texas. 1940 Census age 23 living in Cottonwood, JP3 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and a sister, working as a laborer for the W.P.A. Registered for the draft at Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living there and being unemployed listed his father, Mr Jefferson Franklin Botts of Cottonwood, as his next of kin contact. Earnest E. Botts asn-38072099 a single white male born Texas in 1917 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as an unskilled repairman with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 10 February 1942.

[Army] Private First Class Earnest E. Botts 38072099 US Army 23rd Engineer Combat Battalion 3rd Armored Division landed on Omaha Beach in France during the Overlord invasion and built bridges, roads and other constructs all while fighting the enemy German forces. Pfc Botts made it all the way across France and into Belgium where he was killed in action on 3 September 1944 during the liberation of Mons, Belgium. He was buried in a temporary grave there until after the war when his remains were reinterred in the  Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial at Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium.

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KIA 3 Sep 1944


Second Lieutenant Lindsay L. Bowen Jr.

Lindsay Lee Bowen, Jr. born 23 November 1921 in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas to Ota J.(b.1894 Texas-d.1985 Collin County, Texas) Age 28 and Lindsay Lee Bowen, Sr.(b.1890 Texas-d.1972 Denison, Texas) Age 32.

1930 census Age 8 living with his parents and three siblings in Pct1 Collin County, Texas. 1935 living in McKinney, Pct1 Collin County, Texas. 1940 census Age 18 living with his parents and two siblings and a nephew in McKinney, Pct1 Collin County, Texas. Attended the Rice Institute in Houston, Texas 1940-1942. Registered for the draft in Houston, Texas on 16 February 1942 listing his mother of McKinney, Texas as his next of kin. Lindsay Lee Bowen, Jr. asn-18116940 a single white male born 1921 in Texas residing in Collin County, Texas with two years of college education and enlisted from reserves into the US Army Air Corps at Houston, Texas on 18 February 1943. .

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[AirCorps] Second Lieutenant Lindsay L. Bowen, Jr. O-774498 US Army Air Forces 96th Fighter Squadron 82nd Fighter Group 15th Air Force was pilot of P-38J 42-67950 out of Vincenso Airdrome, Italy on 15 November 1944 on a combat bomber escort mission to the target Sjenica, Yugoslavia. After crossing the coastline flying toward the target he radioed the leader that he was turning back to base. [MACR 9894 ] 2Lt was killed in the crash  of his P-38 as reported in the vicinity of Sjenica, Yugoslavia, probably engine failure. 2Lt Bowen was buried in a temporary grave and after the war he was repatriated to America in 1949, his remains were reinterred in the Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, Collin County, Texas on 26 June 1949.

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KIA 15 Nov 1944


Private James W. Brandon

James W. Brandon born 30 June 1922 in Callahan County, Texas to Linn Ethel Agnew (b.1898 Eastland County, Texas - d. 1929 Putman, Callahan county, Texas) and James Adolph Brandon (b. 1897 Taylor County, Texas - d. 1994 Callahan County, Texas). (DOB calculated from newspaper article, POB reckoned from father's 1920 census).

1930 Census Age 7 living in Gorman, Eastland County, Texas with his uncle Joe B. (dentist) and aunt Temptest L. Branden as a foster son (actually nephew). James W. Brandon asn-6296805 a divorced (Undefined Code) male born Texas in (Undefined Code) residing in Taylor County, Texas working as (Undefined Code) with four years of college education enlisted from (Undefined Code) into the US Army as a (Undefined Code) at (Undefined Code), Texas on 13 November 1939. [nba] .

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[Army] Private James W. Brandon 6296805 US Army 31st Infantry Regiment Philippine Dept Quartermaster Corps. Eight hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked the Philippines. The newspapers would call it 'The Newest Alamo'. Eisenhower would state, "Never has so much been done with so little" due to the four and a half month heroic stance of troops outnumbered by the entire 15th Imperial Japanese Army. Starvation, disease and lack of weapons and supplies forced the American and Filipino Troops to surrender the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942. The infamous Bataan Death March was indescribable. For 24 days the Japanese marched them on one meal and very little water. Some soldiers had no food and little water for a full ten days. They moved at a snail's pace and those who were too weak to keep going were bayoneted or shot. They were finally imprisoned at Camp O'Donnell, over 20,000 of them. Pvt Brandon died in the POW Camp O'Donnell from starvation and dysentery on 30 May 1942 and he was buried there in plot ML-N-6-144. After the war his remains were reinterred in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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DNB POW 30 May 1942


Staff Sergeant Clarence Brown

Clarence Brown born 16 August 1919 Chattanooga, Tennessee to Mary Lou Bledshaw (b. 1897 - d. 1925 Hixson, Hamilton County, Tennessee) and Edon J. Brown (b. 1887 North Carolina - d. 1969 Claiborne, Tennessee). (Between age of ten and fifteen he became a foster son of Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Broadfoot of Clyde, Texas).

1920 census age 4 months living in CD 9 Claiborne County, Tennessee with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1930 Census age 10 living in CD3 Hamilton County, Tennessee at the Pine Breeze Sanitarium as a patient. 1935 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas. Graduated from Clyde High School. 1940 Census age 20 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas in the home of Howell and Edna Broadfoot and their son as a lodger, working as a farmhand. Registered for the draft at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Clyde and working at Howell Gilmer Broadfoot and listed his friend, Mr. Howell Gilmer Broadfoot Rt.2 Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Clarence Brown asn-18041214 a single white male born Tennessee in 1919 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmhand with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as a private at Dallas, Texas on 15 July 1941. Married Ruth Lucille Henisa (b. 1923 Randolph, Indiana - d. 2004) in 1943 they had a son. Received his wings in July 1942. Shipped out to England in November 1943. [nba] .

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[AirCorps] Staff Sergeant Clarence Brown 18041214 US Army Air Forces 708th Bombardment Squadron 447th Bombardment Group 8th Air Force was a waist gunner on B-17G 42-107020  'Flak Happy' out of Rattlesden Airfield, England on 12 May 1944 on a combat bombing mission to the target at Zwickau, Germany. [MACR 4773 ] The report has witnesses to state the B-17 had two engines knocked out by enemy fighter planes and the pilot stated by radio he would head south. The only survivor, SSgt Robert Johnston a returned POW, told SSgt Brown's folks that their son was killed instantly by flak when the B-17 was hit and exploded in air. German reports say that the plane crashed to the ground west of Ailingen near Friedrichshafen. He was buried in a temporary grave in Germany as unknown. His remains were comingled with another crew member, 1Lt Wright, and after the war they were moved to St. Avold, Metz, France for identification and then repatriated to America and reinterred in the Little Rock National Cemetery at Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas on 31 August 1950 in a group burial number 3674-GB-651.

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KIA 12 May 1944


Second Lieutenant Doyle L. Brown

Doyle Lee Brown born 11 September 1921 in Putman, Callahan County, Texas to Willie Ida Middleton (b. 1888 Guion, Taylor County, Texas - d. 1967 San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas) Age 33 and George Allen Brown (b. 1883 Leesville, Vernon Parish, Louisiana - d.1962 Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas) Age 38.

1930 Census age 8 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1935 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas. Graduated Salutatorian from Putnam High School class of 1939. 1940 Census age 18 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. Registered for the draft at Bryan, Texas on 16 February 1942 for the Callahan County, Texas local board while living in Callahan County, Texas with mail address of Rt1 Cisco, Texas and being a student at Texas A&M College and listed his father, G A Brown of same mail address, as his next of kin contact. Doyle L. Brown asn-18072942 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Callahan County, Texas working in a bakery with two years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Infantry as a private at College Station, Texas on 25 July 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Second Lieutenant Doyle L. Brown O-556399 US Army 162nd Infantry Regiment 41st Infantry Division. The massive assault on the Philippine island of Mindanao began 10 March 1945 with naval and air bombardments along the beach defenses east of Zamboanga City, forcing the enemy to evacuate these excellent defensive positions. The 162nd and 163rd Infantry Regiments made their landings, and the enemy fled into the hills in disorder. A series of counterattacks faced the Jungleers, but they prevailed despite well-established hill positions, which were overrun by 25 March 1945. 2Lt Brown was killed on 25 March 1945 by a Japanese sniper's bullet. He was buried in a temporary grave there until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Putnam Cemetery at Putnam, Callahan County, Texas on Tuesday 31 August 1948.

KIA 25 Mch 1945


Technician Fourth Grade James E. Browning

James Edgar Browning born 14 February 1923 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Nita Mae Mims (b. 1881 Texas - d. 1974 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 41 and John Franklin Browning (b. 1877 Clifton, Bosque County, Texas - d. 1958 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) age 45.

1930 Census age 7 living in JP1 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1935 living in JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 17 living in JP1 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. Registered for the draft at El Monte, California on 30 June 1942 while living there and working in Burbank for Leon Van Storage Company and listed his mother, Mrs J F Browning of Baird, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Enlisted in the Us Army in February 1943 and listed his mother, Mrs Nita Mae Browning of Rt1 Baird, Texas, as his next of kin. [nba] .

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[Army] Technician Fourth Grade James E. Browning 39559025 US Army Company A 1394th Engineer Construction Battalion Corps of Engineers was killed on 20 June 1945 at Cebu Island, Philippines. On the War Dept casualty listing he was involved in a non-battle incident which could be an accident, illness or other actions not caused by the enemy Japanese forces. Of course the status could be wrong, but no details of the death was found. Tec4 Browning was buried in a temporary grave there until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Ross Cemetery at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 12 February 1949.

DNB 20 Jun 1945


Staff Sergeant Clarence A. Burleson Jr.

Clarence Arthur Burleson Jr. born 30 November 1921 at Ovalo, Taylor County, Texas to Mattie Amelia Maschek(b.1901 Waco, Texas-d.1940 Baird, Texas) Age 20 and Clarence Arthur Burleson(b.1898 Texas-d.1988 Baird, Texas) Age 23.

1930 census Age 8 living with his parents and three siblings and his maternal grandmother in Pct2 Taylor County, Texas. 1935 living in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 18 living with his parents and two siblings in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. Clarence A. Burleson Jr. asn-18109940 a single white male born 1921 in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas and working as a mechanic with 1 year of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army at Abilene, Texas on 5 June 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Clarence A. Burleson Jr. 18109940 US Army Air Forces 787th Bombardment Squadron 466th Bombardment Group 8th Air Force was the nose gunner aboard B-24H 42-52584  out of Attlebridge Airfield, England on 9 May 1944 on a combat bombing mission to the target  St. Trond, Belgium. The B-24 was shot down by an enemy FW-190 aircraft which hit the B-24's hydraulic system causing an explosion which sent the B-24 into a spin and dive and crashed about two kilometers northwest of Gierle, Belgium. [MACR 4803 ] Four crewmen were able to bailout and be captured, but SSgt Burleson and five other crewmen were killed in the explosion or the crash. They were buried in temporary graves there in Gierle, Belgium and after WW2 SSgt Burleson was reinterred in the  Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium.

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KIA 9 May 1944


Corporal Thurman R. Cody

Thurman Rex Cody born 24 October 1919 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Zuma Vermelle Jolly (b. 1883 Brazos County, Texas - d. 1976 Shasta County, California) age 36 and Robert Travis Cody (b. 1874 Texas - d. 1955 Shasta County, California) age 45.

1920 Census age 2 months living in JP4 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and four sisters. 1930 Census age 10 living in JP5 Taylor County, Texas with his brother Julius and sister-in-law Ida, his parents and two other siblings. 1935 living in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 20 living in Delta, JT9 Shasta County, California with brother-in-law Willie and Iva Whitley and their son, working on the railroad. Registered for the draft at Dunsmuir, Siskiyou County, California on 1 July 1941 while living and working there for Southern Pacific Railroad and listed his mother, Mrs R T Cody of Bayles, Shasta County, California, as his next of kin contact. Thurman R. Cody asn-39088951 a single white male born Texas in 1919 residing in Siskiyou County, California working in a grain mill with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Presidio of Monterey, California on 7 February 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Corporal Thurman R. Cody 39088951 US Army 682nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery M.G. Battery Coast Artillery Corps. He was stationed in India and a member of the M.G. Battery of the anti-aircraft battalion. On or about 23 January 1944, he was asleep in his tent when an airplane crashed close enough to set him and his tent on fire. He was rescued from the burning tent and rushed to the hospital. He died of the pneumonia and burn injuries on 17 February 1944 at New Delhi, India. Cpl Cody was buried in a temporray grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Redding Memorial Park at Redding, Shasta County, California.

DNB 17 Feb 1944


Technician Fifth Grade Stanley E. Coppinger  

Stanley Elmore Coppinger born 4 December 1914 Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas to Minnie Texas Jones (b. 1871 Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee - d. 1958 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 43 and Thomas Allen Coppinger (b. 1865 Tennessee - d. 1922 Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas) Age 49.

1920 Census age 5 living in JP3 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, four brothers and six sisters. 1930 Census age 15 living in JP3 Callahan County, Texas with mother, two brothers and three sisters. 1935 living in Hobbs, Lea County, New Mexico. Married Miss Mildred Edell McAden on 21 September 1937 in Callahan County, Texas, and they had a son Stanley Gary Coppinger. 1940 Census age 24 living in JP2 Yoakum County, Texas as a lodger working as a salesman for an oil company supply house with Clyde Maples as head of the house. Registered for the draft at Denver City, Yoakum County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living and working there for Arrow Supply Inc. and listed his brother-in-law, Mr. Betah Houston Freeland of Cross Plains, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Stanley E. Coppinger asn-38548633 a married white male born Texas in 1914 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as an inspector with one year of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Houston, Texas on 31 January 1944. [nba] .

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[Army] Technician Fifth Grade Stanley E. Coppinger 38548633 US Army Detachment 364 Harbor Craft Company Transportation Corps was stationed on Saipan Island, Northern Marianna Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. He died there on 2 April 1945 of a non-battle incident which could be illness, accident or other events not involving the enemy Japanese forces but no details were made public. Tec5 Coppinger was buried in a temporay grave there until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Arlington National Cemetery at Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia on 11 May 1949.

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DNB 2 Apr 1945


Private First Class Jesse G. Crowson

Jesse Goodwin Crowson born 4 June 1918 in Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas to Fannie Olivia Swan(b.1883 Stephens County, Texas-d.1941 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) Age 35 and John Goodwin Crowson(b.1876 Tarrant County, Texas-d.1950 Brown County, Texas) Age 41.

1920 census Age 1 living with his parents and five siblings in Covington, Garfield County, Oklahoma. 1930 census Age 11 living with his parents and three brothers in Pct1 Eastland County, Texas. 1935 living in Pct1 Eastland County, Texas. 1940 census Age 21 living with his parents and two brothers in Pct1 Stephens County, Texas. Registered for the draft in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 listing his mother, living in Clyde, as next of kin. Jesse G. Crowson asn-38133735 a single white male born 1918 in Arkansas residing in Nueces County, Texas and working in an aircraft plant with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army at Abilene, Texas on 18 June 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Private First Class Jesse G. Crowson 38133735 US Army Air Forces 557th Bombardment Squadron 387th Bombardment Group 9th Air Force a B-26 gunner at Chipping Ongar, Essex, England was killed 7 September 1943 by accident when he stepped off of one train into the path of another. He was buried 9 September 1943 in the Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. Pfc Crowson was repatriated to America in 1948 and reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 14 July 1948.

DNB 7 Sep 1943


Corporal Henry B. Dorsey

Henry 'Mutt' Brittain Dorsey born 16 August 1918 in Pueblo[Erath], Callahan County, Texas to Patsy Albertine 'Tiney' Weed (b. 1891 May, Brown County, Texas - d. 1925 Texas) age 27 and Hillie Burton Dorsey (b. 1884 Eastland County, Texas - d. 1959 Moran, Shackelford County, Texas) age 34.

1920 Census age 1 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and three sisters. 1930 Census age 11 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his father and a sister. 1935 living in Moran, Shackelford County, Texas. Volunteered for service with the US Army Regulars in 1937. 1940 Census age 22 living in Ft Clark, JP1 Kinney County, Texas as a Gunner in the US Army. Henry B. Dorsey asn-06271483 a single white male born Texas in 1918 residing in Callahan County, Texas being a US Army soldier with a grammar school education re-enlisted in the US Army Infantry Philippine Dept as a private at Ft Sam Houston, Texas on 16 July 1941. [nba] .

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[Army] Corporal Henry B. Dorsey 06271483 US Army 31st Infantry Regiment Philippine Dept. Eight hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked the Philippines. The newspapers would call it 'The Newest Alamo'. Eisenhower would state, "Never has so much been done with so little" due to the four and a half month heroic stance of troops outnumbered by the entire 15th Imperial Japanese Army. Starvation, disease and lack of weapons and supplies forced the American and Filipino Troops to surrender the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942. The infamous Bataan Death March was indescribable. For 24 days the Japanese marched them on one meal and very little water. Some soldiers had no food and little water for a full ten days. They moved at a snail's pace and those who were too weak to keep going were bayoneted or shot. They were finally imprisoned at Camp O'Donnell, 20,000 of them. The final number would be over 60,000 POW's from at least four different nations. By early June the Japanese began moving POW's to three camps all named Cabanatuan. They had no idea of the whole kind of new hell they would have to survive as they were shipped to Japan on the "Hell Ships", Cpl Dorsey boarded the Clyde Maru. This ship was a captured freighter. They would arrive in Mojo, Japan on August 9, 1943. There they would travel by train to Fukuoka Camp #17 near the town of Omatu. Little did they know that Fukuoka 17 would become known as one of the worst Japanese slave labor camps of WW2. Corporal Dorsey died of starvation, brutalities and pneumonia on 15 August 1945, V-J Day. His remains were recovered, identified and repatriated to America in 1949. Cpl Dorsey's ashes were inurned in the Dennis Cemetery at Oplin, Callahan County, Texas on 15 February 1949. [Excerpts used are from the bio of Wayne Petrie found on WW2 Japanese POW Camp Fukuoka #17 - Omuta ]

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DNB POW 15 Aug 1945


Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Ernest R. Dungan

Ernest Revis 'Jeff' Dungan born 6 June 1919 in Comanche, Comanche County, Texas to Nancy Pearl Warren (b. 1895 Beattie, Comanche County, Texas - d. 1924 Sipe Springs, Comanche County, Texas) age 24 and Perry Earl Dungan (b. 1894 Whitney, Hill County, Texas - d. 1957 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 24.

1930 Census age 10 living in JP6 Eastland County, Texas with his father and step-mother, two brothers and two sisters. 1935 living in JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 21 living in JP1 Callahan County, Texas with his father, step-mother, a brother and a sister. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living there and being unemployed (afterwards he gave an address change to Miami, Arizona) listed his father, Mr. Perry Earl Dungan of Baird, as his next of kin contact. Joined the US Navy while in Arizona and listed his father, Mr. Perry E. Dungan, Box 694, Baird, Texas, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Ernest R. Dungan 6801051 US Navy USS Monssen DD-436. Shortly, after 0140, 13 November 1942, they sighted the enemy fleet, under Vice Admiral Abe, 3 miles north of Kukum. The enemy was headed toward Henderson Field to bombard it and cripple Allied air operations long enough to sneak in 11 of their transports, then en route to relieve their beleaguered comrades fighting on the island. Battle was given at 0150. At about 0220 Monssen, forced to rely on radio information and optics, was spotlighted, hit by some 37 shells, and reduced to a burning hulk. Twenty minutes later, completely immobilized in all departments, the ship was ordered abandoned. After daybreak Monssen was still a floating incinerator. C. C. Storey, BM2c, L. F. Sturgeon, GM2c, and J. G. Hughes, F1c, climbed back into the inferno and rescued eight men still aboard and alive, five of whom lived after reaching land. The survivors, 40 percent of the crew, were picked up at about 0800 and taken to Guadalcanal. The ship itself continued to blaze until early afternoon, when the waters of Ironbottom Sound closed over her. S2c Dungan is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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KIA MIA 13 Nov 1942


Private Gayl A. Edwards

Gayl Arvin Edwards born 1 February 1926 near Oplin, Callahan County, Texas to Minnie Emma Favors (b. 1893 Mineola, Texas - d. 1971 Fresno, California) age 32 and Guy B. Edwards (b. 1892 De Leon, Comanche County, Texas - d. 1952 Fresno, California) age 33.

1930 Census age 4 living in JP2 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and three sisters. 1935 living same place. 1940 Census age 14 living in JP2 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and two sisters (mistakenly list Odell as a sister instead of daughter). Registered for the draft at Lovington, Lea County, New Mexico while living and working in Jal, New Mexico for the El Paso Natural Gas Company and listed Elbert Crawford of Clyde, Texas as his next of kin contact. Married Betty Jo Hampton and they had a son who only lived a few months in 1944. Gayl A. Edwards asn-38711451 a married white male born Texas in 1926 residing in Lea County, New Mexico working an unskilled job with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Sill, Oklahoma on 13 June 1944. Shipped out to southwest Pacific 9 January 1945. [nba] .

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[Army] Private Gayl A. Edwards 38711451 US Army Company E 32nd Infantry Regiment 7th Infantry Division. On April 1, 1945, the 7th Infantry Division landed south on Okinawa along with the 96th Infantry Division, and the 1st, and 6th Marine Divisions. The Japanese had removed their armor and artillery off the beach and set up defenses in the hills of Shuri. 7th Infantry Division was fighting the enemy Japanese forces and suffered heavy casualties. Pvt Edwards of Company E was killed on 22 April 1945 in a gallant action against some Japanese that were fiercely opposing his platoon. He killed four with his automatic rifle but then was fatally wounded. Pvt Edwards was buried in a temporary grave there and after the war in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Dudley Cemetery at Callahan County, Texas on Sunday 6 March 1949. Silver Star and Purple Heart.

KIA 22 Apr 1945


Second Lieutenant Milton A. Elliott

Milton Allen Elliott born 1 March 1918 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Ella Catherine Fite(b.1878 Texas-d.1956 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 40 and Robert Lee Elliott(b.1875 Tennessee-d.1960 Howard County, Texas) Age 43.

1920 census Age 1 living with his parents and four siblings in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. 1930 census Age 12 living with his parents and three siblings in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 21 living with his parents and one brother in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. Registered for the draft in Baird, Texas on 16 October 1940 listing his father as next of kin. Milton A. Elliott asn-38036335 a single white male born 1918 in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas and working as a salesman with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army at Dallas, Texas on 21 January 1941. Married Miss Doris Hammond on 16 July 1941 in Baird, Texas. .

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[AirCorps] Second Lieutenant Milton A. Elliott O-675184 US Army Air Forces 44th British Flying Training School at Randolph Air Field, Bexar County, Texas, a pilot instructor flying with another instructor, Lt. Albert A. Cullen, in a Curtiss AT-9A "Jeep" 42-56966 dual engine trainer on 6 April 1943. They were involved in a mid-air collision with another AT-9A 42-56923 over the air field. Both crews were killed in the resulting explosion and crashes. 2Lt Elliott's remains were shipped to Baird, Callahan County, Texas and interred in the Ross Cemetery on 8 April 1943.

DNB 6 Apr 1943


Private First Class Clifton A. Fortune  

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Clifton Aaron Fortune born 20 November 1921 in Callahan County, Texas to Blanche Luella Scarborough (b. 1895 Texas - d. 1981 Ozona, Crockett County, Texas) and William Hargis Fortune (b. 1889 Lockhart, Caldwell County, Texas - d. 1956 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma).

1930 Census age 8 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and two sisters. 1935 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas. Graduated from Cross Plains High School. 1940 Census JP6 age 18 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother. Married Rachel Laverne Upton Oglesby on 19 July 1941 in Callahan County, Texas, they had a daughter Anita Sharon Fortune who was killed in an auto accident in 1953 at McLennan County, Texas along with her family. Registered for the draft at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on 16 February 1942 while living and working there for himself west of town and listed his wife, Mrs Laverne Fortune of Cross Plains, as his next of kin contact. Enlisted from civilian life in to the US Army on 13 July 1944, and trained at Camp Wolters, Texas. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Clifton A. Fortune 38609229 US Army Company K 309th Infantry Regiment 78th Infantry Division. The 78th embarked for the European Theatre from the New York POE on 14 October 1944, whereupon they sailed for England. They arrived on 26 October 1944, and after further training crossed to France on 22 November 1944. After landing in France, the division moved to Tongeren, Belgium on 27 November 1944, and to Roetgen, Germany on 7 December 1944, to prepare for combat against the enemy German forces. The 309th and 310th Infantry Regiments relieved elements of the 1st Division in the line in the vicinity of Entenpfuhl, 1st to 12 December 1944. On the 13th these regiments smashed into Simmerath, Witzerath, and Bickerath and were fighting for Kesternich when Gerd von Rundstedt launched his counteroffensive in the Monschau area, on 18 December 1944. The 78th held the area it had taken from the Siegfried Line against German attacks throughout the winter. The Division attacked, 30 January 1945, and took Kesternich, 2 February 1945, the town of Schmidt on the 8th, and captured intact the vital Schwammanauel Dam the next day. In the advance, the Roer River was crossed, 28 February 1945, and the division joined the offensive of the First and Ninth Armies toward the Rhine. That river was crossed over the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, 8 March 1945. The 78th expanded the bridgehead, taking Honnef and cutting part of the Autobahn, 16 March 1945. From 2 April to 8 May, the division was active in the reduction of the Ruhr Pocket where Pfc Fortune was killed in action against the enemy German forces. Initially, he was buried in a temporary grave in Ittenbach, Germany, but then reinterred at a US cemetery in Holland. After the war his remains were repatriated to America in December 1948 and reinterred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on Friday 28 January 1949.

KIA 7 Apr 1945


Captain Norman L. George

Norman Leavenworth George born 29 April 1920 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Mable Leavenworth Alford (b. 1892 Baird, Callahan County, Texas - d. 1972 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 27 and Norman Mcleod George (b. 1886 Mexia, Limestone County, Texas - d. 1966 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 33.

1930 Census age 9 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and grandmother. 1935 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas. 1935-1937 he attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville, Texas. 1940 Census age 20 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and sister-in-law. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 1 July 1941 while living there and being a student at Texas Tech College and listed his father, Mr N M George of Baird, as his next of kin contact. Graduated from Texas Tech class of 1942 and at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida he was appointed Second Lieutenant with wings on 14 August 1942 in the US Marine Corps. [nba] .

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[Marines] Captain Norman L. George O-12751 US Marine Corps Marine Detachment Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. He flew combat missions in the South Pacific and in the summer of 1943 he was seriously wounded in action and returned to America for hospitalization at San Francisco. He had spent ten months in the hospital and in rehabilitation when returned to duty at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station south of Santa Ana, California. Capt George was in advanced training there so he could be sent overseas again to fight the enemy Japanese forces. During a routine training flight out of El Toro Airfield on 23 May 1944 his plane crashed at Santa Ana, Orange County, California, killing him instantly, details unavailable. Capt George's body was shipped to Baird, Callahan County, Texas and interred in the Ross Cemetery.

DNB 23 May 1944


Technician Fifth Grade Wyley R. Green

Wyley Randolph Green born 8 December 1908 in Callahan County, Texas to Bannie Lee Allen (b. 1888 Morgan, Bosque County, Texas - d. 1952 Moran, Shackelford County, Texas) Age 20 and Eugene Green (b. 1877 McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee - d. 1961 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 31.

1910 Census age 1 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents. 1920 Census age 11 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and a sister. 1930 Census age 21 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and three sisters. Registered for the draft at Lubbock, Texas for Local Board of Albany, Shackelford County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Moran, Shackelford County, Texas and being unemployed listed his mother, Mrs Eugene Green of Moran, as his next of kin contact. Wyley R. Green asn-38101813 a single white male born Texas in 1908 residing in Shackelford County, Texas working as a bookkeeper with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 3 March 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Technician Fifth Grade Wyley R. Green 38101813 US Army 8th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) 8th Infantry Division. He was wounded in action July 1944 in the Brest, France battle against the enemy German forces. The 8th Division turned eastward and drove across France to Luxembourg, moved to the Hürtgen Forest, 20 November 1944, cleared Hürtgen on the 28th and Brandenberg, 3 December, and pushed on to the Roer. That river was crossed on 23 February 1945, Duren taken on the 25th and the Erft Canal crossed on the 28th. The 8th Division reached the Rhine near Rodenkirchen, 7 March 1945, and maintained positions along the river near Koeln. In early March 1945, the 8th had advanced into the Rhineland. It fought its way into the Ruhr region the following month. On 6 April 1945 the division attacked northwest to aid in the destruction of enemy forces in the Ruhr Pocket, and by 17 April 1945 had completed its mission. Tec5 Green was killed in the Ruhr Valley possibly in the vicinity of Bochum, Germany on 13 April 1945. He was buried in a temporary grave in Holland until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas on 27 April 1949.

KIA 13 Apr 1945


Private Everett E. Harrison

Everett Elsey Harrison born 25 November 1910 in Hamby, Taylor County, Texas to Sallie Elizabeth Claxton (b. 1875 Limestone County, Alabama - d. 1947 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) Age 35 and Charles Stewart Harrison (b. 1871 Limestone County, Alabama - d. 1964 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 39. (His Texas birth certificate has DOB 25 November 1910, and he stated DOB 30 October 1910 for his draft registration).

1920 Census age 9 living in JP1 Collin County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and a sister. 1930 Census age 19 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, working at home farm. 1935 living rural Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 29 living in Denton, JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, working at home farm. Registered for the draft at Colorado City, Texas for the Local Board of Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living and working at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas and listed his father, Mr C S Harrison of Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Everett E. Harrison asn-20813183 a single white male born Texas in 1910 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a truck driver enlisted from the Texas National Guard into the US Army Field Artillery as a private at Abilene, Texas on 25 November 1940. Trained with the 36th Division Field Artillery at Camp Bowie, Texas. [nba] .

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[Army] Private Everett E. Harrison 20813183 US Army Battery C 155th Field Artillery 36th Infantry Division. He served with the National Guard of Texas before WW2. When it was apparent that the US could be involved in the war, the national guard was federalized. He trained in North Africa and then fought the enemy German forces there, Italy, France, and Germany. Pvt Harrison was able to fight his way through all of the battles the 155th FA were in to the end of WW2 in Europe. He died 22 June 1945 in occupied Germany of a non-battle event, automoblie accident while on leave. Pvt Harrison was buried in a temporary grave and then reinterred in the  Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial at Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

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DNB 22 Jun 1945


Machinist's Mate Chief Petty Officer Marion N. Harvey  

Marion Nelson Harvey born 13 April 1895 in Prospect, Butler County, Pennsylvania to Zella Belle Beighley (b. 1874 Whitestown, Butler County, Pennsylvania - d. 1961 Tulsa County, Oklahoma) Age 21 and James Nelson Harvey (b. 1870 Franklin, Butler County, Pennsylvania - d. 1937 Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma) Age 25.

1900 Census age 5 living in Butler County, Pennsylvania with his parents and a brother. 1910 Census age 15 living in Harrison County, Ohio with his parents, two brothers and a sister. Registered for the WWI draft at Tulsa, Oklahoma on 26 May 1917 while living and working there as an oilwell driller. Marion N. Harvey asn-2917078 enlisted in the US Army 57th Infantry for WWI from Oklahoma on 1 June 1918. Married Marjarie V Noel on 2 August 1919 in Taylor County, Texas. 1920 Census age 24 living in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas with his wife, her parents and her sister, working as an oilfield driller. 1920 Census age 24 living in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma with his parents, his wife and three siblings, working as an oilwell driller. 1930 Census age 34 living in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas with wife Marjarie, working as an oil producer. Marion N. Harvey nsn-5769131 enlisted US Navy on 1 Aug 1943, from Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas (VA Master List). [nba] .

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[Navy] Machinist's Mate Chief Petty Officer Marion N. Harvey 5769131 US Navy died of a heart attack on 12 August 1944 in the Hawaiian Islands at Pearl Harbor. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when he was repatriated to America and reinterred in the Memorial Park Cemetery at Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

DNB 12 Aug 1944


Seaman First Class Petty Officer Robert W. Havens

Robert Wade Havens born 1925 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Ethel Lullea Nixon (b. 1909 Callahan County, Texas - d. 1981 Salem, Washington County, Indiana) Age 16 and Robert Jackson Haven (b. 1904 Celeste, Hunt County, Texas - d. 1960 Underwood, Clark County, Indiana) Age 21.

1930 Census age 4 living in Maricopa County, Arizona with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1935 living in rural Fisher County, Texas. 1940 Census age 14 living in Lea County, New Mexico with his parents, three brothers and three sisters. Attended Clyde High School. Enlisted in the US Navy in 1942, at the age of seventeen, and listed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jackson Havens, Gen. Del., Clyde, Texas, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman First Class Petty Officer Robert W. Havens 5536868 US Navy USS McKean APD-5, location Solomon Islands, Occupation and Defense of Cape Torokina. USS McKean  (Lt.Cmdr Ralph Lester Ramsey) was sunk by Japanese aircraft off Bougainville on 17 November 1943. 64 of her crew and 52 Marines were lost. Amongst the survivors which includes the Commanding officer and there are 23 wounded as well. S1c Havens was statused as missing in action on 17 November 1943. The War Dept issued a FOD, finding of death, one year plus one day after the date he went missing and declared his death as 18 November 1944. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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KIA MIA 17 Nov 1943


Private Edd Henderson Jr.  

Edd Henderson Jr. born 24 May 1914 in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas to Frances Lee McDaniel (b. 1878 Arkansas - d. 1968 Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas) Age 36 and Edd Henderson Sr. (b. 1879 Burkett, Coleman County, Texas - d. 1947 San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas) Age 35.

1920 Census age 5 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and two sisters. 1930 Census age 15 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents name is Curtis E. 1935 living Rural Callahan County, Texas. Married Miss Lilac Smedley (b.1917 Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas d. 1999) on 4 June 1936 in Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 25 living in JP5 Coleman County, Texas with his wife Lilac. Registered for the draft at Burkett, Coleman County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Burkett and working for self and listed his mother, Mrs. Fannie Lee Henderson of Cross Plains, as his next of kin contact. Edd Henderson Jr. asn-38695373 a married white male born Texas in 1914 residing in Coleman County, Texas working as a farmer with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Sill, Oklahoma on 11 April 1944. Trained at Camp Hood, Texas and Fort Meade, Maryland before shipping out and arriving in Italy on 14 November 1944. [nba] .

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[Army] Private Edd Henderson Jr. 38695373 US Army Recon Intelligence Company Infantry. I did not find his Army unit nor any details of his death. Pvt Henderson died in Italy on 12 January 1945 of a non-battle event. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on Thursday 17 March 1949.

DNB 12 Jan 1945


First Lieutenant Thomas D. Hindman

Thomas Delbert Hindman born 18 August 1919 near Holder, Brown County, Texas to Lila V. Cason(b.1889 May, Tx-d. Brownwood, Tx) Age 30 and Thomas Woody Hindman(b.1882 May, Tx-d.1926 Cross Plains, Tx) Age 37.

1920 census(January 1920) Age 5/12 living with parents and two brothers at Holder, Brown County, Texas. His father died 1926. 1935 living in Coleman County, Texas. Enlisted in the US Army in 1938. 1940 census Age 20 enlisted man living at Fort Warren, Laramie County, Wyoming. .

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[Army] First Lieutenant Thomas D. Hindman O-1303340 US Army 32nd Infantry Regiment 7th Infantry Division killed in action on 16 December 1944 in Leyte Province, Philippines. Buried at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines in  Manila American Cemetery. Silver Star with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart.

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KIA 16 Dec 1944


First Lieutenant Billy B. Hollingshead

Billy Burr Hollingshead born 21 April 1921 in Potosi, Taylor County, Texas to Leona Ellen Gilbreth(b.1899 Texas-d.1965 Abilene, Texas) Age 22 and Fred H. Hollingshead(b.1888 Arkansas-d.1950 Potosi, Texas) Age 42.

1930 census Age 7 living with his parents and two siblings in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 18 living with his parents and one sibling and his maternal grandmother in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. Billy B. Hollingshead asn-18038911 a single white male born 1921 in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas and working in an auto factory with two years of college education (North Texas State) enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in Dallas, Texas on 15 January 1942. .

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[AirCorps] First Lieutenant Billy B. Hollingshead O-663730 US Army Air Forces 388th Bomber Squadron 312th Bomber Group 5th Air Force the pilot of A-20G 43-21416  out of Nadzab Airfield, Papua New Guinea 29 June 1944 on a combat bombing mission against Yakamul, Papua New Guinea. He was last seen entering rain clouds and he was listed as KIA and missing near Kaiapit, Papua New Guinea, along with his gunner SSgt Leonard H. Tilden, Jr. The two airmen were listed on the tablets of the missing at the  Manila American Cemetery. The crash site was found and reported in 1973 by a villager. The remains of 1Lt Hollingshead were interred in the Potosi Cemetery in Texas, and SSgt Tilden's remains were interred in the Arlington National Cemetery in 1974.

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KIA 29 Jun 1944


Yeoman Third Class Petty Officer Raymond R. Honea

Raymond Ronald Honea born 9 November 1919 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas to Alice Adeline Ryan (b. 1877 Texas - d. 1962 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) Age 42 and William Abner Honea (b. 1862 South Carolina - d. 1953 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 57.

1920 Census age 2 months living in JP8 Tarrant County, Texas with his parents, six brothers and two sisters. 1930 Census age 10 living in Loraine, Mitchell County, Texas with his parents. 1935 living in Loraine, Mitchell County, Texas. Graduated Clyde High School class of 1939. 1940 Census age 19 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 18 August 1941 while living at Clyde and working at the Post Exchange of Camp Barkeley, Taylor County, Texas and listed his father, Mr W A Honea of Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Raymond R. Honea nsn-6166131 enlisted in the US Navy on 9 May 1942 and listed his parents, Mr and Mrs W A Honea, Box 251, Clyde, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Trained at Great Lakes, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [nba] .

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[Navy] Yeoman Third Class Petty Officer Raymond R. Honea 6166131 US Navy USS Columbia CL-56 was first assigned 29 July 1942 as an Apprentice Seaman and shipped out to the south Pacific in November 1943. After replenishing at Manus early in November 1944, Columbia returned to Leyte Gulf to protect reinforcement convoys from air attack. In December 1944, operating from Kossol Roads in the Palaus, she covered Army landings on Mindoro, and on 14 December 1944, lost four of her men when a 5-inch (127 mm) gun misfired during an air attack. These were Columbia's first casualties of the war. Y3c Honea was one of the four killed in action on 14 December 1944 and he was buried at sea the next day. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing and Buried at Sea in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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KIA 14 Dec 1944


Sergeant Roy L. Jobe

Roy Lee Jobe born 8 June 1919 in Moran, Shackelford County, Texas to Bessie Henrietta McWhorter(b.1894 Texas-d.1981 Taylor County, Texas) Age 25 and Earl Franklin Jobe(b.1892 Texas-d.1980 Baird, Texas) Age 27.

1920 census Age 6 months living with his parents and one brother in Pct8 Callahan County, Texas. 1930 census Age 10 living with his parents and five siblings in Pct8 Callahan County, Texas. Roy L. Jobe asn-06287353 a divorced white male without dependents born in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas working an amusement job with two years of college education enlisted from US Army Cavalry(enlisted in Cavalry in 1938) into the US Army Air Corps for the Philippine Dept on 21 November 1939. .

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[AirCorps] Sergeant Roy L. Jobe 06287353 US Army Air Corps 28th Bomb Squadron 19th Bomb Group (Heavy) ground hangar force at Clark Airfield, Luzon, Philippines when the Japanese captured the US Army and allied forces in 1942 he became a POW. He survived the Bataan Death March  and the Hell Ship voyage to Japan where he was interred in the POW camp  Nagoya Main Camp Nagoya, Japan. Sgt Jobe's death 3 September 1945 in the POW camp is suspicious, he could have been murdered by his captors, officially DNB. Imperial Japan's surrender on 2 September 1945 was not accepted very well by many Japanese officers, many were tried for atrocities occuring on and about the surrender date. Sgt Jobe's remains were recovered and repatriated to America in 1948, shipped to Putnam, Callahan County, Texas and interred at the Putnam Cemetery on 23 October 1948. About 30 some years later he was moved and reinterred at the Ross Cemetery in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to be in a space next to his mother and father.

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DNB POW 3 Sep 1945


First Lieutenant Roy B. Kendrick

Roy Ballard Kendrick born 19 December 1917 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Sallie Lena McCormick(b.1898 Tuscola, Texas-d.1989 Los Angeles, California) Age 19 and Roy B. Kendrick(b.1887 Clyde, Texas-d.1953 Tuscola, Texas) Age 30.

1920 census Age 2 living with his parents and a sister in JP4 Callahan County, Texas. 1930 census Age 11 living with his parents and two sisters in Pct2 Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living in JP2 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Age 22 living with his parents and a sister and working as a farm hand in JP2 Callahan County, Texas. Roy B. Kendrick asn-18065647 a single white male born Texas in 1917 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a Lab tech with two years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in Dallas, Texas on 27 September 1941. .

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[AirCorps] First Lieutenant Roy B. Kendrick O-724626 US Army Air Forces 400th Bombardment Squadron 90th Bombardment Squadron 5th Air Force pilot of B-24D 41-23875  out of Iron Range Airfield, Australia on 26 December 1942 on a combat bombing mission to target Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. [MACR 16601] During take off, this B-24 clipped the trees causing it to crash into the side of the runway narrowly missing one of the anti-aircraft gun emplacements, the entire crew with the exception of Yeilding was killed on impact and the bomb load aboard exploded causing a large fire. 1Lt Kendrick was buried in a temporary grave 'down under' and repatriated to America in 1948, his remains were reinterred at the Kendrick Cemetery in Denton Valley, Callahan County, Texas on 2 June 1948.

KIA 26 Dec 1942


Seaman First Class Petty Officer Texas T. Kent  

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Texas Thal Kent born 3 August 1925 in Callahan County, Texas to Alice Abbie Jones (b. 1888 Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas - d. 1961 Texas) Age 37 and Charley Alexander Kent (b. 1876 Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas - d. 1980 Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas) Age 49.

1930 census age 4 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and four sisters. 1935 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 14 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and three sisters. Attended Cross Plains High School. Enlisted in the US Navy in March 1943 and listed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charley A. Kent, Cross Plains, Texas, as his next of kin. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman First Class Petty Officer Texas T. Kent 3573912 US Navy (ship assigned unknown) was listed as missing on 16 July 1944 due to drowning at or near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. He was not killed in action due to an enemy action because a Purple Heart is not shown as being awarded him. S1c Kent is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Honolulu Memorial at Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

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DNB MIA 16 Jul 1944


Ship's Cook Third Class Petty Officer William A. Kirkpatrick

William Adrian Kirkpatrick born 11 October 1909 in Oklahoma to Louise L. Marsh (b. 1890 Boston, Arkansas - d. 1958 Greenville, Hunt County, Texas) and John Otie Kirkpatrick (b. 1879 Upshur County, Texas - d. 1958 Greenville, Hunt County, Texas).

1920 Census age 11 living in JP6 Anderson County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and a sister. Attended Putnam schools. 1930 Census age 21 living in Putnam, Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and three sisters, working as an oil field laborer. 1935 living in Rural Callahan County, Texas. Enlisted in the US Navy on 10 January 1940 at Dallas, Texas and listed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kirkpatrick of Putnam, Texas, as his next of kin contact. 1940 Census age 30 living in San Diego, San Diego County, California at the US Naval Training Station as an Apprentice Seaman. Transferred to the USS Houston on 15 June 1940 at Pearl Harbor as an Able Seaman. By 31 December 1941 he had made Ship's Cook Third Class aboard the USS Houston and listed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kirkpatrick. Rt. 2, Campbell, Texas, as his next of kin contact. .

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[Navy] Ship's Cook Third Class Petty Officer William A. Kirkpatrick 3562239 US Navy USS Houston CA-30 location Java where the Houston was sunk by Japanese torpedoes on 1 March 1942. Most of Houston's crew were lost  at sea and the survivors were taken prisoners. The Navy waited until after the war to declare the lost as dead on 15 December 1945. PO Kirkpatrick is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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KIA MIA 1 Mch 1942


Corporal Gordon U. Lawrence  

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Gordon Ulysess Lawrence born 30 August 1922 in Brady, McCulloch County, Texas to Lillie Ora Teague (b. 1890 Austin, Travis County Texas - d. 1970 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 32 and James Washington Lawrence (b. 1881 Fannin County, Texas - d. 1942 Austin, Travis County, Texas) age 41.

1930 Census age 7 living in JP1 Coleman County, Texas with his parents and two brothers. 1935 living rural McCulloch County, Texas. 1940 Census age 17 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his brother William and William's family, working as a farmer. Gordon U. Lawrence asn-18013029 a single white male born Texas in 1922 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmer with one year of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Field Artillery as a private at Ft Sam Houston, Texas on 7 October 1940. Married Miss Lucy E. Knox of Henderson, Texas in 1943 and they had a son. [nba] .

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[Army] Corporal Gordon U. Lawrence 18013029 US Army Battery B 15th Field Artillery Battalion 2nd Infantry Division was wounded  in action in December 1944 in the vicinity of Malmedy, Belgium at the start of the Battle of the Bulge, for his heroic action when wounded he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. His 15th FA Battalion  with the 2nd Division pushed the enemy German forces toward the Rhine River in Germany and he was killed in action on 25 February 1945 in Germany, possibly in the vicinity of Nettersheim. Cpl Lawrence was buried in a temporary grave in Belgium until after the war when in 1947 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas on 6 January 1948. Bronze Star and Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

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KIA 25 Feb 1945


Private First Class Henry F. Martin

Henry Ford Martin born on 5 November 1924 at Hillsboro, Sierra County, New Mexico to unknown.

1935 living in Derry, Sierra County, New Mexico. 1940 census Age 15 living with an uncle Aaron Johnson, and an aunt Ida Johnson, and two cousins in JP6 Cooke County, Texas. Enlisted in the US Marine Corps on 4 November 1942 at Dallas, Texas, the day before his eighteenth birthday, and listed his brother, Mr. Alfred Reed, 1124 N. Dixon St., Gainesville, Texas, as his next of kin contact (His home was listed as Clyde, Texas). He was then sent to a Casual Company of the Recruit Depot, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California. After some training he was a guard at the Mojave Naval Air Station in early 1943, from there he went in July 1943 to the Infantry Training Center at Camp Elliott, San Diego. In October of 1943 he was sent to the 24th Marines in Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. Shipped out to the south Pacific with the Fleet Marine Force in January 1944. .

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[Marines] Private First Class Henry F. Martin 488315 US Marine Corps Company L 3rd Battalion 24th Marines Regiment 4th Marine Division, FMF. During 1944, 3rd Battalion 24th Marines were deployed to the Marshall Islands and participated in the Battles of Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Roi Namur, and Iwo Jima. On Saipan, Marianas Islands, 16 June 1944, the men in Pfc Martin's group were killed by Japanese fire from three dugouts, Pfc Martin fought a single-handed battle and, by his valiant determination, succeeded in cleaning out the treacherous enemy positions and in killing five of the hostile force. He gallantly gave his life for his country. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were reinterred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii on 25 February 1949. Silver Star and Purple Heart.

KIA 16 Jun 1944


Private First Class Luther C. Martin

Luther Carroll Martin III born 30 August 1920 in Haskell County, Texas to Annie E. Jones (b.1880 Lee County, Texas - d. 1959 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) age 40 and Luther Carroll Martin Jr. (b. 1884 Milam County, Texas - d. 1940 Callahan County, Texas) age 36.

1930 Census age 9 living in JP1 Runnels County, Texas with his parents and two sisters. 1935 living in rural Runnels County, Texas. 1940 Census age 19 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a sister and his grandfather. Registered for the draft at Putnam, Callahan County, Texas on 16 February 1942 while living and working there for himself and listed his mother, Mrs. Annie Martin of Baird, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Luther C. Martin asn-38136148 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmer with one year of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 27 August 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Luther C. Martin 38136148 US Army 60th Infantry Regiment 9th Infantry Division. On 30 January 1945 the division jumped off from Monschau, Germany fighting the enemy German forces in a drive toward the Ruhr River. The Ninth Infantry Division crossed the Ruhr River and in early February 1945, captured the Urft Dam, the second largest of the river's massive dams, with the storage of 13 billion gallons of water. Pfc Martin was killed in action on 3 February 1945, possibly in the vicinity of Hammer, Germany. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when his remains were reinterred in the  Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial at Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium.

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KIA 3 Feb 1945


Private First Class Warren Harding Mayfield

Warren Harding Mayfield born on 15 November 1920 at Oplin, Callahan County, Texas to Viola Eliza Jones (b. 18 May 1893 Bosque County, Texas-d. 12 August 1966 Callahan County, Texas) Age 27 and William Hester Mayfield (b. 4 July 1884 Dublin, Erath County, Texas-d. 12 Jun 1963 Houston, Harris County, Texas) Age 36.

1930 census Age 9 living with his parents and eight siblings at JP4 Yoakum County, Texas. 1935 living at JP5 Callahan County, Texas. He finished one year of high school education in Callahan County, Texas and had to quit school to work. 1940 census Age 19 living with his mother and eight siblings at JP5 Callahan County, Texas and working as a nightwatchman. Warren H. Mayfield asn-18014813 a single white male born 1920 in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas and working as truck driver with one year of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Cavalry for Alaska duty as a private at Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 25 October 1940. After training at El Paso's Ft Bliss he was shipped overseas on 3 July 1942 with the Troop E 8th Cavalry Regiment 1st Cavalry Division serving in Australia, New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, Leyte and the Philippines during his three years of overseas duty. .

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[Army] Private First Class Warren Harding Mayfield 18014813 US Army Quartermaster Corps. He had returned to the states and he was ill with disease he had contracted overseas. He was admitted into the US Army hospital at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pfc Mayfield died in the hospital on Tuesday 22 October 1946 of disease (malaria or TB). His body was shipped to Clyde, Callahan County, Texas and buried in the Clyde Cemetery on Thursday 24 October 1946.

DNB 22 Oct 1946


Staff Sergeant James C. Monroe

James Clifford Monroe born 12 January 1920 in Oplin, Callahan County, Texas to Mattie Etna McKinley (b. 1900 - d. 1990 Taylor County, Texas) Age 20 and Seburn Davis Monroe (b. 1893 Blum, Hill County, Texas - d. 1972 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 27.

Attended the Oplin schools. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 1 July 1941 while living at Oplin, Callahan County, Texas and working there for Andrew Johnson and listed his father, S. D. Monroe Rt.2 Clyde, Texas, as his next of kin contact. James C. Monroe asn-38132599 a single white male born Texas in 1920 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmhand with two years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 11 May 1942. Trained at Camp Wolters, Texas then at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Shipped overseas to North Africa on 24 December 1943. [nba] .

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[Army] Staff Sergeant James C. Monroe 38132599 US Army Anti-Tank Company 337th Infantry Regiment 85th Infantry Division Fifth Army. Landed in Casablanca, French Morocco on 2 January 1944, and trained for the amphibious landing at Naples, Italy, arriving on 27 March 1944. The 85th fought the enemy Axis forces and pushed north and reaching Mount Mezzano on 24 October 1944 overlooking the Po River Valley. SSgt Monroe was killed in action on 25 October 1944. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Oplin Cemetery at Oplin, Callahan County, Texas on 15 December 1948. Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

KIA 25 Oct 1944


Corporal Homer G. Neithercutt

Homer G. Neithercutt born 27 December 1921 in Taylor County, Texas to Edna Mae Broadhurst(b.1882 Texas-d.1967 Dallas, Texas) Age 40 and Marvin Loid Neithercutt(b.1879 Missouri-d.1954 Baird, Texas) Age 43.

1930 census (Nuthercuff) Age 8 living with parents and four siblings and his maternal grandfather in Pct4 Taylor County, Texas. 1935 living in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 19 living with his parents and four siblings and two brothers-in-law in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas. Homer G. Neithercutt asn-38231010 a single white male born in Texas in 1921 residing in Nolan County, Texas working as a truck driver with two years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army at Abilene, Texas on 27 October 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Corporal Homer G. Neithercutt 38231010 US Army Air Forces 566th Bombardment Squadron 389th Bombardment Group ground hangar force at Hethel Airfield, England on 21 June 1944 on a combat invasion operation with the target Normandy, France was in a troop carrier boat from Weymouth, England going across the English Channel during stormy weather  when the boat sank, drowning Cpl Neithercutt. No other details found, however, the War Dept's status was Died Non-Battle so the sinking was not due to enemy action. His body was recovered and interred in the  Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, England.

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DNB 21 Jun 1944


Sergeant Robert Nepveu

Robert Nepveu born 11 March 1920 at Suncook, Merrimack County, New Hampshire to mother(unknown) and Edward or Edwin Nepveu(unknown).

Registered for the draft at Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire on 10 November 1941 while living at 59 China St., Suncook, Merrimack County, New Hampshire and working at Concord for Mr. Dunbar, Boston & Maine R.R., and listed his father, Mr. Edwin Nepveu of 59 China St., Suncook, as his next of kin contact. Robert Nepveu asn-20141580 a married white male born New Hampshire in 1920 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a fireman with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Lubbock, Texas on 13 June 1944.

[Army] Sergeant Robert Nepveu 20141580 US Army Company A 310th Infantry Regiment 78th Infantry Division. Killed in action on 14 March 1945 in the 'Battle of the Rhine River'. He was buried in a temporary grave in Belgium until after the war when in 1947 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Saint John the Baptist Cemetery at Allenstown, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Thelma R. Nepveu of Odessa, Texas was notified of his being repatriated. Not known her relation to Sgt Nepveu.

KIA 14 Mch 1945


Staff Sergeant Lloyd E. Newton

Lloyd Elbert Newton born 25 March 1923 in Ozark, Franklin County, Arkansas to Gladys Johnson(b.1898 Texas-d.1997 Texas) Age 27 and Marion Alfred Newton(b.1896 Texas-d.1978 Texas) Age 29.

1930 census Age 7 living with his parents and three siblings in Pct5 Coleman County, Texas. 1940 census Age 17 living with his parents and three siblings in Burkett, Pct5 Coleman County, Texas. Registered for the draft in Callahan County, Texas on 30 June 1942 listing his father as next of kin. Lloyd E. Newton asn-18110354 a single white male born 1923 in Arkansas residing in Callahan County, Texas working in sales with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps in Abilene, Texas on 14 September 1942. Married Jewell Odean Moreland of Starkville, Mississippi. .

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[AirCorps] Staff Sergeant Lloyd E. Newton 18110354 US Army Air Forces 715th Bombardment Squadron 448th Bombardment Group 8th Air Force top turret gunner on the B-24J 42-51247  out of Seething Airfield, England 3 March 1945 on a combat bombing mission to the target at Magdeburg, Germany. [MACR 12885 ] Two of the B-24s in the formation collided mid-air either due to a slip-stream or an enemy fighter causing both to crash 23km north of Salzwedel at Gros-Heide, Germany . SSgt Newton was killed, and he was buried in a temporary grave there until his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 11 December 1949.

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KIA 3 Mar 1945


Private First Class Wayland E. Norwood

Wayland Earl Norwood born 24 August 1925 in Comanche, Comanche County, Texas to Dolla Mae Lloyd (b. 1903 Comanche County, Texas - d. 1987 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 22 and William Earl Norwood (b. 1900 Comanche, Comanche County, Texas - d. 1969 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) age 25.

1930 Census age 4 living in Trent, Taylor County, Texas with his parents and a brother. 1935 living in Trent, Taylor County, Texas. 1940 Census age 14 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother. Graduated from Clyde High School. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 24 August 1943 while living at Clyde and working at Banner Ice Company in Abilene and listed his father of Clyde as his next of kin contact. Wayland Earl Norwood asn-38347638 a single white male born Texas in 1925 residing in Callahan County, Texas working with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Lubbock, Texas on 19 October 1943. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Wayland E. Norwood 38347638 US Army Company F 414th Infantry Regiment 104th Infantry Division. The 104th Infantry Division arrived in France on 7 September 1944. By 16 November 1944 the 104th Division attacked the key German cities of Stolberg, Eschweiler and Weisweiler. They met stubborn resistance from well entrenched German forces in pillboxes and heavily fortified industrial areas and factories, but achieved their objectives by 27 November 1944 and with lower casualties than anticipated. Then the 414th Regiment was ordered to clear through to the Ruhr River and capture the cities of Pier and Schophoven. The fighting for these towns was some of the bitterest encountered by the 414th Infantry Regiment in WW2. Pfc Norwood was killed in action 12 December 1944 in the vicinity of Schophoven, Germany. He was buried in a Belgium graveyard until after the war when in 1947 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 21 November 1947.

KIA 12 Dec 1944


Private Bill D. Odom

Bill Dorse Odom born 14 June 1924 in Denton Valley, Callahan County, Texas to Lola Bessie Klutts (b. 1895 Coleman County, Texas - d. 1983 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 29 and Dorse Pane Odom (b. 1890 Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas - d. 1946 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 34.

1930 Census age 5 living in JP2 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and two brothers. 1935 living in JP2 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 15 living in JP2 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother. Attended school at Denton Valley and his senior year at Baird High School class of 1941. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 30 June 1942 while living at Baird and working at Clyde and listed his father, Mr Dorse Odom of Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Bill D. Odom asn-38635004 a single white male born Texas in 1924 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmer with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Dallas, Texas on 13 September 1944. [nba] .

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[Army] Private Bill D. Odom 38635004 US Army Company L 194th Glider Infantry Regiment 17th Airborne Division. On 24 March of 1945, the Regiment made a landing as part of Operation Varsity, where the US 17th Airborne Division would capture Wesel, Germany. Almost immediately after the regiments jumped off they encountered a relentless fusillade of mortars and artillery by the enemy German forces. The 194th was hit hard and sustained heavy casualties, but they fought on and achieved their objectives. Private Odom was killed in action on 24 March 1945 in the vicinity of Wesel, Germany. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Kendrick Cemetery at Denton Valley, Callahan County, Texas on 15 January 1949.

KIA 24 Mch 1945


Private First Class Arthur A. Parisher

Arthur A. Parisher born 25 August 1915 in Sterling City, Sterling County, Texas to Artie Allie Arrott (b. 1879 Texas - d. 1918 Aubrey, Denton County, Texas) Age 36 and Archie Lee Parisher (b. 1877 San Saba County, Texas - d. 1973 Callahan County, Texas) Age 38.

1930 Census JP5 age 14 living in Callahan County, Texas with his father and stepmother, twin brother and sister. 1935 living in Rural Callahan County, Texas. Attended school at Midway and Clyde. Enlisted in the US Army on 4 December 1939 and trained in Georgia. 1940 Census age 24 living in Ft Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York as a private in the 2nd Battalion 18th Infantry. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Arthur A. Parisher 6954531 US Army 18th Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry Division. On 8 November 1942, the 18th Infantry Regiment (part of the 1st Infantry Division) went ashore at Oran, Algeria. Ensuring that the 18th was one of the first U.S. Army infantry units to engage in combat against Axis forces. The regiment (or elements of the regiment) would experience heavy action over the following seven months at Maktar, Tebourba, Medjez el Bab, the Battle of Kasserine Pass (where American forces were pushed back), and Gafsa. It also participated at El Guettar, Béja, and Mateur. The 18th Infantry Regiment was in combat in the Tunisian Campaign from 21 January 1943 to 9 May 1943, helping secure Tunisia for the Allies. Toward the end of the Tunisian Campaign, Pfc Parisher was killed in action in Tunisia, North Africa on 23 April 1943. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when his remains were reinterred in the  North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial at Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia.

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KIA 23 Apr 1943


Staff Sergeant Marshall V. Phillips

Marshall Vance Phillips born 24 May 1923 in Ranger, Eastland County, Texas to Addie May Potts(b.1898 Kentucky-d. ) Age 25 and Olen Phillips(b.1894 Arkansas-d.1977 Texas) Age 30.

1930 census Age 6 living with his parents and two brothers in Pct2 Eastland County, Texas. 1935 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 15 living with his parents and two brothers in JP8 Callahan County, Texas. Registered for the draft at Stephens County, Texas for the Bell County, Texas board since he was working at Camp Hood in Killeen, Texas on 30 June 1942 listing his father in Breckenridge, Texas as next of kin. Marshall V. Phillips asn-18217434 a single white male born 1923 in Texas residing in Stephens County, Texas working at a filling station with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps at Dallas, Texas on 25 November 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Staff Sergeant Marshall V. Phillips 18217434 US Army Air Forces 728th Bombardment Squadron 452nd Bombardment Group 8th Air Force was the left waist gunner aboard B-17G 42-31352  'Iron Bird' out of Deopham Green, England on 9 April 1944 on a combat bombing mission to the target Poznan, Poland. [MACR 3661] The B-17 was attacked by several FW-190 enemy fighters and both inboard engines were aflame, the pilot tried to extinguish the flames by a whipstall procedure apparently to no avail. The B-17 crashed in the Baltic Sea  off Laaland, Denmark, and all of the crew were lost. SSgt Phillips remains have not been recovered, he is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the  Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, England.

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KIA MIA 9 Apr 1944


Private First Class Mabry L. Potter  

Mabrey Lavelle Potter born 9 April 1921 in Rockwall County, Texas to Annie Viola Simmons (b. 1987 Alabama - d. 1995 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 24 and Ewing Lee Potter (b. 1893 Grapevine, Tarrant County, Texas - d. 1981 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 27.

1935 living in Rural Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 19 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and two sisters, working as a farm hand. Registered for the draft at Callahan County, Texas on 16 February 1942 while living at Cross Plains and being unemployed and listed his father, Mr. Lee Potter Route 2 Cross Plains, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Mabry L. Potter asn-38134336 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farm hand with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 14 July 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Mabry L. Potter 38134336 US Army Company D 83rd Chemical Battalion Army Chemical Warfare Service (per the VA marker application). The 83d Chemical Battalion first activated at Camp Gordon, Georgia on 10 June 1942. After intensive training, it departed the United States on 29 April 1943 for overseas duty, landing in North Africa. The battalion was a supporting unit in the Italian campaign. Pfc Potter was killed in action on 26 January 1944 during the battle of Monte Casina in the Mountains of Italy. (per the newspaper article he was a rifleman in the 36th Infantry Division but the training in Oklahoma is not consistent for the 36th, so there is an unresolved conflict of his unit. The photo of him in the Callahan Courthouse states another unit, the 83rd Infantry Co. B 36 Div.) He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on 11 March 1949.

KIA 26 Jan 1944


Private First Class Jones D. Price

Jones Dicie Price born 3 July 1910 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Frances L. Gilliland (b. 1873 Brown County, Texas - d. 1946 Imperial, California) and Johnathan Richard Price (b. 1866 Millican, Brazos County, Texas - d. 1952 Brawley, Imperial County, California).

1920 Census age 10 living in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas with his mother and six brothers. 1930 Census age 19 living in Van Horn, JP2 Culberson County, Texas with his parents and a brother, working as ranchhand. 1935 living in Lobo, Culberson County, Texas. Married Eleanor 'Nan' McMurry of Connersville, Indiana. 1940 Census age 29 living in JP2 Culberson County, Texas with his wife, working as a ranch cowboy. Registered for the draft at Van Horn, Culberson County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living there and working at Jack Chinn Ranch and listed his mother, Mrs J. R. Price of Van Horn, as his next of kin contact. Jones D. Price asn-38441429 a married white male born Texas in 1910 residing in Culberson County, Texas working as a cowboy with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Texas on 25 June 1943. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Jones D. Price 38441429 US Army Service Troop 12th Cavalry Regiment 1st Cavalry Division. From 20 February 1945 to 12 March 1945, the Cavalry  drew the difficult task of cracking the Shimbu Line a few miles east of Manila and securing a front from Taytay on the north to Antipalo on the south. The goal was to prevent Japanese reinforcements from reaching Manila. The 1st Cavalry Division fought regiment abreast as it destroyed the southern flank of the Shimbu Line. From north to south the units involved included the 5th, 7th, 8th and 12th Cavalry Regiments. During this action near the Antipalo Pass, Pfc Price was killed in action on 8 March 1945. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Ross Cemetery at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 22 April 1949.

KIA 8 Mch 1945


Sergeant Bobbie J. Purvis  

Bobbie Joe Purvis (aka Robert Joseph Purvis) born 1 July 1924 in Roscoe, Nolan County, Texas to Sarah Ellen Reed(b.1879 Burnet, Texas-d.1927 Roscoe, Texas) Age 50 and Lafayette Monroe Purvis(b.1876 Arkansas-d.1975 Cross Plains, Texas) Age 48.

1930 census Age 5 living with his father and six siblings in Pct3 Callahan County, Texas. Registered Age 18 for the WW2 draft in Los Angeles, California on 15 December 1942, while working for the Lockheed Aircraft Corp in Burbank, listed his father in Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas as next of kin. Entered the US Army Air Forces in 1944. .

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[AirCorps] Sergeant Bobbie J. Purvis 38608835 US Army Air Forces 767th Bombardment Squadron 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy) 15th Air Force was the Upper Turret Gunner aboard B-24J 42-51838 'Natural' out of Torretta, Italy 31 March 1945 on a combat bombing mision to the target Linz, Austria. [MACR 13485 ] The formation was over the Adriatic Sea  not halfway to the target when it encountered rough weather and had to seperate to avoid colision and Sgt Purvis's aircraft was last seen going down. The B-24 crashed into the sea and all of the crew were killed , status remains MIA for each one. Sgt Purvis is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the  Florence American Cemetery in Florence, Italy.

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KIA MIA 31 Mar 1945


Second Lieutenant Robert L. Pyle  

Robert Lewis Pyle born in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas on 26 July 1923 to Elizabeth Edwards(b.1893-d.1971) Age 30 and Earl W. Pyle(b.1892-d.1972) Age 31.

1930 census Age 6 living with parents in Melrose, Pct5 Curry County, New Mexico. 1935 living in the same house as the 1940 census. 1940 census Age 16 living with his parents in Cross Cut, JP8 Brown County, Texas. Robert Lewis Pyle born 26 July 1923 in San Antonio, Texas being a white male age 18 5'11" 145 Lbs. with a light brown complexion black hair and brown eyes working at the Texas State Highway Dept. residing in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas registered for WW2 draft on 10 June 1942, listing E W Pyle next of kin. Robert L. Pyle asn-18202763 a white male residing in Callahan County, Texas enlisted from the reserves into the US Army Air Corps at Dallas, Texas on 1 February 1943. Accepted in the Air Corps pilot training preflight school at Santa Ana, California. .

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[AirCorps] Second Lieutenant Robert Lewis Pyle O-776034 US Army Air Forces 422nd Base Unit Tonopah Army Air Field, Nye County, Arizona died in a B-24 plane crash there on 19 August 1944. His remains were shipped to his hometown Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas and interred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park Cemetery.

DNB 19 Aug 1944


Staff Sergeant James L. Rawson  

eastland service book page 119

James Landon Rawson born 3 September 1919 in Davis, Murray County, Oklahoma to Susan Melvin Robbins (b. 1879 Blanco, Blanco County, Texas - d. 1963 Cisco, Eastland County, Texas) Age 40 and James Franklin Rawson (b. 1878 Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas - d. 1953 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 41.

1920 Census age 4 months living in Allen, Murray County, Oklahoma with his parents, three brothers and two sisters. 1930 Census age 10 living in JP6 Eastland County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and a sister. 1935 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 20 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother, not working. Registered for the draft at Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Putnam and not working and listed his father, Mr. James Franklin Rawson of Putnam, as his next of kin contact. James L. Rawson asn-38035041 a single white male born Oklahoma in 1919 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a sheet metal worker with four years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Dallas, Texas on 19 November 1940. Married Daisy Lorene Wood on 10 October 1942 in Paris, Lamar County, Texas they had a daughter. [nba] .

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[Army] Staff Sergeant James L. Rawson 38035041 US Army Company B 1st Battalion 405th Infantry Regiment 102nd Infantry Division. The 102nd Infantry Division arrived at Cherbourg, France, 23 September 1944, and, after a short period of training near Valognes, moved to the German-Netherlands border. On 26 October 1944, elements attached to other divisions entered combat action against the enemy German forces and on 3 November 1944 the Division assumed responsibility for the sector from the Wurm River to Waurichen. A realinement of sectors and the return of elements placed the 102nd in full control of its units for the first time, 24 November 1944, as it prepared for an attack to the Roer River. The attack jumped off, 29 November 1944, and carried the Division to the river through Welz, Flossdorf, and Linnich, Germany. SSgt Rawson was killed in action at or near Linnich, Germany on 3 December 1944. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when his remains were reinterred in the  Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial at Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands.

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KIA 3 Dec 1944


Seaman Second Class Petty Officer John E. Ray

John Elmer Ray Jr. born 29 May 1921 in Plainview, Hale County, Texas to Mary Bell Trotter (b. 1881 Seveirville, Sevier County, Tennessee - d. 1980 Tulsa, Osage County, Oklahoma) age 34 and John Elmer Ray (b. 1890 Fayette County, Texas - d. 1930 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 32.

1930 Census age 8 living in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas with his parents and a sister. 1935 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 18 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his mother and his uncle John Trotter, not working. Graduated from Clyde High School class of 1941. Registered for the draft at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 16 February 1942 while living at Clyde and working at Camp Barkley, Taylor County, Texas and listed his mother, Mrs J. E. Ray of Clyde, as his next of kin contact. John Elmer Ray nsn-6250770 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Callahan County, Texas, listed his mother, Mrs. Mary Bell Ray, Box 201, Clyde, Texas, as his next of kin contact, enlisted from civilian life into the US Navy at Texas in August 1942. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman Second Class Petty Officer John Elmer Ray 6250770 USS Nassau (ACV-16) returned to Pearl Harbor 14 February 1943, embarked personnel and aircraft, and sailed 21 February on a ferry mission to Espiritu Santo. She returned to Pearl Harbor in mid-March and then continued on to Alameda, California. In April, she moved to San Diego and conducted flight training operations. S2c Ray was aboard Nassau and was killed in an aircraft crash on the deck 21 April 1943, the captain had him buried at sea, which makes him accounted for. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing and Buried at Sea in the World War II  West Coast Memorial at San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.

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DNB 21 Apr 1943


Radioman Second Class Petty Officer Joe Boyce Ross

Joe Boyce Ross born 2 March 1921 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Margaret Clement (b. 1901 Moran, Shackelford County, Texas - d. 1938 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) age 19 and Thomas Jefferson Ross (b. 1897 Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas - d. 1932 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) age 24.

1930 Census age 9 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers and a sister. 1935 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas. His mother was killed in the Clyde tornado of 1938 which he barely survived through. Graduated from McCamey High School class of 1939 with support by his uncle, Mr. J. C. Mobley of Abilene. Enlisted in the US Navy in September 1939 and listed his Aunt, Mrs. Linnie Morine Goble, Gen. Del., Baird, Texas, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Radioman Second Class Petty Officer Joe Boyce Ross 3561593 US Navy USS California BB-44, flagship of the Battle Force, was hit forward and aft by two Japanese torpedoes in the early minutes of the Pearl Harbor raid. She was later hit by a bomb and near-missed by another, which caused additional flooding. Though her design included very good protection against underwater damage, California's actual condition was much less satisfactory, with many watertight compartments open and some design details proving unable to resist the effects of torpedo warheads. California had steam up and was nearly ready to get underway when a large mass of burning oil, drifting down 'Battleship Row', threatened to set the ship afire. She was ordered abandoned, and, when the crew returned on board sometime later, it was impossible to control her flooding. Nearly a hundred of her officers and men were killed in action during the Pearl Harbor attack on 7 December 1941, including RM2 Ross. Whenever he was recovered he was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when is remains were reinterred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

KIA 7 Dec 1941


First Lieutenant Lloyd W. Rutledge

Lloyd Willard Rutledge born 4 March 1916 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Donnie Charlotte Bishop(b.1881 Texas-d.1957 Seminole, Texas) Age 35 and Eli Ford Rutledge(b.1952 May, Texas-d.1952 Callahan County, Texas) Age 35.

1920 census Age 3 living with his parents and seven siblings in JP1 Callahan County, Texas. 1930 census Age 14 living with his parents and six siblings in Pct5 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 24 Sergeant US Army living in Camp Kilauea, H22 Hawaii, Hawaii.Territory. Married Alice Marie Van Buskirk 1941-2, daughter Helen M. born Nov 1942 Taylor County, Texas, son Lloyd R. born 1944. Stationed at Camp Barkeley in 1942. .

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[AirCorps] First Lieutenant Lloyd W. Rutledge O-394018 US Army Air Forces 50th Troop Carrier Squadron 314th Troop Carrier Group 9th Air Force was the co-pilot aboard C-47A 43-48056  Sky Train assigned to 3rd Troop Carrier Path Finding Sqn, IX Troop Carrier Path Finding Group on 23 December 1944 out of Membury Airfield, England on a combat resupply mission to a drop zone southeast of Bastogne, Belgium . [MACR 11025 ] After a successful drop of supplies the C-47 was hit by enemy anti-aircraft flak near the cockpit which set it aflame and sent it into a fatal dive. 1Lt Rutledge and the other five crewmen were killed . Lt. Rutledge was buried in a temporary grave and repatriated to America in 1949. He was reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on 30 July 1949.

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KIA 23 Dec 1944


Corporal Carl L. Shipp

Carl L. Shipp born on 22 October 1921 at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas to Lulu May Howard(b.1880 Illinois-d.1925 Galveston, Texas) Age 41 and William Walter Shipp(b.1880 Bell County, Texas-d.1961 Cleburne, Texas) Age 41.

Carl L. Shipp asn-18005342 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Callahan County, Texas working with two years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Field Artillery for the Philippine Department as a private at Dallas, Texas on 13 July 1940. Trained at Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma.

[Army] Corporal Carl L. Shipp 18005342 US Army Battery D 29th Battalion 7th Training Regiment. Cpl Shipp died in a post hospital at Ft Sill, Oklahoma on 14 February 1942 after a Cystoscopy. His body was shipped to Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas and interred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park. Hiram Shipp of Cross Plains signed the headstone application.

DNB 14 Feb 1942


Technician Fifth Grade Jackson P. Shrader

Jackson Petway Shrader born 31 December 1916 in Scranton, Eastland County, Texas to Ila Frances Ray (b. 1890 Scranton, Eastland County, Texas - d. 1984 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 26 and John Hammond Shrader (b. 1890 Dexter, Cooke County, Texas - d. 1968 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 26.

1920 Census age 3 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother. 1930 Census age 13 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and three sisters. (The family address was rural route out of Scranton, which is east of the county line, but they lived in Callahan County) Registered for the draft at Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Fort Worth and working at Montgomery Ward and listed his father, Mr. John Hammond Shrader of Cisco, Eastland County, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Jackson P. Shrader asn-38039121 a single white male born Texas in 1916 residing in Tarrant County, Texas working as a clerk with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Dallas, Texas on 24 February 1941. [nba] .

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[Army] Technician Fifth Grade Jackson P. Shrader 38039121 US Army HQ Company Medical Detachment 143rd Infantry Regiment 36th Infantry Division landed on the beach at Paestum, Italy on 9 September 1943 against intense opposition by the enemy Axis forces, starting the battle for Salerno. Cpl Shrader was killed in action on 16 September 1943 in the vicinity of Salerno. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Scranton Cemetery at Scranton, Eastland County, Texas on Friday 13 August 1948.

KIA 16 Sep 1943


Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Rufus C. Shrum

Rufus Calvin Shrum born 21 October 1923 in Thalia, Foard County, Texas to Minnie Lee Johnson (b. 1904 Montague County, Texas - d. 1981 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 19 and William Oscar Shrum (b. 1897 Cooke County, Texas - d. 1987 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 26.

1930 Census age 6 living in JP8 Cooke County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1935 living in Rural Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 16 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother, two sisters and his grandfather Johnson. Registered for the draft at Oplin, Callahan County, Texas on 30 June 1942 while living at Clyde and not working and listed his father, W. O. Shrum Rt.2 Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Married Miss Mary Wyvonne 'Bonnie' Whitley on 7 August 1943 in Callahan County, Texas. Rufus C. Shrum nsn-9394658 a married white male born Texas in 1923 residing in Callahan County, Texas enlisted from civilian life into the US Navy at HERE, Texas on DATE, and listed his wife, Mrs. Mary Wyvon Shrum, c/o J. M. Whitley, Rt. 2, Clyde, Texas, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Rufus C. Shrum 9394658 USS Bismarck Sea CVE-95, location Bonin & Volcano Islands, was aboard and crusing off of Iwo Jima when hit by two Japanese kamikazes within two minutes of each other sinking the USS Bismarck Sea  with 318 of her crew lost, 26 of them from Texas , including Seaman Shrum. He was one of the sailors missing and declared killed in action on 21 February 1945. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Honolulu Memorial at Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

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KIA MIA 21 Feb 1945


Private First Class Woodrow M. Slaughter  

Woodrow 'Mutt' Marshall Slaughter born 20 June 1918 Chautauqua (aka Vigo), Callahan County, Texas to Alice Lamantha Holly (b. 1893 Callahan County, Texas - d. 1951 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 25 and Clyde Vance Slaughter (b. 1891 Marble Falls, Burnet County, Texas - d. 1968 Denton Valley, Callahan County, Texas) age 27.

1920 Census age 1 living in JP8 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and a brother. 1930 Census in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and a sister. 1935 living in Cross Plains, JP6 Callahan County, Texas. Attended the Cross Plains Schools. Joined the National Guard 1939 or 1940. 1940 Census age 21 living in Cross Plains, JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister, working as vocational teacher's helper. Woodrow M. Slaughter asn-20804664 a single white male born Texas in 1918 residing in Callahan County, Texas working unknown with a grammar school education enlisted from the National Guard into the US Army Infantry as a private at Coleman, Texas on 25 November 1940. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Woodrow M. Slaughter 20804664 US Army Company B 142nd Infantry Regiment 36th Infantry Division. Between 15 November and 31 December 1943, the 36th Division captured Mount Maggiore, Mount Lungo, and the village of San Pietro, Italy despite strong enemy positions and severe winter weather. This was a grueling campaign, in which Pfc Slaughter was killed in action against the enemy Axis forces on 6 December 1943. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Cross Plains Memorial Park at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on Saturday 5 March 1949.

KIA 6 Dec 1943


Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Duward L. Smith

Duward Lee Smith born 24 July 1924 Hood County, Texas to Annie Mae Sevier (b. 1895 Ellis County, Texas - d. 1943 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 29 and John Morgan Smith (b. 1885 Hood County, Texas - d. 1952 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 39. (dob was calculated by dj using the swag method).

1930 Census age 5 living in JP1 Nolan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and a sister. 1935 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census age 15 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother, a sister and her son. Enlisted in the US Navy on 25 July 1941 at Dallas, Texas and listed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Smith, Rt. 3, Abilene, Texas, as his next of kin contact. Trained at the Naval Station in San Diego, California. Reported for duty on the USS New Orleans on 27 September 1941, and transferred to USS Astoria for duty on 6 July 1942. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Duward L. Smith 3566329 USS Astoria CA-34, location Solomon Islands. The Astoria was a cruiser along with others in a defensive posture off Savo Island to help protect transport ships and the marines involved in the Guadalcanal invasion. These US Navy ships were surprised by the Jap Navy in a midnight attack on 9 August 1942. It was a sea-battle which the US Navy lost, and the sinking of several US ships. S2c Smith was one of the many sailors lost  that night in the 'Battle of Savo Island', he was statused as missing. The War Dept issued a FOD, finding of death, after one year plus one day, declaring him dead 10 August 1943. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

KIA MIA 9 Aug 1942


Seaman First Class Petty Officer Marvin R. Smith  

Marvin Ray Smith born 22 September 1922 in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas to Martha Aleta Lillian Swafford (b. 1900 Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas - d. 1994 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 22 and William Earl Smith (b. 1897 Denton County, Texas - d. 1961 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 25.

1930 Census age 7 living in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and three sisters. 1935 living in Rural Callahan County, Texas. A star athlete at Cross Plains High School where he graduated class of 1940. 1940 Census age 17 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother and four sisters. Enlisted in the US Navy on 16 November 1940 and listed his father, Mr. William Earl Smith, Rt. 1, Cross Plains, Texas as his next of kin contact. Trained for six weeks at the Naval Training Station in San Diego, California and then transferred to the USS Arizona on 11 January 1941. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman First Class Petty Officer Marvin R. Smith 3564263 US Navy USS Arizona BB-39, location Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Islands was killed and statused as missing  7 December 1941. S1c Smith is remembered in the USS Arizona Memorial and the  Honolulu Memorial at Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

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KIA MIA 7 Dec 1941


Technician Fifth Grade Alton R. Stallings

Alton Raymond Stallings born 25 May 1918 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Willie Elizabeth 'Bettie' Hamilton (b. 1883 Navarro County, Texas - d. 1943 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 35 and Charles Lecoma Stallings (b. 1877 Dudleyville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama - d. 1957 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) age 40.

1920 Census age 1 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and two sisters. 1930 Census age 11 living in JP2 Jack County, Texas with his parents and three sisters. Graduated from Clyde High School class of 1937. Attended Decatur Baptist College. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Abilene and working at Telephone & Electric Company in Baird and listed his mother, Mrs. C. L. Stallings of Rt.2 Abilene, as his next of kin contact. Alton R. Stallings asn-38072144 a single white male born Texas in 1918 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a lineman with one year of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 10 February 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Technician Fifth Grade Alton R. Stallings 38072144 US Army Battery C 987th Field Artillery Battalion, minus its 155mm self-propelled guns, left Camp Bowie, Texas 17 February 1944, and five days later arrived at Camp Shanks, New York, where it prepared for shipment overseas. On 13 March 1944, the 987th sailed from New York Harbor with several thousand other servicemen and women aboard the converted French luxury liner SS Lle de France, bound for an unescorted crossing of the North Atlantic. After outrunning several German U-boats, the SS Lle de France, after nine days at sea, arrived at Greenock, Scotland on 22 March 1944. Upon debarking, the battalion traveled by rail to Camp Bulwark at Chepstow in the south of Wales, where it remained just three weeks before being sent to Clacton-on-Sea, England, on the North Sea coast of England. At that location, it worked with the British 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and waterproofed its vehicles, including its M-12 155mm self-propelled guns mounted on Sherman tank chassis that it received on 2 May 1944, all in preparation for the invasion of Normandy, France. Cpl Stallings became very ill and was shipped to the hospital at North Mymms, England where he died on 14 June 1944 of lymphatic leukemia. He was buried in a temporary grave near Brookwood until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on Tuesday 18 January 1949.

DNB 14 Jun 1944


Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Everett Neil Strahan  

service book page 29

Everett Neil Strahan born 28 November 1925 in Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas to Martha Irene Everett (b. 1903 Rising Star, Eastland County, Texas - d. 1985 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) Age 22 and Oral Donnell Strahan (b. 1892 Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas - d. 1970 Temple, Bell County, Texas) Age 33.

1930 Census age 4 living in JP3 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and three brothers. 1935 living in JP3 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 14 living in JP3 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and three brothers. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 30 November 1943 while living at Cottonwood and not working and listed his father, Mr. O. D. Strahan of Cottonwood, as his next of kin contact. Everett Neil Strahan nsn-9393199 a single white male born Texas in 1925 residing in Callahan County, Texas with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Navy at Lubbock, Texas on 17 March 1944 and listed his parents, Mr.&Mrs. Oral D. Strahan of Cottonwood, as his next of kin contact. Trained at the Naval Training Station at San Diego, California for a few weeks and shipped to Pearl Harbor for more training, then transferred to the USS Monaghan on 31 May 1944. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Everett Neil Strahan 9393199 USS Monaghan DD-354 location Philippine Sea was lost at sea when the Monaghan and two other US Navy ships were sunk by a typhoon on 18 December 1944. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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DNB MIA 18 Dec 1944


Private First Class Sidney R. Teague  

Sidney Ray Teague born 6 December 1925 near Hamlin, Jones County, Texas to Clare McLendon (b. 1898 Texas - 1981 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 27 and Ray Sylvester Teague (b. 1894 Cottonwood, Callahan County, Texas - d. 1974 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 31.

1935 living in Royston, JP6 Fisher County, Texas. 1940 Census age 14 living in Royston, JP6 Fisher County, Texas with his parents, a brother and two sisters. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 6 December 1943 while living at Cross Plains and working at their farm while attending senior class and listed his father, Mr. R. S. Teague Rt.1 Cross Plains, as his next of kin contact. Graduated from Cross Plains High School class of 1944 one month early. Sidney R. Teague asn-38695191 a single white male born Texas in 1925 residing in Callahan County, Texas working with three years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Sill, Oklahoma on 10 April 1944. Trained several months at Camp Hood, Texas. Shipped out to England on 9 December 1944. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Sidney R. Teague 38695191 US Army Company B 304th Infantry Regiment 76th Infantry Division. The 76th Infantry Division arrived in England, 20 December 1944, where it received additional training. It landed at Le Havre, France, 12 January 1945, and proceeded to Champlon, Belgium, 23 January 1945, to prepare for combat. Driving across the Kyll River, the division took Hosten, 3 March, Speicher on 5 March and Karl, Germany on 10 March 1945, then swung south and cleared the area north of the Mosel River. Pfc Teague was killed in action against the enemy German forces in the vicinity of Bruch, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany on 14 March 1945. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1948 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Abilene Municipal Cemetery at Abilene, Taylor County, Texas on Saturday 28 August 1948.

KIA 14 Mch 1945


Private First Class Raymond C. Tennison  

Raymond Chester Tennison born 6 November 1925 in Sipe Springs, Comanche County, Texas to Jennie Mae Decker (b. 1899 Tennessee - d. 1969 Coleman, Coleman County, Texas) age 27 and Ira Marks Tennison (b. 1896 Comanche County, Texas - d. 1968 Coleman, Coleman County, Texas) age 30.

1930 Census age 4 living in JP7 Eastland County, Texas with his parents, four brothers and two sisters. 1935 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 14 living in JP6 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, five brothers and two sisters. Registered for the draft at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas on 10 November 1943 while living at Cross Plains and working at their farm and listed his father, Mr. I. M. Tennison of Cross Plains, as his next of kin contact. Raymond C. Tennison asn-38608399 a single white male born Texas in 1925 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmer with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Lubbock, Texas on 26 January 1944. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Raymond C. Tennison 38608399 US Army Company B 309th Infantry Regiment 78th Infantry Division. The 78th embarked for the European Theatre from the New York POE on 14 October 1944, whereupon they sailed for England. They arrived on 26 October 1944, and after further training crossed to France on 22 November 1944. After landing in France, the division moved to Tongeren, Belgium on 27 November 1944, and to Roetgen, Germany on 7 December 1944, to prepare for combat. The 309th Infantry Regiment relieved elements of the 1st Division in the line in the vicinity of Entenpfuhl, 12 December 1944, the regiment smashed into Simmerath, Witzerath, and Bickerath and was fighting for Kesternich. The 78th held the area it had taken from the Siegfried Line against German attacks throughout the winter. Pfc Tennison was killed in action in the vicinity of Kesternich, Germany on 26 January 1945. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when his remains were reinterred in the  Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial at Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands.

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KIA 26 Jan 1945


Private First Class Clarence A. Waggoner

Clarence 'Dupe' Abner Waggoner born 14 May 1905 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Rosa Etta Burnett (b. 1884 Tennessee - d.1966 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 22 and James Earl Waggoner (b. 1879 Nashville, Tennessee - d. 1954 Baird, Callahan County, Texas) Age 26.

1910 Census age 5 living in JP4 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and two brothers. 1920 Census age 14 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and five brothers. Attended Clyde Schools. Registered for the draft at Throckmorton, Throckmorton County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Throckmorton and working at Throckmorton for R. A. Brown Cattle Company as a cowboy and listed his father, Mr. J. E. Waggoner of RFD.1 Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Clarence A. Waggoner asn-38082111 a single white male born Texas in 1905 residing in Throckmorton County, Texas working as a farm hand with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Camp Wolters, Texas on 3 February 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Clarence A. Waggoner 38082111 US Army 21st Infantry Regiment 24th Infantry Division. On 20 October 1944, the division was paired with the 1st Cavalry Division within X Corps, and the two divisions made an assault landing at Leyte, initially encountering only light resistance. Following a defeat at sea on 26 October, the Japanese launched a large, uncoordinated counteroffensive against the Sixth Army. The 24th Division drove up the Leyte Valley, advanced to Jaro and captured Breakneck Ridge on 12 November 1944, in heavy fighting. Pfc Waggoner was killed in action on 10 November 1944 in the Leyte Valley near Breakneck Ridge , Leyte Island, Philippines. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Callahan County, Texas on Wednesday 29 September 1948.

KIA 10 Nov 1944


Second Lieutenant Robert Walls

Robert Walls born 20 June 1918 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Melba Farmer(b.1895 Brown County, Texas-d.1976 Taylor County, Texas) Age 23 and William Vincent Walls(b.1883 Alabama-d.1958 Baird, Texas) Age 35.

1920 census Age 1 living with his parents and one brother in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. 1930 census Age 11 living with his parents and five siblings in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living with his parents and siblings in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 21 living with his parents and four siblings in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. Registered for the draft in Baird, Texas on 16 October 1940 listed his father as next of kin. Robert Walls asn-38029375 a single white male born 1918 in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas working in sales with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas on 18 March 1941. .

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[AirCorps] Second Lieutenant Robert Walls O-684582 529th Bombardment Squadron 380th Bombardment Group 5th Air Force was the co-pilot aboard B-24D 42-41225  'Sunshine I' on 8 March 1944 out of Nadzab Airfield, Papua New Guinea on a combat bombing mission to target Dagua Airfield , Papua New Guinea. [MACR 3309] The B-24 was hit by anti-aircraft flak and last seen aflame and going down. The crew was listed as missing in action having crashed into the sea off the target area. 2Lt Walls and the crew are remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the  Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He also has a cenotaph memorial at the Ross Cemetery in Baird, Texas.

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KIA MIA 8 Mar 1944


Machinist's Mate Second Class Petty Officer Thomas R. Warren

Thomas 'Tommie' Reed Warren born 28 October 1916 in Baird, Callahan County, Texas to Ruth Catherine French (b. 1885 Texas - d. 1974 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) and Herbert Archer Warren (b. 1884 Mount Willing, Alabama - d. 1979 Baird, Callahan County, Texas).

1920 Census age 3 living in JP1 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, two brothers and a sister. 1930 Census age 13 living in Baird, Callahan County, Texas with his parents, four brothers and a sister. Graduated class of 1934 from Baird High School. 1935 living same house. 1940 Census age 23 living in Baird, JP1 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, three brothers, an uncle and a sister. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 16 October 1940 while living at Baird and working at Baird for T.R. French and listed his father, Mr. Herbert A. Warren P.O.Box 893 Baird, as his next of kin contact. Thomas R. Warren nsn-6161360 a single white male born Texas in 1916 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a lineman with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Navy in Texas on 1 January 1942, and listed his father, Mr. H. A. Warren, Box 993, Baird, Texas, as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Machinist's Mate Second Class Petty Officer Thomas R. Warren nsn-6161360 US Navy USS Edward Rutledge AP-52, Algerian-Morocco Landings, North Africa. On 12 November 1942 the Edward Rutledge was torpedoed  by a German sub U-130 commanded by Ernst Kals who slipped past the escort screen to sink three transports. Edward Rutledge's crew attempted to beach her but all power had been lost, she settled rapidly by the stern and sank with the loss of 15 men. MM2 Warren was listed as missing in action. The War Dept issued a FOD, finding of death, one year plus one day after the sinking to declare him dead on 13 November 1943. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial at Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia.

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KIA MIA 12 Nov 1942


Flight Officer Alton V. Watson

Alton Vernon Watson born 21 April 1921 in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas to Lucy H(b.1889 Tennessee-d.1973 Brownwood, Texas) Age 32 and James H Watson(b.1880 Coryell County, Texas-d.1958 Clyde, Callahan County, Texas) Age 41.

1935 living in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 18 living with his parents in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas. Alton V. Watson asn-18038397 a single white male born 1921 in Texas residing in Callahan County, Texas and working in a movie theater with four years of high school education enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in Fort Worth, Texas on 14 January 1941. .

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[AirCorps] Flight Officer Alton V. Watson T-060472 US Army Air Forces 70th Bombardment Squadron 42nd Bombardment Group 13th Air Force was the co-pilot aboard B-24D 41-30211  out of Stirling Island Air Field, Solomon Islands on 11 April 1944 for a test flight to test out the trim on the B-25. [MACR 3793 ] After takeoff they were not seen nor heard from again and are believed to have crashed into the sea, for an unknown reason, near Stirling Island. FLO Watson is remembered on the Walls of the Missing at the  Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.

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DNB MIA 11 Apr 1944


Private First Class Odell R. Webb

Odell Raymond Webb born 27 March 1920 in Potosi, Taylor County, Texas to Nannie Bell Johnson (b. 1889 Marlin, Falls County, Texas - d. 1967 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 32 and William McDaniel Webb (b. 1872 Bloomer, Sabastian County, Arkansas - d. 1950 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 46.

1930 Census age 10 living in JP7 Taylor County, Texas with his parents, four brothers and grandmother Mary Johnson. 1935 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 20 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents and three brothers. Registered for the draft at Baird, Callahan County, Texas on 1 July 1941 while living at Clyde and working at his father's farm and listed his father, Mr. W. M. Webb Rt.1 Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Odell R. Webb asn-38072150 a single white male born Texas in 1920 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a farmhand with a grammar school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private at Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas on 10 February 1942. [nba] .

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[Army] Private First Class Odell R. Webb 38072150 US Army Company C 1st Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Division. The 35th Infantry, under the Northern Landing Force, took part in the capture of Vella Lavella Island of the Solomon Islands from the enemy Japanese forces, 15 August to 15 September 1943. Pfc Webb was killed in action on 4 September 1943 on the Vella Lavella Island. He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Potosi Cemetery at Potosi, Taylor County, Texas on Tuesday 26 April 1949. Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

KIA 4 Sep 1943


Staff Sergeant Bob W. Welch

Bob William Welch born 11 February 1924 in Callahan County, Texas to Winnie Fay Lucas(b.1898 Texas-d.1928 San Angelo, Texas) Age 26 and Charles Owens Welch(b.1896 Texas-d.1977 Nolan County, Texas) Age 28.

1930 census Age 6 living with his father and seven siblings in Midland, Midland County, Texas. 1935 living in in Midland, JP1 Midland County, Texas. 1940 census Age 16 living with his father, step-mother, four siblings, and two step-brothers in Midland, JP1 Midland County, Texas. Registered for the draft in Midland, Texas on 30 June 1942 and listed his father as next of kin. Bob W. Welch asn-18184792 a single white male born Texas in 1924 and residing in Midland County, Texas working as farm labor with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps at Lubbock, Texas on 26 November 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Staff Sergeant Bob W. Welch 18184792 US Army Air Forces 529th Bombardment Squadron 380th Bombardment Group was a gunner aboard B-24D 41-24123  on 17 January 1944 when the B-24 made a crash  landing at Long Strip Air Field , NT, Australia. SSgt Welch and four other crew men were killed . His remains were recovered and buried in a temporary grave and after WW2 reinterred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Hawaii.

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KIA 17 Jan 1944


Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Merel L. White

Merel Lee White born 23 December 1923 in Sidney, Comanche County, Texas to Mabel Permelia Turner (b. 1894 Sidney, Comanche County, Texas - d. 1960 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 29 and Aaron Rufus White (b. 1891 Newburg, Comanche County, Texas - d 1948 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas) age 33.

1930 Census age 6 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a brother, a sister and grandmother Lula Turner. 1935 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas. 1940 Census age 16 living in JP5 Callahan County, Texas with his parents, a sister and grandmother Lula Turner. Registered for the draft at Callahan County, Texas on 3 June 1942 while living at Eula with mail address of Rt.1 Clyde and working for Mr. Barren in Abilene and listed his mother, Mrs. Mabel White of Rt.1 Clyde, as his next of kin contact. Merel L. White nsn-8391024 a single white male born Texas in 1923 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a serviceman enlisted from civilian life into the US Navy at Texas on 23 January 1943 and listed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Rufus White, Rt. 1, Clyde, Texas as his next of kin contact. [nba] .

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[Navy] Seaman Second Class Petty Officer Merel L. White 8391024 USS John Penn APA-23, New Georgia Group Operation, location Solomon Islands. The John Penn was anchored off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal on 13 August 1943 at about 9:20 p.m. as they had just finished unloading cargo when attacked by enemy Japanese B5N Kate torpedo planes from several directions. One downed Jap plane crashed onto the ship and another dropped a torpedo into a cargo hold. The explosions caused plenty of damage to sink the John Penn  at 9:50 p.m., 98 men from the John Penn were listed as killed or missing in action. S2c White was listed as missing in action on 13 August 1943. The War Dept issued a FOD, finding of death, one year plus one day after the sinking to declare him dead on 14 August 1944. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in the  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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KIA MIA 13 Aug 1943


Second Lieutenant Myer R. Winkelman

Myer Rolnick Winkelman born 16 Aug 1921 in Allen, Oklahoma to Fannie Lee(b.1891 Texas-d.1970 Arizona) Age 30 and William Winkelman(b.1884 Romania-d.1972 Arizona) Age 42.

1930 census Age 8 living with his parents and four siblings in Hobart, Kiowa County, Oklahoma. Registered for the draft in Odessa, Ector County, Texas on 16 Feb 1942 and listed his mother as next of kin. Myer R. Winkelman asn-18075960 a single white male born Oklahoma in 1921 residing in Winkler County, Texas and working in sales with one year of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps in Lubbock, Texas on 12 May 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Second Lieutenant Myer R. Winkelman O-688887 US Army Air Forces 504th Fighter Squadron 339th Fighter Group 8th Air Force was piloting fighter P-51D 44-13521  on 13 August 1944 out of Fowlmere Air Field, England on a combat bombing and strafing mission to the target Beauvis, France. [MACR 7775 ] During a bombing run 2Lt Winkelman's P-51 took a hit, it is speculated that flying shrapnel from the bombs being dropped hit a wing, but officially the cause is unknown. He was last seen in the vicinity of Feuquieres, France  by his mates north of Beauvis about 20km, but the Germans say the crash site was 20km east of Beauvis, France. 2Lt Winkelman was buried in a temporary grave in the Beauvis Cemetery and after WW2 his remains were reinterred at the  Epinal American Cemetery in Lorraine, France.

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KIA 13 Aug 1944


Second Lieutenant Alvin T. Young

Alvin T. Young (aka Alvus T. Nick Young) born 18 April 1916 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Carrie May Gillit(b.1887 Texas-d.1977 Abilene, Texas) Age 29 and Alvus E. Young(b.1876 Texas-d.1958 Abilene, Texas) Age 40.

1920 census Age 3 living with his parents and one brother in JP5 Callahan County, Texas. 1930 census Age 13 living with his parents and his paternal grandfather in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas. Married Marjorie Hart in Callahan County, Texas on 25 October 1935, had a son Robert Alvis Young. 1940 census Age 23 living with his wife and son in Crane, Pct1 Crane County, Texas working as a tool dresser in oil production. .

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[AirCorps] Second Lieutenant Alvin T. Young O-538691 US Army Air Forces 3rd Ferry Group was piloting a PT-26 FX138  out of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada on 19 March 1944 on a ferrying mission to Newark, New Jersey. 2Lt Young was killed in a crash just after take-off, details are not available. 2Lt Young's remains were shipped to Baird, Texas and interred in the Ross Cemetery there.

DNB 19 Mar 1944


Sergeant Robert F. Young

Robert Frank Young born 15 March 1924 in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas to Sarah Alice Tate(b.1897 Kentucky-d.1988 Taylor County, Texas) Age 27 and Ross Berryman Young(b.1898 -d.1968 Callahan County, Texas) Age 26.

1930 census Age 6 living with his parents and three siblings in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas. 1935 living in Clyde, Callahan County, Texas. 1940 census Age 16 living with his parents and two siblings in Clyde, JP5 Callahan County, Texas. Registered for the draft in Callahan County, Texas on 30 June 1942 and listed his father as next of kin. Robert F. Young asn-18182311 a single white male born Texas in 1924 residing in Callahan County, Texas and working as a clerk at Ben E. Keith Company in Abilene, Texas with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps at Lubbock, Texas on 23 October 1942. .

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[AirCorps] Sergeant Robert F. Young 18182311 US Army Air Forces 89th Bombardment Squadron 3rd Bombardment Group (Light) Ground Force Okinawa Air Field, Okinawa. The 3rd BG had moved from the Philippines to Okinawa in August 1945 and was in the process of moving to Japan in September 1945. Sgt Young was aboard a C-47 transport plane on 17 September 1945 on a flight from Okinawa to Yokahama, Japan when the plane crashed, details unknown, he was killed, status Non-Battle. His remains were buried over there until 1949 when his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Clyde Cemetery at Clyde, Texas on 30 January 1949.

DNB 17 Sep 1945