Briefing Document: Jones Dicie Price

Subject: Biographical Information and Military Service of Jones Dicie Price

Sources: Excerpts from "Pasted Text"

Date: October 26, 2023

Overview: This document provides a concise overview of the life and military service of Jones Dicie Price, a Texan who served and was killed in action during World War II. The information is primarily derived from a biographical sketch.

Key Biographical Details:

Birth and Family:Born July 3, 1910, in Baird, Callahan County, Texas.

Parents: Frances L. Gilliland (b. 1873, d. 1946) and Johnathan Richard Price (b. 1866, d. 1952).

Early Life and Residence:1920: Age 10, living in Baird, Callahan County, Texas with his mother and six brothers.

1930: Age 19, living in Van Horn, Culberson County, Texas with his parents and a brother, working as a ranchhand.

1935: Living in Lobo, Culberson County, Texas.

Marriage: Married Eleanor 'Nan' McMurry of Connersville, Indiana.

Pre-Military Occupation: Worked as a ranch cowboy.

Military Service:

Draft Registration: Registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Van Horn, Culberson County, Texas, while working at the Jack Chinn Ranch. He listed his mother as his next of kin.

Enlistment: Enlisted from civilian life into the US Army as a private on June 25, 1943, in Texas.

Army Serial Number: 38441429

Race: White

Marital Status: Married

Education: Three years of high school.

Unit: Assigned to the Service Troop of the 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

Deployment and Combat: Served in the Pacific Theater.

Participated in the battle to break the Shimbu Line, near Manila, Philippines, from February 20, 1945 to March 12, 1945.

The 12th Cavalry Regiment, along with other units (5th, 7th, and 8th Cavalry Regiments), were tasked with securing the area east of Manila from Taytay to Antipalo to prevent Japanese reinforcements from reaching Manila.

According to the source, "From north to south the units involved included the 5th, 7th, 8th and 12th Cavalry Regiments."

Death: Killed in action on March 8, 1945, near Antipalo Pass, during the Shimbu Line offensive.

Burial:Initially buried in a temporary grave.

Remains were repatriated to the US in 1949.

Reinterred in Ross Cemetery in Baird, Callahan County, Texas on April 22, 1949.

Key Themes and Important Facts:

Transience and the Impact of War: Price's life reflects the transitions and shifts of the early 20th century, moving from his birth town to different parts of Texas for ranch work. The source states he was "working as a ranchhand" in his early years. His life was ultimately shaped by his service and death in World War II.

Military Service as a Culmination: Jones Price, starting as a ranchhand, became a soldier in the US Army. His experience underscores the sacrifices made by ordinary Americans during WWII.

The Human Cost of Conflict: Price's story is a micro-narrative of the broader losses of war, as reflected in his death during a specific battle. His death date (March 8, 1945) falls right in the middle of the described offensive, highlighting the difficult task the soldiers faced.

Family Ties and Legacy: The details about Price's parents and wife, as well as the repatriation and final burial, emphasize the importance of family ties and the lasting impact of his death on them.

Conclusion:

Jones Dicie Price's life was a story of a Texas cowboy who became a soldier and made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. This briefing document highlights the important details of his life and military service, offering a concise understanding of his experience. His journey highlights the diverse backgrounds of those who served and the human cost of conflict.