Purple Hearts of World War II

Pvt. Adams was a new infantry replacement for Company B, having only joined them on 14 February 1945 while they were fighting on the approaches to Saarbrucken, Germany.  Pvt. Adams, like many new replacements, died shortly after arriving to the front.  On 21 February, he, along with several other soldiers, were scouting the defenses of Spricheren, France, when no one returned.  His remains were recovered on 19 March and he had been killed by shrapnel wounds to his head and right side.

He is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France. He was 21 years old.

The grave of Pvt. Adams.

2nd Lt. Anderson was on his 9th mission when he was killed.  He had participated in his first mission on 18 July 1944 when he bombed Caen, France.  Following missions included Laupheim, Germany, the submarine pens in Cherbourge, France, chemical plants in Ludwigshaven, Germany, Fismes, France, Brunswick, Germany and Basdorf, Germany.  2nd Lt. Anderson became a member of the "Caterpillar Club" on 1 August 1944 when his B-24 lost power in two engines and the crew was forced to bail out over southern England.  The entire crew received the Air Medal for this mission by General Order 209, HQ 2nd Bombardment Division, 28 August, 1944.

On the day of his death, he was the co-pilot with Lt. Roscoe C. Brown as pilot.  The aircraft took off for a combat mission at 0827 hours in overcast weather which prevented people on the ground from seeing the aircraft as it took off. The Control Tower heard Lt. Brown say, "I cannot keep her up.  We have had it."  The aircraft crashed about 500 meters off the end of the runway and caught fire with the tail section breaking off.  The bombs and machinegun ammunition cooked off with the bombs exploding 5 minutes after the crash.  The tail gunner and two waist gunners survived the crash with the tail gunners, S/Sgt. Marvin G. Mackey and S/Sgt. Tommie F. Dickson, being recommended for the Soldier's Medal when the rescued the tail gunner from the burning wreckage of the tail section.  The other 7 members of the crew were killed.

The photograph on the right shows Lt. Anderson standing second from the left with his hands on his waist.  

He is buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.  He was 26 years old and married.

Lt. Anderson and his crew.

Photo of Lt. Anderson.

Lt. Anderson's grave.

2nd Lt. Angert was a member of the crew of Lt. Dale E. Williams on the aircraft "Shazam."  Their target for the day was the Soest Marshaling Yards. They crashed shortly after take off in cloudy weather with heavy icing.  Because no one survived the crash and the weather clouded the crash from the view of other aircraft and civilians on the ground, the exact cause of the crash was never determined.  Three witnesses on the ground saw the aircraft moments before it hit the ground.  All said that the aircraft was on fire when it broke through the low clouds and that the plane appeared to level off before the right wing broke off the aircraft and the fuselage crashed into the ground and exploded. The two photos on the right are of the crash scene.  They were taken as part of the accident investigation.  Unfortunately, the original photos were destroyed and these copies are the best quality photograph available.

He is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.  He was 25 years old.

Lt. Angert's grave.

Photo of his B-24 "Shazam."

Two photos from the crash scene.

2nd Lt. Arnold served in the China-India-Burma Theater as the Co-Pilot of B-24 #42-100040.  The 308th Bomb Group was based in China and supported Chinese ground forces, and attacked Japanese shipping.  On 26 May 1944, Lt. Arnold's aircraft took off from Chengkung Airfield.  Approximatky one hour into the mission, the aircraft crashed about 50 miles south of Mengtze, China near the present day border of Vietnam. Eyewitnesses report that the aircraft crashed into the side of the Morshih Kou Shan mountain near the villages of Na Fa and Ta Shen as it apparently was attempting to get under the poor weather. Because the aircraft was carrying extra fuel tanks in the bomb bays, the aircraft exploded with such force that only small traces of the aircraft were ever recovered. 2nd Lt. Arnold's body was never recovered and he was pronounced dead on 27 May 1945.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Purple Heart.

He is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at Fort Bonifacio Military Cemetery, Manila, Philippine Islands. He was 23 years old.

Lt. Rex Arnold.

His name on the Tablet of the Missing.

Pvt. Aufiero arrived in France with his Division across Omaha Beach on 5 - 8 July 1944.  The 137th Infantry Regiment attacked along the Vire River on 11 July but were stopped at St. Gilles.  The 35th Infantry Division drove towards St. Lo through the Hedgerows from 15 July until it entered the city on 18 July 1944. 

Pvt. Aufiero was wounded on 17 July 1944 when he received a fracture of the upper right arm and went into shock.  He died later that day. 

He is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France.  He was 19 years old.

Pvt. "Tommy" Aufiero.  High School Photo, Hawthorne, NJ, 1943.

His headstone at Normandy-American Cemetery.

T/5 Bacon and the 96th Infantry Division landed unopposed on Okinawa on 1 April 1945.  The peaceful period on the island did not last long and soon the 96th Infantry Division were taking heavy casualties attacking Kazaku Ridge, a 280 foot high ridge defended by 1,200 Japanese troops, on 9 April.  This heavily fortified and fiercely defended ridge caused heavy casualties for the Americans as a deep gorge, which could only be climbed with great difficulty, separated the US infantry from the Japanese defenders on the ridge.  The initial US attacks, made without tank or artillery support, were repelled by the Japanese.  The 96th Infantry Attacked again the next day suffering heavy casualties again.  During the attacks on 11 April, T/5 Bacon was killed in action. 

T/5 Bacon was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achivement in connection with military operations against the enemy on Leyte from 20 October 1944 to 31 January 1945.

He is buried at the East Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Bloomington, Illinois.  He was 23 years old.  

He is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. He was 31 years old.

Headstone of Pfc. Bader at Netherlands-American Cemetery.

Cpl. Bailey's date of death is surrounded in some uncertainty as there are conflicting dates and circumstances in his files.  In the IDPF, he is listed as dying of wounds on 9 April 1942, the day that Bataan surrendered to the Japanese.  According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, his date of death is given as 9 October 1942, suggesting that he died either on the Death March or in a Japanese POW Camp.  Finally, the US National Archives' Prisoner of War Files list that Bailey was a POW and died in a camp.  It is hoped that further research will disclose if he died of wounds before the surrender, was killed by Japanese soldiers on the day of the surrender (9 April 1942), or if he died as a Japanese prisoner either on or following the Death March.

He is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.  He was 25 years old. 

He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.  He was 22 years old and married.

Family headstone of Pfc. Barbera.

He is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France.  

On 4 December 1944, the 134th Infantry Regiment, with Pvt. Barnes, was attacking German positions near Puttelange, France on the Maginot Line.  At 0400 the men of Companies A and C launched a surprise attack through a rain storm attempting to catch the Germans defending the town by surprise.  The surprise was complete with the two Companies almost clearing the other side of the town before the Germans fired a shot.  Over 100 German prisoners were taken in the town with only one American casualty from 1st Battalion, either killed or wounded.  The Germans counterattacked later in the day, but the Americans held the town and continued to advance on 5 December. 

The death of Pvt. Barnes was not the only sad news his family had to bear during the war.  His older brother, Pvt. Walter Barnes, was killed in action in France in 1944 as well.  His parents had the bodies of both sons returned together and they were buried side by side.

He is buried at the Creveling Cemetery, Almedia, Pennsylvania.  He was 20 years old and married. 

The headstone of Pvt. Jack Barnes.

On 17 March 1945, the crew of Major Robert J. Fitzgerald's B-29 was on a mission to bomb Kobe, Japan.   Major Fitzgerald and the rest of the crew departed the U.S. on 6 November 1944 and arrived on Saipan on 10 November 1944.  They made their first raid of the war on Tokyo, Japan (reported by the co-pilot to be the first B-29 raid of the war on Tokyo) on 24 November 1944.  The number of missions grew until the fateful night of 16-17 March 1945.

Sgt. Barry's aircraft took off with 330 other B-29s to bomb Kobe, Japan at night.  The high level bombers had been experiencing a new, strange, high level winds, which  would later be called the Jet Stream for the first time.  During the nighttime raid, the B-29s were attacked by Japanese "Tony" fighters of the 56th Sentai.  Sgt. Barry's aircraft was attacked by the fighter piloted by Capt. Junichi Ogata.  Ogata was a veteran pilot with 8 bomber kills as a member of the 77th Sentai stationed in Burma, and 4 B-29 kills, and 5 damaged in defense of Japan.  His wife had just given birth to a baby girl at the time of the raid.

Caught in two searchlight's the B-29 of Sgt. Barry was rammed by Capt. Ogata.  The other Japanese pilot's claim this was an accident as there was no suicide orders for them and Capt. Ogata was an experienced pilot.  The B-29 crashed into an American POW camp about 2 miles outside of Kobe at 0400 hours.  A Franciscan Priest, Father Marcian Pellet, held in the camp, witnessed the crash as the tail assembly separated from the body of the aircraft and crashed into a nearby mountain.  Only two members of the crew survived the crash, Lt. Robert W. Nelson and S/Sgt. Algy Stanley Augunas.  They were captured by the Japanese and convicted and sentenced to death in a two hour trial.  The two airman were blindfolded and taken to an army training ground were the were forced to sit before their graves. Two Japanese soldiers decapitated the two US Airman on the order of Capt. Kanji Nakamichi.

He is buried at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Worth, Illinois.  He was 22 years old.

Sgt. Barry is second from the right in the front row of the photograph at the right.  

Sgt. Berry and his crew.

Sgt. John T. Barry.

Photo of his B-29 "Z Square 8."

Pfc. Edward H. Bartel, 36800199, Company "L," 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 16 January 1945 south of Hachimette, France.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Born on 31 August 1922, he entered service on 29 January 1943 from Kenosha, Wisconsin.

He joined the 7th Infantry Regiment as a rifleman on 26 May 1944 after serving as a cook from June 1943.  He participated in the Garrison of Rome until the division landed in southern France on 15 August 1944.  He fought as a rifleman across France being wounded one time and receiving the Combat Infantryman's Badge on 30 June 1944.

On 16 January 1945, Pfc. Bartel was reported as missing in action following an attack by his company two miles south of Hachimette, France.  Company "L" was assigned to attack a series of enemy strong points along a trail in front of the 1st Battalion just before dawn.  Shortly after leaving the line of departure, Company "L" received enemy mortar, rifle, machine gun and rifle grenade fire.  It is believed that Pfc. Bartel was wounded at this time and died before he could be moved to an aid station as several platoon members  reported that Pfc. Bartel had been killed in action.  Pfc. Bartel's body was never recovered from the field and after several years of investigation the Army declared him to be dead. 

He is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France.  He was 22 years old.

Pfc. Bartel and his mother.

His name on the Tablet of the Missing.

S/Sgt. Leo R. Bender, 32944700, Gunner, B-24M, serial #44-41869, 394th Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force.  Killed in Action on 30 April 1945 while on a combat mission over Davao, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, when his aircraft collided with another B-24, serial #44-41541, and crashed into the sea.  Born on 7 January 1923, he entered the service on 16 September 1943 from Utica, New York.

S/Sgt. Bender's aircraft was piloted by 1st Lt. Benjamin R. Whiteker.  The pilot of the other aircraft was 1st Lt. Benjamin B. Smith.  Only two bodies was ever recovered from the two aircraft, with only one being identified.  

He is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippine Islands.  He was 22 years old.

On 4 March 1945, the 3rd Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment was attached to Combat Command A, 9th Armored Division and attacked Euskirchen, Germany. Under strong German artillery and small arms fire the Battalion advanced for 5 miles in deep mud, suffered 57 casualties  and captured the town  Despite being 2 to 5 miles ahead of supporting American units, the Battalion held the town and captured and crossed the Erft Canal and secured the town of Roitzheim on 5 March 1945.  It was at this time that Pfc. Berry was hit by shrapnel and died of his wounds.  For the Battalion's action during this time and its distinguished combat record from 1 March to 15 March 1945, it was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.   

He is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.  He was 25 years old.

The headstone of Pfc. Berry at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

Pvt. Kenneth S. Berryhill, 16040399, Company "C," 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Killed in Action of 7 May 1943 near Bizerte, Tunisia.  Born on 20 September 1909, he entered service from Calhoun, Illinois.  

Pvt. Berryhill was killed in the final assault on Tunisia with the II Corps near Bizerte on 7 May 1942.  Tunisia fell to the Allies on this day.  Pvt. Berryhill was killed as a result of shrapnel wounds to the head.  

He is buried at the North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia.  He was 33 years old.

Pvt. Kenneth Berryhill

Pvt. Berryhill's headstone at North Africa American Cemetery.

Sgt. Donald W. Blackburn, 36810750, 1st Platoon, Company L, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division.  Killed in Action on 18 September 1944 by a penetrating head wound near Migneto, Italy.  Born on 22 November 1916, he entered the service on 11 March 1943 from Mausten, Wisconsin.

During September 1944, the 135th Infantry Regiment attempted to break through the German's heavily fortified and defended Gothic Line defended by the 4th German Paratroop Division.  Fighting was brutal with heavy casualties on both sides. Mules had to be used to move supplies up to the line and carry the wounded back to the aid stations.  Sgt. Blackburn was killed in this intense fighting.

He is buried at the New Lisbon City Cemetery, New Lisbon, Wisconsin.  He was 27 years old.  

Sgt. Donald W.Balckburn.

Tech. 4 Sidney A. Bowers, 32335595, HQ Battery, 419th Field Artillery Battalion, 10th Armored Division.  Died of Wounds on 20 April 1945, at an Aid Station near Schlaf, Germany. Born on 29 April 1915, he entered the service on 13 May 1942  from Sea Cliff, New York.

T/4 Bowers was killed by shrapnel fragment wounds to his right thigh and left arm. 

He is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France. He was 29 years old.

The grave of T/4 Bowers at the Lorraine American Cemetery.

Pvt. Otto N. Boxley, 822790, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.  Killed in Action on 7 June 1945 on Okinawa.  Born on 8 January 1917, he entered the Marine Corps on 6 May 1944 from Kaw, Oklahoma.

Pvt. Boxley fought on Okinawa from 1 April 1945 until his death on 7 June.  Fighting on Okinawa was some of the heaviest and most brutal in the always brutal Pacific Theater.  Pvt. Boxley's unit was engaged at the Shuri castle and then slugged their way to the southern most tip of the island.  On about 21 May 1945, Pvt. Boxley's unit was pulled back to a rest area to refit until moving back into the line on 1 June.  According to a letter from a fellow Marine in Otto's unit written to his widow, Pvt. Boxley was hit by a Japanese machine gun in the left hand, shoulder and back at 4:00 PM.  He was carried for immediately with morphine and at least 2 transfusions but died from his wounds at about 10:30 that night.  He was survived by his widow and young son.

He is buried at the Dice Cemetery, Fairview, Missouri.  He was 28 years old.  

Pvt. Otto N. Boxley

Pvt. Leo J. Bregante, 39110583, Company "K," 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.  Killed in Action on 29 January 1945 on Poro Island, Philippine Islands.  Born on 29 March 1911, he entered service on 20 October 1942 from Santa Barbara, California.

It is not known when Pvt. Bregante joined Company "K," although he was in the service long enough to see action with the Regiment on Kwajalein Atoll in February 1944.  Perhaps he joined the company as a replacement in September 1944 while they refit in Hawaii and prepared for the liberation of the Philippine Islands. 

The Division landed on Leyte Island on 20 October 1944 and fought there until 24 December 1944 when it began a series of landing on the smaller islands of Ponson on 15 January 1945 and Poro Island on 19 January 1945 during the Camotes Islands Campaign.  It was during this landing that Pvt. Bregante was killed by multiple gun shot wounds.

He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Santa Barbara, California.  He was 33 years old.

Pvt. Bregante's headstone.

On 2 April 1944, Lt. Brownfield was the co-pilot commanded by Capt. Donald A. Garrard.  They departed their Giulia Airfield, Italy and proceeded to their target of Styer, Austria.  As the aircraft completed it's bomb run and turned toward the rally point, two ME-109s attacked the B-24 passing from the front of the aircraft to the rear.  Witnesses state that they observed the aircraft's #2 and #4 engines begin to smoke as Lt. Dwyer's aircraft pulled up higher and dropped out of formation to the right.  T/Sgt. Kenneth H. Foley, on another aircraft, stated that the #4 engine was smoking and the # 2 engine was feathered.  In an effort to keep up with the formation, Capt. Garrard unfeathered #2 engine and started to catch up with the formation.  This did not help for long and he was forced to feather the engine again and fell out of the formation for the last time.  The last reported sighting of the B-24 was made by P-38 fighter pilots who reported observing a B-24 with one engine out and another smoking attempting to make a forced landing in the Adriatic Sea.   No trace of the crew or aircraft were ever found despite multiple rescue missions being flown over the reported crash sight.

His body was never recovered and is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy.  He was 25 years old and married.

On 3 February 1945, the 8th Cavalry Regiment, was the first American unit to enter Manila.  The Japanese defended the city in one of the few incidences of "traditional" combat in the Pacific Theater.   

He is buried at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippine Islands.  He was  32 years old and married.

Pfc. Bush was the loader in a tank commanded by S/Sgt. Arthur L. Stolan.  On 1 August 1944 the tank of Pfc. Bush departed from a point 6 miles southeast of Bracey, France with a mission to "seize and secure high ground around the town of St. Barthelemy, France."  On 2 August 1944, Pfc. Bush in the loader position as his tank, and along with one other tank, was proceeding and protecting trains as they advanced towards St. Barthelemy, France.  Both tanks were separated from the rest of the column and were attacked by Germans near Juvigny, France.  Pfc. Bush's tank was hit by a Panzerfaust on the loader's side of the turret, and it exploded and burned.  They four other crewmen in the tank managed to escape the tank, with two later dying of their wounds, and one taken prisoner by the Germans.  Pfc. Bush never made it out of the tank. It was not until 1947 that Pfc. Bush was declared dead as the Germans occupied the ground where the tank was destroyed and no one knew the whereabouts of Pfc. Bush. 

His body was never recovered and is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France. He was 26 years old.

Pfc. Bush listed on the Tablet of the Missing.

The fighting on Okinawa was some of the most brutal of the war on any Front.  The fighting at the Shuri Castle was among the most brutal of the Okinawa Campaign.  Sgt. Butorac had received the Combat Infantryman's Badge before his death. 

He is buried at the Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, Washington.  He was 22 years old.

Sgt. Butorac's headstone.

Sgt. Campbell's aircraft was piloted by 2nd Lt. William L. Webb.  According to an eyewitness, 2nd Lt. Webb's aircraft made a successful take off before developing trouble in the Number 1 and 3 engines.  They made a successful heavyweight landing and quickly ran for a spare aircraft which had not gone through a proper pre-flight check.  As they reached an altitude of only 150 feet, all for engines died simultaneously and the aircraft exploded upon hitting the ground with its full bomb load.

He is buried at the Belvedere Cemetery, Midland, Maryland.  He was 30 years old and married.  The markers at the right include his original headstone, which appeared to have fallen over at some time, a newer flat marker at the same location, and the Midland, Maryland town monument to their fallen citizens.

Sgt. Thomas Campbell

His headstone at Belvedere Cemetery.

Another grave marker at his grave site.

Midland, Maryland's World War II Memorial.

Pfc. Wilbur N. Carmichael, 19051328, Company D, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.  Died of Wounds to the left side of his neck on 4 June 1944  near Valmontone, Italy when he was hit by gun fire.  Born on 24 November 1915, he entered the service on 14 January 1941 from San Gabriel, California.

Pfc. Carmichael was awarded 2 Silver Stars, 1 Bronze Star for valorous conduct, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Purple Heart.  He received his first Silver Star for "for gallantry in action."  The citation of 7 April 1944 continues, "when enemy attackers began encircling his company's positions south of San Pietro, Italy, the night of 7 November 1943, Private First Class Carmichael voluntarily took his light machine gun and ran 40 yards through mortar fire which fell within 40 feet of him and machine pistol bullets which cut the ammunition belt on his gun, to go into position on the exposed forward slope of a small knoll.  Remaining 25 minutes under enemy mortar and small arms fire from positions 75 yards away, he placed effective fire on the Germans, killing eight and wounding two.  his brave actions aided in repulsing the counterattack and reflect great credit on himself and the military service."

His Bronze Star medal was awarded posthumously for valorous actions against the enemy in Italy on 28 May 1944.  The General Order for his posthumous Silver Star on 3 March 1945 is missing from the National Archives.

He is buried at the El Monte Cemetery  in El Monte, California.  He was 28 years old.

Pfc. Carmichael receiving his first Silver Star Medal.

Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Arthur D. Cater, 7064889, Radioman, Avenger Torpedo Bomber, Torpedo Squadron 24, Air Group 24, U.S.S. Belleau Woods.  Killed in Action on 29 April 1944 when his Torpedo Bomber was shot down during a raid on Truk.  Born on 23 December 1922, he entered the service on 19 August 1942 from Riversdale, New York.

 His body was never recovered and is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.  He was 21 years old.

USS Belleau Woods

Flight Officer James B. Chaplin, Jr., T-003772, Bombardier, B-24 #42-78397, 741st Bomb Squadron, 455th Bomb Group (H), 15th Air Force.  Killed in Action on 17 November 1944 when his aircraft developed engine trouble and he had to bail out into the Adriatic Sea.  Born on 20 July 1923, he entered the service on 20 May 1944 from Kansas City, Kansas.

Fl. O. Chaplin served as the bombardier on the B-24 piloted by 2nd Lt. Horace D. Redding.  On 17 November 1944, 28 B-24s took off to bomb the marching yards of  Gyor, Hungary.  Flak over the target was reported to be "heavy and accurate." Upon finishing the bomb run the #2 engine of Lt. Redding's B-24 failed, causing the aircraft to drop out of formation.  Lt. Redding flew a direct path for the base at San Giovanni Airfield, Italy.  Upon reaching the Adriatic, #3 engine also failed, and Lt. Redding made for the Island of Viz to land.  when approaching the island at 1325 hours, the #4 engine failed.  Unable to get to land with enough altitude to allow the crew to bail out, the pilot ordered the crew to bail out over the water, where a rescue launch circled beneath them.   All 10 men bailed out but only 6 were recovered by the rescue launch.  The other four, including Fl. O. Chaplin are believed to have drowned trying to get out of their parachutes. His body was never recovered.

He is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy.  He was 20 years old and married.

Captain William F. Chaplin, O-427348, Commander of Company L, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 16 October 1944 in Aachen, Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.  Born on 20 July 1917, he entered service on 27 January 1942 from Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

His first Bronze Star was awarded for heroic achievements in military operations against the enemy near Hambye, Normandy, France on 30 July 1944. The citation continues, "When his company encountered heavy enemy opposition and a number of men were seriously wounded while protecting engineers constructing a bridge, Captain Chaplin skillfully maneuvered his unit into a more advantageous position and, with effective rifle fire, repulsed the hostile attack." 

Chaplin continued his outstanding leadership on Love Company throughout the summer and fall of 1944 with the company receiving a Unit Commendation on 10 December 1944 for actions with the 3rd Platoon, Company C, 745th Tank Battalion on 3 September 1944 near Avesnes, France when the units, "drove through an enemy flank guard and contacted a hostile motorized and horse-drawn column north of La Lougueville, France.  The tanks and infantry quickly deployed and  completely destroyed the enemy column, and later, upon encountering a larger force, aggressively engaged the enemy troops and dispersed them throughout the countryside. ... (and) contributed appreciably to clearing the battalion path of advance by routing a superior enemy force estimated at regimental strength and seizing approximately 1100 prisoners."

Chaplin's final action took place at Aachen, Germany when the 1st Infantry Division assaulted the city defended by the German 246th Infantry Division.  Love Company attacked the suburbs of Aachen on 8 October, 1944 near Brandenhof and continued to move into Aachen on 11 October, clearing out German strong-points in house to house fighting in the Factory District near Rosenthal (Observation Hill).  On 15 October, the Germans launched a severe counterattack of infantry and armor towards Love and Item Companies which turned into bloody hand to hand fighting.  Attack after attack of four German tanks (one of which was a Tiger) and infantry piled up against Love Company until the enemy withdrew at 1700 hours. The 3rd Battalion Commander reported that "L Company saved the day."  The Germans attacked Love Company again at 0900 hours on 16 October which was occupying ground on the left side of the tower on Observatory Hill. The attack lasted most of the morning and the enemy was pushed back after all 3rd Battalion reserves had been committed to the battle. As the enemy was pushed back Love Company followed the enemy and overran a German 150mm Mortar position.  It was during this attack that Captain Chaplin was mortally wounded by German mortar fire around 1200 hours.  For this action, Capt. Chaplin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal.  The citation reads, "Despite heavy mortar fire, Captain Chaplin moved fearlessly about exposed ground and directed (the) successful defense of a tactically important terrain feature.  In the performance of his heroic mission, Captain Chaplin was mortally wounded."

Captain Chaplin is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was 27 years old.

Capt. William Chaplin

His headstone at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

Pfc. Alfred J. Ciarletto, 31049862, Company "F," 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 24 September 1944 at Moraducci, Italy by a severe penetration wound in his chest. Born on 27 October 1913, he entered the service on 7 August 1941 from Norwalk, Connecticut.

Born to Italian Immigrant parents from Naples, Pfc. Ciarletto joined the Army right before Pearl Harbor.  In one of the many ironies of war, he returned to the birthplace of his parents only to be killed there.  He served in North Africa before being serving in Italy. Pfc. Ciarletto was killed in one of the fiercest battles fought by the 88th Infantry Division in drive for the Po Valley.  On 27 September 1944, the 2nd Battalion of the 351st Infantry Regiment was given orders to capture Mount Capello.  This mountain was a German strongpoint in the Gothic Line.  The battle turned into a vicious two day hand-to-hand struggle between the Germans and Americans.  Company F was badly mauled during the initial stages of the attack between 0845 and 1355 hours on 27 September.  Visibility was so poor that some small scale platoon sized assaults had to be carried out by following the paths of the German tracer rounds back to the German positions.  Close quarter fighting raged back and forth on Mount Capello until the it was captured by the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 351st Infantry Regiment on 28 September.  Conditions during the fighting even forced the men of 2nd Battalion to resort to using German machine guns and grenades to repel German counter-attacks.  For the fighting, the 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment received the Presidential Unit Citation.    Pfc. Ciarletto was killed on the first day of this battle. 

He is buried at the St. John Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut. He was 30 years old he was survived by his mother and five brothers.

Pfc. Alfred Ciarletto

His headstone at St. John's Cemetery.

2nd Lt. Clark began the assault on the Sportzplatze and the heavily fortified swimming pool just north and adjacent to the Sportzplatze from the woods just south of the facility on the Aldenhoven-Julich Road.  Company "C" was engaged clearing the woods in the early morning hours of 8 December.  As the units moved towards their objectives heavy volumes of enemy fire struck the Company with an enemy strong point located in a house in the woods. At least one assault gun was dispatched from the 747th Tank Battalion to aid Company "C" with this strong point.  The posthumous citation for the Silver Star medal details the events that followed:

"On 8 December 1944 after numerous unsuccessful attempts by Company "C," 115th Infantry to neutralize three strongly-defended fortifications along the west bank of the (Roer) River, tanks were ordered forward to support the riflemen.  Although the route of advance was under direct enemy observation and subjected to intense enemy artillery fire, 2nd Lt. Clark succeeded in guiding the tanks to their forward positions and successfully directed their fire upon the enemy positions.  After several strong points had been neutralized by this fire, 2nd Lt. Clark returned to the company to lead his men in an assault upon the remainder of the enemy positions.  Although the area was still under heavy enemy fire, 2nd Lt. Clark unhesitantly advanced forward, calling on his men to follow.  Inspired by his outstanding courage and determination, the platoon increased the momentum of the assault and completely destroyed the enemy positions.  2nd Lt. Clark was seriously wounded during this action by enemy mortar fire and later died of his wounds."  2nd Lt. Clark died the next day. 

He is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. He was 20 years old.

The headstone for Lt. Clark at the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Pfc. Clinton I. Cook, 35124709, Company B, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.  Killed in Action on 10 June 1944 at Normandy, France.  Born on 5 February 1912, he entered the service on 9 June 1941 from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pfc. Cook landed with the 12th Infantry Regiment on Utah Beach at 1130 on 6 June 1944 through heavy German artillery fire. The 1st Battalion was able to advance 6.5 miles inland by the end of the day.  The 1st Battalion and Pfc. Cook continued to attack for the next three days, capturing Bandenville, Azeville, Emondville, and Montebourg.   On 10 June the regiment attacked past Montebourg -- St. Floxel Road with tanks in support.  It was during this advance that Pfc. Cook was killed.  

He is buried at the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He was 32 years old and married.

Pfc. Clinton Cook

His headstone at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Captain Franklin L. Cornwell, O-1284669, HQ Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 19 June 1944 near St. Georges de Elle, France.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  Born on 2 June 1920, he entered service on 2 June 1942 from Olney, Illinois.

He landed on Omaha Beach (Easy White Beach) on 8 June 1944 (D+2) with most of the 23rd Inf. Reg., which remained in Division reserve until 11 June 1944.  On 11 June 1944, the Regiment was ordered to occupy the high ground near St. Georges d 'Elle.  The advance continued on 12 June until the Regiment encountered heavy enemy resistance at 1305 hours from elements of the German 3rd, 5th and 8th Parachute Divisions. and the 352nd Infantry Division.  An enemy company was able to counterattack and surround the 1st Battalion of the 38th Infantry Regiment, which was attached to the 23rd Infantry Regiment, just north of Bois d' Elle.  It was during this time that Capt. Cornwell earned his Bronze Star for gallantry in action.  The citation reads, "On 12 June 1944 in Normandy, when a battalion was cut off and surrounded in an area 300 yards square, Captain Cornwell volunteered to penetrate the enemy lines with two enlisted men to lead a support force to the aid of his battalion.  In so doing he subjected himself to a large volume of sniper and machine gun fire.  He succeed in his mission and the battalion was able to beat off the enemy attack."

The next few days were spent in back and forth actions with limited Regimental attacks and German counter-attacks causing heavy casualties to both sides.  On 19 June 1944, the Division jumped off in an attack at 0800 hours.  Heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire fell on the entire Regiment throughout the attack.  The action continued until 2228 hours by which time 10 officers and 162 enlisted men were wounded and one officer was killed.  That officer was Captain Cornwell.

Captain Cornwell is buried in Xenia, Ohio.  He was 24 years old.

Capt. Cornwell and his wife.

An old photo of his headstone.

Pfc. Coughlin served with the "T-Patchers" in its drive across France in 1944 - 1945.  He received the Combat Infantryman's Badge for his combat service and fought with the Division as it gained the Vosges foothills in September 1944.    In the beginning of December 1944, the Division was engaged in the Colmar Pocket reduction. On 15 March 1945, the 143rd Infantry Regiment was fighting to capture Bitschhoffen, France.

The attack commenced at 0100 hours with the 1st Battalion in the Regimental reserve behind the 2nd and 3rd Battalions.  At 1100 hours, the 1st Battalion was given orders to capture two key bridges and to continue the attack towards Griesbach.  After "I" and "L" Companies became heavily engaged in the southwest part of Mietesheim, Lt. Col. Clarkin, commander of 1st Battalion, led two platoons of Coughlin's Company "A" into the town from the southeast and captured 30 German prisoners.  Resistance in Mirtesheim collapsed and the 1st Battalion continued to advance along the Mietesheim-Griesbach Road.  Other elements of the Regiment failed in their attempt to cross the river as heavy German machine gun fire broke up the attack.  At 1845 hours, 1st Battalion crossed the river and 2 platoons of Company "A" captured the houses defended by the Germans which had held up the advance.  It was sometime during this day's battle of  Company "A," that Pfc. Coughlin was killed by a shrapnel fragment wound to his back.  

He also received the Good Conduct Medal.

He is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France.  He was 24 years old.

The headstone for Pfc. Coughlin at the Lorraine American Cemetery.

He is buried in Oklahoma.   

The headstone of Lt. James Cravens.

On 2 November 1944, the 382nd Infantry Regiment attacked towards "Bloody Ridge" west of Dagami.  The entire Division had landed on Leyte on 20 October 1944 and had been engaged since that time.

He is buried at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He was 20 years old.

The headstone for Pvt. Crosett at the Manila American Cemetery.

The 3d Battalion, 386th Infantry Regiment moved onto the front line near Dusseldorf, Germany on 2 April 1945. Over the next few days, the regiment conducted patrols and reconnaissance while encountering harassing fire from the Germans.  The regiment moved to positions south of the Sieg River near Oberpleis on 5 April and prepared to take part in the Ruhr Pocket Operation as part of the First Army.  The 1st and 2nd Battalions attacked German positions near Ruppichterroth and Felderhoft on 8 and 9 April with the 3rd Battalion being held in reserve.  Enemy resistance was light, with Volkstrum soldiers only fighting for as long as they could do so in safety and then surrendering.  The main resistance encountered was from roadblocks, felled trees, blown bridges and mines. The American advance was so fast that many of the road blocks were not completed, even though the materials necessary to build them were lying on the side of the road.  T/4 Davis was riding in a 1/4 ton Truck when it hit a Teller mine at the Eitorf Bridge.  The truck was "torn to pieces" and three soldiers from Company I were killed, including T/4 Davis.  The war would end one month later.    

He is buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Denton, Texas.  He was 24 years old.  He was married at the time of his death, and was survived by his mother, and three brothers who were also in the service during the war.  His father was killed during World War I. 

T/4 Rupert Davis.

His headstone at the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The 65th Infantry Division first saw battle near Oberesch, Germany on 9 March 1945 when the 261st Infantry Regiment attacked across the Saar near Menningen to clear the German defenders from the heights south of Merzig.  Following this successful battle, the Division fought its way throught the West Wall before being pulled out of the line for rest and refit.  The 261st Infantry regiment crossed the Rhine River on the night of 29-30 March 1945.  After a series of engagements, the 261st Infantry regiment, and the 65th Infantry Division continued to advance across Germany and moved into Austria.  On 3 May 1945, the 261st Infantry Division overran Enns, Austria on the Enns River.  On 4 May, the After-Action Report of the 65th Infantry Division reports that a small German delaying force was encountered near Efreding, Austria. It was here that T/5 Dowling was killed by a wound to the face on 4 May, only 4 days before the end of the war.

He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, New York, New York.  He was 22 years old.

Pfc. Charles W. Ely, 38588742, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 87th Infantry Division.  Killed in Action on 4 February 1945 at Roth, Germany by a gun shot wound to the chest.  Born on 13 June 1925, he entered the service on 12 August 1943 from Nowata, Oklahoma.

He is buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Nowata, Oklahoma.  He was 19 years old.

The headstone for Pfc. Ely at the Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pvt. Vincent Farioly, 19059339, Company "E,"  1st Ranger Battalion, Darby's Rangers.  Killed in Action on 25 November 1943 near Venafro, Italy by a gun shot wound to the head. Born on 16 September 1912, he entered the service on 8 December 1941 from Danbury, Connecticut.

In one of the most famous units of the US. Army in World Was II, Pvt. Farioly served in the 1st Ranger Battalion, which formed part of the famous "Darby's Rangers" which comprised several Ranger Battalions commanded by Lt. Col. William O. Darby.  They took part in the Invasion of North Africa, the Invasion of Sicily, the Invasion at Anzio and the fierce battle of Cisterna. 

He is buried at the Wooster Cemetery, Danbury, Connecticut.  He was 31 years old.

The headstone of Pvt. Farioly at Wooster Cemetery.

Pfc. Donald J. Fisher, 32261845, Battery B, 305th Field Artillery Battalion, 77th Infantry Division.  Died of Wounds on 27 May 1945 at US Fleet Hospital #115, Guam.  He had been wounded by multiple shell fragments to his back and stomach and had a fractured hand on 12 May 1945 on Okinawa.  Born on 2 December 1915, he entered the service on 23 March 1942 from Newark, New Jersey.

He is buried in New Jersey.  He was 29 years old and married.

Pfc. Donald Fisher

Pfc. Joseph R. Fitzgerald, , Company A, 1st Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, attached to the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.  Killed in Action on 14 June 1944 at Carentan, France from a wound to the abdomen.  Born on 22 February 1915, he entered the service on 12 September 1942 from Fulton, New York.

The 1st Battalion of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment was attached to the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment and  took part in the D-Day assault on Normandy, but not as Glider Infantry.  They landed across Utah Beach like regular infantry as there was a shortage of gliders because of the size of the D-Day Airborne assault.

Pfc. Fitzgerald was killed in the 101st Airborne Divisions assault on Carentan, France.  After 8 days of fighting, the town fell to the Americans on 15 June 1944.

He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Fulton, New York.  He was 29 years old.

The headstone for Pfc. Fitzgerald at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Cpl. William G. Ford, 6914129, 48th Material Squadron, U.S. Army Air Corps.  Killed in Action on 17 April 1942 at Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands.  Born on 23 March 1923, he entered the service before May 1940 from Lima, Ohio.

Cpl. Ford was assigned to the 48th Material Squadron when the war began on 8 December 1941 in the Philippine Islands. American units fought desperately in the early stages of the war, but were outnumbered, had little food, water and ammunition, and were decimated by disease. By the time of the surrender of Bataan on 9 April 1942, the two Hospitals at Bataan, General Hospital #1 and General Hospital #2, each had over 5.000 patients, despite only having room for 1,000. General Hospital #2 in fact was hardly a Hospital at all in that it had no tents or buildings.  It was totally in the open with only a canopy of trees sheltering the patients, most of whom suffered from disease.  Cpl. Ford was listed as a patient in General Hospital #2 at the time of his death on 17 April 1942.  His cause of death is officially listed as Inanition, which means "a loss of the will to live," which was brought about by dehydration and malnutrition among of ailments. Apparently, this was a common cause of death in those dark days, when medicine, food, and water supply were exhausted and these servicemen suffered in the blazing heat of the Philippines, and under the brutal treatment of the Japanese, who began the Bataan Death March on 10 April 1942, with many P.O.W.s from General Hospital #2 being marched off on 12 April 1942.

He is buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima, Ohio.  He was 19 years old. 

Cpl. William Ford

His headstone at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Another marker at the same location.

On 26 December 1944, 1st Lt. Fox was flying a mission in support of the US ground forces fighting in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.  He was flying in the number 3 position of the high squadron when an enemy flak burst hit the aircraft in the left engine mount and the fuselage.  The explosion of the fuel tank in the left wing, blew pieces of the wing off, causing the plane to fall out of control to the left.  The aircraft dropped out of sight before hitting the ground.  There were no survivors.

1st Lt. Fox is buried at the Vernal City Cemetery, Vernal, Utah.  He was 23 years old.

Pre-war photo of Lt. Fox

His headstone at Vernal City Cemetery.

He is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.  He was 25 years old.

The headstone for Sgt. Gerace at the Henri-Chapelle American cemetery.

The 91st Infantry Division entered action on the Italian Front on 12 July 1944.  The Germans were holding  the Gothic Line on the Arno River near the port city of Livorno, the last prepared defenses before the Po Valley.  The 91st Infantry Division was part of the Allied offensive to cross the Arno River and move around Livorno, to isolate it from the German lines.  By 16 July, the 91st Infantry Division began to reach the south bank of the Arno River after several days of heavy fighting.  The Division was meet with heavy German resistance of machine guns and 88mm artillery fire.  It was during this time that T/3 Gilbert was killed in action. 

T/3 Gilbert was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal on 17 June 1945.  His citation reads, "For gallantry in action on 17 July 1944, near Strada, Italy.  While attempting to render first aid to a seriously wounded man Technician Third Grade Gilbert was mortally wounded.  Located behind the forward element of the attack, in a comparatively safe position, Technician Third Grade Gilbert went forward when he saw a number of men receive wounds from a direct hit on a house by an enemy shell.  Though the wounded men were of another unit, he did not hesitate to go to their aid.  He crawled and ran across an area under heavy small arms and artillery fire from the enemy.  With complete disregard for his personal safety, Technician Third Grade Gilbert went to a man who lay in an exposed position and administered first aid.  An enemy sniper fired on him.  Technician Third Grade Gilbert's unselfish courage and devotion to duty are exemplary of the highest traditions of the American Soldier." 

He is buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Compton, California. He was 39 years old and was survived by his wife.

T/3 Gilbert's headstone at the Woodlawn Cemetery.

Pfc. Gisolo was a member of the 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion.  This unit was temporarily assigned to the 76th Infantry Division from 22 February to 3 April 1945.  At the time of his death, the 76th Infantry Division was forcing the Pruem River.  

He is buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.  He was unmarried and 29 years old.

Pfc. Gisolo's headstone at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.

Sgt. Glass' B-24 was a crew member of the B-24 piloted by 1st Lt. Donald A. Hastreiter.  They were on their 22nd mission to bomb a mixture of industry and synthetic oil plants in Lauta, Germany.  About 1 minute after "bombs away," Sgt. Glass' aircraft was hit by German flak and caught fire.  Losing altitude, the bail out signal was given to the crew.  The crew members were badly shaken up and attempting to get out of the aircraft before 1st. Lt. Hastreiter lost control of the aircraft.  Five of the crew members managed to jump from the aircraft, with four being taken prison (including 1st Lt. Hastreiter), with Fight Officer Newell, the co-pilot, dying when his parachute failed to open.  

The Top Turret Gunner was last seen trying to get out of the aircraft through the bomb bay by Charles Curren, the Radio Operator, as he was given a fire extinguisher.  He never made it out of the plane.  Sgt. Glass  was last seen by the Navigator, 2nd Lt. Nathan Solomson, as Sgt. Glass helped him out of the nose wheel doors. Sgt. Glass never made it out of the burning plane.

He is buried with his crew at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.  He was 24 years old.   

The headstone for S/Sgt. Glass and his crew at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Sgt. Everett B. Goetz, 32002183, Company "H," 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 30 September 1944 near Lammersdorf, Germany.  Born on 24 March 1917, he entered service on 17 January 1941 from Bronx, New York.

He served in the 9th Infantry Division from the beginning of the war and participated in the Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisa, and Sicily Campaigns, earning the Combat Infantryman's Badge on 31 January 1944, before landing in France on 10 June 1944 across Utah Beach.  The 9th Infantry Division went immediately into the line and pushed the Germans back to the Quineville Ridge on 12 June 1944.  Sgt. Goetz took part in the final assault of Cherbourg on 19 June with the 39th Infantry Regiment capturing the German fortress commander on 26 June.  The 39th Regiment continued its steady push across France and crossed into Germany to assault the Scharnhorst Line past Lammersdorf by mid-September.  On 29 September 1944, the 39th Regiment captured Hill 554 in the West Wall after heavy fighting.  It was during the next day that Sgt. Goetz failed to return from a mission to repel an enemy counterattack.  His remains were not discovered until 9 August 1946 when a German Mine Clearer discovered them in a shallow grave. 

He is buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium.  He was 27 years old.

Sgt. Everett Goetz

His headstone at the Ardennes American Cemetery.

Sgt. Goetz's grave among his comrades.

T/Sgt. Goodman flew as the Radio Operator for 1st Lt. Norman A. Drouin.  T/Sgt. Goodman flew with 1st Lt. Drouin on all of the missions he led  although all of the other crew members had made missions with different pilots.  T/Sgt. Goodman flew his first mission to the Le Bourget Airfield near Paris, France on 16 August 1943.  his only mission to a target outside of France and Belgium was his sixth mission on 6 September 1943 to Stuttgart, Germany (the picture of the "Poly Ann" to the right was taken on this mission).

On the mission of 23 September 1943, "Polly Ann" and her crew were returning and ready to land at the airfield at Chelveston, England.  Drouin was flying the lead in the low squadron.  As the group descended to 1,000 feet, the planes would peel off one at a time to land, starting from the left hand position.  Lt. Drouin apparently slowed down too much as he collided with the lead plane of the trailing element.  The two aircraft then fell into a third B-17.  The other two aircraft managed to land at the airfield, but the "Polly Ann" never regained control and crashed into the ground killing all aboard.  The two pictures on the right show the "Polly Ann" right as it is about to crash and the following explosion.

He is buried at the Pride of Lynn Cemetery, Lynn, Massachusetts.  He was 21 years old.

T/Sgt. Goodman's B-17, "Polly Ann" on an earlier mission.

Movie still of the "Polly Ann" out of control just before it crashes.

Movie still taken a few seconds after the crash.

T/Sgt. Goodman's headstone.

He is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, Massachusetts.  He was 20 years old and survived by his parents.

Pfc. Gould's headstone.

Sgt. Graham was the tail gunner on a B-25 flown by Capt. Weymouth Crowell, Jr.  On 17 April 1944, they  were bombing a rail-road bridge at Attigliano, Italy when anti-aircraft fire shattered the tail of the aircraft, causing the tail assembly to fall off the airframe.  The aircraft climbed out of control and fell off on its back into a spin.  Capt. Crowell managed to control the spin briefly allowing two members of the crew to bail out before crashing and exploding.    The two survivors from the crew were 1st Lt. William S. Hough and 2nd Lt. Floyd A. Elliot.   Sgt. Graham was believed to have been killed in the flak burst and did not bail out of the aircraft.

He is buried in California. 

Cpl. Greene's aircraft was piloted by Flight Officer David G. Jolly.  The crew was cited as an experienced crew in the Missing Air Crew Report and is listed as carrying supplies and six enlisted personnel when it disappeared. Due to their experience, Cpl. Greene took part in the dropping of airborne troops to seize the highway routes south of Manila on 3-4 February 1945 as well as other operations.   On 10 February 1945, Cpl. Greene's aircraft was flying a combat mission (cargo) to Luzon from Leyte (Dulag strip).  At approximately 1000 hours, a C-47 was observed by members of the 11th Airborne Division, to crash near Nichols Field, which was still in Japanese hands, as a result of Japanese anti-aircraft fire.  The 11th Airborne Division later captured Nichols Field and recovered the completely demolished C-47 with 10 bodies.

He is buried at the Greenlawn Cemetery, Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania. He was 22 years old.

The headstone for Cpl. Greene at the Greenlawn Cemetery.

He is buried Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He was 20 years old.

Photo of Pvt. Gutis taken while in training.

S/Sgt. Gvozdak was killed by a severe shell fragment wound to the head received on 21 February 1944.  He was evacuated immediately, but died the following day as a result of his wounds.

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Ft. Myers, Virginia.  He was 20 years old.

The headstone for S/Sgt. Gvozdak at Arlington National Cemetery.

He participated in the Regiment's actions in New Georgia from 1 August 1943 to the end of the Central Solomon campaign on 6 October 1943. He received the Combat Infantryman's Badge on 19 April 1944 for these actions.  The 25th Infantry Division spent the next few months in New Zealand until the landings on Luzon on 20 October 1944.

The 27th Infantry Regiment began the assault on the Caraballo Mountains on 21 February 1945.  S/Sgt. Haklo was killed in action leading his squad to the south of Lone Tree Hill, near Balete Pass, Luzon on 5 May 1945. He was shot in the chest by a Japanese machine gun and died of his wounds and shock.  

He is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York.  He was 24 years old.

The headstone for S/Sgt. William Haklo at the Long Island National Cemetery.

Sgt. Hale served with Company B, 39th Infantry Regiment throughout his time in the army.  He landed in North Africa with the regiment on 8 November 1942. Until the day before his death, the 39th Infantry Regiment had spent most of its time in North Africa on guard duty in Algeria.  On 29 March 1943, it went into battle for the first time with all of the 9th Infantry Division as a single unit.  The 9th Infantry Division was ordered to attack towards Hill 369 and Hill 772 near Djebel Berda.  The division was decimated in the attack as German artillery and infantry beat back the attack with heavy losses.  Sgt. Hale was one of the hundreds of soldiers killed in this attack.

He is buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse, New York.  He was 28 years old.    

Sgt. Harry Hale.

His headstone at Woodlawn Cemetery.

He is listed on the tablet of the missing on the Honolulu, Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii although photographic evidence shows he was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.  He was 21 years old.

The headstone for Pfc. Hans at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

It is not known when Pvt. Harris joined the 26th Infantry Division.  It is possible that he was with the Division when it landed at Utah Beach and Cherbourg, France on 7 September 1944.  He could have joined the Division at any time up to 7 December 1944 when the Division was regrouping on the Maginot line and in Metz when the Germans launched the Ardennes Offensive on 16 December 1944. 

The 26th Infantry Division was moved into Luxembourg on 20 December 1944 and attacked in the Rambrouch-Vacinity and cleared Arsdorf from 22 -25 December 1944.  The Division halted on the Wiltz River after its attempts to force the river were repulsed in early January 1945.  It was while the Division was preparing to force the river near Oberwampach that Pvt. Harris was killed when he was struck in the chest and neck by small arms fire.  For his service, Pvt. Harris was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge before his death.

He is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.  He was 36 years old.&nb