World War II – Fatal Casualties

Randolph County, Illinois

 

 

Acheson, Wilbur Everett "Bud" (O-1319390)
6', 175 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
1st Lieutenant, Killed in Action
Company C., 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  26 Dec 1910  West Point, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Enlisted:  16 Oct 1940  St. Augustine, St. Johns, Florida
Died:  8 Dec 1944  West bank of the Roer river at Jülich, Germany
Buried:  American War Cemetery Margraten, Plot H, Row 1, Grave 3
Father:  George Acheson
Mother:  Mary Margaret Titman
Spouse:  Dorothy Gephart, 29 Nov 1930 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Notes:  He served at the infantry replacement training center, at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, before entering the Officers Candidate School. He was  commissioned a second lieutenant after successfully completing  the course at Fort Benning, Georgia in May, 1943.  He joined his unit from replacement depot on 24 November 1944.

 

 

Ahlheim, Frederick William, Jr. (17045605 and 0-749707)
2nd Lieutenant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
508th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Apr 1905  Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:  11 Mar 1942  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  30 Dec 1943  near St. Pol, France
Buried:  Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 84, Site 387-391, St. Louis, Missouri
Father:  Frederick W. Ahlheim Sr.
Mother:  Maude M. Cochran
Spouse: 
Notes:  Bombardier on Roy Parsons Crew flying B-17 (42-31162) on mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany.   Aircraft was hit by fighters and caught fire.  He was last seen exiting the nose hatch with his parachute.  It is assumed his chute did not open.  MACR 1757

 

 

Aitken, Dean Gray (36480191)
Sergeant, Killed in Action
705th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded:  Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born:  24 Sep 1924  Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  6 Apr 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  12 Jun 1944  Near Romille, France
Buried:  Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot M, Row 3, Grave 18, Saint-James, France
Father:  Hugh E. Aitken
Mother:  Grace G Gray
Spouse: 
Notes:  Ball turret gunner on Wilbur Turner Crew flying B-24H "The Naughty Nan" (#42-94859).  While returning from a mission to Rennes, France the aircraft was hit by Flak and dropped out of formation with #2 engine feathered.  The aircraft was then attacked by about 12 fighters who caused extensive damage including knocking out the electrical and hydraulic systems.  Aitken was stuck in the ball, but right waist gunner Sergeant. A.C. Brossett assisted in getting him out, they were both putting on their chutes when there was an explosion, probably a 20mm canon, killing them both.  MACR 5802

 

 

Allison, Harry Jones (8754313)
5' 8", 133 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes
Aviation Radioman 3rd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
Awarded: 
Born:  13 Jan 1924  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  19 Feb 1943  Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
Died:  18 Oct 1944  Vicinty of Manus Island, Papua, New Guinea
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father:  Royce Allison
Mother:  Loretta Jones
Spouse: 
Notes:  Navy records show him assigned to the USS Langley, however he appears on a list of  replacement combat air crewman on the USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87) on 4 Oct 1944 and again on 15 Oct 1944.  Steamer Bay was stationed in Seeadler Bay, Manus Island providing replacement aircraft and crews to Task Group 38.

 

 

Anderson, James H. (T-134528)
Flight Officer, Killed in Action
705th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded:  DFC, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/ 1 OLC, Purple Heart
Born:  15 Feb 1924  St. Louis, Missouri
Enlisted:    
Died:  24 Mar 1945  Wesel, Kreis Wesel, Germany
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Arthur Anderson
Mother:  Lorene D. Anderson
Spouse: 
Notes:  Navigator of the Dale D. Beasley crew, were flying in a B-24H (aircraft 41-28814) on a supply mission to Wesel.  Shortly after the supplies were dropped and while at 300 feet, the aircraft was hit by 20mm AAA flak, causing fire to break out between No. 1 and 2 engines. The bail out order was given as the aircraft entered a flat spin. The crew baled out, except the pilot and waist gunners, James's assisted others getting of the aircraft and by the time he got out his chute failed to open or was too low to open fully before he hit the ground.  MACR #13537

 

 

Arnold, Ernest M. (6830959)
Sergeant, Killed in Action
518th Military Police Battalion
Awarded: 
Born:  23 Feb 1911  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  1 Feb 1941 
Died:  19 Dec 1944  Belgium
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Fredolin Arnold
Mother:  Alvina Kloth
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Atchinson, Jerre Jackson (0-767454)
2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action
773rd Bomb Squadron, 463rd Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  14 Apr 1917  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  7 Oct 1940  East St. Louis, Illinois
Died:  30 Nov 1944  Southern Italy
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Omer E. Atchinson
Mother:  Kate Mann
Spouse: 
Notes:  Pilot of B-17 (#42-97737) which crashed on takeoff during mission to Linz, Austria

 

 

Avery, Leonard Jackson (36041429)
6', 150 lbs, black hair, gray eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Battery A, 977th Field Artillery, 35th Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  29 Apr 1918  Williamson County, Illinois
Enlisted:  10 Jul 1941  Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Died:  15 Aug 1944  Southern France
Buried:  Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing and cenotaph at Corinth Zion Methodist Cemetery, Williamson County, Illinois
Father:  Loy L. Avery
Mother:  Lois Roberts
Spouse: 
Notes:  He was aboard LST-282 which was sunk by a single Henschel Hs 293 radio controlled glide bomb, an attack which cost 40 lives aboard the ship. From his unit the 977th Field Artillery all but three were killed in the attack.  Remaining defiantly afloat and heavily aflame, LST-282 continued to drift towards Green Beach while suffering numerous ammunition detonations before she finally grounded to the left flank of the beachhead. Sinking in the shallow water with the majority of her hull and superstructure above water, fires continued to burn aboard LST-282 for over two days before they finally ran out of fuel, leaving the ship a charred hulk.

 

 

Bachelier, Leo Simon (17016388)
6' 2", 175 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Corporal, Died non-battle
Company C, 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division
Awarded: 
Born:  18 Feb 1917  Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  13 Feb 1941  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  27 Oct 1942  Cabanatuan, Luzon, Philippines
Buried:  St. Joseph's Cemetery, Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Frank Bachelier
Mother:  Laura Mougin
Spouse: 
Notes:  Captured on Bataan, died as a POW.

 

 

Becker, Douglas Walter "Sonny" (36449455)
5' 4", 140 lbs, black hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Mar 1923  Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  19 Feb 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  9 Apr 1944  Unzhurst, Germany
Buried:  Sauer Cemetery, Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Walter Becker
Mother:  Bertha Douglas
Spouse: 
Notes:  Ball Turret gunner on the Bobbie C. Canon Crew, flying in B-17G (#42-31342) which was shot down by fighters.

 

 

Been, Eugene Wilson (0-1309032)
5' 9", 155 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action
Company A, 55th Armored Infantry Battalion, 11 Armored Division
Awarded: 
Born:  17 Sep 1912  Preston, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  23 Jun 1942 
Died:  7 Mar 1945  in the vicinity of Gerolstein, Germany
Buried:  New Palestine Church Cemetery, New Palestine, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Clarence R. Been
Mother:  Millie Adams
Spouse:  Wilma Mae Moore
Notes: 

 

 

Beisner, Willard H. (36433488)
5' 11", 155 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Corporal, Died non-battle
890th Chemical Company, attached to the 20th Air Force
Awarded: 
Born:  28 May 1921  Polk County, Nebraska
Enlisted:  27 Oct 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  11 Sep 1945  Guam
Buried:  St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Herman Beisner
Mother:  Linda Mohers
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Bennett, Johnnie Edward (6685933)
Seaman 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USN
Awarded: 
Born:    
Enlisted:    
Died:  13 Nov 1942  at sea off Guadalcanal
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father:  John Edward Bennett
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes:  Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.  Battle was given at 01:50. At about 02:20 Monssen, forced to rely on radio information and optics, was spotlighted, hit by some 39 shells, including three of battleship caliber, and reduced to a burning hulk.  Twenty minutes later, completely immobilized in all departments, the ship was ordered abandoned. After daybreak Monssen was still afire.  The survivors, 40 percent of the crew, were picked up at about 08:00 and taken to Guadalcanal. The ship herself continued to blaze until early afternoon, when she sank.   Officially declared dead on 14 Nov 1943.

 

 

Borgard, Frederick George "Bogie"
2nd Lieutenant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
429th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Jun 1918  Walsh, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  14 Oct 1943  Sicily, Italy
Buried:  Sicily Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing
Father:  Ben A. Borgard
Mother:  Agnes Roth
Spouse:  Thedadean Lunn, married 14 May 1943 in Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Notes:  Co-pilot on the Bob McCarty crew, flying in B-17 "Sugarpuss" (#42-29581) on a mission to Terni.   Attacked by enemy aircraft and forced out of formation, fighters pressed attack  causing the aircraft to go down, shortly afterward it exploded, all 10 men onboard were lost.

 

 

Born, John Henry (36041416)
6' 1", 160 lbs, red hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Battery A, 977th Field Artillery, 35th Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  19 May 1919  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  10 Jul 1941  Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Died:  15 Aug 1944  Southern France
Buried:  Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing and cenotaph at Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John S. Born
Mother:  Bessie Waters
Spouse: 
Notes:  He was aboard LST-282 which was sunk by a single Henschel Hs 293 radio controlled glide bomb, an attack which cost 40 lives aboard the ship. From his unit the 977th Field Artillery all but three were killed in the attack.  Remaining defiantly afloat and heavily aflame, LST-282 continued to drift towards Green Beach while suffering numerous ammunition detonations before she finally grounded to the left flank of the beachhead. Sinking in the shallow water with the majority of her hull and superstructure above water, fires continued to burn aboard LST-282 for over two days before they finally ran out of fuel, leaving the ship a charred hulk.

 

 

Boyington, Byron (16054014)
5' 9", 140 lbs
Private, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  29 Nov 1918  Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  16 Feb 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  11 Apr 1942  Camp J. T. Robinson, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Buried:  Ellis Grove Cemetery, Ellis Grove, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Milton Boyington
Mother:  Myrtle Mae Wright
Spouse:  Marjorie
Notes:  Died of Pnuemonia

 

 

Brandon, Harrel Daniel (516440)
5' 10", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Corporal, Killed in Action
Company G, 2nd Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Awarded: 
Born:  18 Nov 1923  Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:   
Died:  11 Apr 1945  Okinawa
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Daniel Brandon
Mother:  Jessie White
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Brown, Thomas E. (36907274)
Private First Class,
Company C, 381st Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  18 May 1926  Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Enlisted:  26 Jul 1944 
Died:  27 Jun 1945  Okinawa
Buried:  Coulterville Cemetery, Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John Franklin Brown
Mother:  Laura Evans
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Burkhardt, Willard A. (36765678)
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Company E and I, 112th infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  18 Aug 1918  Monroe County, Illinois
Enlisted:  31 Aug 1943 
Died:  12 Aug 1944  Normandy, France
Buried:  St. Paul Evangelical Burial Park, Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois
Father:  Henry W. Burkhardt
Mother:  Ida C. Edler
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Choate, George Lee "Tony" (36737029)
6', 170 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
508th Parachute Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  22 Jul 1921  Cora, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:  1 Feb 1943 
Died:  21 Jun 1944  Normandy, France
Buried:  Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 80, Grave 94, St. Louis, Missouri
Father:  Lawrence Choate
Mother:  Lelia V. Smith
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Cohen, Gordon Louis (366470)
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company B, 2nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division
Awarded:  Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born:  8 Sep 1924 
Enlisted:    
Died:  2 Jul 1944  Saipan
Buried:  National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, Plot C 379
Father: 
Mother:  Ida
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Connett, Xon C (36741364)
5' 5", 125lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
50th Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group
Awarded:  Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born:  21 Mar 1924  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  18 Sep 1944  In a field near Bonegraafseweg. Ochten, Netherlands
Buried:  American War Cemetery Ardennes, Plot A, Row 43, Grave 54
Father:  Ernest Connett
Mother:  Mary Sims
Spouse: 
Notes:  Radio Operator on C-47 (43-15180) on a paradrop over Arnhem, MACR 10264.  "While flying in a combat mission to drop paratroops at a LZ in the vicinity of Arnhem, Holland in airplane no. 42-23344, I witnessed the crash landing in flames of airplane no. 43-15180, piloted by Capt Leonard A. Ottaway. When I first noticed he was in trouble, his left engine or left gas tank was on fire. Someone notified him by radio and he headed down practically straight ahead and salvoed his bundles. When he left the formation, he was flying at about 1400 feet mean sea level. He headed for the ground as if to make a forced landing. His gear came down and he was apparently ready to land but seemed to be unable to flare out his approach and went right on into the ground, hitting very tail high, buckling the gear and skidding to a stop on its belly. He was indicating about 150 miles per hour air speed. When the plane hit, the gas tank seemed to explode and one wing came half off and the cockpit from the center of the wings forward twisted to one side. The cabin and cockpit were not badly cracked but on fire when I last saw it. No one parachuted from the plane on the way down."  All six crew members and all 18 British paratroopers of 156 Parachute Battalion were killed. All victims were originally buried near the aircraft. The British Paratroopers could not be individually identified after the war and were reinterred in the Jonkerbos War Cemetery at Nijmegen.

 

Cooper, Raymond Edward (366967)
Corporal, Died of Wounds
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Awarded: 
Born:  12 Apr 1922  Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  10 Jun 1942  St. Louis, Missouri
Died:  1 Aug 1944  Saipan
Buried:  Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California
Father:  Leroy Cooper
Mother:  Annabelle Hirsch
Spouse: 
Notes:  Went overseas in August 1942 and served at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and was in the first wave at Saipan.

 

 

Cowell, Archie Henry (36070519)
6', 185 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Died non-battle
Company A, 50th Armored Infantry Battalion
Awarded: 
Born:  28 Aug 1918  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  1 Dec 1943  Camp Cooke, Santa Barbara County, California
Buried:  St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Isadore Cowell
Mother:  Viola Rahn
Spouse: 
Notes:  Died of head injury from being struck by shrapnel while on duty.

 

 

Dannenbrink, Alfred (36059423)
5' 9", 177 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division
Awarded:  Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born:  7 Apr 1917  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  18 Oct 1944  Peleliu
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Wall of the Missing
Father:  William F. Dannenbrink
Mother:  Mary Nora Rabe
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Deans, David George (36303175)
5' 6", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  27 Mar 1920  Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois
Enlisted:  3 Dec 1941  Camp Roberts, California
Died:  15 Jul 1944  Normandy, France
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  James Deans
Mother:  Susan Lees
Spouse: 
Notes:  Buried in joint grave with his brother James.

 

 

Deans, James Kenneth
Seaman 1st Class, Died non-battle
US Coast Guard
Awarded: 
Born:  1 May 1923  Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  4 Nov 1944  Hanford, Kings County, California
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  James Deans
Mother:  Susan Lees
Spouse: 
Notes:  Killed when TWA Flight 8 crashed in a thunderstorm after departing San Francisco bound for Burbank.  Buried in joint grave with his brother David.

 

 

Degenhardt, Edward Valentine (3377979
Gunners Mate 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
SS Oklahoma
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  23 Sep 1913  Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  28 Mar 1945  at sea in the Atlantic
Buried:  East Coast Memorial, Tablets of the Missing
Father:  John Degenhardt
Mother:  Ida F. W. Niederbrach
Spouse: 
Notes:  Edward was serving as part of the armed guard onboard the tanker S.S. Oklahoma which was sailing for Dakar, French West Africa.  The ship was unescorted and steaming a non-evasive track when she was struck by a single torpedo from U-532.  The torpedo struck the starboard igniting the cargo which resulted in a conflagration as the ship had been carrying a cargo of high-octane gasoline and kerosene.   Some of the crew were able to abandon ship, however 38 merchant marines and 14 of the armed guards were lost in the sinking.

 

 

Demick, Kenneth J. (16053749)
Staff Sergeant, Died of Wounds
Company I, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  22 Feb 1920  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  4 Feb 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  17 Dec 1944  Vicinity of Habkirchen, Germany
Buried:  St. Marys Catholic Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Roman P. Demick
Mother:  Veronica Wolshock
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Dettmer, Wilbert H. (36064016)
5' 8", 135 lbs, red hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company A, 13th Engineer Battalion, Corps of Engineers
Awarded: 
Born:  14 Oct 1919  Welge, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  23 Jul 1942  East St. Louis, Illinois
Died:  29 May 1943  Attu Island
Buried:  St. Mark Lutheran Cemetery, Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Henry C. Dettmer
Mother:  Alvina Alms
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Edgar, Thomas Pardun, Jr. (18060070 and O-560955)
5' 11", 130 lbs, red hair, brown eyes
Captain, MIA/Died non-battle
Headquarters Squadron, 17 Bomb Group (M)
Awarded: 
Born:  4 Jul 1918  Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Enlisted:  9 Sep 1941  Houston, Texas
Died:  14 Jun 1944 
Buried:  Sicily Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing
Father:  Thomas P. Edgar Sr.
Mother:  Juanita Harbin
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Eggemeyer, Clyde Louis (36446157)
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Headquarters Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  21 Nov 1922  Blair, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  3 Feb 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  27 Mar 1945  France
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Joseph Eggemeyer
Mother:  Theresa Rieckenberg
Spouse:  Lela Lavaun Roettjer, 24 Dec 1942 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes: 

 

 

Eilers, Elmer W. (36078452)
5' 10", 180 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Corporal, Died non-battle
3rd Armored Division
Awarded: 
Born:  17  Mar 1917  Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  18 Aug 1942  Camp Polk, Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Buried:  St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Wine Hill, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  William Eilers
Mother:  Marie Kohler
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Erdmann, Alvin H (36475549)
5' 9", 145 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Battery C, 125th Field Artillery Battalion, 34th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  5 Dec 1923  Prairie, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  25 Feb 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  31 May 1944  Salerno, Italy
Buried:  Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Arnold Erdman
Mother:  Louise Rowald
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Ervin, Clifford Willis (36075404)
5' 10", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company E, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  12 May 1918  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  23 Jan 1941 
Died:  25 Jun 1945  Okinawa
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  James Ervin
Mother:  Leona Parker
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Finley, Robert Oliver, Jr. (36433534)
5' 11", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Technical Sergeant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
736th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  18 May 1914  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  27 Oct 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  21 Jun 1944  near Brux, France
Buried:  Ft. McPherson National Cemetery, Section R, Site 27, Maxwell, Nebraska and cenotaph at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Robert O. Finley Sr.
Mother:  Rosalia Hughes
Spouse: 
Notes:  Radio Operator on the Leon Polinsky Crew flying B-24G (42-78432) on a mission to Brux.  Shortly after releasing it's bombs the aircraft was hit by flak in the #2 engine and in the bomb bay.  Finley and the flight engineer attempted to put the fire in the bomb bay out and open the bomb bay doors to bail out.  Seven members of the crew bailed out succesfully, but the pilot, flight engineer and Finley were killed when the aircraft crashed.  MACR 6746

 

 

Gerberding, William L. "Gabby" (36668997)
5' 8", 146 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  4 Dec 1924  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  8 Jul 1945  France
Buried:  Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
Father:  Wiliam Gerberding
Mother:  Edna Welge
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Gordon, Dean Wilson (8682632)
Seaman 1st Class, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  7 Aug 1923  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  3 Feb 1945  Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington
Buried:  Union Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Grant Gordon
Mother:  Beulah M. Wilson
Spouse:  Helen Marie Hughes, married 27 Dec 1941 in St. Genevieve, Missouri
Notes: 

 

 

Gregson, Wilbert Edward Ernest (36431677)
6', 153 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company A, 383rd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division
Awarded:  
Born:  13 Jun 1921  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  16 Oct 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  7 Apr 1945  Okinawa
Buried:  St. John's Lutheran Cemtery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Irl E. Gregson
Mother:  Matilda Rowald
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Hachman, Glenn Peter (6696875)
Machinist Mate 2nd Class, Died non-battle
USNR
Awarded: 
Born:  7 Jan 1906  Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  9 Oct 1942 
Died:  29 May 1943  Chelsea, Massachusetts
Buried:  St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Henry H. Hachman
Mother:  Rosa Wittmear
Spouse:  Esther Jung
Notes:  Acute Appendicitis

 

 

Heaton, Clifford E. "Catfish" (16019582 and O-727454)
5' 8", 152 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
1st Lieutenant, Killed in Action
91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group
Awarded:  Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born:  23 Apr 1918  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  16 Oct 1941  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  3 May 1943  North Africa
Buried:  North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot D, Row 12, Grave 7, Carthage, Tunis  and cenotaph at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Ival F. Heaton
Mother:  Aletha M. Lemon
Spouse:  Anna Dorothy McMurtrie, married 27 Jul 1942 in Maricopa County, Arizona
Notes: 

 

 

Heizer, Charles William (6693830)
5' 6", 140 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Machinsts Mate 3rd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Bristol (DD 453)
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  23 Dec 1921  Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  9 Sep 1942 
Died:  13 Oct 1943  at sea, 70 miles wnw of Bone, Algeria
Buried:  North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, Carthage, Tunis
Father:  William Heizer
Mother:  Elizabeth "Bessie" Shea
Spouse: 
Notes:  A month earlier the Bristol rescued 70 survivors from the USS Rowan (DD 405), which had been sunk by a German UBoat off of Salerno.  On the morning of Oct 13th, 1943 the Bristol was escorting a small concoy to Oran, Algeria.  She was attacked by U-371 and was struck on the port side near the forward engine room.  The ship split in two and sunk in under 15 minutes.  5 Officers and 47 Crew were lost.

 

 

Hill, Charles Jr. (36739983)
5' 8", 190 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company K, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  9 Sep 1923  Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  12 Mar 1943 
Died:  7 Sep 1944  Belgium
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Charles Hill Sr.
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Hizer, Norbert Jack William (3375771)
Machinsts Mate 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS S-28 (SS-133)
Awarded: 
Born:  3 Nov 1914  St. Louis, Missouri
Enlisted:    
Died:  4 Jul 1944  at off Oahu, Hawaii
Buried:  Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii, Courts of the Missing
Father:  William C. Hizer
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes:  Lost off Oahu during antisubmarine warfare (ASW) exercises with United States Coast Guard Cutter Reliance. Contact between the two vessels was lost. All attempts to establish communications failed. Assistance arrived from Pearl Harbor, but a thorough search of the area failed to locate the submarine. No attempt was made to rescue the crew or raise the hull as the depth of the water was 8,400 feet, beyond the range of available equipment.  For detailed information see http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss-s-28-133-loss.htm

 

 

Holtz, Lester P. (36439451)
5' 11", 140 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Died of Wounds
Recon Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division
Awarded: 
Born:  28 Jun 1922  Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  15 Dec 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  11 Aug 1944 
Buried:  Coulterville Cemetery, Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  William F. Holtz
Mother:  Grace M. Perry
Spouse: 
Notes:  Wounded 5 Aug 1944

 

 

Hopple, Leslie Eugene (16162218)
5' 8", 147 lbs, blonde hair. Blue eyes
Staff Sergeant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
19th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group
Awarded:  Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born:  10 Apr 1924  Blair, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  4 Dec 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  11 Jun 1944  at sea, 80 miles south of Palau Island
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing, and cenotaph at Lively Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Richard Hopple
Mother:  Edith Fairleigh
Spouse: 
Notes:  Nose Gunner Leonard Hogland Crew flyin in B-24D "Louisiana Lullaby" (#42-63986) along with 21 other B-24's, from Wakde Airfield, Sarmi Regency, Papua Province, Indonesia on a bombing mission over Peleliu Airfield, Peleliu Island.  About 50 miles from the target the B-24's were attacked by Japanese fighter planes.   Louisiana Lullaby was hit in the right wing by a fragment from a phosperous type bomb that caused the wing to catch on fire. However the fire seemed to be controlled and they were able to make a bombing run on the Peleliu Airfield.  While returning to base they noticed that the fire in the wing was not contained and they had to ditch into the sea.  Two men were seen in a raft after the ditching, but rescue was unsuccesful.  The entire crew was lost on this mission.

 

 

Horschmann, Emmett C. (37636608)
5' 6", 135 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company A, 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion
Awarded: 
Born:  7 Aug 1912  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  30 Mar 1944  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  3 Apr 1945  Germany
Buried:  St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery,  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Casper Horschmann
Mother:  Pauline Kohl
Spouse:  Doris
Notes: 

 

 

Howie, James Mills (36072865)
5' 6", 161 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Technical Sergeant, Killed in Action
345th Bomb Squadron, 98th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded:  Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born:  12 Jun 1919  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  1 Aug 1943  Ploesti, Romania
Buried:  Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, Florence, Italy and cenotaph Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
Father:  Marquis Lews Howie
Mother:  Minerva T. Waters
Spouse: 
Notes:  Radio Operator on James Deeds crew flying B-24D "Kate Smith" (#42-40991) during "Operation Tidal Wave" the tree top level attack on the Ploesti Oil Fields.   Over the target the aircraft took a direct hit in the cockpit killing the pilot.  The aircraft caught fire and exploded.  The co-pilot was blown clear and was able to open his chute, he was later captured and made a POW.  The other men in the aircraft were all killed, only four bodies were recovered.

 

 

Joiner, Charles Homer (3858939)
Gunners Mate 2nd Class, Killed in Action
USS Selfridge (DD-357)
Awarded: 
Born:  23 Jul 1920  Cutler, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  14 Aug 1940 
Died:  7 Oct 1943  12 miles off Marquana Bay
Buried:  Cutler Cemetery, Cutler, Perry County, Illinois
Father:  Charles Joiner
Mother:  Florence Martin
Spouse: 
Notes:  Killed during the Battle of Vella Lavella

 

Kasten, Stanley Otto (9421902)
5' 10", 130 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Hospital Apprentice 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  3 Jun 1925  Hoyleton, Washington County, Illinois
Enlisted:  2 Nov 1943  Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Died:  30 Jul 1945  Philippine Sea
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, also the U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Indiana and cenotaph at St. Marks Lutheran Cemetery, Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Otto Kasten
Mother:  Olinda Holle
Spouse: 
Notes:  Stanley had served on the Indianapolis since May 1944.  The Indianapolis was hit by 2 torpedoes, the second hitting the sick bay where Stanley was on watch.  No sign of him was seen by any of the survivors after the sinking.

 

 

Kelley, Wesley J. (36486009)
5' 7", 160 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Died non-battle
1st Engineer Support Bridge, 3rd Battalion, 531st Amphibious Combat Engineers
Awarded: 
Born:  29 Dec 1920  Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  10 Jun 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  13 Jan 1945  France
Buried:  Bethel Cemetery, Swanwick, Perry County, Illinois
Father:  Roy E. Kelley
Mother:  Vera B. Gray
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Kinder, Robert Joseph (7551361)
Fireman 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Isherwood (DD-520)
Awarded: 
Born:  28 Jan 1927  Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  22 Apr 1945  vicinty of Ie Shima near Okinawa
Buried:  St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery, Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Bertrand Kinder
Mother:  Nora Lean Keebler
Spouse: 
Notes:  Isherwood sailed for the Okinawa operation 21 March 1945; and, after her arrival 5 days later, took part in the landings on Kerama Retto preparatory to the main assault on Okinawa. She then moved to a position off the beaches for fire support missions for the next two weeks. On April 16th the ship was sent to aid stricken destroyers Pringle (DD-477) and Laffey (DD-724) off Ie Shima. That afternoon she took over Laffey's duties as fighter director ship on picket station.  On April 22nd a kamikaze made a dusk attack on the destroyer and crashed No. 3 gun mount. Many fires were started by the D3A1 "Val" dive bomber and his 500-pound bomb, but all were quickly extinguished except the one in the depth charge rack aft. After 25 minutes of dangerous fire-fighting, the charge exploded, causing great damage in the after engine room. Isherwood arrived Kerama Retto with over 80 men killed, wounded, or missing.

 

 

Kirk, Albert Edward (494678)
Cpl, Killed in Action
Company B, 1st Battalion, 25 Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division
Awarded: 
Born:  30 Mar 1925  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  22 Jan 1943 
Died:  7 Jul 1944  Saipan
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John S. Kirk
Mother:  Emma F. Gretzmacher
Spouse: 
Notes:  At dawn of 7 July the remaining able-bodied Japanese troops (about 4000) charged forward in the final attack. Behind them came the wounded, with bandaged heads, crutches, and barely armed. The Japanese surged over the American front lines, engaging both Army and Marine units. Resulting in over 4,300 Japanese killed and over 400 dead US soldiers with more than 500 more wounded. The attack on 7 July would be the largest Japanese Banzai charge in the Pacific War.

 

Kloepper, Ralph W. (4100068)
SM3C, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Reuben James DD-245)
Awarded: 
Born:  16 Mar 1915  Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  31 Oct 1941  North Atlantic, near Iceland
Buried:  Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, and cenotaph at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Gustav Kloepper
Mother:  Elisabeth
Spouse: 
Notes:  Neutrality Patrol, guarding the Atlantic and Caribbean approaches to the American coast. During March 1941, Reuben James joined the force established to escort convoys sailing to Great Britain. This force escorted convoys as far as Iceland, after which the convoys became the responsibility of British escorts. At dawn on 31 October, it was torpedoed near Iceland U-552. Reuben James had positioned itself between an ammunition ship in the convoy and the known position of a German "wolfpack". The destroyer was not flying the Ensign of the United States, and was in the process of dropping depth charges on another U-boat when it was engaged.  Reuben James was hit forward by a torpedo meant for a merchant ship and her entire bow was blown off when a magazine exploded. The bow sank immediately. The aft section floated for five minutes before going down. Of a crew of seven officers and 136 enlisted men plus one enlisted passenger, 100 were killed, leaving only 44 enlisted men and no officers who survived the attack.

 

 

Knop, Charles Harold (16162221)
Sergeant, Died non-battle
772nd Bomb Squadron, 463rd Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  14 Jan 1924 
Enlisted:  26 Nov 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  19 Nov 1943  10 miles east of McDill Field, Hillsborough County, Florida
Buried:  Union Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Charles Fritz Knop
Mother:  Caroline A. Mahan
Spouse: 
Notes:  The B-17F (#42-30786) that he was flying in collided with another B-17 during training, all 10 men aboard were killed.

 

 

Koehler, Carl Alfred ()
6', 190 lbs, red hair, blue eyes
Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  4 Jul 1909  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  3 Oct 1945  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  George Koehler
Mother:  Lydia C. Bartels
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Koopman, Walter Frederick (9470637)
5' 4", 120 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Fireman 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Indianapolis (CA35)
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  12 Nov 1926  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  30 Jul 1945  Philippine Sea
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, also the U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial, Indianapolis, Indiana and cenotaph at St. John Evangelical Church Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Fred W. Koopman
Mother:  Frieda Schroeder
Spouse: 
Notes:  This was his first voyage on the Indianapolis.  His body was never recovered.

 

 

Kraft, Floyd William (37132596)
5' 10", 182 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Tec5, Killed in Action
Headquarters Company, 32nd Armored Infanry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division
Awarded: 
Born:  17 Feb 1914  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  29 Jan 1942 
Died:  16 Jan 1945  Belgium
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Adam Kraft
Mother:  Dora Brenning
Spouse:  Ruth Darrough
Notes: 

 

 

Kueker, Clarence A (36973707)
5' 7", 130 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company E, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  13 May 1915  Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  26 Apr 1944 
Died:  20 Nov 1944  Benestroff, Lorraine, France
Buried:  St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery, Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Martin Kueker
Mother:  Behman
Spouse:  Ruth Heumann
Notes: 

 

 

Kueker, Alvin Charles (36973700)
5' 8", 135 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company I, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  3 Aug 1918  Cutler, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  19 Jan 1945  Belgium
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Herman Kueker
Mother:  Ida Dierks
Spouse:  Jewel Ayres
Notes: 

 

 

Lankford, Homer C. (36435693)
5' 9", 162 lbs, black hair,  blue eyes
Private, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  15 Feb 1921  Kaskaskia Island, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  19 Jul 1943  Camp Chaffee, Sebastian County, Arkansas
Buried:  Kaskaskia Cemetery, Kaskaskia, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Allen J. Lankford
Mother:  Emma C. Clark
Spouse:  Mary
Notes:  Accidental explosion in demolition area #5

 

 

Lingle, Clarence Kenneth (36057588)
5' 11", 164lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Staff Sergeant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
85th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 5th Armored Division
Awarded:  Bronze Start w/ OLC
Born:  19 Jun 1917  Ellis Grove, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  26 May 1942  East St. Louis, Illinois
Died:  13 Apr 1945  Germany
Buried:  American War Cemetery Margarten, Wall of the Missing & Centotaph Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Father:  Clarence Lingle
Mother:  Ora Caudie
Spouse:  Hattie Wasson
Notes: 

 

 

Lorenz, Sylvester John (36055693)
6' 2", 170 lbs, black hair, grey eyes, red hair, brown eyes
Corporal, Killed in Action
1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  2 Nov 1919  Monroe County, Illinois
Enlisted:  27 Feb 1942  Scott Field, Illinois
Died:  18 Nov 1943  Italy
Buried:  St. Peters and Paul Catholic Cemetery Old, Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois
Father:  Hugo Lorenz
Mother:  Pauline Schneider
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Loveland, John Virgil (36075394)
5' 10", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company E, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Awarded:  Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born:  13 Mar 1918  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  24 Jan 1941 
Died:  24 Oct 1944  Leyte, Philippines
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Horace Loveland
Mother:  Mabel Gimber
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Loyd, Charles L (36778519)
5' 7", 158 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company D, 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  24 Jul 1924  Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  8 Dec 1943 
Died:  26 Nov 1944  vicinity of Fresnes, France
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Ellis F. Loyd
Mother:  Sophia Pearl Bergfeld
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Lynch, Maurice Edward (3370226)
Motor Machinist Mate Mate 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Dorado (SS-248)
Awarded: 
Born:  12 Nov 1916  Thebes, Alexander County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  12 Oct 1943  Caribbean Sea off the coast of Panama
Buried:  East Coast Memorial, Tablets of the Missing and cenotaph at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois
Father:  Timothy Lynch
Mother:  Marie
Spouse: 
Notes:  Dorado, a newly commissioned submarine sailed from New London, Connecticut, on 6 October 1943 for Panama. She did not arrive at Panama nor was she heard from at any time after sailing.  Because of the lack of evidence, the Court of Inquiry was unable to reach definite conclusions as to the cause of the loss of Dorado.

 

 

Mabuce, Edward Leo "Eddie" (36480765)
5' 6", 134 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  10 Sep 1907  Crosstown, Missouri
Enlisted:  9 Apr 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  30 Oct 1944  Leyte, Philippines
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Samuel Mabuce
Mother:  Emma Mary Favier
Spouse:  Lora Finley
Notes: 

 

 

Mahan, Delmer Lee (3381695)
Seaman 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Columbia (CL-56)
Awarded: 
Born:  14 Apr 1926  Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  6 Jan 1945  Lingayen Gulf
Buried:  National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, Plot B, Site 1118
Father:  James Mahan
Mother:  Viola Browning
Spouse: 
Notes:  Killed during a Kamikazi attack that killed 13 and 44 wounded.

 

 

Mathews, William Carl (36677297)
5' 10", 160 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Company G., 254th Infantry, 63rd Infantry Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  21 Dec 1921  Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  26 Jan 1945  near Jebsheim, France
Buried:  American War Cemetery Epinal, Plot A, Row 25, Grave 14 and a Centotaph Hill Prairie Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Ralph Mathews
Mother:  Lois Finley
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Mathewson, James R. "Buster" (16028061)
Sergeant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
42nd Bomber Squadron 11th Bomber Group
Awarded:  DFC, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born:  25 Jan 1920  Durand, Shiawassee County, MI
Enlisted:  17 Sep 1940  Chanute Field, Illinois
Died:  24 Sep 1942  In the vicinity of Domo Cove, Guadalcanel
Buried:  Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father:  Grover Mathewson
Mother:  Mabel Hannah
Spouse: 
Notes:  Mathewson served with the 11th Bombardment Group, 42nd Bombardment Squadron. On September 24, 1942 he was bombardier on B-17E #41-2420, nicknamed 'Bessie the Jap Basher' along with three other bombers against surface ships at Shortland harbor in the Solomon Islands. They seriously damaged a cargo ship, then came under attack from about twenty Zero fighters. Mathewson's plane took damage and was last seen descending to sea level with fighters pursuing it. The pilot managed to keep it in the air for 290 miles before finally ditching it off Domo Cove at Guadalcanal.  At least two of the crew (the pilot Captain Charles E Norton and gunner Sergeant Bruce Osborne) managed to make it to shore but both later died. The plane's wreckage was located by US forces in 1944 and no bodies were aboard. The fate of the rest of the crew was never determined, and they were all officially declared dead January 7, 1946.  MACR 15098

 

 

McDonald, Myrl Thompson (36437657)
5' 11", 210 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
24th Cavalry Recon Squadron, Mechanized
Awarded: 
Born:  21 Sep 1920  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  27 Nov 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  8 Oct 1944  Germany
Buried:  Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 80, Grave 20, St. Louis, Missouri
Father:  Clay Hill McDonald
Mother:  Ruby A. Schulze
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

McGuire, Harry B. (O-690466)
2nd Lieutenant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
718th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomber Group (H)
Awarded:  Air Medal w/OLC, Purple Heart
Born:  1 Oct 1919  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  30 Jan 1944  Provincia di Udine, Italy
Buried:  Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the missing and  burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 1GF, Site 618
Father:  Harry L. McGuire
Mother:  Dorothy Prosek
Spouse: 
Notes:  Navigator on the  Ben Kendall Crew, flying B-24H (#41-29217) on a mission to Udine, Italy.  Shot down by ME-109s over the target.  Right wing was in flames and aircraft went in downward glide and crashed.   9 of the 10 men onboard were  killed, 7 of whom (including McGuire) were not found.  In 2015 his remains were identified and returned home.

 

McKelvey, Franklin Hotchkiss, Jr. (O-187976)
Lieutenant Junior Grade, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Grayback (SS-208)
Awarded:  Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born:  5 Apr 1917  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  2 Feb 1944  at sea
Buried:  Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii, Courts of the Missing and cenotaph at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Frank H. McKelvey Sr.
Mother:  Gertrude A. Lee
Spouse: 
Notes:  He was serving as assistant electrical and engineering officer, when the submarine failed to return from a patrol mission in the Ryukus on February 26, 1944. Lt. McKelvey had been with the Grayback since July 1943. His valor in service was recognized posthumously with the Combat Insignia, Bronze Star Medal and Unit Commendation ribbon with citations. Lt. McKelvey was officially declared dead on January 12, 1946.

 

McNeill, Matthew John ()
5'8", 140lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
Artillery, Armored Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  21 Feb 1918  Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  1 May 1944  Anzio, Italy
Buried:  Coulterville Cemetery, Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Elmer J. McNeill
Mother:  Margaret L
Spouse: 
Notes:  Member of Phi Gamma Delta, Graduated from University of Missouri.  He had participated in the Tunisian Campaign and was killed by enemy fire at Anzio.

 

 

Meyerott, Wilbert Warren Louis (37263361)
5' 6", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Died non-battle
Battery B, 65th Field Artillery Battalion
Awarded: 
Born:  2 Nov 1920  Coleridge, Cedar County, Nebraska
Enlisted:    
Died:  31 Jul 1945  Coleridge, Cedar County, Nebraska
Buried:  Baldwin Cemetery, Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John L. Meyerott
Mother:  Theresa C. Laufer
Spouse: 
Notes:  Killed in an auto accident while home on leave after suffering shrapnel wounds to his arm.

 

 

Meyerott, Herbert Daniel Henry (6481930)
5' 11', 168 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Aviation Radioman 1st Class, Died non-battle
USNR
Awarded: 
Born:  27 Sep 1915  Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  10 Apr 1945  New York
Buried:  Baldwin Cemetery, Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John L. Meyerott
Mother:  Theresa C. Laufer
Spouse: 
Notes:  Cancer

 

 

Midget, Walter, Jr. (36477111)
5' 9", 150 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
561st Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  14 Nov 1923  St. Louis, Missouri
Enlisted:  15 Mar 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  25 Aug 1944  Germany
Buried:  IOOF Cemetery, Percy, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Walter Midget Sr.
Mother:  Laurabelle Klosterhoff
Spouse: 
Notes:  Walter served as Flight Engineer/ Top Turret Gunner assigned to the Leon Sutton crew.  On 13 Aug 1944 during takeoff the left tire blew causing the aircraft to ground loop, all nine men aboard survived.  Twelve days later the same crew was flying on Cutie on Duty (#44-6171) on a mission to Stettin.  Shortly after the target the aircraft was hit by flak in the wing which began to burn.  It did a slow roll  and then went into a tight spin.   Other than the pilot, the remainder of the crew bailed out.  Lt Healy, the navigator, jumped first, but his chute didn't open.  Staff Sergeant Midget bailed out successfully, but was shot shortly after reaching the ground.  Although the German civilians claimed they shot him while he was attempting to escape the wound was consistent with an execution.  The remaining six members of the crew survived and were captured.  The crew was on their 4th mission.  MACR 8286

 

 

Moore, Ira Chester (36435728)
5' 11", 190 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Tec4, Died non-battle
1299 Military Police Company (Aviation), US Army Air Corps
Awarded: 
Born:  23 Aug 1912  Corona, Alabama
Enlisted:  10 Nov 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  31 May 1945  England
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John O. Moore
Mother:  Elizabeth Harrison
Spouse:  Hilma E. Nitzsche
Notes: 

 

 

Morrison, Kenneth Clarence (8754339)
S2C, Died non-battle
USNR
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Jan 1916  Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  29 Jun 1944  USA
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Frank Morrison
Mother:  Ellen Abney
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Mudd, Harold Francis ()
black hair, brown eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Died non-battle
434th Base Unit, USAAF
Awarded: 
Born:  3 Jun 1920  Modoc, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  13 Aug 1945  Lake County, California
Buried:  St. Boniface Cemetery, Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Leopold Mudd
Mother:  Eulalia Simpson
Spouse: 
Notes:  While piloting a P-38L Lightening (#44-26050) collided with another P38 piloted by 2Lt. Albert H. Peletier.

 

 

Mudd, James Damien ()
Sergeant, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  29 Jun 1920  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  25 Aug 1942  Smyrna, Rutherford County, Tennessee
Buried:  St. Patrick's Parish Cemetery, Ruma, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  James V. Mudd
Mother:  Edna Donohoo
Spouse: 
Notes:  Killed in an auto accident while in training as an air cadet.

 

Nevois, Edgar William (O-768192)
5' 10", 151 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action
613th Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  10 Apr 1923  Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  28 Jan 1943  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  7 Oct 1944  Politz, Poland
Buried:  Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky
Father:  Edgar James Nevois
Mother:  Augusta Elizabeth Blow
Spouse: 
Notes:  Co-pilot on the Augustus J. Nelson Crew, flying B-17G "Son of a Blitz" (#42-31081) on a mission to Politz, Poland.  Aircraft was hit over the target by Flak and dove into the ground.

 

 

Pfeiffer, William F ()
Ensign,
Awarded: 
Born:  23 Oct 1923 
Enlisted:    
Died:  26 Nov 1943 
Buried:  St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Bremen, Randolph County, Illinois
Father: 
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes:  This is the date of the sinking of HMT Rohna, however I did not find him listed among those lost.  He also does not appear in the official Navy volumes of those lost during WWII

 

Phegley, Burton William (1328515 & 36442013)
5' 9", 150 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action
Company E, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  30 Apr 1917  Modoc, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  7 Jan 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  23 Apr 1945  Germany
Buried:  Saint Leo Cemetery, Modoc, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Charles P. "Tiny" Phegley
Mother:  Margaret M. Perry
Spouse:  Betty Gunn
Notes: 

 

Pohle, Kurt Hans Herbert (37413286)
5' 9", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Military Intelligence Service, 100th Infantry Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  15 Sep 1921  Magdeburg, Germany
Enlisted:  21 Jan 1943  St. Louis, Missouri
Died:  5 Feb 1945  In the vicinity of Bitche, France
Buried:  Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial
Father:  Hans Pohle
Mother:  Louise
Spouse: 
Notes:  Emigrated to the U.S. Apr 29th 1929 (Hamburg to NY) on the ship Deutschland with his parents.   They settled in Randolph County, Illinois.  Petitioned for Naturalization on 27 Sep 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

 

Powderly, Vernon Andrew (36055071)
5' 8", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Tec5, Killed in Action
592nd Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment, 2nd Engineer Special Brigade
Awarded: 
Born:  11 Aug 1917  Renault, Monroe County, Illinois
Enlisted:  14 Feb 1942  Scott Field, Illinois
Died:  6 Sep 1943  Southwest Pacific
Buried:  Saint John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  James M. Powderly
Mother:  Margaret A. Baer
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Price, Parley Winton (6689910)
5' 6", 140 lbs, blonde hair, grey eyes
Electricians Mate 3rd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Runner (SS-275)
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  16 Sep 1912  DuQouin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  11 Jul 1943  North of Hokkaido, Japan
Buried:  Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and centotaph in Coulterville Cemetery, Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Louis Borella
Mother:  Shrilda Price
Spouse:  Mary Ellen O'Neill
Notes:  On 27 May 1943 Runner departed Midway for her third war patrol, assigned a patrol area in the Kuril Islands chain and the waters off northern Japan. She was never heard from again.  Captured Japanese records examined after World War II indicated that she sank the cargo ship Seinan Maru on 11 June 1943 in Tsugaru Strait off Hokkaidō and on 22 June 1943 was attacked and apparently damaged by Imperial Japanese Navy forces.  She was declared overdue and presumed lost in July 1943 and stricken from Naval Records on 30 Oct 1943.

 

 

Prosek, Gilbert George (459282)
5' 8", 140 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Awarded:  Navy Cross, Purple Heart
Born:  1 Oct 1921  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  16 Nov 1942 
Died:  3 Jan 1944  Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island
Buried:  Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  George Prosek
Mother:  Theresa Gott
Spouse: 
Notes:  Navy Cross Citation:  The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Gilbert George Prosek (MCSN: 459282), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, on 3 January 1944. In the face of intense fire from heavily fortified enemy positions on the opposite bank of a stream, Private First Class Prosek made three charges across the stream against an enemy machine gun position, putting the gun out of action. He then, from an exposed position, provided covering fire for the crossing of another member of his platoon, during which action he lost his life. Private First Class Prosek's indomitable fighting spirit, valiant self-sacrifice and unyielding devotion to duty were an inspiration to all members of his unit and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 

 

Ranft, Virgil Russell (6697656)
Ships Cook 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Terror (CM-5)
Awarded: 
Born:  21 Jul 1907 
Enlisted:    
Died:  1 May 1945  Kerama Retto, 15 miles west of Okinawa
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Charles W. Ranft
Mother:  Maud Byers
Spouse:  Lucille
Notes:  Killed during a Kamikazi attack that killed 41, left 7 missing, and 123 wounded.

 

Rednour, Forrest Oren (23118)
Ships Cook 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USCGC Escanaba (WPG-77)
Awarded:  Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Mariner's Medal, and Purple Heart
Born:  13 May 1922  Percy, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  13 Jun 1943  at sea in the North Alantic
Buried:  East Coast Memorial, Tablets of the Missing and cenotaph at IOOF Cemetery, Percy, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Nelson M. Rednour
Mother:  Bertha Adams
Spouse:  Ruth Larson, married 23 Dec 1942 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Notes:  Assigned to the Greenland Patrol Service, Escanaba had been instrumental in the rescue of 133 survivors of the SS Dorchester.  Forrest O. Rednour along with 2 other men went "over the side" to rescue survivors and were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their service.  Unfortunately all three men were killed four months later when Escanaba apparently hit a mine and sank almost immediatly.  Only two men survived the sinking which took place during an escort of convoy GS-24 between Narsarssuak and St. Johns Newfoundland.  The USS Rednour (APD-102) was named in his honor.

 

 

Richeson, Edwin Fulton (36078463)
brown hair, brown eyes
Corporal, Died of Wounds
33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  2 Jun 1921  Mount Vernon, Posey County, Indiana
Enlisted:    
Died:  12 Jan 1945  Belgium
Buried:  American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot G, Row 11, Grave 2
Father:  Newman Richeson
Mother:  Lillie M. Cole
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Rosemeier, Edwin J. (16040521)
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company M, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  3 Nov 1906 
Enlisted:  7 Oct 1940  East St. Louis, Illinois
Died:  7 May 1943  Tunisia
Buried:  St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Ernst Roesemeier
Mother:  Wilhelmina Bestman
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Schellenger, Alfred Leon (37414542)
6' 2", 170 lbs, black hair, grey eyes
Private, Killed in Action
354th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  30 Oct 1922  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  27 Jan 1943  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  4 Mar 1945  along the Kyll River, Germany
Buried:  American War Cemetery, Henri-Chappele, Plot H, Row 2, Grave 69
Father:  Clyde Schellenger
Mother:  Myrtle Frances Pirkle
Spouse:  Opal May Peeler
Notes: 

 

 

Secor, Arthur Eugene (17133117)
6', 160 lbs, red hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company G, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  10 Oct 1924  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  3 Mar 1943 
Died:  17 Feb 1945  Vicinity of Etzlingen, France
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Edmund Secor
Mother:  Alma R. Robinson
Spouse: 
Notes:  

 

 

Siemers, Leonard William (36475517)
5' 10", 160 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Company F, 63rd Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  19 Nov 1923  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  25 Feb 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  8 Jul 1944  Luzon
Buried:  St. John Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Bremen, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Fritz Siemers
Mother:  Sophia Knope
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Simpson, Orville Maurice (39844948)
5' 7", 132 lbs
Tech 4, Killed in Action
HQ Battery, 340th Field Artillery Battalion, 89th Division
Awarded: 
Born:  29 Aug 1913  Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  27 Jun 1942  San Francisco, California
Died:  27 Mar 1945  Luxembourg
Buried:  St. Boniface Cemetery, Evansville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Lucian F. Simpson
Mother:  Jesse J. Mudd
Spouse:  Ann
Notes: 

 

 

Smith, Elmo Richard (39299447)
5' 9", 172 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Company K, 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  14 Mar 1917  Willisville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:  3 Jun 1943 
Died:  16 Mar 1945  Philippines
Buried:  Steeleville City Cemetery, Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Thomas M. Smith
Mother:  Mayme L. Mischke
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Stebbins, Harry Albert (458527)
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Nov 1924  Charleston, Missouri
Enlisted:    
Died:  21 Feb 1945  Iwo Jima
Buried:  National Memoria Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, Plot O 448
Father:  George Stebbins
Mother:  Maytie W. Jeannin
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Steele, Archie Paul (984660)
Private, Killed in Action
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Awarded: 
Born:  24 Oct 1923  Percy, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  25 May 1945  Okinawa
Buried:  Steeleville City Cemetery, Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Richard R. Steele
Mother:  Elizabeth E. Carpenter
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Stellhorn, Conrad H. (36433541)
6' 1", 165 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company K, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  19 Apr 1912  Horse Prairie, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  27 Oct 1942  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  4 Aug 1944 
Buried:  Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Conrad Stellhorn
Mother:  Minnie Kloepper
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Stepanek, Frank Anton (6684922)
Yeoman 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Franklin (CV-13)
Awarded: 
Born:  abt 1916  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  19 Mar 1945  50 miles from the coast of Japan
Buried:  Honolulu Memorial, Courts of the Missing
Father:  Frank Stepanek
Mother:  Mary Pavel
Spouse: 
Notes:  Enemy bombers appeared bent on a suicide mission. Navy fighters shot down most of the Japanese planes, but six broke through the combat air patrol into Franklin's task group of four carriers defensively surrounded by a circle of about twenty escorting cruisers and destroyers. Shipboard anti-aircraft guns shot down three of the four kamikazes independently diving toward each of the four carriers; but the one targeting Franklin hit the flight deck and crashed through to the gallery deck, killing 56 men and wounding 60.

 

Sternberg, Clyde Frederick (36672924)
5' 8", 160 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Medical Detachment, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division
Awarded:  Silver Star, Purple Heart
Born:  5 Jul 1916  Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  4 Oct 1944  Kerkrade, The Netherlands
Buried:  American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot E, Row 7, Grave 15
Father:  Edward D. Sternberg
Mother:  Amelia C. Uhe
Spouse:  Daphne M. Miller
Notes:  He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for actions on the day of his death. The citation reads: Pvt Sternberg was serving as a litter bearer with an infantry company engaged in street fighting in an offensive against the enemy. When one of his comrades was wounded, Private Sternberg immediately rushed to give him aid although the enemy fire which had wounded him was still covering the street. In this gallant endeavor, Pvt Sternberg lost his life.

 

Sunderman, Frederick Franklin (36049514)
5' 8", 150 lbs, red hair. Blue eyes
Tec4, Killed in Action
Company C, 136th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  13 Dec 1918  Jacksonville, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Enlisted:  23 Oct 1942 
Died:  18 May 1943  Papua, New Guinea
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Benjamin Sunderland
Mother:  Minnie Gieselmann
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Thimmig, Charles Joseph (37623462)
5' 7", 138 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
3rd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Awarded:  Purple Heart
Born:  9 Oct 1918  Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  1 Sep 1943  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  19 Aug 1944  Argentan, France
Buried: 
Father:  August Thimmig
Mother:  Allie S. Brock
Spouse:  Thelma Mae Shipley,  married 11 Mar 1940
Notes: 

 

Triantos, Bernard Bruno
Private,
3rd Battalion, 53rd Infantry
Awarded: 
Born:  19 Jun 1920  Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas
Enlisted:    15 Dec 1938, National Guard
Died:  9 Jun 1942  San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
Buried:  St. Mark Lutheran Cemetery, Steeleville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Peter N. Triantos
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Voss, Oscar H (17015191)
Private, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Dec 1918  Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  28 Sep 1940  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died:  6 Apr 1941  Clackamas County, Oregon
Buried:  St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father: 
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes:  Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning while assigned to Camp Clatsop, Clatsop County, Oregon

 

 

Walster, Cletus H (37138819)
6', 182 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes
Sergeant,
11th Repair Squadron, 11th Air Depot
Awarded: 
Born:  29 Apr 1909  Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  24 Mar 1942 
Died:  9 Jul 1943 
Buried:  St. Joseph's Cemetery, Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Frank Walster
Mother:  Blanche E. Albert
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Welch, John, Jr. ()
Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class, Died non-battle
Awarded: 
Born:  13 Dec 1922  Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  9 Feb 1943  Alameda, CA
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John Welch Sr.
Mother:  Effie Lively
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Wetzel, Ralph  N. (347674)
Ensign, Died non-battle
US Navy
Awarded: 
Born:  2 Apr 1920  Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  9 Apr 1942 
Died:  9 Nov 1944  Duck, Dare County, North Carolina
Buried:  St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  John Wetzel
Mother: 
Spouse: 
Notes:  Accidental aircraft crash.

 

 

Williams, Albert Luther (3373382)
Musician 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Oklahoma (BB-37)
Awarded: 
Born:  1 Aug 1922  Champagn County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  7 Dec 1941  Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Buried:  USS Oklahoma Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Father:  Herschel Williams
Mother:  Malinda A. Bird
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

 

Williamson, Roger Belmont (6688153)
Seaman 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Buck (DD-420)
Awarded: 
Born:  9 Jun 1925  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  10 Oct 1943  Off the Salerno, Italy beachhead
Buried:  Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, Nettuno, Italy & cenotaph at Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Archibald Williamson
Mother:  Maria D. "Alma" Schilling
Spouse: 
Notes:  U-616 fired a Gnat acoustic torpedo from the stern torpedo tube at USS Buck which was on patrol off the Salerno beachhead about 50 miles south of Capri, Italy. The destroyer had picked up a radar contact and approached it at 25 knots, preparing a full pattern of depth charges, when the torpedo struck the starboard bow. The explosion apparently ignited the forward magazine as two detonations occurred almost simultaneously, blew off the bow and wrecked the navigating bridge, killing the commander and all other officers on watch except one who was blown overboard. The crew tried to set the depth charges on safe but the destroyer sank with the stern raising high out of the water within four minutes after being hit. The starboard charges could not be secured and exploded after the ship sank, killing or wounding many men swimming or clinging to debris and rafts. As no distress signal were sent the loss of USS Buck remained unnoticed until a C-47 aircraft spotted the survivors the next morning and dropped three rubber life rafts.  Of the ships complement of 192 men, 97 were rescued.

 

 

Wilson, Jack Rees (36478810)
6', 165 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company K, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  6 Apr 1924  Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  26 Mar 1943 
Died:  30 Nov 1943  "Gustav Line" Italy
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Harry Ray Wilson
Mother:  Florence L. Rees
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Wilson, Norman B (16040586)
5' 11", 149 lbs
Staff Sergeant, Died of Wounds
Company D, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  25 Jun 1919  Matthews, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:  10 Oct 1940  East St. Louis, Illinois
Died:  6 Apr 1943  North Africa
Buried:  Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Henry C. Wilson
Mother:  Katie Heiman
Spouse: 
Notes: 

 

Wittenbrink, George E. (36446168)
5' 9", 170 lbs, blonde hair, gray eyes
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
829th Bomb Squadron, 485th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: 
Born:  22 Nov 1922  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  3 Feb 1943  Peoria, Illinois
Died:  5 Jul 1944  Bastia, Corsica, France
Buried:  Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Fred H. "Brady" Wittenbrink
Mother:  Eva Flory Asbury
Spouse:  Lorraine Nessel
Notes:  Radio Operator

 

 

Wolshock, Jerome Joseph (3379177)
6', 175 lbs, black hair, grey eyes
Fireman 3rd Class, Killed in Action
USS Worden (DD-352)
Awarded: 
Born:  18 Aug 1922  Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  3 Sep 1942 
Died:  12 Jan 1943  Amchitka, Aleutian Islands
Buried:  Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Edward J. Wolshock
Mother:  Mayme L. Rahlfs
Spouse: 
Notes:  On 12 January 1943, Worden was guarding the transport Arthur Middleton (AP-55) as that transport put the preliminary Army security unit on the shores of Constantine Harbor, Amchitka Island. The destroyer maneuvered into the rock-edged harbor and stayed there until the last men had landed and then turned to the business of clearing the harbor.  A strong current, however, swept Worden onto a pinnacle that tore into her hull beneath her engine room and caused a complete loss of power. Dewey passed a towline to her stricken sister and attempted to tow her free, but the cable broke, and the heavy seas began moving Worden—totally without power— inexorably toward the rocky shore. The destroyer then broached and began breaking up in the surf, the stricken destroyer's commanding officer ordered abandon ship. Fourteen of the crew drowned. Worden was a total loss.

 

 

Yankey, Jesse Carnelious (36982492)
5' 8", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Died of Wounds
Company E, 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  5 Jul 1919  Rockwood, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:  28 May 1944 
Died:  21 Mar 1945  Philippines
Buried:  Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Carl Jacob Yankey
Mother:  Flora L.  Holley
Spouse:  Melba A. Cheslick, married 24 Sep 1940
Notes: 

 

 

Yates, Walter D. (36049508)
5' 10", 138 lbs, brown hair. Blue eyes
Technical Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company C, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division
Awarded: 
Born:  25 May 1917  Willisville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:    
Died:  13 Mar 1945  Zamboanga, Philippines
Buried:  Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
Father:  Amos W. Yates
Mother:  Martha C. "Mattie" Bann
Spouse: 
Notes: