World War II – Fatal Casualties

Perry County, Illinois

Armstrong, Jack Herman (17016227)
5' 9", 155 lbs, black hair, hazel eyes
Private, Died non-battle
Company A, 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 8 Jun 1916, Willisville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 1 Feb 1941,  Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died: 6 Aug 1942,  Cabanatuan, Luzon, Philippines
Buried: Tilden Cemetery, Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Father: Van R. Armstrong
Mother: Nellie Rapp
Spouse: Jewel H Hillyard
Notes: Taken prisoner on Bataan, died of dysentery in POW camp.

Bathon, James Patrick (36441916) 5' 11", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes Private First Class, Killed in Action 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division Awarded: Purple Heart Born: 25 Jun 1922 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 10 Jul 1944 Normandy, France Buried: Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial, Colleville-Sur-Mer, Normandie, France Father: Henry J. Bathon Mother: Anna C. Todd Spouse: Notes:

Beardslee, Stuart A (5915429) Sergeant, Died non-battle 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group Awarded: Born: 23 Sep 1921 Michigan Enlisted: 6 Dec 1939 Died: 21 Aug 1942 Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Province, Phillipines Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila Phillipines, Tablet of the Missing Father: George S. Beardslee Mother: Elizabeth Schutz Spouse: Notes: Captured on Bataan, died as a POW, remains not recovered.

Beasley, Dale Dayton (2059149) 2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action 705th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group (H) Awarded: DFC, Air Medal w/ 1 OLC, Purple Heart Born: 20 Jul 1918 Joliet, Will County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 24 Mar 1945 Wesel, Kreis Wesel, Germany Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot D, Row 12, Grave 29 Father: Glen Beasley Mother: Glenna A. Roberts Spouse: Notes: Pilot of 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, 5 members of the crew in total were Killed in Action. MACR #13537

Bird, Ervin Edward (36072899)
5' 7", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Medical Detachment, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 6 Dec 1919 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 16 May 1943 Tunis, North Africa
Buried: Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Wilford Bird
Mother: Nora Wolfe
Spouse:
Notes:

Bockhorn, Elvin "Junior" (3375822)
Seaman 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Cushing (DD-376)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 27 Oct 1921 Clay County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 14 Nov 1942 Lost at Sea off Guadelcanal
Buried: Lost at Sea, body not recovered
Father: Elvin Bockhorn Sr.
Mother: Hulda Knop
Spouse:
Notes: The USS Cushing was ordered to the South Pacific in mid-1942 to join the campaign to hold Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. They arrived at Guadalcanal on the morning of Nov 12th, just before daybreak. Transports from the Cushing took in some Marines when about 12:30 the ship was attacked by about 27 Japanese aircraft. The ship sustained no damage in this attack and the men were finishing for the day, about 10pm when Japanese aircraft attacked again. Junior was on the same gun with Rough, Gun 2, and all the other guns were put out of action. The order came to abandon ship as the ship was in flames, with the magazines and fuel exploding as it sank. Gun 2 was on the highest part of the ship so the gun crew continued to fire at the enemy to protect their shipmates. Then a cruiser turned four big search lights on them and someone started firing at them from behind. The gun was hit by a large shell which was when Junior was killed. Only 4 of the 28 men on the gun survived. 3 of them, including Rough, were severely wounded. Junior had six brothes, his brother Kelsey served and survived WWII although he dealt with PTSD for much of his life. His brother Gene was a medic in Korea and was killed at Pusan while attempting to save a comrade. Junior's younger brother is Arlen "Bucky" Bockhorn who played in the NBA. (Much of this information is from a letter written by a R.D. Rough, a sailor who was with Junior when he was lost, and was found in this article from the Dayton Daily News online

Bourland, Aaron "Junior" (36732175)
6' 2", 140 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company B, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 10 Jan 1924 Royalton, Franklin County, Illinois
Enlisted: 16 Feb 1943
Died: 10 Sep 1943 Solomon Islands
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Aaron Ray Bourland
Mother: Stella Irene Foster
Spouse:
Notes:

Brock, Gerald Edward (36695532)
Private, Killed in Action
116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 15 Sep 1912 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 28 Sep 1943
Died: 24 Jun 1944 Near St. Lo, Normandy, France
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Edward Brock
Mother: Irene
Spouse: Jessie Summers
Notes:

Bruno, Dominic Charles (36698528)
5' 7", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
959th Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 11 Apr 1925 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 23 Aug 1944 France
Buried: Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy France, Plot B, Row 13, Grave 33
Father: Agatino Bruno
Mother: Katie Restivo
Spouse:
Notes:

Cejka, Joseph (36014799) Corporal, Died non-battle 775th Medical Sanitary Company, Medical Corp, 10th Army Awarded: Born: 13 Jan 1915 Enlisted: 1 Apr 1942 Died: 6 Jul 1945 Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Father: Mother: Spouse: Notes:

Chapman, Lee Edward (16055407)

6', 160 lbs, blond hair, blue eyes

Sergeant, Died non-Battle

25th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group
Awarded: Purple Heart, Air Medal w/1 OLC
Born: 10 May 1920 Granite City, Illinois
Enlisted: 6 Apr 1942 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 1 Feb 1945 at sea southwest of Singapore
Buried: Concord Cemetery, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Levi L. Chapman
Mother: Ruth G. Hunter
Spouse:
Notes: Left Waist Gunner on B-29 #42-24589 "Calamity Jane" which took off, with a crew of 12, from Chakulia Airfield, India on a combat mission over Singapore. They are believed to have either been hit by ground anti-aircraft fire or attacked by a Japanese fighter plane and crashed at sea southwest of Singapore. MACR 12020

Commean, William Loren "Dude" (6912223) 5' 11", 145lbs, brown hair, blue eyes Sergeant, Killed in Action 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart Born: 5 Mar 1915 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: 11 May 1944 Ft. Sheridan, Illinois Died: 30 Mar 1945 in the vicinity of Medebach, Germany Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margarten, Netherlands Father: Elmer L Commean Mother: Christena Stanhouse Spouse: Jesse Wilson, married 30 May 1941 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri Notes:

Craig, Robert Lee
5' 9", 130 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
Company E, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 9 Dec 1925 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 31 Jan 1945 Near Sarreguemines, France
Buried: American War Cemetery Lorraine, Tablets of the Missing and centotaph at Swanick Bethel Cemetery, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Harry L. Craig
Mother: Hazel D. Shute
Spouse:
Notes:

Cubba, Louis Joseph (36526010) 5' 3", 142 lbs, black hair, blue eyes Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action 554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group (M) Awarded: Air Medal w/ 11 gold stars Born: 8 Oct 1918 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 23 Sep 1944 Charleroi, Belgium Buried: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot H, Row 8, Grave 59 Father: Michael Cubba Mother: Barbara Lavalle Spouse: Notes: Tailgunner on the James Kerr Crew, flying in B-26B "Litljo" (number 41-31622) on a mission to Venlo, Netherlands. He had arrived in England in May 1943 and was on his 48th mission. ...made landfall at Nieuport, Belgium on schedule and headed in a direct line to the I.P. at Roermond, Holland. Just after crossing the north-south bomb line the Group made a north-east dog leg as they approached Roermond. Heavy type flak came up at the formation, it was moderate in amount but very accurate for altitude and position it rocked the first seventeen bombers as they neared the I.P. It continued as the Group made a slight dog leg left to commence the bomb run at 11,500 feet. The Lead Navigator Lieutenant Dennision along with Lead Bombardier Lieutenant Pomerance had difficulty picking out landmarks due to eight-tenth cloud cover which topped out about 10,000 feet-as a result the leader did not drop his bombs on the Venlo marshalling yards which was situated next to the German border. Low flight leader Lieutenant James Kerr's ship LITJO" 131622 RU-D was also struck in the nose section, tail area and wing. His bombardier Lieutenant Noll and tail gunner Staff Sergeant Louis Cubba were wounded, the latter critically in the stomach by flak. Lieutenant Kerr called his deputy lead pilot Lieutenant Marquis in number four position to take over the flight lead because he had two wounded men and was heading for an emergency landing field located at Chievres, Belgium. The pilot called Sweepstakes at 1820 hours for a homing on Chievres Airdrome. Sweepstakes instructed him to fly to Charleroi, Belgium instead! Meanwhile Lieutenant Kerr had reached the P-51 and P-38 Base of the 76th Tactical Photo Reconnaissance Group at Charleroi. It was a grass strip only 3600 feet long. He flew a left hand pattern and landed. Upon touch down he noted the grass was wet and slippery. Because of the poor light conditions he could not see the far end of the runway, and his brakes would not stop the aircraft. Seeing there was danger of overrunning , he hit the landing gear release, pulled up wheels and the aircraft slid on its belly . The plane struck a revetment and crashed into 9,000 gallons of gasoline stored in five gallon cans that had been temporarily stacked up at the end of the runway. The aircraft and all of that gasoline caught fire, the co-pilot and I jumped out of the hatches above our compartment. The fire was mainly on the left side of the airplane, so we ran around to the right side. The right wingtip was almost touching the ground. A crew member (later determined to be Bucky Noll, the bombardier) was on fire and running down the wing. I saw someone grab and cover him to extinguish the flames, put him into an ambulance and leave the scene." "I saw someone standing under the front part of the right wing near the fuselage. it was getting dark-with the fire still mostly on the other side I could not tell who it was, but thought it might be Louie Cubba. I ran toward him yelling, come this way, or something like that. The noise of the fire was very loud--whoever it was ran back toward the rear of the airplane." "I ran to the back and someone was on the ground near the right waist window. It was Pat Patras, the radio operator, I helped him up and asked if Louie had gotten out. He said that he had, about that time machine gun shells began to explode. We ran to a jeep that was waiting there to help us. Yhen a bomb exploded, at first we took cover behind the jeep. After a second bomb went off we decided to get into the jeep and get away from the danger. As I talked to Pat, I realizes that he was pretty shook up and did not really know what had happened for the moment. We must have all been in a state of shock ! Pat had a dislocated shoulder, we took him to the base hospital where I found Bucky Noll, his face was so charred I had to ask if it was he. He was certainly in severe pain but was rational." "My left hand and left side of my face had been burned, probably when I jumped out of the airplane. They treated the burns, bandaged my hand quickly, and continued searching for my crew members. About a half hour later, with the much appreciated help of the man with the jeep, we found the co-pilot: he was okay. That accounted for all of the crew except Louie Cubba. Continuing to tour the field and asking questions, eventually concluding that Louie must have died in the fire !"

Davis, John T (6833344) Sergeant, Killed in Action 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division Awarded: Silver Star, Purple Heart Born: 28 Dec 1920 Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: 30 Dec 1939 Died: 22 August 1944 Normandy, France Buried: Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot A, Row 12 Grave 5 Father: Ezra Davis Mother: Josephine Fern Thompson Spouse: Notes:

Davis, Loren Laverne (36627814)
Private, Killed in Action
Company A, 26 Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 29 Jul 1922 Williamson, Madison County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3 Dec 1942
Died: 16 Jun 1945 Germany
Buried: Maplewood Cemetery, Marion County, Illinois
Father: George M. Davis
Mother: Norma E. Corder
Spouse:
Notes:

Downs, Edward Miller (36483427)
5' 10", 154 lbs, black hair, grey eyes
Private, Died non-battle
Company K, 1st Parachute Training Regiment
Awarded:
Born: 7 Jun 1924 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 30 Apr 1943 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 18 Nov 1943 Fort Benning, GA
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Henry Downs
Mother: Rosamond Miller
Spouse: Wanda Stuber, married 7 Jun 1942 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes: Killed when parachute failed to open during training

Dunson, Sherman Paul (36075743)
6' 1", 160 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Died non-battle
Battery B, 429th Coastal Artillery Battalion, C.A.C
Awarded:
Born: 14 Apr 1919 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 28 Feb 1941
Died: 15 Aug 1943
Buried: Paradise Cemetery, Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Henry Dunson
Mother: Grace Robers
Spouse:
Notes:

Eldridge, Claude Fred (36070890)

6', 160 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes

Private, Killed in Action

Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 101st Airborne Division
Awarded:
Born: 8 Jan 1912 Herrin, Illinois
Enlisted: 26 Mar 1942
Died: 6 Oct 1944 Nijmegan, Holland
Buried: IOOF Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: John Eldridge
Mother: Mary L. Ingler
Spouse:
Notes:

Farthing, Ray Jefferson (36978168)
5' 10", 155lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company H, 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division
Awarded:
Born: 3 Aug 1918 Marion County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10 May 1944
Died: 5 Mar 1945 Germany
Buried: Holts Prairie Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Herman E. Farthing
Mother: Mary Nunley
Spouse: Imogene Elnora Hill, married 12 Aug 1939 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes:

Fiorio, John F (16029657)
5' 4", 119lbs,
Sergeant, Died non-battle
62nd "C" Flight
Awarded:
Born: 16 Mar 1916 Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 14 Aug 1940 Scott Field, Illinois
Died: 26 Aug 1943 Wilson County, TX
Buried: Sacred Heart Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Vincent Fiorio
Mother: Margaret Rossio
Spouse:
Notes: Aircraft crash, 18 miles southeast of Brooks Field, TX

Fitzgearl, John Robert (36432407)
5' 8", 145 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
527th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 22 Jan 1918 East St. Louis, Illinois
Enlisted: 20 Oct 1942 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 30 Jan 1944 Bergen, Schoorl, Netherlands
Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot I, Row 10, Grave 11
Father: Virdie W. Fitzgearl
Mother: Leona Villar
Spouse:
Notes: Top Turret Gunner/Engineer on Donald Winter Crew. Shot down, all on board Killed in Action. MACR 2877

Folden, Leroy Louis (36064104)
5' 8", 185 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Died non-battle
Company D., 65th Infantry Training Battalion, 61st Infantry
Awarded:
Born: 28 Dec 1921 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 24 Jul 1942 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 20 Aug 1942 Camp Wolters, TX
Buried: Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Clarence Folden
Mother: Murna Reisinger
Spouse:
Notes: Died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, illness existed prior to enlistment.

Forester, Walter Newton (0)
1st Lieutenant, Died non-battle
409th Signal Company (Aviation)
Awarded:
Born: 2 Jul 1917 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 14 Aug 1942 Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Province, Phillipines
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing, Manila, Philippines
Father: Walter J. Forester
Mother: Edith Pope
Spouse:
Notes: Captured on Bataan, died of Malaria. He had graduated from Illinois University in 1939 with a degree in Communications and belonged to Beta Theta Pi, Alpha Tau Sigma

Gast, Bernard Albert (36485583)
5' 9", 160 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private, Died non-battle
1st Platoon, Company A, 30th Battalion, FRTC Engineers
Awarded:
Born: 28 Dec 1914 Kewanne, Henry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 7 Jun 1943 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 24 Jun 1943 Fort Leonard Wood, Pulaski County, Missouri
Buried: Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois
Father: Bernard P. Gast
Mother: Mary E. Ernst
Spouse:
Notes: Died of heat stroke during training

Glenn, Richard Raymond (36972664)
5' 6", 135 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private, Killed in Action
331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 9 Apr 1909 Washington County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 15 Jan 1945 Bihain-Ottré, Belgium
Buried: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot H, Row 14, Grave 1 and Maxwell Cemetery, Oakdale, Washington County, Illinois
Father: Matthew Glenn
Mother: Pheobe Porter
Spouse: Evelyn Ann Ruffino
Notes:

Goddard, William Henry (36695782)
5' 7", 140 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
82nd Airborne Division
Awarded:
Born: 31 Aug 1915 Sharp County, AR
Enlisted:
Died: 3 Oct 1944 Netherlands
Buried: Centotaph in Fee Fee Cemetery, Bridgeton, St. Louis, Missouri
Father: Thomas H. Goddard
Mother: Gertrude Alsobrook
Spouse: Louise J.
Notes:

Hardyn, Clifford Wesley (16059097)
5' 10", 160 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Corporal, Died non-battle
Army Air Corps, Willow Run
Awarded:
Born: 26 Sep 1921 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 4 Feb 1939
Died: 1 Aug 1943 Perry County, Illinois
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Emery Hardyn
Mother: Jeanette Burbas
Spouse: Wanda Hawkins, married 16 Sep 1941 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri.
Notes:

Hartman, Richard “Dick” Perry (O-772173) 6'. 166lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes 2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action 20th Bomb Group, 2nd Bomb Group (H) Awarded: Air Medal, Purple Heart Born: 16 Feb 1919 Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 29 Aug 1944 Vicinity of Sanov, Czech Repubic Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Lorraine France, Plot D, Row 27, Grave 35 Father: Ray Hartman Mother: Blanche Perry Spouse: Notes: Bombardier on Thayne Thomas Crew flying in the B-17 "Wichita Bell" (42-38096). The entire 20th Squadron (7 aircraft) as well as 2 others were shot down down in a massive surprise attack by 50 to 70 German Me-109's and FW-190's in what is known as the "Air Battle over the Carpathian Mountains". Only the pilot survived from this crew. He was assisted by partisans and flown out in an OSS rescue mission. 41 airmen lost their life during this battle, with 46 becoming POWs and 4 evading and returning home. MACR 8110

Heilig, Frank S., Jr. (6684716)
S2C, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS. Colhoun (DD-85)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 23 Feb 1925 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 30 Aug 1942 At sea near Guadelcanel
Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila Phillipines, Tablet of the Missing
Father: Frank S. Heilig Sr.
Mother: Martha Jane Price
Spouse:
Notes: On the morning of 30 August 1942, Colhoun ported at Kukum Point and unloaded stores for the U.S. Marine Corps garrison on Guadalcanal, and then exited the harbor to undertake anti-submarine patrols. Just before 12:00, an air raid siren was issued and Colhoun moved out to sea. A second alert was received at 14:00.[3] Shortly thereafter, a lookout spotted a formation of Japanese aircraft approaching using the sun as cover. The Japanese aircraft, using clouds as cover, dove and released three bombs against Colhoun, two splashing nearby and one striking the after searchlight platform and a nearby boat. The bomb blew the after davits down and forward, blocking the after engine room hatches, and starting a fire from the diesel oil spilled by the boat. Colhoun attempted to return fire with her anti-aircraft batteries, but the Japanese aircraft remained obscured by clouds. A second dive launched five or six bombs on her starboard side, knocking down the foremast and blowing two 20 millimetres (0.79 in) and one 4 inches (100 mm) gun off the ship. A lubrication oil cooler pump in the after engine room was blown through the bulkhead into the forward engine room. Another two bombs scored direct hits on the after deck house, killing all of the men there. An order was given to abandon ship, and several tank lighters arrived quickly from Guadalcanal to assist in taking in survivors. Colhoun sank at 09°24′S 160°01′E. Fifty-one men were killed and 18 wounded in her sinking

Horner, Harold Franklin (8539728)
5' 8", 130 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
F1C, Killed in Action
USS Holder (DE-401)
Awarded:
Born: 11 Jun 1920 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 11 Apr 1944 seven miles off the coast of Cape Bengut, Algeria
Buried: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
Father: Charles Horner
Mother: Ida Mae Knapp
Spouse: Martha Katherine Nehrkorn, married 21 Aug 1940 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes: Holder departed 24 March 1944 escorting convoy UGS 37 bound for Mediterranean ports. Proceeding along the coast of Algeria the convoy was tracked on 10 and 11 April by German planes. Just before midnight 11 April it was attacked by torpedo bombers. Holder and the other escorts immediately opened fire and began making smoke. A torpedo launched by a Ju 88D struck the escort vessel amidships on the port side, causing two heavy explosions. Though fires spread and flooding was serious, Holder's crew remained at their guns to drive off the attackers without damage to the convoy. Alert damage control kept the ship seaworthy and she arrived in tow at Oran for repairs. Harold Horner was among the 17 men killed during the attack.

Jefferson, Thomas Theodore (3678242)
Private., Died non-battle
Company C, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 19 Apr 1916 Dawson Springs, Hopkins County, Kentucky
Enlisted:
Died: 26 Jul 1945 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Buried: Elkville Cemetery, Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Sanford Jefferson
Mother: Ora Grant
Spouse: Mary Lang
Notes: He was honorably discharged on 5 Jul 1945, just 3 weeks before his death.

Jones, Donald Burk (0)
5' 7", 130 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Flt Off, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
370th Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group
Awarded: Air Medal w/ 1 OLC, Purple Heart
Born: 21 May 1922 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 13 Jun 1945 Sulawesi Sea (Borneo)
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial and a cenotaph at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Joseph E. Jones
Mother: Nellie Alta Burk
Spouse:
Notes: Served as the Navigator on B-24M #44-42364, which took off, with a crew of 9, on a bombing mission over Balikpapan, Indonesia. During the bombing run over the target they were hit by anti-aircraft fire that either disabled or damaged all four engines. The crew was given the order to bailout over the open ocean and the entire crew did. 7 members of the crew were later rescued and 2 were lost in the sea. Donald was initially declared Missing In Action, he'd completed 27missions. MACR 14623

Keller, Herman Wilbert, Jr. (36481855)
5' 10", 148 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Sergeant, Died non-battle
Awarded:
Born: 10 Mar 1918 Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 13 Aug 1944 Vernon
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Bernard Keller
Mother: Lillian Harrison
Spouse: Juanita Miller
Notes:

Keller, William Robert (3114568)
Baker 3^rd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Pecos (AO-6)
Awarded:
Born: 26 Mar 1905 Michigan
Enlisted:
Died: 1 Mar 1942 lost at sea south of Java
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing, Manila, Philippines
Father: Robert H. Keller
Mother: Carrie Miller
Spouse:
Notes:

Koenegstein, Homer F. (36036348)
Staff Sergeant, Died of Wounds
Company B, 42nd Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 19 Jun 1909 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 13 Jun 1941 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 1 Jan 1945 In the vicinity of Rechrival, Belgium
Buried: American War Cemetery Luxembourg, Plot B, Row 10, Grave 48
Father: Harmon Koenegstein
Mother: Lou Plumlee
Spouse:
Notes:

Lambert, Maurice John (7030133) Ensign, V-15 Squadron Awarded: Born: 20 Sep 1924 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: 17 Oct 1942 Died: 16 Mar 1945 Buried: St. Bruno Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Father: Fred J. Lambert Mother: Marion Rose Miller Spouse: Notes:

Little, Cyril Marcellus (36757282) 5' 9", 170 lbs, black hair, grey eyes Corporal, Died of Wounds 498th Bomb Squadron, 345th Bomb Group (M) Awarded: Purple Heart Born: 30 Oct 1908 Quincy, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 12 Nov 1944 Leyte Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot A, Row 15,Grave 51 Father: LeRoy S. Little Mother: Dorothea Brockman Spouse: Virginia Marie Boquet Notes:

Loucks, Essie Dean (0)
5' 10", 150 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Seaman 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)
Awarded: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Born: 13 Jul 1919 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 21 Jan 1945
Buried: Buried at Sea, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Table of the Missing and cenotaph at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Thomas Evan Loucks
Mother: Lottie M. Gilliam
Spouse: Betty Lois Hurt
Notes: In the morning of 21 Jan 1945, Ticonderoga's aircraft, along with others of Task Force 38, attacked airbases at Taiwan, Pescadores, and Sakishima Gunto. Meanwhile, the Japanese launched a kamikaze special attack on the group. Carrier Langley was hit by a bomb, and Ticonderoga received a kamikaze hit. The Japanese aircraft crashed through her flight deck by the No. 2 127-mm anti-aircraft gun, and the aircraft's bomb detonated just above her hangar deck. Captain Kiefer immediately changed course to prevent wind to feed more oxygen into the fire, and then gave the order the flood magazines to prevent further explosions. After correcting a 10-degree starboard list, Kiefer innovatively induced a 10-degree port list which helped the damage control party to dump burning aircraft wrecks into the ocean to prevent further damage. As the fire was just brought under control, another kamikaze aircraft crashed into the island, causing another 100 casualties, including Kiefer, who was wounded at the bridge. The fire caused by the second crash was brought under control at 1400.

Macaluso, Sam (36434879)
5' 4", 129 lbs
T4, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
44th Portable Surgical Hospital
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 4 Apr 1905 Illinois
Enlisted: 4 Nov 1942 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 27 Nov 1943 Off Béjaïa, Algeria
Buried: North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing, Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
Father: Santo Macaluso
Mother: Grace Diadone
Spouse: Dennie Lee Ozee, married 16 Jun 1941 at Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes: Onboard the Rohna were 1,981 U.S. Army Soldiers destined for India to build B-29 bomber bases, and were mostly from the 853rd Engineer Battalion (Aviation) along with the 322nd Fighter Control Squadron, 31st Signal Construction Battalion, the 44th Portable Surgical Hospital, and several other “filler” units. The Rohna was attacked by 30 Luftwaffe bombers (primarily He-177As). These aircraft dropped 42 Hs-293 radio controlled glide bombs, only one of which scored a hit. That hit was on the Rohna causing extensive damage and listing. A multitude of factors led to the loss of 1,015 troops and another 35 who died from their wounds. The largest loss of U.S. life at sea due to enemy action.

Maiden, Charles Luther (15049201)
5' 11", 155 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Technician 5, Died non-battle
Awarded:
Born: 17 Mar 1922 Muhlenberg County, KY
Enlisted: 17 Nov 1942 Fort Knox, KY
Died: 11 Nov 1943 Fort Knox, KY
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: John L. Maiden
Mother: Minnie A. Weinberg
Spouse:
Notes: Accidental death

Manis, Leonard Josiah (16040769)
5' 7", 134 lbs,
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Company D., 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 3 Jan 1921 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 23 Oct 1940 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 20 Sep 1944 near Metz, France
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Josiah H. Manis
Mother: Else May Rice
Spouse:
Notes:

McIntyre, James Franklin (8744861)
6', 155 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Seaman 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Hull (DD-350)
Awarded:
Born: 23 Aug 1920 Cutler, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 18 Dec 1944 Phillipine Sea
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial & cenotaph at Coulterville Cemetery, Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
Father: Albert T. McIntyre
Mother: Lylis Mae Alexander
Spouse: Ruby Mae Grafton
Notes: The USS Hull was lost during Typhoon Cobra.

Mesner, Lawrence Richard (3372518)
Seaman 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Houston (CA-30)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 1921 or 1922 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 27 Dec 1939 St. Louis, Missouri
Died: 15 Dec 1944 Battle of Sunda Strait
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father: John Mesner
Mother: Anna Blazech
Spouse:
Notes: Having first served on the USS Nevada, he transferred to the Houston between Mar and Dec 1940. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma. Almost 700 crewmen were lost when Houston sank. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 79 died in captivity. After dawn on 01 Mar, Japanese aircraft strafed the Houston survivors floating in the debris field. Japanese machine gun fire killed a number of those in the water. The presence of survivors from Houston was not reported by the Japanese to the International Red Cross or any other neutral relief agency. Family members and US Government officials believed that all Houston’s crew had been lost in battle. It was not until early 1944 that several POWs escaped from their captivity and alerted officials to the existence of many Houston survivors. According to the Houston's final muster report compiled sometime after her sinking on 01 March 1942, S1c Mesner was reported as missing on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead for records purposes in Dec 1945. His remains were unrecoverable.

Mifflin, Paul Eugene (36904668) 5' 8", 145 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes Private, Killed in Action Company L, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division Awarded: Born: 2 Feb 1926 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 24 Mar 1945 Vicinity of Uckerath, Germany Buried: Old DuQuoin Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Father: Kenneth E. Mifflin Mother: Emma Hagon Spouse: Notes:

Miller, Sylvester P (6912316)
Staff Sergeant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
6th Armored Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born:
Enlisted:
Died: 8 Nov 1942 Mediterranean Sea
Buried: North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing, Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
Father:
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes: Operation Torch, invasion of North Africa

Myers, Jerry Maurice (851072) 5’ 7”, 180 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes Private, Died non-Battle Platoon 352, 7th Recruit Battalion, USMC Awarded: Born: 29 May 1920 Illinois Enlisted: Died: 10 May 1943 Camp Elliot, California Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Father: Mother: Spouse: Sylvia Notes: In the mess hall when a pilot lost of control of his aircraft hit the supports of the building causing it too collapse. Jerry, two other marines, and the pilot were killed.

Nehrkorn, Charles J. (36381447)
5' 9", 150 lbs, blonde hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 11 Apr 1921 Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3 Oct 1942 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 27 Mar 1945 Luzon, Phillipines
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing & cenotaph at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Leland M. Nehkorn
Mother: Frances A. Dreczka
Spouse:
Notes:

Nehrkorn, Paul K. (36432405) 5' 9", 155 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes Private, Died of Wounds Company F, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division Awarded: Purple Heart Born: 5 Aug 1921 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: 20 Oct 1942 Peoria, Illinois Died: 8 Aug 1944 Hill 314, Mortain, France Buried: Concord Cemetery, Perry County, Illinois Father: Christian J. Nehrkorn Mother: Clara S. Gass Spouse: Notes:

Nickens, John Henry (36449257)
6', 175 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
Company A, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 25 Aug 1924 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 18 Feb 1943 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 9 Feb 1945 Colmar Pocket, Germany
Buried: Antioch Cemetery, Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Thomas R. Nickens
Mother: Bessie Huffstutler
Spouse:
Notes: Previously wounded in the left knee in December 1943 during the battle of San Pietro, Italy.

Nowakowski, Leonard Jerome (36066386)
Technician 5, Killed in Action
Company B, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 26 Aug 1917 Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10 Nov 1944 In the vicinity of Many, France
Buried: American War Cemetery Lorraine, Plot C, Row 31, Grave 59
Father: Frank Nowakowski
Mother: Rose
Spouse:
Notes:

Owen, Waldo G. (36987023) Private, Died of Wounds 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division Awarded: Purple Heart Born: 5 Jul 1914 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 16 Jan 1945 Mouterhouse, France Buried: American War Cemetery Espinal, Plot B, Row 37, Grave 52 Father: Thomas Owen Mother: Viola Hubler Spouse: Notes:

Pace, Robert Carl (299253)
Sergeant, Killed in Action
Battery H, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Awarded:
Born: 29 Jun 1919 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 18 Oct 1940
Died: 7 Jul 1944 Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Jasper Pace
Mother: Eva Chapman
Spouse: Mary Ellen Koontz, married 25 Dec 1941, Yuma, AZ
Notes:

Parsons, Charles Cliffore (17015263)
5' 9", 136 lbs
Sergeant, Died non-battle
4th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group
Awarded:
Born: 12 Apr 1907 Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee
Enlisted:
Died: 16 Mar 1942 Blue Mountain Range, near Pendelton, Oregon
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: John P. Parsons
Mother: Margaret J. Colvard
Spouse:
Notes: Aerial Gunner aboard B-17E (#41-2559). Returning to Pendleton Army Airfield from Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho, during a nighttime training flight, the bomber flew into the Blue Mountain Range in stormy weather, 20 miles to the southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. All ten airmen aboard were killed when the airplane crashed at 23:55 hours on March 15, 1942. Investigation determined that the flight was off course and experiencing radio difficulties. Early model B-17's were notorious for radio problems. They often failed when other navigational equipment was switched on.

Pioter, Roman J. (36062780)
6' 2", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Technician 5, Killed in Action
823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 2 Aug 1919 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 8 Jul 1942 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 25 Dec 1944 Malmedy, Belgium
Buried: American War Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Plot B, Row 1, Grave51
Father: Michael Pioter
Mother: Stella Bielawski
Spouse:
Notes:

Poninski, Paul Adam (6699604)
5' 10", 175 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Shipfitter 2nd Class,
PC-1261
Awarded:
Born: 12 Mar 1921 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 8 Nov 1942
Died: 20 Jun 1944
Buried: St. Bruno Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Father: John M. Poninski
Mother: Sarah J. Stern
Spouse:
Notes:

Pulke, Paul D (36785693)
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company B, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart w/ OLC
Born: 4 Sep 1925 Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12 Feb 1945 Luxembourg or Germany
Buried: American War Cemetery Ardennes, Plot D, Row 8, Grave 2
Father: Charles Pulke
Mother: Irene
Spouse:
Notes:

Pursell, William August (15084188 and O-80120) 6' 1", 180 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes 2nd Lieutenant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death 359th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group (H) Awarded: Born: 5 Nov 1916 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: 31 Dec 1941 Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana Died: 11 Jan 1944 Laubke, Kreis Lippe, Germany Buried: Privat-Friedhof Des Berdigungsverein Laubke Stadtbezirk Lemgo then moved to I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Father: William Pursell Mother: Ida M. Albers Spouse: Notes: Pilot of a B-17F (42-29894) on mission to Oschersleben, Germany. Aircraft crashed all on board Killed in Action

Queen, Marvin Eugene (8544013) Seaman 2nd Class, Died non-battle Awarded: Born: 25 Mar 1921 Winkle, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 14 Dec 1943 Camp Peary, Williamsburg, Virginia Buried: Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Father: Walter Queen Mother: Myrtle Stadus Spouse: Mary Josephine Worden Notes: died of Pneumonia

Reminger, Joseph Edward (16019969)
5' 8", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Died non-battle
Radio Instructor, 100th Technical School Squadron, Scott Field
Awarded:
Born: 3 Nov 1918 Du Bois, Washington County, Illinois
Enlisted: 28 Nov 1941 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 25 May 1942 Scott Field Hospital, St. Clair County, Illinois
Buried: Sacred Heart Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: John Reminger
Mother: Frances Waldman
Spouse:
Notes: Automobile accident

Reynolds, Bernard Franklin (36042580) 5' 11", 235 lbs, brown hair, gray eyes Sergeant, Killed in Action 228th Field Artillery Battalion Awarded: Purple Heart Born: 29 Jul 1917 Johnston City, Williamson County, Illinois Enlisted: 18 Jul 1941 Chicago, Illinois Died: 31 Jul 1944 Normandy, France Buried: Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy France, Plot G, Row 17, Grave 24 Father: Rufus G. Reynolds Mother: Florence Trinkle Spouse: Rubylee Beck, married 5 Jul 1942 in Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Notes: The men were sleeping in there foxhole when a German bomb exploded. Bernard was killed instantly

Roberts, Todd Whitsett (286819)
Corporal, Died non-battle
90mm Anti-Aircraft Group, 10th Defense Battalion
Awarded:
Born: 5 Jan 1912 Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 28 Feb 1943 Esprito Santo, New Hebrides
Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punch Bowl), Plot B, Site 505
Father: William C. Roberts
Mother: Betty Ellis
Spouse:
Notes:

Rokiski, Walter Ladislas (342173) Private First Class, Killed in Action Company H, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division Awarded: Born: 31 Mar 1922 Madison County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 13 Jan 1943 Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Buried: Coulterville Cemetery, Coutlerville, Randolph County, Illinois Father: Ignatius Rokiski Mother: Mary Laskowski Spouse: Notes:

Roznowski, Bernard Neal (36978172) 5' 9", 150 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes Private, Killed in Action Company G, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division Awarded: Born: 17 Jan 1926 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 11 Feb 1945 Vicinity of Blies-Ébersing, France Buried: Sacred Heart Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Father: George Roznowski Mother: Mabel M. Shabel Spouse: Notes:

Scarber, Carl "Charles" William ()
5' 11", 130 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Died non-battle
US Army Air Corps
Awarded:
Born: 5 Mar 1908 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3 Dec 1944 Fitzsimmon General Hospital, Denver, Colorado
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: James W. Scarber
Mother: Minnie Mae
Spouse: Dora B. Neville
Notes:

Schroeder, Herman William, Jr. (931319)
5' 11", 163 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private, Killed in Action
3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division
Awarded:
Born: 28 Sep 1925 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 31 Jul 1944 Tinian, Northern Marianas Islands
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Herman W. Schroeder Sr.
Mother: Mildred J. Patton
Spouse:
Notes:

Shelton, Garnett Leo (7550886)
Coxswain, Died of Wounds
LCI(R) 1029
Awarded:
Born: 9 Mar 1926 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 21 Sep 1943
Died: 1 Jun 1945 Okinawa
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Fred Shelton
Mother: Nina M. Waller
Spouse:
Notes:

Smith, Charles Junior (O-4193310)
Ensign,
Awarded:
Born: 14 Aug 1922 Cutler, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 4 Aug 1945
Buried:
Father: Charles Luther Smith
Mother: Lydia W. Gillis
Spouse:
Notes:

Smith, Hallie Eugene (17016554)
5' 7", 150 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
Company L, 31st Infantry Regiment
Awarded:
Born: 26 Sep 1918 Willisville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10 Mar 1941 Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died: 7 Sep 1944 Lost at Sea off the coast of Mindano
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing, Manila, Philippines & centotaph at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Percy, Randolph County, Illinois
Father: Hollie H. Smith
Mother: Ossie Jane Wydeck
Spouse:
Notes: Hallie was originally declared "Missing In Action", but had become a POW while fighting in the Philippines in 1942. The Japanese ship "Shinyo Maru" was loaded with 750 U.S. POW's in the cargo holds. The U.S.S. Paddle (SS-263), not knowing that American POW's were on board, fired torpedoes at the ship off the coast of Mindanao and sank it. Some Japanese guards shot prisoners as they struggled from the holds after the attack or were in the water. 668 POW's died when the ship sank, leaving only 82 survivors. 47 of 52 Japanese guards also died. His remains were not recovered.

South, Delmas Earl (36078247)
6' 1", 180 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Technical Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company C., 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 5 Mar 1919 Carterville, Williamson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 16 Jun 1941
Died: 1 Mar 1945 Germany
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Homer South
Mother: Mary Ida Harrison
Spouse: Edna I. Wilson, married 25 Dec 1941, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Notes:

Stern, Albert Joseph (36077029)
6', 195 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Technical Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company C, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 9 Oct 1917 Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 14 Apr 1945 near Bad Harzburg, Germany
Buried: St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery, Todds Mill, Perry County, Illinois
Father: John W. Stern
Mother: Susan Degenhardt
Spouse:
Notes: He was in training in South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Chincateague Island, Virginia and Kentucky and sailed for overseas duty on April 1, 1944. He was with the First, Third and Ninth Armies in England, France and Germany. He was originally buried in Military Cemetery, Margareton, Holland, returned home 22 Jan 1949

Stotz, James Aaron (909788)
5' 6", 160 lbs, brown hair brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company H, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 13 May 1922 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 8 Dec 1942
Died: 2 Mar 1945 Iwo Jima
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Herbert Stotz
Mother: Clara M. Lewis
Spouse:
Notes:

Talley, Keith Monroe (36169951)
5' 10", 168 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Staff Sergeant, Died non-battle
84th Bomb Squadron, 47th Bomb Group (L)
Awarded:
Born: 17 Sep 1919 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3 Dec 1941 Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, California
Died: 12 Apr 1944 Tonopah Army Airfield, Nye County, Nevada
Buried:
Father: Don Talley
Mother: Girtha King
Spouse:
Notes: Armorer Gunner, accidental - multiple bullet wounds to chest

Teel, Otto Eugene (36978170) Sergeant, Killed in Action Company A, 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division Awarded: Born: 19 Apr 1919 Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 14 Jan 1945 Luxembourg Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois Father: Otto V. Teel Mother: Alva A. Braden Spouse: Notes:

Terry, Robert Gene (36978174)
5' 4", 137 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 17 Mar 1926 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10 May 1944
Died: 24 Feb 1945 In the vicinity of Neufgrange, France
Buried: Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Father: William R. Terry
Mother: Marcella Ritter
Spouse:
Notes:

Thornton, Herschel (17121090) 5' 11", 160 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes Private, Killed in Action Company I, 398th Infantry Regiment Awarded: Born: 14 Apr 1922 Matthews, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 15 Apr 1945 In the vicinity of Odheim, Germany Buried: Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Father: James F. Thornton Mother: Estella M. Manda Spouse: Frieda Belle Gillio, married 23 Apr 1943 in Perryville, Perry County, Missouri Notes:

Todd, Donald Frederick (8533828)
Hospital Apprentice 1st Class, Killed in Action
4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Division
Awarded:
Born: 2 Apr 1917 Pomona, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 20 Jul 1943
Died: 24 Jul 1944 Saipan
Buried: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Earl H. Todd
Mother: Lula May Penrod
Spouse: Ximena Rees
Notes:

Wahlman, Ralph H. (36437444) 5' 10", 170 lbs, brown hair. Blue eyes Technical Sergeant, Died non-battle 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division & Military Personnel Procurement Division Awarded: Born: 17 Sep 1920 Jackson County, Illinois Enlisted: 24 Nov 1942 Peoria, Illinois Died: 31 Oct 1945 Riverside, CA Buried: St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Campbell Hill, Jackson County, Illinois Father: Edward W. Wahlmann Mother: Ida D. Rader Spouse: Notes: He served in Europe with the 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division and was captured by the Germans in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a POW at Stalag IXA at Zeigenhain. He was liberated by American forces at the end of the war. He then served as an instructor at advanced infantry school in New York state. In later 1945 he was assigned to the miliary personnel procurement division in Los Angeles, CA. During a routine training flight from the San Bernardino Army Air Field, he along with the pilot were killed in the crash. The pilot, Capt. M.E. Moore, had previously served in the Pacific theater and had been awarded the DFC and AM w/5 OLCs.

Waisath, Elvis Edward (16122638) 5' 8", 138 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes Corporal, Killed in Action 829th Bomb Squadron, 485th Bomb Group (H) Awarded: Born: 21 Sep 1917 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: Died: 16 Oct 1944 Yugoslavia, off the coast of Vilabit Buried: Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Father: Edward Waisath Mother: Lillian Mumbower Spouse: Helen F. Notes: Served as gunner on the replacment crew of Richard Boehme. Their B-24J (42-51559) was shot down while returning from a mission to Graz, Austria. Waisath and two others were Killed in Action, five other crew members were captured, but on escaped. The pilot and co-pilot were picked up by partisans and returned safely to their base in Venosa, Italy. He was flying his 7th mission and his parachute was seen to open. It is believed he drowned or was killed by bullet wounds incurred during his jump. The men took substantial ground fire as the enemy thought they were paratroopers. MACR 9196

Walkowiak, George E. (36038186) 5' 8", 143 lbs Technican 5, 67th Field Artillery Batallion, 3rd Armored Division Awarded: Purple Heart Born: 1 Apr 1905 Illinois Enlisted: Died: 25 Oct 1944 Stolberg, Germany Buried: Henri Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot A, Row 7, Grave 15 Father: Mother: Spouse: Notes:

Watson, Edward B (T138533)
6', 210 lbs, black hair. Blue eyes
Flight Officer, Died non-battle
US Army Air Corps
Awarded:
Born: 23 Sep 1914 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 27 Oct 1945 Acton, Indiana
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: George Watson
Mother: Gertrude A. Yates
Spouse: Pauline A. Schickedanz
Notes: Killed in an airplane crash

Wheatley, Arthur R. (16054673)
Technician 4, Died non-battle
14th Evacuation Hospital
Awarded:
Born: 8 Apr 1923 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10 Mar 1942 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 16 May 1945 India
Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punch Bowl), Plot B, Site 931
Father: Ralph Wheatley
Mother: Ella Clara Thimmig
Spouse:
Notes: Meningitis

Wihl, Dennis Anthony (36056904) 5' 11", 175 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes Staff Sergeant, Died non-battle 118th Observation Squadron, 66th Observation Group Awarded: Born: 7 Oct 1919 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Enlisted: 23 Mar 1942 Died: 18 Mar 1943 Columbia, Richland County, SC Buried: St. Bruno Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois Father: George Will Mother: Louisa C. Schwebel Spouse: Notes: Engineer Gunner, Killed in an airplane crash