WW2 Attu Fallen - Distinguished Service Cross hero Julian Keith, 7th Infantry Division

Lt. Julian Keith earned the Distinguished Service Cross at the Battle ofAttu.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92475169
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)

Julian Donaldson Keith never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.


Julian was born on November 21, 1918 in Sallis, Mississippi. His father Ether, a farmer, was born in Mississippi, as was his mother Addie. He had one older brother and one older sister. As a youth, Julian spent some time in a tuberculosis sanitarium. He later attended one year at Mississippi College and was a member of the Mississippi National Guard. 

His unit was called to active duty in December 1940 and after training was assigned to the 2^nd Battalion of the 32^nd Infantry Regiment, 7^th Infantry Division. He married Elaine Marsalis of Jackson, Mississippi on September 24, 1942. 


The 7th Infantry Division first saw combat in the spring of 1943 in the amphibious assault on Attu Island, the western-most Japanese entrenchment in the Aleutian islands chain, where they fought an intense battle over the tundra against strong Japanese resistance. The fight for the island culminated in a battle at Chichagof Harbor on May 29, 1943 when the division destroyed all Japanese resistance on the island. At one point during the battle, the 2^nd Battalion was in danger of being overrun by the enemy and was taking fire from an enemy heavy machine gun. Lt. Keith repeatedly took an exposed position to engage the crew of the machine gun with automatic rifle fire. Two times he knocked the enemy gun crew out of action only to see the crew replaced. He engaged a third time and put that crew out of action but was mortally wounded in the act. 

For his actions that day, Lt. Keith was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Distinguished Service Cross. The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army. 

Lt. Keith’s citation for the DSC reads:


The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Julian D. Keith (0-1293420), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 May 1943, in the vicinity of Attu, Alaska. 

Second Lieutenant Keith's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.


Julian Donaldson Keith is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi. His wife later remarried and died in 1999 in Florida.  


Thank you Julian for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Julian.
_____
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them." 


Last year on this date I profiled Lt. William Jacobs of the Philippine Scouts. You can read about William here.


On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!


I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.


Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - Medal of Honor hero John Power, 4th Marine Division

Lt. John Power was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism at the Battle of Namur.
A monument in Worcester, Mass. memorializes his sacrifice.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/527202700100067787/?lp=true
https://www.tracesofwar.nl/sights/68904/Monument-John-Vincent-Power.htm
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/wwii-medal-of-honor-recipients-marine-lieutenant-jack-power/

John "Jack" Vincent Power never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on November 20, 1918 in Massachusetts. His parents George and Margaret were also both born in Massachusetts. His father worked as a policeman. John had two older sisters, one older brother, and one younger sister. By 1940 John was still living at home and had completed one year of college at College of the Holy Cross. He graduated the next year.

Jack volunteered for the US Marine Corps on July 7, 1942. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on October 31. By August 1943 Jack had been promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.

The 4th Marine Division left San Diego in January 1944 for the Marshall Islands. Lt. Power participated in the amphibious landing on Namur on February 1, 1944. His boat was the first to land. Over the first two hours, his men began taking heavy casualties from a Japanese pillbox. Lt. Power advanced on his own and was shot in the stomach while placing a demolition charge on the pillbox. One of his men, Pfc. John Cronin, ran forward to bring him back to the relative safety of an American fox hole. His rescuer was shot while retrieving Lt. Power. Both men had "million dollar wounds" and could have waited to be evacuated off of the beach. After Pfc. Cronin had treated Lt. Power's stomach wound as best he could, Lt. Power insisted on returning to the fighting to take out the pillbox and was killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His Medal of Honor citation says:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader, attached to the 4th Marine Division, during the landing and battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1 February 1944. 

Severely wounded in the stomach while setting a demolition charge on a Japanese pillbox, 1st Lt. Power was steadfast in his determination to remain in action. Protecting his wound with his left hand and firing with his right, he courageously advanced as another hostile position was taken under attack, fiercely charging the opening made by the explosion and emptying his carbine into the pillbox. While attempting to reload and continue the attack, 1st Lt. Power was shot again in the stomach and head and collapsed in the doorway. 

His exceptional valor, fortitude and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of withering enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

President Roosevelt personal presented the Medal of Honor to the Power family in November 1944. The destroyer USS Power was named in his honor.

His grave is at St. Johns Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts. 

Thank you Lt. Power for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jack.

Last year on this date I profiled Captain John Nevins, who lost his live as the Marines defended Henderson Field from the Japanese on Guadalcanal. You can read about John here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-17 top turret gunner Oscar "Woody" Walrod

Sgt. Oscar Walrod served in the 95th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32592387/oscar-cyrus-walrod
http://95thbg.org/j3migr/95thbg-aircraft/95th-b-17-s-1944 

Oscar Cyrus "Woody" Walrod never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on November 19, 1918 in Iowa. His parents Earl and Tressie were also both born in Iowa. His father worked as a farmer. Woody had an older brother and sister and two younger brothers. His parents divorced in the early 1930s. His mother remarried and moved to Oregon. By 1940 Woody had completed eight years of schooling. He had moved away from home to Sioux City, Iowa where he worked as a laborer. Later he was a ranch hand in Oregon.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on September 22, 1941. He married Dorothy Deters in June 1943. 

He became a Tech Sergeant in the 412th Bombardment Squadron, 95th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-17s. He was a flight engineer / top turret gunner. The 95th BG starting flying missions from England in May 1943. Sgt. Walrod joined his unit some time later as a replacement. 

On August 2, 1944 Sgt. Walrod took off from Horham, England in the B-17 I'll Get By on what was his scheduled final mission before qualifying to return home. It was tactical mission to France, normally considered a low risk milk run. The 95th BG lost just one plane that day - I'll Get By. Three of the crew survived as POWs but the other seven, including Sgt. Walrod were killed. His son was born four days later.

His grave is at Correctionville Cemetery in Correctionville, Iowa. His widow remarried and died in 2001. I don't know what happened to his son.

Thank you Sgt. Walrod for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Woody.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 gunner Stanley Sabastenski. You can read about Stanley here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - P-40 officer Benjamin Duke

Lt. Benjamin Duke served with the 49th Fighter Group in New Guinea.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112843899/benjamin-franklin-dukehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49th_Fighter_Group

Benjamin Franklin Duke, Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Benjamin was born on November 18, 1918 in South Carolina. His parents Benjamin Sr. and Genevieve were both born in Georgia. He had two older sisters. His father was a dentist and passed away in 1931, his mother never remarried.


In April 1941, after having completed 4 years of college, Benjamin enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. The aviation cadet program served to train cadets as pilots, bombardiers, and navigators, as well as non-flying technical support disciplines such as maintenance engineering, armament, communications, meteorological, and photographic specialties. 

He eventually became a 1^st Lieutenant in the 49^th Fighter Group of the Fifth Air Force. The 49^th Fighter Group was mobilized in December 1941 and arrived in Melbourne, Australia in February of 1942. The group was equipped with P-40E Warhawk aircraft in Australia and after a brief period of training, provided air defense for the Northern Territory. The group moved to New Guinea in October 1942 to help stall the Japanese drive southward from Buna to Port Moresby. 

The 49th engaged primarily in air defense of Port Moresby and also escorted bombers and transports, and attacked enemy installations, supply lines, and troop concentrations in support of Allied ground forces. They participated in the Allied offensive that pushed the Japanese back along the Buna trail and took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943. At the time of his death on June 18, 1943 Lt. Duke served with the 49^th Fighter Control Squadron, a specially equipped and trained unit responsible for ground control of fighter operations. I could not determine the circumstances of Lt. Duke’s death.


Benjamin Franklin Duke, Jr. is buried in Decatur Cemetery in Decatur, Georgia.


Thank you Lt. Duke for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Benjamin.
_____
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."

Last year on this date I profiled Richard Thew of the USS Shark. You can read about Richard here.


On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - Carl Cooper, 4th Marine Division

Pfc. Carl Cooper served with the 24th Marine Regiment at Namur.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53338389/carl-edward-cooper
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:24th_marines_roi-namur_wwii.jpg 

Carl Edward Cooper never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on November 17, 1918 in West Virginia. His parents John and Carrie were also both born in West Virginia. His father worked as a coal mine foreman and died in1928. His mother ran a boarding house after her husband died. Carl had four older sisters, three younger sisters, and one younger brother four years his junior. By 1940 Carl had completed three years of college. He was living with his family and worked as a laborer.

Carl and his brother Howard volunteered for the US Marine Corps on the same day, August 24, 1942. Their mother had died a month earlier. They were probably reading about the exploits of the marines on Guadalcanal at the time. Carl became a private first class in Company D, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. His brother was in Company D. Both became machine-gunners. 

On February 1, 1944 the 24th Marine Regiment landed on the small atoll of Namur in the Marshall Islands. It was the next step in the island hoping strategy to bring American bombers within range of Japan. Pfc. Cooper was killed in action on February 2, 1944 most likely during a desperate and ineffectual banzai charge. The Marines lost 190 leathernecks in this two day battle.

Brother Howard survived this battle. He managed to get through Saipan, Tinian, and even Iwo Jima. Sadly, he was killed in an automobile accident in 1947.

Carl's grave is at Sawmill Cemetery in Winifrede, West Virginia.

Thank you Pfc Cooper for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Carl.

Last year on this date I profiled Porter Marple, killed at the Battle of Dutch Harbor. You can read about Porter here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Robert Taylor, USS Oklahoma

USMC PFC Charles Robert Taylor served aboard the USS Oklahoma

https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=343982

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54505354

https://www.nps.gov/valr/learn/historyculture/uss-oklahoma.htm

Charles Robert “Bob” Taylor never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Bob was born on November 16, 1918 in Wichita, Kansas. His parents William and Helen were also born in Kansas. His father was a veteran of World War I and worked as a hardware merchant and later as an insurance agent. He had one older sister, two younger sisters, and two younger brothers. His family relocated to Carnegie, Oklahoma in 1933 and in 1940 Bob had completed one year of college and was working as a clerk in a grocery.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in May 1940 and was sent to MCRD San Diego for boot camp. He reported for duty on August 9, 1940 as part of the 40-man Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma, which would be his home for the next 15 months.

PFC Taylor was aboard the Oklahoma on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The Oklahoma was struck by at least 5 torpedoes and capsized approximately 12 minutes after the first torpedo hit. Hundreds of men were trapped below her decks and found themselves in pitch-black darkness, as compartments filled with water. PFC Taylor was among the 429 officers, sailors, and Marines who perished aboard the Oklahoma, marking the second greatest loss of life at Pearl Harbor. 

The Taylor family learned of Bob's death in January 1942, and a memorial service was held at Carnegie High School in March to recognize the first of the town's citizens to be killed in the war. Bob’s brothers Harold and Eugene also served in the US Army and US Army Air Forces, respectively, and both survived the war.

Charles Robert Taylor is memorialized at the USS Oklahoma Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and at Carnegie Cemetery in Carnegie, Oklahoma.

Thank you PFC Taylor for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Bob.
___________
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."

Last year on this date I profiled Sheldon Dannelly, 32nd Infantry Division. You can read about Sheldon here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100

Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-25 bombardier/navigator Melvin Fox

Lt. Melvin Fox flew missions from India to Burma in 1943 as a B-25 bombardier/navigator.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146551067/melvin-p.-fox
http://www.22ndbombsquadron.com/index.html

Melvin P. Fox never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on November 15, 1918 in New York. His parents Max and Sadie were both born in Austria and came to America in 1890 and 1894, respectively. His father worked as a tailor cutter and later as a candy store proprietor. Melvin had one older sister. By 1940 Melvin had completed four years of college. One job he held was working in a laundry.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on December 26, 1941. He became a first lieutenant and navigator/bombardier in the 22nd Bombardment Squadron, 341st Bombardment Group. It arrived in India in early 1943. Its primary mission was to attack Japanese targets in Burma.

In  January 1944, Lt. Fox had completed the required number of missions and received orders to return home. The way home from the CBI Theater was from India to the Middle East, then across Africa to South America, and then across the Caribbean Sea to the United States.

On January 26, 1944 Lt. Fox was a passenger in a C-54 transport that crashed shortly after takeoff in Accra, Gold Coast, Africa. All onboard were killed.

His grave is at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey.

Thank you Lt. Fox for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Melvin.

Last year on this date I profiled Wildcat ace Francis "Cash" Register. It is one of the most read profiles among the more than 650 published so far. You can read about Cash here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org