WW2 D-Day Fallen - Clarence Malott, 1st Infantry Division

PFC Clarence Malott landed on Omaha Beach with the 18th Infantry Regiment on D-Day.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12802566/clarence-malott

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348043877425768509/?lp=true
Gravestone photo provided by Clarence's great great grand niece Erica Schultz-Collins

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

He was born on February 17, 1919 in Ohio. His parents Clarence and Kate were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as an ice company fireman and later as a janitor. Clarence had five older sisters. By 1940 Clarence had completed two years of high school and was living at home with his parents. He was working as a painter.

He was drafted into the army on March 6, 1941. He became a private first class in one of the HQ companies in the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

PFC Malott was wounded while the 1st Infantry Division was fighting in North Africa. He recovered enough to serve with his division in Tunisia and Sicily. The 1st ID was next sent to England to prepare for the Normandy invasion.

The 18th IR landed on Omaha Beach at Easy Red on D-Day June 6,1944 at 0930. Casualties were light, compared to the units that arrived earlier. PFC Malott was wounded on the beach and died later that day.

His grave is at Laurel IOOF Cemetery in Madisonville, Ohio.

Thank you PFC Malott for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Clarence.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 bombardier Kenneth Foote. You can read about Kenneth 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
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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Normandy Fallen - Vernon Fowler, 453rd Anti Aircraft Battalion

Sgt. Vernon Fowler served with the 453rd Anti Aircraft Battalion in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117412122/vernon-a_-fowler 

Vernon A. Fowler never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 16, 1919 in Pennsylvania. His parents Harry and Margaret were born in Pennsylvania and Wales, respectively. His father worked as a coal miner. Vernon had a younger brother and sister. By 1940 Vernon had completed four years of high school and was working as a digger while living with his parents.

He enlisted in the army after the war started and became a sergeant in the 453rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion. The 453rd AAB was equipped with 40mm gun mobile batteries. It arrived in England in February 1944. and was sent to Normandy in June to support the 4th Infantry Division. With few Luftwaffe targets, the AA guns were put to use knocking out German pill boxes. It was transferred to the 83rd Infantry Division on July 2, 1944.

Sgt. Fowler was killed in action on July 18, 1944. At that time the 83rd Infantry was still engaged in the Normandy fighting, facing some of the better German units. On the date Sgt. Fowler was killed, elements of the 83rd ID were subject to heavy mortar and small arms fire. This was likely the cause of his death.

His grave is at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Johnston, Pennsylvania.

Thank you Sgt. Vernon Fowler for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Vernon.

Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero Raymond Schwein, 3rd Armored Division. You can read about Raymond and one of the Andrew Sisters, born on the same day, 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-29 pilot Harold Kinreed and fellow Eagle Scout and friend Robert Usborne

Lt. Harold Kinreed was a B-29 pilot. He and his childhood friend Robert Usborne were both Eagle Scouts. Both men died in the service of their country in WW2.
 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47636989
http://mchenrycountynewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MC-5.21.15.pdf
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-29/462nd-en-route-home-after-bombing-rangoon-docks-on-3nov44/

Harold R. Kinreed never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Harold was born February 15, 1919 in Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois. His parents Clyde and Hazel were born in Wisconsin and Illinois, respectively. His father worked for an oil company, and passed away in 1937. Harold had one older sister. In 1940, Harold had completed four years of high school and was living with his widowed mother and working for a trucking company. He enlisted in the USAAF on February 11, 1942.

Here is an excerpt from an article in the May 21, 2015 edition of the McHenry County News:

On March 5, 1936, Harold Kinreed and his friend Robert Usborne, also of Marengo, made Marengo Boy Scout history. For the first time, two boys advanced to the highest rank of Eagle Scout at the same time. Kinreed knew what he wanted to do with his life by the age of 13. He wrote an article for a local paper stating, “When I grow up I want to be an aviator or transport pilot or do any kind of work that would have anything to do with airplanes.” He married Evelyn H. Bartelt of Marengo on October 24, 1942. …Lt. Kinreed was stationed in the Aleutian Islands from July, 1943 until October, 1943 as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot in the 21st Bomb Squadron (Heavy).

He then received instruction in piloting the B-29 Super Fortress and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. November 16, 1944 saw him heading to his new posting in India with the 769th Bomb Squadron (Heavy). …On February 7, 1945, Kinreed ordered his crew to bail out of his disabled B-29 while returning from a combat mission in French-Indo China. He was killed trying to land his plane. Representatives of the US government notified Evelyn at her mother’s home. However, she already knew. The birthday card she had sent Harold had been returned by the post office. It was marked ‘Deceased’.

Sadly, Harold’s fellow Eagle Scout Robert Usborne, who served as a S/Sgt in the 88th Infantry Division in Italy, was killed in action two months after Harold. Both are buried in Marengo City Cemetery in Marengo, Illinois.

In 2015, Boy Scout Troop 163 of Marengo placed on each of their graves an Eagle Scout plaque that was designed during World War II for scouts who “Sealed their Boy Scout Oath to their Country with their Life”.

Harold’s wife Evelyn remarried at some point and passed away in May 2004.

Thank you Harold for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.
_____
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 Raymond Thornton of the 35th Infantry Division. You can read about Raymond 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 Leyte Fallen - Jack Brown, 32nd Infantry Division

Sgt. Jack Brown, 32nd Infantry Division, was killed in action near Limon, Leyte.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145460762/jack-w_-brown
http://www.32nd-division.org/history/ww2/leyte/limon2.jpg 

Jack W. Brown never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 14, 1919 in Texas. His parents Ed and Beulah were born in Texas and Arkansas, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and died in the late 1920s. Jack had four older brothers, an older sister, two younger brothers, and a younger sister. By 1940 his mother had remarried and the family was living in Oklahoma. Jack was living at home and worked as a laborer. He completed seven years of education.

He was drafted into the army on January 10, 1942. Three of his brothers also served in the war and returned home. He became a sergeant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. The 32nd ID was one of the first army units sent to the Pacific Theater. It arrived in Australia in May 1942. It first fought in difficult jungle conditions in New Guinea, where losses to tropical diseases exceeded combat losses. It was next part of the return to the Philippines when it landed in Leyte. It began engaging the enemy in combat on November 14, 1944.

The weather in the second half of November brought heavy rain that created difficult muddy conditions for the troops. On November 24, 1944 the Japanese launched an attack in the 2nd Battalion sector. There was significant artillery and machine-gun fire supporting the attack. Many of the men had to retreat because they were outnumbered. Sgt. Brown was most likely killed during this engagement.

His grave is at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, California.

Thank you Sgt. Brown for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jack.

Last year on this date I profiled Irving Hoyt, 41st Infantry Division. You can read about Irving 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 - DFC hero and A-36 pilot William Libbert

Captain William Libbert earned the DFC while serving in the 499th Fighter-Bomber Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42411462/william-maynard-libbert
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557461260095549281/?lp=true
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)

William Maynard Libbert never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 13, 1919 in Indiana. His parents Will and Nilam were also both born in Indiana. His paternal grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as a farmer and later as a thresherman. William had two older sisters. By 1940 William had completed three years of college. He graduated from Evansville College one year later.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on January 13, 1942. He became a captain in the 305th Bombardment Squadron that was renamed the 499th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (in August 1943), 85th Fighter-Bomber Group. He flew A-24 Banshee dive-bombers before his unit was re-equipped with A-36 Mustangs (the ground attack version of the P-51) in early 1943. Captain Libbert successfully completed 80 combat missions in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy that included shooting down one German plane. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Captain Libbert was sent state-side to serve as a flight instructor. On March 25, 1944 the P-47 he was flying collided in midair with a Navy plane. Both pilots perished.

His grave is at Rose Hill Cemetery in Newburgh, Indiana.

Thank you Captain Libbert for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled Paul Tulloch, USS Canopus. You can read about Paul 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 - Marlton Gruenwald, 37th Infantry Division + Forrest Tucker

Pvt. Marlton Gruenwald served with the 37th Infantry Division in Fiji.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130501688/marlton-l-gruenwald

Marlton Lincoln Gruenwald never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 12, 1919 in Wisconsin. His parents John and Clara were also both born in Wisconsin. All his grandparents were from Germany or Austria. His father worked as a rubber works machinist. Marlton had an older brother and sister. By 1940 Marlton had completed four years of high school and worked as a driver. He married Gloria Luzi.

He was drafted into the army on November 10, 1941. He became a private in the HQ Company, ? Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. The 37th ID was sent to Fiji in June 1942 to defend it from possible Japanese invasion.

Pvt. Gruenwald died from non-combat reasons on January 24, 1943 while his unit was still in Fiji.

His grave is at Arlington Park Cemetery in Greenfield, Wisconsin. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Pvt. Gruenwald for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Marlton.

FORREST TUCKER
Hollywood character actor Forrest Tucker was also born on same day as Marlton Gruenwald, in Indiana. After growing up on a farm, Tucker had an early interest in becoming an entertainer. He also had an interest in serving his country and volunteered for the US Cavalry until he was sent home because he was underage.

Tucker began a successful acting career in Hollywood in mostly supporting roles until the war started when he once again enlisted in 1942 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army. He was assigned to the Signal Corps and stayed state-side making movies for the army. He served until 1945.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/greenman2008/35876382725

Returning to Hollywood he became a mainstay in many western and action movies. One of his best known roles was in The Sands of Iwo Jima with John Wayne. He is probably best known for his role in the TV show F Troop. He died in 1986.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero and B-24 pilot John Jerstad who was part of the ill-fated Ploiesti Raid. 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 New Guinea Fallen - Anthony Damman, 32nd Infantry Division

Sgt. Anthony Damman served with the 32nd Infantry Division during the Battle of Buna-Gona.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128829035/anthony-a-damman
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_buna.html

Anthony A. Damman never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on February 11, 1919 in Wisconsin. His parents Anton and Mary were also both born in Wisconsin. Three of his grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as a shipyard carpenter and later as a farmer. Anthony had one older sister and two younger brothers. Anthony completed eight years of schooling and worked on the family farm.

He volunteered for the Wisconsin National Guard in September 1937. His unit was federalized in October 1940. Anthony became a sergeant in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division.

Sgt. Damman was transported to New Guinea and took part in the Battle of Buna-Gona beginning in November 1942, where Australian and American troops fought to dislodge Japanese troops who had arrived earlier that year. It was jungle warfare at its most challenging against an unfamiliar foe who they soon learned almost never surrendered, despite how desperate their situation. On December 20, 1942, Sgt. Damman's company was ordered to seize an objective known as The Triangle. The Americans had been trying unsuccessfully to dislodge the Japanese from this position for two weeks. This attack failed also, at the cost of 39 casualties. Sgt. Damman succumbed to wounds received in this fighting. The Triangle would not fall for another week. The allies lost nearly 2,000 men during the battle.

His grave is at Holly Cross Cemetery in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

Thank you Sgt. Damman for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Anthony.

Last year on this date I profiled William Shelton, 82nd Airborne Division. 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 @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