WW2 Normandy Pointe du Hoc Fallen - Andrew McCorkle, 2nd Ranger Battalion + brother

Andrew McCorkle was a 2nd Ranger Battalion PFC at Pointe du Hoc.
His brother James was a pharmacist mate at Iwo Jima.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66974309/andrew-pruitt-mccorkle
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103872185/james-eugene-mccorkle
https://www.kcet.org/shows/d-day-at-pointe-du-hoc/episodes/d-day-at-pointe-du-hoc
https://www.reddit.com/r/wwiipics/comments/9kfdzb/combat_medics_care_of_wounded_marines_in_iwo_jima/ 

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

He was born on August 22, 1919 in Georgia. His parents William and Ellie were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a farmer. Pruitt had one older sister, three younger brothers, and one younger sister. By 1940 Pruitt had completed three years of high school. He lived with his parents and worked on the family farm.

He was drafted by the US Army in January 1941. He became a private first class in Company D, 2nd Ranger Battalion. This was an all volunteer force, especially trained to take Pointe du Hoc on D-Day.

In the planning for D-Day, PFC McCorkle's company along with Companies E and F were given the assignment of scaling the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, more than one hundred feet high, to take out powerful 155mm guns that threatened the invasion beaches and invasion forces at both Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. The attack began with 225 men, but 35 were lost in the sea before the rest made it to land. The Rangers successfully reached the top of the cliff and destroyed the guns, which had been moved back to avoid Allied bombing. The Rangers lost many men defending the high point from German counterattacks. After two days they were reduced to 90 men. 

PFC McCorkle was killed on the last day, June 8, 1944 when the Rangers were assigned to move west and take Grandcamp le Bains. The 2nd RB was so depleted that the task was passed on the the 5th RB and the 116th IR. Perhaps PFC served as a liaison during the attack that cost his life.

Brother James Eugene McCorkle became a pharmacist 3rd class in the US Navy. During the Battle of Iwo Jima he was machine-gunned while rendering aid to a wounded marine. He was wounded and evacuated but died on a hospital ship on March 20, 1945.

They are buried at New Providence Baptist Cemetery in Buena Vista, Georgia.

Thanks to the McCorkle brothers for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Pruitt and Eugene.

Last year on this date I profiled combat engineer Hiram Collins. You can read about Hiram 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 co-pilot Aaron Cuddeback

Lt. Aaron Cuddeback was a B-17 co-pilot in the 306th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56297933/aaron-e-cuddeback
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/255

Aaron Cuddeback never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Last year I was not able to write a profile everyday from September to November because I was studying for the Certified Financial Planner test (I passed!). I feel my project to honor one U.S. serviceman for each day of the war would be incomplete if I left them off. As I have time, I am going back and adding profiles for the days I missed.

Aaron was born on October 16, 1918 in Portland, Oregon. His parents Solomon and Margaret were born in Pennsylvania and Oregon, respectively. His father worked as a shipyards caller and later as a post office clerk. Aaron had two older brothers and two older sisters. By 1940 Aaron was still living at home and had completed three years of college. In his free time he participated in the McKenzie Flying Association.

His older sister Margaret was living in Osaka, Japan where she was working as the director for the Baptist Christian Center. She had lived there since the mid-1930s. She taught English and was in charge of a kindergarten for the children of factory workers. She became fluent in speaking Japanese. When the war started she was interred.

Aaron volunteered for the Army Air Forces in August 1941, and completed army air school in March 1942. He was trained to fly B-17 Flying Fortresses as a co-pilot and became a first lieutenant in the 368th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. It was sent to England in September 1942.

On March 4, 1943, Lt. Cuddeback's plane was part of a mission to bomb the marshaling yards in Hamm, Germany. His plane was attacked by German fighter planes while still over the North Sea. It crashed into the water with no survivors.

In October 1943, Margaret reached India, having obtained passage on a neutral vessel from Japan. She made it back to Oregon in early 1944.

Aaron's cenotaph memorial is at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Holland. His sister Margaret lived to age 97 and died in 2006.

Thank you Lt. Cuddeback for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Aaron.

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 bombardier Ben Bloom

B-29 bombardier Ben Bloom served in the 468th Bombardment Group.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41172373/ben-r_-bloom

http://theyweresoldiers.com/index.php/tag/capt-ornell-j-stauffer/ 

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

Ben was born on August 21, 1919 in Colorado. His parents Morris and Sadie were born in Romania and Russia, respectively.  His father worked as the proprietor of a tailor shop. Ben had one older sister and one younger sister. In 1940 he had completed two years of college and was living at home and working as a grocer. 

Ben enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in December 1941 and trained as a bombardier. He was assigned as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 794th Bombardment Squadron, 468th Bomb Group, of the 20th Air Force. The 468th BG was established in May 1943 at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas as a B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy Bombardment Group, and was one of the first operational B-29 groups deployed overseas into combat. The 468th initially deployed to India in March/April 1944 and then to Pengshan, China in May 1944. It flew its first combat mission on 5 June 1944 against railroad yards in Bangkok, Thailand. For its second combat mission, the group dispatched 75 B-29s to bomb the Imperial Iron & Steel Works in Yawata, Japan on 15/16 June 1944 – the opening of the B-29 phase of the Allied air offensive against Japan. 

On 20 August 1944, the 468th flew its seventh combat mission, again striking Yawata, Japan. Lt. Bloom was flying as bombardier aboard B-29 42-6334, nicknamed “Calamity Sue”. During the bomb run, a Japanese Ki-45 interceptor rammed the lead bomber head on, causing it to disintegrate. A piece of flying wreckage struck the tail of “Calamity Sue”, shearing it off and causing the B-29 to spin out of control and crash. Five of the crewmembers were able to bail out, of which three were taken prisoner and two were killed on the ground. The rest, including 2nd Lt. Bloom, were killed in the crash. 

Ben R. Bloom was initially buried in a grave near the crash site and was later reinterred in B’Nai Jacob Cemetery in Pueblo County, Colorado.

Thank you Lt. Bloom for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ben.

_____

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 Pearl Harbor Fallen Lawrence Anderson of the USS Arizona. You can read about Lawrence 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 - Marine William Palat, 7th Defense Battalion

Platoon Sergeant William Palat served in the 7th Defense Battalion in the Ellice Islands.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46086599/william-henry-palat
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Defense/index.html 

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

He was born on August 20, 1919 in Booth Ford Bend, Texas. His parents Joseph and Frances were both born in Bohemia. His father worked as a farmer and later as a carpenter's helper. William had two older brothers, two younger sisters, and one younger brother. By 1940 his parents had separated. His mother worked the farm with help from William and his siblings. He had completed eight years of schooling.

He enlisted in the US Marines on September 30, 1941. He reached the rank of platoon sergeant in the 90mm AA Group, 7th Defense Battalion. Marine defense battalions were static units set up to defend airbases and other key outposts.

In August 1943 Marines landed in the Ellice Islands at Nanumea and Nukufetau where they built airbases and staged for the invasion of Tarawa in November. The 7th DB was sent in to protect the airfields. Sgt. Palat died of wounds at Nanumea on September 7, 1943. The Japanese bombed this location on this date.

*****UPDATE 25 MAR 2021***** This came from BashaJo via a comment:

The Japanese already had an airfield on Tarawa, and they had Mitsubishi-built “Betty” bombers there. When they realized that the Marines were constructing an airfield on Nanumea, they sent the bombers, and they bombed the island on both September 7 and 8, 1943. Sgt. Palat was part of the island’s artillery defense. He was killed during the first or second day of this bombing. His death certificate lists September 8th, so there was, not surprisingly, confusion about this. His body was not returned to his family for burial until after the end of the war. I know — he was part of my family. 

*****

His grave is at Rosenberg Cemetery in Rosenberg, Texas.

Thank you Sgt. Palat for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled Arthur Newcomb, USS Grunion. You can read about Arthur 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 - Philip Green, 27th Infantry Division + POW nurse + famous billionaire

Lt. Philip Green was killed while the 27th Infantry Division was in training in Hawaii.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49192978/philip-joseph-green
https://history.army.mil/brochures/72-4/72-4.HTM

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

He was born on August 19, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents Harry and May were also both born in New York. His father worked as a newspaper dealer. Philip had one older brother and two older sisters. His parents may have died in the 1920s since by the 1930 census, Philip was living with his 22 year old older brother. By 1940 he was still living with his brother. He had completed two years of high school and worked as a laborer for a paint company.

He enlisted in the army and became a first lieutenant in the 27th Infantry Division. The 27th ID was deployed in defensive positions in California right after the Pearl Harbor attack. In May 1942 it was sent to Hawaii to defend that location. Lt. Green was killed on August 5, 1943, before the 27th Infantry had been engaged in any combat.

His grave is at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thank you Lt. Green for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Philip.

REBA WHITTLE
Reba Whittle was also born on August 19, 1919, in Texas. She graduated from nursing school and volunteered for the Army Nurse Corps in June 1941. She was trained as a flight nurse, in order to give aid to wounded being transported by planes. She was sent to work in the European Theater.

Between January and September 1944 she flew 40 missions totaling more than 500 hours. On September 27 she was on a flight from England to Belgium to collect wounded. The plane got off course, crossed over German lines, and was shot down. Reba suffered a bad concussion in the crash. The pilot was killed and remaining passengers were made POWs. Because the Germans had no American female prisoners she was sent to a hospital for wounded Allied POWs staffed by British medical staff until January 1945 when she was repatriated through Switzerland.

https://www.dday.org/2015/03/10/reba-whittle-first-female-pow-in-world-war-ii/

She continued to suffer headaches after the war but her appeals for VA disability benefits were denied because they were not combat related. She died in 1981.

MALCOLM FORBES
A third August 19, 1919 baby was Malcolm Forbes from New Jersey. His father founded the influence financial magazine Forbes in 1917. Malcolm graduated from Princeton University. 

He joined the army in 1942 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant. He was a machine-gunner in the 84th Infantry Division in Europe where he earned the Bronze Star and receive the Purple Heart for a thigh wound.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/126593439500498978/

He served in the New Jersey Senate in the 1950s. He then worked full-time running Forbes. He lived the lavish lifestyle of a multimillionaire with jets, yachts, hot air balloons, a world class art collection, and a French chateau. He died as a billionaire in 1990.

Last year on this date I profiled Iwo Jima fallen Dr. Claude Arnett, 5th Marine Division. You can read about Claude 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 Carlson's Raiders Fallen - Edward Maciejewski, 2nd Raider Battalion

Cpl. Edward Maciejewski was killed during the Carlson's Raiders raid on Makin Island.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15549863/edward-maciejewski
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/guest-bloggers/the-marine-raid-on-butaritari-the-true-story.html 

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

He was born on August 18, 1919 in Illinois. His parents John and Mary were born in German speaking Russia (now Poland) and Illinois, respectively. His mother's parents were from Germany. His father worked as a building cleaner and later as a truck driver. Edward had three older brothers and three younger brothers. By 1940 Edward was working as a pressman and living in Chicago. Edward attended Loyola University where he studied commerce and participated in the St Thomas More Legal Club.

He enlisted in the US Marines in October 1940. He became a corporal in the 2nd Raider Battalion. This was a special unit that was trained for special operations behind enemy lines.

Cpl. Maciejewski participated in one of the first offensive actions by Americans on land in the Carlson raid on Makin Island on August 17, 1942.  

Up to that point America had lost to the Japanese Army at Wake Island, Guam, Bataan and Corrigedor. The purpose of the raid was to destroy enemy installations and divert attention from the main action on Guadalcanal. The 222 raiders dropped off on Makin by two submarines attacked the island defended by seventy plus Japanese soldiers. The offloading did not go as planned and the Americans were scattered when they landed. The raid did destroy Japanese supplies, but the extraction by submarine was equally difficult and took longer than anticipated. Cpl. Maciejewski was one of 28 Marines killed during the raid, the day before his twenty-fourth birthday. The raiders had to leave their dead behind.

In the chaos, nine live Marines were also left behind. Nevertheless, the home front was heartened by the daring raid and it made big headlines and was even the basis for the movie Gung Ho. (The movie can be found on YouTube.)

The stranded Marines held out for nearly a month before being captured. The Japanese transferred them to Kwajalein. Japan informed the leadership on Kwajalein there that no transfer of prisoners to Japan was practical. Rather than keep them prisoners there, the commanding officer ordered them beheaded on October 16, 1942. The commander was hanged for this war crime after the war.

After the war, efforts were made to recover the dead Raiders left behind on Makin Island. The grave of Cpl. Maciejewski and and eighteen others could not be found. In 1998 relatives of the dead found an islander who had helped bury the dead as a young boy who was able to find the gravesite. The remains were returned home the following year.

Cpl. Maciejewski's grave is at Arlington National Cemetery, shared with the other fallen Carlson's Raiders recovered. They were buried in a public ceremony on the 59th anniversary of the Makin Raid.

Thank you Cpl. Maciejewski for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Edward.

Last year on this date I profiled James Carden, 29th Infantry Division. You can read about James 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 - PBY co-pilot George Doll

Ensign George Doll served as a PBY-5A co-pilot in Partol Bombing Squadron VP-11 in Hawaii.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73135607/george-lakemond-doll
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPB-11 

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

He was born on August 17, 1919 in Michigan (or possibly Pennsylvania). His parents George and Anna were both born in Pennsylvania. His paternal grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as a meat cutter. George was an only child. By 1940 he was attending Highland Park Junior College. While there he joined the US Naval Reserves.

He enlisted in the US Navy in August 1940. By November he was a aviation cadet. He received his wings in July 1941 an he became an ensign and co-pilot serving in Patrol Bombing Squadron VP-11 which was equipped with PBYs and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Most of the planes in VP-11 where destroyed during the December 7, 1941 Japanese surprise attack. The planes were replaced in early April 1942, after which the flight crews checked out the new equipment to make sure the planes were ready for sector searches around Oahu.

On April 5, 1942 Ensign Doll was the co-pilot on PBY-5A serial number 2487 Catalina with a total crew of nine. After twelve and a half hours of patrolling Hawaiian waters, he was flying back to base in bad weather and darkness. The men in the cockpit mistook the Makapu'u lighthouse for the Barber's Point lighthouse and hit a hillside during a low altitude circling maneuver. All onboard were lost.

His grave is at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart, Indiana.

Thank you Ens. Doll for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for George.

Last year on this date I profiled P-39 pilot Lyle Poitras. You can read about Lyle 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