WW2 Fallen - Louis Ball, USS Grampus + famous voice actor

Motor Machinist Mate Second Class Louis Ball served on the submarine USS Grampus.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56774644/louis-d-ball 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

  

Louis was born on June 22, 1920 in McCrory, Arkansas. His parents Howard and Martha were also both born in Arkansas. His father worked as a general store salesman and later a traveling salesman. Still later he became a restaurant proprietor. Louis had two older sisters, one older brother, two younger brothers, and four younger sisters. By 1940 Louis had completed three years of high school and was still living at home. His mother died in March 1942.

He volunteered for the US Navy in January 1941. He advanced to the rank of motor machinist mate second class and was eventually assigned to serve on the submarine USS Grampus. Grampus was launched in December 1940 and was commissioned the next March.

Grampus completed five patrols before leaving Brisbane, Australia on February 11, 1943 on what would be her final patrol. Louis served on four submarine patrols. After leaving port, Grampus was never heard from again. The crew of 60 was considered missing in action with a date of March 22, 1943. However, after the war, investigation determined that Grampus was most likely caught on the surface on March 5-6 by a Japanese destroyer and sunk by gunfire. The Japanese destroyer was sunk shortly thereafter so the sinking of Grampus went officially unreported.

Louis is remembered at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines.

Thank you Machinist Mate Ball for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Louis.

PAUL FREES
The name may not sound familiar to most, but Paul Frees had a great impact in his field --something denied to Louis Ball who was born on the exact same date. Paul was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He had a four octave range so he found work in radio.

His radio career was cut short by the war. Paul Frees joined the army and fought on D-Day. He was wounded in action and spent a year recovering from his wounds.

Frees resumed his radio career after the war. He became well know for his narration and voice talent and was known as "The Man of a Thousand Voices." Only Mel Blanc had a more stellar career in this specialized field.

https://insidethemagic.net/2018/03/many-voices-disney-legend-paul-frees/

The characters he voiced included "The Ghost Host" for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, Disney's Ludwig Von Drake, Boris Badenov from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, and even the Pillsbury Doughboy. Frees died in 1986.

This is one of the final 100 stories (73) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 navigator Flake Bowles. You can read about Flake 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

1,300th WW2 Fallen - B-29 navigator Robert Owens

2nd Lt. Robert Owens was a B-29 navigator in the 498th Bombardment Group.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124830499/robert-l-owens

https://www.newspapers.com/browse/us/idaho/idaho-falls/the-post-register_3206

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress#World_War_II

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

Note: This is the 1,300th profile of a US WWII fallen in this project. There are 73 left to go until it ends on September 2, 2020 - the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

  

Robert was born on June 21, 1920 in Iona, Idaho. His parents Alma and Sarah were also born in Idaho. His father was a farmer and later a school teacher. Robert had two older sisters, one younger sister, and two younger brothers. In 1940, Robert had completed one year of college and was living at home with his parents in Iona. He later graduated from Ricks College and Brigham Young University.

 

When he registered for the draft in July 1941 he was working as a gasoline truck operator in Bluffton, South Carolina. He entered the US Army Air Corps in July 1942 and trained as a navigator. At some point, he married the former Vera Evans and they had a son. Robert was assigned as a 2nd lieutenant to the 498th Bomb Group, which was formed in November 1943 as part of the 73rd Bombardment Wing, and was equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers. The 498th was deployed to Saipan in the Marianas Islands in September 1944 and flew its first combat mission the following month. Lt. Owens went overseas in November 1944 so was likely assigned to the 498th as a replacement. 

 

The B-29 Superfortress, one of the largest aircraft of World War II, was designed for high-altitude strategic bombing and had state-of-the-art technology, including pressurized cabins, analog computer-controlled fire-control system, and remote control gun placements. The cost of design and production of the B-29 far exceeded the cost of the Manhattan Project and made the B-29 program the most expensive of the war. Due to the critical need, the B-29s were rushed into service without complete testing and were beset with engine problems, primarily oil leaks that led to engine fires. Because of a high magnesium content in the potentially combustible crankcase alloy, the resulting engine fires, sometimes burning with a core temperature approaching 5,600 °F, were often so intense the main wing spar could burn through in seconds, resulting in catastrophic wing failure. The B-29 was also a difficult aircraft to fly due to its large size and weight. Postwar analysis showed that for every B-29 lost to the enemy, almost two were lost to accidents and crashes.

 

On 9 March 1945 Lt. Owens was the navigator aboard B-29 44-64797, one of 325 B-29s that took off from the Marianas Islands to bomb Tokyo. According to the 498th’s mission log, enemy aircraft opposition was weak and flak was moderate to intense. One aircraft was lost to enemy flak, five had to ditch in the ocean, and seven were lost for unknown reasons. It was later determined that 44-64797 crashed into Fubo Mountain near Tokyo with no survivors. 

 

Robert Legrande Owens was initially buried in Japan and after the war was reinterred in Iona Cemetery in Iona, Idaho. His widow remarried after the war and passed away in 2007. 

 

Thank you 2Lt. Owens for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Robert.

_____

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." 

This is one of the final 100 stories (74) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled Marven Fritza of the 122nd Liaison Squadron. You can read about Marven 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 - George Bailey, 7th Armored Division

PFC George Bailey served with the 7th Armored Division in France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31600262/george-l_-bailey
https://www.backtonormandy.org/the-history/divisions-armored/7-armored-division-usa-/3691-7th-armored-division-usa-attack-vortum.html 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

 

George was born on June 20, 1920 in Augusta, Georgia. His parents John and Mamie were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a railroad conductor and died in 1933. George had three older brothers. By 1940 George had completed two years of high school and was living with his widowed mother. He worked as a baker.

He was drafted into the army in March 1942. He became a private first class in Company C, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. PFC Bailey and the rest of the 7th Armored Division landed on Omaha Beach in mid August 1944. The 7th ID was involved in battles at Chartres, Chateau Thierry, and Verdun in France and Maastricht in Holland for Operation Market Garden.

PFC Bailey was first reported missing on September 6, 1944. On November 29 it was reported that he was killed in action in France on October 15, 1944. The army did not provide the family with additional details surrounding what caused him to be missing or how they finally determined the date of death.

His grave is at Westover Memorial Part in Augusta, Georgia.

Thank you PFC Bailey for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Joseph.

This is one of the final 100 stories (75) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled El Guettar fallen Jack Ball, Darby's 1st Ranger Battalion. You can read about Jack 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 weatherman Frank Cox

Major Frank Cox was a weatherman in the 12th Weather Air Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114177060/frank-truman-cox
https://br.pinterest.com/pin/706854103994708923/

Frank Truman Cox, Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

 

Frank was born on June 19, 1920 in Texas. His parents Frank and Ida were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a chiropractor. Frank was an only child. By 1940 Frank was still living at home and had completed four years of college at Baylor. Before joining the military, Frank spent many years participating in the Texas National Guard. He trained as a meteorologist at the University of Chicago. He was a slight 5' 6" tall and weighed under 130 lbs.

He joined the army in August 1942 and was commissioned an officer in December. With his knowledge about the weather he was assigned to 12th Weather Air Squadron and was sent overseas to the Mediterranean Theater in December 1942. He served as a weather officer and mobile weather unit commander. The 12th Weather Air Squadron started off in Morocco, but move forward as the Allies advanced. Its base changed to Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Italy, and finally Corsica. He was promoted first to captain and then to major.

Major Cox's father was also in the army. As a doctor, he served in a hospital unit in the Mediterranean and held the rank of Colonel.

On December 24, 1944 he was doing weather work on B-25 43-27768, nicknamed Buffalo Gal. He was killed when the plane crashed into a Corsican mountain. All eight men on board died.

His grave is at Waco Memorial Park in Waco, Texas.

Thank you Major Cox for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Frank.

This is one of the final 100 stories (76) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.


Last year on this date I profiled Alvin York, 76th Infantry Division, a relative of the famous World War I soldier of the same name. You can read about Alvin 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 Normandy Fallen - Arnold Bennett, 9th Infantry Division

PFC Arnold Bennett served with the 9th Infantry Division in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29083029/arnold-l_-bennett
http://www.easy39th.com/history.php 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

 

Arnold was born on June 18, 1920 in Simpson, Louisiana. His parents Lonnie and Flosie were also both born in Louisiana. His father worked as a farmer. Arnold had three older sisters and three older brothers. By 1940 Arnold had completed three years of high school and was still living at home.

He was drafted into the army in October 1941. He reached the rank of private first class in Company C, 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. PFC Bennett saw action in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy from 1942 through 1943.

The 9th ID landed on Utah Beach on D-Day + 4. It was given the task of taking part in the Battle for Cherbourg. The Germans there were defeated on June 27. Pvt. Bennett was killed three days later on June 30, 1944.

His grave is at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Simpson, Louisiana.

Thank you PFC Bennett for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Arnold.

This is one of the final 100 stories (77) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 top turret gunner Robert Carter. You can read about Robert 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 Market Garden Fallen - Paul DeVoe, 101st Airborne Division

Pvt. Paul DeVoe served with the 101st Airborne in Normandy and Holland.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79909566/paul-k_-devoe
https://www.army.mil/article/46037/the_island_not_a_vacation_destination

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

 

Paul was born on June 17, 1920 in New York. His parents William and Mildred were born in New Jersey and New York, respectively. His father worked as an electrician and later as an electrical engineer. Still later he worked as an electrical company estimator. Paul had one younger sister. By 1940 Paul had completed three years of high school and was still living at home.

He volunteered for the army in August 1942. Later he further volunteered to become a paratrooper. He became a private first in Company C, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He arrived in England in August 1943.

Pvt. DeVoe took part in the D-Day airdrop into Normandy. He was wounded during the Normandy campaign but recovered in time for the 101st next assignment - an airdrop into Holland on September 17, 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden. The 101st was tasked with taking five bridges. They managed to take four but the Germans destroyed the fifth. The Allies also failed to take the final bridge at Arnhem and the 101st spent weeks consolidating the Allied position in Holland. 

On October 3, the 506th PIR moved north to take over the front lines on the west side of the area north of Nijmegen referred to as The Island. The Germans had plans to cross the lower Rhine to destroy the bridge at Nijmegen, under Allied control. Their attack went through the 506th PIR's sector on October 5, 1944 and was accompanied by heavy artillery fire. Many American positions were overrun. Pvt. DeVoe's battalion was brought in as reinforcements to stop the Germans. Company C had 118 men. The fighting required house to house fighting in the town of Opheusden. The German brought in tanks which the paratroopers had to counter with bazookas. Pvt. DeVoe was killed on October 6, 1944. By then Company C was down to 26 men. The fighting continued for days but the paratroopers denied the Germans from achieving their goal to destroy the Nijmegen bridge. 

His grave is at Elmwood Hill Cemetery in Troy, New York.

Thank you PFC DeVoe for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Paul.

This is one of the final 100 stories (78) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and B-25 pilot Edward Irving, who was shot down by the Russians. You can read about Edward 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-24 pilot Jesse C. Maupin

2nd Lt. Jesse Maupin was the navigator on the B-24 Gregory the Great on its final mission.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61246559/jesse-c_-maupin
https://bolick-crew.000webhostapp.com 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

 

John was born on June 16, 1920 in Tennessee. His parents William and Anna were born in Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. His father worked as a farmer, and later as a stave foundry molder (not sure what that is!). Jesse had one older brothers, one older sister, three younger brothers, and one younger sister. By 1940 Jesse had completed four years of high school and found work as a chair factory glacier. He was still living at home.

He enlisted Army Air Corp in September 1940. He became a B-24 navigator and second lieutenant in the 577th Bombardment Squadron, 392nd Bombardment Group. The 392nd BG began flying missions from its base in England in September 1943.

Lt. Maupin was the navigator of B-24 42-7493, nicknamed Gregory the Great, on its seventh mission on November 26, 1943. The target that day was Bremen, Germany. Gregory the Great was seen to be experiencing engine problems and it struggled to keep up with the other bombers as it reached the German coast. It fell behind and crashed at the month of the Elbe River in an unsuccessful belly landing. There were no survivors among the crew of 11. The wreckage could be seen at low tide until it was removed. Post-war investigations could not determine whether the plane was shot down or crashed due to mechanical failure.

A website has been created dedicated to the crew of this final mission. You can find it here.

His grave is at Blue Springs Cemetery at Blue Springs, Tennessee.

Thank you Lt. Maupin for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jesse.

ANATOLE BROYARD
Future New York Times journalist Anatole Broyard was born on the exact same date at Jesse Maupin. Anatole was born in New Orleans of mixed race Creole lineage. The family moved to New York when Anatole was a child. For economic advantages his parents played down his black ancestry.

Anatole was accepted into officers candidate school as white and eventually reached the rank of captain in the US Army during World War II.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatole_Broyard

After the war he continued on as white and pursued a literary career, for which he was later criticized by the black community. He wrote daily book reviews for the New York Times for fifteen years. He died in 1990.

This is one of the final 100 stories (79) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled John Frysiek, 77th Infantry Division. 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