WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Hugh Naff, USS Helena + NFL Hall of Famer

Seaman 2nd Class Hugh Naff served on the light cruiser USS Helena at Pearl Harbor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52606453/hugh-kenneth-naff
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar//USN/ships/CL/CL-50_Helena.html 

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

He was born on May 5, 1919 in Stevens, Washington. His parents Hugh and Alice were born in Tennessee and Canada, respectively. His father worked as a saw mill sawyer and later as a real estate broker. Hugh had one older brother. He also had six older half brothers and an older half sister. By 1940 Hugh had completed four years of high school. He was working as a government laborer and living with his retired parents.

He was drafted into the navy on January 2, 1941. He was assigned to the light cruiser USS Helena in April where he had the rank of seaman 2nd class.

Helena was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was berthed at the location normally used by the battleship USS Pennsylvania (which was in dry dock) so it became a prime target for the Japanese who expected Pennsylvania. Within minutes, Helena was struck by a torpedo that killed twenty men. Timely counter flooding kept the cruiser afloat. Another fourteen men were killed while the crew was fighting the fires. One of those lost that day was Seaman Naff.

His grave is at Riverton Crest Cemetery in Tukwila, Washington.

Thank you Seaman Naff for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Hugh.

TONY CANADEO
Born in Chicago, Illinois on the same day as Hugh Naff was Tony Canadeo. He was a star football halfback at Gonzaga University until 1941 when it discontinued the football program. Tony was a late draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1941 draft. While with the Packers Canadeo played halfback, quarterback, and tailback. He also played defensive back and special teams as a kicker and returner. He left to serve in the Navy but was honorably discharged in 1943 so he returned to play with the Packers, but by 1944 he had enlisted in the army and would not play again until the war ended. He played until 1952.

https://alchetron.com/Tony-Canadeo

Canadeo's jersey number 3 has been retired by the Green Bay Packers. He was named to the NFL's 1940s All-Decade Team. In 1974 he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, the only player so honored from the 1941 draft. Canadeo died in 2003.

Last year on this date I profiled Percival Hankins, 25th Infantry Division. You can read about Percival 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

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-26 pilot Donald Scott, Ohio State All-American quarterback

Captain Don Scott, an All-American college football quarterback, was a B-26 pilot in the 557th Bomb Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54989972/donald-f-scott/photo
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/21881 

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

He was born on May 4, 1919 in Ohio. His parents Charlie and Anna were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as a truck driver and later ran a gas station. Donald had a younger sister. In high school Don was a two-time all-state footballer, first as a tackle and then in the backfield. He was also a star on the basketball team. He attended Ohio State University where he became a two-time All-American, leading his team to the Big 10 Conference title in 1940 while playing quarterback. He was called the most versatile back in all of college football. The Chicago Bears selected him as the ninth overall selection of the 1941 draft. However, Don, who had participated in the Civil Air Patrol while in college, decided to join the Army Air Forces. At some point he married Leone Kochenderfer. They had one son.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 15, 1941. He was promoted to the rank of captain and served as a pilot in the 557th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group, which was equipped with B-26 Marauders. It deployed for England in June 1943. It specialized in bombing enemy airfields and V-weapon sites.

On October 1, 1943 Captain Scott was test flying the B-26 known as 9 Nina with the Ruby Ts. Both engines failed and it crashed near North Weald, Essex in England. Captain Scott and two other airmen were killed.

His grave is at Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, Ohio. His son died of a pancreas disease in 1948. I don't know what happened to his widow after that. 

The Ohio State University Airport was renamed Don Scott Field. Canton City School's track field was also named Don Scott Field. In 2000 Scott was voted as one of five quarterbacks to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team.

Thank you Captain Scott for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Don. 

Last year on this date I profiled Daniel Bradshaw, 44th Infantry Division. You can read about Daniel 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 Philippines Fallen - Airman Gem Morris, Cabanatuan Prison Camp

Sgt. Gem Morris served in the 19th Bombardment Group and died in the Cabanatuan Camp
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56756897/gem-eliasen-morris
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535365474427503687/

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

He was born on May 17, 1919 in McCammon, Idaho. His parents Parley and Sarah were born in Utah and Idaho, respectively. His grandparents were from Wales and Denmark. His father worked as a farmer and later as a gardener. Gem had three older sisters, two younger brothers, and five younger sisters. Gem completed four years of high school before volunteering for the Army Air Corps in November 1939.

Gem became a Tec 5 in the 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. It was deployed to the Philippines in October 1941. Half of the 19th BG was destroyed on the ground during the Japanese attack on the first day of the war. While the other half was eventually able to withdraw to Australia, Sgt. Morris stayed behind and was sent to Bataan to fight with the infantry. After the Americans surrendered, Sgt. Morris endured the Bataan Death March.

He lasted until June 25, 1942 when he died of tonsilitis and conjunctivitis while a prisoner of war at the Cabanatuan camp. The Japanese denied the prisoners medicine that could have prevented many deaths.

His grave is at Salt Lake City Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thank you Sgt. Morris for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Gem.

Last year on this date I profiled Bronze Star hero Tadashi Kijima, 442nd Infantry Regiment. You can read about Tadashi 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 Guam Fallen - Oren Hill, 3rd Marine Division

Sgt. Oren Hill was a sergeant in the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Guam.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14063915/oren-ralph-hill
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/liberating-guam/

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

He was born on May 3, 1919 in Walker, Oklahoma. His parents William and Kate were born in Texas and Tennessee, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. He later worked as a draying laborer in Texas. Oren had four older brothers, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. By 1940 Oren had completed four years of high school and worked as a clerk while living with his parents.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps on September 10, 1940. He was first sent to Iceland where he was stationed for nine months. He reached the rank of platoon sergeant in the Headquarter's Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

The 3rd Marine Division was sent to the Pacific in January 1943. By June it was training on Guadalcanal for the Battle of Bougainville, which happened by the end of 1943. It next prepared to recapture the island of Guam.

Sgt. Oren landed on Guam on D-Day, July 21, 1944. He was wounded in action and died that day. It may have been in the process of the contested landing, or maybe during the night when the Japanese infiltrated through the American lines. Over the next 21 day of the battle, the Americans would lose 3,000 men killed in action. Japanese loses were six times as many.

His grave is at Ridgeview West Memorial Park in Frisco, Texas.

Thank you Sgt. Hill for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Oren.

Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero and medic Maurice Nies who served with the 28th Infantry Division in the Hurtgen Forest. You can read about Maurice 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 pilot and West Point grad Herschel Jarrell

US Military Academy graduate Herschel Jarrell was a B-17 pilot in the 447th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12262844/herschel-ashby-jarrell
https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=PublicUnitProfile&type=Unit&ID=1088 

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

He was born on May 2, 1919 in Van, West Virginia. His parents Sullivan and Laura were also both born in West Virginia. His father worked as a farmer and later as a coal mine carpenter. Still later he became a deputy assessor. Hershel had two younger brothers and three younger sisters. By 1940 Hershel was a third year cadet at the United States Military Academy. His mother died in March 1941 and Herschel married Susan Haislip in January 1943.

Upon graduating from West Point, Herschel was assigned to the Army Air Forces and became a first lieutenant and B-17 pilot in the 708th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group. The 447th BG flew its first combat mission on Christmas Eve 1943, out of its base in Rattlesden, England.

The seventh mission of the 447th BG was to bomb the target of Brunswick, Germany on January 11, 1944. Lt. Jarrell was piloting the B-17 nicknamed Lady Jane. A rocket fired from a German fighter hit Lt. Jarrell's plane in the bomb bay, causing the plane to explode. The navigator and top turret gunner survived as POWs. Lt. Jarrell and the rest of the crew were killed in action. The plane crashed near Rehburg, Germany.

His grave is at Boone Memorial Park in Madison, West Virginia. His widow remarried and died in 1980.

Thank you Lt. Jarrell for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Herschel.

Last year on this date I profiled Harry Laustrup. You can read about Harry 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

Help Finding More About 3 Brothers Killed In WW2

The three Mrace brothers are buried in the Ely Cemetery in Ely Minnesota.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143771215/albin-john-mrace
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121080569/anton-a-mrace
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121077338 

Many of you may regularly read my blog where I write about one of the WW2 fallen on his 100th birthday.

I am looking for help for my upcoming May 15 profile of Albin Mrace. He and two of his brothers were all killed during the war.

While many families lost two sons, losing three or more was thankfully not that common. One would think it would have been newsworthy. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any newspaper articles (on newspapers.com) about the Mrace brothers more than a paragraph long. I also have not been able to find any photos of these men.

I would be most grateful if anyone would be able to find more about the Mrace brothers and share it with me. Here is what I already know:

Albin Mrace was born on May 15, 1919 in Ely, Minnesota. His Slovenian speaking parents Anton and Mary were both born in what became Yugoslavia. They came to America in 1904/1905. His father worked as an iron minor. Albin had two older brothers (Anton and Frank), an older sister, and three younger brothers - Louis, Joseph, and Rudolph. All have passed on.

Albin enlisted enlisted in the US Navy in September 1937. By 1941 he was a water tender second class on the battleship USS West Virginia.

West Virginia was sunk by seven torpedoes and two bombs during the Japanese Pearl Harbor surprise attack on December 7, 1941. Quick fire control action counter-flooded the ship so it didn't capsize like the Oklahoma. As a water tender, Albin was likely below decks and may have been killed from the torpedoes or in the effort to counter-flood the ship. The crew tried to fight the fires until 2 pm when they finally abandoned ship. Over 100 West Virginia sailors were killed in the attack including Albin Mrace. 

Brother Anton, 7 years his senior, was drafted into the army in March 1942. His brother Frank, 4 years his senior, also joined the army (date unknown). Anton served as a TEC 4 in the medical department of the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Tough Hombres") while Frank became a staff sergeant in the 289th Field Artillery Battalion.

The 90th ID landed on Utah Beach on D-Day and D+1. Anton was killed in action on July 23, 1944 while his regiment was still in Normandy. The 289th FAB was sent to the Pacific. Frank was killed in action on April 10, 1945.

All three brothers are buried at Ely Cemetery in Ely, Minnesota.

WW2 Fallen - B-26 co-pilot William McOmber

Lt. William McOmber was a B-26 co-pilot in the 442nd Bombardment Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82804558/william-a_-mcomber
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/4108 

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

He was born on May 1, 1919 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His parents Adrian and Flora were born in Iowa and Nebraska, respectively. His father worked as a traffic manager. By 1930 the family had moved to Omaha, Nebraska and Adrian worked as an interior decorator. William became an Eagle Scout and later a scout master. William had one younger sister who died in 1937 at age sixteen. By 1940 William was attending his second year of college.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in June 1942. He became a first lieutenant and co-pilot in the 442nd Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force, which was equipped with B-26 Marauders. The 320th BG began operations in North Africa in April 1943. It flew missions on naval targets, marshalling yards, bridges, airdromes, railroads, fuel dumps and other targets in Italy and France. It moved its airbase to Dijon, France in November 1944. Lt. McOmber was with his squadron long enough to fly 45 missions.

On February 6, 1945, co-pilot Lt. McOmber was killed when flying B-26 #43-34258 on a transition flight that crashed near Dijon, France. The pilot and one other airmen on board were also killed.

His grave is at Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Thank you Lt. McOmber for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Clinton Hedrick, 17th Airborne Division who stormed a castle! You can read about Clinton 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