WW2 Fallen - Stanley Janik, 82nd Airborne Division

Stanley Janik served with these men from the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54781400
http://17th-airborne-in-the-bulge.eklablog.com/the-battle-of-the-bulge-p195803 

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

Stanislaw (Stanley) was born December 31, 1918 in Chicopee, Massachusetts. His parents Wojciech and Kathryn were immigrants from Poland, and both worked in a cotton mill. He had one older brother, one older sister, and a younger sister. In 1940, Stanley was living at home with his parents, had completed one year of high school, and was working as a laborer for a paper supply company.

Stanley enlisted in the US Army in May 1942 and volunteered for airborne infantry. He completed initial training in August 1942 at Camp Croft, South Carolina, and earned his paratrooper wings at Fort Benning, Georgia as a member of Company F of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The 507th PIR was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and arrived in England in late 1943 and began training for the invasion of Normandy.

Pfc Janik made his first combat jump into France in the early morning hours of D-Day June 6, 1944. The 507th PIR was tasked to help secure the Merderet River crossings to prevent German forces from reaching the Normandy beaches, however the unit was widely scattered due to clouds and intense flak and was unable to reach their objective. The 507th sustained heavy casualties in the Battle of Normandy before being withdrawn in July to refit.

Upon their return to England, the 507th was reassigned to the 17th Airborne Division, and underwent additional training. The 507th was redeployed to France on Christmas Day 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, and participated in counterattacks against the Germans in January and early February 1945. On February 7, 1945 Pfc. Janik was killed in action on a mission across the Oeur River into Dasburg, Germany.

Stanislaw M. Janik was initially buried in Luxembourg and was reinterred in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts.

Thank you Pfc. Janik for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Stanley.
____
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 Herman "Bing" Bang of the 44th Infantry Division. You can read about Herman 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 - James Tipton, 4th Infantry Division

James Tipton was a staff sergeant in the 4th Infantry Division which landed on Utah Beach on D-Day.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75282585/james-monroe-tipton
https://www.goodfreephotos.com/historical-battles/world-war-ii/american-assault-on-utah-beach-d-day-world-war-ii.jpg.php

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

He was born on December 30, 1918 in Johnson City, Tennessee. His parents Moses and Clara were born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. His father worked as a truck driver and later as a watchman at a teachers college. James had one older brother, one older sister, two younger sisters, and one younger brother. By 1940 James had completed a grammar school level of education and was living with his parents.

He enlisted in the army on June 19, 1940. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. The 4th ID arrived in England in January 1944. On D-Day it landed at Utah Beach, suffering far fewer casualties than the Americans landing on Omaha Beach. However, over the next three weeks the 4th ID would lose more than 800 men killed in action including Sgt. Tipton who died on D+1 while his regiment was expanding the beachhead to link up with the airborne.

His grave is at Monte Vista Memorial Park in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Thank you Sgt. Tipton for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Last year on this date I profiled F4U-1 Corsair pilot and Annapolis grad Alvin Blackman. 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 Fallen - Leland Clinton, USS Indianapolis, and shipmate Harlan Twible who lived to be 96

Leland Clinton was a lieutant (jg) on the fateful final mission of the cruiser USS Indianapolis.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8775267/leland-jack-clinton
https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/nation-now/uss-indianapolis-historians-resolve-mystery-of-how-many-men-died-in-1945-attack/465-c7719be9-2182-4d0c-9fdb-85de6f7bf9ef

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

Leland was born on December 29, 1918 in Coos County, Oregon. His parents Theodore and Mable were also born in Oregon. His father worked as a dairy farmer, timberman, and a manager in the logging industry. He had one younger sister. In 1940, Leland was living at home with his parents in Coquille, Oregon and working in a logging camp. He also attended Oregon State College. He married his wife Margaret around 1941.

Leland enlisted in the US Naval Reserve on March 31,1943 and served aboard the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis. In July 1945, the Indianapolis was assigned a top-secret mission to deliver parts and enriched uranium for an atomic bomb, later to be dropped on Hiroshima, to the American base on the pacific island of Tinian. After completing the delivery on July 26, the Indianapolis departed Tinian and was to sail for Leyte in the Philippines to join up with a task force headed for Okinawa. Sadly, the Indianapolis would never reach Leyte.

On the night of July 30, 1945 Lt. (junior grade) Clinton and Ensign Harlan Twible were standing watch in the aft crow’s nest eighty feet above the ship’s main deck. Heavy clouds obscured the moonlight, so it was nearly pitch black. They were due to be relieved at midnight, but as the hour approached there was no sign of the new watch officers. LTJG Clinton instructed ENS Twible to remain on watch and went below deck to locate their replacements. Shortly after midnight, the Indianapolis was struck on the starboard side by two torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-58, one that blew off a portion of the ship’s bow and one that exploded closer to midships.

The Indianapolis suffered massive damage and immediately began to settle by the bow, and rolled over and sank only twelve minutes after the torpedoes struck. Around 300 of the crew of 1,195 were trapped below decks and went down with the ship, likely including LTJG Clinton. The remaining 900 went into the water, many without lifejackets or in lifeboats, where over the next few days almost 600 men died from drowning, shark attacks, dehydration or injuries from the explosion. Ultimately, 316 of the ship’s crew were rescued.

Perhaps because he remained in the crow’s nest instead of LTJG Clinton, ENS Twible survived the sinking. He and his surviving shipmates spent 4 days and 5 nights in the water, with almost no fresh water or survival gear. During this time, despite injuries he suffered in the ship’s destruction, ENS Twible constantly aided the men in his group, maintaining order among them, ministering to their needs, and preventing half-crazed and injured men from leaving the safety of the group; actions for which the Navy later awarded him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. 

Harlan Twible
https://donmooreswartales.com/2012/05/30/harlan-twible/

Leland Jack Clinton is memorialized in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines and in Norway Cemetery in Coos County, Oregon. His wife remarried in 1948 and died in 1995. Harlan Twible passed away in April of this year.

Thank you Leland for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leland.
_____
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 C-46 copilot Herbert Evans. You can read about Herbert 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 Okinawa Fallen - Harold Allison, USS Terror

Harold Allison was serving on the USS Terror when it was hit by a kamikaze.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34874299/harold-harry-allison
http://www.shipscribe.com/usnaux/CM/CM05-p.html 

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

He was born on December 28, 1918 in Maryland. His parents Jacob and Rose were both born in Pennsylvania. His father worked as a lumber truck driver and later as a chauffeur. Harold had two older brothers, one older sister, two younger brothers and two younger sisters. By 1940 Harold had married Lona Arvelia and was working for a chemistry firm. They would have two children.

He enlisted in the US Navy on May 25, 1944. He became a coxswain on the minelayer USS Terror. He probably joined his ship in San Francisco in the fall of 1944. Terror provided casualty evacuation support during the invasion of Iwo Jima in February 1945 and transferred battle casualties to the army hospital in Saipan. Next she was on hand for the invasion of Okinawa. She came under kamikaze assault on multiple occasions during April without incident. 

On May 1, 1945, shortly before 4:00, a kamikaze surprised Terror and crashed through the communication platform. It took two hours to put out the fires. The attack claimed 41 killed (including Coxswain Allison), 7 missing, and 123 wounded, that is more than one-third of the crew.

His brother Herbert was wounded fighting in the Pacific but returned home safely.

His grave is at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Cumberland, Maryland. I don't know what happened to his widow or his two children.

Thank you Coxswain Allison for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.

Last year on this date I profiled Perry McElreath, 4th Marine Division who fought in the Battle of Saipan. You can read about Perry 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 - Byron Belt, 8th Infantry Division and his brother Billy

Brothers Byron and Billy Belt both lost their lives serving their country in WW2.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15499941/byron-roy-belt
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15499947/william-b_-belt

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

He was born on December 27, 1918 in Missouri. His parents Roy and Ethel were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a farmer. Byron had a younger brother and two younger sisters. By 1940 Byron had completed four years of high school and was working as a common laborer while living with his parents.

He was drafted into the army on August 1, 1941. He rose to the rank of tech sergeant in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Golden Arrow Divison"). 

The 8th ID arrived at Utah Beach on July 4, 1944. The 8th ID captured Brest in August 1944 and fought in the Hürtgen Forest in November 1944. It crossed the Roer River on February 23, 1945. Sgt. Belt was reported missing the next day. His family got the news on March 12. 

Two weeks later his brother Billy, a private first class in the 2nd Ranger Battalion, was the first man in his unit killed after crossing the Rhine River on March 28, 1945. Billy left a widow (who remarried and died in 2004) and two children.

The small hopes that Byron may have somehow survived the war were dashed when his parents got a letter from one of his fellow GI's in July letting them know he was standing next to Sgt. Belt when he was killed by an artillery shell.

The Belt brothers are buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Macon, Missouri.

Thank you Byron and Billy for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Belt brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 tail gunner Vern Barnett. You can read about Vern 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 Ie Shima Fallen - Bronze Star hero and company commander Walter Bennett, 77th Infantry Division

Water Bennett was killed in action leading his company in the attack on Government House on Ie Shima.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78838245/walter-bennett
https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/okinawa/chapter7.html

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

He was born on December 26, 1918 in South Carolina. His parents John and Myrl were born in England and South Carolina, respectively. His father died in 1939. Walter had an older brother and a younger sister. Walter graduated from Clemson University in 1941.

He enlisted in the army on June 20, 1941. He was selected to attend officer candidate school and advance to the rank of Captain.

Cpt. Bennett served as the Company Commander, Company H, 2nd Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Statue of Liberty Division"). Cpt. Bennett first saw action in the Battle of Guam in July 1944. Next he participated in the Philippines campaign beginning at Ormoc Bay in December 1944.

Cpt. Bennett was awarded the Bronze Star for his action between December 16-22. As his heavy weapons company supported his battalion's attack, Cpt. Bennett expertly set up routes and positions and directed lines of fire, all while facing heavy enemy fire.

On April 1, 1945 American soldiers and marines began the costly effort to capture Okinawa, the last stop before a planned invasion of Japan. While other troops were assigned to attack the main island, Cpt. Bennett's regiment was assigned to capture the smaller surrounding islands.On April 16 the 77th ID landed on Ie Shima. Four days later the Americans had advanced to the strongest Japanese position on the island, Bloody Ridge. Cpt. Bennett was killed in action while leading his company against a fortified Japanese position, most likely the stronghold known as Government House.

His grave is at Sunnyside Cemetery in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Thank you Captain Bennett for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Walter.

Last year on this date I profiled Bataan Death March survivor and Japanese POW Eber Boden.. You can read about Eber 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 D-Day Fallen - Henry Pearson, 29th Infantry Division

Henry Pearson was killed when his company went in as the first wave at Dog Green, Omaha Beach on D-Day.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68276835/henry-benjamin-pearson
tumblr_oksaw2pYnj1s7e5k5o1_500.jpg

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

He was born on December 25, 1918 in Newington, Virginia which is just a few miles away from George Washington's Mount Vernon home. His parents Henry and Anna were born in Virginia and Maryland, respectively. His father worked as a storekeeper. Henry had one older brother, one younger brother and two younger sisters. By 1940 Henry had completed four years of high school. He was living with his parents and worked installing overhead garage doors.

Henry was drafted into the army on May 7, 1941. He was assigned to the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, composed of many other Virginia men who had been serving in the Virginia National Guard. He became a sergeant in Company A, 1st Battalion - the company that became infamous for the high concentration of soldiers killed on D-Day from Bedford, Virginia.

The 29th Infantry Division arrived in England at the early date of September 1942. While other units were sent to fight in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, the 29th Infantry Division stayed in England, training for 21 months and then was selected to be the first to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day at section Dog Green, June 6, 1944. Company A was the tip of the spear -- its men went in on the very first wave, divided among seven landing craft.

When 5,000 yards out, the men in Company A noticed that the beach in front of them was intact. The promised bombing to knock out obstacles and create craters to avoid direct fire had not materialized. When 700 yards out the landing craft became targets for German mortars and artillery. As soon as the landing craft hit the beaches and dropped their ramps, they became targets to heavy machine-gun fire. Drowning also became a problem as men found themselves stepping into water over their heads weighted down by equipment often more than half their body weight.

Those who survived the initial landing found no cover. They faced at least three German MG-42 machine guns that fired more than 1,000 rounds per minute and at least two dozen snipers. Those who survived the day stayed in the water and moved forward as the tide rolled in, dragging their wounded with them. Within 10 minutes Company A was out of action - all of its officers and sergeants were either dead or wounded, including Sgt. Pearson.

By the end of D-Day only 18 of Company A's 230 men were unhurt. 

His grave is at Pohick Episcopal Church Cemetery in Lorton, Virginia.

Thank you Sgt. Pearson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Henry.

Last year on this date I profiled US Naval Academy graduate Edward Cloues, who served on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. You can read about Henry 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 - Bronze Star hero Thomas Kouns, 38th Infantry Division and his brother Robert

Thomas Kouns and his brother Robert were killed in action less than 10 days apart.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25079717/thomas-j-kouns

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

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

Thomas J. Kouns Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Thomas was born December 24, 1918 in Carter County, Kentucky. His parents Thomas Sr. and Addie were also born in Kentucky. Thomas had one older brother, one older sister, and a younger brother, and nine half-siblings. His father was a farmer and passed away in 1921, and his mother remarried; she passed away in 1930. In 1940 Thomas and his younger brother Robert were living with their step-brother and working as laborers on the family farm.

Thomas was inducted into the US Army in April 1941. By 1945 he was a Staff Sgt. in Company G of the 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division. The 38th ID was a National Guard division that was federalized in January 1941. After training in the States, the 38th ID deployed to the Pacific Theater in January 1944, where it participated in the New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon campaigns. In recognition of their contributions in liberating the Philippines, the 38th ID was given the nickname “The Avengers of Bataan” by Gen Douglas MacArthur. Staff Sgt. Kouns was killed in action April 14, 1945 during combat operations in Northern Luzon, Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

Sadly, Thomas’s younger brother Robert was killed in action only nine days later on April 23, 1945. Robert had been inducted into the Army in August 1942 and served as a Staff Sgt. in the 11th Armored Division. He was killed during combat operations in the Po Valley in Italy.

Thomas J. Kouns and Robert E. Kouns are buried side by side in Bellew Cemetery in Samaria Kentucky.

Thank you Thomas and Robert for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Thomas and 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."

Last year on this date I profiled Pfc Willie Putty of the 4th Infantry Division. You can read about Willie 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 co-pilot Heber Smith

Heber J. Smith was the copilot of the B-24 Gregory the Great
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62387936/heber-j_-smith/photo 

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

He was born on December 23, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents Willard and Florence were also both born in Utah. Heber was the grandson of two different presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph F. Smith who died a month before Heber was born and Heber J. Grant who succeeded Smith and would remain president until his death in May 1945. 

Heber's father worked as a cashier at Zions Bank, which happens to be the same bank I work for 100 years later. Heber had three older brothers, an older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. He attended both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah when he was called to serve a mission for his church in France. His mission was cut short when France was invaded by Germany in 1940. He was transferred to complete his mission in Canada.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on January 13, 1942. He learned to fly B-24 Liberators and was designated a co-pilot. He became a second lieutenant in the 577th Bombardment Squadron, 392nd Bombardment Group which was sent to England in August 1943.

He was co-pilot on the B-24 Gregory The Great which was lost on its seventh mission - a November 26, 1943 mission to bomb Bremen, Germany. Smith's B-24 was having engine trouble and had difficulties keeping up with the rest of the formation. It fell behind and crashed at the month of the Elbe River in an unsuccessful belly landing. There were no survivors. 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.

His grave is at Salt Lake City Cemetery in Utah.

Thank you Lt. Smith for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Heber.

This story can also be found at https://www.fold3.com/page/91164505-heber-j-smith/stories

Heber's cousin Lewis Smith was also killed in a plane crash while serving in World War 2. I wrote about him earlier this year.

Last year on this date I profiled Louis Miori who served with the 4th Infantry Division in Normandy. You can read about Louis 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 - Albert Nantz, 9th Infantry Division

Albert Nantz served in the 47th Infantry Regiment in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62559547/albert-nantz/photo
https://9thinfantrydivision.net/cutting-the-peninsula/

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

He was born on December 22, 1918 in Perrin, Texas. His parents Dan and Susie were both born in Kentucky. His father worked as a farmer. Albert had two older brothers, four older sisters and one younger brother. By 1940 Albert had completed eight years of schooling. He was living with a widowed sister, working as an attendant.

He was drafted into the army on January 23, 1941. He became a private in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, The 9th ID landed on Utah Beach four days after D-Day. It was given the task of expanding the beachhead to the west and closing off Cherbourg to German reinforcements.

Pvt. Nantz was killed on June 17, 1944 near Canville, where the 47th IR was successfully closing off the peninsula. 

His grave is at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger, Texas.

Thank you Pvt. Nantz for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Albert.

Last year on this date I profiled Raymond Lund, 1st 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 Fallen - Leo Tupper, 540th Engineer Combat Regiment + Donald Regan, US Marines

Leo Tupper served as a lieutenant in the 540th Engineer Combat Regiment.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141154404
http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/docs/540th/World%20War%20II%20Amphibious%20Landings%20-%20540th%20-%20Army%20Engineer%20Magazine%20-%20Nov-Dec%202006.pdf 

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

He was born on December 21, 1918 in Nebraska. His parents Bryan and Edith were also both born in Nebraska. His father worked as a farmer. Leo had an older brother and sister and a younger brother. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1941. He worked as the Cherry County extension agent.

He married Sophia Mavis King on October 12, 1941 (They had one daughter born a year later). Later that month he was inducted into the army as a private. He was selected to attended officer candidate school and by October 1942 when his unit was sent to North Africa, he held the rank of first lieutenant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 540th Engineer Combat Regiment.

The 540 ECR took part in the invasion of French Morocco and the capture of Casablanca. Its next amphibious landing was in Sicily. Lt. Tupper's unit specialized in unloading supplies on the beachheads and building roads to move vehicles off of the beaches.

The island of Sicily had been securely in Allied hands for a couple of weeks when on September 1, 1943 Lt. Tupper was killed by a German teller mine at Termini, Sicily while making a map of a minefield. 

His grave is at Red Cloud Cemetery in Red Cloud, Nebraska. His widow remarried after the war and died in 2005. I don't know what happened to his daughter.

Thank you Lt. Tupper for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leo.

DONALD REGAN
Born on the same day as Leo Tupper was Donald Regan, who would go on to be Treasury Secretary and White House Chief of Staff for President Ronald Reagan. Regan was born in Massachusetts. He earned a BA from Harvard in 1940 and dropped out of Harvard Law School to join the US Marines at the start of World War 2.

https://www.economist.com/obituary/2003/06/19/donald-regan

After becoming an officer, Regan participated in Marine actions at Guadalcanal, New Georgia, North Solomons, Guam and Okinawa, where he was a lieutenant colonel in command of an anti-aircraft battalion. 

He went on to a successful career in business before accepting Ronald Reagan's invitation to join his cabinet. He died in 2003 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Last year on this date I profiled Kenneth Bricker, 36th Infantry Division. 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
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 bombardier Samuel Bennett

Samuel Bennett was a bombardier in the 401st Bombardment Group stationed in England.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41500017/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/401st_Air_Expeditionary_Group#World_War_II

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

Samuel was born on December 20, 1918 in Bald Creek, North Carolina. His parents William and Nell were also born in North Carolina. His father was a physician. He had two older sisters, two older brothers, and two younger sisters. Samuel was a graduate of Mars Hill College and also attended North Carolina State College. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed in Baltimore as a shipfitter.

Samuel enlisted March 28, 1942 in the US Army Air Forces aviation cadet program and attended pre-flight school at Maxwell Field, Alabama. He was trained as a B-17 Flying Fortress bombardier at Roswell Army Air Field and received his commission as a 2nd Lt. in June 1943.

In March or April 1944 2nd Lt. Bennett was part of a replacement B-17 crew assigned to the 401st Bomb Group, 613th Bomb Squadron of the 8th Air Force, based at Deenethorpe, England. The crew’s first mission was on May 1, 1944 and they completed seven more missions over the next three weeks. On May 28 during the crew’s ninth mission, the aircraft was hit by flak or cannon fire from an enemy aircraft causing a fire in the radio room, and then exploded, tearing the aircraft in half. Five members of the crew were able to bail out and became POWs. 2nd Lt. Bennett and four others were not so lucky and did not survive the explosion. Pieces of the aircraft were strewn across the countryside in the vicinity of Dessau, Germany, the intended target.

Samuel Byrd Bennett was initially buried in Susigke Cemetery in Germany and was later reinterred in Holcombe Cemetery, Burnsville, North Carolina. Both of Samuel’s brothers served in the US Army and survived the war.

Thank you Samuel for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Samuel.
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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 Clarence Armstrong of the 34th Infantry Division. You can read about Clarence 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