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| Pfc. Joy Mouser served in the 9th Infantry Division. The above photo was taken four days after Mouser was killed. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162243128/joy-e-mouser http://www.criba.be/pics/7_20131119145726.jpg |
Joy Earl Mouser never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on March 24, 1918 in Missouri. His parents David and Marie were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as a railroad fireman and later a locomotive engineer. Joy had one older brother. By 1940 Maurice had completed four years of high school and was still living with his parents and working as an ice company truck driver.
He enlisted in the army on December 23, 1940. He became a private first class in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. It spearheaded the American invasion of North Africa in November 1942. After fighting in North Africa, it moved on to the Sicilian Campaign. Pfc. Mouser likely joined his unit at this time as a replacement. He left behind a wife and daughter.
He landed on Utah Beach at D+4. After the Normandy Campaign the 60th IR advanced across France and fought in the Hurtgen Forest.
The hard fighting in the Hurtgen Forest began in mid-September and Pfc. Mouser survived nearly three months of combat before his unit was pulled out and send to a quite area in the Ardennes. He was killed on December 10, 1944. This was a week before the Battle of the Bulge. I don't know the circumstances of his death. (see comment below for update)
His grave is at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I don't know what happened to his widow or daughter.
Last year on this date I profiled John Mazzone, who served on the destroyer USS Nelson. 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.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
From Yuri Beckers at the 9th Infantry Division Association Facebook page:
ReplyDeleteThe 60th Infantry Regiment fought near Obergeich and Geich, and headed towards the town of Langerwehe on December 10th. They experienced heavy concentrations of artillery and mortar fire that day. It was a though day for the Go Devils. Rest in Peace.