WW2 Fallen - Medal of Honor hero and medic Frank Petrarca, 37th Infantry Division

Medic Pfc. Frank Petrarca served with the 37th Infantry Division in New Georgia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5747282/frank-joseph-petrarca
https://d.facebook.com/37thidwwii/photos/a.999112060113349.1073741828.998214823536406/1547332511957965/?type=3&__tn__=EH-R 

Frank Joseph Petrarca never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom. He died on his 25th birthday.

He was born on July 31, 1918 in Ohio. His parents Domnick and Bettina were both born in Italy and came to America in 1907. His father worked as a carpenter. Frank had three older brothers, two older sisters, and one younger brother. By 1940 Frank had completed four years of high school and lived with his parents while working as a laborer.

He enlisted in the army on October 20, 1940 through the Ohio National Guard. He became a private first class and was trained as a medic assigned to the 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. The 37th ID first fought the enemy in New Georgia in July 1943. His unit became heavily involved in the capture of the Munda Airfield and was taking many casualties. 

Pfc. actions over the next four day would posthumously earn him the Medal of Honor.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Petrarca advanced with the leading troop element to within 100 yards of the enemy fortifications where mortar and small-arms fire caused a number of casualties. Singling out the most seriously wounded, he worked his way to the aid of Pfc. Scott, lying within 75 yards of the enemy, whose wounds were so serious that he could not even be moved out of the direct line of fire. Pfc Petrarca fearlessly administered first aid to Pfc. Scott and 2 other soldiers and shielded the former until his death. 

On 29 July 1943, Pfc. Petrarca. during an intense mortar barrage, went to the aid of his sergeant who had been partly buried in a foxhole under the debris of a shell explosion, dug him out, restored him to consciousness and caused his evacuation. 

On 31 July 1943 and against the warning of a fellow soldier, he went to the aid of a mortar fragment casualty where his path over the crest of a hill exposed him to enemy observation from only 20 yards distance. A target for intense knee mortar and automatic fire, he resolutely worked his way to within 2 yards of his objective where he was mortally wounded by hostile mortar fire. Even on the threshold of death he continued to display valor and contempt for the foe, raising himself to his knees, this intrepid soldier shouted defiance at the enemy, made a last attempt to reach his wounded comrade and fell in glorious death.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Thank you Pfc. Petrarca for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Frank.

Last year on this date I profiled Coxswain Howard Carter, USS Dobbin, who was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack. You can read about Howard 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 Charles Foard

Lt. Charles Foard was a B-24 pilot in the 43rd Bombardment Group based in Papau New Guinea.
Wisconsin State Journal, October 31, 1944
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69231872/charles-darwin-foard
https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=22505 

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

He was born on July 30, 1918 in Wisconsin. His parents Oscar and Lurena were also both born in Wisconsin. His father worked as a farmer. Charles had a younger sister and brother. By 1940 Charles had completed one year of college and was working on the family farm.

He enlisted in the army in March 1941 and was in the infantry until he decided to volunteer for the Army Air Forces. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1943. He was sent to Pacific where he served in the 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43rd Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-24 Liberators and operated out of Papau New Guinea.

He was killed in action on October 4, 1944 while flying over Biak Island on his 22nd mission. I was not able to find out any additional details.

His grave is at Richland Center Cemetery in Richland Center, Wisconsin. 

Thank you Lt. Foard for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Charles.

Last year on this date I profiled Saipan Navy Cross hero, Thomas Clarke, 4th Marine Division. You can read about Thomas 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 - Distinguished Flying Cross hero B-24 navigator Walter Dunbar

Lt. Walter Dunbar was a B-24 navigator for the 456th Bomb Group that operated out of Italy in 1944.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69103973/walter-a.-dunbar
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-24/b-24-liberator-over-graz-austria-1944-744th-bomb-squadron-456th-bomb-group/ 

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

He was born on July 29, 1918 in Missouri. His parents Wilbur and Geneva were born in West Virginia and Missouri, respectively. His father worked as an agricultural teacher. Walter had a younger brother and sister. By 1940 Walter had completed two years of college and was living at home.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on November 25, 1942 as an aviation cadet. By that time he had graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in agriculture and was working as an accountant.

He became a navigator and first lieutenant in the 747th Bombardment Squadron, 456th Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. It was sent to Italy in January 1944. Most of its targets were in Southern Germany, Austria or the Balkans, including the critical Ploiesti oil fields. It was also assigned to hit targets in southern France prior to the American invasion. 

By July the first crews that arrived in January were completing their 50th missions and then being sent home. Around this time Lt. Dunbar was award the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. He had previously been awarded the Air Medal with three oak leave clusters. I was not able to find out details about the awards.

Lt. Dunbar was flying his 45th mission on July 16, 1944 when he was killed in action. I was not able to find more details about it.

His grave is at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. His brother and sister both died in 2016.

Thank you Lt. Dunbar for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Walter.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 navigator and high school science teacher John La Castro. 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

WW2 Hurtgen Forest Fallen - Paul Ilvies, 9th Infantry Division

Cpl. Paul Ilvies served as an engineer in the 9th Infantry Division fighting in the Hurtgen Forest.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115001408/paul-a-ilves
https://9thinfantrydivision.net/battle-history/rhineland/ 

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

He was born on July 28, 1918 in Argentina. His parents were of Finnish descent. They brought Paul to America in 1920. I couldn't find more information about his family. By 1940 Paul had completed one year of high school.

He was drafted into the army on February 19, 1941 and sent to serve in Panama Canal Zone. He was later assigned to Company B, 15th Engineering Battalion, 9th Infantry Division where he had the rank of T/5. Cpl. Ilvies' unit saw action in Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, and Normandy. By October 1944 it was fighting on the Siegfried Line in the Hurtgen Forest.

In five days of fighting, one 9th ID regiment (the 39th) lost 500 men and only advanced one mile. The Germans made great use of their numerous pillboxes which would have drawn the attention of engineers like Cpl. Ilvies to take them out, despite the driving rain. Most companies were reduced to size of platoons. Cpl. Ilvies was one of the soldiers killed during this part of the battle on October 11, 1944.

His grave is at Shamon Cemetery in Waldoboro, Maine.

Thank you Cpl. Ilivies for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Paul.

Last year on this date I profiled Cecil Campbell. You can read about Cecil 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 - Medal of Honor hero and medic Frederick Murphy, 65th Infantry Division

Pfc. Frederick Murphy was a medic in the 65th Infantry Division fighting in Germany in March 1945.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55869850
http://www.fordgpw.com/65th_Infantry/body_65th_infantry.html 

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

He was born on July 27, 1918 in Massachusetts. His parents William and Bridget were born in Ireland. His father worked as a shipyard filler-clauker and later as a teamster and truck driver. Frederick had one older brother. By 1940 Frederick had completed four years of high school. He was still living at home and worked as a stock boy.  At some point after that he married his wife Virginia.

He was a student at the University of Pennsylvania when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He tried to enlist but failed two medical exams and was classified 4-F. He underwent corrective back surgery and was able to enlist in November 1943. 

He became a private first class and medic assigned to the 259th Infantry Regiment, 65th Infantry Division. The 65th ID was one of the last units joining the European campaign that saw action. It arrived in France in late January 1945 and was sent to the front lines near the Saar River on March 8. Nine days later it attacked across the Saar. It captured Saarlautern on March 19. Pfc. Murphy was killed during this battle and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 

Pfc. Murphy's citation reads as follows:

An aid man, he was wounded in the right shoulder soon after his comrades had jumped off in a dawn attack 18 March 1945, against the Siegfried Line at Saarlautern, Germany. He refused to withdraw for treatment and continued forward, administering first aid under heavy machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire. 

When the company ran into a thickly sown antipersonnel minefield and began to suffer more and more casualties, he continued to disregard his own wound and unhesitatingly braved the danger of exploding mines, moving about through heavy fire and helping the injured until he stepped on a mine which severed one of his feet. 

In spite of his grievous wounds, he struggled on with his work, refusing to be evacuated and crawling from man to man administering to them while in great pain and bleeding profusely. He was killed by the blast of another mine which he had dragged himself across in an effort to reach still another casualty. 

With indomitable courage, and unquenchable spirit of self-sacrifice and supreme devotion to duty which made it possible for him to continue performing his tasks while barely able to move, Pfc. Murphy saved many of his fellow soldiers at the cost of his own life.

His daughter was born two months after he died.

His grave is at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France. I don't know what happened to his widow or daughter.

Thank you Pfc. Murphy for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Federick.

Last year on this date I profiled Ned Guysinger, 4th Infantry Division. You can read about Ned 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 - Silver Star hero Wells Lewis, 36th Infantry Division, son of famed author Sinclair Lewis

Lt. Wells Lewis' grave service attended by his commanding general, John Dahlquist.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56373782 

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

He was born on July 26, 1918 in Minnesota. He was named after H.G. Wells. He was the only child of parents Sinclair and Grace who were born in Minnesota and New York, respectively. His father was a renowned short-story writer, novelist, and playwright who was the first American writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. Wells' parents divorced in 1925. He spent much of his youth in Europe where he learned German, Italian, and most fluently, French. He graduated from Harvard University, where he majored in history, in 1939. He was a writer like his father and wrote a well received novel titled They Still Say No.

Despite his blue blood pedigree, Wells joined the Coast Artillery Corps on February 10, 1941 as a private. At some point he transferred to an artillery unit with the 36th Infantry Division.

Wells saw action in Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily and Italy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division. He eventually became a first lieutenant in the HQ Company of the 36th Infantry Division. He was the personal aide of the division commander Major General John Dahlquist.

Although stories of Wells Lewis refer to him earning the Silver Star and the Bronze Star, I was not able to find either citation. All I was able to find out was that the Silver Star was earned for unloading a burning ammunition truck under fire in Sicily and the Bronze Star was earned for a secret mission behind enemy lines in France where he captured five German soldiers armed only with his pistol.

On October 29, 1944, Lt. Wells was driving General Dahlquist to various locations near the front line in order to assess the progress of the Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion's efforts to rescue the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment, which was surrounded by Germans. At one observation point, Lt. Wells was shot by a German sniper and fell dead into the arms of General Dahlquist.

The loss of Wells Lewis, who gave up privilege and station to serve his country, can never be measured. Many people were predicting he would have been a more successful writer than his famous father.

His grave is at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, France.

Thank you Lt. Lewis for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Wells.

The Minnesota Historical Society produced a short video about Wells Lewis. You can watch it here.

Last year on this date I profiled A-36 pilot Everett Fager. You can read about Everett 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 Battle of Savo Island Fallen - Omar Kolstad, USS Vincennes

Seaman Apprentice Omar Kolstad was on the USS Vincennes during the Battle of Savo Island.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103322495/omar-julian-kolstad
http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/first-battle-of-savo-island-the-u-s-navys-worst-defeat/
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/CA/CA-44_Vincennes.html 

Omar Julian Kolstad never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom. His father Simon did live to 100 years old.

He was born on July 26, 1918 in Minnesota. His parents Simon and Eunice were also both born in Minnesota. All of his grandparents were from Norway. His father worked as a farmer and later as a blacksmith with Omar serving as his assistant. Omar had an older sister, three younger sisters and five younger brothers. By 1940 Omar had completed eight years of schooling. He was working a government job in Camp Lake, Minnesota.

He enlisted in the navy on April 1, 1942. By June he was serving on the heavy cruiser USS Vincennes. as a Seaman Apprentice. Prior to Kolstad joining the crew, Vincennes was part of the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway.

Moved the South Pacific, Vincennes screened the initial Marine landing on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. Two days later it took part in the Battle of Savo Island. It took up position to intercept any Japanese ships sent to sink the transports still unloading supplies on Guadalcanal. That night the Japanese got the jump on the Americans and within a minute Vincennes had taken a number of major hits. The pounding didn't let up (it was hit by at least 85 shells). Within five minutes a torpedo left the ship dead in the water. The captain had no choice but to order the ship abandoned. The sinking took 322 men down with the ship including Seaman Kolstad. He was listed as missing in action for one year before his death was recognized. 

His cenotaph grave is at Rolling Forks Lutheran Cemetery in Pope County, Minnesota.

Thank you Seaman Apprentice Kolstad for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Omar.

Last year on this date I profiled A-36 pilot Everett Fager. You can read about Everett 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 Philippine Fallen - Andrew Hepburn, Bataan Death March survivor + most decorated air mission of war

Cpl. Andrew Hepburn served with the 192nd Tank Battalion prior to becoming a prisoner on war in the Philippines.
https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/19453852/person/818662105/media/50bc424c-4471-4844-a062-2793b9cc6f48?_phsrc=TeO2&_phstart=successSource
https://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?67838-The-Period-Pics-Thread-(Thread-permanent-pics-period)/page6
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140534733/andrew-hepburn 

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

He was born on July 25, 1918 in North Ireland. His parents Samuel and Mary were also both born in Ireland. His father worked as a bricklayer. Apart from Andrew, the Hepburns had one other son. Andrew completed four years of high school.

He joined the army on November 25, 1940 via the Illinois National Guard. He became a Tech 4 in Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion. It was supposed to be a one year assignment, but the 192nd Tank Battalion was sent to the Philippines, arriving on November 20, 1941. The men were given a Thanksgiving dinner upon arriving at Clark Field. They watched helplessly as a Japanese air attack on December 8, 1941 destroyed nearly all the planes parked on the field.

Cpl. Hepburn's unit was moved to Bataan where it held out with dwindling food and ammunition until April 1942. After surrendering, Cpl Hepburn suffered through the Bataan Death March. He was a POW in Camp O'Donnell and Cabanatuan. Health care was atrocious and illnesses that could be easily survived with proper diet and medicine felled many prisoners. Cpl. Hepburn contract tuberculosis and died on October 18, 1943.

His grave is at Town of Maine Cemetery in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Thank you Cpl. Hepburn for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Andrew.

Medal of Honor Hero Jay Zeamer

Born on the same day as Andrew Hepburn was Jay Zeamer from Pennsylvania. He became an Eagle Scout growing up in New Jersey. He attended a military school instead of his local high school and after one year at junior college transferred to Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he joined the MIT flying club. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1940.

After joining the Army Air Forces in March 1941, he was trained to fly B-26 Marauders. His unit, the 22nd Bomb Group was sent to Australia in April 1942. While there he transferred to the 43rd Bomb Group which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. He had no flight training in B-17s so he had to scrounge to get seat time as a co-pilot. He rebuilt a damaged plane from the scrap yard so he could have a plane of his own to fly in the pilot position.

During his war service Captain Zeamer would earn two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Service Crosses, and the Medal of Honor. The book Lucky 666 by Bob Drury and Tom Calvin, is an excellent account of Cpt. Zeamer and the crew of the B-17 known as Old 666. 

Old 666 was a specially modified B-17 that was used for special photo-recon missions. Expected to fly beyond the range of fighter protection, it was decked out with extra heavy caliber guns. This included a fixed .50 caliber mounted in the nose that Zeamer could fire from his pilot's column. 

Zeamer and his crew volunteered to fly a recon mission over Bougainville to obtain the photos needed for McArthur's next island target. On June 16, 1943 they took off as a solo plane for the 1,200 mile round trip flight. After taking the pictures, Old 666 was chased by nine enemy fighters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Zeamer_Jr.
https://airwarworldwar2.wordpress.com/2016/10/21/debunking-the-myths-of-old-666/ 

Despite being wounded in the leg, Zeamer held off all the enemy fighters for nearly an hour and kept the plane flying despite extensive damage and injuries to much of the crew. His bombardier, who was the only one killed on the mission, was also awarded the Medal of Honor and each of the rest of the crew were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. This was the most highly decorated single mission and crew of the whole war.

Zeamer retired as a lieutenant colonel and worked in the aerospace industry after the war. He died in 2007. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.


Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Robert Roeder, 88th Infantry Division. 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 Hurtgen Forest Fallen - Silver Star hero Walter Nelson, 9th Infantry Division

Lt. Walter Nelson served in the 9th Infantry Division in the Hurtgen Forest.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179621685/walter-e.-nelson
https://9thinfantrydivision.net/battle-of-the-hurtgen-forest/ 

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

He was born on July 24, 1918 in Massachusetts. His father Jacob was born in Sweden and came to America at age four. By 1920 he was a widow with six children. Jacob worked as a coal teamster and later as a brass foundry cutter. Walter had three older sisters and two older brothers. By 1940 Walter had completed two years of college and was living with his father and working as an information clerk. At some point after that he married Madolyn Sherlock.

He joined the army on May 20, 1942 and was commissioned as an officer. His enlistment records show he was 5' 5" tall and weighed 105 lbs. He became a first lieutenant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.

The 9th ID was one of the first American units to see action. It fought in North Africa and Sicily and arrived in Normandy on D+4. The 9th ID suffered an incredible 23,277 battle casualties including 3,856 killed in action. The 9th ID was in western Germany by October 1944.

Lt. Nelson's unit was struggling through the Hurtgen Forest and faced a German counterattack on October 14, 1944. Lt. Nelson was killed in action that day. The 9th ID would lose more than a third of its men fighting in the Hurtgen Forest. 

Lt. Nelson was award the Silver Star. I was not able to find any details about it.

His grave is at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan, Massachusetts. His widow remarried and died in 2002.

Thank you Lt. Nelson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Walter.

Last year on this date I profiled D-Day fallen Howard Littell, 101st Airborne Division. You can read about Howard 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 Bougainville Fallen - Navy Cross hero Robert Turnbull, 3rd Marine Division + Baseball Hall of Famer

Captain Robert Turnbull served with the 3rd Marine Division on Bougainville.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24531336/robert-benjamin-turnbull
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Original-Early-WW2-Felt-USMC-Marine-Corps-3rd-Marine-Division-Uniform-Patch-/201748661012
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Piva_Trail 

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

He was born on July 23, 1918 in Virginia. His parents Charles and Edna were also both born in Virginia. His father worked as a traveling salesman and died in 1933. Robert had an older brother and sister.

He enlisted in the US Marines in January 1941. He reached the rank of captain and served as the executive officer in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

The 3rd MD first saw action in Bougainville in November 1943. It would be engaged in 27 days of continuous action. Fighting was especially intense during the Battle of Piva Forks (Nov 22-26). Captain Turnbull was killed in action on November 24, 1943. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Cpt.Turnbull's Navy Cross citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Robert B. Turnbull (MCSN: 0-8959), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Executive Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, on 24 November 1943. 

When his company was delayed on the left flank by strong enemy resistance during the furious battle waged at Piva Forks, Captain Turnbull personally reconnoitered the hazardous area, locating two heavily fortified, deeply entrenched machine-gun emplacements. Immediately leading a detachment in a flanking movement, he closed in on the first of the two deadly weapons and, hurling powerful hand grenades, succeeded in annihilating the position. 

Unable to approach the second installation, he fearlessly exposed himself to the clear view of the Japanese, boldly attracting their merciless, concentrated fire to himself as his automatic riflemen advanced unnoticed to launch a sudden attack and destroy the second machine gun, thereby releasing the left flank from siege and enabling the company to continue the relentless drive against a fanatic and ruthless enemy. 

Fatally struck down during the fierce action, Captain Turnbull, by his brilliant leadership, expert tactical skill and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of savage, unceasing opposition, contributed essentially to the success of his regiment in annihilating an entire Japanese regiment and to the ultimate conquest of this vital enemy stronghold. 

His great personal valor and decisive conduct throughout a period of bitter hostilities reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Only five other men from the 3rd Marine Regiment were award the Navy Cross during World War 2.

His grave is at Oakwood Cemetery in Lawrenceville, Virginia.

Thank you Cpt. Turnbull for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Robert.

PEE WEE REESE

Also bon on the same day as Captain Turnbull was Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Pee Wee Reese, who played for the Brooklyn and LA Dodgers. After playing in the 1940-1942 seasons, Reese enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific until the end of the war.

Navy sailors Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizuto, and Hugh Casey, all MLB players.
http://www.pugetsoundnavymuseum.org/navy-baseball-in-wwii/pee-wee-reese-phil-rizzuto-hugh-casey-navy-1/ 

He was instrumental in promoting acceptance of Jackie Robinson as the first black player in the Major Leagues. He played until 1958 and died in 1999.

Last year on this date I profiled James Elvington, 4th Marine Division, who fought on Iwo Jima. 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