WW2 Fallen - Battle of Midway Silver Star hero and B-17 gunner William Takala

Pfc William Takala was a B-17 gunner who was awarded the Silver Star at the Battle of Midway.

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

William was born on November 30, 1918 in St. Louis County, Minnesota. His parents Valentine and Lezli were both born in Finland. He had one older brother, three older sisters, and one younger brother. His father passed away in 1926 and his mother remarried sometime before 1930.


William joined the US Army and in May 1940 was a PFC in the 10^th Field Artillery stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He apparently was discharged at some point, and according to his headstone application re-enlisted in December 1941. 

I can’t find any record of his service between his enlistment and June 1942, but he was awarded the Silver Star for his involvement in the Battle of Midway. His citation reads:


The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William A. Takala (ASN: 6575590), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as a combat crew member of a United States Heavy Bomber in the 1st Provisional Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), attached to the 42d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), SEVENTH Air Force, in the Battle of Midway between 3 and 7 June 1942.


During the crucial Battle of Midway, often referred to as the turning point in the war in the Pacific, B-17 Flying Fortresses flying from Midway Island played a role in locating and tracking the Japanese invasion fleet headed for the island. The B-17s from Midway also made bombing runs against the Japanese aircraft carriers and transports but were largely ineffective due to their limited numbers. Presumably, PFC Takala took part in some of these missions. 


At some point after the Battle of Midway, PFC Takala was evidently transferred to the 93^rd Bomber Squadron of the 19^th Bomber Group, which was based in Papua New Guinea, an island to the north of Australia. On August 9, 1942 PFC Takala was a gunner aboard B-17E 41-2643, which took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a bombing mission against Japanese forces at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Due to engine trouble the plane lagged behind the other bombers during the last few minutes before reaching the target and was attacked by a large number of Japanese fighter aircraft. After leaving the target area, the B-17 was last observed losing altitude while fighting off repeated enemy attacks. The aircraft eventually crashed near Kabanga Bay, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. There were no survivors.


William Albert Takala is buried in Alango Cemetery in Angora, St. Louis County, Minnesota. Both of his brothers also served in the Army during WW2 and survived the war.


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

_____
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 Flying Tiger ace Frank Schiel. You can read about Frank 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 @ww2fallen100Please 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 Karl Kellner, 3rd Armored Division, at the Duel at the Cathedral

Lt. Karl Kellner was a 3rd Armored Division Sherman tank commander. He is shown here on the right bailing out of his tank after it was hit by a Panther tank shell. He did not survive his wounds.
"Duel at the Cathedral" documentary video
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45303789/karl-e-kellner
https://www.worldwarmedia.com/2018/05/07/cologne-1945-the-last-battle/

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

He was born on November 29, 1918 in Wisconsin. His parents Edmund and Cecelia were also both born in Wisconsin. Three of his grandparents were born in southern Germany. His father worked as a wood shop pattern maker. Karl had one older sister, one younger sister, and one younger brother. By 1940 Karl had completed four years of high school. He was living with his parents and worked as a deliveryman.

He was drafted into the army on June 13, 1941. He was recognized as officer material and became a second lieutenant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. In late February 1945 he was given command of a Sherman tank.

Eight days later on March 6, 1945, Lt Kellner was directing the lead tank accompanied by a second Sherman and one of the few technologically superior Pershing tanks that arrived in Europe before the war ended. Because the tanks were moving in on the historic cathedral in Cologne, it attracted a convoy of journalists who wanted to be the first to the cathedral. One of the journalists was Andy Rooney, later famous for his 60 Minutes commentaries. He was a witness to Lt. Kellner's death. The tanks did not bring infantry as was normally the practice. The bridges had been blown and perhaps they thought the Germans were gone.

What everyone assumed to be a knocked out Panther tank on the other side of destroyed buildings fired through the ruble and managed to knock out both Lt. Kellner's tank and the second Sherman as well. The Pershing came up a different street and managed to destroy the Panther.

We live in a day when we expect everything to be caught on camera. With everyone carrying cameras on their smart phones, nearly any event of note is captured. This was rarely the case in World War 2. However, Lt. Kellner's advance was captured on film by the trailing journalists. You can see him climbing out of his tank after it was hit. (See the original war footage here at the 2:20 mark.) One of the photos of this attack became quite well known (see above). There is even a multipart documentary about the engagement by the name of Duel at the Cathedral. You can watch it on Amazon here.

Unfortunately, Lt. Kellner did not survive his wound and died before medics could provide aid. He was awarded the Silver Star but I was not able to find the citation.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Thank you Lt. Kellner for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Karl.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 flight engineer August Rieke whose final mission was the costly Schweinfurt bombing mission. You can read about August 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”

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WW2 Remagen Fallen - Bronze Star hero Julian Grant, 9th Armored Division

Pfc. Julian Grant served with the 9th Armored Division at the Battle of Remagen.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74183545/julian-s.-grant
https://www.dw.com/en/world-war-ii-us-forces-capture-of-the-bridge-of-remagen-was-a-turning-point/a-18410746

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

He was born on November 28, 1918 in Missouri. His parents Leroy and Bertha were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as a farmer. Julian had one younger sister. By 1940 Julian had completed one year of college, was living at with his parents, and was working as a farm laborer

He was drafted into the army on January 22, 1941. He became a private first class in Company A, 60th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division.

The 9th Armored Division did not see action until December 1944 when it was surprised to find itself in the middle of the Battle of Bulge, facing the enemy at St. Vith, and Bastogne and slowing the Germans until the 101st Airborne brought in fresh troops to hold Bastogne for good.

On March 7, 1945, the 9th AD found an intake bridge across the Rhine River at Remagen. It established a bridgehead on the east side and denied all enemy efforts to retake or destroy the Ludendorff Bridge.

On March 17, 1945 the bridge finally collapsed from relentless bombing and artillery damage. The Germans even used V2 rockets with no effect. By this time the Americans had built a pontoon and Bailey bridge across the Rhine. A number of American engineers died when the bridge collapsed. Pfc. Grant was also killed in action that day. I was not able to determine the circumstances nor what led to Pfc. Grant earning the Bronze Star.

His grave is at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia, Missouri.

Thank you Pfc. Grant for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Julian.

Last year on this date I profiled D-Day fallen Roland Ehlers and his Medal of Honor hero brother Walter. You can read about Roland 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

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

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WW2 Fallen - Bronze Star hero Frank Calhoon, 3rd Chemical Warfare Service and his brother Ned

Brothers Frank and Ned Calhoon both served in WW2 and both did not make it home.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32469486/frank-l.-calhoonhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32469512/ned-o.-calhoon

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


Frank was born on November 27, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents Frank and Katherine were born in Illinois and Germany, respectively. His father worked as a chauffer and farm laborer. Frank had two older brothers, five younger brothers, and four younger sisters. By 1940, Frank had completed eight years of school and was working as a hired hand in Keener, Indiana.


Frank enlisted in the US Army on February 4, 1942. He served as a private first class in Company B of the 3rd Chemical Warfare Service. Upon the US entry into World War II, the War Department was concerned that the Axis powers had invested in chemical and biological weapons programs, while the US military was unprepared for such a conflict. In early 1942, General George Marshall ordered the activation of chemical battalions and development of toxic warfare gases, however these weapons were never used in combat. While chemical warfare did not come about, the US Chemical Warfare Service employed its mortar companies, smoke generator companies, field laboratories, and decontamination companies in every theater. 

PFC Calhoon evidently suffered a head wound in combat at some point and was convalescing in a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky where he died from his wounds on May 30, 1945. His gravestone indicates that he was awarded the Bronze Star, but I can’t find any record of the circumstances. 

Frank’s younger brother Ned served as a corporal in the 317th Infantry Regiment of the 80^th Infantry Division and was killed December 26, 1944 likely during the Battle of the Bulge.


Frank Lee Calhoon and his brother Ned are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Walkerton, Indiana. Thank you Frank for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Frank.
_____
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 Bernard Bova of the 27th Infantry Division. You can read about Bernard 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 @ww2fallen100Please 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 and Doolittle Raider George Larkin

Sgt. George Larkin was one of the Doolittle Raiders and later served in India.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3782367
https://www.flyingmag.com/photo-gallery/photos/doolittle-raid-remembered
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/04/18/newly-colorized-photos-mark-75th-anniversary-doolittle-raid.html

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

He was born on November 26, 1918 in Kentucky. His parents George and Sarrah were also both born in Kentucky. His father worked as a steam railroad laborer and later as a fireman. George had one older sister. George completed high school where he played on the football team. By 1940 had joined the Army Air Corps and was undergoing training in Kentucky. 

When the war started he was a sergeant and trained flight engineer on B-25s. In February 1942 he volunteered for a secret mission which turned out to be the Doolittle raid on Japan.  He was the flight engineer on the 10th plane to take off from the USS Hornet on April 18, 1942. His plane bombed the Japan Special Steel Company factory in Tokyo and, evading multiple Japanese fighter planes and safely made it to China where the crew all bailed out, landing in Chinese territory. For this mission Sgt. Larkin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Sgt. Larkin was next assigned to the 11th Bombardment Squadron, 341st Bombardment Group which was based in India. It was equipped with B-25 Mitchells and began operations in September 1942. He was killed in action when his plane crashed by accident near Assam, India on October 18, 1942.

His grave is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Thank you Sgt. Larkin for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for George.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 pilot Harry Cook. 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

WW2 Saipan Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Robert McCard, 4th Marine Division

Sgt. Robert McCard was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Saipan.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7799231https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_H._McCard 

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

Robert was born on November 25, 1918 in Syracuse, New York. His parents Frank and Edna were also both born in New York. He had one older brother. His father was a plumber. He completed two years of high school, and played both football and baseball, and was employed as a bartender at the Bear Mountain Inn at Iona, New York.


Robert enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 18, 1939. Upon completion of training, he reported for sea duty on board USS Tuscaloosa and served a year at sea. Following sea duty, he completed several recruiting and training assignments and progressed in rank to corporal. At some point, he met and married his wife, the former Lizette Bauer. 

In April 1943, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Fourth Tank Battalion, Fourth Marine Division, then based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In January 1944, the Fourth Marine Division shipped out for duty in the Pacific, where Sergeant McCard participated in the invasion of Kwajalein and took part in the battles of Ennugaret, Ennumennett, and Namur Islands. He was promoted to gunnery sergeant in May 1944. 

He served as platoon sergeant with Company A, Fourth Tank Battalion, Fourth Marine Division, during the battle of Saipan, where he was killed in action on June 16, 1944. For his supreme sacrifice, Gunnery Sergeant McCard was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 

His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant of Company A, Fourth Tank Battalion, Fourth Marine Division, during the battle for enemy Japanese-held Saipan, Mariana Islands, on June 16, 1944. 

Cut off from the other units of his platoon when his tank was put out of action by a battery of enemy 77-mm. guns, Gunnery Sergeant McCard carried on resolutely, bringing all the tank's weapons to bear on the enemy, until the severity of hostile fire caused him to order his crew out the escape hatch while he courageously exposed himself to enemy guns by hurling hand grenades, in order to cover the evacuation of his men. 

Seriously wounded during this action and with his supply of grenades exhausted, Gunnery Sergeant McCard dismantled one of the Tank's machine guns and faced the Japanese for the second time to deliver vigorous fire into positions, destroying sixteen of the enemy but sacrificing himself to ensure the safety of his crew. 

His valiant fighting spirit and supreme loyalty in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant McCard and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


The medal was presented to his widow Lizette McCard at Centralia, Illinois, on 10 April 1945 by the Commandant of the 9th Naval District. 

Robert Howard McCard was buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery at Saipan, and later reinterred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. His wife Lizette died in 1971.


Thank you Robert 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." 

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 pilot Harry Cook of the 303rd Bomb Group. 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

WW2 Normandy Fallen - Fleming Davis, 9th Infantry Division

Sgt. Fleming Davis served with these men of the 9th Infantry Division in Normandy.
photo of Fleming Davis provided by his niece, Nancy Vogt.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108384462
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538672805421715984/?lp=true

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

This profile was written at the request of Nancy Vogt, a coworker of mine at Zions Bank. Fleming Davis was an uncle she never met.

He was born on November 24, 1918 in Georgia. His parents Edwin and Ethel were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a farmer who also bought and sold cows. He had a saw-mill for eight years until 1926. Fleming had three older sisters, two older brothers, two younger sisters and a younger brother. (Brothers Otis and Edwin both served in WW2 and returned home.) By 1940 Fleming had completed one year of high school and was living at home working as a farm laborer.

Fleming's brothers Otis and Edwin served in the Navy and Army Air Forces, respectively.
photos from Fleming's niece, Nancy Vogt.

He enlisted in the army on October 3, 1941. He became a sergeant in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Old Reliables"). The 9th ID was one of the first American units deployed in WW2. It fought in Algeria in November 1942 and in Tunisia during the spring on 1943. Next it took part in the invasion of Sicily in August 1943. It was then sent to England to prepare for the invasion of France.

The 9th ID landed on Utah Beach on June 10, 1944, four days after D-Day. It was assigned to cut off the Cotentin Peninsula and capture Cherbourg. The position of his unit, the 60th Infantry Regiment, is shown on this map:

https://9thinfantrydivision.net/cutting-the-peninsula/

On June 15 the Americans faced fresh units of German infantry supported by tanks. The Germans attacked the 1st Battalion and sent them retreating with heavy casualties including two company commanders. The 2nd Battalion was called on to force back the Germans. Sgt. Davis was in the heavy weapons company so his unit would have been heavily engaged in a counterattack that repelled the Germans and their tanks. He was one of the men killed during this battle. The Americans prevailed and captured the village of Reigneville that day. 

His grave is at Zeta Cemetery in Tennille, Georgia. His brothers Otis and Edwin are also buried there.

Thank you Sgt. Davis for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Fleming.

Last year on this date I profiled Harold Jared, 1st Infantry Division who, coincidentally, died just two days before Sgt. Davis, also in Normandy. You can read about Harold Jared 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 - John Wrzesinski, 34th Infantry Division

US Army PFC John L. Wrzesinski served in the 34^th Infantry Division, aka The Red Bull Division, and was KIA near Cassino, Italy

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29690864/john-l.-wrzesinski

https://www.iowanationalguard.com/History/History/Pages/World-War-II.aspx

http://ww2awartobewon.com/wwii-archives/edisons-soldiers-34th-infantry-division/

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


He was born on November 23, 1918 in Lansing, Michigan. His parents Bartholomew and Louisa were born in Poland. John had one older brother and two younger sisters. His father died in 1928. In 1940 he had completed 2 years of high school and was living with his widowed mother and working as a laborer. He married Marguerite Kudella on October 17, 1942 in Clinton County, Michigan.*


John enlisted in the U.S. Army May 14, 1943 and served in the 168^th Infantry Regiment, 67^th Infantry Brigade of the 34^th Infantry Division. The 34^th Infantry was known as the “Red Bull” Division, and has the distinction of having taken more enemy-defended hills than any other US Army Division in WWII. PFC Wrzesinski was sent overseas in October 1943 to join the 168^th Infantry near Naples, Italy and likely participated in the intense combat as the 34^th Division fought its way north across icy rivers and thru villages, hills, and snow-capped mountain peaks. The exhausted soldiers of the 34^th were relieved in December 1943 after 76 successive days of contact with the enemy and had a brief respite to rest and refit. 

In early January 1944 the 34^th returned to the front lines and led the advance across the Rapido river to the town of Cassino. The combat conditions were very challenging, as the mountains were rocky and strewn with boulders and cut by ravines and gullies. Digging foxholes on the rocky ground was impossible and the soldiers were exposed to German fire from surrounding high points. It was likely during the struggle to capture the town of Cassino that PFC Wrzesinski was killed on February 4, 1944. 

The performance of the 34th Division in the mountains, in which they sustained losses of almost 80 percent, is considered to rank as one of the finest feats of arms carried out by any soldiers during the war.


John Leo Wrzesinski is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan. His wife remarried in 1946 and passed away in 1990.


Thank you John for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

_____
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."

*One year later Marguerite's brother Joseph, an army private, was killed in action in New Georgia.

Last year on this date I profiled B-29 pilot Wilson Currier. You can read about Wilson 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 @ww2fallen100Please 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 the Bulge Fallen - Clark Zills, 3rd Armored Division

Sgt. Clark Zills served in the 3rd Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46484683/clark-william-zills
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/tanks/m36-jackson/3rd-armored-division-houffalize-battle-of-the-bulge-jan45/

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

He was born on November 22, 1918 in Alabama. His parents Rolin and Lula were also both born in Alabama. His father worked as a rock quarry laborer and later as a farmer's helper. By 1940 he was working for the government as a carpenter. Clark had an older brother, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters. By 1940 Clark had complete a grammar school level of education and was working as a farm hand.

He enlisted in the army on December 30, 1940. He became a sergeant in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. The 3rd Armored, nicknamed "Spearhead", arrived in Normandy in late June 1944. It played an active role in Operation Cobra and reached the Seine River in late August. In September in was engaged in fighting in the Hurtgen Forest and in December and January it fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

When the Germans surprised the Americans in the Ardennes, the 3rd Armored was sent south to check the enemy's advance. They were on defense for a couple of weeks facing SS Panzer units but by January 3, 1945 orders were given to strike south to cut off as many retreating German units as possible. During the first day of the attack Sgt. Zills had to deal with roadblocks and minefields as his unit captured the village of Floret. Sgt. Zills was killed in action that day.

His brother Franklin, seven years his junior, enlisted in the army in 1943 and served in a support ground crew position in the 500th Bombardment Group which flew B-29 bombing missions over Japan from a base in Saipan. His Application for Headstone says he was killed in action on October 10, 1945, more than a month after the war ended. The best explanation is that he was killed in some sort of accident or he could have been lost when the B-29s were flying home. The B-29 crashed at a higher rate than would be acceptable in peace time.

The brothers' graves are at Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Russellville, Alabama.

Thank you Sgt. Zills for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Clark and Franklin.

Last year on this date I profiled AAF Cadet Corps airman Billy George. You can read about Billy 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