WW2 Battle of the Bulge Fallen - Fred Morgan, 4th Infantry Division + baseball legend Jackie Robinson

Pvt. Fred Morgan was killed in action the day this 4th Infantry Division photo was taken.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/158703590/fred-c-morgan
http://www.joedemadio.com/5-must-see-pictures-of-the-4th-infantry-division-during-the-battle-of-the-bulge/

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

He was born on January 31, 1919 in Tennessee. His parents William and Crodie were born in Georgia and Tennessee, respectively. His father worked as a car repairman and later as a railroad clerk. Fred had one older brother who died at age seven and two younger sisters. His parents divorced in the 1930s. By 1940 Fred had completed one year of high school. He was living with his mother and was working as a veterinarian hospital helper.

He was drafted into the army on June 9, 1944. He was married at the time, but I was not able to find out any details about his wife. He became a private in Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He joined his unit as a replacement, most likely to make up for heavy casualties in the Hurtgen Forest. Pvt. Morgan arrived in time to participate in the Battle of the Bulge.

The 4th ID stayed on the defensive during the first two weeks of January. It took to the offensive on January 18 in freezing blizzard conditions. Pvt. Morgan was killed in action on January 21, 1945 when the 12th IR attacked Fuhren, Luxembourg and took the high ground near the town of Vianden.

His grave is at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. His mother lived to be 100 years old.

Thank you Private Morgan for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Fred.

JACKIE ROBINSON
One of the important players in both sports and civil rights was born on the same day as Fred Morgan - future Major League Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson. He was born in Georgia and excelled in multiple sports as a teen. As a UCLA transfer student, he became the first UCLA student ever to letter in four different sports - baseball, basketball, football, and track.

Robinson was drafted into the army in 1942. He was eminently qualified to apply to attend Officer Candidate School but prevailing discrimination delayed the acceptance of blacks for many months. He was finally commissioned a second lieutenant in January 1943. He was assigned to 761st Tank Destroyer Battalion. On July 6, 1944 he boarded an unsegregated army bus and the bus driver ordered him to go to the back. The bus was unsegregated so Robinson refused. He was brought up on trumped up court-martial charges and was acquitted by an all white panel of officers. The court-martial kept him stateside and he never went to Europe with his unit.

http://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/robinson_jackie.htm

After the war Robinson assumed the important role of breaking the color barrier in baseball. He had a storied baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He died too young at age 53 in 1972. He is truly one of the greatest Americans to have lived. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Last year on this date I profiled Paul Dooley, 3rd Armored Division. You can read about Paul 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.

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WW2 Fallen - P-38 pilot Kenneth "Chase" Blum

P-38 pilot Kenneth Blum served in the 430th Fighter Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76148179/kenneth-v-blum
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/1072 

Kenneth V. "Chase" Blum never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 30, 1919 in Fort Branch, Indiana. His parents Rudolph and Flora were also both born in Indiana. His father worked as a farmer. Kenneth had two older brothers and five younger sisters. By 1940 Kenneth had completed four years of high school and was working as a post office clerk while living with his parents.

He enlisted in the army on January 17, 1941. He volunteered for the Army Air Forces and was successful to qualify as a P-38 Lightning pilot. He became a first lieutenant in the 430th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. The 474th FG provided tactical air support to the US First Army. It operated out of Warmwell, England beginning in April 1944 until it moved its base to St. Lambert, France in August. By October it operated from Florennes.

During the Battle of the Bulge, Lt. Blum flew missions to target the Germans exposed in the Bulge. Lt. Blum was killed in action when his plane was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire on January 23, 1945.

His grave is at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch, Indiana.

Thank you Lt. Blum for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Chase.

Last year on this date I profiled P-47 pilot William Lowe. You can read about William 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 Tarawa Fallen - Silver Star hero Clifton Fomby, 2nd Marine Division and his brother Odis

Clifton Fomby served with the 2nd Marine Division in Tarawa.
Older brother Odis Fomby served with the 106th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31543212/clifton-earl-fomby
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42815080/odis-britton-fomby 

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

He was born on January 29, 1919 in Louisiana. His parents Oscar and Mattie were also both born in Louisiana. His father worked as a farmer. By 1930 Oscar was living in a US veteran's hospital. Clifton had an older sister, an older brother, a younger sister, and a younger brother. He worked as a farmer before his military service.

He joined the Marines on October 14, 1940. He became a sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. The 6th Marine Regiment was initially sent to Iceland to defend the island. It joined the rest of the 2nd MD on Guadalcanal in January 1943. It helped eliminate the remaining Japanese forces on the island. After that, it was sent to New Zealand to prepare for the invasion of Tarawa.

The 6th MR landed on Tarawa on November 21, 1943, D+1. Sgt. Fomby was killed in action the next day as his unit drove across the island. He was one of 99 men from his regiment who were killed in this battle.

He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads as follows.

For conscious gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against hostile enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 22, 1943. 

When his company lost contact with supporting assault tanks, Sergeant Fomby courageously charged forward across an air-strip exposed to heavy enemy shellfire in order to regain contact. Discovering a strong hostile concrete emplacement threatening the advance of our forces, he successfully brought the support of the tanks against the enemy position, assuring its complete destruction. By his heroic self-sacrifice in the face of grave peril, Sergeant Fomby contributed immeasurably to the saving of many lives before he was killed by enemy shellfire during the perilous advance. 

His gallant conduct and unswerving devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service, He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Older brother Odis was drafted into the army on March 21, 1944. He became a private in the ill-lucked 106th Infantry Division which was overrun by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. Pvt. Fomby was killed in action on December 30, 1944.

Clifton's grave is at Bernice Cemetery in Bernice, Louisiana. 

Thank you Clifton and Odis for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Fomby brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero John Kirby, 5th Marine Division. 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.

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WW2 Battle of the Bulge Fallen - Silver Star hero William Atkinson, 14th Cavalry Group

Cpl. William Atkinson, 14th Cavalry Group, was posthumously awarded the Silver Star
for his heroism during the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52132466/william-d_-atkinson
https://14cavalrygroup.wordpress.com 

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

He was born on January 28, 1919 in Florida. His parents Oscar and Bessie were also both born in Florida. His father worked as a saw mill laborer and later as a post office janitor. William had an older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. By the time of the 1940 census, William had moved out. He completed four years of high school and worked as a salesman. His enlistment record says he was married but I could not find any additional information about this.

He was drafted into the army on May 13, 1943. He became a Tec 5 radio operator for Troop B, 32nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 14th Cavalry Group. It was equipped with M8 armored cars. The 14 CG arrived in France at the end of September 1944. The 32nd CRS was attached to the 83rd Infantry Division. By December, the 14th CG was again an autonomous unit sent to the peaceful Ardennes segment of the line. 

On December 16, 1944 the 14th CG received the full brunt of the German attack that would be known as the Battle of the Bulge. The 32nd CRS was being attacked by German tanks the next day. It pulled back time and again to try to find defensible positions. The protracted withdrawal in front of superior forces was costly with many men killed or captured.

By December 22, 1944 the remnants of the 32nd CRS were in the village of Crombach, Belgium. Around midnight, a report came in that up to six Tiger tanks were approaching the village. Men started withdrawing, even without orders. Recognizing the village could not be defended anymore, the unit commander ordered a withdrawal. Cpl. Atkinson stayed behind to provide cover fire for his platoon. It cost him his life.

He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads as follows:

Technician Fifth Grade Atkinson voluntarily assumed command of an armored car during an attack by enemy infantrymen and tanks upon his platoon command post. As his platoon withdrew upon orders, he remained behind to cover the movement. During the engagement, he accounted for nineteen German dead and inflicted innumerable casualties upon the attacking force. By his gallant actions, his entire platoon withdrew without loss of life or equipment.

His grave is at Oakland Cemetery, in Tallahassee, Florida. 

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

Last year on this date I profiled James Hartley, 29th Infantry Division. 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.

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Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

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WW2 Guadalcanal Fallen - William Ford, USS Cushing

Lt (jg) William Ford served on the USS Cushing during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46082356/william-richard-ford
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cushing_(DD-376)

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

He was born on January 27, 1919 in Homer, Louisiana. His parents Hubert and Ruth were also both born in Louisiana. His father worked as an oil field tractor driver and later as a billboards manager. Still later he was a government treasurer. William had one older brother and one younger sister. By 1940 William had completed two years of college and was still living at home.

He enlisted in the navy on June 23, 1937. He graduated from Souther Methodist University in June 1941 and was commissioned an ensign in September 1941. He married Frances Sypert in June 1942. He became a lieutenant junior grade assigned to the destroyer USS Cushing. His battle station was in a gun director position.

Cushing departed San Fransisco on August 1, 1942 and was sent to the South Pacific where it fought in the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942. Cushing next saw action on November 13, 1942 during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. There was a dark moon and bad weather so it was not until the enemy was 3,000 yards away that Cushing spotted three Japanese destroyers. Both sides immediately began firing guns and torpedoes. Within minutes a direct hit to his gun director gravely injured Lt. Ford. Other sailors applied a tourniquet to at least one of his legs and burn jelly to his face. They were attempting to move him where he could get medical attention when another shell hit, wounding those rendering aid. Lt. Ford ordered the men to leave him and seek safety.

"One man isn't important. We've got to fight the ship. See if you can't help man some gun," said Lt. Ford. 

Fires, exploding ammunition, and the inability of guns to stay active in the fight forced the captain to give the order to abandon ship at 0230 hours. When he heard the order to abandon ship, Lt. Ford refused efforts to help, saying "Go on, get off the ship. I can't make it." Lt. Ford was one of 70 men lost from Cushing that night.

His grave is at Arlington Cemetery in Homer, Louisiana. I don't know what happened to his widow.

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

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 navigator Lloyd Kelly. You can read about Lloyd here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
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WW2 Remagen Fallen - Dale Kunkel, 99th Infantry Division

Pvt. Dale Kunkel served with the 99th Infantry Division when it crossed the Rhine at the Ludendorff Bridge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37302532/dale-adolph-kunkel
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/assault-on-ludendorff-bridge-the-first-allied-crossing-of-the-rhine/ 

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

He was born on January 26, 1919 in Oyens, Iowa. His parents Frank and Clara were born in Wisconsin and Iowa, respectively. His paternal grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as a farmer. Dale had three older brothers, five older sisters, and one younger sister. By 1940 Dale had completed three years of high school and was the last of the Kunkel children still living at home. He married Delores Masuen on June 10, 1940. They would have two sons. His mother died the following January.

He was drafted into the army on March 31, 1944. He became a private in Company A, 1st Battalion, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division. He joined his unit as a replacement in January 1945.

The 99th ID crossed the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen beginning on March 11, 1945, the first complete American division to cross the Rhine River. Pvt. Kunkel was wounded while crossing the bridge two days later. He was sent to a series of hospitals on the continent before being sent to a hospital in England where he succumbed to his wounds on June 4, 1945.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars, Iowa. His widow remarried and died in 2018 at age 98.

Thank you Pvt. Kunkel for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Dale.

Last year on this date I profiled Elmo Koehler, 82nd Airborne Division who fought in Normandy. You can read about Elmo 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 Iwo Jima Fallen - Wyatt Percell, 5th Marine Division

Sgt. Wyatt Percell landed on Iwo Jima on the first day with the 5th Marine Division and was killed on D+1.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47582682/wyatt-harrison-percell
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/pacific/iwo-jima/5th-division-marines-under-fire-on-iwo-jima-red-beach-no-1-feb-19-1945/ 

Wyatt Harrison Percell never had a chance to reach 102 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

When I started this project two years ago, my rookie research skills resulted in me not finding one of the fallen born on January 15, 1917. Now that I have more experience, I was able to find someone for this date I passed over. Since my goals is to do a profile for each day until the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 (September 2, 2020), I have decided to go back and add the dates I missed.

He was born on January 25, 1917 in Kansas. His parents Fred and Elva were born in Illinois and Nebraska, respectively. His father worked as a farmer in Colorado in 1920. By 1930 he was a sawmill planer in Oregon. Wyatt had two older brothers and two younger brothers. Wyatt married Luella Dittman in 1933 when he was 16 and she was 18. By 1940 they were living in Jefferson, Oregon where he worked as a commercial laborer. They had a daughter and three sons.

He enlisted in the Marines in September 1942. He saw action in New Georgia Island where he was wounded in the leg while serving with the 2nd Raider Battalion. He was sent home in October 1943 for an operation and to recover where he decided he was not yet done serving his country. He became a sergeant in Company G, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division.

Sgt. Percell's battalion landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Casualties were heavy but Sgt. Percell survived the first day of the battle. On February 20, 1945 he was part of the assault battalion sent forward along the 5th Division's 1,000 yard front. They advanced across open terrain with little cover under observation of enemy artillery and mortar positions. Sgt. Percell was killed in action during this part of the battle.

His grave is at Rest-Haven Memorial Park in Eugene, Oregon. His widow did not remarry and died in 2001.

Thank you Sgt. Percell for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Wyatt.

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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WW2 Battle of Leyte Gulf Fallen - Larus Payton, USS Birmingham + Newsman Edwin Newman

Larus Payton served on the USS Birmingham during the Battle of Leyte Gulf
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48874216/larus-elmer-payton
http://www.historyofwar.org/Pictures/pictures_USS_Princeton_on_fire.html 

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

He was born on January 25, 1919 in Arkansas. His parents Lucien and Eunice were born in Kentucky and Illinois. His father worked as a farmer. Larus had three older sisters and four older brothers,. By 1940 Larus had completed three years of high school and was the last of the Payton children still living at home.

He was drafted into the navy on November 1, 1940. His mother died in 1942. By 1944 he was a shipfitter second class on the light cruiser USS Birmingham. 

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf the light carrier USS Princeton was hit by a bomb dropped by a Japanese dive-bomber at 0930 on October 24, 1944. Burning badly, it fell out of formation. Birmingham was sent back to provide aid, along with four destroyers. By 1030 sailors were abandoning Princeton. Birmingham pulled alongside to play hoses on the carrier's fire. The captain of Princeton believed the fires were under control by 1300. A false sub sighting delayed further fire control as the other ships deployed for a sub search. Birmingham returned by 1430. The two ships were separated by fifty feet when at 1522 Princeton's aft magazines exploded, wrecking havoc on Birmingham. 

Casualties on Birmingham were 239 dead, 408 wounded, and 4 missing. Larus Payton was one of those killed. It was triple the casualties from Princeton. The Princeton hulk was sunk by destroyers after survivors were removed. It took three days for Birmingham to consign its dead to the sea. It made it safely back to San Francisco where it was repaired in time to return for the Iwo Jima invasion.

His cenotaph grave is at Center Chapel Cemetery in Cleburne County, Arkansas.

Thank you Shipfitter 2/c Payton for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Larus.

EDWIN NEWMAN
Born on the same day as Larus Payton was long time NBC newsman Edwin Newman. Newman was born in New York. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Newman became a journalist for United Press. On December 7, 1941 he spent 12 hours taking dictation as reporters phoned in their stories.

Newman served in the navy from 1942 to 1945 and was stationed in the Caribbean and stateside.

https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-edwin-newman-20100916-story.html

Newman was a mainstay of NBC News from 1961 to 1984. He passed away in 2010.

Last year on this date I profiled Joseph Kapustka, 1st Infantry Division. You can read about Joseph 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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WW2 Okinawa Fallen - Leslie Banks, 1st Marine Division

Leslie Banks served with the 1st Marine Division at Okinawa.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42421605
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Marine_Division_(United_States) 

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

Leslie was born January 24, 1919 in South Carolina. His parents Douglas and Belle were also born in South Carolina. His father worked as a foreman for a railroad and as manager of a filling station. Leslie had one older sister, one older brother, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. In 1940, Leslie had completed three years of high school and was living with his parents in Chester, South Carolina and working as a granite polisher in a quarry.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in September 1940 and went thru boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. At some point, he married the former Kathleen Jones, and they had a daughter. Leslie became a PFC in the First Marine Division, which was nicknamed “The Old Breed”. The First Marine Division deployed to New Zealand in June 1942 in preparation for combat operations in the South Pacific. On 7 August 1942 the First Marine Division landed at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, the first major ground offensive of the war. After four months of intense combat, the First Marines were relieved and went into garrison in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia to rest and refit. The First Marines went back into action in December 1943 at Cape Gloucester, and then assaulted Peleliu in September 1944.

On April 1, 1945 the First Marine Division took part in the invasion of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault of World War II. Over the next two and a half months, the First Marines endured a series of grinding attacks under incessant artillery fire, as heavy rains flooded the battlefield into a sea of mud. PFC Banks was killed on June 10, 1945, only a few weeks before the last remnants of Japanese resistance were eliminated.

Leslie Thomas Banks is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Chester, South Carolina. His wife remarried in 1948 and passed away in 1994.

Thank you PFC Banks for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leslie.
_____
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 P-51 pilot and POW William Gambill. You can read about William 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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WW2 Tinian Fallen - Jesse Booker, 2nd Marine Division

Lt. Jesse Booker served with the 2nd Marine Division in Tinian.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71832774/jesse-wootten-booker
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Tinian/index.html

Jesse Wootten Booker, III never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 23, 1919 in Virginia. His parents Jesse and Mary Claude were also both born in Virginia. His father worked as a merchant. Jesse had one older sister and one younger sister.

He graduated from The Citadel in 1943 and was accepted to Marine Officer Candidate School after volunteering for the Marines on July 3, 1943. He became a second lieutenant in the HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. The 2nd MD participated in the Battle of Tarawa and the Battle of Saipan. By the time Lt. Booker joined his unit the 2nd MD was preparing for the invasion of Tinian.

The 2nd MD landed on Tinian on July 25, 1944. The Americans had captured half the island by July 29. The remaining Japanese were holed up in caves and ravines on the south half of the island. Lt. Booker was killed by small arms fire on July 30, 1944.

His grave is at Oakwood Cemetery in Henry County, Virginia. 

Thank you Lt. Booker for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jesse.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 copilot Roland Grisell. 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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WW2 Fallen - B-24 waist gunner Julian Miller, childhood best friend of Rev. Billy Graham

B-24 waist gunner Julian Miller served in the 90th Bombardment Group that went by the nickname "The Jolly Rogers".
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15464952/julian-sidney-miller
https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryPorn/comments/wnbss/b24d130co_weezie_serial_number_4241081_a_model/

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

He was born on January 22, 1919 in Charlotte, North Carolina. His parents Julian and Frances were born in South Carolina and North Carolina, respectively. He was the Reverend Billy Graham's best friend growing up. His father worked as a newspaper editor for the Charlotte Observer. Julian had one older brother, two older sisters and one younger brother. He attended the University of North Carolina where he excelled in both basketball and baseball. He married the former Jacqueline Ackerman.

He was drafted into the army in October 1942. He volunteered for the Army Air Forces and after aircraft mechanics school and gunnery school, he was assigned to the 321st Bombardment Squad, 90th Bombardment Group ("The Jolly Rogers") with the rank of staff sergeant. The 90th BG was equipped with B-24 Liberators and was sent to Australia in November 1942. 

Sgt. Miller was sent overseas in November 1943. By this time his unit was stationed in New Guinea. On February 29, 1944 Sgt. Miller's B-24 crashed and burned on take off, killing all onboard. He was on his last mission prior to a scheduled rest period in Australia.

His grave is at Arlington National Cemetery. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Sgt. Miller for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Julian.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Reinhardt Keppler, USS San Francisco. You can read about Reinhardt 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