WW2 D-Day Armada Fallen - John Quigley, USS Tide

Machinist's Mate 2nd Class John Quigley served on the minesweeper USS Tide during the Normandy landings.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81207650/john-richard-quigley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tide_(AM-125) 

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

John was born March 31, 1919 in Tama County, Iowa. His parents John and Ameila were born in Iowa and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and proprietor of a tavern. John had two older sisters, one older brother, one younger sister, and a younger brother. He graduated from Gilman High School in Gilman, Iowa in 1938.

John enlisted in the US Navy in January 1939 and served as a Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class aboard the USS Hamilton, a high-speed minesweeper. By 1944, John was a chief motor machinist’s mate aboard a different minesweeper, the USS Tide. The Tide was commissioned in May 1943 and following shakedown training carried out convoy escort duties between the US and North Africa for several months. In January 1944 the Tide left port in Charleston, SC and sailed for England, where she escorted convoys in British coastal waters and engaged in exercises with minesweepers of the Royal Navy in preparation for the invasion of Europe.

On the night of June 5-6 1944, USS Tide operated in the English Channel to protect the convoys heading for Normandy, then on D-Day she worked off Utah Beach. On the morning of June 7 USS Tide struck a German mine, which exploded with such force that she was lifted out of the water. The explosion broke her back, blasted a tremendous hole in her bottom, and tore away all bulkheads below the waterline causing immediate and irreversible flooding. USS Tide sank only minutes after the last survivors had been taken off. Sadly 26 of the Tide’s crew of 112, including CMMOM Quigley, died in the explosion or were unable to be rescued and went down with the ship.

John Richard Quigley is buried in Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman, Iowa.

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."

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Jack Pendleton of the 30th Infantry Division. You can read about S/Sgt Pendleton 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 Anzio Fallen - Clarence Peak, 45th Infantry Division + McGeorge Bundy

PFC Clarence Peak served with the 45th Infantry Division at Anzio.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111294042/clarence-allen-peak
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538672805423192691/?lp=true 

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

He was born on March 30, 1919 in Tennessee. His parents Jessie and Maggie were also both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a section hand laborer. Clarence had one older brother, one younger brother, and two younger sisters. Both brothers also served in the war. By 1940 Clarence had completed five years of education and was living with his family. He found work as a driver. 

He was drafted into the army on December 1, 1942. At some point after joining the army, PFC Peak was married. I don't know the maiden name of his wife Lucille. He eventually became a private first class in the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Thunderbirds"). 

The 45th Infantry Division took part in the invasion of Sicily and the landing at Salerno. Next it was sent to participate in the Anzio landing. I am not sure at what point PFC Peak joined his unit, but his regiment took horrendous casualties at Anzio, so he was probably a replacement that arrived between February and May. A home state newspaper from July 16 1944 listed PFC Peak as wounded in action. However, his gravestone shows he died on May 23, 1944. Based on this information it was likely that PFC Peak succumbed to wounds sustained during the Anzio fighting.

His grave is at Wilson County Memorial Park in Lebanon, Tennessee. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you PFC Peak for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Clarence.

MCGEORGE BUNDY
Also born on March 30, 1919 was McGeorge Bundy. He was born into a prominent Boston family. His father was a high ranking State Department figure in the early 1930s and in the War Department during the war. After graduating from Yale University with a math degree, McGeorge joined the US Navy despite his poor eyesight. He was assigned to serve as an intelligence officer and finished the war with the rank of captain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajhAdGazz0M

After the war he completed more studies at Harvard and became a Harvard professor specializing in government studies. He became President Kennedy's National Security Advisor. He was a strong proponent of the Vietnam War in order to contain communism. He died in 1996.

Last year on this date I profiled Dale Dotts, Sixth Army HQ. You can read about Dale 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 - William Cochran, 1st Armored Division

Sgt. William Cochran served with the 1st Armored Division in Italy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10435286/william-mckinley-cochran
http://abmc.nomadmobileguides.com/SicilyRome.php?page=narrative&id=cont-4122 

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

He was born on March 29, 1919 in Georgia. His parents Jack and Lema were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a farmer. William had four older brothers and two older sisters. His parents divorced during the 1920s and his mother remarried.

He volunteered for the army in July 1940. He reached the rank of sergeant in Company H, 1st Armored Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division. The 1st Armored first engaged the enemy in North Africa in November 1942. It fought the Germans across Algeria and Tunisia. It was next part of the invasion of the Italian mainland at both Salerno and Anzio. Sgt. Cochran was killed in action on July 1, 1944 when the 1st Armored was advancing toward Rome.

His grave is at West Hill Cemetery, Dalton, Georgia.

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

Last year on this date I profiled Norman Nuckols, 29th Infantry Division and Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. You can read about Norman 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 medic hero Karl Bradney, 3rd Armored Division

Medic PFC Karl Bradney was killed in action the day the 3rd Armored Division crossed the German border.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140754071/karl-bradney
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/breaking-down-the-door-wwiis-battle-of-aachen/

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

He was born on March 28, 1919 in Ohio. His parents Robert and Verda Mae were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a dairy truck man. Karl had an older sister and a younger brother. By 1940 Karl had completed two years of high school and was working as a farm laborer. He later worked for the Dayton Waterworks.

He was drafted into the army in February 1942. His brother joined the navy and even his sister served by joining the WAVES.

Karl was trained as a medic and held the rank of private first class with the 32nd Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division (nicknamed "Spearhead"). PFC Bradney arrived in England in August 1943.

The 3rd Armored got to France in late June and early July. Its first major engagement was the Battle of St. Lo. By mid-August it was closing the Falaise Gap. In early September it had reached Belgium and helped cut off the retreat of thousands of German soldiers. Karl's hometown paper reported he had earned the Silver Star but it seems the citation has been lost.

The 3rd Armored was next assigned to the fighting in the Hürtgen Forest. On September 12 it crossed the German boarder to breach the Siegfried Line. PFC Bradney was killed in action this day when the 3rd Armored captured the first German town of the war - Roetgen.

His grave is at Mount Orab Cemetery in Mount Orab, Ohio.

Thank you PFC Bradney for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Karl.

Last year on this date I profiled Bedford Boy Nick Gillaspie, 29th Infantry Division who was killed on D-Day. You can read about Nick 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 bombardier Rudy Zebora

Lt. Rudy Zebora was a bombardier for the 836th Bombardment Squadron based in England.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75050977/rudolph-j-zebora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/836th_Bombardment_Squadron 

Rudolph J. "Rudy" Zebora never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on March 27, 1919 in Connecticut. His parents Albert and Mary were both born in Czechoslovakia. His father worked as a fire arms assembler and later as a church caretaker. Rudy had two older sisters and three older brothers. By 1940 Rudolph was attending college. After graduating he worked as a general industry clerk.

He enlisted in the army in July 1942 and volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He was trained as a bombardier. He became a second lieutenant in 836th Bombardment Squadron, 487th Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. Lt. Zebora arrived in England in April 1944.

On June 23, 1944 Lt. Zebora and his fellow crewmen bombed the airfield at Juvincourt, France. On the way back to England, his plane was hit by flak near Brussels. The plane exploded in midair and all onboard were lost.

His grave is at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden, Connecticut.

Thank you Lt. Zebora for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Rudy.

Last year on this date I profiled Jeff Corley. You can read about Jeff 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 - Woods Lear, 96th Infantry Division + well known character actor

Pvt. Woods Walker served with the 96th Infantry Division in Leyte, Philippines.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6981245/woods-walker-lear
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/pacific/philippines/96th-infantry-division-troops-during-invasion-of-leyte/ 

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

He was born on March 26, 1919 in Kentucky. His parents Joseph and Minnie were also both born in Kentucky. His father worked as a farmer. Woods had four older sister, three older brothers, a younger sister, and two younger brothers. By 1940 Woods had completed three years of schooling and was working as a farm laborer, living with his parents. He had a son who was born in April 1940 (and died in 2011). He later married Carrie Conn. I don't know if they had children.

He was drafted into the army in November 1943. He served as a private in Company B, 1st Battalion, 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Deadeye Division).

After training in the Hawaiian Islands, the 96th ID was part of the American campaign to retake Leyte. The 96th ID landed at Tanauan and Dulag on October 20, 1944. Pvt. Lear was killed in action on November 4, 1944, when the 96th ID was pushing north from Baybay.

His grave is at Cartersville Cemetery in Paint Lick, Kentucky. His widow remarried in 1948 and died in 2006.

Thank you Pvt. Lear for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Woods.

STROTHER MARTIN
The well known character actor Strother Martin was born in Indiana on the same day as Woods Lear. Strother was a gifted swimmer and diver as a youth. He won the National Junior Springboard Championship when he was 17. When the war started he joined the Navy and reached the rank of petty officer third class. The Navy made him a swimming instructor for the length of the war.

http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=11233

After the war Strother moved to California and worked as a swimming instructor and movie extra in swimming roles. He found steady work as a character actor in dozens of movies and TV shows. His best known role was that of the prison captain in Cool Hand Luke where he had the memorable line, "What we have here is a failure to communicate." He died in 1980.

Last year on this date I profiled B-25 bombardier Patrick Griffin. You can read about Patrick 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 Midway Fallen - DFC hero and Dauntless radioman Harry Nelson

Petty Officer Harry Nelson was a radioman/gunner for VB-6 during the Battle of Midway.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1028953/harry-william-nelson
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/sbd/sbd-vb-6-4mar42-enterprise-marcus-island-raid/

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

He was born on March 25, 1919 in Oakland, California. His parents Harry and Dorothy were both born in Utah. They were living in Utah by the time of the 1920 census. His father worked as a casket company bookkeeper and later as a casket company manager. The family moved to Santa Monica, California in 1936. A year later Harry senior was killed when he was struck by an automobile. Dorothy moved back to Salt Lake and worked at a department store. Harry had one younger sister. 

Harry junior joined the Navy in August 1937, three months before his father died. He was trained as a radioman and served on the destroyer USS Jarvis. In January 1941 Harry had advanced to the rank of Petty Officer. He signed up for a two year extension in the Navy and was transferred to the carrier USS Enterprise to serve in Bomber Squadron Six (VB-6). During leave in 1941 he married Winona Hutchins, a young lady who had been helping his mom who was in ill health. 

Enterprise was not in Pearl Harbor on the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. It took part in the mission to escort the Doolittle Raiders for the surprise attack on Tokyo. 

Harry's mother died of lung cancer on March 1, 1942, leaving an eight year old daughter without parents. PO Nelson may have been able to request a discharge to take care of his little sister but did not. She was raised by an aunt.

Because the Americans had broken the Japanese Naval code, Admiral Nimitz knew the Japanese were steaming to invade Midway Island. He sent the carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown to take on the superior Japanese forces.

After the Americans identified the general location of the enemy carriers on the morning on June 4, 1942, Harry and his pilot Lt. John J Van Buren were part of the fifteen VB-6 SBD-2 Dauntless dive-bombers launched off of Enterprise to attack the enemy. The dive-bombers did not originally find the enemy fleet, but after spotting a lone enemy destroyer, they vectored off in that direction and found the enemy carriers. PO Nelson's plane attacked the carrier Kaga with 24 other dive-bombers. They scored at least four hits, enough to doom Kaga. Low on fuel, VB-6 lost some planes when they ran out of gas. Others were likely shot down by flak or Zeros. In all, only four of the fifteen VB-6 planes made it back. Van Buren and Nelson did not make it back.

His cenotaph grave is at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. The date on the headstone reflects the practice of declaring a seaman dead one year and one day after he went missing. His widow died in 1972.

Thank you PO Nelson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harry.

Last year on this date I profiled B-25 bombardier Maurice Granger and his Navy flyer brother Albert. You can read about the Granger brothers here.

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

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

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-17 bombardier William Simpson

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49505920/william-j_bryan-simpson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/91st_Bombardment_Group 

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

William was born March 24, 1919 in Fayette County, Alabama. His parents Luther and Myra were also born in Alabama. His father was a farmer. William had two older brothers, one younger brother, and one younger sister. In 1940 he had completed one year of college at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) and was living at home with his parents.

After completing his second year of college, William enlisted in the Army Air Forces on November 19, 1941 as an aviation cadet. He trained as a bombardier and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and was assigned to the 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, of the US Eighth Air Force.

The 91st BG (aka Wray’s Ragged Irregulars) was based at Bassingbourn, England and flew B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bombers. It was one of the first bomb groups deployed to England and began combat operations over Europe in November 1942. During the early phase of the USAAF strategic bombing campaign, bomber losses were heavy and Lt. Simpson likely joined the 91st BG as part of a replacement crew in late February 1943.

On March 4, 1943, Lt. Simpson was part of the crew aboard B-17F 42-5370 as it and 70 other B-17s from four bomb groups took off to bomb the railroad marshaling yards in the industrial city of Hamm, the first deep penetration attack by the Eighth Air Force against targets in Germany. Due to heavy cloud formations on the way to Hamm, three of the groups turned away and did not attack the primary target. The sixteen B-17s of the 91st BG flew alone to the target and accurately bombed the marshaling yards despite encountering heavy flak and fierce attacks by German fighters. Because of the determination and valor in attacking alone such a heavily defended target, the 91st BG was later awarded the first Presidential Citation to be given to a unit belonging to the Eighth Air Force.

The mission was not without cost, though, as four B-17s failed to return and practically all the other B-17s making the attack suffered major damage. On the perilous flight home after bombing the target, the bomber formation was subjected to relentless attacks from upwards of 100 German fighters. Lt. Simpson’s aircraft was shot down by a German fighter and crashed into the North Sea off the coast of Texel, Holland. Lt. Simpson and all but one of the ten-man crew were KIA, with the lone survivor becoming a prisoner of war.

William Bryon Simpson is buried in Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Bankston, Alabama.

Thank you Lt. Simpson 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 Pfc. Joy Mouser of the 9th Infantry Division. You can read about Pfc Mouser 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 the Bulge Fallen - Glinn Sanders, 26th Infantry Division

Pvt. Glinn Sanders served with the 26th Infantry Division as did the soldiers in this photo during the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117152894/glinn-r-sanders
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538672805426748546/

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

He was born on March 23, 1919 in Oklahoma. His parents John and Pearl were born in Arkansas and Kentucky, respectively. His father worked as a merchant. Glinn had one younger brother. By 1940 Glinn had completed one year of high school and was living with his parents.

He volunteered for the army at some unknown date and became a private in the 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Yankee Division"). The 26th ID arrived in France in September 1944 and was sent to the front one month later. It was part of General Patton's forces advancing across the Saar River in early December.

When the Germans attacked through the Ardennes, the 26th IR was pulled out of its reserve position and sent north to repeal the enemy. It attacked the Germans at Rambourch and Grosbous on December 22 and held it against German counterattacks. On December 25, 1944 it captured Arsdorf. Advancing to the Wiltz River, it was checked by heavy German resistance. Pvt. Sanders was killed during this Christmas Day engagement. 

His grave is at Sawyer Cemetery in Sawyer, Tennessee. 

Thank you Pvt. Sanders for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Glinn.

Last year on this date I profiled B-25 bombardier Maurice Granger. You can read about Maurice 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 POW Fallen - Hubert Thornburg, USS Pope

MM3c Hubert Thornburg served on the destroyer USS Pope during the early months of WW2.
He then became a prisoner of war.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70346745/hubert-denzil-thornburg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Pope_(DD-225)

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

He was born on March 22, 1919 in Greenville, Tennessee. His parents Fred and Mary were also both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a farmer. Hubert had two younger sisters and three younger brothers. By 1940 Hubert had completed eight years of education and was working as a farm laborer while living with his family.

He enlisted in the Navy on July 7, 1940. He became a machinist mate third class and was sent to Manila, Philippines where he was assigned to the destroyer USS Pope. When the war started, Pope was sent to the Dutch East Indies to help defend it from the Japanese. Pope helped check some of the early Japanese advances, but the Allied forces were badly outnumbered. Luck ran out on March 1, 1942. After being bombed by aircraft from the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryujo, the captained order the crew to abandon ship. The remains of Pope were sunk by an enemy cruiser. The crew was sent to prison camps in the Celebes Island. 

Home town papers listed him as missing in action by May 15, 1942. MM/3c Thornburg  may have been able to contact his family via the International Red Cross to let them know he was still alive. He died in captivity on January 31, 1945.

His grave is at Bethesda Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Greene County, Tennessee. 

Thank you MM3c Thornburg for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Hubert.

Last year on this date I profiled Dwight Elder, 7th Infantry Division. You can read about Dwight 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-26 pilot James Sweeney

Lt. James Sweeney was the pilot of the B-26 Impatient Virgin.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16038320/james-michael-sweeney
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media?page=6&search=Marauder

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

He was born on March 21, 1919 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. His parents Alonzo and Mary were both born in Texas. His father worked as a ranch stockman and in the oil fields where he was killed in an accident in 1922. James had an older sister and brother. His mother moved back to Texas with her children. By 1940 James was still living at home and had completed two years of college at the University of Texas, which he attended on an athletic scholarship and where he was a star on the football team. He secretly married Mary Finley in November 1940 (made public the next September). He played his final football game on December 6, 1941. His future plans were forever altered the next day. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1942 with plans to fight for his country.

James enlisted in the Army Air Forces on February 13,1943. He successfully completed flight school and became a first lieutenant and pilot in the 451st Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force, which was equipped with B-26 Marauders. 

Lt. Sweeney arrived in England in September 1943. He flew 68 combat missions, flying bombers nicknamed Smitty's Folly and Impatient Virgin. On D-Day the 322nd BG attacked coastal defenses and gun batteries. For the next two months it bombed ammunition dumps, bridges, and crossroads.

Lt. Sweeney flew his final mission on the afternoon of August 6, 1944. Flying Impatient Virgin, the target was the fuel dump at Forest d'Andaine, France. Flak knocked out one engine, so Lt. Sweeney tried to make an emergency one engine landing at an Allied airfield in Normandy. Already covered in gas, the plane ran into a fuel tank and exploded. Lt. Sweeney and three others were killed. Two of the crew survived.

His grave is at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas.

Thank you Lt. Sweeney for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Last year on this date I profiled Clarence Snyder, 21st Photo Recon Squadron. You can read about Clarence here.

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

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

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Normandy Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Arthur DeFranzo, 1st Infantry Division

Staff Sargent Arthur DeFranzo earned the Medal of Honor
four days after landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day with the 1st Infantry Division.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7066026/arthur-fredrick-defranzo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

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

Arthur was born March 20, 1919 in Saugus, Massachusetts. His parents Charles and Mary were immigrants from Italy. His father worked for an electrical company. Arthur had five older sisters, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. In 1940, Arthur had completed high school and was living at home with his parents and working as a laborer.

Arthur was inducted into the US Army in November 1940 and served in the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”). In November 1942, the 1st ID took part in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa, and was in combat from January 1943 to May 1943, helping to secure Tunisia. In July 1943, the division took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily, and then returned to England in November 1943 to prepare for the eventual invasion of Normandy.

On the morning of June 6, 1944 the 1st ID was part of the first wave of troops that stormed ashore in the amphibious landing at Omaha Beach. The division took 30 percent casualties in the first hour of the assault, but managed to secure the beachhead by the end of the day. Staff Sergeant DeFranzo was killed in action four days later on June 10, 1944 in fighting among the hedgerows near Vaubadon, France. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day, his citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. 

As scouts were advancing across an open field, the enemy suddenly opened fire with several machineguns and hit 1 of the men. S/Sgt. DeFranzo courageously moved out in the open to the aid of the wounded scout and was himself wounded but brought the man to safety. 

Refusing aid, S/Sgt. DeFranzo reentered the open field and led the advance upon the enemy. There were always at least 2 machineguns bringing unrelenting fire upon him, but S/Sgt. DeFranzo kept going forward, firing into the enemy and 1 by 1 the enemy emplacements became silent. 

While advancing he was again wounded, but continued on until he was within 100 yards of the enemy position and even as he fell, he kept firing his rifle and waving his men forward. 

When his company came up behind him, S/Sgt. DeFranzo, despite his many severe wounds, suddenly raised himself and once more moved forward in the lead of his men until he was again hit by enemy fire. In a final gesture of indomitable courage, he threw several grenades at the enemy machinegun position and completely destroyed the gun. 

In this action, S/Sgt. DeFranzo lost his life, but by bearing the brunt of the enemy fire in leading the attack, he prevented a delay in the assault which would have been of considerable benefit to the foe, and he made possible his company's advance with a minimum of casualties. 

The extraordinary heroism and magnificent devotion to duty displayed by S/Sgt. DeFranzo was a great inspiration to all about him, and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces"

Arthur Frederick DeFranzo is buried in Riverside Cemetery in his hometown of Saugus, Massachusetts. Three of Arthur’s brothers also served during WW2 and survived the war: Raymond (Navy), Flore (Navy), and William (Army).

Thank you SSGT DeFranzo for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Arthur.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 pilot John Suchiu. 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!

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http://www.tggf.org