WW2 Fallen - Valiant pilot Aubrey York

After completing 66 missions overseas, Lt. Aubrey York flew BT-13 Valiants in California.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45197878/aubrey-downie-york
http://www.scharch.org/Ed_Scharch/usn-aircraft/03-snv-valiant.html 

Aubrey Downie York never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Last year I was not able to write a profile everyday from September to November because I was studying for the Certified Financial Planner test (I passed!). I feel my project to honor one U.S. serviceman for each day of the war would be incomplete if I left them off. As I have time, I am going back and adding profiles for the days I missed.

Aubrey was born on September 12, 1918 in Arkansas. His parents John and Lillie were also both born in Arkansas. His father worked as a farmer and later as a surveyor. Aubrey had two younger brothers. By 1940 Aubrey had completed four years of high school and was living at home working as a farmer.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on November 23, 1941 and reached the rank of second lieutenant. He served overseas and flew 66 missions. I was not able to find out with which unit. After he returned to the states he was assigned to the 443rd Combat Crew Training Squadron. Lt. York was flying a BT-13B Valiant and was killed in a crash in California on November 8, 1944.

His grave is at Union Hill Cemetery in Hermitage, Arkansas.

Thank you Lt. York for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Aubrey.

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 - Distinguished Service Cross hero Harold Ditter, 9th Infantry Division

Distinguished Service Cross hero Lt. Harold Ditter served with the 60th Infantry Regiment from North Africa to Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75179230/harold-j-ditter
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538672805405843140/ 

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

Harold was born April 30, 1919 in Taycheedah, Wisconsin. His parents Henry and Mary were also born in Wisconsin. His father was a farmer. Harold had one older brother, three younger brothers, and two younger sisters. In 1940, Harold had completed an eighth grade education and was living at home and working on the family farm.

Harold enlisted in the US Army in October 1940 and served in the 60th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division. The 60th IR began combat operations during Operation Torch, spearheading the November 1942 Allied invasion of North Africa. During the 60th Infantry’s drive along the Tunisia-Algeria border, the regiment captured a German general's diary. In his account of American actions against the Germans, the general wrote, "Look at those devils go!". The 60th Infantry thereafter became known as the "Go Devils". 

MSgt. Ditter was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award for valor, for his actions during the North African campaign. The citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Master Sergeant] Harold J. Ditter (ASN: 0-885779), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action at Tunisia, on April 1943. 

Defying enemy rifle and mortar fire, Lieutenant Ditter made continued and ceaseless visits to all men in numerous positions to insure they had food and water. He was invaluable to his company commander in the reorganization of the defense position the enemy had penetrated. 

When the attached medical aidman became a casualty, Lieutenant Ditter, at the risk of his own life, gave first aid and evacuated the wounded. His courage and clear thinking and never-ceasing energy under fire is an example for all Non-Commissioned Officers throughout the service.

The 60th Infantry next took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily from August to November 1943, then was redeployed to England to prepare for the invasion of Europe. At some point, MSgt Ditter received a battlefield promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. On 11 June 1944, the 60th Infantry went ashore at Utah Beach in Normandy, France and spearheaded the American advance out of the beachhead. Lt. Ditter was killed in action on 13 July 1944 during the battle of Saint-Lô in France. I was unable to find any details of his death.

Harold J. Ditter is buried in St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Saint Peter, Wisconsin.

Thank you Lt. Ditter for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.
_____
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."
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 - Carl Harrington, 2nd Armored Division and his brother Charles

Sgt. Carl Harrington served with the 2nd Armored Division in Normandy. His brother Charles was killed when the HMT Rohna was struck by a German guided missile, which remained secret for more than 50 years.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5765790/carl-dwayne-harrington
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5765791/charles-junior-harrington

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

He was born on April 29, 1919 in Michigan. His parents Charles and Emma were born in Michigan and Nebraska, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. Carl had one older brother, two younger sisters and a younger brother, Charles. By 1940 Carl had completed eight grades of education. He was living at home.

He was drafted into the army on June 6, 1941. He became a sergeant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division (nicknamed "Hell on Wheels"). His brother Charles joined the army on December 30, 1942 and became a private first class with the 853rd Engineer Aviation Battalion.

Charles was lost at sea on November 27, 1943 when the HMT Rohna was sunk by a German guided missile. He was one of 1,318 men killed, more than the total killed on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. He was listed as missing in action and the true cause of his death would not be revealed for more than five decades. You can read about this fascinating, but little known event in my profile of King Gunther, lost in the same tragedy..

The 2nd Armored's first major action was in Sicily in July 1943. It landed on Omaha Beach on D+3. It played a major part in the success of Operation Cobra. Sgt. Harrington was killed in action on August 3, 1944, the day after the 2nd Armored captured the village of Marueray.

Carl's grave is at Forest Hill Cemetery in Evart, Michigan. There is a cenotaph marker there for his brother Charles.

Thank you Carl and Charles for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Harrington brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Francis McGraw, 1st Infantry Division. You can read about Francis 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 - Henry Citty, 82nd Airborne Division

Lt. Henry Citty was the only officer from the 325th Regiment killed while it was fighting in Italy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36490458/henry-bishop-citty
http://www.327gir.com/325GIR.html

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

He was born on April 28, 1919 in Arkansas. His parents Daniel and Lucy were also both born in Arkansas. His father worked as a farmer and later as a plumber. Still later he worked as a salesman. Henry had three older brothers and one older sister. His mother died in 1939. By 1940 Henry had completed two years of college and was working as a driver while living at home.

He enlisted in the army on December 21, 1940 when his Arkansas National Guard unit was federalized. It became the 153rd Infantry Regiment which was stationed in Alaska. While there he reached the rank of staff sergeant. He was picked to attend Officers Candidate School and became a first lieutenant in January 1943. That same month he married Christine Phillips. He became a second lieutenant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

The 325th GIR first saw action when the were sent to Salerno in September 15, 1943, arriving in landing crafts, not gliders, to reinforce Rangers who had landed a week earlier. Lt. Citty was killed on September 24, 1943 as the Allies advanced toward the Volturno River. He was only officer from his regiment killed in action in Italy.

His grave is at St Paul Methodist Church Cemetery in Ozan, Arkansas. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Lt. Citty for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Henry.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Roger Young, a young man who by all rights should not have been in the army due to his disabilities. You can read about Roger 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 Luzon Fallen - Paul Ferguson, 25th Infantry Division

PFC Paul Ferguson served with the 25th Infantry Division in the Caraballo Mountains of Luzon.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73408855/paul-w_-ferguson
http://www.privateletters.net/featured_barberphotos.html 

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

He was born on April 27, 1919 in Madison, Alabama. His parents Orman and Cassie were both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a farmer. Paul had two older sisters, two older brothers, five younger sisters, and one younger brother. By 1940 Paul was still living at home, having completed eight years of education and working as a farmer. He married his wife Margaret on December 20, 1941.

He was drafted into the army on February 25, 1942. He was sent to the Pacific in May 1942. He would never see his family again. He became a private first class in Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Tropic Lightning"). 

The 25th ID was stationed on Oahu when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Ferguson joined as a replacement before it was moved to Guadalcanal in November 1942 and helped complete the defeat of the Japanese defenders in January and February 1943. PFC Ferguson was wounded in action while on Guadalcanal.

In September 1943 the 25th ID captured Vella Lavella. It landed on Luzon on January 11, 1945. By then end of February, the 25th ID had moved off the central plain and was fighting the Japanese in the Caraballo Mountains. PFC Ferguson was killed in action during this part of the Luzon campaign on March 20, 1945.

His grave is at Gatlin Cemetery in Ardmore, Alabama. His widow never remarried and died in 1998.

Thank you PFC Ferguson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Paul.

Last year on this date I profiled Donald Hansen, 7th Infantry Division. You can read about Donald 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 airman Robert Boyd and the Landican tragedy

Sgt. Robert Boyd was killed when his B-24 exploded while flying in to England as a replacement.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19953255/robert-earl-boyd
http://www.39-45war.com/liberator.html 

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

He was born on April 26, 1919 in Missouri. His parents Frank and Merle were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as a barber. Robert had one older brother, one younger brother, and one younger sister. By 1940 Bob had completed one year of high school. He was living at home and working as a grocery clerk.

He volunteered for the Army Air Corps on July 14, 1941. He became a sergeant in 702nd Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. The 445th BG arrived in England in the fall of 1943. It flew its first bombing missions in December 1943. The actor James Stewart served as an officer in a different 445th BG squadron.

As with all of the 8th Air Force bombing groups at the time, casualties in the 445th BG were high. On September 27, 1944 their losses were particularly bad when 30 of 37 445th BG planes failed to return from a bombing mission to Kassel, Germany. The 702nd BS was in dire need for replacement crews.

On October 18, 1944 Ralph Stimmel flew the B-24 #42-50347 from the base at Tibenham to Greencastle, Ireland, to pick up replacement crews. The plane had seen a lot of action and had been retired from further bombing missions, but was still considered airworthy enough to ferry airmen. Stimmel noted the plane smelled of fumes during the flight to Ireland. Stimmel stayed behind to pick up a new plane - his role as the test pilot for the 445th BG required that he be the first to fly all planes.

For the flight back, the pilot was Captain William Driscall. There were 24 airmen on the plane, including Sgt. Boyd. The plane was flying back at an altitude of about 1,000 feet with cloud cover at 1,200 feet. While over Landican, England, the plane exploded in midair. Many of the doomed crew were ejected from the plane and dropped to their deaths. The others crashed with the main section of the fuselage. The official cause of the accident was never determined, but most researchers believe the explosion was caused by fumes being ignited, most likely by a cigarette. This was an all-too-common event in B-24s due to how the fuel lines passed over the fuselage.

An extensive analysis of the flight and crash can be found at http://www.39-45war.com/liberator.html. 

His grave is at Kahoka Cemetery in Kahoka, Missouri.

Thank you Sgt. Boyd for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Robert.

Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and B-17 pilot Clarence Aaberg. What he did is definitely worth learning about. 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 - Lawrence Brown, 82nd Airborne

Sgt. Lawrence Brown served with the 82nd Airborne in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46199638/lawrence-h.-brown
https://www.ausa.org/articles/all-american-lieutenants-82nd-airborne-normandy 

Lawrence H. Brown, Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Last year I was not able to write a profile everyday from September to November because I was studying for the Certified Financial Planner test (I passed!). I feel my project to honor one U.S. serviceman for each day of the war would be incomplete if I left them off. As I have time, I am going back and adding profiles for the days I missed.

Lawrence was born on September 9, 1918 in East Point, Georgia. His parents Lawrence and Hallie were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a railroad express clerk and later a railroad conductor. Lawrence had two younger sisters and a younger brother. By 1940 Lawrence had completed two years of high school and was working as a cotton broker classer. He married Lurline Leach. They had one daughter.

He volunteered for the army on April 1, 1942 and then further volunteered to join a parachute regiment. He eventually became a staff sergeant in the HQ Company, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division. Sgt. Brown arrived in England in December 1944. 

In the early morning hours of D-Day,June 6, 1944, Sgt. Brown parachuted into Normandy. The poor landing execution spread the troopers over a twenty mile area. The commanding officer of the 507th PIR, Colonel George Millet was captured by the Germans, but Sgt. Brown, from the same company, was not captured. By June 14, the 507th PIR had regrouped as much as possible, but it was way below strength. It was given the assignment, along with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, to attack westward from Pont-l'Abbe. In a two day period the 507th withstood artillery fire from both the Germans and its own artillery. It lost 192 men in those two days after which it was pulled off the line. Sgt. Brown was probably wounded at that time and died the next day on June 16.

His grave is at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point, Georgia.

Thank you Sgt. Brown for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Lawrence.

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 - Robert Miller, 35th Infantry Division

Sgt. Robert Miller served in the 134th Infantry Regiment in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59123268/robert-r-miller
http://abmc.nomadmobileguides.com/Normandy.php?page=narrative&id=cont-892 

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

Last year I was not able to write a profile everyday from September to November because I was studying for the Certified Financial Planner test (I passed!). I feel my project to honor one U.S. serviceman for each day of the war would be incomplete if I left them off. As I have time, I am going back and adding profiles for the days I missed.

Robert was born on September 10, 1918 in Nebraska. His parents Roy and Bessie were also both born in Nebraska. His father worked as a railroad brakeman and later as a railroad conductor. Robert had a younger sister. By 1940 Robert had completed four years of high school and was working at a grocery store and as a salesman while living at home. According to a Lincoln newspaper, at some point Robert married, but the paper did not give the name of his wife, only that she lived in California.

He joined the army on December 23, 1940 when his National Guard unit was federalized. Robert advanced to the rank of sergeant in the HQ Company, 3rd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division (nicknamed Santa Fe Division).

The 35th Infantry Division joined the front lines in Normandy on July 8, 1944 and immediately suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of Saint-Lo and more than 2,400 during the Normandy campaign. By July 18 the Americans had taken the town. The Division was on the defensive for the next week. Sgt. Miller was killed in action on July 24, 1944.

His grave is at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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

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 Pearl Harbor Fallen - William Durham, USS Arizona

Seaman William Durham served on USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7892631/william-teasdale-durham
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68674507/william-teasdale-durham
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor-raid/battleship-row-during-the-pearl-harbor-attack/uss-arizona-during-the-pearl-harbor-attack.html 

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

He was born on April 25, 1919 in Baldwin, North Carolina. His parents Edward and Jennie were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a farmer. William had an older brother and sister and a younger brother and sister.

He volunteered for the US Navy on March 5, 1940. In August of that year he was assigned to the light cruiser USS Trenton. One month later he became a seaman first class serving on the battleship USS Arizona.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Seaman Durham was on duty onboard Arizona when it was  hit by four Japanese bombs. The final one penetrated to the forward magazine and exploded with devastating loss of life. Seaman Durham's rating would have placed him at a gunnery, steering, or signaling station. He was killed in action during the attack.

Unlike hundreds of other Arizona sailors, Seaman Durham's remains were recovered. He is buried at Lystra Baptist Church Cemetery in Farrington, North Carolina.

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

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 gunner Raymond Munstermann. You can read about Raymond 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 Leyte Fallen - Medal of Honor hero George Benjamin, 77th Infantry Division

Medal of Honor hero PFC George Benjamin, Jr. served with the 77th Infantry Division at Leyte.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8176184/george-benjamin/photo

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

George was born April 24, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was unable to find any information on his parents. In the 1920 census, he was living with his uncle and grandmother in Palmyra, New Jersey, possibly indicating that one or both of his parents had passed away shortly after his birth. George graduated from Woodbury High School in Gloucester County, New Jersey, and married Mary Ethel Simmins in 1939. In 1940, George and his wife resided in Woodbury, NJ where he worked as a clerk. They had two sons, Steven and Christopher.

He was inducted into the US Army in August 1943 and served as a PFC in Company A, 306th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division (nicknamed “The Statue of Liberty” division). The 77th ID deployed to Hawaii in March 1944 and trained in amphibious landings and jungle warfare, and first saw combat in the amphibious assault on Guam in July 1944. After the liberation of Guam, the 77th next landed on the east coast of Leyte on 23 November 1944 in the invasion of the Philippines. PFC Benjamin was mortally wounded in action on 21 December 1944, and died the next day. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day, his citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private George Benjamin, Jr. (ASN: 32956012), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 21 December 1944, while serving with Company A, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action at Leyte, Philippine Islands.

Private Benjamin was a radio operator, advancing in the rear of his company as it engaged a well-defended Japanese strong point holding up the progress of the entire battalion. When a rifle platoon supporting a light tank hesitated in its advance, he voluntarily and with utter disregard for personal safety left his comparatively secure position and ran across bullet-whipped terrain to the tank, waving and shouting to the men of the platoon to follow. Carrying his bulky radio and armed only with a pistol, he fearlessly penetrated intense machinegun and rifle fire to the enemy position, where he killed one of the enemy in a foxhole and moved on to annihilate the crew of a light machinegun.

Heedless of the terrific fire now concentrated on him, he continued to spearhead the assault, killing two more of the enemy and exhorting the other men to advance, until he fell mortally wounded. After being evacuated to an aid station, his first thought was still of the American advance. Overcoming great pain he called for the battalion operations officer to report the location of enemy weapons and valuable tactical information he had secured in his heroic charge. The unwavering courage, the unswerving devotion to the task at hand, the aggressive leadership of Private First Class Benjamin were a source of great and lasting inspiration to his comrades and were to a great extent responsible for the success of the battalion's mission.

George Benjamin Jr. is buried in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, in Manila, Philippines. I was unable to find any information on his widow and children.

Thank you PFC Benjamin for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for George.
_____
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 gunner Raymond Munstermann. You can read about Raymond 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 - Silver Star hero Cleave Sinor, 27th Infantry Division

PFC Cleave Sinor earned the Distinguished Service Cross with the 27th Infantry Division on Saipan.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153738415/cleave-earl-sinor
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/the-war-between-the-smiths-high-command-feud-at-saipan/

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

He was born on April 23, 1919 in Arkansas. His parents William and Lucy were also both born in Arkansas. His father worked as a farmer. Cleave had three younger brothers. Cleave completed a grammar school level of education and worked as a farm hand.

He was drafted into the army on October 16, 1942. He became a private first class in Company A, 1st Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. The 27th ID was deployed in defensive positions in California right after the Pearl Harbor attack. In May 1942 it was sent to Hawaii to defend that location. It first saw action when it captured the Makin Atoll in November 1943. PFC Sinor may have joined his unit around that time.

The 27th ID played a major role in the attack on Saipan, landing on D+1, June 16, 1944. It was tough fighting taking on the center section of the attack.  On June 17, PFC Sinor's company was sent to relieve a Marine company on the flatlands below Aslito Airport. That day, they stormed past the airport and took a valuable hill. During the night his company came under heavy artillery fire and found themselves nearly surrounded. They got the word to pull out. Sinor is quoted as saying "I helped take this hill and the only way I will leave it is when they carry me off dead." PFC Sinor held back the enemy until he was killed. He was credited with killing 200 of the enemy. He was named by the War Department as one of the 20 outstanding heroes of the Battle of Saipan and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star (although one source says it was the Distinguished Service Cross). 

His Silver Star citation reads as follows.

"When the platoon of which PFC. Sinor was the automatic weapon gunner was overrun in a surprise attack at nightfall and the remainder of the platoon fell back, PFC Sinor refused to retreat and deliberately remained in position to fire upon the enemy although he know it meant certain death. This heroic action, which delayed the enemy sufficiently to enable our forces to establish the line and affect an orderly withdrawal was in the finest traditions of the military service."

His grave is at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Monkey Run, Arkansas.

Thank you PFC Sinor for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Cleave.

Last year on this date I profiled Guadalcanal Medal hero John Strandwitz, 1st 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.

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - Silver Star hero Raymond Earnest, 9th Infantry Division

PFC Raymond Earnest served with the 9th Infantry Division in North Africa.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140572381/raymond-earnest
https://9thinfantrydivision.net/battle-history/tunisia-battle/ 

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

He was born on April 21, 1919 in New Jersey. His parents Washington and Laura were also both born in New Jersey. His father worked as a state road laborer and later as an oyster fisherman. Still later he worked as a planter. Raymond had one older brother and one younger sister. By 1940 Raymond had completed six years of education and was still living at home.

He was drafted into the army on January 10, 1941. He became a private first class in Company M, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. The 9th ID was one of the first American units to see action in WW2. It fought the French in Algiers in November 1942. A hometown newspaper dated February 24, 1942 reported that PFC Earnest had been awarded the Silver Star. If this is accurate, it would have been for fighting the French. While its artillery was engaged with the Germans on February 17, 1943, the rest of the unit did not see action against the Germans until March 28 when it participated in the Battle of El Guettar through April 3. It was the first victory for the Americans against German forces and the first battle for General Patton (the battle is portrayed in the 1970 movie Patton).

PFC Earnest died on April 8, 1943, either from wounds sustained during the Battle of El Guettar or fighting as his unit moved north.

For many years, on the anniversary of his death, friends and family published memorial poems about Raymond in the Millville Daily newspaper.  Here is the one from 1945:

A gold star on flaming red,

Is a small reward for the blood shed.

But we who walk now in his stead

Must keep the peace for which he bled.

They gave us a gold star and medals he won,

But gold stars and medals fall short of our dear son.

The fight is ours now, his job is done,

The victory is ours, that he and others won.

The memory of our dear Raymond and other sons,

Form a monument of peace to everyone.

We did not think it fair,

But God alone knew best.

So sadly missed by his 

MOTHER, DAD, SISTER

His grave is at Methodist Cemetery in Leesburg, New Jersey.

Thank you PFC Earnest for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Raymond.

Last year on this date I profiled PV-1 Ventura copilot Kevin Ahern. You can read about Kevin 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