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| 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.
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.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
I live in Evart, Michigan and know people that remeber these boys. I am interested in doing more research on them
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