WW2 Fallen - Ernest Fisher, USS Truxtun

Ernest Fisher served on the destroyer USS Truxtun.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82474583/ernest-c_-fisher
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/229.htm

Big thanks to Barry Charletta who provided me with information to correct my profile:

On Christmas Day 1941, Truxtun departed Boston, Massachusetts in the screen of Convoy HX-168. She arrived at Reykjavík on 13 January 1942 and, six days later, headed back to Argentia with Convoy ON-57. At 0410 on 18 February while acting as escort to USS Pollux (AKS-2) in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Truxtun ran aground "in a howling gale" between the outport communities of Lawn and St. Lawrence, near Chambers Cove. Under extremely violent and freezing sea conditions she broke up almost immediately after grounding and, in spite of the heroic efforts of the local populace, lost 110 members of her crew to the elements. USS Pollux (AKS-2) was also wrecked with 93 fatalities, and USS Wilkes (DD-441) also grounded, but made way with no fatalities.

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

He was born on May 31, 1919 in North Carolina. He was named after two local men who lost their lives in WWI: Ernest Fraizer and Clifton Potts. His parents Oliver and Mattie were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a farmer. Ernest had two older brothers, two older sisters, one younger brother, and one younger sister. His mother died in 1930 of bronchial pneumonia.

Ernest graduated from high school and enlisted in the Navy in February 1937. He reached the rank of yeoman second class. In the years prior to the war he saw service throughout the world.

Hometown papers in late February 1942 reported that Yeoman Fisher had been killed in action on February 18, 1942. No details were provided, but the only action US Naval forces were engaged in at that time was the ABDA command operating out of Java. He was most likely killed when this group of ships tried unsuccessfully to stop the Japanese invasion of Bali. 

His grave (possibly cenotaph) is at Red Oak Cemetery in Red Oak, North Carolina.

Thank you Yeoman Fisher for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ernest.

Last year on this date I profiled Spitfire and Skytrain pilot Benjamin Taylor, General Eisenhower's pilot. You can read about Benjamin 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 Peleliu Fallen - Navy Cross hero Donald Lasco, 1st Marine Division

PFC Donald Lasco, 1st Marine Division, earned  the Navy Cross at Peleliu.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134144082/donald-lasco
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colorization/comments/8gdtrr/battle_of_peleliu_1st_marine_division_1944/

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

He was born on May 30, 1919 in Amhurst, Ohio. His parents John and Elizabeth were both born in Hungary. His father worked as a steel plant laborer and later as a millwright. Donald had one older brother and seven older sisters. By 1940 Donald had completed two years of high school and was living with his parent who were farming.

He enlisted in the US Marines in December 1941. He became a private first class in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, which was nicknamed “The Old Breed”. The 1st Marine Division deployed to New Zealand in June 1942 in preparation for combat operations in the South Pacific. On 7 August 1942 the 1st Marine Division landed at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, the first major ground offensive of the war. After four months of intense combat, the 1st Marines were relieved and went into garrison in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia to rest and refit. The 1st Marines went back into action in December 1943 at Cape Gloucester, and then assaulted Peleliu on September 15, 1944. 

PFC Lasco served with his unit from Guadalcanal to Peleliu. On October 1 the 1st Marine Division was undertaking the difficult assignment of taking out Japanese troops defending overlapping ridges. Units suffered losses of over 70 percent. PFC Lasco was killed in action this day while single-handedly charging a Japanese machine-gun position.

He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. The citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Donald Lasco (352109), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Leader of a Fire Team serving with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, Fist Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on 1 October 1944. 

Dispatched to assist in the capture of a high ridge vital to his company's mission, Private First Class Lasco was courageously leading his men forward across an open road when a sudden burst of machine-gun fire halted the advance of his team and severely wounded one of its members. In a valiant attempt to draw the fire away from his fallen comrade and locate the hostile emplacement, he boldly stood upright in the face of the intense barrage, seized an automatic weapon and, fearlessly advancing through the fire-swept area, single-handedly charged the Japanese position, but while directing effective fire against the enemy, was fatally wounded by a shell from a second hostile machine gun. 

By his aggressive leadership, his indomitable fighting spirit and exceptional fortitude in the face of extreme peril, Private First Class Lasco served as an inspiring example to his comrades, and his self-sacrificing efforts and unwavering devotion to the completion of an extremely hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, Ohio.

Thank you PFC Lasco for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Donald.

If anyone can find a photo of Donald Lasco, please let me know.

Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero Clarence Aschenbrenner, USS Marblehead. 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 - Joseph Cain, 83rd Infantry Division

PFC Joseph Cain served in the 83rd Infantry Division in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28473185/joseph-jefferson_(jiggs)-cain
http://abmc.nomadmobileguides.com/Normandy.php?page=narrative&id=cont-896 

Joseph J. Cain 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.

Joseph was born on September 20, 1918 in Mayfield, Oklahoma. His parents James and Mattie were born in Tennessee and Texas, respectively. After moving to Texas, his father worked as a cotton grain farmer and later as a tractor mechanic. Joseph had one older sister, six younger sisters, and one younger brother. By 1940 Joe had completed four years of schooling and was working as a laborer while living with his parents. He married Sylvia Mae Nichols.

He was drafted into the army on December 4, 1942. He became a private first class in Company B, 1st Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division (nicknamed "Thunderbolt"). The 83rd ID arrived in England in April 1943.

The 83rd ID landed on Omaha Beach on D+9. Nine days later it was on the front line south of Carentan. PFC Cain was killed in action on July 11, 1944 when the 330th IR was fighting in the hedgerows near the village of Le Dezert.

His grave is at Kelton Cemetery in Wheeler, Texas.

Thank you PFC Cain for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Joseph.

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 - James Crowley, 1st Infantry Division

Pvt. James Crowley served in the 1st Infantry Division for less than one month. He was killed in the Battle of Aachen.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73998894/james-a_-crowley
http://www.big-red-one.org/WWII_after_action_reports.html 

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

He was born on May 29, 1919 in Wyoming. His parents Edward and Kathrine were born in New York and South Dakota, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. James had one older brother and one younger sister. By 1940 James had completed a grammar school level of education. He was employed as a postal delivery driver. He married Dorothy Stevens and they had a daughter and a son.

He was drafted into the army on March 29, 1944. He was sent overseas at the end of September and became a private in Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. By the time Pvt. Crowley reached his unit, the 1st ID had taken many casualties from landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows, and advancing across France. 

Pvt. Crowley survived less than one month. He was killed in action on October 20, 1944 while the 1st ID was taking Aachen street by street from the Germans.

His grave is at South Lead Cemetery in Lead, South Dakota. His widow did not remarry and died in 1976. His daughter died in 1988. His son may still be alive.

Thank you Pvt. Crowley for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Last year on this date I profiled Arnold Harmon, 80th Infantry Division. You can read about Arnold 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 - Thomas Laverty, 9th Infantry Division

Lt. Laverty served in the HQ Company of the 39th Infantry Regiment in Normandy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137414305/thomas-j_-laverty
https://9thinfantrydivision.net/cutting-the-peninsula/ 

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

He was born on May 28, 1919 in New York. His parents James and Agnes were also both born in Ireland. They came to America in 1907 and 1900, respectively. His father worked as a taxicab driver and later as a superintendent. Still later, he worked as a nursery man. Thomas had two older brothers, an older sister and a younger sister. By 1940 Thomas had completed four years of high school and was living at home. He found a job working in sales.

He attended one year of college and enlisted in the army on June 16, 1941 and, after attending officers candidate school, became a first lieutenant in the Headquarters Company, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Old Reliables"). The 9th ID was one of the first American units to see action. It fought in North Africa and Sicily and arrived in Normandy on D+4. The 9th ID suffered an incredible 23,277 battle casualties including 3,856 killed in action. 

I am not sure how many of these engagements included Lt. Laverty. His serving in a regimental HQ company suggests he was probably a veteran by the time the 9th ID arrived in Normandy. On June 16, 1944 the 9th ID was in the process of cutting off the Cotentin Peninsula and capture Cherbourg. It was ordered to attack from the Douve River to Gourbesville. The attack went well and the Germans were not able to provide any meaningful resistance, but there can be casualties in even the best conditions. Lt. Laverty was killed on this day, perhaps during a German counterattack east of Orglandes.

His grave is at Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury, New York.

Thank you Lt. Laverty for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Thomas.

Last year on this date I profiled artillery corporal Fred Hancock and his Marine brother. You can read about Fred 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 - Medal of Honor hero Truman Kimbro, 2nd Infantry Division

Sgt. Truman Kimbro was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11221154/truman-carol-kimbro

Truman C. Kimbro never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom. We honor him on this Memorial Day for his actions 75 years ago.

Truman was born May 27, 1919 in Madisonville, TX. His parents Thomas and Lemma were also born in Texas. His father was a farmer. Truman had two older half-brothers, three younger sisters, and two younger brothers. In 1940, Truman had completed one year of high school and was living at home and working on the family farm. He married the former Marjorie Brimberry.

He was inducted into the US Army on 2 December 1941 and served in the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division. The 2nd ID arrived in Europe in October 1943 and trained for 10 months in Northern Ireland for the Normandy Invasion. The 2nd ID landed on Omaha beach on June 7, 1944 and fought their way across France before crossing into Germany on 3 October 1944.

On 19 December 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, Tec4 Kimbro was assigned to lead a squad to place anti-tank mines in a crossroads near Rocherath, Belgium to halt advancing German tanks. Finding that the area was covered by enemy forces, he left his men in a protected position and went forward alone. Although wounded on his approach, he continued on his mission and successfully laid mines across the road before being killed by enemy fire. 

For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor five months later, on May 24, 1945. His citation reads:

On 19 December 1944, as scout, he led a squad assigned to the mission of mining a vital crossroads near Rocherath, Belgium. 

At the first attempt to reach the objective, he discovered it was occupied by an enemy tank and at least 20 infantrymen. Driven back by withering fire, Technician 4th Grade Kimbro made 2 more attempts to lead his squad to the crossroads but all approaches were covered by intense enemy fire. 

Although warned by our own infantrymen of the great danger involved, he left his squad in a protected place and, laden with mines, crawled alone toward the crossroads. When nearing his objective he was severely wounded, but he continued to drag himself forward and laid his mines across the road. As he tried to crawl from the objective his body was riddled with rifle and machinegun fire. 

The mines laid by his act of indomitable courage delayed the advance of enemy armor and prevented the rear of our withdrawing columns from being attacked by the enemy.

Truman C. Kimbro is buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Liege, Belgium. His wife remarried in 1954 and passed away in 2004.

Thank you Tec4 Kimbro for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Truman.
_____
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 Sequoyah Downing. You can read about Sequoyah here.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - John Pekny, 3rd Armored Division

PFC John Pekny served with the 3rd Armored Division in France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84659112/john-j-pekny
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/254312710183909190/?lp=true 

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

He was born on May 26, 1919 in Nebraska. His parents Rudloph and Anna were also both born in Nebraska. All four grandparents were from Bohemia. His father worked as a farmer. John had two older brothers, two older sisters, . By 1940 John had completed eight years of education and was working on the family farm.

He was drafted into the army on November 6, 1941. He became a private first class in the HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. 

The 3rd Armored, nicknamed "Spearhead", arrived in Normandy in late June 1944. It played an active role in Operation Cobra and reached the Seine River in late August. On September 1, 1944, the 33rd AR was facing enemy armored units near La Capelle, France, a village just a few miles from the Belgium border. PFC Pekny was killed in action that day.

His grave is at Clarkson Catholic Cemetery in Clarkson, Nebraska.

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

Last year on this date I profiled Charles Johnston, 82nd Airborne Division, one of the Normandy fallen. You can read about Charles 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 - Troy Evans, 32nd Infantry Division

Pvt. Troy Evans served with the 32nd Infantry Division in Luzon.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41162281/troy-dee-evans
The Times (Shreveport Louisiana) 8 May 1945
http://www.32nd-division.org/history/ww2/32ww2-11.html

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

He was born on May 25, 1919 in Louisiana. His parents Robert and Mamie were also both born in Louisiana. His father worked as a farmer. Troy had three older brothers, an older sister, a twin brother, and two younger sisters. By 1940 Troy had completed a fifth grade level of education and was working as a mechanic whiling living at home. At some point after that he married Anna Mae Price. They had one daughter.

He was drafted into the army at the relatively late date of August 16, 1944. He became a private in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division (nicknamed "Red Arrow"). The 32nd ID was one of the first army units sent to the Pacific Theater. It arrived in Australia in May 1942. It first fought in difficult jungle conditions in New Guinea, where losses to tropical diseases exceeded combat losses. It was next part of the return to the Philippines when it landed in Leyte. It began engaging the enemy in combat on Leyte in November 1944 and Luzon in January 1945. 

Pvt. Evans likely joined his unit after this time as a replacement sometime in the spring of 1945. By June the 32nd ID was engaged in what was considered mopping up operations. Pvt. Evans was killed in action on June 15, 1945 near Kirang, Nueva Viscaya, Luzon when he was instantly killed when a shell fragment struck his head.

His grave is at Masonic Cemetery in Rayville, Louisiana. His widow remarried and died in 2013. I don't know what happened to his daughter.

Thank you Pvt. Evans for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Troy.

Last year on this date I profiled Lester May, 26th Engineer Combat Regiment. You can read about Lester 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 Remagen Fallen - Leon Peacock, 78th Infantry Division

Sgt. Leon Peacock served in the 78th Infantry Division at the Battle of Remagen.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74954039/francis-leon-peacock
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/d0/d7/d1d0d7bf49bfb819a20698de805129ec---mars-division.jpg 

Francis Leon Peacock 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.

Leon was born on September 19, 1918 in Texas. His parents Brice and Bertha were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a Methodist clergyman. Leon graduated from high school and attended college. He married Pauline Buckner in January 1942. They had one daughter. He was employed by an oil well supply company.

He was drafted into the army on March 28, 1944. He became a sergeant (in a battlefield promotion a short time before his death) in the 310th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division (Nicknamed "Lightning").

On March 7, 1945 elements of the 9th Armored Division managed to capture the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine intact at Remagen. It was the first Allied unit to cross the Rhine. To keep the bridge from falling back into enemy hands or destroyed, the Americans expanded the bridgehead including the 78th Infantry Division which was on the east side of the Rhine within two days. The Germans spent 10 days trying to destroy the bridge now in American control. Sgt. Peacock was killed in action on March 14, 1945. The bridge finally collapsed on March 17, but by then the Americans were able to erect tactile bridges to keep bringing troops over.

His grave is at Sulphur Springs Cemetery in Sulphur Springs, Texas. His widow remarried after his death and died in 2006. His daughter died in 2013.

Thank you Sgt. Peacock for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leon.

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”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-24 pilot Francis Sidorek

Lt. Francis Sidorek was a pilot in the 492nd Bombardment Group. He died in a crash after the war in Europe had ended.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152069996/francis-sidorek/photo
The Wilkes Barre Record, 21 July 1948, pg 17
http://www.801492.org/Air%20Crew/B24sBySN/523%2044-49523%20Hey%20Ride/4449523-crash.pdf 

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

He was born on May 24, 1919 in Pennsylvania. His parents John and Maryanna were both born in Poland when it was part of Russia. His father worked as a coal miner. Francis had five older brothers, five older sisters, and one younger brother. His father died in 1923 from cirrhosis of the liver. Five years later his mother died of a blood clot in the liver. Francis and the other minor children were then raised by his older brother Alfred. By 1940 Francis had completed four years of high school and was working as an airplane mechanic.

He volunteered for the Army Air Forces on February 5, 1943 and became a first lieutenant and pilot in the 858th Bombardment Squadron, 492nd Bombardment Group, 8th Airforce, which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. It was first in action in England in May 1944. 

I don't know when Lt. Sidorek joined the 492nd BG or how many missions he flew. After the war ended, the 492nd BG transported servicemen and supplies from the European continent to England. On June 17, 1945 Lt. Sidorek was the pilot of the B-24L 44-49523 based out of Harrington with a crew of five other men. Five miles south, the plane experienced engine failure, went into a flat spin and crashed, killing all on board.

His grave is at St. Johns Cemetery in Dallas, Pennsylvania. 

Thank you Lt. Sidorek for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Francis.

Last year on this date I profiled Charles Anderson who served with the 4th Infantry Division in the Hurtgen Forest. You can read about Charles 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 - Thomas Psar, 101st Airborne Division

PFC Thomas Psar served with the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy and Holland.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180229932/thomas-g-psar
https://picclick.com/101st-Airborne-Division-Paratroopers-in-Elst-Holland-Post-173225833159.html

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

He was born on May 23, 1919 in Pennsylvania. His parents George and Anna were born in Austria and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father died in 1927. Thomas had three older brothers, an older sister, a younger sister, and a younger brother. By 1940 Thomas had completed eight years of education and worked as a laborer for the Sandy Run Miners and Producers Company while living with his widowed mother.

He was drafted into the army in May 1941 and first served in the Signal Corps. In 1942 he volunteered for paratrooper training, perhaps attracted by the higher pay he could send home. He became a private first class in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He arrived in England in August 1943.

PFC Psar took part in the D-Day airdrop into Normandy. He was wounded during the Normandy campaign but recovered in time for the 101st next assignment - an airdrop into Holland on September 17, 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden. The 101st was tasked with taking five bridges. They managed to take four but the Germans destroyed the fifth. The Allies also failed to take the final bridge at Arnhem and the 101st spent weeks consolidating the Allied position in Holland. 

By November 2, 1944 action had pretty much ended in the sector held by Company F. However, PFC Psar was part of a 22 man patrol that night sent to clear an enemy position across a railroad embankment and to bring back prisoners. PFC Psar was one of two men killed on that patrol.

His grave is at St. John's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Freeland, Pennsylvania. 

Thank you PFC Psar for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Thomas.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 engineer Raymond Ranville. 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 - Medic Merle Lehmkuhl, 24th Infantry Division

PFC Merle Lehmkuhl was a medic who served with the 21st Infantry Regiment in Leyte.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132312473/merle-e-lehmkuhl
https://toystoreyspot.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/1-the-us-invasion-of-leyte-october-20-1944/ 

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

He was born on May 22, 1919 in South Dakota. His parents Fred and Lillian were both born in Iowa. All four of his grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as a farmer. Merle had four older brothers. He graduated from high school in 1937 and married Dorothea Vader in July 1941.

He was drafted into the army on February 26, 1942. He became a private first class and medic who served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. PFC Lehmkuhl's unit was in Oahu in May 1942. In May 1943 it was sent to Australia. It fought in the Battle of Hollandia in April 1944. 

In October 1944 the 21st IR was given the assignment of Panaon Straights during the Leyte campaign. With that assignment completed, the 21st IR was sent north and replaced the 34th IR at Breakheart Ridge on November 5, where the Japanese had set up a fierce defense. The regiment's attempt to take the ridge were delayed by a typhoon on November 8. The ridge was secured four days later after heavy casualties. PFC Lehmkuhl was killed in action on November 10, 1944 while he was giving aid to a wounded soldier.

Merle left behind a two-year-old son he never met, by the name of Dennis. 

His grave is at Gettysburg Cemetery in Gettysburg, South Dakota. 

Per his grandson Paul Lehmkuhl, Merle's son Dennis had two daughters and two sons. Dennis became a biology professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Dorothea remarried and died in 2011.

Thank you PFC Lehmkuhl for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Merle.

Last year on this date I profiled medic Travis Tucker, 3rd Infantry Division. You can read about Travis 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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