WW2 Fallen - Frank Horabik, 9th Infantry Division

PFC Frank Horabik served with the 9th Infantry Division in Tunisia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40877703/frank-j-horabik
https://9thinfantrydivision.net/battle-history/tunisia-battle/ 

Frank J. Horabik, 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.

Frank Horabik was born on October 8, 1918 in Pennsylvania. His parents Frank and Mary were also both born in what became Poland. They immigrated to the United States in 1906. His father worked as a coal miner. Frank junior had three older sisters, one older brother, one younger sister and three younger brothers. By 1940 Frank had completed eight years of education and was still living at home. He found work as a coal miner. 

Frank Sr. died in a coal mine accident in February 1942 when a large lump of coal fell on him, causing him to fall on his pick. Frank Jr. volunteered to join the army on September 20, 1940. He became a private first class in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Old Reliables"). The 9th ID was one of the first American units deployed in WW2. It fought in Algeria in November 1942 and in Tunisia during the spring on 1943.

PFC Horabik fought at the Battle of El Guettar in Tunisia in late March and early April 1943. 

He died on April 6, 1943, either from wounds from that battle, or in the advance north after the battle.

His grave is at Saint Marys Roman Catholic Cemetery in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

Thank you PFC Horabik for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Frank.

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-17 gunner Bernard Vermeer + famous sportscaster

Sgt. Bernard Vermeer served with the 305th Bomb Group in England.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65971223/bernard-m_-vermeer/photo
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/254 

UPDATED 8/1/2019

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

He was born on July 31, 1919 in Iowa. His parents Peter and Johanna were also both born in Iowa. His father worked as a farmer. Bernard had one older sister, two older brothers, and two younger bothers. By 1940 Bernard had completed four years of high school. He was living at home and worked as a farm laborer.

He entered the Army Air Forces in August 1942. He was trained to be gunner and reached the rank of tech sergeant with the 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group. which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. He arrived in England in August 1944. He flew at least two complete bombing missions.

On October 5, 1943 Sgt. Vermeer was on a practice flight over England when the bail out bell rang by mistake. Before word could get back to the three men at the back of the plane, they jumped. Because it was only flying at 350 feet there was not enough time for Sgt. Vermeer's parachute to open completely. He was killed in this tragic accident.

Younger brother David, born in 1924, also joined the Army Air Forces. He was trained as a pilot and flew B-17s. He served in the 613th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group. While on a mission to bomb the railroad marshaling yards Berlin on March 18, 1945. His plane, nicknamed Lady Jane II, was shot down by a Me-262 jet. David and three other of the crew were killed and five became POWs. The reason this adds up to nine instead of the normal crew of ten is because this late in the war, the planes normally flew with only one waist gunner because there was little German fighter protection. (Big thanks to Randy Buckner who brought to my attention that I had overlooked David's service in my original profile.)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56361415/david-e-vermeer

Bernard's grave is at Memory Gardens Sioux Center Cemetery in Sioux Center, Iowa.

David's grave is at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium.

Thank you Sgt. Vermeer for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Bernard.

CURT GOWDY
Famed sports announcer Curt Gowdy shared a birth year and birthday with Bernard Vermeer. Gowdy was born in Wyoming. He excelled in sports in high school and college and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1942. Gowdy joined the Army Air Forces and was slated to become a fighter pilot. However, a ruptured disk in his spine, caused by a pre-existing sports injury, forced the army to grant him a medical discharge in 1943.

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/06df561b

After the war, Gowdy started announcing games for a local Wyoming radio station. In the 1950s he called games for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. By the 1960s he became a national sportscaster for NBC and ABC. He called World Series, Super Bowls, Olympic Games, and NCAA Final Fours.

Gowdy passed away in 2006.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero and medic Frank Petrarca. You can read about Frank 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 - C-47 co-pilot John Lukaszczyk & 15 nurses lost in same plane crash

Captain John Lukaszczyk was a C-47 co-pilot in the China-Burma-India Theater.
The Morning Herald (Uniontown PA), 14 June 1941.
http://www.miac47burmawwii.org/41-38656-b.html
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84554395/john-j_-lukaszczyk

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

He was born on July 30, 1919 in Pennsylvania. His parents Frank and Sophia were born in what became Poland and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father worked as a coal miner and later as a bus driver. John had three younger brothers and a younger sister. By 1940 John had completed four years of high school. He was living at home and worked as a retail grocery clerk.

He volunteered for the army in September 1940. At some point after the war started he volunteered for the Army Air Forces and was trained as a pilot. John became a captain (in early 1945) in the 11th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3rd Combat Cargo Group. The 11th CCS provided aerial transportation in China, Burma, and India beginning in June 1944. Its main role was flying troops to the front and evacuating casualties to hospitals in India. Captain Lukaszczyk would have flown many dangerous trips over the Himalayan Mountains to China and back.

On March 4, 1945, Captain Lukaszczyk was the co-pilot of C-47 Skytrain #41-18554 on a flight with 4 crew and 23 passengers, including 15 female nurses. As the plane was making its approach to land at Dinjan Military Base in the upper Assam Valley in India, it made a turn too low, due to fog, and crashed and burned. All onboard were lost. This was the single highest fatality of American female nurses in WW2. At the time, it was the third worst air accident ever in India. In despair, the officer, who authorized the flight under less than optimal weather conditions, committed suicide. At the time of the crash, Captain Lukaszczyk had been waiting for his orders to return home to arrive.

His grave is at Sylvan Heights Cemetery in Oliver, Pennsylvania.

Thank you Lt. Lukaszczyk for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 Charles Foard. 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 - Jack Chambers, 2nd Armored Division

Cpl. Jack Chambers served with the 2nd Armored Division in France and Belgium.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8691701/jack-russell-chambers
https://www.eucmh.be/2016/08/26/order-battle-2nd-armored-division/ 

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

He was born on July 29, 1919 in West Virginia. His parents Roy and May were born in Ohio and West Virginia, respectively. His father worked as a coal mine assistant foreman and later as a night watchman. Jack had three younger sisters and two younger brothers. By 1940 Jack had completed eight years of education. While living at home he worked as a janitor.

He was drafted into the army on April 28, 1942. He became a corporal in the Recon Company,  67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division (nickname "Hell on Wheels"). The 2nd Armored 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.

After the Normandy breakout, the 2nd AD advance through France to Belgium. On September 13, 1944, in the city of Hasselt, Belgium, Cpl. Chambers was on a patrol with his company commander. Enemy fire killed both the captain and Cpl. Chambers.

His grave is at Warrick Cemetery in Cuzzie, West Virginia.

Thank you Cpl. Chambers for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jack.

Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and B-24 navigator Walter Dunbar. You can read about Walter 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 - Silver Star hero Dale Roysdon, 82nd Airborne Division

Captain Dale Roysdon, 82nd Airborne Division was mortally wounded shortly after his unit knocked out the tanks in the above photo.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14588091/dale-a-roysdon
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/airborne-at-la-fiere-slugfest-in-normandy/

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

He was born on July 28, 1919 in Red Lodge, Montana. His parents Morris and Lucy were born in Iowa and Montana, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and later as a retail furniture merchant. Dale had a younger brother. By 1940 Dale was still living with his parents and had completed three years of college. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1941 with a degree in business administration.

He enlisted in the army on June 9, 1941, became a commissioned officer and volunteered for the paratroopers. He became a captain in the HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action in both Sicily and Italy. 

Captain Roysdon was serving as the battalion operations officer when the 505th PIR troops were loaded into C-47s on the evening of June 5, 1944 for an airdrop into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. While many of the paratroopers were dropped miles from their planned drop zones, the 1st Battalion 505 PIR was dropped where it was supposed to land. 

The 1st Battalion was tasked with taking a bridge at La Fiere to deny the Germans a pathway to attack the troops on Utah Beach. The Germans held off the paratroopers for most of the morning, but multiple attacks wore down the enemy and they they finally surrendered. At 4 pm the Germans counterattacked from the west, led by three light French-made tanks. In front of the tanks the Germans had placed captured paratroopers to act as human shields and to keep the Americans from firing in their direction. Bazookas and 57mm fire eventually took out the three tanks. The Americans were still exposed to mortar fire and Captain Roysdon was mortally wounded while carrying up rocket ammunition for the bazookas. He died shortly thereafter.

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

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Dale A. Roysdon (ASN: 0-414812), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 6 June 1944, near ****, France. 

Dropping into France on D-Day by parachute, Captain Roysdon demonstrated great initiative in assembling and organizing his battalion. As the Battalion Operations Officer, Captain Roysdon's superior skill and ability in the issuance of concise orders, orientating unit commanders and in leading the battalion through enemy held territory to the objective were dominant factors in the success of the mission. 

Fearlessly exposing himself to intense mortar and small arms fire, Captain Roysdon moved over all parts of the field of battle to better direct his men in the repulsing of heavy enemy counter-attacks. While moving to a forward point in order that he might better aid in the control of his men, Captain Roysdon was killed by enemy mortar fire. 

His aggressiveness and superior tactical knowledge and personal example of gallantry and courage were inspiring to his men, and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.

His grave is at Laurel Cemetery in Laurel, Montana.

Thank you Captain Roysdon for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Dale.

Last year on this date I profiled Paul Ilvies, 9th Infantry Division who fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. You can read about Paul here.

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

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

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 - Karl Elvegaard, 99th Infantry Battalion

Cpl. Karl Elvegaard served with the Norwegian speaking 99th Infantry Battalion.
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-henri-chapelle-e/55898-elvegaard-karl-p
https://www.willistonherald.com/when-grandpa-went-to-war/article_0e34061a-69df-11e4-bb31-7f3167f68c42.html 

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

He was born on July 27, 1919 in Trondheim, Norway. His parents Anthony and Unna were also both born in Norway. Karl had one sister. The family came to America in 1926 and settled in Pennsylvania. By 1940 he had completed two years of high school and worked as a smelter furnace man for Bethlehem Steel.

He enlisted in the army on March 24, 1941. He became a corporal in the HQ Company, 99th Infantry Battalion. This unique battalion was composed of men of Norwegian descent with knowledge of the language and trained to ski. At one point plans were to use the unit for an invasion of Norway. That never materialized so the 99th was sent to France and arrived on Omaha Beach on June 22, 1944 in time to participate in the Battle of Cherbourg. After fighting in the Normandy Campaign, it fought across France into the Rhineland. 

When the German offensive that became known as the Battle of the Bulge began, the 99th IB was sent to Malmedy to help stop the German advance. Cpl. Elvegaard was killed in action on December 29, 1944 when the 99th IB attacked the town of Otaimont.

His grave is at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Liege, Belgium.

Thank you Cpl. Elvegaard for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Karl.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero and medic Frederick Murphy, 65th Infantry Division. You can read about Frederick 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 - P-39 fighter pilot Marion Sapp

 Lt. Marion Sapp was a P-39 pilot in the 12th Fighter Squadron.https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52840103/marion-l_-sapp
https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/flying-the-p-39-airacobra-in-the-pacific-posed-challenges/

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

He was born on July 26, 1919 in Missouri. His parents Franklin and Ora were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as an implement salesman and later as a radio station manager. Marion had an older brother, an older sister, and two younger brothers. By 1940 Marion had completed one year of college and was working as a grocery store clerk while living with his parents.

He enlisted in the army, was accepted into flight school, and became a second lieutenant in the 12th Fighter Squad, 18th Fighter Group, which was equipped with P-40 Warhawks and P-39 Airacobras. 

Lt. Sapp was killed on November 28, 1942. At that point the 12th FS was operating in the South Pacific flying patrols between Christmas Island and Vanuatu. His plane crashed in the New Hebrides after experiencing engine failure. He bailed out but it was too low for his chute to work.

His grave is at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia, Missouri.

Thank you Lt. Sapp for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Marion.

Last year on this date I profiled Omar Kolstad, USS Vincennes, Battle of Savo Island. You can read about Omar 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 - Burl Higgins, 91st Infantry Division

Sgt. Burl Higgins served with the 91st Infantry Division during its successful advance from Chianni to Pontedera.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101923169/burl-shannon-higgins
https://www.lonesentry.com/91stdivision/ch3.html

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

He was born on July 25, 1919 in Shelbyville, Illinois. His parents Grover and Bessie were also both born in Illinois. His father worked as a railroad brakeman and later as a house painter. He died in 1935. Burl had two older brothers and one older sister. By 1940 Burl had completed eight years of schooling. He was living with his widowed mother and worked as a railroad laborer. At some point he married Dorothy Madge Jordan and they had one daughter.

He was drafted into the army on August 17, 1943. He became a sergeant in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division (nicknamed "Wild West Division"). The 91st ID was sent to Italy in June 1944.

On July 12, 1944 the 91st ID was near Chianni, Italy. It was given the assignment to take the high ground dominating the Arno River. It was rough, mountainous terrain facing an enemy in prepared positions. Although it was a green unit, the 91st ID made steady advances every day. Fighting was especially difficult on July 17 when Sgt. Higgins' battalion came under heavy 88mm and mortar fire. The Americans repelled three counterattacks, suffering heavy losses. The 2nd battalion had to be pulled off the line that night because of the high casualties. Sgt. Higgins was likely wounded in this battle and died the next day, July 18, 1944.

His grave is at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, Illinois. His widow remarried, and died in 2012.

Thank you Sgt. Higgins for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Burl.

Last year on this date I profiled Andrew Hepburn, Bataan Death March survivor and the most decorated air mission of war. You can read about Andrew 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 - George Baragona, 82nd Airborne

Pvt. George Baragona, 82nd Airborne Division, landed near the Norman village of Graignes on D-Day.
http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/battle-of-graignes-an-hq-companys-heroic-last-stand-in-normandy/ 

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

He was born on July 24, 1919 in Louisiana. His parents Joseph and Clara were born in Louisiana and Mississippi, respectively. His father worked as a box factory laborer and later as a saw mill laborer. George had two older brothers, two older sisters, five younger brothers and one younger sister. By 1940 George had completed three years of high school (where he was a star on the basketball team) and was still living at home.

He was drafted into the army on May 29, 1941. At some point that year he heard about the new elite paratrooper regiments and volunteered to become a paratrooper. He became a private in the Service Company, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The 507th was sent to England in December 1943. When the 504th PIR was too mauled up from fighting in Italy, the 507th PIR took its place with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Pvt. Baragona boarded a C-47 transport on the evening of June 5, 1944 for an early morning drop into Normandy on D-Day. Distrupted by German Flak as they approached the coast of Normandy, the planes in Pvt. Baragona's group got disoriented and ended up dropping its paratroopers in the wrong location. 150 men were dropped 15 miles south of their planned drop zone, landing in marshes south of Carentan. The mislanded paratroopers congregated at the village of Graignes in the morning. The officers in command decided to hold their ground with their few dozen men, even though they were miles away from any other American units.

During the day, paratroopers and villagers retrieved ammunition and other supplies that had landed in the marshes north of town. The Americans were low on food so the Graignes villagers collected food for them. More misdropped soldiers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions joined the isolated troops in Graignes to reach a total of 182 men. For three days they saw no Germans, but the also saw no advancing Americans from Utah Beach. On June 12 the Germans arrived in force and overwhelmed the outnumbered paratroopers. Pvt. Baragona was either killed in action or he was executed by the Germans after he was captured. The Germans also executed many villagers for helping the Americans. Those who perpetrated these atrocities were never brought to justice after the war.

You can read a detailed account of the Battle of Graignes here: http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/battle-of-graignes-an-hq-companys-heroic-last-stand-in-normandy/ 

His grave is at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Slidell, Louisiana. The date of June 6, 1944 is probably erroneous.

Thank you Pvt. Baragona for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for George.

Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero Walter Nelson, 9th Infantry Division, Hurtgen Forest. You can read about Walter 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 - Antisubmarine B-24 pilot John Dale

Lt. John Dale served in the 480th Antisubmarine Group flying B-24 Liberators.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123150174/john-edmund-dale

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Air_Forces_Antisubmarine_Command
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1599940/mount-hebron-cemetery

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

John was born July 23, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents John Sr. and Rosalie were also born in Pennsylvania. His father was president of a coal company. He had one younger brother. John graduated from Amherst College in 1940 with the goal of working in the banking industry, but enlisted in the US Army Air Corps the day after Pearl Harbor.

He graduated from aviation training in July 1942 and was assigned to fly B-24 Liberator bombers. In December 1942, 2nd Lieutenant Dale was assigned to the 480th Antisubmarine Group. The 480th was formed on 19 June 1943 with the mission to shore up scanty Allied antisubmarine defenses in the Atlantic approaches to the Straits of Gibraltar. U-boats had very recently sunk four ships in an Allied convoy about a hundred miles off the coast of Portugal. Over the long term, the Allies wanted to increase air antisubmarine patrols and convoy coverage to protect their preparations for the impending Tunisian offensive and the subsequent invasion of Sicily.

Using modified B-24 bombers equipped with radar, external fuel tanks, and other antisubmarine equipment, the 480th patrolled the Atlantic Ocean north and west from Morocco providing convoy coverage for ships sailing from or approaching the Straits of Gibraltar. On 11 May 1943, 2nd Lt. Dale and five others in his ten-man crew were killed when their B-24 crashed on take off from their home base. I was unable to find any information on the circumstances of the crash.

John Edmund Dale Jr. is buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

Thank you Lt. Dale 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 Navy Cross hero Robert Turnbull of the 3rd Marine Division. You can read about Robert 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 - P-38 pilot George Brewer

Lt. George Brewer flew P-38s with the 430th Fighter Group in England and France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121252029/george-h-brewer/photo
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/1072 

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

He was born on July 22, 1919 in Kansas. His parents Harry and Bessie were both born in Iowa. By 1920 the Brewer family was living in Iowa, and Harry Brewer worked as a garage laborer. George had two older brothers, one older sister, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters. By 1940 George had completed one year of college and was living as a roomer in Des Moines.

He enlisted in the army on November 7, 1942 and became a first lieutenant in the 430th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. He flew P-38 Lightnings.

The 474th FG provided tactical air support to the US First Army. It operated out of Warmwell, England beginning in April 1944 until it moved its base to St. Lambert, France in August.

On September 12, 1944 American troops were moving towards the West Wall near Aachen and called in air support from the 474th FG to fly search and destroy missions between Aachen and Dueren.  This area was being patrolled by a large squadron of Bf 109s and Fw 190s. Lt. Brewer was shot down near Froitzheim. (thanks to Frank Gueth for providing these details.)

His grave is at Oakhill Cemetery in Centerville Iowa.

Thank you Lt. Brewer for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for George.

Last year on this date I profiled B-17 navigator Leo Tomaso. You can read about Leo 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 - James Bromley, 1st Armored Division

Cpl. James Bromley served in the 1st Armored Division in Tunisia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128500657/james-darrell-bromley
Battle Orders: US Armored Units in the North African and Italian Campaigns 1942-1945
Salt Lake Telegram, 24 December 1942

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

He was born on July 21, 1919 in Utah. His parents Frank and Elizabeth were also both born in Utah. His father worked as a railroad fireman and later as a railroad engineer. He died of cancer in 1942. James had one older brother and one younger sister. By 1940 he had completed four years of high school and was still living at home. He got a job working for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

He was drafted into the army on February 18, 1941. He reached the rank of corporal in Company D, 1st Battalion, 13th Armored Regiment. The 13th AR was equipped with M3 tanks to use in its reconnaissance role. It was sent overseas to England in May 1942. It was designated to take part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Vichy controlled North Africa. 

With Morocco and Algeria secured, the Allies moved to take Tunisia. The Germans rushed the  experienced 10th Panzer Division to repel the Allies. On December 2, 1942, the 13th AR around Tebourba was given the job of stopping the German counterattack. The Americans made a charge that was no match for the German 88mm guns. The battlefield was littered with burning M3 hulks. Cpl. was likely wounded in this battle and died the next day, December 3, 1942.

His grave is at Ogden City Cemetery in Ogden, Utah.

Thank you Corporal Bromley for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Corporal Bromley's story is also told at https://www.fold3.com/page/638677573-james-d-bromley/stories. It is part of the Stories Behind the Stars program, Utah pilot.

Last year on this date I profiled Annapolis graduate and Silver Star hero Richie Henderson, USS Wahoo. You can read about Richie 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