WW2 Fallen - A-26 Invader pilot Lynn Hadfield

Lt. Lynn Hadfield was an A-26 Invader pilot in Europe.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131574739/lynn-wilson-hadfield/photo
http://www.armymag.it/2019/01/21/bombardiere-usa-abbattuto-in-germania-identificato-equipaggio-english-text-ww2/ 

Lynn Wilson Hadfield 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.

Lynn was born on October 23, 1918 in Utah. His parents William and Latella were born in England and Utah, respectively. William's first wife died in 1903. They had five children. Lynn's father worked as an assistant gardener and florist at the Utah State Capitol. Lynn had two older sister, five older brothers, and one younger sister. By 1940 Lynn was still living at home and had completed four years of college at the University of Utah. He married Betty Jean Taylor in August 1941. They had a daughter and a son.

He enlisted in the army in December 1942. He trained as an officer and a pilot and became a second lieutenant flying A-26 Invaders in the 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group. He arrived in Europe in February 1945.

On March 21, 1945 Lt. Hadfield was flying his A-26 43-22353 with his two crewmen on an interdiction mission against targets in Dulmen, Germany in preparation for Allied crossing of the Rhine two days later. The bomber was shot down by flak that tore off its right wing, but no one at the time found the crash site. 

Fast-foward to 2016 and the crash site was finally located and Lt. Hadfield's remains were recovered.

ABC-4 TV did a story about Lt. Hadfield's return home. You can watch it here: https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/74-years-later-a-wwii-veteran-comes-home/

His grave is at Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thank you Lt. Hadfield for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Lynn.
This story is also found at https://www.fold3.com/page/91289822-lynn-w-hadfield/stories. It is part of an effort to write the stories of all the Utah WW2 fallen.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-17 pilot James Feeney + famous scientist

Lt. James Feeney was the pilot of the B-17 Hell's Bells.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86331927/james-robert-feeney

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

He was born on August 30, 1919 in West Virginia. His parents Cecil and Anastasia were also both born in West Virginia. His father worked as a Chevrolet car dealer. Later he worked as a garage manager. Perhaps he lost the dealership during the Great Depression. James had one younger sister, and a younger brother who died as an infant. By 1940 James had completed two years of college. He was living at home, working odd jobs.

He volunteered for the Army Air Forces in February 1942. He became a first lieutenant and pilot in the 562nd Bombardment Squadron, 388th Bombardment Group, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. It started flying missions from its base in England in July 1943. Lt. Feeney joined his unit at a later date.

Lt. Feeney was flying B-17 #42-31115 with the nickname Hell's Bells on February 10, 1944. His was one of eighteen 388th BG bombers who made it to the target of Brunswick, Germany that day. The Americans were attacked by German fighters before and after the bombing of Brunswick. Hell's Bells was hit by flak over the target so it lagged the other bombers for the return trip. This attracted the attention of German fighters. Lt. Feeney's plane was shot down over Utigeest, Holland. Seven men survived and became POWs. Four were killed, including Lt. Feeney.

His grave is at Machpelah Cemetery in Weston, West Virginia.

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

MAURICE HILLEMAN
Someone else born on the same day as James Feeney was Maurice Hilleman, who was born in Montana. His twin sister died the day he was born and his mother died two days later. He was raised by an uncle. Following up on an early interest in science, Hilleman graduated from the University of Montana in 1941. He got a doctorate degree from the University of Chicago in 1944. 

Soon after graduating he developed a vaccine against Japanese B encephalitis. This help fight a disease that American troops in the Pacific were dealing with during World War 2. After the war he became chief of the Department of Respiratory Disease at Army Medical Center. While there he discovered the genetic changes that occur when the influenza virus mutates. He went on to a distinguished scientific career.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Hilleman

In 1988 President Roland Reagan presented Hilleman with the National Medal of Science, America's highest scientific honor.  He died in 2005.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 ball turret Shirley Jones. You can read about Shirley 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 Roy Auer, 2nd Marine Division + brother

Cpl. Roy Auer earned the Silver Star for trying to save a burning ammunition dump on Saipan.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35297181/roy-noble-auer
https://alchetron.com/Battle-of-Saipan 

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

He was born on August 29, 1919 in Indiana. His parents George and Lillie were also both born in Indiana. His father worked as a farmer. Roy had one older brother, three younger brothers, and two younger sisters. By 1940 Roy had completed four years of high school and was working as a waiter.

Inspired by the valiant yet doomed defense of Wake by the US Marines, Roy enlisted in the US Marines on Christmas Eve 1941. He became a corporal in the HQ & Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Cpl. Auer saw action at Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Tarawa.

In August 1942, brother Lewis was killed in a training accident when the 37mm field artillery gun he was manning had a shell explode prematurely.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23945397

Cpl. Auer's last battle was at Saipan. He took part in the first day landing on June 15, 1944. On June 20, 1944 the Japanese infiltrated through the American lines after dark and started an ammo dump on fire. Cpl. Auer was one of twenty Leathernecks who tried to save the ammo. They were all killed by a tremendous explosion.

Cpl. Auer was posthumously awarded the Silver Cross. His citation includes the following:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, in action against the Japanese forces in Saipan, Marianas Islands, 20 June 1944. Courageously volunteering to enter a blazing dump to which contained vast supplies of artillery and mortar ammunition Corporal Auer worked desperately to extinguish the flames threatening further stores of explosives. 

"Mortally wounded in carrying out his heroic task, Corporal Auer, by his alert initiative, superb daring and unflinching devotion to duty at the risk of his own life, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services He gallantly gave his life for his country."

His grave is at Salem Cemetery in Kosciusko County, Indiana, right next to his brother Lewis.

You can watch a YouTube tribute to Cpl. Auer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVGjXH8pkI 

Thank you Roy and Lewis for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Auer brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled B-25 pilot Laula Middleton. You can read about Laula 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 Himalayas Fallen - MIA B-25 co-pilot Charles Cannon

Lt. Charles Cannon was a B-25 co-pilot in India and China.
 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44478087

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

Charles was born on August 28, 1919 in Concord, North Carolina. His parents Charles Sr. and Ruth were also born in North Carolina. His father was president of Cannon Mills Company, a large textiles manufacturer. Charles had two older sisters, one older brother, and one younger sister. In 1940 Charles had completed four years of college and was living at home and working in the family business. He married the former Mildred White on 21 September 1940 and they had a son, Charles Albert Cannon III.

Charles Jr. volunteered for service in the US Army Air Forces in September 1942 and after completing flight training was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1944. He was assigned to the 2nd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 10th Air Force, based in Gushkara, India, as a co-pilot aboard B-25 Mitchell aircraft. The 2nd Squadron had the unenviable task of flying weather reconnaissance missions over the China-Burma-India hump in support of 10th Air Force operations to resupply the Chinese war effort and US Army Air Forces combat units based in China. 

Flying over the Himalayas was extremely dangerous and made more difficult by a lack of reliable charts, an absence of radio navigation aids, and dearth of information about the weather. The air route wound its way into the high mountains and deep gorges between north Burma and west China, where violent turbulence, 125 to 200 mph winds, icing, and inclement weather conditions were a regular occurrence. Typical 2nd Squadron missions were flown over hazardous uncharted terrain in the face of extreme weather conditions and probable enemy interception, without benefit of fighter escort, in heavily loaded B-25 aircraft modified and equipped for long range weather reconnaissance. Weather data provided by the squadron was instrumental in the success of the India–China airlift, which delivered approximately 650,000 tons of materiel to China at great cost in men and aircraft during its 42-month history.

By March 1945, 2nd Lt. Cannon had completed 29 operational missions. On 10 March 1945, he was co-pilot aboard B-25D 43-3671, nicknamed “A Bit of Lace”, which departed Gushkara, India bound for Chengtu, China. The aircraft landed at Myitkyina, Burma for refueling prior to proceeding on to Chengtu, but was never seen or heard from again. Once the aircraft was determined to be missing, a search was conducted along the probable flight path but no trace was found and all seven crew members, including 2nd Lt. Cannon, were presumed dead. Lt. Cannon was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement.

Charles Albert Cannon Jr. is memorialized in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, and in Oakwood Cemetery in Concord, North Carolina. His wife remarried several years after the war and died in 1976.

Thank you Lt. Cannon for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Charles.

_____

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 Joseph Sullivan of the USS Juneau of the famed five Sullivan brothers. You can read about Joseph 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 Guy Earnest, 84th Infantry Division

Lt. Guy Earnest earned the Silver Star while serving with the 84th Infantry Division.
The photo above, of 333rd Infantry Regiment troops, was taken the day he was killed.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37717926/guy-w-earnest
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/555983516483476520/?lp=true 

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

He was born on August 27, 1919 in Virginia. His parents Walter and Ella were born in Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. His father worked as a carpenter. Guy had two older brothers and an older sister. His parents divorced in 1931. Ella took her children to Miami, Florida where she worked as a teacher.

Guy enlisted in the army much earlier than most of his contemporaries - October 1938. At some point he married and had a daughter. He joined as an enlisted man and made tech sergeant by June 1942. I don't know what unit he first served in but he was overseas during most of 1943, probably in Sicily and Italy. He may have received a battlefield officer's commission. He was sent home to provide experience junior officer leadership as a first lieutenant in the HQ Company, 334th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division  (nicknamed "The Rail Splitters"). The 84th Infantry Division was a late arrival to the European theater of operations, not reaching England unit October 1944. 

It first saw combat on November 18, 1944 north of Aachen, Germany. Lt. Earnest was a communications officer. On the second day of action he was killed while attempting the reestablish communications for his unit. A Miami newspaper reported he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Unfortunately, I was not able to find the citation.

His grave is at Miami City Cemetery in Miami, Florida. I don't know what happened to his widow or daughter.

Thank you Lt. Earnest for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Guy.

UPDATE 
from Christine Hargis, the daughter of Lt. Earnest's widow:

When I found your blog I saw a face I haven't seen in a very long time. I recognized the picture in your blog from a picture I looked at a lot as a small child of a tall slender man in a uniform with a dog. 

My mother's maiden name was Ruby Lea Humphrey. My mother's first husband was Guy Earnest. All I know about him is what my mother said about him. He was the Love of her life and he was killed in WWII when my oldest sister was a baby. She was poor so she did not have the money to bring Guy home. Guy's family was angry with her and ultimately shut her and my sister out of their lives. Guy's family saved their money and they did bring Guy home but never said anything to my mother after that. 

My Mother remarried about the time my oldest sister was 9 years old and she had my sister, my brother and me. 

Last year on this date I profiled Okinawa fallen, Seaman Elmer Williams, USS Braine. You can read about Elmer 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 Guadalcanal Fallen - Navy Cross hero Barney Sterling, 1st Marine Division

Cpl. Braney Sterling, 1st Marine Division, earned the Navy Cross for action at the Battle of the Tenaru.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134870553/barney-sterling
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usmcarchives/36545717782

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

He was born on August 26, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents Nathan and Claire Brodsky were both born in Russia. Barney was listed as a Brodsky for the 1920 and 1930 census. I don't know why Barney ended up with a different last name on his military record. His mother was 16 when he was born. Perhaps he had a different biological father. The father who raised him worked as a lady's tailor. Barney had one younger sister. By 1940 Nathan had completed three years of high school.

He volunteered for the US Marines in October 1940. He became a corporal in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. The 1st Marine Regiment was one of the first American units to take the fight to the enemy when it landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. The Marines quickly captured Henderson Field and set up defensive positions to defend it from Japanese counterattack.

On August 19, the Japanese dropped off an elite unit of about 900 men. Although instructed to wait until more troops arrived, the Japanese commander was confident his seasoned battle-tested men could easily overrun the novice Americans. He was proved tragically wrong.

As they advanced west to attack the Americans, the Japanese were surprised to find them well positioned much closer than the anticipated at the Tenaru River. The frontal assaults were no match for American machine-gun positions. By morning the entire Japanese force was completely defeated. Only 30 men got away. It did not stop the Japanese wounded and dying from continuing to shoot at Marines rendering them aid. Only 15 Japanese were captured. Cpl. Sterling was one of less than four dozen Americans killed in the battle. For his actions he was awarded the Navy Cross.

Cpl. Sterling's citation is as follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Barney Sterling (MCSN: 300443), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a member of a Rifle Company of the Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese armed forces at the Tenaru River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 21 August 1942. 

Performing patrol duty and armed only with a rifle when an overwhelming Japanese landing force launched a furious attack, Private First Class Sterling, together with two other Marines, promptly deployed and held off the enemy in their sector by fierce and desperate fighting. 

Valiantly carrying on after enemy fire had killed one of the group, Private First Class Sterling manned a light machine gun and maintained his unyielding defense of our positions in spite of terrific odds until he, too, was killed. 

His dauntless spirit of self-sacrifice and his unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great peril sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at Wellwood Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.

Thank you Cpl. Sterling for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Barney.

Last year on this date I profiled Auville Eager, 45th Infantry Division. You can read about  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 - Football star Eso Naranche, 34th Infantry Division

Lt. Eso Naranche was a platoon leader in the 34th Infantry Division in Tunisia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124231280/eso-naranche
http://ww2today.com/1st-may-1943-the-us-34th-division-takes-hill-609 

Eso Naranche 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.

Eso was born on October 19, 1918 in Montana. His parents Eso and Martha were both born in what became Yugoslavia. His father worked as a copper miner and died in 1935. Eso had an older brother and sister and a younger brother. Eso was an accomplished athlete in high school. He worked as a miner to pay his way through college. By 1940 Eso was living with his sister in Butte, Montana and attending the University of Montana, studying business administration, playing fullback on the football team, and also playing on the track team. He also participated in ROTC. He was a star of the 1942 East-West Shrine football game. He graduated in 1942. He was married to Dolores Walker.

He enlisted in the US Army in June 1942 and was committed as an officer. He became a second lieutenant and platoon leader in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. The 34th Infantry was known as the “Red Bull” Division, and has the distinction of having taken more enemy-defended hills than any other US Army Division in WWII. The 34th ID began combat operations in November 1942 in North Africa. It defeated Vichy troops in Algeria.

A hometown newspaper story in February reported that Lt. Naranche's unit was caught behind enemy lines and was able to sneak away under cover of night. Lt. Naranche was killed in action on March 28, 1943 while his unit was advancing on Fondouk el Aouareb.

Butte High School's football stadium was renamed Naranche Stadium in his honor and is still in use today.

His grave is at Mountain View Cemetery in Butte, Montana. He is buried next to his mother, a request he made to his wife if he didn't make it home. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Lt. Naranche for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Eso.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-17 radio operator Archie Snoddy

B-17 radio operator Sergeant Archie Snoddy served in the 303rd Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122535030/archie-eugene-snoddy/photo

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

He was born on August 25, 1919 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. His parents Homer and Mae Belle were born in Iowa and Minnesota, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and after the depression started as a railroad laborer. Archie had one younger brother.

He enlisted in the army in May 1942 and volunteered to serve in the Army Air Forces. He was trained as a radioman and earned the rank of sergeant in the 351st Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. The 303rd BG was one of the first heavy bomber units put into action in Europe, arriving in November 1942. Sgt. Snoddy was flying in action at least by July 1944. One month before that he married Ruth Mackey, a corporal in the army who taught radio skills to radio operators like Sgt. Snoddy.

It was sent out on its 229th mission of the war on August 15, 1944. The target was an airfield near Wiesbaden, Germany. Thirty-nine planes were dispatched and eleven planes returned with battle damage while another nine did not come back at all. This included Sgt. Snoddy in Hell in the Heavens. The bomber was attacked from behind by FW-190s. The pilot ordered everyone to bail out and the left wing caught fire. The copilot flew the plane for 10 more minutes and then bailed. The five men in the front of the plane survived as POWs. Sgt. Snoddy and the other four in the rear of the plane did not survive. The plane crashed near Koblenz Germany.

He was originally reported missing in action. In November 1944 his young brother Lee, serving in the army, was also reported missing in action. Lee survived being a POW, came home and lived until 2005. It would not be until the war was over that his parents learned that Archie had not survived.

His grave is at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Sgt. Snoddy for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Archie.

Last year on this date I profiled double Navy Cross hero Francis Fagan, 2rd Marine Division who fought at Iwo Jima. 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 - Silver Star hero Charles Murphy, 7th Infantry Division

Captain William Murphy, shown with wife and son in the photo above, earned the Silver Star on Kwajalein.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156322800/charles-william-murphy
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/pacific/kwajalein/7th-infantry-division-soldiers-advance-on-kwajalein/

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

He was born on August 24, 1919 in Salt Creek, Wyoming. His parents Charles and Irene were  born in South Dakota and Illinois, respectively. His father worked as a pool hall clerk and later as a pool hall owner in Nampa, Idaho. Charles had a young brother and younger sister. By 1940 Charles junior had completed two years of college. He was still living at home and worked as a fraternity home treasurer. He went on to graduate from the University of Idaho and married Billie Louise. They had one son.

The day after he graduated from college, June 10, 1941, Charles was commissioned an officer in the US Army. He rose to the rank of captain in Company C, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. The 7th ID was stationed in California when the war started. It first saw action in Attu, Alaska in May 1943. Moved to the Marshall Islands in January 1944, it took part in the capture of Kwajalein.

The 7th Infantry Division landed on Kwajalein Atoll on January 31, 1944, the next stop on the planned island hopping to Japan.

Captain Murphy was wounded on February 3 while Company C was busy clearing out Japanese from hidden installations on the final day of the battle. He died two days later. The 7th ID lost 176 men KIA in taking Kwajalein, relatively light casualties compared to what would happen later at Leyte and Okinawa.

According to a March 25, 1945 Idaho Stateman newspaper story, Captain Murphy earned the Bronze Star at Attu and the Silver Star at Kwajalein on the day he was mortally wounded. Unfortunately, I was not able to find either citation.

His grave is at Cloverdale Memorial Park in Boise, Idaho. I don't know what happened to his widow and son.

Thank you Captain Murphy for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Charles.

Last year on this date I profiled John Lanzi, 1st Special Forces, aka the Devil's Brigade. 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 - B-17 navigator Thomas Meeks

Lt. Thomas Meeks was the navigator of the B-17 Klo Kay on its first and only mission.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/87013853/thomas-jefferson-meeks
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/3640 

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

He was born on August 23, 1919 in North Carolina. His parents Lester and Elvira were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a farmer. Thomas had one older sister, five younger brothers, and five younger sisters. By 1940 Thomas was living at home and had completed four years of college at East Carolina Teacher's College.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on August 17, 1941. He became a second lieutenant and navigator in the 410th Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. Lt. Meeks and the 94th arrived in England in April 1943. He flew with the very first 94th BG mission of the war in June.

On June 13, 1943 the 4th Air Wing assigned 60 bombers to hit the U-boat pens at Kiel Germany. One of those planes was B-17 #42-29705 nicknamed Klo Kay, with Lt. Meeks acting as navigator. It was shot down by German fighter planes and crashed near Preetz, seven miles south-east of Kiel. The pilot became a POW. The other nine men, including Lt. Meeks were killed. Out of 60 planes on the mission, 21 others besides Klo Kay were shot down and another 24 returned to England damaged. Prior to this mission, the Army Air Force was of the opinion that the heavily armed B-17s would be able to hold their own. This mission proved that they would need fighter escorts.

His grave is at Greenwood Cemetery in Greenville, North Carolina.

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

Last year on this date I profiled Okinawa fallen Gerald Baker, USS Hugh W. Hadley. You can read about Gerald 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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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org