WW2 Fallen - Joseph Tatsey, 25th Infantry Division

PFC Joseph Tatsey served with the 35th Infantry Regiment at Vella LaVella.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31215756/joseph-tatsey
http://www.cacti35th.com/history/1916-45/VELLA%20LAVELLA.pdf

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

He was born on October 31, 1919 in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana. His parents John and Belle were also both born in Montana. His grandfather was named Joseph, which probably explains how he is Joseph the Third. His father worked as a rancher and later as a trapper and still later as an Indian Service Road Project laborer. Joseph had a younger brother and sister. By 1940 Joseph had completed seven years of education. He married Agnes Whiteman in 1940.

He enlisted in the army on April 7, 1941. He became a private first class in the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. The 25th ID was sent to Guadalcanal in November 1942 to relieve the marines who had been there since August. 

On August 15, 1943 the 35th IR was tasked with taking Vella LaVella. The Japanese tried to stop the landing with Zero fighters and Val dive-bombers trying to sink the incoming landing craft. No ships were sunk, but 50 men were wounded and another 12 were killed, including PFC Tatsey. Vella LaVella would prove to be one of the less costly victories for the Americans - 150 men were killed in nearly two months of fighting.

His grave is at Saint Anns Catholic Cemetery in Heart Butte, Montana. His widow died in 1947.

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

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero and B-17 navigator Walter Truemper. 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
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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

100 Year Old Navy Cross hero "Dusty" Kleiss, Battle of Midway

https://www.facebook.com/NeverCallMeAHero/

I'm doing something I have not done before as part of this WW2 Fallen project.

I am recommending a book that was written by World War 2 hero Norman Jack "Dusty" Kleiss. The name of the book is Never Call Me A Hero: A Legendary American Dive-Bomber Pilot Remembers the Battle of Midway.

The upcoming $75 million budgeted movie Midway is going to bring some extra attention to the most important naval battle of World War 2. I have read that the movie will focus on Enterprise dive-bomber pilot Dick Best. Dusty Kleiss was in the same squadron as Lt. Best so he participated in the same morning attacks on the Japanese carriers Akagi and Kaga and the afternoon attack on Hiryu. In fact Dusty Kleiss was the only pilot to score hits on three different Japanese ships - Kaga, Hiryu, and the cruiser Mikuma the next day.

Kleiss's first hand account of his participation in the Battle of Midway is the highlight of his book. For years people had asked him to write of the important role he played, but he always declined. He felt he was just doing his job, hence "Never call me a hero" and there was nothing he could write about. He did not change his mind until he was ninety-nine years old. By that time he was the last living dive-bomber pilot who fought in the battle. He reason to write the book was "to honor my friends who gave their lives so that our nation could go on."

The book was published in 2016 and Dusty died shortly there after at age 100. What better place to talk about a book written by a 100 year old WW2 hero than in a project that honors the fallen who never reached age 100?

I enjoy reading the memoirs of the ordinary men who left home and family to fight for America in World War 2. I think this book is one of the best. I discovered it quite by accident when I was scanning my SCRIBD account for a book to listen too. I am glad I found it.

I hope the Midway movie turns out to be good. I can guarantee you that Never Call Me a Hero is good.

If you want to listen the the audio version of the book, you can find it on SCRIBD. If you don't have a SCRIBD membership, send me a private Facebook message or email ww2fallen100@gmail.com and I can get you two months for free as a referral.

SCRIBD is my favorite way to read books. It has a library of more than a million titles available for the monthly $8.99 subscription. I especially like the hundreds of WW2 era books that I can access. I find many of the details I include in my profiles of the fallen by using SCRIBD.

WW2 Fallen - B-24 pilot L. Glen Griffith

Captain Leland Griffith was the Operations Officer for the 755th Bombardment Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34722685/leland-glenwood-griffith
https://www.458bg.com/captgriffith 

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

He was born on October 30, 1919 in California. His parents Erda and Lucy were born in Missouri and Alabama, respectively. His father worked as a railroad telegraph operator and later as a cigar store salesman. Still later he worked as a foreman doing government work. Glen had two older brothers. By 1940 Glen's parents had divorced and Glen was living with his mother. He had completed one year of college and was working for a newspaper managing its paper route boys. He married Mildred Chesterman and they had one daughter.

He volunteered for the Army Air Forces on March 21, 1942. He was trained to fly B-24 Liberators. He eventually became a captain and the Operations Officer for the 755th Bombardment Squadron, 458th Bombardment Group. The 458th BG arrived in Horsham St. Faith, England in February 1944.

Captain Griffith undertook his thirteenth and final mission on September 1, 1944. He was the pilot of the B-24 42-51134 nicknamed Liberty Belle. The target that day was an ammunition dump near Pfaffenhoffen, Germany. Captain Griffith's plane crashed shortly after take off. The investigation concluded that it was likely caused by being caught in the prop wash of another bomber. All onboard were killed. 

There is a webpage with many details about Captain Griffith at https://www.458bg.com/captgriffith.

His grave is at Union Cemetery in Bakersfield, California. I don't know what happened this widow or daughter.

Thank you Captain Griffith for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Glen.

Last year on this date I profiled the first Medal of Honor hero of WW2, Alexander Nininger, Philippines Scouts. You can read about Alexander and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller 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 - Medal of Honor hero and B-25 pilot Ralph Cheli

Major Ralph Cheli earned the Medal of Honor while he was the commanding officer of the 405th Bombardment Squadron. His final mission is depicted in a painting by Steve Ferguson.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19379/ralph-cheli
https://irandpcorp.com/products/the-ultimate-sacrifice/ 

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

He was born on October 29, 1919 in San Francisco, California. His parents Robert and Julia (who lived to age 100) were born in Italy and California, respectively. His father worked as a cafe musician. His parents divorced before 1930 after which Ralph lived with his mother and her parents. Julia worked as a dressmaking designer. Ralph was an only child. By 1940 Ralph was attending Lehigh University. At some point he married Geraldine Reilly and they had a son born in 1942.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in February 1940. He was trained to be a B-17 pilot. In the spring of 1942 he flew anti-submarine patrols in the Caribbean. By June 1942 he was promoted to captain and became the Operations Officer for the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-25 Mitchells. It was sent to operate out of Australia and later New Guinea. In January 1943 he was placed in command of the 405th BS and in March 1943 he was promoted to major.

On August 16, 1943, Major Cheli led a bombing mission to hit Japanese airfields in the Wewak area. Major Cheli's plane was hit before he reached his target, but rather than drop out of formation to seek safety, he kept his plane in formation to lead the attack in. Other crews saw his plane crash into the sea. It was his 39th combat mission.

In October 1943, Major Cheli, who was missing in action, was awarded the Medal of Honor. He also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. His Medal of Honor citation reads as follows.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. 

While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea.

Major Cheli had actually survived his plane crash and became a POW of the Japanese. His wife was informed of his POW status in February 1944. He was taken to Rabaul where he was executed on March 6, 1944. 

He is buried in a mass grave of recovered POW remains at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Lemay, Missouri. I don't know what happened to his widow or son.

Thank you Major Cheli for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ralph.

Navy Cross hero William Van Dyke, 5th Marine Division, was born exactly one year earlier than Ralph Cheli. You can read about William 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

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-17 tail gunner Hyrum Spencer

Sgt. Hyrum Spencer was a B-17 tail gunner in the 95th Bombardment Group that operated from England.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9306517/hyrum-lamar-spencer
https://95thbg.org/j3migr/95thbg-aircraft/95th-b-17-s-1944

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

He was born on October 28, 1919 in Aurora, Utah. His parents Austin and Hannah were born in Utah and Arizona, respectively. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a farmer. Hyrum had three older sisters, three older brothers, three younger brothers, and one younger sister. He graduated from high school in 1937 and attended one year of college.

He married Glenda Winget on May 23, 1940 and worked at an air products company. Their first son died in a tragic drowning accident after falling from a bridge over a creek. Coming home from work to search for his missing son, Hyrum found his body two hours after the accident. A second son was born just before Hyrum was drafted into the army.

He was drafted into the army on January 6, 1944. He volunteered for the Army Air Forces and became a sergeant and tail gunner in the 334th Bombardment Squadron, 95th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. After training, his crew was sent to England in October 1944.

Sgt. Spencer's tenth and final mission was on December 31, 1944. The target that day was Hamburg, Germany. When his bomber failed to return, he was reported as missing in action. The family would not learn of his fate until March 1945. After action reports show that two planes were lost that day. Sgt. Spencer and two other crewman were killed when his plane was shot down by enemy fighters. The remaining men bailed out and became POWs.

His grave is at Aurora Cemetery in Aurora, Utah. His widow remarried and died in 2010. His youngest son could very well still be alive.

Thank you Sgt. Spencer for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Hyrum.

Sgt. Spencer's story can also be found at https://www.fold3.com/page/638678114-hyrum-l-spencer/stories. It is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project, Utah pilot.

Last year on this date I profiled C-47 flyer Kenneth Havlerson. You can read about Kenneth 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

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - PT-108 skipper Sidney Hix

Lt.(jg) Sidney Hix was a PT boat skipper in the Solomon Islands.
 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125349329

http://pt-king.gdinc.com/squadronfive.html/squadronfive%20(3).html

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

Sidney was born on October 27, 1919 in Tennessee. His parents Leslie and Nellie were also born in Tennessee. His father worked as a manager for an electric light company. Sidney had one older sister. He graduated from Gallatin High School and Vanderbilt University where he was editor of the student newspaper, member of the Student Christian Association, and played baseball and basketball.

Sidney enlisted in the US Navy Reserve in September 1941 and eventually served as a Lieutenant (junior grade) in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 5. In the spring of 1943, the twelve PT boats of MTB Squadron 5 were deployed to the South Pacific, where they were based at Rendova in the British Solomon Islands. In the summer of 1943, one of their missions was night patrol of the Blackett Strait, which bordered the southern coast of Kolombangara, a large Japanese-held island to the west of New Georgia. The PT boats’ mission was to keep Japanese ships and barges from resupplying the troops on Kolombangara. Lt. (j.g.) Hix was skipper of PT-108, an 80’ patrol torpedo boat with a crew of 13, armed with four 21" torpedoes, two twin .50 cal. machine guns, and 20mm, 37mm, and 40mm gun mounts. He named his boat L’il Duck, his nickname for his girlfriend back home in the States. 

On the morning of 22 August 1943, the PT boats of Squadron 5 were assigned a mission to attack the Japanese barge installations on Kolombangara. PT-108 was tasked to transport four Army demolition specialists to an island cove, where they would go ashore to destroy enemy fuel dumps and machine shops. Prior reconnaissance indicated that PT-108 would likely not encounter enemy opposition, however as Lt. Hix slipped his boat to within 100 yards of the shore, it was suddenly caught in a crossfire of enemy machine guns in the treeline. The crew attempted to return fire against the unseen enemy, but the mission had to be aborted. Lt. (j.g.) Hix and two others were killed by enemy fire and six were wounded. When PT-108 returned to base, mechanics counted 268 bullet holes in the L’il Duck.

Sidney Dayton Hix is buried in Gallatin City Cemetery in Gallatin, Tennessee. 

Thank you Lt. (j.g.) Hix for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Sidney.

_____

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 Bataan Death March survivor Glen Schlingerman. You can read about Glen here.

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

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

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100

Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-24 radio operator Albert Nassi + Bronze Star senator

Sgt. Albert Nassi served as a B-24 radio operator until his bomber crash landed near Lavenham Airfield in England.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71858832/albert-phillip-nassi/photo 

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

He was born on October 26, 1919 in Worcester, Massachusetts. His parents Thomas and Olympia were both born in what became Albania. They immigrated to America in 1911 and 1917, respectively. His father worked as a band leader and later as a music teacher. He played the flute in the Boston Symphony. Albert had two younger sisters. The family spent part of Albert's childhood in Albania where his father toured with his band. By the mid 1930's Thomas was teaching music in Massachusetts public schools. By 1940 Albert had completed three years of college at Rollins College in Florida. He was an accomplished violinist from age 11.

He volunteered for the Army Air Corps Reserves in June 1940 and was called to active duty in 1943. He became trained as a radio operator by December 1943. He eventually became a sergeant in the 838th Bombardment Squadron, 487th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force which was equipped with B-24 Liberators.

Sgt. Nassi arrived in England on June 21, 1944. On July 17, 1944, Sgt. Nassi's plane (42-52581) was part of a successful mission to destroy a bridge at Gien, France. While in its landing pattern after returning to base, the number 2 engine failed. The pilots were unable to maintain altitude and control and the plane crash landed near Lavenham Airfield. Sgt. Nassi was killed in the crash, one other crewman died of injuries, but the other eight men survived with serious injuries.

His grave is at Orleans Cemetery in East Orleans, Massachusetts. There is a small traffic island in Orleans named in his honor.

Thank you Sgt. Nassi for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Albert.

EDWARD BROOKE
Edward Brooke was born in Washington DC on the same day as Albert Nassi, but he would make a name for himself in Nassi's home state of Massachusetts. He graduated from a prestigious academic high school for African Americans and went on to graduate from Brown University.

He volunteered for the army immediately after Pearl Harbor. He became a captain in the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment where he earned the Bronze Star while in combat in Italy.

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

After the war he got a law degree from Boston College. He ran unsuccessfully for a few offices before winning election as Attorney General of Massachusetts in 1962. He became the first black American elected by the people to the US Senate and served two terms from 1967 to 1979.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009. He died in 2015 at age 95. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Last year on this date I profiled West Point graduate and Distinguished Flying Cross hero John Ford, a P-38 pilot. 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 Guadalcanal Fallen - Navy Cross hero Walter Burak, 1st Marine Division

Cpl. Walter Burak served in the 1st Marine Raider Battalion on Guadalcanal and earned the Navy Cross.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56116728/walter-john-burak
https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=BattleMemoryExt&ID=211390 

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

He was born on October 25, 1919 in Pennsylvania. I was not able to find information about his father Anthony, his mother, or any of his siblings. I did learn that he graduated from Greensburg High School in 1939.

Walter volunteered for the US Marines on November 25, 1940. He became a corporal in the HQ Company, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, were he served as a runner for the battalion commander. The 1st MRB was created in February 1942, patterned after the British Commando units. The original marines in the unit were all handpicked from volunteers.

The 1st MRB first saw action when it helped to take Tulagi on August 7, 1942. Next it was assigned to protect Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.

On September 8 Cpl. Burak volunteered to deliver a much needed radio to the battalion commander, despite risking exposure to enemy artillery fire. 

During the night of September 13-14, the 1st MRB played an important role in defeating a major effort of the Japanese to break through and recapture the airfield in what became known as the Battle of Edson's Ridge. They were low on ammunition but still managed to repel the Japanese throughout the night. The Japanese lost three-fourths of their officers and more than a thousand killed and wounded. The Marines stopped one of the best chances the Japanese had to turn the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor. Cpl. Burak played a crucial role in the battle by making sure the communication lines stayed open to the forward observation post. Without this link, much needed artillery support that contributed to the victory would not have been possible. It required continually exposing himself to enemy mortar, rifle, and machine gun fire.

Between October 6 and October 9 the Marines crossed the Matanikau River to attack newly landed Japanese forces. Cpl. Burak was killed on October 8, 1942.

In January 1943, Cpl Burak's actions during the Battle of Edson's Ridge was posthumously recognized with the Navy Cross. He was also awarded a meritorious service commendations for his actions on Tulagi and his actions on September 8. The Navy Cross citation reads a follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Walter John Burak (MCSN: 302155), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Headquarters, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion, during the enemy Japanese attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 and 14 September 1942. 

Assigned as a messenger to the Battalion Commander, Corporal Burak, defying the extreme danger of continual hostile fire, carried messages to subordinate unit commanders along the front. With the telephone line running between points of vital strategic importance severed by enemy mortars, he skillfully repaired the break and then, with the assistance of a comrade, laid a parallel line from the Battalion switchboard to the forward observation post. 

As the battle grew more furious and the enemy began to envelop the left flank of our position, endangering communication lines, Corporal Burak, alone and unassisted, procured a reel of telephone wire and passing through enemy mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire, personally laid a direct wire from the forward observation post to the division command post. 

His gallant intrepidity and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service.

After the war, Cpl. Burak's commanding officer, General Merrit Edson, came to Greenburg and spoke at a memorial service for Cpl. Burak.

His grave is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Thank you Cpl. Burak for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Walter.

Last year on this date I profiled B-29 gunner Jack Dangerfield. You can read about Jack 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 Tinian Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Joseph Ozbourn, 4th Marine Division

Pvt. Joseph Ozbourn earned the Medal of Honor at the Battle of Tinian.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7731685/joseph-william-ozbourn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tinian 

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

He was born on October 24, 1919 in Herrin, Illinois. His parents Thomas and Eva were also both born in Illinois. He married Helen Bernice Mecham in December 1939. He worked as a mine trip rider.

Joseph volunteered for the US Marine Corps on October 30, 1943. He became a private in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. The 4th MD was sent to the Pacific in January 1944. It played important rolls at Kwajalein and Saipan. It appears that Pvt. Ozbourn joined his unit as a replacement after that time.

The next assignment for the 4th MD was to take the island of Tinian. This was a nine day battle where more than 40,000 marines and infantrymen landed on the island on July 24, 1944. It was defended by 8,000 Japanese soldiers.

The victory at Tinian cost 326 American lives, including Pvt. Ozbourn who was killed on July 30, 1944 while saving the lives of others in his unit. His actions resulted in a posthumous Medal of Honor.

His citation reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Browning Automatic Rifleman serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during the battle for enemy Japanese-held Tinian Island, Marianas Islands, 30 July 1944. 

As a member of a platoon assigned the mission of clearing the remaining Japanese troops from dugouts and pillboxes along a tree line, Private Ozbourn, flanked by two men on either side, was moving forward to throw an armed hand grenade into a dugout when a terrific blast from the entrance severely wounded the four men and himself. 

Unable to throw the grenade into the dugout and with no place to hurl it without endangering the other men, Private Ozbourn unhesitatingly grasped it close to his body and fell upon it, sacrificing his own life to absorb the full impact of the explosion but saving his comrades. 

His great personal valor and unwavering loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Private Ozbourn and the United States Naval service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Hawaii. I don't know what happened to his widow.

The US Navy named the destroyer USS Ozbourn in his honor in 1945.

Thank you Pvt. Ozbourn for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Joseph.

Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Service Cross hero of the Battle of Midway and B-26 co-pilot Garrett McCallister. You can read about Garrett 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 - Talmage Farley, 7th Cavalry Regiment

Sgt. Talmage Farley served in the 7th Cavalry Regiment in the Admiralty Islands.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22976288/talmage-eldridge-farley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralty_Islands_campaign 

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

He was born on October 23, 1919 in Arkansas. His parents Littleton and Rosa were also both born in Arkansas. His father worked as a carpenter. The family moved to Arizona by 1930 where Littleton found work as a carpenter. Talmage had one older sister, two older brothers and two younger sisters. By 1940 he had completed four years of high school, was still living at home, and found work as a clerk. 

He was drafted into the army in November 1940. He married Glenda Marie Jones in October 1941. They had one daughter. He became a sergeant in Troop A, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. The 7th Cavalry Regiment is best known for its role in the Indian Wars, especially the Battle of the Little Bighorn. During World War 2, the 7th CR was sent to the Pacific Theater, without their horses, to fight as infantrymen.

The 7th CR first saw action in the Admiralty Island at Los Negros Island in March 1944. Fighting lasted from March 5 to March 20. While the Japanese lost 3,317 men, casualties for the cavalry were 43 killed in action, 17 wounded, and 7 died from non-battle injuries. Sgt. Farley was reported killed on April 1, 1944.

His grave is at City of Mesa Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. I don't know what happened to his widow and daughter.

Thank you Sgt. Farley for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Talmage.

A-26 Invader pilot Lynn Hadfield was born exactly one year before Talmage Farley. Hadfield's remains only returned from Germany in 2019. You can read about Lynn 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”

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WW2 Fallen - Silver Star hero Benjamin Fitzgerald, 82nd Airborne

Lt. Benjamin Fitzgerald served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Salerno.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42823627/benjamin-l-fitzgerald
https://twitter.com/82ndabndiv/status/907181935683821568

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

Benjamin was born on October 22, 1919 in Dolores, Colorado. His parents Benjamin and Lula were both born in Nebraska. His father worked as a farmer and later in a sawmill. Benjamin was an only child. He graduated from Dolores High School in 1936, entered Colorado A&M College, and upon graduation in May 1941 was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. He married the former Joanne McMurdo in December 1941 and they had a son.

Upon completion of training, Lt. Fitzgerald was assigned to Battery B, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division. The 319th GFAB sailed for North Africa in April 1943 and saw its first combat action in Italy in September 1943 in a seaborne invasion of Naples, becoming the first U.S. airborne artillery unit to engage the enemy in WWII. 1Lt. Fitzgerald was killed in action on 6 October 1943 in Salerno, Italy and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions. His citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, ... takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Benjamin L. Fitzgerald (ASN: 0-445349), United States Army, for gallantry in action on or about 6 October 1943, at ****, Italy. Lieutenant Fitzgerald, Reconnaissance Officer, Battery B, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, with a group of soldiers acting as forward observers in ****, was forced by concentrated artillery and rifle fire to evacuate the post. He covered the departure of his group through sniper fire directed against the only door of the house they occupied. Throughout their movement from ****, Lieutenant Fitzgerald kept his men ahead of him and served as a rear-guard against snipers. When they reached their rendezvous, Lieutenant Fitzgerald was missing and later found dead. With coolness, courage and unswerving devotion to duty, he had set the safety of his men above his own in a manner after the highest traditions of the Army.

Benjamin Lee Fitzgerald is buried in Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Colorado. I could not find any information about his wife and son.

Thank you Lt. Fitzgerald for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Benjamin.

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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-17 tail gunner Francis Zambie. 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.

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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

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