WW2 Fallen - Raymond Jones, 78th Infantry Division

PFC Raymond Jones served in the 78th Infantry Division in Germany.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56300285/raymond-william-jones
http://ww2awartobewon.com/wwii-archives/78th-infantry-division-ruhr-pocket/ 

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

He was born on November 30, 1919 in Missouri. His parents William and Theresa were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as a construction company laborer and later as an ironworker. Raymond had one older sisters, seventeen years his senior. He married at some point. One source says his wife's name as Bernice and had two children, and another says his wife's name was Ruth with no mention of children.

He enlisted in the army and became a private first class in the 310th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, (nicknamed "Lightning"). It arrived in France in November 1944.

The 78th ID faced the Germans across the Siegfried Line during the winter of 1944/1945. It crossed the Rhine at Remagen on March 8, 1945. The 78th ID was assigned to clear up the Ruhr Pocket which took from April 2 to April 17. There were over 300,000 German soldiers surrounded. Town after town, the 78th ID GIs were mostly greeted by white sheets hanging from windows.  Unfortunately, not all of the enemy were ready to surrender. Pvt. Jones was killed in action on April 13, 1945.

His grave is at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands. One source says his widow remarried and died in 1990.

Thank you PFC Jones for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Raymond. 

Last year on this date I profiled Battle of Midway Silver Star hero and B-17 gunner William Takala. 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.

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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - F6F-3 Hellcat pilot Robert Porter

Hellcat pilot Lt. j.g. Robert Porter was awarded the Air Medal after shooting down a Japanese plane.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67290983/robert-theryl-porter
https://www.usamilitarymedals.com/products/air-medal 

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

He was born on November 29, 1919 in Texas. His parents Robert and Nannie were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a railroad laborer. Still later he was a railroad section foreman. Robert had one older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. By 1940 Robert was still living at home. He had completed two years of college, where he was part of the US Naval Reserves, and worked as a bookkeeper.

He enlisted in the navy in April 1941. He became a navy pilot with the rank of lieutenant junior grade. A September 1943 newspaper mentioned he was awarded the Air Medal after shooting down a Japanese plane. By October he was back in the states and on October 6, 1943 he died when his F6F-3 Hellcat crashed near Everett Washington. 

Per Guy Robbins of Accident-Report.com, navy records show it was a training flight and after making a vertical dive starting at 24,000 feet, Lt. Porter failed to pull out of the dive in time.

His grave is at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas.

Thank you Lt. j.g. Porter for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Robert.

Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero Karl Kellner, 3rd Armored Division whose action known as the Duel at the Cathedral was filmed by American journalists. It is the most popular of these profiles from 2018. You can read about Karl 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”

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WW2 Battle of the Bulge Fallen - Alexander Bernal, 4th Armored Division

Sgt. Alexander Bernal served in the 35th Tank Battalion during the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81961666/alexander-joseph-bernal
Armored Victory 1945 by Steven Zaloga, pg 36 

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

He was born on November 28, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents Stanislaw and Anna were both born in what became Poland. They came to the United States in 1903. His father worked as a grocery clerk and later as a meat packing house laborer. Still later he worked as a watchman. Alex had four older sisters, two older brothers, one younger sister, and two younger brothers. By 1940 Alex had completed eight years of schooling and found work as a lumberyard laborer. His mother died later that year.

He was drafted into the army in February 1942. He reached the rank of sergeant in the 35th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division. The 4th Armored Division arrived in Normandy in July 1944. It took part in Operation Cobra that finally broke the German defenses in Normandy, the race across France, Lorraine, the Saar River, and the Battle of the Bulge.

Two days after the Germans launched their attack through the Ardennes on December 16, 1944, General George Patton sent the 4th Armored north. It covered 150 miles in 19 hours. By December 26 it was able to break through to the 101st Airborne defending Bastogne. Within a week the Germans had mostly lost all the gains they had made. Sgt. Bernal was killed on January 10, 1945 when the Americans were back on the offensive.

His grave is at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums in Justice, Illinois.

Thank you Sgt. Bernal for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Alexander.

Last year on this date I profiled Bronze Star hero Julian Grant, 9th Armored Division at Remagen. You can read about Julian 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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WW2 Fallen - B-17 pilot Benjamin Rolfe

Lt. Benjamin Rolfe was the pilot of the B-17 The Ugly Duckling in the 398th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61462067/benjamin-g_-rolfe
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-102565-the-ugly-duckling/ 

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

He was born on November 27, 1919 in Hunter, Utah. His parents William and Mary were also both born in Utah. His father worked as a farmer until he died in 1927 from myocarditis. His mother took over the farming. Benjamin had four older sisters. By 1940 all of his sisters had moved out and Benjamin was still living with his widowed mother. He had completed four years of high school and worked as a copper mill foundryman helper. At some point he married Fern Crump. They had one daughter.

He volunteered for the Army Air Forces in February 1943. He became an officer and bomber pilot. Ben was assigned to the 601st Bombardment Squadron, 398th Bombardment Group, the last B-17 group sent to Europe.

His final mission was on November 26, 1944. He was flying B-17 42-102565 nicknamed The Ugly Duckling. The target that day was the oil refinery at Misburg, Germany. On the return leg, his bomber was hit by flak and crashed into the inland bay known as Ijsselmeer (Lake Ijssel) in Holland. All nine crewmen were killed. His body was recovered by a fisherman four months later.

His grave is at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Milcreek, Utah. His widow may still be alive.

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

Lt. Rolfe's story can also be found at https://www.fold3.com/page/85005564-benjamin-g-rolfe/stories. It is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project, Utah pilot.

Last year on this date I profiled Bronze Star hero Frank Calhoon and his brother Ned. You can read about Frank and Ned 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-24 co-pilot Henry Allen

Lt. Henry Allen was a B-24 co-pilot in the 449th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32039347/henry-liles-allen
https://449th.com/ships/ 

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

He was born on November 26, 1919 in Wadesboro, North Carolina. His parents Julian and Constance were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a wholesale grocer. Henry had one older brother. By 1940 Henry had completed three years of college and was still living at home.

He enlisted in the army on January 12, 1942. He decided to volunteer for the Army Air Forces and was accepted to officer candidate school. He ended up a second lieutenant and co-pilot in the 716th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. 

The 449th Bomb Group arrived in the Mediterranean in December 1943. It set up its airbase near Taranto, Italy.

On February 25, 1944, the 449th BG flew its thirty-first mission to bomb aircraft factory buildings in Regensburg, Germany. Allen's plane (41-29194) was attacked by enemy fighters on the return leg. After it was hit, flames were observed coming from the bomb bay. Two of the airmen bailed out and then the bomber disintegrated. Lt. Allen and the rest of the crew did not survive. 

His grave is at Eastview Cemetery in Wadesboro, North Carolina.

Thank you Lt. Allen for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Henry.

Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and Doolittle Raider George Larkin. You can read about George 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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WW2 Iwo Jima Fallen - Robert Holcomb, 4th Marine Division + brother Ben

Pvt. Robert Holcomb served with the 4th Marine Division in Iwo Jima.
Pvt. Benjamin Holcomb served with the 7th Infantry Division in Okinawa.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68586008/robert-pierce-holcomb
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68586022/benjamin-franklin-holcomb 

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

He was born on November 25, 1919 in Robeson, North Carolina. His parents Franklin and Vara were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a saw mill laborer and a farmer. Robert had one older sister, three younger brothers, and one younger sister.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in June 1944. He became a private in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. His brother Benjamin was drafted into the army one month later. He became a private in Company A, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. 

The 4th Marine Division took part in the battles of Kwajalein, Saipan, and Tinian before its final battle on Iwo Jima. Pvt. Holcomb joined the 2/25 in time to be part of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Casualties were heavy for the first week, but Pvt. Holcomb was still unharmed on D+8, February 27, 1945. On that day the terrain in front of the 2nd Battalion was dense with caves and pillboxes. The Marines paid a heavy price to keep up their advance that day. One of those killed was Pvt. Robert Holcomb. The 4th Marine Division would suffer more than 4,000 casualties in only 14 days.

His brother Ben, who served in the 7th Infantry Division, was killed near the end of the Battle of Okinawa on June 6, 1945.

The brothers' bodies were returned home at the same time four years later and were buried at Rowland Cemetery in Rowland, North Carolina in February 1949.

Thank you Robert and Benjamin for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Holcomb brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Robert McCard, 4th Marine Division at Saipan. 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

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Luzon Fallen - Roy Hamilton, 25th Infantry Division

Sgt. Roy Hamilton served with the 25th Infantry Division in Luzon

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42467657

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

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

Roy was born on November 24, 1919 in Decatur, Alabama. His parents Richard and Tressie were also born in Alabama. Roy’s father worked as a repairman in a steam locomotive shop and as a carpenter. Roy had one older brother and five younger brothers. By 1940, Roy had graduated from Austinville High School and was living at home with his parents in Decatur and working as a farm hand.

He was drafted into the US Army in February 1942 and served as a sergeant in the 27th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. The division was based in Hawaii and began combat operations on Guadalcanal in November 1942, and also fought on Vella Lavella and New Georgia thru October 1943. The division then moved to New Zealand for rest and later to New Caledonia for training. The division then took part in the liberation of the Philippines, landing on Luzon on 11 January 1945. Sgt. Hamilton was killed in combat on Luzon on 30 January 1945. 

Several months later, Sgt. Hamilton’s mother received a letter from his commanding officer telling her how he died. Following is an excerpt from the letter printed in the 12 June 1945 issue of The Decatur (Alabama) Daily:

My dear, Mrs. Hamilton, 

...I was your son’s platoon leader … I thought a lot of Roy and it was a great shock to me. He was one of the cleanest living, most dependable, honest men that I’ve ever had the good fortune to work with. He never gave me the least bit of trouble and willingly did what he was told to do. The rest of the men thought of him as a brother. When I get back I hope I have a son like him. I have a small idea as to how much the loss of a son means to you. You raised him to young manhood, giving him the best possible training you could. I took over where you left off. ...When one of my men is killed or wounded it is a great blow to me. I not only lose a friend but I think of their mothers and family. Roy was the first in my platoon to go. An enemy shell exploded in a tree above him and he never knew what happened. ...I pray to God that the wound in your heart heals soon. … I hope your other sons come home safely.

Respectfully, 

Lt. George K. Grant, 

Co A, 27th Infantry

Roy T. Hamilton is buried in Roselawn Garden of Memory, Decatur, Alabama. Three of his brothers also served in the Armed Forces and survived the war. 

Thank you Sgt. Hamilton for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Roy.

_____

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 Normandy fallen Fleming Davis of the 9th Infantry Division. You can read about Fleming 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”

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WW2 Leyte Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Leonard Brostrom, 7th Infantry Division

PFC Leonard Brostrom earned the Medal of Honor in Leyte while serving with the 17th Infantry Regiment.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7416028
https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2018/10/19/leyte-into-the-valleys-ii/

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

He was born on November 23, 1919 in Preston, Idaho. His parents Carl and Adolfina were both born in Sweden. His father worked as a laborer and later as a carpenter. Leonard had three younger brothers. By 1940 Leonard had complete four years of high school and was still living at home. He completed a three year mission in California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was drafted into the army in March 1942. He became a private first class in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. PFC Brostrom first saw action in the Battle of Attu in May 1943 in the Aleutian island. Next he fought in the Battle of Kwajalein in February 1944.

The 7th ID was part of the invasion of Leyte in October 1944. By October 27, the 7th ID had reached the town of Dagami. It was tasked with taking it away from the Japanese. The next day, October 28, 1944, PFC Brostrom's company was pinned down by the well hidden enemy.  On his own initiative, PFC Brostrom made a one-man attack on the pillbox that was keeping his company from moving forward. His successful attack cost him his life. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leonard C. Brostrom, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action as a rifleman with an assault platoon of Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which ran into powerful resistance near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. 

From pillboxes, trenches, and spider holes, so well camouflaged that they could be detected at no more than 20 yards, the enemy poured machinegun and rifle fire, causing severe casualties in the platoon. 

Realizing that a key pillbox in the center of the strong point would have to be knocked out if the company were to advance, Private First Class Brostrom, without orders and completely ignoring his own safety, ran forward to attack the pillbox with grenades. He immediately became the prime target for all the riflemen in the area, as he rushed to the rear of the pillbox and tossed grenades through the entrance. Six enemy soldiers left a trench in a bayonet charge against the heroic American, but he killed one and drove the others off with rifle fire. 

As he threw more grenades from his completely exposed position he was wounded several times in the abdomen and knocked to the ground. Although suffering intense pain and rapidly weakening from loss of blood, he slowly rose to his feet and once more hurled his deadly missiles at the pillbox. As he collapsed, the enemy began fleeing from the fortification and were killed by riflemen of his platoon. 

Private First Class Brostrom died while being carried from the battlefield, but his intrepidity and unhesitating willingness to sacrifice himself in a one-man attack against overwhelming odds enabled his company to reorganize against attack, and annihilate the entire enemy position.

His grave is at Preston Cemetery in Preston, Idaho.

Thank you PFC Brostrom for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leonard.

Last year on this date I profiled John Wrzesinski, 34th Infantry Division. 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

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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Francis and Norman Morse, USS Arizona

 Brothers Francis and Norman Morse served together on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22512363/francis-jerome-morse
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22509734
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/uss-arizona-life-and-death.html

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

He was born on November 22, 1919 in Colorado. His parents Royal and Clara were born in Minnesota and Tennessee, respectively. His father worked as a stable foreman for a sugar beet farm, and later as a farm laborer. He died in 1930. Francis had a younger brother Norman two years his junior. 

Francis joined the navy in December 1936. He was assigned to the battleship USS Arizona in April 1937. Norman joined the navy in August 1938 and he joined his brother on Arizona in December 1938. Francis reached the rank of boatswain's mate first class. His duties included handling the ropes and chains and helping with steering of the ship. Norman reached the rank of water tender second class. His duties involved working in the boiler rooms.

Francis married Dorothy Fletcher in August 1939. They set up residence in California. Meanwhile Norman established residence with his widowed mother in Virginia.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Morse brothers were on duty onboard Arizona when it was hit by four Japanese bombs. The final one penetrated to the forward magazine and exploded with devastating loss of life. Francis and Norman were one of 23 sets of brothers on the Arizona who all died.

The brothers are still entombed in the USS Arizona. They have cenotaph gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. His mother, who had lost her husband and all her children, died in 1981. Dorothy Morse did not remarry, as far as I can tell, and died in 2004.

Thank you Francis and Norman for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Morse brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled Battle of the Bulge fallen Clark Zills, 3rd Armored Division. You can read about Clark 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 John O'Mara

Staff Sergeant John O'Mara was a tail gunner in the 401st Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97183149/john-william-o_mara
http://401bg.org/Main/History/Aircraft/

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

He was born on November 21, 1919 in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. His parents Tom and Lena were also both born in Kentucky. His father worked as a garage machinist and later as a garage foreman. Still later he worked as an old age assistance field worker. John had two older brothers, one older sister, one younger brother, and one younger sister. By 1940 John had completed four years of high school. He was still living at home and worked as a delivery man for a cleaning and pressing shop.

He volunteered for the Army Air Corps in October 1940. He reached the rank of staff sergeant in the 613th Bombardment Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. He was trained to be a tail gunner. The 401st BG arrived in England in November 1943 and was based out of Deenethorpe, England.

Sgt. O'Mara flew a total of seven missions. His final mission was on March 2, 1944 when the 401st BG was assigned to bomb an engineering plant in Frankfurt, Germany. Sgt. O'Mara was the tail gunner in B-17 42-31467 nicknamed Sac Hound. Sac Hound was the only plane among the 36 bombers that failed to return to base. It was shot down by enemy fighters over Belgium. While three of the crew survived and escaped with the help of the Belgium resistance, Sgt. O'Mara was first listed as missing but was eventually found to have been killed in action.

His grave is at Elmwood Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Kentucky.

Thank you Sgt. O'Mara for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Service Cross hero Julian Keith, 7th Infantry Division, who fought at Attu. You can read about Julian 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