WW2 Fallen - B-24 radio operator Lloyd Kile

Tech Sergeant Lloyd Kile was the radio operator on the B-24 Fyrtle Myrtle.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61102279/lloyd-e_-kile
http://www.b24bestweb.com/fyrtlemyrtle-v2-1.htm

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

He was born on December 31, 1919 in Kansas. His parents William and Fracia were born in Texas and Illinois, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and mill flour packer. Lloyd had one younger brother and one younger sister. 

He was drafted into the army on February 23, 1942. He reached the rank of tech sergeant and served as a radio operator in the 513th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. The 376th BG was originally codenamed HALPRO and assigned to bomb the Japanese from bases in China. However, on the trip there via Brazil and then Egypt, they learned that the Chinese airfields had been captured by the Japanese, so the B-24s stayed in Egypt in June 1942 to help fight Rommel and the Afrika Korps. When the Germans were defeated, the 376th BG operated out of North Africa and flew missions to Italy and the Balkans.

On July 16, 1943 the 513th Bombardment Squadron was assigned to bomb the airport facilities in Bari, Italy. Sgt. Kile was the radio operator on the B-24 42-40236 with the nickname Fyrtle Myrtle. The bombing mission was successful, but on the way back, the squadron was attacked by German and Italian fighters. Fyrtle Myrtle's engine #3 was knocked out, causing it to drop out of formation and attract more enemy attacks. Soon the fuselage was on fire and the pilot gave orders to bail out. Three men did. Sgt. Kile's parachute had been destroyed in the fire so he stayed onboard. The plane fell out of the sky in a spiral and exploded before hitting the ground.

More details of this final mission can be found here.

His grave is at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Wellington, Kansas.

Thank you Sgt. Kile for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Lloyd.

Last year on this date I profiled Stanley Janik, 82nd Airborne Division. You can read about Stanley 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 Salerno Fallen - Medic Jackson Shrader, 36th Infantry Division

Tech 5 Jackson Shrader was a medic with the 36th Infantry Division in Italy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44184179/jackson-p-shrader
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a2/0f/c2/a20fc28a2a33c0d2a43255de14e3a8d3.jpg 

Jackson Petway Shrader never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,367 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.

Jackson was born on December 31, 1916 in Texas. His parents John and Ila were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a farmer and later as a teacher. Jackson had one older brother, three younger sisters, and one younger brother. Jackson completed four years of high school. He worked at Montgomery Wards.

He was drafted into the army in February 1941. He became a Tech 5 and medic attached to 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. The 36th Infantry Division arrived in French North Africa in April 1943. It spearheaded the landing at Salerno, Italy in September 1943.

Sgt. Shrader was killed in action on September 16, 1943 at Villerno, Italy. He was one of 4,000 casualties sustained in just a few weeks after landing in Italy.

His grave is at Scranton Cemetery in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Thank you Sgt. Shrader for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jackson.

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-26 pilot Darrell Lindsey

B-26 pilot Captain Darrell Lindsey earned the Medal of Honor while serving with the 394th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16133101/darrell-robins-lindsey
http://www.ww2buddies.com/BG394.html 

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

He was born on December 30, 1919 in Jefferson, Iowa. His parents Jesse and Grace were born in Illinois and Iowa, respectively. His father worked as a drainage engineer and later as a highway maintenance engineer. Darrell had one older brother. By 1940 Darrell was still living at home and had completed two years of college, one year at Buena Vista University and one year at Drake University. He married Evalyn Scott.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on January 15, 1942. He reached the rank of captain in the 585th Bombardment Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force, which was equipped with B-26 Marauders. The 394th BG was based out of England and flew close air support missions to assist the American armies advance through Normandy and then across France.

By August 9, 1944 Captain Lindsey had flown 45 combat missions. On that day he was a group leader leading 30 bombers to take out a bridge over the Seine River at L'Isle Adam. It was one of the few bridges over the Seine still standing and thus heavily guarded by German AA units. His plane was heavily damaged as it approached the target with the right wing and engine on fire. Rather than disengage, he recovered the lead position to complete the bomb run and stayed at the controls to allow the rest of his crew to bail out. His plane exploded after the last of his crew mates parachuted out. No remains were recovered.

Captain Lindsey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation reads as follows:

On August 9, 1944, Capt. Lindsey led a formation of 30 B-26 medium bombers in a hazardous mission to destroy the strategic enemy held L'Isle Adam railroad bridge over the Seine in occupied France. With most of the bridges over the Seine destroyed, the heavily fortified L'Isle Adam bridge was of inestimable value to the enemy in moving troops, supplies, and equipment to Paris. 

Capt. Lindsey was fully aware of the fierce resistance that would be encountered. Shortly after reaching enemy territory the formation was buffeted with heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire. By skillful evasive action, Capt. Lindsey was able to elude much of the enemy flak, but just before entering the bombing run his B-26 was peppered with holes. 

During the bombing run the enemy fire was even more intense, and Capt. Lindsey's right engine received a direct hit and burst into flames. Despite the fact that his ship was hurled out of formation by the violence of the concussion, Capt. Lindsey brilliantly maneuvered back into the lead position without disrupting the flight. Fully aware that the gasoline tanks might explode at any moment, Capt. Lindsey gallantly elected to continue the perilous bombing run. With fire streaming from his right engine and his right wing half enveloped in flames, he led his formation over the target upon which the bombs were dropped with telling effect. 

Immediately after the objective was attacked, Capt. Lindsey gave the order for the crew to parachute from the doomed aircraft. With magnificent coolness and superb piloting, and without regard for his own life, he held the swiftly descending airplane in a steady glide until the members of the crew could jump to safety. With the right wing completely enveloped in flames and an explosion of the gasoline tank imminent, Capt. Lindsey still remained unperturbed. The last man to leave the stricken plane was the bombardier, who offered to lower the wheels so that Capt. Lindsey might escape from the nose. Realizing that this might throw the aircraft into an uncontrollable spin and jeopardize the bombardier's chances to escape, Capt. Lindsey refused the offer. Immediately after the bombardier had bailed out, and before Capt. Lindsey was able to follow, the right gasoline tank exploded. The aircraft sheathed in fire, went into a steep dive and was seen to explode as it crashed. 

All who are living today from this plane owe their lives to the fact that Capt. Lindsey remained cool and showed supreme courage in this emergency.

His cenotaph grave is at Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson, Iowa. His widow remarried and died in 1992.

Thank you Captain Lindsey for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Darrell.

Last year on this date I profiled James Tipton, 4th Infantry Division. You can read about James 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 - Lester Miller, 79th Infantry Division

Lt. Lester Miller served with the 79th Infantry Division in France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33384860/lester-leneau-miller
https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1041&context=ww_reg_his 

Lester Leneau Miller never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,366 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.

Lester was born on December 30, 1916 in South Carolina(?). His parents Furman and Lillie were born in South Carolina and North Carolina, respectively. Lester had three younger sisters. 

He enlisted in the army and was accepted for officer training. He became a first lieutenant in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. Serving as a lieutenant in a rifle company was a high risk position. The 79th ID was in action in France within 2 weeks of D-Day. By the end of June it had take the important Normandy harbor of Cherbourg from the Germans. It participated in numerous actions across the advance through France. By September, the 79th ID had reached the Belgium border.

During the first couple of weeks of September, the 79th ID captured over 2,200 German. It was given a few days rest and on September 18, the 314th IR was presented with a USO show headlined by Bing Crosby. Nearby enemy action required the men to begin leaving the show in sections so that by the end, the audience was gone.

On September 20, the 3rd Battalion was given the thankless task of establishing a bridgehead across the Meurthe River near Fraimbois, France. The enemy was well positioned in heavy woods on the other side of the river and there was no cover for the GIs. The 3rd Battalion took heavy casualties and had to result to hand-to-hand fighting to dislodge the Germans. About 160 men were wounded and 31 were killed, including Lt. Miller, killed in action on September 22.

His grave is at Riverside Cemetery in Dillion, South Carolina.

Thank you Lt. Miller for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Lester.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Battle of the Bulge Fallen - Gid Carter, 2nd Armored Division

Sgt. Gid Carter served with the 2nd Armored Division in the Battle of the Bulge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146224754/gid-lowe-carter
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/tanks/m18-hellcat/2nd-armored-division-m18-battle-of-the-bulge-jan45/ 

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

He was born on December 29, 1919 in Tennessee. His parents Johnny and Lula were also both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a farmer. Gid had one older brother. By 1940 Gid had completed eight years of education and found work as a laborer. He was still living with his parents.

He was drafted in the army on November 26, 1941. He became a sergeant in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 66th Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. The 2nd Armored's first major action was in Sicily in July 1943. It landed on Omaha Beach on D+3. It played a major part in the success of Operation Cobra.

After the Normandy breakout, the 2nd AD advance through France to Belgium. In December it took part in the Battle of the Bulge. On January 3, the 2nd AD combined with the 84th Infantry Division to advance from the Hotten-Grand-menil road to defeat the Germans along a nine mile front of the salient they had created. The weather was bad with waist deep snowdrifts, but it did not stop the Americans from dislodging the Germans from village after village. By January 16, the 2nd Armored had captured Houffalize and reached the Ourthe River. It also linked up with 3rd Army units coming from the south, cutting off any German units still to the west. Sgt. Carter was killed during this attack on January 14, 1945.

His grave is at Wolfe Family Cemetery in Highland, Tennessee.

Thank you Sgt. Carter for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Gid.

Last year on this date I profiled Leland Clinton, USS Indianapolis. You can read about Leland 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 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Navy Cross hero Charles Lawrence

Aviation Machinist Mate Charles Lawrence was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A destroyer escort was named for him.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74797311/charles-lawrence
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Charles_Lawrence_(DE-53)

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

I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,366 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.

Charles was born on December 29, 1916 in Portland, Oregon. I was not able to find census information on Charles' family. He had one sister.

He first tried to enlist in the navy, but he couldn't pass the physical. He was accepted into the army in August 1937. He was trained as an aviation machinist and served in Hawaii servicing B-18 bombers. He was discharged in October 1939.

The next year he signed up for the navy in March 1940. He was still an aviation machinist. This time he was assigned to work on PBYs.

On December 7, 1941 the PBYs at Kaneohe Naval Air Station were destroyed by the Japanese attack. Due to the Japanese line of flight, this was the first American unit attacked that morning, before the Japanese bombed the ships in the harbor. During the attack, AMM 2/c Lawrence was put in charge of an anti-aircraft battery. Though wounded twice, he refused to leave his post until he was struck down. It is very possible that AMM Lawrence was the first American killed in the Pearl Harbor attack, and hence the first killed by the enemy in WW2 (excluding the USS Reuben James sunk by a German U-boat a few weeks earlier).

His headstone application says Charles earned the Navy Cross. However, I was not able to find a citation.

A destroyer escort was named in his honor.

His grave is at River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

Thank you Aviation Machinist Mate Lawrence for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Charles.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - James Skeldon, USS Swordfish

Quartermaster 3/c James Skeldon served on the USS Swordfish in the Pacific.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55842631/james-adam-skeldon
http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss-swordfish-193.htm 

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

He was born on December 28, 1919 in Ottawa, Canada. His parents Albert and Maude were born in Illinois and Canada, respectively. The family moved to New York where his father worked as an odd jobs laborer. James had one older brother, four younger brothers, and three younger sisters. By 1940 James was still living at home. He had completed two years of high school and 

He volunteered for the US Navy in August 1942. He became a quartermaster third class serving on the submarine USS Swordfish. Swordfish began its war service in Manila on December 8, 1941. It completed 12 successful missions.

On December 22, 1944, Swordfish was sent from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa on a photo-recon mission ahead of the planned invasion. The cause of her demise remains unknown. One report that claims it was sunk by a Japanese destroyer on January 12, 1945 is not backed up by Japanese naval records. It may be more likely that it was sunk by a mine. All hands, including MM3c Johnson, were listed as lost as of January 12, 1945.

His cenotaph grave is at Fairview Cemetery in Edwards, New York.

Thank you QM Skeldon for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Last year on this date I profiled Harold Allison, minesweeper USS Terror. You can read about Harold 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 radio operator Calvin Bladen

Sgt. Calvin Bladen was B-17 radio operator in the 493rd Bomb Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74046297/calvin-thomas-bladen
https://galbreath.net/493rd-bomb-group/b17-flying-fortress/b-17-specifications/ 

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

I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,366 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.

Calvin was born on December 28, 1916 in Capitol Heights, Maryland. His parents Calvin and Violet were both born in Virginia. His father worked as an auto mechanic. Calvin had two younger brothers, one of whom died as a baby. He married Dorothy Martin in August 1939. By 1940 Calvin and Dorothy were living with his parents. He had completed three years of college and was working as a clerk. A year later he graduated from Strayer Business College and worked for the Social Security Board.

After being drafted into the army, Calvin volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He became a sergeant and radio operator in the 863rd Bombardment Squadron, 493rd Bombardment Group. It arrived in Debach, England in April 1944. It was originally equipped with B-24 Liberators, but by the end of August, it had switched to B-17 Flying Fortresses.

The mission for September 12, 1944 was to bomb the ordnance factory at Magdeburg, Germany. Sgt. Bladen's bomber was shot down by German fighters. Four men survived to become POWs, but Sgt. Bladen and four others were killed.

His grave is at Cedar Hills Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland. His widow may still be alive.

Thank you Sgt. Bladen for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Calvin.

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 - Deputy Commander Louis Dolan, 390th Bomb Group

Lt. Col. Louis Dolan was the deputy commander of the 390th Bombardment Group at the age of 24.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27468256/george-marsh-broomfield
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/151712 

Louis William "Lucky" Dolan never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on December 27, 1919 in Denver, Colorado. His parents Francis and Dorothy were also both born in Colorado. His father worked as a traveling salesman and later as a wholesale groceries salesman. Louis had one younger sister. By 1939 Louis was attending the University of Denver. He married Helen Beacham in February 1942 while he was living in Arizona.

He enlisted in the army in June 1941. He eventually reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the 570th Bombardment Squadron, 390th Bombardment Group. By November 1944 he was the deputy commander of the 390th BG. Lt. Col. Dolan is the highest ranking officer I have profiled in this project that currently exceeds 1,100 profiles.

The target for November 30, 1944 was Merseburg, Germany to hit the synthetic fuel complex. It was an unpopular target for the crews -- deep in Germany and heavily protected. Lt. Col. Dolan was the co-pilot in B-17 44-8080 nicknamed The Saint. There were 540 bombers assigned to attack Merseburg. Lt. Col. Dolan was flying wing lead.

While approaching the target, the 390th BG ran into heavy flak. The Saint was hit, lost control, rose, rolled upside down and settled on top of its wingman bomber. There was a midair explosion. All of the Dolan crew were killed as well as six from the other bomber.

For an excellent account of this mission, go here.

His grave is at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. His widow remarried and died in 1990.

Thank you Lt. Colonel Dolan for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Louis.

Last year on this date I profiled Byron Belt, 8th Infantry Division and his brother Billy. You can read about the Belt brothers 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 - AT-6 pilot J D Roberson

Air Cadet J. D. Roberson was training to fly AT-6c Texans in Arizona.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7459599/j-d-roberson
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NAA_AT-6C_Texan_taking_off_c1943.jpg

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

I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,366 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.

JD was born on December 27, 1916 in Oklahoma. His parents James and Nanie were born in Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and later as an oil truck driver. JD had one older sister and five older brothers. His father died in 1940.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces and became an air cadet in the 542nd Single Engine Flying Training Squadron.

Air Cadet Roberson was killed on July 6, 1943 when his AT-6C Texan plane stalled into a spin and crashed at Luke Field in Arizona.

His grave is at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Thank you Aviation Cadet Roberson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for JD.

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 - AT-11 Kansan pilot Joseph Baugh

Lt. Joseph Baugh was killed when the AT-11 he was flying was in a midair collision with another plane near Roswell, New Mexico.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116197097/joseph-franklin-baugh
https://www.airplanesofthepast.com/at11-kansan.htm 

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

He was born on December 26, 1919 in Danville, Virginia. His parents Joseph and Maggie were also both born in Virginia. His father worked as a locomotive fireman. Joseph did not have any siblings. By 1940 Joseph had completed four years of high school where he was recognized as the most valuable player on the football team. He was still living with his parents and worked as a deliveryman. At some point he married Edna Barber.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces eleven days after Pearl Harbor. He graduated from Advanced Flying School in August 1942. He achieved the rank of first lieutenant.

On November 11, 1943, Lt. Baugh's AT-11 Kansan, a bombing trainer plane, was involved in a midair collision with another AT-11 near Roswell, New Mexico. Aside from Lt. Baugh, four other airmen were killed. He left behind a one month old daughter.

His grave is at Highland Burial Park in Danville, Virginia. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Lt. Baugh for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Joseph.

Last year on this date I profiled Bataan Death March survivor and POW Eber Boden. You can read about Eber 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 - Emory Kiser, 35th Infantry Division

Sgt. Emory Kiser, shown above with his wife Golda, served with the 35th Infantry Division in France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167174701/emory-kiser
http://www.35thinfdivassoc.com/Normandy/the-story_1.shtml 

Emory Kiser never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,366 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.

Emory was born on December 26, 1916 in Virginia. His parents Isaac and Dora were also both born in Virginia. His father worked as a farmer. Emory had four older sisters, one older brother and two younger sisters. Within a period of less than two years in 1929-1930, a brother, sister, and his mother all died. Emory had a grammar school level of education and worked as a farm hand. He also spent some time working for the Civil Conservation Corps.

Emory was drafted into the army in May 1941. He eventually reached the rank of Tec4 in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division.

He married Golda Ruby Sliger from Alabama on April 21, 1944. Not long after that the 35th ID was sent to England. A month after D-Day, it was in action in Normandy. Its first battle was in the hedgerows north of St. Lo. After the breakout from Normandy, Sgt. Kiser's regiment moved east. By September 1, it was near Aix en Othe, France.

On September 8, Sgt. Kiser's battalion took heavy casualties while trying to secure a bridge over the Moselle River. The Germans were able to destroy the bridge. He was reported missing on September 11 and it was later determined he was killed on September 14.

His grave is at Henry Mayfield Kiser Cemetery in Russell County, Virginia. His widow remarried and died in 2004.

Thank you Sgt. Kiser for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Emory.

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