WW2 Fallen - Air Medal hero B-17 gunner Andrew Peterson

Staff Sergeant Andrew Peterson was a B-17 gunner in the 303rd Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68958022/andrew-carl-peterson
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/8128

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Andrew was born on April 30, 1920 in Wisconsin. His parents Andrew and Minnie were born in Wisconsin and Texas, respectively. His paternal grandparents were from Denmark and his maternal grandparents were from Germany. His father worked as an implements machinist and later as a motor shop enameler. Still later he worked as an auto manufacturer assembler. Andrew had one older sister and two younger sisters. By 1940 Andrew had completed four years of high school and was working as a waiter. He was still living at home.

He volunteered for the Army Air Forces in January 1942. He served as a gunner and reached the rank of staff sergeant in the 360th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. By September he was stationed in England. He returned home on furlough and married a previous schoolmate, Lorraine Henderson, in December 1942. 

As one of the first bombing units in Europe, the 303rd BG developed the bombing tactics that would be used in the war. Early missions were flown against targets in France. By summer, most of the missions were to Germany. Sgt. Peterson flew his first mission on April 16. He would fly a total of 14 missions.

On June 25, 1943 the 303rd BG sent 25 planes on a mission to bomb shipping yards in Hamburg. The weather created poor visibility and the bombs were not dropped on target. Sgt. Peterson was on the B-17 #42-5382 nicknamed The Witches' Tit. It was hit by flak and crashed near Oldenburg, Germany. The entire crew survived and became POWs except for Sgt. Peterson.

A posthumously awarded Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster was presented to his widow one year to the date after they were married.

His grave is at West Lawn Memorial Park at Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Sgt. Peterson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Andrew.

Last year on this date I profiled Normandy fallen and Distinguished Service Cross hero Harold Ditter, 9th Infantry Division. 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 - Marine fighter pilot Norman George

Captain Norman George flew Wildcats and Corsairs for the USMC in the South Pacific and El Toro Marine Air Base.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46660089/norman-leavenworth-george
https://www.mciwest.marines.mil/About/History/ 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Norman was born on April 29, 1920 in Baird, Texas. His parents Norman and Mabel were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a farmer. Norman had one older brother and one younger sister. By 1940 Norman had completed one year of college and was still living at home.

He enlisted in the US Marines and reached the rank of captain. He was trained as a fighter pilot and flew F4F Wildcats. He was sent to the South Pacific in September 1942. I was not able to determine which VMF squadron he served in. He shot down a Japanese Zero on April 7, 1943 while stationed on Russell Island. On May 23, 1943 his plane crashed (probably a Wildcat) and he was seriously injured and hospitalized for ten months. After recovery, he was promoted to captain and returned to flying.

One year to the day after his 1943 crash, Captain George crashed again on May 23, 1944 at El Toro Marine Air Base in California. He was flying an F4U Corsair and this time he did not survive. I was not able to find out more information about either crash.

His grave is at Ross Cemetery in Baird, Texas.

Thank you Captain George for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Norman.

UPDATE: See comment from David Reid below for more details.

Last year on this date I profiled Carl Harrington, 2nd Armored Division and his brother Charles. You can read about the Harrington 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 - Steven Pouchak, 210th Coast Artillery, B-25 accident

Pvt. Steven Pouchak served as at Fort Glenn in Alaska during World War II.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121279473

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

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Steven was born on April 28, 1920 in Chisolm, Minnesota. His parents Harry and Theckla were both born in Poland and immigrated to the US in 1905 and 1910, respectively. His father worked as an iron miner. Steven had two older brothers, one older sister, and two younger brothers. In 1940, Steven had completed two years of high school and was living at home.

He was drafted into the US Army in April 1942 and served as a Private in Battery C of the 210th Coastal Artillery, which was an anti-aircraft unit. In September 1942 the 210th CA was deployed to Fort Glenn Army Air Base in Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands for the defense of the airfield located there.

On 13 February 1943, a USAAF B-25 Mitchell bomber was limping back to the airfeld on one engine after being hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire during a mission against the enemy on the Island of Kiska. The aircraft’s remaining engine quit upon final approach, causing it to make an uncontrolled landing. Pvt Pouchak was stationed in the airfield's radio shack/defense bunker, and was caught at the bunker’s doorway during the B-25’s crash landing. The bomber crashed off the runway into the bunker, collapsing the enclosure upon Pvt Pouchak. He was quickly dug out by his fellow servicemen, however he had suffered a severe head injury and passed away about 45 minutes after the accident. 

Steven Pouchak was buried in Adak’s military cemetery and was later reinterred in Calvary Cemetery in Chisolm, Minnesota.

Thank you Pvt Pouchak for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Steven.

_____

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 Henry Citty of the 82nd Airborne Division. You can read about Henry 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 Kamikaze Fallen - Andrew Slivinski, USS Colorado

Coxswain Andrew Slivinski served on the battleship USS Colorado during the Leyte Campaign.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92499684/andrew-martin-slivinski
http://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/kamikaze-attack-a-tribute-to-robert-e-lee-killed-on-the-uss-colorado-on-november-27-1944/
https://www.thoughtco.com/uss-colorado-bb-45-2361285 

Andrew Martin Slivinski, Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Andrew was born on April 27, 1920 in Minocqua, Wisconsin. His parents Andrew and Ruth were born in Poland and Michigan, respectively. His maternal grandparents were from England. His father worked as a farmer. Andrew had two older brothers and three older sisters. By 1940 Andrew had completed two years of high school. He was still living at home, working on the family farm.

He enlisted in the US Navy on November 27, 1941. He reached the rank of coxswain on the battleship USS Colorado. He served in the 5th Division. Colorado was not at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked the Pacific Fleet. It was undergoing repairs at Puget Sound. Andrew joined Colorado in time to be part of the crew when it was sent to the South Pacific.

Colorado was part of American attacks at Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, and Leyte.

Coxswain Slivinski woke on the morning of November 27, 1944 marking his three year anniversary of joining the US Navy. That same day the Japanese sent 60 kamikaze planes to attack the US fleet supporting the Leyte campaign. One of the Japanese planes made it through the defensive fire and struck Colorado on one of its gun emplacements. Another hit the port galley deck. Casualties included 72 injured and 19 dead. One of those was Coxswain Slivinski.

His grave is at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Woodruff, Wisconsin.

Thank you Coxswain Slivinski for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Andrew.

Last year on this date I profiled Luzon fallen Paul Ferguson, 25th Infantry Division. You can read about Paul here.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Guadalcanal Fallen - Navy Cross hero William Wolvington, 1st Marine Division

Cpl. William Wolvington served with the 1st Marine Division at the Battle of the Tenaru
and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81997871/william-henry-wolvington
https://www.pinterest.com/judah55/us-navy-cross-medal/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usmcarchives/36545717782 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

William was born on April 26, 1920 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents John and Jane were also both born in Pennsylvania. All of his grandparents were born in England. His father worked as a dying mill examiner and later as a WPA laborer. William had one older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in October 1940. He became a corporal in the 2nd Battalion, First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division.

William married his wife Dorothy shortly before leaving the states for the South Pacific in April 1942. He was one of the first marines to land on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. Cpl. Wolvington had the distinction of being one of the marines who tore down the Japanese flag at the airfield the Americans captured and renamed Henderson Field.

In the early hours of August 21, a Japanese force sent to retake the airfield from the Americans attacked across Alligator Creek in what became known as the Battle of the Tenaru. The overconfident Japanese underestimated the size and fortitude of the defending Americans and the attack was a complete failure with only 30 of 900 Japanese troops escaping death or capture. Cpl. Wolvington played a key role in the American victory at the cost of his life. He was one of 41-44 marines killed in the battle. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Cpl. Wolvington's citation is as follows:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal William H. Wolvington (MCSN: 300447), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Platoon Guide of a Rifle Company of the Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against a Japanese landing force of about 700 men which launched an attack at the mouth of the Tenaru River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in the early morning darkness on 21 August 1942. 

When his platoon was enfiladed by machine gun fire, Corporal Wolvington, with courageous disregard for his own personal safety, advanced to the front line, picked up an abandoned machine gun and silenced the hostile fire. Continuing to carry the weapon and firing from the hip, he killed Japanese who had filtered across the river and assisted in silencing two enemy machine guns on the far bank. Exposed to deadly fire throughout the action, he fought with stubborn persistence until he was mortally wounded. 

He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country.

His grave is at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Corporal Wolvington for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 airman Robert Boyd. You can read about Robert here.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - Air Medal hero and C-47 radioman Harlan Sandlin

Staff Sergeant Harlan Sandlin was a C-47 radioman in the 316th Troop Carrier Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7754963/harlan-sandlin
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/266 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Harlan was born on April 25, 1920 in Alabama. His parents Calvin and Pearlie were also both born in Alabama. His father worked as a farmer. Harlan had two older sisters, one younger brother, and one younger sister. By 1940 Harlan had completed four years of high school and was working on the family farm. He attended Jacksonville State Teachers College for 1 1/2 years.

He was drafted into the army in April 1942. He became a staff sergeant and radio operator in the 44th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group which operated C-47 Skytrains from North Africa to England. He began flying missions while the Americans were fighting in North Africa. He earned the Air Medal for his service during the invasion of Sicily and Italy. The 316th TCG was sent to England in February 1944 to prepared for the invasion of France. 

Sgt Sandlin was killed on the night of May 12, 1944 in a midair airplane collision between his C-47 #42-108877 and another C-47 in the skies over Turves and Benwick, England.

His grave is at Addington Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cold Springs, Alabama.

Thank you Sgt. Sandlin for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Darlin.

UPDATE: G. H. Combs from the Fans of the C-47 Skytrain Facebook page shared this link with more information.  Also see this related Facebook page recommended by Dax Bond.

Last year on this date I profiled Pearl Harbor fallen William Durham, USS Arizona. 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

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - B-25 radioman James Orechia

Tech Sergeant James Orechia was a B-25 radioman in the 321st Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97548620/james-raymond-orechia
https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=28487 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

James was born on April 24, 1920 in Lincoln, Massachusetts. His parents George and Mabel were both born in Canada. His father worked as a leather factory leather checker and later as a milk salesman. Still later he was a farmer. James had two younger brothers. By 1940 James had completed one year of high school and was working as a pasteurizer. He was still living with his parents. At some point he got married and his wife's name was Ann.

He was drafted into the army in June 1942. At some point he volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He eventually became a tech sergeant in the 446th Bombardment Squadron, 321st Bombardment Group, which was equipped with B-25 Mitchells. It was sent to the Mediterranean Theater where it became part of the Twelfth Air Force.

His findagrave.com memorial has a quite an extensive profile of Sgt. Orechia's service.

James was trained as a radio operator. By April 1944 his unit moved its base to Corsica. He earned the Air Medal during his time of service.

By May 14, 1944, Sgt. Orechia had completed all his required missions. On May 15, 1944 he decided to volunteer for one more mission on B-25 #42-32429 which had the nickname Flamingo. The target was the Orvieto Station Railroad Bridge. His plane made it back from the mission but it crashed on landing. The explosion killed all of the crew.

His grave is at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Danvers, Massachusetts. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Sgt. Orechia for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero George Benjamin, 77th Infantry Division. 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

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Battle of the Bulge Fallen - Artilleryman Perry Baker, 106th Infantry Division

PFC Perry Baker served with the 589th Field Artillery Battalion that was part of the 106th Infantry Division.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18676632/perry-grey-baker
https://www.pinterest.com/gliderrider327/106th-id-images/ 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Perry was born on April 23, 1920 in Amarillo, Texas. His parents Harvey and Mary were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a clothing store salesman and later as an insurance agent. Still later he worked as a mail carrier. Perry had a younger brother and sister. By 1940 Perry had completed two years of schooling at Amarillo College and was working as a delivery man for Smyth Auto Supply. He still lived at home.

He volunteered for the army in October 1942. He became a private first class in the Service Company, 589th Field Artillery Battalion, 106th Infantry Division. It was equipped with 105mm howitzers. The 106th ID arrived in Europe in early December 1944. It was sent to the Ardennes Forest to relieve the 2nd Infantry Division on December 11, 1944. Five days later the unit was outnumbered and encircled by Germans advancing on the north end of their Battle of the Bulge offensive. As soon as December 17, the 589th FAB began losing guns as it was overrun by the enemy. Those men who avoided capture moved in the direction of St. Vith. 

By December 19, the 589th was down to three howitzers. The surrounded Americans came under heavy artillery fire that afternoon. PFC Baker was declared missing in action before his battalion surrendered. His status was later changed to killed in action.

PFC Baker lost a cousin during the war. Ensign James Everett, a torpedo bomber pilot, was declared missing in September 1944 and confirmed as killed in action on December 16, the day Perry first saw combat.

His grave is at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas.

Thank you PFC Baker for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Perry.

Last year on this date I profiled Saipan fallen Cleave Sinor, 27th Infantry Division. You can read about Cleave here.

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

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

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

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Saipan Fallen - Jay Hollifield, 27th Infantry Division

Sgt. Jay Hollifield, 27th Infantry Division, was killed on the last day of the Battle of Saipan.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60635428/jay-b_-hollifield
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Marianas/index.html 

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

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WW2 fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War 2 fallen in one free-to-access central database.  Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

Jay was born on April 22, 1920 in North Carolina. His parents Ed and Victoria were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a timber cutter and later as a farmer. Jay had a younger brother and two younger sisters. By 1940 Jay had completed three years of high school and was living and working on his uncle's farm.

He was drafted into the army in September 1941. He reached the rank of sergeant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. The 27th ID was deployed in defensive positions in California right after the Pearl Harbor attack. In May 1942 it was sent to Hawaii to defend that location. It first saw action when it captured the Makin Atoll in November 1943.

The 27th ID played a major role in the attack on Saipan, landing on D+1, June 16, 1944. It was tough fighting taking on the center section of the attack and the 27th suffered more than 1,800 casualties in two weeks. There was no rest at night when the Japanese were most active with suicidal night patrols.

On July 7, 1944, the 105th IR was in the direct path of a last ditch pre-dawn Japanese banzai attack of at least 1,500 men. The 1st Battalion was cut off and surrounded. The ill-armed Japanese suffered horrendous casualties. When the attack ended a few hours later and the remaining Japanese withdrew, the 1st Battalion was down to 25 percent strength, it lost 349 men that day.  

On the night of July 8-9, a few remaining Japanese troops tried to infiltrate through the 27th ID lines. They were repulsed, but Americans still died. Sgt. Hollifield was killed on July 9, 1944, the official last day of the battle.

His grave is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Thank you Sgt. Hollifield for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Jay.

Last year on this date I profiled Okinawa fallen Wallace Bitton, 96th Infantry Division. You can read about Wallace 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