WW2 New Guinea Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Dale Christensen, 112th Cav

2nd Lt. Dale E Christensen was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor while serving in the 112th Calvary Regiment at the Battle of Driniumor in New Guinea.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8191837
https://www.army.mil/article/43452/in_the_finest_traditions_of_the_u_s_cavalry_?from=RSS 

Dale Eldon Christensen 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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

He was born on May 31, 1920 in Iowa. His parents Chris and Sadie were born in Denmark and Iowa, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. Dale had six older brothers. By 1940 Dale had completed four years of high school and was living in Los Angeles. He worked as an  ambulance attendant.

He joined the army in October 1940. For a while he served as a drill instructor. He eventually became a second lieutenant in Troop E, 112th Cavalry Regiment. As a cavalry unit, the 112th Cav was trained to use horses. It was deployed to the South Pacific and was equipped with Australian Waler horses until those in charge determined that the horses would not perform well on South Pacific islands. Despite the cavalry designation, it would fight as an infantry unit.

The 112th Cav was first deployed at an unopposed amphibious landing on Woodlark Island on June 30, 1943. On December 15, the 112th Cav was split up and made three separate amphibious landings in New Britain.

In the summer of 1944 the 112th Cav was attached to the 32nd Infantry Division for the Western New Guinea Campaign. It played a key roll in the 51-day Battle of Driniumor. The 112th Cav suffered 61% casualties by the time the battle ended. One of those killed was Lt. Christensen, who was killed on August 4, 1944 by enemy machine-gun fire. The actions that lead to his death resulted in a posthumous Medal of Honor award.

His citation reads as follows:

2d Lt. Christensen repeatedly distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in the continuous heavy fighting which occurred in this area from 16-July 19. 

On July 16, his platoon engaged in a savage fire fight in which much damage was caused by 1 enemy machinegun effectively placed. 2d Lt. Christensen ordered his men to remain under cover, crept forward under fire, and at a range of 15 yards put the gun out of action with hand grenades. 

Again, on July 19, while attacking an enemy position strong in mortars and machineguns, his platoon was pinned to the ground by intense fire. Ordering his men to remain under cover, he crept forward alone to locate definitely the enemy automatic weapons and the best direction from which to attack. Although his rifle was struck by enemy fire and knocked from his hands he continued his reconnaissance, located 5 enemy machineguns, destroyed 1 with hand grenades, and rejoined his platoon. He then led his men to the point selected for launching the attack and, calling encouragement, led the charge. This assault was successful and the enemy was driven from the positions with a loss of 4 mortars and 10 machineguns and leaving many dead on the field. 

On August 4, 1944, near Afua, Dutch New Guinea, 2d Lt. Christensen was killed in action about 2 yards from his objective while leading his platoon in an attack on an enemy machinegun position. 

2d Lt. Christensen's leadership, intrepidity, and repeatedly demonstrated gallantry in action at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.

His grave is at Manila American Cemetery in Manilla, Philippines.

Thank you Lt. Christensen for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Dale.

This is one of the final 100 stories (95) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75 anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.


Last year on this date I profiled Yeoman Ernest Fisher, USS Truxtun. You can read about Ernest 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 Aleutian Islands Fallen - PBY-5 Crewman Leo Hoff

AOMM3c Leo Hoff was a PBY-5 crewman in Alaska.
 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75172373/leo-ainsley-hoff

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PBY-5A_Alaska_1943.jpg

Leo Ainsley Hoff 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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

Leo was born on May 30, 1920 in Swift, Minnesota. His father Erik was born in Minnesota to Norwegian immigrants and his mother Mamie was born in Montana to immigrants from Sweden. Erik was a farmer. Leo had three older sisters. Leo’s mother died before he was one year old, and his father died when he was three years old. Leo and his sisters then lived with an uncle in Sauk Center, Minnesota. By 1940, Leo had completed four years of high school and was working on his uncle’s farm.

Some time later Leo joined the US Naval Reserve, and eventually was assigned to Fleet Air Wing #4, based in the Aleutian Islands, where he served as an Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd class (AOM3c). The wing flew PBY-5A Catalina seaplanes and was responsible for patrolling the North Pacific on reconnaissance and bombing missions over the Japanese held Islands of Paramushiro and Shimushu, northernmost of the Kuril Islands. The patrols were long and uncomfortable due to the inhospitable weather experienced in the Aleutians. Even though the aircrews were dressed in warm, fleece-lined leather flight jackets, pants, gloves, and boots, everyone returned from missions half frozen.

On 17 January 1944 AOM3c Hoff was one of the crew aboard a PBY-5A preparing for departure from the base at Attu in the Aleutian Islands. The pilot had difficulty starting the aircraft’s port engine, but eventually got it running. The aircraft taxied out into Massacre Bay and took off. About 90 seconds later the aircraft crashed into the bay and exploded, killing all nine crewmembers aboard.

Leo Ainsley Hoff is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Thank you AOM3C Hoff for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Leo.

_____

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." 

This is one of the final 100 stories (96) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75 anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled Navy Cross hero Donald Lasco of the 1st Marine Division. You can read about Donald 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 U-Boat Victim Fallen - Erin Kay, SS San Blas

Seaman 2/c Erin Kay served on the cargo steamer SS San Blas until it was sunk by a German U-boat.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71496202/erin-epting-kay
https://arqueologiasubacuatica.org/tag/ss-san-blas/
https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?15860 

Erin Epting Kay 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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

Erin was born on May 29, 1920 in South Carolina. His parents Marion and Macy were also both born in South Carolina. His father worked as a farmer. Erin had two younger brothers. By 1940 Erin had completed seven years of schooling and was working on the family farm.

He volunteered for the Navy on December 23, 1941. He became a seamen second class and was assigned to serve on the Panamanian cargo steamer SS San Blas. San Blas steamed from Galveston bound for Guatemala. It travelled without any escort. In the pre-dawn hours of June 17, 1942, German U-boat 158 fired two torpedoes at San Blas. The first one missed but the second one hit the port quarter. Out of 44 men on board, 29 (including Seaman Kay) were lost. The others survived on rafts for 12 days until they were rescued by a US Navy Catalina flying boat.

His cenotaph grave is at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina. 

Thank you Seaman Kay for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Erin.

This is one of the final 100 stories (97) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75 anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled James Crowley, 1st 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 Iwo Jima Fallen - Navajo Code Talker Paul Kinlahcheeny, 5th Marine Division

PFC Paul Kinlahcheeny was one of the original Navajo Code Talkers and served in the 5th Marine Division at Iwo Jima.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56113068
https://stationhypo.com/2017/05/04/5045/ 

Paul Kinlahcheeny 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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

Paul was born on May 28, 1920 in New Mexico. I was not able to find any census record for Paul or his family. He was married to Lorraine Sanostee. He had a son and a daughter.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He became a private first class in the 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.

PFC Kinlahcheeny was one of the original 29 Code Talkers. Eventually about 4,200 were trained. The idea for the Navajo Code Talkers was proposed by Phillip Johnson, who learned Navajo at the age of nine while his parents were missionaries on a Navajo reservation. He knew that at that point there had never been a Navajo dictionary published and that no more than 40 non-Navajos on the planet could speak the language. It would be the perfect way to communicate in the open during battles with the Japanese without risk that the enemy would crack their language. 

Like most native Americans, the Navajo had been mistreated by the policies of the US government and many of their citizens. There was good reason for their men of fighting age to not come to the aid of the USA. Nevertheless, many Navajos willingly volunteered for the military.

The Code Talkers first saw action at Guadalcanal and would be with the Marines at every landing after that. PFC Kinlahcheeny was still stateside in October 1943, but he no doubt was in the South Pacific by 1944. His final campaign was at Iwo Jima.

An interview with PFC Kinlahcheeny's friend John Lauriello in SJMag tells us some details about Paul. John and Paul slept toe to toe for the 50 day voyage to Iwo Jima. At one point they were tasked with unloading some food supplies. Paul grabbed a can of peaches for himself. Later there was an announcement on the ship intercom complaining that 25% of the delivered food was missing. 

Paul decided to take his can of peaches with him in his pack when he and John offloaded for the trip to the black Iwo Jima beaches on the morning of February 19, 1945. He planned to eat them for dinner. They had been on the beach for less than a minute when Paul said, "John, what should we do now?" John turned to answer and saw his friend dead from a bullet that struck his chest.

His grave is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. His widow remarried and died in 2009. His children are likely still alive. John Lauriello named his son Paul in honor of his friend.

In 2001 the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers were recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Thank you PFC Kinlahcheeny for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Paul.

This is one of the final 100 stories (98) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75 anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.


Last year on this date I profiled WWII Normandy fallen Thomas Laverty, 9th Infantry Division. You can read about Thomas 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 Waist Gunner Ralph Bates

Sgt. Ralph Bates was B-17 waist gunner on the B-17 Roger the Lodger II.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56287633/ralph-teakle-bates
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77705411/ralph-teakle-bates
https://95thbg.mmsw.eu/aircraft/101 

Ralph Teakle Bates 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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

Ralph was born on May 27, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents Frank and Agnes were also both born in Utah. His father worked as a post office janitor and later as a government laborer.  He died in 1937 from tuberculosis. Agnes found work as a cook. Ralph had two older brothers, two older sisters, and one younger sister. By 1940 Ralph had completed four years of high school and was working as a gas attendant.

He was drafted into the army and volunteered for the Army Air Forces where he became a staff sergeant in the 412th Bombardment Squadron, 95th Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. He was trained as a waist gunner. The 95th BG starting flying missions from England in May 1943. Sgt. Bates flew his first mission on August 12, 1943 to Bonn, Germany. He would fly a total of thirteen missions. (The 95th BG has an excellent website - see https://95thbg.mmsw.eu)

Sgt. Bates final mission was on October 9, 1943. He was the right waist gunner on the B-17 42-30377 nicknamed Roger the Lodger II. The mission that day was to bomb Marienburg, Germany. The bombing run was successful, but his plane suffered damage to the number 2 engine. The engine caught fire over the English Channel and crashed into the water. Although five men managed to bail out, there were no survivors.

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

Thank you Sgt. Bates for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ralph.

This is one of the final 100 stories (99) to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75 anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of ALL 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest, and encourage you to help write some of these stories.


Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Truman Kimbro, 2nd Infantry Division. You can read about Truman 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 Operation Husky Fallen - Medal of Honor hero John Parle, LST 375

Ensign John Parle, who served on LST 375 during the invasion of Sicily, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6404320
https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160375.htm 

John Joseph Parle 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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

John was born on May 26, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents Harry and Mary (who lived to be nearly 99) were born in Missouri and Iowa, respectively. His father worked as a telephone electrical engineer. John had one older sister, three younger brothers, and three younger sisters. By 1940 John had completed one year of college and was still living at home.

He volunteered for the US Navy through the US Naval Reserve ROTC program at Creighton University. He became an ensign on USS LST 375. This Landing Ship Tank was launched in January 1943. Ensign Parle was one of a crew of just over 100 men.

LST 375 first saw action in the Allied invasion of Sicily. On July 10, 1943 Ensign Parle was made the Officer-in-Charge of Small Boats. He noticed a smoking pot has been prematurely lit, creating a plume of smoke that would be visible to defenders on the Sicilian beaches. He tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire and then lifted the smoking pot and threw it overboard. He breathed in a fatal amount of smoke.

Ensign Parle succumbed to his woulds on July 17, 1943. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His citation reads as follows:

For valor and courage above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of Small Boats in the U.S.S. LST 375 during the amphibious assault on the island of Sicily, 9-10 July 1943. 

Realizing that a detonation of explosives would prematurely disclose to the enemy the assault about to be carried out, and with full knowledge of the peril involved, Ens. Parle unhesitatingly risked his life to extinguish a smoke pot accidentally ignited in a boat carrying charges of high explosives, detonating fuses and ammunition. Undaunted by fire and blinding smoke, he entered the craft, quickly snuffed out a burning fuse, and after failing in his desperate efforts to extinguish the fire pot, finally seized it with both hands and threw it over the side. 

Although he succumbed a week later from smoke and fumes inhaled, Ens. Parle's heroic self-sacrifice prevented grave damage to the ship and personnel and insured the security of a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

His grave is at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. The date of July 10 appears to  be incorrect.

Thank you Ensign Parle for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

Last year on this date I profiled John Pekny, 3rd Armored 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

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

Memorial Day WW2 Fallen - DFC hero P-38 ace T. H. McArthur

P-38 pilot Captain T. H. McArthur was an ace in the 82nd Fighter Group in North Africa.
Photos provided by Roger Enlow, Captain McArthur's grandnephew. 

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

A big thanks to Roger Enlow who recommended that his great uncle T. H. be recognized and remembered in this profile. Roger provided many of the details shared below.

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. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. 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.

T. H. was born on May 25, 1920 in Albany, Texas. His parents Tom and Bessie were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a ranch hand, and later as a farmer. His mother died in 1924. T. H. had one older sister, Alma. He graduated from Zephyr High School in 1937 where he was vice president of the senior class as well as being elected “most popular”.  He then went to Daniel Baker College where he studied for two years before enlisting.

He volunteered for the Army Air Corps in February 1941 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in October. He was assigned to the 38th Pursuit Squadron, 55th Pursuit Group in Portland. There the training began with the new P-38 Lightning in March 1942. Learning to fly this unique plane was hazardous. Many other pilots were killed while training. In May, 1942 he was transferred to the new 95th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group which was flying the P-38 at March Field, California. T. H. was promoted to first lieutenant in July. He was promoted again to captain in October 1942.

In July, 1942 the 82nd was sent overseas on the Queen Mary, eventually arriving in England in October. After training in England, the 82nd was sent to North Africa and Captain McArthur entered combat on December 25, 1942. The 82nd was headquartered in Algeria. He was promoted to Squadron Commander of the 95th FS on April 12, 1943.

On May 3, 1943, while on an escort mission, the weather turned bad and the mission was aborted and pilots were instructed to return to base. Low on fuel, Captain McArthur and two others landed at an RAF base in Algeria for re-fueling. After completion, he and the others attempted to take off in the bad weather in order to return to their base. Due to unfamiliarity of the terrain, all three crashed into the mountains surrounding the RAF base and were killed.

Overall Captain McArthur was credited with 5 enemy kills, making him one of the first American aces in the war against the Axis -- 4 German and 1 Italian planes, 1 other probable kill, as well as the sinking of a boat while on a skip bombing mission.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.

His grave is at Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery in Goldthwaite, Texas.

Thank you Captain McArthur for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for T. H.

This story is also saved at https://www.fold3.com/page/84755906-t-h-mcarthur/stories as part of the Stories Behind the Stars project to have stories of all the US World War II fallen at one location to be accessible from all war memorials and cemeteries. We are going to need hundreds, and probably thousands of volunteers to make this happen. It is free to join and enriching to research and write these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled Luzon fallen Troy Evans, 32nd Infantry Division. You can read about Troy 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