WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - USNA grad Edward Cloues, USS Arizona

Ensign Edward Cloues was killed when the Japanese bombed the USS Arizona depicted in this paining by Tom Freeman.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56117963
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/05/20/features/story5.html

Edward Blanchard Cloues never had a chance to reach 100 years old on Christmas Day. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on December 25, 1917 in New Hampshire. His parents Alfred and Hattie were both born in Massachusetts. His father worked as a lumber mill manager and later as a postmaster. Still later he was the treasurer for Merrimack County. Edward had two younger brothers, the younger of which served in the army during World War 2. By 1940 Edward had graduated from the US Naval Academy.

Ensign Cloues was assigned to serve on the USS Arizona and arrived on station on June 29, 1940. On the first weekend of December 1941, Ensign Cloues had earned leave in Honolulu. He traded with another ensign and stayed onboard. As is well known, on December 7, 1941 Arizona was mortally struck by a devastating dive bombing attack when a Japanese bomb penetrated its deck and exploded the forward magazine. Ensign Cloues battle station was in one of the gun turrets. He was likely killed in the massive explosion since his body was never found. His family probably spent Christmas 1941, and Edward's birthday, with the unconfirmed knowledge that Edward would not be coming home.

The destroyer escort USS Cloues was named after him. It was christened by his mother on August 10, 1943.

USS Cloues
http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/images/265/0626505.jpg

Edward remains entombed in the USS Arizona. His name is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

Thank you Edward for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Edward and remember the blessing we now enjoyed in our free nation. Here, in part, is what President Truman said on December 24, 1945, the first Christmas season of peace after four years of war:

With our enemies vanquished we must gird ourselves for the work that lies ahead. Peace has its victories no less hard won than success at arms. We must not fail or falter. We must strive without ceasing to make real the prophecy of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

In this day, whether it be far or near, the Kingdoms of this world shall become indeed the Kingdom of God and He will reign forever and ever, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. With that message I wish my countrymen a Merry Christmas and joyous days in the New Year.

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

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

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WW2 Fallen - Willie Putty, 4th Infantry Division

Pfc. Willie Putty was killed while the 4th Infantry Division attacked the city of Cherbourg, France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17177054
http://ww2daybyday.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-battle-of-cherbourg-ends.html

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

He was born on December 24, 1917 in Tennessee. His parents Edgar and Mary were also both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a farmer. Willie had two older brothers, three older sisters, and two younger sisters. Willie completed a grammar school education and worked on the family farm before the war.

He enlisted in the army on October 15, 1942. He became a private first class in Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division (Nicknamed "Ivy Division"). 

The 4th ID landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. After securing the beachhead, the 4th ID pivoted north to capture the important port of Cherbourg. Pfc. Putty was killed on June 24, 1944 while his company was clearing bunkers and pillboxes. Cherbourg fell five days later. The 4th ID lost 800 killed from D-Day until the capture of Cherbourg.

His grave is at Gordonsville Cemetery in Tennessee. His headstone erroneously shows he served in the 47th Infantry Division which did not exist during World War 2.

Thank you Willie for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Willie.

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

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

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WW2 Normandy Fallen - Louis Miori, 4th Infantry Division

Troops from the 4th Infantry Division approach Avranches where Sgt. Louis Miori was killed on August 1, 1944.
https://www.abmc.gov/multimedia/images/american-soldiers-avranches
http://histomil.com/viewtopic.php?f=338&t=3918&start=560

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

He was born on December 23, 1917 in Seattle. His parents Sarafina and Filima were both born in Italian speaking Austria. His father worked as a street laborer. He died in 1931. Louis had an older sister and two younger brothers.

He enlisted in the army in 1942. He became a staff sergeant in Company H, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division (Nicknamed "Ivy Division"). The 4th ID arrived in England in January 1944. Sgt. Miori landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. Over the next three weeks he fought through Normandy until the important port of Cherbourg was captured. He saw many comrades fall. The 4th ID had 5,450 casualties including 800 killed during this time.

In July Sgt. Miori fought through the hedgerows of Normandy as part of Operation Cobra. By the end of the month the 4th ID had reached Avranches. Sgt. Miori was killed the next day on August 1, 1944.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.

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

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

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

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WW2 Fallen - Raymond Lund, 1st Infantry Division

Pfc. Raymond Lund served in Sicily with these 16th Infantry Regiment troops.
 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104552827/Raymond-E-Lund
http://www.16thinfassn.org/history/historical-galleries/world-war-ii/sicily/

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

He was born on December 22, 1917 in Minnesota. His parents were also both born in Minnesota. Raymond had an older sister and brother (twins), three younger brothers and three younger sisters. Two brothers served in the army during World War 2. His youngest brother was in the navy after World War 2.

He enlisted in the army on April 5, 1942. He became a private first class in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Nicknamed "The Big Red One"). He may not have been with the 1st ID when it landed in North Africa in November 1942, but he was part of the invasion of Sicily on July 10, 1943. On July 29 the 16th Infantry Regiment captured the high ground west of the Cerami River. Pfc. Lund was killed in action that day.

His grave is at Saint Stanilaus Church Cemetery in Sobieski, Minnesota.

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

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

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

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WW2 Fallen - Kenneth Bricker, 36th Infantry Division

Pfc. Kenneth Bricker landed at Salerno in September 1943 with the 36th Infantry Division
and was killed in action two months later.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26235994
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/4101113562 

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

He was born on December 21, 1917 in Illinois. His parents Jerry and Mary were both born in Ohio. His father worked as a farmer. Kenneth had two younger sisters and three younger brothers. His youngest brother served in the army during the Korean War. Kenneth completed a grammar school education and worked as a truck driver before the war.

He enlisted in the army on February 18, 1942. He became a private first class in Company A, 1st Battalion, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division (Nicknamed "Arrowhead"). The 36th ID first saw action in Italy at the Battle of Salerno in September 1943. In November it was assigned to capture Mount Maggiore, Mount Lungo, and the village of San Pietro in cold rainy weather with little food and inadequate winter gear. The Germans had the high ground and made effective use of artillery. As a result, the 142nd IR had 126 casualties during November including 20 killed. Pfc. Bricker was killed on November 30.

His grave is at Clay City Cemetery in Illinois.

Thank you Kenneth for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Kenneth.

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

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

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WW2 Monte Cassino Fallen - Clarence Armstrong, 34th Infantry Division

Lt. Clarence Armstrong served with these men from the 34th Infantry Regiment in the First Battle of Monte Cassino.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33833752
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/538672805412496034/ 

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

He was born on December 20, 1917 in Ohio. His parents Luther and Annis were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as a saw mill engineer and later as a railroad car inspector. Clarence had two older brother, three older sisters, one younger brother and three younger sisters. By 1940 Clarence had completed two years of college at Ohio State University and was working as a railroad brakeman. He was still living at home.

He enlisted in the army on February 4, 1942. He became a first lieutenant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division (Nicknamed "Red Bull").

The 34th ID first saw action in Algeria in November 1942. It landed at Salerno, Italy in September 1943. In January 1944 its position had advanced to the Bernhardt Line. I don't know when Lt. Armstrong joined his unit. The Red Bulls took significant casualties and was in constant need of replacements. Lieutenants had to be replaced on a more frequent basis than most troops.

On January 24, 1944 the Red Bulls crossed the Gari River and attacked Monastery Hill, a target that would not fall cheaply during the effort to take Monte Cassino. Lt. Armstrong died of wounds on this first day of the attack. Overall the 34th ID's infantry battalions would sustain 80% casualties over the next three weeks.

The allies would suffer more than 55,000 casualties before Monte Cassino was finally taken four months later.

His grave is at King Cemetery in Middle Point, Ohio.

Thank you Clarence for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Clarence.

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

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

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WW2 Fallen - Silver Star hero William Podkulski, 101st Airborne Division

Pfc. William Podkulski was killed the day after this photo of another 101st airborne solider
was taken on September 17, 1944.
http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/a-101st-airborne-paratroopers-combat-journey/

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

He was born on December 19, 1917, probably in Pennsylvania. His father Joseph was born in Poland. His father worked as a mine laborer and died in 1931 from blood poisoning. I was not able to find any information about his mother Josephine or about any siblings.

He enlisted in the army on August 2, 1939. He was a private first class in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Infantry Division. He parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day. A friend of his remembered William had to push the man in front of him out of the plane because he sat in the doorway and refused to jump.

Pvt. Podkulski next parachuted into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944. He was killed in action the next day. Prior to his death that day he took action that was recognized by a posthumous Sliver Star.

On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best Holland, PFC Podkulski located an enemy mortar which was holding up the advance of his company. Searing personal safety, Private Podkulski rushed forward across an open field in the face of heavy and intense enemy fire to destroy the enemy gun. Before reaching the gun, he was seriously wounded. Undaunted and with unflinching devotion to duty he crawled forward to a position from which he was able to destroy the entire enemy position with hand grenades. By his heroic actions the company was able to advance toward its objective. During a later action he was mortally wounded. The supreme sacrifice he made above and beyond the call of duty his intrepid courage and heroic devotion to duty exemplify the highest standards of the military service.

His grave is at Holy Mother of Sorrows Parish Cemetery in Dupont, Pennsylvania.

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

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

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

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