Clarksburg Ohio World War II and Ohio Military World War II history

From Somewhere in France: Letters To Ohio From a World At War: Available for online purchase

2010-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today, Victor Cleary's second book on Clarksburg Ohio's World War II effort, FROM SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE: LETTERS TO OHIO FROM A WORLD AT WAR, is available for purchase online through popular online publisher, Lulu.com.

From Somewhere in France focuses on the village and township’s efforts during the war and features nearly 200 personal letters from Clarksburg Ohio’s World War Two era soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

You can buy the book today! Click here to purchase Victor Cleary's From Somewhere in France now for $19.99. Or, visit Lulu.com and on the site's home page type "From Somewhere in France" in the search prompt.

Letters from 70 individuals are included in Cleary's newest book. Detailed information on over 50 of these veterans were not included in the individual chapter stories making up Clarksburg’s Courageous: World War II, Cleary’s first book on the subject, therefore a substantial amount of new material about the village's war effort is exposed in this second piece, making it an ideal companion to the first.

The following is a list of individuals whose letters are included in the book.

SSGT Ralph W. Anderson
Aerial Engineer
8th Air Force, 92nd Bomb Group, 325th Bomb Squadron

TSGT Robert C. Anderson
P-38 Crew Chief
15th Air Force, 14th Fighter Group, 37th Fighter Squadron

SGT Allen Anderson
Navigator-in-training
36th Training Group, Squadron A

Sgt. Bernard Ater
Aerial Engineer

Seaman 1st Class Marcus Ater
Gunner's Mate
USS Denver (CL- 58): Cruiser

LT Joe Ater
Multi-engine pilot
324th Army Air Force Base Unit

SGT Jack Ater
Heavy Machine Gunner
97th Infantry Division, 387th Infantry Regiment, Company D

PFC Robert Bethel
Surgical Technician
58th Medical Corps. 344th Medical Dispensary

SGT Corrine Bochard
General Clerk
WAAC Detachment 4201

SGT William Bochard
Radio Operator
6th Army, 10th Corp., 99th Signal Battalion

SSGT Sylvester Bookwalter
Medical Laboratory Tech
3702nd AAF Base Unit, 344th Bomb Group

CPL Delbert Boyer
Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun crewman

T/5 Wendell Bryant
Amphibious Truck Driver
479th Amphibious Truck Company

Roger Bryant

PVT Charles Bryant

SGT Wendell Carroll
Infantry Medic
3rd Army, 80th Inf. Div., 319th Inf. Reg., HQ Detachment

SGT Willis Cleary
Infantry Clerk
2nd Infantry Division, 23rd Infantry Regiment, K Company

SSGT Charles Crabb
Top Turret Gunner
12th Bomb Group, 81st Bomb Squadron. The Earthquakers!

SGT Robert K. Dawson
3rd Army, 69th Infantry Division

CPL John M. Dawson
Radio Operator Mechnic
3507th AAF Base Unit, Aircraft Squad III, Flight I

LT Robert E. Dawson
P-39 and P-51 Fighter Pilot
11th Air Force, 54th Fighter Group , 42nd Fighter Squadron

SSGT Herman Dinkler
Quartermaster
3rd Armored Division, 548th Quartermaster Depot, Advanced Communication Section

SGT Carl Dinkler
Infantryman
8th Infantry Division, 28th Infantry Regiment, Company A

LT Myron Dodd
Pilot
15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron

AUX Mary Ann Driapsa
Woman’s Auxiliary

Seaman 1st Class Leo Dunkle
Crew
LST #863

CPL Tom Eycke
Intelligence NCO
1st Cavalry, 24th Infantry, 77th Infantry, 234th Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company

PFC Oscar Garrison
Parachute - Field Lineman
82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Inf Reg, 115th Field Artillery Batt., Battery C

LT Lewis Garrison
Navigator
8th Air Force, 466th Bomb Group, 787th Bomb Squadron

PVT Don Garrison
Quartermaster and Crane Operator
3204th Quartermaster Service Co

SGT Richard Garrison
Infantryman
8th Infantry Division, 121st Infantry Regiment, I Company

SSGT Harold Garrison
Forward Artillery Observer
32nd Division, 120th Field Artillery Batt., HQ Battery

Muriel Hale
Wife of B-17 Bomber Pilot Lt. George C. Hale
92nd Bomb Group, 325th Bomb Squadron

LT Robert Hamman
Mobile Howitzer Commander
9th Armored Division, 73rd Armored Field Artillery, Battery A

CPL Forrest Hicks
Fire Control Operator

SSGT Harold Hoffman
Infantry Section Leader
40th Infantry Division, 160th Infantry Regiment, D Company

CPL Harry Holloway
Heavy Mortarman Crewman
82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, H Company, and 2nd Battalion HQ Company
Silver Star Recipient (June 1944)

Martin Junk

Field Director John Kirkwood
Red Cross Field Director

SGT Bill Lemly
Ball Turret Gunner
15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron

SGT John Martin
Infantryman
90th Infantry Division, 358th Infantry Regiment, G Company

CPL Warren Martin
Mail clerk
8th Air Force, 301st AAF Base Unit, 704 Air Material Sq.

PFC Paul McCormick
Life Guard
919 Signal Corps, 48th Repair Squad, 4121st AAF Base Unit

PFC Glenn McPherson
Light Truck Driver
204th Quartermaster Battalion

LT William Merz
Artillery Officer
Americal Division, 245th Field Artillery Battalion, HQ Battery, A Battalion

LT Jack Minser
Railhead Supervisor
Army Transportation Corps: 6th Port Headquarters

CAPT Sarah Moomaw
WAAC Training Center

SSGT Gene Morris
Heavy Mortar Crewman
1st Infantry Division, 745th Tank Battalion, Heavy Mortar Platoon & HQ Company

Seaman 1st Class Glenn Morris
Seaman 1st Class

PVT Charles Morris
Infantry Training

LT Jack Morris
Navigator
8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squadron

Seaman 1st Class Fred Nye
LCL Seaman

SGT Richard Pabst
Stationed in Okinawa

PFC John Peck
Aerial Radio Operator
1333rd Army Air Force Base Unit: 13th Area

Machinist Mate 2nd Class John Pool
Machinist Mate
USS Texas (BB-35) Battleship

SSGT Willis Prince
Aerial Nose Gunner
15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron

PFC James Reisinger
Artilleryman
981st Field Artillery Battalion

Ship Fitter 3rd Class Tom Rittenhouse
Ship Fitter
USS Hamul (AD-20)

SSGT John Roseboom
Artilleryman
1st Cavalry Division, 760th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery C.

PFC Ephraim Shull
Cook's helper
58th Ordnance Ammunition Company

PVT Henry Shull
U.S. Army

PFC Cary "Scoop" Skinner
Litter Bearer
41st Infantry Division, 116th Medical Battalion, 5th Squad, Troop B

T/4 Tom Sowers
Infantryman
80th Infantry Division, 318th Infantry Regiment Company A

PFC Richard Stephens
Artillery Observer
20th Field Artillery; attached to the 4th Infantry Division

CPL John Templin
Aircraft Mechanic
Air Transport Command: 1504th Army Air Force Base Unit.

Machinist Mate 2nd Class Robert Templin
Motor Machinist 2nd Class
Naval Sub Chaser

PVT Darrell Templin
United States Army Air Force

LT Daryl Williams
B-25 Pilot
5th Air Force, 345th Bomb Group, 499th Bomb Squadron BATS OUTA HELL

PFC Albert Willis
Firefighter
369th Harbor Craft Company

SGT Dwight Willis
Mess Sergeant
Air Transport Command: 1337th Army Air Force Base Unit, Battery 6

B-25 Mitchells in Urbana Ohio to honor Doolittle Raiders

2010-04-17T17:33:00.001-07:00

On Thursday, April 15, the family and I visited Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio to see how many B-25 Mitchell bombers had flown in and gathered to prepare for today's scheduled formation flyover in Dayton (at the United States Air Force Museum) to honor the presence of the surviving Doolittle Raiders at the organization's annual reunion.

The word on the street is that it very well may be the final reunion for the exclusive group of men who on April 18, 1942 performed a daring, never before attempted carrier launch from the U.S.S. Hornet in a medium-sized bomber full of fuel and bombs, led by a world-renowned aviation pioneer -- and flew unprotected to Tokyo to bomb a number of military targets and then crashland in China in hopes of escaping Japanese ground troops before being caught. The plan, which was part PR, part retaliation for Pearl Harbor, and part show of force, miraculously worked, albeit the damage was little. Colonel Doolittle and his men helped us get our point across, no doubt, and it was a heroic feat. Unfortunately, some were captured and beheaded by the Japanese -- a common practice by the sword wielding Japs that you will never see nor hear of on Hanks and Spielberg's - HBO's The Pacific. Nevertheless, check out the video of the B-25's at Grimes. They were a beautiful sight!

Today in Ohio History: Clarksburg Ohio veterans continue through WWII

2009-09-28T16:50:00.001-07:00

September 28, 1942: Ralph Ater enlists in the U.S. Navy. Pictured with his family.

September 28, 1944: Marcus Ater, aboard the USS Denver, returns to Manus. Norman Trapp flies his fifth bombing mission on Magdeburg in B-17 43-38405. Willis Cleary and the 23rd Infantry Regiment’s Personnel Group departs the Landereau, France hospital they were using as the regimental base and travels by train heading northeast toward Belgium.

September 28, 1945: Dwight Overly’s ship docks in the United States

Today in Ohio History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II Daily Update

2009-09-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

September 25, 1942: Clarence Minnix transfers from Ft. Benjamin Harrison to Camp Crowder, Missouri attached to D Company, 29th T.N. Signal Battalion. Harold Anderson returns stateside from a two year assignment in Panama. Following a ten-day furlough in Clarksburg, he reported to Ft. Monroe, VA. Harold Hoffman departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater as a Heavy Machine Gun section leader, D Company, 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. John Pool enlists in the U.S. Navy. Richard Minser transfers from Fort McClellan, Alabama to Fort Hamilton, New York.

September 25, 1943: Bob Anderson and the 14th Fighter Group, 37th Fighter Squadron, depart North Africa to inch closer to Europe by basing their P-38 Lightnings out of Sicily for a brief period. Clarence Minnix arrives Clarksburg on a 15-day furlough following additional training in Tennessee and recently transferred from the 2nd Army to the 3rd Army. Corrine Bochard is based at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey attached to a Woman's Army Air Corp unit. Don Garrison and the 538th Battalion depart Fort Pierce, Florida for Camp Pickett, Virginia. Sam Saxour departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater to serve as a Surgical Technician with the 80th General Hospital. Tom Eycke enjoys a weekend in Clarksburg with his parents, grandmother and wife while on a brief weekend pass.

September 25, 1944: Robert Hamman lands at Utah Beach as part of the 9th Armored Division, 73rd Armored Field Artillery. Lewis Dennis and the 10th Armored Division arrive in France.

September 25, 1945: Jack Ater, attached to the 97th Infantry Division arrives the Pacific Theater. Marcus Ater, aboard the USS Denver, provides covering support for troops landing at Wakanouri Wan.

Today in Ohio History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans participate in significant advances

2009-09-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II vets move on the enemy:

September 23, 1943: Norman Dean receives a medical discharge from the U.S. Army and returns to Chillicothe, Ohio. He was previously based at Fort Knox, Kentucky. W.A. Anderson is based at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

September 23, 1944: Carl Dinkler (pictured) writes to his parents stating that he is recovering in a British hospital but he has serious surgery ahead on his legs and noted that the Battle of Brest (France) was extremely tough duty. Dinkler was wounded severely days before, when a German sniper singled him out while retrieving bodies from the battlefield, as portions of the 28th Infantry Regiment and the 6th Armored led a task force through the Brittany region of France to cut off German forces in the port city of Brest. Charlie Jobe, part of the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 80th Airborne Artillery, Battery F, boards a glider in England and lands near Nijmegan, Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. Sgt. Dick Garrison, part of I Company, 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, assists in securing the Crozon Penninsula and neutralizing German troops in the area. John Templin enlists in the U.S. Army. Gunner's Mate, Marcus Ater, abord the USS Denver cruiser, provides cover for a Navy Task Force tasked to sweep for mines near Ulithi, in support of the future landing. Tom Sowers enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually serves in the 80th Infantry Division (ETO).

Today in Ohio History: Clarksburg Ohio war veterans

2009-09-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II heavy bomber crew members continue fighting:

September 22, 1943: Ralph Anderson is participating in advanced B-17 training at Dalhart, Texas and preparing to transfer to Scott Field, Illinois in a few days for rotation overseas.

September 22, 1944: Norman Trapp flies his second bombing mission to Kassel, Germany in B-17 42-31879 nicknamed "The Shark." (PHOTO: The Shark behind a 351st Bomb Group crew - not including Trapp)

Ohio Military History: Service...In the Family

2009-09-20T13:43:00.001-07:00

Generational Military Service from Clarksburg Ohio - A Family Affair

Recent examinations of Clarksburg Ohio's service rolls from the Civil War, World War I, and World War II identified a number of consistent names. I thought it would be fitting to list them and the information we have about each soldier.

ADAMS
Ralph Adams, Sergeant, 166th Infantry Regiment, H Company, World War I
Donald Adams, 1st Lieutenant, 485th Bomb Group, B-24 Liberator Pilot, World War II

ATER
George Ater: Company A, 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Abraham Ater: Company K, 89th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Glenn Ater:, Corporal, H Company, 166th Infantry Regiment, World War I
Joe Ater, 1st Lieutenant, 324th Army Air Base Unit, B-17 Pilot, World War II
Jack Ater, Sergeant, 97th Infantry Division, Heavy Machine Gunner, World War II
Marcus Ater, U.S. Navy, Gunner’s Mate, U.S.S. Denver – Cruiser, World War II

DAWSON
Lewis Dawson, Mechanic, 330th Infantry Regiment, G Company, World War I
Robert E. Dawson, Captain, 11th Air Force, 54th Fighter Group, P-39 Pilot, World War II
Robert K. Dawson, Sergeant, 69th Infantry Division, World War II
John M. Dawson, Corporal, Radio Operator Mechanic, World War II

DONAHOE
William S. Donahoe, Company H, 149th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Emmitt Donahoe, Seaman aboard the U.S.S. Michigan battleship, World War I

DOWNING
William Downing, Mail carrier for Company H, 149th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Joseph Wesley Downing, 236th Engineer Combat Battalion, World War II

HAMMAN
Royal Hamman, Private, 84th Infantry Division, 333rd Inf Reg, I Company, World War I
Robert Hamman, Lieutenant, 9th Armored Division, World War II

MADDUX
J.W. Maddux, Company A, 61st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Nelson Maddux, Company K, 89th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Don W. Maddux: 35th Infantry Division, 137th Infantry, World War II (Killed In Action)

MALLOW
Anson Mallow, Company H, 149th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Reed Mallow, PFC, 1st Cavalry, 7th Regiment, World War II (Killed In Action)

RITTENHOUSE
Fred Rittenhouse, Private, 166th Infantry Regiment, H Company
Fred Rittenhouse, PFC, 777th Tank Battalion, World War II
Tom Rittenhouse, Ship Fitter, U.S.S. Hamul, World War II

SHANTON
Orlie Shanton, MP, 330th Infantry Regiment, K Company, World War I
Dick Shanton, Corporal, 389th Anti-aircraft Battalion, World War II

SKINNER
Joshua Skinner, 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Cary Skinner, Litter Bearer, 41st Infantry Division, World War II

TAYLOR
Frank Taylor, Sergeant, 332nd Infantry Regiment, D Company, World War I
Willis Taylor, Corporal, 2nd Engineer School, World War II

TEMPLIN
E.W. Templin, Company H, 149th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
John Templin, Corporal, 1504th Army Air Base Unit, World War II
Wanda Templin, Chief Yeoman, WAVE’s, World War II

WILLIS
John W. Willis, 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Civil War
Jas. Willis, Company H, 149th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War
Dwight Willis, Sergeant, 1337th Army Air Base Unit, World War II

Today in Ohio World War II history

2009-09-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History:

September 17, 1944: Norman Trapp (pictured center bottom row), pilots his first bombing mission of the war with the 351st Bomb Group over Nijmegan, Holland in B-17 43-37956, in support of Operation Market Garden.

September 17, 1945: Hoyt Graham departs Wright Field to points west, including Los Angeles, on an inspection tour of various aircraft factories in California.

September 17, 1946: Joe Kelly departs the Philippines bound for the United States. Troy Reisinger departs the Pacific bound for the United States.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history

2009-09-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history:

September 16, 1942: Roger Bryant is training in Canada.

September 16, 1943: John Martin (90th Infantry Division) is participating in additional infantry training at Camp Hood, Texas.

September 16, 1945: Oscar Garrison's ship docks in the U.S. following 37 months of overseas duty (82nd Airborne Division)

World War II's "Most Admired"

2009-09-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

World War II's Most Admired

Photo: (March 1998: Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa, Arizona) Left to Right: General Joe Foss, Vic Cleary, Joe Forster, and Jack Purdy.

Very rarely do I stray far from 610 WTVN talk radio in the mornings and afternoons during my drives to and from work, but this morning, I was caught in a jam on the Columbus outerbelt. A massive fender bender locked up 270 this morning around 845 am, just in time to catch me in the act, returning from a quick morning meeting with our fine marketing agency. For a change of paste, I flipped to 1460 the FAN for some sports news. It's football season, and I love listening to local chatter on the Buckeyes.

Instead of getting "Buckeye" locker news, the Mike and Mike show was on, but they quickly caught my attention with an interesting topic. Mike (I am not sure which one), asked the other Mike his opinion who the most admired one or two figures in pro sports are, that are still living today? In other words, if you were sitting at a restaurant, and you worked in the sports entertainment business, who would HAVE to walk in and sit down at the restaurant for you to be humbled by their presence?

All in all, it was an excellent question and they provided their own opinions and why. Mike (I can't remember which Mike), said in baseball, it would have to be Hank Aaron. The other Mike said Cal Ripkin, but added the fans may agree more with him more so than the players. In basketball, one picked Bill Russell, the other picked Dr. J, because Michael Jordan regularly refers to Dr. J as the "real" legend. In hockey, Gordie Howe and Gretzgy (did I spell it wrong?). And for some reason, in football, they both agreed Anthony Munoz (which I couldn't quite figure out), Coach Shula and Coach Ditka. Good choices overall.

This conversation made me think back to March of 1998 when I was producing the Cox Communications Air & Motor Spectcular in Mesa, Arizona. Each year, during our air show, we would invite a number of Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Army pilots to fly their fighter jets, cargo planes, bombers, refuelers, and helicopters into our show, to provide "static" aircraft displays for the tens of thousands of people who purchased tickets to view up close and personal. In some cases, the pilots and crew would even allow spectators (taxpayers and true owners of the aircraft) to sit in their seats, flip the switches, grab the stick, and try the aircraft "on for size."

To keep these young men and women in-uniform entertained, we would oftentimes invite them into our VIP Chalet for drinks and food, and to relax while watching the air show from an unobstructed patio. To enhance their entertainment, I would personally invite a few World War II era fighter aces, who wintered, or lived fulltime in the Phoenix, Arizona market, to attend the event and sit with us in the chalet, enjoy the show, and talk to the young, active pilots, to share "war" stories, per say. It was somewhat a selfish gesture on my part, because I loved talking to these guys as well, but I found, year after year, they were staunch supporters of the show because they loved reliving their pasts and sharing words of encouragement with the young fighter pilots flying the new jets, who admired their service 50 years ago. There was definitely a level of mutual respect between the old warriors and the new warriors, and it was quite an experience to be a "fly on the wall" and listen to their conversations.

I was easily star struck by any of the old WWII aces who agreed to come to my show and fortunately for me, I call many of them my friends... Colonel Jerry Collinsworth (and his lovely wife Fran), Jack and Liz Purdy, Joe Forster, etc. However, once, during the show, I truly realized how star struck the aces themselves were of one in particular among their ranks. In March of 1998, Jack Purdy and Joe Forster from the 475th Fighter Group attended the show and told me they had convinced another well known ace to also attend the event. Both men were P-38 Lightning aces during the war and had miraculously impressive flying records. Jack Purdy shot down 7 Japanese aircraft, was the first man to survive a water crash in a P-39 Air Cobra, and lived a second crash in a P-38 outside Manila. He lived a long, successful life and became a self made millionaire and small business owner in Dayton, Ohio before retiring fulltime in Scottsdale. Joe Forster was even more successful from the P-38 cockpit. Joe shot down 15 Japanese aircraft (a triple Ace by definition) and still today holds the record for the longest flight in a P-38 on one engine, when he lost power in one of his engines over a remote section of the South Pacific and was forced to fly the aircraft for hours and hours back to his island base, which he did safely. As you can imagine, most of the squadron's maintenance men's jaws dropped when they heard the story.

Anyway... back to "my" story. We stood around for a half hour and talked, had some laughs, and I introduced them to a few current pilots who were in attendance, and deep conversation began to take place. However, at a moment's notice Jack Purdy snapped to attention in a fit of nervousness when his invited guest (and wife) arrived the chalet. It was Brigadier General Joe Foss. Joe was responsible for shooting down 28 Japanese aircraft VERY early in the war, when the Japanese were at full strength and had superior aircraft. This accomplishment earned him a trip home, a cover of LIFE magazine, and a PR tour of the country, even though he would have preferred to have kept fighting. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the war, later served as the Governor of South Dakota, the Commissioner of the American Football League in the late 1950's, and was a spokesperson for the National Rifle Association including the television host of the show American Rifleman. Joe was impressive, no doubt. He was a true American. Even though Jack Purdy and Joe Forster were by definition true men among men, - they even knew Joe Foss was something special. The energy radiated from the crowd when Joe was present. His confidence was evident and the young pilots (especially the Marines who were taught his legendary stories) flocked to be by his side. I can confidentally say that Joe Foss falls into the category of World War II's Most Admired. I have never seen such a moving display of admiration for one man - from his peers who themselves are unbelivably admirable. That was definitely a rare occurence in my life and I will never forget it, for as long as I live.

Ohio WWII history: From Somwhere In France - Cleary's latest book on one Ohio village's effort during the war

2009-09-07T11:38:00.001-07:00

From Somewhere in France, Vic Cleary’s second book on World War II, focusing exclusively on Clarksburg Ohio's effort during the war, is scheduled for release in late fall 2009.

The book will feature 186 personal letters from Clarksburg Ohio’s soldiers, sailors, and airmen during training, the transitional and staging period before the war, combat, and following the conclusion of the war including personal reflection on the circumstances and unique experiences faced by the servicemen.

Letters from 70 individual service personnel (listed below) are included in the compilation, over 50 of whom were not included in the individual chapter stories of Clarksburg’s Courageous: World War II, Cleary’s first book on the subject.

According to Cleary, "From Somewhere in France provided me the opportunity to share the unique stories of a number of Clarksburg's World War II veterans, who I lacked sufficient data on to dedicate an entire individualized biography for my first book. Even though I realized I was leaving a number of incredible stories out of Clarksburg's Courageous, I simply couldn't change the research format of the book to include a handful of letters, without carefully crafting them in order, as I have done with From Somewhere in France. With the chronological structure of this second book, an excellent letter from one individual easily fits into one of the four sections of the book - Training, Transition, Combat, or Aftermath. One letter is enough to contribute to the overall reflection of each chapter. I am confident readers will thoroughly enjoy this book which focuses specifically on content generated by the servicemen themselves and relies less on photos and detailed 'research-oriented lists' that I compiled to explain Clarksburg's collective effort during the war. There is nothing more 'real' than reading a letter written from a soldier sitting in a damp foxhole, or from a sailor sunning himself on the deck of a battleship floating in the South Pacific, and painting a picture in your head of what they were attempting to describe to their family members and friends back home in Ross County." Cleary concluded.

Cleary hopes to have the book on shelves before the 2009 holiday season. A limited number of copies will be printed and distributed to retail outlets, as he plans to primarily offer the book for purchase online in print-on-demand and ebook format. Details on how to purchase the book online will come soon. However, to better determine the demand for a printed version of the paperback, the author is compiling a pre-order mailing list for the book. Send your request, including name, physical address, email address, and number of copies requested to viccleary@aol.com.

The following is a list of Clarksburg, Ohio service personnel and family members whose letters are included in From Somewhere in France:

SSGT Ralph W. Anderson
Aerial Engineer
8th Air Force, 92nd Bomb Group, 325th Bomb Squadron

TSGT Robert C. Anderson
P-38 Crew Chief
15th Air Force, 14th Fighter Group, 37th Fighter Squadron

SGT Allen Anderson
Navigator-in-training
36th Training Group, Squadron A

Seaman 1st Class Marcus Ater
Gunner's Mate
USS Denver (CL- 58): Cruiser

LT Joe Ater
Multi-engine pilot
324th Army Air Force Base Unit

SGT Jack Ater
Heavy Machine Gunner
97th Infantry Division, 387th Infantry Regiment, Company D

PFC Robert Bethel
Surgical Technician
58th Medical Corps. 344th Medical Dispensary

SGT Corrine Bochard
General Clerk
WAAC Detachment 4201

SGT William Bochard
Radio Operator
6th Army, 10th Corp., 99th Signal Battalion

SSGT Sylvester Bookwalter
Medical Laboratory Tech
3702nd AAF Base Unit, 344th Bomb Group

CPL Delbert Boyer
Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun crewman

T/5 Wendell Bryant
Amphibious Truck Driver
479th Amphibious Truck Company

Roger Bryant

PVT Charles Bryant

SGT Wendell Carroll
Infantry Medic
3rd Army, 80th Inf. Div., 319th Inf. Reg., HQ Detachment

SGT Willis Cleary
Infantry Clerk
2nd Infantry Division, 23rd Infantry Regiment, K Company

SSGT Charles Crabb
Top Turret Gunner
12th Bomb Group, 81st Bomb Squadron. The Earthquakers!

SGT Robert K. Dawson
3rd Army, 69th Infantry Division

CPL John M. Dawson
Radio Operator Mechnic
3507th AAF Base Unit, Aircraft Squad III, Flight I

LT Robert E. Dawson
P-39 and P-51 Fighter Pilot
11th Air Force, 54th Fighter Group , 42nd Fighter Squadron

SSGT Herman Dinkler
Quartermaster
3rd Armored Division, 548th Quartermaster Depot, Advanced Communication Section

SGT Carl Dinkler
Infantryman
8th Infantry Division, 28th Infantry Regiment, Company A

LT Myron Dodd
Pilot
15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron

AUX Mary Ann Driapsa
Woman’s Auxiliary

Seaman 1st Class Leo Dunkle
Crew
LST #863

CPL Tom Eycke
Intelligence NCO
1st Cavalry, 24th Infantry, 77th Infantry, 234th Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company

PFC Oscar Garrison
Parachute - Field Lineman
82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Inf Reg, 115th Field Artillery Batt., Battery C

LT Lewis Garrison
Navigator
8th Air Force, 466th Bomb Group, 787th Bomb Squadron

PVT Don Garrison
Quartermaster and Crane Operator
3204th Quartermaster Service Co

SGT Richard Garrison
Infantryman
8th Infantry Division, 121st Infantry Regiment, I Company

SSGT Harold Garrison
Forward Artillery Observer
32nd Division, 120th Field Artillery Batt., HQ Battery

Muriel Hale
Wife of B-17 Bomber Pilot Lt. George C. Hale
92nd Bomb Group, 325th Bomb Squadron

LT Robert Hamman
Mobile Howitzer Commander
9th Armored Division, 73rd Armored Field Artillery, Battery A

CPL Forrest Hicks
Fire Control Operator

SSGT Harold Hoffman
Infantry Section Leader
40th Infantry Division, 160th Infantry Regiment, D Company

CPL Harry Holloway
Heavy Mortarman Crewman
82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, H Company, and 2nd Battalion HQ Company
Silver Star Recipient (June 1944)

Martin Junk

Field Director John Kirkwood
Red Cross Field Director

SGT Bill Lemly
Ball Turret Gunner
15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron

SGT John Martin
Infantryman
90th Infantry Division, 358th Infantry Regiment, G Company

CPL Warren Martin
Mail clerk
8th Air Force, 301st AAF Base Unit, 704 Air Material Sq.

PFC Paul McCormick
Life Guard
919 Signal Corps, 48th Repair Squad, 4121st AAF Base Unit

PFC Glenn McPherson
Light Truck Driver
204th Quartermaster Battalion

LT William Merz
Artillery Officer
Americal Division, 245th Field Artillery Battalion, HQ Battery, A Battalion

LT Jack Minser
Railhead Supervisor
Army Transportation Corps: 6th Port Headquarters

CAPT Sarah Moomaw
WAAC Training Center

SSGT Gene Morris
Heavy Mortar Crewman
1st Infantry Division, 745th Tank Battalion, Heavy Mortar Platoon & HQ Company

Seaman 1st Class Glenn Morris
Seaman 1st Class

PVT Charles Morris
Infantry Training

LT Jack Morris
Navigator
8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squadron

Seaman 1st Class Fred Nye
LCL Seaman

SGT Richard Pabst
Stationed in Okinawa

PFC John Peck
Aerial Radio Operator
1333rd Army Air Force Base Unit: 13th Area

Machinist Mate 2nd Class John Pool
Machinist Mate
USS Texas (BB-35) Battleship

SSGT Willis Prince
Aerial Nose Gunner
15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron

PFC James Reisinger
Artilleryman
981st Field Artillery Battalion

Ship Fitter 3rd Class Tom Rittenhouse
Ship Fitter
USS Hamul (AD-20)

SSGT John Roseboom
Artilleryman
1st Cavalry Division, 760th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery C.

PFC Ephraim Shull
Cook's helper
58th Ordnance Ammunition Company

PVT Henry Shull
U.S. Army

PFC Cary "Scoop" Skinner
Litter Bearer
41st Infantry Division, 116th Medical Battalion, 5th Squad, Troop B

T/4 Tom Sowers
Infantryman
80th Infantry Division, 318th Infantry Regiment Company A

PFC Richard Stephens
Artillery Observer
20th Field Artillery; attached to the 4th Infantry Division

CPL John Templin
Aircraft Mechanic
Air Transport Command: 1504th Army Air Force Base Unit.

Machinist Mate 2nd Class Robert Templin
Motor Machinist 2nd Class
Naval Sub Chaser

PVT Darrell Templin
United States Army Air Force

LT Daryl Williams
B-25 Pilot
5th Air Force, 345th Bomb Group, 499th Bomb Squadron BATS OUTA HELL

PFC Albert Willis
Firefighter
369th Harbor Craft Company

SGT Dwight Willis
Mess Sergeant
Air Transport Command: 1337th Army Air Force Base Unit, Battery 6

Today in Ohio Military History: Focus - World War II

2009-09-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

September 2, 1942: Lewis Dennis enlists in the U.S. Army.

September 2, 1943: Cecil Richardson, attached to the 3916th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company arrives North Africa by troop carrier ship. Dale Boyer volunteers for the United States Marine Corps.

September 2, 1945: Sgt. Charles Crabb receives an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Air Force after completing 53 missions in a B-25 over North Africa, Sicily, and Italy attached to the 12th Bomb Group. Ward Garrison, aobard the USS Antietam, sails into Chinese waters near the port of Shanghai.

Today in Ohio World War II history: Ater writes home while laid up in an Army General Hospital

2009-08-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history:

August 26, 1943: Joe Downing returns to Clarksburg for a ten day furlough from maneuvers in Nashville, TN.

August 26, 1944: Almer Sowers enlists in the U.S. Army. Jack Ater writes parents from an army hospital about a visit the troops received from Hollywood actor - Eddie Cantor. Cantor and other stars performed tirelessly for the troops in the hospital.

August 26, 1945: Richard Stevens’ ship, the Joseph Leidy, docks in New York Harbor and calls his parents in Clarksburg from New York, New York to tell them he'll be home soon.

Bradenton Florida newspaper Features Bob Dawson upon Death

2009-08-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to a nice article and pseudo-Obituary written for Clarksburg Ohio's own, Colonel Robert E. Dawson, following his death in April 2008.

Following his retirement from the service, he was a long time Bradenton, Florida resident. He had an amazing Air Force career and I continue to admire him so much.

The photo included is a shot of Bob standing in front of his F-105 Thunderchief.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080413/NEWS/804130750&SearchID=73322577407275

Today in Ohio WWII history: Clarksburg's Sgt Carl Dinkler moves closer to Brest, Norman Trapp prepares to lead B-17 crew

2009-08-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

August 8, 1942: Corporal Forrest Hicks is based in Panama defending the canal zone and eastern seaboard attached to the 1st Coastal Artillery, Battery K at Fort Sherman.

August 8, 1944: SGT Carl Dinkler, A Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry is attached to the 6th Armored Division to pressure Germans in the Brittany Peninsula and cut off the port city of Brest. The group meets at the village of Landivisiau in preparation for scouting the German defense in the area. Captain Norman Trapp departs the U.S. bound for England to serve as a command pilot of a B-17 Bomber crew with the 351st Bomb Group, 508th Bomb Squadron.

August 8, 1945: PFC Almer Sowers (pictured during the war and in 1984 on his farm outside Clarksburg Ohio) returns to the U.S. from the Philippines and is interned in a hospital in Kentucky, following his service as a light truck driver in the Pacific. Corporal Warren Martin departs Antwerp, Belgium on the U.S.S. Howard A. Kelly liberty ship bound for New York.

August 8, 1946: SSGT John Roseboom is discharged from the U.S. Army following honorable service in the 1st Cavalry Division’s 760th Field Artillery Battalion.

Today in Ohio World War II history: Martin faces the worst enemy shelling of the war at Landivy, France

2009-08-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

August 5, 1944: T/4 Francis Ater is transferred to Lawson General Hospital to serve as a Lab technician for three months before his rotation to the Pacific Theater. At midnight, TSGT John Martin, a rifleman with G Company, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division is ambushed by Germans near Landivy, France. Martin clings to the ground in desperation and is dazed by close landing artillery shells in one of the worst shellings experienced by the 90th during the war. Photo included is Vic Cleary standing at the 90th Infantry Division's monument located in Normandy, France - Utah Beach (1999).

August 5, 1945: PFC Troy Reisinger departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater to serve as a Light Truck Driver for the Service Company of the 186th Infantry Regiment and the Occupation of Japan.

New Clarksburg Ohio World War II photos Discovered

2009-08-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Check out these newly discovered photos of Clarksburg veterans and families uncovered by my mother while working on the History of Clarksburg Ohio book coming out soon!

PICTURE ONE: Lt. Lewis Garrison (466th Bomb Group), MM2C Robert C. Templin (United States Navy), and Sgt. Dick Garrison (8th Infantry Division)

PICTURE 2: Fire Control Operator Third Class: Forrest "Frosty" Hoffman: United States Coast Guard

PICTURE 3: Garrison ladies in front of Clarksburg's Service Roll sign erected next to the town hall in 1943.

Veteran Organization checks validity of "heroes!"

2009-07-19T15:51:00.001-07:00

Veteran's Organization Calls out FAKES!

Here's an interesting article that ran in this morning's Columbus Dispatch about an organization that checks the validity of claims that people in the community make about their service for our country. Lots of fakes out there! It's a shame that they EVER steal glory from the real heroes, and/or tarnish the medals for valor that mean so much to our military. A number of Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans earned medals the "hard way" -- in many cases by leaving their lives on the battlefield. The Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart, among others are earned so rarely, but with much sacrifice and honor. It takes a passionate group to make sure everything is right!

Read about the veteran's organization here.

Two Clarksburg Ohio servicemen earn Silver Stars within three days during WWII

2009-06-29T19:02:00.001-07:00

Recently, due to the fact that I have very little free time to fly to St. Louis or Washington DC to research World War II records, I enlisted the support of a well respected researcher based in Maryland to help me pull two General Orders -- one including the Silver Star citation for PFC Harry F. Holloway- 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, HQ Company - and T/5 Lee M. Hawkins - 6th Infantry Division, 51st Field Artillery. Hawkins was an LVT driver in the Pacific - the guy who captained the LVT while it was on water, and then directed the tracks of the vehicle up the dry beach to let out assault troops during amphibious landings throughout the Pacific. PFC Holloway was a Heavy Mortar Crewman and flew onboard a wooden WACO glider into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Naturally, both men's records fascinated me, but I happened to know more about the Normandy Invasion than New Guinea, and never held a conversation with Holloway about his experiences during the war, so I was very excited to get my hands on both documents, but especially Holloways.

For years, throughout Clarksburg and various record sources, I had been told that the village's own - Elwood Dean, who jumped into Normandy sometime around midnight that morning as part of the 82nd's famed 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F Company, was awarded the Silver Star for stopping a truck load of Germans from entering St. Mere Eglise sometime during June 6, but I could never prove it happened, as there is no official military record of the incident. Yet, all of the troopers mentioned in the Chillicothe Gazette and Clarksburg Star article mentioning the incident did in fact exist -- Dean's machine gun counterpart from rural Oklahoma - James Ramsey, as well as their commander Lt. John H. Dodd. Unfortunately, Dean was severely wounded July 3, 1944 and shipped home right before the division pulled off the front line in preparation of Operation Market Garden, and Lt. Dodd was vicously killed in Nijmegan, Holland during Operation Market Garden, therefore, making it possible that the Silver Star citation Dodd was planning to submit to higher ups, never happened, or was ignored by the powers at be from the division, who commonly did not award medals to paratroopers because they were --- well -- paratroopers --- and expected to fight gallantly.

So, while reviewing discharge records at the Fayette County Recorders Office in Washington Court House, Ohio one afternoon - I read that Clarksburg's PFC Harry Holloway (Corporal Holloway by the end of the war) was also awarded the Silver Star during the Normandy Campaign, which fueled my fire to learn more about this action. Excellent war stories from glider troops who landed in Normandy are priceless and excellent reads. I wanted to learn as much as possible. I purchased the 325th GIR's history book and there was a reference to Holloway receiving the Silver Star, but nothing else. His name was included in a long list of heroic soldiers who were awarded the medal. I purchased two other 82nd Airborne books, and didn't expect much, because the division was FULL of decorated heroes, as well as heroes who were amazingly "fearless" and "selfless" in action but did not receive decorations or recognition for their efforts - and again, I came up short. However, I had the U.S. Army General Order number of the official document listing Harry Holloway's Silver Star citation from his fighting in Normandy, so finally I enlisted the professional help of a guy named Tim Frank who owns a business called Military Research Associates. For a nominal fee, Tim jumped in his car (probably) and drove over to NARA, the National Archives And Records Administration in College Park, Maryland, and within two days pulled both Harry Holloway's and Lee Hawkins' General Orders from the United States Archives.

To say the least, I was excited. I had seen a few of these citations before, and similar morning reports, during a trip to NARA in 2002 and throughout various research efforts. Sometimes the description of action was quite large and detailed, other times it was a simple line of information. Who knew what to expect. I thought that maybe I would be lucky enough to get a cool description of Holloway jumping from the wreckage of his glider, spraying .45 rounds from his Thompson machine gun, knocking out every German in sight, to provide appropriate cover for the remainder of the men trapped inside the glider. But, of course, I should have known better -- very little was mentioned - like with many 82nd Airborne medal citations. Simply put, the division was WAY too busy to keep detailed records. Let's face it, they were surrounded and are meant to be surrounded half the time they're in battle. They have many more things to worry about than keeping well documented history records of the gallantry on the battlefield -- like their lives!. But, that's war.

So, this is what I received, which is fine with me:

Harry F Holloway: 35137022, Private First Class, 325th Glider Infantry, for gallantry in action in Normandy, France on 19 June 1944.

At the least, it's SOLID proof. On the other hand, this was what Mr. Frank pulled from Lee Hawkins' record, which is actually pretty impressive and representative of the large infantry divisions during WWII and their massive support staffs to keep such records:

Technician Fifth Grade, Lee M. Hawkins, 35287991, Field Artillery, United States Army. For Gallantry in action at Maffin Bay, New Guinea on 22 June 1944. As a driver of an LVT (Armored Amphibious Troop Carrier) he made repeated trips over water, under heavy enemy artillery, machine gun, and rifle fire, landing troops and supplies on a hostile beach and evacuating the wounded.

That's pretty cool -- an excellent description for future generations to enjoy. I talked to Mr. Hawkins once, about this specific experience, and oddly enough, he told me it was so rough during portions of the landings that he did in fact, have to pull out the Thompson Machine gun strapped to his LVT and let some Japanese snipers hiding in trees have it. -- You can believe it or not --- he has the Silver Star - not me. It probably really happened. At the least, we know the above listed action DID happen.

There were a few lessons and bits of research I learned from this "paid" research pull.

1. Tim Frank and Military Research Associates were very professional and performed excellent work, sending me full .PDF's of each document as soon as he received my check in the mail. The turn around was like five days! That's impressive.

2. Clarksburg's two "official" Silver Star recipients earned their medals THREE days apart and about as far away as possible from eachother on the globe (Normandy, France and Maffin Bay, New Guinea).

3. An interesting find also surfaced - while flipping through Hollway's general order and reading some of the other recipient's names --- Lt. John H. Dodd's Silver Star citation was also listed on the same General Order as Holloway. To review, Lt. John Dodd was the commanding officer of Clarksburg's Elwood Dean, who I was always told was awarded a Silver Star in Normandy as well. I didn't know Lt. Dodd was awarded a Silver Star! And it happened June 16, 1944. Maybe I have been searching the wrong date for matching stories of Elwood Dean's action in Normandy all this time -- This is exciting, and proof positive that there is always plenty more research to be uncovered!

God Bless the United States Marine Corps

2009-05-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

This blog is solely dedicated to Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans and the men who so selflessly served their country from my village. But in this case, I must stray from the topic a bit.

Two young, brave Marines flying in their AH-1W Super Cobra were killed while training between El Centro and San Diego yesterday. I found out about it yesterday evening around 930pm when a good friend of mine, a young, brave friend, I admire greatly, sent me an instant message through my Facebook account to talk about their deaths. He had to talk. He was looking for someone to talk to, because it bothered him greatly. He had lost two close friends, one 27 and one 26 years of age - in their prime of their lives - working hard and selflessly everyday to defend a country that I am not entirely sure totally appreciates them. He too is a very young AH-1W Super Cobra pilot and it makes me damn proud. He is an amazing kid. He graduated with top honors in college and at the top of his USMC flight class and instead of choosing F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets -- he chose the REAL challenge -- the Super Cobra - a down and dirty, close air support attack helicopter that has taken on substantial design changes from its predecessor, the AH-1 Cobra which flew combat missions during Vietnam - but still is an antique -- and as he mentioned to me last night, can still figure out a way to kill you.

My buddy is what... 24, 25 himself? I've lost track. I got to know him when he and another great young man volunteered to help me manage the needs of the military pilots who so graciously flew into my air show in Arizona for eight years. At this time, he was 15, 16 years old. It was essentilly his opportunity to ask EVERY question in the book and try every fighter jet, cargo plane, and helicopter in the United States inventory on for size, while he hit the books in high school and dreamed of becoming a pilot. He literally hauled a ton of ice, soft drinks, bottled water and snacks to these pilots from dawn to dusk in the hot Arizona heat, and built lasting relationships with them int he process. They all tried to recruit him, but those damn AH-1W pilots from Pendelton and the Red Dragons crew in the CH-46 seemed to have the biggest impact on him, as we watched from afar. Afterall, the intention of our air show was to bring the United States Armed Forces together with strapping, intelligent young men and women potentially interested in an military aviation career. But what they all could figure out, was that this guy was already ready. He was prime for the pickin'... a damn near shoe in. So... long story short (actually it's not that long - hell he just graduated college two years ago), my air show days are over and the ambitious 15 year old is now flying Super Cobras defending our country.

Any chance I get to talk to him about his experiences is a true pleasure. In fact, it's a true pleasure for all of us who worked hard to produce the show for hundreds of thousands of people from the Phoenix metropolitan area to enjoy. We share our stories of talking to him. He and his counterpart, his best friend during high school, who chose the Air Force route and is equally pulling his weight as a C-17 cargo pilot, were incredible workers and I admire them greatly. They appreciated the opportunity to participate in the air show and be able to get up close and personal to the pilots and their jets and helicopters, and we appreciated their incredible enthusiasm and work ethic, especially considering the fact they were TEENS!

I am touched deeply by how hard he works, how strongly he feels about this country, and how much risk he takes to defend our freedom, while many ungrateful people in Southern California sharing living space with him ignore his efforts and in some case shun his existence as a nuisance to their lifestyle. it's amazing to me that more people are worked up about the truthful comments that came from the mouth of Miss California USA, than going out of the way to make a true patriot like my friend, or his two friends who were killed, comfortable in the state they live. Strange ungrateful times we live in. Do these people really know how good they have it? Hats off my friend! My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Semper Fi!

Clarksburg Ohio's Lt. Jack Morris and Lt. Thomas Pearce fly B-24 missions over Europe on the same day

2009-05-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

May 7, 1942: Lee Dunkel enlists in the Army Air Force

May 7, 1943: Charles Crabb (12th Bomb Group) arrives the ETO. Gerald Bethel is attending radio school at Miami University - Oxford, Ohio. John Kirkwood Jr. enlists in the U.S. Navy

May 7, 1944: Jack Morris (392nd Bomb Group) flies his 22nd bombing mission over Munster, Germany. Thomas Pearce (487th Bomb Group) flies his first bombing mission to Liege, Belgium. The B-24 pictured was one of the aircraft Pearce flew on during World War II.

May 7, 1945: Roy Hawkins, attached to the 463rd AAA is stationed near Pilsen, Chechoslovakia.

Clarksburg Ohio WWII veteran Fred Rittenhouse is awarded the Purple Heart

2009-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

May 4, 1944: Philip Sewards departs Clarksburg for Naval Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. Ralph Ater, aboard the USS Ranger docks in Casablanca and offloads 76 P-38 Lightning fighter planes.

May 4, 1945: Almer Sowers' parents learn that Sowers is now located somewhere in the Philippines. Clarence Minnix's parents receive word that he is located somewhere in the Philippines. Fred Rittenhouse is presented with the Purple Heart for wounds received when his 777th Tank Battalion Sherman tank was attacked on April 16. He is now officially back on active duty.

Clarksburg Ohio's Bob Anderson prepares his 14th Fighter Group - 37th Fighter Squadron P-38 for its first mission of World War II

2009-05-03T18:03:00.001-07:00

May 3, 1943: Bob Anderson's 14th Fighter Group departs Mediouna, Morocco and repositions in Telergam, Algeria. Anderson's P-38 #85 flies its first combat mission.

May 3, 1944: Bob Anderson's 37th Fighter Squadron becomes active and repositions from Oran to an "undisclosed" North Africa location. Jack Morris flies his 21st bombing mission on ground targets near Wizerns.

May 3, 1945: Gerald Bethel is aboard the USS Bache when it is attacked by Japanese Kamikaze airplanes near Okinawa. The USS Bache is slightly damaged when enemy suicide aircraft overshoots deck, crashing in to the sea. Roy Hawkins, with the 463rd AAA, Battery C is awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for defending Hatton & Rittershoffen (Alsace) from fanatical German attacks in January of 1945. Willis Cleary leaves Frohburg and arrives Nabburg, Germany. He witnesses a mass grave of approx. 200 political prisoners in Nabburg. Slept in town castle.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history

2009-05-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

May 2, 1943: Raymond Tucker is training in Manhattan, Kansas attached to the Army Air Corps' 100th College training detachment. Tucker eventually serves with the 414th Fighter Group, 437th Fighter Squadron flying P-47 Thunderbolts. William Bochard's ship docks in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.

May 2, 1944: Ralph Ater arrives Clarksburg on a furlough to visit his mother.

May 2, 1945: Clark Stevens is based somewhere in France. Francis Ater's family learns from a letter that he is now based somewhere in the Philippines. Jack Ater writes to Glen and Nell Ater describing a close brush he had with a German bullet in the Ruhr Pocket of Germany and to tell them he is currently in East Germany.

Clarksburg Ohio's Dawson assigned Squadron Commander of the 44th Fighter Squadron in WWII

2009-05-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

May 1, 1943: Archie Wright is participating in Desert Maneuvers with the 28th Infantry Regiment, Anti-tank Company in California. George Bookwalter receives a promotion from Major to Lt. Colonel while based in Philadelphia, PA. Paul McCormick receives promotion to PFC while training at Lowry Field, Colorado. Sarah Moomaw is serving as a WAAC officer in the Personnel Section of the Army Air Corps - Washington D.C.

May 1, 1944: Robert Hamman (pictured right in the attached photo) recently graduated from Officers Training School at Fort Knox, Kentucky and receives a commission as 2nd LT in the Artillery. Dale Boyer begins his service in the Pacific Theater as an Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Crewman. Herman Dinkler's troopship departs the U.S. bound for Liverpool, England. Hoyt Graham returns to Wright Field from Pratt-Whitney Engine School. Joe Ater is participating in Primary Flight Training in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tom Eycke is based at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea and begins salvaging crucial supplies from captured Japanese supply dumps, which he is later awarded a Bronze Star for Valor.

May 1, 1945: Bob Dawson is reassigned to the 5th Air Force, 18th Fighter Group, 44th Fighter Squadron, as Squadron Commander, flying P-51's in the Pacific Theater. Frank Ater's parents learn that Frank has moved from Holland to a new station somewhere in Germany. Howard Fay is located somewhere in the South Pacific. John Roseboom writes home from the Philippines mentioning he ran into "Tick" Bryant from Clarksburg Ohio at a watering hole and that they were stationed 200 yards apart! Robert K Dawson is attached to the 69th Infantry Division in Germany and writes to his parents about the division's link up with the Russians and the ghastly holocaust. Russ Furniss' parents receive word that he is located somewhere in the Philippines.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II: Minnix arrives Clarksburg from Fort Bliss

2009-04-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

Slow day in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history:

April 30, 1943: Clifford Minnix arrives Clarksburg from Fort Bliss, Texas on furlough to visit his parents.

April 30, 1944: Earl Martin (pictured middle) spends his birthday aboard his LST. Richard Shanton's ship arrives the Pacific Theater.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Lt. Jack Morris flies mission on Berlin in 1944 and Liberated from Stalag Luft 7A in 1945!

2009-04-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

April 29, 1943: Charlie Jobe and portions of the 82nd Airborne, sail from New York harbor for Casablanca. Herschel Bethel departs the U.S. for the European Theater.

April 29, 1944: Jack Morris (pictured) flies his 20th bombing mission to Berlin's Marshalling yards. Viciously attacked by German figthters and the co-pilot is severely wounded. Morris' B-24 limps back to base, but makes it.

April 29, 1945: Dwight Overly departs Fort McCllelan, Alabama for reassignment at Fort Meade, Maryland. Earl Reisinger departs Clarksburg following a 36-day furlough and returns to San Diego for reassignment. Jack Morris is liberated from Stalag Luft 7A in Moosburg, Germany. The POW's were liberated by the U.S. 3rd Army, including a personal appearance by General George Patton. Jack and the remainder of the POW's remained in Moosburg until May 8, 1945.

Today in Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII Veterans

2009-04-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

April 25, 1942: Wendell Bryant enlists in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Ohio. Later serves with the 479th Amphibious Truck Company and landed infantry troops at Anzio and Normandy.

April 25, 1943: James Elliott arrives Clarksburg from Camp Atterbury, IN to visit parents over the weekend.

April 25, 1944: Wendell Carroll is enjoying a furlough in Clarksburg, Ohio with his parents and wife before returning to Salt Lake City for additional preparations to be shipped west. Carroll later serves in Europe with the 80th Infantry Division, 319th Infantry Regiment as a Medical NCO.

April 24 in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

2009-04-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Ohio Military History -- Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veterans and their activity on April 24, 1944 and 1945:

April 24, 1944: Harold Hoffman and the 40th Infantry Division depart Guadalcanal for the battle of New Britain. Jack Morris flies his 18th bombing mission on the Leysham, Germany airfield (Leipheim). Richard Stevens departs the U.S. for the European Theater as part of the 20th Corps of Field Artillery in the Observation Section.

April 24, 1945: Harry Jordan departs the United States for the European Theater. Lee Dunkle writes Mr. Timmons from aboard LST 863 to describe his recent experience walking along an island invasion beach littered with Japanese bodies. Solon Graham departs Chatham Field, Georgia and waits on a rail siding for a bomber assignment in Europe, which is ultimately canceled and he is assigned, instead to fly in the Pacific.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

2009-04-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

April 23, 1943: Don Bethel departs the U.S. bound for the China India Burma Theater. Foreman Skinner arrives Clarksburg from training in Orlando, FL to enjoy a 15-day furlough with his mother. Harry Holloway departs the United States as part of the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, sailing for North Africa.

April 23, 1944: Willis Cleary, along with his infantry regiment (23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division) departs Belfast and arrives Swansea, Wales.

Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII servicemen

2009-04-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

April 22, 1942: Charles Mallow, Foreman Skinner, Harmon Jobe, and Harry Junk enlist in the U.S. Army.

April 22, 1944: Robert Hamman (pictured) graduates armored OCS at Ft. Knox, Kentucky as part of the 61st Graduation Class and is commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and eventually assigned to serve with the 9th Armored Division. Jack Morris flies his 17th bombing mission with the 392nd Bomb Group on a marshalling yard located in Hamm, Germany. John Peck departs Clarksburg for Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia following a ten-day furlough in Clarksburg, Ohio with his family.

April 22, 1945: Willis Cleary and the 23rd Infantry Regiment depart Merseberg, Germany and arrive Frohburg, Germany. The 23rd Infantry is billeted in a former Nazi Youth Camp.

GI Film Festival: May 13-17, 2009 - Washington DC

2009-04-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

The GI Film Festival is approaching May 13-17, 2009 in Washington DC. I wish I could attend. Some fascinating movies are included in this year's collection. A couple especially caught my eye about World War II and made me think of Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans who experienced similar situations.

The first is Everyman's War about one man's heroic effort during the Battle of the Bulge. A number of Clarksburg men were caught in bad situations during the Battle of the Bulge, from the Northern Shoulder near Elsenborn, down as far south as Bastogne.

Another interesting documentary is this one: The Inheritance of War, about the Baatan Death March survivors' efforts to sue leading Japanese manufacturers who tortured them and forced them into slave labor during the war. Some of my grandfather's friends from his early days at Ft. Sam Houston were captured by the Japanese and forced into these conditions and it reminds me of the letter he sent home expressing concern for his friends and how the division vowed to get even. They got even alright... but in Europe instead.

Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII Veterans: April 20, 1942-1945

2009-04-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

April 20, 1942: Roger Bryant enlists in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Ohio.

April 20, 1943: Ralph Anderson, recently relocated to Laredo, Texas is training with his newly assigned B-17 crew. Ralph Hawkins is based at Efate Island aboard the USS Stack destroyer. He participates in several patrols off the coast of Guadalcanal.

April 20, 1944: Jack Morris flies his 16th bombing mission on German infantry targets just inside the coast of France. Ralph Ater, aboard the USS Ranger, departs Staten Island, NY carrying a load of 76 P-38 Fighters, steaming toward Casablanca (USS Ranger pictured in this blog with the P-38's on deck).

April 20, 1945: Bernard Ater graduates from the Factory Training School in Peterson, New Jersey after completing 203 hours of instruction on Wright Aircraft Engines.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history: Trapp awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the 351st Bomb Group

2009-04-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio servicemen during WWII: April 19, 1944 - 1945

April 19, 1944: Herman Dinkler arrives Clarksburg, Ohio on a furlough to visit his wife and family. Jack Morris flies his 15th bombing mission on the Gutersloth airfield with the 392nd Bomb Group. Willis Cleary's 2nd Infantry Division completes additional training and departs Tynan, Ireland (County Armagh) bound for South Wales, Great Britain in preparation for the invasion of France.

April 19, 1945: Following his 25th mission, Norman Trapp is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for exemplary flying and leadership with the 351st Bomb Group, 508th Bomb Squadron.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history: Morris flies his 14th bombing mission with the 392nd bomb group.

2009-04-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

April 18, 1944: Jack Morris flies his 14th bombing mission with the 392nd Bomb Group on an airfield near Brandenberg, Germany, close to Berlin. Pictured is Morris' crew (photo taken by Morris) before taking off for one of their raids, with their B-24 in the background.

April 18, 1945: Almer Sowers arrives the Pacific Theater. Roy Pearce sends a letter to his mother stating that he has healed from his shoulder wound and is heading back to the front with the 1st Inf. Division. Russ Furniss arrives the Pacific Theater. Willis Cleary and the 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division, depart Goettingen, Germany and arrive Merseberg, Germany the same day. Billeted in a German Army barracks.

Today in Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans: Trapp flies his 25th B-17 mission

2009-04-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History, April 17:

April 17, 1942: William Merz departs Melbourne, Australia for repositioning in a "censored" location of the South Pacific.

April 17, 1945: Dale Boyer begins fighting against the Japanese at Okinawa serving with an anti-aircraft artillery group. Jack Ater is in the vicinity of Solingen, Germany when one of the 97th Division's other regiments captures the city. Norman Trapp flies his 25th and final bombing mission on targets over Dresden, Germany in 351st Bomb Group B-17 44-8468.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History: Rittenhouse's 777th Tank Battalion Sherman Tank knocked out by German Panzerfaust

2009-04-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans.

April 16, 1943: Bernard Ater returns to Minter Field, CA following a furlough in Clarksburg, Ohio. Carl Dinkler is participating in desert training at Camp Laguna, Arizona. Joe Ater returns to Minter Field, CA following furlough in Clarksburg.

April 16, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse (pictured) is wounded-in-action --- burned when his Sherman tank is knocked out by a shoulder-fired German Panzerfaust rocket/bazooka 1 mile south of Gruna, Germany. Rittenhouse attached to the 777th Tank Battalion, Co A. Jack Ater crosses the Wupper River in Germany and assists in the surrender of Dusseldorf, Germany.

April 16, 1946: Leo Rose's ship docks in the United States.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History: Garrison confined in neutral Adelboden Switzerland following crash landing

2009-04-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military World War II history. A spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio veterans on April 15, 1942-1945:

April 15, 1942: Elwood Dean enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually serves with the famed 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F Company,

April 15, 1943: Albert Willis is serving in the base fire department in Vancouver, Washington. Bob Anderson is serving in French North Africa with an on-the-move 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, servicing P-38 Lightnings. Daryl Williams enrolled in an advanced flying class at Kurtztown Teacher's College in Pennsylvania directly following graduation from Basic Flight Training. Glenn McPherson is based in North Africa. Marvin Carroll is part of the 14th Armored Infantry when it is awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. Sylvester Bookwalter arrives Clarksburg from training at Drew Field, Tampa for a ten-day furlough with his parents. Tom Eycke enlists in the U.S. Army.

April 15, 1944: Lewis Garrison sends his first correspondence to his family alerting them of his internship in Adelboden, Switzerland (pictured), and that he and his crew are all OK, following a controlled crashlanding in their B-24 (466th Bomb Group) in the neutral country. Solon Graham completes flight training in a PT-19 at Cuero, TX and arrives Waco for additional flight training in the BT-13 Vultee "Vibrator.”

April 15, 1945: Roger Bryant arrives the United States. Tom Sowers, part of the 80th Infantry Division, 318th Infantry Regiment, A Company, writes to his parents informing them he was shot in the shoulder by a German sniper near Erfurt, Germany and flown to a Paris hospital where he is currently located.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history: Haynes experiences Kamikaze attack aboard the USS New York, Trapp flies 24th mission in B-17 The Pink Lady

2009-04-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

April 14, 1943: William Bochard's ship departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific theater.

April 14, 1944: From "Somewhere in New Guinea," Harold Garrison with the Red Arrow 32nd Infantry Division writes home to describe the natives, the heat, and native fruit. Kenneth Ater returns to Fort Benjamin Harrison, following a furlough in Clarksburg, Ohio with his family.

April 14, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse's 777th Tank Battalion, A Company knocks out four German anti-tank guns in Lippendorf, Germany. Norman Trapp flies his 24th bombing mission of World War II on Royan, France in B-17 44-8846 nicknamed "The Pink Lady" which today has been restored and is hangered in Paris, France. A modern day photo of the Pink Lady is above. Robert Haynes experiences a Kamikaze attack while aboard the USS New York as a Japanese Kamikaze aircraft grazes the ship and destroys the ship's spotting plane, knocking it from its catapult.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Now and Then. The Capture of the Remagen Bridge and the U.S. Army Crossing of the Rhine River

2009-04-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

CLARKSBURG OHIO WORLD WAR II HISTORY: NOW AND THEN - The Battle for the Remagen Bridge!

A number of Clarksburg men from various U.S. Army units converged on the Rhine River Valley in late March of 1945 in preparation for crossing the last standing bridge spanning the Rhine River. Constant German aerial attacks and artillery barrages slowed the American advance, but eventually, the 9th Armored Division was successful at taking the bridge. As more and more troops bottlenecked in the area and commandeered German houses in the picturesque villages near Remagen that make up one the finest white wine regions in the world, a number of Clarksburg Ohio men waited to cross the river.

Lt. Robert Hamman was among this group, part of the 9th Armored Division's 73rd Armored Field Artillery - commanding a battery of 105MM M4 Priests. Willis Cleary, part of the 2nd Infantry Division's 23rd Infantry Regiment, K Company, was also waiting out his chance to cross the river in the resort town of Ahrweiler, 2 miles from the banks of the Rhine. Fred Rittenhouse, aboard a Sherman Tank attached to the 777th Tank Battalion was also waiting his turn. All three of these Ross County men, including others crossed the Rhine at Sinzig, Germany between March 23, 1945 and March 27, 1945.

Pictured are Nick and Vic Cleary, the son and grandson of Sgt. Willis Cleary, standing on the western bank of the Rhine next to the remaining structure of the Remagen Bridge, which today houses a nice museum memoralizing the battle for the bridge, as well as the men (from both sides of the battle) who fought and died in Remagen.

Part II of Jean Pierre's Research and Findings regarding the crash of Lt. Thomas Pearce's (Clarksburg Ohio) B-24 Liberator crash during World War II

2009-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

LT. THOMAS PEARCE: Clarksburg, Ohio WWII

KILLED IN ACTION: MAY 11, 1944

As I discussed yesterday, Jean Pierre of Chartres, France shared many items of interest with me regarding the May 11, 1944 crash of Captain Edward Brodsky's B-24, including Bombardier, Lt. Thomas Pearce from Clarksburg, Ohio onboard. I thought I would provide a few more pictures of interest, including a before and after photo of the B-24, colorfully named "Blow Job," and photos of Pearce (KIA), the pilot Brodsky (MIA-POW), and Weiss, the Navigator (KIA).

Pilot: Captain Edward Brodsky

Navigator: Lt. Lester Weiss

My Good Friend Jean Pierre, from Chartres, France: Honoring Lt. Thomas Pearce of Clarksburg Ohio

2009-04-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Chartres' Jean Pierre laying flowers at the base of Lt. Thomas Pearce's cross at St. Laurent cemetery in Normandy, France: April 10, 2009.

On May 11, 1944, my cousin, Clarksburg Ohio resident, Lt. Thomas Pearce (487th Bomb Group, 838th Bomb Squadron), was killed-in-action when his B-24 bomber was hit by German Anti-Aircraft Artillery over Chateaudun, France. Following an emergency crash landing in a French farm field not far from Chateaudun, the aircraft caught fire and exploded with a significant amount of fuel remaining in the aircraft's tanks, and a full bomb load in the bomb bay. Before the explosion, Pilot - Captain Ed Brodsky, and Co-pilot - Captain Jack Roberts managed to squeeze through a hole in the windshield and escape, but were quickly captured by German troops and sent to the Stalag Luft III POW Camp. Lt. Lee Johnson, an additional Navigator on the mission, parachuted to safety before the aircraft crash landed and was also captured. The remainder of the crew including Clarksburg's Lt. Pearce, Lester Weiss (Navigator), Walter Simoni (Engineer), Cliff Nance (Radio Operator), William J. Murphy (Gunner), Elton Tollett (Gunner), and Bronis Lipskas (gunner), were trapped inside and killed when the aircraft exploded a few minutes following the crash landing.

Today, I received a surprise email from a dear friend, Mr. Jean Pierre, from Chartres, France, who visited Lt. Thomas Pearce's grave (At the U.S. Military Cemetery in St. Laurent, France - overlooking Omaha Beach in Normandy) this weekend and laid a nice bouquet of flowers at its base. Mr. Pierre has taken a keen interest in this specific crash and through the years shared information back and forth with me, including sending me two separate pieces of the wreckage -- a piece of the aircraft's glass, as well as a piece of the sheet metal. He is a smart and compassionate man who shares my love for World War II history and a deep respect for the men who fought in the war. One of his most significant research accomplishments was locating and uncovering the remains of the pre D-Day C-47 crash that killed Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment Company Commander Lt. Thomas Meehan. Lt. Meehan's death on June 6, 1944, led to the promotion of Lt. Richard Winters -- the focal point of Stephen Ambrose's book and HBO special - Band of Brothers. I am proud to be Jean Pierre's friend and appreciate his friendship very much. Without excellent, intelligent resources like Mr. Pierre, it would be very difficult for Americans to thoroughly research and locate the crashes and battlefields of loved ones. Thanks Jean! (PICTURED: Jean Pierre in Normandy in front of Clarksburg Ohio's Lt. Thomas Pearce's grave).

Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII Veterans: Garrison flies 3rd mission with 466th Bomb Group; 777th Tank Battalion attack toward Leipzig

2009-04-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History; April 10, 1942-1945:

April 10, 1942: William Merz’s troopship docks in Melbourne, Australia. Serving as an artillery officer in the Americal Division, 245th Field Artillery Battalion, HQ Battery.

April 10, 1943: Ralph Anderson informs his parents that he will be moving from Amarillo, Texas very soon and that he will write to let them know where he is newly located during heavy bomber training.

April 10, 1944: Gerald Bethel, aboard the USS Bache, begins bombarding various targets and assault beaches on New Guinea and its adjacent islands. Kenneth Dean departs Africa for Italy after 17 months of service on the continent. Lewis Garrison flies his 3rd bombing mission on Bourge, France, attached to the 466th Bomb Group in a B-24 Liberator. (466th BG patch pictured)

April 10, 1945: Corrine Bochard spends her birthday at Fort Monmouth's WAC detachment, in New Jersey. Fred Rittenhouse, attached to the 777th Tank Battalion sets its objective as Leipzig, Germany, 150 miles away from their current position. The Battalion makes it to Krungen, Germany and they stay the night. Shelby Wolford enlists in the U.S. Navy.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History: Hinton joins Navy and eventually serves with VPB 25

2009-04-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veterans spotlighted

April 9, 1942: John Dawson enlists in the Army Air Force at Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio

April 9, 1943: Dwight Willis arrives Clarksburg from training in Delaware for a ten-day furlough with his parents. Hoyt Graham graduates from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Roy Hinton enlists in the U.S. Navy, eventually flying as a radio operator with VPB 25, Crew #14 in a Martin Mariner float plane (pictured).

April 9, 1944: Jack Morris flies 13th bombing mission on Tutow with the 392nd Bomb Group. John Martin's ship docks in Liverpool. Willis Prince is assigned to train in B-24's at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. He mentions to his sister in a letter that the bombers are worn out and in rough shape.

April 9, 1945: Don Adams flies his 13th bombing mission on tactical areas in Northern, Italy with the 485th Bomb Group. Willis Cleary and the 23rd Infantry Regiment leave Hofgeismar, Germany and arrive Goettingen, Germany the same day. A civilian surrenders a Drillings to Cleary while he was serving on MP duty.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History: Bombing missions galore!

2009-04-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans.

April 8, 1944: Cecil Southward arrives England. Jack Morris (392nd Bomb Group) flies his 12th bombing mission over Brunswick, Germany in a B-24 Liberator. James Williams writes Superintendent Timmons from Australia preparing to transition into battle and describes Australia as an interesting country. Lewis Garrison flies 2nd bombing mission over Brunswick, Germany with the 466th Bomb Group, 787th Bomb Squadron. Pictured is Lt. Lewis Garrison, top row, second from left, Navigator for Lt. Flynn's 787th B-24 crew.

April 8, 1945: Francis Ater arrives the Pacific Theater to serve as a Medical Tech in the 93rd Field Hospital. Fred Rittenhouse and the 777th Tank Battalion departs Lutterburg, Germany utilizing the German Autobahn "Super Highway" bound for Witzenhausen, Germany. They spend the night in Mollenfeld.. Hoyt Graham returns to Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio from Ladd Field, Alaska. Norman Trapp (351st Bomb Group) flies his 23rd bombing mission on secondary mission targets in Halberstadt, Germany in B-17 44-8664.

Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio's World War II Sailors and their Ships!

2009-04-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of Clarksburg Ohio Navy Veterans and the ships they served on during World War II:

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
USS Ranger (CV-4): Navy Bomb Squadron 42: AOM/1C Ralph E. Ater
USS Antietam (CV-36): F1/C Ward “Hoot” Garrison
USS Antietam (CV-26) RM2/C Dusty Stinson
USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62): MM3/C Robert Southward

BATTLESHIPS
USS Texas (BB-35): MM2/C John W. Pool
USS Texas (BB-35): GM2/C Earl Reisinger
USS Missouri: PO1/C Grant McDonald
USS New York (BB-34): F1/C Robert Haynes
USS New Jersey (BB-62): S1/C Walter Morris, Jr. (Deep Sea Diver)

CRUISERS
USS Denver (CL- 58): GM3/C Robert Marcus Ater

DESTROYERS
USS Bache (DD-470): RDM2/C Gerald V. Bethel
USS Jouett (DD-396): WT3/C Loren Galen Penwell
USS John R. Craig (DD-885): S1/C Eugene W. Mace
USS Stack (DD-405): BKR2/C Ralph A. Hawkins

DESTROYER TENDERS
USS Alcor (AD-34): S1/C John W. Kirkwood
USS Prairie (AD-15): S1/C Walter Morris, Jr.
USS Hamul (AD-20): SF3/C Tom Rittenhouse

LANDING CRAFT INFANTRY (LCI) LANDING SHIP TANK (LST)
LCI #34: EM1/C Charles “Denny” Chenault
LST #221: S1/C Howard Fay
LST# 675: BM1/C Earl Martin
LST #863: S/1C Lee Dunkle

MISCELLANEOUS SHIPS
Liberty Ship (Hull 2955): Coxswain Phillip J. Sewards
USS Zenobia (AKA-52): Attack Cargo Ship: S2/C Orville W. Watkins
USS LaSalle: S1/C Shelby E. Wolford
USS APA Presidio (APA-88): Attack Transport: EM1/C Charles “Denny” Chenault

U.S.S. Barrier (AM-150) Minesweeper: Paul DeWitt

Clarksburg Ohio WWII History: USS Stack steams away from Okinawa and Adams flies 12th mission with 485th Bomb Group

2009-04-05T04:51:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Clarksburg Ohio service personnel spotlighted for April 5 1944 and 1945:

April 5, 1944: Howard Betts is based in Ireland. Joe Satchell departs Clarksburg to train for the U.S. Navy. Marlin Overly enlists in the U.S. Army.

April 5, 1945: Don Adams flies his 12th bombing mission with the 485th Bomb Group on the Turin Locomotive Depot in Turin, Italy. Jack Ater writes to his parents that he has been up along the Rhine River in Germany, as part of the 97th Infantry Division, 387th Infantry Regiment, and things are going well, but he has seen some action in the process. Ralph Hawkins, aboard the USS Stack -- The Stack is ordered away from Okinawa to steam to Saipan to join up with TU 94.18.12 to provide support for the ships in the Unit. Russ Furniss is located "somewhere in the Philippines" preparing for intense battle with the Japanese as part of the 24th Infantry Division of the 21st Infantry Regiment, HQ Company.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Today, LST 675 sinks as Earl Martin is rescued

2009-04-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: A spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans:

April 4, 1944: MSGT Kenneth Ater attends Clarksburg High School's sports banquet after returning from over 20 months of overseas service and combat. MSGT Ater entered service in 1941 at the age of 17. Served in Africa (Tunisia), Naples, Foggia, Rome-Arno. His unit, the 2622nd Ordnance Transportation Company, did maintenance work for the 1st Infantry Division. Ater experienced heavy German bombing in Africa and Italy. By chance, Ater was aboard the same ship home as S/SGT Charles Crabb, also from Clarksburg Ohio.

April 4, 1945: BM1C Earl Martin is forced to abandoned ship as LST 675 begins to sink. Martin escapes death by climbing aboard a Torpedo Boat as his ship begins to take on water during a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa. PFC Fred Rittenhouse's A Company of Sherman tanks (777th Tank Battalion) motors from Goissons toward Kassel, Germany to relieve the 80th Infantry Division. The tanks roll into Kassel approximately 1330 hours.

Ohio Military History Minute: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII Personnel

2009-04-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans on April 2 1943-1945.

April 2, 1943: Bernard Ater and Joe Ater arrive Clarksburg Ohio for a 15-day furlough from training at Minter Field in Bakerfield, CA. Kenneth Dean departs the U.S. bound for the European Theater to serve as a Surgical Technician with the 103rd Station Hospital. Anderson - center, sitting atop his maintenance stand and in front of his P-38 #85, is surrounded by his ground crew, and the unidentified pilot holding the squadron's dog mascot bottom center. Far right is Armorer Sgt. Sid Beech.

April 2, 1944: Bob Anderson's 37th Fighter Squadron (14th Fighter Group) of P-38 Lightning fighters is awarded the Distinguished Unit Decoration for the squadron's excellent performance in an air battle over Steyr, Austria.

April 2, 1945: Clarence Minnix arrives the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Don Adams flies his 11th bombing mission with the 485th Bomb Group, on the main marshalling yard in Graz, Austria. Dwight Overly is based at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Eugene Morris, recently attached to the 1st Infantry Division, arrives Germany to serve in the division's 745th Tank Battalion as a mortar man. Frank Ater moves with the 743rd Tank Battalion from France to Holland. Fred Rittenhouse's A Company, 777th Tank Battalion splits off from the battalion and motors toward Goissons. Rittenhouse and his Sherman Tank seeks cover in a wooded area near Goissons. Colonel George Bookwalter receives the final promotion of his military career to Full Colonel while serving in Pennsylvania.

Three Clarksburg Ohio World War II Navy personnel engaged in battle at Okinawa, April 1

2009-04-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Spotlight on Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans on April 1, 1941-1945.

April 1, 1941: Bob Dawson enlists in the U.S. Army Air Corps and eventually serves as a P-39 Cobra fighter Pilot with the 54th Fighter Group, 42nd Fighter Squadron.

April 1, 1943: Don Harmount enrolls at Fenn College and is promoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sargeant. Kenneth Ater receives a promotion to Sergeant while based in North Africa with the 2622nd Ordnance Transportation Company. Ralph Richardson is training at Camp Lee , Virginia with the 11th Quartermaster Group, G Company. Roger Bryant is based in India. William Bochard is serving in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator in the 6th Army's 99th Signal Battalion.

April 1, 1944: Willis Cleary and the entire 23rd Infantry Regiment and 38th Infantry Regiment's of the 2nd Infantry Division are present in Armagh, Ireland (Cleary pictured right in the doorway of his quonset hut in Armagh) when General George Patton gives a fiery speech to the regiments in preparation for the Normandy Invasion.

April 1, 1945 (Easter Sunday): Albert Willis writes home to let his parents know he has been in a Red Cross hospital in New Guinea for six weeks recovering from a foot wound. Gerald Bethel aboard the U.S. Destroyer - the USS Bache (DD-470) arrives off the coast of Okinawa to perform "screening" and "Pickett Duty". Howard Fay, aboard the LST #221 is involved in the assault and occupation of Okinawa as well. Ralph Hawkins, aboard the USS Stack also arrives Okinawa on assault day and provides anti-sub and anti-aircraft patrolling, are in the process are attacked by Japanese aircraft. Hoyt Graham's aircraft departs the Pacific Theater bound for the United States. Robert Templin returns to Ohio following 18 months of service aboard a submarine chaser based on Trinadad Island. William Bochard is released from a hospital in the Philippiines after an extended illness and a month of hospitalization. Willis Cleary departs Grenzhausen, Germany by truck and arrives Waldeck, Germany after a 140 mile drive. K Company men stay in the Westalennor Hotel.

April 1, 1946: Howard Betts is discharged from the U.S. Army at Camp Atterbury, IN.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II servicemen: March 31

2009-03-31T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History, Clarksburg Ohio WWII servicemen remain active in the Pacific and European Theaters:

March 31, 1941: Jack Morris reports for duty to serve in the Arry Air Force (eventually to serve in the 392nd Bomb Group)

March 31, 1944: Robert Southward enters the U.S. Navy and eventually serves aboard the aircraft carrier USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62). Natoma Bay pictured.

March 31, 1945: Ben Kearns departs the U.S. bound for France to serve in A Company, 51st Armored Infantry Battalion of the 4th Armored Division. Earl Reisinger departs the U.S.S. Texas for a 36-day furlough in Clarksburg following 14 months of service on the battleship, including the D-Day Invasion. Fred Rittenhouse's 777th Tank Battalion relocates from the woods outside of Wehrburg, Germany to an old German OCS camp in Wetzler, Germany. John Roseboom writes to Mr. Timmons from the Philippines describing the natives and military conditions.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II personnel spreading throughout Germany in pursuit to the end of the war

2009-03-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

March 30, 1942: Ephraim Shull enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually serves with the 58th Ordnance Ammunition Company.

March 30, 1943: Clarence Radcliff enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually serves with the 436th Combat Military Police in Europe. Gerald Bethel graduates from Great Lakes Naval Training Center in preparation for serving aboard DD-470, the USS Bache destroyer. Mert Garrison enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually serves in the 168th Field Artillery in the Pacific Theater as a heavy truck driver.

March 30, 1945: Back in the states, Robert E. Dawson (pictured) receives a promotion from Captain to Major while based in Tampa, Florida training fighter pilots. Clifford Minnix, a radio operator for the 129th AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery), Battery D is commended for his service in defending secured bridges and pontoon bridges along the Rhine River in Germany, from aircraft attacks while Allied forces cross the Rhine in pursuit of retreating Germans. Fred Rittenhouse, part of the 777th Tank Battalion is ordered to travel from Weinahr to Gaudenbach, Germany. All of the battalion's Sherman tanks carry infantry troops to advance more quickly on retreating German forces. Tanks biovauck in the woods near Wehrburg, Germany. Norman Trapp flies his 22nd bombing mission on targets in Bremen, Germany in B-17 44-8079 nicknamed "Janet," with the 351st Bomb Group.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran spotlight: PFC Elza Bowdle 80th Station Hospital

2009-03-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ohio World War II Military Veteran Spotlight: Private First Class Elza Bowdle

PFC Elza Bowdle, originally from Clarksburg Ohio served as a medical technician in Africa and Europe, serving at the 80th Station Hospital. He enlisted in the U.S. Army October 26, 1942 and was serving in North Africa as early as June 18, 1943 at the 80th Station Hospital. In mid-October, 1944, the hospital transferred from North Africa to a new base in Southern France. Roughly a year later, on October 28, 1945, Bowdle was discharged from the U.S. Army. The following photos are from Bowdle's personal collection:

Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII history - Peck awarded Distinguised Flying Cross & Jobe and Holloway enlist and eventually serve with the 82nd Airborne

2009-03-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military History: Clarksburg Ohio's World War II veterans continue their move toward VE and VJ-Day!

March 28, 1942: Charlie Jobe enlists in the U.S. Army and is later assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 80th Airborne Artillery Battalion. Harry Holloway enlists in the U.S. Army and is eventually assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, H Company at Fort Thomas, KY. Holloway is later awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Normandy (June 1944).

March 28, 1944: Cecil Southward departs the U.S. bound for England to serve as a Heavy Truck Driver in the 693rd Engineer Equipment Company. Charles Williams enlists in the U.S. Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

March 28, 1945: Jack Ater (pictured) and the 97th Infantry Division cross into Germany for the first time near the border city of Aachen, Germany. John Peck completes 600 hours of flight time over the Hump in a C-46 Commando as a radio operator and is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Richard Minser Receives a promotion from Staff Sergeant to 2nd Lieutenant while based in Southern France with his railway engineering group.

March 28, 1946: Robert Chenault Ships arrives the United States from the CIB Theater.

Clarksburg Ohio WWII personnel on March 27, 1944 serving in the 466th Bomb Group, 389th AAA, 58th Bomb Wing, 2nd Infantry, 777th Tank Battalion

2009-03-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history: Two Clarksburg Ohio residents Cross the Rhine River in pursuit of German Forces.

March 27, 1944: Corrine Bochard returns to Fort Monmouth, NJ following a furlough in Clarksburg Ohio with her parents. John Brooks arrives India, leaving from Africa with the 58th Bomb Wing, as the group inches closer to Japan. Lt. Lewis Garrison flies his first bombing mission as a Navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator with the 466th Bomb Group, 787th Bomb Squadron. Garrison's B-24 loses one engine over the channel and is forced to return to base. Richard Shanton departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater as part of Battery D, 389th AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion. Vernon Bethel's ship arrives Scotand.

March 27, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse crosses the Rhine River near Sinzig, Germany (pontoon bridge built at Sinzig, Germany pictured in this blog) at and rolls into Honningen. The 777th Tank Battalion quickly takes Nassau and Weinahr by 2000 hours.
Jack Ater, part of D Company, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division receives orders and departs Camp Lucky Strike for the German border. Ralph Hawkins, aboard the USS Stack Destroyer joins Task Group 53 and steams to the Ryukyus Islands from Ulithi. Robert Haynes aboard the USS New York supports the assault on Okinawa firing pre-invasion and diversionary bombardments on the island. Willis Cleary crosses the Rhine River near Sinzig, Germany at 1930 hours, and arrives Grenzhausen, Germany the same day ( K Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division).

March 27, 1946: Dwight Casto, part of the 7th Army, is discharged from the U.S. Army at Ft. Dix, New Jersey

Clarksburg Ohio's Crabb departs the states to fight World War II from the air with the 12th Bomb Group!

2009-03-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio Military World War II history: Featuring Clarksburg Ohio soldiers, airmen, marines, and sailors:

March 26, 1942: Charles Crabb departs the U.S. for overseas duty as a B-25 Mitchell gunner, 9th Air Force, 12th Bomb Group. James Williams is participating in Desert Maneuvers in California and was recently promoted to PFC.

March 26, 1943: Thomas Pearce (pictured) receives a promotion to 1st Lieutenant prior to leaving overseas serving as a Navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator with the 487th Bomb Group.

March 26, 1945: Fred Nye enlists in the U.S. Navy. Robert Templin returns to the U.S. after serving 14 months in troop transport shipping, based in Puerto Rico.

March 26, 1946: Max McPherson is discharged from the United States Marine Corps.

WWII History: Clarksburg Ohio's Elwood Dean medically discharged from the 82nd Airborne, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F Company

2009-03-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio history: Clarksburg Ohio boys in service during WWII:

March 25, 1943: Albert Willis (369th Harbor Craft Company) escapes major injury during fire training at Camp Hathaway, WA when his firehose is turned on suddenly slamming him into a nearby building. Cary Skinner (41st Infantry Division) is actively training at Fort Riley, Kansas in the Medic Corps. Harmon Jobe (542nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment) is serving in Australia as a Coxswain of an army landing craft. Herman Dinkler (3rd Armored Division, 548th Quartermaster Depot) returns to Clarksburg for a furlough spent with parents. Dinkler recently graduated from Officer Training School at Camp Lee, Virginia. Walter Whitten (95th Infantry Division, 377th Infantry Regiment, L Company) departs Clarksburg for Fort Sam Houston, Texas following a 10-day furlough spent with parents.

March 25, 1944: Melvin Whiting is discharged from the U.S. Army due to a knee injury.

March 25, 1945: Elwood Dean (82nd Airborne, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F Company) receives a medical discharge from the U.S. Army at the General Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky and returns to Chillicothe. Dean received wounds in Normandy July 3, 1944 while serving with the famed 82nd Airborne. Marcus Ater writes home describing details of the severe naval fighting he has endured aboard the USS Denver CL-58 (pictured above). Ater also mentioned he witnessed the retaking of the island Corregidor.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II heavy bomber crewmembers busy on March 24!

2009-03-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II veteran history:

March 24, 1942: Bob Anderson attends a war benefit at Santa Monica High School, including performances by actors Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, and Philip Dorary.

March 24, 1943: John Martin arrives Clarksburg, Ohio for a ten day furlough from infantry training. Warren Martin arrives Clarksburg, Ohio for a multi-day furlough with parents and his brother John.

March 24, 1944: Jack Morris flies his 11th bombing mission on the St. Dizier airfield near Metz, France, which at the time was being utilized by the German Luftwaffe. Morris attached to the 392nd Bomb Group.

March 24, 1945: Don Adams flies his tenth bombing mission on the Neuberg Airdrome in Neuberg, Germany. Adams attached to the 485th Bomb Group, 83oth Bomb Squadron, flying B-24 Liberators. Lewis Garrison sees brother Dick Garrison for the first time since the beginning of the war while on a furlough. Norman Trapp flies his 21st bombing mission in a B-17, on the Vechte Airfield in B-17 44-8468 (pictured above) attached to the 351st Bomb Group. Roy Hawkins crosses the Rhine River at 0200 hours as part of the 463rd AAA.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Hawkins and the 463rd AAA bunk in Dinslaken Germany - prepare for Rhine crossing

2009-03-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history: A feature of Clarksburg Ohio servicemen in action:

March 23, 1942: Herman Dinkler transfers to Fort Lewis, Washington with the 57th Quartermaster Regiment for additional training.

March 23, 1943: Following processing at Ft Thomas, Kentucky, Don Garrison is sent to Camp Young, California to serve and train with the Quartermaster Service Battalion. Merrill Hughes departs Ft Thomas, Kentucky bound for Camp Joseph Robinson, Arkansas to train in the medical corps of the 84th Infantry Division. Roy Hawkins departs Ft Thomas, Kentucky for Camp Haan, California to serve and train with Battalion C of the 463rd AAA Battalion.

March 23, 1944: Jack Morris (392nd Bomb Group) flies his 10th bombing mission on Osnabruck, Germany. John Martin departs the U.S. by troopship bound for Liverpool, England to serve with the 90th Infantry Division.

March 23, 1945: Charles Mallow departs the U.S. bound for the European Theater to serve as a Military Policeman in C Company, 398th MP Battalion. Eugene Morris is aboard the Queen Mary when it arrives in Grennoch, Scotland. Roy Hawkins of the 463rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion stay in Dinslaken, Germany on the western bank of the Rhine River preparing to cross the Rhine in pursuit of the Germans. The photo included in this blog is Roy Hawkins and his buddies manning their quad-50. Hawkins is back right.

Clarksburg Ohio WWII veteran Lt. Don Adams pilots 9th bombing mission on Germany

2009-03-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history featuring Clarksburg Ohio servicemen:

March 21, 1944: Vernon Bethel's troopship departs the United States for the European Theater.

March 21, 1945: Don Adams flies his ninth bombing mission in a B-24 Liberator with the 485th Bomb Group, 830th Bomb Squadron, attacking the aircraft factory in Neuberg, Germany. The patch/logo included in this blog is the insignia of the 830th Bomb Squadron. Kenneth Dean arrives the United States.

March 21, 1946: Dwight Casto’s troopship docks in the United States.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II history March 20 1943-1945

2009-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history featuring soldiers from Clarksburg, Ohio:

March 20, 1943: Harry Junk arrives safely in North Africa. Picture included in this blog is Harry Junk on the left and unknown soldier on the right in North Africa.

March 20, 1944: Jack Ater returns to Fort Leonard Wood following an 11-day furlough in Clarksburg with his parents. Joe Ater transfers from San Antonio, Texas where he completed pre-flight training and is now participating in flight training in Tulsa, OK. Tom Eycke is currently based in New Guinea and searching jungles for Japanese ammo and supply dumps, determining what supplies are salvagable.

March 20, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse's entire 777th Tank Battalion takes over the Hotel Ludwig Porch in Wassenach in preparation for the crossing of the Rhine River. John Roseboom is serving with the 760th Field Artillery Battalion in Manila, Philippines.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II servicemen busy on March 19.

2009-03-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history: Focus on Clarksburg Ohio servicemen!

March 19, 1943: Morris Templin is serving in Banning, CA. Wendell Bryant is serving overseas in North Africa.

March 19, 1944: Corrine Bochard returns to Clarksburg on a 10-day furlough from Ft. Monmouth, NJ..

March 19, 1945: Don Adams flies his eighth bombing mission piloting a B-24 with the 485th Bomb Group on the Muhldorf Marshalling Yard in Germany. Fred Rittenhouse, part of the 777th Tank Battalion, travels from Ettringen to Wassenach, Germany. Norman Trapp flies his 20th bombing mission part of the 351st Bomb Group, 508th Bomb Squadron, on secondary targets near Plauen, in B-17 44-8774. VISIT THIS website 508th Bomb Squadron and type in "Trapp" to see his entire mission record! Video of the 351st Bomb Group

March 19, 1946: Max McPherson officially ends his service in the Pacific Theater as a USMC Guard Patrolman.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history

2009-03-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history: Clarksburg Ohio residents move forward:

March 18, 1943: Glenn McPherson's 204th Quartermaster Battalion docks in North Africa.
Willis Cleary returns to Clarksburg for a three-day furlough from training in Wisconsin.

March 18, 1944: James Williams departs the U.S.

March 18, 1945: Eugene Morris is aboard the Queen Mary steaming for Scotland to serve as a postal clerk in HQ Company of the 745th Tank Battalion. Fred Rittenhouse's 777th Tank Battalion wake up in civilian homes in Ettringen, Germany commandeered the night before.

March 18, 1946: Willis Taylor is discharged from the U.S. Army at Camp Atterbury, IN

Today in Ohio World War II history: Clarksburg Ohio's Lt. Williams flies an attack mission with the Bats Outa Hell squadron!

2009-03-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

March 16, 1945: Almer Sowers departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater to serve as a Light Truck Driver with the 3745th Quartermaster Truck Company. Daryl Williams flies a mission with the 499th Bomb Squadron, in a highly modified B-25 Mitchell bomber designed to attack Japanese ground and shipping targets. The included photo included was taken out the back of Williams' B-25 showing para-frag bombs (with white parachutes) dropping on a Japanese target. Eugene Mace graduates from Navy Fire Control school in Bainbridge, Maryland. Eugene Morris is serving in an armored unit at Fort Meade, Maryland recently completing basic training. Russ Furniss departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater serving as part of the 24th Infantry Division, 21st Infantry Regiment, HQ Company.

March 16, 1946: Wendell Carroll is discharged from the U.S. Army at Camp Atterbury, IN.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II airmen busy: Crabb returns after 53 missions, Adams flies his 7th, Graham returns to the states

2009-03-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II history. Clarksburg Ohio veteran Charles Crabb first serviceman home

March 15, 1943: Maynard Morris is in the Fort Sill hospital recovering from a broken ankle received during training. Rolland Bookwalter transfers from Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN to training in Robinson, Arkansas attached to E. Company, 105th Medical Training Battalion.

March 15, 1944: Charles Crabb is the first active serviceman to return to Clarksburg from outside of North American service, after flying 53 combat missions with the 12th Bomb Group as a chief armorer and top turret gunner in a B-25 Mitchell bomber. John Martin is enroute for overseas duty to serve as a replacement infantryman with the 90th infantry Division.

March 15, 1945: Don Adams flies his seventh bombing mission with the 485th Bomb Group on the St. Polten Marshalling Yard in Austria. Franklin Mace is transferred from Camp Atterbury, Indiana to Camp J.T. Robinson, Arkansas attached to Company B, 134th Battaion, 75th Regiment.

March 15, 1946: Hoyt Graham's aircraft departs the Pacific Theater bound for the U.S.

Clarksburg Ohio's World War II Veteran: Individual Veterans and their units

2009-03-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

Calling all World War II researchers! The following is an alphabetical list of most of Clarksburg Ohio’s World War II veterans and at least one unit they served in between the dates of 1941 and 1945. If anyone has additional information on their service or is interested in learning more about one of the veterans to complete personal research or family geneaology, please leave a comment with the information you are requesting and an active email address and Vic Cleary will contact you.

Clarksburg Ohio’s World War II Veterans (list incomplete)
Acord, Gerald D: Served aboard the USS Quincy (CA-71), and USS Arkansas
Adams, Don: 15th Air Force, 485th Bomb Group, 830th Bomb Squadron
Anderson, Allen A: 36th Training Group, Squadron A
Anderson, Harold: 1st Cavalry, Battery G
Anderson, John Robert: 94th Bomb Group, 331st Bomb Squadron, 23rd Depot Group
Anderson, John: U.S. Navy discharged
Anderson, Ralph W: 8th Air Force, 92nd Bomb Group, 325th Bomb Squadron
Anderson, Robert C: 15th Air Force, 14th Fighter Group, 37th Fighter Squadron
Anderson, W. Arthur Jr.: 7th Infantry Division and 7th Motorized Infantry Division
Ater, Bernard J.: 3535th Army Air Force Base Unit
Ater, Francis E.: 93rd Field Hospital
Ater, Frank A.: 743rd Tank Battalion, D Company & 778th Tank Battalion
Ater, Jack W.: 97th Infantry Division, 387th Infantry Regiment, Company D
Ater, Joseph S.: 324th Army Air Force Base Unit
Ater, Kenneth B.: 2622nd Ordnance Transportation Company
Ater, Ralph E.: USS Ranger (CV-4): Navy Bomb Squadron 42
Ater, Robert Marcus: USS Denver (CL- 58): Cruiser
Baughman, John H.: 42nd Group, 361st Air Svc. Squadron, 896th Air Engineer Squadron
Bethel, Donald E.: MERRILL'S MARUADERS: 475th Inf. Reg., I Company., 5307th Brigade
Bethel, Gerald V.: USS Bache (DD-470): Destroyer
Bethel, Herschel R.: 759th Railway Operating Battalion, A Company
Bethel, Robert C.: 58th Medical Corps. 344th Medical Dispensary
Bethel, Vernon O.: 48th Fighter Grp, 492nd Fighter Sq., 1709th Signal Svc. Batt.
Betts, Howard L.: 7th Army
Bochard, Corrine E.: WAAC Detachment 4201
Bochard, William S.: 6th Army, 10th Corp., 99th Signal Battalion
Boggs, Robert C.: 509th Military Police Battalion, B Company
Bookwalter, George R.: 3rd Service Command, Philadelphia, PA
Bookwalter, Roland: 195th Medical Training, 2nd Battalion, Company E
Bookwalter, Sylvester: 3702nd AAF Base Unit, 344th Bomb Group
Bowdle, Elza: 40th Battalion, Co. B, 59th Med Training Batt., & 80th Hospital (France)
Brooks, John W.: 20th Air Force, 58th Bomb Wing, 87th Air Service Group. HQ and Base Services Squad
Bryant, Howard A. “Tick”: 330th Engineer Regiment: 1580th Service Command Unit
Bryant, Wendell: 479th Amphibious Truck Company
Burke, Charles: 384th Bomb Group
Carroll, Glen E.: 873rd Engineer Aviation Batt., Group Squadron 43, H Company
Carroll, Marvin E.: 1st Armored Division: 6th Armored Inf Batt, I Company, and 14th Armored Infantry
Carroll, Wendell: 3rd Army, 80th Inf. Div., 319th Inf. Reg., HQ Detachment
Casto, Dwight T.: 7th Army, 427th Ordnance Tire Company
Chenault, Charles “Denny”: USS APA Presidio (APA-88) and LCI #34
Chenault, Robert E.: 34th Field Hospital
Cleary, Willis K.: 2nd Infantry Division, 23rd Infantry Regiment, K Company
Cokonougher, Wayne: 3rd Army, 740th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A
Cottrill, Warren: 8th Air Force, 1059th MP Co.
Crabb, Charles N.: 12th Bomb Group, 81st Bomb Squadron. The Earthquakers!
Dawson, Harold R.: 102nd Air Corps, 607th Signal Corps
Dawson, John M.: 3507th AAF Base Unit, Aircraft Squad III, Flight I
Dawson, Robert E.: 11th Air Force, 54th Fighter Group , 42nd Fighter Squadron
Dawson, Robert K. “Bert”: 3rd Army, 69th Infantry Division
Dawson, William A “Billy”: 3rd Army, 150th Anti Aircraft Artillery Batt., Battery D
Dean, Elwood L.: 82nd Airborne Division: 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F and HQ Company
Dean, Kenneth M.: 103rd Station Hospital
Dennis, Lewis A.: 10th Armored Division, 150th Armored Signal Company
DeWitt, Paul: U.S.S. Barrier (AM-150) Minesweeper
Dinkler, Carl W.: 8th Infantry Division, 28th Infantry Regiment, Company A
Dinkler, Herman: 3rd Armored Division, 548th Quartermaster Depot, Advanced Communication Section
Dinkler, Merle: 1st Cavalry Division
Dinkler, Scott: Persian Gulf Service Command: 18th Depot Repair Group
Downing, Joseph Wesley: 236th Engineer Combat Battalion, C Company
Dunkle, Lee: LST #863
Elliott, Howard: 3593rd Service Command Unit, 18th Battalion, Company A
Eycke, Thomas E.: 1st Cavalry, 24th Infantry, 77th Infantry, 234th Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company
Farmer, Maurice E.: 134th Field Artillery, Battery A
Fay, Howard: USS LST #221 and USS General George Randolph
Furniss, Sherman “Russell”:24th Infantry Division, 21st Infantry Regiment, HQ Company
Garrison, Don E.: 3204th Quartermaster Service Co
Garrison, Harold K.: 32nd Division, 120th Field Artillery Batt., HQ Battery
Garrison, Howard: 712th Engineer Depot Company
Garrison, Lewis: 8th Air Force, 466th Bomb Group, 787th Bomb Squadron
Garrison, Merton C.: 168th Field Artillery, Battery B and 41st Field Artillery
Garrison, Oscar A.: 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Inf Reg, 115th Field Artillery Batt., Battery C
Garrison, Richard M.: 8th Infantry Division, 121st Infantry Regiment, I Company
Garrison, Ward “Hoot”: USS Antietam (CV-36) Aircraft Carrier
Graham, Hoyt B. Jr.: Air Material Command
Graham, Solon L.: 5th Air Force, 380th Bomb Group, 528th Bomb Squadron
Hamman, Robert M.: 9th Armored Division, 73rd Armored Field Artillery, Battery A
Harmount, Donald J.: 35th Base Headquarters Unit
Harrington, Frank: 4th Fighter Group, 438th Air Service Group, 16th Repair Squadron
Hawkins, Lee: 6th Infantry Division, 51st Field Artillery Battalion, HQ Battery
Hawkins, Ralph A.: USS Stack (DD-406): Destroyer
Hawkins, Roy A.: 79th Inf Div., 310th F.A. Battalion, 463rd AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion
Haynes, Robert: USS New York (BB-34)
Hicks, Forrest W.: 1st Coastal Artillery, Battery K
Hinton, Roy M.: VPB 25, Crew #14: Martin Mariner
Hoffman, Harold P.: 40th Inf. Div., 160th Infantry Reg., D Company
Holloway, Harry F.: 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, H Company, and 2nd Battalion HQ Company
Holloway, Roy N.: 80th Inf. Div., 317th Inf. Reg., C Company
Hughes, Merrill P.: 84th Infantry Division, 335th Infantry Regiment, Company D
Jobe, Charles M.: 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 80th Airborne Artillery Battalion, Battery F
Jobe, Harmon: 542nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, Company A
Johnson, John “Franklin”: 1065th Signal Corps
Jordan, Harry: 7th Depot Unit, 15th Base HQ and Air Base Squadron
Jordan, John: USS Ranger (CV-4): Aircraft Carrier
Junk, Harry: 5th Army, 34th Depot Group, 738th QM, 2493rd QM Truck Co.
Junk, Ralph: 95th Inf Div, 379th Inf Reg, Co I
Kearns, Ben: 4th Armored Division, 51st Armored Infantry Batt, A Company
Kelly, Thomas R.: 8th Air Force, 34th Bomb Group, 7th Squadron
Kelly, Joseph G.: Bushmasters: 158th Infantry Regiment, Company H
Kirkwood, John F.: 7th Army / Attached Red Cross Unit
Kirkwood, John W.: USS Alcorn (AD-34) Destroyer Tender
Lowe, Edward: 93rd Infantry Division, 369th Infantry Regiment, Company D
Lowe, William: 27th Quartermaster Regiment, Co. A
Mace, Eugene W.: USS John R. Craig (DD-885): Destroyer
Mace, Franklin J.: 2766th Engineer Base Photo Company
Maddux, Don W.: 35th Infantry Division, 137th Infantry Reg., Company D
Mallow, Charles: 398th MP Battalion
Mallow, Gerbler Reed: 1st Cavalry, 7th Cavalry Regiment, Troop B
Marine, Roy M.: ROTC University of Indiana
Martin, Earl: LST #675
Martin, John E.: 90th Infantry Division, 358th Infantry Regiment, G Company
Martin, Warren G. “Bud”: 8th Air Force, 301st AAF Base Unit, 704 Air Material Sq.
McCormick, Paul: 919 Signal Corps, 48th Repair Squad, 4121st AAF Base Unit
McDonald, Grant: USS Missouri
McPherson, Glenn Wendell: 204th Quartermaster Battalion
Merz, William T.: Americal Division, 245th Field Artillery Battalion, HQ Battery
Minnix, Clarence: Signal Corps, 68th Signal Battalion, Company C
Minnix, Clifford: 129th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, Battery D
Minnix, Robert: 4th Medical Training Batt., Company B
Minser, Richard H. “JACK”: Army Transportation Corps: 6th Port Headquarters
Moomaw, Sarah: WAAC Training Center
Morris, Eugene D.: 1st Infantry Division, 745th Tank Battalion, Heavy Mortar Platoon & HQ Co
Morris, Jack C.: 8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squadron
Morris, Walter Jr.: USS Prairie (AD-15) and the USS New Jersey (BB-62) Battleship
Morrison, Albert Russell: Amphibious Training Center, Oahu, Hawaii
Overly, Dwight E.: Americal Div, 108th Regimental Combat Team, Co. I
Overly, Eugene: 474th Infantry Regiment, Company E
Overly, Marlin Jr.: 65th Signal Battalion, Company A
Pearce, Roy H.: 1st Infantry Division, 18th Infantry Regiment, F Company
Pearce, Thomas W.: 8th Air Force, 487th Bomb Group, 838th Bomb Squadron
Peck, John E.: 1333rd Army Air Force Base Unit: 13th Area
Penwell, Loren Galen: USS Jouett (DD- 396)
Pool, James: Received an early medical discharge
Pool, John W.: USS Texas (BB-35) Battleship
Prince, Willis L.: 15th Air Force, 465th Bomb Group, 782nd Bomb Squadron
Radcliff, Clarence: 436th Combat Military Police, I Company: 3860th Service Command Unit
Reisinger, Earl: USS Texas
Reisinger, James: 981st Field Artillery Battalion
Reisinger, Troy L: 186th Infantry Regiment, Service Company
Reisinger, Willard: 5th Fighter Group, 32nd Fighter Squadron
Richardson, Cecil E.: 3916th QM Gas Supply Company
Richardson, Ralph “Jack”: 11th QM Group, G Company: 96th QM Railhead Company
Rittenhouse, Fred: 777th Tank Battalion, Company A
Rittenhouse, Tom: USS Hamul (AD-20)
Rose, Leo: 142nd Medical Battalion, Company D, 1st Platoon: 310th General Hospital
Roseboom, John R.: 1st Cavalry Division, 760th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery C.
Satchell, Donald G.: 618th Engineer Base Equipment Company
Saxour, Samuel H.: 41st Station Hospital, 80th General Hospital
Saxour, Thomas: 174th Inf Div., 125th Infantry Reg, Co F
Shaffer, Forrest A.: 38th Infantry Division, 152nd Infantry Regiment, Company I
Sewards, Phillip J.: EC2 Thomas Eakins: Liberty Ship (Hull 2955)
Shanton, Richard O: 389th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion, Battery A and D
Shull, Ephriam: 58th Ordnance Ammunition Company
Skinner, Cary “Scoop”: 41st Infantry Division, 116th Medical Battalion, 5th Squad, Troop B
Skinner, Forman: 95th Air Force
Smith, Carrie “Willard”: 90th Infantry Division, 358th Infantry Regiment, Company B
Smith, Russell E.: 12th Transport Squadron
Southward, Cecil: 693rd Engineer Equipment Company
Southward, Robert H.: USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62)
Sowers, Almer E.: 3745th Quartermaster Truck Company
Sowers, Thomas E.: 80th Infantry Division, 318th Infantry Regiment, Company A
Steinhauser, Charles H.: 80th Replacement Draft, Company A
Stevens, Richard: 20th Field Artillery; attached to the 4th Infantry Division
Stevens, Robert Clark: 306th General Hospital
Stinson, Dusty: USS Antietam (CV-36)
Taylor, Willis W.: 2nd Engineer School Regiment, H Co.
Templin, John H.: Air Transport Command: 1504th Army Air Force Base Unit.
Templin, Morris H. “Jerry”: 4th Army Headquarters
Templin, Robert C.: Naval Sub Chaser
Templin, Wanda: Secretary of a unit in charge of training
Trapp, Norman A.: 8th Air Force, 351st Bomb Group, 508th Bomb Squadron
Tucker, Raymond Jr.: 20th Air Force, 414th Fighter Group, 437th Fighter Squadron
Watkins, Orville W.: USS Zenobia (AKA-52)
Watkins, Wayne Theodore: USS Zenobia
Whiting, Harold: United States Ship Decom. Depot
Whiting, Melvin: US Naval Hospital Bethesda, MD
Whitten, Walter E.: 95th Inf Div., 377th Inf. Reg., L Company
Wickensimer, Clark: 1244th Military Police Company
Williams, Charles: 4208th Quartermaster Service Co.
Williams, Daryl D.: 5th Air Force, 345th Bomb Group, 499th Bomb Squadron
Willis Paul W.: Persian Gulf Service Command: 18th Depot Repair Group
Willis, Albert: 369th Harbor Craft Company
Willis, Curtis: Quartermaster Corps
Willis, Dwight: Air Transport Command: 1337th Army Air Force Base Unit, Battery 6
Willis, Max E.: Stark General Hospital: 31st Medical Training Battalion, Company A
Willis, Nye: 3433rd Ordnance H.A.M. Company
Wolford, Shelby E.: Admin. Command Service, Pacific
Wright, Archie L.: 8th Infantry Division, 28th Infantry Regiment, Anti-Tank Company
Wright, John W.: 10th Air Force, 7th Bomb Group, 493rd Bomb Squadron

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History: Some of Ohio's World War II veterans have active days

2009-03-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today in Ohio World War II History: A handful of Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans have active days.

March 14, 1943: Corrine Bochard transfers from Fort Oglethorpe, GA to Commerce, Texas to serve and train with Company A, WAAC Branch 5, Army Administration School. Ralph Anderson departs Clarksburg to return to Amarillo, Texas following his grandmother's funeral. Scott Dinkler receives a promotion to PFC while based at Patterson Field in Dayton, Ohio.

March 14, 1944: Sgt. Bob Anderson (pictured with his ground crew and sitting on the maintenance stand top center), based in Italy with the 37th Fighter Squadron, writes to his mother that he can't believe the news that his brother SSGT Ralph Anderson was Killed-In-Action in fighting over Western Germany on December 1, 1943. Kenneth Ater's troopship docks in the United States.

March 14, 1945: John Templin is stationed at Camp Hood, Texas. Norman Trapp flies his 19th bombing mission on enemy targets located in Lohne piloting B-17 number 44-8098. Roger Bryant departs India to return to the United States.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veterans: Now and Then!

2009-03-12T19:10:00.001-07:00

Ohio World War II History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veteran: PFC Mert Garrison now and then 1945 and 1984.

Lifelong Clarksburg Ohio native, PFC Merton Garrison served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a Heavy Artillery Truck Driver attached to the 168th Field Artillery, Battery B and 41st Field Artillery. Mert hauled a 155MM Howitzer and served in the Philippines (Luzon), New Guinea, and Australia.

Today in Ohio World War II History: Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans advance!

2009-03-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Ohio World War II veterans from Clarksburg Ohio continue to work their way in hopes for an end to the war.

March 11, 1944: Howard Eisenbrey departs Clarksburg Ohio following an extended furlough with his parents, bound for Foster General Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. Lt. Lewis Garrison officially arrives the ETO attached to the 466th Bomb Group, serving as a Navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator.

March 11, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse, part of the 777th Tank Battalion, motors toward Zingsheim, Germany and stays with civilians for six days while resting and performing regular maintenance on the battalion's tanks. Kenneth Dean departs the European Theater to return to the U.S. Willis Cleary and the 23rd Regimental Personnel Group depart the village of Kommern, Germany and arrive Ahrweiler, Germany with plans to cross the Rhine River at Remagen once the bridge is secured by the 9th Armored Division. Cleary's regiment moves into German homes and raids a local distillery. Pictured above is Cleary's grandson Vic Cleary standing in streets of Kommern in May of 2000.

March 11, 1946: Dwight Casto's ship departs the ETO bound for the United States. Wendell Carroll's troopship docks in the United States.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II Now and Then: St. Georges d' Elle

2009-03-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

The tiny village of St-Georges-d’Elle France, nestled in Normandy's hedgerow country a few kilometres inland from Omaha Beach, is situated at the base of Hill 192, where fierce fighting between American and German soldiers resulted in terrible bloodshed in July of 1944. On the other side of the hill lay the significant crossroad city of St. Lo, which for Allied Forces, was a major objective following the invasion of Normandy.

The “Now” photo taken in June of 1999, features Nick Cleary in the foreground, son of Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran Sgt. Willis Cleary – 23rd Infantry Regiment – K Company, standing near the 2nd Infantry Division’s monument erected to honor the many men from the division who lost their lives while liberating the village in pursuit of German forces atop Hill 192. Fortunately for our family, Sgt. Cleary was unscathed during the battle, which claimed the lives of many of his good friends and acquaintances within the regiment. St Georges d’ Elle’s chapel, pictured in both photos, was damaged severely by artillery fire during the battle, but repaired nicely following the war. A second plaque inside the chapel recognizes the American troops who fought for the village’s freedom.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: The Clarksburg Star provides a detailed update on soldiers preparing for war!

2009-03-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Today in Ohio World War II history: Clarksburg Star Provides Detailed Update on Clarksburg Ohio boys preparing for World War II

On March 6, 1942 the Clarksburg Star provided an update on a number of Clarksburg Ohio's service personnel preparing for war throughout the U.S. The following notes were printed in the paper:

Bob Anderson is transitioning into different aircraft mechanic training and currently staying at the Edgewater Hotel in Santa Monica, California studying the P-38 Lightning at the Lockheed Aircraft Plant.

Bob Dawson is training with the 4th Pursuit Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group in Florence, South Carolina.

Forrest Hicks is based at Fort Sherman - Canal Zone - Panama attached to Battery K of the 1st C.A.

Harold Hoffman is based near Los Angeles, California with the 160th Infantry Regiment.

Herman Dinkler is based at Camp Shelby, Mississippi training with the 57th Quartermaster Regiment, Company C.

Jack Morris is based at Fort Sam Houston, TX part of the 504th M.P. Battalion, Company D.

Joe Ater has been reassigned to Baker Field, California.

John Martin is training at Camp Wolters, TX attached to the 63rd Infantry Training Battalion - D Company.

Kenneth Dean is based at McChord Field, Washington attached to the 505th Signal A.W. Regiment.

Lewis Garrison is trainnig at Camp Roberts, California with the 75th Field Artillery.

Mert Garrison is based at Camp McQuaide, Watsonville, California attached to the 168th Field Artillery, Battery B.

Murrell Prince is based at the Schofield Barracks with the 34th Engineers, Company D near Pearl Harbor – Hawaii.

Oscar Garrison is based at Fort Jackson, South Carolina - Field Artillery.

Ralph Anderson has been assigned to the 312th School Squadron at Sheppard Field, Texas.

W.A. Anderson is with the 7th Signal Company in San Jose, California.

Warren Whitehurst was recently promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant while based in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Willis Cleary (pictured third from left on balcony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas) has been assigned to K Company, 23rd infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division located at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

World War II ace Aust out of Jail after 8 years! He was in Jail???

2009-03-05T16:22:00.000-08:00

I just came across a post through Google Alerts that Abner Aust, P-51 Mustang ace from World War II was "finally" released from jail following 8 years of imprisonment. I can't believe he was even in jail. How did I miss that? My wife and I ate dinner with him once (see photo).

See the story about his release from jail.

I am sorry to hear about it.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans active on March 4:

2009-03-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

Today in Ohio World War II history. Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans are very active.

March 4, 1942: William Merz travels in a long convoy of ships down the east coast of the Atlantic seaboard sailing from the U.S. to the Pacific Theater.

March 4, 1943: Following a dead-stick crashlanding in a farm field north of Eglin Field, Florida, Charles Crabb and his crew are assigned a new B-25 and depart Eglin for Greenville, SC arriving safely this time by 9pm. Roger Bryant, attached to the 330th Engineers, arrives India.

March 4, 1944: After flying his 53rd mission, Charles Crabb departs the ETO bound for the United States to eventually serve as an aerial gunnery instructor in South Carolina. Gerald Bethel, aboard the USS Bache, participates in the shelling of Ndrillo and Karunia Islands in the Admiralty Islands.

March 4, 1945: Norman Trapp flies his 18th bombing mission attached to the 351st Bomb Group on Schwabmunchen in B-17 44-8455. (pictured: Norman Trapp front row, center). The following link is an excellent video of 351st Bomb Group B-17's taking off for a mission. Attached is another excellent video with raw footage from a sqaudron of bomber crews being interviewed after a raid. B-17 Crew Interviews

March 4, 1946: Eugene Mace is discharged from the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Training Center, IL.

Clarksburg Ohio's Pearce wounded near Koln during World War II, McPherson writes to Timmons from Anzio

2009-03-02T15:58:00.001-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history.

March 2, 1943: Daryl Williams (pictured) is participating in basic training at Miami Beach, Florida. Ralph Junk returns to Fort Sam Houston, Texas after a 10 day furlough in Clarksburg with his wife, kids, and parents.

March 2, 1944: Glenn McPherson writes to Clarksburg High School Superintendent Pryor Timmons from the Anzio Beachhead in Italy describing some of his hardships and how he would like to be home. John Dawson returns to Clarksburg from his air field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a 15-day furlough. Roy Pearce is wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel near Gladbach, Germany, outside Cologne (Koln) after an enemy aircraft drops a bomb near the foxhole/outpost he was manning. Pearce was a replacement rifleman attached to F Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One).

March 2, 1945: Dale Boyer departs China in preparation for eventual separation from the Marine Corps.

Sneak Peak of HBO's THE PACIFIC

2009-03-01T17:12:00.001-08:00

HBO's THE PACIFIC

Alright... the cat is officially out of the bag through underground channels. Attention World War II movie aficionados -- HBO has been working on a Band of Brothers-esque, 10-part mini series following three Marines throughout their wartime ordeal titled The Pacific. Check out The Pacific website, well... the unofficial site.

The site provides an insider's look of the production, which was primarily shot in Australia. A significant portion of the special will focus on EB Sledge's With The Old Breed, a well-written book following "Sledgehammer's" experience as a mortarman with the 5th Marines. If you watch the History Channel much, you may already be familiar with E.B., as he was interviewed often about his experience and considered a subject matter expert. I highly suggest you read the book before viewing the mini-series, and then park it by your couch for quick reference during the airing --- like the rest of us hardcore nerds!

Photo: Marines on Peleliu

Clarksburg Ohio World War II: Studying the bunkers and fortifications of World War II

2009-02-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

WORLD WAR II

BUNKERS EVERYWHERE!

I love visiting old World War II battlefields where remnants of the battle remain --- from small shards of clothing and shrapnel to large fortified bunkers like the one at Pointe du Hoc along the coast of Normandy where my parents are standing. I especially enjoy touring battlefields and specific sections of the battle where men from Clarksburg Ohio experienced action. It's exhilarating to stand on the same ground, the same village and hillside, and possibly in the same foxhole.

Something that dumbfounds me is the amazing network of bunkers and fortifications along the Siegfried and Maginot lines separating points west of Germany. German forts, bunkers and tank traps were constructed by slave labor and the French nearly went bankrupt building an amazing network of fortifications designed to stop the Germans in their "tracks" literally and figuratively before they could seize Paris. I guess the lessons and losses of World War I were obviously ENOUGH for the French.

Visit the site listed below if you have time. It's a detailed look at many of the bunkers and fortifications that still remain in Europe, as well as the beautiful contrasting landscape surrounding these ghosts from World War II. http://fortenspy.blogspot.com/

Clarksburg Ohio veterans active in World War II on February 25.

2009-02-25T15:55:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 25, 1944: John Brooks arrives Africa attached to the 87th Air Service Group, servicing the ground needs of the B-29’s 58th Bomb Wing, as an MP. Tom Eycke arrives the Pacific Theater to serve in Intelligence as part of the 234th Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company.

February 25, 1945: Don Adams flies his sixth bombing mission attached to the 485th Bomb Group attacking the Benzol Refinery in Linz, Austria. Pictured, a crew member of Ring Dang Doo - a B-24 Liberator bomber attached to the 485th Bomb Group and flown by Don Adams during World War II. Francis Ater departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater. Fred Rittenhouse, part of the 777th Tank Battalion, crosses into Germany for the first time, driving through a decimated Aachen, Germany in his Sherman tank.

February 25, 1946: Charles Mallow is discharged from the U.S. Army.

Today in Ohio World War II history: Cleary departs Monschau for Eupen, Anderson graduates air mechanic school and 3 years later leaves the ETO

2009-02-24T18:36:00.000-08:00

This date in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 24, 1942: Bob Anderson graduates air mechanic school at Sheppard Field, Texas.

February 24, 1943: Darrell Templin, Dick Garrison, Dick Shanton, Howard Bryant, Jack Ater and Rolland Bookwalter depart Clarksburg for Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana to immediately report for duty to the U.S. Army. Harmon Jobe arrives the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

February 24, 1945: Bob Anderson departs the European Theater of Operation bound for the United States. Charlie Jobe reaches the Roer River and the 82nd Airborne are relieved by the British. He returns with the 82nd Airborne Division to their Suippes, France base camp. Willis Cleary departs Monschau, Germany (pictured left) for Eupen, Belgium to reposition along the Siegfried Line.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Garrison returns home, USS Ranger docks in Casablanca with Ralph Ater aboard.

2009-02-23T16:43:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 23, 1943: Glen Ater and wife Nell host a farewell party in Clarksburg to send brother Jack Ater off to war, the second Ater brother to enter service during World War II. Ralph Ater, aboard the USS Ranger arrives Casablanca transporting 75 P-40 Warhawk fighters to the region. Pictured left: Mechanics working on a P-40 atop the deck of the USS Ranger in May of 1942.

February 23, 1945: Cary Skinner officially joins up with the 41st Infantry Division at Mindoro. Dick Garrison departs England bound for the United States following receiving wounds in the Hurtgen Forest as part of the 121th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. Frank Ater sends a letter to his parents telling them he just arrived in France from England and is currently serving with the 743rd Tank Battalion. Howard Fay departs the U.S. for the Pacific Theater. John Jordan completes his service aboard the USS Ranger.

February 23, 1946: Harold Dawson is discharged from the U.S. Army at Fort Devens, Mass.

February 22: A big day for Clarksburg Ohio B-24 Liberator crew members during World War II

2009-02-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 22, 1944: Lt. Jack Morris (392nd Bomb Group) writes to his parents while in a hospital recovering from fatigue and wounds received in his first crash of World War II - this time in England, the result of being shot up following a bombing mission. Morris does not elude to his wounds nor the crash he and his crew endured two days before on February 20 in his letter to his parents. His war was not over, but he was awrded the Purple Heart for this crash. (photo: February 20, 1944, the remains of Lt. Morris' B-24 in southern England following their crashlanding in a beet field). Roy Hawkins departs the U.S. for the European Theater.

February 22, 1945: Don Adams flies his fifth B-24 bombing mission over Murnau, Germany with the 485th Bomb Group.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran spotlight: Captain Herman Dinkler

2009-02-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran spotlight: Captain Herman Dinkler.

Clarksburg High School graduate and Clarksburg Ohio resident, Captain Herman Dinkler entered service with the U.S. Army March 29, 1941. Eventually, he served in the 548th Quartermaster Depot attached to the 3rd Armored Division during World War II. Dinkler arrived the ETO (European Theater of Operation) May 1, 1944, landing in Liverpool, England. He served as the commander of a Quartermaster group that supplied combat troops in Northern France, Normandy, Ardennes, and the Rhineland. He was in Liege, Belgium on VE-DAY and shipped home aboard the Victory Ship Montclair. Dinkler's "Now" photo was taken at his home on Egypt Pike just outside Clarksburg in May of 1984. Unlike the other Now and Then photos taken for this project, Dinkler took the time to squeeze into an old uniform, which makes for an excellent now and then comparison.

Clarksburg Ohio's Colonel George Bookwalter takes command in Pennsylvania, Adams flies his 4th bombing mission of World War II

2009-02-19T14:50:00.001-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

February 19, 1942: Willis Prince enlists in the U.S. Army.

February 19, 1943: Daryl Williams departs Clarksburg for Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana to immediately report for duty in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Harry Junk, part of the 2493rd Quartermaster Truck Company docks in North Africa. Kenneth Dean is serving in North Africa. Mert Garrison is stationed at Camp Roberts, CA. Oscar Garrison's parents receive a cable gram noting that he is serving "somewhere" overseas - in Iceland. Willis Prince is assigned and registered to Air Cadet Squadron 113 at the Army Air Forces Classification Center in San Antonio, Texas.

February 19, 1944: While based in Oahu, Hawaii, Charles Shull writes a letter to Pryor Timmons explaining his free time while in the service. Daryl Williams (pictured left in front of a highly modified 499th Bomb Squadron B-25 Mitchell bomber) also writes home to let Pryor Timmons know he has logged over 100 hours of flight time during training and is preparing to transfer to bomber training soon.

February 19, 1945: Don Adams flies his fourth bombing mission on harbor installation targets in Pola, Italy. Fred Rittenhouse, aboard his assigned Sherman tank, motors from Soissons, France and crosses into Belgium, staying the night in Namur. Colonel George Bookwalter is officially placed in command of the 1380th Service Command Unit Headquarters - Pennsylvania District, located at 2nd and Chestnut streets. Jack Ater and the remainder of the 97th Infantry Division sets sail for Europe from New York.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history -- residents of Clarksburg and Deerfield Township raise $60,000 in War Bond Purchases!

2009-02-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

This day in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 18, 1943: Ralph Hawkins returns to Clarksburg to speak to the student body about his Navy experiences. Hawkins mentioned that he watched the U.S.S. Wasp be destroyed by the Japanese (pictured left). Ray Tucker reports for duty at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

February 18, 1944: Cecil Southward departs Chillicothe following a 10-day furlough and returns to the 693rd Engineers at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Don Garrison is a new arrival to England. Don Harmount returns to Clarksburg from his base in Cleveland to visit family on furlough. Harold Garrison is discharged from a southwestern Pacific hospital after feeling better from the effects of Malaria. Howard Betts is promoted to sergeant and is part of a replacement unit based at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Jack Ater’s infantry division completes Louisiana Maneuvers training and returns to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While training in England with the 981st Field Artillery, James Reisinger writes a note to Pryor Timmons thanking him for the list of Clarksburg servicemen he mailed to him. Back in Clarksburg, Hoyt Graham, Sr., President of the Clarksburg Bank and chair of the local war bond drive, announces that Clarksburg area residents purchased $60,000 of War Bonds during the most recent fundraising drive. Warren Martin is stationed in England as an Army Postmaster.

February 18, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse and the remainder of the 777th Tank Battalion. catches up with A Company at Camp Twenty-Grand, and the entire Battalion moves out toward Soissons, France. Wendell Carroll’s ship docks in the European Theater of Operations.

February 17, 1943 marks Clarksburg Ohio's most significant enlistment day during World War II

2009-02-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

A significant day in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

February 17, 1943: Corrine Bochard is participating in basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, GA with WAAC attachment - Company 7, 21st Regiment, 3rd WAAC Training Center. Darrell Templin, Rolland Bookwalter, Jack Ater, Dick Garrison, Howard Bryant, Richard Shanton, Roger Bryant and Roy Hawkins pass their physical exams for induction into the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Columbus. Don Bethel enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually volunteers for I Company, 475th Infantry Reg., 5307th Brigade -- MERRILL's MAURADERS. Howard Elliott is stationed in Texarkana, Texas with the 522nd Ordnance Company. John Pool is based at Norfolk, Virginia.

February 17, 1944: From his base in Panama, Forrest Hicks writes to his family to alert them he is taking medical classes and getting decent grades. Ralph Hawkins' USS Stack supports raids against the Japanese at Truk Island and Hawkins is awarded a medal for outstaning service during the battle.

February 17, 1945: Frank Ater, aboard the U.S.S. West Point, docks in Scotland. Aboard the USS Denver Marcus Ater begins three months of support of the ground operations on Mindanao and Palawan. From Holland, SGT AO Watson of the 95th Infantry Division writes a letter to Walter Whitten's parents in Clarksburg Ohio describing his death during the battle for Metz, France.

February 17, 1946: Richard Shanton is discharged from the U.S. Army three years to the day of his induction.

World War II history today from Clarksburg Ohio: Cleary departs for Camp Elsenborn, Haynes participates in invasion of Iwo Jima

2009-02-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

February 16, 1942: Walter Morris enlists in the U.S. Navy and eventually becomes a certified deep sea diver.

February 16, 1944: Max McPherson is in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Panama. Willis Prince returns to his bomber group in Salt Lake City, Utah for additional training before transitioning overseas.

February 16, 1945: Aboard the U.S.S. New York, Robert Haynes, participates in the pre-invasion bombardment of Iwo Jima. The New York fires more rounds than any other ship in the Task Force. Tom Rittenhouse sends a letter home to his parents alerting them that he has been drafted into the Seabeas and will be sent to Rhode Island for further training. Sgt. Willis Cleary (pictured left before the war) departs Dison, Belgium and returns to Camp Elsenborn, Belgium with the 23rd Regimental Personnel Group.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans prepare for action on February 15

2009-02-15T18:46:00.001-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February15, 1943: Elwood Dean transfers from Fort Benning, Georgia to Fort George E. Meade, Maryland training with D Company, 417th Infantry Regiment, prior to his service with thew 82nd Airborne.

February 15, 1944: Don Maddux arrives Camp Blanding, Florida for infantry training from the Army induction center at Ft. Hayes, in Columbus Ohio. John Dawson departs Clarksburg Ohio following a furlough and returns to his Air Corps base at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. John Peck reports to Hunter Field, Georgia.

February 15, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse transfers from Fort Knox, Kentucky to Fort Meade, Maryland staging for overseas duty.

Garrison stricken with Malaria in the Pacific, Lt. Adams flying regular B-24 Missions, Peck completes 450 hours in C-46 time over the Hump!

2009-02-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 14, 1941: Marvin Carroll enlists in the U.S. Army and is eventually assigned to the 14th Armored Infantry, C Company.

February 14, 1943: Harold Garrison (pictured left) spends his first day in Perth, Australia as part of the 32nd Infantry Division.

February 14, 1944: Harold Garrison becomes ill due to the effects of Malaria and is admitted to a hospital in the Southwest Pacific.

February 14, 1945: Lt. Don Adams flies his third bombing mission on the Lobau Oil Refinery in Vienna, Austria. John Peck completes 450 hours of operational flight time in C-46's over the Hump in the China India Burma theater.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Today, the 392nd Bomb Group names B-24 in honor of WACS: G.I. Jane.

2009-02-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

Today in Ohio World War II History: Clarksburg Ohio world war II veterans continue to position themselves throughout the world for war.

February 11, 1944: Edward Lowe’s ship docks in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Lt. Jack Morris writes to his parents about a recent trip to London as well as about a ceremony the 392nd Bomb Group held with the WACS naming a B-24 Liberator in their group "G.I. Jane” (pictured left). Tom Eycke sets sail for the Pacific Theater. Vernon Bethel transfers from Camp Forrest, Tennessee to Watersboro, South Carolina.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Dinkler promoted, Graham advanced to Primary Flight training and Frank Ater sets sails for the ETO

2009-02-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

February 10, 1943: Arthur Anderson stops by Clarksburg to visit parents while transitioning from Fort Ord, CA to Fort Mammoth, NJ where he enters Officers Training School.

February 10, 1944: Carl Dinkler receives a promotion to Private First Class while training in Ireland with the 28th Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division. John Peck returns to Clarksburg to enjoy a 10-day furlough with family while based at Scott Field, Illinois, before his transition overseas. Solon Graham completes pre-flight training and advances to Primary Flight Training in Cuero, TX, on a grass airfield with civilian instructors flying PT-19's.

February 10, 1945: Frank Ater departs the United States aboard the U.S.S. West Point sailing for the European Theater with the 778th Tank Battalion.

Dean recovering from wounds in Louisville, Clarence Minnix departs the states for the Pacific Theater

2009-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 9, 1943: Clarksburg Ohio native James Pool transfers from Fort Lewis, WA to Keesler Field, Mississippi.

February 9, 1944: John Dawson returns to Clarksburg to enjoy a 10-day furlough with his family.

February 9, 1945: Clarence Minnix departs the U.S. bound for the Asiatic-Pacific Theater serving as a Truck Driver in C Company, 68th Signal Battalion. Following receiving wounds in Normandy while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F Company, Elwood Dean (pictured left) recovers from surgery at Nicholas Hospital in Lousiville, KY. His oldest brother, Norman Dean stops by for a visit.

Morris flies 3rd bombing mission during World War II and Eycke is awarded Bronze Star in Pacific

2009-02-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

World War II timeline.

Clarksburg Ohio veterans on this day in history.

February 2, 1944: Jack Morris flies his third bombing mission to Watten, France, as part of the 392nd Bomb Group. Kenneth Ater is based in Italy. Leo Rose is based at Fort Niagra, New York and enjoying a ten-day furlough with his sister in Grove City, Ohio.

February 2, 1945: Tom Eycke (pictured left) ends a month of treacherous service in Leyte, Philippines removing and destroying enemy ammunition from caves. He is awarded a Bronze Star for Bravery.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veteran Spotlight: Harold Garrison

2009-01-31T06:43:00.000-08:00

Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veteran Spotlight: Harold K. Garrison

S/SGT Harold K. Garrison served in the U.S. Army as a Survey Instrument Expert and Cook as part of the famed 32nd Infantry Division, 120th Field Artillery Battalion., HQ Battery. Garrison served in the Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns -- New Guinea, Saadore and the Netherlands East Indies.

During World War II, he worked directly with 32nd infantry units as a Forward Artillery Observer to survey Japanese locations for a 105MM Howitzer Battalion. Unfortunately, Garrison was stricken with Malaria during this service and therefore served the remainder of his service in KP.

Back in Clarksburg Ohio, Garrison owned a gas station and served the citizens for many years as a Deerfield Township Trustee.

World War II: Clarksburg Ohio veteran spotlight

2009-01-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

Clarksburg Ohio World War II Veteran Spotlight (Now and Then):

PFC Almer E. Sowers

PFC Almer E. Sowers served in the U.S. Army as a light truck driver attached to the 3745th Quartermaster Truck Company. Sowers left the United States in February of 1945 for the Pacific Theater and served in New Guinea and the Phillipines. It’s interesting to note that he had a chance encounter with Clarksburg veteran Russ Furniss aboard the troopship carrying the two to war, while the ship was out to sea. Sowers lived out his life in Deerfield Township just outside Clarksburg Ohio and farmed the fields surrounding his rural home located approximately 3 miles south of Clarksburg on State Route 207. Color photo taken in May of 1984.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Today, Merz on Guadalcanal, Lowe departs for the Pacific

2009-01-29T16:59:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

January 29, 1943: William Merz is based on the island of Guadalcanal.

January 29, 1944: Don Garrison’s troopship departs the U.S. bound for England. Edward Lowe departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater as part of D Company, 369th Inf. Reg., 93rd Infantry Division. Pictured left: 93rd Infantry Division unit troops prepare for deployment from their training base in southern Arizona (photo credit: Life Magazine).

January 29, 1945: Marcus Ater, aboard the USS Denver helps support the troop invasion of Zambales in the southwestern portion of Luzon.

January 29, 1946: Howard Garrison is discharged from the U.S. Army.

Blog Flux Local - Ohio

Clarksburg Ohio World War II: Jack Morris earns his wings, Holloway at Fort Sill

2009-01-28T14:01:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

January 28, 1943: Harmon Jobe departs the U.S. for the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Harry Holloway is based at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Editor's note: It is interesting to note that Fort Sill was named in honor of Brigadier General Joshua Sill, from Chillicothe, Ohio. On this same day, Jack Morris earns his wings as an aerial bombardier at Midland/Odessa Air Field, Texas, and is eventually assigned to the 392nd Bomb Group.

January 28, 1944: Don Maddux enlists in the U.S. Army. Earl Martin (pictured center with two friends) is participating in basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois.

January 28, 1946: Morris Templin is discharged from the U.S. Army.

Clarksburg Ohio's John Dawson is forced from flight school while Lt. Jack Morris forced march from POW camp

2009-01-27T15:26:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

January 27, 1944: John Dawson From Sioux Falls, South Dakota, John Dawson writes Clarksburg High School Superintendent Pryor Timmons to update him on his flight school status. Disappointed, he explains to Mr. Timmons about an illness that forced him from flight school and into radio instruction.

January 27, 1945: Lt. Jack Morris of the 392nd Bomb Group (pictured left) and the remainder of the prisoners at Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Germany (Poland) begin their forced march ultimately to Stalag Luft VII in Moosburg, Germany due to the Russian's aggressive pressure on German forces along the Eastern front.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Graham in Georgia

2009-01-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

Today in Ohio World War II history: Clarksburg Ohio native, Solon Graham arrives Chatham Field in Savannah, Georgia for flight training in the B-24 Liberator. Graham is pictured with close friends, second from the left.

World War II Now and Then: Exploring German's Network of Bunkers

2009-01-25T18:08:00.000-08:00

I enjoy Now and Then photos from World War II. This is a classic example. On the left is a photo of a typical German bunker placed in a forested area to defend a specific sector of the German line. On the right is Vic Cleary and Nick Cleary examining a similar bunker just outside the twin Belgian villages of Krinkelt and Rocherath, that was part of the Siegfried Line defense at Heartbreak Crossroads. The 2nd and 99th Infantry Divisions attacked through this area and fought many days against a fierce and well defended German Army.

Even though they are oftentimes difficult to find without a map from the period, or a guide (like we had), there is plenty to see in the Ardennes Forest and it is amazingly preserved. If you enjoy studying World War II, it is well worth the trip!

World War II update for Clarksburg Ohio: Today in Ohio Military history - January 19, 2009

2009-01-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

January 19, 1942: John Martin enlists in the U.S. Army starting his military service during World War II.

January 19, 1943: Scott Dinkler (photo left L to R: Scott Dinkler with brother Carl Dinker) returns to Patterson Field, Ohio after a 5-day furlough with his parents in Clarksburg Ohio.

January 19, 1944: Amos Morris writes to Pryor Timmons, Superintendant of Clarksburg High School that he was just off a five-day train trip across the country to California for restaging and that he recently received a promotion to 2nd Class Petty Officer. Eugene Overly’s troopship docks in England.

January 19, 1945: Carl Dinkler (pictured above and on the right, with brother Scott) returns to Temple, Texas following a Christmas furlough to Clarksburg, heading back for more therapy and recovery from his wounds received while fighting near Brest, France, part of the 8th Infantry Division’s 28th Infantry Regiment, A Company. Don Harmount is enjoying a furlough home from Foster Field, Texas. Joe Kelly is training at Camp Wolters, Texas as part of the 3rd Platoon, A Company, 56th Infantry Training Battalion. Max Willis receives his discharge from the U.S. Army, ending his World War II service. Solon Graham travels to Westover Field, Massachusetts.

World War II's greatest monuments: Mamayev Kurgan in old Stalingrad

2009-01-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's blog, I posted a slide show of photos given to me by Paul Willis, who served in Abadan and Teheran, Iran with the 18th Depot Repair Squadron. The 18th was strategically placed in the Middle East to build and prepare American manufactured aircraft, such as the P-39 Air Cobra, for Russian use against the Germans along the Eastern front of the war.

The Eastern Front has always fascinated me, because a large majority of the entire world war was fought and won on Russian and East German soil. Millions of lives were lost. The Battle for Stalingrad, for example, was extraordinary in comparison to most battles fought during 1941 and 1945. Various estimates exist on the number of men and women killed during the battle --- most of these stats exceed ONE MILLION people.

Even though I will probably never make it to the city of Volgograd (what they call Stalingrad today), I have always wanted to see Mamayev Kurgan, (photo above) the breath taking monument erected to memorialize those who died defending the city, as well as to celebrate a significant turning point during the war. In my opinion, it is BY FAR, the most breath taking and significant monument erected to celebrate and memorialize human loss during World War II. It is absolutely enormous and includes an eternal flame guarded 24 hours by Russian honor guards, a number of statues and symbolic displays, including the massive sword wielding Mamayev figure at the top of the mountain. It must be unbelievable in person.

I would like to think that Clarksburg Ohio residents Scott Dinkler and Paul Willis helped assemble an American made -- Russian piloted P-39, A-20, or B-26 while in Iran, and that aircraft flew over Stalingrad to help defend the city from the Germans. Odds are it happened. Clarksburg men were in position to have an impact on nearly every portion of WWII.

Visit the website for more pictures of this moving monument. Vic Cleary