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

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

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

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

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

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.