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

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.

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

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.

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

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.