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

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

Today in Ohio History: Clarksburg Ohio veterans continue through WWII

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

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

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

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

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

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 Ohio Military History: Focus - World War II

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

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.

Veteran Organization checks validity of "heroes!"

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.

April 24 in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

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:

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

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

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.

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

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: Hinton joins Navy and eventually serves with VPB 25

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!

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.