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

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.

On this date in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history

Today in Ohio World War II history. A relative slow day of record for Clarksburg Ohio soldiers and sailors:

January 2, 1944: Clark Wickensimer departs the United States bound for the Pacific Theater to serve in the 1244th MP Company as an Investigator.

January 2, 1945: John Roseboom transfers to Fort Ord, California.

Battle of the Bulge rages for the 2nd Infantry and 82nd Airborne, Satchell returns home

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history the Battle of the Bulge continues to rage in Belgium for Clarksburg soldiers engaged in the fighting...

December 18, 1944: Charlie Jobe (325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 80th Airborne Artillery Battalion, F Battery) supports 82nd Airborne ground troops with artillery fire near Spa and Liege Belgium (photo: Jobe, far left holding helmet). Willis Cleary’s convoy departs Camp Elsenborn by truck toward the front line and ultimately the small village of Berg, Belgium to form a secondary line of defense to support retreating 2nd Infantry Division troops withdrawing from the forest, twin villages (Krinkelt/Rocherath) and Wurtzfeld to regroup.

December 18, 1945: Donald Satchell’s ship docs in the United States returning from the South Pacific, following his service with the 618th Engineer base Equipment Company as a motion picture projectionist in New Guinea and Australia.

Germans Breakthrough American lines, 8th Infantry moves into place, 463rd AAA surrounded

This day in Clarksburg, Ohio World War II history:

December 16, 1943: Archie Wright of the 28th Infantry Regiment, Anti-Tank Company is officially stationed in Castle Coole, Ireland preparing to train for the invasion of Normandy and Carl Dinkler (pictured left) of the 28th Infantry Regiment, A Company arrives Breandon, Ireland.

December 16, 1944: German forces cross the Siegfried Line, surprising Allied forces in the Ardennes Forest, starting the Battle of the Bulge. Roy Hawkins of the 463rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery is cut off by the German offensive. Hawkins, along with other men of the 463rd are ordered to stand by their artillery pieces with grenades in preparation of destroying the guns in case they are captured. Harold Dawson returns to Clarksburg from his base in Massachusetts on a 12-day furlough. Howard Fay transfers from Great Lakes Training Center to Naval Station Jacksonville, Florida.

December 14: Today in Clarksburg Ohio WWII History

December 14, 1943: John Jordan returns to Clarksburg from the west to enjoy a furlough for the holidays. Mert Garrison's family receives word that he has transferred overseas from Camp Roberts, California and is now located "Somewhere in Australia."

Clarksburg Ohio's Proud 222 World War II Veterans

Welcome to Clarksburg's Courageous World War II blog, preserving, honoring and celebrating Clarksburg Ohio's WWII history. Between 1938 and 1945, 222 men and women from Clarksburg, Ohio and surrounding Deerfield Township volunteered or joined the U.S. Armed Forces through the selective service draft and proudly served their country in various capacities.

To put things into perspective, approximately 16 million men and women served in the United States Armed Forces by VJ-Day (August 15, 1945) -- 1 in 8 American citizens. In 1945, approximately 1,000 people populated Clarksburg and Deerfield Township - located in the northwestern most portion of historic Ross County. Between 1938 and 1945, Clarksburg and Deerfield Township sent 222 soldiers (219 men and 3 women) to war. In comparison to an already notable national average of service, the village’s ratio equated to an impressive 1 in 5 residents.

By the numbers --- of the 222 who served:

• 9 (4%) were killed-in-action.
• 11 were wounded-in-action.
• 122 (55%) served in the U.S. Army
• 47 (21%) U.S. Army Air Force
• 42 (19%) U.S. Navy
• 5 United States Marine Corps
• 2 U.S. Coast Guard.
• 200 Clarksburg soldiers were enlisted
• 22 were officers.

I hope you enjoy this blog and contribute regularly. The video has also been posted to You Tube under Clarksburg's Courageous.