To the Honor and Enduring
memory of the students of
Thomas Jefferson High
School who gave their
lives in the service of
their country...
WORLD WAR II
James M. Applegate
ID: T-066008
Entered the Service From:
Henrico County, Virginia
Rank: Flight Officer
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces,
13th Squadron, 4th Combat
Cargo Group
Died: Monday, August 13, 1945
Buried at: Honolulu Memorial
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
Plot: C Row: 1 Grave: 572
Status: Died Not In Battle
Warren G. Birnbaum, Jr.
ID: O-716622
Entered the Service From: Henrico
County, Virginia
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 427th
Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group,
Heavy
Died: Wednesday, June 28, 1944
Buried at: Epinal American Cemetery
Location: Epinal (Vosges), France
Plot: B Row: 23 Grave: 63
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Status: Killed In Action
Oliver W. Bishop
ID: 14164280
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 290th Infantry
Regiment, 75th Infantry Division
Died: Monday, December 25, 1944
Buried at: Ardennes American Cemetery
Location: Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz),
Belgium
Plot: D Row: 1 Grave: 3
Awards: Purple Heart
Earl M. Blanchard
ID: 06595491
Entered the Service From:
Richmond, Virginia
Rank: Electrician's Mate, Third
Class
Service: U.S. Navy, United States
Naval Reserve
Died: Tuesday, June 05, 1945
Memorialized at: Honolulu
Memorial
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
Jay Killian Bowman, Jr.
BRANCH OF SERVICE: U.S. Army Air Forces
HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
NAVIGATOR, B-17 FLYING FORTRESS,
STATIONED AT FRAMLINGHAM, ENGLAND;
390TH GROUP, 568TH SQUADRON FROM 1944
TO 1945. SHOT DOWN OVER GERMANY ON
13TH MISSION. DIED IN ATTEMPT TO ELUDE
CAPTURE. CAUSE OF DEATH UNKNOWN.
DECLARED MISSING IN ACTION OVER
GERMANY JANUARY 19, 1945 AND DECLARED
DEAD FEBRUARY 5, 1946. AWARDED TWO
PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS, THE AIR MEDAL
AND AN ADDITIONAL OAK LEAF CLUSTER. HE
WAS 20 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF HIS
DEATH. ATTENDED VIRGINIA MILITARY
INSTITUTE IN THE CLASS OF 1945 UNTIL
GOING INTO THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES AS A
2ND LIEUTENANT.
Stuart C. Brauer
ID: 0-548763
Entered the Service From:
Richmond, VA
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army, US Infantry
Died: Wednesday, April 11, 1945
Memorialized at: Manila American
Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila,
Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
Frank H. Britton II,
ID: 13033111
Entered the Service From:
Henrico County, Virginia
Rank: Aviation Cadet
Service: U.S. Army Air
Forces
Status: Died Not In Battle
Lewis B. Cardoza
ID: 00870137
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Marine Corps, United States Marine
Corps
Died: Wednesday, October 18, 1944
Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
SERVED ABOARD USS HOUSTON THAT WAS
SUNK; WAS PICKED UP BY THE USS SANTA FE,
AND THEN LOST HIS LIFE AS HE MANNED A
GUN TURRET DURING A KAMIKAZE ATTACK ON
THE SANTA FE OCTOBER 19, 1944.
Bernard Pitzer Carter
ID: 0-377553
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch of Service: U.S.
Army
Hometown: Henrico
County, VA
Status: Died Not In Battle
George Theodore Charland Jr.
Entered the Service From: Glen Allen, Virginia
Rank: Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class
Service: U.S. Navy
Status: Killed In Action
Buried: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
St. Louis, Missouri, Plot: 82 0 20, buried 04/19/1949
Information
23 OCT 44 A/C: PB4Y-1 Location: RAF Station Dunkswell,UK BUNO: 63919 Cause: Anti-submarine patrol. Crew was
briefed at 0000 for a 0200 take-off on a operational mission. Engines were started and then stopped in order to
investigate landing light which would not retract. The flight was cancelled and because of delay and another mission
was assigned. Crew left plane on he taxiway with a guard and proceeded to briefing room. The pitot tube covers were
removed at 0130 and were not replaced. Dewpoint during that period was 49 and intermittent showers were prevalent.
The crew returned to plane at about 0415, turned up and taxied out to runway.Engines were tested and turbosuperchargers run up. Observers stated that operation of engines seemed normal at the time and during initial take -off
run. Plane became airborne after using about 4500-ft of the 6000-ft runway. Plane reached an altitude of 50-ft on
crossing the end of the runway and climbing steadily to an altitude of about 250 to 300 -ft. Torching of one of the
starboard engines was evidenced and soon thereafter the plane commenced a gradual descent. The left wing slowly
dropped and emergency power applied. Observers stated landing lights were turned on. Plane crashed and exploded
at a point 5250' from point of take-off and 20deg left of the runway direction. Crew killed. Pilot Lt(jg) John C. Hillman AV(N) USNR, Lt(jg) Armand E. Trafton A-V(N) USNR, Ens Edwin Claude Creeger,Jr. A-V(S) USNR, Amm1c Clyde
Eugene Rodgers USNR, Amm2c George Theodore Charland,Jr. USNR, Rm1c William Odell Finch USNR, Rm2c John
Campbell Howatt USNR, Amm3c Leroy Lawrence Wemette USNR, Rm3c Ralph Harry Cole USN, and Aom3c Brenton
Massey, Jr. USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25AUG2001]
Robert E. Clayton
ID: 13032387
Entered the Service From:
Richmond,VA
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 91st
Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber
Group, Light
Died: Saturday, June 06, 1942
Buried at: Manila American Cemeter
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila,
Philippines
Plot: N Row: 5 Grave: 72
William S. Coats, Jr.
ID: O1305897
Entered the Service From: Henrico Co.,
Virginia
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army, 8th Infantry Regiment,
4th Infantry Division
Died: Sunday, July 09, 1944
Buried at: Normandy American Cemetery
Location: Colleville-sur-Mer, France, Plot:
G Row: 2 Grave: 34
Awards: Purple Heart
Status: Killed In Action
Frank Walker Decker
BRANCH OF SERVICE: U.S.
Navy
HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
LOST IN A TYPHOON OFF
OKINAWA ON SEPTEMBER 17,
1945 WHILE ON A
MINESWEEPING OPERATION.
PVT Floyd E. Delaney Jr.
ID: 33860175
Branch of Service: U.S.
Army
Hometown: Henrico
County, VA
Status: Killed In Action
Douglas W. Diggs
ID: 0-799728
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 19th
Bomber Squadron, 22nd Bomber Group,
Medium
Died: Sunday, September 12, 1943
Buried at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila,
Philippines
Plot: D Row: 6 Grave: 158
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
SHOT DOWN OVER NEW GUINEA.
Stephen Gordon Ellis
Rank: Sergeant
Branch of Service: U.S.
Marines
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: Killed In Action
John Woodville Ferguson Jr.
Entered the Service From:
Fairfax County, Virginia
Rank: Seaman, Second
Class
Service: U.S. Coast Guard
Status: Died Not In Battle
Melvin L. Flammia
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Richmond, VA
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
STAFF SERGEANT.
WOUNDED ON D-DAY.
SERVED WITH THE 29TH
DIVISION, 116TH REGIMENT.
KILLED IN ACTION AT ST. LO.
Irving Flax
ID: 13032630
Entered the Service From:
Richmond,VA
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 6th
Squadron, 1st Ferry Group
Died: Monday, March 08, 1943
Memorialized at: Manila American
Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila,
Philippines
Awards: Distinguished Flying
Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf
Cluster
Joseph T. Folkes
ID: O-796117
Entered the Service From: Richmond,
Virginia
Rank: Captain
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 319th
Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter
Group
Died: Wednesday, November 07,
1945
Memorialized at: Sicily-Rome
American Cemetery
Location: Nettuno, Italy
Awards: Air Medal with 11 Gold Stars,
Purple Heart
William Henry Fox
Rank: Fire Controlman
First Class
Branch of Service: U.S.
Navy
Hometown: Richmond,
VA
Status: Killed In Action
John A. Gibson Jr.
Rank: Corporal
ID: 33519247
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Henrico County,
VA
Status: Died In Line Of Duty,
Non Battle
John N. Gibson, Jr.
ID: 0-794653
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Arlington County,
VA/Richmond, VA
Status: Killed In Action
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
SERVED AS A BOMBER PILOT,
SHOT DOWN OVER AUSTRIA.
Alfred Parker Goddin, Jr.
Rank: Captain
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: Killed In Action
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
GRADUATED FROM THE VIRGINIA
MILITARY INSTITUTE IN 1942. HE
WAS A CAPTAIN IN THE U.S. ARMY
FIELD ARTILLERY AND WAS KILLED
IN ACTION ON LUZON, PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS ON APRIL 1, 1945. HE
WAS AWARDED A BRONZE STAR
AND A PURPLE HEART.
Cabell W. Goolsby
ID: 13033044
Entered the Service
From: Henrico County,
Virginia
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Status: Died Not In
Battle
Hugh P. Gresham, Jr.
ID: 02667726
Entered the Service From:
Richmond, VA
Rank: Pharmacist’s Mate, Second
Class
Service: U.S. Navy
Died: Friday, July 21, 1944
Memorialized at: Honolulu Memorial
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA, Buried
At Sea
Awards: Purple Heart
Robert Lancaster Guy
ID: 0-448995
Entered the Service From: Richmond, Virginia
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 500th Bomber
Squadron, 345th Bomber Group, Medium
Died: Tuesday, November 02, 1943
Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
KILLED OVER RABAUL HARBOR WHILE
FLYING A B-52 BOMBER.
Stuart H. Hall
ID: 0-096180
Entered the Service From: Richmond, VA
Rank: Ensign
Service: U.S. Navy, United States Naval
Reserve
Died: Monday, January 22, 1945
Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
Ensign Stuart H. Hall (NSN: 0-96180), United
States Navy, was captured by the Japanese
after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on
6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War
until his death while still in captivity.
James Tunstall Hatke
Entered the Service From:
Rockbridge County, VA.
Home of Residence –
Richmond, VA.
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Status: Died Not In Battle
Henry F. Hawkins
ID: 0-790920
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Henrico County,
VA
Status: Killed in a plane crash
in Alabama, World War II
(9/20/42)
Stewart E. Hazelgrove
ID: 13064399
Rank: Corporal
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Richmond, VA
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH ON
A TRAINING MISSION PRIOR TO
OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT 1223-1944. Report Number B-26B #
41-32058
Joseph Montgomery Holland
ID: 13065990
Entered the Service From:
Windsor, Virginia
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 746th Tank
Battalion
Died: Saturday, June 10, 1944
Buried at: Normandy American
Cemetery
Location: Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Plot: D Row: 11 Grave: 44
Awards: Purple Heart
Sidney W. Ironmonger, Jr.
ID: 0-797836
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 78th
Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group
Died: Sunday, May 02, 1943
Memorialized at: Honolulu Memorial
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
Activity During WWII
Fighter Pilot Killed In Action In The
South Pacific
Travis W. Isaacs
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch of Service: U.S. Army, Co. D, 182nd Inf. Regt.
Americal Division
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: Killed In Action March 30, 1945, Cebu, Philippine
Islands
Awards: Purple Heart
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
During the attack on enemy positions the machine gun
platoon, of whom Travis was platoon leader, was in direct
support of the leading rifle troops. As the attack advanced it
became necessary to move the machine guns forward with
the front lines. Travis went forward to select positions for the
guns. On several occasions he was forced to expose himself
and was fired upon by enemy machine guns and mortars.
However, he continued on his mission, disregarding his
personal safety, until he was killed by an enemy sniper. The
action, which was short but violent, took place in the hills
immediately north of Cebu City, Cebu, Philippine Islands.
Robert V. Jeffress
ID: 06582396
Entered the Service From: Richmond, VA
Rank: Seaman, First Class
Service: U.S. Navy, United States Naval Reserve
Died: Saturday, November 07, 1942
Memorialized at: Rhone American Cemetery
Location: Draguignan (Var), France
Awards: Purple Heart
In memory of those who lost their lives in USS Thomas Stone AP-59
Heading for the Allied landings in North Africa (Operation Torch) in convoy
KMF-1 the troop transport USS Thomas Stone AP-59 was torpedoed by an
unknown U-boat (possibly U-205) on November 7, 1942. She was hit on the
port side in the stern. The hole in her side was not as bad as the damage
done to her steering and propulsion gear. The rudder was all but destroyed
and her propeller shaft was broken, she was dead in the water with an
unseen enemy lurking somewhere filled with American soldiers.
Charles E. Jennings
ID: O-817686
Entered the Service From: Richmond, VA
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 339th Bomber
Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy
Died: Friday, August 25, 1944
Buried at: Ardennes American Cemetery
Location: Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz)
, Belgium
Plot: A Row: 44 Grave: 3
Awards: Purple Heart
Maj. Milton Joel
“Flying Wolf”
38th FS - October 1942 - 29 November 1943
(Killed in Action)
ID: O-416308
Entered the Service From: Richmond, VA
Rank: Major
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 38th Fighter
Squadron, 55th Fighter Group
Died: Monday, November 29, 1943
Memorialized at: Cambridge American
Cemetery
Location: Cambridge, England
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver
Star, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Maj. Milton Joel (cont.)
"The main body of the group was proceeding toward home when Major Joel was heard calling
for help from far behind us. Lt. Gilbride and I turned back to help but it took several minutes for
us to reach the fight. As we drew near we could see five P-38s engaged and each had from one
to three Me-109s on its tail. Just before we went into the fight one P-38 rolled over and went
down with its left engine leaving a very long and very heavy trail of black smoke and with a 109
directly behind. As my wingman and I flew into the middle of the engagement the E/A were
surprised into rolling away from the ships they were attacking and we were all able to take a
heading for home. At this time there were four P-38s left besides my wingman and myself. As we
started home we were followed by E/A and we tried to out run them. One of the four P -38s ran
away from the rest and disappeared. The five of us remaining were eventually caught by the E/A
and engaged again."
"After we saw the one P-38 go down smoking I did not again recognize Major Joel's voice on the
radio. The five of us that later were engaged by the pursuing E/A were, Capt. Ayers, Capt.
Beaird, Lt. Erickson, Lt. Gilbride and myself. On this attack I lost one engine that had been going
bad and when I recovered the only other P-38 visible in the area was piloted by Lt. Erickson. We
came out together."
Meriwether Jones
ID: O-448999
Entered the Service From: Richmond, VA
Rank: First Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 742nd
Bomber Squadron, 455th Bomber Group,
Heavy
Died: Friday, April 21, 1944
Buried at: Ardennes American Cemetery
Location: Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz),
Belgium
Plot: D Row: 11 Grave: 45
Awards: Silver Star, Air Medal with 2 Oak
Leaf Clusters
Meriwether Jones (Cont.)
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
FROM THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE IN 1942.
COMMISSIONED A LIEUTENANT IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR
CORPS. SERVED WITH THE 742ND BOMBER
SQUADRON, 455TH BOMBER GROUP, HEAVY. KILLED IN
ACTION OVER BUCHAREST, RUMANIA APRIL 21, 1944.
BURIED IN THE ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY AT
NEUPRE, BELGIUM. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR,
PURPLE HEART AND THE AIR MEDAL WITH TWO OAK
LEAF CLUSTERS.
John H. Kearney
ID: 33636569
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 115th Infantry
Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Died: Thursday, December 07, 1944
Buried at: Netherlands American
Cemetery
Location: Margraten, Netherlands
Plot: J Row: 6 Grave: 2
Awards: Purple Heart
William C. King
ID: 0-427747
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Henrico County, VA
Status: Died In Battle
Virginia War Memorial Files
William Clifton King
Rank: Captain
Branch: Army
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Lewis W. Layne, Jr.
ID: 33641934
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army, 508th Parachute
Infantry Regiment
Died: Saturday, July 01, 1944
Buried at: Normandy American Cemetery
Location: Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Plot: D Row: 11 Grave: 20
Awards: Purple Heart
Alfred L. Lorraine, Jr.
ID: 0-263667
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Service: U.S. Navy, United States Naval
Reserve
Died: Wednesday, February 06, 1946
Memorialized at: Manila American
Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila,
Philippines
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air
Medal, Purple Heart
Charles R. Marsh
ID: O-718375
Entered the Service From:
Richmond,VA
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 534th
Bomber Squadron, 381st Bomber
Group, Heavy
Died: Thursday, August 03, 1944
Memorialized at: Cambridge American
Cemetery
Location: Cambridge, England
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Vincent K. Mays
ID: T-192584
Rank: Flight Officer
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Fairfax County, VA/
Richmond, VA
Status: Killed In Action
Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr.
ID: O1285793
Entered the Service From: Richmond, VA
Rank: First Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army, 16th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Died: Tuesday, June 06, 1944
Buried at: Normandy American Cemetery
Location: Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Plot: I Row: 20 Grave: 12
Awards: Medal of Honor, Purple Heart
Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr. (Cont.)
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June
1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. 1st Lt. Monteith landed with the initial assault
waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal
safety he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault.
He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain
to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he
moved over to where 2 tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and
machinegun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st. Lt. Monteith led the tanks on
foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy
positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men
captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won
position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal
safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to
strengthen links in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in completely
surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation,
1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership
displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith are worthy of emulation
Alvin Reade Moore
Rank: Seaman, Second Class
Hometown: Richmond City, VA
Military Branch: Navy
Joseph R. Moore
ID: 20360603
Entered the Service From: Henrico County, VA
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army, 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th
Infantry
Division
Died: Wednesday, December 12, 1945
Status: Finding Of Death
Memorialized at: Henri-Chapelle American
Cemetery
Location: Henri-Chapelle, Belgium
Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
John R. Pierce, Jr.
ID: 33126401
Rank: Aviation Cadet
Hometown: Montgomery County, VA
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Status: DNB, Died In Line Of Duty,
Non Battle
Newton L. Porter, Jr.
ID: 13034437
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Hometown: Henrico County, VA
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Status: DNB, Died In Line Of
Duty, Non Battle
Ralph S. Powell
ID: 0-796592
Entered the Service From: Henrico
County, VA
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, Army Air
Corps
Died: Wednesday, May 26, 1943
Memorialized at: Honolulu Memorial
Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
Status: FOD, Finding Of Death,
NAVIGATOR ON B-24, LOST AT SEA.
Ralph S. Powell (Cont.)
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
2ndLT Ralph S. Powell of Virginia was the Navigator on a B-24 that was
lost at sea in the Pacific.
B-24D # 42-40519 380th BG, 530th B Sq Corpening Crew Lost At Sea This aircraft left Hickam Field, Oahu, HI on 26 May 1943 for an
intermediate stop on Canton Island and disappeared in the Pacific Ocean.
It never reached Canton Island. The final destination was Amberly Field,
Australia. The cause is unknown. The B-24 aircrafts 'Daisy Mae' and the
'Green Hornet' took off the next morning and were on a search and
rescue for this plane. Subsequently, the B-24D #? 'Green Hornet' also
ditched in the Pacific. The story of the 'Green Hornet' crew is told in the
#1 bestseller UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand and is based on Louis
Zamperini's memoir 'Devil At My Heels'.
Richard Christian Rennie
ID: 33631899
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army, 397th Infantry
Regiment, 100th Infantry Division
Died: Saturday, November 18, 1944
Buried at: Epinal American Cemetery
Location: Epinal (Vosges), France
Plot: A Row: 15 Grave: 19
Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Edgar R. J. Richardson
ID: 0-735664
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Hometown: Henrico County, VA
Status: DNB, Died In Line Of
Duty, Non Battle
Ralph Rocchiccioli
ID: O1296427
Entered the Service From: Virginia
Rank: First Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Infantry Division
Died: Thursday, May 25, 1944
Buried at: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
Location: Nettuno, Italy
Plot: G Row: 13 Grave: 14
Awards: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Status: Killed In Action
Robert Charles Schmidt
Rank: Ensign
Hometown: Richmond City, VA
Military Branch: Navy
Stanley E. Shaw
ID: 20361729
Rank: Corporal
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Hometown: Henrico County, VA
Status: Died Not In Battle
Rufus Carl Smoot, JR.
Rank: Seaman Apprentice
Branch of Service: U.S. Navy
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: Died In Recruit Training,
Stateside
John M. Steinbrecher, Jr.
Rank: Corporal
Branch of Service: U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: Killed In Action
Frederick A. Stille, Jr.
Rank: Technician, Fifth Grade
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: DIED SERVING HIS COUNTRY,
MARCH 22, 1944
Raymond I. Straus Jr.
Entered the Service From:
Richmond, VA
Rank: Ensign
Service: U.S. Navy
Status: Unknown, No listing in the
national Records, this is only
information through Virginia War
Memorial
Paul E. Stryker Jr.
ID: 0-887155
Rank: First Lieutenant
Military Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
Hometown: Henrico County, VA
Status: Killed In Action
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
Died in Service of Country. Missing in Action
over Germany on 12-1. P-47 Pilot, 9th Air
Force
80+ Missions, Air Medal w/11 Oak Leaf
Clusters
Harry M. Sutherlin
ID: 06585768
Entered the Service From: Virginia
Rank: Torpedoman's Mate, Third Class
Service: U.S. Navy, United States Naval
Reserve
Died: Wednesday, December 27, 1944
Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
Status: Killed In Action
Harry M. Sutherlin (Cont.)
Bombing Attack near New Britain
While providing support for the landings on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, two bombs
from Japanese dive bomber struck Brownson on the ships centerline near the #2
stack ... Almost immediately after the bomb hit, a tremendous explosion occurred
within the ship leveling the entire superstructure. The ship listed 10-15º settled
rapidly amidships with bow and stern canted upward. Brownson sank 17 minutes
after the bomb hit. The ship lost 108 of her crew in the incident. The survivors were
rescued by friendly forces.
Lloyd N. Terrell
ID: 13014663
Entered the Service From: Maryland
Hometown: Lynchburg, VA
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, Army Air
Corps
Died: Thursday, January 29, 1942
Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
Status: Killed In Action
Maurice L. Tyler, Jr.
ID: 13063933
Entered the Service From: Richmond,VA
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 222nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division
Died: Sunday, April 01, 1945
Buried at: Lorraine American Cemetery
Location: St. Avold (Moselle), France
Plot: G Row: 11 Grave: 27
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
ATTENDED THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE IN THE CLASS OF
1944 UNTIL TAKEN INTO THE SERVICE. HE WAS IN THE 222ND
INFANTRY REGIMENT, 42ND INFANTRY DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION
IN GERMANY APRIL 1, 1945. HE WAS AWARDED THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS AND THE PURPLE HEART.
Maurice L. Tyler, Jr. (cont.)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes
pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Maurice Linwood Tyler
(ASN: 13063933), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military
operations against an armed enemy while serving with Regimental Headquarters, 222d Infantry
Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces. On 1 April 1945 near Vockenrot,
Germany, Private Tyler, an automatic rifleman in an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon, was
acting as scout in an escape jeep during a forward reconnaissance mission. Advancing towards the
enemy, the platoon was suddenly subjected to intense German machine gun fire, that destroyed the
inter-platoon radio set and disrupted communications. Private Tyler and the men in the escape vehicle were ordered to withdraw for reinforcements. Returning with reinforcements to aid the
members of his platoon, pinned down by the enemy machine gun fire, Private Tyler advanced to
within 200 yards of the German positions, where he opened fire with his automatic rifle and inflicted
several casualties. Immediately, the enemy returned withering fire from all flanks. Private Tyler, with
complete disregard for his personal safety, calmly directed machine gun fire on the hostile positions.
Completely ignoring the fire concentrated on himself, he advanced directly into the hail of enemy
bullets, firing short bursts from his automatic weapon and designating targets for the machine
gunner. Disregarding an order to withdraw to safety, Private Tyler pushed steadily forward against the
German positions until he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions reflect the highest credit
upon himself and exemplify the finest traditions of the United States Infantryman .
Carl V. Vaughan
ID: 33521339
Entered the Service From: Virginia
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th
Infantry Division
Died: Saturday, July 08, 1944
Buried at: Normandy American Cemetery
Location: Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Plot: A Row: 14 Grave: 13
Awards: Purple Heart
Status: Killed In Action
Frederick Joseph Waldron, Jr.
Entered the Service From:
Richmond, Virginia
Rank: Aviation Radioman 2nd Class
Service: U.S. Navy
Status: Killed In Action
Macdowell Daniel Washington
Rank: Private
Hometown: Richmond City, VA
Military Branch: Army
Herbert E. Wilkinson
ID: 7023187
Rank: Private
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Hometown: Henrico County, VA
Status: Died Not In Battle
Beverly Kone Winston Jr.
ID: 33639635
Entered the Service From: Henrico
County, Virginia
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Status: Killed In Action
Henry Spiller Winston III
Rank: Private First Class
Hometown: Richmond City, VA
Military Branch: Army
Edward B. Wray
ID: 33093237
Entered the Service From: Virginia
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th
Infantry Division
Died: Thursday, September 23, 1943
Buried at: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
Location: Nettuno, Italy
Plot: F Row: 8 Grave: 13
Awards: Purple Heart
Status: Killed In Action
Pvt. Herbert Coffman Wyatt, Jr.
Branch of Service: U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Status: K.I.A.
KOREAN WAR
Alexander Randall Hagner III
Corporal
32ND INFANTRY REGIMENT
7TH INFANTRY DIVISION
ARMY
HOSTILE, DIED (KIA)
DATE OF LOSS: OCTOBER 16, 1952
SERVICE NUMBER: RA13416722
BORN: APRIL 18, 1932
HOME OR PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
RICHMOND, VA
BURIAL LOCATION
HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY, RICHMOND, VA
PFC Stuart Brooks Christian
21ST INFANTRY REGIMENT
M CO 3 BN
24TH INFANTRY DIVISION
ARMY
HOSTILE, DIED WHILE CAPTURED (POW)
DATE OF LOSS: JULY 11, 1950
SERVICE NUMBER: RA13319576
BORN: FEBRUARY 22, 1931
HOME OR PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
RICHMOND, VA
LOCATION OR BATTLE ZONE: CHOCHIWON
Comments: Private First Class Christian was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry
Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy near Kunu-ri,
North Korea on July 11, 1950, forced to march to North Korea on the "Tiger Death March", and died while a
prisoner at Hanjang-ni, North Korea on March 21, 1951. His remains were not recovered.
VIETNAM WAR
Tony Page Blanks
Home of Record: Richmond, VA
Date of birth: 08/06/1946
Service: United States Marine Corps
Rank: Private First Class
ID No: 2204324
Unit: D CO, 1ST BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
Casualty Date: 02/19/1967
Age at Loss: 20
Location: Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Tony Page Blanks (Cont.)
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour:
Incident Date: 02/19/1967
Casualty Date: 02/19/1967
Age at Loss:
Location:
Remains:
20
Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam
Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
John Alexander Connell
Home of Record: Native of Southport, North Carolina
Date of birth: Jan. 14, 1945
Service: Army Reserve
Rank: 1LT
Unit: served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry
Regiment, "Bobcats", 25th Infantry Division, "Tropic Lightning",
USARV.
Casualty Date: died from small arms fire or grenade, on
August 20th, 1968
Age at Loss: 23 years old
Remains: panel 47W, line 007 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in
Washington D.C.
John Alexander Connell (Cont.)
The Community Service Center at Sunny Point, a Military Ocean Terminal, is named in 1st Lt
John Connells' honor.
This building number S-15 is named the John Alexander Connell Community Service Center
in commemoration of First Lieutenant John Alexander Connell, who was a resident of
Southport, North Carolina at the time of his entry into the US Army Active Service.
John Alexander Connell was the Son Of Suzanne McLaurin, and Allen Arthur Connell, 505
Brunswick Street, Southport, NC.
He served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, "Bobcats", 25th Infantry
Division, "Tropic Lightning", USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB),The Bronze Star Medal with "V"
device for Valor and One Oak Leaf Cluster, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat wounds,
The Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal
with four Bronze Service Stars, The Republic of Vietnam campaign Medal Ribbon with
Device(1960), The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, The
Sharpshooter Badge with Machine Gun Bar, The Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm and
The National Order Merit from the Republic of Vietnam.
Spotswood de Witt
Home of Record: Richmond, Virginia
Date of birth: Saturday, 01/24/1942
Service: Army (Reserve)
Grade at loss: O2
Rank: First Lieutenant
ID No: OF104702
MOS: 1193 Field Artillery Unit Commander
Unit: C BTRY, 6TH BN, 29TH ARTY RGT, 4 INF DIV
Casualty Date: Wednesday, 12/21/1966
Age at Loss: 24
Remains: Body Recovered
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire – Ground Casualty
15 Dec 1999
Spotswood de Witt (Cont.)
1LT Spotswood de Witt was a member of C Battery, 6th Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, and was born
on Saturday, January 24, 1942. He was killed in action on Wednesday, December 21, 1966 in the
Province of Tuy Hoa, South Vietnam. He was the first combat casualty loss of 6-29 FA in Vietnam.
He was single, and from Richmond, Virginia. (The Wall: Panel 13E-Row 067)
Spot was assigned to the battalion directly from West Point without the usual trip through the Field
Artillery Basic Officers Course. The battalion Operations and Training Officer, MAJ Bill Johnson,
took Spot "under his wing" and taught him the skills that he needed. This led to a closeness
between Bill and Spot that others did not have.
On the morning of December 12, 1966, C Battery was ordered to relocate to another firing position.
As was customary, a Forward Observer Team accompanied the Engineer mine removal team that
cleared mines from the road to be traveled to the new position. Spot volunteered as the FO. Upon
completion all returned to the battery position and joined the march column as it moved out.
Bill Johnson was overhead in a helicopter to observe the relocation. He was talking with Spot by
radio, discussing dangerous points in the route of march, when Spot was shot by a sniper. Bill
landed as quickly as possible but Spot was dead. Bill hastily organized a patrol and tried,
unsuccessfully, to find the sniper.
Michael Fleming Folland
Home of Record: Richmond, Virginia
Date of birth: Friday, 04/15/1949
Service: Army (Regular)
Rank: Corporal
ID No: 230649853
MOS: 11C10 Indirect Fire Infantryman
Length Service: Less than one year
Unit: 3RD PLT, D CO, 2ND BN, 3RD INFANTRY, 199 INF BDE
Start Tour: Sunday, 04/06/1969
Casualty Date: Thursday, 07/03/1969
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body recovered
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds
Michael Fleming Folland (Cont.)
MEDAL OF HONOR
Posthumously to
MICHAEL FLEMING FOLLAND
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Corporal Folland distinguished himself while serving as an ammunition bearer with the weapons platoon of
Company D, during a reconnaissance patrol mission. As the patrol was moving through a dense jungle area,
it was caught in an intense crossfire from heavily fortified and concealed enemy ambush positions. As the
patrol reacted to neutralize the ambush, it became evident that the heavy weapons could not be used in the
cramped fighting area. Corporal Folland dropped his recoilless rifle ammunition, and ran forward to join his
commander in an assault on the enemy bunkers. The assaulting force moved forward until it was pinned
down directly in front of the heavily fortified bunkers by machine gun fire. Corporal Folland stood up to draw
enemy fire on himself and to place suppressive fire on the enemy positions while his commander attempted
to destroy the machine gun positions with grenades. Before the officer could throw a grenade, an enemy
grenade landed in the position. Corporal Folland alerted his comrades and his commander hurled the
grenade from the position. When a second enemy grenade landed in the position, Corporal Folland again
shouted a warning to his fellow soldiers. Seeing that no one could reach the grenade and realizing that it was
about to explode, Corporal Folland, with complete disregard for his safety, threw himself on the grenade. By
his dauntless courage, Corporal Folland saved the lives of his comrades although he was mortally wounded
by the explosion. Corporal Folland's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Richard Sherwin Johnson
Home of Record: Richmond, Virginia
Date of birth: Saturday, 01/04/1936
Service: Army (Regular)
Rank: Captain
ID No: O95098
MOS: 82163 Air Ops Officer (G3, S3) (Ranger Qualified)
Unit: SD-5891, HQ, MACV ADVISORS
Start Tour: Not recorded
Casual Date: Sunday, 01/17/1965
Age at Loss: 29
Remains: Body Recovered
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty
Richard Sherwin Johnson (Cont.)
MILITARY DATA
Service:
Army (Regular)
Grade at loss: O3
Rank:
Captain
ID No:
O95098
MOS:
82163 Air Ops Officer (G3, S3) (Ranger Qualified)
LenSvc:
Between 6 and 7 years
Unit:
SD-5891, HQ, MACV ADVISORS
A Note from The Virtual Wall
Two advisors assigned to the ARVN forces in Hoai Duc District, Binh Thuy Province, were
killed in action on 17 Jan 1965: CPT Richard S. Johnson of Richmond, VA, and 1LT
Thurston A. Griffith of Los Alamos, NM.