Private First Class Joseph Weidle of Able Battery, 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion (GFAB), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Franzfeldt, Austria-Hungary, on August 19, 1914. His family arrived in the United States in 1920.

Before entering the service on March 24, 1942, Joseph worked at the CC Highway terminal in Mansfield. He trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, and at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was sent overseas in September 1943.

Private Weidle was killed in action near Hagenau, France, by a shell fragment wound to the head on February 9, 1945. The next day, he was buried at plot 2U, Row 25, Grave 6631 at the U.S. Military Cemetery Epinal, France.

On January 21, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial back home.

His body was moved in a casket by rail to Antwerp Port, Belgium, on February 13, 1948, and arrived in the U.S. with the USAT Robert F. Burns in New York Harbor on April 2, 1948. He returned home in Mansfield, Ohio, on Tuesday, April 20, 1948, and was buried with full military services in Mansfield Cemetery two days later.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Anna Weidle, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Weidle, he left behind one sister.

Private Weidle was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace. 🇺🇸

Private James William DeGraff of Fox Battery, 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion (AAA), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida, on August 10, 1920. He was killed in action on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Before entering the service on November 2, 1942, James probably worked on his father’s farm as rural northern Florida continued to suffer economic stress. A steady income while serving his country may therefore have been one reason James enlisted in the Army. Before his airborne training and subsequent assignment to the 81st AAA, he trained with Battery D at the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Replacement Training Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia. Private DeGraff sailed with his battalion to England on the SS Samaria, leaving New York Harbor on September 5, 1943.

While in England with the 81st AAA, the physical, weapon, and glider training intensified to prepare the men for the invasion of Europe. However, in April 1944, the men of the 81st AAA learned that several batteries would be part of the seaborne forces instead of the glider assault. It meant they had to train and prepare themselves for a seaborne landing.

On D-Day, at H plus 15 minutes, Dog, Easy, and Fox Battery were assigned to land with the initial assault wave of infantry at Utah Beach, alongside the men of the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. After jumping over the side of the LCT, the men had to wade or swim the final distance to the shore in water from 3 to 10 feet deep, under intense enemy artillery and machine gun fire. Apparently, Private DeGraff helped a wounded comrade back into the transport, and was killed when he attempted to catch up to his mates (Source: Don Alfonso, The Gainesville Sun).

On June 9, Private DeGraff was first buried at the 607 Macon temporary American Military Cemetery, also known as the “Utah Red” Cemetery. On June 25, he was reburied for the first time at Block D, Row 3, Grave 54, of the temporary American Military Cemetery Sainte-Mère-Église #2. In 1949, his remains made one final move when James was reburied at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. He rests eternally at Block A, Row 9, Grave 26 at this cemetery.

Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. DeGraff, he left behind five brothers.

Private DeGraff was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace. 🇺🇸

103 years ago, Private Leonard Madison Rice of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Toronto, Canada, on August 2, 1923. He later moved with his family to Buffalo, Erie County, New York. He was killed in action on January 4, 1945.

Before entering the service on January 19, 1943, he was a member of the 74th Regiment NYG, a historic New York Army National Guard based in Buffalo. Private Rice was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division from the 12th Replacement Depot on October 7, 1944. Four days later, he was assigned to Service Company, 502nd PIR, and then sent to the 101st Airborne Division Jumping School at Chilton Foliat. On October 24, 1944, he completed his jump training and received his wings. He was then assigned to Easy Company, 502nd PIR on November 30, 1944.

On January 3, 1945, the Germans launched a major attack with 25 tanks, supported by infantry, to try and get a hold of Longchamps, a town situated north of Bastogne, Belgium.

Longchamps was defended by the paratroopers of 2nd Battalion despite heavy losses. When the attack failed, the Germans made a last-ditch effort and attacked Champs the next day, with the same result. Even though the German attack was not directed at Easy Company’s position at Longchamps, Private Rice was killed in action by a gunshot wound to the head.

Private Rice was first buried at Plot F, Row 5, Grave 123, of the temporary American Military Cemetery Grand Failly #1 in France on January 8, 1945. On August 24, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial. On December 10, 1948, he was moved by truck to Hamm, Luxembourg. Private Rice rests eternally at Plot E, Row 16, Grave 39 of the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, where he was reburied on April 8, 1949.

Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter T. Rice, he left behind three brothers.

Private Rice was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace. 🇺🇸

102 years ago, Private Harry Bryant of HQ HQ & Service Battery, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB) was born in Banks County, Georgia, on July 27, 1924. He later moved with his family to West Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina. He was killed in action on October 23, 1944.

Before entering the service on April 14, 1943, he was employed by Firestone Mills in West Gastonia as a “cloth baler.” After completing basic training at Fort Bragg, he traveled overseas to England, where he was assigned from the 10th Replacement Depot to the HQ & Service Battery of the 377th at Newbury, Berkshire, England, on November 30, 1944.

Private Bryant died in his foxhole either by a grenade or an artillery or mortar shell, west of the town of Zetten, the Netherlands (Source: Dutch historian Piet Pulles). He may have been dug in near the Hemmen area, firing batteries, when German counter-battery fire (artillery) originated from the vicinity of Opheusden, killing him. (Source: Mark Bando).

He was first buried at the temporary American Military Cemetery Molenhoek #1 in the Netherlands on October 24, 1944. On Sunday afternoon, January 23, 1949, he was reburied with full military services in the Long Creek Memorial Baptist Cemetery at Dallas, Gaston County, North Carolina.

Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Bryant, he left behind two brothers and six sisters.

PVT Bryant was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace.

110 years ago, Private Henry George Sullivan of the 326th Airborne Medical Company (AMC) was born in Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut, on July 21, 1916. He was killed in action on December 19, 1944.

Before entering the service on May 10, 1943, he was employed by A.C. Petersen Farms, a restaurant and creamery in Hartford. He received his basic training at Camp Pickett, Virginia, and Camp Ellis, Illinois, before traveling overseas in May 1944. He was assigned from the 16th Replacement Depot to the 326th AMC on October 15, 1944.

Private Sullivan died at 28 years of age near Bastogne, Belgium, from enemy fire when the clearing station of the 326th AMC was overrun by a column of German armored cars and halftracks from the 116th Panzer Division’s Reconnaissance Battalion on December 19, 1944 (Source: Patrick J. Chaisson).

On December 21, 1944, he was first buried at Plot J, Row 4, Grave 74 of the American Military Cemetery Fosses #1 in Fosses-la-Ville, Belgium. On August 20, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial back home. In December 1948, his body was moved in a casket by truck and rail to Antwerp Port, Belgium. He returned to the U.S. with the USAT Barney Kirschbaum, arriving at the Brooklyn Army Base in New York Harbor on March 10, 1949. He arrived by train in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday, March 30, 1949.

PVT Sullivan’s final resting place is in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield, Hartford County, Connecticut. Besides his wife, Muriel, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah J. Sullivan, he left behind two brothers.

PVT Sullivan was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace.

108 years ago, Private Paul Nicholas Lasky of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, was born in Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio, on July 13, 1918. He was killed in action on September 19, 1944.

Private Lasky died at 26 years of age near Kruishoutem, Belgium, while flying to the Netherlands in a Waco Glider. Due to bad weather and poor visibility, Captain John Gallagher, who flew the C-47 that towed the Waco Glider, lost the formation over the sea four minutes before reaching the Belgian Coast. The plane and glider crossed the coast at an altitude of about 200 feet, but above land, visibility worsened, forcing Captain Gallagher to try to climb through the overcast. During these maneuvers, the glider started to have trouble and either cut loose or the rope broke. After this early and unexpected release, the glider then crashed in a field near Kruishoutem. Several witnesses of the crash stated that the glider’s tow rope became entangled in trees, causing the glider to crash. All aboard (15) were killed, including Private Lasky.

The 327th Glidermen were buried in the local cemetery after a service and a funeral procession. In April 1945, Private Lasky was reburied at the U.S. Military Cemetery Neuville-en-Condroz #1, Belgium. In the summer of 1949, he was again reburied, this time at his hometown of Lorain, where he rests eternally at the Calvary Cemetery.

His family was hit hard during that period, as his younger brother William was killed at age 17 by a tragic accident at work on April 12, 1944. His brother Peter, a seaman second class, was killed in action at age 34 when his ship, the U.S.S. Franklin, was attacked by a Japanese aircraft on March 19, 1945. Another older brother, Joseph, died at age 38 on September 9, 1945, as the result of injuries suffered in a fight which occurred in the C.I.O. Hall in Lorain during a party.

Besides his parents, Private Lasky left behind five brothers and a sister. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace.

On this day, Corporal Bruce Connor Smith of Charlie Company, 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, was born in Kosse, Limestone County, Texas, on July 6, 1920. He was killed in action on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Corporal Smith died at 23 years of age in Normandy, France. On June 12, 1944, he was first buried at Plot B, Row 6, Grave 52 of the temporary American Military Cemetery of Hiesville. He was reinterred at Plot J, Row 7, Grave 133 of the temporary American Military Cemetery of Blosville on July 4, 1944.

On December 12, 1947, Corporal Smith was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial back home. His body was moved in a casket by truck to Cherbourg, France, where he was put aboard the USAT McCarley. He returned to the U.S. with the McCarley, arriving in New York Harbor on April 5, 1948. His remains then traveled by train to Texas and arrived at the Taylor train station on May 7.

On Sunday, May 9, 1948, Corporal Smith was reburied for the last time with full military rites by the Graham D. Luhn Post of the American Legion. He rests eternally at the City of Taylor Cemetery, Williamson County, Texas.

Besides his posthumously awarded Purple Heart Medal, he was also the recipient of a medal for being the third best anti-tank sharpshooter in the United States Army.

His mother received a heartfelt letter from a lady who was a total stranger to her. She had read of Corporal Smith’s death, and wrote:

“I know you are proud of your son, and I know that others, like me, will appreciate his sacrifice when they read the article in the Dallas News. You may think it strange that I wrote this short letter, but I have carried that clipping in my purse ever since I read it, and I thought perhaps you might like to know that others as well as you appreciate a noble American such as your son was.”

May Corporal Bruce Smith rest in peace.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

On this day, Private Delmar Melvin Souther of Item Company, 3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was born in Columbus, Burke County, North Dakota, on June 26, 1924. Some sources also mention he was born on June 25.

PVT Souther was a replacement who was assigned to Item Company on November 26, 1944. He was killed in action on December 21, 1944, near Foy, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, by a gunshot wound to the head and chest.

Private Delmar Souther died at the age of 20 in Belgium. He was first interred at Plot B, Row 5, Grave 105, of the temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, #1. On September 8, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial. He was reburied at the Henri Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Hombourg, Belgium, on July 20, 1949.

Private Souther rests eternally at Plot H, Row 6, Grave 68. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.

May PVT Delmar Souther rest in peace.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Today we remember Private Corwin John Randt of George Company, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, who was born in Clintonville, Wisconsin, on June 18, 1921.

He was killed in action on June 6, 1944, near Picauville, Normandy, France, when his plane crashed after being hit twice by anti-aircraft fire. Three men were able to bail out in time from the burning plane, but thirteen other paratroopers of the same stick perished that day.

Private Corwin Randt died at 22 years of age in France.

On June 19, 1944, he was first buried, unidentified, at Plot C, Row 5, Grave 97, of the temporary American Military Cemetery of Blosville. In 1946, his body was reprocessed and identified at the Sub-Central Identification Point at Carentan, Normandy, France.

On February 3, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial back home. On February 16, his body was moved in a casket by truck to Cherbourg, France. He returned to the U.S. with the USAT Barney Kirschbaum, arriving in New York Harbor on February 2, 1949. He arrived in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, on April 15, 1949.

Private Randt rests eternally at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville, Waupaca County, Wisconsin. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

May Private Corwin Randt rest in peace.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

On this day, Private Carl Albert Deyak of George Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, was born in Chisholm, St. Louis County, Minnesota, on June 10, 1921.

He was seriously wounded in action on June 10, 1944, during the epic fighting at the Carentan Causeway — the road that was later dubbed “Purple Heart Lane”. Carl died of his wounds on June 13, 1944, in Normandy, France, just three days after turning 23.

PVT Deyak was first buried at the temporary American Military Cemetery of Sainte-Mère-Église, #1, on June 14, 1944. In the summer of 1948, he was reburied at the Calvary Cemetery of Chisholm.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

May PVT Carl Deyak rest in peace.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Private First Class (PFC) William Joseph Anderson of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Missouri Valley, Harrison County, Iowa, to Carl L. and Margueriette (Corbett) Anderson on June 3, 1921. William was their only child.

Somewhere in the 1930s, the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a teenager, William attended Milwaukee’s Boys Tech High School and Lincoln High School.

William registered for the draft in Milwaukee on February 14, 1942. At the time, he was employed by Sorgel Electric Company, a prominent Milwaukee-based transformer manufacturer. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in his hometown on November 21, 1942.

In the first records found at NARA, William is stationed as a Technician 5th Grade at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, with the HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 62nd Armored Infantry Regiment, on September 3, 1943. During that period, he was also briefly assigned to the 84th Medical Battalion Armored, after which he was transferred to the HQ Company of the 68th Armored Infantry Battalion at Camp Chaffee on October 5, 1943.

On August 23, 1944, PFC William Anderson was assigned to the Parachute School at Fort Benning, Georgia. After finishing his airborne training and crossing the Atlantic Ocean, he ended up at the 11th Replacement Depot in Givet, Belgium, on December 16, 1944.

According to a morning report dated January 15, 1945, he was assigned on December 30, 1944, to Baker Company of the 401st GIR, which was fighting the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. According to that same morning report of January 15, and his individual personal file, PFC Anderson was killed in action by a gunshot wound to the chest on January 11, 1945, not even two weeks after he joined Baker Company.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

His death was in the face of the magnitude of WWII an insignificant moment, but a personal tragedy for PFC Anderson’s parents and his fiancée, Theresa Mass, who lost their only son and future husband when he had just arrived at the war’s frontline.

PFC William Anderson died at 23 years of age in Belgium. He was first buried at the temporary military facility of Grand Failly, France, at Section F, Row 8, Grave 179. He was disinterred on August 24, 1948, and reburied at the Luxembourg American Cemetery of Hamm, Luxembourg, where he rests eternally at Plot E, Row 8, Grave 70.

PFC Anderson was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, William.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Sources:

• Find a Grave

• NARA

• IDPF

• Wikipedia

• Milwaukee Journal, February 2, 1945 (page 14)

Private (PVT) Teddy Theodore Johnson of the 101st Airborne Signal Company was born in McDowell County, West Virginia, to William W. and Villia (Farley) Johnson on May 28, 1924. He had three brothers, Clyde W., James E., and Earl C. Johnson.

Teddy registered for the draft in Washington, D.C. on June 30, 1942. At the time, he was employed by the Department of Commerce on Constitution Avenue in D.C. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on October 6, 1943, at Fort Myer, Virginia.

He traveled from the Induction Station at Ft Myer to Ft George Meade, Maryland, the next day. On November 2, he traveled by train to the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Blanding, Florida, where he would receive his basic and field communication training.

On March 18, 1944, he returned to Fort George Meade, where he was put on an outgoing transport bound for England. On April 19, he was assigned to a Field Force Replacement Depot, Casual Detachment #10, in Chard, Somerset, England. PVT Teddy Johnson would then be assigned to the 17th Replacement Depot at Hinton St. George, Somerset, before finally joining 101st Signal Company at Newbury, Berkshire, on June 23, 1944.

On September 17, 1944, the day Operation Market Garden started, PVT Johnson left England on a WACO glider, taking off from Ramsbury Airfield in the morning, heading for a landing zone near Son, the Netherlands. 2nd LT Scott T. Stewart was the glider pilot. Others aboard were PFC Gerald J. Hauswirth, PVT James Crifo, PVT Roy G. Millican, and PVT Alvin L. Jewell of the 101st Airborne Signal Company, as well as CPL Harold Spence of the British Royal Corps of Signals.

While flying over Belgium, the towing cable broke near Geel. The glider dropped quickly, but the pilot was able to find a suitable meadow at Retie, and despite brushing several tree tops during the descent, all passengers survived the crash landing. As their landing area was close to the frontline, the area was infested with Germans, and when the men tried to leave the field, they were engaged by the enemy. A fierce firefight ensued with their opponents, in which two of the men were killed. One of them is PVT Teddy Johnson.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

VT Johnson died at 20 years of age in Belgium on September 17, 1944. The remains of the two airborne casualties were first buried by civilians near the spot where they were killed. Their graves were marked with little wooden crosses. Passing British troops added bigger crosses, marked with the words “British Soldier.” In 1945, a British unit was sent to collect the bodies of all casualties in the area, Allied and German. In all probability, the remains of the two 101st Airborne Signal Company troopers were handed over to the American authorities.

PVT Johnson was then buried at the temporary military facility of Neuville-En-Condroz, Liege, Belgium, at Block GG, Row 11, Grave 252. He would later be again reburied, and he rests eternally at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupré, Belgium, at Block C, Row 9, Grave 35.

PVT Teddy Johnson was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Teddy.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Sources:

• FindaGrave

• Family Search

• NARA

• Fields of Honor

• Other sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.

Private (PVT) Melvin Lloyd Young of Charlie Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Ferrum, Franklin County, Virginia, to Posey A. and Nettie E. (Stanley) Young on May 21, 1924. Melvin had two brothers, Clifford Nelson Possem and Bobby Allen Young, and one younger sister, named Eva Mae Young.

Melvin grew up on a farm run by the family. He signed up for the draft in Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia, on June 30, 1942. He was employed as a delivery driver before he enlisted in Camden, New Jersey, on November 22, 1943.

The first morning report found at the NARA site was dated March 18, 1944, showing PVT Melvin Young assigned to Company B of the 1210th Service Unit (Station Complement) at Pine Camp, New Jersey. On April 10, he traveled with 97 EM by rail to Ft. Dix, where he was assigned to Company B of the 1229th SCSU Reception Center.

About two weeks later, on April 23, he was assigned to Company D of the 206th Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Blanding, Florida, where he received his basic infantry training.

After he had finished his basic infantry training, Melvin was transferred with 2325 EM to the Replacement Depot at Fort George Meade on August 24, 1944, and transferred to another battalion at Fort George Meade on September 10. On October 7, 1944, Melvin was in England, assigned to the Headquarters, 16th Replacement Depot.

No records have been found on his jump training in the U.S. I don’t like to assume while researching [assumptions are the mothers of all foul-ups], but Melvin probably volunteered for the paratroops at the time. Following heavy casualties in Operation Market Garden, replacements were going through the 101st Airborne Division jump school at Chilton Foliat, England, in October 1944, and were assigned to several units before deployment to Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. PVT Melvin Young is not on the October 1944 lists of Jump School graduates, but he may have received jump training and his wings at the end of October, beginning of November 1944.

On December 4, 1944, PVT Melvin Young was assigned to Charlie Co, 506th. Two weeks later, he was rushed to Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne Division tried to stop the last major German offensive, known as the Battle of the Bulge. 1st Battalion of the 506th first defended the town of Noville, which lies 8 km to the north of Bastogne, with Charlie company positioned on a wooded ridgeline to the east of Noville.

On December 20, after two days of arduous combat with the enemy, the 1st battalion paratroopers were forced to abandon their positions at Noville and withdraw to Foy, where they received orders to move to Luzery, taking over the task of the 101st divisional reserve. The men were not granted a long break from combat, as the next day, the Germans had penetrated the defensive positions along the Bourcy-Bastogne railroad tracks. Able and Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 506th PIR, were given the job of eliminating the threat.

It was a very tough day, with close-quarters combat against an enemy dug in at well-prepared positions in a wooded area. Around 4 PM, the fight was over, in which Charlie Company eliminated 65 Germans and took 80 prisoners, against losing four wounded paratroopers and three men killed in action. Among these three was PVT Melvin Young, who died of a gunshot wound in the back.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

VT Melvin Young died at the age of 20 on December 21, 1944. He was first buried in a very shallow grave four days after his death. On January 22, 1945, he was reburied at the U.S. Military Cemetery #1 at Grand Failly, France, at Plot H, Row 12, Grave 286. On August 6, 1948, he was again disinterred, and his body was moved to the U.S. Military Cemetery at Hamm, Luxembourg, where he rests eternally at Plot I, Row 4, Grave 5.

Melvin was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Melvin.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

Sources:

• FindaGrave

• Family Search

• Ancestry

• NARA

• IDPF

Private (PVT) Edward Lee Needham of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Danville, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, to Thomas A. Sr. and Bertha M. (Pyron) Needham on May 15, 1924. Edward had two brothers, Thomas A. Jr. and Howard C. Needham. His father left the family when the children were quite small and never supported his wife while she raised the three boys.

His brother Thomas served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.

Edward attended the public schools in Danville and was a member of the Second Baptist Church. He signed up for the draft in his hometown on June 30, 1941. At the time, he was employed by Dan River Cotton Mills in Danville. The company, founded in 1882, grew into the largest textile firm in the southern U.S.

According to the NARA website, he enlisted in Richmond, Virginia, on September 7, 1940. His ASN is correct, but Edward may have lied about his age, as 1922 is listed as his birth year, even though he was actually only 16.

The strange thing is that there are no morning reports or other documents available on the NARA website that provide insight into any service Edward may have performed until halfway through 1943. The first document found that mentions him is a morning report of Company G, 20th Armored Regiment Infantry, located at Camp Campbell, Kentucky, dated August 12, 1943. [Another strange thing: it seems the unit mentioned in the morning report, “20th ARMD Regt Inf” at Camp Campbell, did not exist. During the Battle of the Bulge, a unit named the 20th Armored Infantry Battalion existed. Company A of that battalion was assigned to Task Force Cherry.]

According to the morning report of August 12, 1943, PVT Edward Needham was transferred to the Parachute School at Fort Benning. On August 18, Edward is transferred from the Receiving Company at Fort Benning to Company C of the 515th Parachute Infantry. About a month later, on September 10, he was transferred to the 1st Parachute Training Regiment with 249 EM to pursue his parachute training course.

After receiving his wings, PVT Needham was transferred to the 501st PIR in Lebanon, Tennessee, on October 2, 1943, and was assigned to Fox Co with 14 other paratroopers. The first thing the men had to do was to dig a foxhole, as the company started in the fifth phase of maneuvers the next day, participating in an exercise in the 2nd Army Maneuvers Area.

At the beginning of January 1944, PVT Needham traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, on the USNS George W Goethals with the complete 501st PIR. The men then traveled by train to Lambourn, England, where the final training began to prepare the 501st paratroopers for the D-Day jump. The companies of the 2nd Battalion, including the paratroopers of Fox Company, were based at Hamstead Marshall, near Enborne, Newbury.

PVT Needham made his first combat jump on D-Day morning, June 6, 1944. He was killed in action the next day under unknown circumstances.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

PVT Edward Needham died at the age of 20 on June 7, 1944. On June 9, he was first buried in the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Hiesville, Normandy, at Plot A, Row 5, Grave 45. On July 4, he was reburied at the Blosville Military Cemetery, at Plot I, Row 5, Grave 90.

On December 16, 1947, he was again disinterred and transported by truck to the Cherbourg Harbor, where his casket was placed on the USAT McCarley on March 10, 1948. The ship reached New York Harbor on April 5, 1948, after which he was moved home by train, arriving in Danville on May 3. The next day, Tuesday, May 4, 1948, he was reburied again at the Mountain View Cemetery.

PVT Edward Needham was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Edward.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

Sources:

• Find a Grave

• Family Search

• NARA

• Ancestry

Private (PVT) Marion William Taylor of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia, to Howard O. and Mary P. (Gonzales) Taylor on May 7, 1914. He had four brothers, Gordon K., Charles A., John M., and Robert H. Taylor, and two sisters, Louise T. and Mary F. Taylor.

Marion graduated from Smyrna High School. While at school, he distinguished himself on the football team and was known as “Stumpy” to his friends. His first job was as a manager of the local Roger’s Store, a job he held for several years. During that time, he won a name for himself in efficient and dependable service.

He married Robbie Mayes Bramlett on March 26, 1935. Their marriage was blessed with two children: a daughter, Mary Jo, born on February 13, 1937, and a son, William Howard, born on October 19, 1938.

Marion registered for the draft in Atlanta, Cobb County, Georgia, on October 16, 1940. At the time, he was employed by Highland Bakery Inc in Atlanta. His next job, prior to his induction, was with “The Little Farm” in Miami. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Camp Blanding, Florida, on December 22, 1943.

On January 12, 1944, he was attached unassigned to Company B of the Reception Center at Camp Blanding. He left for the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Croft, South Carolina, on January 19, and upon arrival the next day, he was assigned to Company B of the 40th Infantry Training Battalion. Marion received his basic infantry training at Camp Croft.

On May 22, 1944, he traveled by train with 92 other enlisted men to Fort Benning, Georgia. On May 26, he was transferred from the Reception Company of the 1st Parachute Training Regiment at Fort Benning to Company L of the same unit to begin jump training with Parachute Class No. 127. Two weeks later, on June 10, his class was transferred to Company F to continue its parachute training.

After PVT Taylor received his wings, he attended a specialist course, Basic Communication, which started on July 2. He successfully completed the course on September 2, 1944, ranking highest in his class at code school and among the top in communication school.

On October 8, 1944, he was transferred with a group of 150 EM from Fort Benning to the AGF Replacement Depot No. 1 at Fort George Meade, Maryland, awaiting shipment to England. PVT Marion Taylor was attached to Company C of the 8th Replacement Battalion on October 26, and mentioned on an outgoing transport list, being processed for duty overseas through Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

On December 16, 1944, he was assigned to the 11th Replacement Depot (Detachment 105, Ground Forces Replacement System) in Givet, France, and two weeks later, on December 30, to the Headquarters Company, 327th GIR.

On January 5, 1945, PVT Marion Taylor reached his final destination, Charlie Company of the 327th, only to be killed in action the next day, under unknown circumstances. The 327th lost seven men that day (five KIA, two DOW), despite several sources indicating that January 6 “was a quiet day for the 101st”.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

PVT Marion Taylor died at 30 years of age in Belgium. Besides his mother, four brothers, and two sisters, he was survived by his wife, son Billy, and daughter Mary Jo.

PVT Taylor was first buried at the temporary military facility of Grand Failly, France, at Section F, Row 1, Grave 18. Under the WWII “Return of the Dead Program”, he was repatriated home on April 15, 1949, and reburied the next day at the New Smyrna Cemetery, where he rests eternally at Section C, Plot 148.

PVT Taylor was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Marion.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Sources:

• Find a Grave

• Family Search

• NARA

• Ancestry

• Other sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.

Corporal (CPL) Richard Randolph Hibbs of Easy Battery, 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion (AAA), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Lexington, McLean County, Illinois, to Dorsey R. and Minnie M. (Blagg) Hibbs on April 23, 1920. He had two sisters, Margaret V. and Mary A. Hibbs.

At an unknown date, the family moved to Secor, Woodford County, Illinois, where Richard attended Secor Grade School and El Paso High School, graduating in 1938. He registered for the draft in Eureka, Illinois, on July 1, 1941. At the time, he was employed as a mechanic by Caterpillar Tractor Co. in East Peoria, Illinois.

Richard enlisted in the United States Army at Camp Grant, Illinois, on March 24, 1942. On September 3, 1942, the 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion was activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, and on September 22, Richard was assigned to Easy Battery. He was also appointed Private First Class that day and Corporal on November 24, 1942. He received his basic training at Camp Claiborne, after which he was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he received his glider training.

After finishing his stateside training with the 81st AAA, CPL Hibbs left for England on the HMS Samaria with his battalion on September 5, 1943. The ship arrived at Liverpool Harbor, England, on September 15, 1943, and the 81st AAA men were moved by train to Basildon Park, Berkshire, England.

After more intensive training in England to prepare the men for their first battle, Richard received his baptism of fire on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Due to the shortage of tug aircraft for the gliders, the men of Easy Battery were not inserted by glider into Normandy. Dog, Easy, and Fox Battery landed by water on Utah Beach with the assault waves of the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, at H plus 15 minutes on D-Day, in water from 3 to 10 feet deep, under intense enemy artillery and machine gun fire.

CPL Hibbs survived the harrowing moments on Utah Beach and fought in Normandy until Easy Battery returned to England on July 11, 1944. After his return to Basildon, he was granted a 7-day furlough, effective as of July 14.

For Operation Market Garden, Easy Battery was again part of the seaborne echelon, alongside Dog and Fox Batteries. The batteries landed at Omaha Beach and made an overland move to Son, the Netherlands, arriving on September 24, 1944, a week after Operation Market Garden had started. Easy Battery, together with Dog and Fox Battery, was attached to the 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion for ground and air defense of the Division Service Area.

At the beginning of October, the 81st AAA moved to a small strip of land between two large rivers, dubbed “The Island.” The men of Easy Battery were in an area close to Elst when heavy enemy artillery fire fell on their positions on October 6. Four men were injured, and four were killed that day, including CPL Hibbs.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

CPL Richard Hibbs died at 24 years of age in the Netherlands.

He was buried at the temporary military facility Molenhoek #1 on November 21, 1944. His body was returned home under the “Return of the Dead Program”, where he was reburied at the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois, on Friday, January 28, 1949. CPL Hibbs was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Richard.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Sources:

• Find a Grave

• Family Search

• NARA

• After Action Reports of the 81st Airborne AA Battalion

The other sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.

Private (PVT) Robert Francis Britt of Service Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, to Michael J. and Sarah (Belson) Britt on April 15, 1922. Robert was part of a good-sized family with four boys and five girls. Robert’s brothers were Joseph M., Edward L., and James M. Britt, and his sisters were Mary E., Mabel F., Madeline, Doris C., and Helen Britt.

Robert signed up for the draft in Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, on June 30, 1942. He was employed by Greenough Bros., a local construction company in Waltham, when he signed up.

He married Dorothy Elaine Bond at an unknown date that same year, and their marriage was blessed with a girl, Nancy, who was born on June 28, 1943.

A couple of months earlier, on March 10, 1943, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army in Boston. He was initially assigned to the Headquarters Company, 423rd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he rose to the rank of Technician (TEC) Fourth Grade. He was promoted from TEC 5 to TEC 4 on December 24, 1943.

Robert volunteered for paratrooper duty, and almost a week after his promotion, he was sent on detached service to the HQ First Student Training Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, on December 20, 1943. Due to his transfer, he was demoted to the rank of private on February 13, 1944.

On March 5, 1944, he was assigned to Co C, 31st Battalion, of the 8th Replacement Infantry Regiment at Fort George Meade, Maryland. At the beginning of June, he was sent overseas, and after his arrival, transferred from the 225th Replacement Company to the 15th Replacement Depot at Yeovil, South Somerset, England, on July 2, 1944. Then, on July 7, he reached his final destination, being assigned to Service Company, 506th PIR. A couple of days later, the remnants of the 506th returned to England after their baptism of fire in Normandy when they jumped into France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Robert made his first combat jump with Service Company into the Netherlands at the start of Market Garden, on September 17, 1944. He survived the initial actions of the 506th around Eindhoven and Hell’s Highway, but died during the defense of the 506th at Opheusden on The Island at the beginning of October, when the Germans ferociously attacked the town.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

PVT Robert Britt died at the age of 22 on October 6, 1944. The Weekly Report of Burials (No. 109), made up by the Quartermaster Company of the Grave Registration, lists Robert with the 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company when he was buried at Block G, Row 1, grave 5 of the temporary American Military Cemetery at Molenhoek, on October 6, 1944. None of the available morning reports of the time that he served with the 506th Service Company indicates, though, that Robert was transferred to the 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company.

Robert was later reburied in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial of Margraten, the Netherlands, where he rests eternally at Plot G, Row 2, Grave 24. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.

May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Robert.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

Sources:

• Family Search

• NARA

• Deliver Us from Darkness by Ian Gardner

Sergeant (SGT) Frederick William “Fred” Grethel of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Syracuse County, New York, to Fred and Mary E. (Mellen) Grethel on April 7, 1922. He had one younger brother, Henry E. Grethel, and three older sisters, Leona, Carolyn E., and Anna Mae Grethel.

His brother Henry is a famous American fashion designer, merchandiser, and marketer, known for his American sportswear collection, but he also spent many years designing shirts for Lanvin, Pierre Cardin, and Christian Dior.

Fred registered for the draft on June 30, 1942, in his hometown. He entered the U.S. Army in Rochester, New York, on September 29, 1942. The next month, on October 5, he was assigned to Charlie Company at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fred was trained to become a glider pilot.

He was engaged to a woman named Evelyn, but while he was training for the invasion, she sent him a “Dear John” letter, which devastated Fred, who was madly in love with her. Apparently, she later reconsidered her decision, but did not have an opportunity to contact him again before he was killed.

SGT Grethel died in combat while fighting the Germans in Normandy with the 401st. The book, Fighting with the Screaming Eagles, written by SGT Robert M. Bowen from Charlie Co., describes briefly what happened on the day he was killed in action:

“A sniper had killed Fred Grethel as he carelessly exposed himself.”

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

His sister Leona wrote a small article in June 1954, remembering her brother Fred at the time when Henry graduated from Syracuse University.

“There’s a dull ache on my left side where the heart holds sway, and I guess the reason for it is two-fold. First, I can’t be there in person [at Henry’s graduation], and secondly, because my war hero brother can’t be there, either. He always said that he hoped that Hank [Henry] would have sense enough to get as much education as was possible, and I know that he’ll be proud as punch if, wherever he is, he is aware of his brother’s accomplishments.”

SGT Fred Grethel died at the age of 22 on June 19, 1944. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. On July 5, his parents received a letter from France, dated June 17, stating that he was well and urging his parents not to worry about him. The next day, the terrible news of his death reached them through a telegram from the War Department.

SGT Grethel was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery Sainte-Mère-Église #1 at Plot N, Row 8, Grave 160, on June 20, 1944. On March 11, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for a final reburial. On February 23, 1949, SGT Grethel was reburied in Normandy, France, where he rests eternally in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Plot F, Row 16, Grave 29.

May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Fred.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

Sources:

• FindaGrave

• Family Search

• Ancestry

• IDPF

• Wikipedia

• Fighting with the Screaming Eagles by Robert Bowen

Private (PVT) James Joseph Calabro of Baker Battery, 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion (GFAB), was born in Villa San Giovanni, Reggio di Calabria, Italy, to Giuseppe and Giovanna Calabro on April 1, 1922. James had one brother, Frank Calabro, and two sisters, Antoinette and Lucreza Grace Calabro. His brother Frank served as a corporal with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.

James registered for the draft on June 30, 1942, at White Plains, New York. He entered the service on November 20, 1942, and was first sent to the Headquarters Service Command Service Unit Reception Center at Camp Upton, New York. During WWII, Camp Upton in Long Island served as a vital U.S. Army induction and training center (1940–1946) under the Second Service Command.

James was assigned to the Headquarters & Headquarters Battery of the 13th Field Artillery Observation Battalion of the 15th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on December 1, 1942. On July 26, 1943, he was transferred from the HQ & HQ & Service Battery, 321st GFAB, to Baker Battery of the same battalion.

Gary Dettore’s fine book, Screaming Eagle Gliders, The 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, describes what happened on the day when PVT Calabro lost his life in the Netherlands on September 19, 1944, the third day of Operation Market Garden.

SGT Harvey Baker from Blue Island, Illinois, was the copilot of his Waco CG-4A Hadrian that had left England that day, heading toward a landing zone near Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

“The landing was a rough one - the glider struck a stone fence that sent the howitzer careening forward, snapping the mooring ropes fastened to the wooden floor. PVT James Calabro (Baker Battery) from White Plains, New York, was killed instantly when the trail of the howitzer broke loose, crushing his head. The howitzer smashed its way through the nose of the glider and landed outside in the Holland field.”

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

PVT James Calabro died at the age of 22 on September 19, 1944. He was the first man of White Plains, New York, to lose his life in the Netherlands. James was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. After his initial internment in the temporary military cemetery of Son, the Netherlands, on September 21, 1944, he was reburied at the White Plains Rural Cemetery in the winter of 1949. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, James.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

This story of PVT James J. Calabro was written with information provided by Gary Dettore. I would like to thank him for allowing me to use this information that made it possible to write this article.

Sources:

• Family Search

• NARA

• Ancestry

• The Reporter Dispatch, White Plains, New York; Friday, August 20, 1943

• Screaming Eagle Gliders, The 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II by Gary Dettore

First Lieutenant (1LT) Walter Bradley Briere of Fox Battery, 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion (AAA), 101st Airborne Division, was born in South Portland, Cumberland County, New Jersey, to Joseph A. and Marion A. (Linskey) Briere on March 26, 1914. He had eight brothers, Charles J., John, Donald W., Joseph A. Jr., Edward F., Raymond O., Paul V., and Peter V. Briere, and five sisters, Dorothy L., Beatrice M., Irene C., Anette M., and Marie A. Briere.

Walter’s father entered the service on January 17, 1914, and served with the HQ Co, 72nd Arty CAC, in the American Expeditionary Force in France, but the 72nd's training was not completed until after the Armistice was signed, meaning he was never in combat on the front lines.

Two of his brothers were also in the service during WWII. His brother Joseph was a Fire Control Seaman 3rd Class and had earned a Bronze Star at Okinawa. Edward was a Marine Corps veteran of WWII. After the war, he re-enlisted in the USMC and served with the Air School at Quantico.

Walter attended the public schools in South Portland, and when his parents moved to New York City, he graduated from Flushing High School. Founded in 1875, it is the oldest public school in NYC. He signed up for the draft at Queens County on October 16, 1940. Before he enlisted in the service, he worked as a salesman with the Lorentzen Hardware Corporation, a New York City-based manufacturer and supplier, notable for producing parts for Venetian blinds.

After graduating from the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School at Camp Davis, North Carolina, in 1942, Walter was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

Walter Briere landed as a second lieutenant with Fox Company, 81st AAA on Utah Beach with the assault waves of the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, at H plus 15 minutes (H-hour was the beginning of the amphibious assault, at 6:30 AM local time), on D-Day, in water from 3 to 10 feet deep, under intense enemy artillery and machine gun fire. He survived the day and the other combat actions with Fox Co in Normandy and was promoted to first lieutenant on June 30th.

Lieutenant Briere would also survive the combat actions with Fox Co in the Netherlands, only to meet his fate at the third big WWII combat action of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium.

On January 3, 1945, an anti-aircraft artillery gun of his platoon jammed during a German assault. LT Briere instructed his men to retreat to a safer position while he alone worked to fix it. As enemy troops approached, he picked up a machine gun and held them off, then tried again to fix the problem. He got the artillery gun working again, and soon after was shot in the head, with the bullet piercing his helmet, killing him instantly.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

Lieutenant Walter Briere died at the age of 30 during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on January 3, 1945. He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Grand Failly, Section K, Row 1, Grave 3. He was reburied at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial of Hamm, Luxembourg, and rests eternally at Block C, Row 2, Grave 17.

May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Walter.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

Sources:

• Find a Grave, Walter Bradley Briere

• Honor States

• Family Search

• NARA

• Ancestry