Download North Attleborough Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Lost

North Attleborough Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Lost During WW II
Researched and compiled by Ray King
With the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on
28, June 1919, the world witnessed the end of “The War That Would End All Wars”. In the
years following, the United States experienced an economic boom followed by the “Roaring
Twenties”. The nations of Europe, Allied and Axis alike, were rebuilding after the devastation
of war. The outlook of families bringing up children here in the states must have looked
bright.
Then, came the stock market crash of ’29 and the following depression. The effects were
felt worldwide. The children of struggling families faced a hard childhood indeed.
Throughout the 30’s, many countries found the means to dig out of their respective
economic holes. In the United States, there was Hoover’s New Deal. In Europe, the Nazi
Party, lead by Adolf Hitler, revived Germany with similar building of civilian projects, and
secret military projects. Other countries, like Spain and Italy, traded political values in an
effort to restore wealth and security, while England and France simply rode the turning tide
of recovery. In the Far East, Japan dealt aggressively with their economic woes, with the
military invasion of China, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
Eventually, Adolf Hitler took advantage of the League Of Nations’ lack of ability to
effectively control the powers of Europe and began to violate the Treaty Of Versailles. First,
he assisted the Fascist Party in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, where he was in fact
developing the fighting tactics of his Luftwaffe. Next, he marched into and took Austria
without firing a shot. Then, he annexed the Sudetenland, effectively dividing
Czechoslovakia. After signing a pact with Stalin, Hitler invaded Poland. In response, England
and France declared war on Germany. Many historians consider this as the official start of
WWII.
Many Americans responded to world events and took the initiative to volunteer. American
pilots found themselves flying in the defense of England against the blitzkrieg, or crossing
the “hump” (the mountains of Burma) from India in an attempt to help the Chinese fight the
invading Japanese forces.
It wasn’t until 7 December 1941, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and Germany
had declared war on the United States, that Americans fully took to arms and entered
WWII. By then, France had already fallen to Nazi occupation, and the German armies were
sweeping through Russia and had Leningrad under siege.
What followed was a three and a half year struggle that saw the deaths of tens of
millions (two thirds of which were civilians), the destruction of entire cities, the collapse of
nations, and the attempted extermination of an entire race of people.
From North Attleborough, the following soldiers were lost in that struggle…
Arthur R. Avery, U.S. Army #3114780
The record is short on Pvt. Avery. He was inducted into the service November 7, 1942
and was sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi for basic training. He passed away suddenly
November 12, 1942. His obituary in the North Attleboro Chronicle stated that his residence
was 46 Elmwood Street, and he had worked in the North Attleboro Electric Dept. He was
laid to rest in the Plainville Cemetery.
S/Sgt. John C. Barry Jr., U.S. Army #11031790
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S/Sgt. Barry was assigned to the 849th Bomb Squadron, 490th Bomb Group. He died on
September 27, 1944 as a Training Officer on the B-17G “Heavenly Body” that crashed
during a training mission in England due to mechanical problems. The Evening Chronicle
states that his Mother of Bank Street in No. Attleboro was notified by the War Dept. His
remains were returned to North Attleboro July 15, 1948.
Pfc. Charles W. Barth, U.S.M.C. #976444
Iwo-Jima is a small speck of land in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, smaller than the
island of Manhattan in the city of New York. Events in late 1944 and early 1945 created one
of the most horrific battles of the Pacific in W.W.II. to take place on this island. The
Japanese had stationed a fighter squadron on the island, which were attacking the American
B-29’s on their way to attack the home islands of Japan. Many of the B-29’s were damaged
in these raids and were unable to return to their base in Guam and were lost at sea with
their crews.
The invasion of Iwo-Jima took place February 19, 1945 with 70,000 U.S. Marines of the
3rd, 4th and 5th divisions. The struggle was a long and a bitter hand to hand 36-day battle,
which cost the Marines 26,000 casualties and 6,826 dead. Pfc. Charles W. Barth lost his life
on the beach of the first day of the battle. His wife, Alma (Branaghan) Barth of 25-F Bank
Street, Attleboro was notified by a telegram from Lt. General Vandergrift, Commandant of
the Marines, March 16, 1945. He is survived by his wife and their five-year-old son, Carl.
Also his Mother Amelia Blacklock of 62 Park Street in North Attleboro, and a brother,
George, serving with the 3rd Army in Germany.
Pfc. Barth formerly lived on Commonwealth Ave., Attleboro Falls and attended local
schools in North Attleboro. He enlisted into the service May 18, 1944 and went overseas in
November 1944. He served in the Artillery of the 4th Marine division, 14th Regiment. He was
27 years of age at the time of his death. He is at rest in the Military National Cemetery in
Honolulu, Hawaii.
Sgt. Robert K. Batchelder, U.S.A.A.F. #31136103
Sgt. Batchelder enlisted in the service June 24, 1942 and after basic training became a
tail gunner of a B-17 of the 381st Bomber Group, 534th bomber Squadron, stationed at the
American bomber base at Ridgewell, England. The after action reports tell the story of how
things went. As the aircraft that he was a crewmember of had no name I will use the
aircraft’s serial number for identification
March 29, 1944. Mission #88. 193 B-17’s attack at high altitude the industrial targets
around the Brunswick, Germany area. Aircraft #42-3525 participated in this operation.
April 8, 1944. Mission #89. 59 B-17’s attack the German airfield at Oldenburg due to
damage, aircraft #42-3525 was forced to make a belly landing upon return to Ridgewell.
None of the crew was hurt in this event.
April10, 1944. Mission #90. 212 B-17’s attacked three enemy aircraft sites near Brussels,
Beligum. Again B-17 #42- 3525 survived and returned to base.
April 18, 1944. Mission #93. Attack on the Heinekel bomber plant in Oranienburg,
Germany. There are no details available for this mission.
April 19, 1944. Mission #94. 56 B-17’s attack enemy targets in the Kassel, Germany
area. Aircraft #42- 3525 bombed the German airfield at Eschwege. Five American aircraft
were shot down by enemy fighters among them aircraft #42-3525 which crashed near the
small village of Fretterode. Only two crewmembers survived the crash and they spent the
rest of the war in a P.O.W. camp. Sgt. Batchelder was among those that perished. The
record seems to indicate that the people that lived in the area buried those who perished
near the village of Fretterode.
Those who perished in the attack were:
2nd Lt. L.Bond, Pilot
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2nd Lt. C. Brumback, Navigator
2nd Lt. G. Hilton, Bombardier
S/Sgt. W. Jones, Radio operator/gunner
S/Sgt. A. Caserta, Waist gunner
S/Sgt. A. Derrington, Waist gunner
S/Sgt. R. Batchhelder, Tail gunner
The survivors were:
2nd Lt. Mason, Co-pilot
S/Sgt. Clyman, Ball-turret gunner.
Sgt. Batchelder’s remains were returned home December 20,1949 and he was laid to
rest in Mt. Hope Cemetery in North Attleboro. He left his wife, Marian. He was 31 years of
age when he perished.
Pfc. Roland N. Baxter, U.S.A. #31305389
Pfc. Baxter served with L Company of the 157th Infantry Regiment, and 45 th Infantry
Division. The 45th Infantry Division was among the American units that landed at Anzio,
Italy January 22, 1944. The breakout from the beaches occurred May 25, 1944, and Pfc.
Baxter was K.I.A. two days before the drive to Rome commenced, May 23, 1944.
1st Lt. Robert V. Beaupre, U.S.A.A.F. #O–811841.
Lt. Beaupre served with the 368th fighter Squadron of the 359th Fighter Group. He died
January 6, 1945 in England and is buried in the American Cemetery in Cambridge, England.
His squadron flew the P-51 interceptor on bomber escort missions over occupied Europe. He
died during a take-off accident, flying a P-51D SN #44-14509, marked CV-X, further details
have not been found. The unit had trained at Westover Air Base in Massachusetts as well as
the air force base at Famingdale, New York. In England the 368th Fighter Squadron was
stationed in East Wretham.
2nd Lt. Harold W. Bishop Jr., U.S.A.A.F. #O-773538
Lt. Bishop was assigned to the 15th Photographic Squadron of the 5th Reconnaissance
Group and apparently in a flight over Bari, Italy went missing November 12, 1944. His plane
is listed as an F-5B, SN #42-68232, MACR 9700. It is presumed he was K.I.A. November
11, 1944. His name is on the tablet of the missing in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in
Netturo. Italy. The American Battle Memorial Commission runs this cemetery. The 5 th
Reconnaissance Group saw extensive service in the European Theater especially in Italy.
The unit secured Aerial photographs of the area around Anzio prior to the allied landings of
January 1944 and was able to provide reconnaissance photos of local road and rail targets.
Merchant Marine Harold Brown
Harold Brown was lost at sea on April 2, 1942, while serving aboard the unarmed
Merchant ship SS David Atwater, which was sunk by the deck guns of the U-552 less than
10 miles off the Delaware coast.
Machinist’s Mate 2c Arthur Cleaves, U.S. Coast Guard
There are very few records about Arthur Cleaves. What was found was a newspaper
clipping from the North Attleboro Chronicle, which stated that he had, been accidentally
shot October 27, 1945 while on guard duty in Greenland. He was first buried in Greenland,
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but later was again buried in Newfoundland. His body was on the first ship to bring back to
this country the dead from Europe. He left his wife, Dorothy and a daughter, Marilyn Elaine,
both of North Attleboro. He was 26 years old at the time of his death.
Pfc. Edmund F. Corrigan, U.S. Army #31004311.
Pfc. Corrigan was assigned to F Company of the 318 th Infantry Regiment of the 80th
Infantry Division. Enlistment records show that he enlisted in the Medical Department.
The records state that the 80th Infantry Division left Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in early
July for the invasion of Europe and landed on Utah beach August 8, 1944. (D-day + 58).
The division was committed to battle in the defense of Avranches as the Germans tried to
break up the invasion. (See Pfc. John L. Dietsch). August 18, 1944 saw the Division storm
the French city of Bordeaux. On December 28, 1944 the 318th Infantry Regiment helped
relieve the American defenders of Bastogne by penetrating the German lines. The Division
liberated the concentration camp of Buchenwald. Unfortunately the records are incomplete
for the events of the month of March. So it would seem that what event befell Pfc. Corrigan
is lost. He was killed March 15, 1945 and is at rest with his comrades in the Luxembourg
American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg. While the division was stationed in England Pfc.
Corrigan met Peggy Hardy, an English girl, and they were married March 25,1944.within a
year he was killed and his wife elected to stay with her parents.
In his obituary in the “Evening Chronicle” it states that he attended St. Mary’s school in
North Attleboro and was employed at the North Attleboro Foundry at the time of his
induction into the armed services. Besides his Mother, Grace Corrigan of 139 East Street he
is survived by a sister, Janice, and his Grandmother, Mrs. John Murphy.
Pvt. Harold A. Coutant Jr., U.S. Army #31363365
Pvt. Coutant served with Company “I” of the 38 th Infantry. The record states he was
wounded twice, once July 23, 1944 in France and was hospitalized in a military hospital for
three months. He was wounded the second time February 1945. After his recuperation from
the second wound he returned to his unit. He was listed as missing in action near the city of
Schwickershausen, Germany March 28, 1945 and later declared killed in action by the War
Dept. The date of his death is listed as March 28, 1945.
Pvt. Harold Coutant graduated from the North Attleboro High School in the class of 1943.
He is remembered as an outstanding player for the football team and very popular with his
classmates. Harold Coutant enlisted in the Army the month after graduation.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Coutant of 173 East Street survived him. He is at rest in
the family plot in the Plainville Cemetery. He was 20 years of age at the time of his death.
Pfc. John L. Dietsch, U.S. Army #31062699
The records for Pfc. Dietsch are few. He was killed in France August 12, 1944. The
records state that he joined the service February 7, 1942 shortly after the Japanese attack
at Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to the Medical detachment of the 119 th Infantry regiment,
of the 30th Infantry Division, which would indicate that he was a medic for the riflemen.
The 30th infantry division landed on Omaha Beach June 10, 1944 four days after the
initial assault, and the next day captured the French village of Monmartin-en-Graignes. The
following day the Division was assigned to the defensive line along the Vire-Taute canal,
which allowed for the build up of American forces in preparation for the breakout from the
invasion beaches. July 7, 1944 was the beginning of the push to Saint-Lo and the 30th
Infantry Division with other unites advanced on the Hauts-Vents highway. The division
captured the village of Troisgots July 31, 1944 and relieved the American 1 st Infantry
Division near the village of Mortain August 6. On the morning of August 7 the Germans
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launched a strong counterattack with a Panzer division supported by several infantry
divisions. The attack ruptured the lines of the 30 th Infantry division and forced the
Americans from the village of Mortain. The intent of the Germans was to split the American
1st Army from the American 3rd Army and drive into the city of Avranches on the Atlantic.
While the 30th Infantry division had been forced from Mortain many of it’s unites and much
of it’s artillery had remained in control of the high ground outside of the village. From this
vantage point the artillery denied the Germans the use of the roads leading to the coast.
The 30th Infantry division went over to the offensive August 11, and forced back the
Germans from the area around Mortain. During this action Pfc. Dietsch was killed.
The records indicate that Pfc. John Dietsch was attached to a medical detachment of the
119th Infantry regiment as a medic. Combat medics are a unique bunch of men that are
dedicated to the art of aiding the fallen. Perhaps it can best be put that they are an example
of humanity at it’s very best in an arena were the very worst of humanity is on display.
The obituary in the “North Attleboro Evening Chronicle” states that his remains were
returned on the “U.S.S. Robinson” December 10, 1948. A service was held at the Grace
Episcopal Church in North Attleboro and he was laid to rest in the Mashassuck Cemetery in
Central Falls Rhode Island. He was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island March 24, 1919. He left
his parents who resided on Ellis Road and his wife, Janet, of Church Street all of North
Attleboro. He was 25 years of age when he perished.
Pfc. Thomas B. Doolin, U.S.A. #31353060
The National Archives in Washington list Pfc. Doolin as serving Company “E”, 1 st Bn, 168th
Infantry regiment of the 34th Infantry division. The American 5th army and the British 8th
army were fighting their way up the Italian Peninsular in 1943 and 1944 and the German
forces heavily contested every piece of ground. In Late 1943 or early 1944 the allied forces
came upon the Rapido River which was just to the south of the small village of Cassino.
Beyond Cassino and situated on a high mountain was the Benedictine Abby of Montecassino.
The 34th division was given the task of crossing the Rapido, which it was able to do after
heavy lose of life. This attack took place January 24 and January 25. A crossing was
secured and the attack on the Abbey occurred shortly thereafter. On January 30, 1944 Pfc.
Doolin lost his life in the attack.
His resting-place is in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy with many
from the 34th Infantry division.
Pfc. Doolin was survived by his parents of West Street in North Attleboro and a sister,
Mrs. Marion Beaupre also of North Attleboro. He was a graduate of North Attleboro High
School, class of 1942. He was 19 years old at the time of his death.
Motor Machinist’s Mate 3c James Edward Foley, U.S.N. #024176
The survivors of the U.S.S. Drexler (DD–741) have a web site on the internet, which has
been very useful in finding out what happened to James Edward Foley of North Attleboro.
The ship was built in the shipyard of the Bath Iron Works in Maine and was launched
September 3, 1944. After the necessary shakedown cruise the Drexler set out for the Pacific
via Panama and was assigned to the 3rd Fleet. In early May she was assigned with other
ships the duty of picket ships off the coast of Okinawa. The duty of these small ships was to
inform the main fleet of incoming Kamikaze attacks. In the early morning of May 28, 1945
flights of enemy aircraft were detected and the alarm was sent to the fleet. In the battle
that followed six Japanese two engine bombers headed for the U.S.S. Drexler. The first two
were shot down, the second two missed the ship, and the third two struck the ship. One
crashed just forward of the stack, and the second struck the stern. The depth charges on
the stern exploded and tons of water flooded into the ship. The Drexler went down stern
first carrying 158 crewmen and 8 officers with her. Unfortunately James Foley was in that
number. 170 men were picked up after the attack, some badly wounded. The other ships on
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duty that day were the U.S.S. Anthony, U.S.S. Brainer, and the U.S.S. Shubrick……all badly
damaged.
James E Foley’s name is etched into the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial
in Hawaii. At the time enlistment (August 12, 1942) he resided at 59 Fisher Street . He was
born January 4, 1925. He was 20 when he perished.
Capt. Maurice G. Fournier, U.S. Army #0-376185
In the North Attleboro Evening Chronicle there is an account of Captain Fournier’s
passing. “Mrs. Ann Ballou Fournier of High street was notified yesterday by the War
Department that her husband Captain Maurice Fournier was killed in a motor vehicle
accident on April 3, 1944 in England”. There were no details of the accident, however there
is a lengthy accounting of Captain Fournier’s life and military service.
He was in the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the university of New Hampshire and
entered the service at the outbreak of the war. After training in Florida he was assigned to
the 18th Infantry regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. In the invasion of Algeria he is cited
for gallantry twice. The first citation read: “ Maurice G. Fournier for gallantry in action.
Choosing not to expose his half – track vehicles to deadly fire from a German tank he
crawled close to it and disabled it with an anti- tank grenade. His action removed a serious
threat to his company’s position.
In the second citation it read: “Maurice G. Fournier Lt. “C” Company, 18th Infantry
Regiment. For gallantry in action in the attack on Saint Cloud, Algeria November 8, 1942,
during the Oran offensive Lt. Fournier commanding a 105 m.m. battery supported by direct
fire the attacks of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 18th Infantry. Lt. Fournier’s position was
constantly under German fire as he directed the fire of the American howitzers. His
indomitable courage and resourcefulness inspired his men of his command and led to the
success of the attack “
After the success in Africa and in Sicily the 1st Division was relocated to England in order
to prepare for the invasion of France. While in England Lt. Fournier was promoted. to
Captain. Shortly after this he was involved in an automobile accident.
In the February 27, 1948 issue of the “Evening Chronicle” there is a small article about
the return of Captain Fournier’s remains from Europe. From this article it is learned that he
was born March 17, 1915 and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in North
Attleboro. He attended the locale schools and was very talented in sports. The article states
that he was a three-letter athlete at North Attleboro High School as well as in the University
of New Hampshire. He wed his wife, the former Miss Ann Ballou while they were both
attending the University they were class mates of North Attleboro High School as well as at
the university.
There was a Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart church and his remains were interred at
Arlington National Cemetery at the request of his family. He left his wife, Ann and two
children, David and Jean, who resided at 111 High Street. Also a sister Mrs. Bancroft Austin
and a brother Sgt. Eugene Fournier who was serving overseas. His father also survived
him.
Captain Fournier was 29 at the time of his passing.
T/Sgt. Earle E. Goodman, U.S.A.A.F. #11011586
Information secured from the National Archives and the web site of the 44 th Bomb Group
(www 44th bomb group.com) indicates Sgt. Goodman was assigned to the 66 th squadron of
the 44th Bomb group as a radio Operator. This group was stationed in England and saw
action over occupied Europe. The unit was transferred to North Africa in order to participate
in the raid on the Ploesti oil complex in Romania. Capt. Rowland M. Gentry piloted the B-24
that Sgt. Goodman was assigned to, which was named “Forky-2”. The significance of the
aircraft name is unknown.
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The raid on the oil complex took place August 1, 1943. 37 B-24’s left their base in Africa
and Captain Gentry was in command of the last four planes. His orders were to attack from
an allitude of 400 feet over their target. There was intense Anti- Aircraft fire as well as
German fighters to deal with. In the memories of one of the survivors he states that as
they flew into the smoke from the previous flight there was a tremendous explosion on
board the “Forky- 2”. Two waist gunners were killed as well as two engines were set on fire.
When the B-24 cleared the smoke they were set upon by three German fighters. The
“Forky-2” was last seen burning in a cornfield with its nose buried in the ground and the tail
section straight up in the air. All the crew were killed except a gunner, Charles T. Bridges,
and he was severely hurt. He spent the rest of the war as a POW. Of the 37 planes that
attacked 11 and their crews were lost.
For reasons unknown T/Sgt. Earl E. Goodman’s hometown is listed as South Attleboro,
Massachusetts. To add to the confusion the files of the War Dept. have his hometown as
Providence County, Rhode Island. It is of record that his Mother lived in North Attleboro at
the time of his death, and because of that he is listed with North Attleboro’s war dead.
Sgt. Eleutaro A. Greco, U.S.A.A.F. #11031365
Sgt. Greco proved to be a difficult man to research. The way it all turned out is that his
name on the Memorial plaque in North Attleboro is listed as “Eleutaro A. Greco”, but it
would seem that he used the name Anthony E. Greco. A check of his serial number cleared
up this matter.
Most of the clues came from the World War II Memorial database and a finale picture was
put together. Sgt. Greco graduated from the North Attleboro High School in the class of
1940, and six weeks later he joined the Army and was then assigned to the Air Force. It
should be noted that this was before December 7, 1941.
In a web site sponsored by the surveying veterans of the 534 th squadron, 381st Bomb
Group we learn what happened January 7, 1944. The 381st Bomb Group was equipped with
the B-17 G bomber and was stationed at Ridgewell, England. According to the memoirs of
the Unit Chaplain, James Good Brown, and the diary of Lt. Ross G. Hanks. Sgt. Greco was
assigned as a tail gunner to aircraft # 42-3078 which was piloted by 2nd Lt. Arden D.
Wilson, and he had named the Aircraft “Winsome Winn Hilda” after his wife. Seven B-17’s
left Ridgewell for the target which was the city of Ludwigshafen in Germany. One of the
aircraft turned back due to mechanical problems. During the bomb run the remaining B-17’s
were attacked by enemy fighters as well as Anti-aircraft artillery. “Winsome Winn Hilda” was
last seen going into cloud cover with four German aircraft in pursuit. One engine was on fire
at that time. No chutes were seen and all were listed as missing in action at that time.
The crewmembers were listed as:
2nd Lt. Arden D. Wilson, Pilot
2nd Lt. Donald J. Mc Donald, Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Joseph F. Connally, Navigator
2nd Lt. Harry H. Ullam, Bombardier
Sgt. John F. Embach, Top gunner
Sgt. Walter H. Sussek, Right waist gunner
Sgt. George E. Hawkins, Left waist gunner
Sgt. Robert J. Garaghty, Ball turrent gunner
Sgt. Peter F. Kucher, Radio operator/gunner
Sgt. Anthony E. Greco, Tail gunner
Arthur L. Greene, Jr., U.S.N.
From the National World War Memorial data base in Washington and the U.S.S.
Ingraham survivors association based in Tennessee the story of Arthur L. Greene has been
pieced together. Arthur joined the Navy October 1937 and after various assignments was
stationed on the newly built destroyer U.S.S. Ingraham (DD- 444). The ship was built and
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launched from the Charleston Navy Yard February 15, 1941. The duties of the ship started
right after being put to sea as an escort for convoys headed for Iceland and the United
Kingdom. On the night of August 22, 1942 in heavy fog the “Ingraham” was helping in the
investigation of a collision between the U.S. destroyer “Buck” and a merchant ship and
collided with the tanker “Chemung”. This event was off the coast of Nova Scotia. The
“Ingraham” sank almost immediately after her depth charges exploded. All the
crewmembers that were in the water died due to the concussion of the exploding ordinance.
Only a hand full survived the sinking. One source put that number at seven and another
source said that eleven survived. Arthur Greene was among those that perished. He was 22
years of age. His parents and his wife survived him.
Pfc. Charles J. Haduk, U.S. Army #31088299
From the National Archives and Records Administration War Dept. files. It is of record
that Pfc. Charles J. Haduk served his country in the 48th Armored Infantry Bn. of the 7th
Armored Division. From the “North Attleboro Evening Chronicle” issue of January 24, 1949
it is learned that Pfc. Haduk was the 43rd citizen from North Attleboro to lose his life in
World War II. The article went on to say that he was originally listed as missing in action in
Holland, October 19, 1944. The records show that the 7th Armored Division attempted to
recapture the town of Meijel, located about 11 miles southwest of Venlo in Eastern Holland.
The division ran into stiff German resistance in the form of tanks supported by infantry. In
the conflict Pfc. Haduk’s company was in a defensive position near Meijel, and after the
battle Pfc. Charles Haduk could not be found. The War dept. at a later date changed his
status from M.I.A. to that of K.I.A.
Charles Haduk lived on Mendon Road in Adamsdale, and was employed by the Owens—
Corning Fiberglass Corporation in Ashton, Rhode Island at the time of his induction into the
service in March, 1942. After training at fort Knox Ky., Camp Polk La., and Fort Benning Ga.
He went overseas in April 1944. He was in combat with the 48 th Armored Infantry Battalion
in France, Belgium, and Holland where he was killed. In October, 1944.
Four brothers survived him. Leon and Hendrick both Army casualties in Africa and
Europe. S/Sgt. Zygumunt serving in the Philippines, and Louis. Three sisters Helen and
Louise of Adamsdale and Sophia of Allenton Rhode Island.
Charles Haduk is at rest in the Notre Dame cemetery in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
T/Sgt. Harold J. Hall, U.S. Army #31241711
Sgt. Hall was assigned to Company “B” of the 86 th Infantry Regiment of the 10th
Mountain Division. According to the grave marker in St. Mary’s Cemetery he was born
October 7, 1920 and died January 21, 1945. More information is available from the
National Archives and 10th Mountain Division Association web site. The web site goes into
great detail about the history of the division during World War II, which is not the purpose
of this study. However, in summary the division sailed for Naples, Italy on the transport
U.S.S. Argentina and arrived in Naples December 22, 1944. Early in 1945 the Division is
committed to battle and the 86th regiment is situated along the line between the Serchio
Valley and Mt. Belvidere under the command of Col. Tomlinson. There was a great deal of
patrol activity and it was in one of these little skirmishes that portions of company “B”, led
by Sgt. Hall, was ambushed by dug in German troops. The report states that Sgt. Hall was
mortally wounded, but did lead his patrol out of the ambush, and then perished. The patrol
was then led by Sgt. Haight, and was withdrawn. Sgt. Hall was 25 at the time of his death.
Pfc. Raymond F. Hall, U.S. Army #31434440
Pfc. Hall served in the 66th Armored Infantry Bn. of the 12 th Armored Division. The 12th
Armored Division Memorial Museum located in Abilene Texas has an excellent web site
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dedicated to the Division, but unfortunately it mostly deals with the history of the unit.
There is little information that would shed light on the events that led to the death of Pfc.
Hall.
The Division was assigned to the 7 th Army and entered into combat December 5, 1944.
In 102 days of combat in the Rhineland and Central European campaigns it earned a
reputation has a fast hard-hitting Armored Division. March 31, 1945 saw the Division
encountering stiff German resistance at the city of Wortheim, which was by passed and the
attack was continued on the city of Wurzburg and Boxburg. In this time frame is when Pfc.
Hall ran out of luck and died in battle. We can assume that there were other casualties as
the Germans were putting up a determined resistance.
Pfc. Hall is buried next to his older brother, Sgt. Harold Hall, in St. Mary’s cemetery in
North Attleboro. The memorial states his birth as May 15, 1926 and his death as March 31,
1945. He was 19 years of age.
Aviation Ordnance man 3c Walter D. Hevey, U.S.N. #2028087
Walter D.Hevey was born in North Attleboro December 4, 1922. He enlisted in the Navy
reserve December 11, 1942 and was sent to the Great Lakes training station in Illinois
December 30, 1942. February 5, 1946 he was declared dead having been missing since
August 5, 1944.
In a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Mr. Ludger Hevey of North Attleboro we
learn what befell Walter Hevey. The letter starts by saying that your son Walter Hevey has
been listed as missing in action as of August 5, 1944 . His plane, that he was a crew
member of, failed to return to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV –13) from a mission against
Japanese shipping and harbor installations at Futami Ko, Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands.
The letter states that he was assigned to Torpedo squadron # 13, which was stationed on
the carrier U.S.S. Franklin.
The Secretary of the Navy goes on to say, “In view of the additional length of time that
has now elapsed since your son was reported as missing in action, and the probability that
he lost his life when the aircraft struck the water, and the fact that his name has not
appeared on any list of personnel liberated from Japanese prisoner of war camps, I am
reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son is deceased. In compliance with the law,
the death of your son for purposes of termination of pay, allowances, and payment of death
gratuities is presumed to have occurred February 5, 1946.”
The letter ends: “I know what little solace the formal and written word can be to help
meet the burden of your loss, but in spite of that knowledge, I can not refrain from saying
very simply, that I am sorry. It is hoped that you may find comfort in the thought that your
son gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy.”
Sincerely, James Forrestal
Walter D. Hevey was 22 at the time of his death.
Pfc. Irving F. Horton, U.S. Army #31368579
Pfc. Horton served with the 48th Armored Battlion with Pfc. Charles J. Haduk. After Pfc.
Horton was inducted into the armed services he was sent to the Infantry Replacement
Training Center at Camp Fannin ,Texas. He was later assigned to Company “A”, 48th
Armored Infantry Battlion, 7th Armored Division with a M.O.S. of #745, that of a rifleman.
He was killed in action at Verdun, France September 2, 1944. Pfc. Horton was a teller at the
Manufactures National Bank before his enlistment. He left his wife, Margaret who resided at
76 Jackson Street in North Attleboro.
Pfc. Horton in buried in Plainville cemetary, in Plainville, MA.
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 9 of 19
Sgt. Herbert S. Houghton Jr., U.S.A.A.F. #11136335
Thanks to the diaries of 1st Lt. William E. Kornermann and that of 1st. Lt. G.T. Kelley of
the 532nd Bomb Sq. of the 381st Bomb Group (H) we were able to learn what occurred
March 9, 1945.
The target for that day was the locomotive repair shops and the rail yards located in the
city of Kassel, Germany. Aircraft #43-39012 , named “Miss Fortune” by the pilot was
crewed by 2nd Lt. Paul J. Scherman , 2nd Lt. Earl B. Nelson , F/O Nicholas J. Drohan , 2nd Lt.
Manny M. Miska, and Sargents Richard Mc Clain , George Gasparovich , Garland Monzingo,
Herbert Haughton Jr. and Hugh D. Fitzgerald.
The aircraft was hit over the target at an altitude of 25,000 feet. The hit was between the
#3 engine and the bomb bay, and almost immediately the whole right side of the plane was
engulfed in flames. It was also reported that the nose was either off or badly damaged. It
glided down to about 15,000 feet where two chutes were seen shortly before the plane
exploded. Later it was said that the aircraft had a load of incendiary bombs, which
undoubtedly created the massive amount of flames.
The crew was listed as missing in action at that time, but later it was learned that Sgt.
Fitzgerald and Sgt. Gasparovich were the two who had managed to bail out. They spent the
rest of the War in a prisoner of war camp. The documents did not say if they had been
injured. All the rest of the crew perished in the explosion
Merchant Marine George James Hurkett
George James Hurkett was lost at sea on March 7, 1942, while serving aboard the
unarmed Merchant Ship SS Steel Age, which was sunk by a torpedo from U-126, 600 miles
SE of Trinidad. Of the 35 aboard, 34 lives were lost.
Pfc. Arthur C. Jette, U.S. Army #31428564
Little is known about Pfc. Jette. The few records show that he entered the service
January 12, 1944, and his residence at that time was on Cumberland Ave. in North
Attleboro. He was born September 29, 1910 in Central Falls Rhode Island. He died
unexpectedly at Fort Devens Massachusetts February 5, 1946. His parents and his wife
survived him
Sgt. Joseph T. H. Le Blanc, U.S.A.A.F. #20101865
Sgt. Le Blanc served in the 402nd Squadron of the 502nd bomber Group (VH) which was
operating from the American Island of Guam. This bomber group was operating with the
new B-29 super fortress and their mission was the bombardment of the Japanese home
islands.
In the publication of the “Air War in the Pacific Chronology” as written by Eric Hammel,
and published by the Pacifica Press there is of record of Sgt. LeBlanc’s fate. In the mission
summary listing is the entry of Mission #291 dated July 25, 1945.
In the early hours of July, 25, 1945 eighty–three American B-29’s left their base on
Guam and headed into the long flight to their targets in the Tokyo area. Each aircraft
carried slightly over nine tons of five hundred pound iron bombs equipped with fuses sent
for one-second delay. The main target was the Mitsubishi Oil Refinery and the Hayama
Petroleum Center at Kawasaki .The attack altitude was to be 16,500 – 18,100 feet. The
flight made the attack and ran into slight to moderate anti-aircraft fire. Three of the B-29’s
were struck by enemy fire but were able to release their bombs and did make an emergency
landing on the Island of Iwo-Jima. The forth B-29 was the “Manuima” (aircraft serial # 4263678. MACR # 14793). This aircraft suffered a direct hit and crashed into the Nippion
Casting Co. in Kawasaki. All the crew was killed in the resulting explosion.
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 10 of 19
The crew of the B-29 “Manuima” is listed as follows:
Aircraft Commander - Capt. Henry G. Dillingham, Aircraft Commander
Lt. James D. Mcglynn, Pilot
Lt. Willis S. Omer, Navigator
Lt. Theodore W. Reekstin, Bombardier
Lt. Edward R. Morrow, Radio/radar operator
Sgt.Charles J. Bordino, Flight Engineer
Sgt. Harvey J. Dempsey, Top gunner
Sgt. John P.Cary, Left waist gunner
Sgt. Joseph T.H. LeBlanc, Right waist gunner
Sgt. John F.Green, Tail gunner
The names of the crew are etched into the stone plaque of the Missing in the Honolulu
National Cemetery in Hawaii.
In the end of the Mission Summary the bomb damage is assessed and it states that 32%
of the oil storage tanks were destroyed, 15 assorted buildings were seen to be on fire, and
one asphalt plant was destroyed. Returning aircraft had an average fuel reserve of 1,039
gallons and the average bomb load was 18,410 pounds.
It seems that by this late date in the war the Air Force had found a way to reduce the air
attacks to almost a dry bookkeeping event. From a historical point of view that has it’s
merits, but from the point of view of the waste and suffering of war it’s heart wrenching.
Pvt. Paul Emile Lizotte, U.S. Army #31062669.
Pvt. Lizotte served his country in the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry
Division. In operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, his unit landed on the beach close to the
town of Scoglitti in the morning of July 10, 1943. Apparently all did not go well with Pvt.
Lizotte as this is the date of his death, which is on the tablets of the missing at the SicilyRome American Military Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy. Surprisingly there is a grave marker
with his name in St. Mary’s Cemetery in North Attleboro as well. He was born March 6, 1920
and perished July 10, 1943. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was
23 years of age.
Lt. Eugene S. Lorden, U.S. Army #31490575
Sgt. Lorden served in the 350th infantry regiment of the 88th Infantry Division.
The division saw extensive action in North Africa and with the 5 th Army in Italy. It was in
the Italian Theater of operations that the division made a reputation as a dedicated infantry
division. As the campaign had moved into the North of Italy the German resistance had
stiffened. The 350th regiment was directed to seize Mount Battaglia as it held a strategic
position over the Po valley. The mountain was seized September 27. The Germans wanted it
back and what ensued was an all out battle that became a hand to hand struggle that went
on until October 3. When it was all over the 350th was still in control, but had lost 50% of
it’s enlisted personal and every company commander was either killed or wounded. The
regiment was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation as a result of this action.
After all this, fate caught up with Sgt. Eugene S. Lorden and he died of injures suffered in
a jeep accident May 4, 1946 in the 15th Field hospital near Udine, Italy.
His wife and his mother survive him. His brother, Francis, had preceded him in death in
the battle for Okinawa.
He is at rest in the Florence American Military Cemetery at Via Cassia, Italy.
Pfc. Francis P. Lorden, U.S.M.C. #896598
The last battle of the Pacific.
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 11 of 19
American forces invaded the island of Okinawa April 1, 1945 (Easter Sunday). What
followed was battle of epic proportions. The Army and Marine divisions were unopposed at
the beaches, but when they advanced into the interior of the island they came upon wellentrenched Japanese forces and a long and bitter struggle ensued. After 82 days of
slaughter by both sides, the American forces secured the island. The price was terrible for
all concerned. The Americans lost 7,373 Marines and Army personal killed in action, and
32,000 wounded. The U.S. Navy lost 36 ships sunk and 368 damaged. 5,000 sailors
perished and 4,600 were wounded. The Japanese lost and estimated 107,000 killed in the
conflict, with 7,000 taken prisoner.
In all this misery Pfc. Lorden served in E Company, 2 nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of
the 1st Marine division as a rifleman. Along with others he perished June 13, 1945.
His enlistment date is listed as October 6th 1943,and his date of birth is March 17, 1917.
Pfc. Francis P. lorden is at rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in North Attleboro. He was 28 years
of age when he was killed.
1st Lt. Leo M. Mac Donald, U.S. Army #O-0452004
The 351st Infantry Regiment along with the 349th and the 350th Infantry regiments of the
88 Infantry Division had a very difficult time of it in the campaign to drive out the
Germans from Northern Italy. The 351st Infantry was the first American unit to enter Rome,
and in the pursuit of the German Army ran into very stiff resistance north of that city.
During the American attack on Mount Capello and the village of Laitico the 349th and 351st
regiments suffered extremely heavy causalities. The 351st regiment earned the Presidential
Unit Citation for its valor and it would seem likely that Lt. MacDonald perished in one of
these attacks. His date of death is listed as October 10, 1944. The World War II data base
states that he was awarded the Purple Heart with two Oak Clusters. He was 30 years of age
when he died.
He is at rest in the Florence American Military Cemetery at via Cassia along with Lt.
Eugene Lorden of the 350th Regiment.
th
S/Sgt. John F. Mason Jr., U.S.A.A.F. #31298022
The 455th Bomber Group (H) was organized in May 1943 at Alamogordo, New Mexico. A
few months previous John F. Mason had enlisted in the Army and after basic training he was
apparently assigned to the742nd squadron of the 455 th bomber group. The group comprised
of the 740th, 741st, 742nd, and the 743rd squadrons. Each squadron had 16 new B-24’s.
After a year of training the Group left for the Mediterranean Theater of operations. The
bombers left Miami, Florida after a lengthy stay and flew to Brazil, from that country they
crossed the Atlantic to Africa. After another lengthy stay in North Africa the 455th bomber
group flew into the airfields at San Giovanni and Cerignola in the south of Italy, and
assigned to the 15th Air force. Some time was spent in waiting for the ground support
personal and supplies to catch up with the aircraft. The first attack on the enemy was in
August 1944. The B-24 had sufficient range that allowed for the attacks on rail yards,
enemy airfields, munitions plants, oil refineries, and enemy troop concentrations in southern
France, Germany. Poland. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria. The unit also participated
in the shuttle runs to Russia. The planes would bomb targets in the eastern parts of Poland
then continue on to Russia to refuel and take on another bomb load and then return to Italy
after the second bomb run.
All this action was not without a cost in American men and aircraft. Many were lost.
German fighters near Budapest, Hungary, shot down the aircraft that S/Sgt. John Mason
was on (serial #42-50497) July 27, 1944 one day after his 21st birthday. He and some of his
fellow crewmembers are laid to rest in the Lorraine American Military Cemetery in St. Avold,
France. One member of the crew is at rest in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe New
Mexico.
The members of the crew were:
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 12 of 19
1st Lt. Henry R. Dunekack from Kansas
2nd Lt. Ralph C. Owens from New York
Sgt. Samuel D. Lasser from Texas
Sgt. David C. Guidroz from Louisiana
Sgt. Stephen F. Collins from Kentucky
S/Sgt. James R. Balkovec from Pennsylvania
S/Sgt. John F. Mason from No. Attleboro, Mass.
May they all rest in peace.
Pvt. Joseph T. McGrath, U.S. Army #31030364
Pvt. McGrath served in the 142nd Infantry regiment of the 36th Infantry division in the
Italian Campaign. The 36th Infantry Division had seen extensive action from the beginning,
and was sent to the Anzio pocket in order to participate in the planned breakout. The attack
on the surrounding German position started May 12, 1944. On the night of May 30-31 the
142nd regiment slipped through the enemy lines and seized Mount Artemisio in the rear of
the Germans. From the date of the death of Pvt. Joseph T. McGrath, as supplied by the
American Battle Monument Commission, it seems that he perished in that operation.
Pvt. McGrath along with 400 of his comrades are at rest in the Sicily-Rome American
Military Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, which is south of Anzio.
It is interesting to note that the 142nd Infantry regiment under went training at Camp
Edwards on Cape Cod, and practiced amphibious landings on the beaches of Martha’s
Vineyard. This writer can’t help but wonder if Pvt. McGrath was able to get a few weekend
passes to visit his family before the regiment shipped out of Fort Dix, New Jersey April 1,
1943.
2nd Lt. Delphis A. Monast, U.S.A.A.F. #0-816763
Lt. Monast served in his country in the 342nd Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group of
the 5th Air Force and went missing December 16, 1944. The 348 th Fighter Group was trained
for action in the European Theater of operation at Westover Air Force base in
Massachusetts. Much to everyone’s surprise the unit was destined for the Western Pacific,
and shipped out for Australia June 1943. This unit was unique in that they flew the P-47
fighter, which had no range for the vast distances of the Pacific. After the addition of wing
tanks the aircraft proved to be an excellent plane, and many of the American Aces flew in
this aircraft from the 348th Fighter group. The after action reports are lacking in many
details, and on the date of Lt. Monast’s being listed as missing (December 16, 1944) it is
recorded that the unit transferred operation from the fighter strip at Tacloban on the island
of Leyte to the fighter strip at Tanauan also on the island of Leyte. No mention of any action
or personal lose is in the report.
Lt. Delphis A. Monast Jr. is listed on the Plaque of the Missing in the American Military
Cemetery in Manila, Philippines, which is located in Fort Bonifaco in the city of Manila.
Lt. Monast was born July 27, 1923. He was 21 at the time of his death. His body has
never been recovered.
S/Sgt. Frederick W. Moore, U.S.A.A.F. #6149787
The China, Burma, India Theater of operations during World War II was mostly
overlooked by the media and the public at the time. Even today it’s seems to be nothing but
a post script and forgotten. There were no massive numbers of men, huge deployment of
ships, or great numbers of aircraft. Still it was a military undertaking in a very wild
landscape that had to be overcome as well as the enemy. Small units conducted all the
engagements, often alone and with out any support. The very fact that S/Sgt. Moore seems
to have fallen from view seems to be fitting. Not much came to light about this man. The
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 13 of 19
record states that he was born in London, England May 30, 1920. He enlisted in the Army
January 5, 1940 from Providence Rhode Island. He served in the 10 th Air Force and passed
away from pneumonia February 21, 1943. He is at rest in the American Military Cemetery
in Honolulu, Hawaii. There is a feeling that there is much more to the story that has not
been uncovered.
Ensign Frederick A. Nittel, U.S.N. #7057081.
The records are few for Ensign Nittel. What is learned came from document from the
Military Division of the Adjutants General’s Office in Boston. It states that Frederick A. Nittel
lived at 314 Commonwealth Ave., Attleboro Falls at the time of his enlistment, which was
August 14, 1942. He began active duty as a Naval Aviation Cadat, and graduated from the
program March 28, 1944 as an Ensign. December 20, 1944 the plane he was in or was
piloting crashed into the sea off the coast of California. There are no details as to what
happened.
From the documents of the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne it is learned that
he was laid to rest December 8, 1987 in said cemetery. Again there are no details. Ensign
Nittel was born April 29, 1918. He was 26 years of age at the time of his passing.
Pfc. Thomas R. Norton Jr., U.S. Army #31305648
Thomas R. Norton was a student of Boston University when he answered his countries
call to arms in the early days of World War II. His residence at the time was 68 Peck street
in the Falls section of North Attleboro, and his parents were Thomas Norton Sr. and his
mother Genevieve Norton.
Pfc. Norton was assigned to the 1st battalion, 379th Infantry regiment, 95th Infantry
division. This Infantry Division was activated July 15, 1942 and after being brought up to
strength and undergoing training in Tennessee was shipped overseas August 10, 1944.
Initially the division saw little combat and under went further training in France. In the Fall
of 1944 the Division was committed to battle and saw heavy combat as the allied forces
drove into Germany. The three infantry regiments of the division engaged in bitter house to
house combat in the German city of Saarlauten in December 1944. After the enemy was
cleared from the city the division was withdrawn and held in reserve. On February 23, 1945
the division was assembled near the German city of Julich and forced the enemy into a
pocket at the city of Verdingen. The 379th infantry regiment engaged the Germans March 1,
1945 and cleared the city by March 5, 1945 after suffering many casualties in the attack. .
The records indicate that Pfc. Norton was wounded at this time and perished of his wounds
March 3, 1945.
The 95th Infantry Division spent 151 days in combat operations, suffered 1,387 killed in
action, and had 6,591 men wounded in battle. The division returned to the United States
June 29, 1945 and was inactivated October 10, 1945.
Pfc. Norton returned to North Attleboro October 15 1948. In the locale paper it is stated
that a large number of veterans were on hand when the remains arrived at the Attleboro
train station. A Solemn High Mass was celebrated in the presence of a throng of relatives
and friends in Saint Mary’s church. As the body was lowered to the grave at Saint Francis
Cemetery in Taunton taps were sounded and a squad of North Attleboro veterans fired a
volley.
Pfc. Thomas R. Norton Jr. was 20 years of age when in perished in battle.
Pvt. George R. Paquette, U.S. Army #31447011
The records are few for Pvt. Paquette. At the time of his entry (December 8,1943) into
the service of his country he resided at 235 High St. in North Attleboro with his wife Ruth.
He was assigned to the 1270th Combat Engineer Battalion and served in the European
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 14 of 19
Theater of Operations. The American Battle Memorial Commission lists his passing as killed
in action April 25, 1945, and his remains are at the American Military Cemetery at Saint
Avold, France. Surprisingly the Commission lists Pvt. George R. Paquette as coming from
Rhode Island. There seems to be no record of the 1270 th Combat Engineer Battalion, and it
is assumed the unit at the end of the war was inactivated. No history of the unit has been
located.
He was survived by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. George Paquette of 14 School street,
Central Falls and his wife, the former Ruth Parker of North Attleboro, and their daughter
Jean Grace age one year and a half.
Pfc. Walter A. Perkoski, U.S.M.C. #00926212.
The last battle of the Pacific
On the front page of the June 8th edition of the “North Attleboro Evening Chronicle’ is a
lengthy article about the death of Pfc. Walter A. Perkoski who was killed in the invasion of
Okinawa May 15, 1945. He was assigned to B Company of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine
Division. Unfortunately his unit was assigned to a heavily fortified section of the beach and
suffered heavy losses. The article states the he enlisted December 2, 1943 and was sent
overseas in April 1944.
He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Alice V. Perkoski of the DeBlois apartments on North
Washington Street in North Attleboro and his Mother, Mrs. Waldyslaw Devionis of 68
Carnation Street in Pawtucket Rhode Island. Two brothers Edward serving in Burma and
James serving in Europe. Four sisters, Mrs. Jennie Gilmore, Mrs. Ethel Macintosh, and Miss
Lucy Perkoski all of North Attleboro. Also Miss Lucy Perkoski of Pawtucket.
He is laid to rest in the American Military Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii with many of his
comrades.
Seaman 1c John J. Rezza, U.S.N. #31297996
Construction of the U.S.S. Alabama (BB-60) was started February 1, 1940 in the Norfolk
Navy Yard and she was launched February 16,1942. After commissioning in August 1942
she was sent to Casco Bay in Maine for training and then was sent with her sister ship the
U.S.S. South Dakota (BB-57) to the British Home Fleet in order to assist in the protection of
the convoys going to Russia. A year later she was ordered to the Pacific where she spent the
rest of her service. Seaman Rezza joined the Navy July 23, 1942, and at some point was
assigned to the ship after boot camp. At any rate he served on board as the ship traveled
the Pacific with the fleet in combat operations against the Japanese fleet. Late in the war
she and several of her sister battleships attacked enemy targets on the home islands of
Japan causing great damage to many sites within the range of their 16-inch guns. In late
July and early August the American fleet was making preparations to enter Tokyo Bay. At
this time Seaman Rezza was accidentally electrocuted on the ship August 3, 1945, and he
was buried at sea. His name is listed on the Memorial Tablet for those who were buried at
sea or are missing. These tablets are in the American Military Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii.
His date of birth is August 3, 1923. He perished on his birthday at the age of 22. The war
was sputtering to an end, but there was still plenty of grief to go around.
Pfc. Leo J. Ringuette, U.S. Army #31297996
Leo Ringuette was a graduate of the Sacred Heart parochial school and the North
Attleboro High School. He entered into the service of his country at Fort Devens on February
24, 1943 at the age of 20. The 12th armored Division was activated September 15, 1942
and was stationed at Camp Campbell, Kentucky. After basic training Pfc. Ringuette was
assigned to B Company of the 66th Armored Infantry Battalion. The division shipped out for
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 15 of 19
Europe September 20, 1944, and was committed to battle in the first part of November. In
January the 12th Armored Division had a terrible time of it at the City of Herrlisheim, France.
In the attempt to secure the city it ran into the well entrenched 10 th S.S. Panzer Division
and the 10th S.S. Infantry Division. It was a sorry affair for both sides of the conflict. The
66th Infantry Battalion suffered sever losses, and it would seem that Pfc. Ringuette survived
the ordeal. A month later he was killed and the details are lost to us.
His obituary in the local paper goes on to say that he participated in several campaigns in
the European theater of operations with the 12 th Armored Division before meeting his death
in France on March 5, 1945.
In mid August of 1948 Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Ringuette of Hixon Court were notified that
the remains of their son would be returned for reburial with in the next 30 days. About the
first of September the U.S. Army troop transport Lawrence Victory arrived in New York with
many of the dead from the war in Europe.
In the early evening of Tuesday September 2, 1948 Pfc. Leo Ringuette’s remains were
delivered by train in Attleboro, and he was escorted by a large group of North Attleboro
veterans to his hometown. A High Mass of requiem was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church
September 9, 1948. The obituary went on to say that there was a large throng of veterans
and family friends in attendance. Mr. L. Fountain sounded taps and a volley was fired by the
firing squad as the body was lowered to the grave in Saint Mary’s cemetery. Reverend
Bertrand Chabot, a cousin, celebrated the Mass.
Pvt. Thomas E. Rushton, U.S. Army #31226883
Thomas E.Rushton was born January 24, 1904 in North Attleboro. He enlisted in the
service November 7, 1942 and was stationed at Fort Devens He became ill and passed away
of broncho pneumonia at the 99th Evacuation Hospital in Fort Devens June 23,1943. He is at
rest in Mount Hope Cemetery. He left his parents and his wife,Marie. Thomas Rushton was
39 years of age at the time of his passing.
Pfc. Leo P. W. Sarrazin, U.S. Army #31298054.
Pfc. Sarrazin was born April 23, 1923. The American World War II Memorial data base
states that he was killed in the battle at Myitkyina, Burma July 28, 1944.
The records indicate that the battle at Myitkyina was between the Japanese 18 th Infantry
Division and the American 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). This group was commonly
known in the American press as “Merrill’s Marauders”. This unit was staffed by all volunteers
and was the beginning of the American Special Forces. It was consolidated with the 475th
Infantry August 10, 1944 after the battle at Myitkyina. The attack on the Japanese base at
Myitkyina was something of a major military event in World War II and for all time. The
5307th struggled on foot through the dense jungle of Burma over 800 miles in order to
engage the enemy forces. They did this with little support and carried all their rations and
equipment with the aid of mules. Malaria, dysentery, skin sores, and malnutrition hindered
their efforts, and some were airlifted out in small single engine aircraft from airstrips hacked
out of the jungle.
The Japanese 18th Infantry Division had attacked and seized Singapore in the early days
of the war and was considered to be a well-trained and experienced unit. Being stationed
so far inland they never expected to be attacked, but when some 1000 Americans did strike
so unexpectedly they were completely caught off guard and the division was destroyed.
The Chinese occupied Myitkyina after the attack and the airfield became a base for B-29’s
in their attack on the Japanese home islands for a short time. The 5307 th was airlifted to
India and hospitalized. All members were awarded the Bronze Star and the unit was
awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Pfc. Sarrazin was a member of H Company of the 3 rd.
Battalion of the 5307th Composite unit.
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 16 of 19
Pfc. Leo Sarrazin was laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in No. Attleboro. He was 21
years old at the time of his passing. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Omer Sarrazin of Old
Post Road.
Machinist’s Mate 1c Wellington A. Smith, U.S.N. #8026839
Once more the records are few and events are lost to us. MM1c Smith enlisted in the
Navy August 23, 1943. He passed away February 5, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His
wife, Florence Adeline, survived him. No other information is available.
Lt. John J. Swanezy, U.S.A.A.F. #062176
The enlistment date for Lt. John Swanezy is not available, but what is available is that at
the time of his enlistment he resided with his Parents an his two sisters and one brother. at
272 Commonwealth Ave in the “Falls” section of North Attleboro. We also learned that he
was an outstanding foot ball player for North Attleboro High school.
September 28, 1942 he became a part of a new fighter squadron being organized at
Mitchell Air force base in New York. The unit was designated the 352 nd Fighter Squadron. In
October 7, 1942 it was sent to Richmond Army Air force base to be trained as a fighter
pilots on the new P-47D fighter. In March 1943 the squadron was transferred to Millville, in
New Jersey, for further training. In the fall of 1943 the squadron found itself back in
Virginia. This time it was stationed at Langley Field. The date that the unite was sent over
seas in not known, but what is known is the squadron was stationed at Goxhill, then Mitfield
and finally at Raydon….all fighter strips. About this time the squadron became attached to
the 353rd Fighter Group along with the 350th and the 351st fighter squadrons. Now the
official records grow silent and we must rely on an eyewitness of the events of august 18,
1944.
We learn that Lt. Swanezy’s regular aircraft is down for maintenance so he is assigned to
another for a planned strike on ground targets north of Paris. The plane he flew on this
mission is listed as a P-47D, SN 42-75622, marked SX-F, "Hun Buster", on MACR 8132. His
wingman, Harrison Tordoff, said that he had run out of ammunition, but regulations were
that he was to stay with his air wing. He said that Lt. Swanezy was a bit of a dare devil but
a good pilot. Lt. Swanezy went into a steep dive to attack their assigned target, but failed to
pull up in time. The aircraft stuck the earth at a great speed and blew up in a great fireball
and explosions of ordinance on the aircraft. He felt that there was no chance that he would
have survived.
His father John J. Swanezy, His Mother Evelyn Swanezy and his two Sisters, Janet and
Evelyn and his brother Edward, survived Lt. Swanezy. Apparently his remains were not
located. Perhaps they were and are in an U.S. Cemetery in France. If that were the case he
would be at rest as an unknown.
At the age of 19, John J. Swanezy was too young to vote and too young to legally buy a
beer, but not too young to die for his country.
Just for the record the P-47D was one of the biggest, heaviest, and most expensive
fighter planes built during WW II. Fully loaded for combat they would weigh in at about
eight tons and carry 2,500 pounds of either bombs or rockets. They were armed with eight.
50 cal. Machine-guns. They were recognized as excellent ground support aircraft and had a
reputation as bringing their pilots home no matter how badly they were damaged.
Electrician’s Mate 1c William Tanner, U.S.N.
EM1c Tanner was born June 21, 1911 and at the age of 20 he joined the Navy April 1,
1931. He resided with his parents at 127 Arnold Road in North Attleboro. Judging from his
date of enlistment it would seem that he was making a career in the Navy. He died at the
Naval Hospital in Bremerton, Washington as the result of an automobile accident May 2,
North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 17 of 19
1942. He left his wife, Helen Pauline Tanner, also of 127 Arnold Road. He is at rest in Mount
hope Cemetery in North Attleboro.
Pfc. Donald B. Tennant, U.S. Army #31421947
Pfc. Tennant served his country with the 261st Infantry Regiment of the 65th Infantry
Division in Germany. The 65th Infantry division was one of the infantry divisions that were
formed late in the war. The division was activated August 16, 1943 and underwent training
in Camp Shelby, Mississippi and was shipped out of New York for the European Theater of
Operations January 10, 1945 and arrived at the port of Le Havre, France January 21. The
division was committee to battle March 9, 1945 relieving the 26 th Infantry Division at the
bridgehead across the Saar River. The 261 st Infantry Regiment crossed the Saar at
Menningen and after four days of bitter combat cleared the area of the enemy and seized
the town of Dillinger March 18, 1945. It would appear that Pfc. Tennant was killed in the
attack on the town of Dillinger as the records state that he was K.I.A. March 17, 1945. April
6, 1945 saw the German army counter attack and one battalion of the 261 st. Infantry was
overrun at Struth. The 65th Infantry division ended the war in Austria and was disbanded
August 31, 1945. The division spent 55 days in combat and suffered 2,412 dead and
wounded.
Pfc. Donald B. Tennant was born August 5, 1920 to Harold and Maude Tennant of Bungay
road in North Attleboro. He graduated from the North Attleboro High School class of 1940.
After graduation he worked for a time as a carpenter before enlisting in the service October
1943. After the war his remains were returned to North Attleboro. In the May second edition
of the “Evening Chronicle” it states that a large group of veterans from North Attleboro were
on hand when his remains arrived at the Attleboro train station and they escorted him back
to Town. Taps were sounded and a rifle salute was fired as he was lowered to the grave in
Mount Hope Cemetery May 2, 1949.
Pfc. Donald Tennant left his wife, Irene and his daughter, Cynthia. He was 25 years of
age when he perished.
2nd Lt. Robert F. Toner, U.S.A.A.F. #0-793200
Lt. Toner served in the 514th Squadron of the 376th Heavy Bomber group that was
stationed at an airbase near the village of Soluch, Libya in North Africa. On April 13, 1943
the 514th squadron participated in a high altitude raid on the Italian city of Naples. All
aircraft returned safely to their base except one and that was the “Lady Be Good” which was
co-piloted by Lt. Toner.
Much has been written in several books, magazines articles, and even a television story
about the flight of the “Lady Be Good”. How it became off course, crashed in the desert, the
ordeal of the crew, and their remains discovered some 17 years after it disappeared. Many
theories have been presented as to what and how all this happened. No theory has ever
satisfied all of the unanswered questions, however.
The remains of the crew have been interred in the American military Cemetery in
Carthage Tunisia. The North Attleboro Veterans Council has installed a granite marker
dedicated to Lt. Toner on the family plot in St. Mary’s cemetery in 1996. Lt. Toner was 28
years of age at the time of his passing.
Robert Toner’s diary and other personal property are on display and can be viewed at the
North Attleboro Historical Society’s Museum located in the Old Fire Barn (as it’s known) on
Commonwealth Avenue in Attleboro Falls.
The story about the missing bomber crew and their discovery brings into focus the efforts
and the emotions of bringing home all those who are missing.
Pvt. Joseph R. E. Vaguener, U.S. Army #31363363
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Pvt. Vaguener enlisted in the service July 7, 1943. A little over a year later his obituary is
in the North Attleboro “Evening Chronicle” and it was quite brief with few details. He was
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Vaguener of Mendon Road of North Attleboro and it did go on
to say that their son had been in the European conflict for only a month when he was killed
October 14, 1944 near Varbeck, Germany. The database of the World War II Memorial in
Washington did have the information that Pvt. Vaguener was a member of C Company of
the 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. The American Battle Memorial
Commission has a record of him as being at rest in the Henri- Chapelle Military Cemetery in
Belgium along with 612 other members of the regiment.
A study of the 29th Infantry Division’s World War II history gave some clues as to the
events leading to Pvt. Vaguener’s death.
The 115th Infantry Regiment was part of the first wave that landed on Omaha Beach June
6, 1944. The attack did not go smoothly at Omaha Beach and the numbers of American
wounded and dead in the waters off Normandy was horrendous. We can assume that
replacements made up for the losses as the battle progressed through out that part of
France. The regiment made it to the Siegfried Line by October 1, 1944. October 13, 1944
saw the Regiment repulse a German counter attack at the Alsdorf Road in an attempt to
relieve the German forces trying to escape from the Aachen pocket. As Pvt. Vageneur’s
death is listed as October 14 th. It would seem that he was one of the many replacements,
and was caught up in the action of October 13th at the Alsdorf road.
After only a month in the outfit it is easy to wonder how much training he had received,
and if he had any chance to buddy up with any of his fellow riflemen.
S/Sgt. Harold K. Waterson, U.S. Army #31068206.
The last battle of the Pacific
Sgt. Waterson served in the 305th Infantry regiment of the 77th Infantry Division. This
division landed in Hawaii March 31, 1944 for training for the upcoming liberation of Guam
and the 77th Division landed on that island July 21, 1944. After Guam was secured the
division participated in the landings at Leyte November 23, 1944 and continued combat
operations until February 5, 1945. In Late March (26-29) the 77th division made 15 landings
on the small islands of Kerama Retto, and Keise Shima in preparations for the assault on
Okinawa. While in route to the attack their transports were attacked by Japanese suicide
aircraft and the Division suffered casualties. On April 16, 1944 the 77 th Division landed on
the island of le Shima and became heavily engaged by the entrenched enemy forces. After
that island was secured the Division arrived on Okinawa April 25, 1945 in order to relieve
the exhausted 96th Infantry Division. At some point at this time S/Sgt. Waterson was killed
in action May 8 ,1945. No details of that event have been located. The records state that
he enlisted in the service in February 1942. He left his wife, Eileen Waterson of Attleboro
and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Harold Waterson of 228 Broad Street of North Attleboro.
Pvt. Raymond H. White, U.S. Army #31421946
Pvt. White enlisted in the service October 13, 1943 and was killed in action in Italy on
June 3, 1944. He was in the service 16 months at the time of his death. The American
Battle Monument Commission lists him as belonging to the 180th Infantry Regiment of the
45th Infantry Division, and their records indicate that Pvt. White is at rest with 577 of his
comrades at the Sicily—Rome American Military Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy. The unit history
indicates that after the breakout from the beaches of Anzio in late May the Regiment drove
north of Rome along the Albano Road and encountered stiff German resistance in and
around the area of Bruyers in mid October. As Pvt. White’s death is listed as October 13,
1944, it would seem that he lost his life in this action.
Along with his Parents he left his wife, Margaret.
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