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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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 1 of 19 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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 2 of 19 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, North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 3 of 19 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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 4 of 19 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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 5 of 19 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. North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 6 of 19 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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 7 of 19 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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 8 of 19 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 North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 18 of 19 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. North Attleboro Casualties of WW II.docx Page 19 of 19