American Cemetery - Manila
American Cemetery Manila
 Source: website bigpigeon.us, webpage WW II Dead > Member's Deaths > War with Japan.
© 2021 by Robert A. “Bob” Christiansen, updated 25 Jan 2021, 179 names.

Pottawattamie County, Iowa Area WW II Dead Roster - War with Japan
  • Herein are the roster dead from the War with Japan.
  • The multiple lists match my WW II - Japan webarea organization.​ 
  • Each list also appears at the bottom of the matching WW II - Japan webpage.​​
══════════════════════════════════════
01 - Japan Ascendant - The WW II - Japan > Japan Ascendant webpage summarizes Japanese Empire expansion before World War II with Japan began in December 1941.
  • No Americans who died from military incidents during this period had known Pottawattamie County area connections.

02 - The Naval War with Japan - This wepage is a chronological summary of the naval war in the Pacific between the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and the United States Navy (USN).
  • Many Pottawattamie County area men were lost; their names are incorporated in the following lists.
​
 03 - Japan Lashes Out (29 dead)

​03-01 - Japan Lashes Out > Pearl Harbor: (three dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Booton, Charles Vinton, SN 321-47-76, US Navy, Pott. & Montgomery Cos.
  • Battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48); WIA 7 Dec 1941 during Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; West Virginia sank with 106 dead, later raised, repaired, and returned to service; DOW 10 Dec 1941 Hawaii Territory; Japan Lashes Out > Pearl Harbor
† Jackson, Robert Woods, SN 316-62-42, US Navy, Mills Co.
  • Battleship USS Arizona (BB-39); KIA 7 Dec 1941 during Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Arizona exploded and sank, 1,177 dead; Japan Lashes Out > Pearl Harbor; BNR.
  • Notes: The sunken Arizona settled in shallow water and remains today as a memorial.
† McKeeman, Bert Eugene, SN 316-66-65, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37); KIA 7 Dec 1941 during Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Oklahoma capsized, 429 dead, later righted but sank while being towed to California;  Japan Lashes Out > Pearl Harbor.

03-02 - Japan Lashes Out > Guam and Wake Island: (one dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Goodwin, Ralph H., civilian, Maricopa Co., AZ
  • Morrison-Knudsen Civil Engineering Company employee; d. 23 Dec 1943 at Fukuoka POW Camp, Kyushu Is., Japan; one of about 1,221 civilians captured or killed at Wake Is.; Japan Lashes Out > Guam & Wake Is. Lost.

03-03 - Japan Lashes Out > Malaya and Singapore Lost:
  • This was a disaster for the British Empire, but few, if any, Americans died.

03-04 - Japan Lashes Out > The Dutch Indies Lost: (four dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Christensen, Lester Angus, SN 316-61-17, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Cruiser USS Houston (CA-30); KIA 28 Feb 1942 Battle of Sunda Strait, between Java & Sumatra, Dutch Indies; Houston sunk by Japanese destroyer torpedoes, 793 dead; Japan Lashes Out > The Indies Lost; BNR.​
† Field, John Henry, SN 316-56-23, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Perry (DD-340) & destroyer tender USS Black Hawk (AD-9); DNB 19 Jan 1942 on the Black Hawk in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, malaria; Japan Lashes Out > The Indies Lost.
† Koebel, Kenneth L., SN O-421117, USAAF, Pima Co., AZ
  • 13th or 33rd Pursuit Sqdn.; KIA 1 Mar 1942, 430 miles south of Java, Dutch East Indies; on old aircraft carrier USS Langley (CV-1); Langley sunk by Japanese air attack, 177 AAF survivors transferred to destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219) which then headed towards Java; Edsall sunk by Japanese surface ships; most Edsall survivors left in the water; of the survivors rescued by the Japanese most - maybe all - subsequently died in captivity or were executed; Japan Lashes Out > The Indies Lost; BNR.
† Stranathan, Dale Chester, SN 316-26-66, US Navy, Mills Co.
  • Destroyer USS Peary (DD-226); KIA 19 Feb 1942 Darwin, Australia, Peary sunk by Japanese air attack, 93 dead, 49 survivors; Japan Lashes Out > The Indies Lost; BNR.

03-05 - Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost: (twenty-one dead, updated 19 Oct 2020)
† Bach, Paul Leonard, SN O-311373, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • 43rd Inf. Regt., Philippine Scouts, Philippine Division; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 21 Nov 1942 at Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines, amoebic dysentery; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.
† Blizzard, Howard Leslie, SN O-355479, US Army, Pott. Co. & Ray Co., MO
  • Signal Air Warning Co., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; KIA 9 Jan 1945, on Japanese Hell Ship Enoura Maru, Takao Harbor, southern Formosa from attack by planes from the USS Hornet (CV-12); ~ 400 POWs died; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.
† Bostedt, Glen Charles, SN 17-011-361, USAAF, Pott. & Mills Cos.
  • 3rd Pursuit Sqdn., 24th Pursuit Gp., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 11 Oct 1942 at Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; status of body unknown.​
† Bostedt, John Bernard, SN 17-011-358, USAAF, Pott. & Mills Cos.
  • 3rd Pursuit Sqdn., 24th Pursuit Gp., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 7 Jul 1942 at Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Bostedt, Joseph William, SN 17-011-348, USAAF, Pott. & Mills Cos.
  • 3rd Pursuit Sqdn., 24th Pursuit Gp., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 20 Sep 1942 at Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.​
† Briggs, Earl Eddie, SN 17-011-280, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • HQ, Coast Artillery, Manila & Subic Bay harbor defenses, Luzon, Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 9 Mar 1944, Osaka Main Camp, Chikko, Osaka, Honshu, Japan; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Brown, Ralph Ray, SN 17-019-024, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • Hq. Sqdn. 27th Bomb Gp. (medium), Philippines (their planes never arrived); POW Philippines 1942; DNB 11 May 1942, POW Camp #4, O’Donnell, Tarlac, Luzon, Philippines, malaria; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.​
† Cavanaugh, James Bernard, SN 17-017-247, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • G2 (intelligence), HQ, 2nd Philippine Corps; POW captured on Bataan, Luzon, Philippines 1942; Master Sergeant kept with high-level captives; DNB 10 Feb 1943, Formosa POW Camp #4, Karenko, northern Formosa, malaria; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.​
† Collett, Albert Henry, SN 6580825, USAAF, Pott. Co. & Los Angeles Co., CA
  • 93rd Bomb. Sqdn., 93rd Bomb. Gp., Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 20 May 1942, POW camp, Luzon, Philippines, declared dead 8 May 1944; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.
† Dammrow, Stanley Arnold, SN 17-030-323, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • Hq. Sqdn., V Interceptor Cmd., Luzon, Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB Nov 1942, Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines, dysentery; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR. 
† Fader, Walter D., SN 17-011-491, USAAF, Mills Co.
  • ​2nd Quartermaster Co. (Aviation), 5th Air Base Gp.; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 7 Sep 1944, Sulu Sea, off Sindangen Bay, NW Mindinao, Philippines, torpedoing of Japanese Hell Ship Shinyo Maru by USS Paddle (SS 263), ~668 US POWs died, ~82 survived; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Hartje, Lamar Hugo, SN 316-57-45, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Submarine Tender USS Canopus (AS-9), Asiatic Fleet; scuttled in Mariveles Bay, Bataan, Philippines 10 Apr 1942; crew went ashore to Corregidor Is.; KIA 6 May 1942 near the water tower on Monkey Pt., Corregidor Is., Manila Bay, Philippines; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Johnson, Arthur Burdick, US Merchant Marine, Harrison & Shelby Cos.
  • Stranded in Manila, Luzon, Philippines when WW II began; interned in civilian POW camp at San Tomas University, Manila; d. 23 Nov 1944 Manila from beri-beri; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.​
† Juhl, William David, SN 8-863-628, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Co. G, 31st Inf. Regt., Philippine Div.; POW Philippines 1942; d. 8 Aug 1942 at Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines from malaria; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† McCauley, Leon Harrold, SN O-890103, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Quartermaster Corps, Philippines assigned to 74th Inf. Div., Philippines Commonwealth Army; POW Philippines 1942; DOW 9 Jul 1942, POW Camp #4 O’Donnell, Tarlac, Luzon, Philippines; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.
† McCuen, Walter Rea, SN 321-29-61, US Navy, Audubon & Shelby Cos.
  • Submarine Tender USS Canopus (AS-9), Asiatic Fleet; scuttled in Mariveles Bay, Bataan, Philippines 10 Apr 1942; crew went ashore to Corregidor Is.; captured at Corregidor, Manila Bay, Philippines May 1942; KIA 24 Oct 1944 on Hell Ship Arisan Maru in Bashi Channel, S of Formosa; Arisan Maru sunk by submarine USS Shark (SS-314); ~1773 US POWs and ~100 international civilians died; nine POWs survived; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Newman, Shelby Fearn, SN O-351381, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Assigned to 11th Inf. Regt., Philippines Commonwealth Army; POW Philippines; KIA 15 Dec 1944, Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines; escape attempt from grounded Japanese Hell Ship Oryoku Maru; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Nugent, Donald Thomas, SN 17-018-650, US Army, Pott. Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • 75th Ordnance Co. (Depot), Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; KIA 7 Sep 1944, Sulu Sea, off Sindangen Bay, NW Mindinao, Philippines, torpedoing of Japanese Hell Ship Shinyo Maru by USS Paddle (SS 263), ~668 US POWs died, ~82 survived; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Pierce, Robert Clark, SN 6-825-221, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 7th Material Sqdn., 19th Bomb. Gp., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 22 Nov 1942, Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines; beriberi; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Spencer, George Raymond, SN 316-31-56, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Gunboat USS Oahu (PR-6), repositioned from Shanghai, China to Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippines Nov 1941, sunk off Corregidor 5 May 1942; POW on Luzon; KIA 24 Oct 1944 on Hell Ship Arisan Maru in Bashi Channel, S of Formosa; Arisan Maru sunk by submarine USS Shark (SS-314); ~1773 US POWs and ~100 international civilians died; nine POWs survived; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
† Wilson, John Robert, SN 6-208-886, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 34th Pursuit Sqdn., 24th Pursuit Gp., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 22 Jul 1942 Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines; malaria; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost.

03-06 - Japan Lashes Out > New Guinea & The Solomons:
  • Australian territory forces vainly resisted the early 1942 occupation of these areas - no American lives were lost. 

​04 - Japan Overreaches (3 dead)

04-01 - Japan Overreaches > Battle of the Coral Sea  (one dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† O’Dell, Charles Henry, SN 316-78-35, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Aircraft Carrier USS Lexington (CV-2); KIA 8 May 1942, Coral Sea, South Pacific, ~ 500 miles E of Cairns, Australia; Lexington sunk by Japanese planes, 216 dead; Japan Overreaches > Battle of the Coral Sea; BNR.

04-02 - Japan Overreaches > Battle of Midway  (two dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Decker, Richard Charles, SN 17-017-220, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • Detachment, 69th Bomb. Sqdn., 38th Bomb. Gp., based at Hickam Field, Oahu, Hawaii Territory & deployed to Midway Is., Hawaii Territory 29 May 1942; Martin B-26B Marauder #41-17570 nose gunner; KIA 4 Jun 1942 off Midway Is.; low-level torpedo attack by four Marauders on Japanese fleet, two planes lost without survivors, remaining planes damaged; Japan Overreaches > Battle of Midway; BNR.
† Mowrey, Robert Edward, also served as Mowery, Robert E, SN 308610, USMC Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Marine Air Fighter Sqdn. VMF-221, Marine Air Group 22, 2nd Marine Air Wing; KIA 4 Jun 1942 Midway Is., Hawaii Territory; direct hit on aircraft rearming station during air attack; Japan Overreaches > Battle of Midway.

05 - South & Southwest Pacific (33 dead)

05-01 - South & SW Pacific > The Solomon Islands: (six dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Babcock, Victor Ross, SN 37-428-855, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • 145th Inf. Regt., 37th Inf. Div.; KIA 25 Jul 1943, New Georgia, Solomon Is.; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > Solomon Islands.​
† Bird, Francis Dale, SN 37-472-728, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. F., 132nd Inf. Regt., Americal Div.; KIA 17 Mar 1944 during Japanese counterattack on Bougainville, Solomon Is.; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > Solomon Islands.
† King, Clarence Rudolph, SN 37-112-581, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. E, 161st Inf. Regt., 25th Inf. Div., KIA 2 Aug 1943 New Georgia, Solomon Is.; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > Solomon Islands.
† Leu, Robert Carroll, SN 381-47-66, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Navy Signalman, unit unknown; arrived in Guadalcanal, Solomon Is. Apr 1943 from Noumea, New Caledonia on Attack Transport President Jackson (APA-18); DNB 16 Mar 1944 in fall from radio tower on Solomon Is.; South & SW Pacific > Solomon Islands.
† Maassen, Dale George, SN 457309, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • 4th Marine Raider Bn.; KIA 20 Jul 1943 Bairoko, Kula Gulf area of New Georgia, Solomon Is.; Battle of Bairoko - South & SW Pacific > Solomon Islands.
† Wagner, Egbert Vernon, SN O-9476, USMC Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Marine Air Fighter Sqdn. VMF-112, Marine Air Group 11, based at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat BuNo 05087 pilot; KIA 26 Jan 1943 near Henderson Field, air collision on patrol over Ironbound Sound; South & Southwest Pacific > Solomon Islands; BNR.

05-02 - South & SW Pacific - The Solomons Sea War:  (twelve dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Beckendorf, Orville Leroy, SN 316-41-64, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Laffey (DD-459); KIA 13 Nov 1942 in Ironbound Sound, N of Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Laffey hit by 14” shell from Japanese battleship Hiei & torpedo, then exploded & sank; 59 dead, 186 survivors; 1st phase of Naval Battle of Guadalcanal - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† Bradley, Donald James, SN 648-39-86, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Attack Transport USS McCawley (APA-4); KIA 30 Jun 1943 off Rendova, Solomon Is.; McCawley disabled by Japanese aircraft torpedo and then abandoned, 15 dead; McCawley accidentally sunk that night by US PT boats; South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.​
† Denton, Claude Ballentine, SN 648-65-29, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Cony (DD 508); KIA 27 Oct 1943, during US invasion of Treasury Is., S. of Bougainville, Solomon Is.; Cony damaged by Japanese air attack, eight dead; South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War.
† Dixon, Cletus Hugh, SN 620-16-09, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Destroyer USS De Haven (DD-469); KIA 1 Feb 1943 in Ironbound Sound, E of Savo Is., Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; De Haven sunk by Japanese bombs; 167 died, 146 survived; South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† Knapp, Rexford James “Rex”, SN 3163572, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Cruiser USS Minneapolis (CA-36); KIA 30 Nov 1942 in Ironbound Sound off Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Minneapolis torpedoed by Japanese destroyer & heavily damaged; Battle of Tassafaronga - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War.
† Lueth, Walter August William, SN 3109352, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52); KIA 13 Nov 1942 SE of Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Juneau torpedoed & sunk by Japanese submarine I-26; 687 dead including the five Sullivan brothers, ten survived; aftermath of 1st Naval Battle of Guadalcanal - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† McLaren, William McAllister, SN 385-91-42, US Navy, Crawford Co. & Pierce Co., WA
  • Cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34), KIA 9 Aug 1942 in Ironbound Sound off Savo Is., Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Astoria sunk in night action, 219 dead, ~ 680 survivors; Battle of Savo Island - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† + Miller, Max Miles, SN 321-51-16, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Destroyer USS Chevalier (DD-451); KIA 6 Oct 1943 off Vella Lavella Is., central Solomon Is.; Chevalier torpedoed & abandoned & scuttled early the following day, 54 dead; Sea Battle of Vella Lavella - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† Querry, Miles Junior, SN 316-85-21, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Fleet Tug USS Vireo (AM-52); KIA 15 Oct 1942 off San Cristobal, SE of Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Japnese air attack on Vireo and  destroyer USS Meredith (DD-434); Vireo damaged and crew transferred to Meredith; Meredith sank;, 237 crew from Meredith and Vireo died; the abandoned Vireo survived intact and was later retrieved; South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† Sales, Orville W., SN 316-49-53, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Gwin (DD-433); KIA 13 Jul 1943 in Kula Gulf, N of New Georgia Is., Solomon Is.; Gwin hit by destroyer torpedo & scuttled, 61 dead, 214 survivors; Battle of Kolombangara - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† Weihs, Alfred Peter, SN 620-39-83, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Destroyer USS Aaron Ward (DD 483); KIA 7 Apr 1943 in Ironbound Sound near Tulagi, Solomon Is.; Aaron Ward sunk by Japanese bombs while escorting LST-449; 27 dead; South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
† Wunder, Edmund Earl, SN 321-17-95, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Destroyer USS Laffey (DD-459); KIA 13 Nov 1942 in Ironbound Sound, N of Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Laffey hit by 14” shell from Japanese battleship Hiei & torpedo, then exploded & sank; 59 dead, 186 survivors; 1st phase of Naval Battle of Guadalcanal - South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.

05-03 - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea: (nine dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Porter, John L. Jr., SN 39-125-170, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • 187th Airborne Regt., 11th Airborne Div.; WIA New Guinea ~Jun 1944; DOW 25 Oct 1944, San Mateo Co., CA; South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
† Profeda, Louis Anthony, SN 37-139-285, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. M, 128th Inf. Regt., 32nd Inf. Div.; KIA 22 Nov 1942 near Buna, Papau, New Guinea; Buna Campaign - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
† Reestman, Milton Herman, SN O-675002, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 823th Bomb. Sqdn., 38th Bomb. Gp., 5th AF, based at Durand Air Field, Port Moresby, New Guinea; North American B-25 Mitchell #42-64810 navigator w/ pilot George R. Gable Jr.; KIA 2 Feb 1944, Coral Sea off Port Moresby, New Guinea; Gable's plane disappeared carrying seven while searching for B-25G-1 #42-64881 which had earlier disappeared carrying eleven on a flight from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby; South & SW Pacific > New Guinea; BNR.
† Rockwell, Harold Ralph, SN O-782622, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 360th Service Gp., Combat Replacement Training Center, based at Nadzab, New Guinea; on Douglas C-47B Skytrain/Dakota #43-16204 w/ pilot Jacob E. "Jack" Wondaal, en route from Nadzab, New Guinea to Port Moresby, New Guinea; DNB 19 Feb 1945, plane crashed near Waa, New Guinea; seven dead, radio operator survived; South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
† Shipman, Fred Howard, SN 17-178-496, USAAF, Harrison Co.
  • 836th Engineering Aviation Bn.; KIA 19 May 1944 Wadke Is., W of Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea; Battle of Wadke - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
† Staub, Herman Edward, SN 37-074-568, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. C, 163rd Inf. Regt., 41st Inf. Div.; KIA 15 Jan 1943 at Perimeter R, Soputa-Sanananda Track, W of Buna, New Guinea; died w/ Francis Tague; Buna Campaign - South & Southwest Pacific > New Guinea.
† Tague, Francis Alvin, SN 37-084-585, US Army, Pott. & Mills Cos.
  • Co. C, 163rd Inf. Regt., 41st Inf. Div.; KIA 15 Jan 1943 at Perimeter R, Soputa-Sanananda Track, W of Buna, New Guinea; died with Herman Staub; Buna Campaign - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
† Wood, Charles Emmett Jr., SN 17-041-753, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Hq. & Hq. Co., 836 Engineering Aviation Bn.; KIA 30 Oct 1943 Lae, Huon Gulf, New Guinea; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
† Wunder, Frank Grant Jr., SN O-729400, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 9th Fighter Sqdn., 49th Fighter Gp., 5th AF, based at Dobodura airfields, S of Buna, Papua, New Guinea, staging from Kiriwina Airfield, Trobriand Is., Papua; Lockheed P-38G Lightning #42-12856 pilot; KIA 13 Oct 1943; part of flight of P-38s escorting B-24 bombers for a raid on Rabaul; three P-38s lost, possible collision in cloud bank over Solomon Sea; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea; BNR.

05-04 - South & SW Pacific > The Bismarck and Admiralty Islands: (six dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Armentrout, Russell Marion, SN 37-656-533, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Troop C, 12th Cavalry Regt., 1st Cavalry Div.; KIA 20 Mar 1944 on Los Negros Is., Admiralty Is., SW Pacific; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > Bismarck & Admiralty Islands.​
​† Isom, Lyman LeRoy, SN 316-62-54, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Submarine USS Triton (SS 201); KIA 15 Mar 1943 in sea lanes NW of Admiralty Islands, Triton sunk by Japanese destroyers; 74 dead, no survivors; South & SW Pacific > Bismarck & Admiralty Islands; BNR. 
† Miller, Oliver Oscar, SN 37-267-842, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 500th Bomb. Sqdn., 345th Bomb. Gp., 5th AAF, based at Nadzab Air Field complex, New Guinea; North American B-25D Mitchell #41-29992 tail gunner; KIA 15 Feb 1944 over Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck  Archipelago; SW Pacific; plane lost during mission, all six dead; South & SW Pacific > Bismarck & Admiralty Islands.
† Seidell, Daniel Ryan, SN O-165834, US Navy, Polk Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • Submarine USS Amberjack (SS 219); KIA 16 Feb 1943 off Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago; Amberjack sunk by Japanese depth charge attack; 60 dead, no survivors; South & SW Pacific > Bismarck & Admiralty Islands; BNR.
† Tague, Harold Fremont, SN 37-111-602, USAAF, Pott. & Mills Cos.
  • 390th Bomb. Sqdn., 42nd Bomb Gp., 13th AF, based on Russell Is. NW of Guadalcanal, staging from Treasury Is. S of Bougainville, Solomon Is.; North American B-25C Mitchell #42-64570 engineer-gunner; KIA 20 Jan 1944 near Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago; plane shot down by AA fire, all six dead; Operation Cartwheel - South & SW Pacific > Bismarck & Admiralty Islands.
† Trobough, Jerome Carroll, SN 37-034-015, USAAF, Pott. Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • 72nd Bomb. Sqdn., 5th Bomb Gp.,13th AF, based at Noemfoor, Admiralty Is; Consolidated B-24H Liberator #42-73458 flight engineer; KIA 9 Aug 1944 near Noemfoor; plane lost engine power and ditched near base returning from mission over Yap, Caroline Is., nine died, two lived; South & SW Pacific > Bismarck & Admiralty Is; BNR.

06 - North & Central Pacific (33 dead)

06-01 - North & Central Pacific > Alaska - North Pacific: (five dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Alter, Earl Carlton, SN O-157398, US Naval Aviation, Harrison Co.
  • Naval Air Patrol Sqdn. VP-52, Fleet Wing #4; based at Adak NAS, Aleutian Is., Alaska Territory; Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 07271 co-pilot; DNB 18 May 1943 Aleutian Is.; plane lost on patrol, all ten dead; wreckage & six bodies recovered; North & Central Pacific > Alaska - North Pacific.
† Jensen, Arthur Orville, SN 37-117-909, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 54th Troop Carrier Sqdn., 11th AF, based at Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska Territory; Douglas C-47-DL Skytrain/Dakota #41-38635 radio operator; DNB 28 Nov 1942, near Lake Iliamna, Alaska; plane hit hillside in heavy winds returning to base, all eight dead; North & Central Pacific > Alaska - North Pacific.
† Knutson, Harold Norman, SN 39-092-195, USAAF, Sioux Co.
  • 36th Bomb. Sqdn., 28th Bomb Gp., 11th AF; based at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Alaska Territory; Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress #41-9146 crew member w/ pilot Albert J. Wilsey Jr.; KIA 28 Aug 1942 Aleutian Is., Alaska; plane disappeared returning from three-plane mission over Kiska Is. led by Col. William O. Eareckson; all nine dead; North & Central Pacific > Alaska - North Pacific; BNR.
† Meindl, Joseph James, SN 230-946, USCG, Marshall Co.
  • Coast Guard Cutter USS Clover (WLB-292), stationed in Alaska Territory; DNB 18/19 May 1944, Dry Bay, Alaska Territory panhandle; member of a seven-man boat crew from Clover who all drowned in the breakers at the entrance to Dry Bay, the Alsek River mouth, while going to the aid of two stranded fishing vessels; North & Central Pacific > Alaska - North Pacific; BNR. 
† Siddens, Jack Kenneth, SN O-329806, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • C.O. 3rd Bn., 17th Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div.; KIA 29 May 1943, Attu, Aleutian Is., Alaska Territory; Battle of Attu - North & Central Pacific > Alaska - the North Pacific.

06-02 - North & Central Pacific > The Gilbert & Marshall Islands: (seven dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Brunk, Edwin Samuel, SN 859-18-62, USN, Polk & Pott. Cos.
  • Escort Carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56); KIA 24 Nov 1943 near Makin Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Japanese submarine I-175 sank Liscome Bay during the US Tarawa/Makin invasion; 702 dead, 272 survivors; North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands; BNR.
† Ingalls, Paul Irvin, SN 17-003-249, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 392nd Bomb Sqdn., 30th Bomb. Gp, 7th AF; the group, but perhas not the squadron, was based at Nanumea, Ellice Islands; B-24 aerial photographer; KIA (sic, perhaps WIA) 28 Dec 1943 Gilbert or Marshall Is. (admitted to hospital on Canton Is. w/ a hemorrhaging bullet wound in thorax); North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands.
† Lee, Raymond Nathan, SN 320153, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. C, 8th Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 21 Nov 1943 Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Battle of Tarawa - North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands; BNR.
† Moore, Ned Leo, SN 485544, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. L, 2nd Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 20 Nov 1943 Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Is; Battle of Tarawa - North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands.
† Nelson, Herbert Sidney, SN 821-82-95, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Escort Carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56); KIA 24 Nov 1943 near Makin Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Japanese submarine I-175 sank Liscome Bay during the US Tarawa/Makin invasion; 702 dead, 272 survivors; North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands; BNR.
† Paulson, Ralph Lloyd, SN 428145, USMC, Story Co.
  • Co. E, 6th Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 27 Nov 1943 on Buariki Is., Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Battle of Tarawa - North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands.
† Rommel, Max C., SN 510622, USMC, Pott. & Fremont Cos.
  • Co. E, 6th Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 27 Nov 1943 on Buariki Is., Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Battle of Tarawa - North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands.
Notes: The above lists two members of the same Marine company in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment:
  • Ralph Paulson was the nephew of my uncle, Louis Petersen.   
  • Max Rommel was the brother of Margaret Rommel, earlier a Big Pigeon area schoolteacher. 
  • The Second Battalion, previously in reserve during the Battle of Betio Islet, was assigned to pacify the remaining Tarawa Atoll islets. Ralph and Max died on Buariki Islet at the north end of Tarawa Atoll at the very end of the Tarawa Campaign.

06-03 - North & Central Pacific > The Mariana Islands: (four dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Chuda, Jack Richard, SN 371595, USMC, Douglas Co., NE
  • Co. C, 4th Marine Regt., 1st Provisional Marine Brigade; KIA 26 Jul 1944 Guam, Mariana Is.; North & Central Pacific > Mariana Islands.​
† Jensen, Charles Eugene, SN 361395, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. C, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 16 Jun 1944 Saipan, Mariana Is.; North & Central Pacific > Mariana Islands.
† Sluyter, Harry Alfred, SN 428233, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. B, 6th Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; DOW 27 Jun 1944, Saipan, Mariana Is.; North & Central Pacific > Mariana Islands.
† Steward, Gerald, SN 441664, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. F, 9th Marine Regt., 3rd Marine Div.; KIA 25 Jul 1944 Guam, Mariana Is.; North & Central Pacific > Mariana Islands.

06-04 - North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines: (twelve dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Bargenquast, Arnold Frank, SN 321-39-14, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS 197); DNB 4 Oct 1944 near Morotai, Dutch Indies, SW Pacific; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; North & Central Pacific > Toward the Philippines; BNR.
† Cody, Claude LeRoy, SN 6480590, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Cruiser USS Houston (CL-81); KIA 14 Oct 1944 off Formosa; Houston hit by Japanese aerial torpedoes on 14 & 16 Oct; 55 died, 937 survived; Houston stayed afloat and was towed to the US Naval base in Ulithi; North & Central Pacific > Toward the Philippines; BNR.
† Colwell, Carl Layne, SN 648-73-84, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Minesweeper YMS-19; KIA 24 Sep 1944, off Anguar, Palau Is., E of the Philippines, Central Pacific; YMS-19 sunk by mine; nine dead, 27 survivors; Battle of Anguar - North & Central Pacific > Toward the Philippines; BNR.​
† Fisher, Harlan Ray, SN O-325830, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Composite Sqdn. VC-11/VC-21 on escort carrier USS Nehenta Bay (CV-74), At-Sea Logistics Group Third Fleet, aka Task Group 30.8; Grumman FM-2 Wildcat (built by General Motors/Eastern Aircraft) BuNo 16056 pilot; KIA 22 Aug 1944, SW of Marshall Is., Central Pacific; failed carrier landing S of Eniwetok at location ~ 3 N 164 E; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines; BNR.
† Keltner, David Reinhart, SN 37-126-193, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Hq. Co., 1st Bn., 322nd Inf. Reg., 81st Inf. Div.; KIA 13 Oct 1944, Anguar Is., near Peleliu Is., Palau Is., E of the Philippines, Central Pacific; Battle of Anguar - North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines.
† Kranz, Fred Roger, SN 905601, USMC, Becker Co., MN & Cook Co., IL
  • Co. C, 1st Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div; KIA 17 Sep 1944 Peleliu Is., Palau Is., E of the Philippines, Central Pacific; Battle of Peleliu - North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines.
† Larson, Paul Lewis, SN 321-30-06, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Submarine USS Tang (SS-306); KIA 25 Oct 1944 in Formosa Strait, W of Formosa; Tang sunk by circular run of its own torpedo; 69 dead, nine survivors; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines; BNR.
† Leach, William Ellsworth, SN 631-07-23, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Bailey (DD-492); KIA 1 Oct 1944, off Palau Is., E of the Philippines, Central Pacific; Bailey strafed by Japanese plane, nine dead; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines.
† Rhoads, Guy Benjamin, SN 648-06-39, US Navy, Custer Co., NE
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS 197); DNB 3 Oct 1944 off Morotai, Dutch Indies, S of the Philippines; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines; BNR.
† Sorenson, Robert H., SN 675-670, USCG, Shelby Co.
  • Coast Guard cargo ship USS Serpens (AK-97); d. 29 Jan 1945 off Lunga Pt., Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Serpens exploded while loading depth charges; 196 Coast Guard personnel, 57 army stevedores, and two others died; North & Central Pacific > Toward the Philippines.
† Stearns, Kirk Comstock, SN 316-67-15, US Navy, Mills Co.
  • Submarine USS Tullibee (SS-284); KIA 26 Mar 1944 off Palau Is., E of the Philippines, Central Pacific; Tullibee sunk by circular run of its own torpedo, 80 dead, one survivor; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines BNR.​
† Wall, Vernon Palmer, SN 648-07-99, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197); KIA 3 Oct 1944 off Morotai, Dutch Indies, S of the Philippines; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines; BNR.

06-05 - North & Central Pacific > Pacific Communications Zone: (five dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Burgstrum, Clifford Montreville, civilian, Pott. Co.
  • shipyard worker at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; d. 19 Sep 1944, illness. North & Central Pacific > Pacific Comm. Zone.
† Edmundson, William Thomas, SN 316-87-40, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Patrol Sqdn. VP-24, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 05027 crew member; KIA 13 Dec 1942, off Makapuu Point, Oahu; plane lost control & crashed into sea, two survivors; North & Central Pacific > Pacific Comm. Zone; BNR.
† Ellsworth, Dale Stanley, SN 316-35-54, O-203406 US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Navy Armed Guard on Liberty Ship SS M. H. De Young; KIA 14 Aug 1943; off Tonga, South Pacific; M. H. De Young torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 but remained afloat, towed to Tongatabu, and salvaged; three dead; North & Central Pacific > Pacific Comm. Zone.
† Hulsebus, William Lyle, SN 620-89-09, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • US Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; DNB 9 Oct 1944 at US Naval Base, Pearl Harbor; North & Central Pacific > Pacific Comm. Zone.
† Porter, Harry Edward, SN 620-75-00, US Naval Aviation, Cass Co.
  • Naval Air Patrol Bomb. Sqdn. VPB 153, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon BuNo 37101 radioman; KIA 8 May 1945 Kaneohe Bay; plane crashed shortly after takeoff on antisubmarine training patrol, all six died; North & Central Pacific > Pacific Comm. Zone; BNR.

07 - The Philippines Liberated (36 dead)

07-01 - Philippines Liberated > Leyte: (three dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Alley, Guy Hersell, SN 37-267-605, US Army, Mills Co.
  • 382nd Inf. Regt., 96th Inf. Div.; KIA 9 Nov 1944 W of Dagami, Leyte, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Leyte.
† Jones, Homer Ernest Jr., SN O-720519, USAAF, Harrison Co.
  • 8th Combat Cargo Sqdn., 2nd Combat Cargo Gp., 5th AF, based at Biak, Dutch Indies; Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota tail number unknown; DNB 3 Feb 1945 Dulag, Leyte, another plane taking off veered off the runway and struck Jones' plane, two died; fractured skull; Philippines Liberated > Leyte.
† Leet, John Drexel Sr., SN 37-267-578, US Army, Mills Co.
  • Co. B, 382nd Inf. Regt., 96th Inf. Div., KIA 4 Nov 1944 Bloody Ridge, W of Dagami, Leyte, Philippines; Battle of Leyte - Philippines Liberated > Leyte.

07-02 - Philippines Liberated > Battle of Leyte Gulf: (two dead, updated 20 Dec 2020)
† Crawfold, George Almon, SN 320-36-81, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • ​Escort Carrier USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73); KIA 25 Oct 1944 off Samar, Philippines; Gambier Bay sunk by Japanese shells, ~147 dead; Battle off Samar - Philippines Liberated > Battle of Leyte Gulf; BNR.
† Fox, Louis Wendell Sr., SN O-070987, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Escort Carrier USS St. Lo (CVE-63); KIA 25 Oct 1944 off Samar, Philippines; St. Lo sunk by kamikaze, ~ 143 dead; Battle off Samar - Philippines Liberated > Battle of Leyte Gulf; BNR.

07-03 - Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval War: (eight dead, updated 11 Jan 2021)
† Adler, Marvin Sanford, SN 724-60-92, US Navy, Pott. Co. & Bexar Co., TX
  • Destroyer USS Anderson (DD 411), Task Group 77.2, Leyte Gulf, Philippines; WIA 1 Nov 1944; DOW 4 Nov 1944; kamikaze attack, 16 dead; Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses.​
† Allstot, Max Vernon, SN 621-05-54, US Navy, Shelby & Crawford Cos.
  • Cruiser USS Louisville (CA 28); KIA 6 Jan 1945, Louisville damaged by kamikaze attack in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines, 42 dead; Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses; BNR.
† Crose, James Harvey, SN 37-470-848, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 498th Bomber Sqdn., 345th Bomb. Gp., 5th AF; on Liberty Ship SS Thomas Nelson; KIA 12 Nov 1944, Dulag Harbor, Leyte Gulf, Philippines; kamikaze attack, Thomas Nelson survived; 136 died of whom 133 were USAAF; Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses.​
† Daughtrey/Daugherty, Gilbert Pryor, SN 701-04-70, US Navy, Pott. Co. & Jackson Co., MO
  • Submarine USS Growler (SS 215); KIA 8 Nov 1944, W of Manila Bay, Philippines, South China Sea; Growler likely sunk by Japanese depth charge, all 86 dead; Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses; BNR.
† Etheridge, Lindsey Edward, SN 621-88-27, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Monaghan (DD-354); DNB 18 Dec 1944 200 miles NE of Samar, Philippines; Monaghan sank in Typhoon Cobra; 256 dead, six survivors; two other destroyers were also lost in Cobra; Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses; BNR.
† Meredith, Glenn T., SN 322-15-52, US Navy, Mills Co.
  • US Navy Armed Guard, stationed on ammunition ship SS Lewis L. Dyche; KIA 4 Jan 1945 Mindoro Harbor, Mindoro Is., Philippines; Dyche hit by Japanese kamikaze, exploded, and sank without a trace; all 43 crew members and 28 armed guards died; Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses; BNR. 
† Riddle, Carl William, SN 648-73-55, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Cooper (DD 605); KIA 3 Dec 1944 off west coast of Leyte, Philippines; Cooper sunk by Japanese destroyer torpedo; 191 dead, 168 survivors; Battle of Ormoc Bay - Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses; BNR.
† Thoreson, Vernon Charles, SN 321-60-87, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • USS Mugford (DD-389); KIA 5 Dec 1944, Surigao Strait, Philippines; kamikaze attack, eight dead, ship survived.

07-04 - Philippines Liberated > Luzon: (fourteen dead, updated 16 Jan 2021)    
† Ahrenkiel, Wayne, SN 37-656-532, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • 24th Recon. Sqdn., 24th Inf. Div.; KIA 15 Feb 1945 Luzon, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Delph, Everett Melvin, SN 37-754-300, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Co. E, 152th Inf. Regt., 38th Inf. Div; KIA 18 May 1945, Barangka Rizal, E of Manila, Luzon, Philippines; killed by a grenade during a Japanese counterattack; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Dickinson, Earl Albert, SN 37-472-885, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • Co. C, 169th Inf. Regt., 43rd Inf. Div.; KIA 9 Jan 1945, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Hansman, Jack, SN 7-060-353, US Army, Pott. & Crawford Cos.
  • Battery C, 90th Field Artillery Bn., 25th Inf. Div.; DOW 13 Apr 1945 ~ 200 m. N of Manila, Luzon, Philippines; Battle of Balete Pass - Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Hough, Charles Robert, SN 702-52-00, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Torpedo Sqdn. VT-20, Air Group 20, USS Enterprise (CV-6); Grumman TBM-1C Avenger BuNo 46042  radioman; KIA 13 Nov 1944, over Manila Bay, Luzon Philippines; crew of three lost from AA fire; Philippines Liberated > Luzon; BNR.
† +Humphrey, Richard Leo, SN 37-489-548, US Army, Page Co.
  • Co. F, 158th Regimental Combat Team; WIA 5 Apr 1945 Bicol Peninsula, SE Luzon, Philippines, DOW 8 Apr 1945 Luzon; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Jorgensen, Everett, SN 39-398-666, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Co B., 130th Inf. Regt., 33rd Inf. Div.; KIA 15 Apr 1945 approaching Baguio, northern Luzon, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Napier, LaVerne Floyd, SN 37-262-712, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Troop B, 8th Engineering Sqdn., 1st Cavalry Div.; KIA 6 Feb 1945 Manila, Luzon, Philippines; Battle of Manila - Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
​† Oltmans, Merle W., SN 37-445-352, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. D, 35th Inf. Regt., 25th Inf. Div.; KIA 22 May 1945 ~ 200 miles N of Manila, Luzon, Philippines; Battle of Balete Pass - Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Parker, Arlo Berry, SN 37-195-236, USAAF, Webster Co.
  • 43rd Bomb. Gp., 5th AF; DNB 7 Jun 1945, 249th General Hosp., Ft. Stotsenburg, Luzon, Philippines, cerebral hemorrhage; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Rogers, Bernard R., SN 37-038-953, US Army, Harrison Co. 
  • Co. B, 6th Engineering Combat Bn., 6th Inf. Div.; KIA 31 Mar 1945 near Shimbu Line, Central Luzon, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Schomers, Jeremiah J. “Jerry”, SN 37-477-010, US Army - Douglas Co., NE & Shelby Co.
  • 172nd Inf. Regt., 43rd Inf. Div.; DOW 9 Mar 1945 Luzon, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Sturd, Clarence Vincent, SN 37-112-253 /37-142-251, US Army, Harvey Co., KS & Pott. Co.
  • Co. K, 19th Inf. Regt., 24th Inf. Div.; KIA 15 Feb 1945 Luzon, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
† Zangerle, John M., SN 37-146-204, US Army, Shelby & Dubuque Cos.
  • 129th Inf. Regt., 37th Inf. Div.; KIA 15 Feb 1945 Manila, Luzon Philippines; Battle of Manila - Philippines Liberated > Luzon. 

07-05 - Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines: (five dead, updated 25 Jan 2021)
† Frits, Richard Yale, SN 37-697-896, US Army, Pott. & Decatur Cos.
  • Co. B, 99th Signal Corps Bn.; DNB (sic) 16 Jun 1945, Valencia, Mindanao, Philippines, walked into a booby-trap trip flare; Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines.
† McGraw, Louis Edward, SN 37-643-332, US Army, Shelby & Des Moines Cos. 
  • 132nd Inf. Regt., Americal Div.; KIA 30 Apr 1945 Cebu, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines.
† Ring, Clinton Ross, SN 37-752-270, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • Co. C, 182nd Inf. Regt., Americal Div.; KIA 12 Apr 1945 Cebu Island, Philippines, bullet wound; Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines.
† Schroder, Dean Charles, SN 37-752-477, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. E, 132nd Inf. Regt., Americal Div.; WIA 17 Jun 1945, probably on Cebu Is., Philippines; DNB 8 Jul 1945 at sea returning from SW Pacific; Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines.
† Talty, Norbert Leo, SN 30-153-755, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Battery B, 213th Field Artillery Bn., 40th Inf. Div.; DOW 19 May 1945 Negros Is., Philippines; hit by rock kicked up by an exploding shell, d. soon thereafter; Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines.

07-06 - Philippines Liberated > Southwest Pacific Finale: (four dead, updated 25 Dec 2020)
† Hetrick, Jacob Alvin, SN O-733132, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 75th Bomb. Sqdn., 42th Bomb Gp., 13th AF, based at Sansapor in extreme western Dutch New Guinea; North American B-25J Mitchell # xx-xx965 co-pilot (full tail number unknown) w/ pilot John F. Wolfe; KIA 16 Feb 1945 ten miles E of Kendari, SE Celebes, Dutch Indies; downed by Japanese AA during low-level attack on Kendari airfield; Philippines Liberated > Southwest Pacific Finale.
† Iverson, Elmer F. Jr., SN O-729176, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • Far East Air Service Command, 5th AF; Douglas A-20 Havoc #44-46400 pilot; d. 20 Nov 1945 Philippines; flight from Tacloban, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon disappeared, solo - no passengers or other crew; Philippines Liberated > SW Pacific Finale; BNR.
† Ocean, Jerry Floyd, SN 37-660-643, USAAF/US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Served with 496th Air Service Sqdn. near Foggia, Italy; after WW II ended in Europe, reassigned to 2750 Engineer Light Equipment Co.; left Leghorn, Italy 1 Jul 1945 on USS General William Mitchell; arrived San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines 11 Aug 1945; drowned in Marikina River, near San Mateo, SE of Manila, Philippines 17 Oct 1945.
† Pettie, Vernon Gerard, SN 648-57-95, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Fleet Hospital #114, Samar, Philippines; DNB 8 Apr 1945, Samar, drowning; Philippines Liberated > SW Pacific Finale.

08 - Iwo Jima & Okinawa (21 dead)

08-01 - Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima (six dead, updated updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Deputy, Charles Dean, SN 940539, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. I, 21st Marine Regt.; 3rd Marine Div.; DOW 24 Feb 1945, Iwo Jima, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima.
† Longmeyer, Frank Herman Jr., SN 504-952, USMC, Harrison Co.
  • Weapons Co., 27th Marine Regt., 5th Marine Div.; KIA 12 Mar 1945 Iwo Jima, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima.
† McCracken, James Newton, SN 533-228, USMC, Crawford & Shelby Cos.
  • Co. E or F, 9th Marine Regt., 3rd Marine Div.; KIA 25 Feb 1945 Iwo Jima, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima.
† Schuelzky, Robert Eugene, SN O-32072, USMC, Pott. Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • Machine Gun Platoon Leader, Co. E., 28th Marine Regt., 5th Marine Div.; KIA 17 Mar 1945 Iwo Jima, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima.
† Soar, Ernest Martin, SN 970147, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. F, 23rd Marine Regt., 4th Marine Div.; KIA 28 Feb 1945 Iwo Jima, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima.
† Wold, Leslie Wayne, SN 560533, USMC, Pott. Co.
26th Marine Regt., 5th Marine Div.; KIA 3 Mar 1945 Iwo Jima, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Iwo Jima.

08-02 - Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Okinawa (fifteen dead, updated 23 Jan 2021)
† Bergman, George Eugene, SN 37-752-394, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. C, 384th Inf. Regt., 96th Inf. Div.; KIA 10 Jun 1945, enemy machine gun fire, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.​
† Broz, Albert James, SN 37-490-921, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • 306th Inf. Regt., 77th Inf. Div.; KIA 1 May 1945, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; died instantly when struck by mortar shell near Shuri; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.​
† Caster, John Joseph, SN 37-699-158, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. G, 306th Inf. Regt., 77th Inf. Div.; KIA 28 Apr 1945, Ie Shima, near Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.​
† Chancellor, James Maurice, SN 872-24-12, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Attack Transport USS Sandoval (APA-194); KIA 28 May 1945, off Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Sandoval damaged by Japanese kamikaze; eight dead; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.​
† Christensen, Darwin Arthur, SN 372-48-80, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Aircraft Carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), KIA 11 May 1945 off Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Bunker Hill severely damaged by Japanese kamikaze attack, 389 dead; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa; buried at sea.
† Cohrs, William Stanley “Dick”, SN 37-733-662, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • 184th Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div.; KIA 5 Apr 1945, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.​
† Hansen, Hans Folmer Rattenborg Jr., SN 648-20-40, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Evacuation Transport USS Pickney (APH-2); KIA 28 Apr 1945 Hagushi Bay, off SW coast of Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Pickney damaged by kamikaze attack, 16 patients & 18 crew dead; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.​
† Henderson, Harry Gregory, SN 872-01-35, US Navy, Buchanan Co., MO
  • Destroyer USS Halligan (DD-584); KIA 26 May 1945, off Tokashiki Is., W of southern Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Halligan hit a naval mine & abandoned; 162 dead, 80 survivors; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa; BNR.
† Kemplin, Alvin Gerald, SN 37-699-280, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. G, 32nd Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div.; KIA 23 Apr 1945, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; wounds from an artillery shell; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.
† Knudsen, Robert Dearld, SN 896935, USMC, Pott. Co. & Jackson Co., MO
  • Co. H, 7th Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div.; KIA 14 May 1945 Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.
† McGee Victor Howard, SN 39-203-439, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • 307th Inf. Regt., 77th Inf. Div.; KIA 10 May 1945 on Shuri Line, southern Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.
† ​Pokett, John Frederick "Jack", SN 37-485-635, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • Co. C, 386th Inf. Regt., 96th Inf Div.; DOW 10 Apr 1945, Okinawa, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.
† Scheffler, Norvin Herman, SN 982874, USMC, Pott. Co.
  • Co. I, 1st Marine Regt., 1st Marine Div.; WIA 9 May 1945, DOW 10 May 1945, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.
† Smith, Eugene McDaniel, SN 37-699-145, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • Co. C, 306th Inf. Regt., 77th Inf. Div.; KIA 14 May 1945 Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.
† Wilson, Dallas Arnold, SN 37-699-245, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • Co. K, 305th Inf. Regt., 77th Inf. Div.; KIA 13 May 1945 Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.

09 - The China-Burma-India Theater (12 dead)

09-01 - China-Burma-India Theater > Flying the Hump - 1942-45: (four dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Finley, Clyde Clem Jr., SN T-004898, USAAF, Harrison Co.
  • 1333rd AAF Base Unit, Chubua, Assam, India; Curtiss C-46A-5-CK Commando #43-47003 co-pilot; DNB 31 Aug 1945 in Assam, India; plane crashed on flight from Kumning, China to Chabua; initially buried at crash site 56 km NW of Dibrugarh-Chabua Airport; China-Burma-India Theater > Flying the Hump.
† Jones, Donald Eugene, SN 37-484-709, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 1305th AAF Base Unit, based at Dum Dum, near Calcutta/Kolkata, West Bengal, India; Douglas C-47B-1-DL Skytrain/Dakota #43-16261 radio operator; d. 27 Nov 1945 N of Kuala Lumpur, Malaya; flight from Singapore to Butterworth, Malaya; China-Burma-India Theater > Flying the Hump; BNR.
† Malick, William Burton, SN 17-024-190, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • Air Transport Command; 6th Ferrying Sqdn., 1st Ferrying Gp., 10th Air Force, based at Mohanbari, Assam, India; Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota #41-38656 radio operator; DNB 2 Aug 1943, near Yunnanyi, W of Kumning, China on return cargo flight from Kumning to Mohanbari; China-Burma-India Theater > Flying the Hump.
† McCue, Dudley Van, SN 6554498, USAAF, Montgomery Co.
  • 87th or 88th Transport Sqdn., 22nd Air Transport Group; Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express # 41-11908 crew chief w/ pilot Hartvig Larsen of Omaha; d. 10 Sep 1943 on flight from Jorhat, Assam to Kumning, China; plane crashed in Hukawng Valley, Burma; China-Burma-India Theater > Flying the Hump; BNR.

09-02 - China-Burma-India Theater > Burma: (two dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Evans, Robert Samuel, SN O-489062, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • 5307 Composite Unit (Merrill’s Marauders); WIA at Nhpum Ga, NW of Myitkyina, Burma, DOW 11 Apr 1944 in hospital, Ledo, Assam, India; China-Burma-India Theater > Burma.
† Mueller, Eugene Clyde, SN O-704040, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 490th Bomb. Sqdn., 341st Bomb. Gp., 10th AF, based at Moran Airfield, Assam, India; North American B-25D Mitchell #43-3612 navigator-bombardier w/ pilot Frank M. Finney; KIA 24 Oct 1944 near Maymyo, Burma; engine likely struck by ground fire and plane crashed; all six dead; China-Burma-India Theater > Burma.

09-03 - China-Burma-India Theater > China 1941-45: (six dead, updated 7 Oct 2020)
† Berringer, Merroll Jackson, SN O-735025, USAAF, Pott. & Page Cos.
  • Flight H, 35th Photo Recon. Sqdn., 14th AF; Lockheed F-5E Photo Lightning #44-23237 pilot; KIA 21 Nov 1944 over South China Sea; disappeared on triangular flight Suichuan-Nimrod Sound-Batanes Is.-Suichuan; China-Burma-India Theater > China; BNR.​
† Chancellor, Elmer Lee, SN O-711946, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 118 Tactical Recon. Sqdn., 14th AF; based at Chengkung, China w/ advance base at Suichwan, China; North American P-51C Mustang #43-24938 pilot; KIA 28 Dec 1944, over Yangtze River, Anking, southern China; China-Burma-India Theater > China; BNR.​
† Cox, Kenneth A., SN 17-078-406, USAAF, Douglas Co., NE
  • 16th Combat Camera Unit, based at Kumning, China; on this mission flying with 11th Bomb. Sqdn., 341st Bomb. Gp., 14th AF, based at Yangkai 33 M NE of  Kumning, China; North American B- 25 Mitchell #_____ w/ pilot John J. Wise, co-pilot Buster P. Meadows; KIA 18 Jan 1945 Chihkiang, Hunan Province, China; after bombing Puchi railroad bridge NW of Chungking, plane overshot runway when landing at staging base at Chihkiang ~ 300 M SE of Chungking; three dead, four survivors; China-Burma-India Theater > China.
† Davis, August William Jr., SN 17-003-658, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 792nd Bomb. Sqdn., 468 Bomb. Gp., XX Bomber Cmd., 20th AF, based at Kalaikunda AAF, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-6230 Limber Duggan tail gunner; KIA 15 Jun 1944, over Yawata, Kyushu, Japan; plane left the group staging base at Pengshan, near Chengdu, China as part of the first B-29 raid on Japan; mission consisted of 68 aircraft included 11 correspondents; plane damaged over target & exploded; all eleven crew and Newsweek correspondent William T. Shenkel died; this was the first B-29 lost over Japan, however three other B-29s went down returning to base; Operation Matterhorn - China-Burma-India Theater > China; BNR.
† Gidley, Robert Allan, SN 17-040-837, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 676th Bomb. Sqdn. 444th Bomb. Gp., XX Bomber Cmd., 20th AF, based at Dudhkundi AAF, near Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, staging from Kwanghan AAF, near Chengtu, China; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-6330 Come-In-23982 flight engineer, Charles E. Hansen pilot; KIA 20 Aug 1944 near Chengdu, Sichuan, China; plane hit cliff while landing after bombing Yawata Iron Works on Kyushu Is., Japan; nine or eleven dead, one survivor; Operation Matterhorn - China-Burma-India Theater > China.
† Holm, Darcy Lee, SN 39-836-855, USAAF, Pott. Co. & San Francisco Co., CA
  • 373rd Bomb Sqdn., 408th Bomb. Gp., 14th AF, based at Yangkai, 33 miles NE of Kumning, Yunan, China; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #42-73252 flight engineer, KIA 15 Jan 1944 E of Kweilin & N of Hong Kong, China; crash after departing Kweilin on a search and rescue mission; all ten crew members died; China-Burma-India Theater > China.

​10 - Japan Overpowered (12 dead)

10-01 - Japan Overpowered > Japan Under Attack (nine dead, updated 11 Jan 2021)
  • Most deaths herein are due to US Pacific attacks on the Japanese Home Islands.
  • The China-Burma-India Theater > China webpage has B-29 deaths from the 1944 Operation Matterhorn B-29 raids from China on Japan.
  • Includes a death from the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, which had delivered parts of Little Boy, the Hiroshima atomic bomb, to Tinian.
  • Includes deaths while training for the invasion of the Japanese Home Island
† Davenport, William Thomas Jr., SN 17-122-771, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • Crew #P-46, 62nd Bomb. Sqdn., 39th Bomb. Gp., XXI Bomber Cmd., 20th AF, based at North Field, Guam, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #44-69889 The Slic Chic right gunner; KIA 29 May 1945, 120 miles NE of Tori-Shima, S of Tokyo; plane hit by flak over Yokohama and ditched, four dead, eight survivors; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack; BNR.
† Garner, William Fredrick, SN O-240615, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Fighter Sqdn. VBF-83, Carrier Air Group 83, on USS Essex (CV-9); Vought F4U Corsair pilot; KIA 18 Mar 1945 near Tomitake Airfield, Kyushu, Japan; shot down; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack; BNR.
† Hansen, Elvin Emsley, SN O-739093, USAAF, Harrison Co. & Los Angeles Co., CA
  • 869th Bomb. Sqdn., 497th Bomb. Gp, XXI Bomber Cmd., 20th AF, based at Isley AAF, Saipan, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-24595 Pacific Union bombardier; KIA 14 Jan 1945 NW of Saipan on a mission to Nagoya, Japan, plane exploded and ditched, eight dead, four survived; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack; BNR.
† Messerschmidt, William George Jr., SN 316-95-00, US Navy, Shelby & Harrison Cos.
  • Submarine USS Pompano (SS-181); KIA ~ Sep 1943 Pacific Ocean; Pompano failed to return to Midway Is. from patrol off Japan; 78 dead, no survivors; Japan Overpowered  > Japan Under Attack; BNR.
† Pedersen, Roy Marion Jr., SN O-2071822, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • 866th Bomb. Sqdn., 494th Bomb. Gp., 7th AF, based at Yontan, Okinawa; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #44-40680 Lonesome Lady navigator, pilot Thomas C. Cartwright; KIA 28 Jul 1945, over Kure Harbor, Kyushu, Japan; plane shot down by flak on mission against Battleship Haruna; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack.
† Rannells, Robert Vance, SN 17-065-979, USAAF, Harrison Co.
  • 873 Bomb. Sqdn., 498th Bomb Gp., XXI Bomber Cmd., stationed on Tinian, Mariana Is.; B-29 #42-24614 Joltin' Josie radio operator w/ pilot Wilson C. Currier Jr.; KIA 1 Apr 1945, aircraft exploded after takeoff and crashed into Magicienne Bay on nearby Saipan, crew of 11 all died; Japan Overpowered > Japan Under Attack; BNR
† Rhoten, Roy Edward, SN 958-10-13, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35); KIA 30 Jul 1945 in the Philippine Sea en route from Guam to Leyte; Indianapolis sunk by Japanese submarine I-58; 879 died, 316 survived; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack; BNR.
† Sander, Merle Edward, SN O-418945, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Naval Air Torpedo Sqdn. VT-34, on USS Monterey (CVL-26); Grumman/General Motors TBM-3 Avenger BuNo 69111 pilot; DNB 9 May 1945 near the Ryukyu Is., Japan, glide bombing exercise preparing for raids on Japan; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack; BNR.
  • Naval Air Fighter Sqdn. VF-12, Carrier Air Group 12; carrier USS Randolph (CV-15); Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat BuNo 77880 pilot; KIA 14 May 1945 over Kyushu, Japan; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack.
† Widows, Harry James Jr., SN O-771857, USAAF, Mills Co.
  • 873rd Bomb. Sqdn., 498th Bomb. Gp., based at Isley Field, Saipan, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-65295 co-pilot w/ pilot M. Geer; KIA 29 Apr 1945 Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Kyushu, Japan on a mission to bomb Nyakonojo Airfield, Kyushu; plane was attacked by fighters, hit, exploded, and crashed on land, no survivors from crew of eleven; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack.

10-02 Japan Overpowered > Japan Vanquished (three dead, updated 11 Jan 2021)
† Campbell, Sheldon Edward, SN 37-752-491, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • 24th Medical Bn., 24th Inf. Div.; DNB 23 Dec 1945 in hotel fire on Skikoku Is., Japan; Japan Overpowered > Japan Vanquished.
† Kraschel, James Norman, SN 17-152-672, USAAF, Shelby Co. 
  • 868th Bomb. Sqdn., attached directly to 13th AF HQ; based at Yontan, Okinawa Is., Japan; flying radar-equipped Consolidated SB-24 Liberator search bombers specializing in night missions; tail number unknown; DNB 24 Sep 1945, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan, aircraft accident after hostilities ended; Japan Overpowered > Japan Vanquished.
† Maule, Kenneth C., SN O-854272, USAAF, Harrison Co. 
  • 386th Bomb. Sqdn., 312th Bomb Gp.; Consolidated B-32 Dominator #42-108544 gunnery officer w/ pilot Leonard M. Sill; KIA 28 Aug 1945 Yontan Airfield, Okinawa; during takeoff plane skidded off the runway and exploded; crew of 13 all died; Japan Overpowered > Japan Vanquished.