About this project

~ Nathan

This website features much of the research for a book project dedicated* to the 400+ Wilmington Delaware residents who lost their lives during the Second World War.  My aim is to tell the story of how the unexpectedly high casualties  of the War shocked the city and changed so many families forever and to ensure that the Greatest Generation’s sacrifice and achievement will never be taken for granted.

See the below links for those City residents who made the ultimate sacrifice by campaign:

The Pacific: 1941-1945
Killed in line of duty, non-combat
North Africa & Italy campaign 1942-1945
Naval and air war vs Germany 1942-1945
D-Day and Normandy
Battle of the Bulge & Into the 3rd Reich 1944-1945
Contact Information and Speaking Engagements

Nathan Field, Memorial Day 2019


Summer 2019 UPDATE:

*I am expanding this research as part of a book project and am  interested in interviewing anyone who:

(1)   is a WW2 veteran
(2)  reading any letters, diaries etc that anyone might have that might shed light on Wilmington & DE during WW2 (can be as discrete as requested)
(3) talking with anyone who remembers Wilmington during the War

(4) I am especially interested in speaking with anyone who knew directly any US service members from Northern Delaware (but from anywhere too) killed during the War  as younger siblings, their children, cousins, neighbors etc.  This also includes relatives who were born after the War and can speak to how their families were impacted not only in the immediate aftermath but through the present. 

Any interviews could be on or off the record as desired.  Please email me at nathan.r.field@hotmail.com to get in touch.

The Pacific: 1941-1945

~ Nathan ~ 2 Comments

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The early Pacific was a disaster for the United States. Caught unprepared as a country, the best the outnumbered soldiers on the ground could do was try and contain Japan until Washington DC regrouped.      

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Wilmington residents lost in early Pacific War at sea:

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Paul G. Gosnell, 27. 2515 Washington St. Gunner’s Mate. USS Shaw, US Marine Corps. Killed during Pearl Harbor attack. First Delawarean killed in World War Two.

Thomas Marvel. 40. Chief’s Machinist Mate, USS Houston. Enlisted in Navy in 1926. Killed when ship sunk by Japanese torpedo in battle of Sundra Straight. Only 368 of 1061 onboard survived to be taken into enemy captivity for duration of war.

Charles L. Caulk. 29. Linden Street.  Salesianum High School. Killed at battle for Guadalcanal when USS Juneau sunk.   One of two brothers to be killed in the war. 

William A. Holt. 24. 1209 W. 7th St. Wilmington High School. University of Pennsylvania. Dupont Company.  Lt, Junior grade. USS Orleans, Navy. Lost at sea November 30th 1942 when ship hit by Japanese torpedo.

Jack G. Smyth. 25. Dupont Company. Lt, Jr Grade. USS Duncan. Killed in action during running battle with Japanese during Solomon Islands campaign. 63 men killed, 2 survivors.

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Charles E. Durney. 22. 915 South Broom. Wilmington High School. Shipfitter, 2nd Class.  USS LST-469. Ship was part of convoy from Sydney to Brisbane that was hit by Torpedo on June 16th 1943 with 26 killed.

William C. Wilhelm. 2403 Elliot. Brown Vocational High School. Seaman 2nd Class, USS Gwin. Hit by Japanese torpedo near Kolombangara on July 13 1943. All 59 onboard killed.

Gorden Hoover. 28. Westover Hills. Yale University class of 1939. 1st Lt Jr grade, USS Cisco. Submarine sank by Japanese aircraft in South China Sea on September 28 1943. Only 1 survivor.

Richard L. Britton. 25. 2002 Monroe Place. Wilmington High School. Lt Jr Grade. USS Capellin. Lost at sea near Australia December 15 1943. Capellin disapeared while on patrol and never heard from again. “Gone without a trace, with all her crew, Capellin remains in the list of ships lost without a known cause.”

Stephen Baran. 29. Southbridge. Palmer School. Cork Insulation Company. USS Corvina. On maiden war patrol, Corvina hit by torpedo on November 16th 1943 fired by Japanese Sub I-176, all 82 killed. 

Aaron Martin. 33. Philadelphia Pike. Seamen First Class. Killed in “while on a special mission with a construction battalion” in Vella La Vella Islands November 5th 1943.

 

Army and Marines 1941-1943: 

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James W. Smith. 27. 103 W. 17th St. Wilmington High School. Dravo Corporation. Staff Sergeant, 30th Bomber Group, Air Force.  Killed in action on November 19th 1943 “when the bomber to which he was assigned as radio operator and gunner crashed as a result of combat damage in landing after a bomber mission in the Pacific.” 

Robert L. Coleman. 23. 1209 Gilpin Avenue. PS Dupont High School. Captain, 43rd Bomber Group. Swim instructor at Central YMCA. Killed December 3rd 1943 on a bombing mission in a B-24 bomber while serving as Commanding Officer of 63rd bomb squadron of the 43rd Bomber group stationed in New Guinea.  

Anthony F. Testa. 20. 220 Woodlawn Avenue. St. Thomas Parochial School. Killed in action during an enemy air raid while he was serving with Headquarters and service company, 871st Airborne Engineer battalion. 

Harold E. Hobson. 28. 119 Broom. Sergeant, 103rd Infantry division. Killed in action in Pacific, July 15 1943.

Howard K. Jordan. 34. Wilmington High School.  Pusey and Jones. Maryland Avenue.  Private, 4th Marine Division. Died from wounds received at Battle of Tarawa on November 23rd 1943.  Had only been in Marines 9 months. 

 

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Richard P. Richards. 24. 2601 W. 17th St. Tower Hill School. Enlisted in Marine Corps upon graduation from Williams College in 1941. 1st Lieutenant, 1st Marine Division. Killed during battle of Guadalcanal on 13 October 1942. Son of Vice President of Atlas Powder Company.

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P.O.W. Casualties:

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Lawrence P. Traynor Jr. 21. Wilmington High School. 2100 W. 6th St. Private, Coastal Artillery Unit. Captured at Corregidor in 1942 and died as POW on May 27th 1945.

Martin Eisenman. 200 W. 37th St. Wilmington High School. Sergeant 24th Pursuit Group – Air Force. Died while POW on September 7th 1944 when unmarked Japanese prison ship was sank by a US submarine.

William H. Marvel. 29.  Wilmington. 1st Lt, Army. Captured at Corregidor in 1942.   Died in the sinking of a Japanese prison boat December 1944. 

Robert W. Callaway. 31. University of Delaware class of 1935. Captain 60th Coastal Artillery Regimen. Captured at Corregidor. Died while POW on May 17th 1945.

Francis H. Williams. 39. 205 S. Jackson. Graduate of Wilmington High School ‘1924’ and the US Naval Academy. “Frequently boxed at the Central YMCA.” Major, US Marine Corps. Captured at Corregidor. Died in POW camp in March 1945. Served in Marines for 14 years.

Louis E. Roemer. 45. 1002 Madison. Wilmington High School. University of Delaware. Lt- col, Army. Died of starvation January 21 1945 on a Japanese prison ship off Formosa, having been a captive since the fall of Bataan. 22 year Army veteran.

James Holmes. 29. 929 Shallcross. Sergeant, Army. Died of illness in Japanese POW camp on November 19th 1943 after being captured at Corregidor.

William J. Dunmyer. 36. E. 40th St. Major, US Army. Died in the bombing of a Japanese POW ship on December 15th 1944 after having been taken prisoner in the fall of Bataan in April 1942 while serving as Assistant, G-3, South Luzon Force.

 

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First Delaware Soldier Killed in the War: 

Harry Fineman. 24. 803 N. Van Buren. Wilmington High School. Allied Kid Company. Sergeant, 59th Coastal Artillery Regiment. Lost his life on April 12th 1942 during  the Japanese attack on Corregidor. 

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As the first Soldier from Delaware killed during the war, a special Ceremony was conducted for Sergt. Fineman in Rodney Square: 

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Marines and Army in ground combat, 1944-1945:

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Anthony J. Monico. 21. 215 W. 4th St. Wilmington High School. Sergeant, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Killed in action in Marshall Islands February 2nd 1944 while serving in a tank ordinance unit.

George T. Jones. 24. 1405 Gilpin Avenue. KIA on February 22nd 1944 in Marshall Islands. 7 year veteran of Marine Corps.

George H. Hudson. Blackshire Road, Wawaset Park. Private, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. KIA in Pacific June 12th 1944.

John M. Urbanski. 20. 1203 Sycamore St. Apprentice printer at The News Journal. Private First Class, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. Died in combat on June 16th 1944 at Saipan.

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Benjamin S. Steelman. 19. 911 E. 26th St. Pharmacist Mate Second Class 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Division. KIA at Marianas Islands July 10th 1944.

Paul L. Caulk. 24. Wilmington High School. Sergeant, 3rd Marine Division. KIA in Guam July 22nd 1944 “while serving as a platoon section leader in Company L of the Third Marine Division. Brother killed in Pacific in 1942.

Fred T. Griskevich. 25. 822 Church St. Pullman Company. Private, 32nd Infantry Division. Died of typhus in Pacific July 31st 1944.

Michael C. Guida. 31. Wilmington High School.  404 W. 3rd St. Private, 211st Coastal Artillery. KIA in the Philippines while serving with the 211th Coast Artillery Battalion on December 12th 1944.

John J. Madison. 24. 633 W. 3rd St. Wilmington High School. 1st Lt. Army. Died of wounds from fighting in Pacific on September 29th 1944.

George M. Searle. 19. PS Dupont High School. Killed on October 11th 1944 “of illness contracted while participating as a member of the Fifth Amphibious Marine Division in the invasion of the Marianas Islands.”

John A. Mlynarczyk. 25. 605. S. Harrison St. St. Hedwig’s Parish School. Pusey and Jones. Corporal, 382nd Infantry regiment, 96th Infantry Division. KIA while serving with an Anti-Tank company, 382nd Infantry, 96th division.

Richard W. Gray. 2700 Tatnall. Wilmington High School. Swim instructor at Central YMCA. Private, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. Killed in action at Saipan July 10th 1944.

James H. Rentz. 20. 2517 Washington St. PS Dupont High School. Chemist, Hercules Power Company. Private, 1st class 20th Marine regiment, 4th Marine Division. Killed in action at Saipan, Marianas Islands on July 20th 1944.

 

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William M. Maskers. 22. 821 E. 26th St. Assistant manager of Golf course. Corporal, Marines. Killed on Guam September 11th 1944.

John W. Herstine. 28. 2700 Broom St. Lehigh University. Hercules Powder Company. Captain, Infantry Army. Killed in action in China on September 12th 1944. “Only US officer in large force of Chinese troops”

James G. Campbell. 26. Graduate of St. Paul’s Parochial School and Salesianum High School. Sergeant, US Marine Corps. Killed September 19th 1944 while serving in a tank battalion at the battle of Pallaleiu.

Charles A. Bennet. 39. 3004 Washington St. Master Sergeant, Army. 14 year Army Veteran. Killed in a vehicle accident while serving as a radio operator with B-29 Super Fortress Units in India on November 15th 1944.

Lawrence A. Dougherty. 32. 1620 Lancaster Avenue. Manager of Meat department, American Store, 4th and Madison. Staff Sergeant, 305th Infantry regiment, 77th Infantry Division. KIA in Leyte on December 13th 1944.

 

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Joseph N. Faulker. Allied Kid Company. Private First Class 305th infantry regiment, , 77th Infantry Division. Killed in action at Leyte December 18th 1944.

Dominic A. Facciolo. 23. 1306 French St. St. Paul’s Parochial School. Electric Hose and Rubber. Private, 307th Infantry regiment, 77th Infantry Division. KIA at Leyte December 23rd 1944.

Raymond W. Birch. 25. 623 E. 23rd St. PS Dupont High School. Goldey College. Accountant, Interstate Amnesite Company. Private, 188th Glider Infantry. 11th Airborne Division. KIA at Luzon February 1st 1945. Scout leader….”enthusiastic stamp collector and had sent stamps home.”

Benjamin Morris. 27. 1300 Dupont St. St. Thomas Parochial School. Pusey and Jones. Killed in explosion in the Philippines, March 1945.

Maxwell Case, Jr. 28. 2300 block Monroe. KIA on February 26th 1945 on Corregidor while serving as an intelligence scout with the 542nd Parachute Infantry.

Kenneth O. LaRosch. 23. 215 W. 24th St. PS Dupont High School. University of Delaware. Hercules Powder Company. Technician 5th grade, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division Killed in action in Philippines May 13th 1945 while serving as a Scout attached to a headquarters company.

Russell T. Crawford. 42. 623 W. 3rd St. Lt, 742nd Anti-Aircraft Gun Battalion. Enlisted in regular Army in 1920. Killed in New Guinea on May 5th 1945 in an airplane accident while serving with the 76th Infantry.

 

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Arthur L. Casson. 31. Dravo Corporation. Private First Class, 4th Marine Division. Killed at Iwo Jima February 19th 1945.

Stephen J. Sobiech. 23. 920 Elm. Brandywine Fibre Co. Sergeant. Killed at Iwo Jima on February 19th 1945 “while serving with the 4th Marine Division as a platoon leader operating an amphibious tractor.” Brother killed 3 months later while also serving in the Pacific.

George M. Strong. 25. PS Dupont High School. Dupont Co. Edgemoor Plant – foreman for 5 years. Private, 4th Marine Division. Killed at Iwo Jima February 23rd 1945.

Russell Keen Jr. 22. 831 Washington St. Brown Vocational High School. Baldwin Locomotive Plant. Gunnery Sergeant 4th Marine Division. KIA at Iwo Jima on February 25th 1945. Awarded a medal for heroism in 1944 campaign:

Peter J. Jurski. 23. 712 Warner St. Private First Class, 3rd Marine Division. Killed at Iwo Jima on February 28th 1945.

William D. Veasey Jr. 22. 1100 S. Broom. Killed in action at Iwo Jima, March 2nd 1945. Had only served nine months from the point of induction into military to being at Iwo Jima.

Charles E. Young Jr. 21. 702 N. Harrison. Brown Vocational ’42.’ Hercules Experimental Station. Killed in action March 8th 1945 on Iwo Jima by mortar fire while on mine-clearing and demolition duty while serving with 4th Engineering regiment, 4th Marine division.

 

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Robert Durnan. 18 Faulkland Road. AI Dupont School. Private First Class 4th Marine Division. Killed at Iwo Jima by a Japanese sniper on March 10th 1945.

Wallace R. West Jr. 22. 1230 King St. Brown Vocational High School. Sun Shipbuilding Co, Chester. Private 4th Marine Division. KIA at Iwo Jima on March 11th 1945.

George W. Pierson. 19. Brown Vocational High School. Private first class, 182nd Infantry Division. KIA March 5th 1945 “by rifle fire on Leyte, Phillippine Islands while serving with the “American” Division.

Thaddeus J Piorkowski. 33. 905 Church St. Allied Kid Company. Private First Class, Infantry Army. Killed in Phillipines March 28th 1945 of wounds received the previous day at Luzon, Philippines.

Joseph F. Maczynski. 24. 111 Bird St. Allied Kid / Ace Theater. Private First Class, 145th Infantry Regiment 37th Infantry. Killed in combat in Philippines February 12th 1945.

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Henry J. Sklodowski. 21. 206 8th Avenue. Private 1st Class, 32nd Infantry Division – Army. Killed on April 5th 1945 at Okinawa.

Jacob D. Mariane. 20. Shipley Road PS Dupont High School. Worked on family farm. Private First Class Paratroops – Army. Killed at Okinawa on April 25th 1945.

John M. Mendinhall. 24. Wilmington Friends School. 1st Lt 4th Marines. Lost at sea near Okinawa on May 31st 1945 as a result of a plane crash at sea off Bolo Point, Okinawa while serving as an aviator on a fighter plane.

Robert R. Hogan. 504 Delaware Avenue. Private 29th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. Killed at Okinawa on June 11th 1945 while serving as a machine gunner.

George Lutz. 24. Vandaveer Avenue. St. Patrick’s Parochial School. Warner Jr HS. US Navy. Killed while detonating a mine in the Aleutian Islands as member of a demolition squad.


Air Corps, Pacific: 1944 and 1945

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Daniel P. O’Donnell. 24. 502 N. Clayton. Salesianum High School. Ursuline Academy. Captain, Air Force, killed in line of duty in Australia March 7th 1944. Newspaper noted efforts following fall of Corregidor to make a 7,000 mile trip with rescue plane to bring 35 US soldiers from Phillipines to Australia.

Charles N. Wagner. 23. 2300 Harrison St. 2nd Lt, 28th Bomber Group. Killed in action November 15th 1944 while returning from a bombing mission near Attu, Aleutian Islands over Paramishura, Kurile Islands while serving as a pilot of a B-25 bomber of the 77th bomber squadron. Son of assistant super intendent of Wilmington Public Schools.

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Joseph A. Dugan. 25. 2001 W. 4th Wilmington High School. Attended Wharton School. 1st Lt 58th Fighter Group. P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot. Killed in action near Phillipines on January 10th 1945. Newspaper reports that plane hit by Japanese and crew made attempt made to bail out but parachute would not open.

Edward V. Atwell. 24. 1900 Delaware Avenue. Wilmington High School class of 1939. 2nd Lt. Killed in plane crash in Pacific in 1945.

John Nickols Jr. 25. Sun Oil Co. Staff Sergeant, 875th Bomber Squadron. 498th Bomber group. KIA February 10th 1945.

John J. Williams. 22. Wilmington High School. Hercules Powder Company. Petty Officer, US Navy Air Corps. KIA off Okinawa on March 29th 1945 while serving as radioman and gunner on a dive bomber attached to USS Bunker Hill when it was attacked by Japanese suicide bombers. 

Stanley B. Exar. 21. PS Dupont High School. Engineering student at UD when called up. Aviation Machinist 3rd Class 17th Bomber Squadron. Killed in action on July 1st 1945.

Ralph B. Johnson. 25. Wawaset Park. Lehigh University. Captain India-China Wing -Air Trans Command. Killed in action July 18th 1945.

Holstein Harvey III. 29. 1611 W. 16th St. Tower Hill School. Harvard. 2nd Lt. 27th Infantry Division. Army Air Force. Killed in action in Saipan.

George J. Chadick. Hedgeville. Wilmington High School. James Watson & Sons Company. Lt. Jr Grade Navy. Killed in combat near China on June 24th 1945.

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Navy, 1944 to 1945:

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Henry T. Irwin Jr. 28. Wawaset Park. PS Dupont High School. Yale University. Lt Commander. KIA on April 1944 when the submarine U.S.S. Tullibee “failed to return from patrol duty.”

Charles A. Wicker. 35. Central YMCA. Dupont Company – research chemist. Lt, 14th Naval District. Killed by accident on April 12th 1944 in line of duty while serving as an officer in charge aboard a ship of the 14th Naval District.

Benjamin S. Steelman. 19. East 26th St. Pharmacist’s Mate. US Navy. Killed in action July 1944 in the Marianas Islands.

Anthony F. Rybinski. 22. 103 Cedar St. Hedwig’s Parochial School. Hearn Brothers – store room. Seamen First Class. KIA August 11th 1944 in “airplane crash aboard the U.S.S. Hancock to which he was attached.”

Edmund L. Nawrocki. 20. 733 Maryland Avenue. NVF Plant. Advance Ordinanceman second class, USS Bellau Wood. KIA in Pacific on October 30 1944 when a Japanese Kamikaze was shot down before hitting ship but landed on the deck causing extensive fired and ammunition to explode, killing 92 men on board.

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William E. Taylor. 20. 1014 W. 3rd St. Watertender 2nd Class, USS Hoel – Navy. Ship sunk, 86 survivors, 253 dead after running battle with Japanese ships near Leyte on October 25th 1944. In 1976, the Naval Support Division on the Kirkwood Highway was named after Taylor – read extensive information about Taylor here.

John Horlick. 24. 803 Augusta Road. Tower Hill School; Ensign, USS Aulick. One of 31 killed when 6 Japanese planes attached the ship in a coordinated attack on November 29th 1944.

Stanley Cieszynski. 22. 325 S. Jackson. St. Hedwig’s Parochial School. NVF Factor. Coxswain, USS Monaghan, Navy. Ship sunk by Typhoon storm December 18th 1944 leaving only six survivors.



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Joseph G. Smith Jr. 18. 2310 Carter. PS Dupont High School. Seamen First Class, SS Henry Knox. Lost at Sea January 5th 1945.

Charles H. Norton Jr. 21. 108 E. 23rd St. PS Dupont High School. Atlas Powder Company. Ensign, USS Cowpens. Killed in Pacific January 7th 1945.

Edward F. O’Neill Jr. 24. Woodcrest. Conrad High School ’37’ American Car and Carriage Company. Chief Pharmacists Mate, USS Palmer – Navy. Ship sunk in battle with Japanese on January 7th 1945.

John J. Brown. 36. 808 W. 6th St. Salesianum High School. Allied Kid Co. Ship Cook 2nd Mate USS Bismark. Lost at Sea February 21st 1945. Ship sunk by Japanese suicide bombers on 21 February 1945 killing 318 men.

John F. Hetzler. 19 1903 Elm American Car and Foundry Co Seamen First Class USS Wasp. Killed on March 19th 1945 when ship hit by 500 pound armor piercing bomb, killing 102 crewman.

Nicholas J. Perillo. 19. 506 Washington St. Salesianum High School. American Car and Foundry Company. Seamen First Class USS Franklin Pacific. One of 764 crewman killed when Japanese Suicide bomber slammed into ship on March 19th 1945.

John Bryant. 19. Southbridge. Howard High School.  Eastern Malleable Iron Company. Steward’s Mate First Class, USS Gilmer. Killed off Okinawa on March 26th 1945 when a Japanese kamikaze hit his ship.

Robert C. Miller. 20. 1201 Read. Wilmington High School. Benjamin Shaw Company. Signalman Third Class USS O’Brien. Killed near Okinawa on March 27th 1945 when Japanese suicide bomber slammed into ship killing 50 men.

Henry M. Demenchuck. US Navy. New Castle Avenue, Southbridge. Killed on May 4th 1945 when Japanese suicide bomber flew into and sunk USS Luce.

Stanley B. Exar. 21. PS Dupont – Engineering student at UD when called up. Aviation Machinist 3rd Class 17th Bomber Squadron. Killed in action on July 1st 1945.

Ralph B. Johnson. 25. Wawaset Park. Lehigh University. Captain India-China Wing -Air Trans Command. Killed in action July 18th 1945.

Edward J. Radka. 20. 1215 Elm St. Signalman Third Class. One of 124 killed onboard USS Underhill when sunk by Japanese torpedo on July 24th 1945.

Adam J. Sobiech. 29. 820 Elm St. Brandywine Fibre Company. Seaman 1st Class USS Underhill – Navy. Lost at sea in Phillipines on July 24th 1945. Brother and brother in law also killed in war.

John Bruce Gibson. 908 Poplar. Steward’s Mate Second Class USS Callaghn – Navy Pacific – KIA on July 28th 1945.

Thomas F. Naylor. 46. St Mary’s Parochial School. Chief Machinist’s Mate USS Tadcen Navy. Died 1945 in Pacific. Was a veteran of the First World War. Had the chance to retire but chose to stay on for WW2.

William F. Jones. 23. 417 S. Broom. Brown Vocational High School. Pusey and Jones Torpedoman’s Mate – 2nd Class USS Zellars. Killed off Okinawa on April 12th 1945. Paper notes that in his last letter home he wrote on April 3rd that “If you read up on the news, you will know where I am.”

Richard F.Grace. 20. 2203 Harrison. Archmere Academy. Fireman Second Class USS Lagarto – Navy. Lost at sea on May 4th 1945 when Submarine sunk by a Japanese Depth charge, all onboard killed.

Armando J. Ciabattoni. 25. 512 Rodman St. Dravo Company. Fireman First Class USS Bunker Hill Pacific. KIA on May 11th 1945 when ship hit by Japanese Kamakaze plane.

Anthony G. Daniello. 20. 1714 Rodney. PS Dupont High School. Worked pre-war at Bond Manufacturing Company. Seamen First Class USS Indianapolis. Lost at Sea on July 30th 1945. Worked as a caddy at Wilmington Country Club.

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Harry Hickey. 21. Bellefonte. Lost at sea with the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, July 30th 1945.  Four weeks earlier had given on a talk while on leave about the Pacific War at the Brandywine Fire Hall: 

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Raising Two Armies on the Fly

~ Nathan

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America had an enormous challenge in 1941: its military was inferior to the German and Japanese military by a large degree.  Every able-bodied American man of military age was called to arms.

Sadly, given the scale and urgency of what was required, more Wilmington City residents would be killed in training accidents during the War than would be killed in combat in WW1, Korea or Vietnam.

 

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April 1942: 

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November 1942: 

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Wilmingtonians Killed in the Line of Duty During WW2:

 

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William G. Stevenson. 34. 406 W. 26th St. Wilmington High School. Clark Machine Company. Killed in training accident in Massachusetts July 1942.

Louis H. Way. 20. Wilmington High School. Private, Army. Killed in a training accident in Georgia, September 6, 1942.

Augustus Zografas. 22. 111 E. 7th St. Wilmington High School. Family fruit stand, King Street. Private, 44th Infantry Regiment. Killed in training accident, Aleutian Islands, October 5, 1942.

Joseph H. McGinley. 24. Wilmington High School. Sergeant, Airforce. Automobile collision during training in Texas. September 18th 1942.

Lambert Tribuani. 25. 208 N. Clayton. St. Thomas Parochial School. Technical Sergeant, 498th Coastal Artillery Regiment. Line of Duty, Colorado, January 5th 1942.

Edward L. Games. 23. 2403 Lamote St. Service station at 30th and Governor Printz Boulevard. 2nd Lt. Pilot – Air Force. Killed in February of 1943 along with all 8 onboard plane during training accident.

Paul W. Taylor. 31. 2nd Lt. Howard High School. Morgan College. Killed in car accident during training in Missouri September 1942.

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William E. Hairsine. 21. Aviation Cadet Navy Air Corps. Killed in line of duty in Arizona March 26th 1943.

Daniel J. Regan. 23. 517 N. Harrison St. Salesianum High School. Dravo Corporation. Electricians Mate 3rd Class, Coast Guard. Killed in an industrial accident in Chicago, April 7th 1943.

James C. Walker. 19. 23 Buena Vista St. PS Dupont High School. Dupont Company – Experimental Station. Advance Ordinance Man, Second Class. Died in line of duty in Pacific, June 9th 1943.

Robert Groome.  21. Killed while training as an aviator in accident while training with bomber crew in Texas. Salesianum High School.

Joseph Cirono. 21. Assistant Manager of Loew’s Movie theater.  Sergeant. Air Corps. Killed in training accident when Flying Fortress crash, killing 5 on board.

John P. Sparco. 20. 910 N. Dupont St. Seamen Second Class, Navy. Died in Line of duty in Maryland, August 18th 1943.

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John Petticrew. Officer, US Army. Salesianum Class of 1926. Died of sudden illness while on leave in Washington DC. 1943.

Louise Marzie. 21. Air Force.  Killed when plane crashed during training accident, 1943.

Paul B. Selbe. 37. 18th and Jefferson. Patent lawyer at Dupont Company. 1st Lt Air Force. Died in Line of Duty, California, 1944.

Robert M. Vernon. 29. 70 Rockford Rd. Wilmington High School. University of Delaware Class of 1935. Line of Duty, 1943.

William H. Hudson. 20.  Died of illness during training with 29th Infantry Division in Iceland. PA Railroad Shops, Wilmington. 1943.

James H. Jarrell. 19. Lt. Brown Vocation High School.  Killed in training accident in Mississippi while serving as a flight instructor, January 17th 1944.

Danforth B. Carmichael. 2311 W. 18th Wilmington High School. Equitable Trust Co. Storekeeper 1st class, Navy Airs Corps. District commissioner of Boy Scouts. Killed in California, line of duty, February 28th 1944.

William J. Biesenger Jr. Private First Class 356th Bomber Group Air Force Florida.

 

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William H. Allen. 27. Line of Duty, England, June 1944. Dravo Corporation. Howard High School. Scoutmaster of local Boy Scout troup.

Roy S. Thomas. Private Army North Carolina. Line of Duty March 6th 1944 when plane crashed in training accident

John J. Paisley. 24. 1334 Claymont. St. Patrick’s Parochial School. Pullman Company. Sergeant, Army. Died during training in Tennessee on March 20th 1944 when a raft collapsed while attempting to cross a river, drowning all 20 on board.

Dorman Daniels. Vandaveer Avenue. Wilmington High School. Worth Steel Company. Technician 4th Grade Army. Died in line of duty, North Carolina -April 7th 1944.

Sidney L. Galbraith. 206 W. 26th. Died of food poisoning in May 1944 while serving with the Sea Bees near Hawaii.
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John G. Madison. 1st Lt, Army. 633 W. 3rd.  Died September 1944 from wounds received in South Pacific.

William A. Funk. 21. 1917 Gilpin Avenue. Brown Vocational High School. Usher at Loew’s Theater for 2 years. Aviation Machinist Mate, USS Ticonderoga. Killed in Line of Duty in Virginia on May 18th 1944 when 2 planes collided during a training accident

Edward B. Dougherty Jr. 32. 2214 W. 3rd St. Joe’s on Brandywine. Dupont Company. Private, Army. Died in line of duty, Delaware June 7th 1944.

Edgar B. Worley. 200 block W. 20th. 1st Lt. US Army Air Corps.  Killed during training accident when plane crashed in Florida, September 1944.

Robert W. O’Donnell Jr. 21. 318 S. Broom St. Wilmington High School. 2nd Lt Air Force. Line of Duty October 6th 1944.

Thomas V. Brock. 532 E. 4th St. Staff Sergeant HQ Squadron – 356th fighter group. Killed in line of duty, October 28 1944.

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Belford S. Dunn. 24. PS Dupont High School. 2nd Lt. Navy California – Line of Duty – November 24th 1944.

William J. Clark. 25. 506 W. 24th 2nd Lt. 19th Bomber Group. Killed in line of duty at Gulf of Mexico November 27th 1944 when B-29 Super Fortress crashed during a training mission.

Anthony S. Montour. 20. 623 Madison. Brown Vocational High School. Hercules Powder Company. Petty Officer Second Class Navy Air Corps. Killed in Maine – line of duty 24 March 1945.

George W. Grant. 19. Pullman Company. Private in Army. Killed in Virginia – Line of Duty March 30th 1945.

James J. Giletti. 38 406 N. Union Private Army Maryland – Line of Duty  – April 5th 1945.

Charles Edelberg. 24. N. Clayton ST Bellanca Aircraft Corp Sergeant 422 Airforce California – Line of Duty July 27th 1945.

Joseph A. Ackerman. 22 1320 West St. Salesianum High School. Aviation Cadet Navy Airs Corps. Died in Line of Duty, New York September 5, 1945

Frederic G. Gassaway Jr. 22. Tower Hill School. University of Delaware. Lt Jr Grade. USS Bouganville, Navy. Killed in line of duty California, August 25th 1944.

Arthur A. Hackett. 18. Salesianum High School. Staff Sergeant, Air Force. Killed in Line of duty, New York, February 9th 1944.

Charles W. Hamilton. 1510 Jackson St. Pusey and Jones. Killed in Line of Duty, Texas February 12th 1944.

Maurice Jacobs. 27. 222 W. 14th. PS Dupont High School. 2nd Lt. 8th Air Force. Died in line of duty, July 13th 1944.

Thomas J. McCormick. 22. 1320 W. 3rd. St Paul’s Parochial School. Crane Operator for Pyriites Co. Private 856th Engineers Batallion. Died of accident in Europe, August 10th 1943.

Roy A. Baldwin. 27. 2410 Jessup St. Wilmington High School. City fire fighter before the war. 81st Chemical Battalion. Died in accident in England December 15th 1943.

James N. Lloyd. Technician 5th grade Army South Pacific – Line of Duty 10-Aug-1945

Roland E. Cardwell. 20. 413. W. 20th. PS Dupont High School. Dupont Company. Private. 4th Infantry Division. Killed in line of Duty, London, 1943.

John F. Hudson. 22. 103 N. Franklin. Wilmington High School. 2nd Lt. Army. Killed in training accident, Georgia, 1943.

Simon G. Rosen. Yeomon Second Class, Navy. Killed in line of Duty, Washington, July 30th 1944.

Nelson A. Theriault. 21. Private, 198th Coastal Aritllery. Line of Duty, Treasury Islands, September 2nd 1944.

Thomas B. Twilley Jr. 22. Paratroop Unit. Killed in line of duty in Azores, March 13th 1945.

John H. Wellford. Tower Hill School. MIT. 2nd Lt. Air Force. Killed in line of duty, Caribbean, August 19th 1945.

Victor J. Carozzo. 22. St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine. Staff Sergeant.   Killed in airplane accident in New Mexico, July 1943.

James N. Lloyd. 108 Poplar St. US Army.  Killed by a falling crane boom while serving with Army Engineers in the South Pacific.

Benjamin J. Rydlewski. 21. 210 Liberty St. News Journal Employee. USS Boyle. Died in line of duty in Mediterranean, August 28th 1945.

Francis J. Huhn. 31. W. 3rd. Corporal, US Army. Killed in accident December 1945 in Washington State.

John J. Bader.  39. Bank manager at Wilmington Trust. Lt-Commander, Seabeas. Wilmington High School.  Spent 40 months in the heart of the Pacific.  Died of illness in China operations, 1946.

Gilbert T. Hawkins. 905 W. 2nd. Had served 28 months as a bombardier on a B-24 patrol bomber and won award for sighting and sinking a submarine from the air. Died in line of duty.

Stanley H. Keen. 26.  US Army. 3300 block Market St. Killed in accident in Missouri while awaiting discharge after serving with 8th Infantry Division in France and Germany. PS Dupont graduate.  Has been back in US since June.

Louis Cerasari. 209 Dupont. Died in an automobile accident near Dover Air Force Base while finishing term of service, August 1946. .

Joseph R. Rosiak. 1007 Beech. Coxswain, US Navy.  Killed in accident in California while awaiting discharge with a SeaBea unit that had been stationed in the Pacific.

George W. Dixon.  Died of automobile crash while in an ambulance rushing patients to an airport in the Philippines while serving with a Hospital unit.1946.

William M. Palmer II. 2502 Washington. Killed in accident in crash of C-54 transport plane in the Mediterranean Sea while returning from service in India.

Edward Waller.  Howard High School. No other  information available.

 

 

 

NEXT:  North Africa and Italy Campaigns – 1942-1943

Italy and North Africa

~ Nathan ~ 6 Comments


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By late 1942, the US was in a position to launch offensive operations against the periphery of German-occupied territory in Africa and Southern Europe:  


November 8th 1942:  The Invasion of North Africa

 

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Herbert J. Tomlinson. 28. 517 S. Market. Civilian Conservation Corps. Private, 1st Infantry Division. Killed on first day of Operation Torch in landing at Oran, Algeria. 

Edward P. Kacprzyck. 25. 200 block Connell St. Private, 1st Infantry Division. Died in combat November 8th at Oran, Algeria. 1st of at least 24 members of St. Hedwig’s Parish to be killed during WW2. 

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Joseph Conte. 27. 1601 Chestnut St. Private, US Army. Killed in action in Tunisia, December 11 1942.

John Lednum. 29. 903 Jefferson St. Wilmington High School. Employee at Dupont Deepwater Plant. Private, 1st Engineers Battallion. Enlisted in 1937. Killed in action in North Africa March 21st 1943.

 

The harsh and impersonal process for casualty notification that so many families had to endure: 


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Summer 1943: Invasion of Italy 

 

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Paul O. Miller. 27. 1300 Jackson St. Sun Shipbuilding Company, Chester. Private, 1st Infantry Division. Killed in Sicily on July 12 1943.

Arthur A. Rosendale. 26. 700 block W. 29th.  KIA in Sicily on September 6 1943 while serving with an Army Engineering Unit. 

Ralph A. Maloney. 19. 401 N. Dupont Road. Private, 4th Ranger Battalion, Army. Killed in action, Italy, September 18 1943.

Willard B. Walker. 22. 1312 Van Buren. Wilmington High School. Private 1st Class. 36th Infantry Division. Killed in combat in Italy December 20th 1943.

Raymond E. Garret. 20. Private, 515th Parachute Infantry. Killed in parachute accident, Italy, 1943.

Everett W. Adkins. 23. 234 French. Pusey and Jones.  Killed November 4th 1943 in combat in Italy. 

Thomas C. Davis. 1208 E. 13th.  KIA on December 2nd 1943 in the sinking of a ship during an air attack on the harbor of Bari, Italy while serving as a member of the armed guard crew.  

William L. McCarthy Jr. 20. 632 W. 6th Street. Wilmington High School. Pennsylvania Railroad. Private 1st Class, 45th Infantry Division. Killed in combat at Legone, Italy on December 15th 1943. 

 

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Steiner S. Straw. 23. 2901 Jessup St. Ludlow Manufacturing Company. Sergeant US Coast Guard. Killed near Sardinia Italy on December 10th 1943.

Leo E. Leahy. 31. 1627 Adams. Salesianum High School. Office Manager. Major. 2nd Replacement Depot. Died in Italy, January 21st 1944.

Charles T. Blanchfield. 31. S. Market & A St. Worked at Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester before induction into military.  KIA on January 23rd 1944 while crossing the Rapido River in Italy.  

Raymond W. Pierson. 21. 1802 Tatnall. DuPont Company,  purchasing department. Private, 34th Infantry Division. KIA in Italy on January 29th 1944.

Adam J. Thomas. 36. Part of 366th Infantry Regiment, a decorated African-American unit. Reported missing in the chaos of combat on February 10th 1944, later determined to be killed in action:

James K. Shoesmith. 24. 421 S. Franklin. Private, 1st Armored Division. Killed in Italy, February 27th.

Joseph A. Iannelli. 21. Killed at Anzio on March 6th 1944 while on LST Invasion boat that was hit by a mine at Anzio.  

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John A. Ruggero. 29. 511 West St. Private, 45th Infantry division. KIA in Italy March 18th 1944. 
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William Newlove. 28. Hercules Powder Company. Private, 85th Infantry Division. Killed May 15th 1944 in Italy. 

William B. Weldon. 27. Wilmington High School. 2nd Lt.  KIA in Italy May 28th 1944. 

Raymond L. Brown. 27. 1210 W. 4th. Private, US Army.  Killed in action during Battle for Rome.

Adam C. Adamowicz. 1031 W. 2nd St. Wilmington High School. Private. KIA in Italy June 4th 1944. 

Samuel N. Canterra. 22. 1601 Sycamore St. Private, 16th Engineering Batallion. KIA in Italy, July 7th 1944. 

 

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Alfred E. Lux. 27. 1105 E. 13th St. Wilmington High School. Electric Hose and Rubber Company. Private. 91st Infantry Division. KIA in Italy July 18 1944.

David W. Clancy. Union Park Gardens. First Sergeant, Army. KIA on August 26 1944 “on the Gothic Line near Rome, while serving with the 536th Anti-Aircraft Division. Had served in the military for 6 years. 

Biagio J. Saienni. 24. 812 S. Franklin. Private. 88th Infantry Division. KIA in Italy 11 October 1944.

Norman G. Becker.  21. 1200 Pleasant St. Corporal, US Army.  Killed by enemy machine gun fire while serving in Infantry in Northern Italy. 

Edward J. Przylucki Jr. 20. 425 S. Jackson. Brown Vocational High School. National Vulcanized Fibre factory.  Staff Sergeant. 34th Infantry Division. KIA in Italy October 29th 1944.

Edward F. Dillon. 31. 1316 French. Hercules Powder Company. Private 1st Class. 84th Chemical Battalion. KIA in Italy December 10th 1944.

Joseph Pesta. 34. 1507 Claymont. Private, 3rd Chemical Battalion. Killed in Italy June 17 1944.

Edward J. Romanowski. 28. 510 S. Harrison. St. Hedwig’s. Allied Kid Company. Boatswains Mate First Class, Navy. Lost at sea, Italy, September 14th 1945.

On the 2nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor,  the News Journal reported on a memorial service at PS Dupont High School for the 4 alumni amongst the 810 in active service who had been killed to date so far: 

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Sadly, much worse was yet to come.

In 1944 and the first half of 1945, well over 300 Wilmington residents would be killed, the saddest and worst period in the long history of Delaware’s largest city.

 

 

NEXT:  The Air War Against The Luftwaffe 1943-1945

 

Paving the way for D-Day: Air and Sea in Europe

~ Nathan ~ Leave a comment

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From Hollywood one might get the impression that the war began with D-Day, but a major invasion of the heart of Nazi-occupied Western Europe was impossible until two major German advantages were eliminated:

A.  The Luftwaffe’s total aerial control over Europe’s skies and

B.  German Navy’s total dominance of the North Atlantic

Unless the Atlantic was cleared of the U-Boat menace, the US couldn’t get large numbers of troops to Europe.  Without air superiority,  landing ships trying to cross the English channel would have been impossible.

At enormous cost the US and Allies achieved those vital objectives. At least 80 Wilmington residents would lose their lives fighting in the European air and naval war.

 

City of Wilmington KIA Army Air Corps Campaign Vs German Luftwaffe 1943-1945

 

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Jonathan S. Land. Sergeant, 303rd Bomber Group. Killed in crash at Bay of Biscay at St. Nazaire, France during raid on January 3rd 1943 while serving in 303rd Bomber Group.

Charles D. Sharpless. 29. 1703 Pennsylvania Avenue. Wilmington High School. 97th Bomber Squadron, Air Force. Killed in action in North Africa, April 7 1943.

Marc F. Pitts.  22. Wilmington High School.  Lt. Bombardier on a Flying Fortress.  “One of 26 planes that failed to return from a raid on U-Boat bases at Bremen and Kiel, June 1943.”

Gordon M. Goldstein.  PS Dupont High School. 200 block W. 17th. Killed in action July 7th 1943 during raid on German islands in the North Sea. First of two brothers to be killed in the war.

Willard M. Parker. 23. PS Dupont High School. Staff Sergeant, 305th Bomber Group, US Air Force. Died while POW in Holland. July 23 1943.

William F. Coll. Edgemoor Gardens.  KIA August 1 1943 in the Meditareanean area while serving as an aerial engineer and top turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator with 8th Air Force.

Thomas J. McCormick. 22. 1320 W. 3rd. Killed in accident while serving with US Army Air Corps in Europe.

Alfred D. Warner. 29. 1001 Broom St. Tower Hill School. Accountant, Warner Company. 99th Bomber Group. Died in North Africa September 26 1943.

Carl J. Dellose. 21. 402 Union. Brown Vocational High School. Dravo Corporation. Sergeant, 446th Bomber Group. KIA on December 20th 1943 while serving as a turret gunner on a Flying Fortress based in Bungay, England.

Paul E. Hayden. 31. 861 Bennet. National Vulcanized Fibre Factory. Sergeant, Air Force. Lost over the Meditaranean Sea on November 27 1943 while aboard a transport sunk by enemy action.

William A. Rittenhouse. 24. 1237 Lobdell St. Sergeant US Army.
Lost over the Meditaranean Sea on November 27 1943.

George H. Guild. 19. 211 W. 35th St. PS Dupont High School. Staff Sergeant, Air Force. Killed October 22 1943.

William Patterson. Wilmington High School. University of Pennsylvania. 2nd Lt, Air Force. Died from illness contracted in North Africa, December 31st 1943.

 

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Edwin R. Manchester. 26. 807 Berkely Rd, Westover Hills. University of Delaware. Captain, 381st Bomber Group. Eagle Scout. Killed presumably over Bremen Germany on October 18 1943 while serving as pilot of the B-17 bomber TS and Deputy Group leader of the 8th Air Force. One month earlier, won Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire:

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Charles K. Goldstein. PS Dupont High School.  Technical Sergeant, Airforce. Killed in action during raid while serving as radio operator on a bomber over Flensburg Germany, January 4th 1944. Brother killed 5 months earlier also while serving in Air Corps.

Stephen S. Rydel. Maryland Avenue. Radio bomber on a B-24. Killed in action in Italy on January 16th 1944.

William J. Harden. 22. 1507 Van Buren. Salesianum High School.  University of Delaware. 455th Bomber Group Air Force.  KIA while serving as a bombardier/navigator of a B-24 Liberator based in Foggia, Italy with 737th squadron, 454th group.

George J. Murphy. 23. Woodcrest. Brown Vocational High School. KIA over Italy on February 14th 1944 while serving with 15th Air Force while serving as a waist gunner on a Flying Fortress over Northern Italy.

Henry R. Winston. 315 W. 27th. KIA March 6th 1944 while serving as a bombardier in mission over Yugoslavia.

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Pierson Lemoyne. 38. Corporal, 2nd Flying Group. Air Force. Lost at sea over Atlantic. March 9th 1944.

Walter R. Crowl. 24. 1412 Van Buren. 2nd Lt, KIA while on B-17 over Bulgaria on March 30th. Based out of Italy.  Graduate of PS Dupont High School.

 

 

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This cartoon mocked the “downgraded” Luftwaffe as of March 1944 but gave a deceptive sense of optimism to those back home, especially with a relative in the Air Corps.  While it was true that the Luftwaffe may not have been able to stop carpet bombing of German territory, the Air war had actually  became more dangerous for Allied Fliers. 

Because the Germans had less territory to defend they could move their Anti-Aircraft crews into more condensed defensive formations and inflicted huge casualties on Allied Air Crews. At least 35 Wilmington Airmen would lose their lives in the battle over Europe after this cartoon was published.

 

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Clayton Jones. 27. 616 King. US Army Air Force. KIA along with several fellow airmen on April 16th 1944 at an airfield in Allied Italy “putting out a fire on a bomber that had crashed while loaded with ammunition.”

Clarence S. Outten. 24. 909 W. 9th St. Staff Sergeant. 460th Bomber Group. Killed in aerial combat in Yugoslavia. April 23rd 1944.

George J. Bacher. 29. Wilmington High School. International Harvesting Company. 489th bomber Squadron/ 340th Bomber Group -Air Force. Died of wounds in Corsica, May 13th 1944 “from wounds received in the bombing of an airfield on Corsica where he was a ground crewman with the 489th Bomb Squadron, 340th Bomb Group of the Army Air Forces (Mitchell, B-25, medium bomber group).”

Gerald F. Farren. 19. 1108 W. 6th St. Brown Vocational High School. Sergeant. 398th Bomber Group. Killed during raid on Berlin Germany May19th 1944 while serving as a waist gunner and assistant radio operator on a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 600th Bomb squadron based in England. First reported POW then determined to be KIA.

Norman F. Taylor. 26. 2516 Tatnall. 2nd Lt. 449th Bomber Group. Killed January 30th 1944 at Modena Italy while serving as navigator of a B-24 bomber of the 15th Air Force.

Clyde H. Breckinridge. 20. 2607 Madison St. PS Dupont High School. Dravo Corporation. 492nd Bomber Group – Air Force. KIA May 19th 1944 over Hanover, Germany, while serving as a gunner-mechanic on a B-24 Liberator while returning from a raid. Served with 857th Squadron, 492nd group of 8th Air Force.

Clinton F. Schoolmaster. 24. PS Dupont High School. University of Delaware. Major. 8th Air Force. “MIA over Europe since May 2 1944 when he was in command of a Liberator Squadron assigned to the 8th Air Force based in England.

James Whitehead. PS Dupont High School. Yale University. Sergeant. 388th Bomber Group. Tail gunner on Flying Fortress.  KIA over Rostock Germany April 11th 1944 while serving with 363rd Bomber squadron, 388th bomber group.

Howard Willis. 20. PS Dupont High School. 17 E. 23rd. Staff Sergeant, 15th Airforce. KIA over Bolgna  Italy. Waist gunner on B-24. First News Journal Employee killed in War.

B.J. Russell. 21. Woodcrest. Window painter at Wilmington Dry Goods.  Killed June 9th 1944 above Munich Germany while serving with the 15th Air Force in Italy.

John Dengler. 26. Dupont Company – accounting department. 1st Lt. 483rd Bomber Group. KIA in Italy June 13th 1944 while serving as a co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber.   June 13th 1944.

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Francis Van Veen. Staff Sergeant, 467th Bomber Group. KIA in a raid near Oschersleben Germany June 19th 1944 when the B-24 bomber to which he was assigned as a gunner and radio operator was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire while on a bombing mission with the 8th Air Force in England.

Lester D. Warren. 29. 200 E. 27th St. Newark HS; University of Delaware. Dupont Company. Staff Sergeant 44th Bomber Group – Air Force. KIA over France while serving as aerial gunner with 506th bomber squadron, 44th bombardment group, 8th Air Force,  June 27th 1944.

George H. Devine. 35. 1333 Clayton St. Insurance Broker.  Staff Sergreant. 492nd Bomber Groupd.  Tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator.  Killed over North Sea on June 18th 1944.

Linford Eastburn. 32. Wilmington High School. 489th Bomber Group – Air Force. KIA July 7th 1944 in a plane crash in the North Sea while serving as an aerial gunner aboard a B-24 aircraft which failed to return from a strategic bombing mission over Aschersleben German.  8th Air Force, Halesworth England.

Casmir Blaska. 25. 3200 block Jefferson. Salesianum High School. University of Delaware. Lt. Killed over Germany, July 8th 1944.  Killed on 11th mission.

Charles E. Banning. 22. 507 W. 26th St. Graduate of PS Dupont High School.  Staff Sergeant, US Army 8th Air Force. 507 W. 26th.  KIA on July 11th 1944 after crashing in the English Channel while returning from a raid over Munich.

John H. Fredd Jr. 21. 1110 Woodlawn Ave. Dupont Company. 1st Lt. 450th Bomber Group.  B-24 Bomber Pilot.  Killed over Germany, July 19th 1944.

Theodore E. Hearne. 23. 115 W. 25th St. Flight officer, Air Force. Killed in action whiile on a combat mission in the Mediterranean area July 20th 1944.

Marvin Weiner. 22. PS Dupont High School. 201 W. 20th St. 1st Lt, 365th Fighter Group. Killed  in action over the English Channel while serving as the pilot of a P-47 on strafing and escort duty July 23rd 1944.

Donald D. Robinson. 2300 block Locust. Staff Sergeant, US Army Air Corps. KIA on July 25th 1944 over Linz Germany while serving as a radio operator on a B-24 bomber based

Harry First. 28. 412 S. Franklin. 1st Lt. 461st Bomber Group. Navigator on B-24. Killed over Linz, Austria July 26th 1944.

Louis DiMartino. 722 Douglass St.  Brown Vocational High School.  Welder at Harlan Plant of Bethlehem Steel.  Killed on July 26th 1944.

 

Recruiting Add in Wilmington Newspaper July 1944: 

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Harry Hinkson. 21. 1022 Monroe. Wilmington High School ’41.’ Sergeant, 487th bomber group. Killed over Germany. August 5th 1944.

Joseph D. Hall. 20. 1819 W. 16th St. Wilmington High School ’42’. Goldey College. Hercules Powder Co. Staff Sergeant. 91st Bomber Group. Ball turret gunner on B-24. Killed over Germany August 18th.

John B. Punte. 20. 1423 Stapler Place. WIlmintgon High School ’42.’ St Ann’s Grade school. Staff Sergreant. 401st. KIA over Germany September 9th 1944.

Edwin T. Kriesel. 20. 1804 Delaware Avenue. Wilmington High School ’42.’ Staff Sergeant. 401st Bomber Group. Turret gunner on a Flying Fortress….completed 20 missions. Killed in skies over France August 8th 1944.

Douglas Beatson. 25.  2309 Pine. Staff Sergeant. 18th Bomber Squadron. KIA October 16th 1944.

Phillip M. Carlon. 29. 2430 W. 18th St. Wilmington High School. Dupont Company – Experimental Station. Sergeant 15th Airforce. Ball turret Gunner. KIA in Italy. October 14th 1944. Newspaper reports killed on 7th mission.

Richard S. Durbin. 24. 3403 Franklin Place. Cornell University. Captain. 361st Figher Group. 8th Air Force. Killed in action while serving as P51 fighter pilot on November 9th 1944 in England while returning from his 46th combat mission.

Otis D. Craig. 19. 415 W. 30th St. Staff Sergeant, 445th Bomber Group. Ball turret gunner on B-24. KIA over Germany November 26th 1944.

Bayard V. Ginn. 23. 1804 Washington St. PS Dupont High School. Goldey College. Hercules Powder Company. 389th Bomber Group – Air Force. 2nd Lt. Killed in action over Germany December 12th 1944.

Walter Crowl. 29. 1412 Van Buren. PS Dupont High School. Goldey College. 2nd Lt. Shot down over Bulgaria March 30th 1944.

George J. Murphy. 23. Pusey and Jones. 97th Bomber Group. Had completed 40 missions. KIA over Italy February 14th 1944.

Frank B. Harkins. 22. Westover Hills. 1st Lt. 483rd Bomber Group. KIA in Germany March 22nd. Newspaper reports that parents were long-time executives of Dupont affiliates in South America and had come from Argentina to enlist in Wilmington.

Henry J. Kracyla. 29. 1213 N. Heald. Pusey and Jones. 448th Bomber Group. Tail gunner on a flying fortress. KIA over Engish Channel February 25th 1944.

J. Richard Elliot. Major. 26. Elsmere. Wilmington High School.  West Point Graduate. Killed April 3rd 1945 in Germany while serving as operations officer of a P-38 Lighting Squadron of 1st Fighter group, 15th Air Force in Italy.

 

 

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The Battle of the Atlantic: Wilmington Residents KIA

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In late 1941 the German Navy had a significant advantage and headstart over the US Navy which had to be reversed if the Allies had a chance of winning in Western Europe. At great cost the U-Boats were cleared out of the Atlantic but not before 3500 Allied Merchant ships and 175 warship were sunk.

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William F. Jerman. 27. 611 W. 30th St. Youngest captain in City Stars line. Captain of SS Empire, hit by torpedo off Florida on February 22nd 1942.

John Bush. 51. 1113 King St. Ship Master, JN Pew. Hit by German torpedo about 225 miles of Aruba on February 21 1942. 33 dead.

John T. Karschnerr. 36. 1301 Linden St. Owner of Jewelry store at 815 W. 4th St. 4th Cook, SS Coamo, Merchant Marines. Killed in North Atlantic December 5 1942. Ship upon orders of British admiralty exited a convoy to proceed independently 150 miles West of Ireland and shortly after struck by German torpedo. All 186 onboard killed in single greatest loss of life of a merchant crew during World War Two.

Marc McDonald. 22. 207 Madison St. Warner Jr High School. Baldwin Locomotive Works. Oiler, SS La Salle, Merchant Marines. Around 11pm on November 7 1942, unescorted La Salle was hit by one torpedo from German U-Boat 159 about 350 miles off the Cape of Good Hope after a 5 hour chase. The hit ignited the cargo of ammunication and completely destroyed the vessel. All 60 crew killed.

George. H. Foster. 28. 913 Adams. Quarter Master, MS Sun Oil. On April 4 1943, MS Sunoil was part of convey HX-23 but was straggling due to engine trouble. Hit once by Torpedo but armed gaurds forced German submarine U-563 to submerge. 6 hours later hit by 3 torpoedes fired by U-530 and instantly sank. 69 dead, no survivors.

Eli Sheldon. 24. 131 W. 18th St. PS Dupont High School. Dupont Company. Machinist’s Mate, 2nd Class. USS Cythers. Ship was a pleasure yacht converted to Sub-Chaser. One hour after leaving port in North Carolina hit by German torpedo, 71 killed.

Arthur W. Brangs. 25. 704 Jackson St. Sinclair Oil Company. Machinist’s Mate, 2nd Class. USS Shubrick, Navy. Killed on August 4th 1943 near Sicily when German planes dropped a 500 pound bomb on USS Shubrick during a night raid.

Winthrop W. Mellen Jr. 22. 1300 N. Harrison. Ensign, USS Bristol. While escorting convey to Oran, Algeria, USS Bristol hit by 1 torpedo in forward engine room. Broke in 2 and sank within 12 minutes. 52 dead.

Thomas W. Davis. 23. 1208 E. 13th St. Gunner’s Mate, SS John Motley. Hit by bomb on December 2nd 1943 near Italy.

Louis J. Marzie. 21. 312 Cedar St. Killed August 4 1943.

John Sparco. Seamen Second Class. Maryland, Line of Duty.

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Peter Budnick. 22. Southbridge. Pusey and Jones. Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class. SS Kimball, Navy. Lost at sea in North Atlantic, January 16th 1944.

Joseph L. Hoodock Jr. 21. 3021 Madison St. Firemen First class. USS Menges, Coast Guard. One of 31 men killed when ship hit by Torpedo fired by German Submarine U-371 while on convoy in Meditarranean on May 3 1944.

David F. Lougheed. 19. Machinist’s Mate. USS Holder. Killed in action when German planes attached ship during raids off the coast of Algeria on April 11th 1944.

Joseph M. Vignola. 23. 2119 Gilles St. Salesianum High School. Dravo Corporation. Army Air Corps. Killed along with 502 other US soldiers when transport ship sunk by U-Boat in the Mediterranean on June 8th 1944.

John F. Jenkins. 57. 300 W. 36th St. Captain, Merchant Marine. Lost at sea January 2nd 1945 with sinking of US Sunoco due to explosion off coast of New Jersey.

William L. Regan. 24. Motor Machinist’s Mate. USS Frederick Davis. Lost at sea, April 24 1945. Last Allied naval ship lost in the Battle of the Atlantic.

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NEXT:  D-Day and the Normandy Campaign

D-Day & The Normandy Campaign

~ Nathan ~ Leave a comment

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Wilmington headline on morning of June 6th 1944: 

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Wilmington Infantry Men Killed in Normandy 1944: 

Six killed on D-Day

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Walter Dobek. 21. 112 N. Harrison. St Hedwig’s Parochial School.  Bond Manufacturing Company. Private. 146th Engineer Battalion. Killed clearing anti-boat obstacles on Omaha Beach to pave the way for the landings of the 1st and 29th infantry division

Franklin J. Polster. 25. 520 W. 8th St. Wilmington High School. Manager of Cigar store, 10th and Market. Private. 29th Infantry Division. Killed on  Omaha Beach, D-Day.

Charles N. Donoghue. 28. 706 S. Franklin. St Elizabeth grade school. Galloway Transport Company. Sergeant. 746th Tank Battalion.  Killed on D-Day during landing at Utah Beach.

Walter S. Brinton.  26.  12 Buena Vista St. Pennsylvania Railroad. Private, 1st Class. Killed on Omaha Beach, D-Day while serving as communication man, Company A, 116th regiment, 29th Division.

Stephen MacGregor. 38. 600 block Concord Avenue.  Captain, US Army.  Killed on D-Day while serving in charge of the 461st Amphibian Truck Company.  20 years in military.

William Verderamo. 29. St. Mary’s Parochial School. AI Dupont Estate. Corporal, 1st Infantry Division. Killed on Omaha Beach, D-Day.

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Yet D-Day was just the first day….

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Stephen Oboryshko. 505 E. 8th. Pennsylvania Railroad. Technician 5th grade, 5th Ranger Division.  Killed in action in France on June 7th 1944.

Edward J. Rucinski. 29. 1209 Linden St. Allied Kid Company. Private 1st class, 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry regiment.  KIA  near Utah Beach June 9th 1944.

Frank Melda.  27. 845 Tatnall. Belanca Aircraft Corp. Corporal, 49th Engineers Batallion KIA after hit by shrapnel near St. Marie Du Mont, France June 10th 1944.

Albert J. Chalmers. 30. 2214 Jessup.  Warner Jr High School. James Watson & Sons Company. Private Rangers – Army.  Newspaper reports: “He was well known in hunting and fishing circles and had a notable gun collection.”  Killed in in France June 10th 1944.

John S. Greenfield. 30. 320 W. 35th St. Private first class, 29th Infantry Division. Killed in action “while serving as an expert machine gunner” in France June 16th 1944

Edward J. Piotrowski. 19. 135 6th Avenue St. Hedwig’s Parochial School. Sheet Metal Contracting Company. Private, First Class, 90th Infantry Division. Killed in action near Cherbourg, France June 17th 1944.

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Charles P. Green. 28. 1214 West St. KIA June 19th at Omaha Beachhead while serving with the Amphibious Corps on an LST.  Employee of Dupont Company.

Mario J. Capano.  20. 521 Dupont St.  Private First Class, 29th Infantry Division. KIA in France June 25th 1944

Peter Sosik.  27. 1010 Kirkwood. Grocery store clerk.  Private,  Infantry Army. Survived invasion of North Africa and Sicily. Killed in France on June 26th 1944.  Part of first class of draftees from Wilmington in January of 1941.  Wounded in North Africa but returned to action.

Herman Cohen. 25. 312 W. 8th St. Neisner Department Store. Sergeant 4th Infantry. KIA in France June 27th 1944.Company C, 22nd Regiment.

Nathan Balick.  24. 17 W. 38th St. Wilmington High School. Allied Kid Company. Private 1st class Army. Killed in France July 11th 1944.

Robert A. Wescoat. 30. PS Dupont High School. Private 1st Class. 328th Transportation company.  KIA on July 19th when ship transporting unit from England to France was sunk in the English Channel.

Robert L. Gamble. 29. Dupont Road, Elsmere.  Private, US Army.  Worked pre-war at NVF Factory, Maryland Avenue.

John Bukowski.  31. 1613 Lancaster.  Brown Vocational High School.  Plumber.  Private 9th Infantry Division.  KIA in France July 21st 1944.

Peter A. Bianco.  30. 409 W. 3rd St.  Dupont Company, Wilmington shops.  Private,  First Class 90th Infantry Div.  KIA in France July 23rd 1944.

Seymour Miller. 24.  1508 PA Avenue.  Swathmore. Miller Furniture Brothers.  1st Lt,  83rd Infantry. KIA at St. Lo on July 25th 1944.

Cecill C. Husfelt.  31 Private 1st Class, 9th Infantry Division. KIA in France  at La Chapelle-en-Juger near St Lo, July 25th 1944.

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James N. Foley. 23. 2307 Tatnall St. Harlan & Hollingsworth. Private, 29th Infantry Division. KIA by shrapnel wounds in France August 3rd 1944.

William F. Usilton.  26. 813 W. 34th. Wilmington High School. Pusey and Jones. Private, 2nd Infantry Division. KIA at Lamiodiere, France while serving with an Ordinance unit on August 3rd 1944.

Robert Lisansky. 25. 837 Kirkwood St.  PS Dupont High School.  Employed at father’s store, Miller’s Market.  Private, 28th Infantry Division. KIA at St. Lo in August 7th 1944.

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Roger S. Pancoast.  26.  1306 Clayton St.  PS Dupont High school – Junior at University of Delaware. Staff Sergeant,  695th Field Artillery.  KIA while on duty as liaison officer with an armored Field Artillery regiment  in France August 7 1944.

William I. Smith. 19.  Sergeant, 34th Infantry Division.  KIA in France August 8th 1944.

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Fred E. Harvey. 31. New Road, Elsmere. Veteran of Tunisia, Sicily and Italy campaigns. Graduate of Wilmington High School.  KIA on August 9th 1944 in France. Technical sergeant, Army.

Robert E. Lee.  Private,  First Class,  28th Infantry Division.   Killed in France on August 10th 1944.

Carl H. Dorschel. 31. 1100 block 5th St. Lt. Wilmington High School. Temple University.  Killed in combat in Southern France, August 16th 1944.

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Robert L. Barnes. 22. 18 W. 23rd St.  PS Dupont High School.  Hercules Experimental Station. Sergeant 9th Infantry Division. Killed in France September 1st 1944 while serving as leader of a machine gun unit. Had only been inducted into military 7 months earlier.

Frank C. Nicely. 27. 7th & Lincoln. Killed in action in France September 1944.

Clifford Hook. 29. 2900 W. 2nd. Killed September 8th in France. Part of “Tank destroyer division.”

Philip E. Crossland.  30. 804 E. 17th. Harlan Plant/ Bethlehem Steel. Private,  29th Infantry  Division. Killed in France September 15th 1944.

Nicholas V. Morello.  21. Wilmington High School ’41’ Bellanca Aircraft Corp. Private 1st Class, 35th Infantry Division, 3rd Army. Killed in France September 17th 1944.

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Joseph T. Harris.  2600 block W. 18th. Wilmington branch of Clover Dairy Co of Philadelphia Private 2nd Infantry Division. KIA  in  BrestFrance on September 18th 1944.

Joseph A. McGrath.  31. 515 Jefferson St. Elizabeth Elementary School. TT Weldin Co – welder. Private 1st Class,  35th Infantry Division. KIA at Rechicourt, France  “while acting leader of his squad and serving with a crack Infantry division of the 3rd Army.”

Roland E. Bullock. 35. Rodney Court Apartments. Dupont Company. Killed on September 25th 1944 while serving in the Infantry in France.

Watson Marker. 24. 500 W. 5th St. Bancroft Company. Killed in action in France September 27th.

Rocco J. Crisconia  Jr. 29. 233 N. Harrison. Allied Kid Company.  Corporal, 90th Infantry Division. KIA in France on September 28th 1944.

Frederic W Bryner III. 19. 524 E. 4th St.  Wilmington High School. Pusey and Jones CO. Private First Class, 45th Infantry Division. KIA in France October 1st 1944.

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Thomas J.Zaborowski. 31. 110 Logan. Allied Kid Company. Private, 45th Infantry Division, KIA in Southern France October 17th 1944.

Walter H. Lewis.  20. 408 N. Union. Electric Hose and Rubber Company. Private First Class, 45th Infantry Division. KIA in France October 20th 1944.

 Norman Schoenberg.  22. 402 Tatnall St. Wilmington High School. Private 1st Class, 71st Infantry Division.  KIA in Luneville, France October 23rd 1944.

Wallace S. Wroten Jr. 19. 181 Brandywine Blvd. PS Dupont High School ’43.’ Sergeant , 26th Infantry Division. KIA in France October 24th 1944.

Harry Hitchens.  29. 911 Adams St. Dupont Company – Carney’s Point Technician. 26th Infantry Division. KIA in Moncourt France October 26th 1944.

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Edmund M. Flaherty Jr. 19. 2512 W. 17th St.  Tower Hill School. Private 1st class,  36th Infantry Division. KIA in Biefontaine France October 29th 1944. Had only been inducted ten months earlier.

Calvin Condiff.  22. 633 Springer St.  Mt Pleasant School.  Bond Manufacturing Co. Private, 48th Infantry Division. KIA in France October 31st 1944.

Francis P. Cantanelli.  25. 1411 W. 3rd St. Taxi driver. Killed by sniper, Northeastern France October 31st 1944.

Joseph C. Hajec.  26.  Hedgeville. St. Hedwig’s Parochial School.  Allied Kid Company.  Sergeant, 26th Infantry Division. KIA in Marville France November 10th 1944.

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Jacob L. Silver. 28. 3107 Van Buren. Diamond Chemical Company and Supply. Private, 26th Infantry Division. KIA in Loraine France November 12th 1944.

Thomas G. Reid. 20. Silverside Rd. AI Dupont School. Private 1st class, 44th Infantry Division. KIA in France November 13th 1944.

LeRoy G. Moore.  24. 923 Gilpin Avenue.  Eastern Malleable Iron Company. Private 1st Class, 26th Infantry Division. KIA while serving as a cook in an infantry unit of the 3rd Army in France November 15th 1944.

John J. Skrzec. 24. 28 6th Avenue.  Wilmington High School. Private, 33rd Signal Battalion.  KIA while attempting to fix a power line as part of construction battalion in France November 19th 1944.

John S. Smith. 35. 401 W. 24th St. Wilmington High School. University of Delaware. Captain, 103rd Infantry.  KIA at Steige Pass, France directing tank fire against German machine-gun positions on November 27th 1944.

Paul A. August. South Claymont Street. Private, Infantry. Killed in action in France December 2nd 1944.

 Jerome F. McLaughlin Jr.  19.  702 Van Buren St.  Wilmington High School.  Private 1st Class, 94th Infantry. KIA from severe shrapnel wounds of the spine at Fay, France December 18th 1944.

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Samuel Corbin.  21. 327 E. 7th St.  Howard High School. Cabinet maker at Feinberger Furniture Store. Private, Army. Killed in action in France December 19th 1944.

James H. Taylor.  19. 631 E. 8th St. Howard High School. Pennsylvania Railroad. Sergeant, Quartermaster Corps. Killed in action in Rheims France December 21st 1944 while serving with an ordinance company.

Joseph J. Kwiatkowski. 25. Hedgeville. Sgt. Army. Died on December 21st 1944 at a military hospital of wounds received in France in October.

Ross L. Everett. 34 505 N. Broom.  Warner Jr high school.  B&O Railroad. Sergeant, 45th Infantry Division. KIA in France December 27th 1944.

The Breakout into Belgium, Holland and Germany:

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Walter D. Cooper. 21. 1801 Delaware Avenue. Wilmington High School. Tree surgeon. Killed in fighting September 1944 at Arnhem as part of Market Garden. Had jumped into Normandy on D-Day.

Robert S. Currier. 25. 2302 Harrison St. Warner Jr High School. 1st Lt, 82nd Airborne Division. Survived landings at Anzio and North Africa. KIA in Holland September 1944 as part of Market Garden.

Earl G. Johnson. 2512 Bowers. Sun Shipbuilding Co, Chester. 377th Parachute Regiment. Jumped into Holland as part of Market Garden. Killed September 19th 1944.

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Francis L. Brown. 23. E. 40th St. 2nd Lt. Died of wounds in Germany on September 27th 1944 while serving with Headquarters company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry.

Joseph Le Van. 24. 204 W. 7th St. Private 1st Class, 7th Armored Division. KIA in Holland October 29th 1944.

 Arthur J. Girard Jr.  29. 1319 West St.  Allied Kid Company. Sergeant, 8th Infanty Regiment.  KIA in Belgium November 26th 1944.

 John J. Neugebauer.  29. 1931 W. 4th St. Wilmington High School. Dupont Company – Deepwater Plant. Staff Sergeant, 9th Infantry Division. Killed in Belgium September 6th 1944.

Anthony J. Barbieri.  21. 1834 W. 5th St. Bayard Jr High School.  Dravo Corporation. Private 4th Infantry Division. Killed in Germany September 17th 1944.

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Louis B. Recchiuti.   20. 1741 W. 5th St. Brown Vocational High School.  Dravo Corporation. Sheet metal worker.  Private,  84th Infantry Division.  Killed November 30th 1944 in Germany.

Robert, W. Eckman. 25.  1701 Broom St.  PS Dupont High School. University of Delaware.  Dupont Company.  Private, 4th Infantry. Killed at Hurtgen Forest in Germany on December 4th 1944.  Had only been in Army 6 months.

James H. Bell.  1117 Kirkwood. Mt Pleasant and AI Dupont schools. American Car and Foundry Co.  Private, 405th Infantry.  Killed in Germany November 23rd 1944.

Austin L. Reynolds.  35. 1005 Scott. Private 1st class. 1st Infantry Division. Killed in Germany November 24th 1944.

Morton T. Wolson. 19.  2303 Baynard Boulevard. Private, 1st class 87th Infantry Division.  Killed in Germany December 17th 1944.

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Richard L. Swearer.  25. 6 E. 15th St. PS Dupont High School.  Hercules Powder Company. Staff Sergeant,  102nd Infantry Division. Killed in Germany November 24th 1944.

 William J. Tuschinksi. 28. 109 S. Adams St. Hedwig’s Parochial School.  Dupont – Wilmington Shops. Staff Sergeant, 8th Infantry Division. Killed in Germany December 1st 1944.

Frank J. Lapkiewicz. 1100 block Maple. Killed December 6th 1944 in England of wounds from combat at Durboslar Germany while serving in the Infantry.

Howard W. Hill. 224 W. 14th. Private 1st Class, Army. KIA in Germany on September 1st 1944 while serving with Company K, 335th Infantry, 84th Division.  Won Bronze Star.

Leon T. Hedley. 24. 228 Clayton. St. Thomas Parochial School. Private, 102nd Infantry Division.  Killed in action in Germany December 1st 1944.

Cliftord A. Dresh Jr. 19 Brown Vocational High School. Employee at  Joy Gas Station – 28th & Market.  Private, 83rd Infantry Division.  Killed in Germany December 11th 1944.

 Robert Higman.  25.  847 Clayton St. Bond Manufacturing Co. Private,  First Class 2nd Infantry Division. Killed in Germany December 18th 1944.

Zygmund J. Rafalski. 100 Logan St. KIA in Germany on December 31st 1944 while serving in the Engineering Corps.

NEXT:  Battle of the Bulge and Into Germany

The Bulge and the Push to Germany – 1945

~ Nathan ~ Leave a comment

 

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To an over-confident Allied High Command it seemed like Germany was on the ropes in late 1944. Yet, achieving complete surprise on December 16th Germany launched an offensive of over 400,000 German soldiers against US lines in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The goal was to split Allied forces in half and force some kind of negotiated peace settlement. The Wermacht was able to create a huge “Bulge” in US lines but never a break. At least thirteen Wilmington residents lost their lives at The Bulge.

 

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Battle of the Bulge: 

 

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Max Schwitzgold. 33. 828 W. 2nd St. Operated candy store at 9th and Adams.  Corporal Tech, Field Artillery Observation Battalion, US Army.  Killed by German SS at the Massacre of Malmedy on the First day of the Battle of the Bulge, December 17th 1944.

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1994 News Journal Article

 

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Maurice J. Shavack. 25. 634 W. 4th St. Salesianum High School. Family fruit stand on King St. Sergeant, 1st Infantry Division. KIA in Belgium December 21st 1944.

William W. Lewandowski. 19. 814 Ancorage Street. Bellanca Aircraft Corporation. 687th Field Artillery Battallion. KIA in Luxembourg December 22nd 1944.

George C. Smiley. 20. 304 King. Dupont Company. Corporal, 3rd Armored Division. KIA in Belgium December 23rd.

Avery P. Sturgis. 34.  602 N. Lincoln. Sgt, 26th Infantry Division. KIA in Belgium December 26th 1944.

John F. Hudson. 27. 2111 Washington St. University of Missouri. Dupont Company. 1st Lt, 80th Infantry Division. KIA in Luxembourg December 24th.

Herbert Rubenstein. 709 W. 26 St. PS Dupont High School. University of Delaware Private, 106th Infantry Division. Belgium – KIA December 19th 1944.

Fred J. Harper. 26. 100 W. 23rd St. Sergeant, US Army. KIA in Belgium December 27th 1944 while serving with artillery battalion.  Graduate of PS Dupont High School and the U of D. Served as teacher in Seaford immediately before the war.

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Thomas L. Marshall. 219 Woodlawn. Dupont – Edgemoore Plant. Private 1st Class, 501st Parachute Regiment. KIA in Belgium January 3rd 1945.

Lambert S. Ciancaglini. 25. 723 W. 9th St. Wilmington High School. Dravo Corporation. Private First Class, 26th Infantry Division. KIA in Luxembourg January 12th 1945.

Leslie D. Dickerson. 306 W. 20th. Montana State University. Private, 1st Class. 101st Airborne Division. Killed at Bastogne, January 11th.

Stephen J. Krajewski. 24. 411 S. Jackson. Allied Kid Company. Private 1st Class. KIA in Luxembourg January 14th.

John L. Mills. 24. 1010 Bennett St. Delaware Tool Company. Native of Youngsown Ohio, had recently moved to Wilmington. Private, 969th Field Artillery, an African-American artillery unit. Landed via Utah Beach.  Provided heavy fire support to 101st Airborne at siege of Bastogne.   KIA in Belgium on January 14th.

Phillip W. Chillas Jr. 24. PS Dupont High School ’39’. Dupont Company – Chambers Works. Boy scout leader. 75th Division. 289th Regiment. Killed one month after going overseas in Belgium on January 22nd 1945.

Arnold P. Marconi. 1906 W. 6th St. Brown Vocational High School. Private, 29th Infantry Division. KIA in Luxembourg, January 26th.

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The Final Push into Germany: 

While servicemen and their families hoped for a sudden collapse of the Third Reich in late 1944 and early 1945 this was not to happen.  German units fought until the bitter end.

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Henry G Shuckler. 19. 1342 Reed St. Sergeant, 45th Infantry Division. KIA in Southern France. January 2nd 1945.

Stephen S. Rydel. 25. 214 Maryland Avenue. Young Leather Co. Sergeant, 320th Bomber Group.  Killed over Italy, January 16th 1945.

Carlin  Traub. 29. Staff Sergeant, 76th Infantry Division.  Wounded at battle of St. Lo.  Died of wounds in 1947.

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Bernard Goodlevege. 19. 717 W. 7th St. Wilmington High School ’43’. Private, 94th Infantry Division. KIA in Germany, January 20th 1945.

William L. Catts. 38. 200 E. 7th St. Dupont – Wilmington Shops. Private 1st Class, 3rd Infantry Divisions. Medic. Killed January 23rd in France during German attempt to retake Strasbourg.

Frank W. Dinkel. 35. 616 W. 8th. Private, First Class. 87th Infantry Division.  KIA in Germany February 11th 1945.  Only overseas 1 month when killed.

Angelo J. Pantalione. St Paul’s Grade school. PA Rail Road. Private 1st Class. Infantry.  KIA in France, February 12th 1945.

Irving Deshong. 27. 502 W. 5th St. Private 1st Class. 29th Infantry Division.  Killed in combat in Germany on February 21st 1945.

Robert H. Toomey.  23. 1004 Jefferson. Bellboy at Hotel Dupont.  Private first class. 78th Infantry Division. KIA in Germany February 5th 1945.

 

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Joseph H. Wilson. 29. Delaware Tool Company. Private, 1st Class. 8th Infantry Division.  Killed in Germany February 25th 1945.

John L. Leighty. Private, 102nd Infantry Division. KIA in Germany 26th of February.

Lewis A. Allison.  22. 519 W. 17th St. Electric Hose and Rubber.  55th Armored Infantry. KIA in Austria March 1st.

William F. Hoffer. 115 E. 36th St. Staff Sergeant. 747th Tank Battallion. Lost in action in Germany, March 1st.

Cecil E. Jordan. 25. 4255 Pine. Staff Sergant, 49th Engineers Batallion. Survived Operation Torch and D-Day landings.  KIA in Germany March 2nd.

 

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Wentzell J. Jablonski. 21. 417 Maryland Avenue. Dravo Corporation.  Private 1st Class, 70th Infantry Division. Killed in Germany March 3rd.

Joseph M. Lentini. 31. 601 N. Scott. Barber. Sergeant, 10th Mountain Division. KIA March 3rd in Italy.

William H. Hall. 20. Wilmington Avenue, Elsmere. Brown Vocational High School. PA Railroad. KIA in Alsase-Lorraine on March 3rd 1945 as member of 70th Division.

Arthur M. Blatman. 28. 213 W. 2nd. Wilmington High School. 2nd Lt. 8th Armored Division. KIA in Germany March 8th. Bronze Star.

Lewis F. Foley Jr. 22. 1906 Scott. Salesianum High School. St. Ann’s Grade school. Dupont Co, traffic department. Private, 4th Cavalry Reconaissance. Killed in Germany, 1945.

Walter Moore. 19. New Castle Avenue. Private 1st Class. 65th infantry division. Died in France from combat wounds, March 15th 1945.

Thomas M. Skelly. Captain. Westover Hills.  Hercules Powder Company. KIA in Germany March 16th 1945.

William H. Peel. 937 Kirkwood. KIA on March 16th 1945 while serving as a rifleman in an infantry unit east of the Rhine River.
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Anthony V. Montani. 23. 1825 W. 6th St Wilmington High School. Baldwin Locomotive Works. 158th Engineer Company. Died  in France, March 22nd.

Charles A. Higgins Jr. Westover Hills. Tower Hill School. Yale University. 2nd Lt 326th Signal Service. KIA in Germany March 24th.  Son of President of Hercules Powder Co.

William F. Lynn. 36. 606 West St. Salesianum High School.  Private. 45th Field Hospital.  Died in Germany March 29th.

John B. Donaldson. 20. Conrad High School. Dupont Company, Engineering Department.  Private 1st Class, 75th Infantry. KIA in Germany April 6th.

Benjamin M. Simon. 3001 Madison St. PS Dupont High School. Corporal, 69th Infantry Division. KIA in Germany April 7th.

Stanley F. Olender. 24. 826 Chesnut. Bayard Jr HS. Ace Theater Maryland Avenue.. Sergeant, 385th Infantry Regiment. KIA in Germany April 8th 1945. 3rd employee of Ace Theater to die in war notes paper….was able to meet up with his brother for 1 hour while in Europe.

 

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Wesley H. Hammond. 38. 1117 Lancaster Avenue. Dupont Co – Film Department. KIA in Germany April 9th.

Wiliam Gawthrop Jr. Lt.  89th Infantry Division. Killed in Germany, April 11th 1945.

Mateo Petrucelli. 21. 619 W. 5th St. San-Nap-Pak Co, Rockland. 83rd Infantry Division.  KIA in Germany. April 12th 1945.

Edward L. Ogden. 19. 218 Woodlawn Avenue. St. Thomas Parochial School.  Private.  273rd Infantry Regiment, 69th Infantry Division. KIA 13 April 1945 near Leipsic.

Daniel J. Rosar. 19.  Private.  KIA in Germany while clearing minefield, April 16th 1945.

Warren W. Grier Jr. 24. 1105 Adams St. University of Delaware. Captain. 8th Infantry Division.  Germany – KIA May 2nd 1945.

 

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Roland J. Marvel. 2306 Locust. Sergeant, 3rd Infantry Division. Died of wounds in England, June 1st. “word of injury reached wife only a few hours before Truman proclaimed surrender of Germany”

Russell R. Essick Jr. 19. 215 W. 26th St. Army.  Died in VA on July 5th 1945 from wounds received while delivering a supply truck in Germany on April 27.

John F. Fleetwood. 28.  1615 Lincoln St.  Wilmington High School. Corporal, 28th Infantry Division.  Died in 1947 at Delaware Hospital from shrapnel wounds received in action at Vossenack, Germany while serving with the 109th Infantry of the 28th Division.

 

Speaking Engagements & Contact Information

~ Nathan ~ 5 Comments

This website and project is a work in progress.  Please excuse any unintentional omissions and/or factual errors. I will happy fix any mistakes or add information on anyone listed as soon as notified.

Contact me at Nathan.r.field@hotmail.com

I am available to come speak about this topic and have given a variation of this lecture to several organizations.

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Thank you to the News Journal for this excellent article.