Voor Informatie over Soldaten gesneuveld in Europa. Tijdens de 2e Wereldoorlog.

ww2-europe.com

Deze website is opgedragen aan de mannen en vrouwen van de geallieerde strijdkrachten die in de Asia-Pacific Regio zijn omgekomen tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog.

informatie over iets

op deze Website, of anders.

sjoke.vijgen@gmail.com

Steele, William C.

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant William C. Steele.

Unit/Placed in, 33rd Bomber Squadron, 22nd Bomber Group, Heavy, United States Army Air Forces.

 

William is born. on 12 December 1912 in Catasauqua, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Father, Willam John Steele.

Mother, Callie Irene (Eck) Steele.

Brother(s), Russel G. and Alan Luther Steele.

 

William enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 33057730.

 

William‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

1stLt.  Donald White                   Pilot

2ndLt. Alonza T. Roundtree          Co-Pilot

1stLt.  William R. Brown              Navigtor

1st Lt. Joe A. Cornado                 Bombardier

SSgt.   John T. Hooks                   Radio Operator

TSgt.   Wayne W. Shaw                Engineer

TSgt.   Arthur K. Miller                Asst. Engineer

SSgt.   Raymond Schutrum           Gunner

SSgt.   Willian C. Steele                Gunner

1stLt.  Nathaniel H. Ball               Observer

 

William was KIA/MIA when over the bombing target they were hit by AA- white phosphorus shell, the explosion caused the bomber to crash on, 1 September 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Recovery of Remains

After the crash, the remains of White, New, Shaw and Ball were recovered.

 

William is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-100291.html

https://www.ozatwar.com/22ndbomb.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Ambrose, James C.

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Charles C. Ambrose.

Unit/Placed in, 554th Bomber Squadron, 386th Bomber Group (Medium).

 

James is born approx. on 1923 in illinois.

Father, James B. Ambrose.

Mother, Margaret E. Ambrose.

Sister(s), Phyllis C. Ambrose.

 

James enlisted the service in Illinois with service number # O-713989.

 

James ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-26 were,

Major           Edward E. Turner             Pilot

2nd Lt.          Avril R. Woolsey                Co Pilot

2nd Lt.          James C. Ambrose             Bombardier/Navigator

S/Sgt.           Donald L. Schoffstall          Flight Engineer

Sgt.              George G. Vogiazis             Radio Operator

Pvt.             John J. Rudy                    Gunner

 

James was KIA in an airplane crash while attempting to land on return from combat operational mission on Sep. 16, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

James is buried/mentioned at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Hudson Cemetery, Hudson, McLean County, Illinois, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/386th_Bombardment_Group.html

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/330

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Johnson, Albert William

Rank and Name, Torpedoman’s Mate Second Class Albert William Johnson.

Unit/Placed in, USS Trout (SS-202) Submarine, United States Naval Reserve.

Albert is born on 23 May 1921 in Chicago, Illinois.

Father, Albert Sidney Johnson.

Mother, Jeannette M. (Nelson) Johnson.

Albert enlisted the service in Illinois with service number # 4104413.

Albert was KIA when his Sub probably sunk by depth charge attack by  ijn Asashimo (Jap. Destroyer), on 29 Feb. 1944, he is honored with Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Albert is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

Thanks to, http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/johnson-a-w.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Edwards, Albert Allen

Rank and Name, Seaman Second Class Albert Allen Edwards.

Unit/Placed in, USS Mount Hood (AE-11) Ammunition ship, United States Naval Reserve.

Albert is born on 1919 in New York.

Father, Albert Edwards.

Mother, Marie Edwards.

Sister(s), Claire, Elizabeth, Miriam and Dolores Edwards.

Brother(s), George, William and Vincent Edwards.

Albert enlisted the service in New York with service number # 8984607.

Albert died when nearly 4 Tons of ammunition aboard the USS Mount Hood exploded killing all Crewmembers and damaged more than 38 ships at Seeadler Harbor, Manus Island on 10 Nov. 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Albert is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to, https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-039/h-039-5.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Foster, Alvin Buckley

Rank and Name, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Alvin Buckley Foster.

Unit/Placed in, USS Escolar (SS-294) Submarine, United States Navy.

 

Alvin is born approx. on 7 Dec. 1921 in Thornton, Texas.

Father, Alfred Ambrose Foster.

Mother, Mary R. (Hansen) Foster.

Brother(s), Walter Jackson and Billy Bob Foster.

 

Alvin enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 3604875.

 

Alvin was MIA, lost at sea, cause unknown on 17 Oct. 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Alvin is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/foster-a-b.htm

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KHNF-PTC

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Davis, Alfred J.

Rank and Name, Private Alfred J. Davis.

Unit/Placed in, 2nd Major Port, United States Army.

 

Army and naval supply based operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Organized by the Transport and Quartermaster Corp were necessary.

Operating from and to major Ports in the World.

 

Alfred is born approx. on 1924 in Lee County, Florida.

 

Alfred enlisted the service in Florida with service number # 34545937.

 

Albert died in a work accident, got crushed between 2 Objects  on 25 July 1944, he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Albert is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

 

 

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Miller, Arthur Robert

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Arthur Robert Miller.

Unit/Placed in, Marine Aircraft Group 21 HQ Squadron, (MAG-21), United States Marine Corp.

 

Arthur is born approx. on 1922 in Nevada, Iowa.

Father, Arthur Miller.

Mother, Martha Miller.

Sister(s), Jean Miller.

Brother(s), Albert Miller.

 

Arthur enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 0-025732.

 

Arthur died in the Operational Flight from Espiritu Santo To Efate (nothing heard) on 1 April 1944, he is honored with a Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Arthur is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/LLApr44.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Scalf, Clyde Gardley

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant Clyde Gardley Scalf.

Unit/Placed in, 32th Armored Regiment (Maintenance Comp.), 3th Armored Division “Spearhead”.

 

Clyde was born approx. on Jan. 29, 1917 in Washington County, Tennessee.

 

Father, Elbert S. Scalf.

Mother, Rosa B. Scalf (Carrol).

Sisters, Carrol J. Scalf.

Wife, Cracie L. Scalf (Hayes).

Son, Clyde G. Scalf.

 

Clyde enlisted the service at Georgia with serial number no record.

 

Clyde G. Scalf was a Tank-Commander in the 3th Armored Division.

 

Clyde was KIA during the Battle for Mons on Sep. 3, 1944,  he is honored with the Purple Heart

 

Clyde is buried at Fair View Cemetery, Leitchfield, Grayson County, Kentucky, USA.

 

 

Thanks to http://www.3ad.com/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

 

 

The Battle of Mons

The second great battle for Mons was not anticipated by either the Wehrmacht or the American First Army, and yet it probably decided the outcome of future battles more profoundly than had any previous action, with the exception of Mortain and Argentan-Falaise, in which the 3rd Armored Division had been engaged. Briefly, an estimated 30,000 German troops, attempting a mass retreat to the fortifications of the Siegfried Line, were met at Mons by the 3rd, cut to pieces, and further mauled by the following 1st Infantry Division. Their organization shattered and without proper communication, this huge force blundered into the road blocks of General Rose’s armor during the early morning hours of September 3. The debacle that followed was complete and, as a result, the Siegfried Line never received its full complement of defending troops.

 

The “Spearhead” Division alone captured nearly 10,000 enemy soldiers at Mons, and killed many more. The 1st Infantry Division, supporting the armor, captured 17,000 after the 3rd had moved forward again upon the order of Major General Collins. Probably never before in the history of warfare has there been so swift a destruction of such a target force. This entire German corps, a part of the Seventh Army, dwindled to nothing in approximately three days!

 

At Mons, as at Fromentel, there was no such thing as “rear echelon” in the 3rd Armored Division. Headquarters, trains and supply troops fought heavy actions alongside the combat infantry, the tanks, tank-destroyers and the artillery of the command. There were no non-combatants.

 

American air reconnaissance first observed the approaching enemy columns, and Thunderbolts promptly went to work with bombs and strafing attack. The German convoy, which appeared to be miles in length, headed straight for Mons and the shortest way back to the Siegfried Line. Instead, it ran into the road blocks of the 3rd and there foundered in blood and destruction such as few German armies had seen before.

 

The chaos was complete. A platoon of tank-destroyers, commanded by Captain Bill Smith, destroyed 20 vehicles in one six hour period. His gunners, Cpl. Victor Borek, and Cpl. Frank Karpinski, sent round after round of high explosive and 3-inch armor piercing shells through the successive German vehicles. Infantrymen and engineers herded the enemy in droves, committed them to PW pens if they were willing to surrender, or mowed them down ruthlessly if they chose to fight.

 

There was no front line at Mons. The smoke and crash of battle was everywhere. A wire crew of the 143rd Armored Signal Company ambushed and destroyed a German half-track. The section, let by Cpl. Francisco Bolla, used their communications system to good advantage. T/5 John E. Kelley spotted the Jerry vehicle first, but it had already passed his line of fire. Grabbing a phone, Kelley called the next post and shouted: “German halftrack loaded with Krauts heading your way!”

“Okay,” came the reply – “chalk him up.”

The German troops opened up with all arms as they neared the second wire outpost, but Pvt. Leonard Ethridge and Pvt. Stanley R. Presgrave fired the careening half-track with their .50 caliber ground mount. Few of the enemy escaped.

 

Many more of the signal company’s men were with the Division’s Forward Echelon and Headquarters Company at Mons, when the group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its considerable part in the victory. The ostensibly “rear echelon” troops (and they were never rear echelon in the “Spearhead” Division) cut to pieces a German attack which threatened to overwhelm them.

As though drawn to the city by a fatal fascination, German troops kept pouring in to 3rd Armored Division road blocks. Tanks and tank-destroyers enjoyed a brief field day, the crews firing their big guns until the tubes smoked. 1st Lieutenant Vernon Dingley and Sergeant Tony Bocchino brought their big Sherman, ELIMINATOR, into a short battle which saw the destruction of five 170 mm artillery pieces, one 88mm dual purpose gun, and 125 motorized and horse drawn vehicles. Artillerymen blasted the confused columns with direct fire from their 105mm self propelled guns.

Gourley, Benjamin Harrison

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Benjamin Harrison Gourley Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.

 

Benjamin is born approx. on 17 Jan. 1922 in Pennsylvania.

Father, Benjamin Gourley.

Mother, Iola Gourley.

Brother(s), Imogene Gourley.

 

Benjamin enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # O-754495.

 

Benjamin was KIA on the way back from a Bomber escort Mission to Brunswick, Germany he (crashed)got MIA in the North Sea on 15 March 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Benjamin is buried/mentioned at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.55th.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Gaston, James Elliott

Rank and Name, Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class James Elliot Gaston.

Unit/Placed in, USS YMS-409, Mine-Sweeper, United States Navy.

 

On September 13th, 1944, U.S. motor minesweeper YMS-409 founders and sinks in a storm, off the Atlantic Coast. YMS-409 and her 33 men are believed to have gone down roughly 3 miles East of Cape Hatteras

 

James is born approx. on 18 Aug. 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Father, William E. Gaston.

Mother, Minnie L (Rhodes) Gaston.

Sister(s), Catherine (Gaston) Hare.

 

James enlisted the service in Alabama with service number # 8373118.

 

James died when the YMS-409 was foundered and sunk in the Hurricane on 13 Sep. 1944, he is honored with a Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

James is buried/mentioned at East Coast Memorial, Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA.

Tablets of the Missing

He also has a Memorial Grave at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA.

 

Thanks to, https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?137056

http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/19409.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/