In Memoriam
38th Armored Infantry Battalion
Deaths in Europe
 Photographs
Bookmark this page as http://www.7thArmdDiv.org/38deapho.htm
Last updated: May 12, 2008 - What's New?

This page contains the photographs of members of 38 AIB who died overseas in World War II, plus one 38 AIB man who later died in Korea.
For the complete list of all 38 AIB overseas deaths, click here.

Spare a minute
to think
of the young who didn't grow up,
and how young they looked when they died,
and how no one will ever remember them looking tired and middle-aged
or even be bored by tiresome recitals of the time of their youth.

- - - - Russell Baker "How to Observe Dec. 7" (NY Times, Dec. 1965)

Please Help to Tell These Men's Stories and Preserve Their Memory!

PLEASE contact Wesley Johnston at the address below if you have any information on any 38 AIB man who died overseas (see the complete list), such as:

  • photos
  • information on any of these men's deaths
  • information on what platoon and squad they were in
  • know of any men who died but are not on the list

    • Wesley Johnston
    1865 Herndon Avenue, Suite K-187
    Clovis, CA 93611-6163

    or send e-mail to wwjohnston@aol.com. For ALL other e-mail matters, please click here for information about contacting me.

    So they will not be “Forgot”
    There is a word
    Which bears a sword
    It hurls its barbed syllables,—
    At once is mute again.
    But where it fell
    The saved will tell
    On patriotic day,
    Some epauletted brother
    Gave his breath away.
    Wherever runs the breathless sun,
    Wherever roams the day,
    There is its noiseless onset,
    There is its victory!
    Behold the keenest marksman!
    The most accomplished shot!
    Time’s sublimest target
    Is a soul “forgot”!
         ----- Emily Dickinson
    A Note for the Children of these Men

    The American World War II Orphans Network (AWON) is an organization created by and for those who lost their father in World War II. AWON has an annual conference and a newsletter filled with useful information. Click here to go to the AWON web page and find those who share your experience.

    Since I am limited on space, these images are going to be small. Even at 3K each, 246 of them will take about 750K, which is almost half of the space I have available for all my web pages.
    If you have a better quality photo of any of these men, please contact me.
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
    This page contains only those men for whom I have photographs.
    For the complete list of all 38th AIB overseas deaths, click here.

    Pvt. Gayther Odell Adams (34 254 168) - Company C
    KIA August 16, 1944 at la côte de la Villette, near St. Prest, France - Age: 38y 5m 22d
    MOS: 745 - Home Town: Jonesville, NC - Buried at: Fall Creek Baptist Church; Jonesville, North Carolina
    Photo provided by nephew Harold Adams

    Pvt. Mitchell Amis (35 074 351) - Company C
    KIA November 3, 1944 at Winnerstraat, Holland - Age: 28y 7m 3d
    MOS: 745 - Home Town: Hamilton, OH (originally from Crocketsville, KY) - Buried at: Rose Hill Burial Park; R. R. #8, Princeton Pike; Hamilton, OH
    Photo provided by sister-in-law Betty Amis, thanks to Niek Hendrix

    Pfc. Clifford M. Armstrong (34 788 317) - Company C
    Died November 4, 1944 at the 48th Field Hospital of wounds suffered November 3, 1944 at Winnerstraat, Holland - Age: 20y 7m 12d
    MOS: 745 - Home Town: Jacksonville, FL - Buried at: Oakland Cemetery; Tallahassee, Florida
    Photo provided by granddaughter Laura Graham

    Pfc. John Fremon Baker (36 886 851) - Company B, probably in a rifle platoon
    KIA December 21, 1944 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 23y 10m 2d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Farm 4 miles from Clay, KY - Buried at: International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery; Clay, KY
    Photo provided by brother Robert A. Baker

    S/Sgt. Marvin Albert "Bud" Baldwin (39 462 118) - Company A
    KIA March 29, 1945 at Kirchain, Germany - Age: 32y 9m 11d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Pomeroy, WA - Buried at: Netherlands USMC (Margraten, Holland) B-2-28
    Photo provided by cousin Janice Ruckert, thanks to Dick Collier of AT/B/38

    Pfc. Morris Blattman (32 343 470) - Company C
    KIA October 14, 1944 at Meijel, Holland - Age: 31y 6m 13d
    MOS: 521 - Home Town: Brooklyn, NY - Buried at: Mt. Lebanon Cemetery; Queens, NY
    Photo provided by Anthony Snipas of C/38

    Sgt. Samuel Henry "Tack" Bolton (38 562 367) - Company B
    KIA January 25, 1945 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 35y 10m 23d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Red Rock, TX - Buried at: High Grove Cemetery; Dale, TX
    Note that the official records carry him as Henry S. Bolton. He once won National Bull Riding Championship in Madison Square Garden, sometime in the 1930's.
    Photo provided by nephew Gerald Roberts

    Pvt. Otis Franklin Brisendine (35 431 018) - Company A, Anti-Tank Platoon (at sailing)
    KIA November 7, 1944, vicinity of Horik and Ospel, Holland - Age: 25y 8m 20d
    MOS: 504 (Ammunition Handler) - Home Town: Walton, WV - Buried at: Harper Cemetery; Roane County, WV
    Photo provided by sister Mary Foreman, thanks to Bill Brisendine and Niek Hendrix

    Pvt. Claudius H. Chappell (35 813 903) - Company C
    Died November 9, 1944 of wounds suffered November 3, 1944 at vicinity of Winnerstraat, Holland - Age: 33y 0m 6d
    MOS: 607 (Light Mortar Crewman) - Home Town: Paducah, KY - Buried at: Netherlands USMC (Margraten, Holland) F-6-2
    Newspaper photo provided by Niek Hendrix

    T/5 Luther J. Coleman (34 254 819) - Company A; 2d Platoon; 2d Squad - squad's half-track driver
    KIA September 17, 1944 at Sillegny, France - Age: 25y 10m 8d
    MOS: 734 (Half-track driver) - Home Town: Unaka, NC - Buried at: Ogreeta Cemetery; Cherokee County, NC
    Photo provided by his squad leader, Peter Gorman

    Pvt. Angelo Croce (31 132 551) - Company A
    KIA August 25, 1944 at Melun, France - Age: 24y 4m 4d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Brockton, MA - Buried at: Calvary Cemetery; 163 N. Clay St; Brockton, MA
    Photo provided by brother Annibale Croce

    Pfc. Marshall Roy Cross (38 402 645) - Company B, probably the anti-tank platoon since he was a cannoneer
    Died December 22, 1944 at 56th General Hospital in Liège, Belgium of wounds suffered December 21, 1944 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 20y 5m 9d
    MOS: 531 (Cannoneer) - Home Town: Oklahoma City, OK - Buried at: Henri-Chapelle, Beligum USMC G-9-5
    Photo provided by Rita Meistrel, daughter-in-law of his first cousin

    S/Sgt. Thomas Alfred Despot (35 897 231) - Company A; Anti-Tank Platoon
    Died of wounds as POW October 5, 1944 at Stalag VI J Düsseldorf-Gerresheim, Germany (wounded October 4, 1944 when captured at Overloon, Holland) - Age: 28y 9m 9d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader, earlier 610, anti-tank gun crewman) - Home Town: Indianapolis, IN - Buried at: Netherlands USMC (Margraten, Holland) K-17-9
    Photo provided by granddaughter Jennifer Clary

    S/Sgt. Robert H. Dietz (12 060 443) - Company A; 1st Platoon; 1st Squad Co-Squad Leader (had earlier been in 2nd Platoon)
    KIA March 29, 1945 at Kirchain, Germany - Age: 24y 2m 6d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Kingston, NY - Buried at: Wiltwyck Rural Cemetery; Pine Grove Ave.; Kingston, NY
    Left photo provided by John Durba of 7th Armored Division CCA; Right photo from "Soldiers Online" April 1999

    Robert Dietz was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, based on citation in 7th Armored Division General Order Number 119 on 17 December 1945:
    "He was a squad leader when the task force to which his unit was attached encountered resistance in its advance on Kirchain, Germany. Between the town's outlying buildings 300 yards distant, and the stalled armored column were a minefield and 2 bridges defended by German rocket-launching teams and riflemen. From the town itself came heavy small-arms fire. Moving forward with his men to protect engineers while they removed the minefield and the demolition charges attached to the bridges, S/Sgt. Dietz came under intense fire. On his own initiative he advanced alone, scorning the bullets which struck all around him, until he was able to kill the bazooka team defending the first bridge. He continued ahead and had killed another bazooka team, bayoneted an enemy soldier armed with a panzerfaust and shot 2 Germans when he was knocked to the ground by another blast of another panzerfaust. He quickly recovered, killed the man who had fired at him and then jumped into waist-deep water under the second bridge to disconnect the demolition charges. His work was completed; but as he stood up to signal that the route was clear, he was killed by another enemy volley from the left flank. S/Sgt. Dietz by his intrepidity and valiant effort on his self-imposed mission, single-handedly opened the road for the capture of Kirchain and left with his comrades an inspiring example of gallantry in the face of formidable odds."

    Pfc. Ned Nolan Dildine (14 022 286) - Company A
    KIA August 18, 1944 at Oisème, France - Age: 22y 8m 17d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Athens, AL - Buried at: Sandling Cemetery; Limestone County, AL
    Photo provided by brother Wayman Dildine

    Pvt. Myer "Mike" Epstein (33 749 676) - Company A
    KIA October 5, 1944 at Overloon, Holland - Age: 32y 0m 8d
    MOS: 504 (Ammunition Handler) - Home Town: Washington, DC - Buried at: Arlington National Cemetery; Section 67, Grave 2497
    Photo provided by daughter Phyllis Louis

    1st Lt. Alban M. Eull (O-1 311 135) - Company C
    Captured vicinity of Pierreville, France September 14, 1944
    Died of wounds as POW October 16, 1944 at Obermassfeld (bei Meiningen), Germany (was at Stalag IX-C at Bad Sulza) - Age: 28y 2m 25d
    MOS: 1560 (AIB officer) - Home Town: Austin, MN - Buried at: Fort Snelling National Cemetery; Minneapolis, MN; Section C, Block 3, Grave 7904
    Photo provided by distant cousin Bill Eull

    Pvt. Frank Stanford Eva (36 989 468) - Company B
    Died January 11, 1945 at 128th Evacuation Hospital in Belgium of accidental wounds suffered January 2, 1945 at Harze or Awan, Belgium - Age: 19y 1m 24d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Milwaukee, WI - Buried at: Henri-Chapelle, Belgium USMC; E-2-11
    Photo provided by brother Thomas L. Eva

    Pvt. Alphonse John Francavillo (42 069 155) - Company B; rifle platoon (1st, 2nd, or 3rd)
    KIA December 21, 1944 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 25y 5m 9d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Brooklyn, NY - Buried at: Long Island National Cemetery; Section J Grave 14235; Farmingdale, NY
    Photo provided by son John Francavillo

    S/Sgt. George M. Frey (42 124 582) - Company B
    KIA December 21, 1944 (probable actual date; official date is December 23, 1944) at or near St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 25y 1m 8d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Brooklyn, NY - Buried at: Woodlawn Cemetery; Bronx, NY
    Photo provided by grandson Robert Myers

    Sgt. Harold W. Gess (39 309 550) - Company C
    KIA November 7, 1944 near vicinity of Winnerstraat, Holland - Age: 22y 4m 29d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Dairy, OR - Buried at: Henri-Chapelle, Belgium USMC E-12-4
    Photo provided by Anthony Snipas of C/38

    Pvt. Perle C. Godby (35 073 529) - Company C
    KIA November 7, 1944 near vicinity of Winnerstraat, Holland - Age: 24y 4m 14d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Dayton, OH but originally KY - Buried at: Mill Springs National Cemetery; Nancy, KY; G-0-31
    Photo provided by Great-nephew Darren Godby

    S/Sgt. Daniel Hogan, Jr. (32 249 446) - Company B, 3rd Platoon, Machine Gun Squad Leader
    KIA December 18, 1944 on the Prümerberg, east of St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 26y 4m 12d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Newark, NJ - Buried at: Henri-Chapelle, Belgium USMC E-16-65
    Photo provided by nephew George Keckeisen

    Sgt. Robert Karnes (33 172 563) - Headquarters Company C
    Died as POW March 26, 1944 at Duderstadt, Germany, following capture December 22, 1944 at Krombach or St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 27y 9m 14d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Catawissa, PA - Buried at: Margraten, Holland USMC C-10-26
    Photo provided by Columbia County, PA researcher Eileen Owsiany

    Pvt. Paul Francis Kearns (32 249 446) - Company C
    KIA November 3, 1944 near Winnerstraat, Holland - Age: 21y 2m 22d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: New Castle, PA - Buried at: St. Mary's Cemetery; New Castle, PA
    Photo provided by sister Tish Kauffman, thanks to Niek Hendrix

    Pfc. Francis Anthony Klassen (35 111 727) - Company A
    KIA August 25, 1944 at Melun, France - Age: 33y 3m 13d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Hammond, IN - Buried at: Brittany USMC (St. James, France) B-5-12
    Photo provided by nephew James Berdine

    Pfc. Richard Allan Knott (14 120 856) - Company B, Anti-tank Platoon, Jeep Driver
    Died in accidental shooting November 27, 1944 at the Brull Family home in Ransdaal, Holland - Age: 23y 11m 10d
    MOS: 675 (he was a jeep driver) - Home Town: Winchester, TN - Buried at: Netherlands USMC (Margraten, Holland) F-20-13
    Right two photos provided by niece Joyce Hilliard; Left photo provided by niece Suzanne Barry (thanks to Jerry Limbaugh and Niek Hendrix)

    Sgt. Leo Lawrence Lackey (36 972 450) - Company "B"
    Died April 27, 1945 at 56th General Hospital at Liège, Belgium of wounds suffered April 8, 1945, probably at Holthausen, Germany - Age: 29y 11m 8d
    MOS: 653 (Squad Leader) - Home Town: Birds, IL - Buried at: Lawrenceville Cemetery; Lawrenceville, IL
    Photo provided by grandson Rory Lackey

    Pfc. John E. Masterson (33 148 586) - Headquarters Company
    KIA December 22, 1944 at Krombach, Belgium - Age: 24y 8m 2d
    MOS: 345 - Home Town: Harrisburg, PA - Buried at: East Harrisburg Cemetery; Harrisburg, PA
    Photo provided by Carl Mattocks of HQ Company/38

    Pvt. Lewis Tony Meshishnek (39 175 406) - Headquarters Company; 81mm Heavy Mortar Platoon
    Captured December 21, 1944 at St. Vith, Belgium
    Died of illness as POW March 1, 1945 at Hohenstein, Germany (Stalag IV A at Burg Hohenstein) - Age: 40y 4m 13d
    MOS: 607 - Home Town: Valley, WA - Buried at: Ardennes USMC; Neupre, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium; B-26-4
    Photos: left provided by nephew Damond Meshishnek; right from captured German POW files (in Individual Deceased Personnel File)

    Pvt. Homer Israel Mitchell (37 698 625) - Company "B"; one of the three Rifle Platoons
    Died Janurary 26, 1945 at the 96th Evacuation Hospital in Spa, Belgium of wounds suffered January 25, 1945 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 27y 11m 29d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Davenport, Iowa - Buried at: Evergreen Cemetery; Tipton, Iowa
    Photo: provided by daughter Sandra Pennington and granddaughter Kyla Riedesel

    Capt. Edwin Warren Moise, Jr. (O-304 549) - Commanding Officer of Company B
    Died August 26, 1944 of wounds suffered August 23, 1944 at Melun, France - Age: 33y 4m 1d
    MOS: 1560 - Home Town: Sumter, SC - Buried at: Brittany USMC; St. James, France; B-17-7
    Photo provided by grand-niece Sarah Mikell, thanks to the help of W. A. McElveen, Jr.

    Pvt. Harold Mousseau (36 988 505) - Company B
    KIA January 23, 1945 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 25y 1m 14d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Wayne, MI - Buried at: Holy Cross Cemetery; Alpena, MI
    Photo provided by nephew Robert Mousseau

    Pvt. Jacob Nevala (36 965 690) - Company C
    KIA November 7, 1944 at Nederweerterdijk, Holland - Age: 32y 2m 16d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Marquette, MI - Buried at: Park Cemetery; Marquette, MI - Lot 154, Liberty A, Space 1
    Photo provided by son Michael Nevala, thanks to Niek Hendrix and Bill Malandrone

    Pvt. Louis Joseph Oalmann (34 230 849) - Headquarters Company
    DOW: Died December 11, 1944 at 4152nd US Army Hospital at Rotherfield, Peppard, Oxon, England of wounds suffered September 17, 1944 in vic. of Marieulles, France - Age: 25y 11m 29d
    MOS: 504 (Ammunition Handler) - Home Town: New Orleans, LA - Buried at: St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery No. 3; 1322 Louisa St.; New Orleans, LA
    Photo provided by niece Mary Ann Oalmann Sison

    Preder, Pvt. Rolland Garret "Jack" (36 845 044) - Company B - Second Youngest Man to Die in the Battalion
    KIA April 7, 1945 at Niedersorpe, Germany - Age: 18y 10m 11d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Sheboygan Falls, WI - Buried at: Margraten, Holland USMC B-19-8
    Photo provided by nephew Roland J. and Sue Preder
    NOTE: His brother Gerald H. Preder was KIA September 11, 1943 in Italy (179th Inf Reg; 45th Inf Div) and is buried at the Nettuno, Italy USMC.

    2nd Lt. Earl Lee Rainbow (O-526 962) - Company B; Anti-Tank Platoon Leader
    KIA November 2, 1944 near Ospel, Holland - Age: 23y 5m 10d
    MOS: 1560 - Home Town: Oklahoma City, OK - Buried at: Sunny Lane Cemetery; SE 29th St.; Oklahoma City, OK
    Photo provided by niece Edna Hackler

    Maj. Curtice Hayden Rankin (O-292 919) - Battalion Executive Officer, acting Battalion Commander at time of death
    KIA September 19, 1944 at Sillegny, France - Age: 34y 7m 15d
    MOS: 1560 - Home Town: Kingsport, TN (originally Pottsville, AR) - Buried at: Little Rock National Cemetery; Section 12 Grave 7487; Little Rock, AR
    Photo provided by son David Rankin

    Pvt. Frank Rudolph Rauth (36 258 067) - Company A
    KIA October 5, 1944 at Overloon, Holland - Age: 23y 5m 3d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Milwaukee, WI - Buried at: Henri-Chapelle, Belgium USMC; B-6-38
    Photo provided by brother John Rauth

    Pvt. Willis Ray (37 683 446) - Company C
    KIA November 7, 1944 at Nederweerterdijk, Holland - Age: 34y 2m 30d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Parnell, MO - Buried at: Isadora Cemetery; Sheridan, Missouri
    Photo provided by nephew Fred Ray, thanks to Niek Hendrix and Bud Allee (mayor of Sheridan, MO)

    Pfc. Wesley L. Safford (12 079 068) - Company C
    KIA November 7, 1944 at Nederweerterdijk, Holland - Age: 35y 2m 30d
    MOS: 745 (Rifleman) - Home Town: Malone, NY - Buried at: Malone or Chasm Falls, New York (possibly Morningside Cemetery in Malone, New York)
    Photo provided by Town of Moira Historian Joyce M. Ranieri, thanks to Niek Hendrix

    2nd Lt. Albert Scanland (O-526 983) - Company A; 1st Platoon Leader
    KIA September 22, 1944 at Sillegny, France - Age: 24y 3m 26d
    Entered Service: 1943-Sept-17 - MOS at death: 1560 (Armored Infantry Unit Commander)
    Home Town: Oklahoma City, OK - Buried at: Lorraine USMC; St. Avold, France; C-21-15
    Photo provided by neice of Earl Rainbow, Edna Hackler

    Pvt. John Henry Scarberough (38 517 925) - Company C
    DOW: Died September 21, 1944 of wounds suffered September 19, 1944 at Sillegny, France - Age: 31y 8m 2d
    Entered Service: 1943-Oct-16 - MOS at death: 734 (Half-track driver)
    Home Town: McCrory, AR - Buried at: Lorraine USMC; St. Avold, France; K-31-30
    Photo provided by grandson Kevin & Sommer Scarberough

    Pfc. Philip Seifried (32 100 186) - Company B
    Died April 20, 1945, at hospital at unknown location (possibly Holthausen or Holzhausen, Germany), of wounds suffered April 10, 1945, probably at Mailar (possibly at Fredeburg or en route to Mailar from Fredeburg), Germany - Age: 26y 10m 22d
    Entered Service: 1941-Aug-21 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman)
    Home Town: Little Falls, NY - Buried at: Netherlands USMC (Margraten, Holland) B-7-24
    Photo provided by buyer of scrapbook, Rod Golay

    2nd Lt. Warren B. Sewell (O-526 985) - Company B
    KIA September 11, 1944 near Pierrevilliers, France - Age: 23y 6m 8d
    Entered Service: 1943-Sept-17 - MOS at death: 1560 (Armored Infantry Unit Commander)
    Home Town: Sayre, OK - Buried at: Sayre Doxey Cemetery; Sayre, OK
    Photo provided by neice of Earl Rainbow, Edna Hackler

    Pfc. John Joseph Sherwood (32 257 054) - Headquarters Company
    KIA September 17, 1944 at Arry or Lorry, France - Age: 28y 6m 16d
    Entered Service: 1943-Mar-13 - MOS at death: 604 (Light Machine Gunner)
    Home Town: Jersey City, NJ - Buried at: Holy Name Cemetery; Westside Ave.; Jersey City, NJ Block D, Row A, Grave 1
    Photo provided by Carl Mattocks of HQ Company/38

    T/5 Andrew J. Slavik (35 306 808) - Company C
    KIA August 16, 1944 at la côte de la Villette, near St. Prest, France - Age: 35y 8m 30d
    Entered Service: 1942-May-21 - MOS at death: 734 (Half-track driver)
    Home Town: Lakewood, OH - Buried at: Normandy USMC; Colleville-sur-Mer, France; D-9-32
    Photo provided by Anthony Snipas of C/38

    Pvt. Alan H. Smith (11 108 370) - Company B - Youngest Man to Die in the Battalion
    Died: 1944-Aug-23 at Melun, France - Age: 18y 10m 4d
    Entered Service: 1943-Oct-13 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman)
    Home Town: Millbury, MA - Buried at: Oak Grove Cemetery; Hyannis, MA
    Photo provided by Tim Skaggs, son of Farris L. Skaggs of Company "C" 48th Armored Infantry Battalion

    Pvt. Malcolm Hugee Smith (34 836 582) - Company B
    Died January 31, 1945 of wounds suffered January 29, 1945 at St. Vith, Belgium - Age: 23y 5m 30d
    Entered Service: 1944-June-20 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman)
    Home Town: Chattanooga, TN - Buried at: Chattanooga National Cemetery; Section Y Grave 265; Chattanooga, TN
    Photo provided by daughter Joyce Bridges

    Pfc. Edward Albert Swanson (37 196 342) - Company C
    KIA August 16, 1944 at la côte de la Villette, near St. Prest, France - Age: 28y 0m 16d
    Entered Service: 1942-May-21 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman - was assistant driver to Andrew Slavik)
    Home Town: Ogden, IA - Buried at: Prairie Lawn Cemetery.; Boxholm, Iowa
    Photo provided by brother Donald Swanson

    Pvt. Joseph Tkacz (36 168 048) - Company C
    KIA September 6, 1944 at Gravelotte, France - Age: 27y 8m 16d
    Entered Service: 1942-Jan-23 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman)
    Home Town: Detroit, MI - Buried at: Epinal USMC; Epinal, France; A-21-68
    Photo provided by nephew Don Nemeth

    Tec 5 Vivian L. Ward (38 090 157) - Battalion Headquarters
    KIA August 21, 1944, probably at Melun, France - Age: 25y 9m 14d
    Entered Service: 1942-Feb-10 - MOS at death: 345 (Truck Driver, Light)
    Home Town: Austin, TX - Buried at Normandy USMC; Coleville-sur-Mer, France: Section J - Row 14 - Grave 11
    Photo provided by son Rodney L. (Ward) Duderstadt

    Maj. Thomas Henry Wells (O-392 480) - Battalion S-3 (Operations) Officer, acting Battalion Commanding Officer at time of death
    KIA September 19, 1944 at Sillegny, France - Age: 26y 5m 18d
    Entered Service: 1940-Aug-25 - MOS at death: 1560 (Armored Infantry Unit Commander)
    Home Town: New Orleans, LA - Body never recovered/identified - Lorraine USMC; St. Avold, France: Wall of Missing - Also Cemetery monument at Plaucheville, Louisiana
    Photo provided by daughter Kay Hallberg

    Pvt. Morley Jones West (33 148 891) - Company A
    KIA September 19, 1944 at Sillegny, France - Age: 30y 2m 11d
    Entered Service: 1942-Feb-7 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman)
    Home Town: Ashley, PA. - Buried at: Luxembourg USMC; Hamm, Luxembourg: Section H - Row 14 - Grave 51 - Also memorial to him in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
    Photo provided by nephew Jim West
    The nephews and nieces of Morley West would like to hear from any survivors who knew him. Contact Jim West at jim@rmwsolutions.net.

    Pvt. James Vaco Yates (34 898 122) - Company C
    KIA September 14, 1944 attacking Marengo, France - Age: 26y 4m 19d
    Entered Service: 1943-Dec-31 - MOS at death: 745 (Rifleman)
    Home Town: Southport, NC - Buried at: Lorraine USMC; St. Avold, France; J-18-21
    Photo provided by sister Florence Ashley

    World War II 38 AIB Men Later Killed in Korea
    2nd Lt. Monell Van Fradenburg (O-0540782) - Platoon Leader of 2nd Platoon of Company "B"
    KIA September 25, 1951 at Heartbreak Ridge, Korea - Age: 26y
    Photo provided by daughter Chris Bybee
  • In World War II, he was captured at St. Vith, Belgium December 21 or 22, 1944.
  • In Korea, he was killed in action on September 25, 1951 at Heartbreak Ridge, while serving as a First Lieutenant, as Executive Officer of Company "E" of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Click here to go to a web page at "Return to Heartbreak Ridge", in which one of Lt. Van Fradenburg's men tells of an incident in their combat in Korea and here for another page, in which the man mis-remembers Van Fradenburg's first name.

    Here is the text of his entry on the American Battle Monuments Commission Korean War Honor Roll.


    Mon Van Fradenburg

    Rio Blanco, Colorado
    Born 1925
    First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
    Service Number O-540782
    Killed in Action
    Died September 25, 1951 in Korea

    First Lieutenant Van Fradenburg was a member of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on September 25, 1951. First Lieutenant Van Fradenburg was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

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