World War
II Biographical Sketches
The information for
these bios was compiled by Annie Elizabeth Sloan (1911-2004)
Airhart,
Albert Edward Bert: Son of Morton Wesley Airhart of
Plains, Montana, enlisted in the Navy in December 1940. At
the time of his disappearance he was a seaman 2nd class serving
on the USS Houston 6th Division Asiatic Station. The War
Department reported him missing with the sinking of the USS
Houston in the battle of the Java Sea. But obituary
Thursday 15 August 1957 reported he passed away in Detroit,
Michigan the previous Saturday. Brother: Martin W. Airhart.
Atkins, Richard Dick: Son of Richard
Love Atkins and Nellie J. Smith of Lonepine, Montana. He
was a sergeant in the Marine Corps having entered the service in
the early 1940s. He stood a human
marker on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa, November
20, 1943. He voluntarily pressed forward and conducted a
reconnaissance within enemy lines, pointing out targets which
could not have been detected within the tanks and continued his
courageous efforts until killed by hostile fire. He was
awarded the Silver Medal posthumously the China Service
Medal, the American Defense Medal with base claps and the
Asiatic/Pacific campaign. He left sisters, Mrs.
Howard Guenther of Lonepine and Miss Margaret Atkins.
Baldwin, George S.: from newspaper: George S.
Baldwin, from Plains, Montana was reported killed or missing in
action Dec. 16, 1944 while serving in the Army Air Corps.
He was from Plains, Montana and leaves a wife, June Donlon.
Bauer, Wilmar Buddy: Son of J. J.
Bauer formerly of Camas Prairie, Montana buried 8 March 1947 in
Kalispell, Montana. The Plainsman, Thursday March 6, 1947
News has been received of the death of Wilmar(Buddy)
Bauer, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Bauer, at one time residents of
this community, and later of Columbia Falls. The young man
was serving in the Untied States Navy, and was 25 years
old. His death occurred at Honolulu, and the body is being
shipped to Kalispell for burial. His parents who now live
in Portland, are in Kalispell awaiting the arrival of the body.
Borders, Eldon Ed: Son of Frank
Borders and Elizabeth. Born at Lonepine, Montana 11 May
1916. Enlisted in the service 17 March 1942 while attending
Park College in Missouri. After basic training he was put
in a special forces unit that trained especially for sudden
attacks. It was during one of these raids in Italy that he
was killed 6 December 1943 in Italy. He had achieved the
rank of Captain. He left a wife, Betty Jo Holland and a
son, Eldon Jr. of Spokane, Washington. His mother had
remarried Harvey Burke and passed away about 1941. He also
left siblings, Mrs. W. R. Perkins, Spokane, Arthur in the Army in
Texas, James, a civilian engineer in Alaska, and Delmar, who was
reported missing in action in August.
He was the first white man to make the 1600 mile trek over the
route of the Al-Can highway from January 21 to April 2,
1941. He traveled on skis and snowshoes, alone except for
his dog, Butch. He took moving pictures of the entire trip
which he later used in a lecture series to promote the Al-Can
highway. The dog, Butch, is in the Army at Camp
Rimini, Montana.
Borders, Herbert Delmar: Son of Frank Borders
and Elizabeth of Lonepine, Montana. Elizabeth later married
Harvey Burke and passed away about 1941. Achieved rank of
Staff Sergeant in the Northwest American Strategic Air Force and
served as bombardier by the time of his death 14 May 1943 in
Naples, Italy. He also served in Northwest Africa.
Letter to sister, Elizabeth Perkins of Spokane: Word has just
been received from the War Department that by direction of the
President, the Air Medal decoration with three Oak-Leaf Clusters
has been posthumously awarded by the Commanding General,
Northwest African Strategic Air Force, to your brother, Staff
Sergeant Herbert D. Border, Air Corps, who made the supreme
sacrifice in defense of his county.
Brown, Clinton J.: Son of Clinton Brown and
Armor Harris, born 18 March 1927 in Billings, Montana.
Enlisted in the Navy, 1 March 1945. Died in auto accident
in San Diego, California, 24 August 1945. Buried in
Whitepine Cemetery. He was survived by his father and
mother, brother, George, also in the Navy; grandfather and
grandmother, the Wm. Harris, and other relatives.
Brust, Kenneth: Son of Mrs. August DeBus of
Plains, Montana. The Plainsman, Thusday 25 January 1945
-- Mrs. A. DeBus Received Word of Sons Death Caused from
Wounds Word that Private First Class Kenneth Brustdied
December 31, 1944, of wounds sustained in combat in Germany was
received late FMonday by his mother, Mrs. August DeBus of
Plains. The message was from the War Department.
Young Burst was with General Pattons army in the field
artillery of the infantry (21st Armored Infantry Battalion) He
had been oberseas only since November. Before entering the
service he had graduated from Kalispell High School.
Butler, George Dwight: Son of Mary Eva Courser,
enlisted in the Navy November 9, 1939 and served on the USS
Canopus (Sub Tender) as a ship fitter. He died in an enemy
prison. The Plainsman, Thursday 25 June 1942 The
name of George Butler, son of Walter Courser, was among those
listed as missing in action in a Navy report made public this
week.
George Butler had been stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma at the
outbreak of hostilities. His job was ship fitter. His
boat was one of those reported in action in the initial encounter
with the Japs.
The Plainsman, Thursday 5 July 1945 Mr. and Mrs. W. J.
Courser received word that their son, George D. Butler, aged 25,
did not survive the sinking of the Jap ship on which he was a
prisoner, October 24, 1944.
Carter, James Jimmy Kane: Son of
Lester Jimmie Carter and Beulah G. Johnson of Plains,
Montana. Achieved rank of Staff Sergeant assigned to the
8th Air Force. Graduated from aerial school at Las Vegas,
Nevadaand received his wings as Top Turret Gunner on a P17.
Awarded the Air Medal for exceptionally meritorious
achievement while participating in sustained bombing combat
operations over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
Took part on more than 10 bombing missions over Germany and
occupied countries.
Went down with plane in English Channel and reported officially
dead by War Department. Leaves brother, Duane, a Lt. in the
Navy.
Cline, Ernest Perle: Son of John M. Cline and
Mary Elsie Frazier. Fought in Bataan and Corregedor.
Died 15 September 1942 of amebic dysentery at Bilibid Prison in
Manila. Achieved rank of Corporal. Buried Thompson
Falls Fraternal Cemetery.
Cluzen, Bernard Sherman Barney: Son
of Alfred Cluzen of Lonepine, Montana. Attended Montana
State College in Bozeman, Montana. Enlisted in May of 1941
in the Marine Corps and trained as a pilot. Served mostly
in the Pacific Ocean theater and attained rank of Major.
Picture appeared on front cover of New York Times Magazine
October 4, 1942. Served on Saipan the Admiralities
and other islands. Disappeared while serving in the
Marshall Islands as an engineering officer of a Marine aircraft
wing unit. He went down in bad weather while leading a
flight home from enemy territory. Sisters: Goldie Cluzen,
serving as WAC, and Mrs. G.F. Nelson of Missoula, Montana.
Corn, Harvey Frances Jr.: Son of Harvey Frances
Corn and Wilma Reagles, born in Rockford, Illinois.
Enlisted while living in Noxon, Montana, 8 December 1941.
After basic training assigned to the 10th Mountain Division
Company F. Reached rank of Sergeant and served in Sitka,
Alaska and Italy. Wounded while leading a squad in action
against the enemy on March 3, 1945 in Northern Italy. He
and his comrades were defending their positions while under
German artillery fire. One shell burst close to Harvey, wounding
him. He was given medical treatment and removed to a
hospital in Northern Italywhere he died on March 5, 1945.
(Letter from Chaplain Thomas B. Cannon to family)
Family had moved to Dishman, Washington by 1945.
Buried in Military cemetery in Florence, Italy. Stepmother:
Julia Ann Sullivan.
Davis, Lowell A.: From Sanders County, died a
Private.
Deffibaugh, Lawrence Alfred: Son of Howard
Deffibaugh and Mary Louise, born in Sandpoint, Idaho, but grew up
in Plains, Montana. Enlisted in Army in 1940.
Reenlisted in April 1943. Achieved rank of Corporal.
Newspaper: Corporal Lawrence Alfred Deffibaugh of Eureka,
operator of tank buster guns whith the U. S. Army, was killed in
action on Attu, Alaska, May 29, according to information received
today from the War Department at Washington by Howard deffibaugh,
the boys father. His mother, Louise Deffibaugh, now
lives in Spokane. He had been in Alaska only a few
weeks. Medals: Gold Star, Purple Heart.
Dungen, William A. Billy: Orphaned
at an early age he and his sister were raised by grandparents
Joseph and Frances Denslinger Helterline. Assigned to Troop
B 8th Cavalry sent to Southwest Pacific as Private First
Class. Letter from General Douglas MacArthur: Dear
Mrs. Raynor (sister to Billy): in the death of your brother,
Private First class William A. Dungen, I have lost a gallant
comrade-in-arms, and I cannot express to you the poignancy of my
regret. His service under me in the Southwest Pacific was
characterized by his complete devotion to our beloved country and
by his death in our crusade for freedom and liberty he is
enshrined in imperishable glory.
Attended High School in Plains. Lived in Idaho
at the time of his enlistment.
Farrell, Glen S.: Born to Mrs. T. J.
Perkins. Graduated from Thompson Falls High School.
Achieved rank of Staff Sergeant and pilot for the Army Air Force
before losing his life in a plane crash at Camp Bowie Field,
Brownwood, Texas, January 27, 1943. Had recently married
Audrey Uschold of Brooklyn. Had two brothers in the
military and one sister. Mother resided in St. Ignatius,
Montana.
Frolin, Thomas H. Tom: Resided in
Niarada, Montana at time of enlistment. Drowned at
Leavenworth, Kansas July 8, 1943. Buried at Murray
Cemetery, Lonepine, Montana. Brother Nels Frolin.
Survived by mother, father, brother and two sisters.
Geer, Ford L : Son of Viola C. of Plains.
Inducted into the Army January 1944. Assigned to 338th
Infantry. Sent to Italy October 21, 1944 and died during
the invasion. Had a sister: Effanbee.
Grant, William Ward: Son of Alexander William
Grant and Alta F. of Thompson Falls, Montana was born November
28, 1918 in Stevensville, Montana. Assigned to the USS
Savannah. Achieved rank of Electricians Mate 3-C in the
Navy. His ship was sent to Sicily and from there to
Salerno, Italy where he died September 11, 1943 when his ship was
hit by a bomb. Buried at sea. Survived by parents,
brother, Dave, stationed with the medical corps in New Guineaand
a sister, Mrs. Robert Saint of Thompson Falls. Purple Heart
awarded.
Hans, Norbert: The Plainsman, Thursday August 3,
1944Mrs. Virgil Pitts cousin, Norbert Hans of the U.
S. Army Air Corp in England, has been awarded the Purple Heart
and the Bronze Star. Sergeant Hans was wounded on
fourteenth mission and grounded for a month, but is now in active
duty again and has completed his eighteenth mission.
The Plainsman, Thursday December 28, 1944 Sergeant Norbert
Hans of the Army Air Corp was killed, December 8 on his
fifty-second mission over Germany. Norbert was a graduate
of 1940 from the Hot Springs High School and is remembered for
his athletic achievements, especially in basketball.
Hill, Howard James: Inducted into the U. S. Army
at Trout Creek the week of May 2, 1945. He was the son of
Birdsell Judson Hill and Sarah Maude Winslow, and was born August
16, 1924 Fredrick, South Dakota.
He was killed during a boxing match at Camp Walters, Texas six
weeks after his induction. Buried at Lebanon, Oregon.
Had a brother, Wayne.
Hinote, Charles A.: Sanders County Ledger,
September 22, 1943 Charles Hinote, naval hero of combat
action in the Pacific is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. A.
Hinote (Anaconda) He has citations for participating in
four battles in the Pacific area including a presidential
citation; four battles in the South Pacific and the
American Defense medal. He is a first-class seaman in the
Navy and has seen active duty for 14 months.
Newspaper Charles A. Hinote, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Hinote, Anaconda, died Wednesday in the Navy Hospital at Long
Beach, California following an illness of two months. The
young man was a photographer for the U. S. Navy and had been in
action in the Pacific before he returned to the States for medial
reasons. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1940.
Hopkins, George P. Bud: Son of
George R. Hopkins, Seattle, Washington. Enlisted in
November 1941. Achieved Captain in the Army Air
Force. As a pilot he served mainly in the South
Pacific. He was one of five men killed July 7th when a P-51
fighter plane he was flying crashed in a storm over Texas.
He was returning to his squadron in Esler Field, Louisiana from a
training flight to California. He participated in attacks
over Rabaul, Guadalcanal, the Philippines and Bouganville.
Capt. Hopkins was a graduate of Plains High School and attended
the University of Washington before enlisting. Married to
Lorna Chalmers.
Jameson, Chester Theodore: Son of R. L. Jameson of Thompson
River, Montana and Esther Jameson Hanson of Paradise, Montana,
was born October 18, 1924 in Dixon, Montana. Enlisted in
the Marine Corps July 1, 1943 and assigned to the 5th Division
28th Regiment. Attended Montana State University at
Missoula in the Fall of 1942. He was killed in action
February 19, 1945 on Iwo Jima. He was buried in the Plains
Cemetery, Plains, Montana. His brother, Roy L. Jameson has
been a prisoner of the Germans since April 4, 1943.
Maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Lafe Crossley; Paternal
grandmother Mrs. Emma Jameson; uncles Elijah and Herbert.
Jewett, Herbert John: Born in Twin Falls, Idaho
to John Jewett and Christine Schwartz. Enlisted in the Army
Air Corps on March 26, 1942 while living at Noxon, Montana.
He died May 28, 1944 while flying over the India-Burma area
flying as navigator. Achieved rank of First Lieutenant in a
medium bombardment squadron. He was buried in a common
grave at Kansas City military cemetery.
With more than 35 trips over enemy-occupied territory,
Jewett currently has better than 130 combat hours to his
credit. Aside from flying duties Jewett is Special Service
officer and looks after the entertainment of both officers and
enlisted men. He arranges movies, sight seeing trips and
all sorts of athletic activities.
Johnson, Ernest Claude: Son of Aaron Johnson,
Plains, Montana, enlisted in the Navy December 8, 1941 at
Missoula, Montana. He was serving as a Seaman 2-C on the
Neosha (an oil tanker) when it sank in the Coral Sea.
Brothers Maynard, Gilbert and John had already enlisted.
Keirn, Keith: Son of Carl Edward Keirn and a
resident of Camas Prairie, Montana when he enlisted in the Navy,
1939. Attained rank of Motor Machinist Mate 3-C at the time
of his death July 4, 1944. He was on the submarine USS28
when it went down on a routine run.
Knaggs, James G.: Son of Fred Knaggs of Burke,
Idaho. April 9, 1945 he died as PFC in the Army in a battle
on Luzon, Philippines. Surviving are parents and sister,
Betty. Second battle casualty from ThompsonFalls High
School.
Massey, Earl John Jack: Son of
Madeline Grace Smith and Guy Earl Massey of Hot Springs, Montana
was born October 28, 1918 in Butte, Montana. He enlisted in
the Army Air Corps in September 1940. He was captured in
May 1942. After over a year as a prisoner October 1944 he
was placed on a Japanese ship to be sent to Japan. Sometime
during their trip to Japan the ship was sunk killing all aboard.
His brother, Henon, was stationed in Italy. Grandmother was
Stella Massey.
McCann, William Frank Bill: Son of
Alexander William McCann and Edna Gladys Cox. Raised in
Trout Creek, Montana and married Joan DeSmet in Thompson Falls 12
October 1943 shortly before he left for Italy. Sergeant
Bill McCann served in the Army Tank Corps at the time of his
death September 12, 1944 in Italy. He enlisted as soon as
he graduated from Thompson Falls High School in 1940. His
wife resided in Walla Walla, Washington at the time of his
death. One brother Staff Sgt. J. J. McCann was stationed at
Denver with the Air Corps. Received Purple Heart for wounds
received in a machine gun fracas for which he was hospitalized
prior to being sent to Italy
McCrea, Charles Fredrick: Born 23 May 1926 in
Roundup, Montana to Thomas Carol McCrea of Plains, Montana.
Inducted into the Army infantry September 19, 1944. He was
engaged in the mopping up operations on the island of Masbate,
Philippines. It was on patrol into enemy territory that
Charles was struck by enemy fire and killed instantly 30 April
1945. He was buried in Fort McKinley, U.S. Military
Cemetery. Manila, Philippines.
McNeil, Murrill O.: Born 28 March 1925 in Heron,
Montana to James Edward McNeil and Mary Culberson. Resident
of Heron, Montana when enlisted into the Army in 1944.
After basic training he was assigned to the 132nd Infantry and
sent to the Philippines. On 30 March 1945 he was killed in
a battle on Cebu Island, Philippines.
McSpadden, Donald Robert Don:
Residence when enlisted: Heron, Montana. Born November 14,
1922 in Great Falls to Floyd E. McSpadden and Georgia
Knott. Assigned to 345 Infantry Regiment 87 Infantry
Division 3rd Battalion Co. K. Died March 16, 1945 in the
Battle of the Bulge, Koslenez, Germany from sniper fire.
Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D. C..
Grandmother: Bessie Knott of Heron.
Awarded Oak-leaf Cluster to the Silver star for gallantry
in action against an armed enemy of the U. S., during an attack
on Coblenz, Germany, pinning his company down by machine gun
fire. Lt. McSpaddencalled for a rocket launcher team and
directed fire until they had destroyed the gun and captured
eighteen of the enemy. Among the prisoners was a German
officer who disclosed the location of fifteen of the enemy who
surrendered to him. Further location revealed
additional enemy troops. As he was advancing to force their
surrender he was mortally wounded by a snipers bullet,
exemplifying the highest traditions of superb leadership and
coolness under fire.
Mikkelson, Melvin: Resided in Heron.
Served in the Navy.
Morrison, Gerald: Son the Henry Clay Morrison
and Ethel Claire Smith of Dixon, Montana. Staff Sergeant
with Army Air Force.
More, Donald William Freeman: Son of Harold More
born in Hot Springs. Private Donald More of the 24th USMCA
died March 5, 1945 at Iwo Jima. Buried in Plains cemetery,
Plains, Montana. Parents moved to Colville,
Washington. Sister, Mrs. Kenneth Fox, lives at Lonepine.
Palick, John: From Noxon. Enlisted in the
Navy. Died on a ship.
Regester, Lester L.: Private first class, Army
Scott, Richard: From Hot Springs. He had
been a prisoner of war of the Japanese in the Philippines for 37
months. He died February 8, 1945 soon after his
liberation. Survived by four sons, Howard and Dick of Hot
Springs and Kenneth and Donald in the Navy; and a daughter, Mrs.
Phyllis Bair.
Shepherd, Grover C.: The Plainsman, Thursday
January 21, 1943 Mrs. Grover C. Shepherd, Tacoma, received
word recently of the death of her husband, Corporal Grover C.
Shepherd on November 20th in Africa. Corporal Shepherd died
of wounds received in battle a few days earlier. Mrs.
Shepherd was Miss Pearl Holden of Plains before her
marriage. A son, Gary Gay, was born to them in Tacoma,
January 9. Corporal Shepherd enlisted in the army two weeks
before the outbreak of the war.
Shuey, Bert R., Jr. Born in 1922 to Bert R.
Shuey. Enlisted from Trout Creek, Montana in 1943 in the
Navy. Died while serving on Submarine Bullhead as
ships cook 2-C in the Pacific arena August 12, 1945.
He was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Lee E. Brown of Thompson
Falls and Zoe Ladeen Shuey of Trout Creek and one half sister,
Edith Marie Shuey also of Trout Creek.
Turk, Charles Rodney Ronnie: Son of
Charles A. Turk and Carrie P. Strodbeck, stepson of Earl H.
Davis, was born May 26, 1919 in Plains, Montana. Killed in
action April 30, 1945 in the battle of Okinawa. He went
into the service in August 1944. He was in the Infantry as
Private First Class. He had a wife living in Clarksfork,
Idaho. His mother, Mrs. Earl Davis lives in Thompson
Falls. Surviving besides his mother are one sister,
Margaret Disbrowof Hot Springs and two brothers, Arthur Turk of
Thompson Falls and Fred Turk of Whitepine.
Whitney, Howard A.: Son of Charles Edwin
Whitney. Resident of Trout Creek. Sanders County
Ledger, January 10, 1945 Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Whitney of
Trout Creek were notified by telegraphic information that their
son PFC Howard A. Whitney, was killed in action in Germany in
December. He was with the first army advancing into Germany
along the Zeigfred line. He was 29 years of age. He
was inducted in March 1944, and has been overseas since
August. He graduated from the Red Stone Montana High School
in 1935. His parents farm in the Trout Creek
vicinity. He is survived in addition to his parents by four
brothers and a sister. Awarded Purple Heart.
Military Index
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