World War II Remembered
American Heroes
By: Janelle Layne Taylor and Willene Nunley Campbell

    Sixteen million Americans served in the US military during World War II, came home and lived their lives. They got married, had families, went to college, had jobs, bought houses and cars and did a thousand other things that we take for granted in our free society. Over 400,000 Americans died on the battlefields of Europe and Asia and were denied their “American dream” so that we could have ours.
    We want to honor our  “American heroes” from Grundy County by remembering who they were and acknowledging that they were like us, common, everyday people, but ones who showed uncommon courage and who gave uncommon sacrifice. They died fighting enemies of the free and democratic lifestyle that is the hallmark of America.
    The men listed here weren’t famous, and you may have never heard their names.  But what they did is of paramount importance. They fought to make the world a better place, a place where people would not have to fear for their lives because of their race, nationality, or creed – a world where people could be free of a Hitler or a Mussolini who would mold everyone to fit their ideals of what was right and good and desirable.
    These soldiers are listed on the Grundy County World War II Memorial located at the site of the old courthouse in Altamont. Fallen soldiers from all wars from World War I through Vietnam are listed there as well. World War II soldiers were chosen for this Veteran’s Day tribute because 2005 is the 60th anniversary of “VJ (Victory over Japan) Day” when the war officially ended with the surrender of the Japanese on August 15, 1945, after the Germans had surrendered on May 7.
    If you have pictures of or additional information about these soldiers or soldiers from other wars, please contact the Grundy County Historical Society; P.O. Box 1422; Tracy City, TN 37387 or contact jcoats [at] cafes [dot] net or call 931 467-3603.

Charles W. Anderson
    Pfc. Charles William Anderson, born May 24, 1918, in Coalmont was the eldest child of James Pascal and Willie Mae Fults Anderson. His siblings were James Alton, Lewis Howard, Rachel Cleo, Willie May, Mary Carolyn, Joseph, and Edward Anderson.
    Charles married Anna Leunia Smith. On April 27, 1944, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and received his military training at Camp Blanding, FL, and was sent to Europe in November of 1944.
    On December 2 of that same year, the entire 8th Regiment encountered heavy opposition from the enemy forces in Huertgen Forest, a short distance from the city of Auchen, Germany. Nine officers and 125 enlisted men were wounded. Charles was one of the casualties.  He was evacuated to a field hospital, but on December 4 the field hospital was bombed, and Charles died of his wounds. He was initially interred in the U.S. Military Cemetery in Henri Chappell, Belgium, but in December 1947 he was re-interred in his home county in the Coalmont Cemetery.  Charles was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge.
Military ID # 34989200
(Sources: Louis Anderson from Grundy County Heritage Book, military records)

Palmer S. Awtrey
    U.S. Navy Seaman first class Palmer Sanford Awtrey, born January 13, 1919,  was the son of John and Edna Long Awtrey of Providence community. John, Jr. Awtrey, born in 1917, was Palmer’s older brother.  Palmer was aboard the USS Houston. The flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet during World War II, the Houston was sunk by the Japanese during the Feb. 28-March 1, 1942 Battle of Sunda Strait. Her surviving 368 crewmembers, one-third of the 1068 man crew, became prisoners of war. Many were forced to help build the “Death Railway,” which connected to the Bridge over the River Kwai and many worked coal mines and shipping docks in Japan. Seventy-nine Houston crewmembers died building the railway.
    Palmer’s mother’s tombstone records that Palmer died in the initial attack on the Houston on March 1, 1942; however, military records report Palmer’s death as December 15, 1945, which may mean he was one of the men taken prisoner.  Further research in his military records might explain the discrepancy.
    Palmer Awtrey is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing in Action or Buried at Sea at Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.  He was warded the Purple Heart.
ID # 02954703
(Source: Ethel Crownover, military records, cemetery records)

J.C. Bryant
    Pfc. J.C. Bryant was born in 1923 to Lawrence and Ethel Nolan Bryant in Bryant’s Cove, but later moved to Tracy City. His siblings were Leon, Elmer, Lucille, Beatrice, Una Mae, Hazel, Lawrence Jr, W.R., and Houston Bryant. He was in the US Army 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.
    J.C. died in an explosion Saturday, July 1, 1944, and was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France (Plot E, Row 1, Grave 31). The Purple Heart was awarded him posthumously.
ID # 34886081
(Source: Elmer Bryant of Tracy City, US military records)

Claud E. Byers
    Pfc. Claud Edward Byers was born in 1922 to John and Ethel Davis Byers of Monteagle. His siblings were Hattie, Carl, Bill, Mary Virginia, Kelly, and Jimmy Byers. Claud’s parents moved to Palmer for a few months when he was just a boy, but soon returned to Monteagle. Claud died of wounds in Italy in November 1943 and is buried in Monteagle City Cemetery. Carlton Thomas was a pallbearer at Claud’s funeral.
ID # 34042688
(Source: Mary Byers Jennings, Carlton Thomas, military records)

James J. “Jim” Corn
    Sgt. James J. “Jim” Corn was the son of Walter and Fannie Corn. The Corns, also parents of Norman, Lucile, Elizabeth and Mae Lyda, were originally from Coffee County near Pelham. In fact, some of the Corn family is buried in the Wilkinson Cemetery very near the Grundy/Coffee County line on Highway 41. Walter and Fannie were initially buried in Winchester, but later their bodies were moved to Chattanooga. Jim lived in Monteagle where his brother and sister-in-law, Norman & Zada (Yates) Corn ran the Monteagle Diner for several years.
   Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force before World War II began and served in the 724th Bomber Squadron and the 451st  Bomber Group. He was shot down while jumping from his plane over the Adriatic Sea on November 1, 1944. He was buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy (Plot E, Row 6, Grave 18). Jim was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
ID # 34888828
(Source: General Yates of Manchester, TN, brother of Zada Yates Corn, military records)

Melton Dickerson
    Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Melton Dickerson was born to Douglas and Betty Nunley Dickerson in Freemont, TN. His siblings were Willard, S.D., Evie and Ethel Dickerson. Melton was inducted into the U.S. Navy Reserve May 17, 1943. He was in the Asiatic area unloading supplies from one ship onto another in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, when a typhoon capsized his ship, the USS YMS 98 on September 17, 1945, killing everyone aboard. His last known status was missing. His is memorialized on a monument in Honolulu, Hawaii.
ID # 8375202
(Source: Steve Fitch, Ophelia Fults, US military records)

James A. Duggan
    Pvt. James Alvin Duggan was born October 4, 1919, in Tracy City to Ira and Beulah Duggan. He was the brother of Agnes Duggan Partin. James was raised in Palmer and attended Palmer Elementary School and Grundy County High School. He served in the US Army Company D. 5th Training Battalion. He was killed in an accident on November 9, 1941, while stationed at Camp Wheeler, GA, just before the US entered World War II in December of 1941.
ID # 34147401
(Source: Agnes Duggan Partin, Inez Winton)

Samuel Dyer
    Staff Sgt. Samuel “Buster” Dyer was born to Thomas and Betty Ann Weaver Dyer November 1, 1918.
The family was from Coalmont.  “Buster’s” grandparents were Joe Thomas and Margaret Katherine Surry Dyer and James & Elizabeth Stevens Weaver. He was the youngest of 10 children: Margaret, Emma, Louella, Mary, Jacob, Cephas, Thomas, Iola, Mozzella, and Oma Lee Dyer. “Buster” died of wounds December 11, 1944, and was buried in Macon, GA.  He was survived by his wife Alexandria and daughter Barbara Dyer.
ID # 34141970
(Source Elizabeth Howell of Coalmont, military records)

John D. Flanagan
    Sgt. John D. Flanagan of Tracy City was born to John and Elizabeth Flanagan on January 5, 1915. His siblings were Louise, Helen, and Elizabeth “Libby” Flanagan.  (“Libby” Flanagan O’Dear became a well-known teacher at Grundy County High School during the 1960’s.) John graduated from Grundy County High School and Georgia Tech and tried to join the service when the World War II started, but wasn’t accepted because of poor eyesight. Later on in the war, he was called by the Army and entered service on November 15, 1942, and was killed in action by shrapnel on November 2, 1944, in Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge. His body wasn’t returned to the United States until late in 1947 when he was buried in Tracy City Cemetery. Carlton Thomas remembers being in service with John and that he won an award for being the best-dressed soldier at Ft. Hancock, NJ. Carlton also served as a pallbearer at John’s funeral.
ID # 34493320
(Source: Mary O’Neill and Carlton Thomas of Monteagle)

Edward Freelan “Plib” Geary
    Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class “Plib” Geary was born in Palmer , November 10, 1922, to James Leo and Hattie Cleek Geary. His siblings were Malcolm, Leon, Naomi, and Auline Geary.  When “Plib” was only 4 years old, his mother died. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1940 with his brother Leon signing for him.
    “Plib” was onboard the USS Dupont when he was swept overboard into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New London, Connecticut, on Tuesday, February 9, 1943. His name was placed on the East Coast Memorial in New York City, NY.
ID # 02958287
(Source: Sue Creighton, daughter of Naomi, David Patton)

Henry H. Hall
    Pfc. Henry Harrison Hall was born in Tracy City to Jim and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Nicholas Dean Hall in 1907. His siblings are William Millard, John Jefferson, James Carl and Ida Elizabeth Hall. Henry worked with his father’s section crew on the railroad before he went into the Army.  Henry was inducted into service in February 1943 and had spent most of his enlistment in England, but had been transferred only 2 months prior to his death to North Africa where he died of gunshot wounds on December 14th of the same year. He is buried in Tracy City Cemetery.
ID # 34189619
(Source:  Article 775 Grundy County Heritage Book (1844-2004), Grundy County Herald January 7, 1943)

Edward “Flat” Hamilton
    Edward “Flat” Hamilton was the son of Edward and Lily Watley Hamilton and grandson of Mary Jacobs Watley, who lived on the Chapman’s Chapel Road on the left just before the present day home of Ralph and Genevive Goodman. Edward’s siblings were Charles, Louise and Willie Mae Hamilton. “Flat”, Edward’s nickname, was a good friend of Jack Mottern’s.  In fact, it was through Flat’s wife, Esther Caldwell Hamilton, that Jack met his own wife, Lorene Patterson. Jack and “Flat” served in the Army with L Company, 12th Infantry in the Normandy campaign. “Flat” was killed in France in the Normandy Invasion. His buddy, Jack Mottern of Providence Community, was wounded there as well.
    Edward “Flat” Hamilton’s body was returned to Ohio, near Cleveland, where his family was then located.
(Source: Jewel Patterson Partin Jacobs and Esther Caldwell Hamilton Snelling)

Cecil E. Harris
    Pfc. Cecil E. Harris was originally from Bedford County, TN, but he married Helen Lewis form Palmer and lived in Grundy County. They had a son, Edwin Harris. Cecil was killed in action January 2, 1945, and is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in Epinal, France. Cecil was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
ID # 34921479
(Source: Margie Ramie, Howard Lewis, military records)

J.B.Harris
    J. B. Harris was killed in a traffic accident while in the Army in WWII. J.B. was the son of Mr. & Mrs. J.C. Harris, Sr.   J. B.’s siblings were Billy Gates Harris, Jay Harris and Kathleen Harris, who married Eugene Bell of Tracy City. J. C. Harris was a well-known mining engineer in Palmer, and Mrs. Johnnie Gates Harris, originally from Pikeville, was a schoolteacher. J.B. graduated from the University of Alabama.
(Source: David Patton and Kathleen Bell)

Estle Douglas Hill
    Pfc. Estle Douglas Hill was born in Layne’s Cove in Pelham Valley on September 19, 1920, to Morris Richard and Leora (Layne) Hill. He was inducted into the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Artillery Division of the U.S. Army where he was a sharp shooter.
    He was killed in the first invasion of Normandy, France, on July 14, 1944, and was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France (Plot J, Row 22, Grave 23). His siblings were Ralph, Jimmie, Hamp, Geraldine, Elner and Alucia Hill. Estle was awarded the Purple Heart.
ID # 34505790
(Information from Robin Hill Sells and Clara Hill Leonard & US Army records)

Lloyd Byron Hobbs
    Staff Sgt. Lloyd Byron Hobbs, born May 23, 1918, was the son of Byron and Ethel Smartt Hobbs.
He and his two sisters Lottie Hobbs Smartt and Mildred Rebecca Hobbs Gross grew up in Northcutt’s Cove near the Warren County line.    Lloyd was at Ft. Snelling Minnesota for a time before going overseas. While in Minnesota, Lloyd and his wife, Dorothy Mackey Hobbs, had a son Jerome James “Jerry” Hobbs, who still lives near Minneapolis/St. Paul (in 2005).
    The newspaper account of Hobbs’ death states, “Shortly after day break on the morning of March 29, Company L had the mission of taking Schweinheim, Germany, a small town on the outskirts of Aschaffenburg. In approaching the town, it was necessary to cross quite a bit of open ground and Hobbs, as squad leader, advanced in attack. He was struck in the stomach by rifle fire, dying instantly.” (March 29, 1945) Sgt. Hobbs was buried in an American cemetery near Ben Sheim, Germany, but his family later had his body removed to Northcutt’s Cove Church of Christ Cemetery. Sgt. Hobbs served with the 63rd Infantry Division initially and was later transferred to the 45th Infantry Division. His awards included the American Defense ribbon, ETO ribbon with two battle stars, the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman’s badge, and the Purple Heart. Hobbs was a second-generation military man. His father, Byron Hobbs, served in World War I.
ID # 34147343
(Information provided by his sister Rebecca Hobbs Gross of Northcutt’s Cove, military)

Arthur E. Hunziker
    Arthur was Seaman 2nd Class in the US Naval Reserve. He was born to Edd J. and Susie E. Hunziker of Tracy City on Sept. 23, 1925. His siblings were Edwene, Hazel, Mary Sue (Sookie), Lewis, Homer, Lee Wade and Edd Jr. Arthur joined the Navy in 1942 and was stationed at the US Naval Air Station Botoxdent River, MD. Arthur was killed while in service when he was struck by a car in Washington state on February 7, 1944 and was buried in Monteagle Cemetery.
(Source: cemetery records, Catherine Flury)

George T. Johnson
    Cpl. George T. Johnson was the son of Lizzie B. Johnson from Jackson County Alabama. She appeared in the 1920 census in Pisgah Precinct, but George’s father, Benjamin F. was already deceased. George’s siblings were Franklin M, Sterlin and Benjamin.
    George came from Richard City, TN, to Monteagle to teach school. He told his students that he was part Indian. Mary Elizabeth (Francis) Shelton remembers him as being tall and dark. His wife, Clara Turner Johnson, was one of the first women in the area to don a pink jumpsuit and go to work in a defense plant.
    George was killed in service in Italy.
ID# 34735374
(Source: Mary Elizabeth Francis Shelton, military records & US census records)

William Lecil Jossi
    Torpedoman’s Mate, 1st Class, William L. Jossi was born to William J. and Mary Bobo Jossi on February 14, 1908, in Tracy City. His father, who was of Swiss ancestry, ran a butcher shop and was a salesman. William was lost at sea Thursday, July 12, 1945. He was memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, but also has a marker at the Tracy City Cemetery. He received the Purple Heart. Nellie M. Jossi Anderson, wife of John A. Anderson, was William’s sister and only sibling.
ID # 02951900
(Source: US military records, William Ray Turner, Anna Goforth)

Dewey K. Ledbetter
    Dewey K. Ledbetter of Tracy City was a Technician Grade Five in the 22nd Infantry 4th division and was killed in action on April 10, 1945. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals. Dewey was interred at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France (Plot D, Row 35, Grave 24.  ID # 34042390
(Source: US military records)

Roy Lee McBride
    Roy Lee McBride was from Fults’ Cove and was the son of Claude and Edwinna Risner McBride. He was married to Irene Myers McBride with whom he had 3 sons, Roy Clinton, Glen and Raymond. Private First Class Roy Lee McBride was in the 87th Regiment 10th Motor Division and died in action at Florence, Italy, on April 21, 1945. He received the Purple Heart and was interred in Florence. (Plot A, Row 5, Grave 30)
    Roy’s brother was William Isaac McBride, who was injured (shell shocked) and stayed in the Veterans’ Hospital until he died on August 22, 1987.
    William is buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
ID # 34903841
(Information furnished by Bettye Sherwood, military records)

James B. McFarland
    Carter McFarland, James B. Mc Farland’s father, came to the mountain and worked at Sewanee as a stonemason. He later married Ella Francis Cox, James’ mother. In addition to James, their children were Myrtle Francis, Milton, Elbert, Elisha, Annie Mae, Leola and Bessie McFarland. James’ half brothers and sisters were Mattie, Elizabeth, Bertha (Burt), Alice and Beulah McFarland.
    James, called “J.B.”, was a popular young man who played football and graduated from Grundy County High School in 1938. He left Monteagle in 1939 and entered the Air Force where he became a Staff Sgt.
    He was captured at Corregidor and was a POW in the Philippine Islands. He was aboard a Japanese ship, which was not flying the required white flag for prisoners, so the ship was sunk by Allied submarine action in the South China Sea on October 24, 1944.
ID # 6914385
(Source: June Long Smith of Monteagle, James D. Scott, military records)

Hoyt D. Meeks
    Pfc. Hoyt D. Meeks was the son of Millard “Puddy” and Thursia Sartain Meeks of Coalmont. One account reported to us was that Hoyt was killed in a truck accident in India just before he was to be shipped out. The Grundy County Herald, March 9, 1944, edition reported that Mrs. Bill Nunley, sister, was notified that Hoyt Meeks was killed in action with American forces in Italy. Hoyt is buried in Bonny Oak Cemetery in Coalmont.     His siblings were Vera, Pascal, Gitssie and Geraldine Meeks.
ID # 34524684
(Source:  Oma Lee Nunley Street, Grundy County Herald, William Ray Turner, Anna Goforth)

Martin L. Meeks
    Pvt. Martin Lester Meeks, who was born February 22, 1923, was the son of France & Ethel Meeks of Flat Branch. His siblings were Ailene, Lester, Claude and Dewitt Meeks.
    Martin, who served in the US Army’s 7th Infantry, was killed in action November 8, 1943.  He is buried in the Tracy City Cemetery.
ID # 34722619
(Source: Lettie Myers and cemetery records)

Arnold “Rooster” Morrison
    Arnold was the son of Jim and Mamie Payne Morrison from Palmer who served in the Pacific Theater in WWII. He was shipped back to California in 1945, became ill and was unable to return to his assignment overseas.  Arnold died shortly from a brain tumor.
    “Rooster” is buried at Griffith’s Creek Cemetery.
    His siblings were Lee, Lonnie, Nell, Pat, Lila Ann, Kathleen, Kelly and Joe Earl. He was married to Blanche Sweeton.
    (Source: Mrs. Joe Willard Fults, niece, of Coalmont, David Patton)

Monroe H. Nunley
    Pfc. Monroe Henderson Nunley was born in Gruetli-Laager to Hiram and Minnie Howell Nunley on November 12, 1915. He married Ruby Johnson and had two children, Christine and Monroe, Jr.  His siblings were Arthur, Hiram Jr., Etta Lee and James Nunley. Monroe, Sr. was in the US Army, 179th Infantry, 45th Division. He was killed in action in France on December 1, 1944, when his son was only seven months old. Pfc. Nunley is buried at Fall Creek Cemetery in Gruetli-Laager.
ID # 34920815
(Source: Ruby Johnson Curtis, wife of Monroe)

Barney Partin, Jr.
    Pfc. Barney Partin was born to Barney, Sr. and Delia Graham Partin of Palmer on March 10, 1924. Alvie, John W. “Bill”, Kitty, T.G., Everett, Ray, Frances, Linda and Jack Partin were his siblings.  Barney was a member of the 172nd Infantry Division of the US Army when he was killed in action October 19, 1944, in New Guinea just four days after the death of Sgt. Osbin Worley, also of Palmer, who was killed on the other side of the world in Europe. The late Alonzo Boyd and Clyde Green of Palmer had talked to Barney the night before his death. Barney is buried in Palmer City Cemetery.
ID # 34735434
(Source: US military records, The Post by David Patton (1988), Linda Gipson, sister of Barney)

Raymond P. Partin
    Raymond P. Partin was born December 22, 1922, to Orville Patrick “Pat” Partin and his wife Allie Goodman Partin of Pelham Valley – one of 10 children – Paul, Alice, Louise, Raymond, Gene, Clara Mae, Reba, James Ray, Kenneth & Helen. Raymond was a Technician Grade 5 in the 853rd Engineer’s Battalion Aviation in the U.S. Army Air Force and was among several hundred soldiers lost at sea as they were leaving North Africa on November 27, 1943. Raymond was memorialized at the North Africa American Cemetery located in Carthage, Tunisia. A military marker was erected by his parents at Plainview Cemetery in Tracy City also. Raymond was awarded the Purple Heart.
ID # 34505802
(Source: Jewel Jacobs of Providence and James Ray Partin, brother of Raymond, of Greenhaw, TN.)

John McCoy Patrick
    Pfc. John McCoy Patrick, born on February 4, 1920, was the son of James William Patrick and Laura Slaughter.  He had 4 siblings: Marcus Patrick, Nannie Patrick Harris, Jesse Patrick and Clifton Patrick. He grew up in the Collins River valley near the Grundy and Warren County lines.
    McCoy entered the Army in 1941 and served in the 5th division of Patton’s 3rd Army. He was the “BAR” man for his squad, which meant that he operated the Browning Automatic Rifle.
    The Red Diamond Division traveled from the United States to Iceland, England and Northern Ireland for training. They entered Normandy at Utah Beach on July 9, 1944. Between July and late November of that same year, they crossed countless rivers and liberated many towns in France. By early December they were in Germany and by mid-December, they entered Luxembourg. Before the war’s end, they would travel through Czechoslovakia and Bavaria before returning to the United States. Sadly, McCoy never got the chance to return home to Tennessee. While out on a morning patrol, he was killed by a German sniper on December 25, 1944, near Echternach, Luxembourg. He was buried in Luxembourg National Cemetery where General Patton is also interred. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
ID #  34147987
(Information from great niece Donna O’Brien of Hainesville, IL, military records)

Bobbie E. Phipps
    Pfc. Bobbie Phipps of Coalmont was born to Bobby D. and Vera Richmond Phipps, June 5, 1922.  His siblings were Mark Ernest, Glenn, Margaret, Paul D, and Ethelene Phipps.
    Bobbie was killed in action on February 18, 1945, in Germany. The same shell that killed him also hit in his friend and neighbor C.W. Nunley’s foxhole.
    Mr. Sam Nunley brought the news of Bobbie’s death to his parents on a Sunday morning just before church time. Bobbie Phipps is buried at Bonnie Oak Cemetery in Coalmont.
ID # 34524733
(Source: Georgia Phipps of Coalmont, cemetery records, and Mary Rollins of Altamont)

Fred Aubrey Pierce
    Fred Aubrey Pierce was a Private First Class in the US Marine Corps. His parents were Zed and Lola Mae Pierce from Altamont.   The family had been relocated to Grundy County by the federal government from Guntersville, AL, in 1937-38 to make way for Lake Guntersville. Fred’s mother cooked at Hixson School. His wife and son, Wendell Wayne, were living in Alabama City, AL, at the time of his death. He had one brother L.Z. Pierce who was married to Jewel Collins Pierce of Altamont.
(Source: Dean Rymer, military records)

Raymond H. Rhea
    Pfc. Raymond Harrison Rhea was born to Edgar Whitt Rhea and Mattie Dell Savage Rhea on September 5, 1924, in Altamont. Raymond’s siblings were Edgar, Marvin, Lincoln, Jessie and Margie Rhea. He left Altamont at 18 years of age for Camp Shelby, MS, where he was inducted into the US Army 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division. Raymond was killed in action Thursday, January 4, 1945, in Belgium. He was buried at Henri-Chapell American Cemetery at Henri-Chappell Belgium and received the Purple Heart posthumously.  ID # 34920784
(Source: military records, Beatrice Rhea Rogers)

James Corbet Roberts
    Pfc. James Corbet Roberts, known by his middle name, was born July 21, 1922, the son of Isaac Columbus Roberts and his first wife, Hester Gross, of Beersheba Springs. After his mother died, Corbet and his sister Florence went to live with his father Isaac’s sister, Jane Roberts.  Corbet was inducted from Michigan into the 338th Infantry, 85th Division and gave his life at Casino Hill in Italy, on October 12, 1944. He is buried in Florence, Italy; however, a memorial stone was also placed at the Philadelphia Church Cemetery in Tarlton Valley. He posthumously received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
(Source: military records, cemetery records, Phyllis Morgan)

Charles E. Sanders
    Pfc. Charles Eugene Sanders was born July 13, 1914. He was in the Army stationed at Camp Forrest in Tullahoma. On one of his training trips to Camp Four or the Rifle Range, he met his wife-to-be, Mildred Myers, daughter of Fred Myers of Gruetli-Laager. Charles was killed overseas April 12, 1945, and was buried at Fall Creek Cemetery in Gruetli – Laager. Mildred Myers Sanders later married Arthur Roberts.
(Source: Mrs. Delbert Hargis, cemetery records)

Frank Sartain
    Pfc. Frank Sartain was born to James and Alma Meeks Sartain in Burrows’ Cove on December 12, 1921. He enjoyed farming and hunting before he went into service. He had one sister, Vera Ruth Sartain. Frank wrote a letter from Normandy, France, on July 4, 1944, saying he would be OK, but on July 6, just two days later, he was killed in action. Carlton Thomas of Monteagle served with Frank and John D. Flanagan at Ft. Hancock NJ and Camp Pickett VA and was in the vicinity of where Frank was killed.
Frank Sartain is interred at Bethel Cemetery in Pelham Valley.
ID # 34493427
(Source: sister, Vera Ruth Sartain Cowley)

Theodore Shadrick
    Mrs. Thelma Sartain, Theodore Shadrick’s mother received his Bronze Star medal with this citation: “For heroic achievement in action of February 8, 1944, near Et. Elis, Italy, while returning to his unit from a forward area, Pfc. Shadrick and other members of his section were forced to halt their vehicle and take cover because of interdiction fire from heavy enemy artillery. Pfc. Shadrick voluntarily left his place of cover to go to the aid of a fellow soldier who had been wounded by a shell fragment and was unable to move to safety. He carried the wounded man to an ambulance for evacuation. While returning to cover, Pfc. Shadrick was struck by a shell fragment and mortally wounded. His courage and self-sacrificing action reflects the high traditions of the armed forces.”
    Pvt. Shadrick, a member of the field artillery, entered the military service from Tracy City on April 3, 1941. He fought in the North African campaign, in Sicily and in Italy. He had served for 21 months overseas before his death at the age of 24. Prior to the war Shadrick was employed at the Baggenstoss Bakery in Tracy City.
ID # 34040870
(Source: Anna Goforth, Chattanooga News Free Press, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 1944)

William H. Shelton
    Sgt. William Howard Shelton was born September 12, 1919, to Arthur and Lou Fults Shelton of Tracy City. He left Staten Island March 4, 1943, on the steamship Monterrey and wrote back home saying he didn’t know where he was headed, but might be going to North Africa.
    He was wounded October 9, 1944, and died from wounds on October 13, 1944, in Normandy, France, where he was buried. In 1951 his body was exhumed, brought back to the US and buried in the Swiss Colony Cemetery. His wife was Nellie Dishroom.
    Their children were Ruth, Robert E. (Buster), William A., Carl Raymond and Billy Shelton.  ID # 34365315
(Source: Billy Shelton of Cumberland Heights, military records)

William “Billy” Moore Shelton
    Billy was born November 11, 1920, in Cowan, TN, to Chrispian and Sally Shelton.  He joined the US Navy on May 24, 1938, and became an Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate. On a leave to Tracy City, he met Sarah Frances Knighton, and they were married on December 26, 1941. They moved to San Diego, CA, in 1943, where Billy was assigned to the USS Belleau Wood aircraft carrier. The carrier was operating off the Philippines in support of General McArthur’s forces on Leyte Island. While launching planes the afternoon of October 30, 1944, the carrier was attacked by Japanese fighter-bombers with a plane flying into the carrier. Many lost their lives, including Chief Petty Officer William Moore Shelton.
Billy Shelton was memorialized at Manila American Cemetery at Ft. Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines.
    Judith Ann Shelton is Billy and Frances Shelton’s daughter.
ID # 02954228
(Source:  Grundy Heritage Book, military records)

Clarence E. Sissom
    Pfc. Clarence Sissom, born April 14, 1926, was the son of James Joseph and Maudie Sanders Sissom of Gruetli-Laager. He was a military policeman who was killed December 7, 1945. Clarence is buried in the Fall Creek Cemetery in Gruetli-Laager. His siblings were Alvin, Robert, Betty, and Margie Sissom.
ID # 34904888
(Source: military records, cemetery records)

Frank W. Smith
    Seaman 1st Class Frank William Smith was the son of Frank W. and Nellie Tate Smith of Beersheba Springs. He was born on July 28, 1919. As a young man he joined the Navy, but unfortunately was killed while a seaman on board the USS Traxton on Wednesday, February 8, 1942, off the coast of Newfoundland. He was the first Grundy Countian to die after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. Frank is memorialized on the East Coast Memorial in New York City, NY. A marker for him was also placed at Grace Chapel in Beersheba Springs.
ID # 02956086
(Source: David Patton, cemetery records, military records)

Charles C. Thomas
    Pvt. Charles Clifton Thomas was born in 1916 to Henry and Martha Dickerson Thomas in Summerfield. He went to school in Summerfield to Ms. May Justus. Charles’ siblings were Dorothy, Douglas and Louise Thomas. He was in the US Army 236th Engineer Combat Battalion and died in action Sunday, June 4, 1944. He was memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. Charles was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
ID # 34524738
(Source: military records, Louise Norwood, sister)

George Washington Thomas
    George Thomas was born May 9, 1895, to John B. Thomas, a Civil War veteran, and Mary C. Brasell Babbs Thomas in Pelham. His only full sister was Annie Lee Thomas, a long time schoolteacher in Grundy County. George had a half-sister, Jesse Ardelia Thomas, who was the daughter of John B. and his first wife Emiline Magalene Knight Thomas.
    George served in World War I and was stationed at Camp Gordon in GA, Camp Jackson in SC, Ft. Oglethorp in GA and then Camp Merritt in NJ. From there, George sailed on the Leviathan to Brest, France. He served with Company G, 323rd Infantry and on September 12, 1917, he was wounded in the foot by a piece of shrapnel while fighting in St. Miheil sector He survived these wounds and returned to Pelham. He reenlisted for World War II in 1942 and became a member of Company H, 389th Infantry. This time he did not survive. He died of pneumonia February 3, 1943, in Kentucky and was buried at the Church of Christ Cemetery in Pelham.
(Source: military records, Jane & Rex Lusk)

Glenn Carmack Thomas
    Seaman 2 Class of the USNR was lost at sea in the bombing of the USS Maryland. He was the son of Walter Lee Thomas of Tracy City. Glenn died Wednesday, November 29, 1944, and is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Ft. Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines.
ID # 06408608
(Source: military records)

Carl Speegle Wanamaker
    Pvt. Carl Speegle Wanamaker was born near the Warren County line in Collins River Community on June 18, 1912, to Floyd and Prudie Wanamaker. His siblings were Raymond, Alfred, Selvia, Billy Martin, and Pret Wanamaker. Carl was in Company B, 2nd Platoon of the US Army. He was lost at sea Tuesday, March 13, 1945, and was memorialized at North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. A marker was also erected for him at the Philadelphia Cemetery in Tarlton Valley.
ID # 34189624
(Source: military records, Joyce Wanamaker, cemetery records)

James Frank Winton
    1st Lt. James Winton was born in Burrows’ Cove on March 5, 1921, to Alvie C. and Bessie Rieder Winton. His only brother was Lt. Col. Marshall Winton. James graduated from Grundy County High and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He died in a plane crash in the state of Washington on June 9, 1944. He is buried at Bethel Cemetery in Pelham Valley.
ID # 0-797759
(Source: Marshall Winton, cemetery records)

Osbin Worley
    Staff Sgt. Osbin “Obb” Worley of Palmer was the son of Garfield and Laura Henley Worley. He was born March 23, 1917, and was the sibling of Clayton, Paul, Raymond, Alton, Brince, Ina, Clara Mae and Iula Worley. Osbin was a member of the 5th Infantry Division.  He died in Europe on October 15, 1944 leaving his wife Marie and a daughter Treva Worley.
    “Obb” is buried in White Cemetery in Palmer.
    Military records list Osbin’s home as Sequatchie County.
ID # 34147944
(Source: Clifford Worley, David Patton, military records)

Claude L. Yokley
    Pfc. Claude Yokley, the son of Lee and Betty Taylor Yokley, was born February 21, 1921. He was the brother of Jerry, Raymond, Buford, Ken and Hazel Yokley. Claude was in the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. He was killed Sunday, October 29, 1944, and was buried at Lorraine American Cemetery at St. Avold (Moselle) France. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
ID # 34493330
(Source: military records, Jerry & Raymond Yokley)