The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Private Tranbarger's Grave Is Cared For By Netherlanders-- Part 1: Also Take Care of Grave of William A. Heron of Keokuk, Iowa


From the December 8, 2016, Daily Gate City (Keokuk, Iowa)  "Netherlanders care for American graves" by Chis Faulkner.

In April 1945, Tina Visschers-Cleuskens of Beek, Limburg, Netherlands  adopted the grave of an American soldier who died there in World War II and is buried in the town of Margraten.

His name was William A. Herron, a private first class from Iowa as the war was nearing its end and Americans were in the process of  liberating their country from the Germans.  William Herron died  on March 24, 1945, just a few days before the end of the war.

Every year, on March 24, Tina visited his grave, and also on Christmas and Memorial Day, and placed gladiolas on his grave.

She died in 1988 at the age of 91, but her grandson, Harrie Visschers, has continued the tradition.

The family also takes care of Darrell M. Tranbarger's grave at the cemetery.   Darrell's brother Orval was killed on the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941, and his remains just identified this year.

--GreGen


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