Kansas Man Killed in Germany in World War II Identified

From the March 18, 2023, AP News.

The remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll, 22, of Hill City, Kansas,  were idenntified in january by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

He was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion,  112th Infantry regiment, 28th Infantry Division during the war.  In November 1944, his battalion was overrun by German forces as they tried to capture Schmidt, Germany, in Hurtgen Forest.

Surviviors of the attack withdrew to Kommerscheidt, where Knoll was reported killed in action on November 7, 1944.

The American Graves  Registration Command conducted several investigations  in the Hurtgen area between 1946 and 1950, but were unable to find his remains.  

His remains had been found, but unidentified and buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium  in 1949.  They were disinterred in 2021 and sent to the DPAA  laboratory  at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where scientists used DNA and other analysis to identify his remains.

He will be buried on July 7 in Garden City.

I am so glad that the United States makes this effort to find our missing military people.

--GreGen

Trio Killed at Pearl Harbor Recently Identified

From the November 2, 2022, Stars and Stripes "Service members recently identified from past conflicts include trio killed at Pearl Harbor."

At least five service members  were accounted for last month by the Defense Department agency tasked with recovering U.S. troops listed as missing in action or prisoners of war.

Three of those identified by the Hawaii-based Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) were killed at Pearl Harbor in World War II and two fought in Korea.

All three Pearl Harbor men were on Battleship Row on December 7, 1941.  

Edward Conway, an electrician's mate from Auburn, Illinois, was on the USS Oklahoma.  His remains were identified  on October 1.

Floyd Clifford was a machinist mate from Mulvane, Kansas,  who also was killed on the Oklahoma.

Keith Tipsword, a machinist mate from Moccasin, Illinois, was on board the battleship USS West Virginia.

Their remains were identified July 12 and Septrmber 27, respectively.

I will have the two from Korea in my Cooter's History Thing blog today.

--GreGen

Remains of USS Oklahoma Sailor Edward E. Casinger to Be Buried

Fron November 4, 2022, KSN, NBC News

Edward C. Casinger was just twenty years old when he lost his life on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor.  Now, 81 years later, his remains will be buried with full military honors.

He was born in Manhattan, Kansas,  on May 12, 1920, and enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman on July 9, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri.  He eventually rose to the rank of Fireman 2nd Class by late fall 1941.

He lost his life on the USS Oklahoma.  When the ship was finally uprighted in 1944, only the remains of 35 of the 429 dead could be indentified.  He was among them and buried as an"Unknown."

His remains were accounted for  October 1, 2021, through the work of the DPAA and will be buried on Noevember 19, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery.

--GreGen

USS California Unknown Identified: Pete Turk

From the October 14, 2022, 12 WIBW, Topeka, Kansas, "WW II veteran to be laid to rest in Junction City" by Alex Taylor.

The remains of Seaman 2nd Class Pete Turk will return home to Kansas and laid to rest at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery on Monday October 17 at 10:30 am with full military honors.

Pete Turk was in the U.S. Navy and was killed in action on Sunday, December 7, 1941,  while stationed on the battleship USS California.  He was twenty years old.

In 2018, the DPAA exhumed the twenty-five USS California unknowns from the Punchbowl for  analysis.

Turk is the first USS California sailor to be indentified.

--GreGen

Bob Dole's Constant Pen in Hand a Reminder of World War II Wound-- Part 1

From the Feb. 18, 2021, Topeka (Kansas) Capital-Journal by Rafael Garcia.

For those who know former  U.S. Senator Bob Dole closely, know  not to shake his right hand.

For those not so aware, Dole constantly keeps a pen in that hand whenever he's out in public.  That pen serves two purposes.  It is a gesture to dissuade people from shaking that hand and it is a therapeutic remedy to an injury that changed Dole's life forever.  An injury that occurred in battle during World War II.

On Thursday, Bob Dole, 97,  announced that he is battling advanced lung cancer and will begin treatment Monday.

Dole has a history of battling wounds and health issues dating back to his military service during World War II.

A native of Kansas, Bob Dole was briefly a student athlete  on the University of Kansas'  football, basketball and track teams when in December 1941 he learned that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor.  A year later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve Corps and left for active duty in June 1943.

And, One of the Greatest of the Greatest.  --GreGen

Oklahoma Family Honors Life of Sailor Who Died at Pearl Harbor on Board the USS Oklahoma

From Oklahoma 6, Tulsa by Sawyer Buccy.

Navy Fireman 1st Class Rex E Wise, of  South Haven, Kansas, was 21 when he met his death on December 7, 1941, on board the USS Oklahoma.    He was reburied on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Rex's 83-year-old niece Marilyn Weller, said her mother had sent DNA to the Department of Defense in 2015 and she died in 2017.  Two years later, the Defense department confirmed a match with her uncle among the USS Oklahoma Unknowns who had been buried in Hawaii.

--GreGen

Bits of War, Nov. 2019; Two USS West Virginia Unknowns from Pearl Harbor Identified, 1st U.S. Flag on Normandy Beaches Shown

**  Navy Fireman 1st Class Bethel E, Walters, 25, was killed on board the USS West Virginia n December, 7, 1941.  His remains were recovered but couldn't be identified.  He was from Bellevue, Texas and his remains were identified with DNA.

**  Hadley Heavin's body was among those unknown from the USS West Virginia when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor.  No decision has been made as to where he will be buried, in Hawaii or back home at his family's cemetery in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

**  The first U.S. flag flown on the beaches on D-Day was displayed at the  Lodge Casino in Billings, Montana, on Saturday, Nov. 23.  Sgt. John Horvath flew it and then sent it home to  his wife in Ohio. This year, Navy veteran Steve Billey saw the flag was for sale and bought it for $162,500.  He also got Horvath's dog tags and Purple Heart.  The flag also has a bullet hole in it.

--GreGen

Remains of USS West Virginia Sailor Killed at Pearl Harbor Identified: Hadley Heavin

From the February 4 2020,Four States Home Page.com

The defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has identified the remains of two Kansas sailors killed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

One was Rex Wise who I wrote about earlier.

The other was Navy Fireman 1st Class Hadley Heavin who was 23, one of 106 killed aboard the USS West Virginia that day. He was from Baxter Springs.  He will be buried May 23, 2020, in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

--GreGen

Remains of USS Oklahoma Victim Rex Wise Identified

Kansas Public Radio

The remains of a Kansas man who was killed 78 years ago on the USS Oklahoma have been identified.

U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Rex Wise was just 21 when he died,  one of 429 who died aboard the Oklahoma that day.    He will be buried in April  near his home in South Haven.

The Defense POW/MIA announced that he was accounted for in the fall of 2019.

Welcome Home.  --GreGen

USS Oklahoma Unknowns: Two More Identified-- Wilbur Clayton Barrett and Johnnie C. Laurie

September 13, 2019--  WILBUR CLAYTON BARRETT--  Seaman 2nd Class of El Dorado, Kansas.   Enlisted at age 25 in May 1940.  Remains arrived in Wichita September 12 and buried at El Dorado September 14.

September 18, 2019--  JOHNNIE C. LAURIE--  Mess Attendant 1st Class, 25, of Bessemer, Alabama.  He will be buried October 19, 2019, in Montevallo.

--GreGen

Three More USS Oklahoma Unknowns Identified

These are from June 2018.

ROBERT HOLMES

USMC  His recovered remains consist of a jawbone, a piece of his shoulder and a shinbone.

He will be buried in Utah.

JOHN SCHOONOVER

Of Port Edwards, Wisconsin.  Navy Pharmacist's Mate 1st Class, age 39.

His funeral will be at Naval Air Station Pensacola later this month.

WALLACE EAKES

He was 22 when he died on the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941.  He will be buried June 21 at Fort Logan National Cemetery  in Colorado.

Born and raised in Caney, Kansas and was a Storekeeper 3rd Class.

So far, 135 of the USS Oklahoma's Unknowns have been identified and 70 reburied.

--GreGen

More USS Oklahoma "Unknowns" Come Home

It is so great seeing these brave sailors and Marines who were entombed when the battleship USS Oklahoma capsized being identified through DNA and now coming home.

Here is a partial list of them:

WILLARD ALDRIDGE, Seaman 1st class, from Kansas.  To be buried at Highland Cemetery, Ashland, Kansas.  Born August 26, 1921.

QUENTIN J. GIFFORD,  Radioman 2nd class,  Declared officially Lost In Action in February 1942.  Funeral held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  He is the 4th Minnesotan to be identified from the Oklahoma.  There will be a 5th one later this year.

HOWARD W. BEAN,  Radioman 3rd class.  From Everett, Massachusetts.  Buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thank You U.S. Government.  --GreGen

Kansas Family Made Ultimate Sacrifice-- Part 2: Another One Died in France

Their brother Bob joined the Navy when he turned 17 and was in basic training when the war ended in 1945.

Her mother's brother Leroy Blattner joined after the Pearl Harbor attack and was an Air Force pilot.  On August 3, 1944, another plane crashed into his Marauder B-26 bomber in France.  This caused a crash and his whole crew was killed.

--GreGen

Kansas Family Made Ultimate Sacrifice on USS Arizona, Twice

From the November 12, 2016, Hays Daily News (Kansas)  "Hays woman speaks of family's service, sacrifice" by Savannah Downing.

Fay Klein said that on both her mother and father's side, her family made the ultimate sacrifice.

Her father, Walter Becker, was the oldest brother of seven kids.  Three of his brothers:  Harvey, 24; Marcin, 22 and Wesley, 18, were stationed on the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941.  They had requested to serve together.

Harvey was not on the ship at the time as he was on shore leave with his wife, a nurse.  He went to pearl Harbor after the attack to look for his brothers.  Eventually, he had to call his parents to tell them he couldn't find his brothers.

Wesley and Marvin's name are listed on the USS Arizona Memorial.

--GreGen

Yet Another USS Oklahoma Sailor Comes Home: Lewis L. Lowell

From the September 26, 2016, KFDI FM 101.3 (Kansas) "After 75 years, seaman's remains will return to Kansas" by Wil Day.

Seaman 2nd Class Lewis L.Lowell was on the USS Oklahoma that fateful day.  His remains will be flown into McConnell Air Force Base on October 7 where they will then be escorted to Smith Mortuary in Haysville for a service and then laid to rest at the family plot in Whitewater on October 8.

--GreGen

Unknown for 75 Years, Pearl Harbor Sailor's Remains Finally Laid to Rest

From September 19, 2016, Wichita Eagle (Kansas) by Beccy Tanner.

Nearly 75 years after Lewis Lowell Wagoner was declared missing following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, his remains have been identified.

He was one of those lost that day on the USS Oklahoma.  Now, he will be coming home and buried next to his his brothers at the Whitewater cemetery.   This thanks to DNA technology.

Lewis Wagner was born on Kansas Day --  Jan. 29-- 1921 in Missouri.  Shortly afterwards, his family moved to Whitewater, Kansas, where he was the oldest of eight boys.     He was 20 when he died.

Since Pearl Harbor, the family had become friends with two  other Pearl Harbor survivors from the USS Oklahoma, Arthur Dunn and Paul Aschbrenner, both of whom have since passed away.

--GreGen

Pearl Harbor Survivor Max Baker Dies: "That Damn Navy, They're Even Practicing on Sundays"

From the June 23, 2016, Topeka (Kansas) Capital-Journal "Pearl Harbor survivor from Topeka dies at age 94" by Phil Anderson.

Max Baker, 94, died June 11, 2016,. During the attack he was in the U.A. Army Air Corps based at Hickam Field.  The native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, said he had his obituary printed in at least two Pennsylvania newspapers in the days of confusion that followed the attack.

He was in his bunk thinking about getting breakfast when he heard explosions.  "My first thought was 'That damn Navy, they're even practicing on Sundays."

Running out of the barracks, he helped get ammunition and machine guns into two of the few undamaged B-17 bombers at Hickam Field.  A bomb struck his barracks and destroyed his bunk and all of his possessions except his Bible.

He served 52 consecutive months with the 31st Bomb Squadron in the Pacific Theater and moved to Topeka after the war.

--GreGen

USS Oklahoma Sailor to Be Buried in Kansas

From the May 21, 2016, News On 6 (Oklahoma) "USS Oklahoma Sailor Killed At Pearl Harbor To be Buried In SE Kansas" by Russell Hulstine.

The body of Seaman Second Class Dale Pearce, 21, of Dennis, Kansas, was recovered a year after he died, but was unidentified and his remains buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

He was born May 26, 1920, the youngest of eleven children.  He enlisted in 1940 and served as a gunner on the USS Oklahoma.

His remains arrived at Tulsa International Airport on Tuesday, May 24.  Family members, law enforcement and Legion Riders escorted the hearse to Parsons, Kansas, for the Thursday afternoon burial.

Welcome Home.  --GreGen

Death of Pearl Harbor Survivor Jack Carson, 92

From the Nov. 24, 2015, Kansas City Star "Kansas City area  Pearl Harbor survivor dies" by Brian Burnes.

Died Monday at 92.

Was a member of U.S. Army Air Corps with a tow target detachment at Hickam Field.  Was awakened by a droning noise and went to his balcony and saw a Japanese plane pass overhead.

He never talked much about it until he attended a survivors commemoration in Pearl Harbor in 2006 and then became very active.

Born 1923 in Keokuk, Iowa and retired fro Air Force after 30 years.His death leaves just three Kansas City area survivors.

--GreGen