This is a documented list of servicemen from Henderson County who died in World War II.
An original list, containing 125 names, was compiled from the World War II monument at Oakdale Cemetery, the book “A Partial History of Henderson County” by J.T. Fain, newspaper reports from the 1940s, a few church records and families.
An attempt was made to then document each name using military records from the National Archives and state archives, documents related to individual military units, birth certificates, census reports, some first-person accounts from family and/or fellow servicemen, military headstone applications, military and veterans’ monuments and cemeteries, military records from each branch of service, church and private cemetery records, in some cases death certificates, and newspaper and magazine reports.
In some cases, little information was available.
The military service members were listed as Henderson County servicemen who died in World War II using the following criteria:
1. Residence at the time of enlistment and/or draft registration
2. Residence at the time of birth
3. Residence on census reports
4. Residence on military records
5. Death occurred from 1941-1945
6. Death occurred when the service member was an active duty member of the military

After documentation was completed, it was determined that 91 men from Henderson County died in World War II.
Persons with more information may e-mail [email protected]

 1. Adams, Udell Isaac – (1917-1944) Army Air Corps, 12th Air Force, 57th Bombardment Wing, 321st Bomb Bombardment Group, 446th Bombardment Squadron, corporal, communications. He died Oct. 28, 1944, from injuries sustained when the  plane ditched near Italy. “On 27 October 1944, Cpl. Adams was severely injured when a plane, on its way to the Rome rest camp, was forced to ditch at sea, under extreme emergency, of mechanical malfunction. He died the next day, 28 October 1944, of his injuries. In the ditching, the impact was terrific and the airplane broke into three (3) parts and sank almost immediately. All of the crew members and both dinghies were thrown clear of the wreckage, but two crew members were fatally injured and did not survive the impact.” His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Union County, S.C., the son of Waddy Adams and Grace Cooper. He married Ruth Lance of Henderson County, moved to Henderson County about 1940, and worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was living in Henderson County when he was drafted and when he enlisted.  

2. Aiken, Talmadge Argyle  – (1923-1945) Army, 539 Amphibious Battalion, private first class. He died of a non-battle death Aug. 17, 1945, on Leyte Island, Philippines. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Joseph Argyle Aiken and Ollie Mae Morgan. He enlisted in 1943 from Henderson County at the age of 18. The cause of death has not been located.

3. Akers, Charles Lee (Jr.) – (1923-1945) Marine Corps, corporal, Silver Star. He was killed in action May 4, 1945, at the Battle of Okinawa. His gravestone is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Section M, Site 1068, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was born in Virginia, the son of Charles Lee Akers and Nanna Belle Hodge. His mother re-married and her last name was Green (his father died in 1932). Charles Lee Akers was living with his mother and stepfather in 1940 in Henderson County.

4. Allen, Glenn Lance – (1922-1944) Army, Co. B, 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, private. He was killed in action July 2, 1944, during combat in central Italy. His gravestone is at Mount Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery in Mills River. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Jesse Paul Allen and Maggie Lance. At the time of his enlistment he was working for Sayles Biltmore Bleacheries in Biltmore and lived in Mills River. He enlisted in 1943.

5. Anders, Charles William (Charlie) – (1924-1943) Army, 143rd Infantry, private first class. He was killed in action Nov. 19, 1943, in Italy during the Volturno Line offensive in the invasion of Italy. He is buried at Mud Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Flat Rock. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William Pinkney Anders and Bessie Jane Pace. He was working at Chipman-LaCrosse Hosiery Mill in East Flat Rock when he enlisted in March 1943.

6. Anderson, George Edward – (1915-1945) Army, staff sergeant. He died in a non-battle death Aug. 27, 1945, at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Several references to his death at the Army base state: “under mysterious circumstances.” His gravestone is at Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery (Bartlett Ward Cemetery) in the Green River community. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Lawrence Anderson and Hattie Ward. He lived in Henderson County and was working as a carpenter at the time of his enlistment.

7. Arnette, Kenneth Russell  – (1912-1945) Army Air Forces, captain. He died in a non-battle death Feb. 4, 1945, in India. His gravestone is at Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo. His name is on a memorial at Jefferson Barracks of men who died Feb. 4, 1945: “Army Air Force Capt. Kenneth R. Arnette was one of 34 men who died when C-46 #42-107386 crashed in India on 4 Feb 1945. He was flying the Hump with the 10th AAF in a Combat Cargo Group. The operations of the 10th in the CBI theater were transferred to the ATC in December of 1942. He was on his way home to rejoin civilian life when the crash occurred in Feb of 1945.” He was born in Rutherford County, the son of James McLeod Arnette and Bertha Elizabeth Prince. He lived in Henderson County at the time of his draft and enlistment and in the 1930 and 1940 censuses. He worked for Shipman Motor Co. in Hendersonville.

8. Bradley, Lee Roumles – (1915-1944) Army, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, corporal. He was killed in action July 12, 1944, in Operation Cobra of the Normandy Campaign, seven weeks after the D-Day invasion. His gravestone is at the Bearwallow Baptist Church Cemetery in Gerton. He was born in Rutherford County, the son of Eli Grady Bradley and Minnie Johnson. He lived in Henderson County on all censuses. He was working at Sayles Bleacheries in Biltmore when he enlisted in 1941 from Henderson County.

9. Brothers, Walter Eugene (Jr.) – (1918-1942) Navy, radioman third class. He was killed in action Feb. 18, 1942, in the Atlantic Ocean while engaged in combat (missing in action or buried at sea). He was serving on the USS Truxton. He is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing at East Coast Memorial, Battery Park, New York City. He was born in Charleston, S.C., the son of Walter Eugene Brothers and Maude Mae Overman. Between 1920 and 1930 the family moved to Henderson County. He enlisted in the Navy prior to 1940.

10. Burgess, Jack Lee – (1925-1944) Army, 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, private first class. He died of wounds Aug. 10, 1944. His regiment took part in the D-Day Invasion at Utah Beach. He was wounded either in the invasion or during the Normandy Campaign immediately following the invasion. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Buncombe County, but was a resident of Henderson County from the early 1920s until about 1940. He lived in Buncombe County at the time he enlisted. He was the son of Harley Lee Burgess and Alma M. Moore. His father was living in Henderson County (mother was deceased) at the time of his death.

11. Cantrell, Jahue Revis – (1915-1944) Army, 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division, private. He was killed in action Aug. 14, 1944, at the Battle for St. Malo and Dinard in Brittany, France. His gravestone is at the Brittany American Cemetery, Plot G, Row 11, Grave 2, in St. James (Manche), France. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Hilliard Cantrell and Minnie Alice Revis. He was married to Helen Jane Justus and working for Moland-Drysdale Corp. at the time of his enlistment in 1943.

12. Capps, Edward Otho – (1909-1943) Army, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, staff sergeant. He was killed in action Jan. 15, 1943, during battles at Guadalcanal in some of the bitterest fighting of the Pacific campaign. His gravestone is at Mud Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Flat Rock. He was born in Henderson County, the son of James F. Capps and Dollie Capps. He joined the Army prior to the 1930 census and in 1940 was at Fort William Davis Military Reservation, Cristobal, Panama Canal.

13. Cate, Roy Davis – (1917-1944) Army, 5th Armored Division, 47th Field Artillery Battalion, master sergeant. He died of wounds Nov. 3, 1944, during fighting in Germany. “The battalion’s first entry into Germany occurred at approximately 1360 near Rotgen, Germany, on November 2, where it went into firing positions to support a contemplated assault by CC “A” upon the towns of Strauch, Simmerath and Kesterneck. That afternoon at 1630 the battalion suffered the heaviest casualties it suffered in a single day. A flight of eleven P-38 planes circled the CP buildings and then bombed and strafed the area. The first three planes dropped two five-hundred pound bombs each, the first bomb hitting five yards from the assistant S-3’s halftrack. Capt. E. D. Clark, Tec 6 A. G. Baker, Tec 6 Holscher, Tec 3 Nixon, Pfc. Leonard all were instantly killed. M Sgt Cate died of wounds the same day in a nearby hospital.” His gravestone is at a private cemetery in East Tennessee. He was born in Tennessee, the son of Roy Isham Cate and Ruby Davis. He and his father were auto salesmen living on Main Street, Hendersonville, in 1940. He was living in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment.

14. Cecil, Charles Purcell  – (1893-1944) Navy, Rear Admiral, Navy Cross, Gold Star, Bronze Star. He was killed July 31, 1944, in the crash of a Navy transport plane while taking off from an island in the Pacific. His gravestone is at Arlington National Cemetery, Plot 7, Row H, Grave 19, (Section 8 Site 3428) and there is a memorial stone at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Churchyard in Flat Rock. He was the husband of Mary Randolph Pelzer. He was born in Louisville, Ky., the son of Samuel George Cecil and Florence Weaver. He lived in Charleston, S.C., and had a summer home in Flat Rock. The USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) was named after him. The ship was launched in 1945. He was commander of Destroyer Division 5 in the Battle of Santa Cruz in October 1942, commanding officer of the USS Helena in hazardous mine laying and shore bombardment off Kolombaranga in May 1943, and the Battle of Kula Gulf in July 1943.

15. Clayton, John W (Johnny) – (1920-1944) Army Air Corps, 730th Bomb Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group (11), 8th Air Force, sergeant. He was killed in action Feb. 29, 1944, in a raid on Hamburg, Germany. His gravestone is at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery in the Clear Creek community. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Arnold D. Clayton and Mary Ruth Hudson. He was living in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment in July 1941.

16. Cochran, Jess Willard – (1911-1945) Army, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, private. He was killed in action Jan. 4, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. His gravestone at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Union, S.C., the son of William Levi Cochran and Lizzie Sutton. The family moved to Henderson County prior to 1930. He was the husband of Bessie Lee Johnson. At the time of his enlistment in 1944, he was working at Green River Mills in Tuxedo.

17. Corn, Rufus Widdie (Wid R.) – (1917-1945) Army, 3rd Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, private first class, He was killed in action April 21, 1945, during the Northern Apennines offensive in Italy. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Jackson County, the son of John C. Corn and Ivalee Garrett. By 1930 the family was living in Henderson County.

18. Costanza, Christie Patrick – (1915-1944) Army, corporal, 33rd Armored Infantry, 3rd Armored Division. He was killed in action Dec. 25, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge. His gravestone is at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange, N.J. He was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph and Mary Costanza. He was the husband of Dessie Patterson. He lived in Transylvania County at the time he registered for the draft and worked for Champion Paper Co. He was living in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1943.

19. Cox, Everette Irshman – (1910-1944) Army, 160th Field Artillery Battalion, 45th Infantry Division, private. He was killed in action May 12, 1944, at the Pimlott Line near Anzio, Italy. His gravestone is at Tracy Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William Pinkney Cox and Mary Elizabeth Jones. He enlisted in the Army in 1940.

20. Dillard, Thomas Edwin – (1923-1945) Navy, 5th Fleet, USS Bush, seaman, second class. He was killed in action April 6, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. His gravestone is at Mills River United Methodist Church Cemetery. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Christopher Lynch Dillard and Bessie Picklesimer. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943.

21. Dodson, James Lester – (1920-1944) Army, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, technician fourth class, Silver Star. He died of wounds Dec. 22, 1944. He was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. His gravestone is at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle) France, Plot B, Row 22, Grave 31. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Lester Dodson and Ada Isabel Barnwell. He was living in Edneyville on all censuses, but was residing in Seminole County, Fla., at the time of his enlistment in 1943.

22. Drake, Harold Bertram – (1917-1944) Army Air Forces, 15th Air Force, second lieutenant. He was killed in action June 17, 1944, during bombing missions over Czechoslovakia. His gravestone is at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo., Section 78, Site 956C-E. He was born and lived in Henderson County, a son of Hezekiah “Skin” E. Drake and Armilda Revis. He was working at Walker Hardware in Hendersonville when he enlisted in 1941. (Additional story posted).

23. Duncan, Clarence Arnold – (1924-1945) Marine Corps, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, private. He was killed in action June 7, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born and lived in Henderson County, the son of Major Palmetto Duncan and Mary Matilda Corn, and the husband of Mattie Lou Carlisle. He was working at Beckers Bakery on Church Street when he enlisted in 1943.

24. Duncan, Marvin Melvo – (1921-1944) Army, 363rd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action Oct. 16, 1944, in combat on the Gothic Line in Northern Italy during Operation Olive. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Jesse A. Duncan and Eliza Collins. He resided in the county at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

25. Gibbs, Glenn Pinkney – (1922-1944) Army, 5th Army, 34th Division, 133rd Infantry Co., private first class. He was killed in action Sept. 15, 1944, during the Po River Campaign in Italy. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Tennessee, the son of Burchett Pinkney Gibbs and Nannie Merrell, both from Henderson County. He lived in Henderson County from the mid-1920s until about 1940. He was living in Anderson County, S.C., at the time of his enlistment in 1943. He and his brother, James A. Gibbs, were killed the same day at the same location from the same shell. Their father was living in Henderson County at the time of their deaths. (Additional story posted).

26. Gibbs, Horace Jefferson – (1908-1943) Army, 853rd Engineers Battalion Aviation, private. He was killed/missing in action Nov. 27, 1943, on board the HMT Rohna in the Mediterranean Sea north of Algeria. The attack constitutes the largest loss of U.S. troops (1,015) at sea in a single incident. The ship was sunk by an air attack of the German Luftwaffe using guided glide bombs (first guided missile attack in history). He is memorialized (missing in action) at Tablets of the Missing North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia. He was born in Polk County, the son of Burgin Callaway Gibbs and Florence Jackson, and the husband of Mable Searcy. He was living in the Gerton community in 1940 and enlisted in 1943 from Henderson County.

27. Gibbs, James Arnold ‑ (1924-1944) Army, 5th Army, 34th Division, 133rd Infantry Co., private first class. He was killed in action Sept. 15, 1944, during the Po River Campaign in Italy. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Tennessee, the son of Burchett Pinkney Gibbs and Nannie Merrell, both from Henderson County. He lived in Henderson County from before 1930 until about 1940. He was living in Anderson County, S.C., at the time of his enlistment in 1943. He and his brother, Glenn P. Gibbs, were killed the same day at the same location from the same shell. Their father was living in Henderson County at the time of their deaths. (Additional story posted).

28. Hamilton, Clarence James (James Clarence) – (1921-1941) Navy, USS Arizona, machinist’s mate, first class. He was killed/missing in action Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is listed as buried at sea and memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii and the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Charles Spurgeon Hamilton and Mona Lee Thomas. He was a resident of Henderson County until he joined the Navy in 1939. He was based in the state of Washington in 1940.

29. Hartnett, Thomas M. – (1922-1944) Army Air Corps, 868th Bomber Squadron, bombardier, second lieutenant, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was killed/missing in action March 20, 1944. The bomber crashed in the Pacific Ocean due to a mechanical failure shortly after take off from Munda Field in the Solomon Islands. Only three crewmen were rescued. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Fort William McKinley, Manila, Philippines. He was born in South Carolina, the son of Edwin Edgar Hartnett and Mamie Ellen Jordan. His family lived in Henderson County for most of his life. He was an electrician in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1942.

30. Heatherly, Robert Vane Brooks – (1920-1944) Army, 327th Glider Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, private first class. He was killed in action Oct. 7, 1944. His unit was involved in heavy fighting near Opheusden in the Netherlands. His gravestone is at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. He was born in Spartanburg County, S.C., the son of Benjamin F. Heatherly and Ophelia McCall, both born in Henderson County. At the time of his enlistment in March 1942, he lived in Zirconia and was working on a farm.

31. Heaton, William McNeal – (1920-1944) Army Air Corps, 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, first lieutenant, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He was killed in action Sept. 5, 1944. His unit was involved in “ground attack missions as the group attacked the Gelnhausen airfield on Sept. 5, destroying 78 aircraft and damaging 19, but losing four.” His gravestone is at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. He was born in Pelzer, S.C., the son of William E. Heaton and Hattie Neal. The family was living in Henderson County soon after his birth. He was living in the Balfour community and working at the Ecusta Paper Corp. in Pisgah Forest at the time of his draft and enlistment.

32. Hedge, Charles Richard – (1922-1942) Army Air Corps, 11th Bombardment Squadron, sergeant, Air Medal. He was listed as missing in action June 3, 1942. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Philippines, and there is a memorial marker at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was part of a “secret” mission that “departed Dinjan, India, on a mission to bomb Leshio Air Field (Burma) and land at Kunming (China).” His plane was one of three that hit a mountain and exploded after successfully bombing the air field in Burma. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Oral Everette Hedge and Ruth Harriett Smith. He was working at the Ecusta Paper Corp. in Pisgah Forest at the time of his enlistment two weeks after Pearl Harbor in 1941.

33. Hefner, Charles Manning – (1925-1944) Army, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, private, Bronze Star. He died of wounds July 31, 1944, received in action at St. Lo, France. His gravestone is at Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Valley Hill and Crab Creek. He was born in Henderson County, a son of Eskridge Hefner and Lillie Mae Reid. He lived in Hendersonville until enlisting in 1943. At the time of his enlistment he was working at the A&P Store in Tryon.

34. Heggie, Richard Lewis, Jr. – (1920-1944) Army Air Corps, 422nd Night Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force, technical sergeant. He was killed in action Dec. 19, 1944. “On the third night of the Battle of the Bulge, 1st Lt. Donald W. Allee (pilot) and his R/O (Radar Observer) T/Sgt Richard Heggie crashed in the fog after being unable to locate any clear airfield at which to land.” His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Martin County, N.C., the son of Richard L. Heggie and Nellie Reed. The family moved to Henderson County between 1930 and 1940. He was working for a time at the Piedmont Leaf Tobacco Co. in Winston-Salem. He was living in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

35. Henderson, Glenn Witherspoon – (1918-1944) Army, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, sergeant. He was wounded in battle and died of wounds July 7, 1944. The date he was wounded is not known, but his unit landed at Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day. The division took Fort du Roule after a heavy engagement and entered Cherbourg, France. It held a defensive line at the Ollonde River until July 2 and then entered La Haye du Puits the day after his death. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Kentucky, the son of Fred Henderson and Nellie Bright. The family moved to the Balfour community of Henderson County in the 1920s. In 1940 he was married to Martha Henderson and living in Gaston County, where he worked at a textile mill. At the time of his enlistment he was living in Gaston County. His parents were living in Henderson County at the time of his death.

36. Henderson, Jerry Moores – (1921-1944) Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division, platoon sergeant. He was killed in action Sept. 15, 1944, at the Battle of Peleliu in the Pacific. His gravestone is at Fort William McKinley, the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Albert Jefferson Henderson and Ola Eloise Shipman. He lived in Henderson County until joining the Marine Corps in 1940 at the age of 18.

37. Higgins, Robert Edgar – (1924-1945) Army, 66th Infantry Battalion, 12th Armored Division, private first class. He was killed in action Jan. 16, 1945. His unit had moved against the Rhine bridgehead at Herrlisheim. “German defenders repulsed two division attacks in the most violent fighting in the history of the 12th, during 8 to 10 January and 16 to 17 January 1945.” His gravestone is at Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges) France. He was born in Yancey County, the son of Hiram E. Higgins and Sallie English. Prior to 1940 the family moved to Hendersonville. He was living in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment and working as a newspaper carrier for the Asheville Citizen.

38. Hill, John Frank – (1922-1945) Army, Co. B, 61st Armored Infantry Battalion, 10th Armored Division, first lieutenant, Silver Star. He was killed in action April 10, 1945, in Germany. His division had seized Crailsheim, Germany, on April 7 and were isolated at a location deep in the enemy’s rear and “faced mounting casualties.” His gravestone is at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Edneyville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William F. Hill and Lila Dalton. He was a 1943 graduate of Clemson University, where he was a member of the basketball team. He enlisted in the Army after his college graduation.

39. Hollingsworth, Joseph Pinkney, Jr. (Joe P.) – (1916-1942) Army Air Corps, private. He died in a non-battle death Jan. 31, 1942. His name is listed on the USAF Incident and Accident Personnel List for January 1942. The place of the accident was not found, but it was at a base within the United States. His gravestone is at Mud Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Flat Rock. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Joseph Pinkney Hollingsworth and Jennings A. Thompson. He lived in Henderson County until joining the Army in 1940. At the time of his enlistment he was working at the Hendersonville Airport.

40. Howard, Thomas D. – (abt. 1914-1942) Army, 60th Cavalry Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps, technical sergeant. He was reported captured by the Japanese on May 7, 1942, in the Philippine Islands. The last report received was Nov. 23, 1942. Status: Died as prisoner of war. He is memorialized at Fort William McKinley, Manila American Cemetery, Philippines. He was the husband of Ola M. Howard of Alabama. He was in the Army in 1940, based at Galveston, Texas. He joined the Army prior to 1930. Military records state his residence as North Carolina. The only census record found was 1940. His name is listed on the WWII monument in Oakdale Cemetery. (Until more information is found, it is presumed he was either born in Henderson County or lived in Henderson County prior to his enlistment in the Army).

41. Hudson, James Charlie – (1919-1945) Marine Corps, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, private. He was killed in action Feb. 27, 1945, at the Battle of Iwo Jima. His gravestone is at the Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. He was born in Landrum, S.C., the son of James Terrell Hudson and Alice May McDave. The family was in Polk County by 1930 and in the East Flat Rock community of Henderson County before 1940. He was working for Caswell Knitting Mills in Yanceyville, Caswell County, N.C., in 1941. He was living in Henderson County when he joined the Marine Corps in 1944.

42. Jackson, Floyd Harden – (1921-1944) Army, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action Oct. 17, 1944, in combat to gain high ground east of Embermenil in northeast France. His gravestone is at Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges) France (Plot A, Row 13 Grave 59). He was born in Henderson County, the son of John Grant Jackson and Jane Hill. He farmed in the Edneyville community until enlisting in 1942.

43. Jackson, George Elbert – (1923-1945) Navy, sailor. He died Feb. 25, 1945, in the Veterans Hospital in Swannanoa of injuries sustained in a car accident that occurred Feb. 7, 1945, in Henderson County while he was on leave. His gravestone is at Mud Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Flat Rock. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Robert M. Jackson Sr. and Ada Pearce. He lived in Henderson County, until the early 1940s when he was working at the Belmont Hosiery Mill in Gastonia.

44. Jackson, Glover Ernest – (1923-1945) Army, Quarter Master Corps, Tech 5. He died of a non-battle death Feb. 7, 1945. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Virgil Ernest Jackson and Flora Mae Lamb. He was working as a sales clerk at Rose Pharmacy in Hendersonville when he enlisted in 1943. Information on the cause or location of his death was not located.

45. Johnson, Lewis Fred – (1923-1944) Army, (one entry states 112th Infantry, 28th Division; another entry states 63rd Division) private. He died of wounds Aug. 11, 1944, in France. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Rutherford County, the son of Castie D. Johnson and Alda Bradley. He lived in the Green River community of Henderson County for most of his life and was a welder with the N.C. Shipbuilding Co. in Wilmington at the time of his enlistment in 1943.

46. Johnson, Morris Lynn, Jr. – (1925-1944) Marine Corps, sergeant, two Silver Stars. He was killed in action Sept. 28, 1944, at the Battle of Peleliu in the Pacific. His gravestone is at Arlington National Cemetery, section 34, grave 2596. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., the son of Morris L. Johnson Sr. and Lona Hanna. The family moved to Hendersonville prior to 1930. He was attending the Blue Ridge School for Boys at the time of his enlistment. (Additional story posted).

47. Jones, Joseph Nathaniel – (1924-1944) Army, 337th Infantry Regiment, “Custer Division,” 85th Infantry Division, corporal. He died of wounds Oct. 10, 1944. He was wounded during combat in the mountains of Italy. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Arthur Eugene Jones and Grace Myrtle Kuykendall. He was working as a bookkeeper and cashier when he enlisted in 1942 at the age of 18.

48. King, Judge Dick – (1922-1944) Army, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He was killed in action July 10, 1944, in combat near Periers, France. His unit spearheaded the assault landing on Utah Beach at D-Day. His gravestone is at Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William K. King and Ann Esther Garren. He was a farmer at the time of his enlistment.

49. Lamb, Jennings George – (1925-1945) Army, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, private first class. He died as a result of a non-battle death May 23, 1945. His gravestone is at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle) France (Plot A, Row 34, Grave 31). He was born and grew up in Henderson County, the son of Edgar Allen Lamb and Bertie Della Johnson. He was living in Spartanburg County, S.C., and working on a farm at the time of his enlistment in 1943. The cause of his death was not located.

50. Lanning, Brazillia Mitchell, Jr. – (1918-1945). Army, private first class. He is listed on rosters of WWII dead as B.M. Lanning Jr. War Department files state that he was killed in action. One family reference states that he died in Germany. No record was found indicating the unit in which he served. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Brazilla M. Lanning and Addie Lee Gosnell. He lived in the Hooper’s Creek community of Henderson County for most of his life. In 1940, he was living in Buncombe County and working at the Veterans Hospital in Swannanoa. At the time of his enlistment in 1942 he was a resident of Buncombe County. One source states that his burial was at the Berea Baptist Church in Buncombe County. There is no marked grave for him at this church. His parents are buried at Hooper’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

51. Ledbetter, Edward Hammett – (1924-1944) Navy, pharmacist’s mate. He was killed in action July 25, 1944, at the Battle of Tinian in the Mariana Islands in the Pacific. He was serving with Co. A, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Division. His gravestone is at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Edneyville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Bert H. Ledbetter and Lessie Creasman. He grew up in Edneyville and joined the Navy at the age of 18.

52. Levi, J. Chester (Harry) – (1925-1944) Army, 3rd Army, private first class. He was killed in action Dec. 12, 1944, at the Battle of the Bulge. The actual regiment and division in which he served have not been located. His gravestone is at Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery (Bartlett Ward Cemetery) in the Green River community. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Andrew Hampton Levi and Lura Mullinax. He lived in the Green River community and worked at the Naval Shipyard in Norfolk, Va., before enlisting in the Army in 1943.

53. Levi, Robert Glenn – (1915-1943) 813th Bomb Squadron, 482nd Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force, master sergeant. He died in a non-battle death Nov. 10, 1943, in England. His gravestone is at the Pace Family Cemetery in the Green River community. He was born in Greenville County, S.C., the son of Robert Hampton Levi and Julia Capps. By 1920 the family had moved to the Green River community of Henderson County. He was working at Green River Mills in Tuxedo at the time of his enlistment in 1941.

54. Long, Grady Edward – (1911-1943) Army, private. He died in a non-battle death in 1943 near Camp McCoy in Mauston, Wis. He died from injuries sustained when he was assaulted outside the base. His gravestone is at Shaw’s Creek Methodist Campground Cemetery in Horse Shoe. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Jesse Frank Long and Hattie Belle Allison. In 1920 the family lived in Transylvania County and by 1930 had moved back to Henderson County. He was living in Baltimore, Md., when he enlisted in the Army in 1942. Military records list him as a resident of Maryland.

55. Love, Lowell Everett – (1918-1945) Army, 774th Tank Battalion, second lieutenant. He was killed in action April 12, 1945, in combat near the Rhine River west of the Ruhr Pocket. His gravestone is at Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery in Dana. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Everett C. Love and Bertha Hill. He was working as a salesman at J.C. Penney Co. in Hendersonville when he enlisted in 1942.

56. Mathew, Andrew W. – (1916-1944) Army, 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, staff sergeant. He was killed in action Dec. 20, 1944, in combat during the push to the Roer River. His gravestone is at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher. He was born in Spartanburg County, S.C., the son of Henry V. Mathew and Maggie Elizabeth Bartee. The family lived in South Carolina until moving to Henderson County prior to 1940. He was living in Henderson County and working on a farm at the time of his enlistment in 1940.

57. McCarson, Alvin Sevier – (1917-1944) Army Air Corps, 83rd Bomber Squadron, 12th Bomber Group, staff sergeant. He was listed as missing in action July 11, 1944, in a bombing mission over Italy. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Milton Sevier McCarson and Lora Emma Jane Corn. He was working as a painter in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1942.

58. McCarson, Patrick Archibald – (1927-1945) Army, private. He is listed on the rosters of World War II dead. He died of a non-battle death, but the date or place of death was not located. One source lists his date of death as March 27, 1945. His grave site has not been located. His father is buried at the Mill Pond Cemetery in the Rugby community. His military information mistakenly lists Vance County, where the town of Henderson is located. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Hillard Hicks McCarson and Rachel Mary Alma Qualls. The birth date on records in Henderson County does not match the military birth dates. The date of birth on the birth certificate and other records states 1927. Military records state 1925. He was working as a hotel clerk in Asheville when he enlisted in the Army in 1944.

59. McCraw, Brack Brownlow – (1917-1943) Army, corporal, 7th Chemical Co. Aviation. He was listed as a prisoner of war, World War II Prisoners of the Japanese. He died as a prisoner of war. His body was not recovered, finding of death. He was first reported missing May 7, 1942. The last report was received Jan. 25, 1943, where he was being held at a prisoner of war camp at Luzon, Philippines. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Fort William McHenry, Manila American Cemetery, Phillippines. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Meredith Eli McCraw and Essie Walker. He was working on a farm in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1941.

60. McGraw, Ray Wilford – (1923-1944) Army, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action June 6, 1944, at Utah Beach in the D-Day Invasion. His gravestone is at Tracy Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Manning Jeter McGraw and Cora Cornwell. He was working on a farm at the time of his enlistment in 1941.

61. McKinney, Samuel Wilson – (1916-1944) Army, Co. C, 236th Engineer Battalion, Tech 5. He was killed in action June 1, 1944, on the Burma Road during the battle for Myitkyina, Burma, in the Himalayan Mountains. His gravestone is at St. Matthew Episcopal Church Cemetery off Brookside Camp Road (Hillgirt) between the Clear Creek and Mountain Home communities. He was born in Buncombe County, the son of William Edney McKinney and Lue Ellar Davis. He lived in Buncombe County until about 1940. He was living in Henderson County and working as a carpenter at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

62. Middleton, William “Willie” Allard – (1916-1945) Army, 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion, private first class. He died as a result of a non-battle death March 8, 1945, during the drive to the Rhine River. The cause of death was not located. His gravestone is at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery near Etowah and Big Willow. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Charles Baxter Middleton and Nancy Jane Smith. He was working in construction at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

63. Osteen, Charles “Charlie” H. – (1921-1945) Army, 325th Glider Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, private first class. He was killed in action Jan. 30, 1945, in combat following the Battle of the Bulge. His gravestone is at St. Paul Cemetery in Edneyville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Charles Haskell Osteen and Ludith Susan Ledbetter. He was living in Henderson County on all census reports. (There are problems with military records. It may be due to misspellings of the name. No enlistment or draft records could be found using the proper spelling, and he was not found on the National World War II Monument Registry. He is properly listed in the U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead.).

64. Pace, Marion Herbert – (1923-1944) Army, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, tech sergeant. He was killed in action Aug. 10, 1944, during the Second Battle of Guam. His gravestone is at Mountain Page Baptist Church Cemetery. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William Arthur Pace and Lillie Mae Coggins. He was living in Henderson County and working on a farm when he enlisted in 1940.

65. Praytor, James Howard – (1922-1944) Army, 133rd Infantry, 34th Infantry Division, private. He was killed in action Jan. 12, 1944, during combat in Italy, near Mount Capraro. His gravestone is at Mount Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery in Mills River. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Martin Praytor and Camie Mahaffey. He lived in the Hooper’s Creek community. When he enlisted in 1942, he was working on a farm and his residence was listed as Fletcher.

66. Pressley, Vance Melvyn – (1917-1942) Marine Corps, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, private. He was killed in action Sept. 14, 1942, in the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Pacific. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in South Carolina, the son of Charles Cletus Pressley and Annie Low Bowen. Between 1930 and 1940, the family moved to the Balfour community of Henderson County. In 1940, he was living and working in Greenville County, S.C. He enlisted in the Marine Corps about 1941.

67. Reese, Frank – (1909-1942). Navy, watertender. He was killed in action Aug. 10, 1942, while serving on the USS Astoria (ship sank by Japanese). He participated in the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Coral Sea. He died during the Battle of Savo Island in the Solomon Islands. He is memorialized at Fort William McKinley Manila American Cemetery, Philippines (year of death on memorial states 1943). He was born in Henderson County, the son of Walter Reese and Carolyn J. “Minnie” Clark. He was the husband of Mildred Long. He joined the Navy prior to 1940. In 1940 he was based in Hawaii with the Navy and was at the Naval Receiving Station during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

68. Rhodes, Luther Lerue – (1924-1942) Marine Corps, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, private first class. He was killed in action Oct. 7, 1942, at the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. His body was not recovered. He is memorialized at Fort William McKinley, Manila American Cemetery, Philippines. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Harley Bryan Rhodes and Lexine Merrell. He joined the Marine Corps in 1941, while still in school. He began training in January 1942.

69. Rhodes, Marcus “Mark” Alexander – (1920-1941) Navy, seaman first class, USS Arizona. He was killed in action Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor: “Died of wounds received in attack by enemy on Pearl Harbor.” His gravesite is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), in Honolulu, Hawaii (Section C Site 767). His name is also listed on the USS Arizona Memorial. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Arthur Rhodes and Stella Lyda. He joined the Navy in 1939 at the age of 19. He was assigned to the USS Arizona in September 1941. (Additional story will be posted).

70. Rhymer, Harry Cray – (1916-1944) Army, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action July 31, 1944, during Operation Cobra, an effort to break out of the Normandy hedgerows in France. He had taken part in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach. His gravesite is at Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Clarence Nelson Rhymer and Nellie Gray King. He listed his occupation as architect when he joined the Army in January 1942.

72. Rhymer, Joseph Harold – (1918-1942) Army, private. He died of a non-battle death Aug. 29, 1942, at Fort Bragg, N.C. He died within a couple of weeks of his enlistment. His gravesite is at Moore’s Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Clear Creek. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Floyd Franklin Rhymer and Josephine Hill. He was working as a sales clerk at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

73. Rice, Clayton Dock – (1916-1944) Army, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, private. He was killed in action July 12, 1944, during combat following the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach. His unit crossed the Vire River on July 7 and was moving toward St. Lo. His gravesite is at Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He was born in Buncombe County, the son of James William Rice and Vista Viola Edmunds. He lived in Buncombe County until moving to the Mills River community in Henderson County after 1930 and before 1940. He was living in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment in 1941.

 74. Rogers, John Henry Theawell – (1925-1944) Navy, radarman. He was killed in action Sept. 10, 1944, on the USS Deede in the Pacific near the Marianas. His gravesite is at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, N.C. He was born in Henderson County, the son of John Henry Rogers and Eunice Barnwell. He was living with his grandmother in the Clear Creek community in 1930 and 1940. He joined the Navy in 1943 (with residence listed as Raleigh) and was assigned to the USS Deede. He was temporarily on the USS Pensacola until transferred back to the USS Deede on Sept. 6, 1944. His mother was living in Wilson, N.C., at the time of his death.

75. Rogers, Thomas “Tom” Russell – (1916-1943) Army, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, private. He was killed in action Sept. 12, 1943, during the Allied invasion of Italy. The division landed by sea Sept. 9, 1943, at Paestum on the Gulf of Salerno against intense German opposition. The Germans launched counterattacks on Sept. 12-14. His gravesite is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of James Wesley Rogers and Frances Fryer. He was working on a farm in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

76. Rymer, Andrew MacWilliams – (1925-1945) Army, 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, 9th Army, private first class. He was killed in action April 13, 1945, near Borsdorf, Germany. His gravesite is at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. There is a memorial marker at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., the son of Jule Samuel Rymer and Lottie Emma Baughman. The family moved to Henderson County between 1930 and 1940. He was attending N.C. State University before enlisting in 1943.

77. Sherman, Horace – (1909-1944) Army, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, private first class. He was killed in action Aug. 23, 1944, in Melun, France, during combat following the D-Day invasion. His gravesite is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Henderson County, the son of James Belvin Sherman and Martha Mae Hyder. He was working as a salesman in Hendersonville at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

78. Shytle, Charlie Franklin – (1914-1945) Army, 475th Infantry, Tech 5. He was killed in action Jan. 17, 1945, during combat to re-open the Burma Road between Burma and China. His gravesite is at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, N.C. He was born in Buncombe County, the son of Jay Thurman Shytle and Lillie Mae Rice. By 1920 the family was living in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County, and moved to Henderson County before 1935. He resided in Henderson County when he registered for the draft after 1940.

79. Shytle, Joseph Edward – (1920-1944) Marine Corps, Second Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division, first lieutenant. He was wounded at the Battle of Saipan and evacuated to the field hospital, where he died July 8, 1944. His gravesite is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Honolulu, Hawaii. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William Seymour Shytle and Jane Catherine Sinclair. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played on the basketball team. He joined the Marine Corps after his college graduation in 1942.

80. Smith, Charles Ray – (1922-1944) Army Air Corps, 67th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, staff sergeant, Air Medal. He was listed as missing in action or buried at sea Aug. 17, 1944 (finding of death). The exact date his bomber went down could not be located. He was flying in support of Allied ground forces and attacking Axis forces in Italy. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. He was born in Henderson County, the son of William Thomas Smith and Rachel Inez McCall. He lived in Henderson County before moving to Charlotte about 1941 to work at an airfield. He enlisted in 1942.

81. Smith, Marvin Pinkney – (1925-1944) Army, 30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action Oct. 2, 1944, during combat in the Vosges Mountains of France. His gravesite is at Fanning Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Mills River. He was born in Buncombe County, the son of Ephraim E. Smith and Essie Emma Moore. The family lived in the Avery’s Creek community of Buncombe County until moving to the Mills River community in Henderson County prior to 1940. He was working at the Ecusta Paper Co. in Pisgah Forest at the time of his enlistment in 1943.

82. Staton, Roy Earle, Jr. – (1923-1944) Army, Air Corps, 515 Bomb Squadron, 376 Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, staff sergeant. He was killed in action Oct. 17, 1944, on a bombing mission from Italy to Austria. The bombers left San Pancrazio, Italy, en route to Vienna, Austria. His bomber was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire near an island off the coast of Yugoslavia. He was first reported as missing in action. His gravesite is at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 12, Site 92). He was born in Morgan County, Kentucky, the son of Roy E. Staton and Lucy Potter. Between 1930 and 1935, the family moved to Henderson County. He worked at Carson Ice Cream in Hendersonville before his enlistment in the Air Corps in 1942 at Hondo Air Field in Texas.

83. Stepp, Gordon James (James Gordon) – (1922-1944) Army, Co. B, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, private first class. He died of wounds Oct. 4, 1944, in Hatterath, Germany. He was wounded during the Rhineland Campaign. His gravesite is at Hooper’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Reuben Zoro “Joe” Stepp and Lula Ann Walker. He was working on the farm in Hooper’s Creek when he enlisted.

84. Thompson, William Boyce – (1920-1945) Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force, 365th Fighter Group, P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, first lieutenant, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf clusters. He was killed in action April 20, 1945, over Germany. “He had completed at least 97 combat missions and had shot down 2 German aircrafts and damaged another on the same mission. He was killed in action after bombing an enemy ammunition depot. His plane received damage from the explosion, which forced him to parachute over friendly territory. His parachute failed, and he died from the fall.” His gravesite is at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Phralo Mitchell Thompson and Montie T. Brian. He lived in Henderson County until moving to Charlotte about 1940. He resided in Charlotte at the time of his enlistment in 1943. He was married to Mary Neal Overcash Thompson.

85. Tidd, George Welling, Jr. – (1910-1943) Army, 493rd Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force, corporal. He was killed in action Dec. 1, 1943. The bombers had left Pandaveswar, India, on a mission to Insein, Burma. The bomber was “believed to have been hit by enemy aircraft” after dropping its bombs on the target. His gravesite is at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo. He was born at Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa, the son of George W. Tidd and Emma McClain. The family moved to Oklahoma before 1920 and had moved to Henderson County prior to 1935. He was living in Henderson County at the time of his enlistment in 1942.

86. Walker, Norman B. – (1914-abt. 1943) Merchant Marine. Records could not be located. Research is ongoing. He was born in Polk County, the son of Isaac Walker and Maggie Belle Hill. The family moved to the Mills River community of Henderson County prior to 1920. He was living in the Upward community in 1940 and working on a farm when he registered for the draft in 1940. He joined the Merchant Marine about 1941. He died (missing in action) when his ship was sunk by a German submarine in the Atlantic Ocean, according to all family members contacted. Persons with more information are asked to contact [email protected]

87. Ward, William Jennings Sr. – (1898-1944) Army, 1328 Army Air Force Base Unit, Indo-China Division, private first class. He died in a non-battle death Nov. 3, 1944, at Misamari, India. The cause of death was not located. His gravesite is at Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery (Bartlett Ward Cemetery) in the Green River community. Military records state that he was born in 1899. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Joseph Warren Ward and Mary Louisa Mullinax. He married Agnes Marion Hawkins. He was living in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1942.

88. Williams, Aaron Eratus – (1918-1944) Army, 44th Engineer Combat Battalion, Tech 4. He died Dec. 18, 1944, of wounds received in the Battle of the Bulge. His gravesite is at Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery in Dana. He was born in Spartanburg County, S.C., the son of Clem Aaron Williams and Minnie Belle Smith. In 1920, the family lived in Campobello, S.C., by 1930 was living in Polk County, and moved to Henderson County between 1935 and 1940. He was married and working as a carpenter in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1942.

89. Williams, Fred Thomas – (abt. 1913-1944) Army, 337th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action May 14, 1944, during combat near Formia, Italy, near the Mediterranean coast (between Rome and Naples). His gravesite is at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Thomas Clingman Williams and Drucilla Brock. Both of his parents died before 1930. He was working as a plasterer in Henderson County in 1940 and residing in the home of his stepmother. The enlistment records do not state a county of residence.

90. Williams, Roy James – (1924-1945) Navy, seaman first class, Naval Armed Guard. He was listed as killed in action (body not recovered) April 21, 1945. He was listed as missing in action April 20, 1944. He was on one of the ships (Convoy UGS-38) attacked in the Mediterranean Sea. “Some 28 merchant ships with Armed Guards aboard were in a much larger convoy about four hours east of Algiers and enroute to Bizerte when German torpedo planes came in for the kill on April 20, 1944 … Two American ships were hit and one was sunk.” He was possibly on the SS Paul Hamilton. This ship was carrying many naval guards. The USS Lansdale was also carrying some Navy armed guards. The SS Royal Star also sank. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Eulice Raymond Williams and Bessie Elizabeth Warren. He was residing and working in the Mountain Home community at the time of his enlistment.

91. Worley, Wofford Gentry – (1919-1944) Army Air Corps, 324th Squadron, 306th Air Service Group, warrant officer junior grade. He was killed in action May 13, 1944, on Corsica (French island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy). There was a German air raid on the field at Alesan on Corsica. His gravesite is at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. He was born in Greenville County, S.C., the son of Merritt James Worley and Grace A. Campbell. The family moved to Henderson County between 1930 and 1935. He was residing in Henderson County when he enlisted in 1940.