An original list of men who died in World War II (Henderson County), 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
The following men did not meet the above criteria for a variety of reasons.
1. In the majority of cases it was determined that the person had never lived in Henderson County. In many of these cases a family member was living in the county, but the serviceman had never lived in the county.
2. In a few cases the person did not die from 1941 to 1945 or while he was in active service.
3. There was so little information available on a couple of men that determination was impossible.
4. In a few cases there was a “mix-up” in military records and records in the National Archives between the town of Henderson in Vance County, N.C., and the county of Henderson.
Persons with more information may e-mail [email protected]
1. Allred, George R. – His name is not on the roster of World War II dead. There were men by the name of George Allred who served in World War II, but none with any documentation related to Henderson County.
2. Bozer, Alton – No information could be found on a person by this name who served in the military during World War II or who lived in Henderson County. It is possible that the name is misspelled.
3. Bradburn, Charles Franklin – (1919-1944) Army Air Corps, staff sergeant. He died from a non-battle death Jan. 8, 1944. His gravesite is at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England, Plot D, Row 3, Grave 13. He was inducted from Tennessee and was living in Tennessee in 1940. He was born 1919 in Greeneville, Tennessee, the son of Cleophus Armstrong Bradburn and Effie Bebber. His father had re-married and was living in Henderson County at the time of his son’s death in World War II. There is no documentation that Charles Franklin Bradburn ever lived in Henderson County.
4. Collier, Robert B. – (1920-1945) Army, 141st Field Artillery Battalion, first lieutenant. He was killed in action Feb. 4, 1945, near Salzburg, France. His gravestone is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in South Carolina, the son of George Collier and Anne Parler. He married Lucy Beck Jowett. He was living in Beaufort County, S.C., at the time of his enlistment in 1942. His wife was living in Henderson County when their son was born in 1943.
5. Dill, Joseph Gordon – (1917-1941) Army, private first class. He died May 17, 1941, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle wreck in Horry County, S.C. The United States did not enter World War II until after the attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941). He is buried at the Dana United Methodist Church Cemetery. He was born in Henderson County, the son of John B. Dill and Hattie Sanders.
6. Gambs, Gilman E. – (1921-1945) Army, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, first lieutenant, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was killed/missing in action Jan. 16, 1945. He is memorialized (missing in action) at Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg. There is also a headstone at Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee, Mich. He was born in Michigan, the son of Ernest Gambs and Esther Johnson (both born in Michigan). He enlisted in 1943 in Michigan. A connection to Henderson County cannot be documented.
7. Greene, Cleo – (1925-1945) Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division, private first class. He died of wounds Jan. 23, 1945. He was wounded during fighting along the French-German border near the Moder River. He is buried at Tweeds Chapel Cemetery in Fairview (Buncombe County). He was born in Buncombe County, the son of Dennis Jerome Greene and Annie Morrow. He enlisted in 1944, stating county of residence as Buncombe County. He is listed on all censuses in Buncombe County.
8. Greenway, Julian Thomas – Army, 40th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division, private first class. He was killed in action Aug. 31, 1944. His gravestone is at Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal (Vosges) France. There is a memorial marker in Vance County. He was born in Vance County, the son of Walter Thomas Greenway and Mary Susan Clark. His parents lived in the town of Henderson in Vance County. He is listed on all censuses in Vance County. He enlisted in 1942 from Vance County. The town of Henderson is located in Vance County.
9. Guy, George Fred (Jr.) – (1923-1944) Army Air Corps, sergeant, aerial gunner and engineer. He was killed in action May 19, 1944, over Germany. His gravesite is at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 8011, according to “U.S. Veterans Gravesites,” and the Find a Grave Web site in Virginia. There is a memorial marker at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville where his mother is buried, according to the book “Henderson County, North Carolina Cemeteries.” According to his father’s death certificate, his father was buried at Oakdale Cemetery, but no grave site was located. George Fred Guy Jr. was born in Richmond, Va., the son of George Fred Guy and Mamie Alma Bryson. He is listed in all census records in Buncombe County and stated his residence as Buncombe County at the time of his draft and his enlistment in 1943. The National Archives lists his county of residence as Buncombe County.
10. Haney, Monroe Isom – (1926-1945) Army, 301st Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, private. He was killed in action Feb. 24, 1945. His gravesite is at Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg. He was born in Yancey County, the son of Daniel Carter Haney and Zonia Mae Fender. In draft and enlistment records, his county of residence was listed as Buncombe County. He was listed on all census records in Buncombe County.
11. Harberson, Charles Brown (Jr.) – (1913-1945) Army, 33rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 20th Armored Division, first lieutenant. He was killed in action June 8, 1945, during movements in Germany. His gravesite is at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France, Plot C, Row 15, Grave 93. He was born in Kentucky, the son of Charles B. Harberson and Lyda Pearl Rose. Prior to 1930 he resided in Kentucky. He lived in Henderson County for a few years around 1930. He was the husband of Pauline Haney. In 1940 and at the time of his enlistment in 1942 he was living in Buncombe County.
12. Harris, William E. – There were four men with the name William E. Harris who died in World War II. Two were in the Army. One listed his state of residence as Schuylkill County, Pa. The other listed his state of residence as Indiana. One Marine is buried in Hawaii with the state of residence listed as Texas. The second Marine listed his residence as Altus, Okla. A search of birth records and census records could not locate a William E. Harris who lived in Henderson County and who died in World War II.
13. Hedrick, Paul Henry – (1914-1941) Navy, USS Arizona, boatswain’s mate, first class. He was killed in action (missing at sea) Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii and the USS Arizona Memorial. He was born in Catawba County, the son of Coy R. Hedrick and Eine Spencer. He was living in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Calif., where he was based in the Navy. In 1920 and 1930, he was living in Catawba County with his mother. He was married to Frances Jeanne Hedrick of California. His father was living in Henderson County at the time of his son’s death. There are no documents to indicate that Paul Henry Hedrick ever lived in Henderson County.
14. Hester, Charles Montgomery – (1911-1944) Army, 320th Infantry, 35th Division, private first class. He was killed in action Dec. 6, 1944. His gravesite is at Oakridge Cemetery in St. Pauls, N.C. (Pitt County). He was born in Robeson County, N.C., the son of Charles R. Hester and Bessie Pearl Gouse. His Army enlistment records state that he was living in Henderson at the time of his enlistment. The entry asks for county or city. It is most likely that he was living in the town of Henderson in Vance County. He was living in Pitt County at the time he was drafted. No documentation can be found that he ever lived in Henderson County.
15. Hyder, Hubert Jacob – (1922-1946) Marine Corps, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, sergeant. He died Feb. 2, 1946, as a result of injuries sustained in an airplane crash in Henderson County (after his return from the war). His gravesite is at Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery in Dana. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941. He was born in Henderson County, the son of Luther A. Hyder and Minty McCraw.
16. Jones, Thomas Justice – (1916-1943) Army. He was based at Pope Field, Fort Bragg. He died as a result of injuries due to the crash and explosion of an airplane in Robeson County. He was born in Gaston County, N.C., the son of Justice S. Jones and Daisy Ethel Jones. No census records list him as residing in Henderson County. He was married and residing in Brighton, Mass., at the time of his enlistment. His mother was from Henderson County before her marriage.
17. Lance, Marvin D. Jr. – No records could be located for a person by this name who was a casualty of World War II. A person by this name could not be located on census reports or birth records in Henderson County. Persons with more information are asked to e-mail [email protected]
18. Lowe, Noel Luther – (1917-1946) Headquarters Squadron, 3rd Air Force Survey Command, corporal. The finding of death was March 7, 1946. He was listed as missing in action July 8, 1944, when the plane, on an administrative mission, disappeared near Madang in Papua New Guinea (possible enemy anti-aircraft and navigational circumstance). He is memorialized at Fort William McKinley Manila American Cemetery, Philippines. He was born in Clay County, the son of Wesley Elijah Lowe and Ethel A. Ledford. He was married and working at Beacon Manufacturing Co. in Swannanoa at the time of his enlistment in 1943. He is listed in all censuses in Clay County until 1940, when he is living in Buncombe County. Military records list him as a resident of Buncombe County. His parents moved to Henderson County after 1940.
19. McCarson, Roy Melvin – (1925-1944) Army, private, 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne. He was killed in action Oct. 5, 1944, at Opheusden, Holland. His gravesite is at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands (Plot H, Row 19, Grave 23). He was born in South Carolina, a son of Tavie Jacob Terrell McCarson and Rosa Lee Bryant. He lived in South Carolina until the time of his enlistment in 1940. His parents moved to Henderson County after 1940.
20. McGinnis, Bill Mark – (1919-1942) Navy, USS Pollux, seaman apprentice. He was lost at sea Feb. 18, 1942, off the coast of Newfoundland. He volunteered to swim a line to shore through icy waves, trying to save the foundering USS Pollux off the Newfoundland coast. There is a memorial marker at the Salisbury National Cemetery (Section B, Site 709) in Salisbury, N.C. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., the son of George M. McGinnis and Mary E. Bumgarner. The family lived in Mecklenburg County until moving to Chimney Rock in Rutherford County between 1930 and 1940, and later to Bat Cave. He was living in Buncombe County and working as an electrical contractor at the time of his enlistment in December 1941.
21. McMinn, George R. – (1923-1945) Army, 16th Cavalry, Reconnaissance Squadron, private first class. He was killed in action March 14, 1945, during combat near Waldrach, Germany. His unit was engaged in reconnaissance missions for the XII and XX Corps across the Rhine River near Wiesbaden, Germany. His gravesite is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Indiana, the son of Robert Sidney McMinn and Sleta Mae Clingenpeel. His parents were born in Henderson County, moved to Indiana and returned to Henderson County some time after 1940. George R. McMinn was a resident of Indiana and working as a salesperson in Indianapolis at the time of his enlistment in 1943.
22. Moore, Edward – There were 16 men named Edward Moore who died in World War II. They were in every branch of the military. Without more information, even a middle initial, it is impossible to ascertain if one of them may have lived in Henderson County. No enlisted person by this name stated his county of residence as Henderson. Persons with more information are asked to e-mail [email protected]
23. Pertiller, William Garfield – (1924-1945) Navy, steward’s mate first class. He was killed in action April 2, 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa. He was killed onboard the USS Goodhue. Navy records indicate that he was buried April 3, 1945, on the island of Zamami in the Kerama Retto island chain, southwest of Okinawa. He is memorialized at the Peace Memorial Wall, Peace Memorial Park, Okinawa. There is a memorial marker at the old Concord Cemetery, now Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Arden (Buncombe County). He enlisted in the Navy about 1942. He was the grandson of William Pertiller and Maggie Gash Pertiller who lived in Buncombe County (Concord section). The mailing address was Fletcher. Censuses list the family in Buncombe County.
24. Pritchard, Will Nathan – (1923-1945) Army, Tech 5. He was killed in action March 5, 1945. Information was not obtained on the unit in which he served. The enlistment papers stated Coast Artillery Corps or Army Mine Planter Service. He is buried at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Greer, Greenville County, S.C. He was born in South Carolina, the son of H.B. Pritchard and May or Mae Pritchard. In 1930, the family lived in Polk County. In 1940, the family lived in Greenville County, S.C. When he enlisted in 1940 he was living in Greenville County, S.C.
25. Ranet, Charles P. – A person by this name could not be located in military records or census information. Variations of spelling were searched and records still could not be located. There is a possibility that the name is misspelled on the monument in Oakdale Cemetery. There was a Charles P. Raney who was born and lived in California, but a connection to North Carolina could not be found.
26. Reed, John Harvey – (1921-1944) Army, 312th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, private first class. He was killed in action July 7, 1944, in combat in France near the town of Lessay and the Sarthe River. His gravesite is at Bethany Methodist Church Cemetery in Fairview, Buncombe County. He was born in Buncombe County, the son of William Carson Reed and Jeanie Dalton. He lived in the Fairview community of Buncombe County. He lived in Buncombe County at the time of his enlistment in 1942.
27. Reid, James E. – James E. Reid is the spelling by Fain. James C. Reed is on the memorial. There was a James E. Reid from Perquimans County, N.C., KIA Aug. 24, 1944, 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division, staff sergeant, Florence American Cemetery, Cassia, Italy Plot: C Row: 14 Grave: 13. On the World War II National Memorial there is a listing of a James C. Reed, Army, 1st Lt., killed in action, stating residence as Henderson County. No military records could be found on this person. There is a James C. Reed buried at Arlington National Cemetery (1894-1945) Oct 1, 1945. Section 3, grave 1320-A, name recorded as Col. Infantry U.S. Army, who appears to have been from Henderson, Tenn. There is no other information on the gravestone. There is a James C. Reed, first lieutenant, (1918-1945) buried at Arlington from South Dakota. A search of birth certificates, census reports, military records, etc., was not successful in locating a person by either name or variations in name spellings who ever lived in Henderson County, N.C. Persons with more information are asked to e-mail [email protected]
28. Short, Lloyd Horace – (1915-1944) Army, 454 Bomb Group, 737 Bomb Squadron, sergeant. He was killed in action Aug. 15, 1944. His gravesite is at Forest Hill Cemetery in Nashville, N.C. (Nash County). He was born in Nash County, N.C., the son of John Henry Short and Addie Lee Braswell. The family moved to Edgecombe County prior to 1930 and was back in Nash County by 1940. He was working at the Pender Grocery Co. in Nash County at the time of his enlistment in 1943.
29. Sitton, Horace Augustus – (1916-1943) Army, 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, sergeant, Bronze Star. He was wounded at the Salerno beachhead during the invasion of Italy and died of his wounds Dec. 12, 1943. His gravesite is at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. He was born in Spartanburg, S.C., the son of Robert Lee Sitton and Harriet Matilda Sitton. He lived in Spartanburg County until his enlistment in 1942. He was a fireman with the Spartanburg Fire Department.
30. Smith, Ralph Clyde – (1921-1943) Army, Air Corps, 72nd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group, private. He died of a non-battle death April 12, 1943. His unit was flying missions near the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal at the time of his death. His gravesite is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville, according to the application for a military headstone. The Henderson County Cemeteries book and the “findagrave” web site do not list the headstone at Oakdale Cemetery. He was born in Pelzer, S.C., the son of Cecil F. Smith and Flora Justice. The family lived in the Spindale community of Rutherford County from the early 1920s to the time of his enlistment in 1942. He was working at Stonecutter Mills in Spindale. His mother was from Henderson County.
31. Spiegel, Morris – (1916-1944) Army, 565th Signal Corps, attached to Air Corps, tech 4. He died in a non-battle death Dec. 14, 1944, on Morotai Island in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia). The cause of death was not located. His unit was involved in the Battle of Morotai that began in August 1944 and did not end until 1945. His gravesite is at Riverside Cemetery in Rochelle Park, N.J., according to “U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans.” There is one Morris Spiegel listed on the U.S. Rosters of World War II dead. He was born in Delaware and living in the Bronx, New York City, N.Y., when he enlisted in 1941. He was the son of Samuel Spiegel and Hermina Spiegel (maiden name not found), both born in Hungary. By 1925, the family was living in the Bronx. In 1940, he was married to Hilda Spiegel, residing in the Bronx, N.Y., and working as a truck driver. By 1950, his parents were living in Hendersonville.
32. Tate, Jule (Jules) Welch Jr. – (1926-1944) Navy, seaman, second class, Air Wing. He was killed in action July 24, 1944. No information could be located concerning his location or unit. His gravesite is at Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville. He was born in Haywood County, N.C., the son of Jule Welch Tate and Fannie Pearl Jaynes. His mother was living in Blowing Rock at the time of his death. No census records place the family in Henderson County.
33. Thompson, Royal W. – (?-1944) Army Air Corps, 738th Bomber Squadron, 454th Bomber Group, first lieutenant, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was killed in action Aug. 17, 1944, in a mission from Italy to Romania: “Believe he was killed by direct hit in nose section of ship.” His gravestone is at Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium (Plot D Row 12 Grave 26). There is no birth date on his gravestone. Almost no information could be located prior to his enlistment in 1942. He states that he was born in South Carolina and lists his residence as Marlboro County, S.C. But, there is a major error on this record. It states that he was born in 1872 (70 years old). No census or birth records were located for him in North Carolina or South Carolina. Military records list his next of kin as Mrs. Martha C. Thompson, wife, with the address of Fleming Street, Hendersonville. Persons with more information are asked to e-mail [email protected]
34, Watts, John Woodrow – (1922-1944) Army, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division, private first class. He was killed in action Aug. 8, 1944, near Lorient, Brittany, France. His gravesite is at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville. He was born in Gaston County, N.C., the son of Charles Irvin Watts and Stella Mae Flowers. All censuses list him in Gaston County. He lived in Bessemer City, Gaston County, and was single and working in a manufacturing plant at the time of his enlistment in 1942. Mrs. Louella Watts of Hendersonville signed the form for the U.S. Headstone Application in 1950.