Wednesday, January 31, 2018

WW2.Fallen - James Peebles, 5th Infantry Division

Lt. James Peebles served in an artillery battalion in the 5th Infantry Division.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6814707/james-shelton-peebles
https://owlcation.com/humanities/ArtilleryBattalions 
James Shelton Peebles, Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 31, 1918 in Oklahoma. His parents James and Elizabeth were born in Oklahoma and Arkansas, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. James had two younger brothers and a younger half sister. His parents divorced in the 1920s and his mom worked as a nurse to support the family. By 1940 James had completed high school was was attending college away from home. At some point he married Lavano Carnes Giulio.

He enlisted in the army in March 1942 and he became a second lieutenant in the 21st Field Artillery Battalion. The 21st FAB was attached to the 5th Infantry Division (Nicknames Red Diamond or Red Devils) during WW2. It was equipped with 155mm howitzers.

The 5th ID arrived in Normandy in early July 1944. It fought across France and seized Reims on August 30, 1944. It's next big assignment was the attack on Metz which took almost three months.  Lt. Peebles died on November 5, 1944. I don't know if it was due to counter battery fire, or perhaps when he was acting as an artillery observer, or some other cause.

His grave is at Tahlequah Cemetery, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His widow died in 2000.

Thank you James for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

UPDATE:
Mr. Milne,
            Thank you for posting about James S. Peebles.  If you bear with me until the end of the email, I’ll explain my relationship to Shelton, which was the name used by our family and my mother’s friends who knew him. I don’t know how to post, so forgive me for emailing you to fill in some of the gaps of his life.  It is my way of honoring him again.  You can post the pertinent information if you’d like.
            The woman in the photo is my mother Lavona Carnes.  She and Shelton attended Northeastern State Teacher’s College, now Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK.  He was a member of a fraternity, worked on the 1942 yearbook and a class officer.   My mother graduated from the college in 1942, and I strongly believe Shelton graduated too.  Mother said Shelton wanted to be a dentist.
            Shelton, a Cherokee Indian, and my mother, a Sac & Fox/Choctaw Indian, may have been married on January 30, 1943.  I have a serving tray with the engraving Lt. and Mrs. James. S. Peebles from The Officers and Ladies of the 379th Field Artillery Battalion, January 30, 1943.
            Shelton lost his life flying reconnaissance; I think over France. My mother, sister and I returned most of Shelton’s medals to Shelton’s brother in the 1970’s.  I still have Shelton’s rosary, government correspondence of his passing and a few medals that his brother did not want in the 1970’s.  I spoke with his brother around 1997.  We discussed and he approved Shelton’s write up for the WWII memorial.  My sister and I made a donation to the memorial, allowing us to upload the “write up”. This was when you had to donate to get something posted. I noticed the WWII memorial has since taken down the write up and picture of him that we submitted.
            Why is he important to me and my sister?  Shelton was my mother’s first love.  She transferred that love, along with a great respect for him, to my sister and me. We refer to ourselves as his daughters-in-spirit. For years, we’d look at his pictures with my mother while she shared a little tidbit or story, like the day he was buried.  My sister and I promised each other we would keep the memory of him and my mom alive.  Our mother let go of Shelton physically but never in her heart. 

Photo provided by Janice Edmiston
Last year on this date I profiled John Harris, a victim of the Palawan Massacre. You can read about John here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

WW2 Fallen - P-47 fighter pilot Willam Lowe

William Lowe trained to be a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144650955/william-j-lowe 
William J. Lowe never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 30, 1918 in Tennessee. His mother Katherine was born in Ireland. His father Martin was born in Tennessee and his parents were also from Ireland. William's father worked as a locomotive engineer. William had two older sisters, an older brother, and a younger brother. His father died in 1932. By 1940 Willam had completed four years of high school. He was living with his widowed mother and worked as a filing clerk.

He enlisted in the army the Friday after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He was trained to fly fighter planes and became a first lieutenant in the 461st Fighter Squadron, 331st Fighter Group. He was killed in an airplane crash at Casper Airbase, Wyoming on July 11, 1943. At that time, the 461st FS was equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. I was not able to find more details.

His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.

Thank you William for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled Max Shirk from the 29th Infantry Division which landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and D+1. You can read about Max here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Monday, January 29, 2018

WW2 Iwo Jima Fallen - Silver Star hero John Kirby, 5th Marine Division

Sgt. John Kirby commanded a flame thrower tank, such as this one, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99284371/john-mooney-kirby
http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m4_sherman_flamethrower.php
John Mooney Kirby never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 29, 1918 in Georgia. His parents John and Francis were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a shipyard driller and later a chief engineer with the YMCA. John's mother died in 1933. He had three older brothers and an older sister (one brother served in the army during the war). By 1940 John had completed two years of high school and was already serving in the US Marines as a private first class.

John rose to the rank of sergeant in Company C, 5th Tank Battalion, 5th Marine Division. He married Anna Lee Walker on December 17, 1943.

Sgt. Kirby was in command of a flame thrower tank when the 5th Marine Division landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was killed in action three days later. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His citation includes the following:

Cool and courageous while approaching to destroy an enemy installation, Sergeant Kirby acted instantly when his tank threw a track and, dismounting from the disabled vehicle, directed his crew in a hurried attempt to effect repairs despite the sudden concentration of blasting fire pouring forth from a Japanese emplacement beyond range of the tank's flame gun. 

Determined to reduce the heavy volume of hostile fire, he advanced toward the enemy position by foot carrying a sub-machine gun and succeeded in delivering several bursts of fire into the entrance and ports of the installation before he fell under the impact of an enemy grenade. 

By his unfaltering leadership, tenacious perseverance and self-sacrificing devotion to duty he aided in reducing the hostile fire and enabled the other members of the tank crew to place their vehicle back in action. 

His conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Sergeant Kirby and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

His grave is at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery in Princeton, West Virginia. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you John for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

John Forsythe

While John Kirby was denied the opportunity to return home and live a full life, another John, John Forsythe, was born on the very same day and lived to age 92.

John Forsythe was an actor best known for his roles in Charlie's Angels, and Dynasty. He started his acting career with bit movie parts in the early 1940's. He joined the army and served stateside making films for the army and serving injured soldiers with speech problems.


John Forsythe appeared with Cary Grant in Destination Tokyo (1943) before joining the army.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001234/
http://theretroset.com/destination-tokyo-a-classic-example-of-the-1940s-propaganda-war-film/ 
Forsythe died in 2010.

Last year on this date I profiled Mosquito navigator Milford Hopkins. You can read about Milford here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100


Sunday, January 28, 2018

WW2 Normandy Fallen - James Hartley, 29th Infantry Division

Lt. James Harley was killed a month before these men from his 175th Infantry Regiment
visited an American grave in France.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8622374/james-william-hartley
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/538672805423620330/ 
James William Hartley never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 28, 1918 in Texas. His parents James and Pernie were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a linen supply truck driver. James had two younger brothers and two younger sisters. By 1940 James had completed three years of high school. He was still living at home and worked as a salesman for a grocery store. He had just completed a stint in the army that had began in 1936. He married Carol Gene Helfenstine in 1940 and they had one daughter.

He joined the army for a second time on February 11, 1941. He became a first lieutenant in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.

The 175th IR landed on Omaha Beach on D+1. With the beach secured, Lt. Hartley unit moved on to fight the Germans in the Normandy hedgerows to advance to the city of St. Lo.

Lt. Hartley was killed on June 25, 1944 while the 29th ID was in a defensive position preparing to support a future attack on St. Lo.

His grave is at Oakwood Cemetery in Denison, Texas. His widow remarried and died in 1991.

Thank you James for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for James.

Last year on this date I profiled Farnham Flower who served in a P-51 unit in Europe. You can read about Farnham here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Saturday, January 27, 2018

WW2 Fallen - B-24 navigator Lloyd Kelly

B-24 navigator Lloyd Kelly served in the 460th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31204985/lloyd-w-kelly
http://www.15thaf.org/55th_BW/460th_BG/Photos/Gallery.htm 
Lloyd W. Kelly never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 27, 1918 in Texas. His parents Urban and Addie were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a farmer. Lloyd had a younger brother (who also served in the military) and two younger sisters. By 1940 Lloyd was completing his final year of college at Texas A&M and had moved out, but lived nearby. He worked as a clerk. After graduating he worked as a soil conservation engineer. He was married to Marjorie Sewell.

He enlisted in the army on April 17, 1942. He became a first lieutenant and navigator in the 763rd Bombardment Squadron, 460th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. The 460th Bombardment Group was equipped with B-24 Liberators. It flew coastal patrols from Georgia and Virginia from October 1943 to January 1944 at which time it was sent to Italy. It bombed targets from Germany to the Balkans. 

On July 19, 1944 the target was the Allach Engine Factory in Munich, Germany. It was Lt. Kelly's 45th and final mission. Few airmen flew this many missions, since they were allowed to transfer out with fewer missions. Lt Kelly earned the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters during his service. Lt. Kelly's plane did not returned from the mission and he was declared Killed in Action.

His grave is at Littlefield Cemetery in Littlefield, Texas. I don't know if he is buried there or if it is a cenotaph grave. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Lloyd for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Lloyd.

Last year on this date I profiled Naval Academy graduate Kenneth Kollmyer who served on the USS Houston when it was sunk early in the war. You can read about Kenneth here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Friday, January 26, 2018

WW2 Normandy Fallen - Elmo Koehler, 82nd Airborne

Lt. Elmo Koehler died of wounds sustained on D+3. A monument in Amfreville France commemorates the arrive of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5066731/elmo-francis_perry-koehler
https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/12486/507-Parachute-Infantry-Regiment-Memorial.htm 
Elmo Francis Koehler never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 26, 1918 in Kansas. His parents Anton and Grace were born in Kansas and Iowa respectively. Elmo's paternal grandparents were born in Germany. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a carpenter. Elmo had two younger brothers (who both served in the military) and two younger sisters. By 1940 Elmo had completed four years of high school. He was living at home and worked in sales. He married Ruby Hood in August 1940.

He enlisted in the army on December 23, 1940. He volunteered for paratrooper training and completed paratrooper school in October 1942. He became a first lieutenant in Company F, 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

On the evening of June 5, 1944 Lt. Koehler climbed about a C-47 Dakota all geared up for his first combat jump. In the early hours of D-Day he dropped into Normandy. The airdrops were scattered and the men were not able to group up in their own units. Lt. Koehler was wounded on D+3. He died of his wounds eight days later on June 17, 1944.

His grave is at Oak Hill Cemetery, Atchison, Kansas. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Elmo for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Elmo.

Last year on this date I profiled Philippine Bataan Death March survivor Ronald Boston and ex-Olympian Louis Zamperini (the subject of the book and movie Unbroken). 

https://www.dawn.com/news/1154651
You can read about Robert and Louis here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Thursday, January 25, 2018

WW2 Fallen - Joseph Kapustka, 1st Infantry Division

Pvt. Joseph Kapustka served in the 16th Infantry Regiment in Germany.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104899036/joseph-kapustka
http://www.16thinfassn.org/history/historical-galleries/world-war-ii/the-bulge-and-germany-1945/ 
Joseph Kapustka never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 25, 1918 in Illinois. His parents Joseph and Mary were both born in Poland and came to America in 1913. His father worked as a street car washer and later as a watchman. Joseph had one older sister, three younger brothers and two younger sisters. At least two of his brothers served in the army during World War 2. He completed two years of high school and worked as a cook.

He enlisted in the army on January 14, 1942. At 5' 9" and 218 lbs, he was a hefty guy. He was a private in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (nicknamed "Big Red One"). I don't know when Pvt. Kapustka joined the 1st ID, but it was in the fight beginning in North Africa in November 1942. It fought in Tunisia and Sicily and famously on Omaha Beach on D-Day. It fought in the Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. The 1st ID suffered more than 20,600 battle casualties including 3,616 killed in action.

By April, advanced units of the 1st ID were in Czechoslovakia. On April 20, 1945 Pvt. Kapustka died of wounds received from fighting near Blankenberg, Germany, which is near the Czech border and just a few hundred miles from his parents' native home.

His grave is at Saint Adalbert Catholic Cemetery in Niles, Illinois.

Thank you Joseph for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Joseph.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

WW2 Fallen 100 - P-51 pilot and POW William Gambill

Lt. William Gambill was a P-51 pilot in the 363rd Fighter Squadron.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77573820/william-w-gambill
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/21421 
William W. Gambill never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 24, 1918 in Oregon. His mother May was born in Nebraska and his father  Rex was born in Virginia. His father worked as a garage mechanic. William had two older sisters, an older brother, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. Both of William's brothers served in the army during the war. By 1940 William had completed four years of high school. He had moved to Los Angeles where he got a job as a truck driver.

He enlisted in the army on September 16, 1940. At some time later he volunteered for the Army Air Forces. Despite his lack of college he became a first lieutenant and pilot in the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group. The 357th FG was originally trained to fly P-39 Airacobras, but by the time it got to England in late 1943, it was given the much superior P-51 Mustangs to fly.

Chuck Yeager, who went on to be the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound, was also in the 363rd FS. The 357th FG became the first P-51 group assigned in the 8th Air Force.

On March 8, 1944 Lt. Gambill was shot down in his P-51 named Alice in Wonderland by a Bf-109 over Hanover, Germany. He was captured and became a prisoner of war. Fifteen days later on March 23, 1944 he died of wounds sustained during an Allied bombing raid.

His grave is at Union Cemetery in Union, Oregon.

Thank you William for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled Hubert Hoenck who was with the 4th Marine Division in Saipan and also the Academy Award winning actor and WW2 veteran Ernest Borgnine. You can read about Hubert and Ernest here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

WW2 Fallen - B-24 copilot Roland Grisell

Lt. Roland Grisell was a B-24 copilot in the 392nd Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89184400/rolland-grisell 
Roland Grisell never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 23, 1918, probably in Colorado. I think his mother was Ann Grisell who was born in Iowa and divorced his father. By 1940 Rolland had completed four years of high school and was working as a ticket seller. He was living in Portland Oregon with his mom who worked as a waitress. He married Opal Spelbrink in April 1942.

He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in June 1942 and got his officer's commission one year later. He became a second lieutenant and B-24 copilot in the 578th Bombardment Squadron, 392nd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. Before his death, Lt. Grisell completed 15 combat missions.

On April 9, 1944 the 578th BS was part of a mission to bomb the FW-190 airfield at Tutow, Germany. Conditions were foggy at the airbase and Lt. Grisell's bomber collided with another B-24 at 7,000 feet, just minutes after takeoff. The left wing and tail broke off. Between the two planes, only four men parachuted to safety.

His grave is at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon. I don't know what happened to his widow.

Thank you Roland for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Roland.

Last year on this date I profiled Quincey Humphries, a tanker who fought the Japanese in the Philippines in December 1941. You can read about Quincey here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Monday, January 22, 2018

WW2 Fallen - Reinhardt Keppler, Medal of Honor hero, USS San Francisco



Boatswain's Mate First Class Reinhardt Keppler earned the Medal of Honor on the USS San Francisco (shown here where it was hit) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22983/reinhardt-john-keppler
https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/038/0403812.jpg
Reinhardt J. Keppler never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 22, 1918 in Washington. His parents Gottlob and Marie were both born in Germany and came to America in 1913. His father worked as a preacher. Reinhardt had one older sister, two older brothers, and four younger brothers (at least two served in the army during the war).

Having completed four years of high school, he enlisted in the US Navy in February 1936. He reenlisted in April 1940 and was assigned as a Boatswain's Mate First Class on the cruiser USS San Francisco. He was on station at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941. San Francisco survived unscathed.

While on leave in San Francisco, he married Elizabeth West in May 1942.

Boatswain's Mate Keppler was on the San Francisco on August 7, 1942 when it supported the 1st Marine Division's landing on Guadalcanal. San Francisco remained in the area to support the Guadalcanal campaign for the next three months. It survived a Japanese plane that crashed into the cruiser on November 12. During the evening of November 12-13, San Francisco participated in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal where the Americans were outgunned by two Japanese battleships. San Francisco was hit 45 times, but managed to withdraw. Keppler was one of 77 men onboard who lost their lives in the battle.

Boatswain's Mate Keppler's Medal of Honor citation details his contribution to saving lives and the cruiser itself:

For extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, 12–November 13, 1942.

When a hostile torpedo plane, during a daylight air raid, crashed on the after machine-gun platform, KEPPLER promptly assisted in the removal of the dead and, by his capable supervision of the wounded, undoubtedly helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished.

That night, when the hangar was set afire during the great battle off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken area and there, without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific enemy bombardment, eventually brought the fire under control. Later, although mortally wounded, he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells, persistently directing fire-fighting operations and administrating to wounded personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood, aged 24.

His great personal valor, maintained with utter disregard of personal safety, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Reinhardt's gravestone listed his death as November 15, 1942, but it was probably November 13.

His grave is at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. I don't know what happened to his widow.

After the war the destroyer USS Keppler was named in his honor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Keppler_(DD-765)
Thank you Reinhardt for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Reinhardt.


Last year on this date I profiled Stanley Glowacki, a Coast Guard seaman who died supporting the Normandy D-Day landing. You can read about Stanley here.


On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!


I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.


Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100

Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

Sunday, January 21, 2018

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Medal of Honor hero Herbert Jones

Medal of Honor recipient Herbert Jones was killed on the USS California at Pearl Harbor,
shown here in the painting by Anthony Saunders.
 https://coronadotimes.com/news/2011/12/07/how-a-young-coronadan-became-a-hero-at-pearl-harbor/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9734
https://www.anthonysaunders.co.uk/anthony_saunders_prints.php?ProdID=2242
Herbert C. Jones never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on January 21, 1918 in California. His mother Ethelyn was born in Illinois and his father Herbert was born in Iowa. His father was a World War I Navy veteran who worked at the US Naval Academy in 1920. He was later assigned to serve in Washington DC and retired as a captain in 1937 and moved to California. Herbert had one younger sister. 

Herbert enlisted in the US Naval Reserves in May 1935. He was commissioned an ensign in November 1940. He was assigned to the battleship USS California. Prior to steaming to Hawaii, Ensign Jones married his high school sweetheart Joanne.

Ensign Jones was aboard California on December 7, 1941 when it was struck by two Japanese torpedoes. The torpedoes damaged the mechanical hoists that replenished the anti-aircraft ammunition. He organized a group of sailors to manually pass up the ammunition from below deck. While so engaged on the third deck, a Japanese bomb exploded on the second deck, mortally wounding Ensign Jones. When two men tried to pull him to safety, he said, "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out of here before the magazines go off."

The California sank in the shallow harbor. 100 men were killed in the attack.

Fifteen men were awarded the Medal of Honor (ten posthumously) for their actions during the Pearl Harbor attack including Ensign Jones and two others from the California.

Thirteen months later his widow was at the launching of the destroyer escort USS Herbert C. Jones which served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the rest of the war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Herbert_C._Jones_(DE-137)
His grave is at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. I don't have any information about his widow.

Thank you Herbert for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Herbert.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 navigator William Sippel. You can read his story here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100