Remembrance Honor Roll Call 2

In observance of this year's Remembrance Day, I am working on the serious of posts dedicated to the men and women of Gillespie County who perished during their WW2 service.

As many men, as many stories. 

Burman L Faris

The son of John Leroy Farris and Minerva Elvira Bierschwale was born on 9 January 1904 in Llano County, Texas. Two years later, the family moved to Harris. Since WW2 started, Burman worked in San Antonio at the Army Camp. The man enlisted in the US Navy Seabees on 27 October 1943 in Lafayette, Louisiana. Burman Lee Faris died suddenly of a heart attack when on the train, en route to the Navy training camp in Virginia. It happened on 29 October 1943 (1). He was buried on 2 Nov. 1944, with the American Legion, Louis Jordan Post present during the ceremony.

Private Whitney Burton Sellers

was born on 26 February 1922 in Harper, Gillespie, TX. He was the fourth child and the second son of parents were Arthur Ward Sellers and Stella Lee Sageser (2). Eight years later, the family lived in Precinct #6 of Gillespie County. Whitney's father was a water weller (3). Whitney B received his education in the schools of Harper. 

In 1938 the Sellers moved to Fredericksburg where Whitney completed the local High School from which he graduated in 1938. Afterward, the young man continued his studies at a business college in San Antonio. In 1940, Whitney B was registered with his parents and a brother during the census. They lived in Fredericksburg, Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie County (4). 

In 1942, Whitney B Sellers attained a college diploma. A few months later, on 30 October 1942, he was inducted into the Army service. Private Sellers was transferred for the training from fort Sam Houston to Camp Campbell in Kentucky.

On 22 January 1944, private W B Sellers married Miss Joe Lee Felps. She was the daughter of Andrew Nathan Felps and Frieda Heckel (5).

Whitney perished while training mission on 15 April 1944, when his unit was setting and retrieving live land mines. One of the mines exploded accidentally - the shrapnel killed Private Sellers who happened to be in the blast range. His body was buried with military honors at the cemetery in Fredericksburg (6).

Awarded: World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal

Sergeant Wilburn Harry Dechert

Wilburn was born on 25 July 1923 in Fredericksburg, TX to Mr. Harry Dechert and Miss Ethel Patton (7). The boy completed 8 grades at the local school. Later he worked as a truck driver with the Cosden Oil Company.

On 30 August 1942, he married Miss Lillie Edna Gerloff (8). Five months later, on 26 January 1943, Harry joined the Army in Fort Sam Houston. The military record states that before the enlistment in the First Air Force, he had worked as a sales clerk (9).

Wilburn H. Dechert got the training at Keesler Field, Mississippi, Tyndall Field Florida, and Westover Massachusetts. Sgt. Dechert, a flight engineer of a 4-motor bomber was killed in a combat training mission on 27 April 1944. His plane crashed into Mount Holyoke, near South Hadley, Massachusetts.  Wilburn Harry was 21 years old. He left behind his wife Lillie, a baby son (Clyde Ray born on 16 February 1944), and other relatives including his parents, a sister, and a grandmother (10). 

Awarded: World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal

 

Second Lt. Joseph A Jenschke

Joseph Adolph Jenschke was born on 12 July 1922 in Luckenbach, Texas. His parents were Felix Jenschke and Ella Nebgen (11). The boy completed his eductation in the Luckenbach and Stonewall community schools and later studied at Fredericksburg High School which he graduated from in 1940. Later, Joseph assisted his parents in working on the family farm.

Joseph A Jenschke was inducted into the Air Corps in San Antonio on 21 October 1942 (12). He trained to become a mechanic in Mississippi, Sheppard Field in Texas, and in Oklahoma. On 2 September 1944, he received his Gunner's Wings (at Laredo Army Air Field) and Bombardier's Wings (at the Big Springs Army Air Base). At the latter post, Joseph was also commissioned a Second Lieutenant.

After that, Joseph Adolph spent his 4-day-furlough with his family  and friends. Subsequently, the soldier started the service training at the Barksdale Field in Louisiana. 

Second Lt. Joseph A Jenschke was killed during a combat training mission on 23 October 1944. His B-26, two-motor bomber crashed near Canfield, Arkansas. Joseph was 22 years old. 

The funeral services assisted by the members of Louis Jordan Post, American Legion took place at Saint Mary's Catholic Church and the church cemetery on 27 October 1944 (13).

Awarded: World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal

Private First Class Calvin Ode Sageser

was born born on 12 April 1912 in Harper, Gillespie, TX to the family of Fritz Sageser and Hilda Emma Kneese (14). Calvin was known as "Pecos Kid", and was a top rodeo performer. Mr. Sageser enlisted in the service in Sam Fort Houston, San Antonio on 26 May 1942 (15). He was sent from Texas to California where he trained at Fort Stoneman. On 28 July Calvin O Sageser was transferred overseas. At first, he stationed on New California Island, next was sent to Australia, and then, with the 112th Cavalry Unit, to the Philippines. Private 1st Class C O Sageser was killed in action on 15 December 1943 during the invasion of New Britain Island (16, 17). He was awarded Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

Calvin's name is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery. The Memorial Certificate dedicated to Pfc Sageser is here.

Technical Sergeant Edgar Paul Leonhard

 

The son of Rev. Paul Leonhard and his wife Kathe of Albert was born on 4 December 1919 in Strassburg, Germany. When the boy was about 3, he came with his parents to Albert, TX. Edgar attended a school in Stonewall and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1938. Afterward, he studied at Lutheran College in Seguin for a year.

Egdar P Leonhard enlisted in the Army in Tyler, Texas, on 26 January 1943. The enlistment record reads that Edgar had worked as "semiskilled welder/flame cutter" (18). 

The soldier was sent for training to Scott Field, Illinois, and Kingman Army Air Field in Arizona. In  1943, Edgar married Miss Betty Susan Burkhalter.

Technical Sergeant Edgar Paul Leonhard was a radio operator and a gunman on a B-17 bomber. He was transferred to North Africa in March 1944 and later to Italy. The man was awarded the Air Medal with Silver Oak Cluster and the Purple Heart for his many missions and bravery. Edgar was killed in combat on 25 July 1944 when his plane was over Linz, Austria. He was 24 years, 7 months, and 21 days old (19, 20).

Awarded: Air Medal, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign

 

First Lt. Clemens A Fiedler

was born on 18 December 1919. His mother was Ella Fiedler. In 1930, Clemens was registered during the census. He lived then in Fredericksburg with his grandparents, Bernhard and Margaret Fiedler (21).

First Lt. Clemens Fiedler was a Mustang fighter pilot awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (see the photo above), presented by Brigadier-General Jessee W Auton, during the ceremony held at an Eight AAF Fighter Station. Besides that, he had received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters (22).

Clemens was killed in combat during a mission over France on 10 April 1944. He had dropped the bombs over the mission target and then was coming back to his base. Lt. Fiedler managed to radio the information that he had been hit and was forced to bail out as his plane was not working/badly damaged (23).

First Lt. Clifford B Hahn

Clifford Bode was born on 16 May 1916 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie, TX to Mr. Willie Richard Hahn and Miss Milda Emelia Bode (24).

Clifford enlisted in the military service as an Aviation Cadet on 14 June 1941 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He had completed 3 years of college - was a graduate of San Antonio University - and worked in bookkeeping/as a cashier with State Highway Department (25).

First Lt. Clifford B Hahn was a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot. The man stationed with 8th AAF in England. He completed 37 missions to Continental Europe including the ones in which he was a flight leader in the fighting group of Colonel James J Stone Jr. Clifford's group destroyed 16 enemy planes on 30 July 1943. First Lt. Hahn destroyed an ME 109 on 3 November 1943. The pilot was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Clifford Bode Hahn was killed in action during a mission over France on 24 January 1944. He was 27 years old (26, 27).

Awarded: Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal

 

Private First Class Wilburn Durst

Wilburn Elwood Durst came to this world in Fredericksburg, TX on 26 February 1918 in the family of Mr. Ben F Durst and Miss Laura Langehennig (28). In 1930, the family was registered in Precinct #4, Gillespie, TX, during the Census. Mr. Ben Durst, the father, was a farmer (29).

Wilburn was a graduate of Fredericksburg High School (1934). On 1 January 1940, he married Miss Bertha Kott (30).

Four years later Wilburn volunteered and joined the US Army on 6 March 1944, in Fort Sam Houston, TX (31). Before the enlistment, the man had worked at the San Antonio Transit Company as a bus driver in the Alamo City.

From Fort Sam Houston Private Durst was sent for training to Camp Blanding in Florida. In July, he visited his family in Fredericksburg, and later, in August, Wilburn was transferred to France, and then to Germany. 

Pfc. Wilburn Elwood Durst was killed in combat action in Belgium on 18 January 1945. He was 26 years old (32).

Awarded: Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal

 

Private First Class Curtis L C Griffin

Curtis Lee Calvin Griffin, the son of John E Griffin and Frances Elvira Alexander was born at Morris Ranch, Gillespie, TX on 23 January 1913 (33). Curtis' father had a cattle ranch. Little Curtis was a pupil of the school at Morris Ranch and at Young's Chapel. In 1920, the boy, his parents, and his eight siblings lived in Justice Precinct #2, Gillespie County (34). Young Curtis completed his high school education at Thomas Jefferson High School in Santa Anna, California, where the Griffin family lived for some time.

Curtis was inducted in the Army in November 1942. He completed the training at Camp Haan in California. The soldier was sent then with the Coast Artillery Corps, 2nd Armored Division to England. Pfc Curtis LC Griffin experienced the battlefields in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He participated in the D-Day invasion. Curtis perished in action during the fights in Belgium on 4 February 1945. The man was 32 years old. 

Pfc. Curtis Lee Calvin Griffin found his eternal resting place at the Morris Ranch Cemetery (35, 36).

Awarded: Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal

 

Private Ernst Knoll 

The son of Ernst Knoll Sr. and Emma Fischer was born on 6 April 1925 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie, TX (37). Jr.'s father died when Ernst was 7 (38). In 1940, the boy lived with his stepfather Willie R Schumann, mother, and siblings in Justice Precinct #7, Gillespie, TX. Ernst and his brothers helped to run the family farm (39).

E Knoll enlisted in the Army in Fort Sam Houston on 13 July 1944 (40). 

He received his training (which lasted 17 weeks) in Camp Joseph T Robinson, Arkansas. After that, he came back home for a visit during his 15-day-long furlough. Later, Private Knoll was sent to Fort Meade in Maryland, and finally, with Company E, 30 Infantry Regiment 3rd Infantry Division, to France. 

The man was fatally wounded in combat on 5 February 1945, he passed a day later. Ernst Knoll was 19 years old. On 20 April he would have celebrated his 20th birthday (41).

Awarded: Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal

GLORY TO THE FALLEN HEROES

Fredericksburg Memorial

To Be Continued

----

Other parts of my Remembrance Day project:

Honor Roll Call - Part 1

Honor Roll Call - Part 3 

Honor Roll Call - Part 4

Resources:

1. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 46, Ed. 1 Friday, November 12, 1943, newspaper, November 12, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896766/: accessed November 18, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

2. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LCQ-LRW2 : 14 February 2020), Whitney Burton Sellers.

3. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYSQ-CPZ : accessed 20 November 2020), Whitney B Sellers in household of Arthur W Sellers, Precinct 6, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 3B, line 99, family 80, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069. 

4. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-D8H : 29 February 2020), Whitney Sellers in household of A W Sellers, Fredericksburg, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-1A, sheet 10B, line 80, family 239, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4040. 

5. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXSD-JHH : 22 January 2020), Whitney B. Sellers, 1944.

6. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, April 21, 1944, newspaper, April 21, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135611/: accessed November 22, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LKF-X8ZM : 14 February 2020), Wilburn Harry Deckert, 1923. 

8. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-D97M : 10 December 2017), Harry W Dechert and Lillie E Gerloff, 30 Aug 1942; citing Marriage, citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,764,046.

9. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8P1-R46 : 5 December 2014), Wilburn H Dechert, enlisted 26 Jan 1943, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

10. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, June 2, 1944, newspaper, June 2, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135806/: accessed November 20, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

11. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2G-7WZM : 14 February 2020), Joseph Adolf Jenschke.

12. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GD-JQC : 5 December 2014), Joseph A Jenschke, enlisted 21 Oct 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

13. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, October 27, 1944, newspaper, October 27, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135282/: accessed November 22, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

14. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-Z61 : 13 February 2020), Calvin Ode Sageser, 1912.

15.  "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PR-CTQ : 5 December 2014), Calvin O Sageser, enlisted 26 May 1942, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

16.  Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, January 14, 1944, newspaper, January 14, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135600/: accessed November 18, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

17. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6518101/fritz-sagesers-first-family/

18. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PB-YWH : 5 December 2014), Edgar P Leonhard, enlisted 26 Jan 1943, Tyler, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

19. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, August 18, 1944, newspaper, August 18, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135789/: accessed November 14, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

20. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, January 5, 1945, newspaper, January 5, 1945; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135731/: accessed November 16, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

21. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HT1G-XT2 : accessed 17 November 2020), Clemens Fiedler in household of Bernhard Fiedler, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1, sheet 21B, line 51, family 394, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069. 

22. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 17, Ed. 1 Friday, April 28, 1944, newspaper, April 28, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135679/: accessed November 17, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

23. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, July 7, 1944, newspaper, July 7, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1145742/: accessed November 17, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

24. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L28-CV6Z : 14 February 2020), Clifford Bode Hahn, 1916.

25. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K85L-9HS : 5 December 2014), Clifford B Hahn, enlisted 14 Jun 1941, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

26. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 12, Ed. 1 Friday, March 24, 1944, newspaper, March 24, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135486/: accessed November 17, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

27. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, January 7, 1944, newspaper, January 7, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135617/: accessed November 17, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

28. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2J1-V84 : 4 April 2020), Wilburn Elwood Durst, 26 Feb 1918; citing Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 7931, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,506,794.

29. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYMZ-LT2 : accessed 23 November 2020), Wilburn Durst in household of Ben I Durst, Precinct 4, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 6, sheet 6B, line 80, family 130, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069.

30. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8B-SNKW : 10 December 2017), Wilburn Elwood Durst and Esther Kott, 01 Jan 1940; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,764,046.

31.  "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8BM-TBG : 5 December 2014), Wilburn E Ts S Durst, enlisted 06 Mar 1944, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

32. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, February 16, 1945, newspaper, February 16, 1945; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1146310/: accessed November 23, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

33. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLMK-Q8H : 4 April 2020), Curtis Lee Calvin Griffin, 23 Jan 1913; citing Morris Ranch, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 1301, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,136,953.

34. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9H-1N3 : accessed 23 November 2020), Curtis Griffin in household of W E Griffin, Justice Precinct 2, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing ED 103, sheet 9A, line 12, family 3, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1804; FHL microfilm 1,821,804.

35. "United States Headstone Applications for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1949", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1Z-Z9JK : 4 April 2020), Curtis L C Griffin, .

36. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, February 23, 1945, newspaper, February 23, 1945; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135643/: accessed November 23, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

37. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LKV-KQ6Z : 14 February 2020), Ernst Knoll, Jr., 1925.

38. findagrave.com 

39. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-3BS : 29 February 2020), Ernst Knoll in household of Willie R Schumann, Justice Precinct 7, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-9, sheet 6B, line 73, family 105, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4040. 

40. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8BS-ZDL : 5 December 2014), Ernest F Knoll, enlisted 13 Jul 1944, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland. 

41. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, March 2, 1945, newspaper, March 2, 1945; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135658/: accessed November 22, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

Veterans of Gillespie County Photo Album

HonorStates.org 

 

 

 

Remembrance Honor Roll Call

In observance of this year's Remembrance Day, I am working on the serious of posts dedicated to the men and women of Gillespie County who perished during their WW2 service.

Here they are.

Lt. Luther B Stockard

Son of Luther E Stockard and Catherine E Bierschwale of Harper, born on 11 October 1917. Luther started his education in the Harper School of which his father, Luther E Stockard, was the Superintendent and Primary teacher. Next, the boy attended the Junction High School. He graduated from the high school in Columbia, TN in 1934. 

Later, Luther continued his studies at the Shreiner Institute in Kerrville (from 1936 to 1937). In 1940, Mr. Stockard Jr. was a Flying Cadet at Love Field in Dallas, and Curtis Field in Brady. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 26 September 1941.

A day later, Luther was married to Mildred Lambert from Columbia, TN.

Luther was a pilot of a P-38 motor fighter, stationed at Umnak Adak. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant during his service in the Aleutian Island. Luther volunteered to do the mission during which he was killed  over the Kiska Island on 2 October 1942. Luther E Stockard led the attack against the Japanese anti-aircraft guns. During the fight, Luther's plane caught fire, however, the pilot continued his heroic mission until it was completed. Then, the man parachuted trying to escape the tragic faith but the American rescue boats were not able to save him. 

Luther had completed many successful missions before his final flight. 

Lt. Luther B. Stockard was awarded The Order of the Purple Heart (1), the Air Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

 His name is commemorated on the Honolulu Memorial Wall.

National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX

1st Lt. William Dietel Jr.

William Dietel Junior was born in Comfort on 24 October 1919 to William Dieter Sr. and Alma Susanna Holekamp. Mr. Dieter Sr. was the superintendent of the Comfort schools. The family relocated to Fredericksburg in 1921.

William Jr. graduated from the local High School in 1921. Later, he attended the University of Texas (his major was physics). After the two-year studying time, William came back to Fredericksburg and helped his father to run the newspaper. He was in charge of the Harper Herald for a year. Besides, he worked as a reporter and photographer, operated printing machines and helped the Fredericksburg newspaper office. Will was also a secretary of the Fredericksburg Junior Chamber of Commerce.

In 1940, William Dietel Jr. completed a course at the National Aquatic School at Camp Mystic near Kerville (the training was organized by the American Red Cross). After that, he was in charge of the swimming classes provided by the Red Cross chapter in Fredericksburg, Gillespie county.

William enlisted in the U S Air Corps at the end of January 1942. He completed the training at Kelly Field in Corsicana, Sherman, and Houston. William Dietel Jr. was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 9 October 1942 at Ellington Field. Next, he trained at the four-motor bombing school in Sebring, Florida. Afterward, William stationed at such locations as Salt Lake City, Utah, Boise, Idaho, Wendover Field, Utah (where he was promoted to First Lieutenant), and others.

On 18 April 1943, William married Maurine Mathis of Sherman, TX whom he had met during his training time at Perrin Field close to Sherman.

Lt. William Dietel Jr. was the flight commander of a B-7 bomber. The plane was called "Sky Queen". By the end of May 1943, he had stationed in England. William and his crew were reported lost in action over Holland on 28 July 1843.

They had been awarded the Air Medal for their brave actions over the European continent (2, 3).

Besides that, Lt. Dietel was awarded the Purple Heart, United States Aviator Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

 

Private 1st Class Andrew Robert Frantzen 

Andrew came to this world in Fredericksburg at 5 PM on 24 November 1918. His parents were Emil Frantzen and Olga Luckenbach (4).

Andrew R Frantzen attended the Lower South Grape Creek school. He helped his parents to run the farm. The man enlisted to the Army in Fort Sam Houston on 14 July 1941 (5).

On 24 May 1942, he was transferred with the 37th Infantry Division to the Fiji Islands where he stayed and was in an active service for about a year.  

Private first Class Andrew Robert Frantzen was killed in combat on the South-West Pacific, Solomon Islands on 30 July 1943. He was 24 years old (6).

Hew was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Staff Sergeant Harold E Ahrens

was born at Cherry Mountain on 10 March 1922 in Gillespie, TX. He was the oldest son of Mr. Albert Arhens and Miss Sara Rode (7). Eight years later, Mr. Albert Ahrens family, including his wife and children, Harold, Marven, and Norman lived in Precinct # 7, Gillespie County (8). A few years later, the Ahrenses moved to Gold Community. Harold attended the Rheingold School. The 1940 census found the family in Precinct # 1, Gillespie, TX (9).

He worked on the family farm in Cave Creek Community and studied at high school for one year. The young Ahrens was inducted to the Army on 3 August 1942 in San Antonio (10). The man was sent to the Air Force school in St. Petersburg, Florida and Chicago, Illinois, where he trained to become a radio operator. He graduated as a radio operator on 9 January 1943 and continued his military training in in Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah; Grand Island, Nebraska and Blythe California where he became a gunner (11).

 On 31 May 1943, Harold married Miss Viola Ida Sagebiel, the daughter of Arthur Sagebiel and Ida Walter (12) of Crabapple community. At that time Harold Ahrens stationed at the Army Base at Rapid City in South Dakota.

Staff Sergeant H E Ahrens was a gunner and a radio operator on a B-17 four-motor bomber. Harold's plane crashed over Europe, near the coast of England on 5 August 1943 (13, 14).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

Sergeant Lorenz August Kirchhoff

The son of Alfred Phillip Kirchoff and Anna Margaret Wendel was born on 19 April 1921 in Knocksville, Kimble County (15). In 1940, Lorenz lived with his parents and two sisters, a year older Helen, and a year younger Elizabeth in Commissioner's Precinct # 4, Kimble, Texas (16). Together with his parents, he worked on the family farm and ranch.

Lorenz August was enrolled to the Army in San Antonio on 26 September 1942. The soldier completed his training in the Army Air Force School at Keesler Field, Mississippi. He visited his family in Harper in October, and then came back to Harvard, Nebraska Air Force for combat training in the 2nd Air Force. Sergeant Lorenz Kirchhoff was Assistant Engineer-Gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress. During the transfer to England, on 22 November 1943. Lorenz's four-motor heavy bomber crashed 50 over Canada, 50 miles from Goose Bay, Labrador. Sgt. Kirchhoff was 24 years old (17, 18).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Mechanist's Mate Emil Schlaudt

was born in Stonewall on 20 June 1916 to Mr. Emil Schlaudt Sr. and Miss Lina Herber (19).

Emil Jr. got his primary education in the Stonewall community school. He graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1938. Two years later on 12 August 1938, Emil Schlaudt enlisted in the Navy, and he planned to stay with the Navy until the war was over. Emil's Navy training place was USNTS in San Diego, California (20).

Mechanist's Mate Emil Schlaudt perished in action (during an engagement with Japanese fighting ships) while operating guns on the USS Pensacola on 1 December 1942 (21).

National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX

 

Private First Class Rubin Max Henry Althaus

Rubin was born on 2 December 1907 to Christian Althaus and Ella Herbort (22). In 1910, the family lived at Cave Creek, Gillespie County (23).

Rubin was inducted in the Army on 3 April 1941 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was sent for training to Camp Wallace, not far from Galveston, and at Fort Bliss, El Paso area. In the autumn of 1941, Rubin was sent overseas. In May 1942, Private Althaus fought with a New Mexico artillery unit on Corregidor Island, in the Philippines. After the fall of Corregidor, Rubin was taken prisoner. He died in the Hoten POW camp (Mukden) in Manchuria. His estimated day of death is 2 December 1942 (24,25).

Awarded: the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Corporal Edgar Harry Wittkohl

Edgar was born on 29 June 1912. His parents were Otto Wittkhol and Augusta Reinhardt of Johnson City (formerly from Doss).

Edgar joined the army voluntarily. He was enlisted on 14 January 1941 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas (26).

Prior to that, he had worked on Mr. Jess Johnson's ranch. In January 1941, Edgar H Wittkohl was sent to Camp Bowie. In the autumn of the same year, the man was released from the Army, however, after the Pearl Harbor attack, Edgar was reassigned to the 36th division. Corporal Wittkohl served at Camp Bowie, Camp Bending in Florida, North Carolina, and Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. later, he was sent with his division to North Africa. Edgar fought in the Sicilian Campaign. He was wounded in combat action in Italy, near Vellestri, when his vehicle ran over a mine. It happened on 1 June 1944. Two days later, on Saturday, Edgar died without recovering consciousness. On the day of his death, Edgar Harry Wittkohl was 32 years old (27, 28, 29).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Private First Class Elgin Emil Becker 

was born on 25 April 1916 in Fredericksburg. His parents were Mr. Adolph Becker and Cornelia Hopf (30).

When he finished school, Elgin worked with his parents at the family farm and ranch. The young man joined the Army on 17 March 1942 at Fort Sam Houston. He continued his training at Camp Berkeley, Louisiana, Camp Granite, California, and Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Private First Class Elgin Emil Becker was transferred to England in March 1944. He served in the 358 Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. Elgin was killed in action in France on 10 June 1944 and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. On the day of his departure, Elgin Emil was 28 years, 1 month and 15 days old, old His remains were buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The memorial certificate dedicated to Private First Class Elgin E Becker is available here.

The Requiem Church Service in remembrance of Elgin Emil Becker was held in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fredericksburg on 10 July 1944 (31).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

Private Ewald Jacob Novian

was born on 31 July 1924 to Willie William Novian and Meta Ahrens (32). 

In 1940, the family were registered during the Census, they lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie County. Ewald appears in the record as a "new worker". He worked in farming (33).

Ewald J Novian enlisted in the army on 29 October 1942 in San Antonio, TX (34). He was scheduled to serve in Signal Corps. At first, Private Novian was to be stationed at Hondo, however, later, the soldier was transferred to El Paso, and then to Camp Adair, Oregon. During the service in the 383 Infantry, Ewald contracted pneumonia from which he died on 15 January 1943. He was 18 years old. Private Ewald J Novian's body was buried at the St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Fredericksburg, TX (35).

Awarded: the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Second Lt. Gladys Roberta Lee

The daughter of Robert E Lee and Louise L Ransleben born on 30 September 1921 (36). The family lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX. Mr. Lee was a carpenter (37, 38).

Gladys R Lee completed 3 years of high school. The young lady enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary  Army Corps on 30 January 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. The enlistment record tells that Gladys' occupation had been related to "physicians and dentists assistants and attendants".  Gladys R Lee enlisted as an Aviation Cadet, her serial number was A-800422 (39). She was the first woman of Gillespie County who joined WAAC. Gladys Roberta Lee perished while training at Des Moines, Iowa on 3 April 1943(40).

2nd Lt. Gladys R Lee was awarded: the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Memorial plaque at the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX

 

To Be Continued

Other parts of my Remembrance Day project:

Honor Roll Call - Part 2

Honor Roll Call - Part 3 

Honor Roll Call - Part 4

Resources:

1. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, October 15, 1943, newspaper, October 15, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896851/: accessed November 8, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

2. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1943, newspaper, August 6, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896779/: accessed November 8, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

3. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, November 5, 1943, newspaper, November 5, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896782/: accessed November 8, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

4. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2KS-8SQ : 4 April 2020), Andrew Robert Frantzen, 24 Nov 1918; citing Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 56592, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,516,039.

5. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PL-RPT : 5 December 2014), Andrew R Frantzen, enlisted 14 Jul 1941, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

6. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 35, Ed. 1 Friday, August 27, 1943, newspaper, August 27, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896847/: accessed November 11, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-6KM : 13 February 2020), Harold Elias Ahrens, 1922.

 8. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYM1-2MM : accessed 12 November 2020), Harold Ahrens in household of Albert Ahrens, Precinct 7, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 9, sheet 7A, line 26, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069. 

9. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWVL-J6C : 29 February 2020), Harold Ahrens in household of Albert Ahrens, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-2A, sheet 10A, line 1, family 201, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4040.

10. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMXM-BPR : 5 December 2014), Harold E Ahrens, enlisted 03 Aug 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

11. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, October 22, 1943, newspaper, October 22, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896771/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

12. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6PM-8QX : 13 February 2020), Viola Ida Sagebiel, 1924.

13. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, August 17, 1945, newspaper, August 17, 1945; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135582/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

14. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 34, Ed. 1 Friday, August 20, 1943, newspaper, August 20, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896895/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

15. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXMH-QZL : 4 April 2020), Lorenz August Kirchoff, 19 Apr 1921; citing Noxville, Kimble, Texas, United States, certificate 24198, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,521,170.

16. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW26-S3Q : 24 May 2020), Lorenz Kirchhoff in household of Aug Kirchhoff, Commissioner's Precinct 4, Kimble, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 134-5, sheet 6A, line 32, family 120, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4087.

17. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, December 10, 1943, newspaper, December 10, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896844/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

18. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, October 22, 1943, newspaper, October 22, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896771/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

19. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LKF-JQW2 : 14 February 2020), Emil Schlaudt, Jr., 1916.

20. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WW4K-9MN2 : 26 October 2019), Emil Schlaudt, ; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

21. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, December 17, 1943, newspaper, December 17, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896781/: accessed November 11, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

22. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-3H5 : 13 February 2020), Rubin Max Henry Althaus, 1907.

23.  "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK12-7LS : accessed 9 November 2020), Rubin M H Althaus in household of Christian C Althaus, Cave Creek, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 147, sheet 8A, family 139, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.  

24. "Texas Deaths and Burials, 1903-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6TD-7HJ : 13 February 2020), Rubin M. Althaus, 1947.

25. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, December 24, 1943, newspaper, December 24, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896889/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

26. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PL-GGH : 5 December 2014), Edgar H Wittkohl, enlisted 14 Jan 1941, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

27. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, December 15, 1944, newspaper, December 15, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135721/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

28. Collins, Will. The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 56, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 29, 1944, newspaper, June 29, 1944; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth816003/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library. 

29. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, June 30, 1944, newspaper, June 30, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135760/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

30. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-D4L : 13 February 2020), Elgin Emil Becker, 1916.

31. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, July 14, 1944, newspaper, July 14, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1145909/: accessed November 10, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

32. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-SRX : 13 February 2020), Ewald Jacob Novian, 1924. 

33. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-2WD : 29 February 2020), Ewald J Novian in household of Willie W Novian, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-3, sheet 2B, line 48, family 30, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4040.

34. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GD-VDF : 5 December 2014), Ewald J Novian, enlisted 29 Oct 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

35.  The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 4, Ed. 1 Friday, January 22, 1943, newspaper, January 22, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896759/: accessed November 10, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

36. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6G1-1ZB : 13 February 2020), Gladys Roberta Lee, 1921.

37. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYSX-DZM : accessed 13 November 2020), Gladys Lee in household of Robert E Lee, Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 3A, line 18, family 53, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069. 

38. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-23L : 29 February 2020), Gladys R Lee in household of Robert E Lee, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-3, sheet 1B, line 47, family 10, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4040.

39. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8LW-5S6 : 5 December 2014), Gladys R Lee, enlisted 30 Jan 1943, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

40. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, April 16, 1943, newspaper, April 16, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896906/: accessed November 13, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

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