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" Every man's life ends the same way ! " It is only the details of how he lived,
and how he died,
that distinguish one man from another !
Ernest Hemingway
All weblinks within this document are " BRIGHT BLUE "
INCLUDING:
Wednesday,
" October 1, 2025 "
( Originally created in May, 2018 )
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The following list was created in the memory of the brave men and women from " Platte County " that " Gave Their All " for their State and Country during World War II. Soldiers, Sailors and Merchant Mariners, are all included on this listing.There are personal " Online Memorials " for each of these honored men and women that were created for them by using the " Find A Grave Website ". On the " Majority " of the online memorials you will see a small biography for each soldier which may include:
Parent's, Grandparent's & Sibling's Names,
where & when they were born,
where they grew up,
when & where they enlisted in the service,
the military unit they were part of,
" AND "
where and how they actually died during the war !If you see one without a biography, picture, or you have more information on them please send me an Email at russpickde@comcast.net - ( or by clicking here )
I'll update their records as quickly as possible .....
Platte County had a total of :
" 28 "
Soldiers, Sailors & Merchant Mariners who
" Gave Their All "
during World War II !
Information was used from the following link for the
" Army & Air Force Records "
at National Archives for this report :
" Platte County, Wyoming "" Multiple Links "
at the National Archives were used for the
" Navy & Coast Guard "
for this report.
Also please note: The records show these men and women as either enlisting, being originally from, or having strong ties to " Platte County ". On some of the records you may note that the "Cemetery/Memorial" column shows "unknown". If you know where any of these men or women are interred please let me know by sending me an "email - ( by clicking here )" and I'll insure that the information is noted for their record.
Whether a soldier or sailor was " Killed In Action ", " Missing In Action ",
" Died of Wounds ", or even died in the " Line Of Duty " ......Whether a soldier or sailor was awarded medals or not ...... They are all
" HEROES "
in my book and deserve all the recognition they can get !!
John Dowdy ~ Tim Cook ~ Jeff Hall
For their great help locating burials
" and " record updates For Soldiers & Sailors
" Nationwide ! "
AM = Awarded the " Air Medal " ~ ( Meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. )
AM+ = Awarded " Multiple Air Medals " ~ ( Noted as Oak Leaf Clusters attached to " First " Air Medal. )BS = Awarded the " Bronze Star " ~ ( 4th highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service )
BS+ = Awarded multiple " Bronze Stars " ~ ( Noted as Oak Leaf Cluster attached to " First " Bronze Star. )DFC = Awarded the " Distinguished Flying Cross " ~ ( Awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. )
DSC = Awarded the " Distinguished Service Cross " ~ ( 2nd highest award for extreme gallantry and risk of life. )
DSM = Awarded the " Distinguished Service Medal " ~ ( Awarded for Exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States. )
FDC = Awarded the " Croix de Guerre " ~ ( Awarded by France for those soldiers who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism. )
LOM = Awarded the " Legion Of Merit " ~ ( Awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. )
MM = Awarded the " Mariner's Medal " ~ ( Awarded to the Merchant Marines for being wounded or killed in action )
MM* = Awarded the " Mariner's Combat Bar " ~ ( Awarded to Merchant Mariners who have been in combat action )
MM** = Awarded the " Mariner's Combat Bar Star " ~ ( Combat Star's awarded to those who are forced to abandon ship when attacked )
MDS = Awarded the " Mariner's Distinguished Service Medal " ~ ( Awarded for " Heroism Beyond the Call of Duty ". )MOH = Awarded the " Medal Of Honor " ~ ( Highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. )
NC = Awarded the " Navy Cross " ~ ( 2nd highest military decoration for valor that may be awarded to a member of the Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard. )
PH = Awarded the " Purple Heart " ~ ( Awarded for being wounded in action. )
PH+ = Awarded " Multiple Purple Hearts " ~ ( Noted as Oak Leaf Clusters attached to " First " Purple Heart. )POW = Awarded the " Prisoner Of War Medal " ~ ( Awarded for serving as a Prisoner of the enemy. )
PUC = Awarded a " Presidential Unit Citation " ~ ( Awarded to a unit for heroism or extraordinary achievement. )
SM = Awarded the " Soldier's Medal " ~ ( Awarded for distinguished heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy )
SS = Awarded the " Silver Star " ~ ( 3rd highest award, awarded for gallantry in action )Other Medals
Such as Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, American Defense Service Medals, etc. " Are Not " included in this listing.
= Photo of person shown on online memorial
= Photo of tombstone or listing shown on online memorial
N/A ~ ( in any field ) = not applicable
" Family Link Included " = Parent, Spouse, or Child linked in " Online Memorial ".
An " * " Shown behind a soldier or sailor's name = ( Biography created by Russ Pickett )
I add these to take " responsibility " for the soldier / sailors " bio " on their records .....
( " Not " in any way to give " myself " some kind of " personal credit or glory " for my work ..... It's an honor to be able do this ! )Cenotaph = A memorial stone only, remains not recovered or possibly interred somewhere unknown.
Those Included: = Died during the war ~ " December 7, 1941 " through " September 2, 1945 ".
( Some others have been included that died close to the war's end possibly from wounds or illiness )
( Those letters shown in " Bright Blue " below " currently " have soldiers & sailors listed ! )
( Those letters shown in " Red " below " currently " have no soldiers or sailors listed for this county ! )
[ A ] -
[ B ] -
[ C ] -
[ D ] -
[ E ] -
[ F ] -
[ G ] -
[ H ] -
[ I ]
[ J ] -
[ K ] -
[ L ] -
[ M ] -
[ N ] -
[ O ] -
[ P ] -
[ Q ] -
[ R ]
[ S ] -
[ T ] -
[ U ] -
[ V ] -
[ W ] -
[ X ] -
[ Y ] -
[ Z ]
" A "  |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Birleffi, Arthur L .
~ ~ ~ Arthur was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Lieutenant |
Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ July 7, 1942 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Hartville, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
Bowman, Joseph Nathan, Jr. *
~ ~ ~ Joseph was " 21 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Squadron ~ ~ ~ 24th Pursuit Group " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ December 8, 1941 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial | |
Brewer, Harold Dale
~ ~ ~ Harold was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Sergeant |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 83rd Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ August 11, 1944 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Shelbyville, Indiana |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Connolly, Frank Norman
~ ~ ~ Frank was " 24 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ His Brother : " Robert Lee Connolly " ( Who was from Laramie County ) ~ ~ ~ Also went " Missing In Action " During World War II ! |
Sergeant |
Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 321st Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ March 13, 1944 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Cheyenne, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davis, James Bradney * |
1st Class |
Minneapolis ( CA-36 ) " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ Ship Survived ~ ~ ~ U.S. Navy |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ November 30, 1942 |
McPherson National Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Maxwell, Nebraska |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Eichler, John
~ ~ ~ John was " 19 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 37th Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Missing " Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ June 18, 1945 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial |
" F " |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Gilbert, John Russell
~ ~ ~ John was " 22 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
First Class |
Ranger Battalion ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ February 24, 1945 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Tunisia |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Habel, John, Jr. *
~ ~ ~ John was " 28 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Infantry Battalion ~ ~ ~ 4th Armored Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ November 28, 1944 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ France |
For Online Memorial | |
Hagerman, Earl Coe
~ ~ ~ Earl was " 34 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
First Class |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 90th Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ July 2, 1944 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Wheatland, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
Hobson, John Warren
~ ~ ~ John was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Sergeant | Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ May 20, 1945 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Wheatland, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial | |
Howard, John Michael
~ ~ ~ John was " 24 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Night Fighter Squasdron ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ November 18, 1944 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Wheatland, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
" I " or " J " |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Kahler, Earl Lawrence
Earl was " 22 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ The " 8 " others that perished with him are " Linked " on his record ! |
~ ~ ~ " Passenger " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
# 41-18668 ~ ~ ~ 21st Squadron ~ ~ ~ 374th Troop Carrier Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ August 15, 1943 |
Barrack's National Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Lemay, Missouri |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Lane, Leland Leonard
Leland was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Sergeant |
Map Squadron ~ ~ ~ 6th Photo Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ January 29, 1945 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Guernsey, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
Linton, George Edward
~ ~ ~ George was " 22 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ " George " was the first to perished from " Platte County ! " |
2nd Class |
( BB-39 ) " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U.S. Navy |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ December 7, 1941 ~ ~ ~ Pearl Harbor " Attack " " Click Above ! " |
Memorial ~ ~ ~ Honolulu, Hawaii ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial |
Lofing, Raymond Dale
~ ~ ~ Raymond was " 22 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
2nd Class |
Alamogordo ( ARDM-2 ) " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U.S. Navy |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ October 12, 1944 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Wheatland, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
Long, Johnnie F. *
Johnnie was " 36 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 88th Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ September 28, 1944 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Italy |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Mathews, Charles M. *
~ ~ ~ Charles was " 21 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
First Class |
Department ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ December 22, 1943 |
National Cemetery ~ ~ ~ San Bruno, California |
For Online Memorial |
" N " or " O " |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Patterson, Milton Archie
~ ~ ~ Milton was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ " 10 " other crewman perished with him on this mission ! |
Lieutenant ~ ~ ~ Pilot |
# 42-7534 ~ ~ ~ 700th Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 445th Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ December 20, 1943 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ England ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial |
" Q " or " R " |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Seike, Toll
~ ~ ~ Toll was " 21 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
( Nisei ) Infantry Regiment " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ October 29, 1944 |
Washelli Memorial Park ~ ~ ~ Seattle, Washington |
For Online Memorial | |
Simpson, Jack Miller
~ ~ ~ Jack was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ He was " 1 " of appx. " 4,414+ " U.S. Soldiers / Sailors that perished on " D-Day " ! Parachute Infantry " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ June 6, 1944 ~ ~ ~ D-Day, " France " " Click Above ! " American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ France ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Throckmorton, Wilson Eugene
Wilson was " 31 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Fifth Grade |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ December 23, 1943 |
Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Wheatland, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial | |
Twiford, Jack Stanley *
~ ~ ~ Jack was " 22 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ The " 18 " crewman that perished with him are " Linked " on his record ! |
Crew ~ ~ ~ 412th Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 95th Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ May 27, 1943 |
Barrack's National Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Lemay, Missouri |
For Online Memorial |
" U " |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Voight, Carl V. * |
Lieutenant |
Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 301st Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
" City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ April 30, 1944 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Italy |
For Online Memorial |
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name ( or Initial ) Notes |
Rank |
Branch of Service ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
~ ~ ~ Cause of Passing ~ ~ ~ Date Of Passing ~ ~ ~ Information ( If Available ) |
Memorial |
Memorial Click " Below " |
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Webb, Jim Frederick *
~ ~ ~ Jim was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ Brother of : " Jack A. Webb " ( See Below ) ~ ~ ~ They are interred Next to each other ! |
First Class |
Marine Regiment ~ ~ ~ 2nd Marine Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Marine Corps |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Died " Of Wounds ~ ~ ~ August 15, 1944 ~ ~ ~ Battle of " Tinian " " Click Above ! " |
Memorial Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Honolulu, Hawaii |
For Online Memorial |
Webb, Jack Alvin *
~ ~ ~ Jack was " 27 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ Brother of : " Jim F. Webb " ( See Above ) ~ ~ ~ They are interred Next to each other ! |
Machinist's Mate 1st Class |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ August 2, 1945 |
Memorial Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Honolulu, Hawaii |
For Online Memorial | |
Wiggam, Billy Max *
~ ~ ~ Billy was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Cavalry Recon. Squadron ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ June 14, 1944 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ France |
For Online Memorial | |
Wilson, Francis Eldon
~ ~ ~ Francis was " 25 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Lieutenant |
Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 310th Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ February 8, 1943 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Tunisia ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial |
Witt, Keith Bebe
~ ~ ~ Keith was " 20 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Cavalry Regiment ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Platte County, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ February 2, 1945 |
Memorial Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Honolulu, Hawaii |
For Online Memorial |
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Email any questions or comments to:
( russpickde@comcast.net )
