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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:
Saturday,
" September 20, 2025 "
( Originally created in January, 2018 )
The following list was created in the memory of the brave men and women from " Converse 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 .....
Converse County had a total of:
" 20 "
Soldiers, Sailors & Merchant Mariners who
" Gave Their All "
during World War II !
Information was used from the following link for the Click Here for Archive Report: " Multiple Links "
" Army & Air Force Records "
at National Archives for this report:
" Converse County, Wyoming "
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 Converse County.
On some of the records you will 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 " ......
They are all
" HEROES "
in my book and deserve all the recognition they can get !!
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|
|
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.
" Cause Of Death " ~ Color Coding:
" RED " = Died during Battle.
" MAROON " = Died of a "non-battle" related incident.
= 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 ]
|
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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beach, Kenneth Roy *
~ ~ ~ Kenneth was " 28 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ The " 11 " crewman that perished with him are " Linked " on his record ! |
Sergeant ~ ~ ~ Waist Gunner |
# 44-41086 ~ ~ ~ 513th Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 376th Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ August 15, 1944 |
Barracks National Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Lemay, Missouri |
For Online Memorial |
Booth, Marion B. *
~ ~ ~ Marion was " 20 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Forth Grade |
Engineer Combat Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ January 24, 1945 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ France |
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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cannon, James Oliver
~ ~ ~ James was " 19 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ He was " 1 " of appx. " 12,500 " U.S. Soldiers / Sailors that perished at " Okinawa " ! First Class Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 96th Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ June 6, 1945 ~ ~ ~ Battle of " Okinawa " " Click Above ! " Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, Wyoming For Online Memorial | |||||
Chavez, Fred, Jr. *Fred was " 37 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ November 5, 1942 |
None Found ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial | ||
Clayton, John Clifford
~ ~ ~ John was " 24 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ He was " 1 " of " 3 " that perished on the " S.S. Newlin " ! |
Gurney E. Newlin " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U.S. Merchant Ship |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ October 28, 1942 |
Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial | |
Cook, Douglas Wilson
~ ~ ~ Douglas was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Lieutenant |
# 41-32043 ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ July 17, 1944 |
Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, 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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dawes, Claude E ., Jr.
~ ~ ~ Claude was " 20 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ May 17, 1942 |
Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
" E " ~ " F " ~ " G " " H " ~ " 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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kant, Charles William *
~ ~ ~ Charles was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ The " 9 " crewman that perished with him are linked on his record ! |
Lieutenant ~ ~ ~ Navigator |
# 42-7494 ~ ~ ~ 704th Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 446th Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ December 20, 1943 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ England ~ ~ ~ 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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Larson, Joseph Ernest *
~ ~ ~ Joseph was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ He was " 1 " of " 219 " that perished on the " U.S.S. Astoria " ! |
First Class |
( CA-34 ) " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U.S. Navy |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action ~ ~ ~ August 9, 1942 ~ ~ ~ Battle of " Savo Island " " Click Above ! " |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial |
" M " OR " N "
|
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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Olson, Richard Freemont *
~ ~ ~ Richard was " 20 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 8th Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ April 16, 1945 |
Snelling National Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Minneapolis, Minnesota |
For Online Memorial | |
Owen, Charles Vernon
~ ~ ~ Charles was " 22 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ The " 8 " crewman that perished with him are " Linked " on his record ! |
~ ~ ~ Togglier |
# 43-38888 ~ ~ ~ 839th Bomber Squadron ~ ~ ~ 487th Bomber Group ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army Air Force |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ March 11, 1945 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Belgium |
For Online Memorial |
" P " OR " Q "
|
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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rupe, Maurice Jacque
~ ~ ~ Maurice was " 20 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Cavalry Regiment ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ May 30, 1942 |
Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, 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 " | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schilling, William
~ ~ ~ William was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! ~ ~ ~ He was " 1 " of " 1,772 " that perished on the " Arisan Maru " ! ~ ~ ~ To see others that perished on the " Arisan Maru " " Click Here ! " |
First Class ~ ~ ~ " Passenger " |
Tank Battalion ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Died " While POW ~ ~ ~ October 24, 1944 ~ ~ ~ " Arisan Maru " " Click Above ! " |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial | |
Shelden, Harold Roy
~ ~ ~ Harold was " 26 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
First Class |
Parachute Infantry ~ ~ ~ 82nd Airborne Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ September 21, 1944 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Netherlands |
For Online Memorial | |
Slaughter, Russell Converse
~ ~ ~ Russell was " 38 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
Air Force |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ March 28, 1943 |
National Cemetery Memphis, Tennessee |
For Online Memorial | ||
Squires, Wayne Preston *
~ ~ ~ Wayne was " 21 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
~ ~ ~ Pilot |
( CVE-61 ) " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ U.S. Navy |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ October 1, 1944 |
Memorial ~ ~ ~ Honolulu, Hawaii ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph |
For Online Memorial | |
Swickhamer, Ray Elvin
~ ~ ~ Ray was " 18 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ Line Of Duty ~ ~ ~ October 5, 1943 |
Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, 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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turner, Floyd Elmore
~ ~ ~ Floyd was " 23 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
~ ~ ~ Pilot | Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ February 16, 1945 |
Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Douglas, Wyoming |
For Online Memorial |
" U " OR " V "
|
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 " |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Witt, William Arthur
~ ~ ~ William was " 21 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
First Class |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ 65th Infantry Division " Click Above ! " ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
Wyoming ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ March 18, 1945 |
American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Luxembourg |
For Online Memorial |
Wright, Charles E.
Charles was " 24 Years Old " when he Gave His All ! |
First Class |
Infantry Regiment ~ ~ ~ U.S. Army |
County " City / Town Unknown " ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ March 4, 1945 |
Memorial Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Honolulu, Hawaii |
For Online Memorial |
" X " ~ " Y " OR " Z "
|
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Email any questions or comments to:
( russpickde@comcast.net )
