World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, and after the war November 11th became a day of remembrance. Following World War II, November 11th became a day not just to remember World War I, but to honor all American veterans. So on this day, I'd like to point out some of the veterans that I am connected to. The list is not complete, so I'm sorry if I've forgotten someone. Out of respect for privacy, I'm not going to mention veterans still living, but I am still grateful for their service.
All gave some, some gave all. The list is after the jump.
Korean War:
- Jack Duane Alexander (1929-1950), PFC, US Army, missing in action July 12, 1950 and died in Hanjang-ni POW camp, November 19, 1950. He was my 1st Cousin, twice removed on my mother's side
- Harry Brassfield (1911-1951), M/SGT, US Army, captured November 2, 1950 and died in captivity July 31, 1951. He was a 4th cousin to my Great Grandfather, Floyd G. Brassfield.
World War II:
- Arthur James Brassfield (1910-1976), Captain, US Navy. 2x Navy Cross recipient during World War II. Fighter ace, Battle of the Coral Sea and Battle of Midway. Also served during the time of the Korean War and Vietnam War, but I don't have details. He was a 6th cousin to my Great-Grandfather Floyd G. Brassfield
- Elvis John Brassfield (1920-2006), S/SGT USAAF. He was an armorer/machine gunner on B-24 Liberators and flew 35 missions over hostile territory. He was my Grandfather.
- Theodore R. Hunt (1909-1969), LTJG US Navy 1927-1949, USS Chaumont AP-5, USS Sicard AG-100, USS Melville AD-2, USS Preble AG-99, USS Elliot AG-104, USS Waters DD-115, USS Hull DD-350, USS Henley DD-391, USS Seminole AKA-104, USS Ontario ATO-13, USS Argonne AG-31 and USS Dixie AD-14. He was the brother of my Great grandmother, Thelma (Hunt) Brassfield.
- Leo V. Parker (1923-2013), S/SGT USAAF. He was an aircraft and engine mechanic and served in Guam maintaining B-29 Superfortress bombers. He had 6 months 5 days of foreign service beginning in August 1945 and was attached to the 29th bomb group.He was my Grandfather.
- Leslie A. Parker (1924-2013), SGT US Army, 90th Division, 359th Infantry, Company A. Served in Normandy, France, the Ardennes Forest during the battle of the bulge and Germany. Seriously wounded at Morshausen, Germany and hospitalized for 15 months. He was the brother of my Grandfather.
- Vilas D. Parker (1917-1944), S/SGT US Army, member of Merrill's Marauders, missing in action May 22, 1944. He was killed when the C-47 he was being transported in crashed in Burma. His remains were not recovered until 1987. He was my 1st Cousin, twice removed on my mother's side.
- Melvin Reimann (1926-1999), SGT US Army, Fort Bragg, May 1945. Unknown unit, etc. He was my 1st Cousin, twice removed on my mother's side.
- Dale Gene Ross (1926-1997), US Navy, LST-881, Pacific theater. He was my 1st Cousin, twice removed on my father's side.
- John Franklin Ross III (1922-2001), US Merchant Marine, USAT George Washington ferrying troops and POWs. He was my 1st Cousin, twice removed on my father's side.
- Kenneth Eugene Ross (1925-2007), AFC3 US Navy. Buried Willamette National Cemetery. He was my 1st Cousin, twice removed on my father's side.
- Oliver Henry Ross (1906-1988), S/SGT US Army, 1942-1945. He was discharged from Company A, 2nd Armored Medical Battalion, but served the majority of his tour in Company B, 304th Medical Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. Normandy, North France, Rhineland and Central Europe. MOS 824, Mess Sgt. He was the brother of my Great Grandmother, Clara (Ross) Fowlie.
World War I:
- Clarence D. Brassfield (1892-1941), Iowa Army National Guard, served during World War I in the 34th Infantry Division, 109th Sanitary Train, Ambulance Company 134. The 34th Division arrived in France in October 1918, a month before the war ended and fortunately did not see combat. He was the brother of of my Great Grandfather, Floyd G. Brassfield.
- Frank B. Brassfield (1898-1987), PFC US Marine Corps, 2nd Division, 6th Marine Regiment, 73rd Machine Gun Company. 2x Silver Star, Croix de Guerre recipient. Battle of Chateau Thierry, Battle of Belleau Wood and Battle of Blanc Mont. He was a 3rd Cousin of my 2nd Great Grandfather, Elvis H. Brassfield.
- Floyd Frederick Fowlie (1899-1947), CPL US Army, 70th Inf regiment, 10th Inf division, apparently served stateside. He was the brother of my Great Grandfather, Frank B. Fowlie.
- Frank Brown Fowlie, US Army, served stateside at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was my Great Grandfather.
- David Frank Haney, (1891-1957), PVT US Army, 89th Division, 353rd Infantry. Company K. The 353rd deployed to France during the war and saw combat. He was the brother of my 2nd Great Grandmother, Maggie Alexander.
Civil War:
- Nicholas R. Brassfield (1848-1926), 8th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B. He was the brother of my 3rd Great Grandfather, Wiley D. Brassfield.
- Wiley D. Brassfield (1827-1902), 8th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B. He was my 3rd Great Grandfather.
- Benjamin W. Firman(1800-1862), Wisconsin 16th Infantry, Company H. Died May 5th, 1862 of disease after the Battle of Shiloh. He was my 4th Great Grandfather, on my mother's side.
- Ira Wood (1834-1909), Wisconsin 1st Regiment Cavalry, Company G. He was my 3rd Great Grandfather, on my mother's side.
- Henry Stotler, PVT, US Army, 115th Illinois Infantry, Company "B". Died in Cincinnati, Ohio, November, 1862. He was the brother of my 3rd Great Grandfather Hiram Stotler.
- William Stotler, 115th Illinois Infantry, Company "B". Died at Covington, Ky., October 21, 1862. He was the brother of my 3rd Great Grandfather Hiram Stotler.
Updated to add Theodore Hunt, uncle of Elvis John Brassfield and bullet list.
Updated to reflect that Clarence Brassfield deployed to France just prior to the war's end.
Updated to add Oliver H. Ross
Updated to add Kenneth E. Ross, son of George A. Ross
Updated to add more info on Oliver H. Ross from discharge record and from his immediate family.
Updated to add Leo V. Parker
Updated to add Leslie A. Parker
Updated to add David Haney
