On Memorial Day
May 31, 2021
The Springfield community honored the life, service, and memory of its residents and our nation's service members whose lives were lost in service to our country. This Memorial Day, we especially honor our 33 sons who died, were killed, or who became missing during World War II
The community's 2021 event consisted of two short remembrance ceremonies (Veterans Memorial Park and WWII memorial at St. Francis of Assisi Church) followed by the primary event at the township building. No parade was held due to the ongoing pandemic.
Remembrance Agenda, Monday May 31, 2021:
9:15 a.m.: Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, Springfield Rd
9:40 a.m.: Ceremony at the St. Francis of Assisi Church WWII memorial/flag pole, corner of Saxer Ave and Johnston Rd
10:30 a.m.: Primary remembrance in front of township building, 50 Powell Rd
Although the focus of this year's remembrance is our fallen WWII heroes, we honored all who gave their life for their country. The United States continues to be a nation at war. Since last Memorial Day, 18 American service members died while serving in combat areas around the world. Remember and honor them. Their faces and names are here. We keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.
Springfield's fallen WWII heroes:
STAFF SERGEANT
ROBERT H. AMMON
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS
Killed in Action – June 23, 1944
Robert Ammon is memorialized on the Springfield Township, St. Francis of Assisi (SFA), and Springfield High School (SHS) memorial plaques.
Bob was one of the most popular boys in Springfield. He was a track team member of Springfield High School and graduated with the class of June 1938. He was married October 26, 1943, to Mary McCaney of Germantown, PA. On June 23, 1944, he was reported missing when his plane was shot down from the skies over Laon, France. He was on his 13th mission and was a Radio Operator and Gunner in the lead B-24 bomber crewed with 11 men. Hit by flak, the Bombay doors of the plane were shattered and he was blown out of the plane. Five of the crew jumped to safety, one was killed in the plane, and Bob and four others were lost. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Ammon of 16 North Hillcrest road, his sister Mrs. Joseph Broadbent, and his brother, Corporal John G. Ammon with the 76th Signal Corps. Staff Sergeant Robert H. Ammon was awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Radio Operator Staff/Sgt Robert H Ammon was assigned to a crew for a B-24. In England they were part of the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, 577th Squadron and flew 12 successful bombing missions including the D-Day Invasion. On their 13th mission June 23, 1944, flying Lead Plane ( With extra men in the crew),"the aircraft took a direct hit by flak in #3 engine and the bomb bay, at the target. The plane immediately went into a dive, then pulled up slightly, rolled over and went out of control. They were shot down over enemy occupied, Laon, France. 2 of 24 planes were lost. Ammon was one of the 4 crew members found perished at the plane.
He is buried or memorialized at Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira, New York, USA, Plot: G, 0, 4527
STAFF SERGEANT
WILLIAM H. BATHGATE
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – August 23, 1943
William Bathgate is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
William Hugh Bathgate lived at 235 Ballymore Road and was in the Springfield High School Class of 1938. He played football for three years and was elected captain of both the track team and the basketball teams in his senior year. William set numerous school records and went to the Pennsylvania State Championships in track. He performed in the school musical and both the junior and senior plays. Tank Crew Chief Bathgate was killed in action on the island of Sicily on August 23, 1943. He was the first Springfield High School student killed in action during WWII.
CORPORAL
EDWARD LESLIE CHANDOR
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
Edward Chandor is memorialized on the SHS memorial plaque.
Cpl. Edward L. Chandor is listed on the Springfield High School WWII Memorial plaque but not the plaques at the Springfield Township building or the memorial at Saint Francis of Assisi church.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
VERNON N. CHURCHMAN
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – April 16, 1945
Vernon Churchman is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
PFC Vernon N. Churchman, 36, husband of Anne Kellher Churchman, of 29 Wayne Avenue, Springfield was killed in action April 16 in Germany. A member of the Medical Corps, attached to the Ninth Division of the First Army, Private Churchman entered the service on Aug. 8, 1943. He trained at Camp Grant, Illinois and Camp Reynolds, Pennsylvania before going overseas January 10, 1944. He left England for combat duty in Belgium in October 1944. Born in Springfield, he was a graduate of Springfield High School and, prior to his Army Service, was employed by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Son of Mr. and Mrs Charles F. Churchman of 235 Woodland Avenue, Springfield, he is survived by one brother Charles M. Churchman of Manoa and one sister Mrs. Beatrice Philson of Morton.
PRIVATE
JOHN J. DEASEY, JR.
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – August 13, 1944
John J. Deasey, Jr. is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
John J. Deasey, Jr. of Montgomery County, PA, service number 33793814.
Pvt. Deasey served, at some point, in the 63rd Infantry Division, however, when he was killed on August 13, 1944 in Mortain, France, he was assigned or attached to the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division.
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 29, 1945:
Killed, European area: Deasey, Private John J. Jr. husband of Mrs. Grayce S. Deasey, 119 W. Mount Pleasant ave.
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 22, 1948:
Pvt. John J. Deasey Rites. Pvt. John J. Deasey, Jr., killed in action in France in August 1944, will be buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery here Saturday after Solemn Mass of Requiem in the Church of the Holy Child at 11 A.M.
Private Deasey, whose home was in Haverford, was in the investment business here for several years. He was a graduate of West Catholic High School and of the University of Pennsylvania.
Surviving are his widow, the former Grayce Stinson, and a son, John, 3rd of 119 W. Mount Pleasant ave. His mother, Mrs. John J. Deasey, Sr. of Springfield, and six sisters and two brothers.
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 23, 1948:
DEASEY - On Aug. 13, 1944, JOHN J. JR., husband of Grayce Stinson Deasey, formerly of Haverford, Pa and 416 W. Somerville ave., Phila. Relatives and friends invited to funeral Sat 9:30 A.M., from Oliver H. Bair's. 1820 Chestnut at Solemn Requiem Mass at Church of The Holy Child. at 11 A.M. Internment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Friends may call Friday evening.
PRIVATE
JOHN C. HENDREN
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action - March 2, 1945
John (Jack) C. Hendren is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, SHS memorial plaques.
Pvt. Jack Hendren, 19, son of Mr and Mrs. John C. Hendren of 517 LeHann circle, Springfield was killed in action with the 310th Infantry March 2, in Germany. A graduate of Springfield High School in 1943, he starred on the track team and placed third that year in the State P.I.A.A. half-mile championships at Altoona. Turned down by the Army because of a heart condition, he worked at the Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company for eight months before being accepted the second time he came up for an examination. Pvt. Hendren entered the service April 11, 1944 and was sent overseas the latter part of December 1944. He was an acting sergeant at the time of his death. His parents were informed in a letter from him about a month ago the he met Pvt. Ted Dorosh, a Clifton Heights athlete, also killed in action recently, in France and that they spent several days together during which they exchanged information concerning Delaware County and home. Survivors besides his parent are his sister, Miss Jean Hendren, a Junior at Springfield Hight School and his grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Hendren of Roxborough.
LIEUTENANT
JOHN L. HOFFMAN
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
John Hoffman is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
John L. Hoffman 417 Kent Road, Upper Darby, who is in South America, has received a promotion to the rank of First Lieutenant. Name is on Springfield World War 2 Memorial Plaque
Irving Hurley is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques
Irving N. Hurley, 24 of 451 Prospect Road was in the Springfield High School Class of 1937. He was called ‘Ive’ and played football, basketball, and baseball. He sang in the glee club and school musical, besides acting the in the senior play. He joined the army before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. In January 1944 he was sent overseas. Lt. Hurley, 1st platoon leader, B Company, 746th Tank Battalion, commanded an American tank that knocked out the first German tank on D-Day. He fought at Neuville-au-Plain and helped free 82nd Airborne paratroopers who were captured there by the Germans. He was severely wounded and died as a result of his wounds on June 12, 1944. He is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hurley, his wife and 10 month old son Richard. Details of the operations of the 746th in the days following D-Day, including some specific actions by Lt. Hurley are here.
1st LIEUTENANT
IRVING N. HURLEY
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – JUNE 12, 1944
2nd LIEUTENANT*
STEWART JONES
US ARMY AIR CORPS*
Died, non-battle – March 11, 1944*
Stewart Jones is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques
Springfield High School Class of 1943
Second Lieutenant Stewart J. Jones, US Army Air Corps, from Delaware County, PA died March 11, 1944 as a result of an aviation mishap. Service number 0-812434, 2Lt Jones was a P-51 Mustang pilot attached to 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group. He is buried or memorialized at Plot A Row 4 Grave 15 Cambridge American Cemetery Cambridge, England.*
According to Strutton Local History Journal No. 31, 2015 (page 17), he was killed at the dive bombing range used by the 9th US Air Force to the east of Stutton Point in Holbrook Bay, England ...there is an eye witness account of what happened ...on 11 March from a Thames Barge crewman, who was on his way downstream having earlier loaded wheat at Mistley Quay, bound for Felixstowe dock. The barge was passing the bay when the bombs were dropped ….not near the target but near the barge! One went over the top of them and into the water beside the boat and the other came down near the rudder. The aircraft was then seen to ‘low up’ with one of its wings going into some trees at Wrabness and the rest of it going into the bay and onto both banks. The pilot who died was 2nd Lt Stewart J Jones of the 354th Fighter Group. His wingman had come down to look and then flew away. USAAF records show the cause of George’s crash being a structural failure of the elevator and British researcher, Alistair Brown, indicates that overfilling of the fuel tanks may also have been a factor –affecting the centre of gravity of the aircraft. This would have made it much more difficult to control, particularly in a high speed dive, and may well have been the actual cause.*
* * Information comes from www.honorstates.org and the Strutton Local History Journal No. 31, 2015. It is reasonably assumed this is the correct Stewart Jones.
TECHNICAL SERGEANT
C. EDWARD KRAUSS
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS
Killed in Action – November 26, 1943
C. Edward Krauss is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS Memorial plaques.
Edward Charles Krauss, 23 lived on 1603 Sproul Road and was in the Springfield High School class of 1939. He was called ‘Ed’ and played basketball all four years. After high school he drove a truck until entering the Army Air Corp. He was a Radio Operator and Gunner on a B-17 Heavy bomber. He was reported missing in action on his very first mission over Germany. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Krauss.
PRIVATE
FLOYD H. MAYNARD
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS
Died, non-battle – April 27, 1944
Floyd Maynard is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
Pvt. Floyd Maynard, Service Number 13028712, entered the service December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Chester Times, May 30, 1946, Page 11 and Chester Times, May 30, 1945, Page 8, name and address only.
ETO Board of Review, Volumes 8-10 (Page 57-82).
Pvt Floyd Maynard was killed in East Dereham, Norfolk County England. He was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H).
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
JOHN R. McCARTY
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – April 15, 1945.
John McCarty is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
John R. McCarty lived on 7 Lehan Circle and was in the Springfield High School Class of 1938. Friends and family called him ‘Bud’ and he was on the baseball, basketball, football, and track teams. Bud was the only son in a family with seven sisters. He was inducted into the service in 1942 and fought in the Pacific on the Marshall and Mariana Islands. Private First Class John ‘Bud’ McCarty was killed in action on April 15, 1945. He was interred on Okinawa and ultimately laid to rest at the National Cemetery, called the Punch Bowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
JAMES J. McDEVITT
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
James McDevitt is memorialized on the Springfield Township, and SFA memorial plaques.
SECOND LIEUTENANT
WILLIAM F. McKENNA
US ARMY AIR CORPS
Killed in Action – September 23, 1943
William McKenna is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
2Lt William McKenna, born in 1920 in Swarthmore, PA, was assigned to the 413rd Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy. He served as the bombardier for B-17 #42-3318 "Shack Rabbit II." On September 23, 1943, during a mission to attack a Luftwaffe air base in Brittany France. Shack Rabbit II, with its crew of 10, was shot down and crashed into the English Channel. 2Lt McKenna was declared dead while missing. He is is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing Cambridge American Cemetery Cambridge, England.
SECOND LIEUTENANT
CHESTER F. MIKULSKI
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – June 6, 1944
Chester Franciszek Mikulski is not listed on any of Springfield's three World War II memorial plaques.
Second Lieutenant Chester F. Mikulski, husband of Mrs. Elsie F. Mikulski of 261 North Rolling Road, Springfield was reported killed in action in the European Theater of Operations in a telegram to his family. Lt. Mikulaki formerly lived in Grand Rapids, Mich. Further details are not immediately available (Chester Times July 21, 1944 Page 1).
Service Number: 36400534
Article:
Local Hero's Services Set
Funeral services fri 2nd Lt. Chester F. Mikulski, 33, Grand Rapids' first victim of the Normandy invasion in World War II, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St Adalbert's church. Military services will e conducted by Chester F. Mikulski post, American Legion, at Holy Cross cemetery.
Lt. Mikulski, son of Mrs. Rose Mikulski, 805 Seventh-st. NW, and husband of Elsie F. Mikulski, 1320 Tamarack-av., NW was killed in action June 6, 1944, while serving with the 4th division. He was posthumously awarded the bonze star.
Surviving besides his mother are his wife Elsie; a daughter, Susan [Nash],; two brothers, Edward L. and Walter J. and two sisters, Mrs. U.T. Smith and Mrs. Helen Arsulowiez, all of Grand Rapids. The body will arrive Tuesday and will be at the home of Mrs. Smith, 803 Seventh-st., NW (CR Herald 12 July 1948).
WILLIAM B. MITCHELL
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
William Mitchell is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
William Bernard Mitchell, known as ‘Mitch, was born August 8,1919. He graduated from Springfield High School on June 12, 1938 with a major in business. His favorite hobbies were wood and metal work. His five brothers and two sisters lived on Media RFD #3 with their parents George P. and Mary Mitchell. He was listed in the Springfield High School 1945 Yearbook as Missing in Action.
Additional source: The Springfield HS Scrivener, June 6, 1938.
STAFF SERGEANT
DONALD J. MURRAY
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES
Killed in Action - December 11, 1944
Donald Murray is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques
Staff Sgt Donald J. Murray, 21 of 224 Sunnybrook road, Springfield, whose brother Lt. William Murray, was one of the first Americans to lose his life in the invasion of Sicily, was reported by the War Department as ‘missing in action’ after an operational mission over Austria on December 11, 1944. The son of Bruce Murray, Philadelphia Newspaper photographer, and Mrs. Murray of the Springfield address. Sgt. Murray was a radio operator and gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator Bomber. He had completed an unknown number of missions since he had been overseas early in September. Sgt. Murray was a Springfield High School graduate in 1941 and starred as halfback on his football teams in 1939 and 1940. Two brothers are in the service. Corporal Bruce Murray, Jr with the Third Army in France and Private First Class James Murray, a patient at an Army hospital after receiving injuries during maneuvers.
First LIEUTENANT
WILLIAM J. MURRAY
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – WWII, August 11, 1943
William Murray is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
Chester Times Article August 9, 1941 Page 11
William J. Murray, 224 Sunnybrook road, has been promoted to Corporal in a reorganization of the anti-tank outfits of Field Artillery Batteries G and H from Delaware County at Camp Shelby, Miss.
Chester Times Article September 19, 1942 Page 3
Lt. William Murray, of Springfield, formerly of Chestnut Street has been assigned to the Military Reservation A.P.Hill. His brother Pvt. Bruce Murray has been transferred from the Army Induction Center at Camp Perry Port Clinton OH.
SERGEANT
JOHN L. NEMETH
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS
Killed in Action – December 11, 1943
John Nemeth is memorialized on the SHS memorial plaque.
John Nemeth attended Springfield High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He served as a tail gunner assigned to the 76th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy.
In the target area, this aircraft was attacked and severely damaged by enemy fighters. The nose section was badly hit and the ship caught on fire. The attack was over the target area at an altitude of 22,000 feet.
Private
GEORGE F. OTT
UNITED STATES Army
Died, non-battle – October 22, 1945
George Ott is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
BIRTH: 20 Nov 1913
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
DEATH: 22 Oct 1945 (aged 31)
Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines
BURIAL
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines
PLOT: C Row 15 Grave 57
Circumstances of death: G.R. No. L-288, August 29, 1946, THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ISABELO NOBLE, defendant-appellant. or here for .pdf.
JAMES PAUL
SERVICE UNKNOWN
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
James Paul is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
JAMES ROBBINS
SERVICE UNKNOWN
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
James Robbins is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
CHARLES E. SEVIER
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – April 5, 1945
Charles Sevier is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
Charles E. Sevier, better known as ‘Charlie’, was born on May 20, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York to Charles and Lillian Sevier. He came to Springfield High School in his senior year graduating in 1944. Charlie resided at 330 South Rolling Road in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Charlie was Killed in Action in Wurzburg, Germany on April 5, 1945 when his position was overrun by German troops. He was shot while attempting to break away from his captors to warn his company of the presence of the attacking force. The Bronze Star was awarded posthumously to his mother for his courageous and gallant self-sacrifice.
PRIVATE
DAVID J. SHUMAKER
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – January 14, 1945
David Shumaker is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
Pvt. David Shumaker, only son of Mrs. Lydia O. Shumaker of Beaver, Pa. and cousin of Mrs. George Jennings of Britton road, Springfield was killed in action Jan. 14 (1945) in Belgium, the War Department has notified his mother.
https://www.honorstates.org:
Pvt. Shumaker was attached to 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division.
SERGEANT
STANLEY S. SMITH
UNITED STATES ARMY
Killed in Action – June 6, 1944
Stanley Smith is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
Chester Times July 19, 1944 Page 1
Sergeant Stanley S. Smith, son of Mrs. Joseph Smith of Eagle Road, Springfield was killed in action on D-Day, June 6, 1944 in behind-the-lines [in Normandy] landings with the paratroopers in France. Sgt. Smith who attended Springfield Public Schools had been in the service more than three years. He embarked for overseas combat duty during April 1943. As a member of an airborne division of paratroopers Sgt. Smith underwent strenuous military maneuvers in England in a prelude to the invasion to the east. He has a sister, Private Helen of the WAC and a brother Corporal Charles Smith of the Army, also serving.
Sergeant Smith served in Company G, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He is buried or memorialized at Plot E Row 6 Grave 21 Normandy American Cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
COXSWAIN
GEORGE L. TALLMAN
UNITED STATES NAVY
Missing in Action - Date unknown
Declared Killed in Action – July 8, 1945
George Tallman is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
Chester Times, July 21, 1944, Page 1:
Coxswain George L. Tallman, has been reported by the Navy Department as ‘missing in action in the Caribbean theater of operations’ it was learned today. Coxswain Tallman, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Tallman of Baltimore Pike and West Avenue, Springfield entered the Navy over two years ago and has not seen his family since that time. When last heard from he was stationed with an anti-submarine patrol unit in the Caribbean Sea. A brother Alby, who has been in the Navy for three years, is stationed in the Pacific area.
PRIVATE*
RAYMOND THOMAS
UNITED STATES ARMY*
Killed in Action – September 30,1944*
Raymond Thomas is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
https://www.honorstates.org:
Pvt. Raymond E. Thomas served in the 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division*
* Information comes from www.honorstates.org. It is reasonably assumed this is the correct Raymond Thomas.
SECOND LIEUTENANT
LLOYD O. TIRCUIT
UNITED STATES AIR CORP
Died, non-battle – March 23, 1944
Lloyd Tircuit is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
Lt. Lloyd Oser Tircuit, son of Felix and Alma Oser Tircuit of 55 South Forest Road, Springfield was killed Thursday when his plane crashed near Madison, Ind. When on a cross-country flight from Washington D C to Freeman Army airfield at Seymore, Indiana. Lieut. Tircuit would have been 21 in April. He was a graduate of Springfield High School and he attended Penn State for two years before enlisting in the Army Air Corp. He received his wings Feb. 8 (1944) at Freeman field. Word that his plane was overdue was received by his father who is Office Manager at Sinclair refinery at Marcus Hook, shortly afternoon Thursday (March 23, 1944). At 9:30 p.m. Thursday definite word was receive that he and his co-pilot had been killed in the crash. Beside his parents, Lieut. Tircuit is survived by his sister Mrs. Karl Mahood. He was born in New Orleans while his father was stationed in that city with the Sinclair Company. Burial will be in New Orleans following services at the home which are to be announced.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
WILLIAM TURNER
UNITED STATES ARMY
KILLED IN ACTION – December 2, 1944
William Turner is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
PFC William Turner, of Saxer Avenue Springfield was killed in action Dec 2 (1944) in Germany, according to word received this week by his mother, Mrs Florentine Turner. His father Lt. Col. William Turner also is serving overseas and the father and son met for a week-end in France several months ago. PFC Turner was serving with the Infantry of the Ninth Army. He was graduated from Springfield High School in June 1942 and in the Fall of that year entered the Valley Forge Military Academy. In July 1943 he entered the Army at Camp Hood, Tex Training for tank destroyer work. He later was selected to attend Perdue under ASTP and was there until March 1944 when this training was discontinued. He then was sent to Camp Swift Tex for Infantry training and in August was sent to Fort Dix N J for embarkation. The 20 year old soldier left in September for overseas duty. His last letter received by his mother was written on Thanksgiving Day (1944).
CARL O. WALLDEN
SERVICE UNKNOWN
Killed in Action – WWII, Date Unknown
Carl Wallden is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
May 30, 1945 Page 8 Memorial Day Page:
Springfield
Wallden Carl O (Family Moved)
FIRST LIEUTENANT
DONALD WEIGHTMAN
UNITED STATES AIR CORP
Missing in action – February 9, 1944. Later declared dead.
Donald Weightman is memorialized on the Springfield Township, SFA, and SHS memorial plaques.
1Lt. Donald Weightman graduated from Springfield High School in 1937, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weightman of 300 Ballymore Road. He was the class president and played basketball and football, acted in the junior and senior plays, sang in the Glee Club and also wrote for Scrivner yearbook. Don was one of the first six students from Springfield to enlist and served in the Army Air Corp. Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress he was reported missing in action in a flight over Germany on February 9, 1944. He was later reported as Presumed Dead. He has been awarded an Air Medal.
He was assigned to the 339th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy.
FIRST LIEUTENANT
NORMAN K. WIGGIN
UNITED STATES AIR CORP
Missing in action – November 25, 1944. Later declared dead.
Norman Wiggin is memorialized on the Springfield Township and SFA memorial plaques.
First Lieutenant Norman K. Wiggin, pilot of a B-27 [should be B-17] Flying fortress who was reported missing in action while on an operational flight over Germany, was killed over that country on November 25,1944, the War Department has notified his wife Mrs. Barbara J. Wiggin. Lt. Wiggin had completed an undisclosed number of missions [later determined to be his 13th mission] against the Germans in his heavy bomber. He was a graduate of Haverford Township High School and North Carolina State College. His parents Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Wiggin live at 134 Norwinden drive Springfield.