Ensign Richard F. Issler Killed During Dive Bombing Exercise, 1945

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Richard Finefrock Issler was born 12 July 1924 near Prospect, Ohio. His parents were Fred W. & Mary (Finefrock) Issler of Prospect. Richard F. Issler graduated from Prospect High School in 1942. Issler would go on to attend college at Purdue University. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. While at Purdue University, Issler would enlist in the United States Navy, in December 1942.

In July of 1943, Issler attended training at Wooster College for three months in the 12-B program. He would also attend training at Lewistown, Norman College in Idaho; preflight training at St. Mary’s, California; Liverpool, California; and six months training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He would earn his flight wings and be commissioned an Ensign on 28 February 1945.

Ensign Richard F. Issler also attended specialized training at Deland, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and San Diego, California. He went on to attend Hell Diver training at Pasco, Washington, where he was killed in a training accident during a dive bombing exercise. He died along with his gunner on 1 November 1945, in Pasco, Washington. Ensign Richard F. Issler is buried in the Prospect Cemetery, Prospect, Ohio.

Richard F. Issler is remembered on the Honor Roll at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall at the Marion Cemetery.

PFC Errett M. Bower Died of Wounds Received in Action, 1918

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Errett Merton Bower was born on 21 January 1894, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents are Charles H & Agnes Bower. In 1915, Errett was listed in Marion’s City Directory as an Optician. Dr. Errett M. Bower had relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, and was working as an Optometrist with the Parson Company. On 8 June 1917, he entered service in Georgia.

Errett M. Bower was promoted to the rank of Private First Class (PFC), on 1 November 1917. He was assigned to Company D, 6th Engineers, 3rd Division “Rock of the Marne.” PFC Errett was a veteran of the Somme Offensive; Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; and St. Mihiel. PFC Errett was wounded at the Battle of the Meuse Argonne, and subsequently died of his wounds on 26 October 1918.

PFC Errett M. Bower was first buried in the French Military Cemetery at Fromereville, Meuse, France, on 26 October 1918. His remains were then moved to the Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France. On 18 June 1921, the remains of PFC Bowers were disinterred and shipped aboard the U. S. A. T. Cantigny, to Hoboken, New Jersey. On 12 August 1921 his remains arrived back in Marion County for final rest.

PFC Errett M. Bower is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Errett M. Bower is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

Cpl. Robert H. Frye Died of Influenza, 1918

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Robert H. Frye was born on 18 January 1892, in West Mansfield, Ohio. His father is Roscoe H. & Lieura M. (Wilgus) Frye, of West Mansfield, Ohio. In the 1913 Marion City Directory, Robert H. Frye is listed as a Blacksmith, in 1917, he is listed as a Brakeman.

Robert H. Frye entered service on 9 August 1918. He was promoted to Corporal (Cpl.), on 2 October 1918. Cpl. Robert H. Frye was serving with Headquarters Company, 67th Infantry Regiment at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. Cpl. Robert H. Frye died of pneumonia and influenza on 18 October 1918.
It is not know where Cpl. Robert H. Frye is buried.

Robert H. Frye is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio, and on World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

E2C John H. Dwyer, Died of Pneumonia, 1918

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John Henry Dwyer, Jr. was born on 8 February 1897, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents are John Henry, Sr. & Margaret “Molly” Dwyer, of Marion, Ohio. John H. Dwyer, Jr. was employed with the Erie Railroad Company prior to entering service.
John H. Dwyer, Jr. joined the United States Navy, on 12 July 1918, at the Naval Recruiting Station in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dwyer attended training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago; and the Naval Training Station Norfolk, Virginia. He was then assigned to the USS Kentucky (BB-06) until 2 October 1918. He was working as a Fireman Second Class (F2C). He then served as an Engineman Second Class (E2C) until he was moved to the USS Mercy (AH-4) until his death on 12 October 1918. E2C John H. Dwyer, Jr. died of pneumonia. His death is recorded as occuring in Yorktown, York County, Virginia.
E2C John H. Dwyer, Jr. is buried in the Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
John H. Dwyer, Jr. is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio, and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

SSgt. William J. McEldowney

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William James McEldowney was born on 9 January 1914, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are Alva McEldowney & Hazel Houser. William had two brothers serving in World War Two; Pvt. Dale McEldowney and Sgt. Paul S. McEldowney. William J. McEldowney was married to Jennie (Thomas). He was employed in the restaurant business in both Marion and California, prior to entering service.

William J. McEldoney was enlisted on 29 April 1942, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He took training at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Camp Sutton and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He had also volunteered to test with the Medical Corps.

McEldowney attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt). SSgt. McEldowney was serving with the 67th Armored Regiment, Second Armored Division “Hell on Wheels.” He was a veteran of combat in Africa, Sicily and France. SSgt. McEldowney was killed in action on 5 October 1944, in Germany. SSgt. William J. SSgt. McEldowney is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium.

Among his awards include; Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with 6 Battle Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.

William J. McEldowney is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War Two Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.