Lt. Paul J. Tron, Former D Company (Marion) Member, Killed in the Vosges Mountains, 1944

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Paul J. Tron was born on 17 November 1916, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are Joseph Tron & Margaret E. (Strine), of near Big Island, Marion County. His mother preceded him in death. Paul J. Tron attended Harding High School and was a 1935 graduate. He had a brother, Staff Sergeant Keith L. Tron, station with the United States Air Force, in India. Prior to entering active service Paul was employed with farming. Paul married Twila M. Tron, on 25 April 1943. Together they had a son, Gene Tron.

Paul J. Tron was a member of Marion’s D Company, Ohio National Guard. D Company was activated under the 166th Infantry Regiment and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in October 1944. Paul J. Tron was at that time serving as a Corporal. While at Camp Shelby, he was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt.). Sgt Tron was then transferred to Curacao, Dutch West Indies, in February of 1942.

Sgt. Tron was then selected for Officers Candidate School (O. C. S.). He then attended a prep school at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, in October of 1942. Upon completion of prep school, Tron was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend O. C. S. He graduated O. C. S. and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant on 25 February 1943.

As a 2nd Lieutenant, Tron in March of 1943, was sent to Camp Perry, Ohio, where he was later promoted to First Lieutenant. In March of 1944, Lt. Tron was again sent to Camp Wheeler. Lt. Tron then spent a brief time with his family before he left for Fort Meade, Maryland, to await transfer to his overseas assignment.

Lt. Tron arrived in Italy and was later transferred to France. On on 26 September 1944, he met up with Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” in the Vosges Mountains of eastern France. After only four days with the unit in combat, Lt. Paul J. Tron was reported as missing in action. Later the family would be notified he was killed in action, on 30 September 1944, near Rupt-sur-Moselle, France.

Lt. Paul J. Tron is buried in Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France.

Paul J. Tron 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.

PFC Beecher E. Porter Dies of Wounds in North Africa, 1943

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Beecher E. Porter was born on 6 October 1921, in Scioto County, Ohio. His parents are Fred B. & Ella M. (Sloas) Porter of Prospect-Waldo Pike. The family came to Marion County around 1937. Beecher has two brothers who also were serving in the military: Private First Class (PFC) John E. Porter and PFC Robert L. Porter. Beecher E. Porter attended schools in Green Camp, Marion and Waldo, prior to graduating in 1939, from Waldo High School. Prior to entering service Beecher worked with his father on the family farm.

Beecher E. Porter enlisted in the United States Army, on 22 February 1941, at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. Among his stations were Camp Balding, Florida; Dilworth, North Carolina; Camp Edwards, Washington. Beecher attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). He was sent for overseas duty in March of 1943. PFC Beecher was serving with the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36 Infantry Division “T-Patchers.” PFC Beecher E. Porter was wounded in action on 13 September 1943, while in North Africa. He then died of his wounds on 17 September 1943. PFC Beecher E. Porter was buried in a temporary grave in Italy. On 7 July 1948, his remains were returned to the United States aboard the United States Army Transport Carroll Victory. PFC Beecher E. Porter is buried in Waldo Cemetery, Waldo, Marion County, Ohio.

Beecher E. Porter 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.

Spec4 Eugene E. Huckaba Died in Service, 1968

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Eugene Edward Huckaba was born 21 July 1947, in Waynesboro, Tennessee. He was the son of Raymon M. Huckaba & Lizzie (Martin) Huckaba of Marion, Ohio. Eugene “Gene” Huckaba came to Marion with his family and had been a resident here for 16 years. He was a graduate of Harding High School Class of 1966. At Harding, Gene was a letter-man on the Cross Country Team. Prior to entering service Huckaba had worked at Tecumseh Products Company.

Eugene E. Huckaba entered service 17 November 1966. Specialist 4 (Spec4) Huckaba was stationed in Germany at the time of his death, where he was assigned to the 189th Military Police Company. As part of Operation FRELOC, the company was moved to the ordnance depot at Miesau in Germany in 1966. At Miesau, the company assumed security responsibilities for the special weapons area. He died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Neunkircken, Germany, on 15 September 1968.

Spec4 Eugene E. Huckaba is buried in the Marion Cemetery. Eugene E. Huckaba is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio.

Capt. Robert L. Ruckman, B-17 Navigator Killed in Action, 1944

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Robert Lee Ruckman was born on 2 November 1921, in Shelby, Ohio. His parents are John S. & Myrtle V. (Watson) Ruckman of Mansfield. Robert had two brothers who served in the military; Lt. Gerald Ruckman and Technician 5th Grade Donald Ruckman. Robert L. Ruckman married Patricia A. (Baldwin), on 14 May 1942, while in Henry, Ohio. His wife was a Marion native and 1940 graduate of Harding high School.

Robert L. Ruckman entered service on 21 October 1942. He was serving as a pilot with the 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force. He was trained as a pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress. While station in England, Lt. Robert L. Ruckman had completed 29 missions. Ruckman was promoted to an air command in July 1944 and his highest rank was listed as Captain. Captain Robert L. Ruckman was killed in action while on a bombing mission over Merserburg, Germany, on 13 September 1944. He was the co-pilot of B-17 #43-38389 “U’V ‘Ad It.” Capt. Ruckman was listed as Missing in Action. It appears he was buried in a temporary grave in Europe.

The remains of Capt. Robert L. Ruckman were returned to Ohio, and final burial was on 28 December 1948, in Shelby-Oakland Cemetery, Shelby, Richland County, Ohio.

Among Captain Ruckman’s awards are the Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/ four Oak Leaf Clusters and a special Presidential Citation for participation on D-Day.

Capt. Robert L. Ruckman left behind his wife and a son that he never saw. His son’s name is Thomas.

Robert L. Ruckman 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.

Ruckman Standing far left

Crew of B-17 #43-38389 “U’V ‘Ad It”
KIAs
Capt. Howard Donlon, Pilot
Capt. Bob Ruckman, Co-Pilot
Lt. Henry Vicars, Navigator
Lt. Julius Gburczyk, Navigator
Lt. Orin Christenson, Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
Tech Sgt. John Matlock, Top Turret Gunner
Tech Sgt. Bob Turner, Radio Operator
SSgt. Wayne Butler, Waist gunner
POWs
Lt. Gustave Kirause, Tail Gunner
SSgt. Joe Marino, Ball Turret Gunner

PFC Edwin J. Leatherman Killed in Action, 1944

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Edwin James Leatherman was born on 24 October 1919, in Akron, Ohio. His parents are Roy & Bernice Leatherman, of Akron, Ohio. Edwin J. Leatherman graduated from North High School, in Akron, Ohio. After high school he was a student of pharmacy at Ohio State University.

Edwin J. Leatherman was married to Ruth (Isaly) Leatherman, of Marion, on 20 March 1943. Together they had an infant daughter, Louisa, that he never saw.

Edwin J. Leatherman was called to service in April of 1943. Leatherman was sent overseas in January of 1944. He had attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC) and was assigned to a Medical Detachment in France.

PFC Leatherman was a veteran of D-Day. He was with the second wave that stormed Utah Beach. PFC Leatherman was killed in action near St. Lo, France. He was initially reported as missing in action. He died on 13 July 1944, in France. It was reported that he died from injuries sustained from a mortar shell that exploded near his position.

Among his awards would include the Purple Heart, the Normandy Campaign Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal.

PFC Edwin J Leatherman is buried in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
Edwin J. Leatherman 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.