SSgt. Robert L. Snyder Gunner of a B-26 Marauder, Killed in Action, 1943

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Robert Lyle Snyder was born on 4 June 1905, in Congress, Morrow County, Ohio. His parents are Charles Clay & Mary (Hart) Snyder. At some point Robert L. Snyder relocated to Texas, where he operated a weekly newspaper. Here he enrolled in the draft. He returned to Ohio, moving to Marion. He was employed by the Marion Star in display advertising. Later, he went into partnership with Andy Jackson, operating the A & B Food Market. He would have to sell his share of the partnership to Jackson, when he was drafted.

Robert L. Snyder entered service in April of 1942. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) and served with the 432nd Bomb Squadron, 17th Bombardment Group. SSgt. Robert L. Snyder was assigned as a backseat gunner in a B-26 Marauder. His aircraft was the Terrible Terrapin (#41-17928).

Taken from “The Richeys of Ragley,” a book written by Daniel Wes Richey’s sister, Carmel Richey Estaville

The above account shows the selfless action of SSgt. Snyder. He was able to save himself, but returned to assist his crew-mates, thus giving his life in the service of his country and comrades in arms. And it appears fitting that the three are buried together.

Among SSgt. Robert L. Snyder’s medals, include the Purple Heart and Air Medal w/ 2 Oak leaf Clusters. SSgt. Snyder was killed in action on 1 March 1943. He is buried with his crew mates at Jefferson Barrack, Missouri.

Pvt. Wayne D. Davis Dies of Broncho Pnuemonia, 1918

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Wayne D. Davis was born 3 July 1896, in York Center, Union County, Ohio. His parents are William B. and Effie Davis. Wayne was employed with Wood and Wood Construction Company, in Lima, Ohio. Wayne married Sadie M. (Esterline) on 2 February 1918, in Crawford County, Ohio. He was registered and enlisted in Marion County, Ohio. He was listed in the Bucyrus city directory as a machinist in 1918.

Wayne D. Davis enlisted into the United States Army, on 24 September 1918, in Marion County. Davis went to Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, for training. He was assigned to 1 Company, 1st Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, as a Private (Pvt.). On 5 October 1918, Pvt. Wayne D. Davis died of Broncho Pnuemonia.

Pvt. Wayne D. Davis is buried in the Liberty Cemetery, North Robinson, Crawford County, Ohio.
Wayne D. Davis 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.

Tech5 John A. Truitt, 8th Infantry Regiment, Killed in Action, 1944

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John Albert Truitt was born 30 Mar 1915, in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio. His parents are Solomon & Cecil B. (Graham) Truitt. John A. Truitt attended St. Mary Parochial School. He was employed at worked at Baker Wood Preserving Company, prior to entering service.

John A. Truitt enlisted on 11 July 1941, at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He was sent overseas in December of 1943. He was stationed in England to a half-track crew in a mechanized unit. Truitt attained the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (Tech5), and was serving with the 8th Infantry Regiment, Fourth Infantry Division “Ivy.” The 8th Infantry Regiment assaulted Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. The 8th Infantry was the first of the 4th Infantry Division’s regiments put ashore. It appears Tech5 Truitt was killed in action during Operation Overlord, on 16 June 1944.

Tech5 John A. Truitt is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.

John A. Truitt 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 Charles C. Olin, 128th Infantry Regiment, Killed in Action, 1918

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Charles “Charlie” Corbett Olin was born on 4 September 1894, at Climax, Morrow County, Ohio. His parents are Fred T. & Vica A. (Merwine) Olin. Charles C. Olin was married to Ethel Olin. His family was listed as residents of Tully Township, Marion County, in the 1900 Census.

Charles C. Olin entered service on 27 May 1918, in Crawford County, Ohio. He was in basic training with 6 Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade until 18 June 1918. Pvt. Olin was then assigned to Company B, 154th Infantry Regiment until 13 September 1918.

Olin was promoted to Private First Class (PFC) on 1 September 1918. PFC Olin was then transferred to Company E, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division “Red Arrow.” PFC Charles Olin was a veteran of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. PFC Charles C. Olin was killed in action on 15 October, 1918, in France.


PFC Charles C. Olin is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France.

Charles C. Olin 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.

Sgt. Charles Hayes Died in Service, 1946

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Charles Hayes was born 22 April 1924, in Jackson County, Kentucky. His parents are Walter R. & Priscilla “Pricie” (Lawson) Hayes, of near Caledonia, Ohio. Charles J. Hayes graduated from Martel High School, Class of 1942. Prior to entering service Charles Hayes was employed with farming.

Charles Hayes enlisted into the United States Marine Corps., on 10 April 1943. He attended training at San Diego, California; Norman, Oklahoma; Jacksonville, Florida; Edenton and Cherry Point, North Carolina. He was serving as a Sergeant with the Marines in Peiping, China. Among his Medals are the Asiatic Pacific and American Campaign ribbons, Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Sgt. Charles Hayes became ill and died from cerebral meningitis at a hospital in Tientsin. His death occurred on 3 June 1946, and he was first buried with full military honors on 9 June 1946, at Tientsin American Legion Cemetery, China. Later his remains were returned to the United States aboard the U. S. A. T. Dalton Victory.

The remains of Sgt. Charles Hayes were laid to rest at New Caledonia Cemetery, Caledonia, Ohio, where military honors where performed by Caledonia Post 401, American Legion.

Charles Hayes is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War Two Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.