Ernest Paul Howard was born on 21 October 1922, in Guysville, Ohio. His parents are Ernest James & Emma (Klingenberg) Howard. Ernest Paul Howard graduated from Athens High School. Ernest lived in Marion, for eight years prior to entering service. Ernest was married to Gloria M. (Butler), of Marion. Prior to entering service, Ernest was employed as a machinist with the Erie Railroad.
Ernest entered service on 9 December 1942, in Columbus, Ohio. He received his training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as an airborne infantryman. He would leave for assignment overseas and served in France with Company C, 401st Glider Infantry, 101st Airborne Division “Screamin’ Eagles.” Ernest P. Howard wold have been involved with Operation Market Garden and Operation Overloard (the D-Day Invasion).
The morning of June 8th found the 401st spread out along the west bank of the Douve. Company C of the 1st Battalion, commanded by Captain Robert Galbraith, was led the assault across the river after dark followed by the rest of the 1st Battalion. Once the 1-401st was linked to 101st AB it would aid in the capture of Ste. Come-du-Mont that evening and Carentan on June 15th after 5 days of bitter combat. Later, the 1-401st would join the VII Corps on UTAH Beach and the V Corps on OMAHA beach when they met forces of the 175th Regiment 4th Infantry Division in the town of Auville-sur-le-Vey.
From Unit History of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment.
While in Belgium, Pfc. Ernest P. Howard was killed in action, on 23 December 1944. His injuries were caused by artillery fragments. The Motto of the 1-401st Glider Infantry Regiment is: “ALL FOR OUR COUNTRY,” and this is just what Pfc. Ernest P. Howard and many in the regiment did.
On December 17th, 1944 the 1-401st was sent by truck to Bastogne, Belgium to aid in its defense. The Germans had launched an all out attack in the area and a veteran unit was needed to stop this assault. Glidermen were sent into combat with what clothing and equipment had been issued them after the fighting in Holland. Some went without ammunition or winter clothing. The 1-401st set up defensive positions in the area of Bastogne and beat back attack after attack! It was through the lines of the 327th/401st GIR that the Germans came to propose a surrender to 101st AB to which General McAuliffe replied “NUTS”! The next day the cloud cover receded for a short time and allowed a supply drop by parachutes of food, ammo, and medical supplies. Also in this drop came gliders with heavy equipment, artillery and badly needed medical personnel. On Jan. 18th, 1945 the 1-401st was relieved and sent back to Mourmelon-le-Grand, France.
From Unit History of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment.
Pfc. Ernest P. Howard is buried in the Saint Johns Cemetery, Anthony, Athens County, Ohio. Ernest P. Howard 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.
Floyd Detwiler was born on 31 May 1914, in Marseilles, Ohio. His parents are Earl F. & Edith I. Detwiler. He had a twin brother, Lloyd and a brother, Staff Sergeant Richard Detwiler (Wounded in Italy). When Floyd was young, his family relocated to Marion, Ohio. He graduated from Harding High School in 1932. Floyd was married to Thelma Detwiler. Floyd was employed with Ralston General Store & A. B. Thompson Grocery prior to entering service.
Floyd Detwiler entered service in October of 1942. He was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky, and Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 83rd Infantry Division “Thunderbolt.”
Detwiler attained the rank of Technical Fourth Grade (Tech4). He served overseas with the 330th Infantry Regiment. Tech4 Floyd Detwiler was killed in action on 18 December 1944, in Germany. Tech4 Detwiler was laid to rest in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium.
Tech4 Floyd Detwiler 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.
Howard Wilson Riley was born in Wellston, Jackson County, Ohio, on 11 July 1891. His father was J. B. Riley. Howard W. Riley entered service in Marion, Ohio. He left for Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, on 29 April 1918. He left for France with the 83rd Division “Ohio Division.”
While in France, Private (Pvt.) Howard W. Riley ended up serving with Company K, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division “Keystone Division.” On 9 November 1918, Pvt. Riley was wounded while in combat and taken prisoner by the Germans. He would suffer from his wounds in the German prison camp until the signing of the Armistice. After the armistice, Pvt. Riley made his way back to American lines. He then was treated at Base Hospital No. 55, in France. Here he wrote to his wife telling her of some of his ordeal since he was wounded.
HOWARD W. RILEY DIES; HAD BEEN HUN PRISONER Released, but Later Succumbs to Pneumonia. LAST LETTER WRITTEN IN WEAK, SCRAWLING HAND “Tell Babies Daddy Thinks of Them a Million Times a Day,” He Writes. Missing in action, wounded and in a German prison camp, then in an American Red Cross hospital, and finally succumbing to the ravages of pneumonia caused by malnutrition and poor care while in the German prison camp, was the history of Howard W. Riley, of Blaine avenue, a member of K company, 140th infantry, in the war. Mrs. Riley received a message last evening from the war department stating that Private Riley had died of bronchial pneumonia December 16, in base hospital, No 55, in France. Written in a weak and scrawling hand that plainly showed he was suffering from great weakness, Mrs. Riley received a letter from her husband under date of November 24, soon after reached the allied lines after being released from a German prison camp. At that time Riley was in base hospital, No 55, in France. In the letter Riley stated no one knows the untold suffering and privation he had gone through while a prisoner in Germany and sorely wounded. “God only knows how I have suffered,” he writes. HIS LAST LETTER. The letter, the last Mrs. Riley has received follows: “I was wounded in action November 9 and was taken prisoner by the Germans. I was in their hands only a short time and am now in the hands of dear old Americans in a base hospital. I have had the best of treatment. I feel better yesterday and today than at any time since I was wounded. But, the only thing that has helped me to pull through so far is the love I have for you and my darling babies. You are on my mind all the time, but only God knows how I have suffered, but am feeling better now. How are my darling babies? Tell them daddy loves them and thinks of them and think of you and them a million times a day and night. I expect to be in a hospital in the states in the near future.” Leaves Marion in April. Private Riley left Marion with an increment of Marion county selects April 29 and went to Camp Sherman, Chillicothe. He went to France with the Eighty-Third division. He has a brother, Nathan Riley, now in the service in South Carolina. Riley was reported missing in action some time ago and later was located in a German prison camp. After the armistice was signed he found his way to the American lines, where he was placed in an American hospital. Private Riley is survived by a widow, a half-brother, Robert Riley, a half-sister, Mary Alice Riley, and a father, J. B. Riley, Of Wellington.
From The Marion Daily Star dated 12-31-1918
On 30 November 1918, his wife received notice from the War Department that, “Pvt. Howard W. Riley had died of pneumonia.” His pneumonia was reported as complications from malnutrition and poor treatment while wounded and in a prison camp. Pvt. Howard W. Riley died on 16 December 1918, after the cessation of hostilities and while serving with the occupation forces. Pvt. Howard W. Riley is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Pvt. Howard W. Riley 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.
Two Marion, Ohio men served during World War Two in the same Air Corps. unit, 48th Squadron, 313th Troop Carrier Group. Lt. Walter L. Ruzzo entered service in May of 1942. He was trained to become a co-pilot and navigator. Lt. Gerald E. Hamilton would enlist in the Army as a private in October of 1941. He would later transfer to the Army Air Corps. on 2 January 1942. Lt. Hamilton was trained to be a pilot. Both men would see their last state side duty station at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is not known whether these men knew of each other’s connection to Marion, Ohio, but it must be assumed they did as they would have worked closely together. Both men flew in C-47 Dakota troop carrier planes. They would fly airborne troops to there Designated Zones (DZ) and also fly wounded troops and supplies. Lt. Hamilton was a veteran of Operation Market Garden. It is not verified, but Lt. Ruzzo would likely have been on the same operation in September of 1944.
C-46 Commandos preparing for Operation Varsity. Ruzzo’s aircraft is in the middle with the letter “M” on the tail. Hamilton’s aircraft is in front of Ruzzo’s (only the tail visible) with the letter “T” on the tail.
On Operation Varsity both men flew in the same formation, Serial A6, Second Flight, 48th TCS. Both men would be assigned to the larger C-46 Commando troop carriers on 24 March 1945. The C-46 Commandos could carry thirty-six airborne troopers as opposed to the eighteen carried by the C-47 Dakotas. Also, the C-46 had doors on each side, allowing for troopers to exit faster. Operation Varsity was the last major airborne operation of World War Two. In fact, it was the largest single airborne operation to take place in a single day.
The first planes carrying the 17th Airborne took off shortly after 0700, with the last getting aloft just before 0900. The airborne lift included a total of 9,387 paratroopers and glider-borne soldiers, carried aboard 72 C-46s, 836 C-47s, and 906 CG-4A gliders. This, combined with the British airborne armada of nearly 800 aircraft and 420 gliders, carrying over 8,000 soldiers, stretched nearly 200 miles and took thirty-seven minutes to pass a given point. The two formations rendezvoused in the skies near Brussels, Belgium, before proceeding to the drop zones 100 miles away. In addition, nearly 1,000 Allied fighters escorted the transports. For those watching below, including GEN Eisenhower and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, it was an impressive display of Allied might. MG James M. Gavin, commander of the 82d Airborne Division, who had never witnessed a major airborne operation from the ground, called it “an awesome spectacle.”
From ArmyHistory.org Operation VARSITY: The Last Airborne Deployment of World War II By Matthew J. Seelinger
Both men were able to deliver their cargo of troopers from the 17th Airborne Division (Golden Talons) to their Designated Area (DZ). But both planes were hit by flak and would crash. It was on this mission that a fatal weakness of the C-46 Commando was revealed. The planes did not have self sealing fuel tanks and were set on fire from the punctured fuel tanks and German incendiary rounds fired that day.
Almost immediately, the C-46’s fatal flaw became apparent. The planes lacked self-sealing fuel tanks; if a fuel tank was punctured, high octane aviation gas would stream along the wings towards the fuselage. All it took was a single spark to turn each plane into a flying inferno. German 20mm incendiary rounds proved extremely lethal and set several damaged aircraft ablaze. Ridgway later reported that the heaviest losses during Varsity came during the first thirty minutes of the 513th’s drop. Nineteen of the seventy-two C-46s were lost, with fourteen going down in flames, some with paratroopers on board. Another thirty-eight were severely damaged. Many soldiers wounded during the flight to the drop zones chose to jump and take their chances rather than remain in the dangerously flawed aircraft. After Varsity, Ridgway issued orders prohibiting the use of C-46s in future airborne operations.
From ArmyHistory.org Operation VARSITY: The Last Airborne Deployment of World War II By Matthew J. Seelinger
Both aircraft were witnessed in separate reports as being hit by flak and going down after turning back towards the Rhine. Both Lt. Gerald E. Hamilton and Lt. Walter L. Ruzzo were killed in action during Operation Varsity. They are also both buried in Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands. Also, Read about the Rescue and Return of Lt. Walter L. Ruzzo’s Funeral Flag.
In June of 2021, David DeHart and his wife, drove from Bryson City, North Carolina to Marion, Ohio. They came to return a World War Two Funeral Flag to the hometown of Lt. Walter L. Ruzzo. Mr. DeHart had contacted me and asked that I get him in contact with Heritage Hall and also to help find a way to tell the story of Lt. Ruzzo. Together we were able to get the flag into the hands of Heritage Hall. We also, arranged for the flag and the story Mr. DeHart wrote, to be displayed at the Marion Municipal Airport. We felt since Lt. Ruzzo was an aviator, that this would be a good place to have them displayed. I would like to thank Mr. DeHart, a retired Sergeant Major of the United States Army and Vietnam War Veteran and Justin Kirkland, the savior of this flag and memory of Lt. Ruzzo, for all they have done to preserve the memory and honor one of our veterans. We also learned of another Marion Veteran, Lt. Gerald E. Hamilton, who was in the same unit as Lt. Ruzzo. Please follow the links to read about these heroes connection. The following story was researched and written by David C. DeHart, 2021 Bryson City, North Carolina:
WWII Hero Killed in Action
Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is a Second World War Military War Grave Cemetery, located in the village of Margraten, Netherlands. This Soldier rests there alongside 8291 other Heros.
Story and Research by David Charles DeHart 2021 Bryson City, North Carolina
The Burial Casket Flag for WWII Soldier 1st Lt Walter L Ruzzo Going Home
Justin Kirkland of Bryson City, North Carolina holds a 48 Star American Flag that he found and purchased at an Antique Auction House in Waynesville, NC several years ago. David DeHart is holding the Box that the flag was packed in and sent to the surviving spouse in May 1949. This flag draped the Casket of a WWII Soldier, 1st Lt Walter L Ruzzo from Marion, Ohio he was Killed in Action. He was buried in a US Military Cemetery in Netherlands. Justin has always wanted to know more about this flag, so asked his Grand Mother, Verna Kirkland, who works at the Swain County Historical and Genealogical Society for ideas in finding out who this WWII Veteran was. Verna then reached out to David DeHart, a Veteran and Vice President of the Genealogy Society who then started looking and digging into this mystery.
“This is what I love to do and I really wanted to dig into this story because this was a WWII Soldier, I am a Retired US Army Vietnam Combat Veteran and my Dad was a US Army WWII Combat Veteran, so this is very important and dear to me. That’s when the story and history of this Veteran started to unfold and with information from Ancestry, this Soldier’s life was uncovered and presented the following Story”.
Walter L Ruzzo was born 18 October 1917 in Marion, Ohio. His parents were immigrants from Italy. His Father was a Barber and his Mother was a Beautician. Walter also had two brothers, Edward (older) and Frances (younger). He graduated Harding HS and went on to study Journalism at Ohio State University. In May 1942 he entered the Army Air Force and trained at Santa Ana, Calif. Walter met Rose Margaret Evans in college they married July 20th, 1943 at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Ind. where he was last stationed. Rose Margaret Evans was born March 1917, her parents were immigrants from Austria, and they owned a Rock Quarry Business in Marion, Ohio. Soon after their marriage, Walter was shipped overseas in August 1943, sadly this may have been the last time he saw his wife. He was a Navigator and Co-Pilot on a C-47 which was a Military Transport Aircraft in WWII. Both of his brothers were in the Service at this time, Edward was a Legal Officer for the Army in San Francisco, Calif. and Frances was a Navigator and Co-Pilot on a B-24 Bomber also stationed overseas during WWII. The following is research into LT Ruzzo’s military service. He was trained as a Pilot and Navigator in Santa Ana, Calif. in 1943-1943 after he enlisted 24 March 1942 at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He is shipped out overseas in August 1943 after his marriage to Rose Margaret Evans records show that they were married for about 1 month before he departed. Military records show that he flew the C-47 Troop Transport plane over Sicily during the early stages of WWII in what was called the Sicilian Invasion and Sicilian Campaign where Paratroopers were dropped. It is noted that Lt Ruzzo received the Air Medal for combat service over Italy. He received the Mediterranean Theater Medal for Submarine Patrol and a Star for his African Theater Medal for action in the Sicilian Campaign. Records also show that he was a patient at an Army hospital in January 1944 for an unknown cause. A letter to his family dated March 1940 stated that he was in France.
Operation Varsity was the First Airborne Operation where the C-46 airplane was used for dropping Paratroopers. The C-46 could carry double the number of Paratroopers that a C-47 could carry. The exit time for the Paratroopers was greater because the C-46 had two exit doors, one on each side of the plane. The 313th Troop Carrier Group had the honor to use the C-46 in this combat operation. The Group was based at Achiet, France.
The four Squadrons were divided into two serials. The 49th Troop Carrier Squadron was leading in Serial A-5, followed by the 29th Troop Carrier Squadron. The next serial, A-6, was flown by the 48th Troop Carrier Squadron and, as last in the line, the 47th Troop Carrier Squadron. Each consisted out of 36 aircraft. The two Squadrons in Serial A-6 did dispatch 18 aircraft each. The 48th Troop Carrier Squadron planes had a chalk number 36-54 (18 aircraft).
The Douglas C-47 is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front-line service with various military operators for many years.
On March 24th, 1945 the flowing report was filed by an “Eyewitness” accounting for a C-47 Plane that was last seen and assumed crashed. for a C-47 Plane that was last seen and assumed crashed.
This article was printed in the Marion News Paper, March 1945
Eye witness account
Beginning of Statement: “I, Lt. Glen H. Smith, was flying on the right wing of the C-47 airplane piloted by Lt James F. Claussen. After they had dropped their Paratroopers on the DZ (Designated Zone) they made a right turn-off and the airplane was last seen my me with the left engine on fire heading back toward the Rhine River. The airplane, chalk #52 was under good control and about 100 feet off the ground.” End of Statement. There were 5 Crew members on board. Pilot James F. Claussen Co-Pilot Rubin Levy, Navigator Walter L. Ruzzo and Radio Operator George J. Kuhn were killed in action. Only T/SGT Charles L. Williams, Crew Chief, survived. He was partially out of the side escape hatch when the aircraft crash landed and as a result he was thrown clear of the wreckage and unconscious. German Medics carried him, seriously wounded, to a cellar dressed his wounds and departed. He was later found by American Forces and saved.
In addition to Lt Walter L. Russo’s Medals he was also awarded the Purple Heart. He was laid to rest in the American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands alongside of 8,291 fallen soldiers of War. This Flag is called a “Burial Casket Flag” and was the flag that covered his casket before burial. His Flag was packed into this box that I am holding and was sent to Rose Margaret Ruzzo, his wife that was living in Columbus, Ohio with her parents at the time he was killed in action. The address label is from the US Government and is clearly post marked from an APO (American Post Office) Margraten US Cemetery. Post marked May 1949, why the difference in years is unknown. Contents on the label are: U.S. FLAG (Ruzzo, Walter L. 1/Lt. 0-744867).
Packed inside the box containing Lt Ruzzo’s Burial Flag was this letter explaining the purpose of the Flag. It also explains that it was used to cover her husband’s casket during burial services held at the time he was laid to rest in a Military Cemetery overseas. This letter was sent from the Department of the Army, Office of the Quartermaster General, Memorial Division, Washington, DC. May 1949
Little is known about Walter’s marriage to Rose Margaret Evans. Records show that they were married 20 July 1943 at the Post Chapel on Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana by Army Chaplain William Cyraw. Lt Ruzzo then departs for overseas duty in August 1943. After studying many records, I am not sure if they ever saw each other again. There were several records of letters between the two. Records show that both her parents, immigrants from Austria, remained and died in Marion, Ohio and are buried there. It seems that she never remarried and died 18 February 2013 at the age of 95. There was no funeral and records show that she was cremated. After researching Walter’s family, I found the following information about his two brothers…The older brother Edward J. Ruzzo was born 29 Sept. 1912. He also graduated Harding HS and received a Law Degree from Ohio State University in 1937. His Law practice was interrupted March 15th 1941, when he entered the US Army and was returned to Enlisted Reserve Corps because he was over 28 years old. He was recalled to active duty in October 1942 where he worked as an Intelligence Officer with the Grade of Special Agent until his discharge Dec. 17, 1945. Edward went back to practicing law in Marion, Ohio and later served as City Councilman. After many years in Law, he became Judge Edward James Ruzzo and the city of Marion named a Detention Center in his name. He was married and had two sons and two daughters. Edward died on October 9th 1996 at the age of 84. Edward’s wife Katheryn was a school teacher she was born November 8th, 1917 and died at the age of 103 on December 2, 2020 while living in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The younger brother, Francis A. Ruzzo was born September 29th, 1920 in Marion, Ohio. He also attended Harding HS and studied at Heidelberg College where he met his wife Ann Nuttall. He also attended Ohio State University before enlisting into the Air Force in 1942. Before reporting to active duty, he and Ann married December 27, 1942. Frank served as a Navigator and Pilot (like his brother Walter) on a B24 Bomber with 404th Bomb Squadron of the 11th Air Force in Adak, Alaska. During his four years of service, Frank flew over 100 hours of combat duty and was a Second Lieutenant.
For his service to his country Frank received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters. Upon his discharge, he attended Kent State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Business Administration in 1947. After graduation, Frank and Ann moved their family to Santa Clara, California and became a Senior Partner in the Accounting Firm of Peat, Marwick and Mitchell. Frank died August 24th, 2008 he was 79 years old. Ann died 21 March 2015 at the age of 97. They had one son and two daughters. The parents of these three WWII Veteran heroes are James and Florence (Viggins) Ruzzo both were immigrants from Italy and came to America around 1906. James and Florence started their venture in Passaic, New Jersey around June 1911 and moved to Marion, Ohio where they opened a business as a Barber and Beautician. Information on James Ruzzo shows that he was born Jan. 17, 1893 and Florence was born in 1899 that may not be correct according to the 1920 US Federal Census. This wonderful and hardworking family also had Florence’s Mother and Father living with them in 1920, 1930 and 1940 as listed on the US Federal Census. James died in 1967 and Florence died 3 Apr 1974. What a remarkable family and a wonderful story. RIP Sir and Thank You for your Service
Lt. Walter L. Ruzzo’s Headstone at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands
I have contacted the Marion County Historical Society and have emailed their Director. I will be planning a trip to Marion, Ohio sometimes this spring to meet with their Marion Historical Society and Museum where Judge Edward Russo, is honored for his contributions and work for the City of Marion. I am hoping that they have a place where Lt Walter Ruzzo’s Burial Casket Flag and the Box it was returned in as well as my Research Paper on this WWII Veteran could rest next to his brother. As a 28 year career US Army and Vietnam Combat Veteran also the Vice President of our Genealogy Society in Bryson City, North Carolina it will be an honor to take this Flag Home. Most of all…a special “Thank You” to Mr. Justin Kirkland of Bryson City, North Carolina who made all of this possible by finding this so very special Flag. A special thanks to Susan Matthews (President) Marion Area Genealogical Society for emails and help with old newspaper articles and Ruzzo Family information. Other information from Military Records and Ancestry Records.
Thank You, Justin Kirkland & David DeHart for Honoring Marion Veteran, Walter L. Ruzzo’s Service and Memory, as well as the service and sacrifice he and his family made for our community.
Lt. Walter Ruzzo’s Funeral Flag (Returned to Marion, Ohio) on display at the Marion Municipal Airport. Thank You to Airport Director, Matt Arnold and staff, for honoring these veterans.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 