This is an interesting story about the Lessig Twins of Florida. These are NOT veterans from Marion, Ohio, but have an interesting similarity to Pvt. Harold R. Lessig and Sgt. Garold R. Lessig of Marion, Ohio. That’s right, two sets of twins; same first and last names and served during World War Two. The following is about the Lessig Twins of Florida: Harold C. Lessig and Garold L Lessig were born on 30 May 1917. They were one of two sets of twins born to Bert & Cora Alice (Wilcoxsin) Lessig. Harold and Garold were first apart when Garold entered the United States Army, in 1941. A year later Harold enlisted into the Army. After Garold was shipped over seas to serve in the European Theater, Harold would volunteer for overseas duty, if he could serve in the same company as his beloved twin. Tragically, Sgt. Harold C. Lessig was killed in action, on 3 December 1944. But his twin brother being wounded in the same action, held him as he died. Pvt. Garold L. Lessig was the one who wrote to his parents, notifying them of heir son’s death. Then three and a half months later, Pvt. Garold L. Lessig, was also mortally wounded in combat. Pvt. Garold L. Lessig died on 13 April 1945. The Lessig brothers found their finally resting place side-by-side in Dade City Cemetery, Dade City, Florida.
Garold Ross Lessig was born on 2 January 1920, with twin brother, Harold R. Lessig. His parents are Arthur E. & Ida Mary (Mason) Lessig of Green Camp. Prior to service Garold was employed by Universal Cooler Corporation, in accounting. Garold enlisted into the United States Army at For Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, on 10 March 1942. Garold R. Lessig attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.). Sgt. Lessig was stationed at Camp Lockette, Campo, California at the time of his twin’s death. Sgt. Lessig was Honorably Discharged from the Army and went on the secure a degree in accounting. He taught at the University of Utah. Garold R. Lessig married Bettie (Whitmore), and raised a family together. Garold R. Lessig died on 27 February 2007, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was laid to rest in Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, Sandy, Utah.
Garlod is Remembered for his service on the Universal Cooler Corp. Honor Roll.
Theodore Westley Long was born on 17 February 1924, in Charleston, West Virginia. His mother is Freda (Fadeley) Middlemiss. He came to Marion, Ohio with his mother around 1940. Theodore’s step-father, Thomas W. Middlemiss, was also serving during World War Two.Theodore had attended Thomas Edison Middle School. He was then employed at Albert Super Market, Kresge’s Store and Pollak Steel Company prior to entering service. Theodore was engaged to be married to Miss Maxine Bailey of Marion, Ohio.
Theodore W. Long entered service on 10 July 1943, at Great Lakes, Illinois. He had served overseas aboard the USS Louisville (CA-28) and served most of his time aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). He was overseas for fifteen months. S2C Long participated in battles at the Gilbert Islands and Mariana Islands and raids in the Philippines.
Kamikaze Fighter as it Approaches the USS Lexington (CV-16), 5 Nov 1944
On 5 Nov 1944 13:37, near Leyte, two “Zekes” (Japanese Kamikaze) dove from heavy cloud cover. One being shot down by the Lexington’s antiaircraft guns. A five inch shell completely severed the tail section. The second Zeke made it through the ship’s antiaircraft fire, the plane was seen to shudder several times as it was hit with explosive shells. This plane was able to drop a bomb and itself struck the island structure aft and on the starboard side. The result of the Japanese attack left several radars out of service and fires from the planes fuel tank and munitions. Forty-seven officers and men were killed in the Kamikaze strike. One being Seaman Second Class (S2C) Theodore W. Long, of Marion, Ohio. S2c Theodore W. Long was buried at sea.
S2C Theodore W. Long is remembered on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines; 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.
Thomas Wood Middlemiss was born on 15 June 1917, in Creemore, Canada. His parents are John & Isabell (Lindsey) Middlemiss. He had a sister, Joy M. (Middlemiss) Lewis; and two brothers, Sgt. John “Jack” Middlemiss, of Camp Rucker, Alabama and S2C James Middlemiss, of Great Lakes, Illinois, at the time of his death. His parents had been born in Scotland and traveled to Canada. All four of the Middlemiss children were born in Canada and came with their parents to the Detroit, Michigan area, and then to Marion, Ohio. The parents and all four children remained in Marion County, where they are all buried. While in Detroit, Thomas W. Middlemiss married Freda M. (Fadeley). Freda had a son, S2C Theodore W. Long, who was also a World War Two veteran and casualty of the war. Thomas W. Middlemiss had owned and operated a washing machine repair business, Tom’s Repair Service, prior to entering service. Thomas was inducted into the service in October of 1943, three months after his step-son, entered service. Thomas was in training at Camp Gordon Johnson, Florida as a Private (Pvt). He was assigned to an engineer boat with a shore regiment. He was home on leave when family stated that he was very despondent. Family stated that he repeatedly remarked that he could not kill as he was being trained to do. On 10 March 1944, he was found at his sister’s residence on the floor. After being taken to the City hospital, he was pronounced dead, by suicide. His mother was working at the hospital as a nurse’s aide. When she was going off duty, she learned of her son’s death. Pvt. Thomas W. Middlemiss’ widow, Freda M. Middlemiss, would lose her son, eight months later, in an attack on the USS Lexington (CV-16). Thomas W. Middlemiss is buried in the Marion Cemetery. His short service 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.
Edwin Paul Mason was born on 16 March 1924, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are Eldie & Flossie (Bish) Mason formerly of Marion, Ohio. He also had a brother, Robert Mason. Edwin Mason attended Harding High School, where he was a member of the band. Mason was a graduate of Harding Class of 1942. After graduation and prior to entering service, Mason was employed with the Erie Railroad.
Edwin P. Mason entered service at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his parents were living. He was inducted at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, on 11 August 1942. Mason had attended armorer’s school at Denver, Colorado, and graduated in November of 1942. He then went on to attend the Gunner’s School at Las Vegas, Nevada, graduating in February 1943. Edwin P. Mason attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) and was assigned as a gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He served with the 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy). His aircraft was named the Bomb Boogie’s Revenge, a B-17 (42-30805). The Marion Star reported that SSgt. Mason was awarded the Air Medal.
The War Department would notify Mason’s family, and inform them that SSgt. E. Paul Mason was Missing in Action (MIA). It was reported that the B-17 was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire and went into a slow spin over the North Sea. Only one parachute was seen to open from the plane. Later, the German government , through the International Red Cross, reported the death of SSgt. Mason. Official reports would later report that Mason, on his sixth mission over enemy territory was killed in action. His B-17 (42-30805) was shot down over Wilhelmshaven, Germany on 3rd November 1943. The aircraft was shot down by Luftwaffe fighters of Jagdgeschwader 1. It was reported that seven of the crew were KIA, and 3 became POWs. SSgt. Edwin P. Mason was Killed in Action on 3 November 1943. He is buried in Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium. Edwin P. Mason 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.
Other Crew Members of B-17 (42-30805), “Bomb Boogie’s Revenge“ Lt. Robert A. Pitts Dallas, Texas KIA Lt. Arnold O. Williams Hahira, Georgia POW Lt. James P. McAvoy New York, New York KIA TSgt. Irving E. Narter Chicago, Illoinois KIA TSgt. Lawrence P. Yenchik Luzerne, Pennsylvania POW TSgt. John W. Clifton Denver, Colorado KIA SSgt. Antone I. Pacheco Taunton, Mashachusettes KIA Sgt. Clarence E. Edwards Waterford, Pennsylvania POW SSgt. John W. Montgomery New York, New York KIA
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 