SSgt. James B. McDonald – World War Two Casualty

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James B. McDonald was the son of Mr. & Mrs. O. J. McDonald. Before entering service James McDonald was employed with the Erie Railroad as a teletype operator. Mr. McDonald was married to Mrs. Margeret (Thacker) McDonald. He and his wife were married only a few days before he was inducted into service.

James B. McDonald would receive training in Colorado, Texas and Kansas, before leaving for overseas duty. He would attain the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt.). SSgt. McDonald was assigned to a B-24H Liberator, a bomber in the 716 AAF Bomb Squadron, 449 Bomb Group with the 15 Air Force. SSgt. McDonald would serve as a waist gunner aboard a B-24H Liberator named “Slick Chick,” 42-52165.
On 23 April 1944, while on a bombing mission targeting Schwechat Aircraft Factory, Vienna, Austria, McDonald and crew would be hit by flak and shot down. Of the crew, SSgt. McDonald and four other crew members would be killed in action and five would be taken prisoner. The other crew members and disposition are listed below.

SSgt. J. McDonald is standing second from left.

SSgt. James B. McDonald is buried in the Chapel Heights Memory Gardens in Marion, Ohio.
SSgt. James B. McDonald 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 World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.

Crew names and disposition of the Slick Chick:
Roberts, Richard F., Pilot KIA 23 April 1944
*Bailey, Charles E, Co-Pilot (flying in place of Dacey) POW 23 April 1944
Vitek, Joseph J., Navigator POW 23 April 1944
Bentz, Charles F., Bombardier (KIA) 23 April 1944
Bryant, Fred W., Flight/Eng POW 23 April 1944
Dontje, Robert V, Radio/Op POW 23 April 1944
Arnold, Everett C., Assit. Engineer POW 23 April 1944
McDonald, James B., Waist (KIA) 23 April 1944
Paterson JR., James, Assit. Radio /OP, TT – KIA 23 April 1944
Toney, Harold O., Ball Gunner (KIA) 23 April 1944

*Dacey, Charles (Dick), Co-Pilot was the regular co-pilot of Roberts crew, not flying on this mission.

Corporal Harold S. Eymon – World War One Casualty

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Harold S. Eymon was born 15 Oct 1898. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. James H. Eymon of Marion, Ohio. Harold S. Eymon came to Marion, Ohio, with his parents when he was 4 years old. Eymon graduated from Marion High School with the class of 1917. Eymon worked while in high school with the Davis Electric Company.
Harold S. Eymon enlisted in the Army on 25 April 1917. Eymon took basic training at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. Eymon would serve with the 112th Field Signal Battalion, 37th Infantry Division “the Buckeye Division.” In July of 1917, Eymon would sail for service in France. Corporal Harold S. Eymon would die in a French Hospital with a diagnosis of lobar pneumonia on 10 October 1918.
Corporal Harold S. Eymon was buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France.
Corporal Harold S. Eymon 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.

From The Marion Daily Star dated 11-8-1918

HAROLD S. EYMON DIES
IN FRANCE, OCTOBER 10

Only Son of Mr. and Mrs. James
H. Eymon.

GOVERNMENT MESSAGE
RECEIVED LAST NIGHT

Enlists in Field Signal Battalion
AUGUST 25, 1917 – Goes to
France Last July.

Another of Marion’s patriotic sons, Harold S. Eymon, has sacrificed his life for his country, dying in far-off France. The message which brought sadness to the hearts of the young man’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Eymon, of No. 340 Mt. Vernon avenue, reached them last evening and came from the adjutant general’s office in Washington. Mr. Eymon died of lobar pneumonia, October 10, in a French hospital.
Young Eymon enlisted April 25, 1917, in the 37th division of the 112 field signal battalion. He left for Columbus the same day, spending about a week in that city. He then went to Camp Sheridan, Alabama. He remained at the southern camp until June of this year, when he was transferred to Camp Lee, Virginia. About July 1 he sailed for France.
His Last Letter.
Mr. and Mrs. Eymon have received a letter from their son every two weeks since his enlistment up to five weeks ago. Soon after his arrival in France they received a letter stating he was well and was in active service with the signal battalion. His last letter came five weeks ago and in it the young man enclosed the permit from his major for a sweater and three pairs of socks, which Mrs. Eymon sent at once. No further word reached the parents until last evening, when the death message came.
The young man was born at Williamsport, October 15, 1898. He came to Marion with his parents, in 1903 and attended the public schools here, graduating with the class of 1917.
Young Eymon was of an inventive nature and during his High school career he was employed by the Davis Electric company, being especially interested in electrical work. The young man built a small aeroplane which operated by clock works and which he successfully sailed in the fields east of the city.
Electrical Engineering.
One of his boyhood plans was that at the close of his high school work he should take up electrical engineering in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. His enlistment in the army changed his plans somewhat, but he expressed the wish that upon his return from France, he should continue his studies along his chosen lines.
Young Eymon was a member of the First Presbyterian church, of the Y. M. C. A. and a the B. V. D. club, a High school organization. Aside from his parents he leaves two sisters, Misses Magery and Katherine Eymon, the young man having been the eldest child and only son.

Richard A. Leffler – World War Two Casualty

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Richard Andrew Leffler was born on 19 September 1915. His parents were Harrison G. & Sofia O. (Umbaugh) Leffler. Richard had a brother, Lowell E. F. Leffler, serving in the military. Richard was a graduate of Harding High School, Class of 1933. Prior to service, Richard was employed with the Standard Oil Company. He and his brother operated the Gulf filling station at Delaware Ave. and Walnut St. in Marion.
In March of 1942, Richard A. Leffler enlisted in the Army Air forces with the ground division. He was trained at Patterson Field (today’s Wright Patterson Air Force Base). He was then sent to Stuart Technical school in New York City for training in Aircraft engines. He would then attend training at Hamilton Propeller School in Vandalia, Ohio and become a Propeller Specialist.
Leffler became ill while at Patterson Field. He was ill for many months and had to have surgery which revealed he had cancer. He would be treated at Hot Springs, Arkansas. Due to his health, Leffler was discharged in 1943.
Leffler would return to Marion and work at General Excavator Company, until again he fell ill. In late 1943 he would be admitted for treatment at a veterans hospital in Chicago, Illinois. While in the hospital in Chicago, Leffler’s condition would deteriorate. He died at 9:00pm on 3 January 1944. He was married to Laurel (Hanley) Leffler, who would be by his side as he died. His mother was also present.
Richard A. Leffler is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Richard A. Leffler is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.

Lt. Lowell Leffler – World War Two Casualty

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Lt. Lowell E. F. Leffler

Lowell Earl Franklin Leffler was born on 16 March 1919. His parents were Harrison G. & Sofia O. (Umbaugh) Leffler. Lowell was a 1937 Graduate of Harding High School. Prior to service Leffler was employed at the Ben Payton Garage.
Lowell E. F. Leffler had volunteered for service in 1942, and was trained as a chemical warfare specialist. Leffler would serve in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. He was then sent to Aviation Cadet training. He would receive his commission in March of 1943. Upon graduation Leffler would be recognized for completing his training with no accidents. He received the Gold Star Merit Award.
2nd Lt. Lowell E. F. Leffler was a pilot of a B-24 Liberator. He received training at Santa Anna, Ontario, Merced and Palmdale, California, and Douglas Arizona. Leffler was ordered to pick up his B-24 at Topeka, Kansas and on 1 November 1943, he was ordered overseas.
While overseas, Lt. Leffler was on missions at the Battles on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. On 16 March 1944, Leffler would be promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Lt. Leffler was assigned as a B-24 pilot with the 27th Bomber Squadron, 30th Bomber Group, Heavy. on 10 April 1944, Lt. Leffler and his crew took off from Eniwetock on a bombing mission over the Truk Atoll. They had successfully completed the bombing mission and upon return the B-24J (#42-73289) exploded for unknown reasons. The crew was lost and all were declared missing in action. Crew listed below.
While in service Lt. E. F. Leffler was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
Lt. E. F. Leffler is remember Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall at the Marion Cemetery; as well as a family memorial in the Marion Cemetery.
Lt. E. F. Leffler is also remembered on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

CoPilotart
Article from the Big Spring Herald dated 10 February 1944, that mentions Leffler’s Crew via his co-pilot Lt. John H. Baily.

Crew of B-24J #42-73289:
1st Lt. Lowel E. F. Leffler, Pilot, OH
2nd Lt. John H. Baily, Co-Pilot, TX
SSgt. Gordon C. Berg, Gunner, WI
2nd Lt. David S. Clark, Navigator, NY
SSgt. John J. Kalter, Gunner, NY
TSgt. Henry Klock, Jr. , Engineer, NY
2nd Lt. Edward V. McDermott, Bombardier, RI
SSgt. Vernon F. Napolitano, Gunner, CA
TSgt. George C. Summers, Radio Operator, PA
SSgt. Earl B. Turner, Gunner, NY

Cpl. Hoyt M. Hollanshed – World War One Casualty

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 Hoyt Milton Hollanshed was born 2 July 1898, in Wyandot County, Ohio. He was the son of Orrin & Frances Hollanshed, both of Marion, Ohio. Hoyt attended a local Marion school then was working in the mechanical department of The Marion Daily Star.

Hollanshed joined the Michigan National Guard, at Flint Michigan, when he was 17 years old. He was part of the 125th Infantry in E Company of the 32nd Division. Hollanshed had served on the Mexican border prior to going overseas. In France he had participated in combat action in the Lorraine sector of France.

Letter to Parents:

Upon our arrival in our rest camp from our town of duty, in the trenches I received your last letter. I suppose that you are anxious to know how I got along facing the real enemy.
The first time we started in just at dusk. After we had hiked approximately three miles, we were halted and rested for some time. Just before we started on again our platoon commander came down the line and told me to allow no talking or noise, as we were nearing the line.
After we had hiked on for what seemed several miles we entered another small town. We had been proceeding with much precaution to keep from making any noise.

They’re Much Startled
While we were resting in what was once a very pretty village, but now a mass ruins, a bugler of another company stepped out and blew taps. We were very much startled to hear it so near the line.
We marched on until we met our guide. The ring of the machine gun companies and artillery could be heard very distinctly and some distance in front of us we could see flares going up. They would light the sky with a brilliant light.
Now we started on our final stretch through the trenches to our sector. We found that our artillery were sending Fritz his nightly rations of lead and steel. We were now on the frontline.
With an interpreter I started to [unknown] my relief guard. As soon as our guard would relieve some of the Frenchmen they would get their equipment and start away.

Up to us
It worried me very much to think that they were leaving. It was all up to us to hold this sector. Not being accustomed to the place we might have all been captured the first night. After I had posted my reliefs a flare pistol man went out to one of the posts and sent up a flare.
This was my first view of “No Man’s Land.” All I could see was masses of wire and shell holes. Everything was very quiet the first night. I slept most of the forenoon and in the afternoon a lieutenant brought me a map of our sector.
We looked on our map and saw that a town was located only a few meters from us. We looked for it and finally discovered what was once a village of 8,000. All that marked the place was a telegraph pole.
A boche observer balloon had been up all day and we had given it little attention. They knew that there would be some new troops in, so they planned a raid that night.

Shrapnel downpour.
Everything was very quiet the first part of the night. About midnight the Hun started a shrapnel downpour on our first line. I did not know that the boche had so many guns in their whole army. Is a very trying moment for me, for the shells were dropping and bursting all around me. A very strong sensation came over me. I did not dare let any of the men know I was worried, for I was in charge of them.
The barrage lasted fifty minutes and was the most trying time of my young life. As soon as the barrage lifted, we went up to the fire and could see some one moving around in our wire and we opened up on them and we had the mountains ringing for miles with the reports of our rifles.
I cannot see how they came out. We only had two casualties. That was the first real experience with the boche.

From The Marion Daily Star – Letter to parents.
The letter was dated 10 July 1918 (only part of this letter was published)

Corporal Hollanshed was killed in action near Cierges, France, on 31 July 1918. At the time of his death The Marion Daily Star reported that he was the “First Marion Soldier Who Is Killed in France.”
Cpl. Hoyt M. Hollanshed is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Cpl. Hoyt M. Hollanshed 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.