SSgt. Richard G. Hawkins Killed While Flying Secret Mission for the French Resistance, 1944

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Richard Guy Hawkins was born 23 July 1921, Montpelier, Ohio. His parents were Guy & Alda F. (Case) Hawkins. His father had died in 1937, prior to Richard’s enlistment. His mother was living in Marion at the time of Richard’s death. Richard G. Hawkins graduated from Harding High School with the Class of 1940. He worked at Fairfield Engineering prior to entering service.

Richard G. Hawkins entered service 2 October 1942. While in service Hawkins married Ruth “Virginia” (Kennedy), on 5 October 1943, in Los Angeles, California.

After entering service with the Army Air Corps., Richard G. Hawkins was assigned to the crew of a B-24 Liberator (42-40550) “Charlie,” as a tail-gunner. He went overseas for service in December of 1943. Hawkins attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) and was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 801st Bomb Group, 406th Bombardment Squadron. They flew “Carpetbagger” missions. These were missions to support the French Resistance, buy reconnoitering the operations area, supplying the resistance, dropping in agents and dropping leaflets and other activity. This was all to support the O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services)
SSgt. Hawkins and crew had participated in 17 missions. SSgt Hawkins had been awarded the Air Medal in March of 1944.

On 12 June 1944, Hawkins’ wife, Virginia Hawkins, received a telegram from the Adjutant General. The telegram reported that her husband was reported as missing in action, since 28 May 1944. It was reported that he was missing while over Belgium. SSgt. Hawkins’ wife was living with his mother at the time, and she would have also been aware of this news. Virginia was also notified by a friend of SSgt Hawkins, who was in the same unit, of the incident. The friend stated that he was in the plane behind Hawkins’ plane and witnessed the plane being shot. He stated that the plane was shot and seemed to explode in mid-air. He said the plane was disabled and the pilot had to drop out of formation.

It was not until 7 September 1944, that Virginia Hawkins received another telegram stating, “Reports now received from the German government, through the International Red Cross, states that your husband, previously reported missing in action, died on May 29 as a result of wounds received in action over Belgium.”

The Crew at Harrington in early 1944 (See end of article for names)

The mission that SSgt. Richard G. Hawkins and crew were on was a mission to find a French resistance radio station and communicate with them. They were also to drop weapons and supplies to the resistance. This was only a week prior to the Invasion of Normandy. The Plane was piloted by Lt. Henry W. Wolcott III. He explains the mission as follows:

Our B-24 (42-40550) “Charlie”, took off from Harrington for its target in Belgium on the night of May 28th, 1944, just a week before the invasion of Normandy. We arrived at the drop zone at about 1 a.m. on May 29th. Belgian sources state that at that time the plane was flying a secret mission named “Osric 53” dropping arms and material for the resistance in Henegouwen.

On this mission, however, there was no reception at the target, so the plane headed back to Harrington. “Then at approximately 1.30 a.m. we were attacked by a German night fighter” said Wolcott. “Both starboard engines were hit and the aircraft was on fire. Attempts to put out the flames failed so I gave the order to bail out”. All the crew members except Sgt. Richard Hawkins successfully reached the ground. Hawkins was found near the place where the aircraft lay on the ground, his parachute unopened. “Why he didn’t exit the aircraft as the rest of the crew exited has been and always will be a mystery which haunts me to this day,” said Wolcott.

Lt. Henry W. Wolcott

Note: this was prior to Wolcott learning from a French Resistance member the details of Hawkins’ body being discovered.

The plane that would attack and down the B-24 (42-40550) “Charlie“, was German Luftwaffe pilot Hauptmann Josef Krahforst. He was a night fighter with the II./NJG 4, who was flying from Florennes airfield. NJG 4 stands for Nachtjagdgeschwader or Night Fighter Wing 4, II is 2nd Group. He was flying the German JU-88.

The pilot and crew with the exception of SSgt. Hawkins would parachute and separately link up with the French Resistance, the very group they were supporting and supplying. The resistance hid Lt. Henry Wolcott in a Catholic school and in homes supporting the resistance. He soon met another American pilot who was also being helped by the resistance. During his evasion he did not meet the rest of his crew. They were all moved separately.

Lt. Wolcott was turned in to the Gestapo by a couple who said they would assist him to Switzerland. He was taken to Brussels and placed in a prison. He was later placed on a “Ghost Train” bound for Germany. The train was transporting prisoners of war and Jewish prisoners. The resistance delayed the trains departure for six days, hoping the Allied Armies would be able to liberate them.

After the war, Lt. Henry Wolcott returned to his hometown and worked as an accountant. He was haunted by not knowing if he could have done more to save the only crew member, Richard G. Hawkins, that perished. Wolcott finally was able to visit the Grave of Hawkins, in Europe. He also wanted to find those that helped him when he was evading the Germans. He made a trip and met up with a resistance member, George De Cooman.

George De Cooman was one of the resistance members who saw the plane as it came down. De Cooman and his brother went to the plane when it crashed. He told Wolcott that nearby they found the body of Hawkins wearing his parachute. He was informed that Hawkins had not deployed his parachute and that his injuries were fatal and had occurred when the plane was shot in the air. De Cooman and his brother hastily wrapped Hawkins in his parachute. They came under fire from the Germans who also witnessed the plane crash. Under fire from the Germans, they were able to make their escape with the body of Hawkins. They took him to a convent for burial.

De Cooman had waited for fifty years for someone from the crew to visit. He had kept some belongings of SSgt. Hawkins. He turned over to Wolcott; a piece of Hawkins’ parachute, made into a silk handkerchief (it was embroidered with the date of the crash), some pieces of metal, foam and plastic wreckage from the plane; an American flag; and a picture of Hawkins that was on him at the time of his death.

Henry Wolcott found relief in that there was nothing he could have done to save Hawkins. He visited the military grave that Hawkins was moved to, in Ardennes American Cemetery, in Belgium. There the Belgians held a memorial service while Wolcott was present.

When Wolcott returned he contacted the living crew members and tried to find the family of Hawkins. Hawkins’ mother and widow left Marion and Wolcott was unable to locate any family as of 2001. The author of this article does not know if Wolcott did make contact with Hawkins’ family before his death in August 2011.

SSgt. Richard G. Hawkins is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

SSgt. Richard G. Hawkins is also 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.

The crew of the B-24 Liberator (42-40550) “Charlie” pictured above at Harrington in early 1944.
Standing, L-R:
William G. Ryckman – Navigator (Evader)
Henry W. Wolcott III – Pilot (Evader)
Robert F. Auda – Copilot (Evader)
Wallis O. Cozzens – Bombardier (Evader)
Kneeling, L-R:
Dirvin D. Deihl – Engineer (Evader)
Richard G. Hawkins – Gunner (DOW)
Frederick A. Tuttle – Gunner (Evader)
Dale S. Loucks – Radio Operator (Evader)

There is also a Memorial for the Carpetbaggers.

Isaiah C. Jones Civil War Veteran and Marion Firefighter

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Isaiah Carpenter Jones was born on 7 December 1831, in Pleasant Township, Marion County, Ohio. His parents are James J. & Abigail (Carpenter) Jones, both were born in Wurtemburg, Germany. His mother died when he was four and his father then married Abigail’s sister, Harriet (Carpenter). Harriet raised the children. Isaiah was raised on the family farm on Green Camp Pike. He assisted his father until he married and relocated to Marion.

Isaiah C. Jones married Dorothy (Hinamon) on 3 April 1859 and together they had four children. The children of this union were Margaret, Harriett, William and Ethel.

Isaiah served his country during the Civil War. Isaiah Jones is listed as a Corporal with the 82nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). It appears he enlisted for three years service on 12 August 1862. He is then listed on the roster of the Company A, 120th Regiment, OVI. He attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. This promotion likely came with a transfer to the 120th Regiment. He resigned on 14 January 1863. Discharged 14 January 1863 as a Second Lieutenant.

When Isaiah returned from the war, he began his trade as a carpenter. He also volunteered at the Marion Fire Department. His home was next to the Central Fire House on Prospect St. In 1870 Jones was listed as a foreman with the fire department and again in 1870, he was listed as an Assistant Foreman of the Minutemen. He often drove the first horse drawn hose cart, due to him living next to the firehouse. The Marion Daily Star reported that it was seldom that he missed a fire. Even after the department began using motorized fire equipment and regular men were put into service, Jones remained on the rolls as a minuteman.

Jones on left (Full Photo is Below)

A couple of years after T. J. McFarland became the full-time Fire Chief, Isaiah C. Jones, called on the Chief and informed him that he felt he was too old to perform his fire duties. Jones felt he would probably quit the department. Chief McFarland never struck Jones’ name from the roster and at the time of his death, in 1914, Jones was still officially on the department rolls, making his service at nearly 50 years.

Jones worked in the grocery business for about two years prior to becoming the janitor at the Marion schools. Jones also served for a time as the town Constable and Assessor.

In 1888 he became the janitor for the Union School. The Union School was located on West Center Street and later became the Marion High School. While working at the school it was said that he was much beloved by the students for his “kind manners and friendly demeanor.” He worked at the school until about three years prior to his death.

It was often reported that Mr. Jones was of high and good character. The Marion Daily Star said that he was “always Christian,” he and his wife, “devoted much of their time to assisting in building up the church.” In the schools he is said to have won the respect of the children and they often talked of him in their homes.

While here he has made many friends not only among the scholars, but also among their parents. He allows the pupils just as many minutes for exercise as he possibly can. He always keeps the building orderly and the ventilation perfect. He takes great interest in the flower beds and looks after them as if they were his own.
Our janitor is known by some of the boys as the “High School Judge,” for he is the stake-holder of all bets on foot-ball games, base-ball games, prize fights and elections. He dislikes to see any of the scholars late at the school and he can be seen standing out in front, looking to see if they are all here, before he sounds the tardy gong.
Mr. Jones is also a member of the Marion fire department, having joined in 1857. Any of our fathers can tell us how, in his younger days, he used to drive the team to the fire engine.

Excerpt from the History of Class of 1898

In 1909 The Marion Daily Star reported on the 50th Wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Isaiah Jones. Mr. Jones is reported to have commented, “We have never quarreled during all those years.” The celebration was held at the home of his daughter, Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Bush. In this article it was reported that Jones was one of the original members of the fire department and had served on it for forty-five years. He was also at this time serving as janitor for 22 years for Marion schools and 16 years at the Marion High School.

Margaret L. Jones, daughter of Isaiah C. Jones was married to Eli E. Bush in 1881. Eli was a prominent real estate developer in Marion and later was connected with the Marion Bank.
Note: Eli E. Bush later married another daughter of Isaiah C. Jones, after Margaret died of tuberculosis This wife was Ethel M. (Jones), youngest child of Isaiah C. Jones.

Isaiah C. Jones died on 31 January 1914, from cancer of the eye and skull. Two of his four children preceded him in death. The Marion Daily Star reported He was buried in the Marion Cemetery.

Horse Drawn Hose Cart in Front of Old City Hall (Market Bldg.) This building housed both Police and Fire Departments as well as City Offices.

William Fies, Jr. Civil War Veteran & Marion Fire Chief

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William Fies, Jr. was born on 17 October 1841, in Emmendingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. His parents are Wilhelm & Magdalena (Egel) Fies. He emigrated with his parents from Germany. The family arrived in Marion, Ohio, in 1852. William Fies, Jr. was eleven years old when they arrived in Marion. He later became a cabinet maker in the now growing city.

When the Civil War began, William Fies enlisted into service. He enlisted on 30 October 1861, into B Company, 64th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.). The 64th Infantry served with the Army of the Cumberland. Fies attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.) and saw action in the Battle of Shiloh, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. Fies was injured at the Battle of Stone River aka the Second Battle of Murfreesboro. He later served in the Atlanta Campaign. At the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, Sgt. Fies was among those captured and he was sent to the Andersonville prisoner of war camp. Upon being released Fies was boarded on the side-wheeled steamboat Sultana. The Sultana’s boilers exploded near Memphis, Tennessee. The boat was overcrowded and nearly 1,200 souls were lost. Fies was among the survivors.

William T. Fies, Jr. was a sergeant in Company B, 64th Ohio Infantry in the Civil War. He was captured on November 30, 1864 at the Battle of Franklin, TN and confined in the Confederate prison at Andersonville, GA. In April 1865 he was sent to a neutral parole camp near Vicksburg, MS. On April 24, he and almost 2,000 other recently released Union prisoners-of-war were crowded aboard the Mississippi steamboat Sultana for shipment home. At 2:00 a.m. on April 27, 1865, when the Sultana was seven miles above Memphis, TN, the boilers exploded. Almost 1,200 people died.

From The History of Marion, Ohio

Those not killed instantly were fighting for their lives in the burning wreckage or cold floodwaters. With a bleeding face, a severely burned hand, and dislocated shoulder, Fies tied a bundle of wood to help him float and abandoned ship. One man jumped ship and landed on him; another grabbed him in a desperate attempt to keep from drowning. Fies fought them off and, with his damaged shoulder, swam away. When he could swim no more and began to accept his imminent death, a man on a large board floated near. Fies clamped onto the board, and the frightened man tried to shake Fies off by rolling repeatedly. The man tired and drowned, and Fies took over the board. After floating a great while, Fies reached a tree and perched there. Hours later, rescuers arrived and took Fies to a Memphis hospital.

https://www.tnvacation.com/civil-war/person/2138/william-fies/

Sgt. William Fies was transferred back to Ohio, to the Tripler Military Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. Here he recuperated from his burns and shoulder injury. On 30 May 1865 William Fies was mustered out of service.

William Fies, Jr. then returned to Marion, where he went into the furniture business. He also married Justus (Haberman) on 14 November 1867. They were the parents of eight children during their marriage. Up until 1877 he was in a partnership making and selling furniture. The business was Fies, Schaffner & Dreyer. He then opened his own business in which he made and sold furniture and operated as an undertaker and embalmer until 1 October 1902. William Fies was a member of the Cooper Post, #117, Grand Army of the Republic.

William Fies, Jr. was also active in Marion politics. He served at least four terms as City Clerk and served on other boards and positions. He served on the Marion Volunteer Fire Department. This period was between 1880 and June of 1900. Of those city positions, he was appointed as Chief of the Fire Department for twenty years.

As the Fire Chief Fies was noted for making improvements to the Marion Fire Department during his time as chief. In May of 1890 he oversaw the purchase of 1,700 feet of new cotton fire hose. He also, had the purchase of 12 firemen’s coats and 24 hats. The department was reorganized under his supervision. Under this reorganization, the department will consist of three paid men and thirty-seven call men. Stationed at the City Building will be a two-horse hose cart, the hook & ladder and a backup engine. Huber will run a hose cart and the West End station will have a hose cart.

Efforts began in 1890 to purchase the fire alarm system, and a Gamewell system, recommended by Chief Fies in December of 1890, was finally installed in March of 1895. After installation of the Gamewell systems, the following instructions were given for turning in a fire alarm. “Run to the nearest alarm box; break the glass in the door, turn the key, open the door, and pull down the lever. Then let go of the lever and wait till department arrives to direct them to the fire. Don’t pull the lever the second time. To send in a still alarm, report the place of the fire to the telephone exchange and the exchange will call the fire department. Do not try to call the department by phone.” Previous to the installation of the Gamewell system, the practice for turning in a fire was as follows; A person would have to run to City Hall, and ring the town bell, according to the ward where the fire was located, for example, one ring would indicate the first ward. The firefighters would then go to that ward, and use whatever means were possible to find the fire. It has been said that if smoke were smelled, the drivers could turn loose of the horses’ reins and they would locate the fire simply by following the smell of the smoke.

By 1891 the fire department had four paid men, 20 volunteers, and a ten man force from both the Huber Company, and the Marion Power Shovel. Chief William Fies decided to retire in June of 1900 and a new chief was sought out.

From History of the Marion Fire Department by Chief Phil Reid (Retired)

Chief Fies also called for the citizens to stop faultfinding and says he wants, “The yelling to stop at fires too,” and proposes to do it if he has to turn on a hose. The Marion Daily Star goes on to point out that with waterworks there will be sufficient nozzles to fulfill this purpose. It may also be noted that the department under Chief Fies had been on the trail of a “gang of youngsters” who were breaking the glass in alarm box 37. They had nightly been doing this nightly and it was said that the department was “anxious to make examples of these offenders.

There is still a building in downtown Marion, Ohio, bearing the Fies name. This building is located at 147/151 South Main Street. The building has the name “1882 Fies & Kling Bldg,” aka the Fies Kling Block. It is the current location of the Marion Brewing Company and The Way We Were Antiques.

William Fies, Jr. died on 22 November 1920, in Marion, Ohio. He is buried in the Marion Cemetery

William Fies, Jr. is remembered for his military service on the walls of the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Memorial Chapel, at the Marion Cemetery; on Column 19, 64th OVI, Co. B. “Fies, W.”

Michael R. Landes Caledonia Volunteer Fire Department, Line of Duty Death, 1976 (Also a Full-Time Lt. with the Marion Township Fire Department)

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Michael Robert Landes was born on 14 October 1943, in Caledonia, Ohio. His parents are Robert C. & Virginia K. (Sartin) Landes, younger brother Donald (Porkie) Landes, older sister Patricia who married the now deceased Gerald Bowers and an infant sibling who died at birth. His early years were spent living between Caledonia and Bucyrus until his parents purchased a home on South High Street in Caledonia. Michael attended Caledonia High School, where he played on the baseball team and was a part of the final class of 23 students to receive their diplomas from Caledonia in 1963, after this, students were at the newly constructed River Valley High School in Claridon, Ohio.


After high school Michael joined the U.S Navy where he was stationed off the coast of Africa and worked as a cook during the Vietnam War. He tried his best to make the bland military food appealing to his shipmates and was known to barter an extra hamburger or two in exchange for cigarettes or premium laundry service. In August of 1968 he was honorably discharged with a rank of Culinary Specialist Third Class (CS3).

Michael R. Landes was involved in the community he was raised in. He served on the Caledonia Council, was a member in several clubs and organizations. He served on the newly formed First Consolidated Fire Department as the Emergency Medical Service Coordinator for the department. He was also a barber by trade.

Shortly after the Navy he attended Andrew’s Barber College in Columbus Ohio, and after receiving his barbers license, he opened Mike’s Barber Shop in Cardington, Ohio, in addition to joining the Caledonia volunteer fire department.

One night after work in October of 1970 he was introduced to Jean A. Boston by a mutual friend and was immediately smitten, so much so he was known to play the song “Jean” whenever a jukebox was available. The two were married May 1, 1971, and had two children Michelle (Mitzi) R. and David W.

In February of 1971, he began as one of the original 10 full time members of the Marion Township Fire Department working under Chief Harry Burdick. Landes was promoted to Lieutenant when the
department expanded to three shifts. He was assigned to lead A-shift. The original group of ten all came from varying backgrounds none of which was previous fire service with the exception of volunteer work. The crew worked well together and were known for playing practical jokes on one another during down time. Being a small department with only a $100,000 budget to work with ($771,000 in today’s economy) and no paramedic squad in the fleet the firefighters purchased and outfitted a chassis truck at the cost of $18,500 and placed it into service in early 1973.

Wanting to also be of service to his home community of Caledonia, he ran for a vacant seat and won the election to have a seat as a member of the Caledonia Village Council in November of 1975.

On the morning of 26 February 1976, Landes was driving a water tanker truck from the Caledonia Fire Department to a reported structure fire. He and two other firefighters were responding in the tanker. It was reported that when Landes turned the tanker right from Caledonia’s High Street onto State Route 309, he realized the brakes had failed. He then lost control of the tanker and the truck rolled, throwing himself and another firefighter from the vehicle. All three firefighters were injured, but Landes suffered fatal injuries while he was pinned beneath the truck.

Michael died of his injuries and left behind his parents, wife, Jean, and two minor children. Landes’ death was in the line of duty and was grieved by his many friends and coworkers. Michael R. Landes was 32 years old when he died. He is buried in the New Caledonia Cemetery, Caledonia, Marion County, Ohio.

He is also remembered on the Marion County Firefighters Memorial located at the front of the Marion Cemetery. His daughter Michelle worked as a dispatcher for the Marion Township Fire Department and was an administrative assistant upon retiring. Michelle’s 3 children, Erica, Michael and Sophia have also
done their part with MTFD and being legacies of the department have been known to suit up as Sparky the Fire Dog at community parades and events.

Michael’s son David also has worked in fire service working wild-land fires in the Carolinas and Tennessee, he is currently an Independent Contractor in San Marcos Texas.

Thank You to David Landes for assisting in writing this article and Jean for her assistance with providing valuable information. Thanks to all of the family of Michael Landes for their sacrifice in keeping our community safe.

PFC Clarence C. Otto, Jr., Killed in Action, 1945

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Clarence C. Otto, Jr. was born in Logansport, Indiana. His parents were Clarence C. Otto, Sr. & Magdelena “Lena” (Mueller) Otto. Clarence C. Otto, Jr. (aka C. C.) was a twin of Martin Otto. The family moved to Marion, Ohio, shortly after their birth. The twins attended Harding High School and graduated together with the Class of 1942. C. C. Otto was employed with Erie Railroad prior to his enlistment.

C. C. Otto’s twin, Martin, was serving in the United States Marine Corps, in the South Pacific during World War Two. And they had another brother, Sergeant Jacob Otto, serving in the Army Air Corps in England, with the Eighth Air Force prior to transferring to the infantry. Both Martin and Jacob survived the war.

Clarence C. Otto entered the Army Engineer Corps on 20 March 1943. He attended training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas and Camp Carson, Colorado. After training he was able to return home on furlough in October of 1943, before being sent overseas in November. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).

PFC Clarence C. Otto, Jr., was serving in Germany with the Army Engineers Corps when he died in action on 23 February 1945.

PFC Clarence C. Otto, Jr. is buried in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.

Clarence C. Otto, Jr. 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.