First Armored Division

Pvt. Malen C. Shirk, 68th Field Artillery, Killed in the Line of Duty, 1943

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Malen Charles Shirk was born 28 September 1917, in Raymond, Ohio. His parents are Herber L. & Neva V. (Wright) Shirk. Malen C. Shirk had two brothers in service at the time of his death; Pvt. Lester Shirk overseas; Kenneth Shirk serving with the United States Navy. Malen C. Shirk attended Broadway High School. Prior to entering service Malen was employed with his father, on a farm east of Broadway, Ohio.
Malen C. Shirk entered service 25 February 1942, at Fort Hayes Columbus, Ohio.

Pvt. Malen C. Shirk was assigned to the Battery B, 68th Field Artillery, First Armored Division “Old Ironsides.” While serving in North Africa, it appears that Pvt. Shirk was wounded. His parents were advised that an accident occurred at the docks. A shell fragment caused an abdominal injury, that was fatal.

Pvt. Malen C. Shirk died of his wounds on 25 March 1943. His remains appear to have been returned to Ohio and were buried in the Raymond Cemetery, Raymond, Union County, Ohio.

Malen C. Shirk 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.

Sgt. Clarence A. Roseberry, Graduate of Harding High School, Killed in Action, 1944

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Clarence Albert Roseberry was born on 7 November 1912, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are John M. & Oda (Uncapher) Roseberry. At the time of Clarence Roseberry’s death he had a brother serving with the United States Marine Corps, PFC Carl Roseberry. Clarence Roseberry graduated from Harding High School, with the Class of 1932. Clarence was taking classes preparing him for college and was recognized for his engineering skills. He served as Vice President of the Harding Vocational Department.

Clarence A. Roseberry graduated from engineering school at Tri-State College, Angola, Indiana. He then returned to Marion and worked for the Marion County Engineers, as a surveyor.

On 13 February 1941, Clarence entered service. He received his training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It was here that he advanced in rank to Sergeant (Sgt.). He was trained as a range-finder for the field artillery. Sgt. Roseberry was assigned to the 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Armored Division “Old Ironsides.” Sgt. Roseberry was with the Division when it went to Ireland and then saw service in the North African Campaign. He would then move on to serve in central Italy and later was transferred to the Anzio beachhead.

He had written a letter to his family describing some of the action he was involved in and life in a three foot foxhole. He started the letter in ink and finished it in pencil. “It’s too hot to get my pen refilled.” Referring to the combat action at the beachhead. He then wrote, “My buddy has started to cook and there isn’t room enough in one fox hole to write and cook at the same time.”

Sgt. Clarence A. Roseberry was killed in action at Anzio, on 27 February 1944. He was reported to have died from artillery shrapnel. He had served on the front lines in Italy for 52 days. Sgt. Roseberry is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy.

Clarence A. Roseberry 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.