Fourth Infantry Division

Pvt. Sam Anges Died of Wound Received in Action, 1918

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Sam Anges was born on 16 February 1893, in Esperia, Provincia di Frosinone, Lazio, Italy. Marion information shows that Sam Anges and Pietro Pisacreta both filed for citizenship and received papers on 23 July 1917. The pair then went directly to the recruiting station to enlist. They stated that they would rather serve with American army rather than their native army.

Sam Anges enlisted on 3 May 1918, at the Columbus Barracks. Pvt. Sam Anges served in Company A, 59th Infantry Regiment, Fourth Infantry Division “IVey Division.” He was a private and was a veteran of the Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne offensive. On 21 July 1918, records indicate Pvt. Anges was wounded in action. His wounds and severity were not recorded. On 2 October 1918 Pvt. Anges died of wounds received in action.

Sam Anges is buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial,Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France.
Sam Amges 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.

Note: Sam Anges’ named is spelled (incorrectly) Auges, on both Honor Rolls located in Marion, Ohio.

PFC James G. Tillman Killed in Action, 1944

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James Gerald Tillman was born on 5 May 1914, in Green Camp, Ohio. His parents are Earl & Nellie D. (Huffman) Tillman. James’ father preceded him in death. James also had a brother, Earl J. Tillman, who served in the United States Army. Prior to entering service, James was employed as a painter. James G. Tillman was married on 27 April 1935, in Marion, to Stella V. (Noggle) Tillman of Kenton.

James G. Tillman entered service 4 August 1942. James attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). Tillman attended training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Camp Gordon Johnston, Florida. Tillman was sent overseas in January of 1944. PFC Tillman was serving in Europe with the 29th Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division “IVy.” PFC Tillman was a veteran of the D-Day Landings. Among his awards are the Bronze Star Medal. PFC. James G. Tillman was killed in action on 29 August 1944, near La Rainey, France. It was reported that he was killed by an accident rocket launcher discharge.

PFC James G. Tillman is buried in Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France.

James G. Tillman 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.

Tech5 John A. Truitt, 8th Infantry Regiment, Killed in Action, 1944

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John Albert Truitt was born 30 Mar 1915, in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio. His parents are Solomon & Cecil B. (Graham) Truitt. John A. Truitt attended St. Mary Parochial School. He was employed at worked at Baker Wood Preserving Company, prior to entering service.

John A. Truitt enlisted on 11 July 1941, at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He was sent overseas in December of 1943. He was stationed in England to a half-track crew in a mechanized unit. Truitt attained the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (Tech5), and was serving with the 8th Infantry Regiment, Fourth Infantry Division “Ivy.” The 8th Infantry Regiment assaulted Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. The 8th Infantry was the first of the 4th Infantry Division’s regiments put ashore. It appears Tech5 Truitt was killed in action during Operation Overlord, on 16 June 1944.

Tech5 John A. Truitt is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.

John A. Truitt 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. Paul E. Riley Killed in Action, 1944

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Paul E. Riley was born on 20 September 1919, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are Knelton Arthur & Bessie G. (Bair) Riley of Marion. Riley attended Harding High School. He had two brothers also serving; Burton Riley serving as Seaman First Class (S1C), in the South Pacific; and Knelton Riley serving as a Air Cadet at Childress, Texas.

Paul E. Riley had entered service on 7 March 1939, while a student at Harding High School and served with Marion’s D Company of the Ohio National Guard prior to his assignment in Europe. He had seen assignments in Panama, Iceland, England and Belgium prior to be sent to Luxembourg. Riley had attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt) and was assigned to the Coast Artillery. He was then transferred to the 22nd Infantry Regiment, Fourth Infantry Division “IVy,” about one week prior to his death.

Sgt. Paul E. Riley was killed in action on 26 December 1944. He is buried in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.

Sgt. Paul Riley 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. William J. Maniaci Killed in Action, 1944

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William Joseph Maniaci was born 7 July 1921, in Utica, Ohio. He is the son of Nick & Nancy Maniaci.
William J. Maniaci graduated from the St. Mary Parochial School, with the Class of 1939. Prior to entering service he worked at the Home Super Market on Silver Street.

William J. Maniaci entered service on 30 July 1942. He attended training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; Camp Croft, North Carolina; Camp Butner, North Carolina; Camp Gordon, Georgia and Fort Dix New Jersey. In July of 1943, it was announced that Private Maniaci would be assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program at Syracuse University. He was to attend with fellow Marionite, Pvt. James J. Pfeiffer. They were classified in basic engineering. They were to be instructed on English, history, math, geography, chemistry, physics, physical training and military science. He was later assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Back to Fort Dix; Camp Gordon and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

William J. Maniaci was sent for overseas duty in January 1944, arriving in England, until D-Day.
He served as an infantryman in H Company, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division “IVy.” He had written a letter to his parents, dated 22 July 1944, in which he stated that he had been part of the battle at Cherbourg. During this battle, Maniaci sustained a shrapnel wound to his arm. Maniaci had attained the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. William J. Maniaci was killed in action near St. Lo, France, on 26 July 1944. He was temporarily buried in France. In July of 1948, the remains of Sgt, William J. Maniaci were returned to Marion, Ohio. The Bird McGinnis Post No. 162, American Legion conducted military honors.

Sgt. William J. Maniaci is buried in the Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Marion, Ohio. Sgt. Maniaci 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.