Second Armored Division

SSgt. William J. McEldowney

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William James McEldowney was born on 9 January 1914, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are Alva McEldowney & Hazel Houser. William had two brothers serving in World War Two; Pvt. Dale McEldowney and Sgt. Paul S. McEldowney. William J. McEldowney was married to Jennie (Thomas). He was employed in the restaurant business in both Marion and California, prior to entering service.

William J. McEldoney was enlisted on 29 April 1942, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He took training at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Camp Sutton and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He had also volunteered to test with the Medical Corps.

McEldowney attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt). SSgt. McEldowney was serving with the 67th Armored Regiment, Second Armored Division “Hell on Wheels.” He was a veteran of combat in Africa, Sicily and France. SSgt. McEldowney was killed in action on 5 October 1944, in Germany. SSgt. William J. SSgt. McEldowney is buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium.

Among his awards include; Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with 6 Battle Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.

William J. McEldowney 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.

Pvt. Clifford E. Long – World War Two Casualty

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Clifford Emmett Long was born on 26 October 1916, in Gallia, Ohio. His parents are Grover C. & Rosa A. Long. He had several brothers and sisters; one brother, Pvt. Carl Long, who had recently entered service. Clifford E. Long was married on 2 August 1938, to Elizabeth (Miller) and together they had four children. He was a stock clerk and worked at the Universal Cooler Corporation, prior to being drafted into service.
Clifford E. Long entered service 13 March 1944, at Fort Thomas Newport, Kentucky.

He would receive his training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then went overseas in September of 1944. Pvt. Long served with the 66th Armored Infantry Regiment “Burt’s Knights”, 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels.”

On 2 March 1945, Pvt. Clifford E. Long was killed in action in Germany. Pvt. Long left behind his wife and four children, aged nine months to five years old.

Pvt. Clifford E. Long is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands.

Pvt. Clifford E. Long is remembered on the 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; and on the Universal Cooler Corp. Honor Roll.