Jeremiah R. Wood was the son of William M. & Mary Evalinda (Parker) Wood. Jeremiah’s death was reported with him as being from Agosta, Ohio. His parents are buried in Agosta Cemetery, New Bloomington, Ohio.
It appears that Jeremiah was in Missouri when he entered service. The Marion Daily Star reported that he was in the Marines for seven years. He is also listed as only a Private and had entered service on 13 June 1917. He may have been discharged prior to the United States entering World War One and then reenlisted.
It also appears that Pvt. Jeremiah R. Wood was serving in the United States Marine Corps. with the 5th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division. His date of death is reported as being on 6 June 1918. On this date the 5th Marines were in their first combat action at Bois de Belleau. This was during the campaign of Chateau-Thierry (Aisne).
He was listed in THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN: Dated WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1918. on pg. 8, as one of those “Killed in Action.” In the El Paso Herald there was also a Jeremiah Wood, from Agosta, Ohio, listed as killed in action.
Also killed on that date with the 5th Marines, was Daniel A. “Pop” Hunter. The following is an account of Pop Hunter’s actions. Pvt. Wood was killed in this same heroic action.
Hunter’s first combat assignment in World War I was in the Defensive Sector at Verdun (Toulon). On June 6, 1918, the 67th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division (Army), American Expeditionary Forces, were posed to participate in their first major conflict in the campaign of Chateau-Thierry (Aisne) at a place called Bois de Belleau, French for Belleau Wood. At approximately 0350 hours, first Sergeant “Pop” Hunter stepped out of the treeline where his men were poised. He checked the line to ensure the men were properly formed and seeing they were to his satisfaction, raised his cane overhead and blew his whistle, giving the command for the line to move forward, with him and the commanding officer in the lead. Boldly the 67th company followed their First Sergeant across a wheat field headed to the copse of woods where the Germans lay in wait. It wasn’t long until the German’s began mowing the wheat field with their Maxim machine-guns and artillery, taking a heavy toll on the advancing Marines. The Marines would eventually seize the day and eventually Belleau Wood, but at a heavy cost. Pop Hunter was one of the casualties. He had been wounded on three separate occasions during the attack. Each time he was hit, Pop Hunter rose up and rallied his men forward, until he was shot in the head and killed.
Jeremiah (Jerimiah) R. Wood 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.
Lester O. Tanner was born on 3 August 1925, in West Virginia. His father is George M. Tanner, who died while Lester was young. Lester’s mother is Mrs. Sylvia Cremeans, who lived in Cheshire, Gallia, Ohio. Lester lived with his grandparents, Albert & Maggie Martin, since he was four years of age. Lester came to Marion with his grandparents, from Point Pleasant, Ohio, in 1940. Lester’s brother, PFC George Tanner, was also serving during the war and was later listed as Missing in Action. Lester O. Tanner had attended Pleasant Township School.
Lester O. Tanner left for Texas at the age of sixteen and entered service in 1942. He was stationed at Camp Wolter, Texas and Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Lester was sent overseas in September of 1943. Pvt. Tanner was serving with 38th Infantry Regiment “Rock of the Marne,” Second Infantry Division “Second to None.”
The last letter he sent was written on stationery he found in a foxhole. The paper had belonged to a dead German soldier. The paper was described as being of a coarse yellowish paper. Pvt. Lester O. Tanner was reported MIA as of 26 July 1944. He was later reported as Killed in Action on 28 July 1944.
Pvt. Lester O. Tanner is buried in Beale Chapel Cemetery, Apple Grove, Mason County, West Virginia. Lester O. Tanner 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.
William Eugene “Bud” Norton was born on 19 January 1923, in Little Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio. His parents are Lewis A. & Glady K. (Swihart) Norton of Marion. Also serving was his brother, Pvt. Robert Norton, stationed in Belgium with an anti-aircraft unit. William E. Norton attended Harding High School. He was employed with Huber Manufacturing Company, where his father had also been employed.
William E. Norton entered service on 11 February 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. He attended training at Camps in Texas, Oregon and Washington. Norton attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC) and was assigned to the Medical Corps.
PFC William E. Norton was then transferred to the 23rd Infantry Regiment “Tomahawk Regiment”, 2nd Infantry Division “Second to None.” He saw service in England, France and Belgium. PFC Norton was injured in action on 16 January 1945.
His family received a telegram that said Bud had been wounded, so they started to prepare the house in order to take care of him. The next day another telegram came that said there was a mistake and that William had been killed in action. The family was told that he had been seriously wounded and had frozen to death while laying in the snowy battlefield.
Unknown Source
PFC William E. Norton was killed in action on 19 January 1945, near Eibertingen, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium. He is buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium.
William E. Norton 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.
Kathleen Brammer of Marion, Ohio, follows in her family’s standing tradition of military service to country. Her grandfather served in the Army Air Corps and later as a civilian contractor, her grandmother served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, her mother served in the United States Air Force, and her father served in the United States Navy. Kathleen is one of four siblings to serve in the armed forces; she has a brother, who served in both the U. S. Navy and U. S. Army; another brother who served in the U. S. Army; and a sister who served in the U. S. Air Force.
Brammer attended Pleasant High School and transferred to Harding High School for her senior year. While at both Pleasant and Harding, Brammer was part of the marching band’s color guard. During high school, Brammer would also attend Tri-Rivers Career Center, in the Cosmetology program, gaining her Esthetician certification. She was also trained in first aide and CPR. After graduation she decided to follow in her families tradition of military service, by enlisting into the United States Army.
Kathleen Brammer started her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in early 2020. She would be one of the first groups of trainees to train during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the midst of training the armed forces as well as the rest of the world, would have to begin transitioning into the new and sometimes challenging, COVID precautions era.
When asked how did COVID affect you, she said, “Covid affected basically everything. Our families weren’t allowed to see us graduate either BCT (basic training) or AIT (advanced individual training). I didn’t see my family until I took leave a few months into being in Korea.” She also added, “Masking became routine. It was strange coming back and seeing people not wearing them. And there is a mandatory quarantine of 2 weeks when flying from the US to Korea. I didn’t mind it too much. It was fun, depending on the roommates.”
Brammer said she was able to write and receive letters while in basic training. She said they still used pen and paper, something that may have been foreign to the newer generation. But, mail call has been a lasting and ever cherished event in military service. She also shared that they were allowed 5 minute phone calls as they neared the end of the training cycle. This seems very much unchanged from when the author attended basic training over thirty years ago. Also, similar to past Fort Jackson veterans, she said she had to march and countermarch “Tank Hill.” And she said that she very much “hated it.” Another enduring part of training was the gas chamber and Victory Tower. Brammer said that she was very afraid of heights and the Drill Instructor (DI) could see it on her face. When she was getting in position at the edge of the tower, prepping for her repell, the DI put his boot on her shoulder as if to kick her off “his tower!” Brammer said she completed the confidence training at Victory Tower and would see the real life confidence she gained, while later at her permanent duty station.
After successfully completing basic training, Brammer would go on to Fort Lee, Virginia, for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). She would be trained as a 91-C “Utilities Repairer/HVAC Technician.” Brammer has memories of her and fellow trainees going to the Post Exchange (PX) to get snacks, which were not allowed in the rooms of trainees. They would buy the snacks and hide them all around their waistbands to get them into the quarters for a movie night. A little team building exercise.
After graduating from AIT, Brammer would be assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division “Second to None.” She was sent to her unit in South Korea. In Korea Brammer was promoted to the rank of Private First Class (Pfc.). This was her first experience outside of the United States. She would also have to learn to speak Korean, in order to get around; another first for her.
Pfc. Kathleen Brammer would get to use her new job skills while in real duty situations. She has earned the Army Achievement Medal and multiple Certificates of Recognition, for her successful task completions. One that she shared was when she was able to make repairs needed to a medical vehicle. The vehicle was in need of heating and air conditioning repairs. She had to use her skills to not only trouble-shoot the multiple problems, but had to improvise in making the repairs. She said she had to literally, “use my teeth to get the job done.” Thus, the medical vehicle and team were able to complete its mission. Pfc. Brammer was able to remain proficient in her skills, taught by the army, to help keep her unit “mission ready.”
Second Infantry Division Mission: The 2nd Infantry Division is the last remaining permanently forward-stationed division in the U.S. Army. The 2nd Infantry Division deters aggression and maintains peace on the Korean Peninsula; and if deterrence fails, “Fight Tonight” in support of the U.S-Republic of Korea Alliance.
From the 2nd INFANTRY DIVISION Page
Pfc. Brammer found that Korea was not as bad as many had said it would be. She said that duty revolved around many drills and real alerts. These drills were to maintain combat readiness. These alerts consisted of much readiness exercises and standing in the old “hurry-up-and-wait” actions. Author’s Note: South Korea is not a typical duty station. For several decades our military has been ready for a quick response to hostile actions from North Korea. It remains a real world hot spot and much posturing goes on to this day.
While in Korea, she enjoyed down time with fellow soldiers at the post bowling alley. She was also able to get off post, and into the civilian area and experience Korea. She would go sightseeing and even went bungee jumping, something she may never have attempted, had she not conquered some fears back at Fort Jackson’s Victory Tower.
Brammer says that she enjoyed the trips to Nami Island, which is near Seoul, South Korea. She stated that this island was very cultural and beautiful. The island has many tree lined paths and is known as a set for many movies. Brammer shared that, “Nami Island is a cultural area. With lots of museums, along with opportunities such as zip-lining, bungee jumping, and ATV riding. Brammer also said she enjoyed trying the local cuisine. She said, “The Korean food was amazing, although most things are much spicier than I expected.”
Korean Night Scene. Photo by K. Brammer
While in Korea, Brammer did get to see a fellow classmate also serving in the army. She was able to spend a brief visit with former Pleasant classmate. She also was able to have lunch with a couple of service members from Mt. Gilead and Columbus, Ohio. Social media, not available to many veterans of old, is a nice way for service members to keep in touch with friends and family and to learn if they are nearby.
So far, Brammer feels the military has helped her by challenging her both mentally and physically. She has been able to do tasks she would not otherwise have attempted. Now she feels she can better push herself to succeed in life in general. While in training, she wrote a note in her journal to herself. It was there to remind her of when things got tough to continue forward. It read, “Keep pushing. Even if you want to quit, just remind yourself why you came here. You’re stronger than you think you are.” She would remember the motivating quote throughout and always recalls it during challenging times.
Pfc. Brammer has some post-military goals. She hopes to return to school and get a degree in art and maybe become an art teacher. She even has ideas to become trained and work as an Emergency Medical Technician, to help get her through her schooling.
We thank Pfc. Brammer and her family who raised her in the tradition of service. Female veterans and service members are under-recognized on this blog, but their service is not forgotten and is very much appreciated.
Willard Eugene Bayles was born in Marion, Ohio, on 12 Feb 1930. Bayles’ parents are Charles E. Bayles & Mrs. Caroline Parmer. Prior to entering service, Bayles was employed with the Bibler Burial Vault Company. Bayles entered service on 10 April in Lancaster, Ohio. Willard E. Bayles was assigned to I Company, 3rd Battalion of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, during the Korean War. He started his overseas service on 28 August 1951. Private First Class (Pfc.) Bayles was killed in action on 6 October 1951, at Heartbreak Ridge, in North Korea. His remains were returned to the states aboard the funeral ship, Marquette Victory. Pfc. Willard E. Bayles was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Pfc Willard E. Bayles is buried in Chapel Heights Memory Gardens, Marion, Ohio. Pfc. Willard Eugene Bayles is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; and on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 