Friday, September 5, 2025

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - S/Sgt. Jennings C. Greuter

 


Staff Sergeant Jennings Closson Greuter


His name is the last one on the monument, out of order alphabetically. Thanks to the work of Wimm and Nadine Jacobs, keepers of Greuter's grave in Belgium, Kent Miller, World War II historian from Hicksville,, and Tanya Brunner of the Defiance County Veterans Office, this lost soldier was found. His name was engraved on the stone in 2011. in 2000 and before the monument was erected, no evidence could be found of a Defiance County connection with Greuter, but later, with more resources available, it became obvious that he was a native son.
Sources name both Paulding County (draft card) and Defiance County as his birthplace on April 5, 1923.

His parents, Elmer and Pearl Greuter, definitely lived in Defiance, at 840 Perry Street, in 1930, when the Federal Census was taken.  Elmer was a truck driver for a poultry farm and Jennings, 7, was the oldest son.  By 1940, they had moved to Jackson Township in Paulding County. Jennings, 17, worked on a farm, and he was surrounded by eight siblings, with the last, Jannett, being three years old.

On June 30, 1942, Jennings filled out his draft registration. Later, in February 1943, he travelled to Toledo to enlist in the U. S. Army Air Force. He was single with a grammar school education, and his skill was as a mechanic, repairing motor vehicles. Pvt. Greuter was assigned to the 338th Bomber Squad, 96th Bomber Group (Heavy), and trained as a tail gunner.




At some point, perhaps on a furlough, he married Alies (Alice) Stark, daughter of Joseph and Grace (Caspers) Stark. She lived in Hicksville while he was away, and gave birth to a son, Lawrence, in November 1944. He was never to meet his father who died May 12, 1944.



The bomber crew, SSgt Jenning Greuter, in the back row at the far right. He is with his
B-17 flight crew, part of the 338th Bomber Squadron of the 96th Bomber Group.

"The flight left Frankfort, Germany, on May 12, 1944 on Greuter's mission. The target that day was the oil refineries at Brux, Czechoslovakia. The 8th Army Air Corp took heavy losses that day to both enemy planes and flak.

Greuter's plane was hit and went into a spin. According to the Missing Air Crew Report #5359, Greuter was last heard from inside the plane when he cried out over the interphone, wondering, 'What has happened?' in the first spin.

He did not make it out of the plane and went down with the aircraft. Six of the men were killed in action; four of the men were captured and served as prisoners of war. (Greuter was KIA.)

Any remains that were recovered were buried in the Community Cemetery at Usingen/Tanus in the southwest corner in a common grave on May 13, 1944. The bodies were later exhumed and put into the American military cemetery in Belgium."

Kent Miller


Because of this Belgian couple, Sgt Jennings Greuter, was honored rightfully in his hometown. As they commented in a Crescent-News article on October 17, 2016:

"The name of Staff Sergeant Jennings C. Greuter listed on the memorial is very important to us. It is a form of recognition for an achievement that has been delivered and should never be forgotten...
This generation gave their lives for our freedom and should never be forgotten" they said. "Passing on this information to future generations is very important to us."

His son, Lawrence (Larry) was able to attend the dedication of his father's name on the monument.
Sgt. Greuter received both the Purple Heart and the Army Air Medal.

Researchers - Robert Carpenter, Kent Miller, and Tanya Brunner











Wednesday, September 3, 2025

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - Private Robert E. Worden

 

Private Robert Elton Worden

Robert Worden's life was spent back and forth across state lines, between Scipio Township, Allen County, Indiana, and Hicksville, Ohio.  He was born to Henry Leroy and Edna Cecelia (Zuber) Worden in Scipio Township on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1921. 
 
He lived on Dixon Avenue in Hicksville village .at the time he applied for his draft card, and he held a job at the Auburn Rubber Company. At the time, he was 5'8" and 125 pounds.





In October 1942, he travelled to Toledo to enlist in the U.S. Army. Robert became part of the 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Army Division, 3rd Battalion. After training in Indiana, off he went overseas to England and then the next stop, Normandy.

The hedgerows of Normandy

The attack on Normandy began on June 6, 1944. Private Worden's unit, the 22nd Infantry, assaulted on Utah Beach, landing in small crafts, ready to attack on the 8th.  On July 11, 1944, the Third Battalion was preparing to attack the village of Ozeville/Azeville.

An attempt was made to seize Cresberq and Azeville, but the attack was repulsed with heavy losses in the 1st and 2nd Battalion... The third Battalion was brought inland to attack Azeville. They moved up in preparation to attack, but enemy artillery and mortar fire caused a large number of casualties, and the strength of all five battalions was appreciably reduced. These were the conditions when Private Robert Worden lost his life on July 11, 1944.

"ROBERT WORDEN IS KILLED JULY 11
Hicksville Man Participates in Invasion, Loses Life in Normandy

Hicksville, Aug. 10 - Pvt. Robert E. Worden, 23, was killed in action on July 11 in Normandy as a member of the invasion forces, according to the War Department notification that had been received today by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Worden, Dixon Avenue.

He was the 36th from Defiance County to lose his life in service of his country.

In addition to his parents, Private Worden leaves two brothers, Charles and Calvin Worden, Hicksville; and three sisters, Mrs. Florence Trostell, St. Joe, Ind, Mrs. Rose Betz, Grabill, Ind., and Miss Garnet Worden, at home.

Private Worden was inducted from Defiance Oct 12, 1942, while employed at the Wayne Knitting Mills, Fort Wayne. He went to Camp Atterbury, Ind. and later trained in the 22nd Infantry, 3rd Battalion in Tennessee. He went overseas last January, received further training in England and then participated in the invasion.

He was born in Springfield township, Allen County, Indiana, and came to Hicksville with his parents where he grew to manhood."

Defiance Crescent-News, August 10, 1944, page 1

Pvt. Worden was originally buried in France at Sainte Mere, Eglise Cemetery, and it was 1948 before his body was returned from France. 
He travelled home on the U.S. Army transport, the Greenville Victory, to New York City.  From there he was brought home with a military escort to be buried at Scipio Cemetery in Indiana.

Scipio Cemetery, Indiana


In the Defiance Crescent-News on July 15, 1948, pg. 1:

"PVT WORDEN'S RITES SUNDAY
Hicksville Soldier's Body Will Arrive Friday From Europe

Hicksville, July 15 - The body of Pvt. Robert E. Worden, who lost his life July 11, 1944, while serving in the European Theater will arrive in Hicksville on the B & O Friday at 9:19 a.m.

It will be taken to the Perkins and Reeb funeral home where services will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  Rev Cleo Roth, Ev. Brethren minister, will officiate and gravesite rites will be conducted at Scipio Cemetery by Edward C. Smart post, American Legion and the VFW.

Pvt Worden was awarded the Silver Star posthumously, for gallantry in action.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Worden, 311 Dixon Street. He also leaves two brothers, Charles and Calvin Worden, Hicksville, and three sisters: Mrs. Florence Trostel, Butler, Ind., Mrs. Rose Betts, Harlan, Ind., and Garnet Worden, at home.

He was born December 24, 1921 in Scipio tp., Allen county, Indiana. He was graduated from Harlan high school and then was employed in Auburn and Ft. Wayne.

He was inducted into service Oct. 25, 1942, going to Camp Atterbury. He went overseas in January 1944 and was in England before entering combat service in the continent."

He also received the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal.



Dianne Kline, Researcher

Thursday, August 28, 2025

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - 2nd Lt. Richard V. Breininger

 

Second Lieutenant 
Richard Virgil Breininger

Richard was a Mark Township boy born on December 31 1912, to John Freidrich Wilhelm and Pearl (Hane) Breininger. His father died in 1938, leaving his mother
 with four children to raise - Richard, John, Audrey and Annabelle.

Richard graduated from Mark Township High School, and then attended the Defiance College and Purdue University.
After graduation, he was employed by Swift & Co., Defiance and later by John Hane of Montpelier as an insurance salesman.

He first married Leola Yarlott in Allen County, Indiana on April 16, 1932. The couple were divorced in 1939, and then Leola died of heart disease in August 1939, never remarrying.

On June 3, 1939, Richard married Marion Russell Gravette, the daughter of Alonzo C. and Mary (Glass) Gravette, in Williams County, Ohio. He was 26 and a resident of Pioneer and she was 28 and lived in Bryan. She was a bookkeeper who was the secretary of the war price and rationing board in Montpelier.

Marion and Richard Breininger
And suddenly, the war was here. Richard filed his draft registration in Montpelier on October 10, 1940. He was 5'10" and 190 pounds with blue eyes and black hair. He was self-employed as an insurance agent, a partner in the Hane Agency.
 
He enlisted on December 18, 1942, in Toledo.. Richard served at Camp Robinson in Arkansas, and completed the Officer Candidate Course at Fort Benning, Georgia where he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He would be in Company A of the 60th Infantry Regiment, a part of the 9th Infantry Division. and he was assigned to the intelligence service.




Richard's company was not a part of D-Day, but instead were confined in a camp in England being briefed about the mission coming just four days later. Their uniforms were changed from olive drab to gas impregnated clothing, and ammunition, rations, and other items were issued there.

60th Infantry moving forward


The 60th Infantry Regiment, whose motto was "To the Utmost Extent of Our Power,"
boarded a small American built ship that carried a British flag and departed England at 7:30 p.m.  The boat anchored off the coast of France at Omaha Beach on June 10 where the soldiers stayed aboard until they moved in late morning to Utah Beach, where they were to disembark. 2nd Lt. Richard V. Breininger was killed in action on that day, June 10m 1944mshortly after the beginning of the invasion. Was he moving ahead of his unit to collect intelligence? No story could be found.

From the Bryan Democrat, July 31, 1944


"LT. RICHARD V. BREININGER DIES IN FRANCE

"...Lieut. Richard V. Breininger, 31 of Montpelier, was killed in action in France on July 10, according to a telegram received Sunday from the War Dept. by his wife, Mers. Marrian Breininger, who is secretary of the war price and rationing board there.
   He entered the service on Dec. 26, 1942, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in August, 1943, when he went into the military intelligence department of the infantry. He went to England on April 8, 1944.

Lieut. Breininger was born and raised at Mark Center in Defiance county, graduating from high school there with the class of 1930. He attended Defiance College the following year, took a short course at Purdue University, and then accepted a position with Swift & Company, working at Alma, Michigan, and Lexington, Ky. for several years. 
Five years ago he located at Montpelier, becoming associated with his uncle, John Hane, in the insurance business. He was a member of the English Lutheran Church in Bryan, and the Masonic lodge

He leaves his wife; his mother, Mrs. John F. Breininger of 235 North Enterprise Street, Bryan; a brother, John, of Bryan; and two sisters, Mrs. Gerhardt Rohrs of Antwerp, and Annabelle Breininger of Montpelier."

Lt. Breininger was first buried in France at the Sainte Marie Eglise Cemetery. but the family requested that the body be brought home. He was shipped home to New York and made it home to the Thompson Funeral Home in Bryan in 1948. Services, military and Masonic, were held at the gravesite in Lost Creek Cemetery, Defiance County, on July 16, 1948.

 
Lost Creek Cemetery
His wife, Marion, did not remarry and had  
  returned to her family in Lexington,       Kentucky by the funeral in 1948. However,   by the 1950 U.S. Census, she was back 
 living in Montpelier, working as a clerk
 and bookkeeper for the government for   Munitions Plant 936. She was faithful to the
 War effort. A widow, she was buried beside
 Richard in Lost Creek Cemetery.



Lost Creek Cemetery

Lt. Richard Breininger was awarded a Purple Heart, a European Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. His unit was also acknowledged for their bravery during this invasion that continued right after his death.

In the Defiance Crescent-News of July 10, 1946, on page 2, his family posted a beautiful memorial to the husband, son, and brother whom they cherished:


"IN LOVING MEMORY
OF LIEUTENANT RICHARD V. BREININGER
WHO WAS KILLED IN NORMANDY, FRANCE,
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY, JULY 10, 1946

A telegram came
And said Richard was killed. 
Life isn't the same
But it's what the Lord willed.

They say not to worry
Whatever, do not regret;
He died in glory,
But it's hard to forget.

He was a dear boy
Who asked little from life,
To love was his joy,
To work was his strife.

He never complained
However tough was the going,
Always said I'm all right,
We had no way of knowing.

For this great land of ours
He was called to fight.
We're sure that he served 
With all his might.

He gave his life
So we could have freedom;
May his home be a mansion
In the Lord's kingdom.

Richard's Mother, Wife, Sisters and Brother."

Dawn Hasch, Researcher

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - PFC Robert L. Mansfield

 

Private First Class 
Robert Leroy Mansfield

Robert L. Mansfield
Robert Mansfield was tall and thin (5'11" and 130 pounds) when he filled out his draft registration. With brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion, he was a handsome, young man who lived with his parents at 319 Tacoma Street in Defiance.

Born on December 8, 1924, in Defiance County, he was the son of John H. and Esther Z. (Dirr)
Mansfield. He attended Defiance High School and lived with six siblings: Emmagene, Paul, Leland, Marvin, Helen and Jacqueline. A brother, James, was deceased.

Before enlisting, he worked as a truck driver for Mayer Coal and Ice Company and Nolan's Grocery Store.


When he was 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 9, 1943.  He would become a part of the 297th Infantry Engineer Combat Battalion. His training was mainly in Camp Rucker, Alabama.

On January 25, 1944, he landed in England with his battalion. The Engineering Battalion left the city of Bournemouth, England to reach its marshalling camp on June 4, 1944.


The 297th working on structures.
Their insignia, with the French motto, "Essayons" means
"Let us try."

During the first night of the D-Day invasion, on June 6, 1944, the troops were loaded onboard their landing craft for the crossing of the English Channel. PFC Mansfield was part of the first wave of the invasion that landed on Utah and Omaha beaches.   PFC Mansfield was killed in action on Utah Beach on that night - June 6, 1944, the first casualty from Defiance County in the D-Day invasion.

The Crescent-News July 24, 1944, pg 1

"ROBERT MANSFIELD - INVASION VICTIM

Pfc Robert L. Mansfield, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Mansfield, 319 Tacoma Street, was killed in action in France with invasion forces on the Normandy beachhead D-Day, June 6.
He is the first invasion casualty reported from Defiance County and the 31st man to lose his life in the war.

News of his death was contained in a second telegram received Friday. An earlier message on July 4 had listed him as seriously wounded

Private Mansfield was a member of the Engineers Corps attached to the paratroopers. He entered service March 9, 1943, and received his training at Camp Rucker, Ala. He went to England last Dec. 22.

He was born in Defiance December 8, 1924, and had spent his entire life here except for a short time in Montpelier. He was employed as a truck driver by the Maher Coal and Ice. Co. and Nolan's Grocery.

He leaves his parents, three sister, Mrs. Grant Patrick, Wellston, O., and Helen and Jacquelyn at home; three brothers, Paul Mansfield S2/C, Camp Pendleton, Va; Leland, Hartsburg, and Marvin at home.; and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Dirr, New Bavaria. A brother, James, is dead.

Arrangements for a memorial service have been deferred, pending official word from the government." 

He was first interred at the Sainte Mere Eglise Cemetery #2 (France), but in July 1948, his remains were recovered and brought home for burial in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.

The Crescent-News, August 28, 1944

Private First Class Robert Mansfield received the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal.  His remains were returned home from France in July 1948 when they were buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.


Rhonda Casler, Researcher






Tuesday, August 26, 2025

WORLD WAR II - WAACS/WACS - WAVES - SPARS - JOIN THE WAR EFFORT

 

WAC Uniform

  WACS, WAVES AND SPARS
  
The United States government came to realize in   1942 that a whole part of our population could help win the war.   Women were very capable of jobs some men had and could replace them in some occupations, so that our men could join the front lines. The Army, Navy and Coast Guard began to recruit young to middle-aged women into jobs in noncombative environments, and women were eager to contribute.



Insignia of the WACS
Athena's head


























WAVES uniform








In 1942, the WAVES were formed representing the Navy and the WAACS for the Army. By 1943, they were renamed the WACS and 60,000 women had enlisted.
Now they could officially have ranks, benefits and pay through the military. Also in 1943, they began to deploy overseas into all sorts of roles. The Marines also had an auxiliary women's unit - USMCWR - U.S. Marine Corp Women's Reserve)














The SPARS were formed as the auxiliary for the Coast Guard. The name was related to the Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus - Always Ready."
The Coast Guard at the time was short of men, so adding women to fill jobs as radio operators, parachute riggers, air traffic controllers and even logistic specialists helped immensely. About 10,000 women between the ages of 20-36 joined.

This addition of women to our armed services was somewhat controversial for some male servicemen. Some didn't want to go to the front lines; they liked their jobs and didn't want to lose them. The women also received equal pay. This caused some resentment, but for the most part, the extra labor force was welcomed and helped the overall confidence of our services.

SPARS uniform

At first, the women's jobs were mostly clerical, but as the war wore on, they were placed in more challenging roles. They were drivers and mechanics. (Queen Elizabeth II trained as a mechanic.) Maintenance specialists, flight simulator trainers, and radio operators and cryptologists helped our cause. Over 400 WACS served in the Manhattan Project to create the atomic bomb as scientists, metallurgists, photographers and technicians.



In DCGS, we are proud of one of our members who was a WAC. Roena Bayes was a graduate of Farmer High School and BGSU with a two year education degree. She joined the WAACs in 1942 and was trained in map reading and keeping flight records at Minter Air Force Base in California. In 1944, she was deployed overseas, assigned to the 8th Air Corp.

Roena Bayes
Her first job was at the Cheddington Air Force Base in England in mail, but her map reading talents led her to a task following Allied bomber progress in Europe and presenting these reports to a group of officers in England. 
After D-Day 1945, she and some other WACS were flown to France near Paris, assigned to the Composite Command of the 9th Air Force. Her group was to go through the Rothschild Estate that the Germans had occupied during the war as a headquarters, searching for relevant papers that the 
Nazis had left behind when they quickly
evacuated.

After V-E Day she was flown into Germany as part of the occupation troops, serving as a Briefing Coordinator. She attained the rank of Colonel and was given an Honorable Discharge in 1945. 

Roena at 100 years old.
Roena was very proud of her service and was always willing to talk about it. She died on September 18. 2024 at the age of 106.


If any reader has a woman ancestor who
served in the WACS, WAVES, or SPAR
during World War II,
please honor her by placing her
name along with a little information
about her in the comments.
Rank, Job Assignment, Location
or anything you might know about her
service.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

Friday, August 22, 2025

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - PFC Guy H. Slusser

 

PFC Guy Herman Slusser

This photo of PFC Slusser appeared in the Crescent-News on August 26, 1943, along with Sgt Eugene Kern and Sgt. Lloyd Amaden, who all were killed in the Battle of Munda in the Solomon Islands. Along with them was mentioned Glenn Crawford.

Guy Herman Slusser was born in Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio, on November 25, 1927. But by the 1930 Census, the family had moved into Richland Twp., Defiance County, and by 1940 into Defiance City.

His parents, Ira Clarence and Elizabeth (Stengel) Slusser and their children, Arlena, Eunice, PFC Gale B. who was stationed in England, Ira S, and Oris E. Slusser lived on Grover Street. Guy was their youngest living son and a confirmand of St. John Lutheran Church on Wayne Avenue, Defiance.

When he registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, he was living at 520 Grover Street, Defiance and working for the American Steel Package Company here. He was 5'4" and 133 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, with a ruddy complexion. (As a sidenote, the American Steel Package Co. won two Army/Navy E Awards, given to American industries that exceeded military expectations.)

Guy married Isadora Louise Miller, daughter of Arthur O. and Esther (Orthwein) Miller on April 13, 1942, at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance. She also enlisted in the Army as a WAC, served in the Signal Corps and was recognized for her work in Military Intelligence, G-2. She stayed on the job the day her husband was killed.
Guy was home on a furlough when they married, as noted on their marriage certificate.

PFC Slusser was in the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Known as the "Buckeye Division," as it originated in Ohio.
Their insignia was a red circle on a cream circle, based on the Ohio flag. The soldiers called it the "fried egg patrol."

The 37th sailed from San Francisco, California on May 28, 1942 and landed in the Fiji Islands for more training. The Crescent-News on July 11, 1942, had a segment of a letter from PFC Slusser while aboard the ship:

"'You needn't worry about me because I am just fine, and we are in very little danger.' PFC Slusser, who is with the 37th Division at an unannounced location, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Slusser, 517 Grove Street. He said he 'was a little seasick the first few days on our way here,but enjoyed the trip after that. The old Pacific sure looks pretty both day and night. The water is a dark blue color with lots of flying fish jumping out of the water all the time.'"

The 37th Division saw action during the New Georgia campaign in the Solomon Islands which lasted from July 2, 1943 to August 5, 1943. The Battle of Munda Point 
took place during this time. A vital airbase was located on the island's southwest tip. The campaign was called "Operation Toenails."


The Marine 1st Raider Battalion, with two battalions from the U.S. Army's 37th Infantry Division, landed on the island's northwestern shore on July 5, 1943.  A rugged, jungle terrain met them, along with a savage Japanese resistance. Tropical heat, diseases and exhaustion took their toll, along with endless banzai * attacks that left many Japanese dead and the Americans tired and shaken.
(*Banzai attacks were large swarm attacks of Japanese, usually considered a suicide charge, with the battle cry, "Banzai!")

After some rest and resupply, a new attack began July 25 with the 43rd Division with support from the 25th and 37th Division and some Stuart Tanks manned by Marines.

PFC Slusser was killed on July 28, 1943, while driving to move the enemy out. The Japanese soldiers finally fell back on July 29.


Two men of the 37th Division received the Medal of Honor during this campaign, and they were Navajo Code Talkers who were with the Marines. PFC Guy Slusser received the Purple Heart posthumously, delivered to his parents.

On August 25, 1943, the Crescent-News reported

"Pfc Guy H. Slusser, 25-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira C. Slusser, Grover Street, was killed in action with the Japanese at Munda, July 28.
Word of this Defiance man, a member of the 37th division, was received this morning in a telegram from the adjutant general, Washington.

'The secretary of war desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, Private First Class Guy H. Slusser. Report states that he was killed in action on July 28 in southwest Pacific area. Letter follows.'

The father said that a letter received from his son earlier had informed him that he was at Munda. Private Slusser entered the service in January of 1940 and trained at Camp Shelby, Miss.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife, the former Isadora Miller of Hamler; two sisters, Mrs. Jack Moses, Cuyahoga Falls, and Mrs. J. Frederick Poetzinger, Defiance; and three brothers, Pfc Gale B. Slusser stationed in England; Ira S. Slusser and Oris E. Slusser, both of Defiance."

Riverside Cemetery

The July 12th, 1948 Crescent-News reported that PFC Slusser's body had arrived from overseas and a funeral was held in the Smith Brothers Funeral Home with Rev. O.G. Hebestreit, St. John Lutheran minister, officiating.

The Amvets conducted the services with pallbearers: John Seither, Joe Murphy, Barney Schultz, Jack VanVlerah, Dick Westrick, and Sam Morgan; color bearers - John and Louis Buchholz; color guards - Robert Bates and Don Arends; firing squad - Herbert Rohrbaugh, John Fessel, Bernard and Paul Dodson, Donald Peffley, Harry Barker, Sam Laurence and Darwood Swary; officer of the day - James Kenning; flag folded by Sgt. Russel Dempsey; flag presented by -Captain Forrest (Bob) Welch; honor squad - Lt. Richard Wohn with ten National Guardsmen; Jeep and Caisson driver - Vincent Williamson, and bugler - Floyd McFeeters.
Fred Poetzinger sang with Mrs. John Desgrange, accompaniest.  
It was truly a large military funeral.

Sidenote: PFC Slusser's wife, Isadora, remarried in 1949, and continued to be very patriotic her whole life. According to her obituary, she was a member of the American Legion and "continually flew a flag at her home thru peace or war."  She appeared with the American Legion Band "and once put on her old army uniform and marched with a high school band for a Memorial Day parade. Isadora (William) Bradford  passed away in 2004 in Waterville, Ohio at the age of 87.

Scott Lantow, Researcher