WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - PFC Olen R. Vincent

 

Private First Class

Olen Ray Vincent

Born on June 28, 1920, in Hillsdale, Michigan, to Rev. Carl Austin and Amanda (Stover) Vincent, Olen moved frequently during his lifetime. His father, a pastor of the United Brethren Church, had many different parishes during his career, including at Sherwood and Hicksville, Ohio in the 1940s.

Olen graduated from Monclova High School and then went on to Huntington College, graduating in 1942, with majors in music and mathematics. He earned his teaching license and began to prepare for a career in education.

Before he could step into a classroom, though, duty called.

His parents had a Sherwood address when he registered for the draft in July 1941, but Olen was residing in Huntington, going to school and working at Crites Bakery. After graduation, he enlisted in Toledo on July 25, 1942, joining the Army. After training around the United States, he left for overseas in late July or August 1944.

Insignia for the 379th Infantry
Regiment. Ad Finem - To the End

Private Vincent was part of the 379th Infantry Regiment, 95th Division of General Patton's 3rd Army. In France, he arrived in time to take part in the Battle of Metz, a heavily fortified city in France, in December 1944. It was here that he earned a Silver Star which was awarded posthumously.

The Republican, a newspaper from Wauseon, Ohio, reported the award on July 12, 1945:

"Rev and Mrs. Carl A. Vincent, Delta, received the Silver Star, July 6th, posthumously awarded their son, PFC Olen R. Vincent.  The citation reads in part:

'For gallantry in action against the enemy on 10 December 1944, when his comrades were pinned to the ground by fierce machine gun from an enemy bunker, Private First Class Vincent leaped into a shell hole and opened fire with his automatic rifle, forcing the enemy to shut the apertures.

Before the Germans could close the door, PFC Vincent rushed the fortification, hurling grenades which wounded four of the frantic garrison. By the time his comrades reached the bunker, PFC Vincent had elicited the surrender of ten Germans. His bold and gallant actions reflect lasting honor on him and on the military service."

The infantry who fought in Metz were given the nickname, "The Ironmen of Metz."

On March 4, 1945, the day of PFC Olen Vincent's death, the 379th were at the Rhine River near the south on the flank of the 29th Corps. Their mission was to reduce enemy resistance near the Adolph Hitler Bridge. They were only partially successful because the German rear guards put up such a determined defense. Olen was hurt here and was taken to the hospital, but it was too late, and he was declared a battle casualty.

In an unknown newspaper, this obituary and memorial appeared:

"Olen Ray Vincent only son of Rev. and Mrs. Carl Vincent, Delta, was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, Hillsdale County, June 28, 1920, and was reported by the War Department killed in action in Germany, March 4, 1945. age 24 years, 8 months, and 4 days.

When nine months old, he moved with his parents to the James I. Post farm near Hillsdale, Michigan. It was while living there, Mr. and Mrs. Post learned to love Olen and cared for him as they would a child of their own.

When he was four years old, he moved with his parents to a farm near Frontier, Michigan and lived there ten years, where he also attended a country school known as the East Maple Grove and there completed his grade school work.

The conference stationed Rev. Vincent at Hicksville, Ohio and they remained there one year and then were sent to Monclova, Ohio, where Olen graduated from high school. He then decided he wanted to enter college, willing to work his way through as much as possible. It was through the kindness and financial help of Mr. and Mrs. Post that he was able to graduate from Huntington College, Huntington, Indiana, in June 1942.  He had his teachers' license and was ready for teaching school, but was inducted into the army and left for camp on his father's birthday August 8, 1942.

He trained at Camp Swift, Texas, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Camp Polk, Louisiana, and Los Angeles, California and left for overseas the last of July or forepart of August 1944, from Indiantown Gap, Pa."

Another newspaper article, source unknown, wrote this about PFC Vincent:

"He was a very quiet disposition, never complaining of his lot. He was converted at the age of 13 at the West Woodbridge U.B. Church ...and at the time of his death was a member of the Traill Chapel U.B. Church in Delta, Ohio.

He was known to have received medals, among them the expert rifleman's badge, rating second in his company, the Good Conduct ribbon, combat infantryman's badge. and his name had been turned in for the silver star a short time before his death.

He leaves to mourn, his parents..., sister Leona, fiancée Miss Marjorie Brokaw of Muncie, Indiana; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Stover, Montpelier, O.; friends, Mr. and Mrs. James I Post, Hillsdale; uncles, aunts and a host of other relatives and friends..."

The same day he died, another local man from Defiance, Arthur E. Ury, also made the ultimate sacrifice, marking a solemn moment for their shared community.

PFC Olen Ray Vincent was laid to rest at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Holland.  PFC Vincent also received the Purple Heart posthumously.

Vi

Kim Bercaw, Researcher

WORLD WAR II - Pvt. Richard L. Beerbower

 

Private Richard Lowell Beerbower

A 1943 Farmer High School graduate, Richard Beerbower was popular in his drama endeavors and was a star basketball player who also participated in baseball. 

The son of Roy C. and Inez A. (Staup) Beerbower, Richard lost his father in 1928 when the he was about five years old.  His mother then married Clarence Beerbower, Roy's brother, in 1930, so it was Clarence who supported Richard throughout his life. 

Richard was born on October 21, 1925, and at 18, he filled out his draft registration. He had graduated and was employed at the Bard Manufacturing Company.

Richard traveled to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, to formally enlist in the Army on March 14, 1944. He was assigned to the 411th Infantry, Company I in the 103rd Infantry Division, known as the "Cactus Division."  Their motto, "Paratus Fevire" was "Ready to Strike."

The 411th, an intelligence reconnaissance unit moved through Europe, typically with the 409th and 410th as part of the 103rd Division.  In mid-November, 1944, the regiment received its first combat order from Headquarters. They had arrived in Marseilles, France, in late October, and had spent time settling in and creating a base of operations.

The 411th in France

Their order was to move out with the other two regiments who were to create cover fire while the 411th passed through them to meet the Germans.

Under heavy fire with artillery and machine guns, the Germans drove them back into the woods at Docelles, near Epinal. Their orders then were to seize and hold the high ground near the Moselle River, southwest of St. Die, France. They led an attack and met heavy resistance from the Germans. It was here that Private Richard Beerbower met his death on November 16, 1944.

In the December 18th, 1944, edition of the Crescent-News, on page 1, his passing was announced:

"FARMER YOUTH 50TH FATALITY

Pvt. Richard Beerbower, 19, Killed, Presumably in France

Pvt. Richard Beerbower, 19, an infantryman, was killed in action on November 16, presumably in France, his mother, Mrs. Inez Beerbower of Farmer was notified officially by the War Department in a message received Saturday evening.

Pvt. Beerbower became the 50th Defiance County man to lose his life in World War II.

Pvt. Beerbower entered the service March 22, 1944, going to Fort Benjamin Harrison. He was then transferred to Camp Wolters, Texas, and was home on furlough in August. He returned to Camp Maxie, Texas, then went to Camp Howze, and embarked from New York.  He was at sea on his 19th birthday last October 21. His last letter to his mother was dated November 1 from Marseille, France.

Pvt. Beerbower was a member of an intelligence reconnaissance unit.

Besides his mother, he leaves his stepfather, Clarence Beerbower; a brother, Robert, at home; and his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Buehrer, near Hicksville.  

He has five cousins in service: Francis Husted, three years in Navy; Roger T. Husted at Great Lakes; Jack Staup in Navy, all of Hicksville; Vernard Heisler Farmer, now in Italy, and Ellen Beerbower, Farmer, Nurses Cadet in training in Fort Wayne hospital.

Private Beerbower was the president of the Farmer high school class of 1943, a star on the basketball team for four years and also was a member of the Farmer high baseball team."

Private Richard L. Beerbower was buried in the Epinal American Cemetery in France.

A memorial plaque was placed in memoriam in the Farmer Cemetery.

 

Robert Carpenter, Researcher

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - PFC Paul L. Folk

 

PFC Paul Lemuel Folk

Paul lived on Spencerville Street in Hicksville, Ohio, with his parents, Riley R. and Goldie Marie (Houser) Folk. 

Born on December 1, 1921, in HIcksville, Paul was a graduate of Hicksville High School in 1939. He married Freida Mae Peter and joined the National Guard after graduation, assigned to Company A, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Army Infantry Division.

Kent Miller, local historian, wrote in his biography of Paul featured in the Hicksville News-Tribune:

"(Folk) was with the 37th when it was federalized in September of 1940 and traveled with the unit to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, for training. He made Corporal in August of 1941 and was promoted to Sergeant in 

January 1942. 

As the 37th was nearing the end of training 

and preparing for deployment overseas, he was accepted into

Officer Candidate School. He attended classes at Fort Benning, Georgia and, upon completion of the course, was made a Second Lieutenant. He was placed in the finance branch and remained at Fort Benning to serve.

For some unknown reason, he signed his commission and returned to Hicksville. In January 1944, he reenlisted in the Army and trained as a paratrooper at Camp Blanding, Florida and Fort Meade, Maryland.  In August of that year, Folk was sent to Europe as a replacement paratrooper and was then assigned to the 11th Airborne Division as a Private First Class.

By late November 1944, PFC Folk was again moved, this time to Company E, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On December 4th, the 9th received orders to leave for Eschweiler to relieve the 1st Division along the edge of the Huertgen Forest. 

The Division moved out on December 5th with the command post situated at Bergrath, Germany. By the evening of December 7th, the unit was in place west of the Knozendorf-Ehta-Schlikch-Merode area.

On December 10th, 1944, the 39th Infantry Regiment was to attack east from the vicinity of Jungersdorf along a rail line which paralleled a highway. Their objective was to capture the town of D'Horn. The Regiment began to move forward at 3:15 P.M. Fighting was fierce, and while the town was secured by nightfall, Folk was seriously injured during the advance.

PFC Paul Folk was evacuated to a field hospital and later transported to the 40th General Hospital. His right foot was amputated to stem the spread of gangrene, but on December 22, 1944, Folk died of his wounds. Official cause of death was listed as gas gangrene, and he was buried in an Allied Cemetery, Solers, France. In September of 1948, Folk was reinterred at Epinal American Cemetery at Epinal, Lorraine, France." 

Kent Miller, The Hicksville-Tribune

Crescent-News, Jan. 12, 1945

Private First Class Paul L. Folk was awarded the Purple Heart, European Theater Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Lorraine, France

Dianne Kline, Researcher

Thanks to Kent Miller, Researcher

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - Corporal/Tec5 Virgil W. Schubert

 

Corporal/Technician 5

Virgil Walter Schubert

Tec5 Virgil Walter Schubert was born in Defiance County, Ohio, on February 14, 1918.

The Valentine's Day baby's parents were Bertie Casper and Edna Grace (Durham) Schubert. In the 1920 Census, Virgil was listed as 1 year old at the family residence in Richland Township, Defiance County.  His mother was born in Defiance County, Ohio, while his father was from Tennessee.

Born in 1918, Virgil was the oldest child in his family which also included siblings Dorothy, Eunice, Herman, Wilbur, Mary Ilene, Alvin C, Martha (died 1935 at 1 yr) and an infant, Harold (born and died in 1941).

In the 1940 Census, Virgil was 22 years old and living with his parents In Putnam County, along with six siblings and his paternal grandmother, Susan Schubert. He had graduated from high school and gave his occupation as farmer.

Virgil registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. At 5'8" and 150 pounds, he had brown hair and gray eyes. On March 7, 1941, he enlisted into the Army at Toledo, Ohio.

Virgil was sent first to England and Scotland, and then he moved on to North Africa, especially Tunisia, where he was attached to the British 8th Army. The North African campaign began on 10 June 1940 and lasted until 13 May 1943. The British took the lead, but the Americans joined in the Allied effort. In April 1943, a major Allied air force effort (Operation Flax) had cut off Axis supplies to North Africa. The U.S. Army surrounded the defenders at Enfidaville, ending the Axis effort in North Africa. It was during this fighting that Virgil was killed. He was admitted to the Army Hospital in Tunisia on April 23, 1943, with battle wounds after being shot; he died there at 25 years old.

The front page of the Crescent-News carried this story on June 8, 1943:

"War Department Letter Reveals Virgil Schubert Killed April 23

Mr. and Mrs. Bertie C. Schubert of route 2, Continental, have received from the Adjutant General of the Army, a letter officially confirming the death of their son, Cpl Virgil W. Schubert, 25, 'killed in action in defense of his country,' on April 23, 1943, in the North African area.

Date and place of burial are not yet known, because 'these reports are brief due to the very nature of warfare,' the letter states, adding that additional information will be sent immediately upon receipt.

Corporal Schubert was born in South Richland township, Defiance county, Feb. 14, 1918. He was graduated from Oakwood High School in 1936. He was superintendent of the Highland Presbyterian Sunday school in 1938-1939, after which he taught a Sunday school class continually until beginning military service.

He engaged in farming with his father until he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Toledo on March 7, 1941. He had his preliminary training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and was transferred to the First Infantry Division at Fort Devens, Mass. in June 1941. He became private first class before going overseas.

Arriving in England Aug. 12, 1942, he was stationed in England and Scotland until he took part in the landing in North Africa on Nov.6, 1942. He spent the winter from December to April 15 on the battlefields of southern Tunisia, part of the time attached to the British Eighth Army.  

He was a platoon messenger for 18 months. He was made corporal, 5th grade technician, in charge of company mail on Jan. 18, 1943.

Besides his parents, he leaves three sisters, Dorothy, Eunice, and Mary, and three brothers, Lester, Wilbur and Alvin; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Durham, Continental, and paternal grandmother, Susan Schubert."

Crescent-News, June 14, 1948

Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Ohio

Mary Williams, Researcher

WORLD WAR II - The United Service Organization

 

THE USO 

" A GI' S HOME AWAY FROM HOME"

The USO really came into its own in World War II. Organized in February 1941, with the mission to boost the morale of soldiers home and abroad, it set up anywhere it could find a space. It was a place to share a comradery with fellow soldiers. The canteens always had coffee and donuts, sometimes movies or shows, music and dancing, as well as supplies on hand for letter writing or art.

USO mobile canteen

Each USO had a paid director and assistant director, and then all volunteers. Women 35 and older volunteered to be Senior Hostesses and those 18-30 were Junior Hostesses. Strict rules applied for proper dress and deportment. Slacks were not allowed, for example, and a girl couldn't refuse a dance unless the soldier was "ungentlemanly."  The volunteers served food, talked to the soldiers and sometimes had a dance. The Senior Hostesses were there to be "mom" figures for the men.

The only charge was for cigarettes; everything else was free for the soldiers. No liquor was allowed or sold.

Four circuits of "Camp Shows," were the most popular feature of the USO. Two circuits traveled to bases around the United States. One traveled in both the U.S. and overseas

USO show in Italy

 One circuit went only overseas - the Foxhole Circuit.  Some of the big Hollywood names were on this circuit. They donated their time, dressed like the troops (when not on stage), ate with them and slept in their areas.

This was not necessarily a safe trip for them, as often the shows were near the front lines.

The Bob Hope shows were very popular with the troops. Through the war funds, the USO, according to one source, raised 33 million dollars in donations during the war.

(That's $433 million today.) The USO reached out to the soldiers and tried to give them times that they could forget about being on duty. It was some fun to make them laugh and have a little bit of enjoyment.

This is a link to an enjoyable three minute video of a Bob Hope Camp show from 1944. (Sorry that you will have to suffer a brief advertisement before it starts.)

Bob Hope Camp Show

Dianne Kline, Researcher

.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - Staff Sergeant Robert J. Spain

 

Staff Sergeant

Robert Jack Spain

Robert's mother, Bernice Reba Spain, was first married to Granville Watkins on March 27, 1923. Robert was born on August 12, 1924, but he was not given the Watkins name. Instead, he was given his mother's maiden name when the couple were divorced.

Later, on June 5, 1929, she married Arthur B. Miller of Defiance and they made their home with Robert at 615 North Perry Street, Defiance. Robert attended Defiance High School and graduated. He was 18 when he filled in his draft registration card in Defiance.

On January 16, 1943, he enlisted into the Army at Toledo. He trained quite a bit in Florida, and eventually, through special training, became a waist gunner and tail gunner on the B-17 bomber.

The B-17 was the workhorse of the U.S. bombers, and because they had a "must have clear visibility" rule, they mostly struck in the daylight. Robert belonged to the 94th Bomb Group and the 333rd Bomb Squadron of the 8th Army Air Force. The B-17 planes were called "Flying Fortresses" because of the extra machine guns loaded that served to help defend the plane against the enemy. Robert served on the B-17s, "Pinup Girl" and "Nick's Place."

On June 21, 1944, his plane, "Nick's Place," was flying over Liebenwalde, just north of Berlin in northern Germany, when it was shot down by flak and crashed. The last it was seen, it was in the clouds; the whole crew perished.  SSgt. Robert Spain was first reported missing at home in the Crescent-News, July 10, 1944, on page 1:

"Sgt. Bob Spain, Bomber Gunner, Now Missing

Staff Sgt. Robert (Bob) Spain, 20, waist gunner on a bomber, has been missing in action since June 21, according to a telegram from the war department received by his mother, Mrs. Arthur Miller, 615 Perry Street, Friday evening.

Sgt. Spain was graduated from Defiance high school in 1942. He joined the Army Air Forces Jan. 25, 1943. He worked at the Defiance Machine Works and Serrick's before entering the service.  Only last week, he had sent home the Army Air Medal awarded for meritorious service in his first 25 missions."

Crescent-News, October 30, 1944

In January 1945, his Purple Heart was awarded posthumously, sent to his mother. It would be December 1948, before his body could be sent home.

His funeral was held in January 1949, along with his burial in Riverside Cemetry.

"PVT ROBERT SPAIN 

Services for Pvt. Robert Spain, returned from Europe, were held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Mansfield funeral  home with Rev. C. F. Blue, Gospel Temple minister, officiating, and burial in Riverside cemetery where the Amvets conducted military services.

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Beavers sang with Mrs. Alice Shock, accompanist.

Pallbearers were John Seither, John Murphy, Verl Hesselschwerdt, Richard Westrick, Roger Coffman, and John VanVlerah.

Officer of the day was Donald Varner; color bearers, Wayne Cooper and William Fillman; color guards, Jack Nagley and Ed Mack; firing squad, Melvin Bleeks, Daniel Relyea, Darwood Swary, Darrol Seiple, Paul and Bernard Dodson, and Robert Bates; and bugler, Eddie Nihiser."

Correction-Sgt. Robert Spain.  Crescent-News, January 31, 1949

His mother, Bernice, applied for a bronze marker in 1951 for his grave, and it arrived in 1954.

Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Ohio

Researcher - Robert Carpenter

Sidenote:  This memoriam was published in the Mansfield News-Journal on December 15, 1948.

IN MEMORIAM

In memory of S/Sgt. Robert Spain, who gave his life for his county and us.

"OUR BOB"

Tho the cruel war is over and for some the memories dim,

Not for us who've lost our loved ones that have gone to live with Him.

I speak of Bob, a soldier brave and true was he.

Who gave his life so bravely that we, his friends, be free.

No, we have not forgotten him, "Our Bob," so loved by all.

Who found his way within the hearts of the grownups and the small.

As I write these lines of him, my eyes fill with tears.

My heart's so full of memories he stored there with the years.

No, he's no longer with us, the friends who love him best.

But "Our Bob' is coming home again, coming home to Rest

Sadly missed by one of his many, many friends.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - PFC Keith Earl Butler

 

PFC Keith Earl Butler

Keith Butler was in the 8th grade in this Defiance High School yearbook photo. He attended one year of high school here, as well, but his story really began in London, Ontario, Canada, on June 27, 1920.

Border crossing records revealed that in August 1923, Keith's mother, Maud Butler, 26, married, immigrated with her son, Keith, 3, and daughter, Betty, 2, into Port Huron, Michigan, on the railroad. Their final destination was Lansing, Michigan, and a grandfather's house. The immigration records noted that Keith E. Butler was formerly a Morris. That is a question to be researched.

His parents were listed as William Butler and Maud Violet Neveu, both of whom died in 1929, according to one record.

His draft registration above was filled out on July 1, 1941, when he was 21 and living in Defiance, working as a punch press operator. His contact was not a parent, but Clinton Skees who was older and a World War I veteran living in Defiance. Was this his relative?  Keith was 5'7" and 121 pounds. 

Prior to filling out his registration, he married Laura Edith Schatz on March 16, 1941.  He was a press operator and she was an inspector. His parents on this document were William Butler and Pearl Neveu.

Keith enlisted into the U.S. Army on March 23, 1944, at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. He was assigned to the U.S. Ground Forces in Company A, 345th Infantry Regiment, 87th Division. His residence was Defiance, OH.

He trained at Camp Wolters, Texas; Meade, Maryland; and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

It appeared that he finalized his United States citizenship while in Texas.

PFC Butler, the newly American soldier, headed overseas into the European Theater as part of General Patton's Third Army in December 1944. The 345th Infantry was attached to this, and their first combat was in Alsace-Lorraine. The Germans were invading France, and the Americans were trying to hold them from crossing the Mozelle River. 

The official place of death for PFC Butler was Dept. de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. Some noted that it was one of Patton's failures in battle as almost 7,000 men died, 36,000 were wounded, and 12,000 were missing. The Americans fought along the forested banks of the Mozelle River where they were short of supplies and gas. Their goal was to secure the bridges and keep the Germans from advancing.

He was officially declared dead in June 1945. Martin Schatz, his wife's father, applied for a military headstone that was approved in 1949. On the application, Mrs. Pearl Woods, Royal Oak, Michigan, signed it as his mother.

Pfc Keith E. Butler was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Ohio.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL- 2nd Lt. Dorenz H. Meyer

 

Second Lieutenant

Dorenz Henry Meyer

Born in Defiance County on October 28, 1920, to Henry F. Sr. and Revata Marie (Schnitkey) Meyer, Dorenz was six when the family moved to a farm in Ridgeville Township, Henry County.

He helped on his father's farm and grew up with three siblings, Henry 'Junior,' Robert and Henrietta.

Dorenz enlisted at Baer Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on August 26, 1942. (His father, Henry, was a World War I veteran.) 

He graduated from the Advanced Training School in Frederick, Oklahoma as a flight officer in February 1944, and was assigned to the 15th Army Air Force, 743rd Bombardment Squadron, 455th Bombardment Group Heavy.

That group was stationed at San Giovanni Airfield, Italy. Dorenz arrived there in the latter part of 1944, and he flew with the 304th Bomb Wing in the B-24 Liberators.

B-24 Liberator. Lt. Meyer was a pilot.

On Lt. Meyer's sixth mission, the group was scheduled to bomb the Blechhammer south oil refinery in Germany. (Blechhammer also had a sub-camp of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp nearby; those prisoners had helped build the refinery.)

It was October 13, 1944, when the 455th was to make two bombing runs - Mission 131.

The 455th was called "The Flight of the Vulgar Vultures." They carried 500 lb. bombs, 4200 rounds of .50 calibers for their ten machine guns, and 2nd Lt. Dorenz Meyer was the pilot of one of those B-24s, riding with nine other crew members.

Their mission called for 28 B-24 bombers, flying in units of four, rendezvousing at 22,000 feet. Their cover was a fighter command which flew out of Italy, 3 planes. They were to hit their target, the refinery, at 1130, and at 1133 aircraft 605, Meyer's B-24 took a direct flak burst amidship after it had dropped its bomb load at Blechhammer. The plane was split in half and went down in two parts.

Not the Meyer plane

An eyewitness said that there was no explosion or fire. He reported three to five parachutes coming from the plane, primarily from the forward portion.

Lt. Meyer and seven other men were killed in action. Two men, Bietz and Crotti were captured and sent to a POW prison camp. *Actually only Crotti stayed alive as a POW.)

The official Mission 131 report noted:

"This was another day for double missions. We loaded the first mission with 500# ROX bombs to bomb the oil refinery at Blechhammer, Germany. Flak at this target was always intense and accurate, and this day was no exception. We lost two aircraft to flak, one plane managed to make it back to allied territory, and the crew was recovered.

We reported 11 crewmen missing and one killed in action. It was a rough mission as six planes received heavy damage and four with slight damage. The flak at Blechhamer was indeed accurate.

Crescent-News, Jan. 16, 1945

In 1945, Dorenz Meyer was posthumously awarded the Army Air Medal for "meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy from 24 September to 13 October 1944.' That award was given to his father, Henry Meyer, at a ceremony in their private home by Captain George Douglas of Baer Field.

He also received the Purple Heart posthumously.

His body could not be recovered. His name is inscribed on the Tablet of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Belgium.

A cenotaph also stands in his memory in the St.John Lutheran Church Cemetery, Ridgeville Township, Henry County, Ohio.

Belgium

St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery

Sidenote: After the war, the only survivor of the crash and a POW for more than 11 months, George W. Crottie, took it as a mission to visit all the families of his crew who were deceased. It was a kind gesture to all of the parents and sibs back in the U.S. When he went to the Meyer household, he fell in love with Dorenz's sister, Henrietta, and the two married on Christmas Day, 1947.

Scott Lantow, Researcher