This page is a continuous work in progress. Check back later for updates.
Abbitt, George Washington (1895-1963) Pvt., U.S. Army, WWI
Served in Company C, 116th Infantry during WWI.
Per the linked website: The 116th Infantry, formed as part of the 29th Infantry Division, and deployed in World War I. Soldiers of the 116th Infantry spearheaded an attack in October 1918 during what was known as the Meuse Argonne Offensive.
This story appeared in the "Stroller" column of the Shreveport Times:
He is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA.
Alexander, Charles Coates (1912-1999) USN
Born in Oil City, Charles was the son of Dr. Paul Thomas and Helen Alexander. He was known as "Chick" or Alex" and briefly attended the University of Arkansas, but left to join the Navy and while enlisted, earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1935.
Source: 1935 U.S. Naval Academy Lucky Bag (yearbook), Page 182
The 1940 census shows him out of the service and living in Houma, LA with his wife Virginia (ne Rasch) and three year-old son Thomas; working for the Texas Company (Texaco) as a petroleum engineer. He apparently re-entered the Navy when the war broke out, though his further military career is not clear. He must have been involved with submarines as interestingly A post found on the internet mentioned the poster having sold a submariner desk lamp on eBay that had belonged to him, and that had been purchased in an estate sale. The writer speculated that from pictures also obtained, he had been a high-ranking officer. His obituary notes that he was a Naval Academy graduate, a Navy veteran, and that he was retired from Alexander Specialties, Inc., an oil well supply company. Social Security records show he died in 1999 in New Orleans.
This page is a continuous work in progress. Check back later for updates.
Abbitt, George Washington (1895-1963) Pvt., U.S. Army, WWI
Served in Company C, 116th Infantry during WWI.
Per the linked website: The 116th Infantry, formed as part of the 29th Infantry Division, and deployed in World War I. Soldiers of the 116th Infantry spearheaded an attack in October 1918 during what was known as the Meuse Argonne Offensive.
This story appeared in the "Stroller" column of the Shreveport Times:
He is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA.
Alexander, Charles Coates (1912-1999) USN
Alexander, Jack Marvin (1921-1981)
"(Jack) fought with the 43rd Infantry in the Pacific between 1942 and 1945. His rendition of combat was made obvious to me after I saw the series "The Pacific" on tv. Many of the scenes in that movie were exactly as he described them. I had asked him once about hand-to-hand combat. He replied that he had an expert marksman badge with the M1 that was good for a mile and they never got close enough!!"Jack is buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery in DeBerry, TX.
Allborty, Jake (1921-1944), Cpl, USA
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Allborty, James Vernon "Buck" (1914-1988), PFC, USA
Son of William James and Rosella Taylor Allborty. He was with the 14th Armored Mechanized Division under Patton, and fought in France, Belgium and Germany. He was on the Rhine when Germany fell. The 14th Armored Mechanized Division liberated POW and concentration camps.
Source: Callie Allborty Kent (granddaughter)
Allen, Johnnie Juanita (1922-1997) SK2 USCG, WWII
SK2 is a storekeeper.
Juanita as a student at Louisiana State Normal School.
1940 LSN Potpourri (yearbook)
Juanita as a student at Louisiana State Normal School.
1940 LSN Potpourri (yearbook)
Anders, James Daniel (1916-1986) Col., USA, WWII, Korea, Vietnam; Silver Star and Bronze Star recipient
Read more about Col. Anders's career here.
American Legion Howard Fortson Post No. 138
Read about early post history at this link.
Babbs, Oliver (Perry) (1846-1895) Pvt, Co K, 38th Illinois Infantry
The 38th fought in numerous battles of the Civil War in northern Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia; notably the sieges of Corinth, MS and Chattanooga, TN; as well as the Battle of Chickamauga in northern Georgia. You can read its history at this link or here.
At the war's end it was stationed in Victoria, Texas and when released, instead of returning home, Oliver came to north Caddo Parish and took a new last name - Perry. His son, Oliver Perry (1889-1968) lived in Oil City with wife Bonnie (1890-1949. They had a daughter Hazel Perry Gray (1917-2007).
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| Oliver Babbs |
Photo provided by Bill Machen and wife Nancy (great-granddaughter)
Military headstone application:
What is also notable is that Oliver Babbs' military headstone application refers to Evans Cemetery when applied for in 1896 - approximately the time the railroad flagstop of Ananias was created. However the destination of the stone, sent from Massachusetts, was Mooringsport, which would have been the closest train station and therefore receiving point at the time. Assuming Oliver was not the first to be interred there, the cemetery predates area communities (Surry, Ananias, and Caddo City) by at least a few years.
Burial: Evans Field Cemetery, Oil City, La.
Bagley, Cleveland H. (1940- ) Captain, U. S. Army, Vietnam
Cleve entered the army as a Private, made Sergeant, then went to Warrant Office flight school became a Warrant Officer. While serving in Vietnam he was given a direct commission. He retired as a Captain with 20 years 2 months, and 11 days of service.
Cleve entered the army as a Private, made Sergeant, then went to Warrant Office flight school became a Warrant Officer. While serving in Vietnam he was given a direct commission. He retired as a Captain with 20 years 2 months, and 11 days of service.
Bailey, James William "Bill" (1887-1963) Rank, Service Branch Unknown, WWI
Per his obituary, he served in World War I and was a member of local American Legion (Howard Fortson) Post No. 138.
Interment:Forest Park East Cemetery; Shreveport, LA
Willie is buried in Evans Field Cemetery,
Batts, Dennis (1905-1972) Pvt, U. S. Army, WWII
Dennis is buried in Evans Field Cemetery,
Beavers, Lawrence Edward (1917-1974) PFC, USA, WWII
His dates of enlistment were 24-Feb-1941 to 30-Oct-1945 and place of induction was Jacksonville Army Air Field. You can read his obituary at this link .
Lawrence is buried in Greenwood (LA) Cemetery
Beck, O. B. (1914-1992), SF1, USNCB
Served in the Pacific Theater, specifically the Phillipines, during WWII with the Navy Seabees 77th Construction Division, Company D, Platoon 6.
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Source: U. S. Navy 77th Construction Battalion
O. B. is buried in Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport, LA.
Belden, Syble Marie Lyles (1912-1974) Rank Unknown, U.S. Navy, WWII
Per her obituary, Syble was born in Oil City, LA and had been a resident of San Bernardino, CA for over 35 years at the time of her death. She was the first woman to be elected commander of American Legion Post 14.
San Bernadino (CA) County Sun 07-Jun-1957, Page 16
It is not known how long her family lived in Oil City. She is shown below as a senior at Borger (TX) High School in 1928. That is located in another oil-producing area and presumably her father worked in that industry.
1928 Borger High School Borgan (yearbook)
She joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, better known as the WAVES in 1943.
San Bernardino County Sun 16-Dec-1943, Page 8
Receiving an extra large dues check from the gentleman at the left, Leslie I. Harris, during a membership drive.
San Bernardino County Sun 29-Aug-1957, Page 16
Interment: Montecito Memorial Park; Colton, CA
Served 10-Feb-1945 to 09-Jan-1946.
Coy is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Blizzard, Noah (1940- ) USAF
Circa 1961, second from left (at Westover AFB, MA) and inset.
Boyter, Billy Joe (1946-2000) SFC, USA, Desert Storm
Billy Joe is buried in Mount Gilead Cemetery, Vivian, LA.
Boyter, Boyd Leslie, Sr. (1919-1967) PFC, 255th Infantry, Co F, U.S. Army, WWII, POW
Captured by the Germans and interned at Stalag 4a Hohnstein Airfield At Dresden. He was first reported as a prisoner 03-Jan-1945 and last reported 08-Jun-1945. Therefore he would have experienced the firebombing of Dresden that occurred 13-15-Feb-1945.
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He is buried in Courtland Cemetery, Queen City, TX.
Brockman, Joe David (1932-2001) PO3, USN
Joe David was a Korean War veteran (memorial incorrectly states Vietnam) and is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Broome, Oscar D. "O. D." (1925-2017), S2C, USN
O. D. served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. as a crew member of the USS Douglas County (LST-731), a tank landing ship, during 1945-1946.
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| U.S.S. Douglas County (LST-731) Muster Roll 1946) |
Brown, James O., USA
Wounded in WWI.
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| Biloxi (MS) Daily Herald 12-Dec-1918 Page 1 |
Wounded in WWII.
Read his obituary here.
Butenhoff, Thomas (1947- ), A1C, USAF
Thom served in Vietnam in 1967-1968. Though stationed at NhaTrang Air Base Nha Trang Air Base , he worked at the headquarters of the Army First Field Headquarters. He was there during the devastating Tet Offensive of January, 1968.
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| Thom in combat (l) and dress (r) uniforms |
Thom at work.
Articles from the time featuring Thom making improvements to otherwise spartan accommodations on base.
First Field Forces Insignia:
Safe Conduct Pass:
Butler, Jerry Keithley, Jr. (1915-1991), Cpt, USMC
Jerry served 23 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 1957 as a mustang captain. He enlisted in New Orleans in 1934. Basic was at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, NC. He served duty at North Island, CA, Cherry Point, NC (twice), Ewa, HI (when Hawaii was still a territory), Korea for one year during the conflict , and his final duty station was El Toto Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA.
Source: Jerry Butler (son)
Butler, Sam, Lieutenant, USN, WWII, Pacific Theater
Alexandria Town Talk 17-May-1939, Page 4
Shreveport Times 11-Mar-1951, Page 9
Caviness, Roy Blair (1918-1995) Col, USAAC/USAF, Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal, Croix de Guerre (French)
Colonel Caviness was a native Texan who grew up in Paris, in the northeast part of the state. His family moved to Oil City sometime in the late 1930s as the 1940 census shows him and family living in the area. The picture below is of Roy as a student at Centenary College, listed as being from Shreveport. Some articles from over the years mentioned him also having attended Louisiana State University and the University of Texas.
Source: Centenary College Yoncopin (yearbook), Page 43
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on 09-Sep-1940 and rose up the ranks, as this April 1944 article notes Major Caviness shot down his first aircraft.....
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Source: Paris (TX) News 28-Apr-1944, Page 1
.....and another later that year discloses now Lieutenant Colonel Caviness (just 26 years old) having gotten his second bogie.
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Source: Paris (TX) News 20-Sep-1944, Page 1
Here he is pictured with Goona II, one of his planes during World War II.
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In Nov-1944, then Lt. Col Caviness assumed command of the 361st fighter group, comprised of P-51 Mustangs.
Source: Stars and Stripes 23-Nov-1944, Page 4
Just a few weeks after VE-Day, British citizens tour Col. Caviness's plane, Contrary Mary, on Air Force Day, 01-Jun-1945.
Source: Aces of the 78th Fighter Group, 2013, By Thomas Cleaver, Page 91
After the war, he received the Croix de Guerre from the French government. By 1946 he was stationed in North Carolina where he was head of training and operations at ORD. The entry shown below discloses his career path in the 1940s, along with medals awarded, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; and Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters.
Official Army and Air Force Register Jan-1948, Vol. I, Page 300
In 1952, he was elevated to full colonel and by 1956, serving as Deputy for Operations for the 85th Air Force Division headquartered at Seymour-Johnson AFB in North Carolina. Famed journalist Drew Pearson column mentions Col. Caviness (shown to be from Paris, TX) as being in charge of the Combat Operations Center at Andrews Air Force Base in North Carolina.
Col. Caviness continued flying into the jet age as here he is shown (third from right) with his supporting ground crew and in 1958 his team won an air combat competition.
Colonel Caviness was later stationed in Taiwan where, in this 1959 photo he receives a commendation while attending a formal dinner honoring the Pacific Forces Commander-In-Chief. There he served as Deputy Commander Air Task Force.
Source: Pacific Stars and Stripes 26-Nov-1959, Page 27
Again he is cited for meritorious service less than two months before his apparent retirement from the Air Force.
Source: Pacific Stars and Stripes 06-Jun-1961, Page 36
One source lists his retirement date as 31-Jul-1961, however it's not known what he did after leaving the Air Force other than later in life he lived in Houston, TX. Colonel Caviness died 23-Jan-1995 and is buried in Houston National Cemetery.
Cline, Robert E., Sr. (1921-1975) Sergeant, U. S. Army, WWII
Butler, Sam, Lieutenant, USN, WWII, Pacific Theater
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| Sam Butler as a Louisiana Tech student |
Shreveport Times 11-Mar-1951, Page 9
Caviness, Roy Blair (1918-1995) Col, USAAC/USAF, Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal, Croix de Guerre (French)
Colonel Caviness was a native Texan who grew up in Paris, in the northeast part of the state. His family moved to Oil City sometime in the late 1930s as the 1940 census shows him and family living in the area. The picture below is of Roy as a student at Centenary College, listed as being from Shreveport. Some articles from over the years mentioned him also having attended Louisiana State University and the University of Texas.
Source: Centenary College Yoncopin (yearbook), Page 43
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on 09-Sep-1940 and rose up the ranks, as this April 1944 article notes Major Caviness shot down his first aircraft.....
Source: Paris (TX) News 28-Apr-1944, Page 1
.....and another later that year discloses now Lieutenant Colonel Caviness (just 26 years old) having gotten his second bogie.
Source: Paris (TX) News 20-Sep-1944, Page 1
Here he is pictured with Goona II, one of his planes during World War II.
In Nov-1944, then Lt. Col Caviness assumed command of the 361st fighter group, comprised of P-51 Mustangs.
Source: Stars and Stripes 23-Nov-1944, Page 4
Just a few weeks after VE-Day, British citizens tour Col. Caviness's plane, Contrary Mary, on Air Force Day, 01-Jun-1945.
After the war, he received the Croix de Guerre from the French government. By 1946 he was stationed in North Carolina where he was head of training and operations at ORD. The entry shown below discloses his career path in the 1940s, along with medals awarded, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; and Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters.
Official Army and Air Force Register Jan-1948, Vol. I, Page 300
In 1952, he was elevated to full colonel and by 1956, serving as Deputy for Operations for the 85th Air Force Division headquartered at Seymour-Johnson AFB in North Carolina. Famed journalist Drew Pearson column mentions Col. Caviness (shown to be from Paris, TX) as being in charge of the Combat Operations Center at Andrews Air Force Base in North Carolina.
Col. Caviness continued flying into the jet age as here he is shown (third from right) with his supporting ground crew and in 1958 his team won an air combat competition.
Colonel Caviness was later stationed in Taiwan where, in this 1959 photo he receives a commendation while attending a formal dinner honoring the Pacific Forces Commander-In-Chief. There he served as Deputy Commander Air Task Force.
Source: Pacific Stars and Stripes 26-Nov-1959, Page 27
Again he is cited for meritorious service less than two months before his apparent retirement from the Air Force.
Source: Pacific Stars and Stripes 06-Jun-1961, Page 36
One source lists his retirement date as 31-Jul-1961, however it's not known what he did after leaving the Air Force other than later in life he lived in Houston, TX. Colonel Caviness died 23-Jan-1995 and is buried in Houston National Cemetery.
Cline, Robert E., Sr. (1921-1975) Sergeant, U. S. Army, WWII
Collins, Charles L. (1945- ), Sgt, USA, Vietnam
Charles was in the U.S. Army - Sep-1965 to Jul-1967, including one year with 25th Infantry Division, Cu Chi, Vietnam.
Source: Sue Collins (wife)
Crawford, Robert (1934-1989) Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
From his obituary:
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City, LA
Served 21-Sep-1917 to 03-Jan-1919. His draft registration shows him to be living in Oil City at the time with the occupation of rig builder. Here is notice of his promotion to corporal.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune 08-Apr-1918, Page 14
Deemer, Eddie; U. S. Army, Korea
Served 1970-1971.
Deemer, Kenneth Roy (1923-1980), Cpl, USMC, WWII
Kenneth Sr. was a graduate of Kilgore High School and attended Kilgore College before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II from 08-Dec-1942 to 16-Nov-1945.
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| Cpl. Kenneth Roy Deemer, USMC |
He began his tenure by attending basic training in San Diego, CA.
In Oct-1943, he is listed as PFC Radar Operator in Cherry Point, NC. During WWII, the base there was a training facility to prepare marines for the Pacific Theater.
By Jan-1945, he holds the rank of corporal and was serving as Msm, or messman, for his air warning unit based in the San Francisco area. In small remote units having no formal mess facilities, a serviceman would receive extra pay to cook for the group in addition to his regular duties.
During the war, the west coast, and particularly the metropolitan areas were guarded by air/sea warning and defense positions. Even today, in places such as Marin County (north of the Golden Gate Bridge), there are still remnants of old gun emplacements looking towards the Pacific Ocean. From these sites defense units would watch and be on guard for potential air and sea attacks.
Per his daughter, Angela Deemer Walker, Kenneth was later a union pipefitter. In addition to Angela, he had two sons; Kenneth and Eddie Deemer.
He is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA.
Deemer, Kenneth "Tootie"; U. S. Army, Vietnam
Member of the 1st of the 503rd Infantry, 173rd Aiirborne Bridge
Served 01-May-1969 to 01-May-1970
Dixon, Allen D. (?-?) U.S. Army, WWI
The following is Allen's account of his participation in the U.S. Army's Composite Regiment; comprised of crack troops, all of similar stature, used in parades; particularly those commemorating victory at the end of World War I.
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Dodd, Lewis Joshua (1920-1989) Captain, WWII, Korea
Per his obituary, Captain Dodd retired from the military in 1960 after 21 years of service.
Interment: Vivian (LA) Cemetery
Doughdrill, Marvin Walker (1899-1988) USN, World War I
Marvin attended the Oil City School in 1914-1915 and served in the U.S. Navy from 22-Jan-1917 to 03-May-1920.
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| Marvin W. Doughdrill, USN (1917) |
Source: History of the Oil City, La. School (1910-1955), by Mrs. Maggie Smith Warren and Mrs. Willa McCord (1977)
He is buried in the College Station (TX) Cemetery.
Wounded in WWII.
He is buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Vivian, LA.
Elmore, J. R. (1929-2001), Cpl, USMC, Korea
Earned the Bronze Star and was awarded the Purple Heart while serving with the First Marine Division during the Korean War.
J. R. later served as Oil City chief of police for many years.
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Oil City, LA
Estess, John D., Pvt, USA (????-1918)
Died of disease during WWI. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Fedd, Ervin William (1912-1967) SF1, USN, son of Elisha “Lish” Fedd and Mary Bruin Maxey.
Ervin was born in Cass County, Texas and grew up in Oil City. He joined the Navy during World War II as member of its Construction Battalion, nicknamed the “Seabees”. This organization was responsible for construction of infrastructure (e.g., bases, roads, bridges, airfields) supporting combat operations, and early recruits were volunteers recruited for their trade/craft skills and experience; his being small equipment operation and construction.
Though in a supporting role, they were at or near the forefront of many engagements and performed their duties under harsh conditions and threat of enemy fire. What they were building or repairing was needed right away and in some cases had been captured Japanese assets damaged in battle, but then restored for use by the Allies. They often worked in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Per his daughter, Lynn Fedd Stuckey, Ervin served in the Pacific on New Georgia Island where he worked on the former Japanese-held Munda Point airfield, and later at Bougainville. For reference, on the map below, the Point A is the location of Bougainville, while B is the site of what is now Munda Airport.
While helping to hold this island and strategic point, and through days of enemy shelling, he suffered a head injury and was transported to Camp Endicott, site of the "Seabees" headquarter facilities and hospital, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Below, he appears the Camp Endicott Naval Construction Training Center, 1945 yearbook.
While helping to hold this island and strategic point, and through days of enemy shelling, he suffered a head injury and was transported to Camp Endicott, site of the "Seabees" headquarter facilities and hospital, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Below, he appears the Camp Endicott Naval Construction Training Center, 1945 yearbook.
The center, now closed, is a designated historic site and museum.
After the war, Ervin returned to his wife Radolph Kelly Fedd (1913-1988), and children Ervin Kelly, Winona, Kenneth, Marylynn, and Larry. He later owned his own barge and worked many years diving and recovering oilfield parts for drilling on Caddo Lake. He loved fishing with his brother, Frank, and was notably the only scuba diver in the area for many years.
Ferguson, William Harold, D.D.S, (1917-1990) Captain, USAAC
Dr. Ferguson was in the U.S. Army Air Corps/Air Force during WWII as a Captain and dentist in the European Theater; serving 2 years, 3 months in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
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| Capt. William H. Ferguson, USAAC |
He moved to Oil City from Missouri at the age of 10 with his parents, William Lloyd and Collie M. Hughes Ferguson, and five siblings. His father worked for the Texas Company (Texaco) and the family lived in a company house north of downtown.
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| William and Collie Ferguson |
After graduating from high school, he attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute....
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| 1936 Louisiana Tech Lagniappe (yearbook) |
and then Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (LSU).....
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| 1937 LSU Gumbo (yearbook) |
...before entering the Loyola University School of Dentistry, from which he graduated in 1941.
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| Excerpt from Loyola Student Bulletin, 1937-38 |
When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he attained the rank of captain. He served as a dentist in the European Theater, spending two years, three months in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
After the war, he returned to the north Caddo area and married the former Lida Wilson of Dixie, Louisiana; then an elementary school teacher at Oil City High School. He established a dental practice in Vivian, Louisiana where he served his patients and the community for many years.
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| Dr. Ferguson speaking at NC Career Day |
Dr. Ferguson is buried in Vivian (LA) Cemetery.
Fleener, George C., USN
1942 graduate of Oil City High, was a Navy pilot in WWII.
Corpus Christi (TX) 10-Jun-1945, Page 27
Flint, James Henry (1921-1948) USAF
A chemical engineer working for Gulf Oil Co. when killed in an automobile accident.
Longview News-Journal 25-Oct-1948 Page 1
Fowler, Clare Maxwell (1909-1994) USN, WWII, Pacific
He is buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, LA.
Fowler, John Elven (1917-1991) M Sgt, USAAC, WWII, Europe
Shreveport Times 27-May-1945, Page 2
Excerpt from obituary:
Shreveport Times 17-May-1991, Page 26-A
Interment: Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA.
Fowler, Walter Aaron (1920-2013) CMOMM, USN, WWII, Pacific
Attained the rank of Chief Motor Machinist's Mate Petty Officer (E-7) while serving in the U. S. Navy during World War II..
U. S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949
After the Wasp, Walter served on an unnamed submarine chaser (SC-516), the U.S.S. Winterberry, and finally the U. S. S. Takelma (ATF-113).
He married the former Martha Berry while on furlough in April 1944.
Shreveport Times 30-Apr-1944, Page 19
Appearing on the muster roll of the Takelma.
U. S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949
Walter retired in 1979 having worked for Texaco for 32 years. He and Martha hosted a reunion of the crew of the Takelma in 1986.
Shreveport Times 13-Jun- 1986, Page 2-B
He passed away in 31-Jan-2013.
Interment: Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville, LA
Friedel, Joel Glenn (1939-2012) USAF
Joel attended Oil City and North Caddo High Schools, graduating from the latter in 1957. Afterward, he joined the Air Force, where he was a member of the 32nd Air Force Refueling Squadron.
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| Joel as a student at Oil City High School |
Furlong, Maxie Henry (1942-2000). U. S. Marine Corps
Maxie is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Gandy, Carl (1926-2009), Tec 5 (Cpl), USA
Enlisted in the U.S. Army at Camp Beauregard near Pineville, LA on 15-Mar-1944. He served in the Army artillery in Europe.
Source: U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Carl is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Gibson, Ollie B. (1907-1954) PFC, Co A, 728th Railway Ops, U. S. Army, WWII
Ollie served 15-Mar-1944 to 28-Nov-1945 in Company A of the 728th Railway Operating Battalion.
The 728th, was sponsored by the now defunct Louisville & Nashville Railroad and operated facilities in the port of Cherbourg, France after the Normandy Invasion. Company A performed track work, bridge work, and building work, while other companies provided locomotive and car repair, train operation, and headquarters (management, administration, logostics). This information comes from a masters thesis by David Matthew Wilkins at this link
Ollie is buried in Evans Field Cemetery,
Goldstein, Abe (1893-????), Merchant Sailor (Wiper), S. S. President Harrison
Though not technically a military veteran, his ship, the S.S. President Harrison, was captured by the Japanese Navy off Shanghai, China on 08-Dec-1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Its crew, including Abe, remained prisoners for the duration of the war.
A Japanese sailor guards the President Harrison.
Muscatine Journal and News Tribune 27-Aug-1942, Page 6
Here is the Master's Report to American President Lines describing the fascinating details of the incident. The vessel, which had been converted to transport American troops, was renamed the Kachidoki Maru and used to haul Japanese troops, materials, and prisoners-of-war until sunk by the U.S.S. Pampanito in 1944.
A Japanese sailor guards the President Harrison.
Here is the Master's Report to American President Lines describing the fascinating details of the incident. The vessel, which had been converted to transport American troops, was renamed the Kachidoki Maru and used to haul Japanese troops, materials, and prisoners-of-war until sunk by the U.S.S. Pampanito in 1944.
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S.S. President Harrison of the American President Lines
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Not a lot is known about Abe. A 1922 passenger list for the S.S. Tamishua, an oil tanker arriving in New Orleans shows that he was born in August 1893 in Chicago, IL; and his then current address was Oil City.
Below is a record from the National Jewish Welfare Board showing him to be liberated and that his sister, Mrs. J. Walker, also resided in Oil City. Perhaps there was a connection to one of the Jewish families that used to live in Oil City (Kottles and Goodmans), but it can't be confirmed.
Gray, George William, Jr. (1918-1989) Sergeant, USAAF, World War II, Europe
Reported in Ireland in 1943.
Below, shown later in life.
Interment:Blanchard (LA) Memorial Cemetery
J. W. was in the navy from October 1942 to January 1946. He spent time in the South Pacific; including New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, where he operated landing craft and helped land the First Cavalry Division, and the Philippines; where he eventually wound up in Manila. While in the Admiralty Islands, J.W. endured the explosion of the U.S.S. Mount Hood, a munitions ship. The disaster killed all on board and caused damage and injuries for 2,000 yards around.
See more information about J. W. under Oil City in Music and Its Musicians.
Greer, William Arthur "Billy", Jr. (1924?-1944), PhM2, USN
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Guess, Teddy O'Brien (1919-1944) SFI, USNR, WWII, Pacific Theater
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
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| SMSgt. Nathan O'Neal Hartley, USAF |
Date of service Nov. 19, 1974 until Oct. 31 1997 (22 years 11 month)
Veteran of Operation Desert Storm
Primary Specialty : Air Transportation Superintendent
Decorations: Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 device
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 device
Air Force Training Ribbon
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 device
Military Education: USAF Senior NCO Academy
NCO Leadership Academy
Ribbons and Medals:
Air Force:. Overseas Short tour Ribbon
Long tour Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Longevity Service Award with 4 devices
Humanitarian Service Medal
NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon with 2 devices
Outstanding Unit Award with 3 devices
Good Conduct Medal with 6 devices
After his death, Nathan's family received a letter from President Obama recognizing his service to the country.
Source: Gail Owens Hartley
Chip is buried in the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville, LA
Hayes, Polan Wayne (1920-1998), EM2, USN
Served in WWII on board the U.S.S. Clarendon (APA-72).
Source: Muster Roll of the Clarendon, Jan-1946
Polan is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Head, Henry C. (1904-1961) Pvt, U.S. Army
Served 1924-1925.
Henry is buried in Evans Field Cemetery,
Hearn, Jay Arlen (1951- ) Spec-4, USA, Europe
Jay served in the U. S. Army from Feb-1972 to Aug-1977 with the 8th Army Division in Germany.
El Dorado (AR) Times) 17-Apr-1974, Page 7
Helton, James Willette "Bill" (1927-2011) FC2C, USN
Per his daughter, Ruth Hanken: "(Bill) served on USS Strong during WWII in the South Pacific. He talked about the war as if he had gone off to summer camp. My dad was one of the funniest most positive people in this world."
From Bill's obituary: He left the plow at sixteen to join the U.S. Navy at the end of WWII. He was assigned to a destroyer as a fire controlman 2nd class in the Pacific and later also served in the Korean conflict.
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Oil City, LA.
Hensley, Charles R.. (1926-2006) U.S. Army, WWII
Served in India during World War II. Was a member of the Vivian (LA) VFW.
Obit: Shreveport Times 21-Nov-2006, Page 3-B
Interment: Evergreen Baptist Cemetery; Seminary, MS
Herring, Hershel Homer (1917-1980) Cpl, USMC, WWII, Pacific
An Arkansas native, Herschel was an Oil City resident when he enlisted for the draft, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 23-Dec-1943.
Ancestry.com entry
Per the article below, he served with the Third Marine Division in the Pacific, notably participating in the invasion of Iwo Jima.
Shreveport Times 04-May-1945, Page 6
While serving, Hershel was wounded in action.
World War II Navy, Marines Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, Louisiana, Wounded, Page 24
He is buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, LA.
Hillman, Leslie (1896-1949) Cpl, USA, WWI
Corporal Hillman is identified in the article below as being employed as a bank cashier in Oil City Bank prior to his U. S. Army enlistment.
Rocky Mountain (Denver, CO) News 30-Oct-1918, Page 8
A native of Leadville, CO; Leslie was the son of John Henry and Druzilla Hillman. His World War I draft registration lists him as an Oil City resident, but already a "student at training camp" at Fort Logan H. Roots in Arkansas. The Rocky Mountain News Article indicates he received further training at Camp Beauregard, near Pineville, LA and was assigned to the 156th Infantry Regiment, part of the 39th Infantry Division,
Little could be found about Leslie after the war. In 1930, he lived in Houston, TX with then wife Grace and infant son John. Per the 1940 U. S. Census he lived in St. Louis, MO; identified as divorced and with two children - John H. (now 11) and Marjorie (age 6); having resided in Memphis, TN five years earlier. His occupation is listed as "sales manager for bottling company." He apparently remarried as his next-of-kin listed on his WWII draft registration is a Nettie Hillman living at the same address.
After his death in 1949, his grave was approved for a military headstone that was apparently never delivered or installed, as per the cemetery (Memorial Park, St. Louis), he is currently interred in an unmarked grave.
During World War II he left school and joined the U. S. Navy, lying about his age. When found out, he was discharged and sent home. After graduating from Oil City High School in 1946, he enlisted again, serving four years and attaining the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class.
During his time in the Navy, Earl served on three different ships, the U.S.S. Stallion (ATA-193), the
U.S.S. Mona Island (ARG-9), and the U.S.S. Cadmus (AR-14).
Source: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls 1938-1949
A successful motion picture and television actor, information about Earl's career is at this link.
Hudson, Odis Tyree, Sr. (1940-1966) PFC, USA
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| Ellen Rowell and Odis Hudson |
Odis is buried in Thomas Cemetery in LaSalle Parish, LA.
Humphries, J. Q. "Jake" (1916-1990) Rank, Service Branch Unknown, WWII
Per his obituary he was a veteran of World War II and a member of the Vivian, LA VFW.
Obituary: Shreveport Times 15-Aug-1990, Page 14-A
Interment: Core Cemetery; Marion County, TX
Hysell, David Joel "Joe" (1951-2010) Vietnam
.jpg) |
| As a 1970 Captain Shreve High Senior |
Per his obituary, he was a Vietnam War veteran. He served 1970 to 1973.
Johnson, Eugene W. USN, WWII,
Served in the Pacific Theater during WWII with the Navy Seabees 5th Construction Division, Company C, Platoon 6.
Source: Journal of Two Journeys - Fifth U. S. Naval Construction Battalion, Page 287
Johnson, Shelby, Jr. (1923-1994) Cpl, U. S. Army, WWII, Pacific Theater
Kamp, Iva Blanche Butler, Flight Instructor, USN, WWII, Stateside
Baton Rouge State Times 22-Feb-1941, Page 10
Shreveport Times 13-Nov-1942, Page 8
Johnson, Eugene W. USN, WWII,
Served in the Pacific Theater during WWII with the Navy Seabees 5th Construction Division, Company C, Platoon 6.
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| Eugene W. Johnson |
Source: Journal of Two Journeys - Fifth U. S. Naval Construction Battalion, Page 287
Johnson, Shelby, Jr. (1923-1994) Cpl, U. S. Army, WWII, Pacific Theater
At the time of the 1930 U. S. Census, Shelby was living in Oil City with mother Carrie and siblings Sadie, Beatrice, and Norma. He enlisted in the U. S. Army prior to World War II and re-enlisted after its end; serving from 02-Jun-1941 to 20-May-1947.
Below he was identified among servicemen returning to the United States after the war. The USS Carole Lombard was "liberty ship" named for the movie star, who died in an airplane crash while traveling to promote war bond sales.
Pictured below, later in life, with two of his grandchildren.
Kamp, Iva Blanche Butler, Flight Instructor, USN, WWII, Stateside
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| Iva Blanche Butler as a student at Louisiana State Normal College in 1940 |
Baton Rouge State Times 22-Feb-1941, Page 10
Shreveport Times 13-Nov-1942, Page 8
Knight, Jonathan, Sgt, USA
Jonathan is an E5 Sergeant currently on a nine month deployment to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is part of the Louisiana Army National Guard 225th Engineer Brigade, 527th Engineer Battalion, 844th Horizontal Engineer Company, where his job is Engineering/Infantry.
A 2007 North Caddo High School graduate, he enlisted in the Guard in March 2007 and has been in for seven years. As a member of the guard, he does training one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year. He has also participated in annual training held in Germany in 2009 and 2010.
His deployments have included:
- Hurricanes Gustav and Ike (2008)
- Operation Red Chute (2009)
- SRT Range (2009)
- Negreet (2009)
- BP Oil Spill Relief (2010)
- Task Force Kout Men - Relief after Haiti earthquake (2010)
- Operation River Guardian (2011)
- Counter-Drug Task Force - Attached to Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division (2011-12)
- Hurricane Isaac (2012)
- Operation Enduring Freedom Kuwait (2013-2014) (current assignment)
Lakeview Memorial Gardens Many veterans are buried in the local cemetery. As time permits they will be profiled here, but check this link for others from Oil City who served not currently listed.
Lewis, Patrick Benson (1921-2017), Lt Col, USAAC/USAF, lived with his grandparents the Reeds, who owned the grocery store near Oil City School. He was a first team All State quarterback on the 1939 Oil City High team that was the Class B Northwest Louisiana Champion.
He joined the then Army Air Corps in January 1941 as a sheet metal mechanic. In 1963, he retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.
After World War II began, there was a shortage of pilots as initially there was a requirement that they be college graduates. This was later relaxed and enlisted men were trained as pilots, given the rank of Staff Sergeant. According to Pat, there were two to three thousand of these.
Shreveport Times 06-Sep-1942, Page 10
Frictions developed, as there were instances where the pilot was an enlisted man and co-pilot an officer; which did not sit well with the officers. To address this, the rank of Flight Officer was established and given to the enlisted-man pilots. Eventually they were made fully commissioned officers. Pat was a second lieutenant for only a week before being promoted to first lieutenant.
After World War II began, there was a shortage of pilots as initially there was a requirement that they be college graduates. This was later relaxed and enlisted men were trained as pilots, given the rank of Staff Sergeant. According to Pat, there were two to three thousand of these.
Shreveport Times 06-Sep-1942, Page 10
Frictions developed, as there were instances where the pilot was an enlisted man and co-pilot an officer; which did not sit well with the officers. To address this, the rank of Flight Officer was established and given to the enlisted-man pilots. Eventually they were made fully commissioned officers. Pat was a second lieutenant for only a week before being promoted to first lieutenant.
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| Flight Officer Patrick B. Lewis in August 1943 |
He flew 25 missions in the European theater, then an additional 17 in the Pacific.
Below he appears with the crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress “Tech Supply” in August 1943.
After the war, he served as personal pilot for General Curtis LeMay. During the war, General LeMay developed the combat box flying formation for B-17s which provided for mutual protection. Without fighter support and if flying alone, a single plane was a sitting duck. He later ran for Vice President on the American Independent Party ticket with Alabama Governor George Wallace in 1968.
Pat retired from the Air Force in 1963 to Houston and after being in various businesses there, moved to Coldspring, TX, near Lake Livingston.
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| Pat in 2003 |
At this link is an interview conducted in 2003 where he tells about his military service. You can either watch the video (~one hour) or read the text, but in my opinion it is much better to hear his story in his own words.
George served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, achieving the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate
(Chief Petty Officer). Originally a merchant sailor, during the 1930s he sailed on ships going to/from various destinations including Cuba, Germany, Venezuela, and other destinations; mostly in Latin America.
For example, below is a copy of a manifest for the ship S.S. Metapan, arriving in New Orleans from Havana, Cuba, listing George as an A.B. (able bodied) Seaman. That vessel would become a casualty of the war, striking a mine and sinking in October 1943 off the coast of Tunisia while part of a convoy.
He entered the Coast Guard in 1942, and initially based in the Gulf area - New Orleans (twice) and Galveston, TX; before being assigned to the Pacific where he served on LT-637 (LT = Large Tug), that operated in the Southwest and Western areas including Manila, Hollandia, and Batangas. He later served on the Coast Guard-manned Freight & Supply Army vessel FS-175, used to transport troops and supplies.
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Looney, George Gilder (1906-1968), CBM, USCG
(Chief Petty Officer). Originally a merchant sailor, during the 1930s he sailed on ships going to/from various destinations including Cuba, Germany, Venezuela, and other destinations; mostly in Latin America.
For example, below is a copy of a manifest for the ship S.S. Metapan, arriving in New Orleans from Havana, Cuba, listing George as an A.B. (able bodied) Seaman. That vessel would become a casualty of the war, striking a mine and sinking in October 1943 off the coast of Tunisia while part of a convoy.
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| CBM George Gilder Looney |
George returned stateside, first to the Coast Guard facility at Alameda, CA; and finally New Orleans where he was discharged in October 1945.
He is buried in Vivian (LA) Cemetery.
Lundy, Thomas Jonah (1926-2011) MoMM3C, U.S. Navy, WWII
Appeared on multiple muster rolls of two ships. Examples include:
01-Oct-1945, LST-139 sn 977 94 18 (rank = Fireman 1st Class)
01-May-1946, USS Nutmeg (rank = Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class)
01-Jul-1946, transported aboard Nutmeg to Portland, OR for discharge.
Obit: Shreveport Times 15-Apr-2011, Page 16-A
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City, LA
Lyle, Horace Eugene (1922-1961), Tech Sgt, USA, WWII, Europe
Member of Co E, 41st Armored Infantry.
Shown below at far right, with two Moroccan soldiers (center) he helped capture while stationed in north Africa during World War II.
Shreveport Times 22-Jan-1943, Page 17
Later while fighting in Europe, he was awarded a Bronze Star in the "Battle of the Bulge," and also a Purple Heart. Though it could not currently be confirmed, he may have also received a Silver Star for the action disclosed below.
New Orleans Times Picayune 22-May-1945, Page 15
After the war, he moved to Deer Park, Texas and worked as a draftsman. Sadly he died of a heart attack at age 39 and is buried in Rosewood Cemetery, Humble, Texas.
Lundy, Thomas Jonah (1926-2011) MoMM3C, U.S. Navy, WWII
Appeared on multiple muster rolls of two ships. Examples include:
01-Oct-1945, LST-139 sn 977 94 18 (rank = Fireman 1st Class)
01-May-1946, USS Nutmeg (rank = Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class)
01-Jul-1946, transported aboard Nutmeg to Portland, OR for discharge.
Obit: Shreveport Times 15-Apr-2011, Page 16-A
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City, LA
Lyle, Horace Eugene (1922-1961), Tech Sgt, USA, WWII, Europe
Member of Co E, 41st Armored Infantry.
Shown below at far right, with two Moroccan soldiers (center) he helped capture while stationed in north Africa during World War II.
Shreveport Times 22-Jan-1943, Page 17
Later while fighting in Europe, he was awarded a Bronze Star in the "Battle of the Bulge," and also a Purple Heart. Though it could not currently be confirmed, he may have also received a Silver Star for the action disclosed below.
New Orleans Times Picayune 22-May-1945, Page 15
Maloney, William Plez "Willie", Jr. (1904-1945) PFC, 778th Tank Battalion, Co D, WWII, KIA
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Mason, Kenneth Edward (1924-2001) U. S. Navy, WWII, Pacific
Served on the USS Tennessee.
Interment:Unknown
McCauley, Darrell Bruce (1936- ), SSgt, USA
Darrell was in the U.S. Army from 1955-1958. He enlisted with three of his Oil City High classmates, including Charles Matthews (1936-1973). Together they first went to Fort Chaffee, AR for eight weeks of basic training, came home on leave for a week, then headed to Fort Bragg, NC for advanced basic training. Afterward, they completed three weeks of jump school.
Darrell lost contact with the other guys except Charles, as they stayed together throughout their training - even living in the same barracks because their groups were split alphabetically and their names both started with M. After jump school and completing their first five jumps, they were transferred to the 187th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, KY. The 187th was later deactivated and they were assigned to the 101st Airborne Division for the duration of their service.
McBride, Charles Franklin (1928-2014) Corporal, USMC
From his obituary:
In 1946 he left home to join the Marines. During his time in the Marines he was stationed at Camp Pendleton and also in Oahu, Hawaii. He was trained as a sharp shooter.
Interment: Rosewood Park Cemetery; Longview, Texas
McBride, Nick Wallace, Jr. (1922-2008) S1C, U. S. Navy, WWII, Pacific
Nick McBride, brother of Charles, in the U.S. Navy.
Shreveport Times 25-Jul-1943, Page 10
Listed below as a passenger on the USS Chaumont.
Per his obituary, during World War II, he was a Navy Seabee and spent three years in the Aleutian and Philippine Islands, respectively.
Interment: Greenoaks Memorial Park; Baton Rouge, LA
McCord, Garry Cole (1947-2010) PFC, USA
Served 20-Oct-1966 to 18-Oct-1968 in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam.
Served 20-Oct-1966 to 18-Oct-1968 in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam.
McKellar, Leslie A. (1979-2010) USN and USA
Per his obituary, Leslie served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Harry S, Truman (CVN-75) while in the U.S. Navy and later was in the U.S. Army Special Forces.
McKenzie, Lloyd M., Jr. (1940- ) Sp4, U. S. Army, HHC, 2nd Bn, 35th Inf. Rt., 25th Inf. Div., Vietnam, Bronze Star
Lloyd was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. while serving in Vietnam with the 35th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 25th Infantry Division, known as Tropic Lightning.
Lloyd was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. while serving in Vietnam with the 35th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 25th Infantry Division, known as Tropic Lightning.
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| 1967 North Caddo Rebel (yearbook) |
McKnight, Ira Willie, Sr. "Bill" (1916-1991), Sgt, USA, WWII, Europe
Source: Helen McKnight on Ancestry.com
Sgt. McKnight landed at Normandy on D-Day (06-Jun-1944). For heroic actions that day he received the Silver Star medal.
Shreveport Times 12-Jan-1945, Page 7
Per his obituary, he received a second Silver Star as well as a Bronze Star.
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Oil City, LA
Medlin, Raymon Hilton (1920-1995) SSgt, USA, WWII, Europe
Source: Ancestry.com contributor
Raymon served with the 101st Airborne during World War II. He was captured by the Germans and remained a prisoner-of-war for the duration of the European conflict.
Reported captured 24-Dec-1944, later liberated.
Per daughter-in-law Mary Jordan Medlin (wife of son, Don):
Raymon was in Germany in the Battle of the Bulge. That is where he was captured. He said that the German solders took all their clothing(except for briefs) and shoes making them march,through the snow barefoot . He had bad frost bite on his feet. His feet bothered him the rest of his life. Don said he told a lot of stories about Germany but the one that sticks out in his mind the most was when a German soldier beat a man to death for stealing potato peels. His rank was staff sgt. Unit 100 first airborne Don isn't sure about what all of the ribbons and medals were for. I do remember the purple heart. One time when he was in the VA hospital channel 12 did a segment on him. Maybe was in the 80's. It was when he was awarded the POW medal.
Interment: Unknown
Michel, Richard "Dick" (1920-2014) Sergeant, U. S. Army Air Force, WWII, Europe
was born in Trees City and a 1937 graduate of Oil City High, where he lettered in football. Prior to World War II he attended Louisiana Tech, and was said to have played football there.
1938 Louisiana Tech Lagniappe (yearbook), Page
He enlisted in the Army, and as a member of the 15th Air Force, was a turret gunner on a B-17 forced to land 20-Mar-1945 while operating in the Italian theater. He was interned in Yugoslavia, however his ordeal was short; as he was liberated the following month on 29-Apr-1945 - nine days before VE Day.
By the time of the war, his parents had moved to Stamps, Arkansas.
Below, news of his liberation.
After the war he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston and lived in that city for over 60 years.
Obituary: Houston Chronicle
Interment: Memorial Oaks Cemetery; Houston, Texas
Milam, Louie Marcus (1913-1988), USNCB
Served 07-Oct-1943 to 09-Dec-1945 as a member of the SeaBees (Construction Battalion).
Source: The Penguin: the Fourth Naval Construction Battalion, 1944-1945 (cruise book)
He is buried in Riverview Cemetery, Williamstown, WV.
Milford, Roger William (1917-1943), Sgt, USAAC
Missing in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Mooneyham, Otis Ray "Buster" (1919-2004) Sgt, USA
Served in WWII.
He is buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, LA.
Moore, James Albert (1920-2010) Cpl, USAAF, WWII
Shreveport Times 02-Sep-1944, Page 4
Brother of Freddie and Walter; and father of Larry and Montie Moore. Served during WWII.
James is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA.
Moore, Larry (1950- ) USA
Larry was stationed in Korea in early 1970s.
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| Larry Moore in Korea |
Moore, Montie, USAF
Served in the 1970s.
Moore, Noah (1907-1943), PFC, USA
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Moore, Walter
Brother of Freddie and James Moore. Served in the Korean war.
Moore, William Freddy (1942-1984) PFC, USA, Vietnam
Brother of James Albert and Walter Moore.
Freddy is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA
Morehead, Louis M., Jr. (1905-1993) Colonel, U.S. Army, WWII, Korea
Pictured below as a Lieutenant Colonel after receiving the commendation ribbon upon leaving the army after World War II. He would later serve during the Korean War and beyond, and reach the rank of full colonel.
A Louisiana native, Louis was the son of Louis, Sr., a pioneer driller in the Caddo field, and Mattie Rike Morehead. A 1926 newspaper social column identified him and wife Henrietta as Oil City residents when attending a dance in Shreveport. They lived for apparently a short time in Vivian, where the 1930 census listed his occupation as electrical engineer for an oil company. In 1934 he was identified as a Shreveport resident when inducted into the army reserve as a lieutenant. This, plus his profession would indicate his having a college degree, but from what school is not known.
In 1936 he and Henrietta were back in Oil City, where he was named scoutmaster of the local troop, sponsored by Howard Fortson Post No, 138 of the American Legion. They lived at what is now 102 Pine Street, across from the school, and in the 1940 census had as boarders teachers Lida Wilson (future wife of Dr. William H. Ferguson, and mother of Glenda Ferguson Toole and sister Diane West) and Ida Goodwin. A July 1938 advertisement for General Electric table top fans listed L. M. Morehead Radio Service of Oil City among area dealers.
He was called to active duty in 1940 and though initially assigned to armored division training, was later chosen for the war department's special staff in Washington, D.C., specifically the Office of the Inspector General. In that capacity, he served at various locations around Europe for the duration of the war.
At war's end he was released from duty, but returned to service during the Korean War and stayed several more years, reaching the rank of full colonel. While assigned to the army's deputy chief of staff for logistics, on at least two occasions, Colonel Morehead spoke before U. S. House of Representative finance subcommittees to explain matters regarding procurement and spending.
He and Henrietta retired to Florida in 1968, and he passed away in 1993.
Interment: Bay Pines (FL) National Cemetery
Interment: Bay Pines (FL) National Cemetery
Myers, Kenneth D. (1949- ) Sgt, USMC
Kenneth is a Vietnam War veteran who served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was assigned as a tunnel rat and was wounded in combat.
Source: Sgt. Jonathan Knight (nephew)
In recognition of his service in Vietnam, Kenneth received an American flag that had flown over Camp Buehring, Kuwait; where his nephew Sgt. Jonathan Knight is currently stationed, along with a certificate of authentication signed by the camp commander and camp sergeant major.
Jonathan gave Kenneth this medal to also commemorate his service.
Newton, Eugene (1894-1977) Private, USA
Served in Company A of the 27th Engineer Battalion of the U. S. Army during WWI. He later practiced dentistry in Oil City for a long time.
"Pvt Eugene Newton enlisted in 1918 before he became a painful dentist. His enlistment papers list his occupation as "oil well driller", but really he was an Oil City baseball player! Wounded Sep 26, 1918 in the Argonne offensive; received the Purple Heart when they were first issued in 1932-33. Grumpy ever thereafter."
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| Private Eugene Newton |
Source: Ron Newton (grandson), with humorous adjectives retained as quoted. (smile)
Newton, Gaines Martin "Jack" (1922-2006), Lt, USAAC
"During WWII, Jack was a B-24 "Liberator" bombadier originally assigned to high-altitude bombing missions. Later he served in a secret unit known as “The Carpetbaggers” who conducted low-altitude night flights to drop OSS agents and supplies behind enemy lines."
Source: Ron Newton (son)
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| Jack as a Centenary College Student in 1942 |
Like his father, Eugene, Jack became a dentist and practiced in Oil City for several years.
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Nichols, James Kelly (192?-1944), EM3C, USN
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Nichols, Schuyler B. (1846-1925) Pvt. USA, 1st New York Veteran Cavalry, Company B
Nichols, James Kelly (192?-1944), EM3C, USN
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Nichols, Schuyler B. (1846-1925) Pvt. USA, 1st New York Veteran Cavalry, Company B
The 1850 Census shows that Schuyler lived with parents Eaton and Phoebe (DeVoe) in the town of Southport, Chemung County, New York
He mustered into the Union Army 08-Sep-1863 in Elmira, NY.
%2BMuster%2BRoll%2B2%2B(S%2BB%2BNichols).jpg)
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Details of his service.
Source: 1895 NY Adjutant General Report to Legislature - First Veterans Cavalry
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| First Veterans Cavalry Banner |
Activity of the 1st Veterans Cavalry, including dates Nichols mustered in and out.
He worked for many years and retired as a railroad engineer.
Other milestone dates noted.
1876 - Married wife Ora N. (per 1900 census)
At some unknown time, they moved to Caddo Parish.
1900 - U.S. Census shows Schuyler and Ona living in Caddo Parish, Ward 5 (west of Shreveport) with his occupation listed as farmer.
1909 - Sold 497 acres in Caddo Parish to M. F. Harman. (Sec.s 23 & 26); roughly Pine Island and Black Bayou areas.
1918 - Identified as living in Oil City, LA per article in Locomotive Engineers Journal.
Honored by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in 1918.
Schuler B. Nichols is buried in Palacios Cemetery, Palacios, TX.
Nickels, Maurice Kennedy (1919-1990) Lt, USAF, WWII, Europe
Served with the Fifth Army in Europe.
He was a 1936 Oil City High graduate.
Shreveport Times 24-Apr-1936, Page 11
In early 1943, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
Shreveport Times 12-Mar-1943 Page 20
Misspelled "Nichols," here Maurice was reported wounded and received a purple heart. Per his obituary, this injury eventually cost him his leg.
Shreveport Times 13-Sep-1944, Page 6
After leaving the military, he earned a bachelors degree from Northwestern State College (now University in 1957. After teaching a few years, he returned to earn his masters at Northwestern in 1961.
1961 NSC Potpourri (yearbook), Page 52
In 1971, he was named principal at Greenwood Elementary School, having earlier served in the same role at Brooks Street Elementary.
Shreveport Times 05-Aug-1971, Page D-18
Below is a portion of his obituary describing his career.
Shreveport Times 05-Jul-1990, Page 14-A
Interment: Summer Grove Cemetery, Shreveport, LA
Norris, Cleo Clayton (1918 - 2009) RU, USA
Per his obituary:
:
"He served in the U. S. Army’s Second Armored Division (“Hell on Wheels”) during World War II in the 142nd Signal Corps. After completion of basic training at Fort Benning, GA, he saw action in Northern Africa, Sicily, and throughout the European theater. He proudly participated in the liberation of Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge. His war stories (which were numerous) told of his bout with malaria in Africa, frostbitten feet during the Battle of the Bulge, and the sometimes mischievous activities of his life-long signal company friends."
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Owens, Bobby O'Neil, USMC
Bobby enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and served two tours of duty, including service in Korea. He was stationed out of Camp Pendleton, CA and was very good with guns, receiving the sharpshooter medal while in basic training.
Owens, Versie DeWitt (1908-2000), PFC, USAAC
Served in India during WWII with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He worked with the engineers as a carpenter building airplane hangars.
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| PFC Versie Owens in India - 1944 (photo courtesy of Gail Owens Hartley) |
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Source: Gail Owens Hartley (daughter)
Page, Woodrow (1919-1945) S Sgt., U.S. Army, Europe, WWII
Shreveport Times 09-Mar-1945, Page 9
Read more about Staff Sgt. Page in Fallen Heroes.
Pearson, Wilbert Douglas (1910-1987) USAAC, WWII
Per his obituary Mr. Pearson served as flight engineer on B-24s during World War II. He is buried In Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Oil City, LA.
Pearson, Wilbert Douglas "Doug", Jr. (1947- ) Maj. Gen. (Retired), USAF, Vietnam
General Pearson served in the U.S. Air Force 1970-2005, including a tour of Vietnam in 1972-73. See also Notable Current and Former Residents.
Perry, Oliver Earl (1916-1991), CSF, USNCB
Oliver is the son of Oliver A. and Bonnie Mae Perry of Oil City, LA. He enlisted 02-Apr-1942 and served in US Navy 7th Construction Battalion (Seabees) Company D.
Source: Seventh Naval Construction Battalion, 1942-1944 (cruise book)
He is buried in Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, WA.
Peters, Clarence Jr. (1920-1944), Tech Sgt, USA, 313 Inf,, 79th Div, WWII
Player, Virgil Joe "V. J." (1918-1955), PFC, USAAC, Bronze Star recipient
Son of Robert Weston (1884-1954) and Maggie Amanda Colgin Player (1885-1933). A veteran of WWII, Virgil enlisted 02-Oct-1941 at Jacksonville (FL) Army Air Field.
From his headstone:
PFC (Private First Class)
448 Bomb GP AAF (belonged to 448th bombardment group)
WW II (World War II)
BSM & PH (awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart)
Per niece Gail Owens Hartley, he was also awarded the good conduct medal.
Virgil is buried in Gray Cemetery, Gray, Texas.
Poindexter, Eligah H, "Shorty" (1919-1989), PFC, USA
Served during WWII.
He is buried in Mount Gilead Cemetery in Vivian, LA.
Poindexter, R. D. (1937-1958) A2C, USAF
Contributor: Mary Hughes Furgeison
Killed in an automobile accident while in the service.
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| Hattiesburg 21-Jul-1958, Page 12 |
He is buried in Evans Field Cemetery, Oil City, LA.
Poindexter, Tommy Eligah (1939- ), SSgt, USAF, Bronze Star recipient, son of Eligah H. "Shorty" and Annie Elizabeth McDow Poindexter. Shorty was himself a veteran, serving as a PFC in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Tommy served twenty years in the U.S. Air Force (1958-78) including two in Vietnam (1966-1967) where he was awarded the bronze star, as well as two air combat medals for his actions as aircraft mechanic, and air rescue support to combat personnel such as shot-down pilots and wounded troops.
He is mentioned in the book, where he took an old plane that was basically a junker, and through finding/trading for spare parts, and working on his own time, restored it to service. This is described on pages, 62-63 of “The War of the Innocents”, c. 1970, by Charles Bracelen Flood:
I (author Flood) sat in a shaped-metal bucket seat, facing a row of similar seats across the aisle in the narrow tubular interior. These planes, which had flown under the commercial name of DC-3s and were known as Gooney Birds, first went into the air in 1936 and had proved to be one of the most durable and efficient aircraft in aviation history. They had been the workhorses flying The Hump in Burma during the Second World War and had played and had played a large part in the Berlin Airlift. In Vietnam they were providing invaluable as transport planes with a capability of landing on a short runway, and a number had been adapted with batteries of machine guns used to thwart night attacks on Allied positions.
This one was unarmed. It belonged to the Wing and was used to pick up and deliver all over Vietnam, small groups of the Wing’s personnel or special consignments of supplies. I happened to be sitting next to the crew chief, a bony, freckle-faced young man, Sergeant Tommy Poindexter of Oil City, Louisiana. I asked him a few questions about this particular plane’s history and a tale emerged. The young sergeant had been working at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon when he had noticed this plane in the grass off the runway, missing one engine and a number of parts, including a tail wheel. It was being cannibalized, gradually being eaten up to provide parts for other Gooney Birds, but Tommy thought this one might have some life left in it. After work, on his own time, he began begging and bartering for various parts. After a few weeks, he had a complete airplane. The authorities rubbed their eyes, assigned it to Tuy Hoa, and sent Sergeant Poindexter along with it.
“You gave the Air Force back and airplane,” I observed.
“No, Sir,” he said shocked. “The Air Force had it all along. It just wasn’t running, that’s all.”
This 1967 Pacific Stars & Stripes article describes a risky nighttime airlifting of a critically wounded soldier in Vietnam, with Tommy cited as being a key figure in the mission's success.
Source: Pacific Stars & Stripes 11-Feb-1967, Page 28
Tommy was born 15-Dec-1939, and graduated from North Caddo High School. In 1961 he married the former Sylvia Haynes of Abilene, TX; his wife of 39 years, who passed away in 2000. They have two children: Cynthia K. Barkschat, and Paul E. Poindexter.
He is currently is a businessman operating two enterprises - Northla Production LLC (oil production) and Poindexter Auto Salvage. Tommy is also a Caddo Parish constable, an elected position where he serves the North Caddo area.
Pourteau, Bertrand Lloyd (1927-2003), USAAC
Enlisted USA 02-Mar-1946 at Camp Chaffee Fort Smith, AR and served until 02-Sep-1947. During his tenure, he was stationed in Alaska.
Source: Brazosport (TX) Facts 28-Apr-2003 Page 2
He is buried in Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston, TX.
Reeves, Vonda Norvel (1914-1972) Technical Sergeant, USAF, WWII, Korea
Attended and played football for Oil City High School..
Obit: Shreveport Times 07-Jun-1972, Page 7-A
Interment: Forest Park East Cemetery; Shreveport, LA
Richmond, Phillip Howard (1926-2009), PFC, USA
Served 19-Jul-1944 to 12-Aug-1946 in Company H, 163rd Infantry Regiment.
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Citation/Medals awarded:
- Rifleman 745 Combat Infantrymans Badge (CIB) 10- Mar-1945
- Luzon GO 105 WD 45 (Southern Philippine Campaign) Southern Philipines Campaign
- Asiatic pacific campaign ribbon with 1 bronze star
- 1 bronze arrowhead
- 1 Philippine Liberation ribbon with bronze star
- Good Conduct medal
- Army of Occupation ribbon (Japan)
- Victory Ribbon 3 overseas tours
Source: Gail Owens Hartley (niece)
Riley Arthur Louis (1925-2006) F1C, USN
Arthur attended school in Oil City. He entered into the U.S. Navy in August 1944 and served on the U.S.S. Currier (DE-700)
He is buried in Tom Cemetery, Tom, Oklahoma.
Roberts, Vernon (1945- ), E-4 (PO3), USN
Vernon joined the U.S. Navy on 04-Mar-1965 and after boot camp was sent to Naval training In San Diego, CA. His first duty station which was at Naval Air Station (NAS) Imperial Beach - Ream Field, a helicopter base known as "The Helicopter Capital of the World," where he was a member of the Crash Crew. While at Ream Field he got his private pilot's license. He was at Ream until 1967 when he transferred to the U.S.S. Princeton (LPH-5), a helicopter carrier, where his job was being in charge of the aviation fuels office.
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| Vernon Roberts in 1967 |
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| U.S.S Princeton (LPH-5) |
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| Activity on board the Princeton |
The ship made a nine-month cruise to Vietnam, where it spent a month or two on-line, then went to the Philippines or Japan, and also made a trip to Singapore. The ship returned to the U.S. in Dec-1968 and Vernon was released in March 1969. While in the Navy, Vernon attained the rank of E-4 (PO3).
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| Vernon Roberts today |
Robin, Clinton John (1928-2007), SF2, USNCB
He was a member of the U.S.Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (Seabees) Number 4.
Note misspelling of his last name.
Source: U.S.N. Mobile Construction Battalion 4, 4's Log, 1951 - 1952 (cruise book)
Clinton enlisted in 1945 and served 20 years.
He is buried in Midway Cemetery, Livingston, TX.
Robinson, Tommie Guy (b 1949), U. S. Army, Vietnam
Robinson, Tommie Lee (1919-2003) U. S. Army, WWII
Served 11-Nov-1943 to 19-Nov-1945.
Obituary: Times 26-Sep-2003, Page 4B
Interment: New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery; Mooringsport, LA
Robison, Darius "Buddy" (1924-1999) Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps, WWII
Reported training at Great Lakes Naval Air Station:
Shreveport Times 28-Apr-1943, Page 7
Photo as a Texaco employee in 1954
Lufkin Line July-August 1954, Page 17 (pdf file)
Obit: Shreveport Times 10-Aug-1999, Page 2B
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City, LA
Photo as a Texaco employee in 1954
Lufkin Line July-August 1954, Page 17 (pdf file)
Obit: Shreveport Times 10-Aug-1999, Page 2B
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City, LA
Photo courtesy of Joan Robison.
The following is the story of Mastin's military service (in italics), along with nephew Ron Newton's touching overview, included here with his permission.
The Story of a Wounded Warrior from Oil City, LA
Ron Newton, editor
Those in Oil City would little suspect that the quiet unassuming man they knew for years is the same man whose exploits are contained in this story. Like many of his generation, he never spoke of his war experience.
His story, retold here from a book by Mastin’s family historian (1), provides a glimpse of the sacrifice of young men like him from Oil City as they marched off to war. Some never returned. Others, like our hero, still lived emotionally and physically with the scars of their experience.
“Mastin Robison attended Vivian and Oil City schools and graduated from Oil City High School in 1943. He then entered LA Tech in Ruston, Louisiana the following fall.
“Mastin had completed his first year at Tech and had entered another semester. World War II was in progress and they were drafting the eighteen year olds as soon as they had their eighteenth birthday.
“In March, Mastin registered at the Oil City draft board, which was chaired by O.B. Roberts, president of the local bank. Since he was enrolled at LA Tech, Mastin went to Mr. Roberts and asked for an advanced notice should his draft be drawn. This would give him time to enlist in the Navy and possibly delay actual duty, long enough to get the credits for his present semester which would be completed by June 1. He was promised this consideration, but in midway of the semester, the draft board called him and he was drafted May 12, 1944; he lost that semester's work. They would not allow him any extra time to finish his work nor to join any other unit.
“On May 12, 1944, Mastin Robison was inducted into the US Army as a Private. He was placed in the 70th Inf. Co F 276th Regt. and sent to Camp Fannin, Tyler, Texas for basic training. His training was for an Infantry Scout.
“In October 1944, Mastin went with no further training, directly from Camp Fannin to Europe. New recruits were desperately needed because this was the beginning of the famous 'Battle of the Bulge' which encompassed the Black Forest of France and Germany. This entire division sailed from New York in the luxury liner, 'The Queen Mary', which had been converted to carry troops. It could outrun submarines and this helped to ease the fears of many of the men aboard as they were a convoy of one.
“The unit landed in Marseilles, France where they stayed two or three days before going to Northern France. They fought in the Black Forest of France and Germany. They were in the mountains which was freezing weather with the ground covered in snow a extremely tough, especially for a southern lad.
Mastin and his buddy dug their first 'buddy hole' which was not very deep. The mountain rock was hard digging. After their unit was 'dug in' with the Germans constantly firing mortar shells, they began pushing the Germans out of their stronghold. As the Americans advanced, they would occupy the fox holes which were about waist deep of the retreating Germans. This was a help, because it was a most difficult job to dig a fox hole in the mountain rock! When the American company was to attack, normally, the procedure in scouting called for sending out one scout, one escort, and then the officer. This was quickly learned by the enemy and became a thing of dread for the person occupying the 3rd position. Once, a mix-up occurred and Mastin was the third man out. As he said, "they were shooting and I was scared to death".
“On 13 January 1945, Mastin’s unit was cut off for two and one half days. The shelling was terrific and in the middle of the night, a shell hit the tree above Mastin’s buddy hole causing shrapnel to enter their hole, killing his buddy and wounding him. Shrapnel entered his small New Testament in his shirt pocket and into his chest and around the neck area. He carries some of the small pieces of steel in his neck to this day. The soldier in a fox hole nearby was hit and lost his two legs. He eventually shot himself.
“They lost their medical unit the evening before and the captured German Soldiers were forced to carry out the wounded. The soldiers that were picking up the wounded looked at Mastin and said, “He won't make the night,” so they passed him by. Later, he was removed and sent to the Evacuation Hospital nearest to the line. Men were stacked up waiting for surgery. The German soldiers were screaming because they had to wait. They had one dim light and the doctors who operated on him spoke French, only. His hands and feet were frozen which caused much suffering in later years. He was removed to a hospital in France where he stayed for two months. His chest would not heal, but the doctors decided he was well enough to return to the front lines. His chest wound erupted; he passed out and was returned to the Hospital where they operated on him. The day that they removed his stitches, the war ended!
“Mastin traveled back to America on a small landing LST craft, which was very small for the Atlantic ocean. They landed in New York city on Mother's Day and took a troop train to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. When he was discharged, he was told, you are a civilian, now – catch a plane to Barksdale Field in Shreveport, Louisiana. Can you imagine a private getting a seat on a government plane? They gave him no money for food or traveling. The buses were on strike, so he hitched rides to Shreveport. No one was interested in picking up anyone near Shreveport because a phantom killer was in the Texarkana area. He arrived in Oil City and walked down the main street with his duffel bag on his back. Home at Last – 1946.”
Those who know him may now know better why he complains about cold weather.
Now the full story can be told. The brave warrior from Oil City, my uncle Mastin Robison, is wounded no longer. Another of the Greatest Generation, now in God's arms.
(1) From "Samuel Robison of Washington County, Georgia," c1994, by Mrs. W. E. (Ruby Robison) Penton and William Paul Burrier
Mastin is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Rourk, Robert Oakley, Sr. (1941-2013) USA
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Obit: Shreveport Times 01-May-2012, Page 8-A
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City, LA
Rupe, Murlin (1926-1992), GM3C, USN
Murlin served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the U.S.S. Sargent Bay (CVE-83) (as a S2C);
Source: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls for WWII (1938-1949)
and later on the U.S.S. Oak Hill (LSD-7) as a Gunners Mate 3rd Class (Petty Officer).
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Sanders, Clyde Carrol "Hank" (1924-2010) Lt. Col, USAF, WWII, Korea, Vietnam
Hank grew up in Oil City, where the 1940 census lists him living in Oil City with mother, Rose and brother Eugene (Gene, see below). Per his obituary, he served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After discharge, he received a bachelors degree from Southern Methodist University.
Source: Southern Methodist University Rotunda (yearbook), Page 198
He rejoined the U. S. Air Force in 1951 and retired after 27 years serving as officer and pilot with the rank of lieutenant colonel; having additionally served his country during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
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| Lt. Col. Sanders later in life |
Gene served in the U.S. Navy in WWII on the U.S.S. Alaska (CB-1)
A Seaman 2nd Class, he carried the additional designation Gunner's Mate or (GM), being trained in use of ordnance.
Pictured below later in life.
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Sanders, Garland Walter "Hot" (1919-1996), PFC, 10th Armored Division, U.S. Army, WWII (wounded)
The older brother of Hank and Gene, Garland, was born in Winnfield, LA, the 1940 census shows him living in Oil City, with wife Angie Sue, having the occupation of pumper - oil field. He served in the Army from 22- Dec-1943 to 18-Jan-1946 and was a member of the 10th Armored Division. Here he is reported as wounded in action in 1945.
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Per his obituary, was awarded Silver Star and Purple Heart medals.
Garland is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Sermons, (Rev.) James Lewis, Sr. (1924-2004) USA, WWII
James served 07-Jan-1943 to 19-Oct-1945 and was in the Army Signal Corps. His obituary is available at this link .
Reverend Lewis is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Simmons, Roy Marshall (1915-1989) U. S. Navy
Living a reality portrayed in the fictional novel and film "The Sand Pebbles," Roy served on an American gun boat patrolling the Yangtze River in China in the mid-1930s.
Per his obituary, he was a paratrooper during the Korean War.
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Smith, Dan Frank "Frankie" (1910-1982) 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army, WWII, Europe
As high schoolers in the late 1920s, Frankie and brother Preston were members of the Oil City football team. They had earlier lived in Mooringsport. Per the 1930 census, they still lived in OC with parents John and Julia Smith, and sisters Lucille and Melba. In the 1940 census Frank, now married, lived in Houma, LA with wife Winifred (Land). Their 1935 place of residence was listed as Vivian, LA.
Shreveport Times 21-Oct-1943, Page 8
Interment: Terrebone Memorial Park; Houma, LA
Smith, Daulton (1916-1945) Sgt, USA, Hq Sp Trp, 96th Division, WWII, Pacific, KIA
Smith, George Lee (1937-1956) A3C, USAF
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| Monroe News Star 29-Aug-1956 |
Smith, Leslie E., Jr. (1946-1967) LCpl, USMC
Younger brother of George.
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| Monroe Morning World 15-Oct-1967 |
He is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA.
Smith, Meredith Earl "Bud" (1922-2014), USA, Bronze Star recipient, son of John J. and Carrie Holtz Smith.
Bud was born in Oil City, LA on January 28, 1922. He served in the 101 st Airborne Screaming Eagles, Company I, 502 Regiment, jumping on D-Day and later into Holland. He was at Bastogne, Belgium and received a Bronze Star for the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded at Carentan and received a Purple Heart.
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Source: Musée Airborne (Airborne Museum)
He is buried in Easthaven Cemetery in Brookhaven, MS.
Smith, Walter Ray (1921-2002) PFC, USA, WWII, Purple Heart
Served in the 36th Division. You can read his obituary at this link.
Walter is buried in Veterans National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
Southerland, William Walter (1924-1944), PFC, USA, Silver Star recipient
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Taylor, Sidney M. (1913-1980) Pvt, U.S. Army, WWII
Sidney is buried in Evans Field Cemetery.
Served during WWII.
He is buried in Galveston Memorial Park, Hitchcock, TX.
Tennis, Albert Leon "Caddo" (1941-2008) USAF, Vietnam
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| Albert Leon ""Caddo" Tennis |
Trahan, Alton Joseph (1909-1999) Corporal, U.S. Army, WWII, Europe
Served in Company H, 137th Infantry.
Source: Susan Trahan Nurdin (daughter)
Shreveport Times 10-Dec-1944, Page 9
Obit: Shreveport Times 13-Jun-1999, Page 4-B
Interment: Thomas-Wren Cemetery; Martin, LA
Trahan, Milton J. "Frenchie" (1912-2004) Tec-5, U.S. Army, WWII, Europe
Served in Battery C, 733rd Field Artillery Battalion.
Source: Susan Trahan Nurdin (niece)
Obit: Shreveport Times 22-Aug-2004, Page 4-B
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Oil City LA
Tolbert, Huey Long "Toby" (1928-2014), S2C USN
Listed among the crew (as a S2C) of the earliest of several ships named the U.S.S. Coral Sea, which was later renamed the U.S.S. Anzio (CVE-57).
Source: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls for WWII (1938-1949)
Later he was assigned to another carrier, the U.S.S. Cowpens (CVL-25) as a Petty Officer 3rd Class.
Source: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls for WWII (1938-1949)
Later he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Here he is stationed at Treasure Island, in San Francisco Bay, in 1951.
Source: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls (1798-1958)
Per his obituary, he also served in the U.S. Army.
Tolbert, Percy Wilmer (1923-2010), Master Sergeant, USAF, WWII
Per his obituary, Master Sergeant Tolbert served in the U. S. Air Force for 22 years.
Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mausoleum; Haughton, LA
Vaughn, Robert Griffin (1895-1981), USA
Served in WWI.
Source: Donald Patrick (great nephew)
Varnell, Gerald Harvey (1929-1992) U. S. Army
Served 1946-1947.
Gerald is buried in Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Vivian, LA.
Walling, Dan, Jr. (1925-1994) SSgt, USA, WWII
Interment: Vivian (LA) Cemetery
Walters, Irma Merrie Taylor (1922-1963), Yeoman 2C, USNR, WWII, Stateside
Shreveport Times 30-Jul-1944, Page 4-A
Later that year, Irma was recognized as the Times "WAVE of the Week."
Shreveport Times 29-May-1963, Page 4-B
Per her obituary, Irma is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Shreveport, LA.
Warner, Bruce N. (1920-1989) SSgt, USA
Served in the U.S. Army 11-Feb-1942 to 12-Nov-1945 with Company L, 159th Infantry Regiment and Company G. 1st Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR).
He served as a squad leader while at Fort Glenn in the Aleutian Islands.
Citations/Medals Awarded:
- Good Conduct medal
- Rifleman medal
- America France campaign medal with bronze star
- Pacific campaign medal with bronze star.
Source: Gail Owens Hartley (niece)
Weaver, Carol Thomas (1922-1988) CM3, USCG, WWII
Per his obituary, Carol served in Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Ogden.
Interment: Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Oil City, LA
Weaver, Nathan Albert "Buddy" (1923-1997) SM3, USCG, WWII
Served 28-Aug-1942 to 05-Oct-1945
Interment: Forest Park East Cemetery, Webster, TX.
Weaver, Stanley Arthur, Jr. (1920-1996), S1, USCG, WWII
Interment: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA
The brothers shown below with father Stanley, Sr. in Jan-1943.
Whatley, Raymond Willard (1924-2001 ) Private, USA
An infantryman serving in Europe, he was captured and held as a prisoner-of-war in German POW camp Stalag 7a - Moosburg, Bavaria from 28-Sep-1944 to 14-Jun-1945. Note he is listed as Willard R. Whatley.
He is buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in Vivian, LA
Whatley, Russell Barnes (1917-1999) USAAC, WWII
Per his obituary, he was an aerial gunner during World War II
Interment: Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, Vivian, LA
White, Homer Leland (1923-2000) AMMP3, USN
Served in WWII.
He is buried in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
Whitt, Earl Edward "Buddy" (1925-1999) CMSgt, USAF, WWII (Europe), Korea, Vietnam
Chief Master Sergeant Whitt holds the distinction of having served in World War II, in Korea and Vietnam. Among awards received are the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and four Air Medals in a career spanning over 30 years.
He was a 1943 Oil City High graduate, and president of his senior class.
Shreveport Times 03-Jun-1943, Page 5
Awarded the Air Medal.
Shreveport Times 07-Jan-1945, Page 14
On furlough after VE Day.
Shreveport Times 25-Jun-1945, Page 8
Excerpt from his obituary.
Shreveport Times 18-Feb-1999, Page 2-B
Interment: Forest Park Cemetery West, Shreveport, LA
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Williams, Courtney (1920-1993) T/5, U. S. Army, WWII, Europe
Norton Art Gallery Oral History Project
A veteran of WWII, he returned to the United States at New York, arriving on the victory ship U.S.S. Central Falls Victory on 01- Feb-1946.
Note there is a discrepancy between his reported rank in the article above and what is recorded on his headstone. After the war ended demotions occurred as numbers in ranks were revised downward based on manpower needs. This may have been the case with Courtney.
Later in life he worked for Butler and Sons at their shop north of downtown Oil City.
Courtney passed away on 27-Jan-1993.
Obit (death notice): Times 05-Feb-1993, Page 12A
Interment: Lake Zion Cemetery; Belcher, LA
Williams, David, Sr.; Master Sergeant, U. S. Army, Vietnam, Bosnia
Here's a portion of a biographical profile of the former Oil City resident and Vietnam vet.:
"David was born in Charity Hospital to Courtney and Beatrice Johnson Williams. Along with a brother and sister, he grew up in Oil City, Louisiana, in a typically rural childhood of outdoor play. He recalls attending St. Joseph Elementary School, describing it as "a little two-room shack." He later attended Herndon High School in Belcher. David's father worked as a mechanic and welder, mainly of oil field equipment. His mother worked at Nathan's, a small store in Oil City. David graduated from Herndon High School in 1964. He moved to Houston to find employment, then to New Jersey, where he was working for AT&T when he was drafted in the U.S. Army in April of 1966."
Norton Art Gallery Oral History Project
Read his full profile and see other pictures from his career and of his family at the link below:
Norton Art Gallery Oral History Project
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| Guy Lindel Williams |
Lindel is buried in the Vivian (LA) Cemetery.
Williams, Nathan I. "Nat" (1874-1961), U. S. Army, Co H, 50th Regiment, Iowa Inf, Spanish-American War
A native of Morganfield, KY, Nat served in the Spanish-American War, and per the article referenced below, stated he later enlisted in Canadian Army and toured Europe. A printer and one-time oilfield worker, he notably was acting Oil City postmaster working with Howard R Hughes, Sr., and mentions riding two year-old Howard, Jr. around on his shoulders. Official records do not show him formally appointed to that position so likely the elder Hughes delegated the responsibilities to Nat to free up time to pursue his (Hughes's) real reason for being in Oil City; pursuit of success in the oil business. Other records show that in 1927, he was admitted to a home for disabled volunteer soldiers in Los Angeles, CA.
At the time of the article, which described his mentoring of a young boy in the hobby of stamp collecting, Nat lived as a patient at the Biloxi, MS VA hospital.
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| Nat Williams in 1956 |
Source: The Rotarian, Jan-1956, Page 13
Nathan died 26-May-1961 and is buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
Wilson, Herve (1922-1943) Sgt, USMC, Silver Star recipient
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Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Wilson, Jennings B., Pvt, USA (????-1918)
Killed in action during WWI. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
Wise, William James (1924?-1944),S2C, USN
Killed in action during WWII. Read his profile in Fallen Heroes.
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| Note: Oran is actually second from right, |
From the wikipedia article about the operation:
"A knoll on the south edge of the ridge (the "horse's neck") leading to Hill 53 was the fulcrum of the Japanese defenses. The knoll contained several machine-gun and mortar positions which had effectively held off the American attacks across the ridge. The 2nd Battalion's executive officer—Captain Charles W. Davis—volunteered to lead four other men against the knoll.
Crawling on their bellies, Davis and his party crept to within 10 yd (9.1 m) of the enemy position. The Japanese defenders threw two grenades at them, but the grenades failed to explode. Davis and his men threw eight grenades at the Japanese, destroying several of their positions. Davis then stood up, and while shooting his rifle, then pistol with one hand, waved his men forward with the other as he advanced further onto the knoll. Davis and his men then killed or chased away the rest of the Japanese on the knoll. Silhouetted against the sky during the action, Davis was visible to the Americans all up and down the ridge. Inspired by his actions, plus replenished with water by a sudden thunderstorm, the American troops "came to life" and quickly assaulted and captured Hill 53 by noon. The Americans counted the bodies of 170 Japanese soldiers on and around the Galloping Horse. The Americans suffered fewer than 100 killed."
Captain (and later Colonel) Charles W. Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for this mission. Though the caption states the other team members received the Distinguished Service Cross, per Mary, Oran received the Silver Star.
In the film, actor John Cusack plays Captain John Gaff, who is based on Captain Davis. None of the enlisted man volunteers are identified by name, other than a fictional Private Bell, played by Ben Chaplin. This was a central figure appearing throughout the film to link what are a series of vignettes about particular events (of which this mission is one) during the course of the overall battle. The team was increased to seven vs. five actual and included casualties (though there were none in real life), obviously for dramatic effect. Should you choose to rent the movie, which I recommend, this part occurs from 1:29 to 1:42.
PFC Woodard being greeted by Major General James L. Bradley upon his assignment to Camp White, OR in 1944.
The Oregonian 21-Jan-1944, Page 4
Obit: Shreveport Times 19-Mar-1980, Page 8-A
Interment: Forest Park West Cemetery; Shreveport, LA (per obit)
Woodell, Preston B. (1935-1954) PFC, U.S. Marine Corps, Korea
Died from accidental gunshot wound while in Korea.
Preston is buried in Evans Field Cemetery.
Woodell, Richard Daniel (1950-1995) Specialist 5, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, U. S. Army, Vietnam
Received the Bronze Star medal while serving in Vietnam.
Shreveport Times 05-mar-1971, Page 9-A
Interment: Gateway Cemetery; (north of) Vivian, LA
Woodell, Sammy O. (1936-2000) U. S. Army
Sammy is buried in Evans Field Cemetery.
World War I Linked below are profiles of OC residents who served. From Patriotism, Service, And Sacrifice In The Great War.
Legend:
Military Branches
USA - U.S. Army
USAAC - U.S. Army Air Corps
USAF - U.S. Air Force
USCG - U.S. Coast Guard
USMC - U.S. Marine Corps
USMCR - U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
USN - U.S. Navy
USNCB - U.S. Navy Construction Battalion ("Seabees")
USNR - U.S. Naval Reserve
Rank
1Lt - 1st Lieutenant
2Lt - 2nd Lieutenant
AMMP3- Aviation Machinist Mate (Propeller Mechanic) Petty Officer 3rd Class
CM3 - Construction Mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class
Col - Colonel
CSF - Chief Ship Fitter
EM2 - Electricians Mate 2nd Class
F1C - Fireman 1st Class
GM - Gunner's Mate
LCpl - Lance Corporal
Lt Col - Lieutenant Colonel
Maj Gen - Major General
Pvt - Private
PFC - Private First Class
PO3 - Petty Officer 3rd Class
RU - Rank Unknown
S1C - Seaman 1st Class
S2C - Seaman 2nd Class
SF1 - Shipfitter 1st Class
SF2 - Shipfitter 2nd Class
Sgt - Sergeant
SMSgt - Senior Master Sergeant
SSgt - Staff Sergeant
SSML3C- Ship's Serviceman (Laundryman) Petty Officer 3rd Class
Rank References:
U.S. Air Force Insignia
PFC Woodard being greeted by Major General James L. Bradley upon his assignment to Camp White, OR in 1944.
The Oregonian 21-Jan-1944, Page 4
Obit: Shreveport Times 19-Mar-1980, Page 8-A
Interment: Forest Park West Cemetery; Shreveport, LA (per obit)
Woodell, Preston B. (1935-1954) PFC, U.S. Marine Corps, Korea
Died from accidental gunshot wound while in Korea.
Preston is buried in Evans Field Cemetery.
Woodell, Richard Daniel (1950-1995) Specialist 5, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, U. S. Army, Vietnam
Received the Bronze Star medal while serving in Vietnam.
Interment: Gateway Cemetery; (north of) Vivian, LA
Woodell, Sammy O. (1936-2000) U. S. Army
Sammy is buried in Evans Field Cemetery.
World War I Linked below are profiles of OC residents who served. From Patriotism, Service, And Sacrifice In The Great War.
Military Branches
USA - U.S. Army
USAAC - U.S. Army Air Corps
USAF - U.S. Air Force
USCG - U.S. Coast Guard
USMC - U.S. Marine Corps
USMCR - U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
USN - U.S. Navy
USNCB - U.S. Navy Construction Battalion ("Seabees")
USNR - U.S. Naval Reserve
Rank
1Lt - 1st Lieutenant
2Lt - 2nd Lieutenant
AMMP3- Aviation Machinist Mate (Propeller Mechanic) Petty Officer 3rd Class
CM3 - Construction Mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class
Col - Colonel
CSF - Chief Ship Fitter
EM2 - Electricians Mate 2nd Class
F1C - Fireman 1st Class
GM - Gunner's Mate
LCpl - Lance Corporal
Lt Col - Lieutenant Colonel
Maj Gen - Major General
Pvt - Private
PFC - Private First Class
PO3 - Petty Officer 3rd Class
RU - Rank Unknown
S1C - Seaman 1st Class
S2C - Seaman 2nd Class
SF1 - Shipfitter 1st Class
SF2 - Shipfitter 2nd Class
Sgt - Sergeant
SMSgt - Senior Master Sergeant
SSgt - Staff Sergeant
SSML3C- Ship's Serviceman (Laundryman) Petty Officer 3rd Class
Rank References:
U.S. Air Force Insignia
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