Headstone Inscription and Interment Record for Private James M. Hutton, Jr.
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
Veterans--Florida
Cemeteries--Europe
The headstone inscription and interment record for Private James M. Hutton, Jr. (ca. 1914-1944). Pvt. Hutton was a private in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was born to James Hutton sometime around 1914. Pvt. Hutton grew up in Jersey and moved to Miami, Florida, sometime before 1940. He married Florence E. Offnick and had a son, James Hutton III. Pvt. Hutton was drafted into the Army on October 30, 1943, and was placed in the 157th Infantry Regiment's 45th Infantry Division. He died during combat in France on September 26, 1944, and is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France. Pvt. Hutton was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
Digital reproduction of original typewritten headstone inscription and interment record.
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Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Dinozé, France
Battle Groups Can't Halt 7th: French at Gap
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
A newspaper article from <em>45th Division News</em>, a publication for the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division of the 157th Infantry Regiment. The article discusses a battle for the Seventh United States Army in the Vosges mountains. According to the article, American battle groups had forced the German Army to retreat. In the south, the French Army had reached the Belfort Gap but had made little progress.<br /><br />The 45th Infantry Division was part of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, with its members fighting in World War II and the Korean War. The division took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily and the attack on Salerno in the Italian Campaign in 1943, followed by the Battle of Anzio and the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. During Operation Dragoon, the 45th Division landed in southern France in latter half of 1944. In 1945, the 45th joined other forces for the Western Allied invasion of Germany, ending the European Theatre of World War II when Germany surrendered in May.
Digital reproduction of original newspaper article: "Battle Groups Can't Halt 7th: French at Gap." <em>45th Division News</em>, Vol. V, No. 10, October 4, 1944: <a href="http://45thdivisionmuseum.com/" target="_blank">45th Infantry Division Museum</a>, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
<em>45th Division News</em>
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Vosges, France
45th Infantry Division Insignias
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
The shoulder sleeve insignia for the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division. The original insignia, photographed on the right, was approved in August of 1924 and featured a swastika, which was a symbol commonly used by Native Americans from the Mississippian culture. With the rise of Germany's Nazi Party, which also used a swastika, the 45th Division retired its original insignia and replaced it in 1939 with another Native American symbol called the Thunderbird, photographed on the left and on the bottom.<br /><br />A notable member of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II was Private Rufus H. Lennon Jr. Lennon (1921-1944), a soldier from Bradenton, Florida. Lennon was born in 1921 to Rufus H. Lennon, Sr. and Bertha Lennon. On November 21, 1940, he enlisted into the U.S. Army at the age of 19. Pvt. Lennon served in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. Pvt. Lennon died in battle on September 21, 1944 in Lorraine, France, and was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Original <a href="http://www.m38a1.com/Misc-MV/thunderbirds.htm" target="_blank">color photograph</a>.
Routh, Ross H.
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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Headstone of Private Rufus H. Lennon, Jr. at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial
World War II, 1939-1945
Veterans--Florida
Army
Cemeteries--Europe
The headstone of Private Rufus H. Lennon Jr. Lennon (1921-1944), a soldier from Bradenton, Florida. Lennon was born in 1921 to Rufus H. Lennon, Sr. and Bertha Lennon. On November 21, 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 19. Pvt. Lennon served in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. Pvt. Lennon died in battle on September 21, 1944 in Lorraine, France, and was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Anderson, Dwight
Original <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&
GRid=56373755">color digital image</a> by Dwight Anderson: Private Collection of Dwight Anderson.
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Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Dinozé, France
Thunderbirds Finish First Year of Battle
World War II, 1939-1945
Veterans--Florida
A newspaper article from <em>45th Division News</em>, a publication for the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division of the 157th Infantry Regiment. The 45th Infantry Division was part of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, with its members fighting in World War II and the Korean War. The division took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily and the attack on Salerno in the Italian Campaign in 1943, followed by the Battle of Anzio and the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. During Operation Dragoon, the 45th Division landed in southern France in latter half of 1944. In 1945, the 45th joined other forces for the Western Allied invasion of Germany, ending the European Theatre of World War II when Germany surrendered in May.
Barrett, Bill
Original newspaper article: Barrett, Bill. "Thunderbirds Finish First Year of Battle." <em>45th Division News</em>, Vol. IV, No. 44, July 8, 1944: <a href="http://45thdivisionmuseum.com/" target="_blank">45th Infantry Division Museum</a>, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Private Collection of Linda Hughes.
<em>45th Division News</em>
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Italy
45th Infantry Division Insignia
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
The insignia for the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division. The original insignia was approved in August of 1924 and featured a swastika, which was a symbol commonly used by Native Americans from the Mississippian culture. With the rise of Germany's Nazi Party, which also used a swastika, the 45th Division retired its original insignia and replaced it in 1939 with another Native American symbol called the Thunderbird.<br /><br />A notable member of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Sergeant John B. Hancock (1913-1944) was born in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1913, but later migrated to Auburndale, Florida. Hancock managed a Great Atlantic &
Pacific Tea Company (A&
P) store in Haines City until he enlisted in the 45th Infantry Division's 179th Infantry Regiment. Sgt. Hancock served initially in Africa in 1943, until the 45th Infantry Division's participation in the Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky. The division then went on to participate in the Allied invasion of Italy, where Sgt. Hancock was injured. He was returned to duty in February of 1944 in southern France. On November 1, 1944, Sgt. Hancock went Missing in Action (MIA) after serving in the Allied invasion of Southern France, codenamed Operation Dragoon. He was eventually buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Photocopy of original insignia: Private Collection of Linda Hughes.
Hughes, Linda
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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Headstone Inscription and Interment Record for Private Ralph Brantley
World War II, 1939-1945
Veterans--Florida
Cemeteries--Europe
Army
The headstone inscription and interment record for Private Ralph Brantley (1922-1944). Pvt. Brantley was born in Georgia in 1923, but had migrated to Spartanburg, South Carolina, by 1930. By 1940, he was residing in Jacksonville, Florida. Pvt. Brantley served in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. He was Killed in Action (KIA) and is buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Digital reproduction of original typewritten headstone inscription and interment record.
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eng
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Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Dinozé, France
Headstone of Private Ralph Brantley at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial
World War II, 1939-1945
Veterans--Florida
Cemeteries--Europe
Army
Headstone for Private Ralph Brantley (1922-1944). Pvt. Brantley was born in Georgia in 1923, but had migrated to Spartanburg, South Carolina, by 1930. By 1940, he was residing in Jacksonville, Florida. Pvt. Brantley served in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. He was Killed in Action (KIA) and is buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Anderson, Dwight
Original <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&
GRid=56371331">color digital image</a> by Dwight Anderson: Private Collection of Dwight Anderson.
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eng
Still Image
Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Dinozé, France
General Order for First Lieutenant Donald Ross
World War--1939-1945
Veterans--Florida
The 45th General Order from November 5, 1944, details the accounts of how First Lieutenant Donald Ross (1920-1944) received a Silver Star medal. Donald Ross used his tank to shield two wounded infantrymen until medical teams could rescue them. For his bravery during combat, Donald Ross received a Silver Star. <br /><br /><a href="https://projects.cah.ucf.edu/fl-francesoldierstories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Florida-France Soldiers Stories Project</a> seeks to tell the stories of the Florida soldiers buried in the American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries in France. Our goal is to honor and commemorate the brave individuals who gave their lives supporting the Allied forces, liberating France, and defeating Germany in the Second World War. Simultaneously, our goal is to teach the students who participate in this research project about the history of France and Florida during World War II, about the history of individual servicemen, and about how to implement historical research methods in their work.
45th Infantry Division
Digital reproduction of original general order.
45th Infantry Division
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Grammont, Haute-Saone, France