WW11 Soldiers from Hartford Michigan

1939 « World War II » 1945
A – G A – G H – L M – S T – Z
Killed in Action Wounded in action POW/MIA Died during active duty + Contracted disease-illness-disability during service
World War II – Brief Timeline Prelude to World War II January 30, 1933 – Adolf Hitler and the Nazis come to power in Germany, forming the Third Reich July 7, 1937 – Chinese fired on Japanese troops in Peking March 15, 1939 – Nazi troops seize Czechoslovakia April 7, 1939 – Italian troops occupy Albania September 1, 1939 – Germany invades Poland September 3, 1939 – Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. Australia and New Zealand declare war on German. World War 11 begins. September 5, 1939 – South Africa declares war on Germany September 10, 1939 – Canada declares war on Germany September 17, 1939 – Poland falls to Germany November 20, 1939 – Soviet forces invade Finland Beginning of United States active involvement in World War II December 7, 1941 – Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; also attack the Philippines, Wake Island, Guam, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai and Midway. December 8, 1941 – United States declares war on Japan February 5, 1942 – United States declares war on Thailand June 6, 1944 – Major turning point of World War II, D-Day. By nightfall on June 6, 1944, Hitler’s Atlantic Wall on the rugged French beaches at the Coast of Normandy, had been breached by combined allied American, British, and Canadian forces, accompanied by contingents representing the governments-in-exile of Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, and Poland. D-Day remains the largest seaborne invasion in history. May 8, 1945 – V-E Day. President Truman declares victory in Europe September 2, 1945 – Formal Japanese surrender ceremony on board the MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay as 1,000 carrier-based planes fly overhead; President Truman declares VJ Day.
Abrams, Paul A.	Adams, Allen O.	Adams, Oscar F.
In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford MI From HHS Class of 1944 From the album of Roy M. Davis.	US Army Artillery Survey – PFC b 8/22/1909 d 3-1976 Keeler MI Decatur MI Age 66y, 6m In service 1942 – 1945 Served in Tunisia, Naples, Rome. Awards and Medals » 3 Battle Stars » 5 Overseas Service Bars » Good Conduct Ribbon From Keeler MI Graduate of Dowagiac High School Lived on a farm between Keeler and Decatur at the time of his death. Allen’s brother, Oscar Adams, also served during WW11. Photo and information submitted by Richard Frontczak 3-2-2005.	US Army Enlisted Reserve Corps MOS 071 – Draftsman – Tech 3 b 3-5-1911 d 8-1983 Age 72 yrs In service 1-22-1942 to 11-5-1945 and 4-22-1941 to 11-17-1941 Co M, 126th Infantry Regiment Camp Livingston LA Served in Papan, New Guinea and Luzon Campaigns Studied Chemical Warfare at Camp Livingston LA in June, 1942. Awards and Medals » WW11 Victory Medal » WW11 Service Lapel Button » Good Conduct Medal » American Defense Service Medal » American Campaign Medal » Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars » Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 bronze service star » Presidential Unit Citation Resided in Keeler MI 1911-1983. Graduate of Dowagiac High School 1930, attended Country Grade School in Dowagiac MI. Oscar’s brother, Allen Adams, also served during WW11. Information and photo provided by Richard Frontczak 7-26-2007.
Albright, Vern US Army – S-Sgt b 9-28-1915 d 1944 Van Buren Co MI France In service 12-14-1942 to 12-1944 Killed in Action See WW11 Memorial From the Hartford Day Spring 12-28-1944 Sgt. Albright Dead; Wounded in Battle S-Sgt. Vern Albright, well known in Hartford, where he was in the employ of J.C. Van Lierop as salesman for four years before joining the armed forces December 14,1942, is dead from wounds received while fighting in France December 2. He had been overseas two months. This information was received from the war department Tuesday afternoon by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Albright, of Watervliet. Deceased was 29 years of age and was born in Van Buren county September 28, 1915. He moved with his parents to Watervliet 16 years ago.	Allen Jr., Marion	Ament Marks, Betty Women’s Air Corp. In service 19__ to 19__ Stationed at____ HHS Class of 1938
	US Army In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford MI Marion was married to Lena Bouma Allen Marion’s sons, Kenneth M. Allen, Sr. and David Allen, both served in the US Navy during Vietnam.
Anderson, Roy (Andy) US Army – Private 1st Class 3rd Division Army of Occupation
Was drafted in early March, 1945. After basic training at Ft. McCellan in Aniston, AL, I boarded the USS America for a 4-day journey to Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. At first, we pulled guard duty at the train station. This was headquarters company of the 3rd Division. The war crime trials had just started and I was selected to be a Security Guard inside the courtroom. Being of German family decent, I could understand some of what was being said and this was a very interesting experience. The opportunity arose for a transfer to Special Services to play baseball. We all had our own private living quarters with the mess hall and cooks. Practice was held almost every day when a game was not scheduled. We had our own bus for transportation to other outfits to play other teams all over. Most of the time, our mornings were free to do what we wanted. Met a fellow on our ball club, by the name of Perkins, who liked to play golf. There was a golf course nearby that was pretty bombed out, but had a couple of greens still intact with bomb craters in the fairways. Perkins was a very good golfer and excellent instructor and talked me into learning to play golf. We had golf clubs and balls at the Special Service building. There was an E.T.O. tournament later in the summer and Perkins said that we were going to get in it. We practiced every chance we could. Perkins made the championship flight and I qualified for first flight. Having caddied at home, I had some experience. Perkins lost in his second match in match play. I played 5 matches and won them all and received a medal for winning the first flight in the E.T.O. championships. There were many pro’s and top amateurs in the service. We started playing basketball at the Special Service Center that fall. We had the likes of John Mandrich, University of Oregon – All American, the Illinois wiz-kids Vance and Phillips, and many top college players. Early that spring, the 3rd Division headquarters were sent home and I was sent to Muchen and Dachau. Dachau was the prison camp where several thousand people (prisoners) were executed. The bodies were gone, but the blood-stained walls in the buildings were evident. The gas furnaces remained where prisoners were tortured and cremated. Played on the softball team and was written up in the Stars and Stripes E.T.O. newspaper. I played center field. The right and left fielders were put into the infield and I covered the whole outfield and earned the name of Plastic Man Anderson. Several days later during a game, I slid into 3rd base, my spikes hooked the bag anchor and I tore the tendons in my right foot. Due to this injury, I was put out of commission for a long time after my discharge. Went overseas on the USS America in a 4-day journey and returned to the United States on a Victory Ship that took 15 days.		In service 3-1945 to Served in Muchen and Dachau Germany, Ft. McCellan in Aniston AL Married Donna Vanderlyn Smith (HHS Class of 1943) and resided in Hartford since 1975.
Antcliffe Sr., Douglas G. US Air Force 1st Lieutenant – Pilot B-24 Liberator Bomber b 6-11-1916 in Canada d 7-30-2002 in Grayling MI Age 86y, 1m, 20d In service 1943 to 1945 stationed at a 15th Air Force Heavy Bomber Base in Italy. Flew 30 missions in the B-24 over Germany Awards Air Medal – Distinguished Flying Cross for Meritorious Achievement in Aerial Flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy. From Lawrence MI LHS Class of 1934 Resided in Hartford 1939 – 1948 Douglas’ son, Douglas G. Antcliffe Jr., served in the Army 1955-1958	Arrowsmith, John From the album of Roy M. Davis	Athey, Gaver US Army-Air Force Gaver Athey, right Cliff Dewey, left Photo taken just prior to entering service. In service 19__ to 19__ Gaver was from HHS Class of 1941 Photo contributed by Bick Beckwith 11-22-2002
Axsom, Forest J. US Navy – SKV3 b 12/21/1924 d 11/21/1997 72y, 11m, 2d Buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetery Augusta MI Plot: G 0 864
Bailey, Ralph In service 19__ to 19__ Belgium and England HHS Class of 19__	Bailey, Wesley R. US Navy Aviation In service 1945 – 19__ HHS Class of 1938	Beam, Clare Herbert
		b 5-19-1921 d 5-2-1998 Age 76y, 11m, 15d Buried in Keeler Cemetery Keeler MI In service 19__ to 19__ Clare is the father of Robert (Bob) Beam, who served in Vietnam and the brother of Jared Earl Beam, Garth Beam, and Francis Bernard Beam all of whom served in WW11. John Jordan Beam, grandfather, served in the Civil War. Grandson, Richard Alan Beam, served during the Persian Gulf War-Desert Storm and grandson, Robert E. Beam II served during 1993-1997 in the USMC.
Beam, Garth	Beam, Francis Bernard	Beam, Jared Earl
US Army – E6 b 3-31-1913 d 11-8-2000 Allegan MI Gobles MI Age 87y, 7m, 10d Buried in Watervliet City Cemetery Watervliet MI In service 1941-1945 Africa – fought Ramels troops Italy Awards » EAME Theatre Medal » Good Conduct Medal Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Henry Walters Post 2144 of Holland MI. Watervliet High School Class of 1932 Lived in Watervliet, Lawton, and Gobles MI. Watervliet Superintendent of Public Works from 1947 – 1977. Brother of Clare Beam, Jared Earl Beam, and Francis Bernard Beam all of whom served in WW11. Submitted 5-25-2003 by nephew, Robert (Bob) Beam, who served in Vietnam.	US Army – 1st Lt. b 10-24-1914 d 12-20-1987 Allegan MI Hazen AR Age 73y, 1m, 28d In Service 19__ to 19__ Resided in Watervliet-Hartford area until the 1950s when he moved to Hazen (Prairie Co.) AR. Brother of Clare Beam, Garth Beam, and Earl Beam all of whom served in WW11.	US Air Corps In service 19__to 19__ Brother of Clare Beam, Garth Beam, and Francis Bernard Beam all of whom served in WW11.
	Becktold, John (Jack) US Marines b 7-24-1929 d 11-16-2009 Detroit MI Mattawan MI Age 80y, 3m, 25d Ashes buried at Ft Custer National Cemetery Augusta MI In Service 19__ to 19__ Son of Peter & Henryetta (Cadow) Becktold Married to Mary Lou Becktold He was the former proprietor of the A&W restaurant in Hartford during the 1960s and 1970s, and ultimately retired from DeGroot’s of Coloma MI Last residence was Dundee FL. John also served during the Korean War.
Beckwith, Bick d 12-18-2013 Battleground, WA
US Air Force – Pilot Lieutenant Colonel, Ret. In service 1943 to 1973 * Secretary of the Air Force Office of Information in the Pentagon – two 4-year terms * Chief of Public Information at the Air Force Academy – 4 years * 4 years in the Atomic and Nuclear Weapons program, Albuquerque NM * 4 years in Japan with flights in and out of Korea * 1 year at Danang Air Base * RVN – Chief of Air Force Information for "I" Corps comprised of the 5 northernmost provinces of South Viet Nam. * Commanded squadrons on several occasions, * Base Executive Officer-Albuquerque NM Bick with Sons, Ted and Jim San Antonio TX – 1949 Retired from Air Force in 1973, accepted position of Vice President of Public Relations and Development at Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX From Watervliet HS class of 1943 Attended Hartford High School until 11th grade		Photo taken after Jet Flight Training in 1950 Photo taken in VietNam Bicks’ father, Glen W. Beckwith, served in the US Army during WW1.
2002 update – Retired to the community of Carlsbad, CA. Employed by Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar, CA. since 1997 as a Supervisor of the Automatic Betting Machine Department. Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien, Jimmy Durante, and a host of Hollywood greats, built this track. The gates opened on July 3, 1937 when I was delivering the Chicago Tribune in Hartford, the only Tribune delivery boy in town. The Tribune Society Section of the Sunday Edition often featured a half page picture on page one of Bing and someone…Rosemary Clooney, Betty Grable, Harry James, etc. I looked at those pictures and fanaticized about the glamorous, splendid, life style of folks who attended the races in far off sunny, golden, California. Here I am, a life time later, working at the very track that Bing built, walking the same areas where Desi and Lucy watched ponies run, where Jenny Craig and Tim Conway set today watching their horses.
Bedford, S.E.	Benson, Roy US Navy b 8-17-1924 d 12-23-2006 Chicago IL Hartford MI Age 82y, 4m, 8d In service 19__ to 19__ Son of Ernest an Hilda (Nelson) Benson Former Justice of the Peace, volunteer fireman for Orland Park Fire Department, member of the Village of Orland Park Fire and Police Commission, founding president of Orland Park Chamber of Commerce, member of American Legion Orland Memorial Post 111, Accountant and Real Estate Broker in Orland Park IL. From Orland Park IL, with his last residence at Van Auken Lake in Hartford MI.
From the album of Roy M. Davis
Birmele, Marvin E.	Blackston, Coy F. US Army b 7-11-1918 d 6-1-2002 Harrison ARK Hartford MI Age 83y, 10m, 22d POW/MIA Awarded the Purple Heart
US Army – Corporal b 2-3-1922 b 9-28-1995 Age 73y, 7m, 25d Buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetery Augusta MI Plot : 11 0 1486 From Hartford MI In service 19__ to 19__ Marvin’s son, Raymond Birmele, served in the US Navy during the Vietnam era. From the album of Roy Davis 12-2004
	Bohle, Ernest (Bud)
	US Navy b 1-11-1928 d 2-14-1993 Age 65y, 1m, 6d Buried at Lawrence Cemetery Lawrence MI	In service 1945 – 1947 USS Cocatin, Light Cruiser Philadelphia Saw the Great Wall of China and the Yangtze River in China Bronze Star From Watervliet MI WHS Class of 19__ Left school to enter service Resided in Hartford from 1956 Emily Bohle, granddaughter of Ernest, also served in the US Navy during Afghanistan. Information and photo submitted by his wife, June Bohle 11-2002
Bos, Henry	Boynton, John Burdette "Birdie"
From the album of Roy M. Davis	US Air Force Command Pilot – Colonel, Ret. B29 Blind Date b 1-20-1924 Bangor MI d 9/23/2006 Fredericksburg TX Age 82y, 8m, 5d POW Wounded in action In service 3-2-1942 to 6-30-1977 Career highlights: » 1977 Retired Bird Colonel, relocated to Garden Ridge TX. (Bird Colonel is a full colonel, from the eagle insignia of grade, to distinguish from the one-grade-lower Lieutenant Colonel, whose insignia is a silver leaf.) » 1974-1977 Director of Intelligence with 15th Air Force at March AFB. » 1971-1974 Defense Attaché at US Embassy in Tehran, Iran during reign of the Shah. » 1967 Served at Pentagon as Chief of Strategic Reconnaissance Branch. » 1965-1967 Promoted to Colonel and Squadron Commander of 99th Squadron. Flew Blackbird SR-71’s at Mach 3 (3 times the speed of sound). L-R Col. Doug Nelson, Col. Ray Haupt, Col. John Boynton, Col. Bill Haynes Photo believed to have been taken during 1965-1967 (from http://roadrunnersinternationale.com website)
From the album of Roy M. Davis	» 1960-1963 SAC Headquarters Offutt Field in Omaha, NE. Went to night school and earned a Bachelors degree in 1964. » 1958-1959 Assistant Director of Operations and flying U-2’s at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio TX. » 1948-1958 Stationed in Savannah GA flying B-52’s. Started as 1st Lt. and Co-Pilot, promoted to Lt. Col. and Wing Deputy Director of Operations. » 1949 Recalled to service to fly C-54’s on Berlin aircraft » 1946-1948 Managed flying service at Sioux St. Marie » 5-1945 Captain Boynton flying B-29 bombing runs over Tokyo, shot down, spent 4 months in Japanese prison camp. Second youngest pilot ever to command the B29. » 4-1942 Started Flight Training with Army Air Corps Served on ZI bases, AT-17, B-17 and Overseas, B-29 at Tinian Island AWARDS Airman’s Medal (AM), Purple Heart (PH), ACMMIIVM, AFRESH, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA), Presidential Unit Citation (AFPUC), Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), Legion of Merit (LOM), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). HHS Class of 1941 Married Doris Jean (DJ) Coleman from Johnstown, PA. Resided in Hartford 1929-1942 Submitted by Larry Blyly on 2-22-2004 from information provided by Stu and Irene Elder 12-7-2001 9-2006 – Click here to view a wonderful tribute of John written by lifetime friend, Stu Elder
Boze, Andrew US Air Force Engineers Served in Italy In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of 1942	Brandt Jr., Robert
	US Army Truck driver – TEC 5 Headquarters Battery 103rd Artillery Division b 8-31-1920 d 3-9-1970 Benton Harbor MI Watervliet MI Age 49y, 6m, 9d Buried at North Shore Memory Gardens Riverside MI In service 11-30-1942 to 11-11-1945 From Paw Paw MI Paw Paw High School Class of 1939 Served in France, Ardennes, Germany, Central Europe Medals and Awards » 2 overseas bars » American campaign medal » European-African-Middle Eastern Theater ribbon with 3 bronze battle stars » WWII victory medal » Good Conduct medal Son of Robert L. and Mayme (Christie) Brandt Sr. Married to Virginia (First) Brandt Resided in Hartford 1940 – 1970 Bob was an outstanding athlete for Paw Paw High from 1936-39. He won many medals in conference, regional, and state track competition. He was also an outstanding basketball and football player. He turned down a college athletic scholarship offer to go into the truck driving business with his father. Photo is from the album of Roy M. Davis. 4-26-2009 Information submitted by his son, Mike Brandt
Brookfield, Robert (Bob)		Brown, Richard
Enlisted 3-22-1943 at Detroit MI Honorable Discharge on 1-31-1946 at San Diego CA (at a pay rate of $78.00 per month) Served in the Pacific Area from 4-1944 to 9-1945 and was engaged in the consolidation of the Solomon Islands. From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1941 A humorous note about Bob was that he hated onions. More than once, he pulled KP and was assigned to peeling onions. He found ways to get rid of a lot of onions by throwing them out by the bushel with the skins spread on the top. Submitted by Bob’s wife, Cecelia Parascandolo Brookfield 10-2002	US Marine Corps – Sergeant b 1-5-1923 d 5-19-2000 Age 77y, 4m, 15d Maple Hill Cemetery Lot 134 W1/2, Section 19 Hartford MI	From the album of Roy M. Davis
Bullard, Bruce
From the album of Roy M. Davis
Byers, James	Cade, Frederick Mathew	Cade, John S.
Flight Engineer US Navy – Lieutenant b 1-4-1923 d 8-26-2004 Kalamazoo MI St. Joseph MI Age 81y, 7m, 23d Buried at Hickory Bluff Cemetery Stevensville MI In service 1942 to 1945 and 1949 to 1966 Flight Engineer on Flying Boats at Training Squadron 8A, Pensacola FL Aviation Repair Unit in South Pacific Served through WW11, Korean War, and Vietnam timeframe. HHS Class of 1940 Photo taken at the Watervliet Fly-In with Chrissy Dyer (granddaughter of Bill Dyer) – August 1991 Flight instructor at Benton Harbor Ross Field for over 20 years. Trumpet player in the Alumni Band. Jim is the son of George and Huldena (Krieger) Byers Harley and stepson of Edison Harley. 2003 update The rest of the story – an interesting article from the Herald Palladium	US Marine Corps Sergeant 1st Class Amphib Crew Chief & Driver b 6-16-1921 d 9-16-2004 New York City NY Hartford MI Age 83y, 3m, 2d Burial at Ft Custer National Cemetery Augusta MI In service 1943 – 1946 Stationed on the Island of Guadalcanal. Served in the Pacific: Okinawa, Pelelu, and Guam. Sent to Nagasaki when the war ended (what a terrible sight it was!) From Hartford MI HHS class of 1940 Resided in Hartford MI since 1936 Son of John and Agnes Cade Married Frances Hartman Cade Oct. 28, 1943 Owned the Shell Station in Hartford for 20 years and Sinclair-Arco Gas Station for 28 years. Fred’s son, David Cade, served in the military during the Vietname Era. His brother, John Cade, also served in the US Marine Corps during WW2.	US Marine Corps. b d 6-26-2011 Astoria NY Hamilton NJ Buried at St. John’s Cemetery Allentown, NJ. In service 1941 to 1945 From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1941 Served in Guadalcanal, New Zealand and most of the Pacific area Son of John and Agnes Cade Married Josephine K."Sherri" Cade John was vice president of Gilbert and Mott for 32 years. He later owned and operated Cade Motor Company in Lawrenceville NJ. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrow-St. Anthony’s Parish, their PTA, Past President of Fathers Club at Notre Dame High School, former member of Hamilton Township Elks, lifelong member of Knights of Columbus Council #355, where he earned the designation of Fourth Degree Knight. He was also a member of the Trenton Country Club and former member of the Boca Raton Country Club, Florida. John’s brother, Fred Cade, also served in the US Marine Corps during WW2.
Cadwell, Martin Klyver US Army b 5-21-1926 d 4-13-2010 Benton Harbor MI Hartford MI Age 83y, 10m, 24d Buried in North Shore Memory Gardens Hagar Shore MI In service 19__ to 19__ Medals and Awards Purple Heart and Bronze Star Son of Leo and Bessie Cadwell. Married to Mina "Peggy" Wycoff Cadwell Retired from Benton Harbor Engineering Member of Keeler Fire Department	Carlson, Earl	Carmody, Joseph Edward
	US Coast Guard Radarman – 3rd Class b 3/12/1922 d 4/24/2002 Age 80y, 1m, 14d Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI In service 1942 to 1946 Served in Seattle, WA and Pacific Ocean From Lockport, ILL LHS Class of 1940 Earl and Elaine Carlson moved to Hartford in 1959, where they managed the Citco City Service in partnership with Norb Nelson. The business was located on Prospect Street near the old fairgrounds – once known as the Hartford POW camp and now known as the Hartford Speedway Racetrack. Earl retired in 1986 and later became part of the Kellogg Hardware staff, where he worked up until the time of his passing in 2002.	US Navy Ret. b 6-21-1929 d 1-7-2016 Dowagiac MI Aynor SC Buried at Dorchester Memory Gardens Summerville, SC From Hartford Michigan Class of 1946 Son of Gerald Hugh and Jenny Crosby Carmody Married to Juanita Collins Carmody Last resided in Aynor SC.
Cartwright, Gordon A. US Air Force b 11-5-1927 d 11-9-2009 Arkansas Hartford MI Age 82y, 6d Buried at Fairview Memorial Cemetery, Watervliet MI In Service 19__ to 19__ Married to: Susan (Howley) Cartwright Last Residence: Hartford MI He worked at Midwest Timers. Member of American Legion Post 93, Hartford, MI	Chamberlin Olds, Claire	Chamberlin, George S.
	US Marine Corp. First Lt. Women’s Reserve b 7-3-1916 d 1-11-2014 Chicago IL Kalamazoo MI Served at Marine Air Station, Cherry Point NC 194__ to 194__ Daughter of Earl and Marie Chamberlin HHS Class of 1934 From Hartford MI Married to John Olds HHS 1935, who also served during WW11	From Hartford HHS Class of 19__ From the album of Roy Davis.
Clark, R.A.	Collar, William D.	Colman, James Leslie
From Hartford HHS Class of 1944 From the album of Roy Davis	US Army – Pfc. In service 19__ to 1945 Killed in action 4/14/1945 See WW11 Memorial From Hartford MI HHS Class of 19__	US Navy b 4/8/1927 d 10/23/04 Hartford MI Elkhart IN 77y, 6m, 18d Buried at Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI In service 1945 to 1947 HHS Class of 1944 From Hartford MI Son of Franklin and Frances Colman Married to Patricia Frazier, HHS Class of 1948 and Jeanette Morton Satterfield. James was a brother of Robert D. Colman, who served in WW 11 Photo and information provided by Margaret Colman Martens and Bill Dyer 12-2002
Colman, Robert D.	Conolly, Robert	Cook, M.D.
US Army Air Corp. B29 Radio Operator – Corporal b 10-29-1925 d 4-22-1991 Age 65y, 5m, 24d Photo taken while in Air Force Flight Training In service 1943 to 1945 HHS Class of 1943 Son of Franklin and Frances Colman Robert’s brother, James Leslie Colman, also served in WW 11. Photos and information provided by Margaret Colman Martens, Frank Colman, Bick Beckwith	b d 6-10-2009 Hartford MI Long Beach CA In service 19__ to 19__ Served in The Philippines Medals & Awards » Bronze Star From Hartford HHS Class of 1935 Married to Marge Conolly Last residence Long Beach CA Photo from the album of Roy Davis	In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 19__
Cotman Sr, Frank US Army Air Force b 8-22-1921 d 6-24-2012 Chicago IL Hartford MI Age 90y, 10m, 4d Son of Frank & Jenney Music Cotman Married to Lucy Cotman • Formerly employed with Auto Specialties at its Hartford plant, Clark Equipment of Benton Harbor and Gast Manufacturing of Benton Harbor, from where he retired. • Member of the American Legion Stoddard Post 93 of Hartford.
Cummings, Flo	Cummings, Oscar Burt US Navy – AS b 4/26/1920 d 9/30/1990 Age 70y, 5m, 6d Buried in Ft. Custer National Cemetery Augusta MI Plot: 11 0 2156 Last residence: Hartford MI	Dankert, Roger L.
Photo taken in India In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS class of 1936? From the album of Roy Davis		US Army Radio Operator b 4-29-1919 d 12-4-2008 Bangor MI Aurora CO Age 89y, 7m, 9d Buried in Fairmount Cemetery Denver CO In Service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1936 Son of Frank Dankert and Sadie Dillman Married to Alice Stainbrook Resided in Hartford until the late 1930s Medals and Awards » Two Battle Stars while serving in the Alsace Lorraine area. Top honor of Star Fellow and served as Director 1987-1991 of National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors NAWCC 1-2009 – submitted by Sandra K. Larmer, daughter.
	Day, Carl	Day, Paul Wilford Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue Pilot b 9-11-1907 d 7-26-2005 Age 97y, 10m, 16d Hartford MI Otsego MI Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI From Hartford HHS Class of 1927 Founding partner in Hilltop Orchards and Nursery Hartford MI Won National Trap Shooting Award. Shot in same competitions with Roy Rogers.
	US Air Force b 9-23-1917 d 7-12-2004 Hartford MI Hartford MI Age 86y, 9m, 21d Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1935 From the album of Roy Davis
Davis, Louis F.	Davis, Roy M. (Bud)
US Army Air Force b 12-7-1918 d 5-27-2004 Dowagiac MI Kalamazoo MI 85y, 5m, 21d In service prior to WW11 and served until wars end. Attended Hartford High School and would have been from the class of 1936, 37, or 38	US Army Air Corp 1st Lieutenant Pilot – Multi Engine 1943 to 1946 Active duty US Air Force Reserve 1946 to 1953 Pilot India-China Div. of the Air Transport Command, Burma (flew the Hump), India Theater. Stationed in Upper Assam Valley, then Myitkyina, Burma. Battles and Campaigns Central Burma, Northern Burma, China, Air Offensive Japan Flight Training in Texas – Class 44G 1971 – P.h.D. – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 1963-1964 – John Hay Fellowship at Yale University 1953 – MA Degree from Western Mich. Univ., Kalamazoo MI 1951 – BS Degree from Western Mich. Univ., Kalamazoo MI HHS Class of 1942 Married Marion Kling HHS 1943, who served in the Cadet Nurses Corp. Resided in Hartford 1924-1943, 1946-1966, and 1982-present. 1985 to present – writes a weekly feature column, The Paw Paw River Journal, for The Tri-City Record, Watervliet MI. Authored and published three books, Paw Paw River Times, People and Paw Paw River Days & Nights, and Flying the Hump. Webmaster note: Bud is one of the great Hartford historians who unselfishly shares precious historic information. We are very fortunate to have his remarkable recordings of Hartford’s past. His newspaper column and books are filled with fantastic tidbits on the life and times of the developmental years in Hartford, Michigan. He is a tremendous resource of informative photos and stories that he captured from other Hartford historians, most of whom are now deceased, as well as his own personal experiences. You will see many of his contributions throughout the pages of this website as it is being built. It’s been exciting communicating with Bud and Marion…and, we’ve only just begun to tap into the History of Hartford.. This photo of Bud and his wife, Marion, was taken in May, 2002 at the Memorial Day Service in Ely Park.
Dewey, Harold Clifford
US Army Air Corp-Air Force Prop Specialist Aircraft & Engine Mechanic Staff Sergeant 557th Service Squadron b 7-16-1922 d 7-17-2014 Roseville CA 1-25-1943 Enlisted at Ft. Custer MI 11-23-1945 Discharged at SFAAF Base SD Camp Grant, IL 9/1/45 to -9/5/45 Came home on SS Argentina into Camp Kilmer at NY Harbor. 557 service squadron, 43 Service Group for 15th Air Force 454 & 455th B24 Bomb Grp’s at Cerignola, Italy. 22nd Replacement Battalion at Bari Italy. Camp Patrick Henry, VI Departations Point Liberty ship convoy – landed at Toronto, Italy. Kelly Field AFB, TX. 498 Service Squadron at Barksdale Field LA. Kelly Field AFB, TX. Aero Products Prop School Vandalia OH Hamilton Std Prop School, RI Curtis Wright Prop School NJ Aircraft & Engine school at Stewart Tech, NY Basic Training – Miami Beach FL AWARDS » Rome-Arno Po Valley North Appenines » Air Offensive Europe and Southern France » Air offensive in Balkans » Good Conduct Medal » Award of Merit with 557th Service Squadron (serviced 454 & 455th Bomb Group’s 15th Air Force) Harold’s brother, Frank L. Dewey, served in the US Army during Korea and sister, Lola Elaine Dewey, served in the Cadet Nurse corps in WW2	Photo taken in 1943 Basic Training in Miami Beach FL While with the 15th Air Force in Italy, went on 2 missions over the Polesti Oil Fields as a Flight Engineer-Gunner (15th Air Force was formed to bomb Hitler’s oil supplies). Went on one 8-hour mission over Germany. On this flight, all crew members, except the pilot and myself, became so ill they could not perform their duties. I became Flight Engineer, Navigator, and Radio Operator. In-between times, I was Nurse to the rest of the crew. It was a long flight!. After WW11, joined UNITED AIRLINES in San Francisco as a A & P Mechanic, Aircraft & Engine and Inspector, Line Maintenance Planner, Technical Assistant for Turbine Aircraft. Retired as Foreman of Aircraft Maintenance after 36 & 1/2 years. Resided in Hartford 1924 to 1940 HHS Class of 1940 Son of Harold W. Dewey & Lola Lawer Married to Elgene Dewey 2003 – Have lived in San Francisco Peninsula since 1948, in Mountain View CA since 1955. Moved to Roseville, CA in 2013. Photo contributed by Bick Beckwith 11-22-2001
Dewey Bleich Lola Elaine
Cadet Nurse Corps Cadet Nurse b 11-26-1919 d 10-6-2015 Ulysses NE In service Sept 1943 – July 1946 From Hartford Michigan Hartford High School Class of 1937 Married to 2nd LT Arthur H. Bleich Daughter of Harold W. Dewey & Lola Lawer After attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for one year to become a Kindergarten Teacher, I decided to join the Cadet Nurse Corps at Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor, Michigan. They sent us to Detroit to attend Wayne State University. Then I worked at Children’s Hospital in Detroit for one year. Next affiliation was Cook County Hospital in Chicago for Psychiatry & neurology and became an RN. Married 2nd LT Arthur H. Bleich in 1946 but he was in the Reserves so was sent to Korea. Sold our house, stored furniture & got our new car in time to drive to California. He was kept at Fort Rosecrans to teach Gunnery so we stayed in California ever since. While in charge of surgery at Chicago Bethany Hospital, I prepared the then famous singer Ray Eberle for surgery. While on leave, I went to Beverly Hills, Ca. to visit Ruth Terry (a Benton Harbor girl who was now in the movies). She took me to the Hollywood Canteen where many stars were serving refreshments to the Servicemen, so Claudette Colbert served me, as I was in my Cadet uniform. Lola is the sister of Harold Clifford Dewey, who served in WW11 and Frank L. Dewey, who served in Korea Information and photo submitted by Frank Dewey’s son, Darrell Dewey, on 3-23-2008.
Dilno, Harvey V.	Disbrow, Roger "Dizzy" US Navy In Service 19__ to 19__ From HHS Class of 1938
US Air Force Tech Sergeant Crew Chief – B25-B Bomber In charge of all gunners and communications. b 10-4-1918 d 11-24-2006 Age 88y, 1m, 22d In Service 19__ to 19__ Awarded Victory Medal 1934 Graduate of Oakwood High School, Kalamazoo MI. From Almena, Michigan. Resided in Lawrence MI since 1970. Last residence was Hartford. Participated in the 18 Apr 1942 Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan. Click on the link for many original Doolittle Raid photos. Col. James A. Doolittle
Drake, Donald	Duncombe, Charles Moss	DuVall, Elmer James "Jim"
US Army b 9-5-1921 d 4-16-2009 Bangor Twp MI Hartford MI Age 87y, 7m, 11d Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI In service 194_ – 194_ From Hartford HHS Class of 1940 Son of Curtis & Jean (Humphrey) Drake Married to Joyce Myers Drake HHS Class of 1940 Lifetime fruit farmer in Hartford. Hartford Township Supervisor from about 1973-1987 Former member of the Hartford School Board Member of the » Hartford Federated Church serving as Deacon, Sunday Superintendent and Sunday School teacher » Gideons Avid deer hunter and fisherman. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." John 15:16	US Navy Electronic Technician – 3rd Class b 9-27-1927 d 1-24-2009 Keeler MI Houston TX Age 81y, 3m, 30d Cremains buried at Keeler Cemetery Hartford (Keeler) MI In service 1-4-1946 to 10-29-1947 Honorable Discharge Served in ▪ Guam ▪ Great Lake Naval Base, Great Lakes IL From Keeler MI Hartford High School Class of 1944 Son of Charles McMillan & Grace (Moss) Duncombe Married to Doris (Fullriede) Duncombe of Watervliet MI Owned Duncombe’s Radio Shop in Keeler MI until 1958. Relocated to Houston TX in 1978. Worked for Perry Oceanographics, where he helped build a submarine from Lotus body for the 1977 James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me.	US Navy b 5-20-1923 d 7-5-2007 Chicago IL Green Valley AZ Age 84y, 1m, 17d Buried at Watervliet Cemetery Watervliet MI In Service 19__ to 19__ Served in New Caldonia New Caledonia is located in Oceania – islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia, surrounded by the Coral Sea. U.S. forces landed on New Caledonia in 1942 when the United States entered World War II. New Caledonia became an important outpost in the battle for the Pacific during World War II. With its central Pacific location, New Caledonia provided a strategic air base as well as personnel and logistics support for the war. The U.S. commitment to New Caledonia during World War II, deterred Japanese forces from taking the island. Over the course of World War II, over 40,000 U.S. troops were stationed on the small Pacific island nation. After leaving the Navy, Jim relocated to Hartford and opened his own television business. He then worked for Sears and retired in 1988. After his retirement, he worked for Kellogg Hardware in Hartford. Son of James H and Mary (Truszkowski) Duvall Married Margaret Betz Duvall
Dyer, Earl M.	Preston Eiswald, Barbara L.	Elder, Stewart
US Army – Sergeant b 1917 d 1978 Age 61 Chemical Warfare Service New Caledonia and the Far East In service 1941-1945 HHS Class of 1937 Photo contributed by William Dyer, who served during Korea.	US Navy b 5-8-1922 2-22-2013 Eau Claire MI Holland MI Age 90y, 9m, 19d In service 19__ to 19__ 2 years service From Eau Claire MI Daughter of Harry & Bessie Easton Preston Married to Ernest Iswald	In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1941 Son of James and Caroline Elder From the album of Roy Davis Stewart’s sister, Joan Elder Scouller, served in the Army during W2
Elder Scouller, Joan	Erskine, Robert (Bob) Byron	Erwin, John
US Army – 1st Lieutenant Women’s Medical Specialist Corp Occupational Therapist b 11-14-1925 d 9/26/2013 Detroit MI La Cholla AZ Interned at Ft Rosecrans, San Diego CA In service 1949 to 1953 Served at Wm. Beaumont Army Hospital El Paso TX Resided in Hartford 1929-1948 HHS Class of 1943 Daughter of James and Caroline Elder Married to Don Scouller Retired as an Elementary Teacher Television Resource Teacher for all of San Diego City Schools. Joan’s brother, Stewart Elder, served in the military during W2	US Navy Gunner’s Mate – 2nd Class b 12-9-1925 d 4-15-2001 Age 75y, 4m, 7d Died at Bakersfield CA Buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bakersfield CA In Service 1942 – 1947 WW11 Kodiak, Alaska 1948 – 1952 Korean War Pacific Ocean Campaign and Services Awards Resided in Hartford 1940-1942 From HHS Class of 1945 Did not graduate with class, left school to enter service. Photo contributed by Bick Beckwith 11-22-2002	US Marine Corp. Reserve b 3- 7-1924 d 10-3-2013 Chicago IL Reno NV Stationed in Hawaii In service 1943 to 1946 HHS Class of 1942 Salutatorian Earned Degrees Bachelor of Science Engineering Physics Michigan Technological Univ Masters in Geophysics Colorado School of Mines Professor Of Geophysics named Professor Emeritus in 1985 University of Nevada Son of John and Jeanie Winton Erwin Married to Patricia Young Erwin HHS 1943 Photo from the album of Roy (Bud) Davis
Farrell, Richard E.		Fernham, George Robert
US Army b 12-15-1913 d 7-12-07 Grand Rapids MI South Bend IN Age 93y, 6m, 28d Buried at Silverbrook Cemetery Niles MI In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1935. He was class Vice President during his junior year. He also played football, basketball, and baseball for Hartford High School during his senior year and possibly other years. Richard is the Captain in the HHS football team photo of 1935, back row, 2nd from right. An active sportsman all his life, he played for and assisted in managing minor league teams of the Chicago Cubs and the House of David. A newspaper article was published in the July 1989 issue of Sports Illustrated about him. Son of Fred Buckle and Letha Millard, adopted and raised in Hartford MI. During his lifetime, Richard was a machinist and also owned and operated gas stations in Niles. Last residence was Niles MI.		US Army Heavy Equipment Driver – TEC 5 Co. B 821st Engr Aviation Battalion b 3-29-1920 d 2-16-2000 Benton Harbor MI Dowagiac MI Age 79y, 10m, 20d Buried at Watervliet Cemetery Watervliet MI In service 1-28-1942 to 5-20-1945 + Contracted disease-illness-disability during service Served in Bismarck Archipelago, Philippine Liberation Campaigns Having served on the Fiji Islands, George fell in love with the area and always wanted to return, but was never able to. Awards and Medals » 2 Battle Stars » Philippine Liberation Ribbon » Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon » 5 Overseas Service Bars From Dowagiac MI Attended Eau Claire High School, Eau Claire MI Resided in Hartford 1955 – 1997 Son of George H & Clara (Fisher) Fernham Married to Dorothy (Kraklau) Fernham
Fredericks, Harlan	Frye, Harold In service 19__ to 19__
(Don Rose and Harlan Fredricks) US Army – Sergeant B 12-25-1924 d 10-17-2012 Hartford MI Allegan MI In service 1943 to 19__ 873rd Engineer Aviation Battalion Overseas 20 months Served in New Guniea, Mindanao, Zamboanga, Leyte, Okinawa, Japan Awards » Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 4 campaign stars » Bronze Star » Good Conduct Medal » American Theatre Ribbon » Philippine Liberation Ribbon HHS Class of 1943 Don and Harlan were good friends during high school. Photo contributed by Don Rose via Bill Dyer.	Frye, Harold In service 19__ to 19__
	Furlan, Arthur D. (Toots) US Army Air Corp – Lieutenant Pilot Instructor, Bomber Crew Member
	b 12-29-1920 d 4-4-2009 Riverside CA In service 11-7-1940 to 11-3-1945 Stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii Held the 147 lb Boxing Team Title Medals Asian Pacific Air Medal Good Conduct Medal Arrived at Hickam Field in December, which is next to Pearl Harbor. My mother had a heart attack in Nov. 1941 and I had returned home. On Dec. 7, 1941, the US got hit very hard by bombs. I was lucky and missed the bombing that occurred at Pearl Harbor. After I returned to Hickam in Jan. 1942, the Battle of Midway and Wake Islands occurred. Completed Pilot Training at Douglas AZ on the Mexican border and remained there as a B-25 Bomber Instructor. Transferred to Lincoln NE in Aug, 1945 and was about to fly out with the crew when the war ended. Discharged in Nov, 1945…should have stayed in. Art’s parents owned a farm 2 miles west of Hartford from 1927-1943. From Hartford Thomas School HHS Class of 1940 Son of Joseph & Emma Furlan Married to Gloria Furlan	After I took Katherine home to Lawton, I drove to our Hartford drug store hangout to see if anything was happening. As I pulled up in front of Clark’s Drugs, I saw a group of 12 to 15 guys gathered around Art Furlan. Joining the group I noticed Art, in his Army uniform, was the center of attention. He was discussing the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The first I’d heard of this, I had no idea what he was talking about. What was ‘Pearl Harbor?’ I’d never heard of the place. Art was three years ahead of me in school, class of 1940. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army. The Government was drafting 21-year-old men for one year’s duty. The slogan of the day was, "Good-bye dear, I’ll be back in a year." By enlisting, a man could get his choice of assignment/training. That is what Art had done. He was home on Christmas leave from his assignment in Hawaii. But, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Art had received an Army telegram recalling him to immediate duty. He was waiting for the Greyhound bus to Chicago so he could catch a train to California. It would be four years before Art got home again! Art’s evaluation of the situation, (which, to us, represented the United States Government’s position, he being in an Army uniform) was that we were at war with Japan and that most of us would be drafted to serve in the Army! Japan’s declaration of war on the US the next day was just a matter of formality, because a State of War existed when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. As a 16-year-old High School Junior, I didn’t think I’d be affected. My dad, a WWI Army veteran, said, "Bick, now that we (the United States) are in this war, we’ll end it in less than two years just like we did WWI. They’re drafting 21 year olds. You’re only 16. It’ll be over before you’re old enough to go." Well, within a few months, the draft age was dropped to 18 and now I was 17 and the war was far from over. This suddenly became serious business. By 1943, I was in uniform undergoing Army Air Force flight training. It took me nearly 30 years to finish that assignment, as I stayed in and made a career of the Air Force. I was lucky. Guys like Red Snodgrass, Nat Munro, Birdie Boynton, Bud Davis, Sonny Morris, Buster McCombs, and all the others who were in combat theaters, killed, wounded, or made it back in one piece, they are the heroes of the day…
	The following was written by Bick Beckwith regarding Art Furlan and the war: We lived in the small Southwestern Michigan town of Hartford. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese launched it’s sneak bombing attack on Pearl Harbor, Katherine Stoker of Lawton and I went to the movie at the State Theater in Kalamazoo. Saw "Birth of the Blues" with Bing Crosby and Mary Martin.
Fulton, Franklin G. (Bud)	Fulton, Walter Robert	Galbreath, James C.
US Navy Boatswain’s Mate – 2nd Class b 7-3-1922 d 1-8-2005 Chicago IL Coloma MI From Hartford HHS Class of 1942 Truck driver in civilian life. From the album of Roy Davis	US Navy b 5-6-1924 d 3-10-1994 Lawrence MI From Hartford HHS Class of 19__ From the album of Roy Davis	US Coast Artillery US Army – TEC 4 b 9-17-1912 d 1-1-1982 Lakeland FL Age 69y, 3m, 16d Buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetery Buried 11/18/1983 Plot: C 0 609 Augusta MI From Hartford HHS Class of 1931 From the album of Roy Davis Sister, Marybelle Galbreath Reid served in the US Navy during WW2. Brothers William and Richard also served in the Army during WW2.
Galbreath Reid, Marybelle	Galbreath, Richard D. US Army – Corporal b 9-14-1917 d 7-2-1990 St. Joseph MI Age 72y, 9m, 19d Buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetery Buried 7-9-1990 Plot C 0 303 Augusta MI From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1936 Sister, Marybelle Galbreath Reid served in the US Navy during WW2. Brothers James and William also served in the Army during WW2	Galbreath, William "Bill" US Army b 9-14-1922 d 1-7-2013 Hartford MI Stevensville MI Age 90y, 4m, 6d Buried at Lincoln Township Cemetery Stevensville MI In Service 19__ to 19__ Served in the European Theater Son of Stanton & Margaret Cronin Galbreath Married to Ida Galbreath Spent more than 28 years in public education in Michigan as teacher, principal and superintendent of the schools. Sister, Marybelle Galbreath Reid served in the US Navy during WW2. Brothers James and Richard also served in the Army during WW2
US Navy Lieutenant b 1921 d 9-18-2005 Hartford MI Leesburg FL Age 84 Buried at Florida National Cemetery Bushnell FL In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1937 From the album of Roy Davis Brothers James, Richard, and William served in the Army during WW2
Garner, "Richard" Edward US Navy – Lieutenant, Retired b 5-1-1929 11-20-2000 Chicago IL Tuscon AZ Age 71y, 6m, 22d Ashes buried at sea with formal Naval ceremony. In Service 1946 to 1967 His duty assignments took him throughout the world. In the early days of the Space Program he served aboard the Aircraft Carrier Kearsarge which was assigned responsibility for recovery of the astronauts and the space capsules. From Hartford HHS Class of 1946 Son of Clarence and Louise Garner Married to Ruth Kimball Garner	Garrison, Mary WAC In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of _
Garrison, William Donald “Don” US Army 126th Infantry, 32nd Division b 11-8-1916 d 6-3-2008 Sodus Twp MI Hartford MI Age 91y, 6m, 26d Buried at Mt Pleasant Cemetery Sodus MI In service 19__ to 19__ Son of Ora and Mittia (Neer) Garrison Lifetime member of DAV of Benton Harbor MI Retired from Southern Michigan Cold Storage Married to Eithel (Akright) Garrison Jennie (Garlanger) Garrison	Goss, Orville	Granger, Martin
	In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS class of 19__ From the album of Roy Davis 12-28-1944 Hartford Day Spring In a letter to the citizens of Hartford, Pvt. Orville Goss, who is stationed at Camp :Stewart. Georgia, writes: "I wish to thank you one and all for the nice Christmas package I received, and to extend to you my best wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year."	In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 19__ From the album of Roy Davis
	Groth, Norgert George US Navy b 1-11-1925 d 10-1-1947 Lewiston PA Age 22y, 8m, 20d Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Groth From Hartford HHS Class of 1943
Links: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq11-1.htm#anchor2118718 – Casualties on US Ships Hit by Allied Gunfire During WW2. http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/index.html. Very informative site on Revolutionary through Desert Storm Wars and Conflicts of the United States Navy.
This site will change when names and photos become available. Check back often for updates. Please email the webmaster with information about anyone who served in the military and lived in Hartford OR Keeler at any time during their life.