Born in What Cheer, Iowa to Harry & Elizabeth Barker on October 2, 1917, Harry Bernard Barker had two brothers and a sister.
He attended Grinnell College and after graduation enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 14, 1941.

Commissioned as an officer in October 1941, Harry first saw action on September 22, 1943 in command of a special 35 man party of Army, Navy, Marines and locals landed by a submarine on Bougaiville. They scouted for landing areas for the 3rd Marine Division.

Harry was later made Commanding Officer of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
On July 21, 1944, he was Killed in Action leading his Marines after landing at Blue Beach on Guam.

Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, his citation mentions;

“The President takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Harry B Barker USMCR, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 21 July 1944. Landing on the heavily fortified, fire-swept beachhead with the forward elements on D-Day, Captain Barker immediately moved inland to reconnoiter the area then, returning to his troops, promptly led them to the best vantage point for supporting the forward assault units. Critically wounded in the right arm by a Japanese sniper's bullet, he steadfastly refused first aid until the situation had been stabilized. Then, after having his wound dressed, he subsequently returned to his troops and personally led them in a vigorous, intensive assault against a hill vital to the advance of our forces despite withering enemy fire which swept the area. Although he was mortally wounded during the fierce action, Captain Barker, by his valiant and aggressive leadership had contributed to the success of our sustained drive toward the recapture of this important enemy stronghold, and his unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflects the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

His remains were returned to the USA in 1950 and Captain Harry Barker was buried at Saint Josephs Cemetery in What Cheer, Iowa.

Older brother Edward Russell Barker Sr also served in the Marine Corps during WW2, he passed away at the age of 59 in 1975.

Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck, from Todd, North Carolina, enlisted in July 1940 and served as a pilot with the 365th Fighter Group of the Ninth Air Force, also known as the “Hell Hawks.” Houck was commander of the 387th Squadron from May 1943 until October 1944.

Houck wore his customized devil's helmet on missions over Europe, flying his P-47, “The Screamin' Weamie.” The nose art of his plane depicted a demon brandishing a pitchfork. Despite his extravagant appearance he was described by a group member as quiet, introverted and respected.

In 1944 Houck was responsible for almost entirely destroying a retreating German convoy in France. The convoy had been transporting gasoline and ammunition and its smoking wreckage was captured on camera shortly afterwards. Lieutenant Colonel Louis T. Houck destroyed destroyed 90% of this convoy in one pass somewhere in France.

After the war Louis relocated to Pleasant Valley, New York. He passed away on July 24, 2004 at the age of 87. Lieutenant Colonel Louis Talmadge Houck lies in rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.

The American forces initially had a tough time on Guam, lack of amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the reef, right into Japanese fire. Most of them were killed on the beaches.

However as the American forces secured the beachheads, the Japanese withdrew into the inlands, that had thick jungles. Along with the rain this made it hard for the Americans, however by 2-4 August they managed to break through.

By August 10, the American forces had managed to secure Guam, as all the major Japanese officers committed suicide. It later became an Allied base in the Pacific for further operations.

I am off to France/Belgium/The Netherlands this summer.

Is there a Europe wide directory of historical sites and/or museums that I could view?

I would love to visit a few places whilst away and seeing them on a map would really help with planning.

Cheers

T3. Earl A Conley
12034239
Med Dept, 48th Armored Infantry
7th Armored Division
WIA 28 October 1944
Meijel, Holland
2x Bronze Star

Earl A Cole was born 28 May 1913 to John and Florence Conley in Camden, NJ. Earl enlisted in the US Army on 20 May 1942. After completing basic training he would train as a medic. After training Earl would be assigned to Medical Department, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. The 7th Armored Division landed on Utah and o¥Omaha beach on 10 August 1944, two months after the invasion. The division was immediately pushed to the front on 14 August 1944. From 15-18 August the Division would battle at Chartres, France and capture the town and the surrounding areas. On 19-20 August the division would move to Dreux, France and assist the 5th AD the crossing the Seine River. There would be rapid movement to Tilly, and Ponthierry. Then from 26 August to 2 September the Division would move to Reins, Verdun and fight across the battlefields of WWI. 2-5 September the Division ran out of gas and was pulled back to re-equip. T3. Conley was award the Bronze Star for Heroic Service for his actions from 20 August to 2 September 1944. After their brief rest, the Division was again pushed towards Metz where they would be involved in fierce combat resulting in high casualties. After taking Metz, the division was ordered to once again move through Belgium toward Holland to assist was Operation Market Garden. On 30 September, the Division was again engaged in fierce combat in the town of Overloon, Holland. They would take the town on 8 October and immediately attack across the Deurne Canal by Griendtsveen. On 26 October the Division was ordered back to refit and re-equip. The next day The 48th Armored Infantry Battalion was called to attack the town of Meijel, Holland. The 87th Recon was on the outskirts of the town and started taking heavy small arms and artillery fire. Co. A and B pushed their attack on the to capture the town. Co. C was held, but began engaging the enemy in the wood North East of the town. Co. A and B pushed into the town, capturing most of it. The enemy counter attacked with a large element at dusk, forcing CO. A and B to withdraw from Meijel. On 28 October around 0735, it was reported the 5 enemy tanks with infantry support were moving down the main road towards Meijel. The column was stopped by allied artillery. Co. A was preparing for the attack when Tiger Tanks broke their line. Tanks from the 17th Tank Battalion began their assault, attempting to take out the tanks. Co. A was able to reorganize and link up with Co. B, devising a plan to flank in both directions. The US tank were unable to destroy the Tiger tanks, Tank Destroyers were called in and destroy and push the remain tanks back. During the Battle on the 28th, T3. Conley was wounded in action. It is unknown the severity of his wound or if he was taken off the line. T3. Conley would stay with the 48th AIB, and then take part in the Battle of the Bulge and the defense and recapture of St. Vith. T3. Conley would finish out the war and receive a second Bronze Star for Meritorious Service from 1 January 1945 to 8 May 1945. T3. Conley was also Awarded the Medical Combat Badge.

My relative stuck these on my car, and I went off on them that the left 2 were upside down. Our Granpa was in WW2, and they wanted the family to celebrate that, which I don't mind! Just ask me first or something. Anyways I just need to know if the ribbons are wrong. Thanks in advance for any and all help. 🙏

The loss at Stalingrad, the Red Army pushing towards Germany, made this group feel it would be the right time to remove Hitler. The briefcase with the bomb was placed right next to Hitler at his Wolf's Lair, however at the last minute they were moved by Heinz Brandt, who was killed in the blast.

The Gestapo cracked down on the plotters, as they were arrested and executed, more than 7000 were arrested later, of whom around 5000 were executed.

Recently I’ve been doing some research about my grandfathers service in WW2. I worked with Golden Arrow research (highly recommend) to obtain the morning reports from his unit during the lead up to his deployment in Europe through his capture during the Bulge.

My grandfather was a 1LT in B co 2ng 2nd ID when his company landed on Omaha beach on 6/9/44. His commanding officer, since the beginning of the records I obtained, was a man named Leon Huthnance. CPT Huthnance had lead the company through its entire pre-deployment training since at least early 1942 through its landings in France. By all accounts I’ve seen, he was a competent and highly regarded leader, he was from Tuscaloosa Alabama and had a twin brother who was also a CPT serving in the Air Corps. On 6/23/44 CPT Huthnance was killed by German artillery. Exactly two weeks after the company came ashore in France and only a few miles inland.

I had never heard of this man, my grandpa died when I was ten, and like many veterans of that war he never spoke much of his service to my mother. Nobody even knew he had been a POW until after he passed away. It is clear from the records he had served closely with CPT Huthnance for at least two years and surely his death was a devastating blow for him. My grandfather assumed command of the company that day, and his signature appears at the bottom of the morning reports everyday until he was captured on 12/17 in Belgium.

I felt compelled to post something to remember CPT Huthnance. He was a newly wed and had no children. His twin brother seems to have gone on to become a prominent attorney and passed away in 2004.

Below is one of the few sources I found about him.

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/657810969/leon-r-huthnance#stories

from Survey of the Thermal Threat of Nuclear Weapons

Went to Japan a while ago, I have photos of the standing building

Born in Abbeville, South Carolina to Torrance & Cora Howie on April 12, 1908, Thomas Dry Howie was the fifth of seven children.
He was a star athlete in high school, then attended the Citadel where he played football, was captain of the baseball team, was a Rhodes Scholar finalist and President of the Senior Class, graduating in 1929.

In 1932 Howie married Elizabeth James Payne, they had a daughter; Sally, born in 1938.
After graduation from the Citadel he was commissioned into the Army Reserve and worked as an English Teacher, Athletic Director and coach at Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia.

In the Summer of 1941 Howie was activated for duty with the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, sailing for the UK in September 1942.
Major Howie came ashore at Omaha Beach on DDay June 6, 1944 while serving as Operations Officer of the 116th Infantry Regiment.

He was placed in command of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment on July 13, 1944.
On July 16th, the 3rd Battalion was assigned to rescue the soldiers of 2nd Battalion who had been encircled by German forces.

Using hand grenades & bayonets, Howie's men broke through the German lines in less than 2 hours to rescue 2nd Battalion with Major Howie personally leading the attack and eliminating two enemy machine gun nests.
On the morning of July 17th Howie phoned Major General Charles Gerhardt, the 29th ID commander, saying “Yes, we can do it” in regards to entering Saint-Lô and "See you in St. Lo!".

Moments later he was killed by shrapnel during a mortar barrage.

The next day as 3rd Battalion entered Saint-Lô, his soldiers placed Major Howie’s flag draped body on the hood of a jeep at the head of the column so he could be the first US soldier to enter the city, his flag-draped body was then placed in the rubble of the St. Croix Cathedral. Local citizens came out and placed flowers at the site.

The photo of Major Howie's flag-draped body in the rubble of the Cathedral was widely circulated and became one of the most iconic images of the war. Because of wartime security, his name could not be revealed at the time and it was announced that the flag draped body in the picture was "a US Army Major."

Famed New York Times correspondent Drew Middleton nicknamed Howie "The Major of St. Lo"

Major Thomas Howie is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France - Plot G Row 14 Grave 12.

His widow Elizabeth never remarried, passing away at the age of 84 on July 7, 1989.

He was part of the 90th infantry division. I miss him dearly