Dr. George Harold Stanfield Ramsey, Canadian Field Artillery, World War I

George Harold Stanfield Ramsey was born on December 19, 1893, in Toronto, Canada, to William James and Mary Edith (Stanfield) Ramsey. He was one of three children born to the couple. In 1913, Ramsey began studying medicine at the University of Toronto but left in his second year to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

According to his attestation document, Ramsey enlisted on March 29, 1915, in the 26th Field Battery, 7th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA) with the rank of Gunner. Ramsey received basic and specialized training in Canada, and England, and was then transferred to the 23rd Howitzer Battery, 5th Brigade, CFA. On March 16, 1916, Ramsey embarked for France. He served in combat at Messines; St. Eloi; Ypres; and Kemmel before being struck in the left cheek by a bullet that exited the right side of his jaw during the Battle of the Somme near Pozières, France, on October 6, 1916. After spending several months in military hospitals, Ramsey was discharged on July 29, 1917. Ramsey returned to his parents' home in Toronto to recuperate before enlisting again on November 14, 1918. However, his second enlistment was not to last, and he was discharged two days later on the grounds that his services were no longer needed.

After his second enlistment, Ramsey spent several months working as a logger in the Canadian North Woods before beginning a career in commerce. In 1926, Ramsey returned to the study of Medicine at McGill University. He finished medical school in 1928 and was awarded a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (MDCM) degree after completing an internship at Toronto Western Hospital in 1930. Ramsey then moved to New York to study Radiology with Dr. Stafford Leak Warren at the University of Rochester. While studying in the United States, Ramsey met and married a 25-year-old nurse named Catherine Brantley on September 9, 1932. The union produced three children: Mary Ellen, Catherine Ann, and William Brantley Ramsey.

In 1933, Ramsey moved his family back across the border to serve as a Radiologist in Stratford, Ontario, and then in Regina, Saskatchewan. In 1937, Dr. Warren asked Ramsey to return to the University of Rochester as an assistant Professor. Ramsey was promoted to Chief of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology in 1940, and he became a full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiology in 1948. During his time at Rochester University, Ramsey made major contributions to the development of pantopaque radiology and the creation of cinefluorographic equipment. After retiring in 1960, Ramsey worked as a consultant in the Medical Department at Eastman Kodak.

Ramsey passed away from a heart attack at Strong Memorial Hospital on April 30, 1965. He was survived by his wife, his three children, and one sister, Miss Eleda Ramsey. In recognition of his lifelong interest in teaching, his family established the Ramsey Memorial Fund to aid in the instruction of physicians interested in Radiology.

Company F, 39th Aircraft Repair Squadron, United States Air Force - Order and Roster

I recently discovered an order dated November 20, 1952, addressed to "F" Company, 39th Aircraft Repair Squadron of the United States Air Force. This particular company was situated at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. The order includes a comprehensive roster of the members in F Company. I am sharing this information here with the intention of aiding genealogical research. My hope is that someday, a relative of one of the individuals listed on this roster might come across it through a Google search. This would provide them with insights into their relative's service in the Air Force.

HEADQUARTERS, 12TH BATTALION, FORCE “A”

APO 942, U.S. Air Force

SPECIAL ORDERS)                             20 November 1952
NUMBER 11)                                      EXTRACT

X             XX           XXX        XX           X

5. Eff only upon the sounding of an alert or when ordered into field positions for tng by CG, AAC, the folg Amn, USAF, 39th Acft Rep Sq, Depot, are asgd the folg dys w/Co "F", 12th Bn, Force "A":

THIRD PLATOON

M SGT THADDEUS J. LEMANSKI  AF69777140      Platoon Ldr         Carbine
T SGT WILLIAM C. RITTER            AF13030903      Platoon Sgt         SMG
A/2C GENE H. LIMPF                       AF15434420      Runner                 Carbine
A/3C JAMES B. HOUSE                    AF15449766      Runner                 Carbine

1ST  SQUAD

S SGT WILLIAM H. JOHNSON       AF13279719      Squad Ldr            M1
L/2C ROBERT D. SLADER                 AF16354129      Rifleman              M1
A/2C DONALD L. LAWRENCE        AF15457041      Rifleman              M1
A/B HARRY G. SIENKIEWICZ         AF16224491      Rifleman              M1
A/2C GORDON L. O'BRIEN             AF12382993      Rifleman              M1
A/2C RICHARD G. WILLIAMS        AF19400537      Rifleman              M1
A/2C WILSON J. ELDER                    AF16327463      BAR                        BAR
A/3C DUANE H. FELDEUREGGE    AF16394665      Asst BAR              M1
A/1C DONALD R. RATHEURN       AF16372930      Asst Squad Ldr   M1

2ND SQUAD

S SGT CHARLES J. MCGEE              AF16331600      Squad Ldr            M1
A/3C WHAYNE T. WISNER              AF15258700      Rifleman              M1
A/2C MEVI N G. DI DEUM             AF19418974      Rifleman              M1
A/3C JAMES B. ZIELINSKI               AF13391093      Rifleman              M1
A/3C ORBIE L. CULPEPPER            AF14454148      Rifleman              M1
A/3C CLIFTON R. SMITH                 AF19405410      Rifleman              M1
A/2C DONALD E. WEST                   AF17322095      BAR                        BAR
A/3C MAURICE R. GRASSO           AF11235890      Asst BAR              M1
A/1C BARNEY M. CALVERT            AF18390563      Asst Squad Ldr   M1

3RD SQUAD

S SGT JAMES L. REYNOLDS            AF44106650      Squad Ldr            M1
A/B BOB L. BLACKWELL                  AF27505575      Rifleman              M1
A/3C DONELL TAYLOR                     AF16392673      Rifleman              M1
A/3C HERBERT DAVIS JR                 AF35202174      Rifleman              M1
A/3C KENNETH A. STIEHLER         AF12393992      Rifleman              M1
A/2C RUSSELL D. PETERSON         AF12344865      Rifleman              M1
A/3C JOHN R. MASNIC                   AF17233577      BAR                        BAR
A/2C BERLYN R. SCHMIDT             AF16376273      Asst BAR              M1
A/1C PAUL D. DEADMOND           AF17274609      Asst Squad Ldr   M1

Par 5, SO 11, Hq 12th Bn, Force "A", dtd 20 Nov 52 (Cont'd)

THIRD PLATOON, COMPANY "F"

4TH SQUAD       

A/1C RICHARD A. POWELL            AF17275932      Squad Ldr                            Carbine
A/2C BILLIE L. JOHNSON                AF19388705      Gnr .50 HMG                      Pistol
A/2C MAURICE C. WOOLF             AF17298775      Asst Gnr .50 HMG            Carbine
A/3C NICHOLAS J. SIMONETTA   AF12409937      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C EVERETT S. KILDOW              AF19400614      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C ROBERT A. SCOTT                  AF18382057      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C ROBERT J. SUFFILL                 AF11226242      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C MAURICE M. STONE             AF17291604      Gnr .30 LING                       Pistol
A/2C ROY L. NORRIS                        AF19422539      Asst Gnr .30 LMG             Carbine
A/30 JAQUIN CORONA                   AF19421973      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C FRANK M. MORELLI              LF15457490       Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/1C JAMES R. TREADAWAY         AF14394600      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/3C RICHARD L. HENES                AF15459718      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/3C ROBERT C. PINSON               AF23439942      Gnr .30 DIG                         Pistol
A/2C THADIOUS OZLANSKI          AF12345581      Asst Gnr .30 LMG             Carbine
A/3C RICHARD E. OWEN                 AF11228057      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/3C HARRY F. MCGINTY               AF14338650      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C DAVID H. HENDRICKSON    AF17334078      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C JACK C. HARRIS                       AF18378316      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
S SGT FREDERICK BRUCE               AF14353827      Asst Platoon Sgt                 SMG

Par 5, SO 10, cs, this Hq, is rescinded.  

X             XX           XXX        XX         X                                            

BY ORDER OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRUMFIELD:                                            

                                               

OFFICIAL:                                           

HAROLD L. FURLOW                                       
Captain, USAF                                   
Adjutant

DISTRIBUTION:

110 - 39th Acft Rep Sq, Depot                              

Exploring the Story Behind a Stately Residence: Unveiling the Legacy of 206 East 44th Street

Delving into the history of a building is like turning the pages of a captivating novel, each layer revealing intriguing tales and hidden gems. People embark on this historical journey for various reasons, whether it's to breathe life back into a structure through restoration, secure its place on the esteemed National Register of Historic Places, or simply satisfy their curiosity. Imagine the allure of unraveling the secrets woven within the walls of a place frozen in time.

Picture this: a grand, two-and-a-half-story, eight-bedroom house stands tall at 206 East 44th Street, nestled within the Southmoreland Historic District in Kansas City, Missouri. This dwelling, known as the B. C. Christopher Residence, beckons us to uncover its rich past. Designed by the prominent architectural firm Root & Siemens, which was spearheaded by Walter Clarke Root and George M. Siemens, this house embodies the architectural finesse that shaped Kansas City's skyline. The same firm is also responsible for iconic structures like the John Deere Plow Company Building, Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing, and the Country Club Christian Church.

A masterpiece born in 1903, the B. C. Christopher Residence was lovingly crafted under the watchful eye of Charles F. Ettwein. Its Richardsonian Romanesque style captivates with a façade adorned in textured square stones, crowned by a grand Romanesque arch embracing the main entrance. The house boasts a distinctive red tile-hipped roof adorned with eight charming dormers, while wide-rounded Roman arches grace the first-floor windows and alternate entrances. A short tower, complete with a Balistreri-window and conical roof, adds an enchanting touch, while a stone balconet and stately chimneys complete the visual symphony.

Benjamin Campbell Christopher

Enter the protagonists: Benjamin Campbell Christopher and Ada Stanley Christopher, the original occupants who embarked on their residence's journey in July 1904. They left behind their previous abode, possibly marred by the 1903 flood. Benjamin, a respected businessman, held the reins of B. C. Christopher & Co., Kansas City's oldest securities brokerage. The torch of ownership passed from Benjamin to Ada and then to their daughter, Lelia Christopher Harris, upon Ada's passing in 1937.

A portrait of Judge Harris Brown hanging in his former court room.

Lelia and her husband, Harris Brown, breathed life into the residence, with Harris presiding as the judge of Division 4 of the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri. A remarkable connection led Harris to this prestigious position through none other than the political powerhouse Tom Pendergast. Harris, a close friend of President Harry S. Truman, held contrasting roles, navigating politics while shaping legal landscapes. Interestingly, he authored a decision in 1928, using the doctrine of separate but equal, to bar African-Americans from the Swope Memorial Golf Course. This contentious verdict was later overturned, underlining the evolving societal landscape.

The pages of history turned, and Lelia continued to grace the residence until her departure in 1964. The house then embarked on a new chapter under different ownership, becoming a living testament to the narratives it carries.

In the end, this tale of the B. C. Christopher Residence is more than bricks and mortar; it's a tapestry woven with stories of success, friendship, legal prowess, and societal change. As we trace the footsteps of its inhabitants, we're reminded that each structure we encounter has a life all its own, waiting to be explored and celebrated.

Sergeant James Henry Nokes' WWII Grouping

James Henry Nokes was born on August 25, 1916, in Winnipeg, Canada, to Walter Harold and Agnes Jane (Gillespie) Nokes. With the exception of his first year, which he missed due to illness, James received his primary and secondary education in the Winnipeg School System.

After completing his education in 1932, James enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) of the Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM). As this was just a part-time commitment, James acquired a full-time job as a steward at the St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg. James remained in this civilian position until the fall of 1940 when he joined the RCASC's active component in the newly formed Canadian Army. The entirety of his active service took place in Canada and by the time he was discharged in 1941, James had attained the rank of Acting Sergeant.

With World War II still raging abroad, James continued to contribute to the war effort as an arc-welder for the Service Station Equipment Company (SSEC). He remained with SSEC until December 1950, when he went in to business for himself. In October 1955, James began working as an arc welder for the Steel Company of Canada and a month later he joined the 133 Company RCASC of the Canadian Army (Militia). When he left the service on October 23, 1962, at the rank of Sergeant, he had earned a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; and Canadian Forces Decoration (April 17, 1961).

In his free time, James enjoyed bowling in two separate organized leagues, playing on the 133 Company's championship volleyball team, golf, stamp-collecting, butterfly-collecting, and hunting. He also served on the Board of Stewards for the St. Christopher's United Church in Hamilton, Ontario. James married his wife, Jessie, in about 1941 and the couple had four children. James died in 1973 and was buried in Woodland Cemetery in Hamilton, Ontario.

Lake Tarsney: A Recreational Haven Hindered by History

 

Lake Tarsney, founded in 1927 by the Sotham Brothers Real Estate Company, was envisioned as a rural recreational haven for affluent individuals from Kansas City, Missouri, and the surrounding areas. Named in honor of the late John Charles Tarsney, a former United States Congressman and close friend of the Sotham family, the lake had high hopes of becoming a sought-after retreat. However, the development faced numerous challenges that prevented it from reaching its full potential.

Unlike its neighboring lakes, Lake Tarsney boasted a unique near-rectangular shape, occupying the lowest point on the western edge of the development. The dam and spillway acted as the lake's northern boundary, providing the sole entrance to the homes on the eastern side. The waterfront on the eastern boundary was limited due to Beach Drive running closely along the lake, leaving only two homes with direct waterfront access. A cove and inlet adorned the southern end, though no homes were built there, and access was limited to a derelict gravel road. The western edge, near Tarsney Road, offered ample waterfront development with ten lakefront homes enjoying spacious yards. However, most homes were located on the eastern hillside, obscured by dense trees, which blocked their views of the beautiful lake. The lack of essential amenities, like a well-maintained boat ramp, further dampened the lake's appeal, leaving many lots on the eastern side vacant to this day.

The dam and spillway posed additional challenges, some of which continue to affect Lake Tarsney's residents today. Originally, the lake had a limited-service spillway in the form of a box culvert on the western side of the dam. However, it proved inadequate during heavy rains and flooding, leading to engineering modifications. In 1965, a new spillway was constructed on the eastern edge of the dam to address the issue. Despite these efforts, structural problems persisted, with an excessive downstream slope on the northern side of the bridge and erosion on the outlet channel of the new spillway.

The Sotham Brothers Real Estate Company's reluctance to maintain the lake and finance improvements ultimately led to the city council purchasing Lake Tarsney for a meager sum in 1976. Emergency measures were later taken to lower the water level when an Army Corps of Engineers inspection in April 1978 revealed the dam's risk of imminent failure due to high-water levels. Though a subsequent project in 2021 brought some improvement, such as a new triple-cell concrete-reinforced box culvert spillway, unresolved issues persist, affecting property values and discouraging further development around the lake.

To revitalize the area and attract renewed interest, it is crucial to address the remaining dam issues and implement additional improvements. Proper planning, community engagement, and ongoing maintenance are essential to fulfill the original vision of Lake Tarsney as a desirable recreational retreat for residents of Kansas City and its surrounding areas.

Discovering George William Nitz

During my visit to the Cologne Cathedral in 2007, I was captivated by the multitude of graffiti adorning its interior walls. Many of the tags bore American-sounding names, followed by the year "1945." It didn't take long to deduce that these markings were likely left by American soldiers during World War II. The sheer number of names intrigued me, and I found myself wanting to learn more about these men, their wartime experiences, and their lives beyond the war.

This curiosity was perhaps what drove me to investigate further when I encountered a name and a year etched into the concrete beneath a window at the Hansen-Mueller grain elevator in Kansas City, Missouri. Delving into the Kansas City Star archive and Ancestry.com, I uncovered that "Geo. Nitz" stood for George William Nitz, born on February 12, 1897, in Carbondale, Kansas, to Frank and Mamie Nitz.

George served in the United States Army during the First World War and later relocated to Bristol, Colorado, after his discharge to assist his aunt and uncle on their farm. It was there that he crossed paths with his future wife, Minnie Mae Denton, who resided in La Junta, Colorado. They exchanged vows on March 21, 1920, and together, they raised three boys.

By 1930, George, Minnie, and their family were living in Independence, and it was during this year that George began his career as a millwright for the Norris Grain Company, the original owner of the Hansen-Mueller grain elevator. He dedicated an impressive 36 years to this position, retiring around the age of 69 in 1966.

After a fulfilling life, George William Nitz passed away on February 7, 1985, and found his final resting place next to his beloved wife in Mount Washington Cemetery. The journey of George's life is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and contributions of those who lived through historic times and shaped their communities through hard work and love for their families.

Choosing an Estate Sale Company in Missouri

Estate sale companies are not regulated by the State of Missouri and as a result, it is very important to be careful when choosing one. Here are some things to look for: 

 A valid business license to operate in the city where you live. 

 Legitimate liability insurance, which among other things, shows that you are protected if your property is damaged or destroyed during the sale. Be sure to read the fine print because not all insurance policies are created equal. 

 A surety bond, which is an agreement by a surety company to pay an estate sale company’s client a certain amount if that estate sale company fails to fulfill the terms of their contract. 

 A current DBA registration with the state of Missouri, which gives a company the ability to do business under a fictitious name. 

 Make sure the company utilizes a written contract that lays out the terms of the agreement and how the sale will be run. For example, how many employees will work your sale, how will sales be registered and reported, what type of payment methods they accept, and what type and amount of marketing the company uses. 

 Read the company’s online reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Also, pay attention to the number of reviews. A company with 96 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars might be better than one with just 8 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars. 

Additionally, you want to consider possible conflicts of interest. Many estate sale companies in Kansas City own or manage antique stores, flea markets, online marketplaces, or rent booths inside an antique store. These same companies offer to buy the remaining estate after the sale ends. While this type of arrangement can initially appear innocuous, it is a clear conflict of interest as it disincentives a company from selling your estate during the sale for the highest possible amount. Instead, if a less than scrupulous company can over-price your estate, after the sale ends they can buy it at an extreme discount and sell it in their store thus keeping the profits. Trustworthy companies will focus on the liquidation of your assets during the sale. 

Another common conflict of interest has to do with pricing. For an estate sale to take place all of the items in your estate must be priced. Some common items like DVDs, books, clothing, and linens will be priced using a standard pricing chart, but the rest of your estate will be priced by the estate sale company. Many estate sale companies allow the very same employees who set the prices to buy items from the sale. This is also a very clear conflict of interest. If an employee has a desire to buy an item from an estate you can’t trust that employee to price it appropriately. As such, reputable estate sale companies will not allow their staff to buy items from a sale where they work. 

Last but not least, before you decide on a company to host your sale, make sure that you have talked to at least three companies and that you have been to at least one of each of the three company’s sales. Doing so will give you an idea of not only what their sales and marketing look like, but also how they treat their client's home and estate.

The only Kansas City-based estate sale company that I recommend is My Personal Estate Sale.

George Herbert Mills' WWI Medal Pair

George Herbert Mills was born June 18, 1899, in Sussex, New Brunswick (NB), to Charles Dayton and Zena Inez (Brown) Mills. As a young adult, Mills found work as a machinist in Wheaton Settlement, NB. When Mills was conscripted into the service with the 85th Draft Canadian Engineers on June 19, 1918, he was listed as being 5'5¾" tall with brown eyes and brown hair. On September 9, 1918, he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Battalion and sent to France. Mills contracted influenza and was in and out of the hospital, including the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, France, between November 19, 1918, to January 19, 1919. When he was finally discharged from the hospital, he was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Battalion at Seaford, England. On April 16, 1919, Mills was transferred again to MD. Wing No. 7, Kimmel Park Camp, Seaford, to await repatriation to Canada. Mills left England on the H.M.T. Royal George on May 3, 1919, and arrived at St. John, NB, on May 14, 1919, where he was discharged due to demobilization the next day. Shortly thereafter, Mills went to live with his sister, Mrs. Harold Lee, at 25 Federal Street, Beverly, Massachusetts. On October 22, 1930, Mills married Ruth Stevens in Bloomfield, Connecticut (CT). On May 23, 1932, Mills became a naturalized citizen of the United States. After Mills’ first marriage ended, he married Agnes C. (Campbell) Mills on November 1, 1938. On February 16, 1942 Mills registered for the draft. Mill’s draft document shows him living at 537 Naubuc Ave, Glastonbury, CT, and working for United Aircraft in East Hartford, CT. Mills worked for the Connecticut Transit company as a driver prior to his retirement. Mills died on February 20, 1997, in Wallingford, Connecticut. Mills was buried with his wife in the Masonic Cemetery in Wallingford.

Charles Lloyd Spangler's British War Medal

Many British medal collectors focus on medals awarded to people from their hometown. I live in Kansas City, Missouri, so I never thought this was an option until a few weeks ago. I randomly checked Craigslist and found this British War Medal (see above) listed in St. Louis. The seller did not provide the naming, so I messaged him and asked what was imprinted on the rim. The seller replied that it read, "2499723 A. CPL. L. C. SPANGLER C.R.T." I almost fell out of my chair when I checked Spangler's attestation paper and saw that his address of record was 4021 Woodland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri! This soldier's story is as follows:

Charles Lloyd Spangler, Sr., was born on October 1, 1882, in Montana, Kansas, to Abraham Jefferson “AJ” and Mary Ellen “Ella” (Moore) Spangler. Charles was the third of four children born to the couple and he spent his childhood in and around Labette County, Kansas. On September 8, 1916, Charles’ older brother, William Arthur Spangler, was killed in the line of duty as a patrolman with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. As a young man, Charles worked as both a newsboy and a cook. In January 1918, he traveled from Kansas City, Missouri, to Toronto, Canada. On January 5, 1918, Charles enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and falsely claimed that he was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. According to his attestation document, Charles was almost 5’6” tall, he had black hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. He served a total of eleven months in France with the 13^th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops. On May 8, 1919, Charles married Elisabeth Murphy in West Derby, England, and three months later their son, Charles Lloyd Spangler, Jr., was born. After he was discharged from military service on September 12, 1919, Charles and his family returned to live in Kansas City. According to the 1920 US Census, Charles and his family were living at 3908 Woodland Avenue and he was working as a book salesman. Sometime prior to 1927, Charles married his second wife, Nona Mae (White) Lunceford. One daughter, Ethel Virginia Spangler, was born to this union. By 1930, Charles and his family were living at 718 West 11^th Street in Kansas City and he was managing a restaurant in Grain Valley. Charles died of typhoid fever on September 29, 1930, at Research Hospital in Kansas City. He was survived by his second wife, Nona, and their daughter, Ethel, both of the home; his son, Charles, Oakland, CA; his mother, Ella, Oakland CA; and two sisters, Ethel Hendershott, Portland, OR, and Maud Tucker, Oakland, CA. Charles was laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City. 

Major Gerald MacKelvy “Jerry” Pittaway's Purple Heart Medal

I recently had the great pleasure of reuniting this WWII-era Purple Heart Medal with a member of the awardees' (Major Gerald MacKelvy “Jerry” Pittaway) family. Below, you can read a short biography I wrote about this brave patriot. 

Gerald MacKelvy “Jerry” Pittaway was born on January 22, 1922, in Honesdale, PA, to Clifford and Ethel (Craven) Pittaway. Jerry was the youngest of three children born to the couple. Jerry was raised in Carbondale, PA, and graduated from Carbondale High School in 1939. After graduation, Jerry worked at the G. W. Reynolds & Son general store. 

Jerry enlisted in the United States Army on December 11, 1942, at the New Cumberland Reception Center outside of Harrisburg, PA, and was assigned to the K Company, 99th Infantry Division, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion. He received 9 months of basic training at Camp Van Dorn, MS, before being sent to Camp Maxey in Powderly, TX, where he received an additional 9 months of advanced infantry training. While at Camp Maxey, Jerry met and married the love of his life, Marjorie Allyson Tippit. Four children were born to this union.

After completing his training at Camp Maxey in September 1944, Jerry traveled with the 393rd to Camp Myles Standish in Taunton, MA, to prepare for overseas deployment. While here, the 393rd received an inspection from the Inspector General and various inoculations. The 393rd departed from the Port of Boston, MA, and landed at South Hampton, England on September 29. On November 3, Jerry and the other men of 393rd boarded Landing Ship Tanks and made their way across the English Channel to Le Havre, France. By November 11, Jerry and the rest of K Company took over positions from the 39th Infantry Regiment 3.5 miles east of Krinkelt-Rocherath, Belgium, along the International Highway. Freezing rain, near-artic weather conditions, and a lack of winter gear made the 393rd’s time here miserable, but after a few weeks arctic gear arrived and weather-related casualties significantly decreased. 

On December 13, Jerry and the men of K Company participated in the 393rd’s first offensive of the war. This offensive was four-pronged: the 395th advanced north into Germany on an objective 7 kilometers from Hellenthal; 2nd Battalion, 393rd moved north to a built bridge; 1st Battalion, 393rd staged a small attack to the east; and 3rd Battalion, 393rd, which included K Company, was tasked with taking Rath Hill. To accomplish this objective, the men in 3rd Battalion had to first navigate a densely wooded ravine, cross the International Highway into Germany, and then charge up Rath Hill to expel the Germans. This hill is where Jerry, then a Tech Sergeant, found himself when the Battle of the Bulge began at 0530 on December 16. 

According to one of Jerry’s nephews, “One of the main German thrusts at the Bulge went right at Jerry’s company with about a 10 to 1 ratio of Germans to Americans.” Company K’s positions were quickly overrun and Jerry was taken prisoner. After his capture, Jerry escaped only to be recaptured and sent to Oflag 73, a prisoner-of-war camp for noncommissioned officers in Nuremberg, Germany. He remained in the camp for four months before being liberated. Jerry was discharged from the service on November 7, 1945 at Fort Riley, KS. For his service during World War II, Jerry was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Star Medals for gallantry, and a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received during the Battle of the Bulge.  

After returning home, Jerry joined the 109th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard with his brother Cliff. In December 1947, Jerry earned a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He made 1st Lieutenant a few days before the 109th was Federalized for active military service during the Korean War on September 5, 1950. Jerry made Captain on November 2, 1953, and by the time he retired from the military he had attained the rank of Major. 

Jerry also had a successful civilian career with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry where he retired after 32 years of service. His final posting was as a supervisor in the Employment Security office in Altoona. He also worked as an announcer and disc jockey at WCDL in Carbondale and at a station in Sharon. Jerry was a member of the 99th Division Association, the Roseland United Methodist Church, and he was the editor of the Co. K 393 Infantry Newsletter. Jerry passed away on August 15, 1999, in Sebastian, FL. His wife, Marjorie, and two daughters, Linda and Laurie, survived him. 

The WWII Memorial in Bippen, Germany

During the spring of 2011, I had the great pleasure of visiting Bippen, Germany with my good friend Wiebke Siemann. This town is where my Brockhaus ancestors lived before immigrating to the United States. In the courtyard of the St. Georg Lutheran Church in Bippen, I found this crumbling memorial to the men (and women?) from this area who died in military service during World War II. I suspect that Josef Brockhaus from Ohrtermersch, whose name is included on the first cross on the front side, is a distant cousin. As the memorial is not in great shape, and I can find no pictures or information about it online, I have decided to record the names and information from this memorial here for posterity. The text that I added for clarification purposes is in parentheses. I also added numbers to each person’s name to make it easier to identify and reference specific individuals. The names on the memorial are sorted according to town and then alphabetically. The towns included in this memorial include Vechtel, Ohrtermersch, Hartlage, Klein Bokern, Bippen, Ohrte, Lonnerbecke, and Dalum. In the instances where I was unsure of the name, I included a “*” as a wildcard character and I end the name with a “?.” If you have any information on these people, or if you can help me determine the unclear names, please email me at genealogyrs@yahoo.com.

(Front Side, First Cross)

VECHTEL
1. Wilhelm Brand
2. Werner Brands
3. Karl Bruns
4. Wilhelm Bruns
5. Erich Bruns
6. Hermann Fenstermann
7. Willi Grove
8. Herman Heidhaus
9. Erich Heidhaus
10. Friedrich Heidhaus
11. Otto Holthaus
12. Hermann Kerkgers
13. Werner Löffers
14. August Lübben
15. Walter Rodefeld
16. Heinrich Schöder
17. Reinhold Schulte
18. Emil Schulte
19. Hermann Stöckel
20. Erich Struckmann
21. Oskar Voss
22. Erich Voss
23. Ernest Voss
24. Hermann Willigmann
25. Gerhard Willigmann

OHRTERMERSCH
1. Bernhard Brands
2. Gerhard Braungart
3. Wilhelm Brinkrock
4. Hermann Brinkrock
5. Josef Brockhaus
6. Wilhelm Brinkmeyer
7. Otto Dühne
8. Herman Geerke
9. Friedrich Hartke
10. Konrad Joachim
11. Helmut Joachim

(Front Side, Second Cross)

1939 + 1945

OHRTERMERSCH
1. Willy Kamper
2. Bernhard Kamper
3. Erich Klare
4. Wilhelm Klare
5. Willy Kleybüker
6. Hermann Krümpel
7. Martin Krümpel
8. Hermann Loharens
9. Otto Lohaus
10. Heinz Lohaus
11. Adolf Masuhr
12. Willy Niemann
13. Otto Peters
14. Ernst Pohlhaus
15. Otto Scherpenberg
16. Wilhelm Schohaus
17. Hermann Schulte
18. Erwin Schulte
19. Willi Schwietert
20. Else Steinke
21. Heinrich Stove

HARTLAGE
1. Ludwig Brockmann
2. Bernhard Herbers
3. Gustav Herbers
4. Willi Herbers
5. Hermann Hollermann
6. Kurt Kirchner
7. Hermann Könecke
8. Wilhelm Loharens
9. Karl Lömker
10. Wilhelm Rolfes-Wöste
11. Friedrich Rosskamp
12. Gustav Scherpenberg
13. Hermann Schmidt
14. Wener Schmidt
15. Erwin Schmidt
16. Heinrich Schulte
17. Hermann Thie

(Front Side, Third Cross)

KLEIN BOKERN
1. Fritz Frerker
2. Ernst Frerker
3. Georg Frerker
4. August Frerker
5. Otto Harbecke
6. Hermann Harbecke
7. Franz Harbecke
8. Erich Landmeier
9. Karl Landmeier
10. Wilhelm Langetepe
11. Otto Löffers
12. Heinrich Möller
13. Georg Richter
14. Hermann Steinhake
15. Hermann Struckmann
16. Georg Tholen
17. Otto Wöste
18. Anton Wrocklage

LONNERBECKE
1. Heinrich Fögeding
2. Willi Fögeding
3. Friedrich Fögeding
4. Otto Freye
5. Gottfried Grove
6. Wilhelm Harbecke
7. Erich Kämper
8. Emil Köhler
9. Wilhelm Langetepe
10. Joseph Lüpke
11. Ernst Schoh
12. Wilhelm Stöckel
13. Heinz Stöckelmann
14. Bernhard Weh
+++
Samtgemeinde Bippen Ihren Kriegsopfern Zum Gedenken
(In memory of the war victims from the municipality of Bippen)



(Back Side, First Cross)

BIPPEN
1. Richard Bartel?
2. August Bergmann
3. Paul Bergmann
4. Wilhelm Brands
5. Werner Bredekamp
6. Rudolf Casjens
7. Bernhard Eggers
8. Hermann Eggers
9. Walter Eislage
10. Georg Fenstermann
11. Willi Fey
12. Carl Finke
13. August Finke
14. Bernhardt Finke
15. Willi Finke
16. Hildegard Fischer
17. Karl Geerdes
18. Willi Göwert
19. Hermann Guschmann
20. Karl Guschmann
21. Ernst Harbecke
22. Wilhelm Harbecke
23. Willi Harbecke
24. Otto Heidhaus
25. Erich Henschel?
26. Franz *erb* / Franz Herbe?
27. Wilhelm **craes / Wilhelm Hermes?
28. Erich Hömke / Erich Humke?
29. Ignatz *ankowski
30. Heinrich Kandel**rdt / Heinrich Kandelhardt?
31. Karl Karoth / Karl Karioth?
32. Willy Kawelke?
33. Georg Kel*e* / Georg Keller?
34. Georg Kess
35. Fritz Klare?
36. Gustav Köneke?
37. Karl Kübker?

(Back Side, Second Cross)

1939 + 1945

BIPPEN

1. Bernhard K**** / Bernhard Kühne?

2. Gerhard Küthe?
3. Erich Loharens
4. Hermann Lohaus
5. Ernst Ludwig Lüdemann
6. Gottfried Lüdemann
7. Alfred Mücke
8. Karl Ortland
9. Theodor Ottens
10. Heinz Pagel
11. Heinrich Pahmeyer
12. Helmut Pahmeyer
13. Edgar Peisert
14. Erich Pinnek
15. Hermann Pott
16. Heinrioch Potter
17. Walter Ruwolt
18. Gerhard Schlenther
19. Hans Schlenther
20. Wener Schohaus
21. Hans Schohaus
22. Friedrich Schürmann
23. Ernst Skulimma
24. Karl Spree
25. Joseph Sroczynski
26. Wener Sülthaus
27. Kurt Surek
28. Horst Steinke
29. Herman Struckmann
30. Herman Tebenhof
31. Otto Thole
32. August Timme
33. Oskar Timmer
34. Walter Westendorf
35. Karl Wissmann
36. Otto Wobbe
37. Erich Wrigge?
38. Helmut Zahnke?
39. Otto Zahnke

(Back Side, Third Cross)

OHRTE
1. Ernst Ackmann
2. Kurt Busching
3. Hermann Diekherbers
4. Georg Diekhoff
5. Martin Diekhoff
6. Hermann Diekhoff
7. Otto Dühne
8. Willi Elbers
9. Otto Fischer
10. Hans Gries
11. Friedrich Heye
12. Heinrich Heyer
13. Gustav Hermes
14. Heinrich Kettler
15. Willi Krümpel
16. Otto Lindwehr
17. Wilhelm Löffers
18. Heinz Marschall
19. Hermann Nordemann
20. Gustav Queckemeyer

21. Otto Queckemeyer
22. Hubert Rung
23. Erich Schenke?
24. Hermann Scherpenberg
25. Otto Stove
26. Karl Tenne
27. Otto Thie
28. Gustav Westendorf
29. Willi Wolk?

DALUM
1. Franz Glindhaus
2. Wilheml Rutker
3. Hemann Thole
4. Gerhard Upmann
5. Heinrich Von Der Haar
6. Clemens Von Der Haar

Company “F”, 365th Infantry, 92nd Division, World War II

 

A photo of Company “F”, 365th Infantry, 92nd Division, taken at Fort. Huachuca, Arizona some time in 1944 or 1945. These brave young men went on to fight in some of the most harrowing battles in Europe and many died, including Captain Bernard Yolles, Staff Sergeant Willie Ford, and Pfc. Robert L. Barnes.

Company “F”, 365th Infantry, 92nd Division, Ft. Huachuca, Arizona – 1944 – 1945

Guidon Bearer
Pfc. Norman Smith

First Row – Left to Right
1. S/Sgt. Nathaniel Terry
2. S/Sgt. Joe C. Harris
3. S/Sgt. George milker
4. S/Sgt. Aubrey L. Thomson
5. S/Sgt. Raymond J. Hall
6. S/Sgt. Ervinn Abney
7. SjSgt. Charles S. Coats
8. S/Sgt. Harry W. Ware
9. S/Sgt. Clarence Moore
10. Lt. Raleigh S. Callion
11. Lt. Milton E. Stanley
12. Captain Bernard Yolles
13. Lt. Nathaniel Hall
14. Lt. Vernon Cook
15. Lt. Herman E. Petway
16. S/Sgt. Willie Ford
17. T/Sgt. Luera Post
18. T/Sgt. William O. Greene
19. T/Sgt. William H. Fields
20. T/Sgt. Cornelius Walker
21. S/Sgt. William G. Humphrey
22. S/Sgt. Joseph Palmer
23. S/Sgt. John W. Smith
24. S/Sgt. William J. Parker

Second Row – Left to Right
1. Pfc. Robert L. Barnes
2. T/5. Thornell Bull
3. Pvt. Clifford F. Small
4. PFC. Samuel Young
5. Pfc. Eddie Moultrie
6. Pvt. James Williams
7. Pfc. Edward L. Reynolds
8. Pfc. Garland Rhine
9. Pfc. Willie S. Ogletree
10. Pvt. Oscar Brooks
11. Pfc. Ferguise Mayronne
12. Pvt. Joe J. Fleming
13. Pfc. Shirley Trice
14. Pfc. Joseph White
15. Pvt. Velton J. Queen
16. Pvt. John I. Williams
17. Pfc. Charles B. Scott
18. Pfc. Conwell W. Henry
19. Pfc. Bruin 0. Crook
20. Pfc. O'Neal Winfield
21. Pfc. Guster McLean
22. Pvt. Willian A. Banks
23. Pfc. Husey Sanders
24. Pfc. Otis W. Jackson
25. Pvt. John A. Roberts
26. Pfc. Jessie T. Garris
27. Pfc. Robert H. Bowes
28. Sgt. Arthur H. Tyree
29. Pvt. Leonard Smith
30. Pfc. Felix Burke
31. Pfc. Francis H. Edwards
32. Pfc. Clifton A. Bulgar
33. Pfc. Eugene Guice
34. Sgt. Robert R. Hill
35. Pfc. Norman H. Smith
36. Pvt. James B. Mason
37. Pfc. Wallace R. Montague
38. Pfc. Charles L. Phillips
39. Pvt. Henry B. St. Julian
40. Sgt. James McDougal
41. Pfc. Willie D. McIntosh
42. Pvt. Leroy Carey
43. Sgt. Edward L. Banks
44. Pfc. George Alston
45. Sgt. George Hudson
46. Pfc. Olian E. Covington
47. Pvt. Bobby Rollins
48. Pfc. Luther Gwinn

Third Row – Left to Right
1. T/5. Dewitt Sanders
2. T/5. Joseph R. Warner
3. Sgt. Richard T. Baker
4. T/S. William E. Sexton
5. Pvt. Ernest Baldwin
6. Pvt. Edward L. Terry
7. Pfc. John F. Taylor
8. Pfc. Alonzo Williams
9. Pfc. William J. Fauntleroy
10. Pvt. Henry Warren
11. Pfc. Louis Bently
12. Pfc. Willie D. Thurmond
13. Pfc. Joseph Collins
14. Pfc. Jchn C. Neal
15. Pfc. Joe T. Cotton
16. Pvt. Noble L. Addison
17. Pfc. William E. Cottingham
18. Cpl. Edward M. Farmer
19. Pvt. Leon Roberts
20. Pfc. David Anner
21. Pvt. Daniel E. Swan
22. Pfc. Tylor L. Roan
23. Pvt. William Barnes
24. Pvt. Cornelius Gee
25. Pfc. Calvin C. Campbell
26. Pfc. Raymcnd Quarterman
27. Pvt. John Pugh
28. Pfc. Benjamin C. Mitchell
29. Pfe. Joe C. Garland
30. Pfc. Robert T. Hampton
31. Pfc. Ernest Green
32. Pvt. John Swan
33. Pfc. William Thomason

Fourth Row – Left to Right
1. Pfc. Walter Davis
2. Sgt. Homer Brown
3. Pfc. John Slaughter
4. Sgt. Russell Miller
5. Pfc. Wilker Neal
6. Pvt. Clifton P. Levy
7. T/5. James E. Ragin
8. Pvt. Leroy Tarver
9. Cpl. Freddie Wallace
10. Pfc. Verncn B. Davis
11. Pfc. Harold S. Brown
12. Pfc. Calvin C. Murray
13. Pfc. Marion A. Jackscn
14. Pfc. Harold Lemone
15. Pfc. George M. Jackson
16. Pvt. Willie N. Hattley
17. Pvt. Leon E. Crawford
18. Pfe. James McKinzie
19. Pfc. Melvin Welcome
20. Pfc. Troy Johnson
21. Pvt. Thomas L. Clark
22. Pvt. Martin Fields, Jr.
23. Pvt. Stanford D. Scott
24. Pvt. Colen L. Crew
25. Pfc. James E. James, Jr.
26. Pfc. Randolph Green
27. Pfc. Dallas Charles
28. Pvt. John Griffin
29. Pfc. Norman N. Thorpe
30. Sgt. Hedrick M. Humphries
31. Pfc. Homer Williams
32. Pfc. Aron Jaokson
33. Pfc. George Faison
34. Pvt. Robert Burton
35. Pfc. Ben J. Brown
36. Pvt. Rowland F. Gordon
37. Pfc. Johnie W. Holloway
38. Pfc. Lee G. McMillan, Jr.
39. Pfc. Olander Kelly

The Life and Times of Benjamin Leroy "Roy" Love

Benjamin Leroy Love, who was known as Roy, was born on July 6, 1890, at the Lynch Dairy Farm near Pilot Knob, Leavenworth County, Kansas to Daniel and Tressa Love. He was named after Benjamin Leroy "Bennie" Edgell, whose family lived next door to the Loves when Roy was born. The name was suggested by Bennie's mother, Virginia Edgell. 

Sometime after Roy's birth, the Love family moved from Pilot Knob to West Spruce Street in Leavenworth. As a child, Roy attended Sumner School, located at 1501 Fifth Avenue, and was taught by Blanche K. Bruce. By the age of nine, Roy taught himself how to play the piano and was performing in several bars and dance halls throughout Leavenworth and the Salt Creek Valley. During school, he also did yard work for Robert B. Yoakum, a prominent builder in Leavenworth. However, Roy considered his first real job working for the Good John Sash and Door Company where he worked ten hours a day and earned $1.50 a week. In total, Roy completed 10 years of schooling in Leavenworth. 

The 1907 Leavenworth High School freshman class picture. Roy is the 2nd person in the 2nd row.

In 1907, Roy moved with his family to the town of Kickapoo, Kansas to a home formerly owned by his aunt and uncle, Luke and Fillis Overman. Roy's first job in Kickapoo was working as a farm laborer for his neighbor Arthur St. Leger "Texas" Mosse, the head football coach at the University of Kansas. During football season when Mosse was away, Roy was responsible for plowing more than 90 acres, taking care of 500 Chester White hogs, milking 5 Holstein cows, and feeding 6 mules and two horses. Despite his heavy workload, Roy still found time to perform and play the piano and on July 22, 1915, he copyrighted the lyrics to a song entitled, "Come and See Me Sometime." 

During the First World War, Roy enlisted in the United States Army and became a drill sergeant in the 365th Machine Gun Company at Camp Funston, Kansas. Later, Roy was transferred to the 349th Machine Gun Company, but never saw active duty abroad. 

On August 10, 1932, Roy married a white woman by the name of Daisy Watson (1895 - 1977), whom he described as "a beautiful singer and entertainer." Roy waited to marry Daisy until after his mother’s death because his mother was worried about his safety. On September 29, 1941, Roy copyrighted the lyrics to, "In My Garden With You."The infamous Leo and Hector Richard, known as Richard Brothers, wrote the musical score to this song. (Click here to listen to this song.)

In 1967, Daisy became ill and Roy did everything he could to take care of her, which included reading medical literature, but she eventually lost both of her legs. When Daisy passed away on December 7, 1977, they had been married for 45 years. Roy planted a cedar tree in his front yard to commemorate her life. In his old age, Roy loved being among friends, reading the Bible, and storytelling. He died on December 4, 1994, in Kansas City, Kansas at the age of 104. His funeral was performed by the Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth.

A view of the Salt Creek Valley taken behind what remains of Roy's house.

The money that Roy saved for his burial was stolen and he was initially buried in an unmarked grave in Kickapoo Memorial Cemetery. When I discovered this, I reached out to one of Roy's distant relatives and with their help, I applied for a VA headstone. The headstone was installed in December 2015. 

A few years later, I bought Daisy a grave marker, which was paid for in part by a GoFundMe.com campaign. Sadly, Daisy is buried several miles away from Roy in Mount Muncie Cemetery. If you have a photo of Daisy, please send me a message or leave a comment on this post.

A Short Biography of Susie the Gorilla

Susie, originally named Kivie or Kivi, was born in late 1926 in the Kivu Mountains of the Belgian Congo. At about six months old, a group of Pygmy hunters killed Susie’s parents and sold her to an expedition of French explorers. The Frenchman shipped Susie to France and named her Susi, which was later changed to Susie. Susie spent the next year touring Europe.

In August 1929, Susie was sent to Lakehurst, New Jersey aboard the Graf-Zeppelin, a hydrogen-filled rigid airship and sister vessel to the Hindenburg. Susie’s longtime trainer, William Dressman, accompanied her across the Atlantic or met her shortly after arriving in the United States. After a brief tour of the United States and Canada, Robert J. Sullivan bought Susie for $4500 and put her on permanent loan to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in 1931.While in the Cincinnati Zoo, Susie became well-known for her performances where she would eat sitting at a table with a knife and fork.

Susie allegedly died on October 29, 1947, of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease. Susie’s skeleton was housed at the University of Cincinnati until a fire partially destroyed it in 1974. While it was initially reported that Susie’s skeleton was completely destroyed, a biology professor named Dr. Robert Hehman salvaged Susie’s skull and mandible. In 2018, Dr. Hehman’s nephew, David Janzsen, donated these remains to the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Dr. Pearl Missoura (Zeek) Minning, who performed Susie's autopsy, kept many of Susie’s organs. Where these organs are now is unknown, but they were kept in Dr. Minning's basement for many years.