With the approach of Memorial Day, we are called upon to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country while protecting our freedoms.
In this post, we’re remembering and sharing the stories of World War I, and World War II Silver Star recipients buried in or commemorated at Marietta National Cemetery. We’re including both those who were killed in action and those who returned from duty to resume civilian lives.
In a previous post, we’re written the stories of two Medal of Honor recipients and two Distinguished Service Cross recipients also buried at Marietta National. And we’re posting an article later honoring Silver Star recipients from Korea and Vietnam.
We identified a total 19 Silver Star recipients who served in World War I and World War II buried at Marietta National Cemetery. Of those, 12 died in combat or as a direct result of wounds received in fighting and are remembered in this post.
We used FindAGrave.com and Fold3.com databases for primary research. We conducted supplemental research through Newspapers.com, homeofheroes.com, valor.defense.gov and in individual newspaper archives. For some, we were able to find and include details of their Silver Star citations, which describe in detail the harsh battle conditions and heroic actions of these heroes. But for others, despite our best efforts, we only found scant amounts of information.
According to the US Department of Defense, the Silver Star “is awarded for gallantry in action:
- While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.”
Following is the list of Silver Star recipients we’ve identified at Marietta National Cemetery who served in World War I and World War II:
PVT James Alton Ayers, a Georgia native, died 9 OCT 1942, in North Africa serving as a member of the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group in the US Army Air Forces. The 98th Bombardment Group supported the British Eighth Army in its westward advance across Egypt into Libya and Tunisia. It bombed and strafed German and Italian land targets, air fields, railroad lines, enemy shipping and harbor installations in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Crete and Greece, to cut supply lines to Africa and to prepare for the Allied invasion of Sicily and Italy. Ayers, an aerial gunner, was killed in action on October 9, 1942, while participating in a mission over the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, along with other honors. He is buried in SECTION G SITE 8314-C
PFC Louis Alfred Brannon, a Georgia resident, died 8 JUL 1944, in Saipan, a member of the US Marines. Brannon voluntarily enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in August, 1942, at the age of 17. In January 1944, he shipped out with the 4th Marine Division. According to his citation, Brannon was awarded the Silver Star “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as radio operator for the *24th Marine Regiment, Fourth Marine Division, during action against the enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from June 15 to July 8, 1944. With his radio put out of action and his company pinned down by intense hostile machine-gun fire, Private First Class Brannon fearlessly crawled to territory more advantageous for defense and promptly repaired his damaged set, thereby establishing a communications line which, for a short but crucial period of the operation, was the only system available. Steadfast in his performance as a Forward Observer Radio Operator, PFC Brannon rendered valiant service during the ensuing twelve days, carrying on in the face of grave danger until mortally wounded by enemy fire on July 8. His cool courage and initiative throughout this period were an inspiration to those who served with him and in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.” In addition to the Silver Star, Brannon was awarded a Purple Heart and other honors. He rests in Section G, 8303-F
PFC Perron W Butler, a Georgia native, died 15 MAR 1945, in Germany while serving in the US Army with the 778th Tank Battalion. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. He rests in Section K, 4044-C
Lewis Alvis Cleveland, a Mississippi native, died 12 OCT 1943, in Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua, New Guinea, while serving as a pilot in the 405th Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group of the US Army Air Force. According to Cleveland’s award citation, his plane was attacked by five Japanese Zeros as it flew on the right flank of a bomber squadron. Cleveland’s plane shot down one of the Zeroes, but was set ablaze by enemy fire. While the crew could have aborted its attack and made a crash landing, they continued on their mission. After completing the bomb run, the B-25 burst into flames and disappeared into the hills. The entire crew was lost and declared killed in action. The remains of Cleveland and two crew mates, TSgt. Robert E. Hannan, Jr. and SSgt. James J. Patrick, were recovered after the war and buried in a group grave at Marietta National Cemetery. Cleveland, Hannan and Patrick were each awarded the Silver Star and other honors. They rest in SECTION Q SITE 125.
Capt Edwin Boyd Ellison, a Georgia native, died 2 JUN 1945, at Okinawa, Japan, as a member of the US Army Infantry. He enlisted at Atlanta in January 1942, then was selected for and completed Officer Training School. His unit engaged Japanese forces at Leyte and Okinawa. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for service while at Okinawa. He rests in SECTION Q SITE 39
CPL Charles Francis Fain, a Georgia native, died 14 MAY 1945, in Okinawa, Japan, as a member of the US Marines. Fearlessly leading his squad through dense jungle terrain and heavy enemy machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire in a fierce assault upon the strongly defended Japanese village of Dakeshi, Corporal Fain directed the activities of his men with outstanding tactical skill and, when the advance was retarded by relentless blasts from an enemy machine gun, risked his life to employ a nearby tank in neutralizing the opposing installation, thereby enabling his group to accomplish its objective. He was awarded posthumously the Silver Star, and Purple Heart. He is buried in Section G, 8319-F
2 LT Robert E Hannan Jr., a native of Ohio, died 12 OCT 1943, as a member of the US Army Air Force when his B-25 bomber was shot down in Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Hannan and other members of the bomber crew were awarded the SIlver Star for their heroic actions in the air battle and subsequent bombing run that resulted in major enemy losses. The remains of the crew were recovered after the war, and Hannan and two crewmates, Capt. Lewis Cleveland and SSGT James Justice Patrick, are buried in a group grave in SECTION Q SITE 125.
Lt Mark Lafon Orr, a native of Texas, was reported missing in action 13 APR 1945, while serving as a pilot in the US NAVY aboard the carrier USS Intrepid. According to unit records, “Lieut. M.L. ORR and Ensign T.E. STIXRUD were launched for a DADCAP [Dawn to dusk combat air patrol] at 1810. Half an hour later approximately 15-20 Jap Betty’s [Mitsubishi G4M bomber] appeared on the radar screen apparently bent on a dusk torpedo attack. ORR and STIXRUD were immediately vectored to their positions and discovered one Betty approaching the Task Force 40 miles away. They made a coordinated attack with STIXRUD getting credit for the kill. Shortly afterward ORR was vectored onto another Betty along. The Betty was low on the water and, despite many hits from ORRs guns, would not deviate from its course toward the Task Group. ORR chased it into the Group screen where he was advised to use his discretion in following the Jap in. As the Jap was heading directly for the U.S.S. Yorktown, ORR followed it in through all of the ships A/A fire in the dark. Despite guns that were by that time so hot they were practically shooting in circles, ORR finally managed to splash the Betty just short of Yorktown and again safely run the gauntlet of ships A/A fire to get away. This was a very courageous attack, witnessed by a number of “Reapers” from the ship and it was a great shock to everyone in the Air Group when Lieut. ORR failed to return from a night mission several nights later.” Orr was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals, Purple Heart. As his remains were not recovered, he is honored with a cenotaph in SECTION MB SITE 32
SSGT James Justice Patrick, died 12 OCT 1943, as a member of the US Army Air Force when his B-25 bomber was shot down in Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua, New Guinea. Patrick and other members of the bomber crew were awarded the SIlver Star for their heroic actions in the air battle and subsequent bombing run that resulted in major enemy losses. The remains of the crew were recovered after the war, and Patrick and two crewmates, Capt. Lewis Cleveland and 2nd Lt. Robert Hannan, are buried in a group grave in SECTION Q SITE 125.
1LT Donald C. Roman, a native of West Virginia, died 11 July 1944, while serving in the US Army Field Artillery as a Liaison Officer with the 793rd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 793rd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II.” Lt Roman was originally buried at La Cambe-Isigny, France, then returned to the US for interment in 1949. He rests at Section Q, Site 20.
PFC John Thomas Shockley, a native of Alabama, died 25 JUL 1944, in England following wounds received two days earlier in France as infantry, artillery and tank units worked together to break through the thick hedgerow terrain near Saint-Lô, France. Fighting with the 216 Field Artillery Battalion of the US Army, Shockley sustained wounds from artillery shell fragments. He was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and other commendations. Originally buried in a cemetery at LaCambe, Isigny, France, near Omaha Beach, Shockley’s remains were later returned to the US and, on July 25, 1950, were buried at Marietta National Cemetery, Cobb County, Georgia, Section G, Site 7100-A.
1LT John Henry Wilbanks, a native of Georgia, died 16 JAN 1944, while serving in the 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Marine Division of the US Marines in Papua, New Guinea, during World War II. He was awarded a Silver Star, Gold Star and Purple Heart for his valor at Arawe, New Britain,where he attempted to rescue a tank crew while under heavy Japanese fire. He rests in SECTION Q SITE 47.
Following is the list of Silver Star recipients we’ve identified at Marietta National Cemetery who were survived their heroic feats in World War I and World War II and died following their service:
COL William Francis Curren Jr., a native of Boston, MA, died 21 FEB 1997. He served in the US Army during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Col. Curren was awarded a Silver Star for his actions at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He continued his WWII service as a battalion commander in the World War II European Theater. He is buried in Section T SITE 212.
Lt Col Edgar Byron Hilley, died 10 JAN 1963, served in the US Army in World War II. Awarded the Silver Star. Buried in SECTION U SITE 127. While we couldn’t find further information on Lt. Col Hilley’s service, we note that it was his headstone that started us on our search for Silver Star recipients buried at Marietta National Cemetery.
CPL Charles M Idrau, died 1 FEB 1963. He served in 26 Infantry of the US Army during World War I. He was awarded the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Purple Heart. Cpl Idrau rests in Section Q Site 17-C.
1LT John Valentine Lehnerd, a Georgia native, died 9 AUG 2009. He served as a first lieutenant under General Leland L Hobbs in the US Army during WWII. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Jan. 10 1945, in Belgium. When a sudden concentration of enemy mortar fire fell on advancing troops and set an ammunition vehicle ablaze, Lt. Lehnerd left his sheltered position and went out into enemy fire to shovel snow on the vehicle in which the ammunition was exploding. After the blaze had diminished, he helped detach the trailer and drove the vehicle into an open field, where he succeeded in extinguishing the flames. He was also awarded the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart with one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and multiple other commendations. He is buried in SECTION U SITE 204
Lt Col Clifford Edgar Mize, a Georgia native, died 2 OCT 1966, after serving in the US Army during WWII and Korea. During WWII, Lt Col Mize was a member of the 3rd Armored Division of the First Army (Spearhead) and served as a tank commander. He participated in several major battles in Europe including The Battle of the Bulge. Lt. Col. Mize was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and Purple Heart along with other commendations. He is buried in Section U, Site 365
Lt Col Gerald Charles Sola, a native of New Mexico, died 31 OCT 1969, after serving in the US Army, during WWI and WWII. According to his headstone, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, though no other details were found. He is buried in SECTION K SITE 3313-A
SGT Fred Martin Taylor, died 20 JAN 1965, after serving in the US Marines during WWII. A Marine for 10 years, Sgt Taylor completed assignments in Shanghai, China, and Guam before transferring to the Philippines. There, his unit defended Cavite, and was the last Marine outfit to surrender. In an article in the Atlanta Constitution on May 1, 1945, Taylor recounted his experiences at three Japanese prison camps. He and fellow prisoners at the Hilibid prison in Manila were freed on Feb. 5, 1945, according to the newspaper account. Taylor was awarded the Silver Star. He is buried in Section U, SIte 129.
