The Fighting Men of Texas
Navarro County, Texas Extracts
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MM 2/C George W. Pope, Jr., was born Oct. 12, 1923, son of George W. Pope, Sr., Corsicana, husband of Frances J. Pope, 4319 Jamaica Street, Dallas, attended Barry, Texas, High School, and Westminister Jr. College, Tehuacana; volunteered for service in September, 1942, and was assigned to the Navy Seabees; trained at Camp Peary, Williamsburg, Va.  Overseas for 26 months, in S. Pacific Theater, Invasion of Rendova, Sasevelle and Munda, in New Georgia, Invasion of Peleliu, in Western Carolines.  Awards: Unit Citation from Admiral Halsey for Air Strip Build on Munda.  Was discharged Oct. 19, 1945.  His sister, Mrs. T. A. Wafer, lives on Rt. 2, Corsicana.

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Pfc. Derwood Franklin Pratt, born April 17, 1919, husband of Leoma Pratt, Enid, Okla.  Attend school at Corsicana, Texas.  Volunteered Nov. 25, 1940, assigned to 36th Div. of Army.  Served overseas from April 1, 1943, to June 17, 1945, in Battles of Naples-Foggia, Roma-Arno, Southern France and Rhineland.  Awarded Good Conduct, American Defense Service Medals, E.A.M.E. Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars and 2 Arrowheads.  Gunner in 133rd Field Art. Bn.  Was discharged June 26, 1945.

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Sgt. Caxton Rufus Bivin, born Nov. 3, 1919, husband of Myrtle Bivin, Corsicana.  Volunteered Nov 25, 1940, with the National Guard.  Assigned to Army, 36th Division.  Served overseas from April 2, 1943, to July 23, 1945, in Battles of Salerno, Naples-Foggla, Southern France, Central Europe, Rhineland and Southern Germany.  Awarded E.A.M.E. Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars and Bronze Arrowhead, 36th Div.  Commendation, American Defense, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medals.  Was discharged Aug., 1945.

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Sgt. Odell S. Frazier, born Aug 8, 1922, husband of Gurlie Frazier, Corsicana.  Volunteered Oct. 18, 1944, assigned to Army Infantry.  Transferred overseas March 15, 1945, to Asiatic-Pacific.  Battles of Cebu, Philippines, and invasion of Japan into Tokyo and Yokohomaha.  Awarded Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 Battle Star, Good Conduct and World War II Victory.  Currently in Tokyo, Japan, with 12th Calvary Regt., Medical Det.

M/Sgt. James Thomas Foster, husband of Glenna Foster.  Volunteered National Guard July, 1931, and Nov 25, 1940, assigned to Army 36th Div.  Overseas from April 1, 1943, to June 5, 1945.  Algeria, French Morocco, Salerno, Naples-Foggia, Cassino, Anzio Beachhead, Rome and Central Europe.  Wounded 3 times; missing in action June 25, 1944; reported P.O.W. in Germany.  Awarded African-European Ribbon, 3 Battle Stars; Purple Heart, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; American Defense Ribbon.  Discharged Aug., 1945.  Re-enlisted and with his wife, Glenna Foster of Corsicana, is stationed in Korea.

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1st Lt. Bruce Fulton born March 12, 1917, in Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Fulton of Corsicana.  Entered Army Service Forces Nov 23, 1942.  Trained at Ft. Sam Houston and AAS OCS, Fargo, N.D.  Served overseas from March 26, 1945, to Sept. 25, 1945, in Southwest Pacific area and Luzon Campaign.  Taught in Montana State College at Bozeman, Mont., from July, 1943, to 1944.  Awarded American Theater, Southwest Pacific, and Philippine Liberation Ribbons.  Discharged April 1946.

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S/Sgt. Earl Griffin Gathright was born Jan. 12, 1920, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Gathright, Corsicana.  Attended John Tarleton Agri. College, Stephenville, Tex.  Entered 25th Army Inf. Feb. 12, 1942.  Trained at Camp Roberts, Calif.  Overseas from July 8, 1942, to Oct. 12, 1945, in Hawaii, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Luzon and New Zealand.  Awarded Combat Infantryman's Badge, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Stars.  Was discharged Oct., 1945.

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T/Sgt. Robert Leroy Hamilton, Jr.

T/Sgt. Robert Leroy Hamilton, Jr., was born Aug. 24, 1911, in Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Hamilton, Sr., 614 W. 7th St., and husband of Lelia Owen Hamilton, all of Corsicana.  Received education in Corsicana Schools and S.M.U., Dallas, and was employed by the Magnolia Petroleum Co., in Dallas before he volunteered February 2, 1942.  Was assigned to Army Air Corps, trained at Ellington Field, Texas.  T/Sgt. Hamilton, Jr. received honorable discharge January 7, 1946.

T/Sgt. Walter Wright Hedrick, Jr.

T/Sgt. Walter Wright Hedrick, Jr., born Dec. 16, 1921, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Hedrick, Sr., Corsicana, Tex.  Volunteered Dec. 22, 1941, assigned to Air Corps as crew chief.  Served overseas from Sept., 1942, to Aug. 1945, in Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia, Balkans, Rhineland, Rome-Arno, Northern Apennines, Po Valley and Anti Submarine in American Theater.  Awarded E.A.M.E. Campaign Ribbon with 7 Bronze Stars, American Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star.  Released to inactive status Aug., 1945.

Pfc James Loyd Heifner

Pfc James Loyd Heifner, born March 31, 1926, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Heifner, 414 South 18th, Corsicana, Texas.  Attended Corsicana High School.  Entered service June 21, 1944 at Camp Wolters, assigned to Army Battery B, 53 Field Artillery.  Trained at Camp Roberts Calif.  Transferred overseas January 2, 1945, participated in action in Italy.  Awarded E.A.M.E. Ribbon with 2 battle Stars and World War II Victory Medal.  Serving now with Hqs. and Hqs. Co., 61st Q.M.B.D.

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Pfc Roy E. Jordan born May 15, 1923, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Jordan, Corsicana.  Attended S.M.U., Dallas.  Volunteered for service in Army 102nd Inf. Div. Sept. 23, 1942.  Overseas from Sept. 12, 1944, to Dec. 23, 1945, in battles of France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.  Wounded Feb. 26, 1945.  Awarded American Theater Campaign Ribbon, E.A.M.E. Campaign Ribbon with 2 Battle Stars, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct and Victory Medals, Combat Infantryman's Badge.  Discharged Jan 16, 1945.

WT3/C Wesley T. Jordan, born Nov. 3, 1926, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Jordan of Corsicana.  Attended Navarro Jr. College, Corsicana.  Volunteered Oct. 21, 1944, for Navy Engineering.  Overseas from July 18, 1945, to June 18, 1946, in American and Asiatic-Pacific Area aboard U.S.S. Niagara.  Prepared for Atomic Bomb test, left Binini June 8, 1946.  Helped land troops and supplies for Tokyo occupation and troops to Tientsin, China.  Awarded American, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon and Victory Medal.  Was discharged July 2, 1946.

SC2/C Billie Wayne Hutson was born July 22, 1908, in Miss., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hutson of Angus, husband of Estelle Hutson, 609 West 4th St., Corsicana.  Attended school at Corsicana, Texas.  Volunteered November, 1942, at Dallas, was assigned to Navy Seabees.  Trained at Camp Peary, Va., Davisville, R.I., and Camp Parks, Calif.  Served overseas from March, 1944, to Nov., 1945.  Served in Hawaii and Philippine Islands.  Received discharge November 2, 1945.

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Capt. Charles Edgar Lawrence was born March 28, 1917, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Lawrence of Seagraves.  Attended Howard Payne College, Brownwood.  Volunteered Nov. 25, 1940, assigned to Army 36th Division later transferring to Air Corps.  Served overseas from June 7, 1944, to Oct. 13, 1945, in airborne invasion of France, Holland and Germany.  Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Seven Bronze Battle Stars.  Promoted from Pvt. up through the grades to Captain.  Received honorable discharge late in the summer of 1946.

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• WWII Biography

S/Sgt. Rufus Bryant McFarlin was born Dec. 12, 1913, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. V. McFarlin of Richland, and husband of Lorene McFarlin, now of San Antionio.  Volunteered Oct. 10, 1936, and served in Army 2nd, 6th, 7th, 95th, and 97th Inf. Div.  Served overseas from March, 1945, to Dec., 1945, in Ruhr Valley, Eastern Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Japan from Aug. 27 to Nov. 25.  Awarded American Defense Service Ribbon, E.A.M.E. and American Theater Ribbon.  Victory and Good Conduct Medals.  Discharged Dec., 1945.

Seaman 1/C Rayburn Browning McKee was born April 27, 1918, in Miss., son of Mrs. Mattie McKee, and husband of Ina Douglas McKee, now of Corsicana.  Attended Belton Public Schools.  Entered Navy Air Corps December 7, 1943, at Mexia, Texas.  Trained at Naval Training Base, San Diego, California.  Served in United States from Dec 7, 1943, to Dec. 13, 1945, and overseas from Feb. 22, 1944, to June 19, 1945, in Villa-Villa, Russel Islands and Guadalcanal.  Seaman 1/c McKee was discharged Dec., 1945.

S/Sgt. Ernest P. French was born Feb. 20, 1920, son of Mrs. Annie L. French and husband of Geraldine French, all of Corsicana.  Entered Army, 36th Div., Nov 20, 1940, trained at Camp Bowie, Blanding, and Edwards.  Overseas from April 1, 1943, to June 26, 1945, in Africa, Italy, France, Austria, and Germany.  Wounded twice.  Awarded Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster, Soldiers, and American Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals, Campaign Ribbon and 4 Bronze Stars.  Was discharged June, 1945.

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T/Sgt Lindsey C. Morgan, Jr., born May 1, 1921, is the husband of Evelyn Morgan, Austin.  Volunteered Jan. 15, 1942; assigned to 90th Bomb Group (H) AAF; trained at Barksdale Field, La.  Overseas from Sept 4, 1942, to May 22, 1945, in Hawaii, Australia, New Guinea, Philippines, Bismark Archipelago, and Papau.  Awarded Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation and Good Conduct Medals, and Distinguished Unit Badge. Was discharged May 30, 1945.

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• 1938 Corsicana High School Graduate

John Robert Adams was born February 2, 1927, in Texas, foster son of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Raby, Corsicana, Texas, attended school in Corsicana, Texas. Volunteered for service in Merchant Marines Aug. 2, 1944, at Dallas, Tex.  Served overseas 18 months in Australia, Pearl Harbor, New Guinea, Okinawa, Saipan, Guam, Cuba, Japan, Panama, France, Italy, and Spain.  Is still serving somewhere with the Merchant Marines.  He left school to serve his country with the Merchant Marines.

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• Obituary; Pattison Cemetery, Emhouse, Navarro Co., TX

S1/C Emmett Wilburn Raby was born April 8, 1927, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Raby, and husband of Ann Kenner Raby, all of Corsicana.  Received his education in Corsicana Schools.  Volunteered April 5, 1945, at Dallas for Navy Reserves, V-6.  Trained at U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, Calif.  Served overseas from Sept 1, 1945, to March 20, 1946, at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Japan, Wake, Tinian, Cuba and Panama.  S1/c Raby is still in the Reserves.

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