Carrol E. Ballenger

Carrol E. Ballenger
34385462

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Unit: 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Rank: Private First Class
Serial Number: 34385462
Death: 23 June 1944 in France
Cemetery: Plot H, Row 27, Grave 28, Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mer, France
Medals / Citations / Awards: Purple Heart


Carrol E. Ballenger was born 21 December 1921, a son of Paul Edward and Mattie C. Ballenger of Inman, S.C. He had the following brothers: Charles, Maxie, Bernard, and W. Marshall.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army 10 September 1942. He received his training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Camp McCoy, Wis. He went overseas in November 1943. He was killed in action in France 23 June 1944 and was temporarily interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery, St. Laurent Sur Mer #1, St. Laurent Sur Mer, France, Grave 168, Row 9, Plot M.

Sources:
American Battle Monuments Commission n.d.
Spartanburg Herald Journal
Military Personnel Record

Robert Franklin Ballard

Robert Franklin Ballard
34644206

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit: Co. G, 187th Glider Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division
Rank: Private
Serial Number: 34644206
Death: 15 February 1945 in Ft. McKinley, Luzon Island, Philippine Islands
Cemetery: Plot D, Row 4, Grave 95, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Medals / Citations / Awards: Purple Heart

Robert Franklin Ballard was born 31 May 1923 in Spartanburg, S.C. He was a cotton mill worker when he was inducted into service at Ft. Jackson, S.C., 30 January 1943. His induction papers indicate that he smoked cigarettes and that he had broken the second finger on his left hand in 1938. At some point he was transferred to Camp Mackall, N.C., for it was there on 23 October 1943 that he was bitten by a snake. Records indicate the he was crawling through the brush and was bitten on the back of the left hand. A tourniquet was applied and an anti-toxin administered (even though they indicated that they did not know what kind of snake had bitten him). He returned to duty on the 27th. On 5 January 1944, he was on a troop train from Camp Mackall, N.C. When he pulled a mattress down from an upper berth he knocked down the board separating the beds. It fell on his right foot breaking his second toe. He was assigned to Service Co., 511th Parachute Infantry, Camp Toccoa, Ga., and was sent to Camp Polk., La., for training. In April 1944, Pvt. Ballard and two others in his unit were Court Martialed for being absent without leave at Camp Polk, La. He was found guilty and sentenced to 5 months confinement and hard labor at the Camp Polk Stockade. His sentence was remitted.
He was placed on parachute jumping status 17 June 1944. He was killed in action 15 February 1945 in the Southwest Pacific Area. His death record indicates that he was killed instantly by a gunshot wound to his neck.
His mother was Matilda Gray Ballard 209 Johnson St., Arcadia, S.C. He also had a brother Eugene.

Sources:
American Battle Monuments Commission n.d.
Military Personnel Record

Robert Smith Bailey

Robert Smith Bailey
4138416

Conflict: World War I
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit: Battery B, 3rd Regiment Field Artillery
Rank: Private
Serial Number: 4138416
Death: 12 October 1918
Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, S.C.
Medals / Citations / Awards:

Robert Smith Bailey was born in Anderson Co., S.C., 4 September 1891. He entered the Army 29 August 1918. He was assigned to Co. K, 2 Prov Regiment, 156 Depot Brigade until 31 September1918. At that point, he was assigned to Battery B, 3rd Regiment Field Artillery, Replacement Draft Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He was to have been appointed meat inspector for the government. All the papers had been completed and sent to Washington for approval when he was stricken with influenze which developed into pneumonia. He died at the Camp Jackson Base Hospital 5 October1918. He was married to Iris Gentry, wife, Spartanburg, S.C., who was at his bedside when he died.
He was a business man with the wholesale brokerage firm of Erwin & Bailey of Spartanburg.
The funeral was held at the home of his in-laws: M. O. and Sara Gentry, 132 North Dean St., Spartanburg. Services were conducted by Rev. J. J. Gentry of the Southside Baptist Church. Private Bailey was a member of the First Baptist Church and a Mason. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery with Masonic Honors.

James D. Bailey

James D. Bailey
34650703

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit:
Rank: Private First Class
Serial Number: 34650703
Death: 31 January 1944 in Italy
Cemetery: Cowpens City Cemetery
Medals / Citations / Awards:
Additional Information: DOW - Died of wounds - from Cowpens
(South Carolina. Adjutant-General's Office 1972)

James D. Bailey was born 16 January 1923 in North Carolina, a son of Preston H. and Janie Viola Bailey of Cowpens, S.C. He had the following siblings: Howard, Robert R., Helen Sue, Janie (or Jennie) C., and Mary V., and Selma M. His father was in banking. In 1920 he was with the Bank of Saluda [N.C.] and in 1930 was listed in the census as a “commercial trader of stocks and bonds”.
Private Bailey served in the 30th Infantry, 3rd Division of the U. S. Army. He had been overseas for five months prior to the report that he was killed in action in Italy on 31 January 1944. He was buried in the Cowpens City Cemetery, Cowpens, S.C.

George Glen Ayers

George Glenn Ayers
5520114

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S. Navy
Unit: Naval Reserve
Rank: Seaman, First Class
Death: 14 September 1943 in England
Cemetery: Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England
Burial: MIA or Buried at Sea
Medals / Citations / Awards: World War II Victory Medal; Purple Heart

George Glen Ayers was born 4 December 1922, a son of James Moses and Georgia E. Ayers of Rt. 5, Spartanburg, S.C. He was a Baptist. He had the following siblings: Mary A., Claude G., and Lida. George was the only one in his family born in South Carolina – all the others were born in Tennessee. His father and uncle Daniel Ayers were florists.
He enlisted 3 February 1942 for 3 years. He was serving as an armed guard on an armed merchant ship, the S S. Luckenbach, when it was attacked by an enemy bomber in the Arctic Sea and presumed lost as of 13 November 1943. He is memorialized on the Tablets of Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England.

William B. Anderson

William B. Anderson
1886492

Conflict: World War I
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit: 317 Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Division
Rank: Private
Serial Number: 1886492
Death: 30 January1919 of Septicemia.
Cemetery: Plot B, Row 9, Grave 3, St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France
Medals / Citations / Awards:

William B. Anderson was born in Lynchburg, S. C., around 1897. He was in the S.C. National Army in Bishopville, S.C., in the 31st Co., 8th Training Battalion of the 156 Depot Brigade from 29 April 1918 to 23 May 1918. He was then in Battery D, 317 Field Artillery to 30 January1919. He was a private in the American Expeditionary Forces from 7 August 1918 to his death on 30 January 1919 when he died of septicemia.
The Army notified his brother Elisha V. Anderson in Lynchburg, S.C.

NEEDED:

Picture of Soldier

Death details

Family information

Thomas Moore Anderson, Jr.

Thomas Moore Anderson, Jr.
2625923

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S. Navy
Unit: USS Porter
Rank: Fireman, First Class
Death: 29 October 1942 – SW Pacific
Cemetery: Buried at sea – memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Medals / Citations / Awards: Purple Heart; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal; World War II Victory Medal; American Defense Service Medal.

Thomas Moore Anderson, Jr. was born 23 March 1922 in Spartanburg, S.C., a son of Thomas Moore Anderson, Sr. and Hattie West. He was one of seven children. They included the following: Margaret M., Harriet H., Hollis G., Polly M., Carlos Golightly, Richard Eppes, and Mary E. At the time of his enlistment, the family lived in Woodruff, S.C. He stated on his enlistment papers that they had lived there for six years and before that in Spartanburg. He listed Protestant as his religion. He had black hair, brown eyes and a ruddy complexion.
He completed 7th grade. He applied for enlistment 2 April 1940 with reason listed as career. He enlisted for six years 20 June 1940 at the Raleigh, N.C., naval recruiting station. He received instruction in gas war defense 3 January 1941. His rating changed from fireman 3rd class to fireman 2nd class 7 July 1941. On 25 August 1941, he and two of his buddies were involved in a traffic accident in Orange Co., Calif., when they hit a telephone pole and remained in hospital in San Diego through 4 November 1941. On 30 December 1941, he reported to the USS Porter from the USS Harris. He was promoted again fireman 1st class 16 February 1942.
He was wounded when the USS Porter was torpedoed on 29 October 1942. He was at his battle station on the port side when the torpedo entered the ship near his battle station. He was thrown into the ocean through the torpedo entrance. He was later rescued and brought back aboard where he was treated for shock and pain from 2nd and 3rd degree burns. He was first transferred to the USS Shaw and the later moved to the USS South Dakota where he died and was buried at sea. He is memorialized on the Tablets of Missing in Manila, Philippines.

George C. Anderson, Jr.

George C. Anderson, Jr.
01317253

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit:
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Serial Number: 01317253
Death: 1944 - France
Cemetery:
Burial:
Cemetery Location:
Medals / Citations / Awards:

George C. Anderson, Jr was born in 1921, a son of George C. Anderson, Sr. He completed four years of high school and enlisted in the U. S. Army 7 August 1942. He died of wounds in 1944 in France.

NEEDED:
Picture of soldier
Picture of his tombstone
Death details
Family information
Cemetery information

John H. Allison

John H. Allison
44025383

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit:
Rank: Private
Serial Number: 44025383
Death:
Cemetery:
Burial:
Cemetery Location:
Medals / Citations / Awards:
Additional Information: killed in action

John H. Allison was in the infantry in the European Theatre. He was killed in action 24 March 1945. He may have been from Gastonia, N.C. originally and came to Camp Croft to enlistment.

NEEDED:
Picture of soldier
Picture of tombstone
Family information
Death details

Cemetery information

David Buist Anderson, Jr.

David Buist Anderson, Jr.
O-350358 or (?) 14048099

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: Army Air Corps
Unit: Co. F, 118th Infantry
Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Death: 24 December 1941
Cemetery: Nazareth Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Moore, SC
Medals / Citations / Awards:
Additional Information: DNB - Died, Non-Battle

David Buist Anderson, Jr., was born 20 May 1916, a son of David Buist and Teresa D. Anderson of Reidville, S.C. He had two brothers: Edward Lee and John C. He enlisted in the Army 16 September 1940 as an aviation cadet at Ft. Jackson, Columbia, SC. He completed four years of college, was unmarried and was a photographer in civilian life. He died 24 December 1941 of non-battle causes.

He is buried in Nazareth Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Moore, SC.

NEEDED:
Picture of David Buist Anderson, Jr.

Cause of death

Death details

Lewis Miller Allen

Lewis Miller Allen
409573

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Co E, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division
Rank: Private
Death: 23 November 1942 - Guadalcanal
Cemetery: Greenlawn Memory Gardens, Spartanburg, S.C.
Medals / Citations / Awards: The Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation ribbon bar with one star in connection with the copy of the Presidential Unit Citation previously awarded, and Victory Medal World War II.

Lewis Miller Allen (Service #409573) was born 6 September 1920 in Spartanburg, S.C. His parents were Lillie M. and Albert J. Allen, Sr. His siblings included Margaret L., Anna P., Arthur L., and Albert J., Jr. In the 1920 census, Lewis’s father was a spinner in a cotton mill but by 1930, he was working as a machinist in a steam railroad shop. At the time of Lewis’ death, they were living at 405 N. Church St., Spartanburg, S.C.
Lewis enlisted for the duration of the war in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves 9 June 1942 in Savannah, Ga. He was assigned to active duty the same day that he enlisted. Prior to enlisting he worked at Price’s Clothing Store in Spartanburg where he earned $18.00 per week. At the time of his enlistment, he was 5 feet, 10 ½ inches tall with a ruddy complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. His initial training was at Parris Island where he was classified as a bayonet expert. He was a member of Co E, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division.
From Parris Island, he was sent to San Diego, Calif., where he embarked on board the S. S. Lurline on 26 August 1942, sailed 1 September 1942, arrived at the island of Tutuila, (American) Samoa on 14 September 1942. He embarked on 23 October 1942 from Pago Pago (a city on Tutuila) on the USS Barnett and arrived at the Island of Efate, New Hebrides on 30 October 1942. The Barnett resumed sail on 31 October 1942 and arrived at Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands on 4 November 1942. Lewis participated in offensive operations again the Japanese Army on Guadalcanal from 4 November 1942 to when he was killed in action of gunshot wounds on 23 November 1942. He was initially buried in the 1st Marine Division Cemetery there (row #66, grave #5) but was brought home 12 February 1948 and interred in Greenlawn Memory Gardens in Spartanburg. Floyd Mortuary was in charge.

He was unmarried.

NEEDED:

Picture of his tombstone

Fred Milburn Allen

Fred Milburn Allen
1229780

Conflict: Korea
Branch of Service: U. S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Rank: Private First Class
Serial Number: 1229780
Death: 17 September 1952
Cemetery:
Burial:
Cemetery Location:
Medals / Citations / Awards: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal

Fred Milburn Allen was born 29 November 1932 in Pacolet Mills, S.C.
He was killed in action while fighting the enemy in Korea.

NEEDED:
Picture of Fred Milburn Allen
Picture of his tombstone

Family information
Death details and burial information

William Heyward Alexander

William Heyward Alexander
14118951

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Unit: Co. I, 179th Infantry. 45th Division, 7th Army
Rank: Sergeant
Serial Number:
Death: 22 December 1944 in Germany
Cemetery: New Unity Baptist Church Cemetery, Spartanburg, Spartanburg Co., S.C.
Medals / Citations / Awards:

William Heyward Alexander was born 18 December 1923, a son of Wallace and C. L. Alexander. He had two brothers: Dr. W. W. Alexander and Lt. Jim Vance Alexander (U.S. Air Force).
He graduated from Woodruff High School and was president of his senior class in 1941. He entered Wofford College in 1941, joined the Army Reserve and was called to active duty in 1943. On 22 December 1944, he was wounded by a bullet penetrating his thorax and admitted to hospital in Germany where he died.
Funeral services were conducted for him at Unity Baptist Church in Spartanburg with the Lanford-Boyter Mortuary in charge. He was buried in the New Unity Baptist Church Cemetery in Spartanburg, S.C.

NEEDED:

Picture of soldier

Arthur Jennings Alexander

Arthur Jennings Alexander
409716

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: Marine Corps
Unit: Co. A, 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division
Rank: Assistant Cook
Serial Number:
Death: 22 July 1944
Cemetery: Initially buried 24 July 1944 at the Army, Navy & Marine Cemetery #1, row #3, grave #14, Guam, Marianas Islands; later removed and re-interred at Mountain View Cemetery, Greer, Greenville Co., S.C.
Medals / Citations / Awards: Navy Unit Commendation with ribbon bar, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Victory Medal World War II.

Arthur Jennings Alexander was born 30 August 1923 in Poplar Springs, S.C., a son of Arthur Frank and Rosabell Alexander. At the time of Arthur’s death, they lived on Route 4, Greer, S.C. He had siblings: Ethel Alexander Edens, Grady J. and Melvin N.

He completed the 8th grade in school. He enlisted 14 July 1942 in the 8th recruitment Battalion and went to the receiving depot at Parris Island. He was promoted from private to assistant cook on 16 November 1943. In February 1944, he successfully completed a two-week course of instruction at the Division Bakery. He was wounded in action when a mortar shell fell into his foxhole and died 22 July 1944 in Guam, Marianas Islands. His body was recovered from the beach and taken on board the USS Rixey. He had extensive wounds to his right thighs, legs, and arms. He was initially buried 24 July 1944 at the Army, Navy & Marine Cemetery #1, row #3, grave #14, Guam, Marianas Islands. His family requested his body be returned to the U.S. 15 August 1947. This request was approved 17 September 1947 and his body was returned 22 March 1948 for final burial at Mountain View Cemetery, Greer, Greenville Co., S.C. Wood’s Mortuary Inc., West Poinsett St. Greenville, SC, was in charge of the burial.

NEEDED:

Picture of his tombstone

Michael Scott Adams

Michael Scott Adams

Conflict: Iraq
Branch of Service: U. S. Army
Unit: 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division
Rank: Private First Class
Date of Death: 21 August 2003
Cemetery: Westwood Memorial Gardens, Moore, Spartanburg Co., S.C.
Medals / Citations / Awards: Unknown

Michael Scott Adams was born 1 August 1983. He was participating in a small arms fire exercise on the range when a bullet ricocheted and ignited a fire in the building. He died in Baghdad, Iraq as a result of injuries sustained during the fire. Adams was assigned to 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.

NEEDED:

Family information

John T. Adams

John T. Adams
1310646

Conflict: World War I
Branch of Service: National Guard, American Expeditionary Forces
Unit: Co. D, 1 Infantry South Carolina National Guard; Co. D, 118 Infantry
Rank: Private First Class 1 July 1917; Corporal as of 1 February 1918; Sergeant as of 22 August 1918.
Date of Death: 27 September1918
Cemetery: Unknown
Medals / Citations / Awards: Unknown

John T. Adams was a son of John T. Adams. He was born circa 1895 in Greenwood, S.C.
He became a member of the S.C. National Guard in Spartanburg, S.C., 25 May 1917. He became part of the American Expeditionary Forces 11 May 1918. He was killed in action 27 September 1918. He had held the rank of Sergeant for only a month. His father John T. Adams who lived in Ware Shoals was notified as his next of kin.

NEEDED:
Picture of John T. Adams
Picture of his tombstone

Where is he buried?
Who were his family?

Leonard Edgar Abernathy

Leonard Edgar Abernathy
20405709

Conflict: World War II
Branch of Service: U. S.Army
Rank: Private First Class
Unit: 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division (one source gives his unit as Co. H, 118th Infantry, 30th Divison)
Date of Death: 1 August 1944 in St. Lo., France
Cemetery: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mer, France, Plot G, Row 6, Grave 25
Medals / Citations / Awards: Purple Heart

Leonard E. Abernathy was a son of Charles Abernathy and Quinney Seals. He was born 10 November 1918 in Zion Hill, S.C. He had at least three brothers (names unknown) and two sisters: Margarita and Minnie. He also had at least one Uncle named Edward Abernathy. In the 1920 census, they are listed as living on the “National Highway” in Spartanburg. His enlistment records give R.F.D. 1, Pauline, S.C. as his residence and his religion as “Protestant”.
He enlisted 17 September 1940. His draft registration card indicates that he had finished grammar school, had blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, was 74 inches tall and weighed 155 lbs. He gave his civil occupation as “automobile serviceman” and also as “farmer”. Leonard was classified as a deserter in 19 August 1942 at Ft. Jackson. He was apprehended in Spartanburg 13 October 1942 and returned to the military at Camp Croft. Charges of desertion were removed as having been erroneously made per letter 13 January 1943. Transferred to Ft. Benning, Columbus, Ga., in March 1943.
At the time of his death, he and his wife Doris Louise (maiden name unknown) had one daughter: Mary Ann. They lived at 788 Taylor St., Spartanburg, S.C.
He was wounded in the arm in July, 1944. He returned to duty and was initially listed as Missing in Action on 1 August 1944 at St. Lo, France. It was later determined that was his date of death. His reported effects included a wallet, snapshots, and souvenir coins. He was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mer, France, Plot G, Row 6, Grave 25.

Needed:

Photograph of Leonard Edgar Abernathy.

Drafts of soldiers' stories

I've begun writing the drafts of the entries for the servicemen on the monument. For some I have a lot and for some I have almost none. I'm going to start posting the drafts here. At the bottom of each draft, I'll also make a note of specific information that I need for that particularly serviceman.

Frieda