He overcame the odds in the segregated U.S. Army to become a commissioned officer shortly before tragedy took his life
Category: American Theater
Corporal John H. Prettyman (1919–1942)
A noncommissioned officer injured in an accident at Fort Miles
Aviation Cadet William E. Hairsine (1922–1943)
A young Navy aviation cadet involved in a tragic crash early in his training
Private Roy S. Thomas (1921–1944)
A member of a segregated black Field Artillery unit killed in a stateside accident
Private 1st Class William Owens (1912–1942)
The member of a segregated antiaircraft unit killed in an incident in Connecticut
Seaman 1st Class Eugene H. Speary (1926–1943)
Just 17 years old, this sailor fell victim to tragedy just days into his first voyage overseas
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class William A. Funk (1922–1944)
An aviation machinist’s mate aboard a TBM-1C Avenger involved in a stateside training accident
Sergeant Charles Edelberg (1920–1945)
A soldier involved in U.S. Army Air Forces training stateside whose tragic death was published by the press before his family was notified
Ensign Kenneth F. Jones (1916–1942)
A young officer who lost his life in a tragic accident at sea
Seaman 2nd Class John P. Sparco (1923–1943)
A young sailor killed by the negligence of another sailor at the Naval Training Station, Bainbridge, Maryland
Delaware's World War II Fallen 