The proudest moment of this radar observer’s military career turned to tragedy moments later
Category: Mediterranean Theater
Corporal Joseph M. Vignola (1920–1944)
A shipyard worker and father turned airplane mechanic lost in a little-known tragedy in the Mediterranean
Motor Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Walter G. Keen, Jr. (1910–1944)
A sailor from Wilmington Manor lost during the invasion of the South of France
Private Norman G. Becker (1923–1944)
A shipyard worker turned infantryman who was killed in action during his fourth day in combat in northern Italy
Fireman 1st Class Howard J. Woods (1922–1944)
A single torpedo claimed the lives of two Wilmington Coast Guardsmen who served in the same repair party aboard a destroyer escort
2nd Lieutenant Edward W. Ruyter (1922–1944)
When a bombardier fell from a crippled B-24, a Czech town came together to honor him: “You died-- but in our hearts you live!”
Water Tender 1st Class Herbert H. Dugan (1911–1942)
Born and raised in Delaware, this man raised a family in Washington after a stint in the Navy, only to return to service after Pearl Harbor
Staff Sergeant William T. Stewart, III (1917–1943)
A young father who enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces one month after the attack on Pearl Harbor
Private 1st Class Frank J. Cox (1923–1943)
The first of three men from Hazeldel Avenue in Minquadale to lose his life during WWII
Private Raymond W. Pierson (1922–1944)
A DuPont employee turned rifleman who went into combat for the first time during the Battle of Monte Cassino
