WORLD WAR II
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John R. Jamison Jr.
May 2, 1921 - Nov. 19, 1943
From Roanoke County. Was a quality control inspector at an aircraft factory in Maryland before the war. Served in the Army Air Forces. Studied aerial photography, then decided to attend officers school to become a pilot. Killed in the crash of a B-17 in Sicily, six miles south of Ragosa, while returning from a bombing mission. Survived by his parents, John R. and Grace Gilbert Jamison; brothers, Malcolm and Barry; sisters, Beverly Maye, Evelyn Virginia and Violet Dawn Jamison. He was the eldest of the six. Buried in Italy. After the war, he was reinterred at Antioch Church of the Brethren in Franklin County. Says his sister, Violet Jamison Penick: "When news came of his death, his brother Malcolm was serving in the Army in England. His mother was ill with cancer, so this was a very difficult time for her. He had a keen mind and a great sense of humor."
-- Submitted by his sister Violet Jamison Penick of Roanoke
Alonzo E. Janney
1922 - 1944
From Roanoke County. A farmer before the war. Served in the Army. Died from wounds received during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Survived by his mother, Callie Janney, and his brothers, John, Wilson and Charley. Buried overseas in an unknown location. He was the youngest of the brothers, all of whom served in World War II.
-- Submitted by his brother John F. Janney of Roanoke
James T. Jarrett
Jan. 25, 1911 - July 24, 1944
From Roanoke. President of Jarrett Food Brokerage before the war. Served in the Army. Killed during the breakthrough at St.-Lo, France. Survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jarrett; mother, Anna Jarrett; brother, William; sister, Margaret; grandmother, Ida Andrews. Buried at Omaha Beach American Cemetery in France. Jarrett was in the Army only one year before he was killed, but he wanted to serve his country.
-- Submitted by his sister, Margaret Morris of Roanoke
Henry R. Jenks
From Roanoke County. Served in the Navy. Reported missing in action on a merchant ship in December 1942. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jenks.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Claude Woodrow Jennings
Sept. 24, 1915 - Nov. 8, 1944
Grew up in Roanoke County. Nicknamed "Dude." Served in the Army. Slightly wounded on Sept. 5, 1944, was put back into action in France and then was killed two months later. Survived by his wife, Edith Jennings; parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Jennings; sisters, Isabelle Almond and Lucille Edwards; brothers, Bill, Herman, Howard, Charles and Gordon. Buried in Metz, France. Says his sister Isabelle: "He was a hard-working and giving man; he would have helped anyone out."
-- Submitted by his sister Isabelle J. Beckner of Roanoke
Daniel M. Jennings Jr.
Jan. 1, 1917 - June 7, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked in a grocery store before the war. Served in the Army Air Forces. Shot when he left the plane on his arrival in France, the day after D-Day. Survived by his mother, Mrs. Daniel M. Jennings; brother, Edward Jennings; sisters, Geraldine J. McVeigh and Margaret J. Dove. Buried at Fair View Cemetery.
-- Submitted by his sister Margaret J. Dove of Roanoke
Fred J. Jewell
May 2, 1921 - Aug. 13, 1945
Born in Riner; grew up in Roanoke. Served in the Marines. Was on the USS Bullhead when it was sunk by a submarine in the Java Sea. Body never recovered. Survived by his parents, John and Clydie Jewell; brothers, Coy, Randolph, James and Alfred; sisters, Hellen and Annie Marie.
-- Submitted by his cousin Margarette J. Tynan of Buchanan
Andrew T. Johnson Jr.
Sept. 16, 1914 - Dec. 10, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked for Virginia Bridge Co. before the war. Served in the Army. Killed by a sniper in France. Survived by his wife, Mildred Toney Johnson; son, Andrew III; daughter, Margaret Lynn; father, Andrew Thomas Johnson; brother, Edwards; sister, Margaret Elizabeth. Buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Says his wife: "Andrew was a kind, soft-spoken Southern gentleman and was loved by all who knew him. Both his brother and sister served in the armed services, his sister in the Navy."
-- Submitted by his wife, Mildred T. Johnson of Roanoke
Darnell Johnson
From Bent Mountain. Killed June 14, 1944, in France. Survived by his grandfather, William Haley.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Ellis O'Neal Johnson
George D. Johnson
Oct. 6, 1924 - June 6, 1944
From Roanoke, the son of a prominent physician. Was a student before the war. Served in the Army. Killed in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, where he led a heavy machine gun squad. Killed as soon as he got off his landing craft. Survived by his mother, Florence Johnson, and brother, Robert Johnson. Buried at Omaha Beach American Cemetery in France. Johnson's death was very hard on his mother. Says Johnson's brother: "She was a widow, and her son's death meant half her family was gone."
-- Submitted by his brother Robert M. Johnson of Roanoke, and John "Bob" Slaughter, chairman of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation
Nathaniel Johnson
Preston O. Johnson
Robert D. Johnson
Oct. 13, 1918 - June 15, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked as an office clerk for Westinghouse Electric before the war. Served in the Marines. Killed by a Japanese sniper while leading his platoon during the landing at Saipan. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Johnson; sisters, Marie Johnson Nerren and Catherine Johnson Cannady; and brothers, W. Alvin, Lawrence D. and Wilton B. Johnson. Buried at Fair View Cemetery.
-- Submitted by his sister Catherine J. Cannady of Roanoke
Alfred A. Jones
Nov. 23, 1920 - June 14, 1944
From Roanoke. Nicknamed "Alex." Attended college before the war. Served in the Navy. Killed when his fighter plane was shot down over Iwo Jima. Survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Alfred P. Jones; sisters, Betty Lacy Jones and Agnes Reid Jones Jenny; brother, Beverley B. Jones; wife, Alice Leigh Barham Jones. Body never recovered; headstone erected in Fair View Cemetery in Roanoke. "His closest friend, John W.K. Lawson, on hearing of Alex's death, wrote my parents that he would 'fly for Alex.''' Lawson flew bombers; he was reported missing in action over Japan in August 1944.
-- Submitted by his sister Agnes Jones Jenny of Roanoke
Marshall F. Jones
Ralph Van Kirk Jones
Feb. 8, 1922 - Nov. 19, 1944
From Ault, Colo. Attended the University of Colorado before the war. Served in the Army. Killed by tank fire in Bremurn, Germany. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Jones, and wife, Juanita Allen Jones. Buried in Eaton, Colo.
-- Submitted by his widow, Juanita A. Eaton of Roanoke
Roy W. Jordan
From Roanoke. Killed Oct. 8, 1943, in North Africa. Survived by his mother, Ida.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Emmitt A. Journell
1922 - April 15, 1945
From Salem. Joined the National Guard; activated into the Army. A gunner in a heavy machine gun squad. Says his friend Bob Slaughter: "Emmitt was promoted and demoted dozens of times. He met and fell in love with an English girl, and they planned to marry. A child was born that would never see its father." Survived the D-Day invasion but was ambushed and killed while hunting for elusive Germans. Says Slaughter: "We topped a rise, and all hell broke loose." Journell was D Company's last casualty of the war. Believed buried in Salem.
-- Submitted by John "Bob" Slaughter, chairman of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation
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Alvin S. Kaplan
May 17, 1915 - April 1944
From Raleigh, N.C., then moved to Roanoke. Worked for the federal government as a tariff examiner before the war. Served in the Navy. Killed only 10 days after he left home, when a torpedo hit his ship, which was was carrying munitions from Africa to Italy. It reportedly was sunk by American torpedoes. Body never recovered. Survived by his wife, Adeline Kaplan; daughter, Lane; brother, Marcus; mother, Ethel Kaplan.
-- Submitted by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Marcus Kaplan of Roanoke
Robert S. Kavanaugh
Eugene M. Keen
Donald D. Keesling
July 16, 1925 - Oct. 15, 1944
From Roanoke. Graduated from Jefferson High School before the war. Served in the Army. He told his mother he wasn't afraid of Hitler and was willing to fight. Killed when a bomb fell on his foxhole in Wersenlen, Germany. Survived by his parents, John and Molly Keesling; brothers, John and Cecil; sisters, Hazel Bernard, Virginia Yates and Dorothy Keesling. Buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. Keesling was in the Army only four months before he was killed. The day his mother found out about her son's death, a huge blackbird had found its way into their house - in folklore, a signal that a family member was dead.
-- Submitted by his nieces, Donna K. Smith and Susan Francisco of Roanoke, and great-nephew, Andrew Francisco of Roanoke
Andrew J. Kelley
From Roanoke. Entered the Army Air Forces in September 1942. Served as a gunner. Killed Dec. 1, 1943, in Burma. Survived by his mother, Ruby K. Slusher.
-- Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
James Emory Kelly
From Vinton. Killed May 7, 1944, in Italy. Survived by his wife, Pauline, and mother, Easter.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Frank A. Kemper
James O. Kesler
June 6, 1924 - June 18, 1944
From Roanoke County. A member of the Southern District Conservation Corps before the war. Served in the Army. Killed at the Normandy beachhead 12 days after D-Day. Survived by his parents, Oscar and Lealar Kesler; brothers, Charles, Cleveland, Wallace and Clarence; sisters, Ruby Dempsey, Louise Jennings and June P. Howell. Buried in the family cemetery in Roanoke County.
-- Submitted by his sister June Howell of Roanoke
Sammie H. Kidd
Philip H. Killey II
Archer E. King Jr.
Grew up in Roanoke. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy; also served in World War I. Reported lost at sea. Survived by a brother, W. Courtney King.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Eugene J. King
1924 - Jan. 27, 1942
From Vinton. Joined the Navy just after graduation from high school. Killed at age 17. He was aboard the destroyer Sims when it was sunk by Japanese bombers in the Pacific. The ship sank in only three minutes. Survived by his parents, Robert and Eunice King, and sister, Tillie King. Body never recovered. His father later said, "King was a Christian boy and not afraid to die." His parents last saw their son Dec. 13, 1941, aboard the Sims at Norfolk. Six weeks later to the day, his parents received notification he was missing in action.
-- Submitted by his cousin Tommy Jordan of Buchanan
John W. King
From Roanoke. Died July 13, 1944, in England, of natural causes. Survived by his wife, Ocie.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Alvin C. Kingery
From Roanoke County. Served in the Marines. Killed at sea Oct. 18, 1942. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ada Kingery.
--The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Clarence E. Kingery
Walter Willard Kiser
From Roanoke. Played football at Jefferson High School. Worked for Railway Express Agency before the war. Joined the Marines in November 1940. Killed July 6, 1942, in the Pacific. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Kiser; brothers, Henry Kiser and Carlton Kiser; wife, Frances Kiser.
--Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Philip E. Koontz
From Roanoke. Served in the merchant marine. Killed Nov. 10, 1942, in accident at sea. Survived by his sisters, Lillian and Esther.
-- The Roanoke World-News
John J. Krzysko
Ralph L. Kyle
Richard C. Kyle
From Roanoke. Served in the Marines. Killed at age 21 on Oct. 12, 1942, at Guadalcanal. Survived by his sister, Mrs. Vernon Gross, and brothers, Ralph and Robert.
-- The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
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Fred W. LaBrie
From Roanoke County.
Died Feb. 29, 1944, at Bangor, Northern Ireland. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank LaBrie.
-- The Roanoke World-News
William H. Lambert
Wounded in North Africa. Recovered, sent to Italy, where he was killed in action. Survived by his mother, Florence Lambert.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
William B. Lane
Robert M. Lange
John W.K. Lawson
Aug. 24, 1919 - Jan. 3, 1945
From Roanoke. Attended Hampden-Sydney College before the war. Served in the Army Air Forces. Was captain of a B-29 based in Saipan. He and his 11 crew members were declared missing in action on their fifth bombing mission over Japan. Just after the raid was completed, Lawson radioed that one engine was out but he thought he could make it. However, the plane was seen leaving formation and disappearing into the clouds. Survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. George Lawson; brother, George B. Lawson Jr.; sisters, Mrs. George M. Goodridge and Katherine Lawson.
Clifton G. Lee
From Roanoke. Worked for Bedford Weaving Mill before the war. Joined the National Guard; activated into the Army. Killed June 6, 1944, in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Survived by his father, M.B. Lee; sisters, Vera Leftwich and Pearl Johnson; brothers, Robert, Homer, Jim, Walter and Willie.
-- The Roanoke World-News and The Roanoke Times
Leon E. Leonard
May 21, 1923 - April 19, 1945
From Roanoke. Worked for the Norfolk and Western Railway as a clerk before the war. An amateur artist. Served in the Army. Killed by a sniper during the battle for Okinawa. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edward Leonard; brothers, William, Donald and Paul; sisters, Dorthea, June, Peggy and Nancy. Buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Groseclose.
-- Submitted by his sister Dorthea Leonard of Roanoke
Tony Lewis Jr.
Bert L. Light
Edward D. Light
Wheeler L. Light
Aug. 10, 1910 - Aug. 7, 1944
From Roanoke County. A farmer before the war. Served in the Army. Died in France, circumstances unknown. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Light; sisters, Mrs. L.D. Cronk, Mrs. R.C. Hubbard, Mrs. F.D. Blunt, Mrs. Homer Johnston, Mrs. Pat Smith; brothers, W.G. Light, H.C. Light, C.W. Light, A.M. Light and R.V. Light. Buried in the family cemetery at Poages Mill.
Alfred E. Long Jr.
Died in the hospital in Honolulu of food poisoning, according to his father, E. Long.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
F. Millard Long Jr.
Jan. 26, 1921 - Aug. 7, 1942
From Roanoke. A student at the University of Oklahoma, studying aeronautical engineering, before the war. Served in the Navy. Killed when his ship, the USS Astona, was sunk in the Solomon Islands. The Japanese caught three American ships and an Australian cruiser off-guard. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Long; wife, Eula L.K. Long; sisters, Eula L. Anderson and Edith Long; brothers, Jim and Lewis.
-- Submitted by his brother Lewis Long of Alexandria
Arlan L. Looney
Nov. 28, 1916 - Oct. 12, 1945
From Roanoke. Served in the Army. Was critically injured on a dark road on the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium. Taken to the hospital, but died. Says his nephew, William R. Looney of Roanoke, "His remains now rest on the mountain where he was born." Survived by his mother, Cora A. Looney, three brothers and two sisters.
-- Submitted by his nephew, William R. Looney of Roanoke
Ernest L. Loyd Jr.
July 6, 1921- July 8, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked as a service station attendant before the war. Served in the Army. Killed in Normandy about a month after D-Day. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Loyd; sister, Thelma G. Loyd; daughter, Dolores L. Corkill. Buried at Fair View Cemetery in Roanoke.
-- Submitted by his sister, Thelma G. Loyd of Roanoke
Leonard K. Lucado
From Salem. Killed July 10, 1944, in France. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Lucado.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Warren P. Lucas
Frank J. Lunsford
March 6, 1915 - April 17, 1945
From Roanoke. Went into the Army as a career. Killed by a land mine in France. Survived by his father and stepmother, Hugh and Nellie Jane Lunsford; brothers, Joe, Hugh, Lewis, Clarence and John Lunsford; sisters, Thelma Fraim, Rose Marie Wimmer, Betty Ferguson and Ruth Turner. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
-- Submitted by his brother Clarence Lunsford of Roanoke
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