WORLD WAR II
(S-U)
Sherman T. Sadler
Born in Bland County. Lived in Vinton before entering the Army. Killed in Guam. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Sadler, and brothers.
-- Submitted by his cousin Jean Gearing Spencer of Roanoke
George C. St. Clair
George J. St. Clair
From Roanoke. Served in the Navy. Died Sept. 14, 1942, when the USS Wasp was sunk. Survived by his mother, Kate.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Joe R. St. Clair
Hubert C. Sandefur Jr.
March 26, 1920 - unknown
From Roanoke. First learned to fly while in high school in Norfolk, where the family lived for a time. Took a job to raise money. Says his sister: "When he got his first paycheck, he took the money to his mother and told her he was going to take his first flying lesson. She could have what was left to help with household expenses." Worked as a machinist before the war. Served in the Army Air Forces. Flew a P-47 Thunderbolt. Killed while strafing enemy vehicles over Leipzig, Germany, just before the end of the war. Had been in Germany a very short time. Survived by his parents, Eula and Hubert Sandefur, and sister, Eleanor Sandefur. Buried at Evergreen Burial Park. The "dreaded telegram" arrived on Sandefur's father's birthday. Says his sister: "When the officer handed it to my dear mother, she thought it was a birthday greeting for his father. When she opened the telegram, she read the heartbreaking words, 'missing in action' on April 13." In the late 1940s, Sandefur's remains were found in a shallow grave, marked by guns from his plane. "Mother said she wondered whether her son had suffered or been taken prisoner or what he may have experienced prior to his death. She prayed for the answer, and felt she received it when he was found."
-- Submitted by his sister, Eleanor S. Evans of Roanoke
William C. Saul
James H. Saunders
November 1915 - Jan. 20, 1945
From Roanoke. Worked for the Norfolk and Western Railway before the war. Served in the Army. Killed by his own men in the confusion of the Battle of the Bulge. Survived by his wife, Virginia Saunders; parents, Vaughnie and John Saunders; brothers, Lyman, Garland and Cecil; sister, Doris S. Assaid. Buried at Netherlands American Cemetery.
-- Submitted by his brother Cecil Saunders of Vinton
Jesse J. Saunders Jr.
Otey P. Schilling Jr.
From Roanoke. Worked for American Viscose before the war. Served in the Marines. Landed on Okinawa on May 1, 1945, and was killed there June 13 of wounds received in action. Survived by his wife, Joyce Schilling; parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.P. Schilling Sr.; sisters, Dorothy Martin and Eileen Schilling; and brother, Norman D. Schilling.
Walter O. Schilling
1908 - June 6, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked for American Viscose as an electrician before the war. Joined the National Guard in the early 1930s, rising though the ranks to captain. Activated into the Army. Killed in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. An 88mm shell blew back the ramp, killing several men on the craft, including Schilling. Survived by his wife, Marie Schilling; daughter, Barbara S. Gard; three sisters and two brothers. Buried at Omaha Beach American Cemetery in St. Laurent, France. Says his daughter, Barbara: "I remember his softness, his great love for the young men under his command. I'm so very proud to be his daughter. He gave me courage as a young child."
-- Submitted by John "Bob" Slaughter, chairman of National D-Day Memorial Foundation
Shelby W. Scott
William E. Scott
Charles H. Scruggs
Stephen V. Selwyn
From Roanoke. Killed in April 1945 at age 22 in the crash of a training plane in Iowa.
-- Submitted by Norma A. Getgood of Roanoke
Charles W. Sexton Jr
From Salem. Killed June 4, 1944, in New Guinea. Survived by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Kilcolin.
-- The Roanoke World-News
James E. Sexton
May 1, 1919 - Oct. 15, 1943
From Vinton. Served in the Army. Died at Fort Story while waiting to be sent overseas. His death was an accident, but accounts of the circumstances vary. Survived by parents, Lonnie and Ruth Sexton; brothers, Ed and Cicero; sisters, Myrtle and Ruby. Buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. Says his niece: "Since the circumstances about his death were so uncertain, that made it harder for the family."
-- Submitted by his niece Kitty Sexton Shell of Hardy
John G. Sexton
Gray W. Shanks
James E. Shaw
Nov. 12, 1923 - Feb. 23, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked at Hercules Powder Co. in Radford before the war. Served in the Army Air Forces. Killed when his B-24 Liberator was shot down over Austria. Reported missing in action. His family was notified in January 1952 that his body had been found. He had been buried with nine other crew members in a church cemetery in Styr, Austria. Survived by his parents, James T. and Willie C. Shaw; grandmother, Lelia D. Camden; sister, Mary Shaw Carter; brother, Billy C. Shaw. Reinterred in the U.S. National Cemetery in Jefferson City, Mo. Says his sister, Mary Shaw Carter: "The long wait while he was listed as missing was extremely hard for all his family and friends. Efforts to have his body returned to Roanoke or Arlington National Cemetery were unsuccessful."
-- Submitted by his sister, Mary S. Carter of Salem
Eugene D. Shelton
William H. Shepheard
Nicholas M. Shively Jr.
From Roanoke. Killed in the Netherlands. Survived by his parents, Xenia and Nicholas Shively, and sister, Ruth M. Scott.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Ivan P. Shuler
From Roanoke. Killed Aug. 26, 1943, in North Africa. Survived by his mother, Lilly Huff.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Irving I. Shure
Cecil E. Siler
Clarence E. Simmons
James W. Simmons
Jack R. Simms
Nov. 14, 1915 - June 6, 1944
From Roanoke. Simms suffered rheumatic fever in his youth, which made him small-statured; he drank milkshakes and ate bananas in an attempt to reach the 135-pound minimum weight for the military. He barely passed. Joined the National Guard; later was called up into the Army. Killed by machine gun fire during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Survived by his sisters, Myrtle, Ethel, Blanche, Gladys and Mary; brothers, Estel, Clarence and Bill; wife, Frances; son, Ronnie. Buried at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Says his friend Bob Slaughter: "Many times I have seen Jack carrying a 35-pound mortar base or 33-pound tube on 25-mile hikes. ... He could have stayed home, but he wanted to fight for his country."
-- Submitted by his brother William Simms of Lakeland, Fla., and by John "Bob" Slaughter, chairman of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation
Walter D. Sink Jr.
1920 - 1944
From Roanoke. Nicknamed "Red." Served in the National Guard; later activated into the Army. Took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy with a heavy machine gun platoon. Died of wounds suffered on D-Day. Survived by his father, W.V. Sink, and sister, Mrs. Dial Benburg.
-- Submitted by John "Bob" Slaughter, chairman of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation, the Roanoke World-News and The Roanoke Times
Victor E. Sisson Jr.
Glenwood Clifton Sizer
From Roanoke. Killed Jan. 23, 1943, at age 25 in action against the Japanese. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sizer.
-- The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
James E. Sledd
Clovis W. Slusher Jr.
Grew up in Christiansburg; later lived in Roanoke. Joined the Army in February 1943. Was killed March 28, 1944, at Anzio beachhead in Italy. Survived by his wife, Marilyn Slusher; parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Slusher; daughter, Opal Slusher.
-- The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Earl T. Smith
Elmer J. Smith
From Roanoke County. Worked for Harris Hardwood Co. before the war. Killed July 1, 1944, in Europe. Survived by his uncle, S.A. Bailey, and guardian, Lucy King.
-- The Roanoke World-News and The Roanoke Times
Guy R. Smith Jr.
Harvey P. Smith
1917 - June 6, 1944
From Roanoke. Worked for Pier Saul Furniture in Salem before the war. Joined the National Guard; later activated into the Army. Killed during the D-Day invasion of Normandy while disembarking onto the beach. Survived by his mother, Georgia Broughman; stepfather, Joseph Broughman; sister, Rosa Broughman; brothers, Elwood Smith, Charlie Smith, Clarence Smith and Henry Smith. Buried at Colleville-Sur-Mer Cemetery in France. Smith's Purple Heart was buried with his mother when she died in 1947.
-- Submitted by his niece Jo Anna Jones of Roanoke
John C. Smith
Richard C. Smith
From Roanoke. Attended high school before the war. Joined the Navy in 1942. Reporting missing in action Jan. 12, 1943. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Slusher.
-- The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Stewart B. Smith
Charles J. Snyder
Ray L. Snyder
John W. Sours
1902 - June 6, 1944
From Roanoke. Was a machinist for the Norfolk and Western Railway before the war. Served in the Army. Killed in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Survived by his wife, Vilanna C. Sours; sons, John Jr. and Ned. Buried at Normandy American Cemetery in St. Laurent, France.
-- Submitted by his son John W. Sours Jr. of Roanoke
John G. Sowder
Aug. 23, 1913 - Sept. 12, 1943
From Salem. Attended high school and worked on the family farm at the footof Mount Regis Hill before the war. Served in the Navy. Killed when hisdestroyer, the USS Rowan, was sunk off the coast of Italy. He was in the machine room at the time. Survived by his wife, Gertrude; parents John and Clara Sowder; brothers, Warren and Lynwood. Body never recovered. Sowder's brothers also served in the military. Says Sowder's widow: "His mother had a radio in the kitchen and never turned it off."
-- Submitted by his widow, Gertrude J. Barnett of Roanoke
Curtis N. Sowers
Robert E. Spangler
From Roanoke. Served in the Navy. Reported missing in action Aug. 9, 1942, in the Solomon Islands. Survived by his father, J.S. Spangler.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Robert H. Spencer Jr.
From Roanoke. Died Dec. 11, 1943, in Chicago from pneumonia. He was en route from San Diego to Roanoke. Survived by parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Spencer.
-- The Roanoke World-News
William W. Spencer
Aug. 31, 1922 - Dec. 18, 1944
Before the war, delivered papers for The Roanoke Times and Roanoke World-News, worked at the Vinton weaving mill and was a fireman for the Norfolk and Western Railway. Served in the Army and was killed during the Battle of the Bulge when his truck was hit by artillery fire.
-- Submitted by Mrs. A.M. Strickland of Roanoke
Robert P. Spillan
November 1923 - March 1945
Born in Roanoke. Graduated from Jefferson High School in 1941. Was class president for several years. Joined the Navy in 1943 and was assigned to the Marine Corps as a medic. Was killed by a sniper on Iwo Jima while administering first aid to a fallen comrade. Survived by his parents, Ottie and Clarence Spillan Sr., and brothers, Clarence Jr. and William. Buried in the family plot in Roanoke.
-- Submitted by his cousin Harriette N. Barrington of Ludington, Mich.
Edward D. Spradlin
Jan. 4, 1925 - June 15, 1944
From Vinton. Worked for Esskay Packing Co. before the war. Served in the Marines. Killed at Saipan Island in the South Pacific. Spradlin was in an enemy trench, waiting for word to move out, when a Japanese officer and soldier dived into the hole. Spradlin killed the officer and wounded the soldier before he was killed. Survived by his mother, Mae Spradlin; brothers, William, Frank and George; sisters, Louise S. Shepherd, Alice S. Huff and Jean Spradlin. Buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. Says his sister Jean: "The hardest thing was when we met the train and saw his flag-covered casket being removed. ... He had left the same train station waving and smiling. He was so proud to be a Marine."
-- Submitted by his sister Jean Spradlin Smith of Vinton
Elmo W. Spradlin
Henry McCabe Spradlin
April 13, 1919 - Nov. 19, 1944
From Vinton. Worked for Vinton Weaving Mill before the war. Served in the Army. Killed at Hurtgen Forest in Germany. Survived by his wife, Myrtle Spradlin. Buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton.
--Submitted by his sister-in-law, Evelyn M. Scott of Roanoke
Leonard C. Staley
Dec. 25, 1923 - Aug. 27, 1942
From Roanoke. Was a student before the war. Served in the Marines. Died in the Solomon Islands. Staley was wounded; he later died of typhus fever. Survived by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Staley; brothers William and Guy; sisters, Julia Cahill, Alice Staley, Mildred Cooper and Ruby Staley. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Staley pressured his grandfather for permission to enlist at age 17. When he left, he told his sister at the door that he wouldn't see her anymore "because he was going to die 'with his boots on.'''
-- Submitted by his sister Ruby S. Stump of Roanoke
Joseph Staney Jr.
Joseph H.F. Stanley
Norris Page Stanley
Vernon O. Stanley
Oct. 14, 1916 - March 3, 1943
From Roanoke. Worked as an accountant for Appalachian Power Co. before the war. Served in the Navy. Trained as a pilot. Was killed in the North Atlantic. Survived by his parents, Warren and Mary Stanley; sisters, Rachel Stanley and Zelda Stanley. Buried at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem.
-- Submitted by his sister Zelda Stanley of Roanoke
Paul M. Stewart
Adolphus H. Stone
March 16, 1923 - Nov. 26, 1944
From Roanoke and Floyd County. Served in the Army under Gen. George Patton. Was killed in Munster, France. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Stone; sisters, Stella Lancaster and Reba Craighead; brothers, George and James. Buried at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg. His twin brother, James, was a prisoner of war, and his brother George also was in the Army at the time of Stone's death.
-- Submitted by his brother James D. Stone of Christiansburg
Luther K. Stone
David B. Stuart
March 1, 1901 - April 14, 1945
From Roanoke. A physician before the war. Served in the Army as commanding officer of a hospital train. Died of a heart attack near Liege, Belgium. Survived by his wife, Mary Jane Park Stuart; sons, David Jr. and Alfred; daughter, Agnes S. Yore. Buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery near Liege.
-- Submitted by his son, David Stuart of Portmouth
William E. Stuart
From Roanoke. Served in the Army. Wounded slightly on D-Day and was awarded the Purple Heart. Killed Aug. 5, 1944, in France. Survived by his mother, Mrs. G.W. Stuart; sisters, Stella Stuart and Eva Boitnott.
-- The Roanoke Times
David E. Stump
Robert M. Stump
From Roanoke County. Killed May 12, 1944, in Italy. Survived by his mother, Mrs. A.A. Childress.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Joe P. Sturdivant
Paul E. Sublett
From Roanoke. Worked for Garst Bros. Dairy before the war. Served in the Navy. Was washed overboard from the destroyer USS Warrenton during a storm in the Atlantic in 1945. Survived by his parents, a brother and a sister. Buried at sea. His friend Louis Mullineaux recalls how Sublett liked to play the trumpet and was never without the instrument. "In my heart, I knew Paul could have been a great musician because of his dedication."
-- Submitted by a friend, Louis J. Mullineaux of Roanoke
Lorenza B. Swartz
Charles L. Sweet Jr.
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Herbert A. Tayloe Jr.
Samuel M. Templeton III
From Roanoke. Served in the Navy as an aviation radioman. Died in Jacksonville, Fla., on July 14, 1943, of burns received in an automobile accident. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Templeton Jr.
-- The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Samuel C. Terry
Sanford L. Thames
Billy S. Thomas
From Roanoke. Worked for the Norfolk and Western Railway before the war. Joined the Army Air Forces. Served as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. Reported missing in action. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Thomas, and brother, Robert S. Thomas.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Ellis Thomas
Ralph R. Thompson
James E. Thurston
From Roanoke. Served in the Navy. Died March 3, 1944, in a veterans' hospital in Colorado. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. K.W. Thurston.
-- The Roanoke World-News
Wilbur W. Tingler
Edmond P. Tompkins
Joined the Army Air Forces in July 1941. Served as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. Stationed in Italy. Reported missing in action. Survived by his wife, Juanita Tompkins, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Tompkins.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
William F. Topham
From Roanoke. Attended Virginia Military Institute and the University of Richmond. Joined the military in fall 1941. Reported missing in action in the Pacific. Survived by parents, Dr. and Mrs. B.E. Topham.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Enoch B. Trent
From Salem. Killed May 12, 1944, in Italy. Survived by his sister, Beulah Boitnott.
-- The Roanoke World-News
George A. Trimmer
Paul C. Tucker Jr.
Aug. 17, 1923 - June 25, 1943
From Roanoke. Worked for Sands & Co. in Mullens, W.Va., before the war. Served in the Navy. Killed when a shell accidentally exploded aboard his ship, the USS Hutchens, near the Hawaiian Islands. Survived by his parents, Paul and Margaret Tucker; sister, Margaret Tucker Scott; nephew, David Scott. Buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Tucker was an Eagle Scout and member of Troop 2 at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. A Scout camp, Camp P.C. Tucker at Bennett Springs, was named in his memory.
-- Submitted by his sister, Mrs. D. William Scott Jr. of Fredericksburg
Clarence P. Turner
Worked for Rutrough Gilbert Motors before the war. Joined the Army in July 1943. Killed in Italy. Survived by wife, Hazel Turner, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Turner.
-- "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Everette G. Turner
From Roanoke. Joined the Army Air Forces in July 1941. Killed Sept. 7, 1943, in an airplane crash near Hobbs, N.M. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Turner; wife, Mrs. Everette Turner; brothers, Marvin and Norris; sisters, Mrs. E. Anderson and Mary Hobson.
-- The Roanoke World-News and "Roanoke Valley Casualties in World War II," compiled by Buford Stanley
Frank E. Turner
1916 - Jan. 26, 1943
From Botetourt and Roanoke counties. Graduated from the University of Virginia before being drafted into the Army. Trained in the early model P-51 "Mustang" fighter planes in late 1942 and early 1943 at Fort Bragg, N.C. Only weeks before he was to go to England for combat, Turner was killed when his plane crashed during a training flight. Survived by his parents, Jacob and Beulah Turner; brothers, Elbert, Fred, Jack, Randal, Thurman, Rodney and Trevor; sisters, Rosalie and Joan. Buried at Goodwin Cemetery in Fincastle. Five of his brothers served in World War II; they all survived.
-- Submitted by his nephew Thomas H. Turner of Daleville
Walter R. Unrue
March 5, 1922 - Feb. 2, 1944
From Roanoke. Nicknamed "Mickey." Was a chaplain's assistant before the war. Served in the Army, also as a chaplain's assistant. Killed in battle somewhere near Rome. Survived by his parents, William and Nannie Unrue; sisters, Evelyn U. Pearce and Sadie K. Unrue; brothers, William and Bob. Buried at the U.S. Military Cemetery in Anzio, Italy. Says his cousin: "Faith in God helped family cope with Mickey's death. His brother Bob, in the Navy during the Korean War, visited the grave when his ship was anchored near Rome. ... Mickey had a delightful sense of humor. He loved to play innocent jokes on people."
-- Submitted by his cousin Mae Unrue Adams of Roanoke
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