Gettysburg Times newspaper from May 7, 1945 with headline stating "Germany Surrenders".
The Gettysburg Times
On May 8, 1945, Victory in Europe was celebrated across the world, as millions rejoiced in the defeat of Nazi Germany. Several months later, in August 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies as well, leading to VJ Day on September 2, 1945.
Perhaps no event in history has reshaped the world in the manner and scale of the Second World War. Virtually every corner of the world was impacted by the conflict, and its consequences are still felt generations later.
In light of the 75 year anniversary of the end of World War II in 2020, the staff of Eisenhower National Historic Site and Gettysburg National Military Park wanted to take a moment to recognize the connections we all share to the “greatest generation” of World War II veterans. Below is a list compiled by the staff and volunteers of Eisenhower National Historic Site and Gettysburg National Military Park, a list of our fathers, grandfathers, great-uncles, loved ones, and friends who served in the Second World War. You will find that some of them have photos or brief stories included about them as well. Whether all we have is a name, or a photo, or a story, it is enough to remember them and their service.
It is important to remember that this World War II generation was composed of ordinary individuals who worked together to accomplish extraordinary things in the name of a common goal. Dwight Eisenhower himself noted, in his VE Day message, “As we celebrate Victory in Europe, let us remind ourselves that our common problems of the immediate and distant future can best be solved in the same conceptions of cooperation and devotion to the cause of human freedom as have made this Expeditionary Force such a mighty engine of righteous destruction.”
In this spirit, let us remember our friends and loved ones who served our country in World War II, and never forget their example.
Dennis E. Keener
National Park Service
Dennis E. Keener
Sergeant, HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, ETO
Dennis E. Keener survived the war and lived in York County, PA afterwards, making numerous visits to Gettysburg with his wife and children, instilling a love of Gettysburg in them.
Father of Annette Keener-Farley.
Nicholas Mitsock
National Park Service
Nicholas Mitsock
Private First Class, Company E, 30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, ETO
Nicholas turned 18 in 1945, enlisted, and arrived in Europe right after VE Day. After being discharged that December, he immediately reenlisted and served until April 1947.
Grandfather of John Hoptak.
Vito (Bill) DeGeorge
Tech Sgt., HQ Squadron, 89th Cavalry, 9th Armored Division, European Theater of Operations (ETO)
Father of Bill DeGeorge.
Wilford V. Rector
Weapons Technician Second Class, USS Davis, ETO
Uncle of Annette Keener-Farley.
Charles G. Weiler
Company K, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Pacific Theater of Operations, PTO
Charles was seriously wounded during the first wave landings on Saipan in 1944, and was evacuated to Australia, and then on to the San Diego Naval Hospital in California. He survived his wounds and mustered out of service in 1945.
Father of Ken Weiler.
Lloyd R. Larson
Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, stateside service
Father of Dave Larson.
Walter Blaisdell
U.S. Army, PTO
Walter Purcell
U.S. Army, PTO
Wedding photograph for Harvey and Hildreth Florer.
National Park Service
Harvey Elmer Florer
Sergeant, 5th Aircraft Repair Unit, Army Air Corps, PTO
Grandfather of Mike Florer.
Charles Henry Seaton.
National Park Service
Charles Henry Seaton
Private First Class, HQ Company, 770th Railroad Operating Battalion, PTO
Grandfather of Mike Florer.
Thomas Welch
U.S. Army, ETO
Uncle of Pat Cliber.
Raymond Welch
U.S. Army, PTO
Uncle of Pat Cliber.
Frederick Spohr
U.S. Army, PTO
Uncle of Pat Cliber.
Walter Welch
U.S. Army, Stateside Service
Uncle of Pat Cliber.
William Welch
U.S. Army, Stateside Service
Uncle of Pat Cliber
A photo of Paul C. Martz with his Jeep parked along a street in Verdun, France on September 28, 1944. It was decorated with Paul or Paulette below the windshield. It was the day he heard his first son was born - hence, Paul. It was also his wife's birthday.
National Park Service
Paul C. Martz, Jr.
Private First Class, HQ 9th Army Air Corps, ETO, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Ribbon w/ 1 Silver Star
Paul C. Martz, Jr. served in numerous campaigns during the war including Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. He spent 14 months as a rifleman, and 18 months as an auto equipment operator. During his time as an auto operator, he had the opportunity to drive Bob Hope to a USO show.
Grandfather of Jason Martz.
Louie F. Barnett.
National Park Service
Louie F. Barnett
Signalman 2nd Class, USN
Signalman Louie Barnett, who before the war took a job as a projectionist at the local movie-house in St. Augustine, Florida. It was he, as a 16-year old kid, on the afternoon of December 7, 1941, who shut off the Sunday matinee mid-picture, then ran down the aisle to announce the bombing of Pearl Harbor to a hushed audience, and told all of the sailors present to return to their posts in Jacksonville, as all leaves had been immediately cancelled.
Father of Bert Barnett.
Donald Greenawalt
U.S. Army, ETO
Uncle of Lionel Wells.
Elmer Holdsworth
Army Air Corps, PTO
Grandfather of Johnny Holsdworth.
Ottar Skotheim
Lt. Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Stateside Service
Ottar served 32 years in the USCG stateside, from 1926 to 1958. An immigrant from Norway, Ottar served in numerous postings across the United States during his decades of service.
Grandfather of Erik Kreush.
William Sherwood Mills
National Park Service
William Sherwood Mills
Private, 74th Platoon, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps, PTO
Grandfather of Steve Sims.
John Peter Schuster
National Park Service
John Peter Schuster
Tech. Sgt., Medical Corps, U.S. Army, PTO
Uncle of Jean Matteson.
Juventino Villarreal
National Park Service
Juventino Villarreal
Tech/5, Company A, 282nd Combat Battalion, 540th Combat Engineers, ETO
Juventino immigrated from Crucias, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Kingsville, Texas in 1920, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1942. He gained his citizenship while serving his country. His regiment, the 540th Combat Engineers, saw service in numerous campaigns throughout the war, including fighting in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.
Grandfather of Ahna Wilson.
John J. Tuskan, Sr.
National Park Service
John J. Tuskan, Sr.
T/5, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, U.S. Army, ETO
Father of John Tuskan, Jr.
John D. Garbin
National Park Service
John D. Garbin
Private, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, ETO, KIA on June 6, 1944.
Uncle of Sandy Tuskan.
Theodore Schmidt near Cherbourg, France, June 1944.
National Park Service
Theodore C. Schmidt
Radio Operator, HQ Battery, 26th Field Artillery, 9th Infantry Division
Father of Carol Detweiler.
John A. Graziano, Sr.
Corporal, 3rd Army, U.S. Army, ETO, Purple Heart Recipient
Father of John Graziano Jr.
Clement "Clem" F. Leone
TSgt; Army Air Forces; 8th AF, 445th Bomb Group, 700th Bomb Squadron; ETO
Friend of Pete Lindquist.
Dave Demichei
SSgt; Army Air Forces; 7th AF, 30th Bomb Group, 38th Bomb Squadron; PTO
Friend of Pete Lindquist.
John Gunther
Sgt. 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army, ETO
Father of Bob Gunther.
George McCarthy
Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps
Father of Bob Gunther.
Robert McCarthy
Corporal, 2nd Infantry Division, ETO
Father of Bob Gunther.
Frederick Katt
Private First Class, 9th Infantry Division, ETO, KIA at the Battle of the Bulge
Father of Bob Gunther
Horace M. Bushman
Corporal, 310th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, PTO, Recipient of the Purple Heart, KIA June 25, 1944
Brother-in-law of Betty Howard
Don Smith, sitting behind a .50 caliber machine gun.
National Park Service
Donald S. Smith
Private First Class, Co HQ, 410th Regiment, 103rd Division, U.S. Army, ETO, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge recipient
Smith’s platoon was one of the first to reach Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest at Berchesgaden.
Father of Doug Smith.
Richard F. Gustafson
National Park Service
Richard F. Gustafson
USS Riverside, United States Navy, PTO
Grandfather of Daniel Vermilya.
Elmo Vermilya
National Park Service
Elmo Vermilya
USS Davis, U.S. Navy, ETO
Grandfather of Daniel Vermilya.
Page Evans
National Park Service
Page Evans
USS Tillman, USS Compton, U.S. Navy, ETO, PTO
Grandfather of Alyce Evans.
Thomas Lindsay
National Park Service
Thomas Lindsay
Platoon Sergeant, Company H, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, PTO
Grandfather of Alyce Evans.
Robert A. Green
National Park Service
Robert A. Green
Staff Sergeant, Service Company, 395th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, ETO, participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the Ruhr Pocket, and the Occupation of Germany, recipient of the Bronze Star.
In the opening days of the Battle of the Bulge, Robert’s regiment was on the front lines in the Losheim Gap. He was a motor mechanic, and worked to keep the regiment’s vehicles working as the men fell back and fought against the German advance.
Grandfather of Philip Brown.
Maurice F. Green
National Park Service
Maurice F. Green
Corporal, Service Company, 304th Combat Engineer Battalion, 79th Infantry Division, participated in the Normandy Campaign, KIA July 7, 1944, recipient of the Purple Heart, brother of Robert A. Green (pictured above).
Robert and Maurice Green were born in South Carolina, and grew up together in North Carolina. Robert was drafted in September 1942, and Maurice joined the following month. Maurice was the first of the brothers to arrive in the ETO, coming ashore on Utah Beach several days after D-Day. He was killed during an artillery bombardment outside of St. Lo, France, on July 7, 1944. The Green family was notified of Maurice’s death on July 25, 1944, the day which Robert left town from his final furlough to head overseas.
Great Uncle of Philip Brown.
