The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation selects ten honorees each year for induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. The 2013 ceremony will be held November 9 and will included Dudley J. Britton who was the commanding officer of Company "B", 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion. Click here for the OMHF web page.

Battalion Commanding Officer LTC Erik N. Anderson sent the following report:

We had an AMAZING Distinguished and Honorary Member of the Regiment Induction Ceremony this morning, recognizing 22 veteran's from the 48th Infantry Regiment's (to include the 23rd, 38th, and 48th AIBs) three "eras" - WWII, Cold War, and Modern.

Inductees from the WWII / 7th AD Era included:

• John Althuizen (B/23 AIB)
• Billy Boles (A/23 AIB)
• Donald Boyer, Jr (HQ, 38 AIB)
• Neil Chapin (C/23 AIB)
• John Cornell (B & C, 38 AIB)
• Robert Dietz (A/38 AIB)
• Mario Fortuna (C/38 AIB)
• Robert Harrison (C/38 AIB)
• Wesley Johnston (7th AD Assoc)
• Thomas Kelly (Med, 48 AIB)
• Robert Kinoshita (Med, 38 AIB)
• Ernest Lucadamo (C/38 AIB)
• Carl Mattocks (C/38 AIB)
• Sam Sharp (HHC/48 AIB)

Each inductee received a certificate recognizing him as a Distinguished or Honorary Member of the Regiment. John Althuizen and Wes received HMOR recognition because they were not officially assigned to the Regiment. The certificates are all signed by Brigadier General Haight, the current Chief of Infantry. Because none of the recipients were able to be present we had current Soldiers and Cadre Members receive the certificates on their behalf. My intention is to present them in person during the September 7th ADA reunion.

In the mean time, you can check out pictures from the ceremony on our battalion Facebook page.

The town of Echarcon, France, had erected a plaque that showed two unknown GI's being killed there 22 Aug 1944. In 2010, Wesley Johnston did the research to find who the unidentified GI's were and determined that only Delbert Longworth Rcn/HQ Co/40 had been killed; the other soldier was seriously wounded but the medics and doctors pulled him through okay. The town council then decided to honor Delbert Longworth with a plaque and invited his family members to attend the dedication ceremonies.

Click here to read more about the action in which Delbert Longworth was killed and the others who were involved.

Click here to read about and see pictures of the ceremony.

Sgt. John E. Scully was killed in action 27 March 1945 at Oberbiel, Germany. He was laid to his final rest at the US Military Cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands.

In ceremonies held 18 December 2012, his grave was taken under the continuing care of 2nd Platoon, C Company, 42nd Armored Infantry Battalion, Limburgse Jagers of the Dutch Army.

Click here for a PDF file of photos of the ceremony and articles (in Dutch) about it.

The award ceremony was held at Congressman James Langevin's office. Click here to see ABC news coverage. (The MP4 file takes a bit of extra time to load. It requires Quicktime or another compatible viewer.)

Frank Aldrich and the rest of his A/40 tank crew were killed 22 December 1944 when their tank was hit near Rodt, Belgium. Click here for 7th Armored Division Association Historian Wesley Johnston's research into this action.

Frank Jr. would like to hear from any veterans familiar with this action or the family members of any of the other crew members of the tank.

The village of Courville, France dedicated a bridge to 1st Lt. James O. Gomer, who was killed there 14 Aug 1944. Click here to see the web page about the ceremony and the plaque.

Toulman Y. Freeman was wounded 3 Nov 1944 near Ospel, Netherlands, and died the next day. When an Alabama senior care home staff member found his Purple Heart in a clothes dryer a couple of years ago, the Order of the Purple Heart was contacted, and Capt. Zachariah Fike researched the family. On June 23, 2012, Capt. Fike returned the medal to Toulman Freeman's only surviving sibling in a ceremony in Crane Hill, Alabama, where Toulman Freeman is buried. The following links all cover this story.

• ABC Television - Article with 1 photograph
• The Military Order of the Purple Heart - Press Release with 2 photographs
• Associated Press - Article with 1 photograph
• Greenville Advocate - Article with 1 photograph
• Watertown (CT) Times - Article with 3 photographs
• Cullman County Retiree & Senior News - Front Page with 2 photographs; page 14 Article with 6 photographs

Patrick O'Donnell, Jr. retraced some of his father's steps, and Newsday wrote the story of the trip. Patrick O'Donnell, Sr., was with the 33rd Engineers at Metz, at St. Vith and at the Rhine. He was apparently one of the few who trained with 7AD in the States who made it all the way through 'til VE-Day with 7AD.

Patrick sent a couple of his Dad's photos, one at Camp Polk and one late in the war.

As part of their Braveheart recognition of soldiers and veterans, the Atlanta Braves honored Headquarters Company, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, veteran Clarence Crawford.

Outside Chartres, August 1944

2005

John Cornell began the war as the Platoon Leader of the Anti-Tank Platoon of Company C of 38th Armored Infantry Battalion. He led AT/C/38 at Chartres, Melun and across France to Gravelotte, atop the steep west bank of the Moselle River. As I have documented in an earlier issue of "Workshop News", at Gravelotte C/38 ran into the most significant part of the German defensive line along the Moselle - a section of anti-aircraft guns used against ground targets, intentionally placed there by the German commander who knew that would otherwise be the weakest part of his line. So C/38 ran into an ambush that was far more than a normal ambush. John Cornell was seriously wounded (i.e. wounds considered life-threatening) there 6 Sep 1944 and was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

After recovering from his wounds, he returned to duty 8 Feb 1945, taking command of the Anti-tank Platoon of B/38 -- my Dad's platoon. He was promoted to 1st Lt. 16 Mar 1945 and on 30 Mar 1945 assumed command of the entire company B/38 after Capt. Claude Emmons was wounded, during the encirclement of the Ruhr Pocket. John Cornell remained B/38 CO for the duration of the war.

John Cornell's awards were significant. The DSC itself would have been enough for most men, but here are all of his awards (other than his Purple Heart). I am sorry to say that I cannot locate the detailed citation for his first award.

For his actions 18 Aug 1944 at Chartres, France - Bronze Star Medal (7AD GO #46, 14 Sep 1944)
for distinguishing himself by heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France on 18 August 1944. Entered the military service from Ohio. [

For his actions 6 Sep 1944 at Gravelotte, France - Distinguished Service Cross (9th Army GO #49, 24 Nov 1944)
for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On 6 September 1944, during an attack near Gravelotte, France, Lieutenant Cornell displayed outstanding courage and bravery when his platoon was subjected to enemy anti-tank fire, artillery, mortar, machine gun and rifle fire. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of enemy fire, Lieutenant Cornell dismounted from his vehicle and personally directed return fire that silenced an enemy gun. When several of his men were wounded, he gave orders to fight through to a friendly aid station. Although he was seriously wounded, Lieutenant Cornell courageously continued to direct the operation. Inspired by his devotion to duty and determination, his men breached the enemy lines and reached the aid station. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant Cornell reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Ohio.

For his actions 30 Mar 1945 at the Eder See Dam, Germany - Oak Leaf Cluster to Bronze Star Medal (7AD GO #110, 5 Jul 1945)
for distinguishing himself by heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States from 1 March 1945 to 8 May 1945, in Germany. In the sweep across Germany, Lieutenant Cornell led his Company, part of a small task force, in capturing its objectives quickly and with great loss to the enemy. On 30 March 1945 this task force attacked the Eder See Dam. As the lead tanks approached, they were fired upon by small arms and anti-tank guns. While the tanks returned this fire, Lieutenant Cornell dismounted his men and led them in a charge that overran the enemy positions and secured the dam. His rapid attack caught the enemy unprepared and prevented them from manning many of the heavy weapons. The personal courage, initiative, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Cornell reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

In addition, he was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge (7AD GO #33, 6 Aug 1944) and the Combat Infantryman Badge (7AD GO#80, 13 Nov 1944).

John Cornell truly was one of the most very special of the men of 7th Armored Division.
----- Wesley Johnston

CORNELL, John C. died May 13, 2010. He was born January 5, 1923 in Akron, Ohio, preceded in death by his wife, Georgia, of 54 years. He was a graduate of Ohio University and a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. During WWII he was an Armored Infantry Commander with the 7th Armored Division and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Prior to retirement, he was employed by Procter & Gamble and worked for the company for 37 years. At retirement in 1984 he moved to Sarasota Florida returning to Cincinnati in 2009 to be closer to family. Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Zimmerman of Morrow, Ohio and Karen Anderson of Charlotte, NC, two grandsons, Daniel and Steven and two granddaughters, Dorothy and Johanna. Should friends desire, memorials can be made to the Cincinnati Zoo, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH, 45220. Visitation at the Hodapp Funeral Home, 8815 Cincinnati-Columbus Rd.(Rt. 42), West Chester, on Monday, May 17, from 12 noon until time of funeral service at 1 pm.

The Philadelphia, PA "Inquirer" / "Daily News" newspaper website has the announcement of his passing and a guest book where friends can leave condolences. Click here to go that memorial web page.

Walter Keely was a Staff Sergeant in Company C of 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion, one of the originals who trained in the States. He fought at Chartres and was wounded at Melun, France. And in more recent years, he contributed what he knew to help tell the story of what happened to his unit and its men in the war. We will commemorate him at the memorial service at the Reunion in September.

The "Allentown, PA "Morning Call" newspaper website now has the lengthy article and a video interview of Louis Vargo, about his experiences as the D/87 Mess Sergeant during the Bulge. It is well worth seeing and reading.

Click here to see the article and the video interview.

This was one of the collection of stories in the newspaper's series "WAR STORIES: In their own words". To see other WWII interviews from this series, click here.

The Veterans' Day 2009 "Hometown Heroes" show on KMJ Radio (Frenso, CA) was a 45 minute interview with 7th Armored Division Association Historian Wesley Johnston, about finding the records of a veteran in World War II.

Click here to listen to the commercial-free version of the program.

To hear other WWII interviews from the "Hometown Heroes" show, click here for the most recent shows or here for the archive of prior shows.

The municipality of Meijel will dedicate a new granite monument to the American (7th Armored Division and attached units) and British troops who drove the Germans from the area in October and November 1944. Please contact Niek Hendrix (niek.hendrix@xs4all.nl) if you plan to attend.