The BEATTYs
Beatty, Charles Manson
Beatty, Cyrus Thomas
Beatty, Ora Howard
Beatty, Eugene Parks
Beatty, Roy Franklin
Beatty, Willard Smith
Gabriel, Henry Clay
The LOFTINs
Abernathy, Paul Edward
Carpenter, Floyd Jennings
Drum, Garvin Loftin
Ellers Jr, William Simeon
Herman, Ruel Franklin
Loftin, Ben Taylor Sr.
Loftin, Clifford Edwin
Loftin, Coyte James
Loftin, Enoch Bidwell
Loftin, Floyd Stokes
Loftin, Foy Max
Loftin, Fred Murckeson
Loftin, Grady Adams Jr.
Loftin, Grady Lee Roy Sr.
Loftin, Grady Woodrow
Loftin, Ivey Pinkney
Loftin, Larry Henry
Loftin, L.D.
Loftin, Leonard Thompson
Loftin, Marshal Alexander
Loftin, Paul Jones
Loftin, Paul Roosevelt
Loftin, Wade Foy
Loftin, Walter Charles
Loftin, William Ray
Loftin, Yates Thurston
Murray, Billy Keith
Rufty, Robert Bristol
Peeler, James Calvin
Wilson, Jack Thomas
LOCATION:
Europe, Pacific, Atlantic, South-East Asia, China, Middle East,
Mediterranean, Africa, and briefly North America
When WWII
started in 1939, it divided the world into two alliances - the
"Allies" (which consisted of the United Kingdom and France) and
the "Axis" powers (consisting of Germany, Italy and Japan).
The United States was not involved in
WWII at
the beginning. Japan attacked the US naval base at PearlHarbor,
Hawaii, on 07 Dec 1941, without a declaration of war or any
warning that hostilities were being commenced, sinking most of
the US battle fleet there.
The day after the attack, PresidentRoosevelt went before the US
Congress and asked for a formal Declaration of War with Japan in
retaliation. With the exception of Janet Rankin (Montana), the
US Congress voted unanimously for War.
PresidentRoosevelt never asked for war with Italy or
Germany
before the Congress. Instead, three days after December 7th,
Italy and Germany declared war on the United States.
The UnitedStates, China and the
SovietUnion joined the Allies and before the war was over they
had added Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada,
Czechoslovakia,
Greece, Netherlands, NewZealand, Norway,
Poland, SouthAfrica
and Yugoslavia to the list of "Allies".
USA WWII military uniforms for "Military Timeline" at Fort
Dobbs, Statesville, NC
Photo courtesy of Curtis
Loftin
"Allies" commanders and leaders during World War II were
Franklin D. Roosevelt (The United States), WinstonChurchill
(United Kingdom), CharlesdeGaulle (France)
JosephStalin
(Russia) and ChiangKai-shek (China).
Harry S. Truman
replaced Franklin Delano Roosevelt as President of the United
States upon Roosevelt's sudden death before the war was over.
UNITED STATES
UNITED KINGDOM
FRANCE
UNITED STATES
32nd President
Prime Minister
President
33rd President
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt
Winston Churchill
Charles de Gaulle
Harry S. Truman
30 Jan 1882 - 12 Apr 1945
30 Nov 1874 - 24 Jan 1965
22 Nov 1890 - 09 Nov 1970
08 May 1884 - 26 Dec 1972
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died as
the result of a stroke just months before the war was over.
Vice-President Harry S. Truman became the 33rd President of the
United States on 20 Jan 1945.
RUSSIA
CHINA
AUSTRALIA
CANADA
General Secretary
Chairman
Prime Minister
Prime Minister
Joseph Stalin
Chiang Kai-shek
John Curtin
(& Robert Menzies )
William Lyon Mackenzie King
18 Dec 1878 - 05 Mar 1953
31 Oct 1887 - 05 Apr 1975
08 Jan 1885 - 05 Jul 1945
(17 Dec 1874 - 22 Jul 1950
POLAND
NEW ZEALAND
SOUTH AFRICA
GREECE
King
Prime Minister
Prime Minister
King
Ignacy Moscicki
Peter Fraser
Jan Smuts
George II
YUGOSLAVIA
NORWAY
NETHERLANDS
BRAZIL
King
Prime Minister
Queen
President
Peter II
Johan Nygaardsvold
Wilhelmina
Getulio Vargas
BELGIUM
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
INDIA
DENMARK
King
President
Viceroy
King
Leopold III
Edvard Benes
Marquess of Linlithgow
Christian X
The U.S. printed numerous war posters to encourage young men to
join the military
Those we fought against during World War II were called "Axis"
powers. The three main "Axis" commanders and leaders were
AdolphHitler/Germany, Hirohio/Japan and
BenitoMussolini/Italy.
In Germany, the Nazi Party led by Adolf
Hitler, sought to establish a fascist government in Germany.
With the onset of the Great Depression, domestic support for the
Nazis rose and in 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor of
Germany - eventually creating a totalitarian single-party state
led by the Nazis.
GERMANY
JAPAN
ITALY
BULGARIA
Fuhrer
Emperor
Prime Minister
Tsar
Adolf Hitler
Hirohito
Benito Mussolini
Boris III
20 Apr 1889 - 30 Apr 1945
29 Apr 1901 - 07 Jan 1989
29 Jul 1883 - 28 Apr 1945
30 Jan 1894 - 28 Aug 1943
Of the three major "Axis" leaders from
World War II, only Emperor Hirohito from Japan survived.
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on 30 Apr 1945 and was succeded
by Karl Donitz as President.
Benito Mussolini was assassinated (shot) on 28 Apr 1945 and was
succeeded by Pietro Badoglio.
In addition to Germany, Japan and Italy, the Axis powers also
included Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Iraq,
Romania and Thailand.
HUNGARY
IRAN
IRAQ
ROMANIA
Head
of State
Shah
of Iran
King
Prime Minister
Miklos Horthy
Reza Shah
Faisal II of Iraq
Ion Antonescu
U.S. cartoonists kept the public informed with their
satirical cartoons
On 23 Aug 1939, Hitler and
Stalin signed a non-aggression pact, stunning the world.
But despite the appearances, the dictators were both
playing to their own political needs.
After Germany invaded France, military commander
Maxime Weygand became a figurehead in France for Hitler
and the right.
Although Japan was already at war with
China
in 1937, the world war is generally said to have begun on 01 Sep
1939, with the invasion of Poland by
Germany, and subsequent
declarations of war on Germany by France and most of the
countries of the BritishEmpire. Germany set out to
establish a large empire in Europe and from late 1939 to early
1941 Germany conquered or subdued much of continental Europe.
Germany invaded France, Belgium, the
Netherlands and Luxembourg on 10 May 1940 and began an air
campaign over Britain to prepare for an invasion.
Throughout this period, the neutral UnitedStates took measures
to assist China and the WesternAllies. On 07/08 Dec 1941,
Japan attacked British and American holdings with
near-simultaneous offensives - including the attack on the
American fleet at PearlHarbor, landings in Thailand and
Malaya
and the battler of HonkKong.
Several changes in leadership occurred as the
years passed. On 12 April 1945 U.S. President Roosevelt
died and was succeeded by Harry Truman. Benito Mussolini
was killed by Italian partisans on 28 April 1945. Two days
later, Adolph Hitler committed suicide and German forces
surrendered in Italy on 29 April 1945.The United States dropped
atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in
early August 1945 forcing Japan to surrender on 15 August 1945.
US Newspaper "Hitler Dead"
The end of World War II saw the United
States, UnitedKingdom and SovietUnion emerge as primary
victors with all 5 countries (UnitedStates, UnitedKingdom,
SovietUnion, China and France) allotted permanent seats in the
United Nations Security Council.
WWII uniform and jeep displayed for "Military Timeline" at Fort
Dobbs, Statesville, NC
Photo courtesy of Curtis
Loftin
World War II was the most widespread war in
history with more than 100 million people serving in military
units. In a state of "total War", the major participants
placed their entire economic, industrial and scientific
capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the
distinction between civilian and military resources.
World War IIresulted inresulted in 70
- 85 million
fatalities. These deaths make this war the deadliest
conflict in human history. There were 11-17 million deaths in
Nazi concentration camps, including 6 million Jews,
250,000 Handicapped, 3.1 million POWs
(Prisoners of War), 1.9 million Ethnic Poles,
500,000 Serbs, 15,000 Homosexuals,
2,000 Roman Catholic Clergy, 1,000
Jehovah's Witnesses, as many as 500,000 Gypsies
and an unknown number of Freemasons.
World War II Conclusions: Allied victory, dissolution of
the Third Reich, creation of the United Nations, emergence of
the United States and the Soviet Union as Superposers, and the
beginning of the Cold War.
WWII weapons demonstration for
the "Military Timeline" at Fort Dobbs, Statesville, NC
The USA was the only one with access to repeating rifles
The following excerpt from Franklin
D. Roosevelt's State of the Union to Congress in
1939
underscores how, until recent years, America's
leadership understood the vital connection between
religion and democracy. With Hitler on the move in
Europe, President Roosevelt said:
Storms from abroad
directly challenge three institutions indispensable to
Americans, now as always. The first is religion.
It is the source of the other two - democracy and
international good faith.
Religion, by teaching
man his relationship to God, gives the individual a
sense of his own dignity and teaches him to respect
himself by respecting his neighbors.
Democracy, the
practice of self-government, is a covenant among free
men to respect the rights and liberties of their
fellows.
International good
faith, a sister of democracy, springs from the will of
civilized nations of men to respect the rights and
liberties of other nations of men.
In a modern
civilization, all three - religion, democracy and
international good faith - complement and support each
other.
Where freedom of
religion has been attacked, the attack has come from
sources opposed to democracy. Where democracy has
been overthrown, the spirit of free worship has
disappeared. And where religion and democracy have
vanished, good faith and reason in international affairs
have given way to strident ambition and brute force.
An ordering of
society which relegates religion, democracy and good
faith among nations to the background can find no place
within for the ideals of the Prince of Peace. The
United States rejects such an ordering and retains its
ancient faith.
There comes a time in
the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not
their homes alone, but the tenants of faith and humanity
on which their churches, their governments, and their
very civilization are founded. The defense of
religion, of democracy, and of good faith among the
nation, is all the same fight. To save one we must
now make up our minds to save all.
There comes a time in
the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not
their homes alone, but the tenants of faith and humanity
on which their churches, their governments, and their
very civilization are founded. The defense of
religion, of democracy, and of good faith among the
nation, is all the same fight. To save one we must
now make up our minds to save all.
Franklin D.
Roosevelt further said:
We cannot read the
history of our rise and development as a nation without
reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in
shaping the advances of the Republic. Where we
have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its
precepts we have attained the greatest measure of
contentment and prosperity.
WWII uniform display for "Military Timeline" at Fort Dobbs,
Statesville, NC
Enlistment Date: 02 Sep 1942 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 24
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private; Sergeant Education: 4 Yrs. High School Civil Occupation: Sales Clerk
Marital Status: Married Height: ??? Weight: ???
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 06 Jan 1946
John Newell Aderholt, b. 1918, (SS# 246-18-4699),
enlisted in the US Army on 02 Sep 1942 at Camp Croft,
South Carolina. His educational status was "grammar
school" and his Civil Occupation was "Truck Driver"
according to his enlistment records an the 1940 Lincoln
County Census.
John stared off as a Private
in the Army but eventually rose in rank to that of
Sergeant.
Sgt. John Newell Aderholt 28 Sep 1981
and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton,
Lincoln County, NC
Charles Manson "Pete" Beatty was the
son of
Charles Manson "Lee" Beatty Jr. (1863-1928) & Fannie
Bell Setzer (1880-1964)
He was the son of Ora Taptola Howard
He was the
Grandson of Gilbert Mason Beatty (1828-1902) and Adeline
Susan Beatty (1829-1878)
He was the Great Grandson of Charles Manson Beatty
(1795-1863) and Judith Sherrill (1801-1858)
He was the Great Great Grandson of William Able
Beatty(1761-1818) & Isabella McCorkle (1771-1842)
3rd Cousin of Alonzo Lester Loftin (1876-1937)
Sgt. Pete Beatty with his wife Ora
Taptola Howard Beatty
Enlistment Date: 04 Nov 1942 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 24
Branch: U.S. Air Corps Grade: Private Education: 4 Yrs. High School Civil Occupation: Repairman
Marital Status: Single Height: 69 inches (5 ft. 9 in.) Weight: 223 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 11 Jul 1944
Charles Manson "Pete" Beatty (b. 1918) enlisted
in the US Air Corps during World War 2 on 04 Nov 1942 at
the age of 24 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was 5
ft. 9 in. tall and weighed 223.
Pete stared off as a Private
in the US Army Air Force but eventually rose in rank to
that of Sergeant.
Before World War II, Pete
worked for his half-brother Jack Beatty in Charlotte
delivering pies. Jack owned Piedmont Pie Company. After
the war, Jack and Pete moved the baker to Greensboro
where there was less competition. Pete's mother worked
as a house mother/cook at the Junior Order Home in
Lexington and one of his sisters went to King's Business
College in Greensboro. That might have been the reason
they chose to move the baker to Greensboro.
Sgt Charles Manson "Pete" Beatty died 09 Jan 2002
and was buried in the Westminster Gardens Cemetery in
Greensboro, NC
The Willard Smith Beatty and Alonzo Lester
Loftin Family Connection
Ora Taptola Howard was the daughtetr
of Seab Duret Howard, Sr. (187701948) and Georgiana
Barker (1889-1987)
She was the wife of Sgt. Charles Manson "Peter" Beatty
(1918-2002)
Ora Taptola Howard Beatty & Sgt. C. M.
"Pete" Beatty
Enlistment Date: ??? Enlistment State: Maryland ?? Enlistment City: Baltimore ?? Age at Time of Enlistment: ???
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: WAVES Education: ??? Civil Occupation: Spinner
Marital Status: Single Height: 5 ft. 7 in. Weight: Slender
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 26 Oct 1945
After Ora graduated from Rock
Springs High School she went to work at the Cascade
Textile Plant in Mooresville as a spinner.
When World War II struck the country,
Ora went to work in Baltimore, Maryland, for the
large aircraft manufacturer at the time, Glenn L.
Martin. After working here for a while, Ora joined the
Navy in the WAVES program. During WWII more hospital
facilities were needed on the west coast to deal with
wounded soldiers coming from the Pacific theater. To
help accomplish this Ora was stationed at a navy
hospital in Seattle, Washington, where her title was
Pharmacist 3rd mate. She greatly enjoyed her time in the
WAVES.
Ora met Pete Beatty at Rock Springs
Campground. Lib Calloway dared Ora to go walk around
with Pete. She decided to do so because he was
overweight and she thought he might buy her some ice
cream at the shack. When they finally decided to get
married, both were at home on twenty-one furloughs from
the military during World War II. Pete was in the Army
Air Core stationed in Greenland. He was a mechanic for
bombers flying out to bomb Germany. At the beginning of
their furloughs, Pete and Ora went to York, SC, on 07
Sep 1944 to get married as was the norm then to avoid
the NC required blood tests for marriage. After the
wedding they went to Charlotte where Ora's sister Leona
lived, and Leona cooked them their first meal. During
the rest of their furloughs they traveled around Denver,
Sherrills Ford, Newton and Greensboro seeing family and
friends. While in Greensboro, they had a reception with
Pete's mother Fanny, Pete's sister Lib (called Boo by
some family members), Pete's brother Jack, Jack's wife
Genia, some of Pete's cousins and some family friends.
(Left) Pete and Ora Beatty at their wedding reception
in Greensboro
((Right) Ora standing on the left with military friends
Ora Taptola Howard Beatty's Honorable Discharge from
the US Navy
Ora Howard Beatty died 26 Jul 2004
and was buried in the Westminster Gardens Cemetery in
Greensboro, NC
PHM3: Pharmacist 3rd Mate
BEATTY, Cyrus
Thomas "C.T."
b. 16 Apr 1917 - 07 May 1993
Son of Oyha/Other Locke Beatty (1917)
and Lala Virginia Howard (1893)
Grandson of Francis/Franklin Lockmon "Locke" Beatty
(1865) and Sarah Iola/Ola Beatty (1867)
Husband of Margie Odessa Hobbs (1993)
4th Cousin of Sam William Loftin
Enlistment Date: 21 Aug 1941 Enlistment State: ??? Enlistment City: ??? Age at Time of Enlistment: 24
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private
Marital Status: Married
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 23 Sep 1945
Cyrus Thomas "C.T." Beatty's Family
Connection to the Loftin Family
Family Names
& Relationship
William Able Beatty (1761) & Isabella
Mccorkle (1971)
(Husband & Wife)
Charles Manson Beatty (1795)
& Judith Sherrill (1801)
Sally/Sarah Lavina Beatty (1798)
& Thomas Loftin (1798)
Siblings
Gilbert Manson Beatty (1828)
& Adaline Susan Sherrill (1829)
James Franklin Loftin (1827)
& Frances Elizabeth Fisher (1826)
1st Cousins
Franklin/Franklin Lockmon Beatty (1865)
& Sara Iola/Ola Beatty (1867)
William Alexander (1851)
& Laura Rossie Cranford (1855)
Alonzo Lester Loftin (1876)
Ida Lillian Setzer (1884)
3rd Cousins
Cyrus Thomas "C.T." Beatty (1917)
Sam William Loftin (1918)
& Willie Aleen Goble (1925)
4th Cousins
BEATTY, Eugene
Parks, Jr.
b. 04 May 1923 - d. 13 Jun 2004
Son of Eugene Parks Beatty (1884) and
Mamie Bell Smith (1888)
Grandson of Tyler Beatty (1840) and Nancy Adeline Parks
(1848)
Husband of Cutine Arndt Beatty
Nephew of Mrs. J.B. (Luzetta Beatty) Loftin (1878)
3rd Cousin of Alonzo Lester Loftin
Enlistment Date: 18 Jan 1943 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 19
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 4 Yrs. High School Civil Occupation: Sales Clerk
Marital Status: Single Height: 70 inches (5 ft. 10 in.) Weight: 150 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 11 Jul 1944
Eugene Parks Beatty, Jr., enlisted in the U.S. Army on
18 Jan 1943 at Camp Croft, South Carolina, at the age of
19 where he went on to eventually serve as Staff
Sergeant. He was 19 years old at the time of his
enlistment and single.
Thanks to Helen Loftin White for
collecting WWII military newspaper clippings in the
1940s
Eugene Parks Beatty, Jr., was buried in the cemetery at
St. James Lutheran Church in Newton, NC
The Eugene P. Beatty Jr. and Alonzo Lester
Loftin Family Connection
Son of Dowd Ivey Geatty (1885) and
Mattie Lou Howard (1890)
Grandson of Francis/Franklin Lockmon "Locke" Beatty
(1865) and Sarah Iola/Ola Beatty (1867)
Husband of Dorothy Eugenia Hallyburton (1923)
3rd Cousin Twice Removed of Alonzo Lester Loftin
Enlistment Date: 12 Oct 1944 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 1
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 4 Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Married Height: 68 inches (5 ft. 8 in.) Weight: 196 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 10 Jun 1946
WWII Draft Registration Cards
OBITUARY
Roy Franklin Beatty, 86, of
Island Ford Road, died Thursday, November 01, 2007, at
Iredell Memorial Hospital. He was born in Iredell
County, NC, on May 14, 1921, and was the son of the late
Dowd Ivey Beatty and Mattie Howard Beatty.
Roy graduated from Scotts High School and on July 6,
1940 married Dorothy Halyburton Beatty who survives. He
served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army.
Also surviving are daughters Mary Jean Watt of Salem,
VA, and Angel Joy Campbell & husband Ellis of
Statesville - along with grandchildren Jamey Watt & wife
Patti and April Hartz and husband Jeff - and great
grandchildren Haley, Heidi and Hunter Hartz.
Roy was preceded in death by siblings, Hoyle, Howard and
Paige Beatty, Eva Watt and Joyce Crowson.
He was a member of New Sterling ARP Church where he was
a Sunday School Teacher and Elder. He loved farming, and
was recently awarded the Community Service Award from
the West Iredell Ruritan Club.
Services celebrating his life will be held Saturday at
11:00 at New Sterling ARP Church with Rev. Rim R. Watson
and Dr. Earl Linderman officiating. The body will lie in
state thirty minutes prior to the service. Burial is to
follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive
friends following the service in the fellowship hall at
the church.
Roy Franklin Beatty's Family
Connection to the Loftin Family
Family Names
& Relationship
William Able Beatty (1761) & Isabella
Mccorkle (1971)
(Husband & Wife)
Charles Manson Beatty (1795)
& Judith Sherrill (1801)
Sally/Sarah Lavina Beatty (1798)
& Thomas Loftin (1798)
Siblings
Gilbert Manson Beatty (1828)
& Adaline Susan Sherrill (1829)
James Franklin Loftin (1827)
& Frances Elizabeth Fisher (1826)
1st Cousins
Franklin/Franklin Lockmon Beatty (1865)
& Sara Iola/Ola Beatty (1867)
William Alexander (1851)
& Laura Rossie Cranford (1855)
2nd Cousins
Dowd Ivey Beatty (1885)
& Mattie Lou Howard (1890)
Alonzo Lester Loftin (1876)
Ida Lillian Setzer (1884)
3rd Cousins
Roy Franklin Beatty (1921)
Sam William Loftin (1918)
& Willie Aleen Goble (1925)
4th Cousins
BEATTY, Willard
Smith
b. 15 Jun 1919 - d. 11 Jul 1944 (France)
Son of Eugene Parks Beatty (1884) and
Mamie Bell Smith (1888)
Grandson of Tyler Beatty (1840) and Nancy Adeline Parks
(1848)
Nephew of Mrs. J.B. (Luzetta Beatty) Loftin (1878)
3rd Cousin of Alonzo Lester Loftin
Enlistment Date: 24 Jun 1941 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 25
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 4 Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Single Height: 69 inches (5 ft. 9 in.) Weight: 129 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 11 Jul 1944
WWII Draft Registration Cards
No indication as to why Willard had two
Registration Cards
Willard Smith Beatty enlisted in the
U.S. Army on 24 Jun 1941 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina,
at the age of 25. Eventually Willard rose to the
rank of Sergeant and served in Co. C, 105th Medical
Battalion, 30th Division as part of the surgery unit.
Willard was killed in action while
serving in France on 11 Jun 1944. He was buried in the
Rehobeth Methodist Church Cemetery in Terrell, Catawba
County, NC.
Thanks to Helen Loftin White for
collecting WWII military newspaper clippings in the
1940s
Willard Smith Beatty and Alonzo Lester
Loftin's Family Connection
Family Names
& Relationship
William Able Beatty (1761) & Isabella
Mccorkle (1971)
(Husband & Wife)
Charles Manson Beatty (1795)
& Judith Sherrill (1801)
Sally Lovina Beatty (1798)
& Thomas Loftin (1798)
Siblings
Tyler Beatty (1840)
& Nancy Adeline Parks (1849)
James Franklin Loftin (1827)
& Frances Elizabeth Fisher (1826)
1st Cousins
Eugene Parks Beatty Sr. (1884)
& Mamie Bell Smith (1888)
William Alexander (1851)
& Laura Rossie Cranford (1855)
2nd Cousins
Willard Smith Beatty (1919)
Alonzo Lester Loftin
3rd Cousins
GABRIEL, Henry
Clay
b. 09 Apr 1925 - d. 28 Aug 2003
Son of Wade Alexander Gabriel (1886)
and Martha Bertha "Mattie" Robinson (1887)
Grandson of Bruce Alexander Gabriel (1861) and Cedona
Lovenia Beatty (1867)
Husband of Catherine Rebecca Eades (1923-2003)
3rd Cousin Twice Removed of Alonzo Lester Loftin
Enlistment Date: 12 Oct 1944 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 1
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 4 Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Married Height: 68 inches (5 ft. 8 in.) Weight: 196 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Son of William Carlton Abernathy and
Alice Lovina Brown
Husband of
Betty Jo Loftin Abernathy
Brother of Leroy Franklin Abernathy, Charles Grady
Abernathy and Jacob Ray Abernathy
Enlistment Date: 18 Feb 1943 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Raleigh Age at Time of Enlistment: 18
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: Private Education: ?? Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Single Height: ?? Weight: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 19 Feb 1946
WWII Draft Registration Card
Paul Edward Abernathy enlisted in the Navy during
World War II on 18 Feb 1942 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He served in the European
and Pacific Theatre stationed on a Mine Sweeper.
Paul served in the commissary while
in the Navy. The Commissary Branch was responsible for
provisioning and preparing food for the Navy's enlisted
personnel. Paul rose in Rank from Apprentice Seaman (AS)
to Ship's Cook 2nd Class (SC2c) during his time in the
Navy.
U.S.
Navy World War Enlisted Rates: Commissary Branch
The
following report shows Paul's change of rank on 30 Apr
1943 to "S2c" - Seaman 2nd Class. This particular form
gives his Date of Enlistment (Feb. 18, 1943), Place of
Enlistment (Raleigh, NC), Rating or Rank (S2c) and his
Service Number (656-36-98). The form also shows him
serving in the U.S.S. Threat.
The
following report, from the date 02 Aug, 1945, shows
three changes for Paul during the month of July. His
Rank or Rating is listed as "S1c" (Seaman 1st Class),
but in the last paragraph you can see that his rank was
changing to "SC3c" (Ship's Cook 3rd Class).
This
last form shows that Pau's rank had changed again to
"SC2c" (Ship's Cook 2nd Class). The report shows that
Paul is being transferred to Camp Elliott in San Diego,
California, for discharge.
Thanks to Helen Loftin White for the
newspaper clipping about Paul Abernathy and his brother,
Leroy.
Paul Edward Abernathy Family
Connection to the Loftin Family
Family Names
& Relationship
William Carlton Abernathy Alice Lovina Brown
Alonzo Lester Loftin (1876)
& Ida Lillian Setzer (1884)
Paul Edward Abernathy
(husband of Betty Jo Loftin)
Theodore Roosevelt "Speedo" Loftin (1906)
& Marie Hoke
Father-in-Law
& Son-in-Law
CARPENTER, Floyd
Jennings
b. 29 Oct 1915 - d. 30 Jul 1992
Son of Claude Burgin Carpenter and
Ruby Gates
Husband of Philetus "Fletus" Mabel Loftin
Son-in-Law of Oliver Cromwell Loftin and Rachel Luzetta
"Zettie" Abernathy McAlister
Enlistment Date: 19 Mar 1942 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Gragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 26
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: Grammar School
Marital Status: Single Height: 68 inches (5 ft. 8 in.) Weight: 161 lbs
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 26 Nov 1945
WWII Draft Registration Card
Floyd Jennings Carpenter, age 26,
enlisted in the US Army during WW2 on 19 Mar 1942 at
Fort Brag, NC. He was single at the time and working at
Long Shoals Cotton Mill. He was 5 ft. 8 in. and was 161
lbs.
Floyd was discharged at the end of
the war on 26 Nov 1945 and married Philetus "Fletus"
Mabel Loftin on 14 Feb 1946 (Valentine's Day) in Lincoln
County, NC. Fletus was the daughter of Oliver Cromwell
Loftin and Isabelle "Belle" Jane Moore. He was 30 and
she was 32.
Floyd Jennings Carpenter's Family
Connection to the Loftin Family
Family Names
& Relationship
James Franklin Loftin (1827) and Frances
Elizabeth Fisher (1826)
(Husband & Wife)
Oliver Cromwell Loftin (1861)
& Rachel Luzetta Abernathy McAlister (1879)
Son of John Wesley Drum and Frances
Ivey Loftin
Husband of Dorothy Dean Elam
Father of Dee Dee Drum Jordan
Grandson of William Alexander Loftin and Laura Cranford
Enlistment Date: 20 Aug 1943 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 30
Branch: U.S. Army, Medic Grade: Private Education: 3 Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Married Height: ?? Weight: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 17 Dec 1943
WWII Draft Registration Card
Garvin Loftin Drum enlisted in the
U.S. Army on 20 Aug 1943 at Camp Croft, South Carolina,
at the age of 30.
Garvin's daughter, Dee Dee said this
about her father: "My Dad said he
was a Medic in the Army stationed in Texas – the
discharge papers prove that. It states he was a Private
in Company B 51, Medical Training Battalion at Camp
Barkeley, Texas - inducted August 20 1943 at Camp Croft,
SC. He was honorably discharged on December 17, 1943 at
Camp Barkeley, Texas."
She further said,
"It was a short service date.
My Dad wanted to enlist so much that he did not tell
them about the “plate” in his hip. He had his hip
crushed while working for a trucking company – got stuck
between a truck and the loading dock. Guess back then
they didn’t do x-rays or extensive checkups. On one of
the army “field trips”, lasting for several hours, his
hip became swollen and inflamed and from that they found
out about the hip and discharged him."
Garvin was discharged on 17 Dec 1943
from Camp Barkley, Texas, and eventually married Dorothy
Dean Elam.
He died 18 May 2003.
Thanks to Dee Dee Jordan for the
military photo and information about her Dad
Garvin Loftin Drum's Family Connection
to the Loftin Family
Bill was the son of William Simeon
Ellers, Sr. and Floye Hovis Loftin
Bill was the husband of Beuna Vida Vaught
He was the grandson of Alonzo Lester Loftin and Cornelia
Estelle Lowrance
U.
S. Army
Bill Ellers, Jr.
Enlistment Date: 18 Feb 1943 Enlistment State: Maryland Enlistment City: Aberdeen Proving Ground Age at Time of Enlistment: 18
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private / Technician 5th Grade Education: High School Graduate
Marital Status: Single Height: 65 inches (5 ft. 6 inches) Weight: 142 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: Feb 1946
William "Bill" Simeon Ellers, Jr.,
enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II on 18 Feb
1943 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as a Private.
Bill was 18 years old and weighed 142 lbs. He was
65 inches tall (5 ft. 6 inches).
Bill served from Feb 1943 to Feb 1946
at Camp Polk, Louisiana; Okinawa, JAPAN, and KOREA - as
a Technician 5th Grade.
Bill received the Good Conduct Medal,
the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Victory
Medal.
Bill married Beuna Vida Vaught.
He was Discharged on February 1946.
Garvin Loftin Drum's
Family Connection to the Loftin
Family
Son of Jasper Sinclair Loftin and Rena Harriet Henley
Grandson of Caleb Murchison Loftin (1849) and Rachel Ann
Harar (1849)
Great-Grandson of Langdon A. Loftin (1825) and Sarah "Sena/Cenie"
Ann Link (1826)
Great-Great-Grandson of Eldridge Edward Loftin (1872)
and Mary Sherrill (1793)
Great-Great-Great Grandson of John Loftin (1740) and
Martha Lanier (1740)
Husband of Nancy Jean Roberts and Father of Renee Loftin
Clemmer
Enlistment Date: ?? Enlistment State: ?? Enlistment City: ?? Age at Time of Enlistment: ??
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: Private Education: 3 Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Married Height: ?? Weight: ?? Discharged: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Draft Registration Card
Ben Taylor Loftin, Sr., served in the
U.S. Navy during World War II, advancing to the rank of
S1C (Sergeant First Class).
Ben served on the Battleship USS
Colorado.
Ben
was Honorably Discharged on 30 Dec 1945 at the end of
the war.
Ben was buried at
the Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery in Mount Holly, Gaston
County, NC
A special thanks to Renee Loftin Clemmer
for sharing information on her father, Ben Taylor
Loftin, Sr.
Ben Taylor Loftin,
Sr.'s Family Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Family Names
& Relationship
John
Loftin (1740) & Martha Lanier (1740)
(Husband & Wife)
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Statesville Daily Record, Statesville, NC
1945, May 8
"Training At Norfolk"
Wade Foy
Loftin, 18, seaman second class, USNR, of Statesville,
recently arrived at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk,
VA, to undergo training for duties aboard a new
destroyer of the Atlantic Fleet. He has completed
a period of training at the Naval Training Center,
Bainbridge, MD.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Stokes Loftin of Statesville,
Loftin has three brothers, Lloyd, 32, a corporal in the
army, Clifford, 23, a seaman, first class in the
Navy, and Walter, 20, a private first class in the Army.
Clifford Edwin
Loftin's Family Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Family Names
& Relationship
James Loftin (1768) & Susannah Sherrill
(1780)
(Husband & Wife)
Son of Arthur Lee Loftin &
Alice Josephine Gilleland
Husband of Kathleen Naomi Morrow
Grandson of William Alexander Loftin & Laura Rossie Cranford
Enlistment Date: 11 Jul 1944 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 26
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 2 years of high school
Marital Status: Married (Kathleen Morrow) Height: ?? Weight: ?? lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
WWII Draft Registration Card
Information about Coyte from an
Interview with Helen Loftin White (Coyte's sister):
1. Coyte and Ray were in Europe at the same time.
2. Coyte & Foy, both, went to school in Virginia and took welding before
going into the military. After
that they went to Maryland and worked for Glenn
L. Martin at an airplane factory.
3. While in Europe getting ready for a battle Coyte's regiment was in a
river all day long - and he just fell
over. His buddies thought he had been shot,
but he said it was just fatigue.
Coyte with
wife Kathleen and daughter, Judy
The footstone at
Coyte's grave in the Claremont Town Cemetery
A special thanks to James Loftin & Judy
Sims (Coyte's children) for the photos and information
Thanks to Coyte's sister (Helen Loftin White) for the
additional information about Coyte
Coyte James Loftin's Family Connection
to the Extended Loftin
Family
Enoch Bidwell Loftin was the son of
Franklin Cleveland Loftin and Ellie Tressa Homesley
He was the grandson of Oliver Cromwell Loftin & Isabelle
"Belle" Jane Moore
Husband of Thelma Jane Carpenter
Brother of Ivey Pinkney Loftin and Marshal Alexander
Loftin who also served in WW2
Enlistment Date: 15 Aug 1945 Enlistment State: Unknown Enlistment City: Unknown Age at Time of Enlistment: 29 Social Security Number: 244-03-4454
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: Private Education: Unknown
Marital Status: Married
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 16 Nov 1945
WWII Draft Registration Card
Enoch Bidwell Loftin enlisted in the
US Navy on 15 Aug 1945 but only served for three months.
He was discharged on 16 Nov 1945 - just two months after
the end of WW2. World War 2 ended on 02 Sep 1945 and was
more than likely the reason for his short amount of time
in the Navy.
No additional information about his
military service is known at this time.
Enoch Bidwell Loftin's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Floyd Stokes Loftin was the son of Stokes Mills Loftin
Husband of Camilla Waugh
Grandson of Thomas Smith Loftin
Enlistment Date: 18 May 1943 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: ??
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Corporal Education: 1 yr. high school
Marital Status: Married Height: 98 Weight: ?? Discharged: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Statesville Daily Record, Statesville, NC
1945, May 8
"Training At Norfolk"
Wade Foy
Loftin, 18, seaman second class, USNR, of Statesville,
recently arrived at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk,
VA, to undergo training for duties aboard a new
destroyer of the Atlantic Fleet. He has completed
a period of training at the Naval Training Center,
Bainbridge, MD.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Stokes Loftin of Statesville,
Loftin has three brothers, Lloyd (actually Floyd),
32, a corporal in the army, Clifford, 23, a seaman,
first class in the Navy, and Walter, 20, a private first
class in the Army.
Floyd Stokes Loftin's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Family Names
& Relationship
James Loftin (1768) & Susannah Sherrill
(1780)
(Husband & Wife)
Son of Arthur Lee Loftin &
Alice Josephine Gilleland
Grandson of William Alexander Loftin & Laura Rossie Cranford
Foy Max Loftin
Enlistment Date: 18 Mar 1943 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 21
Branch: U.S. Air Force Grade: Private Education: 1 years of high school
Marital Status: Single Height: ?? Weight: ?? lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
WWII Draft Registration Card
Information about Foy from an Interview with Helen
Loftin White (Foy's sister):
1. Helen corresponded (hand written letters) with Foy while he was in the
military.
2. Foy hoped not to get drafted. He had joined the Merchant Marines
but was drafted into the Air Force.
3. Foy was a mechanic in the Air Force
4. He was trained at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri and maybe Ft Bragg, NC
(as well as Camp Croft, SC)
5. Foy said, "Fort Leonardwood is so far back in the hills, I have to use
toilet tissue to wipe the dust off
the clock just to see what time it it."
Helen always thought this was so funny.
6. Helen said, "Foy was funny and a little mischievous."
7. He was in the military less than a year - and ready to go oversees -
when he died in the auto accident
while on a date.
8. After Foy's death, Helen said she wrote Coyte and Ray (who were also
in the military) more frequently.
While home on leave Foy Max Loftin was involved in an automobile
accident on 30 Nov 1943 when the car he was in "ran into a
telephone pole". The accident resulted in an intracranial
hemorrhage, shock, a fractured skull and clavicle, and
eventually death on 01 Dec 1943 at 11:30 PM. He was only
22 years old at the time of his death.
CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
According to a story that was passed on to me by James
Loftin (Foy's nephew), there were actually several young
people in the car when the accident occurred.
Apparently Foy was thrown from the car and the others
left him unattended while they went to get help.
After a lengthy time, help arrived, but it was too late
for Foy.
PFC Foy Max Loftin was buried at Center
Methodist Church, Catawba, Catawba County, NC
Thanks to Foy's sister (Helen
Loftin White) for information
A special thanks to Pam Loftin Williamson, James Boyd
Loftin & Judy Loftin Sims for the photos
Foy Max Loftin's Family Connection to
the Extended Loftin Family
Son of Jasper Sinclair Loftin and Rena Harriet Henley
Husband of Pearlee Vickery
U.
S. Army
Fred Murchison Loftin
Enlistment Date: 25 Sep 1942 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 21
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: ??
Marital Status: Married Height: 71 inches (5 ft. 9 inches) Weight: 166 lbs. Discharged: 30 Dec 1945
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Draft Registration Card
Fred Murchison Loftin enlisted in the
U.S. Army during World War II on 25 Sep 1942 at Camp
Croft, South Carolina, at the age of 21.
He served in Butner, North Carolina;
at Camp Crowder, Missouri; in the Philippines, New
Guinea, Australia and Hawaii.
Fred was awarded the 5 BS Campaign Medal as well as the Good
Conduct Medal.
Fred served from 1941 to 1945 and was
Honorably Discharged on 30 Dec 1945 at the end of the
war.
Fred married Pearlee Vickery.
He suffered a heart attack in his 40s and died 24 Feb
1965. He was buried at Hillcrest Gardens, Mt.
Holly, Gaston County, NC.
Fred's
brothers Ben Taylor Loftin, Sr. and Yates Thurston
Loftin also served in the military during WWII.
A special thanks to Renee Loftin Clemmer
for sharing information on her uncle, Fred Murchison
Loftin
Fred Murckeson Loftin's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Son of Grady Adams Loftin Sr. and Sallie Akiss
Husband of Mary Emma Rush
Enlistment Date: 18 Oct 1943 Enlistment State: Virginia Enlistment City: Richmond Age at Time of Enlistment: 19
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: ??
Single Height: ?? Weight: ?? Discharged: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Grady Jr. attended Virginia Episcopal School
at the time of World War II. The events of Pear Harbor
affected him greatly and he enlisted in the US Army on 18 Oct
1943 in Richmond, Virginia. He was living in Campbell
County, VA, at the time.
A special thanks to Sallie Loftin, Mike
Talbot & Lynn Baker Loftin for the photo and information
Grady Adams Loftin Jr's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Grady Roy Lee Loftin Sr. was the son
of Branton Lee Roy Loftin & Enda May Weathers
He was the grandson of Oliver Cromwell Loftin & Isabelle
"Belle" Jane Moore
Husband of Rachel Elizabeth UNKNOWN
Enlistment Date: 03 Feb 1943 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 19 Social Security Number: 237-22-2567
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: Grammar School Height: 5 ft. 9 in. Weight: 125 Marital Status: Married
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 16 Nov 1945
WWII Draft Registration Card
Grady Roy Lee Loftin Sr. enlisted in
the US Army on 03 Feb 1943 at Camp Croft, SC, when he
was 19. He was married at the time and had been working
at the Long Shoals Cotton Mill.
No additional information about his
military service is known at this time.
Grady Roy Lee Loftin, Sr.'s
Family Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Enoch Bidwell Loftin was the son of
Franklin Cleveland Loftin and Ellie Tressa Homesley
He was the grandson of Oliver Cromwell Loftin & Isabelle
"Belle" Jane Moore
Husband of Mottie/Mattie May Rush
Brother of Enoch Bidwell Loftin and Marshal Alexander
Loftin who also served in WW2
Enlistment Date: 22 Sep 1942 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 33 Social Security Number: 241-03-4445
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: Grammar School
Height: 5 ft. 8 in.
Weight: 156 lb. Marital Status: Single
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 05 Dec 1945
WWII Draft Registration Card
Iva/Ivey enlisted in the US Army on
22 Sep 1942 at Camp Croft, SC, at the age of 33. His
occupation was listed as "Unskilled" and that he had
worked in the manufacture of textiles. He was 5 ft. 8
in. tall and 156 lbs. at the time of his enlistment.
No additional information about his
military service is known at this time.
Ivey Pinky Loftin's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Son of Roy Henry Loftin &
Sarah Mae Morrow
Husband of (1)Sarah "Sally" Finn
Husband of (2) Carmen Nichols
Grandson of Alonzo Lester Loftin & Cornelia Estelle Lowrance
Enlistment Date: 1944 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Ashville Age at Time of Enlistment: 17
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: Private Education: High School
Marital Status: Single Height: ?? Weight: ??
Terms of Enlistment: 2 years & 2 years
Photo taken in 1950 - age 23
Information from a telephone interview that I conducted
with Larry on 07 Jun 2012. He was living in
Beaver, WV. He said:
"At the age of 16 I wanted to fly
a B17 in the U.S. Air Force but Mom and Dad wouldn't
sign the papers. You could join at 17 but Mom and
Dad thought there were too many air plane crashes and
didn't want me to do that. Eventually the Army Air
Force dropped the age 17 requirement and you no longer
need parental consent, but I wouldn't go against Mom &
Dad's wishes."
"I was living in Statesville and
Dad (Roy Henry Loftin) said, he knew 'I was gonna be
drafted and it would be safer' for me 'in the Navy'.
I joined the Navy at Age 17 and Enlisted in Asheville,
NC."
WWII Draft Registration Card
"I had tonsillitis as a kid and
when I first joined the Navy they flared up.
Before
the tonsil surgery, "I was
assigned to work at the Fired Department in Iceland.
Suddenly I heard a noise on the field and I was informed
that there was a fire and I needed to stand by. I
was scheduled for a tonsillectomy at the hospital within
the next few day, but it turned out that all the noise
and confusion was at the hospital - it had burned down.
I had to get my tonsils out later."
"One doctor told me I was
'gold-bricking' and my tonsils didn't need to come out -
another doctor scolded me and told me I should have come
to see him sooner. They needed to come out
immediately.
"I remember Floye (Floye Hovis
Loftin Eller) and Bill came to see me when I was in the
hospital. That was the last time I saw Aunt Floye
and Uncle Bill."
Larry
said, "I actually served in the
later part of WWII. It was the end of the war and
we were on a ship headed to Iceland - and a German sub
was following us. I don't know if they hadn't
heard the war was over or what. I served in the
U.S. Navy during World War II for a year-and-a-half to
two years before I was discharged."
After
your active duty term you will be placed in inactive
reserves for, usually, an equal amount of time. You are
completely touchable at this time. They can call you up,
tell you to pack your bags, and you are theirs. It
doesn't happen often, but it is within their right to
call you to active duty if there is a need during your
inactive reserve commitment. During inactive reserves
you will be living a civilian life.
"After I went home, I was on the
inactive reserves. That group should have been one
of the last groups called when the Korean War started
but a mistake was made and we were one of the first
groups called back."
1951 (Left to Right) Roy,
Larry, Yvonne and Mae
1951
- Larry and his brother, Wayne
"During the Korean War I served on
the ship USS Arcadia. I was in my early twenties.
The Arcadia was a flag ship - there was an Admiral on
board the ship and he was over a dozen destroyers.
The Arcadia served as a supply base and the Admiral was
in charge of everything. The ship was stationed in
New Port, Rhode Island."
"I served for an additional
year-and-a-half to two years.
"After World War II, I trained as
a Medical Tech as well as an X-Ray Tech. When I
was recalled to service for the Korean War, I wanted to
work in the Medical Core but the Commander wouldn't
release me."
"One time I was assigned to work
in the engine room of the ship. I told the person
who had given me the assignment that I had never done it
before and that I had no training in that particular
part of the ship. He told me that was 'OK' - that
I was just 'watching out for fires.' Unfortunately
while I was working there, I received a call asking me
about the 'readings'. I told him I had no idea
what the 'readings' were. He told me, 'look at the
instruments and gages". I told him there were
instruments and gages everywhere and I didn't know how
to read them. He was a little upset with me.
To keep from getting into trouble, I called and reported
the situation to the commander."
One of my favorite things about
this second term in the military was baseball. The
ship had a baseball team in New Port and they were in a
good league. I played on the team and was a
pitcher. At one particular game I had tossed
several 'balls'. The Commander was Manager of the
team and told me if I threw one more ball, I'd be stuck
in the engine room on the ship!"
Larry
had played basketball and baseball in high school.
"We won every game but one."
Larry
was fortunate in that he saw no battle action during
either World War II or the Korean War.
After
the military, Larry spent his life working in Medical
Labs and X-Ray. He went to Wake Forrest and took
Pre-Med courses but wasn't able to complete all the
necessary requirements for graduation. As an older
man, Larry retired as a Hospital Administrator.
"I had worked with developing 9
Medical Clinics in West Virginia."
A special thanks to Larry Henry Loftin for
sharing the information about his military service
Larry Henry Loftin Sr.'s Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
L.D. Loftin was the son of Other
Fredrick Loftin and Nannie Elizabeth Lowrance
He was the grandson of Washington Lafayette Loftin and
Margaret Jane Lackey
Husband of Shasta Virginia Arudt
Enlistment Date: Unknown Enlistment State: Unknown Enlistment City: Unknown Age at Time of Enlistment: Abt. 24 Social Security Number: Unknown
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: S2 Education: Unknown
Marital Status: Unknown
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: 07 Feb 1946
WWII Draft Registration Card
L. D. Loftin's Family Connection to
the Extended Loftin Family
Leonard was the son of Frederick
Thompson Loftin and Ida Edith Heileman
Leonard was the husband of Barbara Brake
He was the grandson of Jacob Philo Loftin and Rachel
Patterson
He was the great-grandson of Langdon Loftin and Sarah
Ann Link
He was the 4th Cousin of Alonzo Lester Loftin
Enlistment Date: 03 Feb 1942 Enlistment State: Indiana Enlistment County: Marion County Age at Time of Enlistment: 24
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 1 Year of College
Civil Occupation:
Toolmaker
Marital Status: Single Height:70 inches (5 ft. 10 inches) Weight: 160 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Leonard Thompson Loftin's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Marshal Alexander Loftin was the son
of Franklin Cleveland Loftin and Ella Tresa Homesley
He was the grandson of Oliver Cromwell Loftin and
Isabele "Belle" Jane Moore
He was the brother of Enoch Bidwell Loftin & Ivey
Pinkney Loftin who also served during WW2
Enlistment Date: 08 Jul 1941 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 22
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: Grammar School Civil Occupation:
Unskilled, Textiles Manufacturing
Marital Status: Single
Height:71 inches (5 ft. 11 inches) Weight: 156 lbs.
Discharged Date: 23 Oct 1945
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
WWII Draft Registration Card
Marshal Alexander Loftin enlisted in
the US Army on 08 Jul 1941 at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina. He was 22 years old at the time and was the
first of his brother to enlist during WW2. He was 6 ft.
11 inches tall and weighed 156 lbs. He was single and
his civil occupation was listed as "Unskilled;
Manufacture of Textiles".
Marshal Alexander Loftin's Family
Connection to the Extended Loftin
Family
Son of Julius Commodore Loftin and Vertie Alice Hefner
Husband of Leona Mae Mullis
Grandson of Adolphus Pinkney Gamewell Loftin and Rebecca
Malvina Drum
Great-Grandson of William A. Loftin and Catherine
"Katie" S. Drum
Great-Great-Grandson of Thomas Loftin and his second
wife Margaret Fisher
Great-Great-Great-Grandson of James Loftin and Susannah
Sherrill
Paul Jones Loftin was a 3rd Cousin to Sam William Loftin
(and all the children of Alonzo Lester Loftin)
Enlistment Date: 28 Aug 1943 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Charlotte Age at Time of Enlistment: 31
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: ???
Social Security Number: 242-03-7572
Marital Status: Married Discharged: 19 Oct 1945
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
WWII
Draft Card
Paul enlisted in the US Navy on 28 Aug 1943 and was
discharged two years later on 19 Oct 1945.
Paul Jones Loftin's Family Connection
to the Extended Loftin
Family
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
REGISTRATION CARD
Statesville Daily Record, Statesville, NC
1945, May 8
"Training At Norfolk"
Wade Foy
Loftin, 18, seaman second class, USNR, of
Statesville, recently arrived at the Naval Training
Station, Norfolk, VA, to undergo training for duties
aboard a new destroyer of the Atlantic Fleet. He
has completed a period of training at the Naval Training
Center, Bainbridge, MD.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Stokes Loftin of Statesville,
Loftin has three brothers, Lloyd (actually Floyd),
32, a corporal in the army, Clifford, 23, a seaman,
first class in the Navy, and Walter, 20, a private first
class in the Army.
Wade Foy Loftin's Family Connection to
the Extended Loftin Family
Family Names
& Relationship
James Loftin (1768) & Susannah Sherrill
(1780)
(Husband & Wife)
Son of Arthur Lee Loftin &
Alice Josephine Gilleland
Husband of Martha Goldann Null
Grandson of William Alexander Loftin & Laura Rossie Cranford
Enlistment Date: 17 Mar 1941 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 26 Discharged: 12 Sep 1945
Branch: Army, Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officer Grade: Private Education: 1 Year of High School
Marital Status: Single Height: 64 inches Weight: 132 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
In November of 1942, the
position of Warrant Officer was defined bythe War
Department in the rank order as being above all enlisted
personnel and immediately below all commissioned officers.
Warrant Officers were addressed as "Sir", saluted, and
generally accorded all privileges of officer status. They
did not wear the insignia of the branch, but wore a distinctive
insignia that only Warrant Officers wore. Being a Warrant
Officer in WW2 says a lot about the person.
WWII Draft Registration Card
"GOLDEN
ARROW"
DIVISION NEWS BULLETIN
Vol. III, NO. 98
Wednesday, 23 May 1945
Division Doin's
WITH THE 121ST INFANTRY: ... Lt. Col. Roy W. Hogan of
Macon, GA, fighting man and CO (Commanding
Officer) of the 3rd Bn (Battalion) of the 121st
Infantry Regt (Regiment), was minus a driver for
a few anxious moments, but it paid off.
The situation, militarily speaking, was fluid and the
colonel was in a forward OP prior to an attack
of the Grey Bonnet Regt. on Wulfrath, Germany.
His driver, Cpl. (Corporal) Wm. R. Loftin of
Catawba, N.C., had taken off for a short stroll.
Loftin, according to all reports, merely wanted
to enjoy the invigorating evening air. He
may also have desired to snatch up a few
superfluous German pistols. Who doesn't?
At any rate, the capable corporal, accompanied by Pfc.
(Private First Class) William J. Issentell of
Philadelphia, PA, and Pfc. Floyd E. Powell of
Kansas City, MO, was ambling along the road
thinking and talking of all the blondes,
brunettes and home. Seeing an apparently
deserted house, they casually entered with the
innocent reasoning that (they) would run across
a few eggs. The eggs had undergone a
startling metamorphosis, for they turned out to
be four surly Germans, who although somewhat
startled, surrendered without a struggle.
They were taken back to (by) Issertell.
Loftin and Powell wended their merry way a few hundred
yards further. They stopped when they saw
five German tanks. The tanks had none of
that "knocked-out appearance" and the guns,
pointed toward Loftin and Powell, were in
extraordinarily good condition. Our boys,
somewhat embarrassed by a development fraught
with deadly possibilities, were speechless.
Loftin, overcoming the natural impulse to haul
tail, called upon his latent North Carolina
aplomb (self-confident assurance). In an
even though strained voice, he requested the
enemy to surrender.
Fortune must have had on one of her broad smiles, for
out of the tanks and surrounding woods came 75
Germans, elements of a Panzer Corps (armored
division of the German army). No
one was more surprised than Colonel Hogan when
the enemy forces marched by, three abreast,
accompanied by the nonchalant Powell and Loftin.
*********************************************************************************** AT THE CAPITOL THEATRE:
Matinee today and Tomorrow: Ann Miller in "Eadie Was a
Lady" -1400 (2pm)
Evening tonight:
Russian Variety Stage Show
-1900 (7pm)
Evening tomorrow (Thurs): Live
Talent Stage Show
-1900 (7pm)
AT THE SCHAUBURG (Grapefruit) THEATRE:
Today, Matinee and Evening: Jane Wyman in
"Crime by Night" -1400 (2pm); -1900 (7pm)
Ray
in the local news again
William Ray Loftin was Honorably Discharged on 12 Sep 1945
toward the end of World War II.
Ray is
buried in the Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery in
Claremont, NC
A special thanks to Ray's daughter (Pam
Loftin Williamson) for photos and information
LOFTIN, Yates
Thurston
b.
17 Jan 1917 - d. 06 Dec 2010
Son of Jasper Sinclair Loftin and Rena Harriet Henley
Husband of Lottie Mae Blackmon
Enlistment Date: 23 May 1945 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 28
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 3 Yrs. High School
Marital Status: Married Height: ?? Weight: ?? Discharged: 03 Jan 1946
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Draft Registration Card
Yates Thurston Loftin enlisted in the
U.S. Army during World War II on 23 May 1945 at Fort
Bragg, North Carolina, at the age of 28. He was
married to Lottie Mae Blackmon at the time of his
enlistment.
The war ended on 02 Sep 1945 and
Yates was Honorably Discharged on 03 Jan 1946 after just
7 1/2 months.
After the war, Yates worked as a
supervisor with SYDECO Chemical Company for 40 years -
and also delivered Meals-on-Wheels for 40 years.
He died 06 Dec 2010 (at home) at the age of 93 and was buried at
the Hillcrest Gardens (Mausoleum), Mt. Holly, Gaston County, NC.
Yate's
brothers Ben Taylor Loftin, Sr. and Fred Murchison
Loftin also served in the military during WWII.
A special thanks to Renee Loftin Clemmer
for sharing information on her uncle, Yates Thurston
Loftin
MURRAY, Billy
Keith
b.
12 Jun 1929 - d. 17 Aug 2008
Son of Paul Abraham Murray and Sadie Elizabeth Loftin
Husband of (1) Betty Aiken & (2) Hassie (Unknown)
Grandson of Alonzo Lester Loftin and Ida Lillian Setzer
Enlistment Date: 10 Dec 1946 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 17
Branch: U.S. Air Force Grade: Private - Private First Class - Corporal Education: ??
Marital Status: Single Height: ?? Weight: ?? lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: 3 years
Military Facts
According to Bill's son, Eddie:
Bill Enlisted on 10 Dec 1947 at Fort
Bragg, NC, at the age of 17, as a Private in the U.S. Air Force.
Bill had been living in Greensboro prior to that.
Bill served as a Private for 8 months,
when he was elevated to Private First Class. After serving
as PFC for 14 months, Bill rose in rank to Corporal and served
in that rank for 14 months.
Bill was Discharged from Scott Air Force
Base, IL on 09 Dec 1949.
He received the World War 2 Victory Medal.
A special thanks to Bill's son, Eddie
Murray, for helping to piece together the information
concerning Bill's service
PEELER, James
"Jim" Calvin
b. 11 Aug 1927 -
d. 04 Sep 1988
Son of Cortez &
Mattie J. Peeler
Husband of Celia Jo Connor
Son-in-Law of Willie Thelma Loftin Connor Lanier
Date Enlisted:
05 Jan 1946 Enlisted State: Mississippi Enlisted City: Camp Shelby Age at Time of Enlistment: 16
Branch: U. S. Army Grade: Private, SFC (Sergeant First Class) Education: 1 Yr. High School
Marital Status: Single Height: ?? Weight: ??
Length of Service: 25 years
James "Jim" Calvin Peeler was born 11 Aug 1927 in
Cullman County, Alabama. Jim enlisted in the U.S.
Army toward the end of World War II on 05 Jan 1946 at Camp Shelby,
Mississippi, at the age of 16 - and one year of high
school. You couldn't joint the Army at age 16, so
Jim told them he was 18 when he enlisted - making the
military his career and serving for 25 years.
Jim started as a Private but rose to
the rank of Sergeant First Class, serving as a E7 Medic.
Jim served in the military at the end
of World War II, during the
Korean War and also during Vietnam - marrying Celia Jo
Connor and raising a family while he traveled all over
the world and serving his country.
Jim
and Jo with Jeff and the twins, Jerry and Larry
Jim did a military tour in the Pacific, served in Northford,
Virginia (where Jeff was born), Nuremberg, Germany (where the
twins were born), in Ft. Benning, Georgia (where Tina was born),
he did a tour in Europe, Vietnam, and also at Ft. George G.
Meade, Maryland.
Jim's son Jerry said, "When Dad was doing
the Tour in Europe, he'd work night shift - and he would take
the kids with him sometimes. I remember once a soldier
came in who had a broke nose - he had been fighting. He
was drunk and when he got to the Emergency Room (after they had
set his nose), he tried to fight again, so Dad took a metal tray
and smashed him upside the face - broke his nose again.
I thought it was cool!"
Jerry also said, "Dad
was in a MASH Unit and that's where he learned his emergency
skills.'
When asked about memorable events
from his dad's time in the military, his son Larry said,
"We were coming back to New York
from Dad's second tour in Europe in 1968, Martin Luther
King had been assassinated, and there were riots in New
York. Jeff was about 12, Jerry and I were about 9,
Tina was about 4. The rioters tried to turn our
bus over - until they realized we were military
families. Our parents told us to get down on the
floor and the men moved to the front of the bus.
It was scary."
Jim retired from the military after
25 years in 1971 and went to work at the Catawba
Memorial Hospital where he started his second career.
He worked as a medic/male nurse in the Emergency Room
for 15 years and an additional 6 years in Surgery.
His son Larry said, "Dad told me
that he delivered between 400 - 700 babies in the
Emergency Room during those years. It was one of
his favorite things to do."
Jim's son Jerry said,
"Dad learned the 'EMERGENCY'
business from the war, so when he went to work at the
hospital, all the doctors wanted him in Emergency Room
Units."
Jim
died 04 Sep 1988 and was buried in the Bethlehem
Methodist Church Cemetery, Claremont, NC
Thanks to Jim's sons, Jerry and Larry
Peeler, for the photos and information about their dad
POTTER, Thomas
Alexander "T.A."
b. 06 Jun 1925 - d. 08 May 2020
Son of Thomas A. Potter and Margaret
Virginia Elizabeth Bowman
Husband of Elsie Louise Loftin
Enlistment Date: ??? Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: ??? Age at Time of Enlistment: ???
Branch: Grade: Staff Sergeant Education: ???
Marital Status: ??? Height: ??? Weight: ???
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: ???
T.A.
and Louise
WWII Draft Registration Cards
Barbara Potter Edmonson: "Dad was a
Sergeant who was at Normandy."
OBITUARY
Thomas Alexander "T.A."
Potter, 94 of Catawba, passed away on Friday,
08 May 2020, at his residence. T.A. was born on 06 Jun
1925 in Caldwell County, NC, to the late Thomas A.
Potter and Margaret Virginia Elizabeth Bowman Potter. He
was a member of Mathis Chapel Baptist Church in Catawba
and a United States Army Veteran where he served as
Sereant during WWII. He retired from the construction
industry after many years of service. In addition to his parents,
T.A. was preced in death by his brothers, John Potter, Cainey
Potter, Plez Potter and Nathan Potter; and sisters, Patricia
"Pet" Moffitt, Tilda Lunsford, Martha Williams and Alma Reel.
Those left to cherish his memory are: wife of 7w years, Louise
Loftin Potter; son Gary W. Potter and wife Penny of Catawba;
daugher Barbara P. Edmonson and husband Ronnie of Newton;
grandchildren Michelle "Shellie" Young, Kenny Joyner, Jeremy
Joyner, Jimmy Edmonson and wife Julie, Trent Hoke and Matthew
Adams; great-grandchildren Dylan Young, Kynna Joyner, Logan
Howard, Brenna Adams, Georgie Adama, Maddox Spires, Mason
Edmonson, Sawyer Edmonson, Bella Hoke, Wyle Hoke and James Hoke.
A service to celebrate T.A.'s life will be held on Monday, 11
May 2020, at 2:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Bennett Funeral Service
in Newton. Rev. Travis Triplett and Chaplain Cindy Jordan will
officiate. Burial with military honors by American Legion Post
544 will follow at Mathis Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in
Catawba, NC. His body will lie in state on Sunday, 10 May 2020,
from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Service in
Newton.
RUFTY, Robert
Bristol
b.
015 May 1919 - d. 06 May 1984
Son of Robert Davault Rufty & Ada
Palestine Cobb
Husband of Eleanor Carolyn
Irvin Loftin
Step-Father of
Michael Lane Loftin
Enlistment Date: 09 Feb 1942 Enlistment State: Georgia Enlistment City: Fort Mcpherson Atlanta Age at Time of Enlistment: 22
Branch: U.S. Army Grade: Private Education: 4 Years High School
Marital Status: Married Height: 5 ft. 9 in. Weight: 134 Discharged: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Robert Bristol Rufty's brothers were:
Paul D. Rufty, William C. Rufty, Michael Dunham Rufty,
Sr. and Jack Dempsey Rufty
Thanks to Helen Loftin White for her 1940s
Scrapbook
WILSON, Jack
Thomas
b.
02 Apr 1920 - d. 07 Mar 1986
Son of Thomas Robinson Wilson and Cordie Bland Loftin
Wilson
Husband of Clara Mae Carter
Grandson of William Alexander Loftin & Laura Rossie Cranford
Enlistment Date: 13 Jun 1940 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Charlotte Age at Time of Enlistment: 20 Serial Number: 7-081-303
Branch: U.S. Army - Infantry - Paratroopers Grade: Private - Tech 4/Infantry Education: HS
Marital Status: Single Height: 5 ft 8.5 inches Weight: 131 lbs. Discharged: 04 Aug 1945, Fort Bragg, NC
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
WWII Draft Registration Card
Jack
Thomas Wilson (the son of Thomas Robinson Wilson and
Cordie Bland Loftin) enlisted in the U.S. Army during
World War II on 13 Jun 1940 in Charlotte, NC. He
was 20-years-ols and single at the time.
Jack
served for 6 years in the U.S. Army during World War II
- spending 5 years and 9 months of that time over seas -
including the Philippines, Luzon (the largest island of
the Philippines) and New Guinea.
Panama 1941 Thurmond Tucker, Odis Myer and Jack
During that 6 years of service, Jack did many things for the
Army including a couple of jumps as a Paratrooper. He also
was an Army cook for a period of time. Fortunately he
sustained no wounds during the war.
Jack
received the following medals and commendations:
Combat Infantry Badge
3 Bronze Service Stars
Distinguished Unit Badge
(and much more - to be added)
Jack
was discharged on 04 Aug 1945 at Fort Bragg, NC, as a
Tech 4/Infantry
Jack was buried at
Catawba Methodist Church in Catawba, Catawba County, NC
Photo coming soon
A special thanks to Jack's daughter Ann
Wilson for her help with photos and information about her dad
Major General
McCORKLE, Charles Milton "Sandy" Jr.
b.
29 Jan 1915 - d. 24 Aug 2009
Son of Maj. Charles Milton McCorkle, Sr (1874 - 1929)
Grandson of Matthew Locke McCorkle (1817 - 1899)
Great-Grandson of Francis Marion McCorkle Jr. (1786
-1853)
Husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Sheldon & Audrey Withycombe
Enlistment Date: 12 Jun 1936 Enlistment State: NY Enlistment City: WestPoint Age at Time of Enlistment: 17
Branch: U.S. Air Force Grade: Seaman 2nd Class Education: HS & West Point
U.S.
Military Academy 1932 1936
U.S. Army Air Corps !936- 1941
U.S. Army Air Forces 1941 - 1947
World War II 1941 - 1945
U.S. Air Force 1947 - 1966
Cold War 1945 - 1966
Charles
Milton "Sandy" McCorkle. Jr. was born on January 29,
1915, in Newton, North Carolina. He entered the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point in 1932, and graduated
with a commission as a 2Lt in the Air Corps on June 12,
1936. McCorkle was awarded his pilot wings in October
1937 and was assigned to the 24th Pursuit Squadron at
Albrook Field in the Panama Canal Zone from February
1938 to February 1940. He next served as a squadron
commander with the 35th Pursuit Group and later as
deputy group commander between February 1940 and June
1942.
McCorkle was then assigned as the Commander of the 54th
Fighter Group and participated in the Aleutian Islands
Campaign in Alaska between June and December 1942. He
next commanded the 31st Fighter Group in Sicily from
July 1943 to July 1944, and was credited with the
destruction of 11 enemy aircraft in aerial combat in the
Mediterranean Theater. Col McCorkle then served as chief
of staff of the 1st Fighter Command at Mitchel Field,
New York, before being assigned as deputy chief of the
Flight Test Division at Wright Field, Ohio, in January
1946.
After completing Armed Forces Staff College, Col
McCorkle became chief of staff of the Newfoundland Base
Command at Fort Pepperrell in Newfoundland, Canada,
where he served from July 1947 to June 1949. He then
completed Air War College and then served on its faculty
between June 1950 and July 1953.
After attending the National War College, McCorkle
served as deputy assistant chief of staff for guided
missiles and then assistant chief of staff for guided
missiles at the Pentagon from July 1954 to July 1959,
when he was made commander of the Air Force Special
Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, where he
served until July 1962.
From July 1962 to September 1965, Gen McCorkle served
as Vice Commander of 5th Air Force at Fuchu Air Station,
Japan. He was then assigned as Assistant Deputy Chief of
Staff for Programs and Resources at the Pentagon, where
he served from September 1965 until his retirement from
the Air Force on October 1, 1966.
Charles Milton McCorkle, Jr. died on August 24, 2009,
and his ashes were spread into the Pacific Ocean at
Point Lobos, California.
His Silver Star Citation Reads:
For gallantry in action. On 3 January
1944, Col. McCorkle led a flight of four (4) Spitfires
which patrolled the Allied front lines in Italy. While
investigating unidentified aircraft near Allied front
lines, the Spitfires experienced intense, accurate heavy
flak. Col. McCorkle's aircraft was hit in the right wing
and tail assembly, the control surfaces damaged, and the
trim tab control cables were shot away. At the same time
his radio ceased operating. Since he could not be
certain of the full extent of the damage, and his
aircraft was extremely difficult to control, he decided
to break away from the flight in order to return to
base. Before he could break away, he observed twelve
(12) enemy fighters diving toward Allied territory.
Realizing that to break away at this crucial moment
would doubtless confuse his pilots and thereby delay
their interception of the enemy fighters, Col. McCorkle
refrained from leaving his flight. Unmindful of the
damaged condition and difficulty in maneuvering his
aircraft, and disregarding odds of twelve (12) to four
(4), he led his flight in an aggressive and superbly
executed attack, dispersed the enemy formation and
forced them to turn toward base. As the aircraft reached
enemy territory, anti-aircraft fire caused both the
enemy and the Spitfires to climb. Observing an enemy
fighter to his left at six-thousand (6,000) feet, Col.
McCorkle attacked, and despite extreme difficulty in
maneuvering his aircraft, he skillfully followed, closed
to point blank range and shot it down. The expert flying
skill, outstanding gallantry, and selfless devotion to
duty displayed by Col. McCorkle in flying a severely
damaged aircraft into combat against numerically
superior forces has reflected great credit upon himself
and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Col McCorkle in the cockpit of his P-51B Mustang in
Europe during World War II
Obituary
DURHAM, NEW
HAMPSHIRE - Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles M. "Sandy" McCorkle died
Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Inn at Spruce Wood. He had been a
resident of Durham for just over a year, coming from Carmel
Valley, California where he lived the previous 24 years.
He was born in Newton, North Carolina. He graduated
from West Point in 1936 and pursued a career in the Air Force,
retiring as a Major General. As a fighter pilot in WWII he
commanded fighter groups in two theaters of war. He became a
Fighter Ace, destroying 11 enemy aircraft in the air. He was one
of only 17 American pilots who acquired ace status in the
British Spitfire. In 1942, at the age of 27, he became the
youngest colonel in the Army Air Corps.
His career embraced flight testing, guided missile
development and special weapons technology along with graduate
work at the nation's highest military colleges. He was Air force
Assistant Chief of Staff for Guided Missiles during the
Ballistic Missile Emergency Buildup and later commanded the USAF
Special Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
After his retirement from the Air Force he moved to
Hawaii and worked as a consultant for the aerospace industry. In
1985 he moved to Carmel Valley and was active in the Point Lobos
Natural History Association, working several days a week as a
docent at the park. Last year, at the age of 93, he moved to
Durham.
He was married for over 30 years to both his first wife,
Elizabeth Shelton and his second wife, Audrey Withycombe. He is
survived by a daughter, a son, two stepsons, 11 grandchildren
and four great grandchildren.
His ashes will be scattered in the ocean near San
Francisco with a fly-by and Honor Guard salute planned for
October 10, 2009. There will be no funeral service.
WWII tent and military gear for the "Military Timeline" at Fort
Dobbs, Statesville, NC
Son of John Quincy Setzer & Mamie Belle Bollinger
Grandson of Quince Augustus Setzer & Catherine Elizabeth
Smyre
GG Grandson of Reuben Setzer & Lavina Rhyne
GGG Grandson of Mathias Setzer, Sr. & Elizabeth Sigman
GGGG-Grandson of
John Setzer, Sr. & Catherine Bushart Barringer
Husband of Hilda Turner Frye Setzer
1938 Newton High School
Enlistment Date: 19 Apr 1944 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 23
Branch: Army Grade: Private Education: 4 Years High School
Marital Status: Single Height: ??? Weight: ???
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
WWII Draft Registration Card
Ralph's Military Papers
Thanks to Helen Loftin White for the
newspaper clipping about Charles Ralph Setzer
SIGMON,
Floyd Eugene
b. 20 Mar 1922 - d. 22 May 2005
Son of Harry A. Sigmon &
Bessie Jane Setzer
Husband of Mary Helen Goble
Grandson of George Pinkney Setzer & Callie McGee
Floyd was the 1st Cousin once removed of Ida Lillian Setzer
(Mrs. Alonzo Lester Loftin)
Floyd Eugene Sigmon
Enlistment Date: 12 Sep 1942 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 20
Marital Status: Married (Mary Helen Goble) Height: 68 inches Weight: 130 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
In November of 1942, the
position of Warrant Officer was defined bythe War
Department in the rank order as being above all enlisted
personnel and immediately below all commissioned officers.
Warrant Officers were addressed as "Sir", saluted, and
generally accorded all privileges of officer status. They
did not wear the insignia of the branch, but wore a distinctive
insignia that only Warrant Officers wore. Being a Warrant
Officer in WW2 says a lot about the person.
Floyd Eugene Goble, the son of Harry
& Bessie Setzer Goble, enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12
Sep 1942. Floyd was 20-years-old and was married
to Helen Goble. He was 68 inches (about 5 foot 7
inches) tall and weighed 130 lbs.
Floyd enlisted at Camp Croft, SC, was
inducted into the Army at Fort Bragg, NC, and was sent
to Camp Gruber in Oklahoma for training.
WWII Draft Registration Card
Floyd's Military Papers
A special thanks to Floyd's wife (Helen
Goble Sigmon) for photos and information
Son of
Marvin Lee Bunton & Sarah Catherine Rebecca "Becky"
Goble
Nephew of Martin Luther Goble
1st Cousin to: Leggs, J.C., Harlee, Lib, Helen, Willie &
Gevia
Ralph Franklin Bunton
Enlistment Date: 20 Jan 1943 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Camp Croft Age at Time of Enlistment: 23
Marital Status: Married (Naomi) Height: 68 inches Weight: 129 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Ralph enlisted in the US Army on 20 Jan 1943 at Camp Croft,
South Carolina, at the age of 23. He was married to Helen
(Unknown) at the time. His enlistment records show that he
was 68 inches tall (5 ft. 8 In.) and that he weighed 129 lbs.
Ralph died 09 July
2010 and is buried at South River Baptist Church
Cemetery in Statesville, NC
GOBLE, Harlee
b. 06 Sep 1918 - d. 05 Nov 1980
Son of Martin Luther Goble &
Beulah Vernesta Johnson
Husband of Dovie Alean Helms
Harlee Goble
Enlistment Date: 16 May 1941 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Age at Time of Enlistment: 22
Marital Status: Single Height: 69 inches Weight: 150 lbs.
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Released: 25 Sep 1945, PFC
In November of 1942, the
position of Warrant Officer was defined bythe War
Department in the rank order as being above all enlisted
personnel and immediately below all commissioned officers.
Warrant Officers were addressed as "Sir", saluted, and
generally accorded all privileges of officer status. They
did not wear the insignia of the branch, but wore a distinctive
insignia that only Warrant Officers wore. Being a Warrant
Officer in WW2 says a lot about the person.
Harlee was trained at (1) Ft. Severan, GA, (2) Ft. Benning, GA,
(3) Camp Shelby, MS, (4) Ft. Jackson, SC, and (5) in
Jacksonville, FL.
WWII Draft Registration Card
According to Willie Goble Loftin (Harlee's sister), "He was in
the army and built roads on the front line". If this is
indeed correct, he would have been in an Engineering Battalion.
Records indicate that he served in Arabia, Trinidad, France,
Germany and Austria.
(Left) Harlee and Alean, who he would later marry
(Right) Harlee with sisters Elgevia (left) and Helen (right)
Harlee & Alean
Harlee with nephew Bud Goble and niece Dorothy
(Below) Harlees mother, Nessie, proudly holds a photo of her son
with Alean
Harlee was released from service on 25 Sept 1945 with the rank
of PFC (Private First Clas) and received the Pre-Pearl Harbor
Citation & ETO Ribbon.
Harlee died 05 Nov
1980 and was buried at Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church in
Catawba Co, NC
A special thanks to Harlee's son (Boyd
Goble) for photos and information
GOBLE, J. C.
b.
29 Sep 1916 - d. 19 Jul 2005
Son of Martin Luther Goble and Beulah Vernesta Johnson
Husband of Ada Eades
Grandson of Jacob Hedrick Goble
Enlistment Date: 23 Feb 1942 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Jackson Age at Time of Enlistment: 25
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
J.C.
was the second of Martin and Nessie Goble's sons to
enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II. J.C.
enlisted on 23 Feb 1942 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
He was 25 years old. He was 68 inches (5 ft. 8 in)
tall and weighed 156 lbs.
J.C. on the b ack of the motorcycle with Dave Sipe
at the Murphy Jones house where he lived with his parents
J.C. died 19 Jul 2005
and was buried at Shiloh Methodist Church in Catawba Co,
NC
GOBLE, William
Coleman
b.
13 Dec 1926 - d. 08 Jul 2004
William Coleman Goble was the Son of
James Linden Goble and Annie Mae Berry
He was the Husband of Mary Pauline Carol
Enlistment Date: 04 Apr 1945 Enlistment State: South Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Jackson Columbia Age at Time of Enlistment: 18
Branch: Army Grade: Private Education: 1 Year High School
Marital Status: Single Height: ??? Weight: ???
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Sigmon,
Floyd Eugene
b. 20 Mar 1922 - d. 22 May 2005
Son of Harry A. Sigmon &
Bessie Jane Setzer
Husband of Mary Helen Goble
Grandson of George Pinkney Setzer & Callie McGee
Floyd was the 1st Cousin once removed of Ida Lillian Setzer
(Mrs. Alonzo Lester Loftin)
Floyd's WWII biography could have been
listed with the GOBLES or the SETZERS,
and since his mother, Bessie, was a Setzer, I've listed
him there. SEE ABOVE.
Son of John Bryant Eason and Ida
Griswold
Husband of Mary Louise Allen
John Bryant Eason Jr.
Enlistment Date: ?? Enlistment State: ?? Enlistment City: ?? Age at Time of Enlistment: ??
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: ?? Education: 12th Grade
Marital Status: ?? Height: ?? Weight: ??
Terms of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the
war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President.
Discharged: ??
WWII Draft Registration Card
John Bryant Eason Jr., called J. B.,
registered for the draft in 1942 at the age of 20.
He was working at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry
Dock Company, in Newport News, VA, at the time.
John Bryant Eason,
Jr.
Thanks to Sid Weeks for the photos of
J. B. Eason Jr.
WEEKS, Martin
Luther
b. 07 Feb 1919 - d. 28 Nov 1984
Son of James Henry Weeks and (3)
Mattie Byrn Harrell
Husband of Zelda Ray Killingsworth
Father of Dorothy, Martin Jr, Donna, Dennis, David,
Terry, Robert andTimothy
Martin Luther Weeks
Enlistment Date: 02 Jul 1942 Enlistment State: ?? Enlistment City: ?? Age at Time of Enlistment: 23
Branch: U.S. Navy Grade: ?? Education: ??
Marital Status: ?? Height: ?? Weight: ??
Discharged: 12 Dec 1945
WWII Draft Registration Card
James Henry Weeks had two sons who he
named Martin Luther Weeks. The first was born to
James Henry and his second wife, Sarah Adelaide
Robinson, on 19 Jan 1875 - but this Martin Luther Weeks
died 28 Apr 1902. After James Henry married his
third wife, Mattie Byrn Harrell, he named their 8th
child (a boy) Martin Luther Weeks, also. This
Martin Luther Weeks was born 07 Feb 1919 (even though
the Draft Registration Card says 1918).
Martin enlisted in the U.S. Navy on
02 Jul 1942.
Seven of James Henry Weeks and Mattie Byrn Harrell's
chidren
(Left to Right)
Melvin, Nola, Martin Luther, Jim, Arthur, Thelma and
Albert
(left) Waylon
Weeks and Martin Luther Weeks; (Right) Martin Luther
Weeks
Martin Luther with some military buddies
(Left Photo)
Martin Luther on the right; (Right Photo)
Martin Luther on the left
Martin Luther was Honorably
Discharged on 12 Dec 1945.
Music touches our lives in so many ways.
American troops had regular access to radio in all but
the most difficult combat situations, and not only did
soldiers know specific songs, but specific recordings.
This gave a nature to American troops music during WWII,
not as much songs sung around a fire or while marching,
but listened to between combat on Armed Forces Radio.
SONG
YEAR
LISTEN
"Boogie Woogie
Bugle Boy of Company B" (Andrews Sisters)
[If any of the above links are outdated,
please let me know]
WWII military gear for "Military Timeline" at Fort Dobbs,
Statesville, NC
Photo courtesy of Curtis
Loftin
Additional Facts About World War 2 Pacific Theater
01 Apr 1945: (Easter Sunday) L-Day Invasion of Okinawa
The invasion of Okinawa, was the largest amphibious assault of
the Pacific War during WW2. This was the American "last stop" in
the US campain toward the Japanese mainland. From Okinawa,
America could stage a massive invasion of Japan. There was a
line of ships, almost 8 miles wide, closing in on Okinawa. There
were aircraft carriers as far as the eye could see; 15,000 ships
and 500,000 men. American soldiers expect an 80% casualty rate
when they comes ashore, but there are no Japs to be seen.
Okinawa was 70 miles long, with a square-mileage no bigger than
Los Angeles. For three years, the Americans have been pushing
the Japanese back across the Pacific. Okinawa was their last
stand. The Americans coming ahore from their ships, expect the
worst. Instead of enemy fire, they meet an erie silence. They
move cautiously, but there was no sign of the enemy. For the
first few days, the marines march unimpeded through the mid
section of the island and secure it from coast to coast.
Americans believe 100,000 Japanese are defending Okinawa - but
where? Instead of an invasion, it seemed like a vacation. The
Japanese would soon reveal their strategy.
06 Apr 1945: (Easter Sunday) L-Day Invasion of Okinawa
On the nearby islands, the Japs had been fathering every useful
plane and pilot in their arsenal. They take off in waves and
begin a kamikaze-spree that dwarfed anything before or since.
Over the next three days, over 350 enemy planes reek havok on
the American ships. American pilots try to stop then in
dogfights. Navy gunners try to derail them. On 06 Apr alone,
three American ships were sunk and another 15 were hit and
damaged. In the midst of this, news reaches the flont lines that
President Franklin D. Rosevelt was dead. On the bround, troops
were still looking for the Japanese Army and move cautiously.
Suddenly US troops come under fire from machine guns and flame
throwers. Americans have to retreat. Soon after, another company
endured a hailstorm of morters, coming in at more than
1-per-second. US forces were pinned down ar the Suri Line - a
defensive line built in the mountain range by the Japanese. It
was a master stroke of military design. The Japs are invisible
to the approaching marines. The American honeymoon on Okinawas
was over as marines are caught in the crossfire. The Suri Linw
was an 8-mile wide coast-to-coast killing zone. The Japanese
were no longer fighting to win. They wanted to turn Okinawa into
a drawn out blood bath and give Americans a second-thought about
invading Japan. As April turns to May, it's working.
08 May 1945: War Ends in Europe
In the European Theatre, news breaks that the war has ended.
Germany has surrenders.
08 May 1945: L-Plus 37 - Invasion of Okinawa
Hitler was dead, but the battle on Okinawa continued. Japan
would not budge. Some American units were on the front lines for
almost four weeks. Through May, 14,000 troops are pulled back
with non-battle injuries. One officer said, "I can't do it
anymore. I can't send any more boys out there to get killed.
Troops begin to climb the Suri-Line mountain ridge. One half of
the marine company was wounded or killed on the first day.
08 May 1945: L-Plus 37 - Invasion of Okinawa
On Okinawa, the civilians can't escape the war as their lives
are turned into ashes. They stream into US refugee camps, a
1,000 a day. They have no kinship to the Jpanese, no loyalties
to the Americans, and no idea of how to get through this was on
their door step.
12 May 1945: Invasion of Okinawa
Americans throw their biggest hardware at the Suri-Line. 70,000
Japs hold up under ground whild kamikaze-planes keep coming
toward the American ships. The Japs intentionally crashed 1900
planes in suicide dives. They sink 26 ships and damage 164 more.
This was the greatest concentration of Navy loses since Pearl
Harbor. For weeks the US marines fought for the same hill. It
took 9,000 deaths to take the first hill, Sugar Hill. It was one
of the costliest pieces of ground in marine corps history
15 May 1945: Invasion of Okinawa
Rain starts. There was 12 inches in 10 days which impeded tanks
and supplies. Roads became rivers, camps became swamps and war
became impossible. Troops have to carry amunition by hand. The
wounded have to be carried all the way back to the rear medical
unit. Sanitation measures break down and moral sinks among the
American troops. Diarrhea and dysentary abound. The Japs could
retreat into the comfort of their caves. The weather finally
breaks and the Japanese defense of the Suri-Line was crumbling.
US troops pounded this one ridgeline for two months and finally
take it.
17 Jun 1945: Invasion of Okinawa
Following the retreating Japs, the US "burns" its way to the
sea. US troops follow the Japs south, killing 1000 per day. 82
days after L-Day, the Americans declare victory. The US had
12,520 deaths and 36,000 wounded. The Japs had 100,000+ deaths.
One Third (100,000) of the Okinawans have died. America is at
Japan's door steps.
9-10 Mar 1945: US Bombing of Tokyo
The US used air, sea and land to battle the Japanese during WW2.
In March 1945, Major General Curtis Lemay launched 325 "B-29"
bombers headed toward Tokyo. The bombers were flying in groups,
at night, with their lights off and flying low. Crews feared
they were on a suicide mission. This 325 bombers were double the
number ever used in an air raid. The bombers dropped 3,000,000
lbs of incendiary/fire bombs on Tokyo at night. The next
morning, Japan was in shock. There were 100,000 Japanese
casualties, mostly civilians, in the 16 sq/mile bombing attack.
It was the single deadliest day of the Pacific Campaign. Neither
atomic bomb would kill this many people. The purpose of the
bombing was to bring Japan to its knees and force surrender. The
Japanese Empire was on the verge of collapse, but there was no
sign of surrender at this point. Major General Curtis ordered
that incendiary bombs be dropped on 66 additional Japanese
cities. Any city with war industry was targeted. These incendary
bombs killed an additional 500,000 Japanese. Curtis said, "If we
had lost the war, I guess I would have been tried as a war
criminal."
Jul 1945
In the final year of WWII, the Allies prepared for a very costly
invasion of the Japanese mainland. The undertaking was preceded
by a conventional and firebombing campaigh which devastated 67
Japanese cities. The Allies called for the unconditional
surrender of the Imperial Japanes armed forces in the Potsdam
Declaration on 26 Jul 1945, the alternative being "prompt and
utter destruction". Japan ignored the ultimatum and the war
continued. The US incurred 1.25 million casualties during the
war but nearly one million of that number occurred after the war
was over in Europe. America's reserves of manpower were running
out and there was even the consideration of drafting women. At
the same time, the public was becoming war-weary and demanding
that long-serving servicemen be sent home.
06 & 09 Aug 1946: Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
By Aug 1945, the US
had produced two types of atomic bombs. Presiden Herbert Hoover
knew that if the US sent troops to invade Japan, it would cost a
lost of American lives. The Allies issued orders
for atomic bombs to be used on four Japanese cities. The US
detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanes cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 06 Aug and 09 Aug 1945, with the
consent of the UK. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and
226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the
first and only uses of nuclear weapons in armed conflict.
15 Aug 1945: Japan Surrenders
After the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Emperor
Hirohito of Japan surrendered to the Allies on 15 Aug 1945. The
Japanese were in shock and shame. Since the country's ancient
beginnings, it had never know foreign occupation.
02 Sep 1945: Documents signed
General Douglas McArthur was there when Emperor Hirohito signed
the surrender documents at Tokyo Bay on the deck of the American
battleship USS Missouri on 02 Sep 1945, ending the war.
Sep 1945: POWs (Prisoners of War)
140,000 Prisoners of War were finally able to return home. There
were 36,000 POWs in Japan alone. 90% of these had to be carried
out on stretchers. POW conditions were so bad, 1/4 th of Western
POWs had died while in captivity. Japan had planned to kill the
rest of their POWs once the US started the land invasion. Some
were even forced to did their own mass graves.
Sep 1945
General Douglas McArthur continued to work with the Japanese
during the country's restructuring - allowing Hirohito to remain
Emperos. McArthur also floods Japan with 10,000,000 Bibles.
Afterwards
The US maintains American military bases in Japan as part of the
US-Japan Alliance since 1951. Most US military are on Okinawa.
In 2013, there were approximately 26,000 US military personnel
on Okinawa Island - with 32 bases. At one point, Okinawa hoste
approximately 1,200 nuclear warheads.
TOTAL DEATHS:
It's estimated that there were 70,000,000 to 85,000,000 total
deaths during World War II. That was 3% of the entire population
of the world at that time. This makes World War II the deadliest
conflict in human history.
Total Deaths
During World War II by Coutries with the Largest
Numbers
Country
Deaths
Country
Deaths
Australia
40,4000
Indonesia
3,000,000 - 4,000,000
Belgium
88,000
Italy
492,000 - 514,000
China
15,000,000
- 20,000,000
Japan
2,500,000 - 3,100,000
Czechoslovakia
340,000
Korea
483,000 - 533,000
Ethiopia
100,000
Philippines
557,000
Finland
85,000
Poland
5,900,000 -
6,000,000
France
600,000
Romania
500,000
Germany
6,900,000 -
7,400,444
Soviet
Union
20,000,000 - 27,000,000
Hungary
507,000 -
807,000
United
Kingdom
450,900
Greece
507,000 -
807,000
United
States
1,027,000 - 1,700,000
India
2,200,000 -
3,087,000
Vietnam &
Laos
1,000,000 - 2,200,000
Military Pages
Check out all of these Family Genealogy
Military Pages
to see which family members served - as well as when and where
If you have photos or information to share about any of these
Military pages, please contact me using the email address below
or by calling 828-241-2233.
SOURCES
Thanks to Michael "Mike"
Locke McCorkle for sharing information about his lineage through
Maj. General Charles Milton "Sandy" McCorkle. You can contact
Mike at
michael_mccorkle@yahoo.com .