Duplin WWII ID's sought
By Staff Reports
Published in News on May 9, 2010 1:50 AM
The Duplin County Historical Society still is trying to identify all Duplin men who died in World War II.
The names of the following men appear on one or more lists as being from Duplin County, but they have not been confirmed as having any ties to Duplin County.
Anyone having information on any of these men is requested to contact Charles Ingram in Kenansville at (910) 296-1111.
*Basden, Jessie; private, U.S. Army; born 1910; died of disease non-battle.
*Best, Melvin.
*Binch, Jack N.; technician fourth class, U.S. Army; died of disease non-battle.
*Blanton, Kenneth Allen; private, U.S. Army; born Jan. 19 1925; killed in action April 29, 1945; buried in Blanton or Teachey family cemetery near Magnolia, but may have been from Pender County.
*Carter, Herbert Lee; private first class, U.S. Army; born 1921; killed in action June 21, 1944; may have been from Sampson County.
*Holbrook, Chesterfield C.; private first class, U.S. Army; born 1923; killed in action; may have been from Wilkes County or Forsyth County.
*Jordan, Richard Franklin; Turkey; private, U.S. Army; born Oct. 22, 1921; killed in action in Normandy, France July 14, 1944; buried in Pinecrest Cemetery, Warsaw; may have been from Sampson County.
*Partin, Raymond P.; technician fifth class, U.S. Army Air Forces; born circa 1922; killed in action in Tunisia, North Africa Nov. 27, 1943; may have been from Grundy County, Tenn.
*Ransom, James E.; private first class, U.S. Army; born 1922; killed in action in Belgium Feb. 24, 1945
*Rodgers, Wade H.; corporal, U.S. Army; born 1918; killed in action; may have been from South Carolina.
*Smith, Horace H.
*Stuart, Oscar L.; technical sergeant, U.S. Army; born 1911; killed in action; may have been from Montgomery County.
The Duplin County Historical Society is leading the effort to raise funds to purchase a granite monument to be placed on the courthouse grounds as a permanent memorial in honor of those who died in World War II.
The design has not been completed, but it is anticipated that the monument will contain the name of each man, along with his home town, rank, branch of service, and dates of birth and death.
It is estimated that such a monument will cost $15,000 to $20,000. Those who would like to contribute may send checks to the Duplin County Historical Society, P. O. Box 775, Kenansville, NC 28349.
In conjunction with the dedication of the monument, the Historical Society plans to publish a book containing biographical sketches and photographs of the men who died in World War II.
In addition to the usual information contained in such biographical sketches, we want to include personal reminiscences and stories from family and friends, along with military and civilian photographs.
To aid in the research, the historical society is trying to identify and contact surviving wives, children, siblings, other family members, and his friends from childhood, high school and the military.
For further information, contact Charles M. Ingram, Historical Society Past President, in Kenansville, telephone 910-296-1111.