Germans. First local soldier into the Normandy invasion was Clift J. Wikenhauser, with Headquarters Company of the 401st Glider Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division, whose glider dropped out of the skies in the early morning of D day, June 6, 1944, and who won the Bronze Star for gallantry when he took command of his platoon after the platoon leader was killed. First El Pasoan over the Rhine River was Willard B. Carver, whose 9th Armored Division took the first bridge at Remagen intact before the Germans had a chance to blow it up. Our most seriously wounded veteran is Marion Altum, who suffered total disability and now lives in Normal.

Like those of the other wars who lost their lives during the service, the heroic dead of World War II must ever be remembered as representing the highest of American traditions. These were:

Albert Aldrich Virgil D. Hepperly Thomas D. Robbins

Richard W. Ball Richard R. Hibbs Clayton Schofield

John L. Berry Robert G. Hilger Leonard L. Schrader

Grover S. Brines Edward T. Kearney George W. Schroeder

Cyrus C. Coyle Richard W. King Aldred Skaggs

Nellie Crout Owen L. McClane Edward A. Stimpert

Vernon L. Davis John J. McGuire Lloyd A. Stoller

Leo Elkin Donald S. Nohren Victor H. Stortz

Charles W. Gerth, Jr. Charles L. Robbins Howard F. Vogel

The most unusual of America's wars was the Korean conflict, which was at first termed a police action, but which in point of duration and casualties must now be considered our fourth greatest war. Many young men of our community served, a great per cent being veterans of World War II. Eighteen of the first to go were members of an El Paso reserve unit, Battery A, 831st Field Artillery. That unit used Michel's Hall for an armory, and the members were called individually to serve another two years just as they were once more getting established in their jobs and businesses. In addition, three or four other El Pasoans were called back to active duty as members of the 144th Battalion of the 44th Division's Anti-Aircraft Artillery, a Bloomington armory unit. A host of others served by enlistment or by draft.

Although we had a large number in service, only Donald Miller of Kappa lost his life. He was wounded in Korea Christmas day, 1951 and died of his wounds months later after being returned to various hospitals in the United States. Thus, our local casualties were on a much lower percentage basis than in World War II.

Women served for the first time in the armed services during World War II and the Korean conflict. Prior to 1942 when the Woman's Army Corps was formed, with comparable branches in the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, women had served only in the Army and Navy Nurses' Corps. Some of our girls attained considerable rank; Capt.. Nellie Crout lost her life in New Guinea while serving as head nurse of the 13th General Hospital. Major Ruth Shadewaldt had two overseas tours of duty and is still in service as a career soldier. The list of women who served is a long one in addition to the two above:

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