World War II

Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait -
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have withstood the time, and the hate.
Mute witness to a time of much trouble.
Where kill or be killed was the law -
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?
Many times I've wanted to ask them -
And now that we're here all alone,
Relics all three of a long ago war -
Where has freedom gone?

Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,
Guard it with care and with love.
I salute my old friends in the corner,
I agree with all they have said -
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or By God, I'll be dead!

Poem by Audie Murphy, Medal of Honor Recipient

Contributed by Colonel Dan Cedusky, Retired, "Many years ago I quoted the 2nd paragraph in a speech I gave … a group of veterans in Carlinville IL saw an article about it and wrote me on how to get permission to use it in granite, on a veterans memorial they were planning/building. I wrote the widow, and she replied ok to use. I ended up as the guest speaker at its dedication in front of a veterans post in Carlinville. The paper printed the entire speech. I accidently found the poem online … and decided to send it to you."

Those Who Served

HICKEN, Victor ~ (28 Sep 1921 - 08 Apr 2010) author. "During WWII, Hicken was officer in charge of one of the very first landing craft to hit the beach at Dog Green, the naval landing site located at the heavily fortified Vierville, France sector of Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His LCT(A) craft was specially designed to carry explosive elements to destroy beach obstacles before the arrival of the first United States and British infantry units. The German fortification and defense of the beach was so intense that of the first 250 Allied soldiers to land on that sector, only thirty survived the first five minutes of the fighting without injury or death. The Allied landing at this spot was portrayed in the movie, "Saving Private Ryan." Hicken's craft was so damaged that it was beached at its landfall and he was forced to stay with the vessel for the ensuing six weeks. The ship's clock, which was stopped at 0630, and the bullet-ridden American flag which flew at the mast were saved by Hicken and are kept by the family as reminders of that deadly and historic encounter. He later was assigned to the Pacific, where his ship endured two typhoons and he witnessed the last Kamikaze attack at Okinawa. Hicken's experiences in WWII were chronicled in the book, Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944, by Joseph Balkoski." (extracted from his obituary) more about Victor Hicken

MALNAR, John Marion "Big John" ~ Born 18 Oct 1926 in Benld, son of George J and Barbara B Malnar. Sergeant Major from Sawyerville enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, earning two Bronze Stars, four Purple Hearts, and two Silver Stars. He was killed in action during the battle of Daido on May 2, 1968, in Quang Tri, Vietnam. He is honored on Panel 54E, Line 11 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Ordering WWII records

Standard Form 180 - instructions and links for downloading the form are at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
You generally need to include proof of death or proof you are related.
Send completed Standard Form 180 to
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
The files have some personal information, but usually not much of genealogical value.
Bear in mind that in the 1960's there was a fire at the National Personnel Records Center building in St Louis and some WWII records were destroyed.
Service is very slow - often 3 to 6 months.

Contributed by John Scroggins