Memorial day is tomorrow and I want to honor just a few of my family's WW2 veterans. This is by no means all of them, but they are representative of the patriotism that existed in all branches of my kin, as it did in nearly all families across America in those days. This is my small way of saying "Thank you for your service and sacrifice."*
A couple of the photos do not reproduce well because they are copies of very small photos which appeared in a yearbook-style book published by The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars shortly after the war was over.
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| Richard Lilburn Samuel |
Richard Lilburn Samuel, first cousin. He was born in De Ann, Hempstead Co., AR on Oct. 28, 1918 to Sidney Bedford and Ora West Coffee Samuel; died Aug. 8, 1968 in Cotton Valley, Webster Parish, LA. He entered the Army in 1941, trained in Camp Croft, S.C., Panama and Camp Pariso, C.Z. He served in Pacific Theater - New Guinea. Awarded Good Conduct Medal and the American Theater Service Medal. Discharged in 1945. Notice that he is wearing only the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB).
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| Lilburn Monroe Braley |
Lilburn Monroe Braley, first cousin once removed, was born in Sarepta, Webster Parish, LA on Nov. 3, 1925. Known as "Dude" to his family, he died on Nov. 2, 2007 in Shongaloo, Webster Parish. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1945 and served in the Pacific on Guam and later in China.
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| Harry D. Coffee |
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Harry Devohn Coffee, uncle, born Nov. 6, 1912 in DeAnn, died Feb. 8, 1989 in Baton Rouge, LA. Harry enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1942 and served in the European Theater earning air medals and numerous citations as a radioman. He was discharged in 1945.
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| Charles Calvin Samuel |
Charles was a brother to Richard. He joined the US Army in 1941 and was discharged in 1942 after serving at Fort Knox in KY. Charles died on Jul. 2, 1957 in New Orleans, LA.
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| Frank Hurley Coffee |
Frank Hurley Coffee, father and brother to Harry, was born Mar. 8, 1910 in DeAnn and died Sep. 4, 1976 in Jefferson, Marion Co., TX. He joined the USAAF in 1942 and trained at Lamesa Army Flying School and at Dalhart, TX. He served in the US and was discharged in 1944.
Clifford Edward Blunt, second cousin once removed, born Jul. 23, 1916 in Grady Co., OK, died Apr. 26, 1997 in Gregg Co., TX. She served in the USAAF, discharged as a Master Sgt. His enlistment record is inaccurate in that his birthdate is given as 1845 and place of enlistment as Georgia. (No photo available)
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| James Elton Braley |
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James Elton Braley, first cousin once removed, born Sarepta on Dec. 9, 1909, died Sep. 24, 1974 in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, LA. He enlisted in the USAAF on Oct. 13, 1942 and served in the US. He was discharged in 1945.
*See also:
http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2010/05/capt-loy-grady-coffey-usaaf-wwii.html and
http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2010/05/red-ryder.html
No. 995
