Veterans in the Family

Grandpa - Rolland Victor Phend - WWI

1917-1919
saw duty in France, was gassed

photo taken in June 1983

Dad - Jack William Wiseman - WWII

1943 - 1946
saw duty in the Pacific arena with the 511th

Brother - Charles Douglas Wiseman

1964-1968
Hospital Corpsman, served with the Marines at Camp Lejeune

Brother - Jack Lynn Wiseman

1969-1973
Hospital Corpsman, served with the Marines in San Diego

me - Becky Wiseman

1969-1979
Photographers Mate, numerous duty stations

You can read more about the military service of ancestors and others in my family in this post from 2007.

Published under a Creative Commons License.
Becky Wiseman, "Veterans in the Family," Kinexxions, posted November 11, 2012 (http://kinexxions.blogspot.com/2012/11/veterans-in-family.html : accessed [access date])

Honoring All Who Served

Armistice Day. 1918. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The end of "The Great War" thought then to be the "war to end all wars" but sadly, it was not to be. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day. It is a day meant for honoring all American Veterans; the living as well as the dead; those who served in wartime and those who served during peaceful times.

The above poster is in the Public Domain and is from the website of The Department of Veterans Affairs aka Veterans Administration.

On May 28, 2007 I posted a list of The Veterans in my Family, which primarily consisted of members of my immediate family as well as ancestors and a few of their siblings who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States from Vietnam to the Revolutionary War.

I am honored and grateful to have had so many relatives and ancestors fight for our Freedom during War or serve to protect that Freedom during the all too short times of peace. I may not always agree with the policies of our government but I will always support our soldiers and our veterans!

A few years ago, I gathered information and photographs of the 21 soldiers from Whitley County, Indiana who were killed, or died as a result of injuries, during World War I. Those stories were then published on my (now neglected) Whitley County Kinexxions blog.

If you scroll down to the bottom of the list of labels on that blog you will see several “WWI” labels that will lead you to newspaper articles that were published in the Columbia City Post 1917-1919 regarding The War and The Soldiers.

Honoring Those Who Served

Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas May 6, 2011

Today is Memorial Day, The Day in which we honor those Veterans who have given their Lives for our Freedom.

Thankfully, I've had only a few ancestors who actually died while serving their country, but (also thankfully) I've had a lot of ancestors and family members who have served in the military.

I've written a bit about them before so here are the links to those previous posts:

The Veterans in my Family ~ Immediate family members and ancestors who have served from before Vietnam to the Revolution.

More Veterans in my Family - Part One ~ Siblings of ancestors who were Veterans of the War of 1812 and the Civil War

More Veterans in my Family - Part Two ~ Spanish American War and World War I Veterans who are related to me in some way.

More Veterans in my Family - Part Three ~ Veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. A few of these I actually have met!

To all of the men and women now serving in the United States and around the World to protect our Freedom, I say Thank You! And to all those young men and women who have given their lives while serving our country, Thank You is not enough, but I say it anyway! Thank You.

Dad and the 511th

Originally posted on September 13, 2007.
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On February 19th 1943, just 3 weeks after his 19th birthday, Jack William Wiseman was inducted into the U. S. Army. A week later he entered active service at Toledo, Ohio.

At about that same time the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. A processing system was set up for screening the volunteers for Parachute duty from all over the country. Every man was interviewed and had to meet the Regiment’s high standards prior to his acceptance. Only 35% of the volunteers met those requirements. Since most of the men had come to the Regiment straight from induction, their entire training, from Basic on up, was of Airborne design. The Regiment was sent to Camp Mackall, North Carolina for 17 weeks of Basic training. Following that training, the 511th journeyed to Fort Benning, Georgia for three weeks jump training. Following Parachute School the Regiment returned to Camp Mackall for Advanced Training.

Apparently, within the upper echelons of the War Department, there was some concern about the effectiveness of and need for large Airborne units. A special test maneuver was ordered for the 11th Airborne Division and it took place for five days during the first week of December 1943. This included a nighttime parachute, glider, infantry, and artillery demonstration. The objective of the division was to capture the Knollwood Airport in North Carolina; thereafter, this exercise became known as the Knollwood Maneuvers. The success of these Maneuvers was very instrumental in the continued use of Airborne troops during the remainder of World War II.

Early in January of 1944, the Division went to Camp Polk, Louisiana, and engaged in additional maneuvers. In April, they traveled by train to Camp Stoneman, California. On May 8, 1944, the 511th departed on the SS Sea Pike with about 2,000 troopers that had been disguised as a "Straight Leg" infantry unit. The ship had been built by the Western Pipe and Steel Corp. and launched in February 1943. It was 492 feet long, with a beam of 70 feet. She drew 29 feet of water and her steam engines pushed her at 17 knots. On May 28, 1944 the Regiment arrived at Oro Bay, New Guinea.

Through October, the 511th was in strategic reserve in New Guinea. During this time they conducted airborne, jungle and amphibious training. On Nov. 7, 1944 the Regiment departed New Guinea on the USS Cavalier for the Philippines. His separation papers show that Dad was involved in campaigns in New Guinea, the South Philippines Liberation, and Luzon. The History of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (link at bottom) provides details of the battles in which the 511th Regiment participated. Not all companies participated in all of those battles. His record shows that Dad was wounded in action on February 8, 1945 at Luzon. It was not a serious wound however.

In May 1945, the division moved into a rest and training camp near Lipa, Luzon where preparations began in earnest for the invasion of Japan. However, on August 6, 1945, the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, followed by the detonation of the "Fat Man" nuclear bomb over Nagasaki on August 9th.

Two days later, the Regiment departed Luzon and was flown to Okinawa. On August 30th the 511th arrived at Atsugi Air Base near Yokohama to occupy the city and guard the docks from which the peace delegation left for the signing of the Armistice. On September 2, 1945 the Japanese formally surrendered during ceremonies onboard the battleship USS Missouri which was docked in Tokyo Bay on the island of Honshu. Two weeks later, the 511th moved to Morioka, Japan to begin the occupation of Iwate and Aomori Prefectures in Northern Honshu. Although some of the troops of the 511th remained in Japan, Dad returned to the states in December 1945 and was separated from service on January 26, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana having served 2 years 11 months and 3 days, a little more than half of that time had been foreign service.

My Dad never talked about his military service to us kids, even after we were adults. There was only one time, when I was still in high school, that he brought out his box of memorabilia. There wasn't much. A few medals, a couple of pictures, some currency that we called funny money (15 bills of varying denominations), and a small flag. It was a Japanese flag that he had picked up after a battle; it had some dark stains on it that he said was the blood of the "Jap" that he had taken it off of. After he had shown that to us he immediately put everything away again. I don't know what happened to the little flag, but I now have his medals, pictures (unidentified, of course) and papers. I do remember, when we were little, for several summers we went to the Goshen Air Show. We'd meet up with some of his "buddies" and their families. Dad also had two rifles from the war. Mom said that after a particularly rough time, he threatened to commit suicide and she made him get rid of the guns. It was at about that time that we quit going to the air shows.

In May 1977, I was transferred to the Naval Air Station at Yokusuka, Japan. I knew Dad had been in Japan and asked him about it but he still wouldn't talk about his time in the service. It wasn't until after he passed away that I found out the details, from his separation papers and some magazine articles. In 1993, he had joined the 511th Parachute Infantry Association and amongst his papers were eight issues of "Winds Aloft" which is their quarterly publication. It has some very interesting and informative articles, some written by men that were in his company. After having read some of those articles, I think I now know why he didn't want to speak of his experiences.



These pictures have seen better days. My Dad is the young man on the left in the first picture. None of his pictures are captioned so I don't know where or when they were taken.



Currency issued by the Japanese Government while they occupied the Philipines during the war. The Filipinos called it "Mickey Mouse" money due to the fact that it was similar to play money and next to worthless.



The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division. Decorations and Citations that Dad received included: American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific with 3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Award, Bronze Arrowhead, and Victory Medal.



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A list of veterans in my family was posted May 28, 2007.

Revolutionary Ancestors

Several of my ancestors were wounded while in service during the Revolutionary War and one was killed in battle. These men, and their families, were dedicated to the concepts of freedom and willing to give up everything to attain it. We are indebted to them and to all who have served this country!

William Alexander (4th great grandfather). Lived in the area of Cecil County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Enlisted July 24, 1776. By March of 1777, he was a 1st Lieutenant of the 7th Battalion of the Maryland Regulars Regiment. He served in the 5th Company. He was killed on Aug 27, 1777 on the 2nd day of battle at "Landing Head of Elk" Maryland. His son, William Washington Alexander was only six months old when his father was killed. [This information came from another researcher.]

James Ball (4th great grandfather). In his Pension claim W8336, James stated "That he, the said James Ball enlisted in 1776 in the state of Virginia. Hampshire Cty in the company commanded by Captain William Voss of the 12th Virginia Regt commanded by Col James Woods; that he continued in the service of the United States until 1779 for three years, when he was discharged from service in Frederick Town state of Maryland; that he was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Stoney Point - and recd two wounds at the battle of Brandywine…" When he enlisted on August 20, 1776 James Ball was 27 years old. James was married to Margaret "Peggy" Bray in 1771 and they had 11 children. They would move to what would become Owen County, Kentucky after the revolution.

Henry Bray (5th great grandfather). Henry signed the "Patriot's Oaths of Fidelity and Support" on March 16, 1778 in Washington County, Maryland. He has been accepted as a DAR patriot. File number 3185877. After the Revolution, Henry, along with many of his grown children, moved to what would become Nelson County, Kentucky.

John Bray (4th great grandfather, son of Henry Bray). At age 16, John enlisted in September 1777 at Romney, Hampshire County, Virginia. He served as a Private in Captain William Voss' Company, 12th Virginia Regiment serving alongside his brother-in-law James Ball. John was wounded during the battle of Brandywine (Delaware) and fought at Monmouth and Stoney Point. He was discharged in 1780 in Yorktown, Pennsylvania. Pension claim W4145.

Johann Heinrich "Henry" Coy/Kau/Cow/Cowe (5th great grandfather). Henry served from Washington County, Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania along with his brothers Jacob and Frederick. [This information came from another researcher.]

John Goodrich (6th great grandfather). John marched for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775. He also served as a Private in Capt. Hezekiah Wells' Company, Colonel Erastus Wollcotts' Regiment January-March 1776. DAR No. 592151 through Juanita (Mrs. Eugene) Beard.

Joseph Joslin (6th great grandfather). On page 125 of the "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" (1961), Edith Wessler says that Joseph was a Lieutenant in the Revolution. On page 106 in "Blackman and Allied Families" author Alfred L. Holman says that Joseph was a Sergeant in the Revolution. Joseph's tombstone says "In memory of Lieut. Joseph Joslin..." I have not done any further research to prove or disprove these claims so if he served during the revolution, I don't know where or when or in what capacity.

Thomas Sprague (4th great grandfather). Resided at Union, Tolland County, Connecticut. Thomas served for 21 days on an expedition to Stillwater and Saratoga as a private in Capt. Christopher Banister's Company, Col. Ezra May's Regiment. He enlisted September 20, 1777 and was discharged October 5, 1777. Thomas and his family moved to Mount Vernon in what would become Knox County, Ohio. [This information came from another researcher.]

Jacob Van Keuren (6th great grandfather). Though only 15 years old at the start of the Revolution, he served in the Fourth Regiment from Ulster County, New York. A brother, Hendricus Jr, was killed in 1777 while serving in the same regiment. [This information came from another researcher.]

Memorial Day :: Remembering

My grandfather Rolland Victor Phend, shown in a 1983 photo with his WWI portrait, enlisted in the United States Army on September 19, 1917 as a substitute for a man who had been drafted. He was very proud of the fact that he had enlisted rather than waiting to be drafted. Grandpa was sent overseas shortly after his basic training and served in France with Company C, 309th Engineers. By the time he was discharged on June 19, 1919 he had achieved the rank of Sergeant. Grandpa suffered from the affects of gas poisoning for the remainder of his life, astounding physician's who said he wouldn't live beyond the age of 30 - he passed away on June 18, 1991 just one day before his 98th birthday!

Stories about Grandpa:

• Two Fellows Home From Camp Taylor
• Vic Phend Writes From France
• Grandpa Vic :: a Biography
• Grandpa Vic and Some Grandkids
• Grandpa's Candy

Grandpa is buried at South Park Cemetery in Whitley County, Indiana next to his parents and two brothers.

My Grandfather is just one of the many ancestors and relatives who have served their country in the military. The post, The Veterans in my Family, briefly describes my ancestors and their siblings who served during nearly all of the wars in which the United States was involved.

Last year I went through my genealogy database in an attempt to find all relatives that had served in the U. S. military, these are the ones that I know of, I'm sure there are others.

• War of 1812 and the Civil War
• Spanish American War and World War I
• World War II, Korea, and Vietnam

This past Friday, I took my Mother to visit the graves of family members buried in Whitley County, leaving little bouquets along the way. She tires easily, so after taking her back home, I continued my cemetery tour into neighboring Kosciusko County visiting the grave sites of ancestors on my Dad's side of the family. We really couldn't have asked for a nicer day with a cloudless blue sky and temperatures in the upper 70s. It was a perfect day!

Tombstone Tuesday :: Perry and Retha Wiseman

Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill, Whitley County, Indiana

WISEMAN
RETHA J. / 1917-1989
PERRY M. / 1906-1968

PERRY M WISEMAN
INDIANA
CPL CO B 17 TANK BN
WORLD WAR II
AUG 3 1906 JULY 6 1968

Photographs taken July 31, 2008.
Copyright © 2008 by Rebeckah R. Wiseman

Perry Martin Comfort Wiseman was the first-born child of Elsie Shuder and Charles Wilson Wiseman. My father, Jack William Wiseman, was the youngest of their eight children, born in January 1924.

Uncle Perry's obituary was published in the Warsaw Times Union on July 9, 1968.

Perry M. Wiseman, 61, of Blue Lake, R1 Churubusco, died of complications at 4:30 a.m. today in the St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he had been admitted on Sunday.

Born August 3, 1906 in Tippecanoe Twp., Kosciusko County, Mr. Wiseman was the son of Charles W. and Elsie (Shuder) Wiseman. He spent his formative years in the Barbee Lakes Community and served in the US Army during WWII. On February 6, 1954 he united in marriage with Retha Juanita Wallace who survives. He had been an employee of the Weatherhead Company in Columbia City for several years.

In addition to his widow, he is survived by 3 brothers; Leslie, R2 South Whitley; Emery, R1 Warsaw; Jack, North Webster; and 2 sisters, Mrs. Walter Tobias and Mrs. Carl Conrad, both of Nappanee.

Final rites will be conducted at 2 pm Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home in Columbia City. Rev. Chester Reed will officiate and interment will be in the Lakeview cemetery at Larwill. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 pm Wednesday.

Aunt Retha's obituary was published May 1, 1989 in the Warsaw Times Union.

Retha J. Wiseman, 72, formerly of 840 Plantation Drive, Columbia City, died in Meadowhaven Nursing Home in Butler, Indiana on Saturday April 29, 1989. She was born January 25, 1917, in Richland Township, Whitley county, to William and Georgia L. Cummins Rindfusz. She married Perry Wiseman, who died July 8, 1968. She was a 1935 graduate of Larwill High School and moved to Columbia City in 1968. She was retired from Dana Weatherhead Division in Columbia City. She was also a member of the Pioneer Club and the Quarter Century Club.

Survivors include one niece, Nedra Budd, Pleasant Lane; one brother-in-law, Wheeler Rager, Pierceton; two great-nephews; and three great-nieces. Two sisters preceded her in death.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with the Rev. Joseph Smith officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview cemetery, Larwill.

More Veterans in my Family - Part Three

Armistice Day. 1918. The 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. The end of "The Great War" thought then to be the "war to end all wars" but alas, it was not to be. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, a day meant for honoring all American Veterans, the living as well as the dead, those who served in wartime and those who served during peaceful times.

On May 28, 2007 I posted a list of The Veterans in my Family, which primarily consisted of members of my immediate family as well as my ancestors and a few of their siblings who had served in the Armed Forces of the United States.I've spent some time over the last two days going through my genealogy database looking for other relatives that served in the U. S. Military.

Very little is known about most of these men and women (just two women). For many of them, all it stated in their obituary was that they were a veteran of a war with no details given, not even the name of the unit in which they served. (Sources will be provided upon request.)

The format of the data is:
Name of Veteran (date of birth - date of death)
Service information, if known.
Residence at time of death.
Relationship to me.

An * after the relationship indicates that I actually knew (or know) the person.

The first post in this series, includes Veterans of the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
The second post covers the Spanish American War and World War I Veterans.
This post lists the Veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

~ WORLD WAR II ~

Harold V. Bailey (March 25, 1909 - September 25, 1979)
A veteran of World War II
Huntington, Huntington County, Indiana
Husband of 3rd Cousin Once Removed, Bonnieta Ream

Don Beard (May 9, 1922 - November 7, 1981)
A World War II Veteran.
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
4th Cousin Twice Removed

Robert S. Blain (October 8, 1909 - June 8, 1995)
World War II Air Force veteran.
New Haven, Allen County, Indiana
3rd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Thagras A. Burns (February 19, 1917 - October 27, 2008)
Served in the U.S. Navy for three years as a Lieutenant during World War II. Destroyer Gunnery Officer, participated in the invasions of Normandy and Southern France.
Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
1st Cousin Twice Removed*

Gene Romain Brubaker (August 18, 1925 - 15 February 15, 1983)
Served in the Navy during World War II
Veterans Hospital, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
1st Cousin Once Removed

Floyd Francis Dodd (August 5, 1923 - September 5, 2003)
U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II
Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
3rd Cousin Once Removed

Wendell W. Fetters (May 11, 1922 - September 17, 1996)
A World War II Army veteran.
Bremen, Marshall County, Indiana
Husband of 3rd Cousin, Marilynn Joan Phend*

Merle LeRoy Fisher (June 5, 1903 - September 23, 1981)
A veteran of the U. S. Navy, serving in World War II
Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana
2nd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Herbert Edward Fry (May 22, 1920 - March 9, 1994)
Enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 16, 1943 and was discharged on Sept. 18, 1945.
Whitley County, Indiana
3rd Cousin Twice Removed

Six brothers served simultaneously during WWII (3rd Cousin 3 Times Removed)
Clyde Dalton Goodrich (January 4, 1926 - March 13, 2006)
Esta Orville Goodrich (May 5, 1920 - January 13, 1976)
Fay Leroy Goodrich (October 28, 1917 - January 11, 1993)
Gerald Goodrich (living)
Harold Edward Goodrich (May 28, 1927 - October 28, 1950)
Kenneth Goodrich (living)

David Hugh Hockert (January 29, 1917 - March 6, 1983)
Army veteran of World War II.
Nappanee, Elkhart County, Indiana
Husband of 3rd Cousin Once Removed, Jeanette Richmond

Jay Herbert Howenstine (December 26, 1926 - March 10, 1986)
A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.
North Webster, Kosciusko County, Indiana
4th Cousin Once Removed

John William Kaufman (October 24, 1917 - May 2, 1998)
Enlisted in the Air Force in 1940, serving five years with the 59th bomber squadron as a gunner stationed in Panama through World War II. Discharged as a staff sergeant in September, 1945.
Jefferson Township, Whitley County, Indiana
Husband of 4th Cousin Once Removed, Mildred Howenstine

Verlin Lester McClain (December 16, 1915 - December 23, 1965)
Veteran of World War II
South Bend, Saint Joseph County, Indiana
Husband of 3rd Cousin Twice Removed, Ferne Dunfee

Ellis Revere McNabb (May 12, 1900 - July 1, 1953)
Enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 26, 1922. During World War II he served in the South Pacific, having fought in the battles on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, Pelelieu and Palau Islands. He served on active duty until May 1948.
Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana
3rd Cousin Twice Removed

Merle Louis Pepple (July 25, 1924 - December 9, 1997)
World War II Navy veteran.
Hicksville, Defiance County, Ohio
Husband of 1st Cousin Once Removed, Betty Phend*

Elmo Lowell Phend (April 15, 1918 - July 22, 2003)
Served in the Navy from July 30, 1942 to December 5, 1945 and in the Army from December 5, 1946 through December 19, 1966. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal Japan, the Korean Service Medal with 5 bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal with 3 loops, Expert Carbine, and the National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Cluster.
Richmond, Virginia
2nd Cousin Once Removed

Keith Eugene Phend (March 4, 1922 - October 25, 1943)
Enlisted in the Navy on September 28, 1942. Killed in an airplane crash while in training at the Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
1st Cousin Once Removed

Elmer J Phend (living)
Enlisted in the Army on June 5, 1941
Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Once Removed*

George W. Phend (September 6, 1920 - April 26, 1990)
Served in the Army.
North Redington Beach, Pinellas County, Florida
2nd Cousin Once Removed

Jacob J Phend (May 11, 1920 - May 31, 2006)
Served with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Theater
Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana
1st Cousin Twice Removed*

James Edward Phend (September 27, 1918 - March 22, 1967)
Enlisted in the Army on November 17, 1942. A veteran of both WWII and the Korean War, he received the Purple Heart after he was wounded during invasions in both European and Korean theaters. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor in both WWII and the Korean War.
Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Once Removed

Parker H Phend (April 26, 1918 - October 3, 1985)
Enlisted in the Army on October 27, 1942
Milford, Kosciusko County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Once Removed

Charles Edwin Remy (Sep 8, 1916 - 1944)
Killed in France during World War II.
Husband of 2nd Cousin Once Removed, Mary Alice Phend

Harry Wayne Richmond (Oct 4, 1910 - May 28, 1976)
Army veteran of World War II
Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana
3rd Cousin Once Removed

Dallas C. Shaw (living ?)
Served with the Army in France during WWII
3rd Cousin Once Removed

DeWayne Shaw (living ?)
Served with the Army in Italy during WWII. When his father died in May 1964, he was a Sergeant First Class serving with the Army in Nuremberg, Germany.
3rd Cousin Once Removed

William Morris Sites (May 31, 1917 - October 15, 2000)
During WWII, served with the U. S. Army in Europe.
Shelby, Richland County, Ohio
3rd Cousin Twice Removed

Raymond Cecil Stemm (November 18, 1925 - April 24, 1980)
He served with the U. S. Army in World War II, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
3rd Cousin Twice Removed

Wayne Stemm (May 12, 1916 - January 16, 2000)
Served in the Army.
Cherokee Village, Arkansas
2nd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Robert Laverne Walker (September 1, 1927 - October 4, 1989)
In August of 1945 he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was discharged from the Navy in September of 1948.
Columbia City, Indiana
Husband of 1st cousin Once Removed*

William J. Wertzberger (November 6, 1912 - December 30, 1985)
Served in the 3rd Marine Division in the South Pacific during World War II.
Died at Tyler, Smith County, Texas. Formerly of Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana.
2nd Cousin Twice Removed

Tyrus A. Winebrenner (November 26, 1926 - November 12, 2000)
Served in the Army during WWII and was honorably discharged October 27, 1946
Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana
Husband of 1st Cousin Once Removed, Evelyn Phend*

David Franklin "Frank" Yarian (August 8, 1922 - May 31, 1971)
His military service was not mentioned in his obituary but the 1944 article below about his brother Robert states that Frank was stationed at Miami, Florida., after having been around the world several times on air transport duty.
Angola, Steuben County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Twice Removed

Genevieve Yarian Arrants (May 11, 1916 - Jan 1996)
Served as an Army Nurse in Germany and Italy for several years during World War II.
Austin, Travis County, Texas
2nd Cousin Twice Removed

Jacob Eugene Yarian (July 21, 1918 - August 22, 1995)
He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. The 1944 article about his brother Robert stated that Eugene was in New Guinea, having served for over two years in the southwest Pacific.
Attica, Warren County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Twice Removed

Robert George Yarian (July 12, 1923 - June 7, 1978)
Wakarusa, Elkhart County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Twice Removed
Nappanee Advance News, Elkhart County, Indiana (Thursday) January 27, 1944
Nappanee Boy Reported As Missing. A telegram was received by Mrs. Hazel Yarian, at Sarasota, Fla., on Monday of this week from the war department informing her S/Sgt. Robert G. Yarian was missing in action over Germany as of Jan. 11th, last. Mrs. Yarian went to Florida about two weeks ago with a group of friends and expected to spend the winter there, where she would be close to another son, Frank, who is now in an aviation school in Miami, Fla.
Upon entering the service Robert was assigned to Scott Field, Ill., where he was given special instruction as a ball turret gunner and radio man. He went to England in August and since that time had participated in at least fifteen raids over Germany and the occupied territories in western Europe. He had been awarded an air medal as well as the Oak Leaf cluster for bravery in action. He had written home folks under date of January 1st that he was nearing the required number of raids to make him eligible for a furlough back to the states and was looking forward to this end. It is believed he was on a daylight raid from which his craft failed to return and there is strong hopes his plane was forced down and the crew made prisoners, but no information could be given at this time.
Robert is one of a fighting family, he having two brothers and a sister in the service. Frank is now stationed at Miami, Fla., after having been around the world several times on air transport duty; Eugene is in New Guinea, having served for over two years in the southwest Pacific, and a sister, Mrs. Genevieve Arrants is a nurse and at present is on duty in Italy.

~ KOREA and VIETNAM ~

Warren Gillette Dawson (February 25, 1929 - May 5, 1993)
Veteran of the Korean War
South Bend, Saint Joseph County, Indiana
Husband of 2nd Cousin Once Removed, Enid Phend

Dale Eugene Ernest (February 6, 1933 - June 17, 2001)
He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army.
Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Once Removed*

James Elmore Fry (November 9, 1933 - April 6, 1995)
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Syracuse, Kosciusko County, Indiana
3rd Cousin Twice Removed

Audra Dea Marshall Kutz (August 7, 1927 - May 29, 1993)
Denver, Denver County, Colorado
Served in the Marines as a disbursing officer and was a veteran of the Korean War.
Wife of 2nd Cousin Twice Removed, Richard Earl Kutz

Richard Earl Kutz (July 25, 1928 - January 9, 1996)
Retired from the Marine Corps. Served during the Korean War and Vietnam War.
Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado
2nd Cousin Twice Removed

Donald Lee Meier (Oct 21, 1931 - Oct 12, 1966)
He was a member of the American Legion when he died. Have not found dates of service yet, probably Korea.
Whitley County, Indiana
3rd Cousin Twice Removed

More Veterans in my Family - Part Two

Armistice Day. 1918. The 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. The end of "The Great War" thought then to be the "war to end all wars" but alas, it was not to be. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, a day meant for honoring all American Veterans, the living as well as the dead, those who served in wartime and those who served during peaceful times.

On May 28, 2007 I posted a list of The Veterans in my Family, which primarily consisted of members of my immediate family as well as my ancestors and a few of their siblings who had served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

I've spent some time over the last two days going through my genealogy database looking for other relatives that served in the U. S. Military. Very little is known about most of these men and women (just two women). For many of them, all it stated in their obituary was that they were a veteran of a war with no details given, not even the name of the unit in which they served. The 1930 census indicated that some of them were veterans of the Spanish American War or World War I. (Sources will be provided upon request.)

The format of the data is:
Name of Veteran (date of birth - date of death)
Service information, if known.
Residence at time of death.
Relationship to me.

The first post in this series, includes Veterans of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. This post covers the Spanish American War and World War I Veterans.

~ SPANISH AMERICAN WAR ~

Charles H. Dunfee (September 1866 - April 1, 1921)
Oakland, California
1st Cousin 4 Times Removed

Dewitt Caswell Fisher (November 19, 1872 - March 13, 1941)
Lived in Seattle, King County, Washington in 1930.
1st Cousin 3 Times Removed

William Allen Lynch (April 13, 1879 - December 22, 1939)
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898 he enlisted, and was assigned to Co. M of the 50th regiment of the marine corps. Subsequently he served four years in the Philippines.
Died at the Veteran's hospital at Hines, Illinois. His home was in Elkhart, Indiana
Husband of 2nd Cousin Twice Removed, Goldine Alice Wilson

John F. Richmond (Apr 1878 - May 6, 1938)
Veteran of Spanish American War.
Nappanee, Elkhart County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Twice Removed

Charles Jay Shidler (September 30, 1876 - August 18, 1943)
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he enlisted at Spokane, Washington as a member of Co. L, Third Batallion.
Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio
2nd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Charles Sylvester Joslin (March 4, 1879 - April 25, 1934)
Enlisted in the Army September 27, 1902 and discharged September 26, 1905
National Military Home in Kansas City
1st Cousin 3 Times Removed

~ WORLD WAR I ~

George H. Beam (July 28, 1893 - August 26, 1962)
Died at the Veteran's Hospital in Fort Wayne, resided in Wabash, Indiana
Husband of 2nd Cousin 3 Times Removed, Esther Hoffman

Orville C. Briggs (December 27, 1892 - October 27, 1983)
He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1917 and served as a dentist with the base hospital unit at Camp Crane, Allentown, Penn., while preparing for overseas duty. Discharged from service in 1919.
Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
3rd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Wayne William Gidley (November 3, 1898 - July 23, 1974)
Served in the Navy.
South Bend, Saint Joseph County, Indiana
2nd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Arlo S. Goodrich (November 17, 1898 - June 3, 1964)
Wheatland, Platte County, Wyoming
3rd Cousin 3 Times Removed

Floyd Ernest Goodrich (January 5, 1892 - January 20, 1975)
In 1930 he was living in San Benito County, California
2nd Cousin 4 Times Removed

Orville John Hovey (December 17, 1889 - March 9, 1971)
In 1930 he was living in Stanislaus County, California
Husband of 2nd Cousin Once Removed, Ruth Bell Akers

Frank Allen Joslin (January 12, 1897 - 1962)
Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana
1st Cousin 3 Times Removed

Laurel Guy Phend (February 16, 1899 - April 27, 1974)
Bremen, Marshall County, Indiana
2nd Cousin Once Removed

Raymond Hillis Phend (March 19, 1892 - October 9, 1951)
Served with General MacArthur's Rainbow division and as part of General Pershing's honor guard in WWI.
Elkhart County, Indiana
1st Cousin Twice Removed

Willard Arthur Phend (October 16, 1899 - January 1974)
Coronado, Pima County, Arizona
1st Cousin Twice Removed

Ralph Bryan Pressler (July 18, 1896 - April 23, 1979)
Served in the Coast Artillery.
Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
Husband of Grandaunt, Gladys Phend

Balsar John Rohrer (January 27, 1896 - December 21, 1973)
Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana
Husband of 2nd Cousin Twice Removed, Gladys Trilby Berlin

Harper D. Stemm (May 5, 1896 - February 2, 1982)
Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana,
1st Cousin 4 Times Removed

Lloyd O. Yarian (April 6, 1894 - December 29, 1964)
Served in the Army.
Died at Bay Pines, Florida but lived most of his life in Nappanee, Indiana.
1st Cousin 3 Times Removed

More Veterans in my Family - Part One

Armistice Day. 1918. The 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. The end of "The Great War" thought then to be the "war to end all wars" but alas, it was not to be. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill that changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, a day meant for honoring all American Veterans, the living as well as the dead, those who served in wartime and those who served during peaceful times.

On May 28, 2007 I posted a list of The Veterans in my Family, which primarily consisted of members of my immediate family as well as my ancestors and a few of their siblings who had served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

I've spent some time over the last two days going through my genealogy database looking for other relatives that served in the U. S. Military. Very little is known about most of these men and women (just two women). For many of them, all it stated in their obituary was that they were a veteran of a war with no details given, not even the name of the unit in which they served. (Sources will be provided upon request.)

The format of the data is:
Name of Veteran (date of birth - date of death)
Service information, if known.
Residence at time of death.
Relationship to me.

An * in front of a name indicates the person died while in the service.

The list is rather long so it will be split into several posts, this first one includes Veterans of the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

~ WAR OF 1812 ~

Levi Goodrich (November 3, 1782 - after 1860)
Private in Israel P. Case's Company, Franklin County, Ohio; War of 1812
Jackson County, Ohio
5th Great Granduncle

Mathias Yarian (1779 - March 26, 1854)
Sergeant in Martin Sittler's Company, War of 1812
Columbiana County, Ohio
4th Great Granduncle

~ CIVIL WAR ~

* Myron Collins (1834 - April 26, 1865)
Drafted into Company H, 184th Ohio near the end of the war, Myron died in the military hospital at Nashville, Tennessee just 16 days after Lee surrendered to Grant.
Portage County, Ohio
Husband of 2nd Great Grandaunt, Lydia Berlin

Aaron H. Conroy (January 15, 1843 - July 2, 1925)
Company B, 7th Regiment, Illinois Infantry
Homelake, Rio Grande County, Colorado
Husband of 2nd Great-Grandaunt, Lydia Fisher

Adam Fisher (May 28, 1846 - Sep 7, 1923)
Enlisted in Company D, 35th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Whitley County, Indiana
Husband of 3rd Great-Grandaunt, Mary E. Stem

Samuel Fisher (February 24, 1840 - September 7, 1913)
Enlisted as a Private on 28 May 1863; Company A, 9th Cavalry Regiment Kansas on 28 May 1863; Discharged on 17 Jul 1865 at DeVall's Bluff, Arkansas.
Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas
2nd Great Granduncle

* Solomon Fisher (About 1843 - September 19, 1862)
Enlisted as a Private on 7 January 1862 in Company I, 48th Infantry Regiment Indiana
Reportedly died at Iuka, Mississippi.
2nd Great Granduncle

David Goodrich (December 26, 1843 - November 4, 1921)
Musician in Co. B, 44th Regiment Indiana Volunteers (same regiment as his father Ralph)
Memphis, Tennessee
1st Cousin 5 Times Removed

* Ralph Goodrich (March 30, 1820 - April 8, 1862)
Co. B, 44th Regiment Indiana Volunteers.
Killed in action during the battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing), Tennessee.
4th Great Granduncle

John Jacob Mohler (September 16, 1836 - January 7, 1928)
Private in Company D, 68th Regiment Indiana Infantry; Civil War
Meade County, Kansas
Husband of 3rd Great Grandaunt, Elmina Wise

Hugh Murray (September 29, 1834 - December 10, 1913)
Enlisted in the Union army August 14, 1862 and served until June 13, 1865 in Co. K, 102nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Nova, Ashland County, Ohio
Husband of 1st Cousin 4 Times Removed, Jane Ann Shidler

Christian Ringgenberg (August 12, 1816 - October 14, 1892)
Enlisted in Company H, 48th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry on December 27, 1861. Company H was also known as the "German" company.
Husband of 2nd Great-Grandaunt, Caroline Fisher

John W. Slear (January 6, 1843 - January 18, 1930)
In 1861, at the age of 17, he enlisted and was assigned to Co. D of the 28th Pennsylvania infantry and was with them till the end of the war, being promoted to sergeant. His command participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Antietam, besides many clashes of less historical importance.
Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana
Husband of 1st Cousin 3 Times Removed, Louisa Walter

James Madison Walker (July 28, 1841 - December 11, 1926)
Served three years in Battery A, First Ohio Light Artillery
Alliance, Stark County, Ohio
1st Cousin 4 Times Removed

Keith Eugene Phend 1922-1943

My niece and I spent all day this past Wednesday taking apart Mom's photo albums and sorting the pictures into "family" stacks - one for her pictures, a stack for each of us four kids, and additional stacks for each of her siblings. There was 2 shelves worth of albums that consumed about 48" worth of space on her bookshelf. Now we have to sort and sequence each of those stacks.

While sorting those pictures in Mom's albums, the thought that there would be any surprises never even crossed my mind. I thought I had seen all of the pictures before. Way back when I was working on the Phend Family History I had asked if anyone had pictures of Keith Phend, Mom's first cousin. Keith had been killed On October 25, 1943 in an airplane crash while in training at the Naval Station at Quonset Point Rhode Island. There didn't seem to be any pictures of Keith; none were received from his siblings.

So, back to last Wednesday. Sorting pictures. I don't remember which album they were in, but they were where they shouldn't have been. Two pictures clearly marked with his name, Keith Phend. Mom said she knew she had them but didn't know where, so when I asked it was easier for her to just say she didn't have any. . . Keith was born March 4, 1922. Neither picture is dated but the one as a young man is probably his high school graduation picture. Both pictures simply melted my heart, but especially the one of him as a young boy.



The obituary of Keith Phend as published in the October 30, 1943 edition of the Columbia City Post:

Local Youth is Killed Monday in Air Crash.

A telegram from the U.S. Naval commander of the station at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, received Oct. 26th by M. F. Magley told of the death of his grandson, Keith E. Phend, aged 21, in an airplane crash on Oct. 25.

Phend, who had recently completed his training as radioman upon a naval bomber plane, was in Columbia City on October 21 as the guest of his grandparents here. At the time of his visit here, he was on leave from the station in Rhode Island from Wednesday until Sunday. He had attained the rank of A.R.M. third class since his enlistment in the Navy on September 28, 1942 at Fort Wayne.

His preliminary training was secured at Great Lakes U.S. Naval Training school and thence he went to the Naval air training school at Jacksonville, Fla. He was transferred to the Rhode Island station only about six weeks ago.

The telegram announcing his death was as follows: "Deeply regret to inform you that Keith E. Phend was killed in an airplane crash on October 26, while in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. Sincere sympathy is extended to you in your great loss." The telegram was signed by the Commanding Officer of the station. A telegram was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Phend, at their home at Springport, Michigan, telling of the tragedy.

The parents of the young man have advised Mr. and Mrs. Magley that the body will be sent to Springport, but that they plan for burial in Columbia City.

The victim of the plane crash was born in Columbia City on March 4, 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Phend, and attended school here in the grades. The family moved to Springport, where Mr. Phend has operated a service station for several years. Keith attended Jackson high school, from which he was graduated in the class of 1940. Following his graduation he assisted in the shop of his grandfather in Columbia City for nearly a year and then secured employment in the Freuhauf trailer plant at Fort Wayne, where he was employed when he enlisted in the Navy. While here he was a member of the Baptist church of Columbia City.

No details of the plane crash have yet been received by relatives in this city, nor by his parents in Michigan.

And, his funeral notice of November 1, 1943 also in The Post:

Naval Rites Held for Keith Phend.

Full military rites were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the First Baptist church for Keith E. Phend, 21, A.R.M. 3/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Phend of Springport, Mich., who was killed in an airplane crash last Monday near Quonset Point, R. I.

The Rev. Walter Mickley, pastor of the church, was assisted in the funeral service by Rev. Marion R. Shroyer, pastor of the First Church of God, and the Rev. Edwin Bauer, naval chaplain from Bunker Hill. Members of the U.S. Naval Air Station at Bunker Hill attended the services in a group and served as the pallbearers, color guard and firing squad. Carter Diffendarfer, close friend of the family, served as head usher at the church. Committal services were held in Greenhill cemetery.

Miss Catherine Sarrich, vocal instructor in the public schools at Springport sang "My Buddy." Her piano accompaniment was played by Mrs. Lucille Lonsbery, also of Springport.

The rites held in this city followed a short service held at the Phend residence in Springport at 9 o'clock Saturday morning.

Welcome Home Tribute to Soldiers and Veterans!

On August 21, 1919 the Auditorium of City Hall in Columbia City, Indiana was the scene of a "Welcome Home Day" Dinner. Being honored were the World War Solders and Veterans of the Civil War and Spanish American War. The tables were set to serve 600 soldiers and veterans.

The caption on the back of the photos states that the ladies in the pictures are from the various townships and waited on the tables. Photographs are courtesy of the Whitley County Historical Museum. The first picture is from the rear of the room looking toward the stage while the second one was taken from the stage looking toward the rear of the room.

This dinner was held on the same day as the annual Old Settler's Day Celebration. In addition to the dinner there was a grand patriotic parade through town.

As a way of remembering and honoring the 21 Whitley County, Indiana soldiers who died during World War I, their biographies and photographs have been posted on my other blog, Whitley County Kinexxions, at World War I Gold Star Soldiers of Whitley County.

Dad and the 511th

On February 19th 1943, just 3 weeks after his 19th birthday, Jack William Wiseman was inducted into the U. S. Army. A week later he entered active service at Toledo, Ohio.

At about that same time the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. A processing system was set up for screening the volunteers for Parachute duty from all over the country. Every man was interviewed and had to meet the Regiment’s high standards prior to his acceptance. Only 35% of the volunteers met those requirements. Since most of the men had come to the Regiment straight from induction, their entire training, from Basic on up, was of Airborne design. The Regiment was sent to Camp Mackall, North Carolina for 17 weeks of Basic training. Following that training, the 511th journeyed to Fort Benning, Georgia for three weeks jump training. Following Parachute School the Regiment returned to Camp Mackall for Advanced Training.

Apparently, within the upper echelons of the War Department, there was some concern about the effectiveness of and need for large Airborne units. A special test maneuver was ordered for the 11th Airborne Division and it took place for five days during the first week of December 1943. This included a nighttime parachute, glider, infantry, and artillery demonstration. The objective of the division was to capture the Knollwood Airport in North Carolina; thereafter, this exercise became known as the Knollwood Maneuvers. The success of these Maneuvers was very instrumental in the continued use of Airborne troops during the remainder of World War II.

Early in January of 1944, the Division went to Camp Polk, Louisiana, and engaged in additional maneuvers. In April, they traveled by train to Camp Stoneman, California. On May 8, 1944, the 511th departed on the SS Sea Pike with about 2,000 troopers that had been disguised as a "Straight Leg" infantry unit. The ship had been built by the Western Pipe and Steel Corp. and launched in February 1943. It was 492 feet long, with a beam of 70 feet. She drew 29 feet of water and her steam engines pushed her at 17 knots. On May 28, 1944 the Regiment arrived at Oro Bay, New Guinea.

Through October, the 511th was in strategic reserve in New Guinea. During this time they conducted airborne, jungle and amphibious training. On Nov. 7, 1944 the Regiment departed New Guinea on the USS Cavalier for the Philippines. His separation papers show that Dad was involved in campaigns in New Guinea, the South Philippines Liberation, and Luzon. The History of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (link at bottom) provides details of the battles in which the 511th Regiment participated. Not all companies participated in all of those battles. His record shows that Dad was wounded in action on February 8, 1945 at Luzon. It was not a serious wound however.

In May 1945, the division moved into a rest and training camp near Lipa, Luzon where preparations began in earnest for the invasion of Japan. However, on August 6, 1945, the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, followed by the detonation of the "Fat Man" nuclear bomb over Nagasaki on August 9th.

Two days later, the Regiment departed Luzon and was flown to Okinawa. On August 30th the 511th arrived at Atsugi Air Base near Yokohama to occupy the city and guard the docks from which the peace delegation left for the signing of the Armistice. On September 2, 1945 the Japanese formally surrendered during ceremonies onboard the battleship USS Missouri which was docked in Tokyo Bay on the island of Honshu. Two weeks later, the 511th moved to Morioka, Japan to begin the occupation of Iwate and Aomori Prefectures in Northern Honshu. Although some of the troops of the 511th remained in Japan, Dad returned to the states in December 1945 and was separated from service on January 26, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana having served 2 years 11 months and 3 days, a little more than half of that time had been foreign service.

My Dad never talked about his military service to us kids, even after we were adults. There was only one time, when I was still in high school, that he brought out his box of memorabilia. There wasn't much. A few medals, a couple of pictures, some currency that we called funny money (15 bills of varying denominations), and a small flag. It was a Japanese flag that he had picked up after a battle; it had some dark stains on it that he said was the blood of the "Jap" that he had taken it off of. After he had shown that to us he immediately put everything away again. I don't know what happened to the little flag, but I now have his medals, pictures (unidentified, of course) and papers. I do remember, when we were little, for several summers we went to the Goshen Air Show. We'd meet up with some of his "buddies" and their families. Dad also had two rifles from the war. Mom said that after a particularly rough time, he threatened to commit suicide and she made him get rid of the guns. It was at about that time that we quit going to the air shows.

In May 1977, I was transferred to the Naval Air Station at Yokusuka, Japan. I knew Dad had been in Japan and asked him about it but he still wouldn't talk about his time in the service. It wasn't until after he passed away that I found out the details, from his separation papers and some magazine articles. In 1993, he had joined the 511th Parachute Infantry Association and amongst his papers were eight issues of "Winds Aloft" which is their quarterly publication. It has some very interesting and informative articles, some written by men that were in his company. After having read some of those articles, I think I now know why he didn't want to speak of his experiences.


These pictures have seen better days. My Dad is the young man on the left in the first picture. None of his pictures are captioned so I don't know where or when they were taken.

Currency issued by the Japanese Government while they occupied the Philipines during the war. The Filipinos called it "Mickey Mouse" money due to the fact that it was similar to play money and next to worthless.


The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division. Decorations and Citations that Dad received included: American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific with 3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Award, Bronze Arrowhead, and Victory Medal.



The History of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment by Leo F. Kocher
The Knollwood Manuevers
The battle for Luzon
The Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Wikipedia
Formal Surrender of Japan onboard the battleship USS Missouri
WWII Pictures of Manila on the Island of Luzon
Philippine Pesos issued by the Japanese Government

The Veterans in my Family

Vietnam Era/pre-Korea

• Charles Douglas Wiseman (brother). US Navy 1964-1968. Doug served as a Hospital Corpsman and was stationed with the Marines at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
• Jack Lynn Wiseman (brother). A Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy 1969-1973, Jack was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station and with the Marines in San Diego, California.
• Gary Wiseman (cousin). US Navy 1969-1973. Enlisted at the same time as my brother, Jack, on the "buddy" program, which meant they got to go through boot camp together. Gary saw shipboard duty.
• Rebeckah R. Wiseman (that would be me). US Navy 1969-1979. Photographer's Mate stationed in Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Iceland, California and Japan. I hesitated to include my name in the list, but what the heck, I am a vet! Read the letters from Boot Camp that I sent to my mother.
• William Roland Conrad (cousin). US Navy Radioman. Served four years in the late 50's and early 60's. He was stationed in Alaska in January 1959 when it became our 49th state.
• Kenneth Eugene Fawley (distant cousin and husband of first cousin). Enlisted in the Army in June of 1957, right after high school. After Basic Training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana Kenny attended camera repair school at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. In December 1957, he was assigned to the 97th Signal Battalion, Photo Platoon, in Boblingen , Germany where they had two camera repairmen, 7 or 8 photographers, and some lab fellows. Kenny spent 30 months in Germany and attained the rank of Spec 5. He was discharged in June of 1960. The 97th Signal Battalion has a reunion group, which meets once a year at different locations. [Added December 4, 2010]

Korea

• William Henry Phend (uncle). Bill joined the Army in March 1951. After basic training he was sent to Camp Stewart, Georgia. There he received training as a Combat MP (Military Police). Three times his name was put on the list of those who were to go to Korea, but for some unknown reason he was never sent. He was honorably discharged in March 1953.

World War II

Emery, Perry, and Jack Wiseman - WWII

• Jack William Wiseman (father). Enlisted February 19, 1943. 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division. He saw combat duty in the Pacific and would have been part of the invasion forces in Japan but instead, thankfully, was a member of the occupation forces. Born in Tippecanoe Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana on January 29, 1924 to Elsie Shuder and Charles Wilson Wiseman he died December 18, 1995 at Warsaw, Indiana. I have my father's discharge papers and have found some information on the 511th on the internet but sadly do not have any information on the World War II service of my uncles.
• Perry Martin Comfort Wiseman (uncle). Enlisted April 14, 1942. Perry was born August 3, 1906 and died July 9, 1968. On February 6, 1954 he was married to Retha Juanita Rindfusz Wallace. They did not have any children.
• Emery Emerson Wiseman (uncle). Enlisted in the Navy. Emery was born August 1, 1922 and died November 23, 1971. He lived in Kosciusko County, Indiana all his life. On February 24, 1946 he married Jean Ruth Bailey. They had three children.
• Robert Glen Reiff (uncle). Enlisted in the Army on February 27, 1943. Bob was born March 10, 1924 and died February 17, 2000. He was married on June 17, 1945 to Patricia Eileen Phend. They had four children.
• Carl Emmert Conrad (uncle). Carl was born December 4, 1917 at Nappanee, Elkhart County, Indiana and died October 15, 1970. He was married to Fern Louise Wiseman on September 22, 1939. They had one daughter.
• Glenn Roland Conrad (uncle, and brother to Carl Emmert Conrad) was born March 2, 1913 at Nappanee, Elkhart County, Indiana and died October 30, 1949 in Elkhart County. Glenn went into the Army on November 29, 1944. After basic training at Ft McClellan, Alabama, he was went to Fort Ord, California. On May 17, 1945 he went to Manilla leaving there on July 9, 1945 for Luzon where he started driving a 1 1/2 ton Dodge and also a Jeep. In October 1945 he was involved in the occupation of Japan, in the town of Tachigi where they destroyed war equipment. He was discharged April 4, 1946 and landed in Seattle, Washington. He was T/5 in the 158th Infantry, 1st Batallion. Glenn married Jessie Dell Wiseman (sister of Fern who married his brother Carl) on April 1, 1938 in Kosciusko County. They had two children: son, William is mentioned above and Caroline - the cousin who has done a lot of the research on the Wiseman lineage. (Added November 24, 2010).
  

World War I

• Rolland Victor "Vic" Phend (grandfather). Enlisted Sept. 19, 1917 and discharged June 19, 1919. Served in France.
• Charles Romain Brubaker (great grandfather). Enlisted but dates of service not known. He was 48 years old in 1919 and was not required to register for the draft. I have not yet found record of his service but his gravemarker and his obituary both state that he was a veteran of WWI.

Spanish American War

• Charles Romain Brubaker (great grandfather). Enlisted in Company K, 160th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in June 1898 in Huntington County. He served in Cuba as a Mess Sergeant.

Civil War

• William Brubaker (2nd great grandfather). Enlisted April 21, 1861, in Company E, 17th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and two months in Wilder's Brigade, Army of the Cumberland. In a skirmish he was wounded in the thigh, being disabled for several months and sent to the hospital. After discharge he veteranized in Company I, 152nd Regiment, was made sergeant of his company and served until the close of the war. Pension Claim 69407. On April 28, 2007 William was inducted as a part of the Charter Member Class into the Society of Civil War Families of Indiana, a program sponsored by the Indiana Genealogical Society.
• Jacob Wise (3rd great grandfather). Was drafted and mustered in on October 5th 1864, at Kendallville, Indiana. He served as a Private in Company "C" of the 30th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. His widow's pension application states "and having served Honestly and Faithfully with his Company to the present date, is now entitled to a Discharge by reason of Death in Hospital at Nashville, Tenn. on May 17, 1865 of chronic diarrhea." Widow's Pension Application 101.119. On April 28, 2007 Jacob was inducted as a part of the Charter Member Class into the Society of Civil War Families of Indiana, a program sponsored by the Indiana Genealogical Society.
• Eli Yarian (2nd great grandfather). Enlisted January 28, 1862 and served as a private in Battery D, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Mustered out July 15, 1865. His brother, Benjamin Yarian also served in Battery D and was mustered out at the same time as Eli. Another brother, David Yarian enlisted with Battery A, 1st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery on August 11, 1862 and was discharged with the regiment in 1865. Yet another brother, Jonathan Yarian. Served with Company A of the 35th Indiana Regiment of Infantry. Jonathan enlisted in September 1864 while living in Noble County, Indiana. On December 16, 1864, during the second days battle at Nashville, he was severely wounded and taken to Cumberland Hospital, where his left leg was amputated. He was honorably discharged on May 26, 1865.
• Jacob Berlin (2nd great granduncle). Enlisted in Company C, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry on September 5, 1861. He was killed on April 7th, 1862, during the second day's fighting of the Battle of Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee). The Nappanee G.A.R. Post was named in his honor.
• Henry Robison, Jr. (3rd great granduncle). Enlisted in Company I of the 30th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Wounded on April 7, 1862 at Pittsburgh Landing. Served through the end of the war.
• William Klingaman (husband of 2nd great grandaunt). Served in Company F of the 142nd Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Moved to Jefferson County, Iowa in 1867.

War of 1812

• Conrad Yarian (4th great grandfather). Served as a Lieutenant in Martin Sittler's Company, from Columbiana County, Ohio along with his brother Mathias.
• Bela Goodrich (5th great grandfather). Served from August 24, 1812 until October 4, 1812 and from May 4, 1813 until May 27, 1813 in Israel P. Case's Company from Franklin County, Ohio. In 1855, applied for Bounty Land. File 143.039.

Revolutionary War

• William Alexander (4th great grandfather). Lived in the area of Cecil County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Enlisted July 24, 1776. By March of 1777, he was a 1st Lieutenant of the 7th Battalion of the Maryland Regulars Regiment. He served in the 5th Company. He was killed on Aug 27, 1777 on the 2nd day of battle at "Landing Head of Elk" Maryland.
• James Ball (4th great grandfather). At age 27, enlisted on August 20, 1776 at Hampshire, Virginia in Captain William Voss' company, 12th Virginia Regiment. Served for three years. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Stoney Point. Received two wounds at the battle of Brandywine. Pension claim W8336.
• Henry Bray (5th great grandfather). Signed "Patriot's Oaths of Fidelity and Support" on March 16, 1778 in Washington County, Maryland. Accepted as DAR patriot. File number 3185877.
• John Bray (4th great grandfather, son of Henry Bray). At age 16, enlisted in September 1777 at Romney, Hampshire County, Virginia. Served as a Private in Captain William Voss' Company, 12th Virginia Regiment. Was wounded during the battle of Brandywine (Delaware) and fought at Monmouth and Stoney Point. Discharged in 1780 in Yorktown, Pennsylvania. Pension claim W4145.
• Andrew Brinker (5th great grandfather). He served as a Private in Lieutenant Colonel Cochin's 4th Company, 4th Battalion, of the Northampton County, Pennyslvania Militia. He moved to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania between 1785-1790 then to Columbiana County, Ohio about 1806 where he died in 1828. [Added November 10, 2011]
• Johann Heinrich "Henry" Coy/Kau/Cow/Cowe (5th great grandfather). Served from Washington County, Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania along with his brothers Jacob and Frederick.
• John Goodrich (6th great grandfather). Marched for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm April 1775. Served as a Private in Capt. Hezekiah Wells' Company, Colonel Erastus Wollcotts' Regiment January-March 1776. DAR No. 592151 through Juanita (Mrs. Eugene) Beard.
• Joseph Joslin (6th great grandfather). On page 125 of the "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" (1961), Edith Wessler says that Joseph was a Lieutenant in the Revolution. On page 106 in "Blackman and Allied Families" author Alfred L. Holman says that Joseph was a Sergeant in the Revolution. Joseph's tombstone says "In memory of Lieut. Joseph Joslin..." I've not done any further research to prove or disprove these claims so if he served during the revolution, I don't know where or when or in what capacity.
• Thomas Sprague (4th great grandfather). He resided at Union, Tolland County, Connecticut and Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. Served as a private in Capt. Christopher Banister's Company, Col. Ezra May's Regiment; enlisted September 20, 1777; discharged October 5, 1777, service 21 days on expedition to Stillwater and Saratoga.
• Jacob Van Keuren (6th great grandfather). Served in the Fourth Regiment from Ulster County, New York.

I'm pretty sure I've listed all of my ancestors and their siblings that have served in the military from the present day through the Revolutionary War.

Other relatives who have served:

• Veterans in my Family :: the War of 1812 and the Civil War
• Veterans in my Family :: Spanish American War and World War I
• Veterans in my Family :: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam