Hamilton Heritage Hunters Genealogical Society

06/06/2025

Paul Howard Daniels was born June 13, 1905 in Webster City, Iowa to James H. and Ruth Symons Daniels. He died June 27, 1984 and is buried in Meadowbrook Memorial Park, Paris, TX. He was a retired Navy Captain, serving his country for 30 years.

CDR Paul Daniels served aboard the USS Herndon (DD-638) and spent nine months escorting troopships across the Atlantic from New York to various British ports as the massive buildup for the invasion of France hit full strike. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Herndon was off Omaha Beach, down front in “Bald-headed Row” ahead of the first assault waves. Despite heavy counter fire from enemy batteries, she bombarded enemy targets ashore. Herndon remained off the Normandy beaches providing fire support, screening troopships, and anti-submarine patrol until June 19.

05/26/2025

05/25/2025

HONORING IOWA WAR CASUALTIES FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO IRAQ

Civil War 1861-1865 — Cpl. George J. Godfrey, died 22 Mar 1863. He served with H Company, 3rd Iowa Volunteers and is buried in Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, TN.

Spanish-American War 1898 — Pvt. Guy Stuart Barkhuff, died 22 July 1898. He served with Company 52, Iowa Infantry and is buried in Homewood Cemetery, Ellsworth, IA.

World War I 1917-1918 — Cpl. Frank Marcheck, died 6 Aug. 1918. He served with 4th Division, 39th Infantry Regiment and is buried in Oise-Aisne, Cemetery in France.

World War II 1941-1945 — Petty Officer James R. Carney, died 18 Apr. 1944 (at sea) in the sinking of the USS Gudgeon (SS-567) and was awarded the Purple Heart. He is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu Hawaii and has a cenotaph in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, IA.

Korea 1950-1953 — Cpl. Walter John Lanken, died 19 Sept. 1950 and served in both World War II and Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart. He is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.

Vietnam 1955-1975 — Michael Evan Antill, died 28 Dec. 1967 in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. He served with Company 3, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry division. He is buried in Palestine Cemetery, Huxley, IA.

Persian Gulf 1990-1991 — SPC Michael Ward Mills, died 25 Feb. 1991 in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He served with the 14th Quartermaster Group out of Virginia and is buried in Hillside Memorial Cemetery and Park, Central Square, Oswego County, NY.

Afghanistan 2001-2021 — Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon Thomas “JT” Tumilson, died 6 Aug. 2011, Saydabad, Afghanistan when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, IA.

Iraq 2003-2021 — Sgt. Jon Edward Bonnell, Jr., died 7 Aug. 2007 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, specializing in security and bomb detection. He is buried in Fort Dodge Memorial Park, Fort Dodge, IA.

05/25/2025

Honoring Alonzo Newton Hathway, Marine Pilot, lost at sea, 15 Feb. 1944. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. 🇺🇸ps://iagenweb.org/wwii/WWIISurnames_H/HathwayAlonzoNewtonjr.html

05/24/2025

Honoring Capt. Kenneth Otto Nichols, KIA 1 July 1944, Italy. He is buried in Florence American Cemetery, VIa Cassia, Italy. 🇺🇸https://iagenweb.org/wwii/WWIISurnames_N/NicholsKennethO.html
Honoring 1st Sgt. Charles Meyers, KIA 1 July 1944, Italy. He is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA. 🇺🇸https://iagenweb.org/wwii/WWIISurnames_M/MeyersCharlesE.html

05/23/2025

Honoring Ens. William C. Ostlund, Ens. U.S. Navy Submarine Service MIA 18 Apr. 1944 aboard the USS Gudgeon (SS-211). 🇺🇸https://www.oneternalpatrol.com/ostlund-w-c.htm

05/22/2025

Honoring Cleo H. Hall, Ens. Merchant Marines who died Dec. 21, 1945 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA. 🇺🇸
https://iagenweb.org/wwii/WWIISurnames_H/HallCleoH.html

Honoring Petty Officer Marvin J. Hall, U.S. Navy who was declared MIA aboard the submarine USS Tullibee which was sunk by one of its own torpedoes. He is listed on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines and has a cenotaph on the family headstone in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA. 🇺🇸
https://www.oneternalpatrol.com/hall-m-j.htm

05/21/2025

Honoring Pvt. Willard O. Scheppler, died 1 June 1944. For wounds received in action Apr. 23, he was awarded the Purple Heart. 🇺🇸https://iagenweb.org/wwii/WWIISurnames_S/SchepplerWillardO.html

05/20/2025

Honoring Sgt. Marvin J. Williams, U.S. Army Aerial Engineer, KIA 10 May 1944 on a bombing mission over Austria. Widow Lila Mae Bever Williams Hunter, Hamilton County, IA. 🇺🇸 Widohttps://iagenweb.org/wwii/WWIISurnames_W/WilliamsMarvinJames.html

Staff Sgt. Marvin J. Williams, an engineer aboard a Liberator bomber, has arrived safely overseas and is stationed in Africa, according to word received here by his wife. Sergeant Williams was formerly stationed at Muroc, Cal., where he completed advanced training the first of this year.

05/19/2025

Honoring Lt. James Albert Chaffe, USMC - KIA 18 June 1945 🇺🇸 Widow - Betty Lee Ayers Chaffe Erickson - Hamilton Co. native

James A. Chaffe joined the Marine Corps on 10 October 1942. He participated in a Commissioning Program called V-12 attending College at Oberlin College Ohio as an enlisted Marine. In April 1944 he completed recruit training in the 12th Recruit Training Battalion Parris Island SC and then became part...

11/11/2024

05/27/2024

80 Years Ago - Webster City Freeman Journal
SERVICE TO HONOR WAR DEAD
Webster City Legion Units To Be Sponsor
Memorial Program Will Be Held Sunday at New Building

Webster City servicemen who have died in the service of their country during the present conflict will be honored in a special Memorial program to be held by the American Legion and Auxiliary of Webster City, at 2:15, Sunday afternoon, in the new school auditorium.
Commander H.D. Wold in announcing the program Wednesday reported that relatives of the deceased men had received special invitations to be present at the Memorial service which is also open to the public. All members of the Legion post are urged to wear their Legion caps, and a large representation is desired.
Program's Highlights
Headlining the program will be a solo by Floyd Woodard of this city, entitled, "Invictus," and a eulogy to be given by Sterling Alexander who will speak on the life and deeds of those who are being memorialized.
Servicemen on the list include:
Chester W. Algoe
R. G. Julian
Robert D. Wylie
Roland J. Silvers
Donald F. Wahlers
Bernard E. Hoshaw
Charles H. Harris
James V. Wilke
The program will center around a memorial shrine to be arranged in the middle of the auditorium. In addition to Commander Wold and Auxiliary President Mrs. Alexander Groves, other Legion officials having a part in the ceremony will be: Wallace Staly, first vice commander; Harry Ash, second vice commander; Jean Murdy and John Wilson, sergeants at arms; George Worthington, chaplain; Charles Doughten, adjutant, and Merlin Best, bugler.
The Legion has also been invited to attend a memorial service at the English Lutheran church, Sunday at 11 a.m., Commander Wold said. Members are asked to meet at the courthouse and march over to the church in a body.