Marine honor guard carries the casket of Lance Cpl. Brian E. Anderson on April 15, 2003 at the Beachwood Cemetery in Durham. (AP photo - Bob Jordan) There is something so absolutely bittersweet and powerful about Memorial Day. Children frolick in the pool as people laugh by the grill, our flag blown silently by the breeze in the background. We get together with friends and family and take a moment off from our busy lives to simply be with each other, to relish this all too short life we are given. And there it is, the thankfulness, there often only in the back of our minds, as we remember all of those who died in war so that we could have this sunny day at the start of summer. For veterans and widows it is much more fresh, a deep sorrow that never goes away, but for many of us, we are so removed from war and loss that it can be easy to forget who we are honoring today.
So I decided I wanted to know their names, to seek them out and post them, so that we may read them and see them again. It wasn't easy, there is no large database where all our nation's dead are listed. The list of men who died in WWII for example is only available as a scanned in document from the 1940's. It hasn't been converted to a searchable database so I simply took images from the record. I was uncovering our past, finding names of men whose graves may be overgrown, whose names should mean as much to us today as they did the day their coffin was draped in our flag.
The loss itself is staggering. It's estimated that in North Carolina alone over 40,000 men died in the Civil War, names now lost to time unless one is researching their family history or cares to crack open heavy volumes of research materials. Each war had it's own website for me to uncover, it's own list of sufferers at the hands of war. I learned the different abbreviations for how they died, I saw the variety of ranks these men held, the men who were the third of their name or a beloved "junior". The more I read, the more I wanted to share. And the more hands of their descendants I wanted to shake.
I decided to focus on Durham as this is my home, and to list the brave men from our county and city who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This list is by no means complete, and if you know of someone I am missing, contact me so I can add their name.
As President John F. Kennedy said, "A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." So please, join me. Take a moment today to close your eyes, and thank these souls for their service, let them not be forgotten.
So I decided I wanted to know their names, to seek them out and post them, so that we may read them and see them again. It wasn't easy, there is no large database where all our nation's dead are listed. The list of men who died in WWII for example is only available as a scanned in document from the 1940's. It hasn't been converted to a searchable database so I simply took images from the record. I was uncovering our past, finding names of men whose graves may be overgrown, whose names should mean as much to us today as they did the day their coffin was draped in our flag.
The loss itself is staggering. It's estimated that in North Carolina alone over 40,000 men died in the Civil War, names now lost to time unless one is researching their family history or cares to crack open heavy volumes of research materials. Each war had it's own website for me to uncover, it's own list of sufferers at the hands of war. I learned the different abbreviations for how they died, I saw the variety of ranks these men held, the men who were the third of their name or a beloved "junior". The more I read, the more I wanted to share. And the more hands of their descendants I wanted to shake.
I decided to focus on Durham as this is my home, and to list the brave men from our county and city who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This list is by no means complete, and if you know of someone I am missing, contact me so I can add their name.
As President John F. Kennedy said, "A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." So please, join me. Take a moment today to close your eyes, and thank these souls for their service, let them not be forgotten.
Durham natives that died in service during World War I:
Ashworth, Junious C.
Bird, Willie
Cruse, James J.
Denny, Hoyt M.
Ewings, Willie
Faucette, John M.
Fuller, Roy H.
Haithcock, Sidney A.
Hessee, James L. Corp.
Howell, Oliver W. Corp.
Huntley, Clarence O.
Keith, Bernard C.
Kerr, Fred
Lynch, John E.
Marshburn, Jacob A.
Martin, Marvin B.
Maynard, Ernest M.
Mcfarland, Hugh
Mitcehll, Robert L. Lt.
Moore, Leonard N.
Purvear, Bonnie
Rawling, Claude M.
Rigsbee, Ike J.
Shepard, William Sgt.
Smith, Vernon
Thompson, Dewey S
Tilley, Royal W. Corp.
Triplett, Elija W.
Venable, Paul C. Lt.
Walker, Julian C.
Weaver, D.
Weaver, Lee
Wood, Charles Corp.
Durham natives that died in service during World War II: see images above
Durham natives that died in service during the Korean War:
BARBEE JOHN P BERRY JEROME G JR
BROWN VERNON L
CARVER WILLIE L
CLEVENGER LEON E
DAVIS HENRY LEE
DAY EARLIE
DRENNEN HUGH J
GOOCH DAVID
HARRELL JEFFERY W
HOSKINS HOWARD
HUNT THOMAS A
JONES WILLIAM J
JOYNER THEODORE R
KING HOMER G
KING LEROY F
MCCLEAIN LEROY
MCFADDEN KENDRICK A
OBRIANT ERIC FRANKLIN
ONEAL GEORGE E
RICKMAN VINCENT R
ROBERSON WAYNE
WALKER LEO
Durham natives that died in service during the Vietnam War:
PFC DAVID HARUM BASS
SFC WILLIAM EDWARD BOONE
SSG JOHN MARSHALL BROWN III
SP4 FREDDIE LEE BURNETTE
SGT WAYNE R BURRAGE
SP4 CURVIN CLAYTON
SGT HAROLD EUGENE COUCH
SP4 KENNETH JAMES DANTZLER
CPL DEWEY MAYNARD EUBANKS
PFC JAMES EDWARD FARRAR Jr
PFC WALTER HENRY FENNELL
LCPL RANDY JACK GLENN
CPT JOHN MILTON HARRINGTON
PFC HAROLD LEE HARRIS
SFC EDWARD JACKSON Jr
PFC WILLIAM MILLER Jr
SSG JAMES MINICK MOORE
CPL ROY THOMAS MOSS
SP4 Mc ARTHUR NICHOLS
CAPT THOMAS BARCLAY ORR Jr
SFC JAMES LESTER PARKER
1LT KENNETH EDWARD PENNINGTON
SP5 HARMON WAYNE PERRY
GYSGT JULIUS DONALD PRITCHETT
PFC JAMES AUGUSTA RICHARDSON
SSG RICHARD LEE SARVIS
CPL FRANKLIN GRAHAM SCOGGINS
SSG CHARLES EARL SMITH
SP4 DOUGLAS BANE SMITH
SGT DON RICHARD SYKES
CPL ROOSEVELT THARRINGTON Jr
PFC ALFRED L THOMPSON
CPL JAMES DOUGLAS TRAYLOR
SGT WILLIAM HARDY UPCHURCH Jr
SSG WILLIAM B WATSON Jr
SP4 EDGAR W WILLIAMS Jr
SGT GOLER JUNIOR WILLIAMS
PFC JOHNNY LEROY WILLIAMS
Durham natives that died in service during the Iraq War:
Specialist Prince K. Teewia
Lance Corporal Brian Edward Anderson
Ashworth, Junious C.
Bird, Willie
Cruse, James J.
Denny, Hoyt M.
Ewings, Willie
Faucette, John M.
Fuller, Roy H.
Haithcock, Sidney A.
Hessee, James L. Corp.
Howell, Oliver W. Corp.
Huntley, Clarence O.
Keith, Bernard C.
Kerr, Fred
Lynch, John E.
Marshburn, Jacob A.
Martin, Marvin B.
Maynard, Ernest M.
Mcfarland, Hugh
Mitcehll, Robert L. Lt.
Moore, Leonard N.
Purvear, Bonnie
Rawling, Claude M.
Rigsbee, Ike J.
Shepard, William Sgt.
Smith, Vernon
Thompson, Dewey S
Tilley, Royal W. Corp.
Triplett, Elija W.
Venable, Paul C. Lt.
Walker, Julian C.
Weaver, D.
Weaver, Lee
Wood, Charles Corp.
Durham natives that died in service during World War II: see images above
Durham natives that died in service during the Korean War:
BARBEE JOHN P BERRY JEROME G JR
BROWN VERNON L
CARVER WILLIE L
CLEVENGER LEON E
DAVIS HENRY LEE
DAY EARLIE
DRENNEN HUGH J
GOOCH DAVID
HARRELL JEFFERY W
HOSKINS HOWARD
HUNT THOMAS A
JONES WILLIAM J
JOYNER THEODORE R
KING HOMER G
KING LEROY F
MCCLEAIN LEROY
MCFADDEN KENDRICK A
OBRIANT ERIC FRANKLIN
ONEAL GEORGE E
RICKMAN VINCENT R
ROBERSON WAYNE
WALKER LEO
Durham natives that died in service during the Vietnam War:
PFC DAVID HARUM BASS
SFC WILLIAM EDWARD BOONE
SSG JOHN MARSHALL BROWN III
SP4 FREDDIE LEE BURNETTE
SGT WAYNE R BURRAGE
SP4 CURVIN CLAYTON
SGT HAROLD EUGENE COUCH
SP4 KENNETH JAMES DANTZLER
CPL DEWEY MAYNARD EUBANKS
PFC JAMES EDWARD FARRAR Jr
PFC WALTER HENRY FENNELL
LCPL RANDY JACK GLENN
CPT JOHN MILTON HARRINGTON
PFC HAROLD LEE HARRIS
SFC EDWARD JACKSON Jr
PFC WILLIAM MILLER Jr
SSG JAMES MINICK MOORE
CPL ROY THOMAS MOSS
SP4 Mc ARTHUR NICHOLS
CAPT THOMAS BARCLAY ORR Jr
SFC JAMES LESTER PARKER
1LT KENNETH EDWARD PENNINGTON
SP5 HARMON WAYNE PERRY
GYSGT JULIUS DONALD PRITCHETT
PFC JAMES AUGUSTA RICHARDSON
SSG RICHARD LEE SARVIS
CPL FRANKLIN GRAHAM SCOGGINS
SSG CHARLES EARL SMITH
SP4 DOUGLAS BANE SMITH
SGT DON RICHARD SYKES
CPL ROOSEVELT THARRINGTON Jr
PFC ALFRED L THOMPSON
CPL JAMES DOUGLAS TRAYLOR
SGT WILLIAM HARDY UPCHURCH Jr
SSG WILLIAM B WATSON Jr
SP4 EDGAR W WILLIAMS Jr
SGT GOLER JUNIOR WILLIAMS
PFC JOHNNY LEROY WILLIAMS
Durham natives that died in service during the Iraq War:
Specialist Prince K. Teewia
Lance Corporal Brian Edward Anderson
It is my hope by remembering the names of these fallen that we may take in our hearts not only gratitude but perseverance as we work towards peace. No family should have to bury their child because of war. Let us live up to the dream our Founding Fathers had by moving to that day when war takes no more sons and daughters from us.
I end with this, President John F. Kennedy's Proclamation 3409 - Prayer for Peace on Memorial Day, 1961.
"A ProclamationWhereas the high courage and the supreme sacrifice of Americans who gave their lives in battle have made it possible for our land to flourish under freedom and justice; and
Whereas the ideals and patriotism of those who answered the call to service stand as an inspiration to every new generation of Americans; and
Whereas the same principles and revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought and died are still at issue in the world and the challenge against them can be met only through the same qualities of courage, strength, and unflinching determination shown by our noble dead; and
Whereas Memorial Day each year provides a fitting occasion upon which our people may not only commemorate the Nation's heroic dead but also unite in prayer for the preservation of liberty and peace free from the threat of war; and
Whereas to this end the Congress, in a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace:
Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, do hereby urge the people of the United States to observe Tuesday, May 30, 1961, Memorial Day, by invoking the blessing of God on those who have died in defense of our country, and by praying for a new world of law where peace and justice shall prevail and a life of opportunity shall be assured for all; and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at eleven o'clock in the morning of that day as the time to unite in such prayer.
I also urge the press, radio, television, and all other media of information to cooperate in this observance.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this 24th day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-fifth."
- JOHN F. KENNEDY
I end with this, President John F. Kennedy's Proclamation 3409 - Prayer for Peace on Memorial Day, 1961.
"A ProclamationWhereas the high courage and the supreme sacrifice of Americans who gave their lives in battle have made it possible for our land to flourish under freedom and justice; and
Whereas the ideals and patriotism of those who answered the call to service stand as an inspiration to every new generation of Americans; and
Whereas the same principles and revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought and died are still at issue in the world and the challenge against them can be met only through the same qualities of courage, strength, and unflinching determination shown by our noble dead; and
Whereas Memorial Day each year provides a fitting occasion upon which our people may not only commemorate the Nation's heroic dead but also unite in prayer for the preservation of liberty and peace free from the threat of war; and
Whereas to this end the Congress, in a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace:
Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, do hereby urge the people of the United States to observe Tuesday, May 30, 1961, Memorial Day, by invoking the blessing of God on those who have died in defense of our country, and by praying for a new world of law where peace and justice shall prevail and a life of opportunity shall be assured for all; and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at eleven o'clock in the morning of that day as the time to unite in such prayer.
I also urge the press, radio, television, and all other media of information to cooperate in this observance.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this 24th day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-fifth."
- JOHN F. KENNEDY
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