High Masses of Requiem

John R. Specht, US Army Air Corps

According to his enlistment records in Ancestry’s Fold3 database, John R. Specht was a McMechen, Marshall County resident born November 7, 1923, who enlisted at age 20 in the Army Air Corps at Wheeling on July 31, 1942. He was single with one year of college, and his occupation was listed as “Foremen, n.e.c.” [sic]. First Lieutenant Specht, 345th Bomb Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Force, was killed in action on August 15, 1944. According to the Sept. 9, 1944 Wheeling Intelligencer he was killed “over Italy.” Records show the 98th supported Operation Shingle including the landings at Anzio and the Battle of Monte Cassino in spring and summer 1944, but on August 15, 1944, when Specht was killed, the 345th was supporting Operation Dragoon (initially Operation Anvil) a landing operation of the Allied invasion of Provence in Southern France. Lieutenant Specht may have been aboard a “Raunchy” B-24D-CO Liberator bomber. He is buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Howard P. Loeffler, US Army Air Corps

Born in Wheeling on June 18, 1919, Howard P. Loeffler enlisted July 24, 1942, and was a Sergeant and flight engineer in the U.S. Army Air Corps when he was killed (the “DNB” in his records signifying “Died Non-Battle”) in a plane crash near El Reno, Oklahoma on October 2, 1944 along with six other members of the eight-man crew aboard a photo recon plane flying out of Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City. Interestingly, three of the crew were sub-lieutenants and trainees from the Chinese army. The son of Charles B. and Alice Mackie Loeffler of 1220 McColloch Street in Wheeling, Howard was a 1942 graduate of Wheeling Central, where he lettered on the basketball team. After a funeral Mass at the Cathedral, he was buried at Mt. Cavalry.

James J. McConville, US Army

According to the 1930 US Census, James J. McConville was born in 1920 and lived in Ward 7, Madison District (Wheeling Island), with his father James A. and mother Margaret D. McConville. Siblings included brothers Daniel, John Albert, and Eugene, and sisters Janet and Mary Margaret. Born in 1920 to James A. and Margaret O’Donnell McConville, Lieutenant James J. McConville died at age 23 from wounds received in battle near Myitkyana, Burma on July 28, 1944. McConville enlisted on November 29, 1941 at Camp Perry in Ohio. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant after officer candidate school, he was assigned to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), and sent to Bombay, India October 31, 1943. The unit received special training in jungle operations, including stream crossing, camouflage, and supply by air drop. 2750 members of the unit, known as Merrill’s Marauders, marched behind Japanese lines into the jungles of Burma. Thus began a 750 mile jungle march featuring numerous engagements with the Japanese army. Each member of the unit was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry. Though he had moved to Cleveland before enlisting, Lieut. McConville had graduated from Wheeling Central. As the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported, after High Mass of Requiem at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Cleveland, James was buried at Calvary Cemetery on January 12, 1949.

James R. Merge, US Army Air Corps

Born in 1922, the son of George and Margaret Chute Merge of Wheeling, James R. Merge was a 22-year-old second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps when he was killed in action during a bombing mission over Dusseldorf, Germany on September 9, 1944. Merge, a 1940 Central graduate whose civilian job was as an office clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad, had enlisted on February 1, 1943 in Biloxi, Mississippi as a Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) Officer. His body was returned after the war for a June 23, 1949 High Mass of Requiem at Sacred Heart Church in North Wheeling. He was buried at Mt Cavalry Cemetery.

Gerald Milton Weisenborn, US Army

Nineteen year old U.S. Army Private First Class Gerald Milton Weisenborn, who graduated with honors from Wheeling Central in 1943 and enlisted a few months later in August, was killed in action on July 21, 1944 during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France. Born June 3, 1925 to Charles W. and Catherine L. (Costello) Weisenborn of Jefferson Avenue, Wheeling, Pfc Weisenborn was reburied after the war at Mt. Calvary following Mass of High Requiem at St. Michael’s Church on February 3, 1948.

Update (May 25, 2020): Many thanks to Justin Hershberger for the information about his great Uncle, Gerald Milton Weisenborn. Additional information Wheeling Intelligencer, February 3, 1948.

Philip J. Saseen, US Navy

A 1940 Central graduate, twenty-three-year-old Navy flier, Ensign Philip J. Saseen, was killed in action on December 27, 1944 when his plane crashed into the South Pacific. Ensign Saseen, a 1940 Wheeling Central graduate, enlisted in the U.S. Navy September 12, 1942 in the V-5 training course. He was assigned to Bethany College, then studied at the University of Richmond, Va. and the Universities of Georgia and Philadelphia. He trained at Norman Field in Oklahoma and graduated from the Naval Air Training Center at Corpus Christi Texas. Ensign Saseen was awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice. Philip was born in Wheeling on May 3, 1921 to Schickery and Helen Saseen of 2132 Main Street. Two of his eight brothers, George and Robert, also served during WWII. As the diocesan newspaper reported, “Saseen was an active member of Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon parish, which has a very high percentage of members who have died for their country in this war.”

William Edward Neuman, US Army Air Force

Twenty-one year old William Edward Neuman, 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Force, was killed in action in Germany on December 2, 1944. He had been a student at West Virginia University before registering for the draft on June 30, 1942. Born on April 25, 1923 to Edward and Isabelle Aiken Neuman of N. 10th Street in Warwood, his body was returned after the war on November 5, 1948. Following a High Mass of Requiem at Corpus Christi Church, he was buried at Greenwood Cemetery.

John Bernard Kelly, US Army

Twenty-six-year-old Army Captain John Bernard Kelly, died of wounds received in the European Theater while acting as commander of Company G, 318th Infantry, 80th Division on October 7, 1944. The 1937 Central graduate and 1941 Holy Cross College graduate was born on April 25, 1918 to Dr. M. B. and Kathleen Mathison Kelly of Bae Mar Place. After training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia and graduating Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1942. After two years as an instructor at the Ranger School at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, he was sent to the European Theater in June 1944. For his sacrifice, Capt. Kelly was awarded a Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Medal. His body was returned after the war for a July 23, 1949 High Mass of Requiem at St. Michael’s Church, followed by reburial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

John Osburn Clark, US Navy

John Osburn Clark, Aviation Machinist’s Mate, 3rd Class, United States Navy, was killed in action on June 8, 1944 during the invasion of Normandy, France when the destroyer escort on which he served as a diesel engineer, was lost. Born October 17, 1923 to Richard J. and Minnie Wahl Clark of Wheeling, John left behind a widow, Wanda Dale Clark, and a daughter, Joann. He was a 1941 Central graduate and worked at the Continental Machine & Foundry Co. before the war. Clark was awarded the Purple Heart and is listed among the Tablets of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery.

James L. Rose, US Coast Guard

According to the Wheeling Intelligencer of April 17, 1945, James L. Rose was the first Marshall County soldier to fall in the Second World War. A monument was dedicated to him during the Memorial Day observation that year in Moundsville. According to the Intelligencer, Rose, whose body was returned to his mother Marguerite of Viola, Moundsville RFD 3, was “killed in action” while serving on a Coast Guard vessel in early May 1942. High Mass of Requiem was held at St. Alphonsus Church.

Thomas A. Robrecht, US Army Air Force

U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Thomas A. Robrecht, a 35 mission veteran of the 735 Bomb Squadron was wounded in combat during a forced landing of his plane in Yugoslavia. He died six days later on July 24, 1944. He was born August 5, 1919 to Frederick George and Clara Anna Hellstern Robrecht of Triadelphia, attended Elliott Business College, and worked as an accountant before the war. He was reburied in Arlington National Cemetery on December 1, 1948.

Frances L. Hercules, US Army

Twenty-one-year-old Private Frances L. Hercules, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, was killed in action at Epinal, Vosges, Lorraine, France on October 17, 1944. He is buried at Epinal American Cemetery, France. Born in 1923 to James and Mary Papa Hercules, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.

William Adrian Stahl, US Army, MARS Task Force

Nineteen-year-old U.S. Army Corporal William Adrian Stahl died of wounds received in combat on February 5, 1945 at Ledo, India. He was a member of the MARS Task Force, a special long-range penetration group operating in the lesser-known China-Burma-India Theater. Corporal Stahl was born March 4, 1925 to Joseph A. and Helen M. Vogler Stahl of Wheeling and was an employee of the News Publishing Company before the war. After the war he was reburied at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on June 7, 1948 following funeral Mass at St. Alphonsus Church.

Claude and Ralph Nodurft, US Army

Private Claude H. “Tim” Nodurft and his twin brother Private Ralph F. “Jim” Nodurft, both serving in the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, were both mortally wounded in action in the summer of 1944 in the Battle of St. Lo, France. Claude was killed in action on July 24 and Ralph was wounded the same day, succumbing several days later on August 14, 1944 in a military hospital in England. The brothers were born in Lyons Kansas on May 20, 1925 to Claude E. and Mary P. Oliver Nodurft, who later moved the family to Warwood Terrace. The twins, who were seniors at Central Catholic when they enlisted together, were 19 when they died. Both were reburied after the war at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on January 15, 1949, following joint military rites with Post 1 American Legion providing the military honors and High Mass of Requiem at Corpus Christi Church in Warwood.

Additional information provided by nephew Chris Nodurft (see comments section below): “It may be interesting to note that the twins were actually killed by American bombs. July 24th, the day they were wounded/died, was supposed to be the kick-off of Operation Cobra, the breakout from Normandy. The plan was for a saturation bombing of the German lines before the assault commenced, led by the 30th Infantry Division. Unfortunately, due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, bombs were dropped short, primarily [on] the 120th Infantry Regiment, my uncles’ unit. It disrupted the operation, and it was postponed a day; however, the same exact thing happened on July 25th, but the assault commenced anyway.”

Joseph Anthony Schellhase, US Navy

Joseph Anthony Schellhase, soundman third class, U.S. Navy, was reported missing in action in the Pacific on December 3, 1944 (death notice published January 12, 1945). He was born in Wheeling on September 12, 1925 to Leo and Mary Yocke Schellhase. A 1943 Central graduate and employee of Fidelity Insurance Co. prior to entering the military, Schellhase was a member of St. Alphonsus Church. He was awarded the Purple Heart and is listed on the tablets of buried at sea at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

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Harry E. Gould, US Army

U.S. Army Private Harry E. Gould, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, was killed in action near Brittany, France on August 20, 1944 and buried at Brittany American Cemetery, France. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Charles R. Holmes, Jr., US Army

Nineteen-year-old Private Charles R. Holmes, Jr., son of Charles R. and Gertrude Becker Holmes of 2413 Eoff Street, Wheeling, was killed in action in Germany on March 24, 1945. Born on January 15, 1926, Charles Jr. attended St. Alphonsus School and was a 1944 graduate of Wheeling Central. He worked briefly at Bloch Brothers Tobacco Co. before enlisting. After a Mass of High Requiem at St. Alphonsus Church, he was buried at Mt Calvary Cemetery.

Joseph G. Bryan, US Army Medical Corps

Twenty-two-year-old Private and medical corpsman Joseph G. “Tootie” Bryan, 83rd Division U.S. Army, was killed in action on July 8, 1944 at St. Lo, France. Born August 16, 1921 to William and Mary Nassif Bryan of Wheeling, Joseph enlisted October 22, 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Medical Badge for his service and sacrifice. Bryan’s body was returned after the war for High Mass of Requiem by Rev. Paul Abraham at Our Lady of Lebanon, and he was reburied at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on July 5, 1948.

John Joseph Killeen, US Army

U.S. Army Private First Class John Joseph Killeen, 262nd Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Division, was killed in action during the Christmas Eve 1944 sinking of the Leopoldville, a Belgium troopship that left Southampton, England with over 2,000 American soldiers assigned to the 66th Infantry Division to cross the English Channel to Cherbourg, France. The ship was sunk by torpedoes from German submarine U-486 just 5 1/2 miles from its destination, killing 763 American soldiers, 493 of whom were never recovered from the Channel. Born August 1, 1921 to Joseph and Clara Shiffer Killeen, Pvt. Killeen was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and is listed on the Normandy American Cemetery’s Tablets (or Wall) of the Missing or Buried at Sea.

John P. Kreuger, US Army

Twenty-four-year-old U.S. Army Master Sergeant John P. Krueger was killed in action on August 2, 1943 at New Hebrides Island in the South Pacific. Born November 13, 1918 to Herman C. and Ellen Walsh Krueger of 1122 Eoff Street, he graduated from Wheeling Central in 1939. That same year, he was in Hawaii for bombardier training and was at Hickam Field when Pearl Harbor was attacked two years later. Before the war, he had been active in theater and minstrels. Sgt. Kreuger was posthumously awarded the Air Medal on August 12, 1943. After the war, his remains were returned to his parents, and he was reburied at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on March 17, 1948.

Clement D. McGlone, US Army Medical Corps

Marshall County native Clement D. McGlone enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) Officer on March 19, 1943 at Ft. Hayes in Columbus Ohio. The second lieutenant in the 290th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division was killed in action in France at age 23 on February 8, 1945 and buried Plot B Row 17 Grave 27 Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Clement’s father, John J. McGlone was a soldier in the First World War. See image below. McGlone enlisted in the U.S. Army, May 23, 1917. A Private First Class with Company E, 15th U.S. Engineers, McGlone served for two years, discharging on May 15, 1919. Following his service, McGlone went on to be the chief engineer of Dam No. 13 at McMechen.