Norwich University - War Whoop Yearbook (Northfield, VT)

Page 20 text:

4 -lx-xxxxxxx ,,,,- J., ,f,1f1,i XX, ,f SAMUEL VICTOR CONSTANT, JR. cfm of 1943 Captain, Corps of Engineers Sam was an instructor in the Department of Military Art and Engineering at the United States Military Academy at the time of his death. The ski slope at West Point will bear his name as a result of the excellent work he accomplished in the development of skiing facilities at the Point Sam lost his life on Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire, February 24, 1946, while preparing for the National Ski Race which was to be held the following week. In the run down the mountain he left the trail and crashed into a tree. I-Ie spoke excellent Chinese, of which he gained a knowledge in China, where his father, Colonel Samuel Victor Constant, was stationed for several years. Mrs. Alida Browne Constant, his wife, resides in Winchester, Virginia. 1 Q,5- HOWARD GEORGE GEBBIE Class of 1943 Second Lieutenant, 71st Infantry Division Geb'l was on a reconnaissance mission out in front locating a probable place to cross the Rhine River near Mechtershiem, Ger- many, on Palm Sunday, March 25, 1945, when his platoon was pinned down by enemy fire. In the ensuing action, Geb's platoon established the bridgehead. He lost his life when he took over the' position of a gunner who had been killed in the initial burst of fire. After entering the service in March, 1943, Geb was married on July 7, 1944, to Miss Betty J. Branigin. His brother, Foster T. Gebbie of the class of 1941, also served in the Army during the war. His parents and sister make their home in Greensboro, Vermont. ' FRANK SEVERNE MILLEN Class of 1945 Pilot Otflicer, Royal Canadian Air Force Frank left Norwich to enter the European struggle before we became involved in World War II. He went to Canada and enlisted in the Air Force to train as a bomber. pilot. Frank's determination to enter the fray could not be shaken. After completing his training in Canada, he was assigned as the pilot of a Sterling Bomber at Cambridge, England. He had com- pleted missions over Germany, Holland, and Italy prior to December 16, 1942, when he volunteered for a special mission over Holland. On this mission he was shot down and lost his life. He was buried near Appledorn, Holland. Frank was posthumously awarded Gold Operational Wings, which were presented to his mother, Mrs. Robert L. Blanding, of North Providence, Rhode Island. NINETEE,N

Page 19 text:

Lf ,X fffffr, xggg, ff f- ff' sg VIRGIL EMERY WARDWELL, JR. Class of 1942 Private First Class, United States Marine Corps After being in the National Guard and released on a medical discharge, Virgil reentered the service three years later. He com- pleted his training at Farris Island, South Carolina, and New River, North Carolina, and was assigned to the 'KLeatherneck staff in Washington, D. C. After a short tour of duty in Washington, he gained an assign- ment to Company B, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. He par- ticipated in the battle for Saipan, where he lost his life on June 15, 1944. He was killed while serving as a gunner in the invasion of Saipan and was buried at sea. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil E. Wardwell, live in Glenbrook, Connecticut. CHARLES GREGORY WARNER Class of 1942 Captain, 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Chuck was awarded the Bronze Star Medal For meritorious service during the period 3 November 1944 to 19 November 1944, in France. Captain Warner was commanding officer, Troop C. His period in command was marked by his earnestness and aggres- siveness in directing his troop on its missions. He remained wtih his reconnaissance platoons, both day and night, to keep them mov- ing against the enemy. On 14 and 15 November 1944 his use of dismounted night patrols in securing information enabled his troop to secure high ground. On 19 November 1944 near Dieuze, France, in the Province of Lorraine, Captain Warner was killed by enemy artillery while assembling his troop in Squadron Reservef, Chuck was married May 14, 1942. His wife, Florence I. Oakley, resides in Newtown, Connecticut. EUGENIO LOUIS BONAFIN Class of 1943 First Lieutenant, 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion It can be truthfully stated that Bep never had an enemy while at Norwich. From the Cadet Major down to the lowest rook, Bonafin was liked and admired for his very pleasing personality. In the Chemical Warfare Service, Bep was following his chosen career as a chemist. He left for the European theater after graduating from the Ofhcer Candidate School at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, and training at Camp Rucker and Camp Shanks. He entered France on D-Day and fought in the battle of Nor- mandy. While acting as a forward observer for the 330th Infantry Regiment on July 13, 1944, in the battle for St. Lo, he was trapped by German infantry. In the ensuing action, Bep lost his life. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic action. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bonafin, his parents, reside in Lee, Massa- chusetts. EIGHTEEN

Page 21 text:

xx ,zzz-ff, 11- xxxgg ff f,,g- xxx RICHARD C. AUSTIN Class of 1944 Private, 501st Regiment, 101st Parachute Division Dick left Norwich in the middle of his junior year in Decem- ber, 1942, to enlist in the ski troops. In September, 1943, he volunteered for service with the paratroops. After completing his training, he was sent to England in 1944. For his first combat jump, Dick landed in Normandy at mid- night prior to D-Day. He remained in combat for thirty days when his unit was returned to England. Taking off from England on September 17, 1944, he jumped over Holland with a Pathfinder Group of Company B. In the attack which followed, south from Schuydel towards St. Odenrode, Dick, who was a member of the leading platoon, was killed by a mortar shell fragment on September 22, 1944. His unit had been cited by the President of the United States prior to Dick,s death. His parents, Mrs. Thelma J. and Mr. Irving C. Austin, make their home in Reading, Massachusetts. SALTER STORRS CLARK, 3RD Class of 1944 First Lieutenant, 385th Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force After enlisting in the Air Corps in 1942, and successfully finishing the pilotls training course, Lieutenant Clark was assigned as the first pilot of a Flying Fortress. He was awarded the Air Medal for raids against Brunswick, Tutow, Diepholz, Rostock, Germany, and against V-1 installations in the Pas de Calais, France. On February 28, 1944, his group was bombing the Robot Bomb installations near Boulogne, when Salter's ship suffered hits, which caused the airplane to go into a steep dive. Lieutenant Clark leveled the plane out long enough for two men to parachute to safety. He and seven other crew members lost their lives when the ship crashed. Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Clark, his parents, reside in Wfestfield, New Jersey. SHERMAN NEIL CROCKER Class of 1944 Captain, 40th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force Captain Crocker received his wings, after transferring from the Infantry as a Second Lieutenant, at Napier Field, Dotham, Alabama, in 1943. The 507th Fighter Group, of which Sherman became the Commanding Officer in December, 1944, was cited by the President for its service from D-.Day to February 25. He was awarded the Air Medal with 17 oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, in addition to being rated an Ace for his victories over enemy aircraft. Captain Crocker lost his life on February 13, 1945, near Arh- weiler, Germany, when the Thunderbolt he was flying on a low level mission sustained a direct hit from an 88. The German Government reported his death and burial at Ramerbach, but his grave has never been located. His parents, Sheriff and Mrs. Lauchlan M. Crocker, live in Barnstable, Massachusetts. TWENTY