A Dover man, torn by rejection, planned a horrible crime only to have it lead to his heroic death. Born in 1924, Norman James Hollis (1924-1944) was the second child of Floyd James Hollis (1900-1983) and Bessie Lovett (1906-1970), who married four years earlier in Wayne County, Tennessee. Around the time of Norman’s birth, theContinue reading “From the Bizarre Crime to the Heroic Death of Norman J. Hollis”
Tag Archives: world war two
One House’s Story: The Herbert Family Tragedy
The Herbert family’s story, rooted in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, is one of immigration, hard labor, wartime service, and unexpected tragedy. Content warning: This post contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Click here forContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Herbert Family Tragedy”
Fallen Heroes: Seaman 2nd Class Robert L. Hammersley
The story of this fallen hero traces a young Ohioan’s journey from his small-town roots to his ultimate sacrifice at sea during World War II. The Hammersley family’s roots were firmly planted in Ohio by the time Thomas E. Hammersley (1896–1957) was born in Coshocton County. The family moved to Wheeling Township, Guernsey County whereContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Seaman 2nd Class Robert L. Hammersley”
Fallen Heroes: Staff Sergeant Joseph A. Pancheri
Joseph Pancheri’s life, marked by dedication to his family and country, ended tragically during one of World War II’s most devastating and long-concealed maritime disasters. Severino Pancheri (1893–1957) immigrated from an Italian speaking territory in Austria in 1913, arriving in New York harbor on March 23 that year aboard the SS Niagara. Severino initially settledContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Staff Sergeant Joseph A. Pancheri”
Fallen Heroes: Private Thomas J. Forbes
This family had two older sons, both of whom volunteered to serve in the United States military during World War Two. Each would be sent to the Philippines to combat the Japanese, and each would die while a prisoner-of-war. This is one of those sons’ stories. Determining when this branch of the Forbes family treeContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Thomas J. Forbes”
Fallen Heroes: Seaman 1st Class Jack K. Kellogg
This fallen hero’s family had only resided in Tuscarawas County a short time when the Second World War began and their only son enlisted in the United States Navy. That son, like many sailors before him, met his fate on the seas and his ship serves as his tomb. The Kellogg family arrived in NewContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Seaman 1st Class Jack K. Kellogg”
Fallen Heroes: 2nd Lieutenant Clara A. Young
Not surprisingly, given the nature of warfare in the past, the majority of fallen heroes are young men. There are, however, examples where servicewomen find themselves on or near the front lines, or in roles that put their lives in danger. In the case of this fallen hero, though she prepared and trained for serviceContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: 2nd Lieutenant Clara A. Young”
A “Blue Devil”: Joseph Aloysius Downey
As much as I enjoy researching the family histories of other people, my greatest satisfaction comes from exploring my own family’s history. It is especially satisfying when that research helps answer questions that may have been left unanswered for decades. This is one of those times. James Downey (1847- c. 1910) was born in IrelandContinue reading “A “Blue Devil”: Joseph Aloysius Downey”
Fallen Heroes: Sergeant Ralph L. Lab
It is not uncommon for multiple sons to serve their country in a time of need and sacrifice. One local family provided four sons for service during the Second World War but only two of their sons would survive the conflict. This is the story one of those fallen sons. Pierre (later Peter) Lab leftContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Sergeant Ralph L. Lab”
Fallen Heroes: Private Harold Dean West
It is not uncommon for multiple sons to serve their country in a time of need and sacrifice. One local family provided three sons for service during the Second World War, but only two of their sons would survive the conflict. This is the story of that fallen son. The West family was living inContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Harold Dean West”
Tuscarawas County Stories 