“TBI’s Human Cost”
Eleven Brother’s gave their lives during time of war in service to the United States. Eight Brother’s during WWII; One Brother during the Korean War; Two Brother’s during the Vietnam War.
“Ringing of the Bell”
Prior to WWII, it was a custom at Fairmont State that the “Normal School Bell” be rung after every home game victory, that duty fell upon the school’s custodian, John Andrew “Shorty” Heim. After Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Student Government decreed that the “Normal School Bell” be silenced until the end of the war as a reminder of those students and alumni of Fairmont State serving on and above distant lands. On May 8th, 1945, the “Normal School Bell” was heard for the first time after 3 1/2 long years of War when President Truman announced the German Surrender. Shorty Heim once again preformed this duty, he has a special place in our history as the Father of a TBI (John Heim Sr), the Father in Law of TBI (L.A. “Pappy” Wallman), and the grandfather of 5 TBI’s (Rick & John Heim, John & L.A. “Spick” Wallman, and John Cranwell).
World War II by Date of Death
Click on the arrows to learn more about their selfless service.
1. Brother Frank Kinsey Evans
Details
- Died on May 13th., 1944
- From Fairmont, Marion County, WV
- First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
- Navigator on a B26 Marauder
- 597th Bomber Squadron, 397th Bomber Group (M)
- Killed in Action over the European Theatre of Operations
- Buried Overseas at Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridge, UK
Military Awards
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Air Medal
- Purple Heart
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign
- American Campaign Medal
Circumstances
Frank K. Evans enlisted as an Aviation Cadet on January 7, 1942, in Morgantown, WV.
On May 13, 1944, 1LT Frank Kinsey Evans was on board the B-26 Marauder 42-96137 and serving as navigator when he was killed by a flak burst over enemy territory. The B-26 crash landed due to battle damage at Royal Air Force West Malling while attempting to return to base. Frank was the only casualty.
According to the Army Air Corps Museum, the 397th Bomb Group helped prepare for the Normandy invasion “by attacking V-weapon sites, bridges, coastal defenses, marshalling yards, and airfields, Apr-Jun 1944.” (AAC Museum)
He is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery in England. Frank was awarded the Air Cross and a Purple Heart for his service and is honored at the Marion County Veterans KIA Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV. You can also find his name on the WV State Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV.
Source
Remembering 1LT Frank Kinsey Evans
2. Brother William LaVelle Watson, Jr.
No Photo Available
Researching
Details
- Died on May 24th., 1944
- From Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia
- Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps
- Co-Pilot
- 381st Bomber Group, Heavy, 535th Bomber Squadron
- Killed in Action in the European Theatre of Operations Over Germany
- U.S. Aircrew Group Burial
- Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO
Military Awards
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Air Medal
- Purple Heart
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign
- United States Army Aviator Badge
Circumstances
On 24 May 1944 he was on the crew of the B-17G #42-39890 “Return Ticket” during a bombing raid over Berlin, Germany. Their bomber was cut in two by a falling plane that had been shot down above them. They crashed at the Wilhelmshof Estate, near Gratze. Only four of the crew survived.
Source
Honor States
Link
https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/546450/
3. Brother Henry Alfred Weber, Jr.
No Photo Available
Researching
Details
- Died on June 19th., 1944
- From
- Cadet, U.S. Navy
- Non-Battle Injury in the United States, Aircraft Crash near Norfolk, VA
- Buried in the U.S. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, WV
Military Awards
Researching
Circumstances
Researching
4. Brother Glenn Elbert Kern
Details
- Died on November 19th., 1944
- From Fairmont, Marion County, WV
- Private, U.S. Army
- 1st Infantry Division, 16th. Infantry Regiment, Company F
- Killed in Action in the European Theatre of Operations in Germany
- Buried in the U.S at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, WV
Military Awards
Researching
Circumstances
Glenn enlisted on August 18, 1943, in Clarksburg, WV, and became a member of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Company F. Having worked their way across France and Germany, the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Company F attacked Hamich, Germany on November 16-17, 1944, before moving into position in the Hürtgen Forest on November 18, 1944. PVT Glenn Elbert Kern was killed in action on November 19, 1944, in the Hürtgen Forest.
Source
5. Brother William Bebb Howells
Details
- Born 19 Nov 1918 in Newbridge, Caerphilly, Wales, United Kingdom
- Died at age 26
- Died on January 17th., 1945
- From Barrackville, Marion County, WV
- Private First Class, U.S. Army
- European Theatre of Operations
- 79th Infantry Division, 304th Combat Engineer Battalion
- Killed in Action
- Buried Overseas at the Epinal American Cemetery in Dinoze, France
Military Awards
Purple Heart
Circumstances
Brother Howells was killed in France during the Battle of the Bulge during the Ardennes Offensive in Alsace, France.
Sources
WikiTree
6. Brother James Shirley Sweeney
No Photo Available (Researching)
Details
- Died on March 30th., 1945
- From Summersville, Nicholas County, WV
- Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
- Assigned Office of Strategic Service (O.S.S.)
- Served in Corsica in 1944
- Attached to U.S. 7th. Army
- Killed in Action in the European Theatre of Operations in Germany
- Inscribed in the Book of Honor, OSS Memorial, CIA Headquarters
- Buried in the U.S. at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Summersville, WV
- Source: Special Forces Roll of Honor
Military Awards
Bronze Star Medal While Serving in Corsica in 1944
Circumstances
Corporal James S. Sweeney USMC was serving with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in 1944. On 19 Aug 1944, he reported to the headquarters of the 36th Infantry Division along with Second Lieutenant Walter W. Taylor USMCR, and Captain Justine L. Greene, USA — a noted New York psychiatrist. They were to determine the extent of German defenses for the 7th US Army during Operation ANVIL, the invasion of Southern France. Corporal Sweeney was later killed in action near Mannheim, Germany.
Sources
“Herringbone Cloak–GI Dagger: Marines in the OSS” by Major Robert E. Mattingly, USMC
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-OSS/index.html
Link: https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/sweeney-james-shirley.519/
7. Brother Kenneth Lawrence Morgan
No Photo Available (Researching)
Details
- Died on April 26th., 1945
- From Fairmont, Marion County, WV
- Staff Sergeant, US Army
- Killed in Action in the European Theatre of Operations in Germany
- Buried in the U.S. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, WV
Military Awards
Researching
Circumstances
Researching
8. Brother Lawrence Richard Berry
Details
- Died on June 25th., 1945
- From Farmington, Marion County, WV
- Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Force
- Pilot of B-24M Liberator #44-42431
- 2nd Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group, 5th Air Force
- Killed in Action in the Pacific Theatre of Operations
- Celebes Island, Dutch East Indies
- U.S. Aircrew Group Burial
- Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis County, MO
Military Awards
Researching
Circumstances
Moments after releasing their bomb load over the target of Japanese-held Mandai Airfield on Celebes Island, Indonesia, the airplane was struck by anti-aircraft fire then set upon by enemy fighters and went down northeast of Maros. Six crewmembers were killed in the downing, and four were captured by the Japanese and executed. It is not clear from the sources if Brother Berry was one of the four Servicemembers that were executed by the Japanese.
Source
Find a Grave
Link
Korean War by Date of Death
Click on the arrows to learn more about his selfless service.
9. Brother John Francis Kunst
Photo Not available
Researching
Details
- Died on November 27th., 1951
- From
- Technical Sergeant, US Air Force
- 3415 Th. Air Force Maintenance and Supply Group
- Died in the Korean Theatre of Operations
- Buried in the U.S. at Grafton National Cemetery in Grafton, WV
Military Awards
Researching
Circumstances
Disease, Non-Battle Injury
Vietnam War by Date of Death
Click on the arrows to learn more about their selfless service.
10. Brother William Bernard Cronin
- Brother to TBI Brother Harry Cronin Esq. Deceased
- West Point Graduate
- Died on April 27th., 1967
- From Marion County, WV
- Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
- Battalion Commander
- 9th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, Company
- Killed in Action
- Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam
- Buried in the U.S.
- Arlington National Cemetery
Military Awards
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit
- Purple Heart
- Army Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Marksmanship Badge
Circumstances
William Bernard Cronin was a 1947 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit for gallantry in action in Vietnam.
Silver Star Citation for LTC William Bernard Cronin
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Bernard Cronin (ASN: 0-50787), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Cronin distinguished himself on 27 April 1967 while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a combat mission against an enemy force in the jungles of Vietnam. As the Brigade Command Group proceeded on a trail en route to a landing zone and an awaiting helicopter, they suddenly came under a heavy concentration of automatic and semi-automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Without regard for personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Cronin gallantly exposed himself to the deadly enemy fire as he advanced toward the hostile positions in order to better assess the situation and determine what necessary actions were needed to combat the Viet Cong force. Throughout the ensuing battle, Lieutenant Colonel Cronin remained under constant enemy observation and fire as he courageously directed his men during a fierce assault on the hostile positions. It was during this gallant assault that Lieutenant Colonel Cronin was mortally wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Cronin’s extreme courage and resolution of purpose inspired his men to new heights of confidence and contributed significantly to the repelling of the enemy force. Lieutenant Colonel Cronin’s leadership and extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Source of Information: General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1406 (May 26, 1967)
Source of Information: Honor States
11. Brother Donald Anthony Slate
Details
- Died on November 29th., 1970
- From Marion County, WV
- Specialist 4, U.S. Army
- Personnel Specialist
- 52nd Artillery Group, 5th Battalion, 22nd Artillery
- Non-hostile, Aircraft Crash, Ninh Thuan Province, South Vietnam
- Buried in the U.S. at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Fairmont, WV
- Army Commendation Medal for Service in Vietnam
Military Awards
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Army Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
Circumstances
On 29 November 1970 he was a passenger on the USAF Fairchild C-123 Provider #54-0649 during a flight under bad weather conditions. Their airplane struck trees with both wings, stalled and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area on a hill near Cam Ranh Bay Air Base.
There were 5 crew members and 39 passengers onboard, 27 US Military and 12 South Vietnamese. Many of the US service members were on their way home after serving their tours in Vietnam. Rescuers arrived on the scene days later and found only two men still alive, both of them US service member passengers.
Source of Information: Honor States
Tau Beta Iota Alumni Association 