Military Memorial

From Sumter, South Carolina, Adams graduated from Sumter High School in 1932. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Sumter, the Boy Scouts of America and the YMCA. He was inducted August 18, 1941, at Fort Jackson. Adams received his commission as second lieutenant after graduating from Officers Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He received his promotion to first lieutenant four months later and left the United States on September 24, 1943, arriving in Africa before going to Sicily then Rome. He was killed in action in Italy at a battle in the North Apennines mountains. Among his awards were three Purple Hearts with two oak leaf clusters, two battle stars, the infantryman’s citation badge and the Presidential Unit Citation.

From Woodruff, South Carolina, Alexander completed ERC training at Camp Croft. He graduated from Woodruff High School in 1941 and was president of his senior class. Alexander volunteered for the Army in October of 1942 and was placed on the enlisted reserves at Wofford College. He left Virginia in July of 1944 after completing basic training at Camp Croft. He was in the 3rd Division in the south of France during the summer of 1944. On December 22, 1944, he was wounded by a bullet that penetrated his thorax, and he was admitted to a hospital in Germany, where he died.

Nicknamed “Booty,” Anderson graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1933. He then attended Wofford from 1933-37 and received his bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation, Anderson received commission and reserves. He was said to be outgoing and musical, as he was a member of the Glee Club, band and ROTC. Anderson volunteered for one-year active duty under the Thomason Act and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston. At the end of the year, he returned to Spartanburg and taught at Southside Junior High. He then became affiliated with the National Guard, and his unit was activated in the fall of 1940 at Fort Jackson. In the spring of 1941, Anderson resigned commission as second lieutenant in the infantry and entered the air force as a training cadet. He was last stationed at Kelly Air Field in San Antonio, Texas. On December 24, 1941, Anderson’s plane developed engine trouble and crashed into an open field while on a routine training night flight.

Bass entered the Naval Reserve Class V-7 in 1941 as a plane gunner.

From Marion County, South Carolina, Bryant graduated from Zion High School with the highest boy’s grade average. Prior to his graduation at Wofford, he went on duty in a CCC camp as a second lieutenant and was called to the Army in 1941, when he was put in the infantry and was among the first to go across the Atlantic. Bryant was wounded in the first invasion of Italy and stayed in a hospital in North Africa for several weeks. He recovered and went back to Anzio, Italy, two weeks before he was killed.

After entering the service from Georgia, Bryant led his formation of Liberator bombers on a successful bombing mission over Germany. Bryant was killed in the icy water of the North Sea in 1944 and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for heroism.

From Sanford, Florida, Buhrman participated in the headquarters platoon, played on the Wofford football team and served as the Kappa Sigma treasurer at Wofford. He was later killed in action in northern France.

From Spartanburg, Byars graduated from Spartanburg High School.

While at Wofford, Church was a part of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and a member of an Episcopal church. He entered the Army in March of 1943 and trained at Camp Lee and Washington War College. He was assigned a special mission in the China-Burma-India Theater and left the states in May of 1944. While a passenger on a ship in the Indian Ocean, it was torpedoed by the Japanese.

From Spartanburg, Cole graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1942.

Compton attended Cliffside High School in North Carolina and received a bachelor’s degree from Junior College in 1940. Compton took a CAA course at Wofford and entered the U.S. Army Air Forces in May of 1942. The first word received by the family in regard to his death came on January 29, 1943, when two letters addressed to him were returned and marked, “Killed in Action.”

From Ehrhardt, South Carolina, Dannelly was heavily involved at Wofford, as he was president of Kappa Sigma Kappa, a member of Sigma Tau Alpha (an honorary Christian leadership fraternity), president of Sigma Upsilon (a national honorary fraternity for students showing ability and interest in literary endeavors), president of the Pan-Hellenic Council, editor of The Journal, feature editor of the Bohemian, a member of the Senior Order of Gnomes, a member of the Blue Key (a national honorary leadership fraternity), the International Relations Club and the Preston Literary Society, which he served as vice president and first critic. He also participated in the Glee Club as a second tenor and the Stratford Players. Dannelly received a letter of recommendation from Wofford to the Southern Teachers Agency in Columbia, South Carolina, to be a high school English teacher. While serving, he was killed in the Philippines on Luzon Island.

Dixson was born in Ramseur, North Carolina, and was killed in a midair collision of two B-24s based at Davis-Monthan Army Air Field. He was buried at Goucher Baptist Church Cemetery in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Easterling graduated from Florence High School in South Carolina. He was a talented singer and took part in the radio broadcast Sunday school. A member of the Central Methodist Church, Easterling was said to be a loyal and faithful Christian. When inducted in April of 1942, he was a bookkeeper for the Lexington Ice and Fuel Company. Easterling served overseas for two years as a part of the North African campaign and on the Anzio beachhead. He was serving with the Seventh Army when fatally wounded, having been transferred to France the previous fall.

Elias graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1937. While at Wofford, he was selected for advanced ROTC training and went on to attend summer camp at Fort McClellan in Alabama in the summer of 1940. After his time at Wofford, he went to join the Flying Tigers. While flying on a mission his plane for the Air Forces, he bailed out of his P-40 fighter plane. He was credited with destroying four enemy aircraft in aerial combat, including one on the day of his death. After he and some others destroyed some enemy riverboats, Elias engaged four Zeroes, was shot down, bailed out and was killed by strafing from Japanese pilots. Quoted as saying, “God is my copilot.”

Nicknamed “Aubry,” Faust was from Cottageville in Colleton County, South Carolina. He was said to have been one of the greatest natural athletes in Wofford history. He was a letterman in four sports, an outstanding track man as well as a first-string Little All-American in both football and basketball. While at Wofford, Faust was president of the senior class in 1943 and a member of the Order of Gnomes. His jersey number was retired and is a part of the Wofford Football Hall of Fame. He was believed to be leading a patrol in Normandy when he was killed in action. Faust received the Purple Heart posthumously.

From Chester County, South Carolina, Ferguson was the younger brother of Dr. Dan Ferguson. While at Wofford, he participated in the Glee Club, the Preston Literary Society, the Stratford Club, the International Relations Club and Alpha Kappa Pi. It was said that his unwavering devotion to duty and courageous action contributed largely to his unit’s successful advance. Ferguson was awarded with a Bronze Star for his heroic achievement in action on November 10, 1944. A day later, he was killed by a German bullet in France and was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

Fowler graduated from Woodruff High School before attending Wofford College. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in the infantry and entered the Army in June of 1942, receiving his training at Camp Wheeler in Georgia. Fowler took part in battles at Gafsa, El Guettar and Bizerte. He was wounded during the Sicilian invasion and was decorated with the Purple Heart. Fowler was described by his comrades as a “brave and gallant soldier.”

Franks, who was from Spartanburg, is memorialized with a gravestone in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in his hometown. John served on a B-25J as a part of the 77th Bomber Squadron, 28th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces as a private on December 13, 1941, at Fort McPherson in Georgia. Franks was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a mechanic. His plane took off from Attu Island, Alaska, on an offensive sweep for Japanese fighter planes in the area. They were reportedly shot down by multiple Japanese Army Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscar” fighters over the Kuril Islands and crashed at sea. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Furman attended Clemson for two years and Wofford for one semester before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces on March 6, 1943. He received his military training in San Antonio and completed radio training in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Furman took gunnery training at Yuma, Arizona, and was assigned his wings while stationed there. He was transferred to March Field, California, before being shipped to the Pacific on September 11, 1944. At the time of his death, Furman was chief radio operator and waist gunnery on a B-24 Liberator with the 13th Air Force. He was buried in Swallow Savannah Cemetery in Allendale, South Carolina, and he was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

Gatlin was born in Great Falls, South Carolina. While at Wofford, he sang in the Glee Club and participated in public speaking. His sophomore year, he was class historian and a member of the International Relations Club and played intramural football. He was called to active duty after enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces in Miami Beach, Florida, on February 22, 1943. Gatlin completed Army Air Forces pilot training in Class 44-E at Blytheville, Arkansas, and received his wings and commission on May 23, 1944. He went on to a heavy bomber transition training, then operational training with his crew before deploying to England. He was assigned as a first pilot in the 836th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Suffolk, England. Gatlin and his eight crewmates went missing in action on December 31, 1944, when their aircraft disappeared during a mission to Hamburg, Germany. It’s likely they went down in the North Sea.

From New Zion, South Carolina, Irwin was a member of the 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion serving in Europe. He was marked deceased after mail was returned from New York.

While at Wofford, served as cadet colonel and commanding officer of the ROTC. It was said that Gillespie had a photographic memory and worked 30 hours a week outside of his schooling at Wofford. He was reportedly killed in the European theater.

A native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Gladden graduated as valedictorian of Rock Hill High School. Throughout his time at Wofford, he was a member of Beta Phi Theta (a national honorary French fraternity), the International Relations Club, the Blue Key (a national honorary leadership fraternity), Young Democrats, Carlisle Literary Society, the basketball and football teams and the Block W Club. Gladden served as the vice president of Sigma Upsilon, vice president of Delta Phi Alpha (an honorary German fraternity), battalion executive of the Battalion Staff, art editor of The Journal, editor of The Bohemian and the student body vice president. He was also selected to be a Senior Gnome and received the senior superlative “Most Likely to Succeed.” As a member of Scabbard and Blade (a national honorary military society), Gladden was selected to serve as cadet major. He entered the Army on December 29, 1942, as a second lieutenant in the infantry. In July of 1943, he was assigned to the 80th Division and went overseas the following year. From his commanding officer, Col. Carl Norman: “Bill was the best officer I ever had.” Gladden was said to navigate by himself at times, far ahead of the battalion, checking routes without sleep. He stayed in an ambulance for three days instead of the hospital while sick with pneumonia, and while handling his job to perfection. He was later chosen to command the “A” company in order to get the promotion he deserved. One night, his position was infiltrated by the enemy with considerable firing, and he was hit.

Glenn was wounded in action in Normandy, France, on August 7 and died the following day. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

Throughout his time at Wofford, Gravely, a native of Pickens, South Carolina, was a member of the Christian Fellowship Club, the Friendship Council and the Snyder Literary Society, which he served as president and second critic. Meanwhile, he also was a part of the debate team and was second lieutenant in the ROTC. He was said to have made an indelible impression on his classmates that will “remain long after the old bell has called the last laggard in the classroom.” Gravely is said to have lived by the saying, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.” After Wofford, he served as the chaplain of a Methodist Church and later had the Gravely Memorial Church named after him. Gravely married Katherine Carter following his graduation, and the two went on to have three children. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 and trained in Little Rock at Camp Robinson as first lieutenant. While on his way to Iceland, Gravely’s ship was sunk off the coast of Greenland, and his body was never recovered.

While at Wofford, Hale participated in many sports, such as basketball, swimming and tennis, both on the Wofford tennis team and in local tournaments. He had an interest and love for music, which continued throughout his life. He played the harmonica and always enjoyed singing, which showed through his participation in the Wofford Glee Club and the Southside Baptist Church choir. Hale learned to play simple hymns on the piano, and once he was in the Army, he wrote home that he had played the organ in a little country church at a worship service for fellow soldiers. He received an A.B. degree magna cum laude from Wofford and was known to have a keen interest in spiritual, philosophical, political and civic matters. Deeply concerned about World War II, Hale volunteered for the Army in November of 1942. He was killed in Remscheid, Germany, after he was shot by a sniper while checking outside a building to ascertain whether it was safe for his men to emerge. “Though Walter’s lifespan on earth was brief, his impact on those with whom he came in contact was great,” said Hale Peck. “He loved Life and People and lived both wisely and well, relishing and appreciating the joys and opportunities that were his. His memory and inspiration live on in many hearts.”

While at Wofford, Heins was a member of the YMCA and the ROTC, which he served as first lieutenant platoon leader in Company D, and he received a B.S. degree. He was killed in action in Belgium.

Hinson attended schools in his hometown of Mullins, then attended Wofford College. For several years, he operated Hinson’s Grocery. Hinson joined the Army in 1942 and was stationed at Camp Livingston in Louisiana before going overseas. His widow received many letters about Carley, commending him highly for his fine character. It is believed that he was killed by a Japanese mortar shell in the Philippines.

Throughout his time at Wofford, Hodges, a Spartanburg native, was a member of the Block W Club, the Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Wofford basketball team, with which he made the All-State Second Team. Hodges was on a Boeing B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft during a return flight from Imphal to Lalaghat following an assessment of the situations in three Chindit-held bases in Burma when the aircraft crashed into the Burmese jungle-covered hills. All passengers perished in the accident.

Throughout his time at Wofford, Hodges was a member of Pi Kappa Delta, the Scabbard and Blade as well as the Blue Key. He was highly involved throughout all four years, as he participated in the Carlisle Literary Society, the International Relations Club, the debate team, the ROTC and was president of his senior class. He was believed to have been killed in the Burma-India theater.

From Spartanburg, Johnson was a member of the Blue Key, the Scabbard and Blade as well as the Block W Club for his time as the Wofford football team captain. While in ROTC, he served on the battalion staff as an adjutant.

From Montgomery County, Mississippi, King voluntarily enlisted in the Civil Air Patrol on March 11, 1941. King was assigned to coastal patrol and appointed second lieutenant on October 1, 1942. While flying as an observer in search of enemy submarines, his plane lost contact with the base and was declared lost at sea. Posthumously, King received Civil Air Patrol testimonials in recognition of loyal and effective service on behalf of his comrades.

Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, King was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity while at Wofford.

King, a native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, was a member of Kappa Sigma Kappa and served as a second bass in Glee Club and a guitarist in The Aces. The aircraft that carried King crashed as a result of receiving gunfire, hitting the ground in a mountainous environment. No bodies were recovered.

As Lee approached a ferry that was carrying life-giving supplies to American troops, a German shell burst nearby, and he was mortally wounded. It was said that he knew of the danger involved, but only thought of discharging his duty to the best of his ability.

Little was from Jonesville, South Carolina.

Little was employed by Coker Co. in Hartsville, South Carolina, when he entered the armed forces as first lieutenant in October of 1941. Six months after his induction, he was sent to Australia until 1942, then sent to New Guinea. He was promoted to captain in December of 1943. Little was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously after being killed in action in the Philippines.

McLeod, a native of Blacksburg, South Carolina, had received a medical discharge from the Army in May after active service in the North Africa and Sicily campaigns. He was a member of the Central Methodist Church of Florence.

From Horry County, South Carolina, Marlowe was a sophomore at Wofford College when he enrolled in the Army. He enlisted at Camp Croft on November 9, 1942. While flying over the Dümmer Lake area, Marlowe’s plane was hit by flak over target at bombs away and was lost from view. It was heard over the radio that two of his engines had gone out. He was killed when his chute failed to open while bailing out.

Mason took ROTC training at Wofford and Fort Bragg. Before entering the service, he was principal of Willow High School. He enlisted in the army on February 10, 1941, and was killed by a mortar shell near Charleroi, Belgium.

Nicknamed “Jim,” Moseley was known to be gentle and bright. Moseley was killed in action while aboard the Belgian troopship SS Leopoldville heading for France, which was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-486.

From Spartanburg, Nanney died as the result of injuries from a three-car collision in St. Francis, Arkansas.

Newman, a native of Oswego, South Carolina, was a member of the Scabbard and Blade, the Blue Key and Alpha Lambda Tau. While at Wofford, he served as first lieutenant assistant platoon leader of Company D and served as a representative on Panhellenic Council. He was killed in action in Germany.

Oakman graduated from Spartanburg High School and attended Wofford College, where he was a member of the ROTC in 1942. Upon finishing his freshman year at Wofford, Oakman was called into active Army service and was sent overseas in October of 1943. Oakman was killed in action on the Anzio beachhead in Italy.

While at Wofford, Owens was a member of Sigma Tau Alpha as well as Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Parrott, who was raised in Arcadia, South Carolina, was killed in action in France.

Priester was from Allendale, South Carolina. While at Wofford, he was a member of the Preston Literary Society and Kappa Sigma Kappa.

Reed was from Lee County, South Carolina.

Described by Paul Robertson as “having a personality that wouldn’t quiet,” Roy Robertson was 6 feet tall, weighed 165 pounds and was known for his attractiveness. At Wofford, he was also quite the athlete, as he was a football player, was captain of the All-State basketball team, a baseball player, a member of the track and field team and a coach of the basketball and baseball teams. Robertson was an extremely involved student. He was president of his sophomore class, student body secretary during his junior year, student body president during his senior year, secretary of the N.C. Club during his junior year and president of the N.C. Club during his senior year. He was a member of the Preston Literacy Society, the Scabbard and Blade, the Bohemian staff and the Honor Council. Additionally, Robertson was on the executive committee of the Panhellenic Council, vice president of the Blue Key and was both treasurer and on the advisory board for the Block W Club. He was also a member of the Carlisle Hall Advisory Board, cadet captain assistant for the ROTC and a member of Alpha Lambda Tau. In 1935, Robertson graduated from Wofford with an A.B. degree. After graduation, he worked at the South Carolina National Bank for six months. In 1940, Robertson was called to active duty and became a member of the Army Air Forces. He was stationed at Randolph Field in Texas and Keyfield in Mississippi. After Pearl Harbor, he transferred to Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1941, Robertson married Thesis Fowler on Christmas Eve. On December 28, 1941, after only three days of being married, Robertson’s plane failed to pull out of a dive during target practice and crashed on the beach near Masonboro Inlet. Robertson was killed and his gunner, corporal Lewis Walker, was seriously injured. Robertson was known for his motto, “It’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game.”

Robinson was a Wofford football player known for his great personality and was respected by all. After losing a leg, he did not survive despite the doctors’ hopes. Robinson died due to the wounds he received in December of 1944 on the Western Front.

Rowland was from Sumter, South Carolina, and was a member of Kappa Sigma. He was killed in an accident in Lubbock, Texas, on January 27, 1945.

Shands was from Spartanburg and was a very enthusiastic student. He was student body secretary during his junior year, the first- and second-term secretary of the Calhoun-Snyder Society and secretary of Beta Pi Theta (a national French honorary society). Shands was a member of the varsity debate team, the International Relations Club and Theta Kappa Nu. Additionally, he was the assistant business manager on the staff of the Bohemian. Shands served as a first lieutenant in the 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts. He became a prisoner of the Japanese Army while fighting in the Philippines and was held at Japanese POW Camp 2 in Davao. Shands died on a prisoner of the warship Shinyō Maru, which was sunk by the American Air Forces on the way from the Philippines to Japan. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Prisoner of War Medal and the Purple Heart posthumously.

From Spartanburg, Speake was on the Wofford football team and a member of the Carlisle Literacy Society. On July 28, 1944, he was killed in a plane crash in England.

Nicknamed “Pops,” Stevens graduated from Smithfield High School in North Carolina in 1935. He received his pilot wings and commission in October of 1942 and was stationed in North Africa as a B-24 pilot. On August 1, 1943, he took part in the costly raid on the oil fields at Ploieşti, Romania. As a lieutenant, Stevens was the pilot of a B-24 in Col. Leon Johnson’s 44th Bombardment Group, which was nicknamed “The Flying Eight Balls.” Stevens was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “distinguishing himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in operations against the Ploieşti oil refineries.” Once transferred to the 63rd Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, he was killed while on a strafing mission at Tilburg, Netherlands.

Stewart was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. He graduated from Wofford with his A.B. degree and as a member of the tennis team. Steward was a member of the Chi Beta Phi fraternity and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Following his Wofford graduation, he entered University of South Carolina law school in 1941 and completed one year. In July of 1942, he volunteered for the Army Air Forces and entered service in Nashville, Tennessee. Stewart completed his training at Maxwell Field in Douglas, Georgia, and was awarded his wings at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia. He was assigned to duty at Fort Myers, Florida, and later went overseas as a pilot of a P-47 thunderbolt in April of 1944. Stewart was promoted to first lieutenant and received the air medal with oak leaf clusters early in July of that year. He was killed in action while in France.

Born in Anderson, South Carolina, Thompson graduated from Spartanburg High School. After completing his freshman year at Wofford in 1943, he was inducted into the Army. Thompson completed basic training at Camp Croft in August and was then shipped overseas in September of 1943. He reported to the first armored division in North Africa and became a part of 14th infantry battalion. Thompson’s first combat was at Monte Cassino in Italy, then he later landed at Anzio Beachhead. There, he fought on through the capture of Rome. On September 23, 1944, he was awarded the Silver Star for the gallantry in action he demonstrated in Italy on March 6, 1944. The medal was presented by U.S. Army chief of staff George C. Marshall. On October 14, 1944, Thompson was killed near Florence, Italy. His body was returned to the U.S. in 1949 and was interned at Greenlawn Cemetery in Spartanburg.

An Anderson, South Carolina, native, Watson attended both Wofford College and Erskine College before he served as second lieutenant and copilot for Army Air Forces. Watson began training with the Army Air Forces while still a sophomore, receiving his wings and commission at Moody Field in Georgia. He was a member of the 322nd Bomber Group, Medium, 451st Bomber Squadron when his plane was shot down by enemies over France.

Watts was from Union, South Carolina, and was extremely involved as a student during college. He was a student member of the Publications Board, a member of the Calhoun-Snyder Society and a member of the varsity debate team. Watts was also a member of Beta Pi Theta (a national French honorary fraternity) and Chi Beta Phi (a national honorary scientific fraternity). Additionally, he was treasurer of the Young Democrats and a member of Theta Kappa Nu. In 1944, Watts was killed as a medic in Italy.

Wilkes was from Chester, South Carolina, and received many honors throughout high school and college as he graduated from Wofford with high honors. Following his graduation, he was commissioned as lieutenant in the ROTC, receiving a promotion to first lieutenant after one year. He was known to be extremely bright, independent and a natural leader. Stemming from this, he was the senior class president in 1942. Wilkes was killed in action on June 20, 1944, in France and was awarded the Bronze Star posthumously for his bravery during the North African campaign.

From Spartanburg, Wood was the news editor of the Old Gold and Black and the secretary of Sigma Upsilon, a national honorary fraternity for students showing ability and interest in literary endeavors. Wood was also a member of the Headquarters Platoon, the varsity debate team and the Calhoun-Snyder Society, which he served as third-term secretary. Additionally, Wood was the debate manager of the Gavel. Wood joined the U.S. Army from South Carolina and served in the 72nd Infantry Regiment, 71st Philippine Infantry Division during the defense of the Philippines. He was taken as a prisoner of war following the Japanese invasion and was interned in the Philippines until December 1944, when he was transferred to the Ōryoku Maru for transport to Japan. Records indicate that Wood survived the sinking of the Ōryoku Maru and the attack on the Enoura Maru before he was transferred to the Brazil Maru, where he died of exposure. Today, Wood is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.