Pocahontas County Gold Star Veterans

 

The Service Record Book: 5 Poignant Lessons from a Small Town’s Greatest Sacrifice

1. Introduction: The Weight of a Paper Archive

Within the pages of the Service Record Book of Men and Women of Marlinton, W. Va., and Community, history is stripped of its abstract grandeur and returned to the individual. This archive, sponsored by the American Legion Pocahontas Post 50, serves as a meticulous ledger of service and loss for a community that sent its sons and daughters from the quiet Allegheny Mountains to the furthest reaches of a world on fire. By examining the records of the "Gold Star Boys"—those who gave their lives during World War II—we find a profound story of a rural community’s soul. These documents do more than list ranks and dates; they provide a haunting window into the transition from local citizen to global protector, offering essential lessons on the nature of sacrifice.

2. The Arithmetic of Service: Measuring Life in Days

Military service records often summarize a career in years, but the Marlinton archive is hauntingly precise, measuring service down to the specific day. This arithmetic of service transforms abstract "veterans" into individuals with very specific, finite timelines, reminding the reader that every hour served was an hour of life bartered for a cause.

• Sergeant Eddie T. Baker: His record reveals a career spanning "Six years, two months, two days" before he lost his life on June 13, 1942. His service was not merely a wartime response but a dedicated vocation, including an enlistment in the 13th Field Artillery in the Hawaiian Islands long before the world fully descended into chaos.
• Private First Class Andy E. Hefner: A member of the elite 82nd Airborne, his life in uniform is recorded as exactly "Two years, two months, sixteen days" until he was killed in action in France on June 9, 1944.

When a community tracks time with this level of granularity, it reflects the weight of every moment spent away from home. For a "Gold Star" family, the loss is not just a name on a plaque; it is a ledger of days, months, and years that can never be reclaimed.

3. Beyond the Call: The Anatomy of a Silver Star

The record of Sergeant Woodrow W. McLaughlin of Durbin, West Virginia, provides a clinical yet staggering analysis of tactical bravery. On February 12, 1945, in the Philippine Islands, McLaughlin’s actions exemplified the "gallantry in action" that defines the Silver Star.

While his troop was subjected to intense sniper and machine-gun fire, McLaughlin deliberately left a "position of comparative safety." He braved the open street under intense fire to reach the second story of a building, a vantage point from which he silenced five snipers and identified two enemy machine-gun nests for destruction. This movement—leaving the "comparative safety" of a sheltered position for the exposure of a second-story window—serves as a poignant metaphor for every man listed in this book. They each left the comparative safety of West Virginia’s hills for the unknown dangers of a global front.

The citation preserved in the record book captures the standard of his sacrifice:

"Sergeant McLaughlin's personal courage, gallantry, and voluntary action was an inspiration to those who witnessed his deed and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Cavalry standards."

4. A Global Map Drawn in Marlinton

The geographic reach of the men from this landlocked, rural county is a testament to the total mobilization of the era. The archive maps a global conflict through the diverse and often counter-intuitive roles played by local boys:

• Electrician’s Mate Second Class Loris Henry Duncan: Serving in the U.S. Navy Submarine service, his life was measured by the depths of the Pacific. His record notes he was gone for "54 days [on the] first trip and 57 days the second trip." On his third patrol, the community’s connection to him was severed by a "telegram stating boat over due and all presumed lost in action."
• Sergeant James Richard Snyder: A radar operator in the Army Air Corps who flew B-29 missions over Tokyo from Guam. Before his life was interrupted by war, he was a student at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a detail that underscores the abrupt shift from a quiet academic future to the high-altitude violence of the Pacific theater.
• Sergeant Cecil Glen Van Reenen: A squad leader and Ranger who transitioned from the forests of Pocahontas County to the frozen terrain of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.
• Private Paul Conrad Friel: An infantryman with the 36th Infantry who served under General Patch, seeing heavy engagement in both Italy and France before his death in October 1944.

5. The Vanguard: The Rangers and the "Firsts"

The transition from local citizen to elite historical actor is most visible in the service of Sergeant Cecil Glen Van Reenen. His record identifies him as a squad leader of a sixty-millimeter mortar unit with Company K, 424th Infantry, First Army. Having undergone specialized Ranger training at Camp Butner, North Carolina, he served under Lieutenant General Hodgens near Diedenberg, Belgium.

The document notes a significant historical detail: Van Reenen was "one of the first to enter Germany, while serving as a Ranger." This detail captures the psychological weight of being the "tip of the spear." It documents the exact moment a man from Marlinton became a primary actor in the final push of the European war, standing at the very forefront of a global turning point.

6. "Lest We Forget": The Haunting List of the Missing

The most somber portion of the archive is the section titled "Gold Star Boys Pictures Not Available." Here, the mantra "Lest We Forget" is not merely a sentiment; it is a formal framing device, appearing at both the top and bottom of the dedication pages to create a cycle of perpetual remembrance.

In a book filled with portraits of young men in uniform, the absence of a photograph for men like Robert L. Adkison, Gay S. Fertig, Letcher L. King, and Letch McCarty creates a different kind of presence. Their names must stand alone where their images were lost to time or the chaos of the front. This dedication to the "unseen" is anchored by the words of Dr. Calvin W. Price, the esteemed Editor of the Pocahontas Times:

"Freely they stood who stood, and freely they fell who fell."

7. Conclusion: The Living Archive

The Service Record Book of Marlinton is more than a historical curiosity; it is a living archive that demonstrates the staggering cost of global freedom. By preserving these specific data points—the days served, the patrols completed, and the names of the missing—the community ensures that the individual identities of its soldiers are never fully subsumed by the passage of time. These records remind us that every global victory is built upon a thousand local sacrifices.

If your community's history was distilled into a single book, whose names would be found in the silence between the pages?

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Commemorative Record of Service: The Gold Star Boys of Pocahontas County

1. Formal Dedication and Institutional Context

This commemorative record serves as a primary instrument for institutional archiving and the preservation of local heritage, documenting the profound longitudinal service of Pocahontas County residents during the global conflicts of the twentieth century. Curated with the gravity befitting a national military archive, this document is rooted in the solemn "Lest We Forget" motif, establishing a permanent provenance for the sacrifices made by the county’s youth. This record stands as a formal acknowledgment of the individuals who transitioned from the quiet mountains of West Virginia to the front lines of global defense, ensuring their names and deeds remain an indelible part of the national military narrative.

As articulated in the dedication by Dr. Calvin W. Price, Editor of the Pocahontas Times, these "Gold Star Boys" represent a unique echelon of service. While many were called to defend the cause of human freedom, those memorialized here were specifically chosen to give their lives so that liberty might not perish from the earth. The philosophical weight of their sacrifice is summarized in the realization that "freely they stood who stood, and freely they fell who fell." Sponsored by the American Legion Pocahontas Post No. 50, this archive functions as a testament to those "brave who sink to rest by all their Country’s wishes blest."

The following analysis and record of service trace the journey of these veterans from their homes—representing a significant manpower contribution from the strategic catchment areas of Marlinton, Greenbank, Durbin, Bartow, and surrounding districts—to the disparate theaters of the Second World War.

2. Synthesis of Military Training and Mobilization

The mobilization of Pocahontas County’s youth necessitated a rapid and strategic transition from civilian life in the Appalachian highlands to a complex network of domestic military installations. The diversity of training environments—ranging from infantry camps in the South to specialized submarine schools and aerial gunnery ranges—reflects the multifaceted nature of modern warfare. The logistics of this preparation were rigorous, designed to forge specialists capable of operating in the air, on the sea, and across varied terrestrial terrains.

Domestic Training and Mobilization Logistics

Training Location	Associated Veteran(s)
Camp Wolters, Texas	Paul Conrad Friel; Cecil Glen Van Reenen
Fort George G. Meade, Maryland	Paul Conrad Friel
Camp Claiborne, Louisiana	Andy E. Hefner
Fort Bragg, North Carolina	Andy E. Hefner
Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland	Woodrow W. McLaughlin
Camp Butner, North Carolina (Ranger Training)	Cecil Glen Van Reenen
Davidson College, North Carolina	James Richard Snyder
Tyndall Field, Florida	James Richard Snyder
Pratt & Herrington, Kansas	James Richard Snyder
Great Lakes, Illinois	Loris Henry Duncan
Minneapolis, Minnesota	Loris Henry Duncan
New London, Connecticut	Loris Henry Duncan
Mare Island, California	Loris Henry Duncan
Fort Monroe, Virginia	Everett Martin Curry

The breadth of military preparation is further evidenced by the diverse Branches of Service represented within this cohort. These include elite units such as the 82nd Airborne and the Army Rangers, as well as the 36th Infantry, 424th Infantry (First Army), 13th Field Artillery, Cavalry, Army Air Corps, U.S. Navy Submarine Service, and the 29th Infantry Medical Detachment. Each branch required distinct proficiencies, preparing these men for the specific tactical demands of their assigned theaters of operation.

3. Thematic Analysis of Global Theaters and Engagements

The scope of service for the veterans of Pocahontas County spanned the entirety of the global conflict, with personnel deployed to every major strategic theater. The records indicate a concentration of force in critical zones where the outcome of the war was determined through high-intensity engagements and sustained operational pressure.

• European Theatre of Operations
  • Italy and France: Personnel such as those in the 36th Infantry served under General Patch, participating in the liberation of Southern Europe and the subsequent push through France.
  • Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge: Critical defensive and offensive operations were conducted during the Ardennes Counteroffensive, with local veterans serving as squad leaders in mortar units and medical detachments.
  • Germany: The operational impact of the region's veterans included the prestigious distinction of being among the first Allied forces to enter German territory. Specifically, Ranger operations near Diedenberg, Belgium, were conducted under the broader command structure of Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges (identified in archival records as "Hodgens") and the First Army.
• Pacific Theatre of Operations
  • Philippine Islands: Strategic terrestrial engagements involving Cavalry units were central to the liberation of the archipelago.
  • Tokyo Bombing Missions: The Army Air Corps utilized Guam (North Field) as a strategic base for B-29 Superfortress night bombing missions over Tokyo, a high-priority operational movement in 1945 that directly contributed to the collapse of Axis industrial capacity.
  • Submarine Operations: Naval personnel operated out of Pearl Harbor, conducting extended combat patrols (some lasting over 50 days) to disrupt enemy maritime lines of communication.
• U.S.A. and Territorial Defense
  • Hawaiian Islands: Pre-war and early-war defensive postures included service in Field Artillery units stationed in Hawaii prior to major escalations.

These movements reflect the larger military landscape of the era, where the individual actions of West Virginian infantrymen, pilots, and sailors contributed directly to the ultimate Allied victory across multiple fronts.

4. Comprehensive Individual Records of Valor

Preserving granular service data—dates of entry, duration of service, and specific decorations—is fundamental to establishing a professional military legacy. The following records detail the specific service identifications, narrative contexts, and final sacrifices of those who earned the title of "Gold Star Boy."

Paul Conrad Friel

• Service Identification: Entered service Dec 11, 1943. U.S. Army, 36th Infantry. Trained at Camp Wolters and Fort Meade.
• Narrative of Engagement: Deployed overseas in July 1944 to the European Theatre. Served in Italy and France under the command of General Patch.
• Final Sacrifice: Died of wounds on October 5, 1944.
• Medals Earned: Rifle Expert; Purple Heart.

Andy E. Hefner

• Service Identification: Private First Class, 82nd Airborne. Entered service March 23, 1942.
• Narrative of Engagement: Deployed to France on Sept 5, 1943, after training at Camp Claiborne and Fort Bragg. Total Service Duration: 2 years, 2 months, 16 days.
• Final Sacrifice: Killed in action on June 9, 1944, in France.
• Medals Earned: Expert Machine Gunner; Rifle, Pistol, and Hand Grenade proficiency badges.

Woodrow W. McLaughlin

• Service Identification: Sergeant, U.S. Army Cavalry. Entered service Feb 10, 1941.
• Narrative of Engagement: Served in the Philippine Islands. Total Service Duration: 4 years, 8 days.
• Final Sacrifice: Posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on February 12, 1945.

"For gallantry in action... While his troop was being subjected to intense sniper and machine gun fire slowing its advance, Sergeant McLaughlin left his position of comparative safety and worked his way across the street, under intense fire, to the second story of a building. From this point of observation he succeeded in killing five snipers as well as discovering two enemy machine gun nests upon which he directed mortar fire, destroying these strongpoints. His aggressiveness and quick thinking enabled the troop to fulfill its mission for the day with a minimum number of casualties."

• Medals Earned: Silver Star Medal; Purple Heart.

Cecil Glen Van Reenen

• Service Identification: Sergeant, Company K, 424th Infantry, First Army. Entered service Dec 11, 1943.
• Narrative of Engagement: A squad leader of a sixty-millimeter mortar unit. Trained at Camp Wolters and received specialized Ranger training at Camp Butner. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was noted as one of the first Rangers to enter Germany. Total Service Duration: 14 months.
• Final Sacrifice: Killed in action near Diedenberg, Belgium, serving under Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges (archived as "Hodgens").
• Medals Earned: Purple Heart.

James Richard Snyder

• Service Identification: Sergeant, Army Air Corps. Entered service August 11, 1943. Graduate of Greenbank High School (1941) and student at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
• Narrative of Engagement: Trained as a gunner and radar operator. Member of a B-29 crew based at North Field, Guam. Successfully completed five B-29 missions.
• Final Sacrifice: Reported Missing in Action during a night bombing mission over Tokyo on April 14, 1945.

Eddie T. Baker

• Service Identification: Sergeant, 67th Armored Regiment. Entered service September 4, 1935.
• Narrative of Engagement: Served in various camps and stations over a six-year tenure, including a specific enlistment in the 13th Field Artillery in the Hawaiian Islands. Total Service Duration: 6 years, 2 months, 2 days.
• Final Sacrifice: Lost his life on June 13, 1942.

Everett Martin Curry

• Service Identification: Technician Fourth Grade, 29th Infantry Medical Detachment. Entered service in 1935.
• Narrative of Engagement: Deployed to the European Theatre in 1944. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Continuous service from 1935 to 1945.
• Final Sacrifice: Died in service, March 30, 1945.
• Medals Earned: Purple Heart and others.

Loris Henry Duncan

• Service Identification: Electrician’s Mate Second Class, U.S. Naval Reserve, Submarine Service. Entered service Oct 20, 1942.
• Narrative of Engagement: Based at Pearl Harbor. Completed two combat trips (54 days and 57 days respectively). Total Service Duration: 17 months.
• Final Sacrifice: Presumed lost in action after his boat was reported overdue on its third trip, December 22, 1944.
• Medals Earned: Submarine Combat Pin with two stars; Purple Heart.

5. The Honor Roll: Supplemental Archive

An exhaustive historical accounting requires the inclusion of all known casualties, ensuring that those whose photographic or detailed narrative records were initially unavailable are still afforded their place in the county’s military heritage. Note that this archive is an evolving record; for example, Andy E. Hefner was originally listed without a photograph, but a full individual record has since been integrated into Section 4.

Gold Star Boys (Supplemental Listing)

• Robert L. Adkison | Letch McCarty
• John M. Alderman | Edgar McComb
• Othel B. Bennett | Eugene B. Meeks
• Carl D. Brock | Garland Moore
• George C. Burns | Raymond R. Mullenax
• Frank E. Burris | George W. Ray
• Elmer W. Buzzard | Andrew O. Reed
• Clarence B. Cloonan | Don C. Roman
• Harlan E. Dean | Marshall G. Shinaberry
• John J. Dunn | Cecil G. Vanreenan
• Leo L. Edwards | Henry Vaughan
• Gay S. Fertig | James G. Walker
• Samuel L. Gay | William D. Watts
• Rupert G. Gibson | Dale E. Wilfong
• Owen K. Gillispie | Howard R. Wilfong
• Andy E. Hefner (Integrated in Sec. 4) | Guy Dean
• Letcher L. King | Walter C. Pellow
• Lloyd Kisner, Jr. |

Died After Discharge

• Robert B. Ryder
• Paul Cole

The collective impact of these losses on the community of Pocahontas County represents a permanent alteration of the county’s demographic and social heritage. Each name signifies a fractured family and a profound void in the local social fabric. Through this professional record, we ensure that their sacrifice in the defense of human freedom remains a permanent fixture of our shared national history.

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Service Record Memorial: Pocahontas County Gold Star Veterans

Executive Summary

This briefing document synthesizes the historical records of the "Gold Star Boys" from Pocahontas County, West Virginia, as compiled by the American Legion Pocahontas Post No. 50. The source context serves as a commemorative "Service Record Book" dedicated to the veterans of World War I and World War II, specifically honoring those who died in service or shortly after discharge.

The records detail the military careers, theaters of operation, and final sacrifices of servicemen from various branches, including the Army, Army Air Corps, Navy Submarine Service, and Airborne divisions. Key themes emerging from the text include the geographical breadth of operations (from the Pacific to the Battle of the Bulge), the high degree of specialized training (Rangers, B-29 radar operators, expert machine gunners), and the profound local impact on communities such as Marlinton, Durbin, and Greenbank.

Commemorative Purpose and Sponsorship

The documentation is framed by a central mandate: "Lest We Forget." It functions as a formal registry of sacrifice for the defense of human freedom.

• Sponsorship: The project was sponsored by the American Legion Pocahontas Post No. 50 in Marlinton, West Virginia.
• Support: The record-keeping effort was assisted by Marlinton and community business men.
• Dedication: The text is dedicated to all veterans of WWI and WWII from Pocahontas County, with a special focus on the "Gold Star Boys"—those chosen to "give their lives that liberty shall not perish from the earth."
• Editorial Vision: Dr. Calvin W. Price, Editor of the Pocahontas Times, contributed to the dedication, emphasizing that these men stood and fell freely in defense of their country.

Detailed Service Profiles

The following table synthesizes the specific service data and biographical details of the featured servicemen:

Name	Home Address	Branch / Unit	Theater of Operations	Key Details & Honors	Status / Date of Death
Paul Conrad Friel	Greenbank, WV	U.S. Army, 36th Infantry	European (Italy, France)	Served under Gen. Patch; Rifle Expert; Purple Heart.	Died Oct. 5, 1944
Andy E. Hefner	Marlinton, WV	82nd Airborne	France	Expert Machine Gunner (Rifle, Pistol, Hand Grenade).	Killed June 9, 1944
Woodrow W. McLaughlin	Durbin, WV	U.S. Army (Cavalry)	Philippine Islands	Awarded Silver Star and Purple Heart; killed 5 snipers and destroyed 2 machine gun nests.	Died Feb. 1945
Cecil Glen Van Reenen	Marlinton, WV	U.S. Army, 424th Infantry	European (Belgium, Germany)	Ranger; squad leader (60mm Mortar); Battle of the Bulge; Purple Heart.	Killed in action near Diedenberg, Belgium
James Richard Snyder	Bartow, WV	Army Air Corps	Pacific (Guam, Tokyo)	B-29 gunner/radar operator; completed 5 missions.	MIA April 14, 1945, over Tokyo
Eddie T. Baker	Marlinton, WV	67th Armored Regiment	U.S.A.	Served 6 years, 2 months; served in 13th Field Artillery in Hawaii.	Died June 13, 1942
Everett Martin Curry	Durbin, WV	29th Infantry, Medical Det.	European	Battle of the Bulge; Purple Heart; served from 1935–1945.	Died March 30, 1945
Loris Henry Duncan	Marlinton, WV	U.S. Navy (Submarine)	Pacific (Pearl Harbor)	Electrician's Mate Second Class; Submarine Combat Pin (2 stars); Purple Heart.	Presumed lost Dec. 22, 1944

Combat Gallantry and Commendations

The source context highlights exceptional acts of bravery through official citations and medal awards.

The Silver Star Citation: Woodrow W. McLaughlin

Sergeant McLaughlin's posthumous Silver Star was awarded for gallantry in action on February 12, 1945. According to the Adjutant General’s Office:

• Action: While his troop was under intense sniper and machine gun fire, McLaughlin left a position of safety to cross a street under fire to reach the second story of a building.
• Result: He successfully killed five snipers and identified two enemy machine gun nests, which he then directed mortar fire upon to destroy.
• Impact: His "quick thinking enabled the troop to fulfill its mission for the day with a minimum number of casualties."

Specialized Training and Roles

The records indicate that Pocahontas County servicemen occupied highly specialized roles:

• Rangers: Cecil Glen Van Reenen was noted as one of the first to enter Germany while serving as a Ranger.
• Strategic Bombing: James Richard Snyder served on a B-29 crew during night bombing missions over Tokyo.
• Submarine Warfare: Loris Henry Duncan served on a submarine that completed two long-duration trips (54 and 57 days) before being reported overdue and presumed lost on its third mission.

Roster of the Fallen

In addition to the detailed profiles, the records list numerous "Gold Star Boys" for whom photographs were unavailable, as well as veterans who died shortly after their discharge.

Unlisted Records (Pictures Not Available)

• A-G: Robert L. Adkison, John M. Alderman, Othel B. Bennett, Carl D. Brock, George C. Burns, Frank E. Burris, Elmer W. Buzzard, Clarence B. Cloonan, Harlan E. Dean, Guy Dean, John J. Dunn, Leo L. Edwards, Gay S. Fertig, Samuel L. Gay, Rupert G. Gibson, Owen K. Gillispie.
• H-W: Andy E. Hefner, Letcher L. King, Lloyd Kisner, Jr., Letch McCarty, Edgar McComb, Eugene B. Meeks, Garland Moore, Raymond R. Mullenax, George W. Ray, Andrew O. Reed, Don C. Roman, Marshall G. Shinaberry, Cecil G. Vanreenan, Henry Vaughan, James G. Walker, William D. Watts, Dale E. Wilfong, Howard R. Wilfong, Walter C. Pellow.

Deceased Post-Discharge

The record acknowledges those who survived the conflict but died after their service concluded:

• Robert B. Ryder
• Paul Cole
•  
• --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Service Record Memorial: Pocahontas County Gold Star Veterans

  Executive Summary

  This briefing document synthesizes the historical records of the "Gold Star Boys" from Pocahontas County, West Virginia, as compiled by the American Legion Pocahontas Post No. 50. The source context serves as a commemorative "Service Record Book" dedicated to the veterans of World War I and World War II, specifically honoring those who died in service or shortly after discharge.

  The records detail the military careers, theaters of operation, and final sacrifices of servicemen from various branches, including the Army, Army Air Corps, Navy Submarine Service, and Airborne divisions. Key themes emerging from the text include the geographical breadth of operations (from the Pacific to the Battle of the Bulge), the high degree of specialized training (Rangers, B-29 radar operators, expert machine gunners), and the profound local impact on communities such as Marlinton, Durbin, and Greenbank.

  Commemorative Purpose and Sponsorship

  The documentation is framed by a central mandate: "Lest We Forget." It functions as a formal registry of sacrifice for the defense of human freedom.

• Sponsorship: The project was sponsored by the American Legion Pocahontas Post No. 50 in Marlinton, West Virginia.
• Support: The record-keeping effort was assisted by Marlinton and community business men.
• Dedication: The text is dedicated to all veterans of WWI and WWII from Pocahontas County, with a special focus on the "Gold Star Boys"—those chosen to "give their lives that liberty shall not perish from the earth."
• Editorial Vision: Dr. Calvin W. Price, Editor of the Pocahontas Times, contributed to the dedication, emphasizing that these men stood and fell freely in defense of their country.

Detailed Service Profiles

The following table synthesizes the specific service data and biographical details of the featured servicemen:

Name	Home Address	Branch / Unit	Theater of Operations	Key Details & Honors	Status / Date of Death
Paul Conrad Friel	Greenbank, WV	U.S. Army, 36th Infantry	European (Italy, France)	Served under Gen. Patch; Rifle Expert; Purple Heart.	Died Oct. 5, 1944
Andy E. Hefner	Marlinton, WV	82nd Airborne	France	Expert Machine Gunner (Rifle, Pistol, Hand Grenade).	Killed June 9, 1944
Woodrow W. McLaughlin	Durbin, WV	U.S. Army (Cavalry)	Philippine Islands	Awarded Silver Star and Purple Heart; killed 5 snipers and destroyed 2 machine gun nests.	Died Feb. 1945
Cecil Glen Van Reenen	Marlinton, WV	U.S. Army, 424th Infantry	European (Belgium, Germany)	Ranger; squad leader (60mm Mortar); Battle of the Bulge; Purple Heart.	Killed in action near Diedenberg, Belgium
James Richard Snyder	Bartow, WV	Army Air Corps	Pacific (Guam, Tokyo)	B-29 gunner/radar operator; completed 5 missions.	MIA April 14, 1945, over Tokyo
Eddie T. Baker	Marlinton, WV	67th Armored Regiment	U.S.A.	Served 6 years, 2 months; served in 13th Field Artillery in Hawaii.	Died June 13, 1942
Everett Martin Curry	Durbin, WV	29th Infantry, Medical Det.	European	Battle of the Bulge; Purple Heart; served from 1935–1945.	Died March 30, 1945
Loris Henry Duncan	Marlinton, WV	U.S. Navy (Submarine)	Pacific (Pearl Harbor)	Electrician's Mate Second Class; Submarine Combat Pin (2 stars); Purple Heart.	Presumed lost Dec. 22, 1944

Combat Gallantry and Commendations

The source context highlights exceptional acts of bravery through official citations and medal awards.

The Silver Star Citation: Woodrow W. McLaughlin

Sergeant McLaughlin's posthumous Silver Star was awarded for gallantry in action on February 12, 1945. According to the Adjutant General’s Office:

• Action: While his troop was under intense sniper and machine gun fire, McLaughlin left a position of safety to cross a street under fire to reach the second story of a building.
• Result: He successfully killed five snipers and identified two enemy machine gun nests, which he then directed mortar fire upon to destroy.
• Impact: His "quick thinking enabled the troop to fulfill its mission for the day with a minimum number of casualties."

Specialized Training and Roles

The records indicate that Pocahontas County servicemen occupied highly specialized roles:

• Rangers: Cecil Glen Van Reenen was noted as one of the first to enter Germany while serving as a Ranger.
• Strategic Bombing: James Richard Snyder served on a B-29 crew during night bombing missions over Tokyo.
• Submarine Warfare: Loris Henry Duncan served on a submarine that completed two long-duration trips (54 and 57 days) before being reported overdue and presumed lost on its third mission.

Roster of the Fallen

In addition to the detailed profiles, the records list numerous "Gold Star Boys" for whom photographs were unavailable, as well as veterans who died shortly after their discharge.

Unlisted Records (Pictures Not Available)

• A-G: Robert L. Adkison, John M. Alderman, Othel B. Bennett, Carl D. Brock, George C. Burns, Frank E. Burris, Elmer W. Buzzard, Clarence B. Cloonan, Harlan E. Dean, Guy Dean, John J. Dunn, Leo L. Edwards, Gay S. Fertig, Samuel L. Gay, Rupert G. Gibson, Owen K. Gillispie.
• H-W: Andy E. Hefner, Letcher L. King, Lloyd Kisner, Jr., Letch McCarty, Edgar McComb, Eugene B. Meeks, Garland Moore, Raymond R. Mullenax, George W. Ray, Andrew O. Reed, Don C. Roman, Marshall G. Shinaberry, Cecil G. Vanreenan, Henry Vaughan, James G. Walker, William D. Watts, Dale E. Wilfong, Howard R. Wilfong, Walter C. Pellow.

Deceased Post-Discharge

The record acknowledges those who survived the conflict but died after their service concluded:

• Robert B. Ryder
• Paul Cole

•