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Guntersville Area Veterans
We salute our veterans.
Our area has contributed to nearly every American war and conflict, and the efforts of the men and women who have served our country should be remembered.
Do you have a great story?
We'd love to include you or your family member on our veterans page. Contact us in order to submit your photos and a brief narrative of the military history.
Alexander, Roy A.
US Army, WWII
Alred, George L.
US Army, WWII
Served in North Africa and Italy.
Served in North Africa and Italy.
Alves, Charles, M.D.
Major, US Army, WWII
He served with a field medical unit.
He served with a field medical unit.
Alves, James T.
PFC, US Army WWII
Alves, Walter
Captain, US Army, WWII
Baugh, Fletcher
Private, US Army, KIA WWII
Died in Guadalcanal on January 11, 1943, while fighting with Company L, 27th Infantry.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Died in Guadalcanal on January 11, 1943, while fighting with Company L, 27th Infantry.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Baugh, James Marshall
Corporal, US Army, KIA WWII
Died in Italy on February 22, 1944, while serving with the 41st Regiment, 42nd Battalion, Battery C, Field Artillery, 5th Army.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Died in Italy on February 22, 1944, while serving with the 41st Regiment, 42nd Battalion, Battery C, Field Artillery, 5th Army.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Benefield, Raye
US Navy, WWII
Served with the Occupational Forces in Japan from 1949 to 1951 aboard the USS Bausell and the USS Charles Badger. He was discharged in 1952.
Served with the Occupational Forces in Japan from 1949 to 1951 aboard the USS Bausell and the USS Charles Badger. He was discharged in 1952.
Billingsley, Thomas Moore
Sergeant First Class, US Army, Korea
Boggus, James T.
US Marines, WWII
After graduating high school at St. Andrews private school in Tennessee, Jake secured his mother’s signed permission and drove to Birmingham to enlist in the Army Air Corp. With the dream of becoming a pilot, he was instead recruited into the Marines and was soon sent to Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina for basic training. He was stationed in Hawaii for additional training and, ultimately, was sent to Iwo Jima.
Many years later and near the end of his life, Jake recounted his time in Japan to his son Larry.
Upon landing on Iwo Jima, he said that the Japanese machine guns began blazing as soon as the Marines hit the beach. If you survived, you immediately moved inland, alternately firing your weapon and digging your fox hole. Jake spoke of continuous fighting, of being awake for 36 hours straight, and of the constant adrenalin rush which would lead to hallucinations. He awoke once to find a dead Japanese soldier lying in front of his fox hole, courtesy of his buddy in the hole behind him. The Samurai sword taken from that soldier returned with Jake to the States and is now on display at the Guntersville Museum. Jake also remembered that it was in that same fox hole where he witnessed the raising of the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi.
Another of Jake’s sons, Jim, had his Japanese flag with “5th Marine Division” written across the top and signed by 30 fellow Marines. The flag is also on display at the Guntersville Museum and serves as a reminders of the “Greatest Generation” and their myriad stories that may not always be known.
Jake’s family has stated that he rarely spoke of his military service and always referred to his compatriots who paid the ultimate price as real heroes.
After graduating high school at St. Andrews private school in Tennessee, Jake secured his mother’s signed permission and drove to Birmingham to enlist in the Army Air Corp. With the dream of becoming a pilot, he was instead recruited into the Marines and was soon sent to Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina for basic training. He was stationed in Hawaii for additional training and, ultimately, was sent to Iwo Jima.
Many years later and near the end of his life, Jake recounted his time in Japan to his son Larry.
Upon landing on Iwo Jima, he said that the Japanese machine guns began blazing as soon as the Marines hit the beach. If you survived, you immediately moved inland, alternately firing your weapon and digging your fox hole. Jake spoke of continuous fighting, of being awake for 36 hours straight, and of the constant adrenalin rush which would lead to hallucinations. He awoke once to find a dead Japanese soldier lying in front of his fox hole, courtesy of his buddy in the hole behind him. The Samurai sword taken from that soldier returned with Jake to the States and is now on display at the Guntersville Museum. Jake also remembered that it was in that same fox hole where he witnessed the raising of the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi.
Another of Jake’s sons, Jim, had his Japanese flag with “5th Marine Division” written across the top and signed by 30 fellow Marines. The flag is also on display at the Guntersville Museum and serves as a reminders of the “Greatest Generation” and their myriad stories that may not always be known.
Jake’s family has stated that he rarely spoke of his military service and always referred to his compatriots who paid the ultimate price as real heroes.
Bonner, Clarence
PFC, US Army, WWII
Served with his wife Geraldine.
Served with his wife Geraldine.
Bonner, Geraldine
US Army, WWII
Served with her husband Clarence.
Served with her husband Clarence.
Brookshire, John
US Army, WWII
Served in the Pacific Campaign.
Served in the Pacific Campaign.
Brown, Edward (L)
US Navy, WWII
At the start of WWII, it was common for brothers to join the same branch of the military and serve alongside one another.
The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor changed this custom. Thirty-six sets of brothers were lost when the USS Arizona was sunk. Shortly after, the Navy encouraged brothers to serve on different ships.
The Brown brothers of Warrenton (Edward, Elmer, and William) were all serving on the same vessel. After the tragic loss of the Arizona, the three brothers served on different ships for the remainder of the war.
At the start of WWII, it was common for brothers to join the same branch of the military and serve alongside one another.
The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor changed this custom. Thirty-six sets of brothers were lost when the USS Arizona was sunk. Shortly after, the Navy encouraged brothers to serve on different ships.
The Brown brothers of Warrenton (Edward, Elmer, and William) were all serving on the same vessel. After the tragic loss of the Arizona, the three brothers served on different ships for the remainder of the war.
Brown, Elmer
US Navy, WWII
At the start of WWII, it was common for brothers to join the same branch of the military and serve alongside one another.
The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor changed this custom. Thirty-six sets of brothers were lost when the USS Arizona was sunk. Shortly after, the Navy encouraged brothers to serve on different ships.
The Brown brothers of Warrenton (Edward, Elmer, and William) were all serving on the same vessel. After the tragic loss of the Arizona, the three brothers served on different ships for the remainder of the war.
At the start of WWII, it was common for brothers to join the same branch of the military and serve alongside one another.
The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor changed this custom. Thirty-six sets of brothers were lost when the USS Arizona was sunk. Shortly after, the Navy encouraged brothers to serve on different ships.
The Brown brothers of Warrenton (Edward, Elmer, and William) were all serving on the same vessel. After the tragic loss of the Arizona, the three brothers served on different ships for the remainder of the war.
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