Today I read an obituary of Robert Karl Kleege of San Diego who just died in August and he served with my Dad in the 94th. We lost Dad June 9, 2010 and Mom on March 21, 2011 and have been celebrating their loving and happy Army life since they were married at Camp Phillips, KS on August 6, 1943. (See wedding photo on the Mt. Soledad Plaque attached.) Mr. Kleege's passing reminded me that I should write to the 94th Association and join to keep his memory alive.
The beautiful write up in the San Diego Union Tribune today caught my eye and was a fitting thing to read as I prepare with my siblings to bury our folks. Just before Dad died I had been to Lorient retracing his steps as you all tried to take out the Nazi sub base. A couple of years ago I went from Utah Beach down to Chateaubriant including visits to many of the memorials from D-Day. As you know, not much is publicly evident of the 94th Division history, but Dad's old book on the Division was my guide. He kept the D-Day picture placemat I brought him from Utah Beach at his place and had so many memories come out in our conversations in his later years. He died three days after I returned from Lorient last year..he seemed very happy that I had retraced so many of his steps. While we were stationed in Germany in the early 60's he took all of us through the Battle of the Bulge environment. At that time there were still dragon's teeth and shell riddled buildings standing and it was very hard for him to be there for very long. I have many of Dad's records and war mementos from his time with the 94th..they may be of interest to your association.
As you can see in the remarks they will be buried in a dual burial with full military honors ceremony at Arlington on September 15 at 1100, and perhaps you know of a 94th representative that would honor us with their presence at the ceremony and the luncheon reception following. Col. K. and Pauline lost their son Michael in 1996 on active duty in the USMC, so they made the ultimate sacrifice as an Army couple. We will be at the USMC ceremonial awards dinner the night of the 15th as my brother is having the USMC Marine Intelligence Officer of the Year award established in his name. Dad lived vicariously through his warrior son and his tragic death ripped a hole in all of our hearts. So it will be a bittersweet day for us all. We celebrate Dad's bravery earning two Bronze Stars and the Korean Medal, Mom's service as an Army nurse and the wonderful parents they were for their five children. They are greatly missed.
I would like to become a member of your association and I would like to contact the Kleege family and give them my condolences. Looking forward to hearing from you and getting to know the families in and around San Diego.
Dear Mr. Helms, It is with great sadness to inform you that my father, Edward Carl Eiler passed away on Tuesday, August 2nd peacefully at his home. He was in M CO. 302nd. He was 90 years old and lived in McDonald Pa with his wife Virginia. He will be buried with military honors. Please inform his comrades via 94th newsletter. My father received the newsletter and I would really like to continue to receive it at my home address.
We attended many reunions with our father, the last being in Washington DC. We thought all of the reunions were an awesome experience. We appreciate all that you do for the veterans of the 94th. We believe that my father was the last surviving member of the M CO. 302nd... is there anyway for us to confim this?
My grandfather, Frank Cantrell of Pound Virginia passed away on May 2, 2002. He served as a Staff Sergeant with the 94th Infantry 302nd Regiment 3rd Battalion Company L.
He served in the VFW as Commander and Honor Guard Commander. He, as many of the soldiers, did not speak of his service. It was something that "he had to do".
Thank you,
Glenn M. Cantrell
Clive J. Fisher of Cuyahoga Falls passed away May 22, 2011 at the age of 89.
Dad was born in Confidence, West Virginia on December 3, 1921 to the late Eddie and Viola (Hoge) but spent most of his life in Akron where he met and married our mom, Rita, on April 3, 1942.
On Dec. 7, 1942 dad left for basic training. Then it was off to serve in the U.S. Army 94th Infantry in the European Theater. For his service to his country, dad was awarded with several medals.
Upon his return from the war and to support his growing family, dad began his career at Goodyear as a band builder, and retired in 1977 with 31 years service. Together, mom and dad ran The Dart Western Shop. Customers came from near and far to shop at this unique store, making it a very successful business. Eventually though, mom's health began to fail and it was time to hang up the dancing shoes.
Being proud of his service to his country, dad became known as ``The Flag Man'. He always had a pocket full of flag lapel pins he passed out and a trunk full of flags to pass out. He wanted everyone to decorate their yard for the holidays. Although he won't be riding in the General's car in the Memorial Day Parade this year, his spirit will be there.
He was also active in several local organizations, including the VFW # 1062, the American Legion Post 281, the Dads of Foreign Service Veterans and the Masons.
Preceded in death by his wife, Rita; and son, PFC Ronald J. Fisher (Vietnam, 1971); dad is survived by his son, Ken (Lynn), of Canal Fulton; daughters, Barb (Tony) Tomsello, of Barberton and Carrie (Jeff) Cunningham, of Cuyahoga Falls; eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
My father just died yesterday - a devoted member of the 94th Division. John E. McKiernan Jr. Died May 13, 2011.
Attached is his obituary.
John Edward McKiernan, Jr., age 90, of Wyckoff, died peacefully on Friday, May 13, 2011.
John was born in Palisades Park, NJ in 1921. Growing up during the depression, he volunteered for duty in the Civilian Conservation Corps. Afterward, he served in the U.S. Army 94th Infantry Division during World War II where he received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a life-time member of the 94th Infantry Association, Purple Heart Association, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, American Legion and VFW. After the war, John owned and operated McKiernan Construction Company for approximately forty years. Following retirement he extensively supported the students and athletes at Ramapo High School. He was inducted into the Ramapo High School Athletic Hall of Fame, in its inaugural year for his support as the #1 fan.
John is survived by his beloved wife Frances, to whom he was married for 41 years, and his four children; Barbara Hankins of Toms River, Rosemarie McKiernan and husband Chip of Ringwood, John E., III and wife Ruth of Gulf Breeze, FL, and James and wife Vicki of Wyckoff. He is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit the family on Monday, 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff. Funeral Service, Tuesday, 10:00 AM at the funeral home followed by interment at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Barbara Hankins
1532 Third Ave.
Toms River, NJ 08757
(732) 240-3172 bhankins16@comcast.net
George P. DORIS - of Wading River, NY on March 24th 2011, in his 88th year.
Beloved husband of Elizabeth. Devoted fatherof Patricia Murphy, Kathleen Collotta, Stephen, Margaret Lowry, Eloise Remski, Barbara, George, and the late Nancy. Dear brother of James and Dorothy. Cherished grandfather of fifteen and great-grandfather of four.
Reposing Moloney Lake Funeral Hone and Cremation Center, 132 Ronkonkoma Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY where a religious service will be held on Sunday 3pm.
Russell R Walling, 90, of Ocean Township, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He was born in Asbury Park, and lived in Neptune most of his life before moving to Ocean five years ago. Russell is a graduate of Neptune High School. Russell served his country honorably as a medic in the Army's 94th Division while stationed in Europe during World War II. After his military service, he worked for Dugans Bakery, Wardells Dairy, and later for Monmouth County before retiring in 1983. Russell was a life long member of the Ballard United Methodist Church in Asbury Park.
Predeceasing Russell are his parents; Edgar and Almira Walling; a daughter Patrice Lynn; and two brothers; Edgar and Leroy Walling. Surviving is his devoted wife of 67 years, Elizabeth (nee Maclean) Walling; and his son Russell and his wife Deborah Walling of Ocean, and many nieces and nephews.
My father, Joe R. Comer, a proud member of the 94th in WWII, passed
from this life on Jan.24, 2011. He was 88 years old. Born and raised
in Union County S.C., he lived for the last 50 years of his life in
Fayetteville N.C. He was in the 302nd regiment, I company.
He loved the
94th. The camaraderie he enjoyed with his fellow soldiers and the wartime
experiences they endured together was truly one of the great formative
periods of his life. A wonderful daddy, we miss him greatly Sincerely, Jimmy
Comer, Fayetteville N.C.
FAYETTEVILLE - Retired Army Sgt.
Joe Rodney Comer, 88, of Fayetteville, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, in
UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, in Lafayette Baptist Church with Dr. Brian Lee
officiating. Burial will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park West with
military honors. The famiy will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday
at the church. Mr. Comer was born and raised in Union County, S.C.
He
was the son of the late Claude and Nannie Comer. Mr. Comer was an Army
veteran of World
War II, where he served in the European Theater of Operations,
having served in Gen. Patton's Third Army, 94th Infantry Division.
He was the recipient of a Purple
Heart and Bronze
Star. He was a member of Lafayette Baptist Church and a retired
postal service employee.
Mr. Comer was the last surviving family
member of 12 children. He also was preceded in death by his beloved
wife of 45 years, Vallie Mae Comer. He is survived by his sons, Jimmy
Comer of Fayetteville, and Joe Comer Jr. and wife Susan of Fayetteville;
daughter, Angela Whitman and husband Gary of Fayetteville; and four
grandchildren, Kelly and Brad Whitman and Katie and Emily Comer.
Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home of Fayetteville.
Earl Harrison Triplett Sr., 86, retired Memphis banker, died on January
20 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Mr. Triplett, son
of the late E.E. and Myrtie H. Triplett, was born in 1924 in Greenville
Mississippi.
He served as a platoon sergeant in the 94th Army Infantry
Division in World War II under General Patton, and fought in the
Battle of the Bulge. He was a recipient of the Silver Star and two
purple hearts for heroic actions during World War II.
Mr. Triplett
was a graduate of Mississippi State University and the Louisiana
State University School of Banking. While at Mississippi State, he
was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and served as President of the
Inter-Fraternity Council and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
In 1959,
Mr. Triplett joined Memphis Bank & Trust Company and moved his
family from the Mississippi Delta to Memphis. In 1966 he was named
President of Memphis Bank & Trust Company, and later was elected
Chairman of the Board. He also was Chairman and President of First
American Bank-Memphis, the successor of Midland Bank and Trust. His
interest in the federal legislative process led Mr. Triplett to become
involved with banking industry efforts at the national level. He
chaired the Federal Legislative Committee for the Tennessee Bankers
Association, was Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Conference
of State Bank Supervisors, was active in the American Bankers Association
State Legislative Committee, and frequently traveled to Washington to meet
with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Pursuing a passion, he could often
be found duck hunting in Arkansas during the duck season. Upon retirement,
Mr. Triplett spent as much time as he could at his beloved farm on
Lake Washington in the Mississippi Delta.
Survivors include his wife
of 63 years, Lura Johnson Triplett of Memphis; his children, Lura
Nell Mitchell (Malcolm) of Alexandria, VA; Earl Triplett, Jr. (Ann)
of Memphis; Melanie Jones ( Albert) of Richmond, VA; Rebecca Kranc
(Dave) of St. Simons Island, GA; Edward Triplett (Julia) of Nashville
TN; and ten grandchildren.
JamesAlton Smalley, 88, died on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at his home
in Snellville. James was born on January 15, 1922 in Westminister,
SC to James William and Ila Annie Smalley and grew up in the Anderson
County area.
A veteran of three wars, World War II, Vietnam and Korea,
he proudly served in the United States Army, earning a Purple Heart
and many other medals and commendations for valor and bravery. Mr.
Smalley retired from service with the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nina Allen Smalley, daughter
Janet Smalley Yoest and husband Dan, sons Michael Smalley and John
Smalley and wife Susan of CA, sisters Betty Jo Threlkeld, Patsy Patterson
and Peggy Dunlap of Anderson, SC and seven grandchildren.
BARNEY H. COHN AGE:
93
Barney H. Cohn, 93, passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Robert Wood
Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ. He was born and raised in New
Brunswick, NJ and had lived in Elizabeth, Cranford and Monmouth Junction before
settling in Somerset at the Stein Assisted Living Center. Barney graduated from
New Brunswick High School in 1935. He went on to college in 1937 to Trenton State
Teachers College and graduated in the spring of 1941. In October of 1941 he joined
the United States Army and
served his country as a Captain in the 94th Infantry Division during World
War II.
Upon his return from the war, he attended and graduated from New
York University with a Master of Business Administration in 1948.
Barney opened his own accounting business in New Brunswick as a Certified
Public Accountant. He worked for many years before retiring.
He was
a master mason and served as the Worshipful Master of Oriental Lodge
#51. Barney was the Vice President of Temple Beth El of Cranford,
as well as the Treasurer, the President of the Men's Club and a member
of the Board of Trustees. Barney was a member of Congregation B''nai
Tikvah of North Brunswick, NJ.
He was a very active and vibrant member
at the Stein assisted Living Center. His motto was, "He lived Life with
a capital 'L' ", because he did not think he would come home from the
war.
Barney was predeceased by his parents David and Anna Cohn, his brothers
Meyer, Jack and Billy Cohn and his sister, Gertrude Zall and his beloved
wife Elaine (Cohen) Cohn in 1994. He is survived by his children David
Cohn and his wife Genevieve, Lori and her husband Allen Safer and Bobbi
and her husband Marc Binder, his grandchildren Major Bruce Cohn, USAF,
Andrea and her husband Josh Shupack, Brian Binder and fiancee Sara
Richman, Emma Cohn, Emily Safer, Amy Binder, Becca Binder, Clarice
Cohn and Martin Safer and his many nieces and nephews.
PILLOW, W.T., 92,
of Brandon, Fla. passed away January
10, 2011. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran.
He was a teacher and
principal. He was an ordained minister and former member of the First
Baptist Church of Brandon.
He is survived by his wife, Inez; daughters,
Mary Jane Simmons and Susan Elaine (Jimmy) Hicks; two grandchildren,
Beth (Gene) Farmer and Michael (Tonya) Kurth; and five great-grandchildren,
Savannah Watson, Julius Kurth, Stephen Kurth, Jonathan Farmer and Phillip
Farmer.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, January
12, 2011 with a funeral service at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, January 13,
2011 at Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon, Florida. Interment will be in
Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. Contributions may be
made to LifePath Hospice.
It is with great sadness to inform you that my father, Edward Carl Eiler passed away on Tuesday, August 2nd peacefully at his home. He was in M CO. 302nd. He was 90 years old and lived in McDonald Pa with his wife Virginia. He will be buried with military honors. Please inform his comrades via 94th newsletter. My father received the newsletter and I would really like to continue to receive it at my home address. 
Dad was born in Confidence, West Virginia on December 3, 1921 to the late Eddie and Viola (Hoge) but spent most of his life in Akron where he met and married our mom, Rita, on April 3, 1942.
Earl Harrison Triplett Sr., 86, retired Memphis banker, died on January
20 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Mr. Triplett, son
of the late E.E. and Myrtie H. Triplett, was born in 1924 in Greenville
Mississippi. 
JamesAlton Smalley, 88, died on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at his home
in Snellville. James was born on January 15, 1922 in Westminister,
SC to James William and Ila Annie Smalley and grew up in the Anderson
County area. 
