At the entrance to Watsontown Park, surrounded by a circle of trees, is a monument. It reads: "Dogwood trees planted year 1949 as a living memorial to those who made the supreme sacrifice". On the monument are the name of 4 who gave their lives in service in World War I, and 15 who died in World War II.
Watsontown Will Dedicate Memorial
The Daily Item, May 1949
"Clyde F. Mowrer American Legion Post No. 323, Harvey C. Huff VFW Post No. 8698 and their auxiliaries will hold a special Memorial Day service in Watsontown Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Monday, it was announced today.
Their names have been cast in bronze and the plaque has been mounted in native Pennsylvania mountain stone at the old cannon. After the dedication ceremony, the regular Memorial Day service honoring deceased veterans will be held under the direction of the American Legion and VFW units. The Watsontown High School band, under the direction of Howard Lamey, will present a convert, and members of the Legion and VFW will then visit cemeteries in the vicinity at Watsontown to decorate the graves of dead veterans.
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About The 19 War Dead
Listed On The Watsontown Park Monument
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WORLD WAR I
- Mowrer, Clyde T. PVT
- Fairchild Helen, Nurse
- Hartman John PVT
- Messinger William PVT
Pvt. Clyde Mowrer
Clyde Mowrer was born in 1894 the son of Nelson & Matilda (Bixell) W. Mowrer.
Pvt Mowrer went to camp Meade on October 6th 1917. He sailed for France on May 18th, where he was with the 103rd Engineers APO 744 Hospital Corps. Killed in action in Argonne October 9th 1918.
The Watsontown American Legion Post formed in October of 1919.
The Watsontown Post of the American Legion is named for Pvt Mowrer. (The above marker is in the Watsontown Cemetery)
Pvt. William Lloyd Messinger
William Lloyd Messinger was the first Watsontown boy killed in World War I.
Born November 25 1896, he was the son of Horace and Susan [McKee] Messinger.
In 1914, both Messinger, and Clyde Mowrer, graduated from Watsontown High School. Messinger left his studies at Bucknell to enlist in WWI on Nov. 23 1917. He left for England on Jan 31 1918, where he was part of the 167th Aero Squadron. His plane crashed in England in May. On March 11 1920, the Clyde F. Mowrer post met the train at Watsontown, where they escorted the casket containing messeners remains to the Mowrer home. After a ceremony at the Presbyterian Church, Messinger was buried at the Watsontown Cemetery.
The Class of 1914 From Watsontown High School had just 14 graduates.
Two of them were killed in WWI.
Graduates included:
Standing: Lois Trate, William Messinger, Grace Hartzel, Seth Metzger,Harriet Burrows, Clyde Mowrer, Elizabeth Breon, Walter Springer
Seated: Boyd Smith, Sarah Whitmoyer, Olivia Hillard, Harold Derr
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Nurse Helen Fairchild
Helen Fairchild was born on November 21 1885, in Milton Pa, the daughter of Ambrose and Adda Louise [Dunkle] Fairchild. The prominent banking and farming family lived near "Braun's Mill", in Turbut township. Around 1889 the Fairchild family moved to Griffey's "Millinery Mansion", three miles west of Allenwood. Her parents moved to Watsontown while she was in nursing school.
Helen had a history of abdominal pain after meals before she left for France. Beginning in November she suffered a recurrence. By Christmas she was vomiting after every meal.
A Barium meal X-Ray revealed a large gastric ulcer obstructing her pylorus and she underwent a gastro-enterostomy operation for the pyloric obstruction on the 13th. January 1918. She died from complications of that surgery, on Jan 18th 1918.
It's believed that her exposure to mustard gas, whild serving as a nurse on the front lines, contributed to her death. The bridge in Watsontown is named for Nurse Fairchild.
Read more about her, including excerpts from her letters home, here:
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Pvt. John Adam Hartman
John Adam Hartman was born 1890 in Lycoming county, the son of Henry and Harriet [Runyan] Hartman. John was employed at the Dewart Creamery. He departed on the USS Mongolia, bound for France, Aug 16 1918. Hartman was a private in the Co. E. 53rd platoon. Sometime later that month, Hartman became ill. He died of pneumonia on September 2 1918. His body was brought home from France in June of 1921, and he was buried in the Watsontown Cemetery.
- Beck, Elmer SGT
- Christensen C John,
- Dickerman, Carroll H. 1st LT
- Dutrow W Earl 1st LT
- Frey Schuyler PFC
- Gardner, Paul W. Pvt
- Gray, William K S. SGT
- Huff, Harvey C. PVT
- High Emery N. PFC
- McWilliams, Roy Watson PVT
- Mausteller, Hurley J. CPL
- Schell Allen PVT
- Slifer, O Montgomery PCT
- Smith, Kenneth 2nd Lt
- Thomas John R PFC
Sgt Elmer Beck
Sgt Elmer Sylvester Beck was born in March of 1921, the son of Nortman and Mary [Bachman] Beck.
A member of the 109th Infantry, 28th Division of the National Guard, Milton Co. L. Called up to active duty, he went to Fort Indiantown Gap in February of 1941. Beck became a Sgt in April of 1942.
On September 15th 1944 Sgt Beck was reported missing in Germany. He was declared dead a year later, but his remains were never located.
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Seaman First Class, Christian Jack Christensen
C. Jack Christensen was the son of Mr & Mrs C .J. Christensen.
Christensen graduated from Watsontown High School in 1942, starring in basketball, soccer, and track. Following graduation immediately enlisted. In May of 1943, Christensen, severely ill, returned home for several weeks. In September of 1944 he was listed as Missing in Action, one of a crew on board a submarine that was lost in the South Pacific.
[His brother Robert also served in the war]
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Lt. Carroll Hilliard Dickerman
Carroll Hilliard Dickerman was born July 9 1911, the son of Mr & Mrs Herber T. Dickerman of Elm St, Watsontown. [Heber Thornton & Carrie S. [Hilliard] Dickerman]
In 1933 he graduated from Penn State, and in 1937 he graduated from George Washington University Law School. He was working on his masters degree at Columbia University when called, and only had his thesis to finish before receiving his degree. He practiced as an attorney in Washington DC, Chicago Ill, and Greenwich Connecticut. Dickerman was a 1st LT in teh 339 Infantry, 100 inf division. He went overseas in September 1943, and in his last letter home stated he was in the office of the adjunct general, and that the office was moving with the Army, keeping them very busy. He wrote that he was well and appeared to be in good spirits. Lt. Dickerman served in Africa before going to Italy, and while in Africa had several reunions with his brother, Captain Fred A. Dickerman, who was in teh medical corps. In October of 1944, his parents were notified that he had been killed in action on September 14 in Italy. He left behind a widow and a 6 month old daughter, whom he had never met.In July of 1949, Dickerman was brought to the US for reburial from a European Cemetery. He was then buried at Arlington.
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Lt. William Earl Dutrow
The son of William & Laura E. [Schlyer] Dutrow, Earl graduated from Watsontown High School in the class of 1934. He married Ann Barlow. Dutrow enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the summer of 1934, and first left for overseas duty in 1942. "His first narrow escape" occurred when his plane crashed into the New Guinea jungle. The men on the plane all made it back to base, but Dutrow suffered a severe hand infection. He was sent home, but returned to overseas duty in 1945, having said he "wanted another crack at the Japs." On March 10, Dutrow was returning from a bombing raid on Tokyo, in a badly disabled plane, when the plane crashed into the ocean. Three members of the crew were killed, and Lt. Dutrow was trapped in the plane, part of which was 30 feet under water. He was pulled from the plane, and the surviving members of the crew managed to paddle the raft to an island half a mile away. He made a "remarkable recovery, once the water was removed from his lungs. He stated in his letter that he hoped the people back home realize and appreciate what the boys were going through."
On May 23rd, Dutrow was on a B-29 Fortress that crashed into the Pacific Ocean about ten miles off the coast of Japan. Only three of the crew were rescued.
Writes the chaplain: "Lt. Dutrow was a very highly esteemed bombardier in our 9th Group, and was scheduled for a nice promotion to a responsibility in the 313th Wing. He showed real courage and devotion to high duty by continuing in combat flying for his country after more than one ditching in the ocean, a perilous experience. His quiet, friendly way won him some real friends who truly miss him. I saw him briefly at their plane just before take-off, and commended them to God's almighty keeping, and so we still commend them and you, confident that He will see, them through."
Fred Dutrow, Earls brother, served in the Navy during the war.
On May 23 1945, Dutrow was listed as missing in action.
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PFC Schuyler Alvin Frey
Schuyler Frey was born Nov 21 1921, the son of Mathias Edward & Emma Alice [Frantz] Frey of Dewart. He married Pauline Snyder on July 7 1940. In May of 1944, Frey was summoned by the Lycoming County draft board. He was assigned to the 384th QH Truck Co. Pfc Frey served with the 4th Armored Division in Belgium, Holland, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Germany. "He was awarded the Purple Heart and Presidential Unit Citation." On October 9th 1945, Frey died of infectious myelitis, a viral infection that causes swelling of the spinal cord. He left behind a widow and a young son. He is buried in the Muncy Cemetery.
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Pvt Paul Westley Gardner
Paul Gardner was born December 20 1921, the son of Albert Wesley and Orpha [Stickles] Gardner.
Prior to entering service, he worked for some time for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and later for the Pennsylvania Ordinance Works in Allenwood.
In December of 1942 he enlisted and was assigned to he was assigned to Co B, 755 Tank BN,
He was killed in action during an attack in Esperia Italy on May 16 1944.
In 1948 his remains were brought home and he was buried in Twin Hills Cemetery in Montoursville.
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Sgt. William Gray
William Kenneth Gray was born June 8 1918, the son of William & Fannie [Gardner] Gray, in Watsontown. The family moved to Milton in 1930, where William left high school to work in the Milton Hosiery Mill. In 1938, Gray became a private first class in the Company L 109th National Guard from Milton. In 1941, the unit was called into federal service. Gray went overseas in September of 1943, serving in England, France, and Belgium. On October 14 1944, after fighting through France and Belgium, Gray's unit reached Eisenborn, a mile from the German border. There the patrol was cut down by machine gun fire, killing Sgt William Gray.
Gray received the purple heart posthumously, in 1945.
Sgt Gray was one of 18 brought home on the Ship Connolly in 1947.
Monday, October 27, 1947, The Daily Item reported that out of 6,251 bodies being sent home, 11 were from Northumberland county. The remains were returned aboard the transport Joseph V. Connolly, which docked at New York City the day before. From there the bodies were sent to Philadelphia to await transport home or to a National Cemetery, according to the wishes of the family. Travelling with him were the remains of Cpl. Robert J. Farrell from McEwensville and Pfc. Earl Keiser from Milton.
William arrived at Milton November 7, 1947 by train under military escort. On November 9, 1947, once again full military rites were performed as the soldier was laid to rest in Harmony Cemetery in Milton.
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Pvt Harvey Clay Huff
Harvey Clay Huff was born Jan 1 1910 in White Deer, the son of Albert and Estella [Harpster] Huff.
Shortly before being inducted into the army, Harvey married Mary Lupold, on Christmas day 1942.
Huff served with the Company B, 27th Inf. On August 12th 1943, Harvey Huff was killed instantly in the front line of battle, becoming the first casualty of WWII from the Watsontown area. While serving in the Southwest Pactific, he and 221 other soldiers were killed.
He received the Purple Heart posthumously, in October 1943.
The 1944 graduating class of the Watsontown High School dedicated their yearbook to Pfc. Frank Cooper and Pfc. Harvey C. Huff
Harvey's brother Sgt John Augustus Huff had been a cook with company A, 57th Engineers, furing WWI. His brother PFC William Sherman Huff served with the 33 Coast Artillery Battalion, and Pfc Walter Joseph Huff was stationed in Egypt with the 328th Infantry Regiment.
Harvey's remains were never returned home, but a stone was placed in the Huff family plot in New Columbia.
Pvt Emery Millfort High
Emery Millfort High was born August 21 1921, in Northumberland Pa, the son of Edgar Forrest and Ella Ruth [Snyder] High.
At the time of enlistment, Emery was single, stood 66 inches tall, weighed 177 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. He was working as a semiskilled construction machinery operator.
Private High received his basic training as a paratrooper at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment and sent overseas and served in New Guinea (June 1944), Australia, Dutch East Indies and the Philippines. Private Emory M. High was a member of the Mortar Platoon of "E" Company, Second Battalion.
"Corregidor - 16 February 1945 - On 16 February, 2022 troopers of the 503rd PRCT based at Mindoro, dropped out of C-47 planes to float down on Corregidor at the two tiny areas on Topside - the parade grounds (Zone A) and golf course (Zone B). As the jump fields were small and rough, and a high wind blowing, only seven or eight men were jumped at a time.
The men from Company E dropped on the parade ground on Topside (Landing Zone A) with the second group of paratroopers around 12:40 pm (the first group jumped at 8:30 am). They jumped from about 400 feet altitude, and there was a 25 mile per hour wind blowing to the east. At the same time, the Japanese were more alert when the second lift arrived, Emery was in a stick of 8 paratroopers that landed well short of their landing zone. The men land in Battery Wheeler/Cheney Ravine area.
"The order of our stick was Gulsvick, Rovolis, Musolino, High, Hicks, Marcus, and Millican." - Fitzhugh Millican
"As the second lift drops continued, a squad of Japanese Imperial Marines assembled along the western edge of the parade ground DZ where they began shooting at the airplanes and the descending paratroopers. As each Japanese emptied his rifle he would run under a paratrooper who was preparing to land and spear him on his bayonet." Source: Back to Corregidor by Gerard M. Devlin (St Martin's Press, New York 1992)
Killed in the ravine were S/Sgt. Edward Gulsvick, Pfc Jimmie T. Rovolis, Pfc Matthew D. Musolino and Pfc Emory M. High. All four of these men died at the hands of the Japanese. Jimmie Rovolis and Emery High were taken by the Japanese and their bodies were never found. They remain MIA."
Private First Class Emery M. High is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
High was awarded the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. A memorial stone was placed in the Allenwood cemetery.
Pvt Roy Watson McWilliams
Roy Watson McWilliams was born Aug 20 1920, the son of Roy Calvin & Blanche [Mincemoyer] McWilliams, "on the Watson farm near McEwensville." Roy graduated Watsontown High School in 1939. He married Jean Russell of Allenwood.
Pvt McWilliams entered service July 20 1944. He went overseas in December, with the 450th Inf of the 9th Army.On February 25th, just days after finishing his training, Roy was killed in action in Germany.
A memorial stone was placed in the Watsontown Cemetery
Cpl Hurlie Jesse Mausteller
Hurley Jesse Mausteller was born July 1 1915, in Jerseytown Pa, the son of Harry L & Stella Mausteller. The family later moved to Watsontown.
Hurlie graduated from Watsontown High School in the class of 1934, where he was a star basketball plaeyr Before entering the service, he was employed by the Watsontown Cabinet Company, and sold automobiles as a sideline. Married to Mae Herold, he was a member of the Watsontown Fire Co.
He entered the marine corps on Nov 5 1943, and Cpl Mausteller left for overseas duty in July of 1944, and by August 14th had crossed the equator twice. In 1944 he was killed on Peleliu Island in the Pacific.
In October of 1948, his remains were brought home to Watsontown. A memorial service was held at the Cronrath Funeral Home, and he was then buried in the Watsontown Cemetery.
Pvt Allen Ira Schell
Pvt Allen I Shell, 24, son of Mr & Mrs Ira Schell of White deer RD was killed in Action on July 31, according to his wife, the former Hazel Lohr of Foest Hill.
Born April 15 1920, two miles west of White deer, Pvt Schell attended Watsontown High School and was employed by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad company at West Milton.
He entered the service on December 2 1943, and was sent overseas in May of 1944, and was killed on July 31 1944. His remains were returned home in January of 1948.
His brother, Pvt Glenn Schell, served in France.
Pvt Oliver Montgomery Slifer
Oliver Slifer was born in Watsntown on August 9 1906, the son of Harry Rye & Jennie Starett [Montgomery] Slifer. He attended the Watsontown schools, Wyoming Seminary, and Bucknell University and the University of Pennsylvania. In 1928, he married Ruth Schoch.
In August of 1942, while in California, he enlisted in the Army.
Oliver died on November 7th 1942, in the Station Hospital, Camp Forrest Tennessee.
He was survived by two daughters, Jane and Joanne both of Milton, and his former wife, with whom the children resided. His cause of death was listed as: "Poisoning, acute methyl alcohol, consumed as a beverage without suicidal intent, in regimental area of own organization."
On his death record, his occupation was listed as "Engineering Construction."
Second Lieutenant Kenneth Boyd Smith
Kenneth Smith was born the son of Boyd W Smith. He graduated from Watsontown High School in 1936, and the Williamson Trade School in Philadelphia in 1939, after which he was employed by the Edward G. Budd corporation of Philadelphia, as a plant engineer. Smith was active in musical circles, taking part in the Watsontown Community Band, Milton Elks Band, and Montgomery American Legion Band. He was accepted for military service in June of 1942 and entered active duty on December 10th.
While in training, he married Regeina Groff, of Watsontown. Lt Smith was a bomber pilot, flying P-51 mustang fighters in the war. On June 7 1944, following the return of a sucessful bombing raid over Renes France, Smith died in a collision with another aircraft.
Lt Smith was awarded the Air Medal and one Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously, by the Air Corps.
Originally buries in Cambridge England, his remains were brought home to Watsontown in 1948.
Pfc John R. Thomas
John Thomas was born September 18th 1919, the son of L. D. & Nettie [Snook] Thomas of Dewart.
Prior to entering the serice, Thomas was employed by Hurrs Dairy of South Williamsport.
He married Nettie Snook, and Nettie's twin sister married John's brother, William Thomas.
Pvt.Thomas was inducted into service September 14 1943. He was stationed in New Guinea through Feb 11 1945, then sent to the font lines on Luzon Island in the Philippines.
He was killed April 1 1945, in Luzon, while serving with the 33rd division. "his demise occurred 48 days later following a period in which he did not have a single days leave of fighting."
In June 1948 his remains were brought home and buried in Twin Hills Memorial Park in Montoursville.
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More Stories & History Relating To Memorial Day
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READ MORE
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Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary, Clyde F. Mowrer Unit No. 323
On April 11th 1949, Mrs Langston, national chairman of the DAR, presented two dogwood trees at the Warrior Run Church, in memory of the Revolutionary soldiers buried there.
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