PFC John Chesley DURHAM 1919-1943 Sicily

DURHAM, AUTLES, MARK

Posted By: Andrew BROWN (email)
Date: 10/29/2010 at 19:51:19

PFC John Chesley DURHAM

PFC John C. Durham , 24, of Lamont (Buchanan County, Iowa), whose death in action was announced Thursday by the War Department, was a paratrooper having enlisted in this branch Feb. 10 1942. He received his basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and was later at Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Bragg, N.C. He went overseas in April 1943.

He had been listed as missing in action July 11, 1943 (Sicily) and a message to his father, G. C. Durham, Lamont, in December (1943), said that he had been killed on that day.

Private Durham was born in Lamont (Iowa) July 7, 1919. Surviving besides his father are two sisters, Mrs. Wayne Mark, Finchford, and Mrs. George Zootveet(?), Olympia, Wash.

(Oelwein IA Daily Register 15JAN1944)
NOTES:
Parents: George Chesley DURHAM 1887-1967 & Genevieve May ‘Jennie’ AUTLES/ANTLES 1893-1941 both buried at Lamont, IA Campton Cemetery.

On July 11, 1943, units of the 82nd Airborne had been dropped in Southern Sicily near Gela. The paratroopers had been scattered widely and several planes had been downed by friendly fire. They had encountered German & Italian forces.

Burial/Memorial:
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Saint Louis, St. Louis County
Missouri, USA
Plot: SECTION 82 SITE 55B