FINDLEY, Everett A

FINDLEY, WOTEN, ORR, WOOTEN

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 8/3/2015 at 18:41:02

TRULY AN AMERICAN
The letter below, which came to the parents of a Mills County boy who gave his life in service of his country, may well be read with pride, and humble thankfulness, by all of us. It was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Claude Findley of Hastings and follows:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Findley:
“Since the brief statement by the war department relative to the death of your son has undoubtedly been received by this time, I thought it best that I write you this letter explaining as fully as circumstances permit the details regarding the death of Private Everett A. Findley.
“Everett died November 22, 1942, as a result of gunshot wounds incurred while engaging the enemy at La Turf, Algeria, a short distance from the city of Boon.
He and the rest of the fellows were riding toward the front in a train when enemy planes bombed and strafed them. They were all ordered to take up defensive position and spread out. Everett took up his position and manned his automatic rifle, he fired continuously until a bullet silenced his gun, he died instantly with his finger still clutching the trigger. He was truly an American through and through. Time after time he could have crawled under the train or taken cover elsewhere. But not him. He sacrificed his life so that others with lesser weapons might have a chance. He was a soldier of the bravest degree.
“Everette was buried at La Turf, Algeria, November 23, 1942, with two of his closest friends, Gorden Penewll and Max Johnson. They were given a Christian Military Funeral with full honors.
“It is impossible for me to put into words the expression of sympathy we feel for you and the nearest relatives and the rest of the loved ones back home. In future campaigns of which the company and residents may recalled upon for participation, we shall always feel that Everett is with us, assisting in every skirmish, helping when the going thoughens a bit, sharing the fruits of every victory. His record was above reproach, it has been a privilege to have had your son in my company.
“May I once again extend the heartfelt sympathies of all of the officers and enlisted me of the company to you and the other loved ones of Private Findley. At any time any of us can be of service to you, please feel free to call upon us.”
Sincerely
Capt. Robert F. Milligan
Malvern Leader, March 4, 1943, page 1HASTINGS BOYS REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION
DR. D. W Harmon, Home Service chairman, of the Mills County Chapter of the American Red Cross, is kept advised of war casualties of the county as fast as they are released by the war department. He has received word of three Hasting boys in addition to the two Glenwood boys who have been killed in action The Hastings boy are Everett Findley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude C. Findley; Max Johnson, so of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Johnson; and Kenneth H. Thomas, son of Mrs. Lydia Moore of Hastings.
Glenwood Opinion Tribune, February 4, 1943, page 1
FIVE FROM HASTINGS KILLED IN THIS WAR
Memorial Services Held Sunday in Hastings Church. 11 left with Co. I. Only 3 with Co. Now.
Memorial services were held Sunday at the Methodist Church in Hasting for the five soldier from that community who were killed in action. All five were members of Company I of the National Guard and were killed during the last six months in the North African Campaign.
Max Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson, Arthur Findley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude E. Findley, and Kenneth Thomas, who made his home with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Moore, were killed soon after the American forces invaded North Africa. Harold Kidwell, son of S. R. Kidwell, and Clarence Martin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emery Martin, were killed in action near the close of the campaign.
Of the 13 Hastings boys who received their training with the National Guard at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, only three are with their original companies. Vic Vanderpool is still with Co. M., Gerald Mosier is with Co. I, and Bruce Wallahn is with an engineers division. Eleven of the boys were in Co. I. Fiver were killed in action, three are German prisoners, one was wounded and another was left behind in an English Hospital.
An honor roll is now being prepared to pay tribute to all the boys from that vicinity who are in the armed forces. When completed it will contain more than 60 names.
Glenwood Opinion Tribune, June 3, 1943, page 1