Raymond J. Howrigan (WWII)

 Raymond J. Howrigan, killed in the battle of Iwo Jima in WWII. Marine Sgt. Raymond J. Howrigan served in Company G, 2nd Battalion,  24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Div. in the Pacific theater. He would be wounded on the island of Saipan in the summer of 1944, and would recuperate from his wounds back Camp Maui, Hawaii.  Click here for a link to the story of Raymond and his company fighting on Saipan. Raymond would return to his Marine combat unit. On 21 February 1945, the 4th Marine Division was locked in battle against strong enemy forces protecting Motoyama Airfield #1. Multiple enemy defensive belts guarded this major complex on Iwo Jima's central plateau. The 24th Marines were assigned to drive to the O-1 line and clear the airfield.

A complex of six pillboxes with mortars in support held up the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines' attack across the airfield, inflicting many casualties. Two M4 medium tanks went forward to knock out the pillboxes. The tanks both hit landmines and were put out of action. At 22 years old, Raymond would tragically be killed on “Iwo” February 21, 1945 along with so many other young Marines, 6,800 total ( KIA).  Raymond is buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery. 

There is a photo of his Company on Iwo the day after his death here . 

Sidenote: His company commander, Captain Joseph McCarthy was given the Medal of Honor by President Truman for his actions on the day Raymond was killed. Link   In 1949 McCarthy drove from Maine to North Carolina visiting the families of 26 Marines that had been killed on Iwo Jima, including the Howrigan family in Fairfield, VT.

Born in Fairfield, son of William Gilbert and Addie White. Killed at age 19, against North Korean Forces near the Kum River. Killed on July 16, 1950, with the 19th Infantry regiment, HQ CO, 1 BN while sering as an infantryman. Buried in East Monkton, VT.

Though I don't have specifics, I can make an educated guess that he was killed in the Battle of  Taejon, or possible the Chaplain-medic massacre. He was originally reported as missing in action. "The second North Korean assault...The combined forces observed a large build-up of North Korean troops on the other side of the river. At 03:00 on 16 July, the North Koreans launched a massive barrage of tank, artillery and mortar fire on the 19th Infantry's positions and North Korean troops began to cross the river in boats. The North Korean forces gathered on the west bank and assaulted the positions of 1st Battalion's C and E companies, followed by a second landing against B Company. North Korean forces pushed against the entire battalion, threatening to overwhelm it. The regimental commander ordered all support troops and officers to the line and they were able to repulse the assault. However, in the melee, North Korean forces infiltrated their rear elements, attacking the reserve forces and blocking supply lines. Stretched thin, the 19th Infantry was unable to hold the line at the Kum River and simultaneously repel the North Korean forces. By 17 July, the 19th Infantry withdrew, and was ordered 25 miles regroup. Less than half of 1st Battalion returned, and only two of 2nd Battalion's companies remained intact. All three regiments of the 24th Infantry Division, having each been defeated and overwhelmed, were down to battalion-strength formations. This battle is also known for the Chaplain Medic Massacre. Thirty critically wounded US troops were stranded at the top of a mountain. Attended to by only two non-combatants, chaplain and medic, the wounded were discovered by a KPA patrol. Though the medic was able to escape, the KPA executed the unarmed chaplain as he prayed over the wounded, then killed the rest of them.  

 Wilfred enlisted in the Navy October 30, 1942 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and received his basic training in Rhode Island. In October 1943 he was serving on the light carrier, U. S. S. Belleau Wood. The ship was proceeding on a mission in the Pacific when one of the planes attached to the carrier crashed on the flight deck. Hull rushed to the aid of the pilot, but before he could reach him the plane burst into flames and Hull was fatally burned. According to his hometown newspaper, the Vermont Journal, Seaman 2/c was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. Buried in North Fairfield Cemetery. 

 There are several heartbreaking articles about Francis, one reporting him MIA, and this one about his bravery and Silver Star, stemming from the Battle of Aachen. He served in the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Inf Division. He was wounded once in July with a machine gun bullet to the leg. He returned to duty and was killed Nov 21, 1944 from wounds in battle, likely in a battle while he unit was en route to the Battle of the Bulge. 

 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16974689/francis-j-riley-receives-posthumous/ 

Wilfred served in D CO 2 BN 5th Marine Reg. He was killed in action while fighting the enemy in Korea near Combat Outpost "Nevada Cities" on March 27, 1953. This was known as the "Battle for Outpost Vegas".   As bombs, shells, and rockets exploded on Vegas and the other targets, Company D, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines advanced from the main line of resistance. The assault company, commanded by Captain John B. Melvin, launched its attack at 1120 but immediately came under fire from Chinese mortars and artillery. Within an hour, the company’s first platoon had been reduced to just nine able-bodied Marines, (Wilfred was actually the only one killed from D Co) but Melvin’s survivors slogged forward through flooded rice paddies and up a rain-soaked slope. Marine casualties and enemy reinforcements slowed Company D, as the men worked their way from one depression or rocky outcropping to another until the counterattack stalled some 200 yards short of the objective. Chinese fire raked the slope where the assault had bogged down, but Marine jet fighters and pistonpowered attack planes joined the 11th Marines and the 1st Tank Battalion in trying to silence the hostile weapons.  Link Here  and another Here He is buried in St. Luke Cemetary, Fairfax. 

 Wilford enlisted in the Army on October 2, 1940, prior to the war, at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Driver and also as Single, without dependents.

Wilfred died in the "Line Of Duty" in England of a non-battle related incident during the war.  Buried in Egypt Cemetery, Fairfield.

Harmon enlisted as a Corporal on 19 September 1861. Enlisted in Company B, 1st Cavalry Regiment Vermont on 19 November 1861. Promoted to Full Sergeant on 21 August 1862. Wounded on 06 July 1863 at Hagerstown, MD. Wounded on 25 August 1864 at Kerneysville, WV. Died of wounds Company B, 1st Cavalry Regiment Vermont on 25 August 1864. 20 years old. Buried Herrick or Bradley Cemetery. 

 Originally from Fairfield, son of Clayton Hull and Ethel Nolan Hull. Private First Class Hull was a member of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in North Korea on July 11, 1953 on "Pork Chop Hill"  and died of those wounds later that day. Private First Class Hull was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.  Buried in  Windsor, CT.

July 25th, the fourth death in his regiment. Private in Company B, died of Typhoid Fever July 25, 1898 while at military camp at Chickamauga Battlefield, GA. He was probably hospitalized in Chattanooga, Tennessee, A typhoid epidemic ravaged the unit. Photo of First regiment. Unsure of where/if he is in this photo. 1st VT Reg, Camp Thomas filtering station (for filtering water I assume). Unbelievable to read the diaries of camp, and how many died of Typhoid fever.  Link here

His father Irving was employed in Fairfield (possible lumber related?). Urban was killed April 3rd, 1945. He was part of A Co, 61st Armored Infantry Battalion, and possible 21st Tank Battalion. Lived and buried in Jeffersonville, VT. Killed in 1945.

 Served with Co C 101st AMN Train 26th Div. 

Age of death: 22.  Was part of the 2nd VT INF.
Service: enlisted 5/7/61,  mortally wounded in action at  Marye's Heights, VA on 5/3/63, died of wounds on 7/7/63 . Buried in Bradley Cemetery.

Another person I wish we knew more about.  He enlisted at Fairfield, VT, age 22, enlisted 11/21/63, mustered in 1/5/64, Pvt, Co. A, 17th Vermont Volunteer infantry. He was a  prisoner of war in 7/30/64, in Danville, VA, and died in prison 10/27/64. He is buried in Danville VA.  

 During the Civil War, six abandoned tobacco factories in Danville, Virginia, served as one of the Confederacy's major prison compounds. From late 1863 to 1865, the Danville Prisons held over 7,000 captured Federals. Nearly 1,400 died, mostly of disease and exposure.

 Lee enlisted in Fairfield, VT on 10/3/63, mustered in 1/5/64, Pvt, Co. A, 17th Vermont Volunteer infantry, was mortally wounded in action at the battle of Totopotomoy Creek on 5/31/64. He died of wounds 6/3/64. Buried in unmarked grave in VA. 

I wish I knew more about this story.  A born Irishman, he enlisted 11/4/61 in Bakersfield, as a Private, Co. B, 1st VT CAV, then mustered out on 10/28/62. He then re-enlisted on 9/25/63, as a Private with Co. A, 17th VT INF. He died of disease on 11/29/64, Bakersfield . Buried at Saint Patrick's Cemetery. 

 Pvt, Co. D, 2nd VT INF, mortally wounded in action at Savage's Station on 6/29/62, died of wounds on 8/25/62. Buried in Saint Patrick's Cemetery.  

 Son of William and Nancy Moran from Ireland. On 13 Apr 1864 Thomas, a farmer, mustered into service with Company B, of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry having received a bounty of $325. He was 22 years and 15 days old. On 27 Jul 1864 Thomas ended military service with the 15th Massachusetts by administrative transfer to the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as absent sick. Died of disease 29 Nov 1864 at Bakersfield, Franklin County, Vermont. He was 22 years and 8 months old. Buried St. Patrick's cemetary.

 Enlisted as a Private on 01 September 1862
Died of disease while with Company E, 12th Infantry Regiment Vermont on 21 April 1863. Buried in Saint Patrick's cemetary. 

Born in Fairfield, served in 17th MA INF, transferred to Signal Corps 8/1/63, reenlisted 2/18/64, died of disease on 10/11/64, in New Bern, NC 1864. Buried in Saint Patrick's Cemetery.  

  Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 19 December 1863 Enlisted in Company H, 2nd Infantry Regiment Vermont on 30 December 1863. Killed Company H, 2nd Infantry Regiment Vermont on 05 May 1864 in Wilderness, VA   

    Died in the service of his Country at Washington D.C. July 16. 1861, AE. 26 yrs." Records state he died of disease.    

     Died in Baton Rouge, LA at age 33, of disease. Enlisted as a Private on 26 November 1861 in Company F, 7th Infantry Regiment Vermont  Died of disease on 05 August 1862. Cenotaph in Bradley Cemetery.   

Mortally wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, 5/5/64, died of his wounds on 6/19/64 . Buried at Arlington, Cenotaph at Leach-Fairview Cemetery, Fairfield. 

 Died At Staunton Hospital, Washington D. C., July 5th, of typhoid fever. He enlisted in Eden into the 17th Vt. Regt. He enlisted from Eden. Buried at Arlington, cenotaph Bradley Cemetery. 

Born in Fairfield, died at age 17.  Enlisted as a Private on 31 July 1863
Substitute in Company K, 2nd Infantry Regiment Vermont on 31 July 1863.
Died of disease Company K, 2nd Infantry Regiment Vermont on 02 February 1864. Buried at National Cemetery in Culpeper, VA, cenotaph in Bradley cemetery. 

Died of disease on 3/18/63 (of meningitis), at the Regimental Hosp. near White's Ford, Md. Buried in Egypt Cemetery, Fairfield.  

Died of disease 4/20/63. Buried in Egypt cemetery, Fairfield. 

  Died of disease on 8/26/64. Buried in  City Point National Cemetery, Hopewell, VA . Cenotaph in Egypt Cemetery, Fairfield.

 Pvt, Co. H, 3rd VT INF. Died of disease  (diphtheria)  on 11/28/62, Hagerstown, MD. Buried in Pumpkin Village Cemetery

 Pvt, Co. E, 12th VT INF, died of disease in Alexandria VA, 5/27/63. Buried in St. Rocks Cemetery. 

  Pvt, 15th NY IND artillery, Killed in Action at Petersburg, 6/26/64, interred on the battlefield. Cenotaph at St. Patricks.

 Born in Ireland, died at age 21.  Pvt, Co. E, 12th VT INF, died of disease on 5/9/63. Buried at St. Patricks.   

Died at 18 years old.  Enlisted as a Private on 22 December 1863,  in Company E, 2nd SS Regiment. Wounded on 23 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA. Died of wounds on 22 August 1864. Buried at St. Patricks. 

 Born in Ireland, died at age 21.  Pvt, Co. E, 12th VT INF, died of disease on 5/9/63. Buried at St. Patricks.   

 Mitchell, Isaac, enlisted at Fairfield, VT, age 18, enlisted 9/22/63, mustered in 1/5/64, Pvt, Co. A, 17th Vermont Volunteer infantry, killed in action, Spotsylvania, 5/12/64 

 Tweeddale, John W., enlisted at Fairfield, VT, age 33, enlisted 10/10/63, mustered in 1/5/64, Pvt, Co. A, 17th Vermont Volunteer infantry, mortally wounded in action, 5/31/64, died of wounds 6/16/64 

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