My grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., served on LCI(L)-11 during World War II from 5/21/1943 – 11/4/1944.  I have sent a letter to the Modern Military Records Unit (NWCTM), a branch of the National Archives, requesting copies of the records (deck logs, casualties, diaries, etc.) pertaining to this ship.  It took part in the invasion of Sicily, the assault landings at Anzio, and the D-Day assault at Normandy, France. 

I’ve recently been working on a timeline for my grandfather’s naval service.  When completed, it will probably have its own website.  Most likely, it won’t be completed until sometime next year, but should be very informative to those interested. 

LCI(L)-11 = Landing Craft Infantry (Large) #11

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr.

Chris Bradford, the website administrator for the 753rd Tank Battalion, emailed today that his government contact in Washington D.C. will be sending the KIA documents on my great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits, on Friday or Monday.  Hopefully, they will shed more light on the events surrounding his death.  Be sure to check back for more updates.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)

Wiley Berry and Leta Louise Gibson (McKinney) Headstone

I recently received the following comment on ancestry.com regarding the above picture, taken in the Noonday Cemetery in Noonday, Smith County, Texas:

Her actual birthdate was October 22, 1911. Years ago, I found her birth certificate entry made by her father, Samuel McKinney filed at the Smith County Courthouse in a large book. I’ve been told that when this headstone was made, the year 1911 was put on (or was to be put on) the stone, but she thought she was born in 1912 and made them change it. She was my grandmother; I’m the daughter of her eldest daughter. I gave her a copy of her birth certificate at her birthday party one year – I think it made her mad because she said that made her one year older! We all still smile when someone mentions that story.

The comment was submitted by Barbara Purdue (Massey), a distant cousin through the Gibson family (see post below regarding Eliza Ruth Gibson (Harris).  I’ve replied to her comment and hope to post more information soon.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Marjorie Leaine Davis  (Kirkpatrick) – Burla Eugene Kirkpatrick (Gibson) – Berrien Wiley Gibson (common ancestor)

Arthur, Jennie, and Florence Backus Portrait

Portrait of my 2nd great grandfather, Arthur Bernard Backus (Backhouse), his first wife, Jennie Maria (Sarles), and their daughter, Florence Emma Backus, taken approx. 1893 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – Georgia Lou Davis (Barlow) – Katie Maybelle Barlow (Backus) – Arthur Bernard Backus (Backhouse)

The tombstone featured this Tuesday is of my 3rd great grandmother, Eliza Ruth Gibson (Harris).   My wife and I visited her grave 2/09, on a road trip through northern Texas.  Eliza Ruth was born in 1839 in Washington County, Arkansas to Samuel and Jane Harris (Smith).   Her family moved to Cherokee County, Texas between 1844 and 1850.  She later married my 3rd great grandfather, Berrien Wylie Gibson, on 6/24/1858 in Tyler, Smith County, Texas.   They resided in Smith County, Texas until Berrien Wylie’s death in 1888.  She was later committed to the North Texas Hospital for the Insane (now the Terrell State Hospital) in Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas.  Eliza Ruth was a patient there from approx. 1900, until her death on 10/21/1920. 

Eliza Ruth Gibson Death Certificate

Her death certificate lists the cause of death as “Arteriosclerosis”, with “Insanity” as a contributing factor.  Due to privacy laws, I have been unable to obtain any of her patient information from the hospital or the state of Texas. 

She was buried in Wildwood Cemetery, located on the hospital grounds, in a numbered grave.  Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, the Wildwood Cemetery Association has placed a “dignified and permanent headstone inscribed with the name and dates of birth and death” on many of the graves, including Eliza Ruth’s.  Please click here to read more about the hospital, Wildwood Cemetery and the “Numbers to Names” campaign.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Marjorie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick) – Burla Eugene Kirkpatrick (Gibson) – Eliza Ruth Gibson (Harris)

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James Nead Davis Military Record

My paternal grandfather, James Nead Davis, served with the United States Marine Corps from 6/6/1946 – 4/29/1947.  His date of entry into the service occurred one day after the declaration of German defeat was signed by the four allies on 6/5/1946.

“Papa” graduated from Robstown High School in Robstown, Texas 5/1946 and worked as a service station attendant before his enlistment.  His U.S. Marine Corps Report of Separation (see above) listed Math as his course of greatest interest.  What I find interesting is that his name and signature are  “James Neal Davis” on the report.

James Nead Davis Graduation Portrait

Currently, I don’t have any pictures of James in uniform.  His high school graduation portrait (see above) was taken shortly before his enlistment in the Marines.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis

Ralph Scott Williams Jr. Navy Picture

My maternal grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., served with the United States Navy during World War II.  I have posted the pictures I have from his naval service on Flickr.

Someday, I hope to track down some information on the other named men in the photos.  Although not likely, it would be interesting to track down someone that served with my grandfather during the war. In the near future, I will post all of the details of his military service, including images of his naval documents, headstone, etc.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr.

Paul and Bette Hang Wedding Picture

Many thanks to Paul Hang for mailing the above picture.  Charles Richard “Dick” Waits is on the far left, and his wife, Margaret Anne “Peggy” Phillips is the maid-of-honor, standing next to the bride.  This is the wedding of Paul Joseph Hang and Lucille Elizabeth “Bette” Phillips, Peggy’s sister.

Here is an excerpt from an email Paul sent last week, regarding his father’s service in World War II:

I don’t remember him [Dick Waits] other than hearing about him. He and my Dad [Paul Joseph Hang] were in the Army together, although Dick was in for quite a while. My Dad was only in for a year and a half. He was drafted at 33 with two kids and a business. He was shot, received the Purple Heart, returned to the front, fought in the Hurtgen Forest. He was pulled out with frozen feet (trench foot) in mid November of 44 just before his Division (the 28th Pennsylvania, also known as the Bucket of Blood) was overrun in the Battle of the Bulge. In one of his letters he says he thinks he leads a charmed life given all that he survived. Like a lot of his generation he never talked about his war experiences. He spent many months in the hospital before being discharged in mid 45.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)

Dick Waits Letter 2

Well I got your letter today both Vmail came right together, you said you received one of my letters I wrote three I hope you get the other two. I hope you never have to go back, I have spent a lot of time in the hospital an that is a good place to be. That inf. is rough I know only to well. I just hope my luck can hold out till this dam thing is over with. With Gods help an Russia this thing will be over before long. As for the lugers an P38s I have had a few but sold most of them to the Navy. I have a real little one that I am going to keep because it was made in Berlin. But if I can get my ass home I’ll be happy.

Take care of yourself an stay put. Well I don’t have a M1 but I am Gunner on the tank so I have a pretty good gun. It has made a lot of germans good ones.

Your Friend

Dick

Many thanks to Paul Hang for sending these letters.  They are truly an invaluable piece of our family history.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)