Gold Star Veterans

Thomas Tom Myers, Jr.

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He became a ward of the Thompson Orphanage in Charlotte when he was 10 years old. With a scholarship and hard work, he graduated from the U. of NC, where he was interested in studying medicine. He dropped his studies to join the Marines. In September 1942, Myers was part of a group of soldiers that marched through London in the first wave of American troops in Britain since WWI. He served as Captain at the U. S. Embassy in London since 1941. After 18 months in London, he returned to the U. S.

Robert O'Quinn, Jr.

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Took part in the invasion of France. Killed in action. Memorial marker in Brittany, France.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: CN 8-25-44

Edward Parks, Jr.

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: The Parks family lived in Charlotte for about 2 months.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

James Jimmy Nall

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed when his army airplane crashed at Mooresville. Funeral service at Hovis Chapel on Nov 19, 1942. Burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Age at Death: 47

Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Franklin Osborne

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in service during the war. Memorial marker at Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery in Honolulu, HI. Lived in Huntersville in 1940.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Dixon Parrish

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in action at Iwo Jima.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Davidson College publication

Randolph Paris

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He enlisted in Matthews, NC. According to a relative, James Paris, Randolph's sister, Rebia, reported that his wife and daughter went to Transylvania County, NC, after Randolph died. His memorial marker is at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.

James Paris provided a copy of a letter written by Randolph from somewhere in Africa on 1/19/1943. In it, he tells of some boys playing the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. He is homesick to listen to the hill-billy music.

Benjamin Nash

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: His submarine left San Diego in Sept., 1943 and was presumed to have been lost on Oct 7. Memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Gilead on Feb 10, 1946. Memorial marker at Punchbowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, HI.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: The Charlotte Observer 3-12-1944

John Osborne

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Hit by enemy shell fire as he was carrying a wounded comrade to safety. It was his first battle. Buried with full military honors in an American Cemetery in Belgium.

Age at Death: 19

Image Source: CO 1-14-45

James Patton

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Died of severe burns received in a truck accident on July 1. Memorial marker at Rhone, Draguignan, France.

Age at Death: 32

Image Source: Charlotte Observer 7-14-45

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