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Gold Star Veterans

Calvin Brown

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in action while fighting through the Vosges Mountains into the Saar Basin. When his unit came under attack, he provided cover for them to escape, but was himself killed while trying to withdraw. Memorial service at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church on May 13, 1945 and Dec 30, 1945. Buried in US Military Cemetery in St. Avold, France, plot BBBB, Row 10, Grave 115.

Age at Death: 20

Image Source: The Charlotte Observer 4-27-1945

Braxton Belk

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in action on Okinawa.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: newsprint-unknown

Jack Black

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He died of malaria after defending Corregidor. A Silver Star Medal was presented to his mother at her home in 1946. Memorial marker in Ft. Wm McKinley, Manila, PI.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: The Charlotte Observer 5-25-1945

John Jack Bower, Jr.

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: One of several planes from the Hornet that attacked a Japanese task force off Santa Cruz Islands, Solomons. His plane had gone down after engaging in a dogfight with the enemy.

Age at Death: 26

Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Eldredge Brown

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Fatally wounded while leading his armored company in an attack.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Davidson College Bulletin

Woodrow Belk

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Woodrow W. Belk died in a plane crash while on a Third Air Force flight. Memorial services were held at the family plot at Forest Lawn Cemetery in December, 1945.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Family photo

Louis Black

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Died at Fort Bragg from accidental gunshot wounds. Military funeral service at Belmont Park Methodist Church on May 26, 1944. Burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Age at Death: 22

Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

James Bowman

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Died in Glasgow, Scotland on Nov 14 from wounds sustained during the invasion of France. He had originally been sent to an English hospital, and his wife had last heard that he was being returned to the states. Memorial marker in Cambridge, England.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: The Charlotte News 1-5-1945

Vereen Bell

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He died of wounds received during the Second Battle of the Philippines. He was wounded the day before when his ship, the Gambier Bay, was sunk off San Barnardino Strait by the Japanese. Memorial service on Jan. 21 at Presbyterian Church of Thomasville. He was a well known author of many short stories and two novels on outdoor life. His latest story, Sis, was published in Colliers on Nov. 11 and depicted an anxious father, whose son was reported missing in action.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Davidson College publication

Robert BB Black

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Bruce was honorable discharged on 3/11/1944. He later accepted a commission and was promoted to First Lieutenant on 7/1/1945, just 4 days from his final flight. He was reported missing after a strafing mission on the coast of southeast China. Flying at a low altitude, his wing struck a ship mast, and the P-51 fell and exploded on a dock. His memorial marker is at Punchbowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, HI.

Age at Death: 21

Image Source: Eric Sanburg