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Caldwell in Burleson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

Burleson County in World War II

 
 
Burleson County in World War II Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jim Evans, June 8, 2014
1. Burleson County in World War II Marker
Inscription. During World War II, out of a population of 18,000 close to 1300 men and women from Burleson County joined the military, with 450 who attended Caldwell High School drafted or voluntarily enlisted. Many had never been outside the county before their service, but they deployed around the world in defense of freedom.

Area residents sacrificed for the war effort abroad and at home from the onset of American combat. At Pearl Harbor, Seaman 2/C Thomas J. Gary of Somerville died aboard the U.S.S. California while giving his life to save his crewmates from burning. The navy posthumously awarded Gary the Navy Cross and named two ships in his honor. Local national guard unit Company E, 143rd Infantry, 36th Division, sustained heavy losses at Salerno, Italy, with dozens of men killed, wounded, or captured. Other prisoners of war included 1st Lt. Hubert Womble, shot down over Romania during Ploesti oil field raids, and USMC Major Paul Brown, who survived the Bataan death march in the Philippines but died in a Japanese prison camp. The county's citizen soldiers stormed Normandy beaches on D-Day and fought in European and Pacific theaters.

Many women joined the Army and Navy Nurse Corps, and scores more worked in defense plants. Recycling drives around the county maximized the homefront war support effort. Some families
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received citations as "agriculture victory leaders" for continuing farming operations during the war, even while short-handed at least five county families had five children at once serving in the military. Dozens of Burleson County men were killed during World War II, on battlefields overseas and in training accidents on American soil. Though countless heroic and unselfish acts, citizens demonstrated commitment to restoring liberty to the world.
 
Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14275.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & PatriotismWar, World II.
 
Location. 30° 31.911′ N, 96° 41.589′ W. Marker is in Caldwell, Texas, in Burleson County. Marker is at the intersection of West Buck Street and South Main Street (Loop State Highway 83), on the right when traveling west on West Buck Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West Buck Street, Caldwell TX 77836, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City of Caldwell (here, next to this marker); Burleson County (a few steps from this marker); John Mitchell (a few steps from this marker); Early Settlers of Burleson County in the Texas War for Independence (within shouting
Burleson County in World War II Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jim Evans
2. Burleson County in World War II Marker
distance of this marker); Burleson County, C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Caldwell National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Warren Lodge No. 56, A.F. & A.M. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caldwell.
 
Also see . . .  Burleson County Website. (Submitted on June 11, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
 
Burleson County War Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jim Evans, June 8, 2014
3. Burleson County War Memorial
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 6 times this year. Last updated on October 30, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos:   1. submitted on June 11, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.   2. submitted on June 10, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.   3. submitted on June 14, 2014, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 28, 2024