UMs Who Died in World War II

 

A song popular during World War II went something like this -

"I gather my loved ones around me,

And I gaze at each face I adore,

And a voice within me keeps repeating -

This is worth fighting for!"

- Author/Artist Unknown

 

John Dewitt Umstattd of Missouri, 01018867, born 1927, was a Private in the United States Marine Corps. He died February 14 1946, missing in action. His name is found on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu, Hawaii. There may be a memorial stone at Johnstown Cemetery in Missouri.

Arnold M Umstead of Minnesota, 17025387. was a Staff Sergeant in the Uuited States Army Air Corps. He died July 1, 1943 in North Africa, missing in action. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal. His name is found on the Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia. Arnold's parentage has not been determined.

John Wesley Umstead, III, 0-007728, was born in Chapel Hill, Guilford Co, NC on September 9, 1917. He was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He died June 19, 1944 in Saipan, Marianna Islands, South Pacific, in action. He was awarded a Purple Heart. He was buried at National Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, HI, with a memorial stone at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Orange Co, NC.

Sam P Umstead of Roxboro, North Carolina, 13063174, was born September 20, 1922. He was a Sergeant in the 563rd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy, of the United States Army Air Forces. He died April 7, 1945 in the Netherlands. He was awarded a Purple Heart. He was buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands, Plot K, Row 4, Grave 8, with a memorial stone at Mt Bethel Methodist Cemetery in Bahama, Durham Co, North Carolina.

William Bowman Umstattd was born August 12, 1925, in Canton, Stark Co, OH. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent time in a prison camp, sabotaging things he was forced to make. His diary was referred to in a book by President Eisenhower's son John Eisenhower. He died December 29, 1947, as a result of the war, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. More info will be added on William at a later date.

Charles Broward Umstead was born April 15, 1922, probably in Suwanee Co, Florida. He was on the PC 1261 on June 6th 1944 during the Normandy Invasion. The ship was sunk after being hit by two shells from German 88's that were two miles inland. This was the first ship lost during the invasion. He is buried at Live Oak Cemetery, Suwannee Co, Florida. Info from a relative and I am hoping to receive a pic soon.

__________________________

Cecil Joseph Umstead of Maryland, 0-013899 ...

UPDATE: 11/06: John Bourke of Camden, Sydney, Australia sent the following info. He states that a monument is located in the churchyard of Saint John’s. He adds, "It appears that the US has both Lt Umstead (USMC) and Lt Teague (USMC) listed as dying on 18th of April 1944. The photo of the monument and The Australian War Memorial has the 3 Australians & 2 USMC missing in a plane crash on the 17th of April 1943 in Australia, not in the Philppines. To date the wreckage has not been found.

Royal Australian Air Force DH84 DeHavilland Dragon A-34-47
Delivered 19/01/43. Crashed 17/04/43, Disappeared whilst on a flight from Mascot to Melbourne. It is believed that the aircraft crashed in the Burragorang Valley, NSW, and could possibly be submerged under the waters of Warragamba Dam. Crew & Passengers; SGT Douglas Brian Doyle 412236 (Pilot), FLGOFF Geoffrey Hugh Lester 409154, SGT Francis Joseph Doyle 420615, LT Umstead (USMC), LT Teague (USMC).

 


There are several Olmsteads and Omsteds who died in WWII. It looks like they ARE Olmsteads. There is one branch of western Pennsylvania UMs who took the Olmstead spelling. As of this time, I cannot identify any of the Olmsteads on the list as being UMs.

 

Much of this information was found at The World War II Honor Roll, American Battle Monuments Commission http://www.americanwardead.com/search.ww.htm

 

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