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Carbon Cliff seeks tribute to hometown WWII vets
By Brian Buehler (Staff writer - newspaper)
Carbon Cliff native Delbert Samuelson was only 19 when he was killed in Italy during World War II. Now the Village is trying to ensure that Mr. Samuelson and other WWII veterans will be remembered, and not just in Carbon Cliff.
The Village is asking anyone with ties to its WWII veterans to register them for the Registry of Remembrances, part of the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
During the war, Carbon Cliff, population then 600, sent 52 of its own off to fight, three never returned. This month the Village sent a donation of $545 to the National World War II Memorial, $5 for each resident served and $100 for each who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Of the three who were killed, Herman Boxstall, Mr. Samuelson and Wayne Walker, the history of only one is known.
Mr. Samuelson was just 19 when he was killed in Italy in October 1943, said his older sister Delores Fray of Silvis. He was an Army infantryman and trained at Camp Wheeler, Ga. before going overseas. Pfc. Samuelson was killed three months after leaving Camp Wheeler, his sister said. His body lies in a military cemetery in Italy.
Carbon Cliff’s WWII veterans are recognized in the Village. A sign next to the Village Hall lists their names. The Village used the names form the sign in calculating its donation for the memorial, said Mayor Ken Williams. The sign was put up shortly after the war and was refurbished about 15 years ago.
The Village began promoting the Registry of Remembrances through informal senior groups that meet for a monthly pot luck at the Village Hall, said Mayor Williams. Mrs. Fray, who moved from Carbon Cliff to Silvis 18 years ago, is still a member of the group.
The Registry of Remembrances is meant for anyone who helped with the war effort. Carbon Cliff residents who wish to have a friend or loved one included in the registry can pick up a form at the Village Hall.
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