Marion County Remembers

Staff Sergeant Angelo Henry Crescenzi was born in New York on May 30, 1915, the son of Pietro "Peter" Paul and Katie Dale (Floyd) Crescenzi. Peter, born in Italy, was a railroad employee with the B&O Railroad in Bellview from at least 1920 through his death in 1957. The family lived at 129 Main Street in Rivesville for that span of time, according to census records. Angelo was the oldest son of 9 children, with 7 sisters and 1 brother. Angelo was 18 years older than his youngest sister. Angelo attended Rivesville High School, and went on to attend Fairmont State University (then "Fairmont State Teachers College). Time at Fairmont State: While at Fairmont State, Angelo participated in baseball (1935-1938) and football (1935-1938). During the fall 1938 football season, Angelo was the Captain of the "Fighting Teachers," as Fairmont State was known then.  It is interesting to note that Angelo played football with Fairmont State legend "Deacon" Duvall.

SGT Peter Paul Phillips was born February 21, 1917 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of  Walenty and Rosalie (Malinowska) Filipiak. Walenty and Rosa were originally from Poland, immigrating to the U.S. in 1912, and marrying in 1916. An alternative spelling of their names is "Walter and Rosa Phillips" as seen on the 1920 and 1930 West Virginia census data. At the time of Peter's birth (according to Walenty's WWI draft card, dated June 5, 1917), the family was living at 316 Harman Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Peter was the oldest of six brothers, all of whom entered the draft (or attempted to, in the youngest's case).  In 1920, the family was living in West Virginia, first in McDowell County. By 1930, the family moved to Farmington, where their address was listed as "Big Laurel Run Road," and Walenty was working as a coal loader. Pete likely graduated from Farmington High School, as his draft card said that he completed four years of high school. In 1935,

Seaman Second Class Anthony Hoffman (Service #7563169) was born November 8, 1926 in Monongah, WV to John and Mary (Urban) Hoffman, both born in Poland. The April 1930 Census lists him as 3 years and five months old, joined by three brothers: Henry (9), Edward (7), and Daniel (8 months). John had immigrated to the United States in 1908, and Mary immigrated in 1914. In 1930, John was working as a watchman at the railroad, and their address is listed as "Clarksburg Road." In 1940, the family was living in Thoburn (just outside of Monongah), while John worked as a coal loader in the mines and Henry and Edward worked as clerks. Anthony attended Monongah High School, with his freshman year being 1942. Anthony joined the U.S. Navy Reserves, and trained at TADCEN-- The U.S. Naval Training and Distribution Center in Shoemaker, California. On January 29, 1945, he joined the crew of the U.S.S. Franklin, where he remained until his death on March 19, 1945. U.S.S. Franklin: "Afire an

Seaman Second Class Allen Roger Burhamer was born in Pennsylvania to Clovis and Gladney Bly (Price) Burkhamer. By 1940, Gladney was a widow and was living at 407 West Virginia Avenue in Nutter Fort with her mother, brother, and two sons: Leroy and Allen. Clovis had died in 1937. In the 1940 census, Gladney's occupation is listed as "House Work in Fairmont." Oddly, the 1940 census  also reported that Leroy was 12 years old and Allen was 11 years old, which if accurate would have made him 16 at the time of his death on the U.S.S. Franklin. No draft card can be found for Allen, which would make sense if he was lying about his age to join. The U.S. Navy's State Summary of War Casualties publication lists Mrs. Gladney Bly Burkhamer as living at 121 Jackson Street in Fairmont (close to where the transit authority building is now). She died in 1969 at the 407 West Virginia Avenue house. Allen was serving on the U.S.S. Franklin when it was hit by two Japanese bombs. He is lis

On March 19, 1945, the U.S.S. Franklin was attacked by bombers off the coast of Japan. Two bombs were dropped on the ship, to catastrophic effect. From the U.S.S. Franklin Museum : "Before dawn on 19 March 1945 the U.S.S. Franklin, who had maneuvered closer to the Japanese mainland than had any other U.S. carrier during the war, launched a fighter sweep against Honshu and later a strike against shipping in Kobe Harbor. Suddenly, a single enemy plane pierced the cloud cover and made a low level run on the gallant ship to drop two semi-armor piercing bombs. One struck the flight deck centerline, penetrating to the hangar deck, effecting destruction and igniting fires through the second and third decks, and knocking out the combat information center and airplot. The second hit aft, tearing through two decks and fanning fires, which triggered ammunition, bombs and rockets." Modern estimates are that 807 men perished and 487 were wounded. Amongst the casualties were two Marion Cou

PFC William "Bill" Ellsworth Layman was born November 10, 1923 in Fairmont, WV, the son of Ellsworth and Martha (McMillan) Layman. William was the oldest of two kids, with a younger sister named Barbara who was around 5 years younger than him. In 1930 and 1940, Ellsworth was working as an electrician at the Domestic Coke Plant in Fairmont, while the family lived at 610 Ohio Avenue (a short distance from the old East Fairmont High School/new East Fairmont Middle). 1941, William graduated from East Fairmont High School. The 1941 Orion yearbook stated that during his time at EFHS, he participated in Student Council, Latin Club, French Club, Glee Club, and Basketball, and was the Circulation Manager for the Yellow Jacket school newspaper. He was also an assistant in the business department of the Orion Yearbook Staff. This one really struck home for me, because like William, my great uncle Jim Erdie graduated from EFHS in 1941, and also played basketball. Usually this research is

 From the 1946 Orion: "In grateful recognition of the valiant services of our returning veterans we dedicate to them this volume- the 1946 Orion. We would not forget to especially remember those who sacrificed most. In the honor to their memory we record here the names of those who gave their lives to allow us one more chance to preserve our American ideals for which so many of our forefathers have striven." Charles Adams: 1938 Ralph Bartholow Ray Boyers Howard Brown: 1930 Leonard "Leo" Brown: 1941 Fred Cannon: 1934 (also attended FSU) James Cervo Frank Cosco Delmas C. Curry Robert Davis: 1931 (also attended FSU) Howard Dodd: 1941 Forrest F. Estel Samuel Fox, Jr. Ralph Friscenda Glenn Nichols William Von Harris James H. Hayhurst Carl C. Heflin Tom Knox: 1941 William Layman : 1941 James Maddox: 1931 (also attended FSU) Payson McGray: 1930 John McKinney, III: 1933 (also attended FSU) Theodore M. Mowery Harry Myers Clyde Pierce John Penrod: 1940 Charles E. Reynolds Har

Corporal Edward Lee Bane was born December 14, 1911 in Murraysville, Pennsylvania to Kelly Herman Bane and Jesse (Masters) Bane. Unfortunately, his mother died March 9, 1916 of pneumonia following several days of lagrippe and measles, leaving behind three children-- Fred (7), Edward (4), and Marguerite (2). By 1920, Edward (8) was living on Dunkard Mill Road just outside of Farmington, where his father was working as an engineer at the local gas plant. By then, Kelly had married Rose Bradley, with Edward's half-brother, Robert Harry Bane, soon to arrive.  Edward registered for the draft on October 16,1940. He listed himself as 5'8" and 160 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and light brown skin. By then he had married Elizabeth Hoskinson and was living at 511 Rose Avenue in Fairmont, West Virginia. He was working at the Fairmont Supply Company on 10th Street. In 1941, Edward and Elizabeth were living at 411 1/2 Walnut Ave, and both were still working at the Fairmont Suppl