CPL Olen Jay Canfield (WWII)

Remembering Tec5 Olen Jay Canfield (Levels Road)
January 10, 1919 - September 6, 1944

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Tec5 Olen Jay "Skeeter" Canfield (Service #35275107) was born January 10, 1919 in Norton, WV, the son of John and Sarah (Fansler) Canfield. Norton is about six and a half miles from Elkins, in Randolph County.

Their family spent the next few decades in Marion County (1920-1940 Census) with John working as a general laborer (1920), lumber cutter at the sawmill (1930), and WPA Road Laborer (1940). The 1940 Census specifies their location as Levels Road, and gives Olen's occupation as "new laborer." 

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Military Service:
Olen entered the draft in Colfax on October 16, 1940. At the time, he was unemployed. Olen was 6'3 1/2" and 165 lbs with brown hair, brown eyes, and light brown skin.

"Skeeter" enlisted on February 10, 1942 at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. His occupation was listed as "metal rolling."

In the service, Olen was part of the 40th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division, Company B.

Olen was killed in action on September 6, 1944 by bullet or missile, 2 miles north of Verdun (France), on the road between Briey and Malancourt-la-Montagne (7th Armored Division).

He was reinterred at the Grafton National Cemetery on December 16, 1948.

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Survivors and Legacy:
Olen was survived by his parents and siblings.

He is honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV, and at the West Virginia State Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

Four of Olen's brothers also served in WWII. 

Sources and More Information:
7th Armored Division (Annonated Casualty List)










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