SGT Harry Edgell (WWII)

Remembering SGT Harry Edgell 

May 22, 1912 - June 26, 1945

----

SGT Harry Edgell (Service Number 35386728) was born May 22, 1912 in Marion County, West Virginia, the son of Raymer and Mary (Snyder) Edgell.  Their family lived in the Lincoln District near Mannington, where Raymer was a farmer (1910, 1920 Censuses). 

At time of publication, I could not find a 1930 census record for Harry, who would have been around 18, but the 1940 census shows Harry imprisoned at the Moundsville Penitentiary near Wheeling, WV. Based on newspaper articles, he'd been imprisoned since at least 1936, including two jail-breaks ("Catch Convicts in West," "Three Fugitives Caught by Police").

Military Service:

On October 16, 1940, Harry, now employed by "various farmers," entered into the draft. He gave his home address as Mannington. Harry was 5'8" and 130 lbs with blue eyes, blonde hair, and light skin (Draft Card).

He enlisted in the Army, and presumably turned his life around. The Fairmont Times says of his military service and untimely demise, "Edgell returned a short time ago from three years of overseas service in the European Theater of Operations and was on a 30-day furlough when killed" ("Sgt. Edgell Dies In Auto Accident," The Fairmont Times). The Journal Herald reported that SGT Edgell had participated in "four major engagements in Europe" ("Crash Kills Veteran").

According to 1944 Morning Reports, Harry was assigned to be "Ground Echelon" for the 600th Bombardment Squadron, 398th Bomb Group (Heavy), which flew B-17 Flying Fortresses  (March 1944 Morning Report). In other words, he was a member of the ground crew that served the 398th Bomb Group. 

Harry, who was promoted to Sergeant on March 1, 1943 at the Blythe Army Airfield in California (March 1943 Morning Report), was stationed at the Rapid City Army Air Base in Rapid City, South Dakota from at least August 1943 (August 1943 Morning Report - March 1944 Morning Report), until the 398th was sent overseas. According to the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association, the 398th was formed in 1943 and stationed in Nuthampstead, England from April 22, 1944 to May 26 1945 (Brief History of the 398th Bombardment Group).

Death in Ohio:

After they returned home from England, Harry went on furlough to see his family. On June 25, 1945, SGT Harry Edgell was traveling in a car with his brother Stanley, when their car struck a parked truck on Highway 7 in Ohio ("Veteran Dies in Crash," The Cincinnati Enquirer). 

The Fairmont Times reported: "Edgell, son of Raymond [sic] and Mary Snyder Edgell of near Mannington, had spent a short time at home and then left for Ohio to visit his brother, Stanley Edgell of Clarington, when their car struck a truck in the middle of the highway. The driver of the truck is reported to have been asleep at the time of the accident. The sergeant was fatally injured and his brother received slight wounds"  ("Sgt. Edgell Dies In Auto Accident," The Fairmont Times).

Unfortunately, Harry succumbed to his wounds at 1 am on June 26, 1945 (Ohio Death Certificate).

Legacy and Survivors:

Harry is buried at the Mannington Memorial Park Cemetery in Mannington on June 30, 1945, alongside many of his family members. SGT Harry Edgell was survived by his parents, five brothers, and two sisters. Harry's brother, Tec5 Ira Edgell, also served in the Army during WWII.

He is also honored on the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV.

Sources and More Information:

Newspaper Articles (In Chronological Order):
  • Catch Convicts in West. The Charleston Daily Mail. 11 November 1936. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • 5-Year Sentence. The Bluefield Daily Telegraph. 26 January 1937. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • Three Fugitives Caught By Police. Beckley Post Herald. 12 February 1937. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • Soldier Killed As Auto-Truck Collide. The Daily Advocate. 26 June 1945. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • Crash Kills Veteran. The Journal Harold. 27 June 1945. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • Truck Crash Fatal. The Marysville Journal Tribune. 27 June 1945. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • Veteran Dies in Crash. The Cincinnati Enquirer. 27 June 1945. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
  • Sgt. Edgell Dies In Auto Accident. The Fairmont Times. 28 June 1945. Accessed with help from the West Virginia Regional History Center.

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