Marion County Remembers

Remembering MSGT Robert G. Martin (Farmington) October 16, 1923 - November 30, 1944 ---- MSGT Robert G. Martin (Service Number 15019842) was born in Farmington, WV on October 16, 1923, the son of George and Mary (Joliff) Martin. George was a coal miner (1930-1950 Censuses), and their family lived on East Run in Farmington with George's widowed mother. Robert was the oldest of seven children- four boys, three girls. Robert attended Farmington High School, from which he graduated on June 5, 1941 (1945 Lincolneer Yearbook).  Military Service: On June 24, 1941, Robert, age 17, enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, he was 5'9" and 154 lbs (Army Enlistment Record). Robert became a member of the 674th Bomber Squadron, 417th Bomber Group, Light. On November 30, 1944, Robert was an Engineer on board Douglas A-20G Havoc 43-22228, piloted by 1LT James E. Inglehart. Their plane took off from Pitoe Airstrip, with an intended destination of Halmah...

Remembering PFC Frank Fugera September 11, 1919 - November 8, 1942 ---- Note: Several sources refer to Frank as CPL Frank Fugera, but his Individual Deceased Personnel File and Burial Records list him as PFC Fugera. ---- PFC Frank Fugera (Service Number 13023728) was born September 11, 1919 in the Hawkinberry Hollow area of Rivesville, WV, the son of John and Elizabeth Fugera. John and Elizabeth had immigrated in the early 1900s from Austria, with their oldest daughter, Mary (John 1902, Elizabeth and Mary 1904; 1920 Census). John was a coal miner, later working as a machinist for the coal mine (1930 census). By 1930, their family had moved just across the border into Monongalia County, with a note in the 1940 census indicating that they'd lived in "Talbott" since at least 1935.  None of the twelve Fugera siblings graduated from high school, with the majority completing their education in 8th grade. By 1940, Frank was supporting his whole household (parents and three young...

Remembering PFC Francis Lee David (Mannington/Fairmont) November 11, 1922 - November 1, 1945 ---- PFC Francis Lee David (Service Number 15338315) was born in Mannington, WV, on November 11, 1922, the son of David and Ethel (Spencer) David. Their family lived on Maple Avenue in Fairmont (1930-1950 Censuses). Modi, who immigrated from Mt. Lebanon, Syria in 1904 (Naturalization Paperwork), had many jobs in the food and entertainment industries. In addition to other ventures, he served as a pool hall operator in Mannington (1920 Census), a merchant for a retail confectionary (1930 and 1950 Censuses), and the manager for a beer parlor (1940 census). Francis attended school through 6th grade before dropping out, and by 1940 (age 17) was working as a street laborer for the National Youth Administration. He would have attended Fairmont Senior High School with his siblings if he had continued his education. Francis registered for the draft on June 30, 1942, at age 19. At the time, he was residi...