Marion County Remembers

Remembering PFC Marshall Theodore Hartley, Jr (Rachel/Mannington) October 28, 1924 - December 25, 1944 ---- PFC Marshall Theodore Hartley, Jr (Service #35756644) was born in Rachel, WV on October 28, 1924, the son of Marshall "Peck" and Etta Pearl (Rice) Hartley. In 1930, their family lived on Mods Run Road in Rachel, where Peck worked as a truck driver for the coal mine. Somewhere between 1935 and 1940, they moved to 411 James Street in Mannington (1940 Census). Peck was a "Chuck Weightman" for Jones Collieries in Rachel (1940 Census).  Military Service: Marshall entered the draft on December 18, 1942 at age 18. A student, he was 5'11" and 160 lbs, with blue eyes, brown hair, and light skin. Marshall attended three years of high school, most likely at Mannington High School (Enlistment Records).  He enlisted in Clarksburg, WV on June 18, 1943. He was a member of the 8th Infantry Division, 13th Infantry Regiment, Company C. The U.S. Army historians write in...

Remembering PVT Nick Mihalic, Jr (Montana) April 17, 1916 - December 13, 1944 ---- Note: PVT Nick Mihalic, Jr is the great uncle of legendary Alabama football coach, Nick Saban Nick's name is listed on his draft card as "Nick Junior Mihalic," instead of as "Nick Mihalic, Jr" ---- PVT Nick Junior Mihalic (Service #35739885) was born in Montana, West Virginia (near Rivesville) on April 17, 1916, the son of Nick and Mary (Ynshgnski) Mihalic. Nick, Sr was a coal miner (1920, 1930 Census, 1938 City Directory), while their large family lived in Monongalia County (1920 Census), Ida May (1930 Census), Fairmont (1935 City Directory), and "Meredith Springs" (1938 City Directory). Unfortunately, he died in Barbour County in 1942.  Nick Jr. attended four years of high school (Enlistment Record), likely graduating around 1933, but it's unclear which Marion County high school he would have attended.  Military Service: 24-year-old Nick Mihalic registered for the ...