French MacLean

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So far French MacLean has created 264 blog entries.

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, M

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Mack

William

Wednesday, September 21, 1910

St. George, South Carolina

Thursday, February 15, 1945

Plabennec, Finisterre, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Mariano

Blake W.

Tuesday, April 4, 1916

Mariana Lake, New Mexico

Wednesday, October 10, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Martinez

Aniceto

Tuesday, May 30, 1922

Vallecitos, New Mexico

Friday, June 15, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Maxey

Curtis L.

Friday, June 16, 1922

Deatsville, Alabama

Saturday, November 18, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

McCarter

William J.

Monday, October 22, 1906

Charlotte, North Carolina

Monday, May 28, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

McGann

Theron W.

Saturday, June 25, 1921

Portland, Oregon

Monday, November 20, 1944

St. Lo, Manche, France

Mortimer H. Christian Hanged

McGhee

Shelton Sr.

Monday, May 8, 1916

Holly Springs, Mississippi

Friday, May 4, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

N. G. Neiswender Hanged

McMurray

Fred A.

Wednesday, February 25, 1920

Ruston, Louisiana

Monday, July 2, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Three lieutenants Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, M2015-09-08T19:22:07-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, J-M

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Jones

Kinney

Sunday, March 15, 1914

Greenville, South Carolina

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

John W. Daschner, William Vassil, Durey G. Ranck Hanged

Jones

Cubia

Monday, May 12, 1919

Thomson, Georgia

Saturday, March 17, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Herbert Morris Hanged

Jones

Edwin P.

Monday, February 16, 1920

Henry County, Kentucky

Wednesday, January 5, 1944

Oran, Algeria

Arthur S. Imell Hanged

Jordan

Charles H.

Saturday, October 9, 1920

Monticello, Georgia

Wednesday, November 22, 1944

Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Unknown Hanged

Kendrick

James E.

Wednesday, March 22, 1922

Picayune, Mississippi

Saturday, July 17, 1943

Oran, Algeria

Unknown Hanged

Kluxdal

Paul M.

Wednesday, July 17, 1907

Merrill, Wisconsin

Tuesday, October 31, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Mortimer H. Christian/Woods Assistant Hanged

Leatherberry

J.C.

Thursday, January 19, 1922

Hazelhurst, Mississippi

Tuesday, May 16, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Mack

John H.

Wednesday, May 11, 1910

Menlo, Georgia

Tuesday, March 20, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

John W. Daschner, William Vassil, Durey Ranck Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, J-M2015-09-08T19:37:59-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, H-J

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Heard

Haze

Wednesday, June 7, 1922

Toccoa, Georgia

Monday, May 21, 1945

Mesnil-Clinchamps, Calvados, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Hendricks

James E.

Sunday, April 29, 1923

Drewry, North Carolina

Friday, November 24, 1944

Chateau La Vallee, Plumaudan, Cotes-du-Nord, France

Mortimer H. Christian Hanged

Holden

Mervin

Friday, October 1, 1920

Robeline, Louisiana

Tuesday, January 30, 1945

Fort d’Orange, Citadel, Namur, Belgium

John C. Woods Hanged

Hopper

Benjamin F.

Friday, August 20, 1920

Hickory, North Carolina

Wednesday, April 11, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Jefferies

Charles H.

Sunday, July 15, 1923

Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Thursday, July 5, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

 Unknown Hanged

Johnson

Willie

Sunday, December 25, 1921

Idaville, Oklahoma

Tuesday, June 26, 1945

La Heye Peshnel, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Jones

John T.

Sunday, August 11, 1912

Silvercreek, Mississippi

Thursday, July 5, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Jones

James L.

Thursday, December 12, 1912

Reform, Alabama

Thursday, April 19, 1945

La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France

John C. Woods Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, H-J2015-09-08T19:39:50-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, E-H

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Ervin

Charlie Jr.

Tuesday, February 18, 1919

Lexington, Tennessee

Friday, October 19, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Firing Squad Shot

Farrell

Arthur J.

Tuesday, November 20, 1906

Jersey City, New Jersey

Friday, January 19, 1945

St. Sulpice de, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Gordon

Tom E.

Sunday, March 7, 1915

Greenville, South Carolina

Tuesday, July 10, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Grant

General L.

Wednesday, May 25, 1921

Union Point, Georgia

Tuesday, March 27, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Green

George Jr.

Saturday, May 10, 1924

Steven, Arkansas

Tuesday, May 15, 1945

Loire Disciplinary Training Center, Le Mans, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Guerra

Augustine M.

Sunday, May 4, 1924

Cibolo, Texas

Monday, January 8, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Harris

Wiley Jr.

Wednesday, June 12, 1918

Greenville, Georgia

Friday, May 26, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Alexander Riley Hanged

Harrison

William Jr.

Thursday, July 27, 1922

Ironton, Ohio

Saturday, April 7, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Herbert Morris Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, E-H2015-09-08T19:34:40-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, C-D

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Cobb

David

Monday, November 14, 1921

Dothan, Alabama

Friday, March 12, 1943

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Cooper

John David

Sunday, June 11, 1922

Dover, Georgia

Tuesday, January 9, 1945

Lerouville, Meuse, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Crews

Otis B.

Saturday, March 17, 1917

Carnegie, Georgia

Wednesday, February 21, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Davis

William E.

Monday, March 8, 1915

Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, December 27, 1944

Guiclan, Finistere, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Davis

Arthur E.

Friday, August 8, 1919

Cleveland, Ohio

Wednesday, November 22, 1944

Montours, Ille-et-Vilaine, France

Unknown Hanged

Davis

Lee A.

Monday, January 8, 1923

Temple, Texas

Tuesday, December 14, 1943

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Alexander Riley Hanged

Davison

Tommie

Monday, August 10, 1914

West Point, Mississippi

Thursday, March 29, 1945

Prise Guinment, Manche, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Donnelly

Robert L.

Sunday, July 27, 1924

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wednesday, May 31, 1944

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Downes

William C.

Wednesday, January 27, 1915

Copeland, Virginia

Wednesday, February 28, 1945

Etienville, Manche, France

John C. Woods Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, C-D2015-09-08T19:42:32-05:00

U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, A-C

Last Name

First Name

DOB

Place of Birth

Date of Death

Location of Execution

Executioner

Type Execution

Agee

Amos

Wednesday, February 16, 1916

Linden, Alabama

Saturday, March 3, 1945

La Saussaye, Commune de Bure, Orne, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Anderson

Roy W.

Saturday, September 22, 1917

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Wednesday, October 25, 1944

Seine Disciplinary Training Center, Paris, France

Mortimer H. Christian/Woods Assistant Hanged

Bailey

Milbert

Sunday, September 6, 1914

Louisiana

Thursday, April 19, 1945

La Pernelle, Hameau Scipion, Normandy, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Baldwin

Walter J.

Sunday, October 8, 1922

Shell Mound, Mississippi

Wednesday, January 17, 1945

Beaufay, Sarthe, France

John C. Woods Hanged

Bennerman

Sydney

Thursday, January 31, 1918

Wilmington, North Carolina

Monday, October 15, 1945

Les Milles, France (Delta DTC)

Firing Squad Shot

Brinson

Eliga

Friday, February 21, 1919

Tallahassee, Florida

Friday, August 11, 1944

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint Hanged

Burns

Lee A.

Sunday, November 9, 1913

Homer, Louisiana

Tuesday, March 27, 1945

PBS Stockade Number 1, Aversa, Italy

Unknown Hanged

Clark

Ernest Lee

Tuesday, August 10, 1920

Clifton Forge, Virginia

Monday, January 8, 1945

Shepton Mallet Prison, England

Thomas Pierrepoint & Albert Pierrepoint Hanged

Clay

Matthew Jr.

Monday, July 26, 1920

Avery Island, Louisiana

Monday, June 4, 1945

Fontenay-sur-Mer, Manche, France

John C. Woods Hanged
U.S. Army Executions in Europe during World War II, A-C2015-09-08T19:44:44-05:00

Knight’s Cross Recipients in Volume 1

 

Luftwaffe Efficiency and Promotion Reports for the Knight’s Cross Winners, Volume 1

Rudolf Abrahamczik, “Exemplary willingness for combat and risk-taking.”

Herbert Bachnick, “Temperamental character, sometimes a little flippant.”

Josef Barmetler, “With a good talent for comprehension and a talent for clear judgment.”

Viktor Bauer, “The squadron under his command did not lose a single pilot through enemy action.”

Ludwig Becker, “His lack of talent for improvisation and quick decision-making are disturbing.”

Friedrich Beckh, “He is never satisfied with his own accomplishments.”

Hans Beisswenger, “He enjoys the full confidence of the other pilots.”

Hans-Wilhelm Bertram, “Demonstrates courage paired with calculation and logical thinking.”

Heinrich Boecker, “Goal-oriented.”

Rudolf Boehlein, “He has endurance and is tough.”

Rudolf Böhmler, “He is firm during a crisis and prevails with an iron tranquility.”

Hans-Joachim Brand, “The proof of descent from German or related blood of Hans-Joachim Brand and his spouse has been obtained.”

Werner Breese, “Passionate pilot.”

Gerhard Brenner, “Demonstrated superhuman accomplishments.”

Max Buchholz, “Toward the men under his command strict, but always correct.”

Kurt Bühligen, “He possesses élan.”

Horst Carganico, “Personal courage and daring in combat.”

Wilhelm Crinius, “He is tough, but he fights with calculation and deliberation.”

Adolf Dickfeld, “He sometimes tends towards high-handedness.”

Erwin Diekwisch, “One can always trust him.”

Anton Döbele, “He can be harsh and one-sided in judging the people around him.”

Alfred Druschel, “Distinct talent for improvisation.”

Hans Ehlers, “Of particular note is that on October 8, 1943, after he had completely depleted his ammunition, he rammed a four-engine bomber.”

Siegfried Engfer, “His appearance is modest and reserved.”

Waldemar Felgenhauer, “Not totally free of personal ambition.”

Leopold Fellerer, “Untiring willingness for action, coupled with an iron will for victory.”

Karl Fitzner, “Mentally very alert with the best ability to comprehend.”

Erwin Fleig, “As an acting squadron commander, he is an exemplary officer on the ground and in the air.”

Ernst Frömming, “Over Crete, he conducted his first jump into enemy territory, without prior training.”

Wilhelm Fulda, “While with the 3rd Squadron, Air-Landing Wing, he received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross from the Führer due to his courage in combat.”

Robert Gast, “Alert and open to new ideas.”

Siegfried Gerstner, “A healthy degree of self-confidence and ambition.”

Walter Gericke, “Major Gericke has fully proven himself as a battalion commander.”

Franz Grassmel, “Sometimes a little stubborn.”

Alfred Gross, “Keeps rather to himself.”

Hans Grünberg, “In his nature are hidden leadership qualities.”

Andreas Hagl, “He is no longer able to withstand the hardships of war.”

Reino Hamer, “He sweeps the men under his command along with him.”

Friedrich-August von der Heydte, “Distinguished himself through prudent leadership of his battalion and ruthless personal action.”

Herbert von Hoffer, “He is very sensitive, easily becomes nervous.”

Franz Hrdlicka, “He has read the Führer’s Mein Kampf.”

Eberhard Jacob, “Man of character.”

Karl Janke, “He lacks the talent to sweep the soldiers along with him and to create enthusiasm for something.”

Peter Jenne, “Unwavering spirit for battle.”

Karl Kennel, “He is well liked due to his calm, but also humorous and very friendly manner.”

Alfred Kindler, “He is an example for his squadron.”

August Lambert, “He was mentioned several times in official Wehrmacht dispatches.”

Emil Lang, “Demands of himself first.”

Karl-Heinz Langer, “After the encirclement of Stalingrad, showed unusual courage on numerous combat missions out of the fortress.”

Erich Leie, “Has excelled in his current assignment.”

Ludwig Leingärtner, “Has fully distinguished himself as an officer with great willingness for combat against the enemy.”

Lothar Linke, “Possesses good social manners.”     

Helmut Lipfert, “He is a shining example for his squadron.”

Knight’s Cross Recipients in Volume 12014-08-23T12:54:53-05:00

Knight’s Cross Recipients in Volume 2

Luftwaffe Efficiency and Promotion Reports for the Knight’s Cross Winners, Volume 2

Luftwaffe Efficiency and Promotion Reports for the Knight’s Cross Winners, Volume 2

Walter Matoni, “Mentally, interested and versatile.”

Wilhelm Mayer, “He shows talent for quick comprehension and great mental flexibility.”

Maximilian Mayerl, “He brought back the old enthusiastic spirit of the entire squadron.”

Julius Meimberg, “Very passionate, outstanding fighter pilot.”

Joachim Meissner, “‘Lieutenant Meissner’ will be a valuable addition for the Luftwaffe.”

Hans Hermann Merker, “Well-liked by comrades and superiors.”

Heinz Meyer, “He succeeded in such devastating blows to the Americans at Monte Castre that he was recommended for the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for this outstanding success.”

Werner Milch, “Distinguished himself through extraordinary courage and relentless personal engagement.”

Helmut Missner, “Ability to quickly comprehend.”

Horst Müller, “Sometimes his temperament appears to be boisterous and blustery.”

Karl-Friedrich Müller, “Possesses a lot of youthful élan and can be very enthusiastic.”

Dr. Maximilian Otte, “In difficult situations, he has demonstrated a high degree of courage and decisiveness.”

Karl August Paulsen, “He is an officer who, by reason of his great sense of justice, will always be a good superior.”

Viktor Petermann, “Of particular note are his cold-bloodedness, dare-devil nature and eagerness for action.”

Karl Peters, “Great mental flexibility.”

Herbert Pölz, “Takes remarks of a general nature too personal.”

Dietrich Puttfarken, “Sometimes he is a little too fast in making judgments and remarks.”

Rudolf Rademacher, “Somewhat disinterested and stubborn.”

Hans Roehrig, “Very good athlete.”

Herbert Röwer, “Mentally above average, with diverse interests.”

Erich Rudorffer, “He is an example for the men under his command.”

Martin Schächter, “During an artillery attack on the division command post at the Invasion Front, he was buried alive and again wounded.”

Wolfgang Schellmann, “An exemplary military trainer and educator for his squadron.”

Wolfgang Schenck, “He appears to have lost his spirit for battle and is tired of being at the front.”

Horst Schiller, “Very passionate Stuka pilot of outstanding courage and untiring eagerness for combat.”

Horst Schimpke, “He is diligent, conscientious and eager to work.”

Leonhard Schmidt, “Has always been an exemplary platoon leader and has consistently proved his unusual courage in the heaviest combat.”

Otto Schmidt, “In every respect, well-rooted character.” 

Heinz Schnaufer, “Somewhat shy.”

Herbert Schob, “Full of humor.”

Rudolf Schoenert, “He always looks for new missions.”

Walter Schuck, “Slender build, but has endurance and hardiness.”

Wolf-Werner von der Schulenburg, “Despite his age and the severe injuries suffered during the World War – one leg 5 cm shorter than the other – at the beginning of the war, he reported to the parachute troops.”

Franz Schwaiger, “Inspiring and an example in every respect for the young pilots.”

Georg Seelmann, “Straight-forward, intelligent human being.”

Günther Sempert, “Mentally very active, skillful in quick comprehension.”

Friedrich Seyffardt, “Overseeing and mastering every situation with great success.”

Werner Sigel, “Tendency to salesmanship behavior, which manifests itself in his frequent attempts to ‘trade off’ something from clearly spelled out orders.”

Eduard Skrzipek, “Still lacking social manners, particularly in social gatherings.”

Rudolf Smola, “Natural leader.”

Willi Sölter, “Within a very short time, his group has sunk 15,000 tons commercial shipping capacity and one destroyer, and has also damaged an additional 93,000 tons and \two destroyers.”

Waldemar Stadermann, “Secure and calm in every situation.”

Heinrich Sterr, “He has an enthusiastic heart.”

Walter Stimpel, “He always understands how to comprehend the essential.”

Heinz Strünning, “Could be a little more lively sometimes.”

Karl Tannert, “Tannert with a few men of his headquarters and the signal platoon retook the village on his own initiative, averting a danger to the flank of the regiment and the entire division.

Gerhard Thyben, “Due to his young age, still somewhat unbalanced.”

Cord Tietjen, “Skillful trainer.”

Erich Timm, “Dazzling élan.”

Kurt Ubben, He has understood how to master the most difficult situations.

Rudolf Weigel, “Slightly conceited.”

Ernst Weismann, “Confronts all things in life without worry.”

Theodor Weissenberger, “Without a doubt, belongs with the best fighter group commanders.”

Walter Werner, “His outstanding courage during the Second Cassino Battle marks the typical resolute soldier in his personality.”

Heinz Wernicke, “Would rather have others tell him what to do than to reach for his own initiative.”

Otto Wessling, “For the men under his command, he is a thoroughly just superior.”

Walter Wolfrum, “Serial victories are not rare for him.”

Otto Würfel, “Physically able to bear a burden.”

Hilmar Zahn, “Understands exceedingly well how to make gunnery training interesting and diversified.”

Eugen-Ludwig Zweigart, “He possesses a clear manner of giving orders.”

Knight’s Cross Recipients in Volume 22016-01-13T17:34:52-06:00

The Fifth Field Wins the Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry Award

2013 Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry Award

LTG Richard G. Trefry, Inspector General of the United States Army

(June 18, 2014)  The Army Historical Foundation has recognized two authors for 2013 with the Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry Award for their contributions to the literature on the history of the U.S. Army.  Colonel French L. MacLean was honored for his book, The Fifth Field:  The Story of 96 American Soldiers Sentenced to Death and Executed in Europe and North Africa in World War II (Atglen, PA:  Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.).  Rick Atkinson was recognized for his highly praised Liberation Trilogy, consisting of the books An Army at Dawn:  The War in North Africa, 1942-1943; The Day of Battle:  The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944; and The Guns at Last Light:  The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945 (New York:  Henry Holt), on the U.S. Army in North Africa and Europe in World War II.

Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry, who had served as an enlisted man in World War II, retired from the U.S. Army after 33 years of active duty.  He served as the Inspector General of the U.S. Army for six years under three Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries of the Army, revolutionizing the Army’s approach to the Annual Inspector General Inspection by transforming it from a compliance event into an inspection that identified and corrected systemic failings that inevitably led to recurring deficiencies and interfered with the ability of unit commanders to accomplish their missions.  After retirement, General Trefry served in the White House as the Military Assistant to the President of the United States, directing the White House Military Office during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, as a military advisor to President George H. W. Bush.

In 1995, General Trefry served on the Board of Directors of American Military University and today, continues to serve on the Board of Trustees of the American Public University System as a member and committee chair.  In addition, he has served as a Senior Fellow for the Institute for Land Warfare in the Association of the U.S. Army and is Program Manager of the Army Force Management School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  General Trefry teaches and speaks frequently at service schools, public and private organizations, and at public and private schools and colleges.  In 2009, the Secretary of the Army established the Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry Lifetime of Service Award, honoring Lieutenant General Trefry’s extraordinary achievement and service to the Army, the Department of Defense, the Federal Government, and our Nation.

General Trefry holds a B.S. degree in Military Science from the United States Military Academy, West Point, and is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.  In 2006, he received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates.

His presentation on “How the Army Runs” has become legendary in military circles in explaining the Constitutional and legal underpinnings of what the Army has and what the Army does.

 

He had this to say about The Fifth Field:

“I couldn’t put it down… a hell of a good book…the subject is fascinating… you have done yeoman’s work and produced a great book.”
“I had been an enlisted man in World War II and knew that soldiers had been executed, but I did not know how many.  Later, when I was the Inspector General of the United States Army, I was visiting the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg about 1980.  As I looked at the crosses, I wondered where the soldiers who were executed were buried.  Now, I finally know.”
The Fifth Field Wins the Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry Award2023-06-20T14:18:30-05:00

Sergeant Richard A. Mosley

(June 2, 2014) Sergeant and Military Police guard Richard A. Mosley served at the Loire Disciplinary Training Center, during which time he escorted seven condemned men to the gallows.  The son of Irish immigrants, Mosley was born in Pineville, KY on February 22, 1904.  He joined the Navy in World War I, but received a discharge for being underage.  He spent five years at the University of Illinois, studying electrical and mechanical engineering.  He subsequently was the foreman for an automobile service center.  Although he was partially blind in one eye, he entered the Army at Los Angeles on August 1, 1942 and became a powerhouse engineer.  After arriving in Great Britain on June 1, 1943, he was transferred to new duties as a military specialty 635 – disciplinarian.  He stood 6’5″ tall and weighed 203 pounds.  On March 1, 1945, he became a first sergeant in the 1008th Engineer Services Battalion.  Mosley was discharged at Fort MacArthur, CA on August 31, 1945.  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star for Northern France.  Mosley lived in Hanford, CA until his death on January 5, 1953.  He is buried at Grangeville Cemetery in Armona, CA.

However, this is only part of the story.  In May 2014, family members of Sergeant Mosley contacted the author with additional, critical information.  Richard Mosley had died in 1953, but the cause of death was a suicide.  For decades, Mrs. Mosley and her children questioned themselves as to whether they may have contributed to Sergeant Mosley’s decision to end his life.  When you read The Fifth Field, you will see the level of compassion that Sergeant Mosley displayed toward condemned prisoners; a witness to one execution recalled in 2011 how Sergeant Mosley let a man smoke a last cigarette before climbing the stairs of the gallows.

Sergeant Richard A. Mosley did not take his own life over family issues or finances.  In my opinion, Sergeant Mosley was a classic case of Post-Traumatic Stress and he was unable to get the help he needed before it overwhelmed him.

Sergeant Richard A. Mosley2015-09-30T19:59:00-05:00
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