Sergeant Wesley W. Gumm

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, April 2, 1945
Page 1 & 8

Two Uniontown Soldiers Die On War Fronts

Sgt Wesley W. Gumm Killed On Western Front, Pfc. Verlas W. Fleetwood In Manila

Two Uniontown soldiers were killed in action on widely separated battle fronts, according to word received by their families.

Private First Class Verlas W. Fleetwood, age twenty-four, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fleetwood, Seymour R1, and husband of Mrs Ruth Fleetwood, of Crothersville, was killed February 20 in Manila. He had been previously reported wounded on the same date and several days after the first War Department message had been received another one was sent stating that Pfc. Fleetwood had died on the same date of his wounds.

Pfc. Fleetwood; who was born July 29, 1920, graduated from the Uniontown schools and attended high school at Crothersville. He was popular and well-liked among his friends who were shocked to hear of his death. He married Ruth Marie Hughes, of Uniontown, in 1942, who survives.

Inducted in 1943.

Inducted into thge army in October, 1942, Pfc. Fleetwood received training at Fort McClellan, Ala., with an infantry division, later going to a Texas camp to receive training with a cavalry unit.

He went overseas in June, 1943, and was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands and the Philippines, participating in many major battles. In several invasions, he spent a total of seventy-four days in foxholes, he told his parents in letters home. His last letter home, written on February 17, three days before he was killed, stated that he was very busy and probably would not have an opportunity to write for some time.

His wife, Mrs. Ruth Fleetwood, has received a letter from her husband's commanding officer which says, in part, "It is with deep regret and profound grief that I write of the death of your husband on February 20, 1945. His loss to you and all who knew and loved him will be deeply felt in our hearts and long remembered, Verlas was a highly regarded by his many friends for his splendid character, cheerfulness and devotion to duty.

"While Verlas was moving from his platoon sector toward the Troop headquarters, which was located near the Philippines General Hospital, Manila, the Japs placed mortar fire in our area. One of these shells exploded near him and he was struck in the chest by a large fragment. He was given immediate medical attention and although every effort was made to save his life, he died enroute to the hospital. He has been laid to rest in the tradition of Christianity and Hornor in the U.S. Armed Forces Cemetery, No. 1 in Manila.

"I wish you to know that the officers and men of the Fifth Cavalry grieve with you and appreciate the keenness of your loss. Let us both hope and pray that his sacrifice will assist in making this world a better place in which to live. May God bless him and you, and give you strength to bear your loss."

Pfc. Fleetwood has three brothers serving in the armed forces overseas: T/Sgt. Lloyd C. Fleetwood, stationed in England; Pvt. Orville K. Fleetwood, with an infantry division in Italy and Pfc. James S. Fleetwood, with a combat engineer division in England.

Beside his parents, widow and three brothers in service, he is survived by another brother and four sisters; Mrs. Amy L. Lizenby, of Scottsburg; Mrs. Inez N. Greathouse, Crothersville; Mrs. Sarah E. Carlock, Paris Crossing, R1; Norman Arthur and Irma Carolyn, both at home.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Saturday, April 7, 1945
Page 1

PFC. VERLAS FLEETWOOD

Private First Class Verlas W. Fleetwood was killed in action February 20 in Manila. He previously had been reported wounded on the same date.

Pfc. Fleetwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fleetwood, Seymour R2, and husband of Mrs. Ruth Fleetwood of Crothersville, was serving with a cavalry unit and had been overseas since June, 1943. He has three brothers serving in the armed forces.