Akester, Arnold R

Arnold Ray Akester

NOTE: It is my FIRM belief that this man goes in DAVIESS County, not Montgomery at all

Illinois Death Record - (Source: ancestry.com - can not see original - here is information) --

Born: 16 June 1920 Montgomery County, Indiana (an index of births for Indiana says Arnold P. Akester born 16 June 1920 Montgomery in Daviess County, Indiana Father: Charles Mother: Ruth Stone) - they live in Daviess County in 1940 - his tombstone is in Daviees County as well (Ebenezer Cem Washington) 16 May 1920 Daviess Co died 24 Sept 1941 - so some descrepencies here - Indiana PFC 10th Air Base Group D

Died: 24 Sept 1941 Waterford, Fulton County Illinois
Buried 25 Sept 1941 Rantoul, Illinois
Age: 21
Occupation: US Service
Resides Havana, Mason County, Illinois
Mother; Ruth A. Gregory

At the time his military headstone was ordered his mother, Ruth A. Gregory lived at RR #2, Montgomery Ind
Arnold Ray Akester enlisted June 7, 1940 - died Sept 24, 1941 - home death Serial # 6919393

Buried Harrison Twp Daviess Co IN

Orderd 3-20-1942 so he may have lived here briefly but doubt it - as Ruth is the head of the household in 1940 Harrison Twp (Hudsonvella Road) - he may have had a twin Donald who is also age 19 in this census - he finished high school

Thanks to all the great gals on Indiana Genealogy FB page we have this information (especially Cathy C, Sonya G & Marilyn W- you rock!)

Source: Indianapolis Star 25 Sept 1941

Havana, Ill Sept 25 - Private Arnold R. Akester, age 24, Washington, Ind, attached to Chanute FIeld, Illinhois drowned yesterday in the Illinois river. Akester, assigned to the 10th Air Base group, was riding in a boat with Sgt. Gilbert Lindberg and Pvt. Jim Davison, also of Chanute field, when the craft was overturned by the wash of another boat. Lindberg and Davison saved themselves by clinging to the boat, but Akester attempted to swim to shore and drowned in 14' of water. The men had been stationed at the Chanute field rest camp near Havana. Akester's body which was recovered later was to be sent to Washington today. Dr. Mark Nelson, Fulton County coroner, returned a verdict of accidental drowning -- kbz

Source: Decatur Daily Review, Decatur, Ill 25 Spet 1941 p 21

Havana, Ill - The body of Pvt. Arnold R. Akester, 24, drowned in the Illinois River when a boat in which he was riding overturned, was sent to his Washington, Ind home today. The accident occurred near here yesterday when the boat upset in the wash of another craft. Two soldiers with Akester saved themselves by holding onto their vbessel but the Indian ayouth, attached to headquarters detachment of the 10th air base group, Chanute FIeld went down in 14' of water. -- kbz

Source: Daily Chronicle Dekalb Ill 25 Sept 1941 p 2

Havana, Ill Sept 25 - The body of Pvt. Arnold R. Akester, 24, drowned yesterday in the Illinois RIver near an army rest camp here, was returned to his home at Washington Ind today. Akester, Sgt. G. Lindberg and Pvt. James Davidson, all three stationed at Chanute Field, at Rantoul, were in a rowboat when the backwash from a tug upset their craft. Lindberg and Davidson were able to cling to the boat and paddle ashore. -- kbz