TERRY, Dwight E. - Lt. - Putnam

Dwight Terry, US WWII Veteran, s/o Milton & Luella Whitted Terry

Name: Dwight E Terry

Inducted From: Indiana

Rank: First Lieutenant

Combat Organization: 27th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group

Death Date: Oct 24 1943

Monument: Florence, Italy

Last Known Status: Buried

U. S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal

Air Medal

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Lt. Dwight E. Terry has been missing in action over Italy since Oct 24, 1943. Lt Terry, age 22 is the son of Milton (and Luella Whitted Terry deceased, November 11, 1941) Terry who lives with his son, Leo in Greencastle and is a brother of Mrs. Herbert Flint.

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Notes from Mary Lou Hazelrigg: Dwight E. Terry's grandfather was: William M. Whitted of Edgar Co., IL,  Dwight's mother was: Luella Whitted Terry (deceased, November 11, 1941) His g-grandparents were: Wiley & Ollie Lowery Whitted of Union Co., TN,  Sylvester & Finis Whitted of Putnam County, IN were his g- uncles.

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Name: Dwight E Terry

Birth Year: 1920

Race: White, citizen

Nativity State or Country: Indiana

State: Indiana

County or City: Putnam

Enlistment Date: 24 Mar 1942

Enlistment State: Indiana

Enlistment City: La Fayette

Branch: Air Corps

Branch Code: Air Corps

Grade: Private

Grade Code: Private

Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other

emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or

otherwise according to law.

Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary

enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year

enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in

the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of

Source: Civil Life

Education: 4 years of high school

Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman

Marital Status: Single, without dependents

Height: 68

Weight: 148

Dwight was born Feb 20, 1920 in Putnam County, Indiana. Death shown as October 24, 1943, Florence, Italy.

Mary Lou Hazelrigg

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Name:    Dwight E Terry

Inducted From:    Indiana

Rank:    First Lieutenant

Combat Organization:    27th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group

Death Date:    Oct 24 1943

Monument:    Florence, Italy

Last Known Status:    Buried

U.S. Awards:    Purple Heart Medal

Air Medal

Additional Army Awards

Source: Russellville News, Nov 26, 1943

Lt. Dwight E. Terry has been missing in action over Italy since Oct 24, 1943.  Lt Terry , age 22 is the son of Milton Terry who lives with his son, Leo in Greencastle and is a brother of Mrs. Herbert Flint.

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WWII Enlistment Papers from Ancestry.com

Name: Dwight E Terry

Birth Year: 1920

Race: White, citizen

Nativity State or Country: Indiana

State: Indiana

County or City: Putnam

Enlistment Date: 24 Mar 1942

Enlistment State: Indiana

Enlistment City: LaFayette

Branch: Air Corps

Branch Code: Air Corps

Grade: Private

Grade Code: Private

Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law

Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of

Source: Civil Life

Education: 4 years of high school

Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman

Marital Status: Single, without dependents

Height: 68

Weight: 148

********************************************************************** **** Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana 17 June 1941

The Morton Epworth League held a party Friday night at Shady Acres. Nineteen members attended.  Officers were elected – Dwight Terry 4th Vice President (Morton News)

Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana 26 May 1942 p 4

Dwight E. Terry of Greencastle left on Monday May 25 for Aviation Cade Training. He reported to Aviation Cadet Examining Board No 1 at Lafayette on that day and together with a group of other Indiana men, immediately proceeded to an Air Force Classification Center in Santa Anna Calif to begin their initial training to become flying officers in the Air Corps. Mental aptitude tests and physical examinations are given daily except Sunday by Aviation Cadet Examining Board No 1 which is located in the YMCA building in becoming pilots, navigators or bombardiers can obtain information by writing to the board in Lafayette or locally at Dr. CC Tucker, County Civil Aide.  

MISSING OVER ITALY

Lt Dwight Terry

Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 19 November 1943

(Best photo with this article)

MISSING OVER ITALY

Dwight E. Terry

Leo Terry, South Indiana Street, received a telegram Thursday from the Adjutant General of the United States army, saying the Secretary of War desired that he be notified that his

brother, Lt. Dwight E. Terry, had been reported missing in action over Italy since October 24.

If further word is received by the War Department about Lt. Terry, the family will be

promptly notified.  Terry, 22 years old, is the son of Milton Terry who lives with the brother Leo Terry and is also brother of Mrs. Hubert Flint. He has been in the Mediterranean Zone for some months and only recently was honored by being honored with the Air Medal on September 23  for meritorious service serving in the air forces over Italy.  He has been over-seas since May.

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The Daily Banner,Greencastle, Putnam County, 1 November 1944

(ML note: difficult to read left side 3 letters cut off)

DWIGHT TERRY LISTED AS DEAD BY WAR DEPT.

LAST REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION OVER ITALY OCTOBER 24, 1943

First Lieutenant Dwight E. Terry, was reported missing in action ctober 24, 1043, has been declared dead by the War Department accordjing to a letter received Monday by his brother, Leo Terry, the records show that he piloted a P38 Lightning (one-man plane) on a combat mission to Terni, Italy and seen attacking an enemy fighter and firing at it, both planes headed downward. Subsequently the plane, hebelieved to have been in was sighted near Lake Braco behind the formation, which went into the clouds. When the formation came out of the clouds, his plane had disappeared. The letter states that Terry had performed gallant service on many combat missions, making a splendid contribution to the defeat of the enemyThe Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 1 November 1944

. He had been awarded the Medal with three Oak Leaf tors. Dwight is survived by his brother, and a Sister, Mrs. Herbert Flint.

The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 12 May 1945

Lt. Dwight Terry Buried In Italy

1st Lt. Dwight E. Terry, who was reported missing in action on October 24, 1943, lost his life in an aerial battle near Casona, Italy according to a letter received from the War Department this week by his brother, Leo Terry. When the Graves Registration Unit came upon the lone grave of an American it was reported to the Chief Quartermaster, Mediterranean Theater oi Operation. The grave was reopened and the soldier was identified as Lt. Terry.  A signed statement by an Italian family stated that they had witnessed the battle in which a twin engine American plane was shot down, and that the pilot was buried there.

An official determination of Dwight’s death was made on October 25, 1944, although the  details were unknown at that time.

PICTURE OF WILLIS SCOBEE 8 Feb 1944 Daily Banner – saved on little boy

Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 8 February 1944

Lt. Dwight Terry Lost in Air Fight

Leo Terry today received the following letter from the War Department in response to a letter written by his father, the late Milton Terry.

Dear Mr. Terry,

We have no news about your son, 1st Lieutenant Dwight E. Terry, 0-737896, since he was reported missing in action on 24 October.  He had flown a combat mission with his group on that day.  After leaving the target he became engaged in a battle with a German plane and was separated from the balance of his formation.  His Squadron made several turns so that he could catch up with them and they resumed speed when it appeared Dwight had driven off the enemy plane.  Your son's ship appeared to be in good condition although the other ships were not able to contact him by radio.  Clouds made close observation difficult.  

After leaving the Italian coast the clouds cleared and it was then discovered that Dwight's ship was not with the formation.  It has been unreported since and it is assumed that it must have come down in enemy territory.  It is possible Dwight is a prisoner but we have no way of confirming this at the present time.  As... and if more news is received it will be sent on at once.

Dwight has performed gallant service on many combat missions in this theater.  You have much reason to be proud of the splendid contribution he has made to the defeat of the enemy.

Very sincerely yours,

N. F. Twinging,

Major General, USA

Commanding.

Terr, a fighter pilot has won the Air Medal with three oak leaf cluster, indicating that he has won the medal four times.

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Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 14 August 1942

Aviation Cadet Dwight E. Terry is a student pilot in the Army Air Force.  His address is 3rd A. A. F. F. T. D., Mesa Del Rey, Squadron 1, Flight 1, King City, California.  He is the son of Milton Terry, Clinton Township.

Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 5 November 1943

Lieut, Dwight E. Terry, a pursuit pilot in the Army Air Force was awarded the Air Medal on September 23 for meritorious achievement while participating in the flight missions in Italy.  He has also been promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.  Terry has been overseas since early in May.  His home is on south Indiana Street.

Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 21 February 1946

Services of unusual interest will be held at the Union Chapel Methodist Church (Morton) Sunday, February 24th. Following, church school (at 10 o’clock, a Victory Program honoring the returned veterans of the church and community will be given at 11 O’clock. At noon a basket dinner will be enjoyed by veterans and guests o) the congregation . All veterans are invited. At 2 p.m. a dedication of beautiful new pulpit furniture, a memorial to the memory of Lt. Dwight E. Terry and the rostrum rug, a memorial to Mrs. Nellie Albans, will be held.  You will receive a hearty welcome at this historic occasion. Lester L. Bickett. Minister

Source: Daily Banner, Nov 19, 1943

Leo Terry, south Indiana street received a telegram Thursday from the Adjutant General of United States army, saying the Secretary of War’ requested that he be notified that his brother, Lt. Dwight K Terry, had been reported missing in action over Italy since October 21st  It it further ‘ is received by the War Department that the family will be promptly notified..

Dwight Terry is 22 years old and is the son of Milton Terry, who lives with his son Leo also is brother to Mrs. Herbert Flint

(difficult to read this online copy)  He has been in the Mediterranean zone for some months and only recently was honored by being awarded the Air Medal on magazine remembered for 23  far meritorious service week’s  serving in the air forces over Italy.  He has been overseas since May.

Source: The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 11 January 1945

Greencastle Post No 58 of the American Legion will go to the Union Chapel Church, one mile west of Morton on State Road 36 on Sunday evening, January 14th at 7:30 to hold memorial services for Lt. Dwight Terry who was first reported missing on a mission over Italy in November of 1943. It has since been confirmed that he was killed In action. The Rev. Claud McClure will be in charge of the services. American Legionnaires are to meet at the Legion Hall at 6:30 p.m. to go in a body. Others living nearer the church will join them at the church. – thanks so much to MLH