This is a list of troops for the 2d Cavalry Group (Mecz) that were killed in action or died of wounds in the European Theatre of Operations during WW II. The free world will ever be indebted to these Soldiers for the price they paid for our freedom. May their souls be released from the ravages of war.
AMES, James A.; ANDERSON, Robert R.; ARROWOOD, Elmore R.; BEAL, Edward B.; BEITZ, Erich J.; BOJNOWSKI, Ray F.; BOYD, Braden G.; BROOKS, Leland F.; BUNCH, Henry H.; BUTTRON, George H.; CALDERONE, Louis; CAMPBELL, Charles J.; CAMPBELL, Lawrence R.; CLAPPER, Willard E.; CRAWFORD, John L.; DAVENPORT, Arthur C.; DEPTOLA, Charles W.; DERMODY, James J.; DOMINGUEZ, Felix M.; DULGAR, Harry J.; DUNN, James B.; DZIECIOLOWSKI, Jow J.; EARNSHAW, Henry A.; EARP, Troy R.; EUBANKS, Willie E.; FIEDLER, Frederick W.; FRISCO, Joseph A.; GARNER, Raymond C.; GATES, Beecher J.; GESKY, Joseph T.; GOODWIN, Dana J.; HAGAN, James F.; HAINES, Jack C.; HANCHEY, Robert F.; HARREL, Roger F.; HAVERTY, Melvin B.; HINES, William J.; HUDAVONI, John; JOHANNESSON, Thor A.; JOHNSON, Frederick H.; KASIANCZUK, Chester A.; KELLY, Thomas W.; KENDALL, William H.; KING, Kenneth A.; KING, Roland R.; KRAKORA, James A.; KRAVITZ, Frank; LEWIS, John A.; LINGENFELTER, Robert D.; LISH, Charles E.; LONG, Perry S.; LONGE, Alfred; MANZ, Raymond E.; MARKIEWICZ, Stanley; MAYFIELD, John S.; MOSS, Marvin W.; MOYZIS, Stephan R.; MUSSER, Carlton C.; MUZZY, Leston L.; NICHOLS, Jesse W.; OWENS, Otto J.; PALADINO, Leonard; PATRICK, Thomas A.; PENNY, Bellamy; PERFECT, Truman A.; PHELPS, D.A.; PITMAN, James H.; POLLAK, David W.; RAIDER, Earl R.; RATCLIFFE, William E.; RENTELL, Arthur G.; RICCI, James M.; ROMAGLIA, John F.; ROTHENBACH, Herman A.; SANDERS, Victor W.; SANDY, Stanley H.; SCHMITZ, Melvin M.; SERES, Paul Jr.; SHARKEY, Bernhard E.; SHAWVER, Elder G.; SIMON, Lewis A.; SIPLE, Fred O.; SLAGLE, William L.; STINE, Curtis L.; SUTTON, Owen W.; VATH, William H.; WAHL, Richard F.; WALKER, Gilbert A.; WARNER, Charles G.; WATSON, John W.; WENDELL, William D.; WHITEHEAD, Leelon D.; WILLIAMSON, Leon
Note: This list was compiled mainly from information contained in the book Second United States Cavalry – A History, published by the Second Cavalry Association in 1947. If you know of a name that should be included on this list, please contact the EDITOR.
My father’s cousin, PFC Willard E. Clapper was assigned to the 42nd Cavalry Reconnaisance Squadronand was killed in eastern France on Novembr 11th, 1944. I would like to find whatever information I could about him. What platoon, what type of vehicle he was assigned to and any information about the action he was in when he was killed. All I ever got from my father was that he last saw him in England before D-Day and that he was assigned to what he described as a very small tank like vehicle. From what I can decern from mortality records is that Willard may have been the only one in his unit killed that day. Ay help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
CLAPPER, Willard E., Pfc, 36655648, Illinois, 11 Nov 1944, Plot K Row 45 Grave 31, Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, Bronze Star, Purple Heart.
Thank you for his service and sacrifice, Ron. We just had a representative from the 2nd Cavalry Association visit that cemetery less than two weeks ago.
Sorry I couldn’t find Willard on any of the troop rosters I have. This indicates he was likely a replacement and wasn’t with the Regiment when it left the US, but joined it later on perhaps in England or France.
Knowing he was in the 42nd Squadron helps narrow it down quite a bit. From the vehicle you describe, he would have been in an M8 Greyhound, a lightly armored cavalry scout vehicle somewhat like a tank, but with six tires on it instead of tank treads. They sported a 37mm main gun (pretty small), with a .50 caliber and a .30 caliber machine gun for anti-aircraft and anti-personnel. This also helps narrow it down, because it means he would have been in one of the reconnaissance troops, A, B or C.
The date nailed it down, 11 November 1944. There was only one incident on that date where the 2nd Cavalry incurred casualties that I can find. It is likely Willard was killed on guard duty when an engineer truck with 150 land mines and all engineers aboard exploded in the middle of the night. The two 2nd Cavalry guards that were killed were the only ones ever found. While I can’t absolutely confirm Willard Clapper was one of the two guards, it is pretty likely. You can read the entire story here: MONCOURT http://history.dragoons.org/?p=548#more-548
There is a way to find out what happened to Willard. There is a government agency you can write to for his death report.
Anyone killed overseas while in the military will have an Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF). The next-of-kin can request a copy of this file by sending as much info as you have on the deceased Soldier to:
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
ATTN; AHRC-PER Rm. 4S15
200 Stoval Street
Alexandria, VA 22331-0482
Include his full name (Clapper, Willard), rank (Pfc), service number (36655648), unit (42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron), date of death (11 November 1944), and location (Moncourt, France).
Sometimes these reports can be very detailed, sometimes not so much. It’s likely you’ll have to find a closer relative than your father to make the request, as I don’t think cousins qualify as next-of-kin, but it will only cost you a stamp to find out.
I hope this has helped you answer a few questions. Please feel free to contact me. Good luck with your search and please let me know if you find out anything. I’d like to add Willard’s name to the proper roster.
Best wishes.
Dave Gettman
2nd Cavalry Association
History Center Editor