A trip into the past…for a brother who died 25 years before I was born.
I am consumed by the story of Richard E. Owen [even I screwed it up], SGT, Easy Company, 2/506 PIR. Absolutely consumed. I’ve spent the day calling folks when I am afraid of the phone, reading census reports, and just blindly contacting folks on the off chance that they can help. So, let me tell you what we now know, what we think, and what comes next.
First, the background in case you haven’t read the other post. A Salvation Army Captain in upstate NY found an original Purple Heart citation and framed picture of Richard E. Owen, a SGT who died on D-Day. I’m going to find a family member and get that Purple Heart and picture to them. I refuse to believe that this hero goes unremembered.
I’m working with another guy on this, from the Pathfinder Historical Consultants. I want to share his nutshelling, since he did it better than I could.
After the jump.
Owen was born in Sandborn, IN in 1913. His parents were Rev. George E. Owen and Nora. He appears to have an older brother George E. Jr. The family heritage is centered near Sandborn and incorporates Terra Haute, Vigo and Poland Indiana. There were too many Nora’s and George’s to make a final determination, and had they deceased prior to the mid-60s their information is less likely to come up. Nora may have deveased in Terra Haute in OCT 72.
I believe that Owen served in the NG in Virginia. based on his ASN beginning with 203. He went into the 29th and then Ranger training. Was injured and after recovery assigned to E/506 101st.
His enlistment document indicated that he went in in FEB 41. He was single at THAT time and had two years college and was working as a postal clerk.
Sometime between 41 and 44 he was married. His wife was RUTH Virginia McCann. I believe that this is Ruth M. Milhollen, (who memorialized him at the WW2 Memorial) and she most probably remarried after the war. Her second husband was WK Milhollen who is also deceased.
As a widow, Ruth Owen would have been the closest relative in matters regarding disposition of the remains as well as being recipient of any of his posthumous awards, rather than the mother or father. The human remains from plane 42-93095 were all interred at Jefferson Barracks in a common grave.
OK, so that’s the background. The reason this hits me so much is that Winchester, VA, where he enlisted is the home of my Battalion, the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry, 29th ID (Light). So, this guy served in my unit. Did he know Thomas Dry Howie? Thomas Dry Howie was a Citadel grad and is known as the Major of St. Lo. Here is part of the story of Major Howie:
Major Howie took command of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry division on July 13, 1944. On July 17th, Major Howie was killed in action on the outskirts of St. Lo. The official report:
Early on the morning of 16 July 1944, the 3rd Bn was directed to take MARTINVILLE; drive south and occupy Objective B, the highway leading into ST LO. The 3rd Bn CO, Major Thomas D. Howie, ordered his troops to attack with fixed bayonets and hand grenades to seize MARTINVILLE, reorganized and move south to Objective B. This mission was speedily and successfully accomplished. Following contact with the 2nd Bn, the 3rd Bn began to organize defensive positions and then shared rations and ammunition with the 2nd Bn…At 1015, 16 July 1944, the Commanding General, 29th Infantry Division ordered the 3rd Bn to proceed to Objective S. Immediately after a conference among the company commanders, Major Howie, CO 3rd Bn was killed by three successive mortar shells. (116th After Action Report)
The next day St. Lo was taken from the Germans. Major Howie’s flag-draped body was carried into the liberated town by his troops and placed on the steps of the St. Croix Church.
Anyway, as I used to study in the library at the Citadel, there was a gigantic mural on the wall of Major Howie’s body being taken into St Lo. When I moved to Virginia and found out that the 3/116 was located there, I joined. It just seemed something I had to do. Anyway, everything seems so serrendipitous that I can’t drop the search even for a few seconds.
Anyway, Brown Neck Gaitor of The Sniper and I served together in the 3/116, and he is as interested in history as I am. So today he drove to Winchester to help my search. He found an obituary for Ruth M. Milhollen which listed various survivors. Alas, every one of them turned out to be a dead end so far. We know that Richard and Ruth never had kids, and any relatives of hers would not be of his. So, I am ditching that side of the case.
So, we are back to the parents, the Reverend and Mrs George E. Owen. I followed up as much I could on Nora’s (or Nora Belle, as it is I believe) tie to Terre Haute. I contacted a man with the newspaper there, and he got excited about the search as well. And so, on Monday I am grabbing a car and heading to the Vigo County Public Library to search through any files I can to see if there were other children, or if that also is a dead end. If I fail there, I am getting back in the car and driving another few hours to Sandborn, which looks to be slightly more populated than my apartment, but not by much. If I have to walk around looking for Octogenarians and ask them if they knew anyone named Owen, so be it.
Meanwhile, I am also looking for someone to search through the Virginia files for any additional info I can. I think one of our readers may be helping me with that. I don’t know what we will find, but I want it all. I also contacted a friend in St. Louis, who this weekend will go and take pictures of the final resting place of Sgt Owen.
Anyway, I will be out on Monday, so you might not hear much from me, but thought some folks might be interested. If anyone has any other bright ideas, please contact me by leaving a comment here with your email in the appropriate place.
I’m finding this man’s family. If none exists, his Purple Heart and picture will end up in a museum somewhere so that he is not forgotten.
Widow’s Obituary:
Category: Politics
The Winchester Star newspaper has a front page article up about him. The NY newspaper man contacted them. Maybe it will jog some memories. Subscription only but you can see an image of the front page:
http://www.winchesterstar.com/
The local historical society runs out of their library and they gave them all the info they had:
Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society
P.O. Box 58
Winchester, VA 22604
Phone: (540) 662-9041
Fax: (540) 722-4769
Email for Archives Room: archives@hrl.lib.state.va.us
Stewart Bell Jr. Archives Room
Handley Regional Library
100 West Piccadilly Street
Winchester, VA 22601
USA
· Phone: (540) 662-9041
· Fax: (540) 722-4769
· E-mail: hlref@hrl.lib.state.va.us
Handley Regional Library Main Page
http://www.hrl.lib.state.va.us/handley/default.asp
FYI Yane Mom (Deb):
Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Shenandoah Valley Genealogical Society
presents “Research at the Library of Congress
in Your Jammies”
Given by Diane Giannini
Free and open to the public
For more information, contact Archives 662-9041 x23
The Winchester Star article is by Ms. Cynthia Burton.
540-667-3200
cburton@winchesterstar.com
She states they have found no one who remembers him but several who remember his widow. Their newspaper put out a call to their local clergy and they will follow up trying to track down where his parents went. Also, she is meaning to do a search of the newspaper microfilm archives (see above library comment) as they were sure to track local WWII casualties. However, Yankee Mom (Deb) might get there sooner (her being busy at the newspaper and all, my thoughts). But Cynthia was most interested in finding his relations.
In fact, could someone (Mary?) email Cynthia with what is known now? Please. Thanks.
Ben Franklin gets no respect. — I tried the Winchester Post Office (he was their postal clerk, where he met his wife who retired a postal employee) and the Post Master had no information of previous employees, even those who gave their life in service. So sad considering it is one of the oldest communities and post offices in the nation. Any personnel record would be an inquiry through the National Archives in St. Louis.
http://www.archives.gov
Has someone done this already?
I have located the rev in Va. and are working to see if this is a relation. The picture and document was handed to us at the Salvation Army in Massena, Ny and I am trying to piecce the connection. When I spoke with the Rev he said his family was from Ny. This is getting to be a very complicated because of all the different things that could be. I have been working on this for hours and days. This has become my main focus to make sure this is handled! We have these items safe!
Stop the presses! I found someone who knew him.
That’s great news FeFe! Keep us posted.
If anyone has any questions you may feel free to contact me by email. lilbird_1329(at)hotmail(dot)com We can exchange information and numbers if needed. Thank you
WHAT FE FE PLEASE EMAIL ME ASAP> I AM FROM THE SALVATION ARMY AND WOULD LOVE TO SPREAK TO YOU
Is TSO on his road trip still? Will an email get to him in time for an interview tomorrow?
Fe Fe can you please contact me?
Fe Fe can you please get in touch with me. I would like to exchange numbers to talk
I found a possible relative. Trying to make contact
Hey Robin! The man I found knew Richard but does not know of any Owen family relations. Did you find his brothers family? Crossing my fingers for you.
As far as I have learned Sgt. Owen took in a nephiew which would be around 60-80 years old. And lives in the Dc Area. I am trying to track him down now. So far one number has come up but there is no answer and my pants feel like they are on fire with high hopes. I have been at this since we found this item over a month ago and have been working very hard. I have been in touch with a news paper in Va and also a gentlemen named Mark and really hoping that I can speak with others working ion this.
Okay this is what it has come to. I am big into facebook. I have found many of my family there! So what the heck lets try. I brought up a name and began to search. I came across a name. The scary thing was that this mans profile pic is of the parachuter’s on D-DAY!!! So I sent a message to see if I found a lead! Lets all cross our fingers and pray!
Robin, have you read the Winchester Star story? Can you expense the $2.00 for a web 1 month subscription? Also, there is an editorial too, Valley Pike. Post in comments?
This is just blowing my mind away! She is going to mail me a copy of the paper. We spoke on the phone yesterday. My heart is so filled with this. I have been up till 3 am on somenights. I can not rest. I go to bed thinking over all the leads. I am going nuts on FB send all the people I think could be a lead a message!
The article in the Start was just amazing they did a wonderful job! BEST $2.00 I have spent in a long time!!! WORTH EVERY CENT
Also, read the Winchester Star editorial column “Valley Pike” by Adrien O’Connor(sp?). He speaks of Owen as well. Can you post them here, please, so I can read them too.
I sure will
http://www.winchesterstar.com/pages/view/hero.html
http://www.winchesterstar.com/Special_Pages/Blogs/ValleyPike/Valley_Pike_main.html
Let me know if you can see it
Robin, I just sent you an email.
Yeah! The links work.
Feel free to look me up on Facebook. I have left a post there. Also I have the Video up from our local news station! Red shirt
http://burnpit.legion.org/2010/02/a-trip-into-the-past-for-a-brother-who-died-25-years-before-i-was-born/comment-page-1/#comment-2091
http://www.winchesterstar.com/Special_Pages/Blogs/ValleyPike/Valley_Pike_main.html Thanks to the heads up from Fe Fe!!!! By the way, I enjoyed our talk tonight!! Good work! Valley Pike Column published today in the Winchester Star by Adrian O’Connor, Editorial Page Editor Finding Sgt. Owen (or his kin) Posted: Feb. 24, 2010 I must admit I dropped the ball or was slow to pick up the scent. Pick your metaphor, as they all fit. A copy of an e-mail referencing a craigslist.org posting crossed my desk back in January. Though moderately intrigued, I slipped it aside. I’d get to it later. By the time I received a letter from Ellen Murphy, Frederick County’s Commissioner of the Revenue, last Friday, this tiny wisp of a story had achieved full-blown-gale status on the Internet. If you read the article on today’s front page, you know what I’m talking about. The whole country, or so it seems, is fascinated by the story of a Purple Heart certificate and a photo uncovered in a box of donated items in far-away Massena, N.Y. The soldier at the center of this tale — Richard E. Owen, presumably of Frederick County — has been dead for more than 65 years. A member of famed Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment — the “Band of Brothers” — he was killed in the wee hours of D-Day when the transport plane ferrying his “stick” to its drop zone was struck by antiaircraft fire and crashed into a hedgerow near the French coast. For years a footnote in the saga of an Airborne company made famous by a book (author Stephen Ambrose) and an acclaimed TV mini-series (HBO), Sgt. Owen — or at least any kin who may be living — are the focus of a growing manhunt involving veterans. They are eager to find willing and proper recipients of the memorabilia now in the capable hands of the Massena unit of The Salvation Army. Serendipity brought Ellen to this quest. One of the vets on the search-and-enlighten mission — Harold Keisling of Cookeville, Tenn. — saw her name on the ’Net as a county official and solicited… Read more »
FeFe,
Thank you for the call. It makes this feel so real! You are a wonderful woman. You were able to locate a wonderful man that knew Richard and can bless us with some stories. I believe that Cynthia would love to interview this man. He holds a big key to this story. As far this is the closest connection to Richard. I am glad to hear someone as excited about this as I am. It really gives me hope that with people like you, Mary, Mark and the many others that we will find someone related to this remarkable man. I am looking online now for that book we talked about and I am ready to get me one just to hear more about the man we spoke of tonight.Give yourself a BIG pat on the back for a JOB WELL DONE!!! GOD BLESS YOU!! I can not thank you enough. You have me so excited here and on the edge of my seat!!!
A Hero Sgt. Richard E. Owen died on D-Day. He was awarded the Purple Heart — and his certificate was recently discovered. There’s just one problem: Finding his family. By CYNTHIA CATHER BURTON The Winchester Star WINCHESTER- Do you know this soldier? His name is Sgt. Richard E. Owen, and his face has launched a thousand phone calls. He also has a connection to Winchester. Last month, at the Salvation Army thrift shop in Massena, N.Y., his military portrait and Purple Heart certificate were discovered in a box of newly donated items. The Purple Heart is awarded to those who have been killed or wounded in wartime action. Sgt. Richard E. Owen (Photos provided by the Salvation Army thrift shop in Massena, N.Y.) Officials there were not sure about what they had found, but after some searching on the Internet, they learned that Owen was no ordinary soldier. He was part of the “Band of Brothers” made famous in books and an HBO television series. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Owen and 16 other members of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, were killed when their aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed into a hedgerow near the village of Beuzeville-au-Plain in Normandy, France. “When we saw that he was part of the Band of Brothers, we knew this was a very significant person in American history,” Salvation Army Capt. Ron Heimbrock said. “We knew his family would want his picture and Purple Heart certificate.” The trouble was finding them. No record was made of the person who left the donation, so Salvation Army officials contacted the local newspaper, which published a story about it. Heimbrock was certain someone would read it, realize he had made a mistake, and retrieve the items. No one called. But plenty of other people did. More than 30 people across the country are now searching census records and randomly phoning people with the last name of Owen in hopes of finding the sergeant’s kin. “I think they’re moved by the story,” Heimbrock said. “They want to help. They want to… Read more »
First Presbyterian Church is a long standing Church in Winchester (dating to the early 1800’s) and I would surmise there are members of the church still living that knew or know the McCann/Milhollen family and I would suggest someone contact the church office. That could lead you to Ruth’s survivors and perhaps provide insight into the mystery?
The Winchester Church of Christ is a very active congregation and that could provide leads for you too.
Additionally, after 1911 death certificates for VA residents are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia and if the father died in the state–an informant would be provided as well as palce of interment.
Anonymous,
Thank you very much for the help. We are looking for any lead big or small. I am sure this WILL be a big help to some of our questions! I will look up the number tonight and try giving it a call tomorrow. There are a few members here also that have been right on top of things. This has been amazing.
Mary,
Here was the Paul P. Owen on ancestry.com. He was from Va also!!!
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&gst=&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=0&msT=1&gsfn=Paul&gsln=Owen&msrpn__ftp=VA&_8000C000=Georgge&_80008000=Nora&_83004003-n_xcl=f&gss=angs-g&ghc=20&fh=20&fsk=BEDhjaoIgAAGHQv6pFU-61-
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&rank=1&new=1&so=3&MSAV=0&msT=1&gss=ms_r_f-2&gsfn=Dimple&gsln=Owen&msrpn__ftp=VA&_8000C000=Georgge&_80008000=Nora&_83004003-n_xcl=f
You may want to take a look at the last one on this page! Spouse Nora B. There is another one on the second page!
But you may wanna take a look at this. I found an article here that has Dimple Owen and it also says Paul Owen. It is too small for me to make out. It is from New Castle News in PA. It is under newspapers here is the link 5th one down
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&rank=1&new=1&so=3&MSAV=0&msT=1&gss=ms_r_f-2&gsfn=Dimple&gsln=Owen&msrpn__ftp=VA&_8000C000=Georgge&_80008000=Nora&_83004003-n_xcl=f
There has been some discussion of the Church of Christ in Wincester VA. I have seen some entries that say Disciples of Christ. The Church and Christ and what is today the Christian Church are different. They split off into different groups in the early 1900s. The Disciples of Christ became for the most part the Christina Church. So you may want to be looking in the Christian Church for Owen Records…I think George Owen his fathe was a Disciples of Christ man.
Nora Bell mother of sgt Richard E. Owen
Acc to LDS site she was born in Oct 1890 in IN not IL her father was Willis Brayton Bell and her mother was Lydia Parson.
The family can be traced back to 1780s on
http://www.Familyserch.org
Harold, you are exactly right. Nora Bell, daughter of Willis and Lydia, was born October 1890 according to the 1900 census of Daviess County, Indiana. None of the records I have examined show her born in IL. I eagerly checked out the LDS website and was very disappointed to find that, while Nora was listed, there was no information on her marriage or children.
Robin, thank you for the link for Dimple Owen. When I first looked at the census and decided that my best guess for her name was “Dimple,” I was sure that I was wrong until I looked at the link you sent 🙂 I absolutely never knew that there were so many women named Dimple!! The newspaper reference in New Castle, PA in 1926 was intriguing. The newspaper was describing a farewell luncheon for Miss Dimple Owen and Earl Owen. One of the hostesses was a Mrs. George Owen! On top of that, these folks were members of the Central Christian Church in New Castle. I have some curiosity over whether or not a 15 yr old would be the honoree at a farewell luncheon.
Mary,
Thank you for looking into that! This has been on my mind all day while I was at work and I could not get home soon enough to see if anything to turned up!! I did contact some George Owen men on facebook and so far they aer saying no relation. There are still a few I have not heard from but I am still crossing my fingers. There was one article that has Dimples name as well as a Paul Owen which would be her brother!!! Mark tried to look but said he could not get the links to work and I will be calling him. Again I am on the edge of my seat here!
Where was he born?
Please go leave updates here so I can track them:
http://burnpit.legion.org/2010/02/searching-for-sgt-owens-family/
Robin, I just tried to call you with the news that you were right!! I have spent the day reading the newspapers and it turns out that Nora Bell was also an ordained minister. Almost every member of the family wound up in the paper until 22 June 1926 when there was an article saying that he had ended his work with the Central Christian Church in New Castle, PA and they were going back to Washington, IN. I will atempt to upload some of this once I remember the html code!
Hi Mary,
Glad I was able to help. There is a lot of information here. Now we just need to get it all in order then it will be easier for all to understand things. We have had some close leads here. Each day we get closer. We have many people working on this and giving it everything they can. I am glad to be a part of this wonderful group of people! Mary you have been a big help by accessing those documents for me it has filled in some blank spots about the mother. We now know a bit more about the mom. And we know Nora’s father was from here in New York so we can also put that on this list as well. It could be the tie we were looking for as to how Ny got in this!
?
Hi All. I’m a reporter for The Washington Post and have also been tracking this story. Someone mentioned in the comments here that they’d found someone who knew Richard Owen. Can you please contact me and put me in touch with this person? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks so much. schulteb(at)washpost(dot)com
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The theme of our wedding is Green. My favorite color is green and thus all shades of green are welcome at our wedding. But the theme green also stands for the fact that we are attempting to plan a very “earth friendly wedding.” All paper products will be printed on recycled paper, save the dates were postcards to save paper, most of the lighting will be done through candlelight (with soy candles) to conserve energy, etc. We are a very outdoorsy, animal-friendly couple. Thus, we will be having an outdoor June wedding in Michigan with our three chihuahuas as attendants! I would love to have a colorboard created to give me inspiration regarding what greens go best together and what “pops” of coordinating colors work best.