Body
ALVIN LEE DEEDS, the son of Roscoe Connelly and Dossie Lee (Duvall) Gilbert, was born on Nov. 1, 1917 in Grand Prairie, but grew up in the Onward community just west of Ovilla, and attended school in Midlothian.
Alvin served 3 years in China with the Marine Corps, then entered service with the Army Air Corps on Oct. 4, 1942. He took basic training at Harding Army Airfield in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, then advanced flight training at Enid Army Airfield in Enid, Oklahoma.
He shipped overseas in July, 1944, and served as a fighter pilot in the 350th fighter squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, stationed at Raydon Airfield in Suffolk, northeast of London.
The 350th Fighter Squadron’s planes were famous for the distinctive yellow and black checkerboard pattern painted on their engine cowlings. The squadron first flew Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, then North American P-51 Mustangs from October 1944 on as escorts for bombing missions across occupied Europe, and also to strafe enemy targets on the ground.
As part of “Red Flight” led by Captain William Tanner, Deed’s 38th mission on Dec. 5, 1944 was an escort mission to Berlin to bomb the armament producing Rheinmetall-Borsig Works.
After coming off the target, his flight spotted a lone crippled B-17 Flying Fortress at low altitude and dove to protect it. Almost immediately they were bounced by 15 Focke-Wulf 190s led by Maj. Gunther Specht, an ace pilot with 34 victories and the commanding officer of JG 11.
In the ensuing melee, Red Flight was able to down 3 of the German fighters and damage several others, but lost 2 of their own. After shooting down one of the German fighters and pursuing a second FW-190, Deed’s P-51D, nicknamed “Bee-Jay” was attacked by Specht, caught fire, and hit the ground burning near Hohnhorst, Germany.
Alvin now rests in his family’s plot at the Midlothian Cemetery.
SERVICE ABBREVIATIONS: USA – United States Army; USN – United States Navy; USMC – United States Marine Corps; AAF – Army Air Force; RAF – Royal Air Force; MM – Merchant Marine; USAF – United States Air Force
WORLD WAR I
Alexander, James, Ferris, USA, June 6, 1919
Baker, William E., Italy, USA, Jan. 15, 1917
Brock, Thomas M., Ennis, USA, Dec. 9, 1917
Cargill, Myrtis B., Italy, USMC, Apr. 24, 1918
Carpenter. John E., Ferris, USA, Oct. 31, 1918
Carter, W. E., Midlothian, USA, Oct. 8, 1918
Casteel, Benton, Italy, USA, Sept. 13, 1918
Chism, Matt H., Ennis, USA, Nov. 1, 1918
Clemons, James, Bristol, USA, Aug. 14, 1918
Comer, Donald F., Ennis, USA, Nov. 18, 1918
Compton, Lon D., Waxahachie, USA, Dec. 7, 1918
Cook, Holland B., Waxahachie, USN, Oct. 10, 1918
Craig, Charles V., Midlothian, USA, Oct. 7, 1918
Craig, David Earl, Midlothian, USN, Oct. 1, 1918
Daily, Ercy C., Midlothian, USA, Oct. 13, 1918
Davis, Van T., Maypearl, USA, Oct. 26, 1918
Dickerson, Paul, Waxahachie, USN, Sept. 30, 1918
Ellis, James Perry, Waxahachie, USA, May 28, 1917
Evans, Jesse Griffith, Switch, USA, Oct. 14, 1918
Feagins, Walter C., Palmer, USA, Oct. 21, 1918
Ferguson, James D., Waxahachie, USA, Dec. 20, 1917
Freeman, Will C., Waxahachie, USA, Mar. 4, 1919
Freemon, Everett, Ennis, USA, Apr. 2, 1918
Green, Joseph I., Waxahachie, USA, Apr. 21, 1918
Hagood, Vincent C., Milford, USA, Mar. 18, 1918
Hall, James J., Palmer, USA, Oct. 30, 1918
Hart, Hardin, Bristol, USA, Oct. 15, 1918
Herman, Fred B., Ferris, USA, Dec. 16, 1918
Hulshouser, Baxter, Midlothian, USA, Oct. 9, 1918
Jackson, August, Waxahachie, USA, July 23, 1918
Johnson, Andrew, Ennis, USA, Apr. 8, 1918
Johnson, Leon W., Waxahachie, USA, Oct. 9, 1918
Johnson, Nells, Ennis, USA, May 22, 1919
Jones, Aubrey C., Palmer, USA, Unknown
Kemble, Joe Roy, Sterrett, USA, July 15, 1918
Kinsala, Thomas E., Ferris, USA, Nov. 16, 1917
Knight, Sidney A., Italy, USA, Oct. 5, 1918
Laffoon, Hillrey, Red Oak, USA, Dec. 12, 1917
Landers, Harmon B., Ennis, USA, Oct. 16, 1918
Lovell, Belton W., Trumbull, USA, Unknown
Lummus, William, Ennis, USA, June 13, 1918
Luther, John C., Rockett, USA, Oct. 15, 1918
Lyons, William G., Ennis, USA, Oct. 19, 1918
Marchbanks, JoVan, Waxahachie, USA, Oct. 25, 1918
Matthews, Charles, Waxahachie, USA, Sept. 25, 1918
Maxwell, James, Waxahachie, USA, Feb. 27, 1919
Morrel, Daniel, Milford, USMC, July 19, 1918
Myers, Grover, Italy, USN, May 16, 1917
Neloms, Eddie, Waxahachie, USA, Oct. 12, 1918
Poteete, Frank, Midlothian, USA, 1918
Rhotenbury, Elda, Waxahachie, USN, Jan. 15, 1918
Richardson, Henry, Lone Cedar, USA, Feb. 12, 1918
Rose, Mafa, Palmer, USA, Apr. 19, 1919
Sanders, David, Waxahachie, USA, Apr. 15, 1917
Sanders, Hughes, Ennis, USA, Oct. 02, 1918
Sewell, William D., Ferris, USA, Unknown
Shannon, James J., Ennis, USA, Dec. 28, 1917
Sherrod, William S., Bristol, USA, Sept. 12, 1918
Starr, Milton J., Palmer, USA, Sept. 23, 1918
Stout, Samuel D., Ennis, USA, Oct. 09, 1918
Trojacek, Frank J., Ennis, USA, Oct. 14, 1918
Voorhies, Clyde C., Midlothian, USA, June 6, 1918
Wade, Edward, Palmer, USA, Mar. 7, 1918
Walker, John Jr., Ennis, USA, Oct. 13, 1918
Witherspoon, David, Midlothian, USA, Oct. 14, 1918
Zhanel, John, Ennis, USA, Nov. 2, 1918
WORLD WAR II
Abbott, Robert L., Waxahachie, AAF, Nov. 25, 1945
Adair, John, Avalon, AAF, Aug. 29, 1944
Allen, Marvin, Waxahachie, USA, June 11, 1944
Alsup, Robert Dean, Midlothian, USMC, Feb. 24, 1945
Armstrong, Horace, Waxahachie, USA, Mar. 5, 1944
Autrey, Hubert, Palmer, USA, Nov. 17, 1944
Aycock, Charles M., Plum Grove, USA, Nov. 28, 1942
Backloupe, Joseph J., Ennis, AAF, Dec. 12, 1941
Bailey, Ezelle O., Lone Elm, USN, Apr. 24, 1945
Bailey, John Billy, Ennis, USN, Oct. 11, 1943
Barker, Cecil Edgar, Palmer, USA, Aug. 11, 1943
Barnett, Paul E., Ferris, USA, Feb. 20, 1945
Barr, Walter Lee, Ennis, USA, Aug. 28, 1944
Barton, Emory D., Waxahachie, AAF, Oct. 31, 1942
Batte, Cecil E., Italy, USA, May 5, 1945
Baxter, Wilson R., Ferris, USA, Nov. 27, 1944
Bearden, Eurby, Waxahachie, USA, Mar. 2, 1945
Beaty, Jack, Waxahachie, USA, Feb. 28, 1945
Berrier, William I., Maypearl, USA, Oct. 24, 1942
Billman, Edwin L., Midlothian, USA, Dec. 17, 1944
Binder, David I., Waxahachie, USA, Feb. 28, 1945
Bradley, Bernice W., Milford, USN, Mar. 24, 1943
Bratcher, Eugene Jr., Maypearl, USA, Apr. 6, 1945
Bratcher, Oscar C., Waxahachie, USA, Dec. 15, 1943
Bush, Raymond M., Ennis, USA, Apr. 10, 1945
Callaway, Newton F., Waxahachie, USA, May 1, 1944
Clark, Raymond F., Ennis, USA, Nov. 30, 1944
Cleveland, Jessie F., Ennis, USA, June 6, 1944
Coleman, Burton H., Maypearl, USA, June 7, 1942
Collard, Edward, Alma, USA, Nov. 13, 1943
Colleps, J. B., Waxahachie, AAF, June 29, 1945
Collins, Colombus M., Palmer, USA, Feb. 28, 1944
Colston, H. B., Palmer, USA, Mar. 26, 1945
Cornwell, John G., Waxahachie, AAF, Aug. 30, 1945
Creed, Acklee, Waxahachie, USA, Mar. 16, 1944
Crow, Joe Riley, Ennis, USMC, Feb. 20, 1945
Crow, John W., Waxahachie, USA, Nov. 20, 1942
Crumpton, Robert D., Ennis, AAF, Sept. 28, 1944
Curby, Theodore R., Maypearl, USN, Apr. 24, 1945
Curts, Lester, Ovilla, USA, Apr. 21, 1942
Davenport, Darrow, Waxahachie, USA, 1941
Davis, Grady Lee, Italy, USMC, June 20, 1945
Davis, Jack C., Ferris, USA, Mar. 09, 1944
Deeds, Alvin L., Midlothian, AAF, Dec. 5, 1944
Dewberry, Ercy, Waxahachie, AAF, Aug. 9, 1944
Dillard, Patrick H., Midlothian, AAF, Apr. 5, 1945
Dillard, Samuel D., Midlothian, AAF, Jan. 22, 1944
Dixon, George, Ellis Co., USA, Mar. 13, 1943
Edwards, John C., Ennis , USA, Aug. 16, 1943
Farmer, Edward, Ennis, USA, Sept. 25, 1944
Farrar, J. H., Palmer, AAF, Dec. 7, 1944
Fields, Earnest L., Midlothian, USN, Feb. 27, 1942
Fisher, Elton K., Ennis, USA, Jan. 2, 1945
Flippen, Roy, Ferris, USA, Jan. 9, 1945
Fowler, Allen Tatum, Ennis, USA, July 13, 1944
Frazier, Charles, Ennis, USA, Jan. 13, 1945
Gallman, John M., Italy, AAF, Feb. 1, 1944
Garcia, Basilio, Ellis Co., USA, Apr. 16, 1944
Goddard, George Jr., Ennis, AAF, Feb. 22, 1944
Goodloe, Everette, Red Oak, USA, May 3, 1945
Goodwin, James, Ennis, USMC, Mar. 9, 1945
Goodwin, James, Midlothian, USMC, Mar. 7, 1945
Graves, J. L., Waxahachie, AAF, Oct. 25, 1943
Green, Harry Otto, Forreston, AAF, Mar. 7, 1943
Greene, Clinton H., Ennis, AAF, July 9, 1943
Ham, James T., Waxahachie, USA, Apr. 26, 1943
Hamilton, Maurice, Ferris, USA, May 11, 1942
Hammond, Sylvan C., Waxahachie, USA, Oct. 24, 1944
Handley, Marion L., Waxahachie, AAF, Aug. 6, 1943
Harris, Tommie L., Waxahachie, USA, Feb. 24, 1945
Hejkal, Milton M., Ennis, USA, Oct. 24, 1944
Henderson, Joseph Jr., Ennis, USA, July 1, 1944
Houdek, Joe E., Ennis, AAF, Nov. 17, 1944
Hutchison, Jack W., Waxahachie, USA, Oct. 13, 1944
Jackson, F. Nesmith, Waxahachie, AAF, May 4, 1943
Jarratt, J. Lewis, Five Points, USA, Apr. 2, 1945
Jones, Bennie F., Forreston, USN, May 17, 1943
Jones, Carl Wesley, Milford, USN, Feb. 4, 1945
Kirkpatrick, James G., Maypearl, AAF, Nov. 30, 1942
Lewis, Jack H., Ellis Co., USA, Nov. 22, 1944
Loyd, J. L., Forreston, USA, Mar. 25, 1945
Love, Richard W., Midlothian, AAF, Nov. 24, 1943
Lummus, Jack, Ennis, USMC, Mar. 8, 1945 (Medal of Honor)
Lusk, Luther R., Ennis, USA, Apr. 1, 1945
Lyons, James L., Ennis, USA, Feb. 11, 1945
Mach, Joe F., Ennis, USA, Sept. 2, 1944
Mack, Johnnie A., Ellis Co., USA, Jan. 17, 1943
Manning, Cecil W., Waxahachie, USA, Aug. 1, 1943
Marchbanks, Alphonso, Nash, RAF, Jan. 22, 1942 (Eagle Squadron RAF)
Mayfield, John W., Ennis, USA, Apr. 2, 1945
McBride, Ernest, Italy, USMC, Oct., 1944
McCaskill, Cyrus M., Ennis, USA, Mar. 8, 1945
McNeil, Walter, Ennis, AAF , Aug. 21, 1944
Melton, DeBerry, Lone Elm, USA, Feb. 2, 1945
Menges, Leon, Waxahachie, AAF, June 29, 1943
Miller, William T., Auburn, USA, Oct. 9, 1944
Mills, Maxie M., Palmer, USA, May 9, 1944
Mitchell, Marion R., Avalon, USN, Apr. 6, 1943
Moore, John T., Ennis, USA, Jan. 30, 1945
Morgan, G. P., Italy, Navy, Mar. 1, 1942
Morris, Henry E., Midlothian, USA, Mar. 31, 1945
Muirhead, Edgar, Lone Elm, AAF, Mar. 16, 1944
Myers, Henry Jr., Waxahachie, AAF, July 26, 1942
Naughton, John B., Waxahachie, USA, Dec. 24, 1944
Navarro, Refugio G., Ennis, USA, Mar. 17, 1945
Nelson, Boyce M., Ellis Co., USA, Oct. 30, 1942
Newlin, John S., Ennis, AAF, Jan. 15, 1945
Nichols, Whittington, Waxahachie AAF, Nov. 31, 1943
Nicklas, Jesse L., Ennis, USA, June 12, 1944
Patterson, James, Ennis, USA, Mar., 1945
Peacock, J. R., Milford, USA, Nov. 29, 1944
Perkins, Andy W., Italy, USA, Sept. 23, 1943
Pierce, William Jr., Ennis, USMC, Mar. 13, 1945
Raines, Billy Tom, Waxahachie, USA, Apr. 1, 1945
Ray, Howell T., Ennis, USA, June 21, 1944
Reyther, Fred, Ennis, USA, Dec. 29, 1944
Richardson, Vernon, Oak Grove, USA, Jan. 9, 1945
Ricks, Charles L. Jr., Ennis, USA, June 13, 1944
Ritchie, Charles W., Palmer, USA, Apr. 10, 1943
Rogers, Myron F., Ennis, USA, Sept. 18, 1943
Ross, Jackson B., Ennis, AAF, May 27, 1945
Rountree, James E., Ellis Co., USA, July 14, 1944
Sargent, James W., Ellis Co., USA, July 28, 1945
Schwartz, Malcolm L., Palmer, AAF, Dec. 26, 1944
Sealy, Calvin A., Palmer, USA, Feb. 20, 1945
Shaw, Herman T., Ennis, USA, Jan. 8, 1943
Shipp, Nimrod S., Sardis, MM, Oct. 20, 1943
Sills, Allen F., Ennis, USA, May 30, 1942
Singleton, Joe R., Mt. Peak, USA, Aug. 9, 1944
Smith, James D., Mt. Peak, USA, Sept. 28, 1941
Spurgeon, James R., Hopewell, USA, Nov. 12, 1944
Stanford, Donald Joe, Red Oak, AAF, Mar. 3, 1941
Steadham, Edward Jr., Ellis Co., USA, Aug. 29, 1943
Stein, Harry, Ennis, USA, Jan. 7, 1945
Stone, David G., Waxahachie, USN, June 3, 1942
Sublett, Neeland, Ennis, USA, Sept. 1, 1944
Sybert, Frank, Italy, AAF, Apr. 30, 1942
Talkington, Donald P., Ferris, USN, Nov. 10, 1944
Tapia, Pablo, Ennis, USA, Jan. 13, 1945
Taylor, Willard H., Ennis, USA, Jan. 15, 1945
Thompson, John B., Waxahachie, AAF, Aug. 10, 1944
Tolar, Reginald D., Ennis, USA, Dec. 22, 1942
Tollerson, Cecil M., Waxahachie, USA, Sept. 18, 1943
Toupal, Louis O., Ennis, USA, July 23, 1944
Townsell, Frank, Ellis Co., USA, Nov. 11, 1943
Trojacek, Emil F., Telico, USA, Dec. 31, 1942
Trull, Olin C., Waxahachie, USA, July 27, 1943
Ventrca, Edward G., Ennis, USA, June 4, 1944
Vrana, Johnny G., Ennis, USA, Jan. 17, 1945
Vrla, Edwin F., Ennis, AAF, Apr. 29, 1944
Walker, S. L., Ellis Co., USA, Feb. 13, 1945
Ward, Lester C., Rockett, USA, Oct. 18, 1941
Warren, Miller P. Jr., Waxahachie, USA, Jan. 9, 1945
Webb, James Jr., Waxahachie, USA, May 2, 1944
Whiteley, Aurther, Garrett, USA, Sept. 12, 1944
Wickliffe, Leland E., Ferris, Navy, Oct. 30, 1944
Wiggins, Sidney Allen, Maypearl, USA, Aug. 9, 1944
Williams, John W., Milford, AAF, Sept. 19, 1943
Williams, Thomas Jr., Waxahachie, USN, Nov. 13, 1942
Wilson, Benny, Ferris, USN, May 4, 1945
Wilson, Roscoe, Mt. Peak, AAF, June 6, 1944
Windham, Charley, Italy, USA, Dec. 23, 1944
Windham, Walter J., Italy, USA, Feb. 27, 1945
Winford, Harris W., Palmer, USA, Sept. 15, 1943
Winn, Tommy Jr., Waxahachie, USN, Feb. 7, 1945
Yarbrough, George H., Waxahachie, USN, Dec. 14, 1944
Yates, Will A., Waxahachie, AAF, Sept. 4, 1943
Youngblood, Robert, Ferris, USN, May 12, 1943
Youngblood, Guy A., Ennis, USA, Nov. 10, 1944
Zahnen, James P., Ennis, USA, Jan. 1, 1945
Zhanel, Joe T., Telico, USA, Feb. 25, 1945
Zhanel, John J., Ennis, USA, Apr. 21, 1944
KOREAN WAR
Arriaga, Raymond C., Ennis, USA, Dec. 9, 1952
Bates, Lonzo, Palmer, USA, Nov. 29, 1950
Barton, Franklin D., Ellis Co., USA, Sept. 15, 1950
Bennett, Percy, Five Points, USA, Dec. 24, 1951
Bond, Malcolm D., Ennis, USA, Nov. 25, 1950
Cook, Alfred, Ennis, USA, Aug. 22, 1951
Couch, Walter R., Italy, USA, June 30, 1951
Davis, Willie D., Ennis, USA, July 9, 1953
Gurecky, Edwin M., Ennis, USA, Nov. 26, 1950
Hejny, Raymond F., Ennis, USMC, Mar. 27, 1953
Honza, Henry Albert, Ennis, USMC, Sept. 24, 1950
Hopkins, Charles G., Palmer, USA, Dec. 3, 1950
Johnson, James W., Maypearl, USMC, Feb. 10, 1952
Milner, Wallace D., Ennis, USA, Apr. 25, 1951
Mooneyham, Calvin, Ellis Co., USA, Sept. 18, 1950
Richardson, Clark B., Ellis Co., USA, Nov. 6, 1950
Seay, Earl M., Waxahachie, USA, July 24, 1950
Sneed, Albert, Italy, USA, July 24, 1952
Tate, Ted N., Waxahachie, USAF, July 12, 1952
Taylor, Raymond, Waxahachie, USA, Dec. 1, 1950
Walton, Gussie Vay, Italy, USMC, Sept. 20, 1952
Willis, James G. Jr., Italy, USAF, Sept. 03, 1951
VIETNAM WAR
Allen, Eddie Hugh, Waxahachie, USMC, May 27, 1968
Bell, Edward James, Ennis, USA, Apr. 22, 1967
Burleson, Michael, Waxahachie, USMC, May 19, 1968
Coley, Billy John, Ennis, USAF, Dec. 20, 1963
Donaldson, Darrell, Ennis, USA, Mar. 9, 1969
Esparza, Nicholas Jr., Waxahachie, USA, Apr. 20, 1969
Gabriel, Charles, Palmer, USAF, Jan. 6, 1967
Hammonds, Roy Lee, Waxahachie, USMC, Jan. 4, 1970
Henderson, David Jr., Italy, USMC, Nov. 4, 1968
Jones, Seaborn Dan, Red Oak, USA, Jan. 21, 1968
Langley, Jody Mac, Waxahachie, USA, Apr. 10, 1967
Loyd, Michael Glenn, Red Oak, USA, Sept. 7, 1969
Luna, Julian, Forreston, USA, July 9, 1970
Martinez, Sylvester, Waxahachie, USA, June 15, 1971
McFarland, Charles, Ferris, USMC, July 4, 1967
Menton, Albert David, Ennis, USMC, Nov. 14, 1967
Murphy, William, Ennis, USA, July 28, 1971
Rodgers, Larry Joe, Waxahachie, USMC, Mar. 17, 1968
PEACE TIME
Martin, James T., Waxahachie, USN, Sept 8., 1923
Baucom, Bryne V., Milford, AAF, May 30, 1928
Sumner, Duward F., Waxahachie, AAF, Apr. 07, 1946
Cox, Glenn Dorsey, Waxahachie, USN, Apr. 26, 1946
Harrison, Raymond, Ennis, USMC, Nov. 7, 1955
Waedekin, C. A. Jr., Ennis, USAF, Apr. 24, 1956
Faulkner, Charles E., Red Oak, USN, Feb. 24, 1960
Roark, Donald B., Waxahachie, USN, Jan. 30, 1963
Marshall, Kyle D., Waxahachie, USAF, Jan. 15, 1985
Washington, Warren, Ennis, USN, Apr. 27, 1988
Guana, Timothy L., Ennis, USN, Oct. 12, 2000
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