Tribute to WWII Vets Who Died in 2020

Each January I honor World War II veterans with stories in my books who lost their lives the previous year. This particular list is significant because these veterans (all male) passed away during a pandemic, meaning for many of them they passed their last weeks and months on earth shut away from family/ friends. They deserved better, but none of us were in control of that.

This year was also the 75^th anniversary of the end of World War II. Many places around the world had planned to celebrate this occasion with events honoring that occasion (imagine going through this pandemic for four years!). These veterans would have been guests of honor. Unfortunately, it was all cancelled, due to health restrictions.

Thanks to all of these men and women who served our country in its time of great need. We miss you. In 2021 we need people like these vets who believed in our country’s values enough to stand and fight for them.

If you know of a veteran from my books who has died in 2020 and is not on this list, please let me know.

Book titles reflect the volume with the veteran’s complete story. Photos follow the names which are alphabetical.

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Eugene Cogan— Kendallville, Indiana, Army, Omaha Beach. (We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories; D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy)

• Bill Dunn –- Columbia City, Indiana, Navy, Pacific. (We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories)

•  Al Edwards –- Fort Wayne, Indiana, Navy, Omaha Beach. (They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans)

• Daniel Frazier— West Virginia, Army, Battle of the Bulge. (Battle of the Bulge book to be released 2021)

•  Simeon Hain— Decatur, Indiana, Navy pilot, Pacific. (We Fought to Win: American World War II Veterans Share Their Stories)

•  Frances Holmes— Bluffton, Indiana, Navy, Pacific. (We Fought to Win: American World War II Veterans Share Their Stories)

•  Vernon Kaehr— Bluffton, Army, Europe. (We Fought to Win: American World War II Veterans Share Their Stories)

•  Dale Pence — Fort Wayne, Army, Europe. (They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans)

•  Alvin Ping — Lebanon, Indiana, Navy, Pacific. (We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories)

• Walter Rumple – Van Buren, Indiana, Army Air Corps, Prisoner of War/ Germany. (They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans; Captured! Stories of American WWII Prisoners of War)

• Bill Sawyer— Bluffton, Army medical corps, Aleutians. (They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans)

• William Smith— Broughton, Pennsylvania, Navy, Pacific (We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories)

• Leo Terrebonne —New Orleans, Army, Europe. (We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories)