World War II Soldiers Remembered: Matt Archer Allen

May 7, 1924–November 25, 1944

Matt Archer Allen was born May 7, 1924 in Cardwell, Virginia. He was 18-years-old when he registered in June of 1942. According to his Registration Card, we know he was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and had black eyes and black hair. He listed C.C. Cochrane of Rockville as his employer.

He was serving aboard the USS Essex (CV 9) on November 25, 1944 when the vessel was hit by a Japanese kamikaze. The strike was on the port edge of the aircraft carrier’s flight deck and landed among the planes gassed for takeoff, causing extensive damage. The ship survived the hit, but Allen was one of 15 killed in the attack. His name is among those listed at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

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World War II Soldiers Remembered: Richard Snellings Cridlin

October 26, 1915–December 25, 1998

Richard Snellings Cridlin was born October 26, 1915 in Henrico, Virginia. He was 24-years-old when he registered in October of 1940. According to his Registration Card, we know he was married to Lucille Layne Cridlin, was 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and had brown eyes and brown hair. He listed Sylvania Industrial Corporation as his employer. His home was his wife’s family farm near Crozier, Va.

Taken in Paris, 1944

Upon completion of basic training, he was sent to Europe, where he took part in D-Day and the Liberation of Paris. He was then sent to the Pacific theater where he participated in the Battle of Okinawa, the last major battle of World War II. After the war, he returned to Crozier where he spent the remainder of his life.

World War II Soldiers Remembered: Clyde Bigerton Southworth

November 30, 1910–September 28, 1979

Clyde Bigerton Southworth was born November 30, 1910, in Goochland County, Virginia, to Thomas Mayo and Virgillia Clyde Pace Southworth. According to his Enlistment record, he was 6 feet tall and weighed 132 pounds. He was single at the time.

He enlisted on July 11, 1942. He had the places he was stationed engraved on his canteen including; Honolulu, Hawaii, Canton, Christmas Islands, Gilbert Islands, Saipan, Marshall Islands, and Okinawa. He brought home many photographs of his time in the Philippines. He was released on November 11, 1945.

When he returned home, he married Anne Pollard of Amelia County, on January 5, 1946

World War II Soldiers Remembered: James Harold Bowles

June 12, 1921–January 17, 2019

James Harold Bowles graduated from Central High School in 1940 and attended Virginia Union University from 1940 to 1942. Bowles was 20-years-old and a student at VUU when he filled out his registration card in 1942. Soon after that he began work as a civil service employee in Pennsylvania and Hawaii from 1942 to 1944. While in Hawaii, he joined the United States Army and served two years. He resumed his studies and graduated from VUU in 1948 and from Meharry Medical School in 1952. After his internship, he returned home to Goochland County and opened his medical practice.

World War II Soldiers Remembered: Henry Powers Shelton

November 5, 1910–November 12, 1983

Henry Powers Shelton was born November 5, 1910 in Goochland, Virginia. He was 29-years-old when he registered in October of 1940. According to his Registration Card, we know he was 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and had gray eyes and brown hair. He listed the Bank of Goochland as his employer.

World War II Soldiers Remembered: Edward Holman Parrish, Jr.

May 19, 1925–January 29, 2008

Edward “Eddie” Holman Parrish, Jr. was born May 19, 1925 in Goochland, Virginia. He was 18-years-old when he registered in May of 1943. According to his Registration Card, we know he was married, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and had blue eyes, brown hair and was living in Columbia, Virginia. He worked on his father’s farm when not in school.

World War II Soldiers Remembered: William Edward Fleming

December 8, 1918–September 2, 2001

William Edward Fleming was born December 8, 1918 in Goochland, Virginia. He was 21-years-old when he registered for service in 1940. According to his registration card, he was the son of Lester Edward and Emma (Taylor) Fleming. He was 6 feet, 1 inch tall and had brown eyes and black hair. Fleming listed Westbrook Sanatorium as his employer. He married Josephine Elizabeth Robinson in 1943.