With the dedication of a national World War II memorial, veterans of that conflict have been the focus of much attention. It is safe to say that every family was touched in some way by that conflict. Sacrifices were made by men and women from DeSoto, Marshall, Tate and Tunica counties, not only in that war but in Korea and Vietnam as well. Following is a listing of some who died in line of duty during World War II whose home of record was listed as being in DeSoto and her immediate Mississippi neighbors. Let their sacrifice be a constant reminder that freedom isn't free!

In 1946 the U. S. War Department published the ?World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing? for the State of Mississippi. This list was made up of those who ?died in a line-of-duty? status while serving in the Army or Army Air Force. Likewise in 1946 the U. S. Navy published its ?State Summary of War Casualties [Mississippi], listing casualties in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard ?resulting directly from enemy action or from operational activities against the enemy in war zones from December 7, 1941 to the end of the war.? The Navy list includes those who were wounded, while the War Department list does not. Neither list gives the date or location of death, but the Navy list gives the name and residence of next of kin.

The full publication is on line at Army/Army Air Force

The full publication is on line at Navy/Marines/Coast Guard

Abbreviations: 1c = First Class; 2c = Second Class; AM Mate = Aviation Machinists Mate, a Navy rank; Pvt. = Private; PFC = Private First Class; USMCR = U. S. Marine Corps Reserve.