World War II stories...

The following information about Raymond area veterans was published in Raymond 's 125th Anniversary Book in 1996. The person who provided the information was not identified.    

Following World War II, Murvin Krause of Raymond received the Bronze Star Medal for  "heroic achievement in action while serving with the Army of the United States, October 30, 1944, in the vicinity of Opheusden, Holland, where four men were seriously wounded and isolated from the unit. Pfc. Krause, realizing the importance of evacuating the men to a medical aid station, moved forward to aid in the evacuation. His route took him through a heavily mined area, subject to enemy observation, but he continued and reached the wounded men. "Krause entered the service March 24, 1942, at Scott Field, Belleville and was honorably discharged September 20, 1945 at Fort Sheridan. He served in Normandy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, England, and Austria. He was wounded twice, first in France in June, 1944, and in Holland in August, 1944. He received the Purple Heart for being wounded in action.

Gerald Langen of  Raymond was awarded the Silver Star following World War II. The citation read: “On March 13, 1944, on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, he distinguished himself by bold and aggressive action during an attack on four Japanese pillboxes. During the action, he destroyed one strong pint by throwing four well-aimed grenades inside it, killing the occupants. Later, in the face of heavy enemy fire, he crawled into the open to rescue a wounded officer and soldier, preventing them from falling into the hands of the enemy." Langen was a technical sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Ora Honnies of Raymond was a prisoner of war in Germany. Honnies had been reported missing in action in France on December 23, 1944. Pvt. Honnies had entered the war in January, 1944. 

Private First Class Willard G. Padgett, U.S. Marine Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H Padgett of near Raymond, was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in action against enemy Japanese from August, 1942 to July 1944. Pagdett participated in the three major campaigns of American fighting forces at Guadal Canal, British Solomon Islands, Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, and Saipan, Marianas Islands.

Pfc. Edward A. "Bud"Martin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Martin was reported killed in action on Luzon, February 19, 1945. Martin was sent to the Pacific area in June, 1942 and saw action in the Hawaiian Islands, New Guinea, East Netherlands and the Philippines. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. His citation read as follows: "For gallantry in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Cauringan, Pangasinin Luzon, Philippine Islands February 19, 1945. As the assault platoon was advancing on the objective it was subjected to intense enemy heavy machine gun fire which temporarily halted its advance. Pvt. Martin, the lead scout, with utter disregard for  his safety, advanced under this fire toward the enemy emplacement and succeeded in throwing a hand grenade inside, killing the Japanese manning the gun and enabling the platoon  to close in and kill the remaining four Japanese in the position  and captured the gun. The enemy opened fire with a light machine gun. Again on the enemy position, he succeeded in killing the Japanese manning the gun and enabling the platoon to close in and eliminate this threat. While pushing toward the crest of the hill, Private Martin was killed by an enemy hand grenade thrown from a well camouflaged spider hole. Private Martin's unflinching courage, under fire, his devotion to duty, and his determination to close and destroy the enemy were an inspiration to the men of his company and reflect high credit upon himself and the military service."

Corporal Billy Wayne VanZant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy VanZant, was killed in action in Germany on April 10, 1945.