Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Downs looks to honor OBU fallen in WW II

Dr. William D. Downs, Jr., a professor at Ouachita Baptist University, has decided to find out the stories behind the names that appear on the World War II monument located on Ouachita's campus.

The monument lists 36 names of people who were Ouachitonians killed in action during WWII.

Downs is asking for help from Ouachita's Alumni, friends and family members of the soldiers, and servicemen statewide.

Recently Downs became interested in the monument after watching such programs as Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" and "Saving Private Ryan".

These programs brought Downs' attention to the fact each soldier has his own story and background. Each and every one of them gave their lives for us.

Downs is certain someone out there is a family member or a friend who may have stories, pictures, letters or other memorabilia to help him put information for these men.

The names on the monument are: Virgil Benson, Pine Bluff; Maj. Robert Elmo Chaney, Brinkley; Capt. Merrill Cole, Harrisburg; Pfc. Ralph L. Crosswell, Crossett; Lt. Edward Ecil Douthit, Magazine; John M. Duffie, Hope; Pfc. Jarold Duke, Strong; Lt. Paul Beverly Garrett, Okolona; Maj. George Shell Grant, Arkadelphia; Lt. John Milton Hall, Arkadelphia; John Calvin Halsell of Little Rock; Thomas Royce Johnson of Nashville, Arkansas; Pvt. Paul Brantley Lamber, Hayti, Mo.; William C. Lawrence, Little Rock; and Lt. Leo Winfred Maddox, Shawnee, Okla.

Other names include: Lt. Cmdr. Ralph Mann, Judsonia; Pfc. David Neil Matlock Arkadelphia; Lt. Dan Joseph Mathews, Little Rock; Pfc. Clyde Vernon McCalman, Bradley; Capt. Francis Allen Norton, Arkadelphia and later Washington, D.C.; Lt. William Reed Parsons, Jr., Louann, Pfc. Thomas Reagan, Waldon; and Lt. John Franklin Reed, Jr., Pine Bluff.

Additional names include: Ensign Rufus Wallace Robinson, England; Carmon B. Rucker, Grand Saline, Texas; Lt. Gaston Don Shofner, Morrilton; Pfc. Joe Simpson, Russellville; Lt. Edwin Wadley Smith, Arkadelphia; Lt. William Cone Stell, Little Rock; Lt. Ralph William Stockemer, Huttig; Capt. Andrew C. Thigpen, Hosston, La.; Lt. James Flanagin Turner, Arkadelphia; William Ellis West, Princeton, Arkansas; and Earle Bunch Whiteley, Ironton, Mo.

If you have any information concerning the names should be sent to Dr. William D. Downs, Jr., P.O. Box 3791, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71998-0001. His telephone number is (870) 245-5207 and his e-mail address is downsb@obu.edu.