PFC John M. Carroll, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division US.

Announcements Photo Research
#1

Hi,

My name is Camille and I’m seventeen years old. I live in Normandy, France. I’m writing here because I’m a member of an association : Les Fleurs De La Mémoire. Last year on November 2010 the association assigned to me the grave of John M. Carroll and I visit his grave to put flowers several time in year. John was killed in action on 18th July 1944, in France. I’m searching his photo because it’s important for me and my family to put a face on his name. John was born on 12th June 1923 in Philadelphia. His parent named Elsie and Raymond Carroll. Raymond died on 2nd October 1942. He had brothers (Richard, Raymond Junior, Edward, James and Robert. They had Irish origins. John was in 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th division US. His army serial number is 33584940. He was enlisted on 15th February 1943 in Philadelphia. It was grateful if you have an other informations about him and a photo of him. I have the duty to take care the John’s grave all my life. Conctat me please. Thank you. Respectfully, Camille Vauclin.

P.S. I’m sorry my english is bad and I made mistakes.

#2

First of all, i would like to express my admiration and show my solidarity with the noble duty that you accepted. Isn’t easy to find in a seventeen-year old girl, such respect and delicacy, for who gave his life more than seventh years ago.
Can you post the name of the War Cemetery where John M. Carroll was buried?
All the best to you and your family.

#3

I thank you, skorzeny57.
John M. Carroll was buried in Colleville-sur-Mer (St Laurent Cemetery), in Normandy.
All the best to you and your family too.

#4

I agree with skorzeny57.That is dedication to your association.Here is two links to a 30th Division web page,also with a contact link.Maybe the admin for the pages can help you out.I hope your are successful and please keep us informed.

http://www.oldhickory30th.com/

http://www.30thinfantry.org/

#5

I Thank you rudeerude,

I visited many web site about the 30th Division. I contact many people. The veteran Frank Towers too. But They can’t help me more. I sent an e-mail in USA to receive his military files but I’m not sure to receive his photo too. The only photos which I can find of him were able to be taken in U.S.A. and in England. I tried to find his photo in yearbooks of Philadelphia but sometimes It was necessary to pay (same as ancestry) but I can’t. Recently I received the date of his birth and I was so touched… John was probably in the 1st Battallion and C co. I try to contact his family but it’s very difficult. I continue my searches and I keep you informed.

#6

Here is all the info I have.

Name Carroll, John M.
Rank Pfc
ASN 33584940
Unit 119th,
POW
Casualities MIA KIA 07/17/1944
Duty
Awards PH
Deceased/Buried
Notes
Campaign
Source 1,38,155,

This is listed in the 30th Division Roster, at IndianaMilitary.org (Add www. in front) Select “30th Division” and then “Roster” in left-hand index. You can then SEARCH for the name or other information.

If you can add to this list, please let me know.
Jim West
30th Div webmaster

#7

While it was fashionable in some quarters some years ago to condemn the French for failing to support America’s unnecessary and idiotic invasion of Iraq, Camille’s respect and reverence for an American soldier who died freeing France from the Nazis demonstrates that the French may be the best in the world for remembering the debt they owe to the Allies who aided them, despite the fact that in the process their liberators destroyed much of France and killed many of their citizens, in two world wars.

I doubt that there are many, if any, things like this where a connection forged in a terrible war which destroyed their homes and town resulted about ninety years later in the desecendants contributing to the rebuilding of the homes of some of the descendants whose homes were destroyed in a civilian disaster. http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/showthread.php?10159-N-Oublions-Jamais-l-Australie

Camille’s organisation Les Fleurs de la Memoire http://fleursdelamemoire.free.fr/static.php?op=entribute.txt&npds=1 also demonstrates that there are long memories for gratitude in France in relation to WWII.

I wish I could do something to repay her and Les Fleurs de la Memoire’s commendable efforts by helping her find what she is looking for, but I regret that I can’t.

#8

Hi Jim West,

Name Carroll, John M.
Rank Pfc
ASN : 33584940
Unit 119th, (maybe 3rd Battallion)
POW
Casualities MIA (07/17/1944), KIA (07/18/1944)
Duty
Awards PH
Deceased in France, area of Mesnil Durand. Buried in Colleville-sur-Mer (St Laurent Cemetery)
Notes
Campaign Normandy, France
Source 1, 38, 155,
The causes of his death are unknown but it would be likely that John died further to the bombardments of the US Air Forces (Average and heavy bombs of B-17 and B-24) and\or of dams of artillery of the enemy.

Rising Sun,

I have a lot of respect for all these soldiers, who died for freedom, peace and liberated my country. It’s my father who inculcated me this respect when I was young. And I will inculcate it to my children.
Thank you so much for your messages. All the best for you.

#9

I add my complments to Skorzeny57’ s ones, for your delicacy of feelings and the high education of values by your family.

#10

Thank you so much DVX !

Jim West,

Branch immaterial - Warrant Officiers, USA
Term of enlistment 5 Enlistment of the duration of the war or other emergency plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law.
Race and citizenship White, citizen
Education 2 years of high school
Marital status Single, with dependents
Box number 0680 0680
Film reel number 1.197 1.197

#11

Hi Camille,
i 've just given a look at the Site "Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania World War II Casualties Army and Air Force. At the fifth page i found his name, rank and Army Serial Number. Nothing more than things that you’ve already known… Anyway, don’t give up. Cheers!

philadelphia5.jpg
philadelphia5.jpg369×835 126 KB

#12

I would like to also extend my thanks to Camille and her family. I am the nephew of PFC John M Carroll, I recently received Camille’s request from another family member. John was one of six children, all boys to my fraternal grandparents. All six boys served their country at the same time during WWII, in different branches of the military. John, who was better known as Jack to his friends and family was sadly the only one to not survive to come home.