Died In Action Over France

Located at Forest Park Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR.

This is a cenotaph.

In Memory of

Lt. Eugene F. Hennig

March 19, 1920 - June 6, 1944

Died In Action Over France

Though we may never lay affection's token

on his last resting place far o'er the sea.

Lord, let him sleep in peace, his rest unbroken

till we shall join him forever with thee.

The following is from Arkansas Ties.

In the early hours of the morning of the 6th June 1944, C-47 aircraft 42-101025, serial number 54 of the 301st Troop Carrier Squadron, 441st Troop Carrier Group left Merryfield airfield in Somerset, England and was making its way in tight formation with other troop carriers across the English Channel to Normandy, France. On board were a crew of four and a passenger load of 18 paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment plus equipment (wire, ammunition, and rafts) heading for drop zone D in Normandy France.


All units were to fly across the English Channel and drop into Normandy, five hours prior to the famous seaborne landing. The 501st drop zones were north and east of the town of Carentan. Two battalions were to seize key canal locks at La Barquette and destroy the bridges over the Douve River.

As the aircraft reached the coast of France, heavy cloud and fog scattered their formations while intensive flak barrages added to the confusion. On this night, many would not return home, among these, the brave crew of this C-47 and their eighteen passengers. Shot down out of the sky, their plane crashed in Bois de Limors with all personnel on board. There were no survivors.

Rest in Peace -

2nd Lieutenant Eugene F. Hennig (Pilot) from Fort Smith, Arkansas, died on June 6, 1944.

2nd Lieutenant Albert A. Dorrance, Jr. (Co-Pilot) of California died on June 6, 1944 and lies buried at Colleville sur Mer, Normandy in Plot F, Row 15, Grave 6.

Technical Sergeant Dave Kramer (Crew Chief) from Wisconsin died on June 6, 1944 and lies buried at Colleville sur Mer, Normandy in Plot D, Row 19, Grave 14.

Corporal James E. Davison (Radio Operator) from Montana died on June 6, 1944 and lies buried at Colleville sur Mer, Normandy in Plot C, Row 8, Grave14.

And 18 paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, died on June 6, 1944.

This photograph was taken on June 5th, 1944, the day before 2nd Lt. Eugene Hennig's plane was shot down over France. Lt. Hennig (pilot of the plane) is the first officer on the left. The other crew members pictured are (left to right): 2nd Lt. Albert A. Dorrance, Jr. (co-pilot) - T/Sgt. Dave Kramer (crew chief) - Cpl. James E. Davison (radio operator). All four perished in the crash along with the 18 paratroopers they carried.

Info about the 441st Troop Carrier Group can be viewed at the following links.
Wikipedia

In Memory of Pops

Located in ForestPark Cemetery in Ft Smith, AR.

Billy Dean Yandell

September 16, 1955

December 6, 2006

Son, Brother, Uncle, Grandpa

Son of Frank and Dorothy

Grandson of Myrtle Mae Willis

"I'm home with Granny now."

Father of Robert & Bryan

Dedicated to my boys who gave me so much love,

laughter & joy in life from their first breath until

my last. Life is waiting for you so get going.

Pops will be waiting until we all get home again.

Grandpa loves his little angels that

God shared with me.

Kadence Savannah     Hayden William

Jenna Sue    Kaleb Dean    Keygan Sebastian

Grampy loves his special kiddos

Wilbur 95 Mister    Rascal & Jewels

I'm taking a napper till you get here.

Mr. Billy Dean Yandell

Mr. Billy Dean Yandell was born September 16, 1955 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The son of  Frank Delbert Yandell and Dorothy Juanita Willis Yandell. He was a casino food and beverage executive in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Mayor of Moffett, Oklahoma. Mr. Yandell passed this life on December 6, 2006 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas after having attained the age of  51 years, 2 months and 21 days.

Survivors are:
2 Sons and Daughters-in-law: Robert William and Jessica Yandell of Bella Vista, AR.,
Bryan Christopher and April Yandell of Moffett, OK.;
1 Granddaughter: Kadence Savannah Yandell of Moffett, OK.,
and triplet grandchildren on the way: 2 boys and 1 girl;
1 Sister: Bobbie Urso of Bullhead City, AZ.,
4 Brothers: Donnie and Timmy of Moffett, OK., Jimmy "J.D." of San Pedro, CA.,
and Ricky of Washington;
Many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends

He was preceded in death by his parents and his Granny Willis.
(Obit taken from http://www.agentfuneralhome.com/z_Yandell_B.html)

Just Outside The Gate

Ok so this is not inside a cemetery but it is right across the street from the Forest Park Cemetery in Ft Smith, AR. And its a memorial also.  I liked it so I thought I'd share.

Dedicated to the memory

of our comrades

who entered the service

of their country

from Fort Smith, Arkansas

and who gave their lives

on the World War

----

Victor Ellig Post No. 31

The American Legion

Cute Little Guy

This little fellow is located at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR.

In Memory of

Infant Son of

Plymouth

and

Mable

Forbes

Died

Mar 3, 1906

Another little lamb has gone

 to dwell with him who gave

Ft Smith National Cemetery

These are the gates that greet you as you enter the Ft. Smith National Cemetery in Ft Smith, AR.  They were originally erected in 1942.

The administration building that is located just inside the gates was constructed in 1904. It was originally the home of the superintendent. But now serves as the office and maintenance area.

Famous File: General Richard C. Gatlin

Located at the Ft. Smith National Cemetery in Ft. Smith AR.

Gen. Richard Cabwell Gatlin

Born at Kingston, N.C.

Jan 18, 1808

Died Sept 8, 1896

Resemblance?

Located at Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR.

William How Robertson

1883 - 1900

Is it just me or does the boy in the lower part resemble the angel?

The Fenwick Butterfly

Spotted this site while wandering through Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR. And had to go figure out what it was.

It turned out to be this interesting butterfly sculpture.

It marks the Fenwick family plot.

Oddly I could not find any markers around it with this last name.  Either I didn't look well enough or they have planned ahead.  I even went to the website to see if there were any on the burial list. Couldn't find any there either.

Sweet Child

Located at Oak Cemetery in Ft.Smith, AR.

He was situated inside a nice wrought iron fence with the rest of his family.

He has held up very well to be 116 years old.

Captain James E. Reynolds

(Located this touching monument at Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR.)

This monument marks the final resting place for:

Felicity L Reynolds

Nov 17, 1847

Oct 24, 1920

James E Reynolds

July 17, 1837

June 26, 1920

The monument, carved in Italy, is that of a wounded soldier being helped by two young women. The statue is a tribute to the two teenage girls who rescued the wounded Captain Reynolds from the battlefield in New Hope, Georgia.

The Thinker

Located in Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR.

Another Angel Please.

I found this gravesite at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith, AR.  Only thing that comes to mind is WOW.