|
|
The Men and Women Who Served
During World War II over 7,000 men and women from Davidson County proudly served their county and country. Some were stationed in Europe, some in the Pacific Theater, and others remained stateside, serving as airplane mechanics, guarding German POWs, and in at least one case, conducting horseback patrols for the Coast Guard along the North Carolina’s beaches. One of the forefathers of the original paratroop infantry was a native of Davidson County, Robert Sink, and many local servicemen served with the elite Army Air Corps, the forerunner of today’s Air Force. Some had office jobs or served on ships as radiomen. These men came from all over the county. Some were already serving in the military when war broke out; many enlisted, and others were drafted, leaving for induction centers by bus after having their picture made in front of the Old Courthouse on the Square. They left behind jobs, and often wives and children.
In 2006 the Davidson County Historical Museum presented "Our Own Band of Brothers: Those who served." This exhibit captured many of the stories and experiences of local service people who returned to Davidson County to resume civilian life, as well as 186 who perished.
"Our Davidson County Heroes"
|
Belk-Martin storefront 1942
H. Lee Waters Photography Collection
|
Belk-Martin on Main Street in Lexington, NC presented a window display in 1942 entitled "Our Lexington Heros." Local photographer H. Lee Waters made a photograph of the nearly 500 pictures family members contributed to the storefront exhibit. Sixty-four years later the Museum made a similar request for help in locating photos of Davidson County service people to display on a recreation of the Belk-Martin window, as painted by artist Margaret Sink. Community response was over whelming – over 300 veterans were honored as "Our Davidson County Heroes."
|
Davidson County Historical Museum's
recreation of the Belk-Martin storefront
|
Every Veteran from Davidson County came home with a story. Some shared their stories upon returning, others wrote down their experiences, and many more closely held their memories, only later revealing their wartime experiences to family members. Some took their stories with them and never told anyone. Many veterans visited the exhibit at the Museum and all were found to be gracious individuals who didn’t particularly feel that they had done anything special. Their country called….and they did their duty. Please share some of the stories that have been shared with the Museum.
The War Begins: Pearl Harbor
Two Davidson County natives were killed in action on the very first day of the war. William C. Miller of Thomasville and Harold Tussey of Lexington were both at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and were killed in action during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Their stories are below.
|
William C. Miller
|
William C. Miller enlisted in the Navy in 1937. In September 1938, he was assigned to Scouting Squadron (VS) 6 on the USS Enterprise. In early 1941 Miller became the rear-seat man for Lt. Clarence E. Dickerson, Jr. The morning of December 7th was a routine flight. They had their orders to scout ahead of the USS Enterprise and head to Ford Island to refuel. The USS Enterprise would dock later that day. They saw the attack of Pearl Harbor, as they were flying in that day. Miller took defensive action and started firing his .30-caliber machine gun. He shot down a "Zero" and had exhausted is ammunition while defending the plane. They were hit and the plane caught fire. Dickerson yelled for Miller to bail out but it was too late Miller was either seriously wounded or already dead when Dickerson gave the order. The plane crashed in a cane field on Oahu. William C. Miller is buried at Liberty Baptist Church just south of Thomasville. The USS William C. Miller (DE-259) was laid down on 10 January 1943 at Boston, Mass., by the Boston Navy Yard, launched on 22 February 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Melvin B. Miller, the mother of the late Radioman 1st Class Miller, and com
|
Harold Tussey
|
missioned on 2 July 1943.
Harold Tussey enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and was stationed on the USS Arizona. By 1941 the USS Arizona was home ported in Hawaii. Harold’s job was working maintaining the ship’s communications as an electrician. Harold was aboard the Arizona when it was attacked. His family received a telegram a week after the attack stating that Harold was missing, and week before Christmas they received a second telegram stating that Harold had died when the USS Arizona went down. Harold Tussey’s name is engraved on the USS Arizona Memorial along with the other 1,177 men killed that day. The death toll for the Arizona accounted for nearly half of the approximately 2,400 people killed during the attack. The Tussey family also placed a marker at Beulah United Church of Christ cemetery.
|