World War II Honoree

Joseph F Wolvernez

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Central Falls, Rhode Island, Rhode Island

Honored By

Frank Durant

Relationship

Great Nephew

World War II Victory Medal ? American Campaign Medal ? Army Presidential Unit Citation ? Army Good Conduct Medal A very sad thing happened at this position. One day he was doing a gun inspection in the mess hall. One of the men, who was a driver, and was issued a submachine or "grease gun", let his bolt forward with a clip in it at the wrong time, and shot him three times before he could get his finger off the trigger. The awful impact of three 45 caliber slugs picked that big man up and slammed him to the ground, as if he weighed nothing. Surprisingly, he lived a couple of days. He really was a tough man. He was sorely missed by everyone in C Battery. There was no way this could have been called anything but an accident, and I'm sure that private suffered very much from this. The army quietly and secretly transferred him to another outfit, which we were told was according to army rules and regulations. That way he would not have to bear the guilt or possible recriminations among his fellow soldiers.