|
Elmer Landon Debarea was inducted into the US Army on December 4th 1942. Inducted into Army Service #37246317. Registration Registered order #12787 at Sedgewick County, Wichita.
Elmer broke his leg during the D-Day drop and returned to England. It was here, in July 1944 that Elmer met Catherine Lilley.
Catherine recalled a bicycle ride with two friends. Pushing their bikes up a steep hill they heard a "Over here girls!" from the other side of the road. Elmer, his best friend Duane Fisher, and another boy were sat with their backs to the fence, each young man had a leg in plaster!!
A conversation was struck up and Catherine on her telephone number to Allan (Elmer). Later she took him to meet her folks and their friendship grew. Elmer staying with the Lilley family whenever he could between the campaign in France and Belgium.
In December 1944 Elmer rejoined his unit and spent that Christmas cut off in the Northern perimeter of the besieged town of Bastogne. At some stage during his duty he received a serious head injury, and had to have a steel plate fitted in his skull.
Before leaving for the USA Elmer gave Catherine the items below, including his second type Screaming Eagle patch, his sterling silver jump wings, Army ring and Jeep qualification badge.
Once back in America Elmer married an American girl and spent some time with his family before leaving for Colorado. His wife has also disappeared.
On May 17th 1948 Elmer re-enlisted into the Army, and worked at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Colorado. According to a letter from the HQ of the Enlisted Detachment Branch of the hospital, written by a Major George T. Collier, Elmer went AWOL on July 6th 1948. The Major expressed surprise at this as Elmer had shown no outward signs of distress or actions out of character.
Meanwhile in England Catherine recalled receiving a letter, around 1948 from Elmer. In this he told her he was planning on getting over to Europe and meeting up with DF (presumably his old Army buddy Duane Fisher).
However, after this nothing more was heard of Elmer. Was he attempting to get back to his English rose? As yet there is no trace of Elmer. Perhaps we might yet learn more of his life after 1948 and this can then be passed on to those who miss him most.
|
|
