Editor’s Note: This is not a complete list of Purple Heart recipients from Dillon County. It is a list that we have compiled from past stories, obituaries that we have come across with this information listed, the internet, and a call on social media for information on Dillon County Purple Heart recipients. To have a name added for next year’s issue, email dillonherald@yahoo.com, bf@thedillonherald.com or jd@thedillonherald.com.
JIMMIE DANIELS, Vietnam Veteran, received a Purple Heart 26 after he was wounded by shrapnel from a Viet Cong mortar in an engagement near Tay Ninh. He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in the Vietnam War in 1965-66. In addition to a Purple Heart, he received the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marksman (M-14 Rifle), National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Ryman Badge, and Expert (104 RR). The local veterans group, Help For Veterans, Inc., was formed in his memory and has helped a number of veterans with issues such as food insecurity and other issues.
WOODROW WILSON (BILL) MOORE was KIA during World War II. His name is listed on the memorial at our Veterans Square. He was also awarded The Silver Star. Bill was unmarried and attending Presbyterian College when he volunteered for the Army Air Corps. On or about March 3, 1943, the B-17 he was piloting was shot down by a Japanese Zero over the Bismarck Sea. The crew bailed out, but their parachutes were strafed by the enemy and none survived. Lieutenant Moore stayed with the plane as it crashed into the sea. His body was never recovered.
WILLIAM LESTER JACKSON, SR., Purple Heart recipient, an Army Veteran of World War II, where he was wounded.
JACK REAVES HATCH, County Auditor for many years. His marker in Riverside Cemetery shows the following: Jack Reaves Hatch, PFC US Army, World War II, Feb. 4, 1922-June 5, 2006, Purple Heart. He also received other medals.
MAJOR JAMES VERNON SINCLAIR, U.S. Army (Ret.), A warrior and patriot, Jimmy joined the United States Army, completing training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina and beginning his distinguished military career to become an Intelligence Officer. He married schoolteacher and wife of 57 years, Dorothy Gail Arnette of Dillon, South Carolina, and deployed to Vietnam shortly thereafter. Serving two year-long tours (1966-1967 Bullwhip Squadron; 1969-1970,) he received the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, 2 Purple Heart ribbons, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star. After a distinguished 23-year military career, he was discharged with full honors in 1983 and served as Commandant at Camden Military Academy and JROTC Instructor at his wife’s alma mater, Latta High School, until his retirement in 1994.
MARION FINKLEA, an Army veteran of World War II, wounded in the Pacific in late 1942/early 1943. Lost part of his foot. Awarded the Purple Heart. Died 1995, buried in Magnolia Cemetery.
RONNIE STONE, United States Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, weapons machine gunner and tunnel rat, Shot four times, but survived.
JERRY ALFORD, U.S. Army, Vietnam veteran, Awards During Military Career: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with V device, Purple Heart with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/1st oak leaf cluster, and other assorted awards.
ELI WILLIAMSON, Purple Heart recipient who fought in World War II, aerial gunner and engineer on B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 371st Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group, killed in action in 1943.
JOE MELVIN MANNING, Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam veteran, drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967, severely injured in Vietnam.
WILLIAM LUTHER POWELL, United States Marine Corps, was killed in action during the Korean War on December 26, 1952, buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church.
JOHN CRAIG CARMICHAEL, Purple Heart recipient and World War II veteran, served in the Philippines, served in U.S. Army from May 5, 1944-December 30, 1945.
DAVID GREENE, drafted in the U.S. Army in 1966. Lost both his legs in a land mine explosion in 1967. Medically discharged with the rank of Spec 4. Received the Purple Heart and other medals.
SGT. KENNETH BETHEA was serving in the National Guard Army. He received his Purple Heart in 2008 for dedicated service and injuries received in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
WILLIAM “BILLY” McDANIEL, a World War II Army Paratrooper, wound- ed twice in Bustogne and was awarded two Purple Hearts.
JAMES LAWRENCE MANNING, U.S. Army Captain, killed in action at age 23 in Germany. Awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.
DON MARK WIGGINS, U.S. Army Corporal, Killed in action in the Korean War, member of the Second Infantry Division of the 23rd regiment, buried at Hopewell Cemetery.
GILBERT LYTCH, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theatre, received the Purple Heart
HOWARD ALLEN, veteran of World War II and Korea, proudly served his country in the United States Army, recipient of the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, and Army of Occupation of Japan Medal.
SPECIALIST ANTHONY CHAD OWENS, U.S. Army Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, died February 1, 2006. It was reported that “his unit was attacked by insurgents using grenades and small arms fire.” Assigned to 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Received the Bronze Star and The Purple Heart.
LAMAR WALTER COATES, World War II veteran, bronze star and Purple Heart recipient
DUNCAN BETHEA McLAURIN, Marine Corps, Vietnam War veteran, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient
CHARLES ROWELL HORTON, U.S. Army, Served in World War II, recipient of Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
JOHN ERNEST COTTINGHAM, Lieutenant in U.S. Army, Killed in action near Buna, New Guinea, Nov. 1, 1942.
EARL VAN TURBEVILLE, served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the Armored Field Artillery Division known as the Avengers. Received three Purple Hearts.
JOSEPH SULLIVAN, Purple Heart recipient, Marine Sergeant who served in Vietnam, killed on September 15, 1966 in Binh Ngnia. Buried in Arlington Cemetery.
CHARLES LEE, decorated Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, rose to the rank of Master Sergeant in a single tour of Combat duty. Served 38 years with the National Guard and retired as Sergeant Major.
PFC. SAMP ROGERS, U.S. Army, World War II, served in Luzon, Philippines, Awarded Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge.
FRANKLIN DEWEY HAMMOND, SR., Served in the U.S. Army during World War II, Received a Purple Heart.
GUY L. TOWNSEND, SR., Retired from the U.S. Army having served from World War II and received the Purple Heart from injuries he received in the war,
STAFF SERGEANT KODI CAMERON TYLER, a retired U.S. Army Veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.
SHELBOURNE LAWTON GRANTHAM, Army, Private First Class, 79th Infantry Division, Killed In Action – France (LaSurieville), July 13, 1944, Awards and Citations: Purple Heart, Presidential Unit citation, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal
RAY BROWN, BMCM, served heroically in Vietnam where he manned a river boat that engaged the enemy on several occasions. In the course of fighting for our country, he received wounds and was awarded the Purple Heart along with other medals for his service. He later served during Desert Storm and was deployed to Saudi Arabia.
EDWIN CRAIG STEPHENS served in the European Campaign in World War II, Received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat with the German forces on January 25, 1945.
WALKER BRUMBLE, U.S. Army, Left for overseas duty in July 1944 and saw action in France, Belgium, and Germany. Walker came ashore three days after D- Day at Normandy. He served under the command of General Patton. Walker was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.
HENRY DANIEL “PETE” CROSLAND, drafted on January 16, 1966 into the U.S. Marines. Seven months of his tour was served in Vietnam and Okinawa. During his tour, he worked as a motor vehicle operator. He received the Purple Heart medal with one star and several other medals.
ROBERT A. WINKELER, retired U.S. Army Veteran having served in the Korean Conflict and two tours in Vietnam. He received the Purple Heart.
CLARENCE MORRIS, Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, served in the Vietnam War. Received the Purple Heart.
GERALD EDWIN HAYES, SR., U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, received the Purple Heart.
HAROLD CLEO BULLARD, U.S. Army Veteran having served during World War II in the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign. Received the Purple Heart.
ROBERT M. “BOB” TALLON, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, was awarded the Purple Heart. Served in Italy, Sicily, Rome
DR. TERRELL A. CROWLEY, served in the Korean War, served in the Army Infantry, Received the Purple Heart.
ARMY PFC JACKSON, Vietnam veteran, machine gunner, Purple Heart recipient.
CPL. HENRY WILSON BERRY, Korean War Veteran, Awards/citations include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Corporal Berry was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on May 21, 1951. Henry also saw service in WWII.
JAMES E. WISE, Army Private First Class from Lake View, killed in action in World War II on a German battlefield on April 11, 1945, buried in the Netherlands, posthumous recipient of the Purple Heart.
MENDEL EUGENE SMITH, SR., U.S. Army World War II Veteran of the 45th Infantry Division, 179th Regiment, Purple Heart recipient.
EARL HENDERSON QUICK, Korean War veteran, native of Dillon, Purple Heart recipient.
WILLIAM BRACEY “SONNY” WILLIAMS, Army veteran of World War II, received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and American Theatre Ribbon.
MSGT. LEO JOYCE MOODY, U.S. Marine Corps for 30 years, awarded Purple Heart and Bronze Star, Native of Dillon.
FRANCIS B. “DOOGIE” MILLS, U.S. Army 1st Cav Division 11B20 Infantry, Purple Heart recipient.
CAPTAIN CHARLES B. MACDONALD, from the Carolina Section, member of Second Infantry Division of the 1st Army, participated in the northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and central Europe campaigns, seeing action in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany,Czechoslovakia, Recipient of the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for wound received in action, the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the German offensive in the Ardennes, anUnit Citation.
JOSEPH GRIFFIN, JR., Served as an infantryman for over 30 years in the U.S. Army, Served in the Korean War and Vietnam War with the First Calvary Division, Received two Purple Hearts.
FRANK HAYES, Vietnam Veteran, highly decorated Purple Heart recipient, served in the Charlie Company of the 101st Airborne Division, received his wound in South Vietnam.
PFC. STEPHENS M. BAILEY, of Route No. 2, Dillon, Fifth Marine Division, awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action during the invasion of Iwo Jima.
D. (ROLLING JOE) JOHNSON, Korean Army veteran, recipient of a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star).
PFC GILCHRIST JR. is a Purple Heart recipient from the Vietnam War (Conflict) Era. He served in the Army from 1966-67 with the 25th Infantry Division.
JUDGE WILLIAM J. “BILL” McLEOD, Purple Heart recipient.
JOHN L. ROBERTSON, JR., U.S. Army, Purple Heart recipient
HARDY GADDY served in the U.S. Army during World War II, Purple Heart recipient.
ARTIS L. BETHEA, JR. , Purple Heart recipient
CARROLL GENE MINSHEW, Vietnam Veteran, recipient of three Purple Hearts.
PFC. J.V. COVINGTON, SR., from Dillon, World War II, Purple Heart recipient.
PREE OLDEN CUMBEE, World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
REV. BENJAMIN BASS, Purple Heart recipient.
BOYD McKEVER HUBBARD, Purple Heart recipient
JAMES CALVIN McRAE, Vietnam veteran, received two Purple Hearts in Vietnam.
GEORGE FOXWORTH, Purple Heart recipient (1945)
HOWARD MOODY, Purple Heart recipient (1943)
ARTHUR JUSTICE, Purple Heart recipient (1944)
WILLIAM ALLEN, Purple Heart recipient (1940s)
NEAL HERRING, Purple Heart recipient (1945)
HAROLD LEE VANN, Army veteran of World War II, Purple Heart recipient
OWEN KINARD BROGDON, Purple Heart recipient.
JOHNNY SAWYER, Vietnam veteran, Purple Heart recipient.
W.H. BRUMBLE, Purple Heart recipient.
LAMAR BAILEY, Purple Heart recipient
ROY J. LEE, Purple Heart
E.P. LEE, Purple Heart recipient
ROBERT SNYDER, U.S. Marine Corps, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December, 1959. He served in the Far East, the Caribbean and on security duty in Key West.
