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Lester Carl Cockrum

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Lester Carl Cockrum

Birth	:	24 Apr 1918 Redman, Macon County, Missouri, USA
Death	:	14 Jun 2002 Macon, Macon County, Missouri, USA
Burial	:	Saint Lukes Catholic Cemetery, Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.0660000, -91.9296000
Plot	:	AOUW Block 8 Row 4 Lot 28n
Description	:	WWII veteran, Company "B" infantry, Corporal. Awarded the Silver Star medal for "gallantry in action", Tunisia, North Africa and promoted to Sergeant in 1943. Married Mary L. Burnett (1921-2000), Nov. 1944. Juanita Saunders Stephenson, July 1965. Son of Virgil Cockrum and Ona M. Brown. History of Leonard 1989, page 134. Simpson Printing Company, Kirksville, Missouri. Lester Cockrum Family. Lester Carl Cockrum was born April 24, 1918, near the Cherry Box community. His father was Virgil Elry Cockrum, b. Oct, 21, 1889, Marion Co., d. Jan. 22, 1954; his mother, Ona May, b. Nov 11, 1898, d. June... Read More	WWII veteran, Company "B" infantry, Corporal. Awarded the Silver Star medal for "gallantry in action", Tunisia, North Africa and promoted to Sergeant in 1943. Married Mary L. Burnett (1921-2000), Nov. 1944. Juanita Saunders Stephenson, July 1965. Son of Virgil Cockrum and Ona M. Brown. History of Leonard 1989, page 134. Simpson Printing Company, Kirksville, Missouri. Lester Cockrum Family. Lester Carl Cockrum was born April 24, 1918, near the Cherry Box community. His father was Virgil Elry Cockrum, b. Oct, 21, 1889, Marion Co., d. Jan. 22, 1954; his mother, Ona May, b. Nov 11, 1898, d. June 29, 1962, was the daughter of Peter H. and Nancy Hays Brown. Lester had five brothers and three sisters: Pearl; Harold; Joseph; Darrell; Donald; Mrs. Arthur Thrasher (Far); Mrs. Kenneth Janes (Lavaun); and Mrs. Zola Hall. Lester enlisted and was inducted into the army at Jefferson Barracks, April 30, 1941, at St. Louis. He went from there to Camp Clairborne, La., where he trained with the 133rd infantry, Co. A; he had further training at Fort Benning, Ga. Then to Fort Dix, N.J.; to Belfast, Ireland, Jan. 12, 1942, and Londonaire and Glasgow, in Scotland; Liverpool, England, and Oran, Africa. He saw action from there into northern Italy (Anzio and Serlano). In Scotland he was transferred to the 168th infantry. About this time Lester became a member of the "First Special Service Force," chosen half from the US and half from Canada. This force existed from 1942 to 1944; and was a highly secret group, intensely trained in the use of any all all kinds of warfare tactics. Lester joined them in the field as a replacement. His rank was T/Sgt at the time of his discharge. Requirements for members of the force were very strict. Every man had to have the rank of Sgt. and volumteered on his own except higher officers required to operate the force. Their insigna was the Red Spearhead, with U.S.A. across the tip, and Canada printed the length of it. Due to the different dress code of the two armies involved, they soon made up their own uniforms which were red berets; khaki uniforms; regular army boots, with pants tucked in paratroop style; the crossed arrows and spearhead insigna; and red, white, and blue braid, looped around the shoulders. They were a small, highly trained group with a magnitude of potential. Approximately 4,000 men at one time or another wore the uniform of the force. They did their job well. A German prisoner said of the force: "We have trouble finding definite information; the best view is that you are a division in strength, by the frontage you hold." A division can number 16,000. Lester received the Combat Infantryman's Badge Jan. 1944; the Silver Star, May 2, 1943; American Defense Service Medal; and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. After his service with the force he was attached to the 82nd Inf. Replacement Training Battallion, at Camp Roberts, CA. He was honorably discharged July 1, 1945 at Camp Beale, CA. Two brothers, Pearl and Harold, saw action in Europe, and Joseph in Japan. In July 2013, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded, collectively, to the First Special Service Force (FSSF) in recognition of its superior service during World War II. On February 3, 2015 surviving FSSF Veterans were in Washington DC to accept this momentous recognition on behalf of their fellow Forcemen who could not be there. Contributor: Thomas leBlanc (49100551) •

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Lester Carl Cockrum's memorial?
Lester Carl Cockrum's memorial is located at: Saint Lukes Catholic Cemetery, Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA.
When did Lester Carl Cockrum death?
Lester Carl Cockrum death on 14 Jun 2002 in Macon, Macon County, Missouri, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Lester Carl Cockrum's memorial?
Latitude: 43.0660000
Longitude: -91.9296000

Family Members:

Parent

Virgil Elrey Cockrum

(1889 - 1954)

Ona M. Brown Cockrum

(1898 - 1962)

Spouse

Mary Latitia Burnett Schwada

(1921 - 2000)

Juanita L. Saunders Cockrum

(1934 - 2014)

Siblings

Pearl Elery “Big” Cockrum

(1920 - 2001)

Harold Vernon Cockrum

(1921 - 1979)

Gladys Lavaun Cockrum Janes

(1931 - 2016)

Zola May Cockrum Morgan

(1933 - 2010)

Children

Linda Kay Cockrum Griffin

(1952 - 2016)

Flowers:

Forever my Hero

Left by Anonymous on 06 Feb 2007

Thank you for your service to our country, Rest in eternal Peace

Left by Anonymous on 26 Mar 2013

Thank you for your service

Left by Anonymous on 22 Feb 2014

Thank you for your service . Lest We Forget!

Left by Anonymous on 23 Apr 2022

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Lukes Catholic Cemetery
Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0660000, -91.9296000

2. Eden Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0308960, -91.9622370

3. Eden Cemetery
Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0307999, -91.9621964

4. Saint Anthony of Padua Chapel Cemetery
Festina, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0996000, -91.8935000

5. Young Cemetery
Washington Township, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1102982, -91.9131012

6. Dover Township Cemetery
Dover Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0708008, -91.8392029

7. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Auburn Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0155983, -91.8683014

8. Saint Petr Kirchof
Eldorado, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0572014, -91.8352966

9. Saint Marys Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0583000, -92.0255966

10. Waucoma Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0586014, -92.0271988

11. Saint Marys Cemetery
Festina, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1205000, -91.8658000

12. Oak Lawn Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9986000, -91.9666977

13. Oak Hill Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1397018, -91.9353027

14. Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1425018, -91.9238968

15. Pitts Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9900017, -91.9708023

16. Saint Peters Cemetery
Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1474991, -91.9405975

17. Saint James German Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1478000, -91.9408000

18. Boale Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9935700, -91.8451900

19. Windsor Cemetery
Hawkeye, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9644012, -91.9225006

20. Saint Rose Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0786018, -92.0678024

21. Alpha Cemetery
Alpha, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0057983, -92.0428009

22. Bethel Cemetery
Hawkeye, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9803009, -92.0218964

23. George Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0346985, -91.7818985

24. First Lutheran Church Cemetery
Military Township, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0897000, -91.7775000