INDIVIDUAL DECEASED PERSONNEL FILE
NARRATIVE
ON LINNICH, GERMANY CASE
On the 30 June 1947, this searching team proceeded to the town of Linnich, Germany, to search for the remains of Pvt. Jerome E. Burton, 38550751. The following persons have been interviewed: R. Wimms, Linnich, Heinrich Darius, Linnich, Engelbert Kramer, Ratheim, Heinz Merz, Baal, and Leonhard Sunem, Brachelen (see Exhibit “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”).
We learned that, early 1946, children found the remains of two (2) American deceased near the Roer riverbridge at Linnich, Germany. The cemetery caretaker Heinz Darius of Linnich was ordered by the police to place the remains in the town morgue. The German police authorities went to an English M.P. unit in Linnich, which unit probably informed an American graves command, because the deceased were evacuated two days later. Where the remains were evacuated to is unknown (at the present time there are no American deceased buried in the cemetery at Linnich).
On 28 April 1947, one (1) American deceased was found along the Roer river near Rurich. On 28 May 1947 the deceased was evacuated by the 164 QM. Bn. Aachen to Margraten, Holland.
On 23 May 1947, the remains of an American soldier, Pfc. Lucius Locklear, 34869031, was disinterred from the town cemetery at Baal and evacuated to Margraten, Holland, by the 164 QM. Bn. Aachen.
In the Military Cemetery at Huckelhofen, four (4) American deceased were buried in March 1945. This was reported to the Commanding Officer of 6814 Hq. QM. Co., APO 757. This unit disinterred and evacuated the deceased at a later date which is unknown to the burgermeister of Ratheim.
On 25 April 1946, three (3) unknown American deceased were disinterred from the Military Cemetery at Brachelen by 6890 G. R. Co. The place of re-interment is unknown. At the present time there is still one (1) American deceased buried in the cemetery. The burgomaster of Brachelen has the identification tag of the deceased which bears the following name and number: Edgar J. Sedinger, 33349595 T 42 A.
CONCLUSION:
My conclusion is that the unknown American deceased found on the banks of the Roer river near Rurich could be Jerome E. Burton (see Exhibit “C”).
The remains were disinterred on 28 May 1947 and given Evacuation Number IF-1401 on Way Bill Number 36 on the 2 June 1947. These remains were disinterred by the 164 QM. Bn. Aachen
FLOYD HECKATHORNE
Cpl. RA-33923333
HEADQUARTERS
7887 GRAVES REGISTRATION DETACHMENT
OPERATIONS DIVISION
APO 757 (Liege) US ARMY
GROP 293.9
SUBJECT: Non-Recoverable
TO: Non-Recoverable Board, AGRC
1. It's recommended that the Board take action on the following cases:
| NAMES | ||
| MERCER, Garry D. | PFC. | 33 857 383 |
| MOSLEY, Henry H. | PFC. | 34 869 236 |
| BURTON, Jerome E. | PVT. | 38 550 751 |
| MATTHEWS, Rudolph S. | PVT. | 34 869 177 |
| THERIOT, Raymond F. Sr. | PVT. | 38 617 998 |
ORGANIZATION: Co. “C” 334 Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Div.
DATE OF DEATH: 23 February 1945
PLACE OF DEATH: Roer River, vicinity of Linnich, Germany
SYNOPSIS: The above mentioned casualties are reported by Casualty Clearance Plans, as Missing In Action, in the vicinity of Linnich, Germany, on the date cited above.
Information contained in mentioned reports indicate that the subject casualties comprised part of a group of twelve men of Company ‘C’, 334 Infantry Regiment who were in an assault boat which was crossing the Roer River. The craft was subjected to enemy machine gun fire, which caused it to sink.
Records on file at this headquarters reveal that five of the group were wounded, were rescued and after hospitalization were returned to duty. The remains of two of the group; T/Sgt. Charles B. Potter and Pfc. Lucius Locklear were recovered; The remains of Sgt. Potter were recovered along the Roer river near Rurich, Germany on 28 April 1947, evacuated to USMC Margraten Holland, where identification was verified. The remains of Pfc. Locklear were recovered from the town Cemetery at Baal, Germany, and also evacuated to USMC Margraten, and identification verified.
A Field Investigation was conducted in the appropriate area in June 1947, and it was revealed that the remains of eleven deceased had been recovered from the vicinity of Linnich, Germany. Two of these deceased were identified as Sgt. Potter and Pfc. Locklear and the remaining nine have been identified as members of other organizations.
From the above recorded facts and the fact that it is known that the five subject casualties were heavily clothed and carried heavy equipment it can only be concluded that they were wounded and drowned in the Roer river, and that, to date, their remains have not been recovered, but rest in a location which precludes recovery.
Reference is made to: OQMG Forms 371; Casualty Clearance Plan, for each deceased, dated 25 August 1945: On file in the Office of The Quartermaster General, Washington D.C.
Reference is also made to: Report of Field Investigation, dated 30 June 1947: Attached
2. All supporting documents are copied from records on file this headquarters.
3. It is recommended that the remains, based upon the above information and research, be declared non-recoverable.
SIGNATURE
C.W. STEINSIEK
Captain QMC
20 October 1950
SPECIAL ORDERS
NUMBER 133
** 2. Pac, Ltr. WD-AGO-S 293.9, dtd 9 Apr 47, Subj:
Establishment of Boards of Review for Identification of Unknown Dead Overseas and par 118 b, SR 830-110-5, DA, 3 Mar 49, a Boards of O’s as follows is hereby apt to meet at the call of the President thereof, for the purpose of reviewing case records pertaining to the Identification of Deceased, Determination of non-recoverability of Remain and for the purpose of reviewing Major Discrepancy cases:
| LT COL | EDWARD D. MULVANITY | O 359 598 | QMC. | President |
| MAJOR | JAMES C. MacFARLAND | O 1 576 321 | QMC. | |
| MAJOR | GEORGE GUNDERMAN, Jr. | O 1 289 071 | INF/QMC. | |
| CAPT | CLYDE W. STEINSIEK | O 1 040 311 | QMC. | |
| CAPT | LEWIS A. McAMIS | O 1 543 042 | MSC/QMC. | |
| 1ST LT> | ALLEN L. LAWSON | O 1 288 075 | QMC. | |
| 1ST LT | ROBERT W. GANSEL | O 1 599 085 | QMC. | |
| 2ND LT | JOHN A. BOUTI | O 947 298 | QMC. |
** BY ORDER OF COLONEL AMLONG:
EDWARD F. PRICE, Jr.,
CAPT., QMC,
Adjutant.
OFFICIAL:
Edward F. Price, Jr.,
EDWARD F. PRICE, Jr.
CAPT., QMC,Adjutant
A TRUE COPY:
SIGNATURE ROBERT G. LAY Maj. QMC
HEADQUARTERS
7887 GRAVES REGISTRATION DETACHMENT
OPERATIONS DIVISION
APO 757 (Liege) US ARMY
Proceedings of a Board of Officers appointed in accordance with letter AGAO-S 293.9 (27 Mar 47) D-M, War Dept, TAGO, 9 April 1947.
The Board convened pursuant to par 2, SO 133, headquarters, 7887 Graves Registration Detachment, APO 757, US Army, 20 October 1950, at Liege, Belgium on 27 OCT 1950. The purpose of the board was to determine the non-recoverability status of certain casualties now under jurisdiction of this command.
The Board reviewed report of investigation, statements of witness and other papers, contained in the files of 7887 Graves Registration Detachment, EA, pertaining to the case of the following named casualty/casualties, the remains of which have not been recovered. The case records and other data considered, are attached.
| CASE # | NAME | GRADE | ASN |
| MERCER, Garry D. | PFC. | 33857383 | |
| MOSLEY, Henry H. | PFC. | 34869236 | |
| BURTON, Jerome E. | PVT. | 38550751 | |
| MATTHEWS, Rudolph S. | PVT. | 34869177 | |
| THERIOT, Raymond F. Sr. | PVT. | 38617998 |
FINDINGS: The Board having carefully considered the evidence before it, finds the remains of said casualty/casualties are non-recoverable.
RECOMMENDATION: That the case concerning subject casualty/casualties be forwarded to the Office of The Quartermaster General for final approval.
EDWARD D. MULVANITY, Lt. Col. O-359598, QMC
SIGNATURE JAMES C. MacFARLAND, Major, O-157632, QMC
GEORGE GUNDERMAN, JR Major, O-1289071, QMC
SIGNATURE CLYDE W. STEINSIEK, Capt. O-1040311, QMC
LEWIS A. McAMIS, Capt. O-1543042, MSC/QMC
NO SIGNATURE ALLAN L. LAWSON, 1/Lt., O-1288075, QMC
JOHN A. BOUTIN, 2/Lt., O-947298, QMC
SIGNATURE ROBERT W. GANSEL, 1/Lt., O-1599085, QMC
1. FILE UNDER NO.
Mosley, Henry H. 34869236 (Pfc)
SYNOPSIS
2. TYPE OF DOCUMENT:
3. DATE: 19 Nov 51
4. FROM: OQMG
5. TO: Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, Dir. Fed Bur Investigation, Dept of Justice, Washington, D.C.
6. SUBJECT: It is requested that the fingerprints recorded for Unknown X-81, Margraten, Holland (WC #502 b) be compared with those on file of the following deceased and that this Office be advised of your findings:
Countryman, Arthur W.
T/Sgt.
20612751 ...............................
7. DOCUMENT FILED UNDER NO. 293 ~ Unknown X-81, Margraten, Holland
Aej
INSTRUCTIONS. - Enter after the above headings Information as follows:
1. File classification under which this cross-index sheet is to be filed.
2. Appropriate term, such as “ltr.”, “memo”, “1st ind,” etc.
3. Date of Document.
4. And 5. Enter either or both, as applicable.
6. Brief and comprehensive synopsis of the content or subject matter.
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QMC FORM 351
REV 14 OCT 47 CROSS INDEX SHEET
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