Felker, O.C.,  St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     O.C. Felker (initials only) was drafted into the Army

October 13, 1943 from his home in Misouri where he lived with

his parents.  Basic training was at Camp Walters, Texas.  He was

given a seven day leave following basic training at which time

he visited his family.

     O.C. was sent overseas with Company C, 23rd Infantry.  As a 

combat infantryman, he was engaged in battle at St. Lo., France,

and it was during this battle that he was killed in action on

August 14, 1944.  He was only 19 years old when he was mortally

wounded.  He is buried in the United States Military Cemetery at

St. James, France, Plot K, Row 6, Grave 19.  The Combat Infantry-

man Badge and the Purple Heart were awarded posthumously.

     O.C. was not known here as he had grown up in Missouri,

attended school and was drafted from there.  His family moved to

St. Helena Parish in 1945 nearly a year after he was killed in

action.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Felker, are both de-

ceased and are buried in Red Bluff Baptist Church Cemetery.

Several family members reside here.

     A nephew, Reggie Felker, visited O.C.'s grave.

Information was provided from an article in the Kentwood Ledger
March 25, 1976 and an interview with his brother, Kenneth Felker.

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