Obituaries: Pfc. Roland Truman Harper, 1944, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************


 


From: September 29, 1944 Winnfield News-American

Killed On Biak Island In South Pacific Area

Pfc. Roland Truman Harper, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. U. Harper of Winnfield was
killed on Biak Island on August 28, according to information received Sunday
night from the U. S. War Department.

No details as to how he was killed were given in the message but according to
a letter from the Commanding Officer it was in the line of duty.  From another
source, however, came the information that he was killed in an explosion when
one of the ammunition dumps blew up.

Pfc. Harper had been stationed on New Guinea where he landed in April this
year with the 1896th Engineer Battalion.  The last letter received by his
parents was dated the 27th and he was killed the following day.

"I have just returned from the services held for your son and although I
realize that no words that I can say will soften the blow to you and those who
love him, it might help for you to know the ceremony was one of the most
inspiring I have ever witnessed" wrote Lt. Col. Donald R. Moore, Commanding
Officer, in a letter dated August 30th to Mr. and Mrs. Harper.  Your son was
buried with full military honors, with most of the officers in his company
present.  Our chaplain, Capt. Bevan, who knew your son so well conducted the
service and the battalion choir of which your son was a member, sang his
favorite hymn, 'Abide With Me'.

"Your son was well thought of by all of the men and officers in his company;
he was conscientious, intelligent, and devoted to his duties; his conduct was
exemplary; and he always thought of the finer things of life, as evidenced by
his regular attendance at chapel and his interest in the choir.

"It is difficult to understand why such a fine young man was taken so early in
life.  I feel it very deeply because I have a daughter and two sons, and it
could have been one of them.  At such a time we have to believe that a higher
power willed it so.

"Your son died honorably in the line of duty, doing his part to bring the
end of the war.  When peace comes it will be the memory of young men like
him that those of us who may survive will dedicate our lives to see that
wars are forever prevented," he concluded.

Pfc. Harper entered the service in July 1942 and trained at Westover, Mass.,
and later at Richmond, Va.  He went overseas in April 1944 and was stationed
on New Guinea and transferred to Biak Island nearby.

Besides his parents he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Albert Frank of Bunkie,
and two brothers, David U. Harper, Jr., S 2/c, now stationed at Salt Lake
City and recently returned from 33 months overseas duty and Cpl. L. V. Harper
now stationed at Hugh Field, Tampa, Fla., after serving 20 months in Iceland.