Mahoning County OhArchives Obituaries.....Spellman, Harold G. September 21, 1944
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jennifer L. Neff ffen@zoominternet.net May 29, 2006, 10:31 am

Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 13 Oct 1944
SPELLMAN, Harold G.
24 Feb 1921 to 21 Sep 1944
23y 6m 25d
SSgt. HAROLD G. SPELLMAN
Sgt. Spellman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Spellman, a veteran of the North 
African and early Italian campaigns, was killed in action in Italy Sept. 21. 
This picture was taken in Rome August 5, where he was recuperating after being 
wounded a fifth time.
Local Casualty List Grows [Note – this article include Holloway, Lingafelt and 
Spellman]
THREE MORE LOCAL MEN HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THEIR COUNTRY’S SERVICE
Spellman Killed in Italy
Staff Sergt. Harold G. Spellman was killed in action in the Italian campaign 
Sept. 21, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Spellman, Fairgrounds Blvd., were 
advised by the War Department Monday. Sergeant Spellman entered the  Armed 
Forces November 10, 1942, and received his training at Camp Wheeler, Ga., 
going overseas the following February. He saw his first action in North Africa 
and later took part in the Italian campaign, serving at Salerno, Anzlo 
Beachhead, at Rome, and in other battles. He was a member of the “Red Bull” 
Division, the old Minnesota National Guard, now largely made up of 
replacements, a part of the American Fifth Army. Sgt. Spellman was wounded in 
action and hospitalized five times and awarded the Purple Heart with four Oak 
Leaf Clusters, and the Combat Infantry badge. He was born here February 24, 
1921, and went through Canfield schools, graduating from high school with the 
class of 1939 and was employed in a Youngstown steel mill before entering the 
service. His parents have received a letter dated Sept. 10, saying he was 
about ready to go back into action, after recovering from serious injuries. 
Surviving are his parents, seven brothers, Corp. Frank E. with the 9th Air 
Force in Europe; Pvts. Ray and Roy, stationed at Camp Carson, Colo.; Lloyd 
Jr., Richard, Robert and Walter at home, and two sisters, Dorothy and Nelda, 
also at home.
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 7 Sep 1945
Receives Son’s Bronze Star
Staff Sgt. Harold G. Spellman has been awarded the Bronze Star posthumously by 
the War Department for heroic achievement in action in Italy. His mother, Mrs. 
Helen Spellman was presented the award Tuesday at Fletcher General Hospital by 
Lt. Col. A.A. Carabelli, Executive Officer of the Post, representing Colonel 
F.R. Ostrander, Commanding Officer. Present were Sgt. Spellman’s father, Lloyd 
Spellman, a veteran of the First World War, and two sisters and a brother of 
the soldier. Four other brothers of Sgt. Spellman are in the Army and were 
unable to be present. They are Cpl. Frank E., now overseas; Pfc. Roy, Pfc. Ray 
A. and Pvt. Richard C. Spellman. Sgt. Spellman was a member of Company F. 
135th Infantry of the 34th Division and had 388 days of combat duty. He served 
in both Africa and Italy and was wounded during the heavy fighting in Italy. 
He was two years overseas. The citation reads: “For heroic achievement in 
action on 24 May, 1944. While attacking an enemy strongpoint the assault 
platoon of which Sgt. Spellman was a member suffered eight casualties 
including the acting platoon leader. Sgt. Spellman, seeing his platoon 
wavering in the face of the enemy’s intense machine gun, mortar and artillery 
fire, immediately took charge, rallied the men and inspiring them by his 
personal courage, led them to their objective. While fearlessly exposing 
himself to the enemy’s fire to direct his men in securing their position, Sgt. 
Spellman was painfully wounded but continued his work and refused evacuation 
until the company commander had been informed of his platoon’s situation. The 
gallant leadership displayed by Sgt. Spellman gained for him the respect and 
admiration of the entire company. 




File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/mahoning/obits/spellman835ob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ohfiles/

File size: 4.3 Kb