Mayes Co., OK, - Obit: Francis Lowell Bavinger
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Francis Llowell BAVINGER (C. 1918 - 1944) Obit
gdhobgen1 (View posts) Posted: 18 Feb 2007 8:32PM GMT

Classification: Obituary
Surnames: Bavinger
From The Pryor Jeffersonian
Pryor, Oklahoma
(Mayes County)
Thursday, February 8. 1945

(with photo)

Pfc. Lowell Bavinger Is Killed in Action on Layte, December 27

Pfc. Francis Lowell Bavinger was killed in action on December 27, 1944, on
Leyte, according to a telegram received on February 2 by his parents, Mrs. and
Mrs. Wes Bavinger of Pryor from the War Department. The telegram stated that a
letter of information would follow.

Pfc. Bavinger is a graduate of the Pryor high school with the class of 1937.
During his schooling in Pryor he was a star football player with the Tigers.

He was inducted into the service in March, 1941 and received most of his
training at Camp Haan, California. He had spent about 18 months overseas in
front line duty.

Pfc. Bavinger was a member of the U. S. 7th Division, veterans of Attu and
Kwajelein. It was the 7th Division which made the big push when landing on
Leyte, with fiercest fighting taking place on "Shoestring Ridge," 15 miles
south of Ormoc, where 60 Japanese were killed for every American. For five
nights this seasoned Japanese 26th Division attacked the U. S. 7th Division.

This 7th Division also saw much action in the Aleutians and Marshall
campaigns. From the Honolulu Advertiser, September 10, 1944 comes this caption
under a picture, "Seated the the reviewing automobile, President Rooseveklt
uncovers as the U. S. Army's famed Seventh Division passed in review at
Schofield Barracks during his review visit to Hawaii." Pfc. Bavinger was in
this review.

PFC Francis L. Bavinger entered the Army on March 3, 1942 and died in the
Philipines on December 27, 1944. His place of birth was shown as Mayes, Ok.
His father may have been Wesley M. Bavinger whose residence at the time of his
death in July of 1966 was Pryor, Mayes County, OK. I seek the obituary for PFC
Bavinger, and also for his father, but I do not have an exact date for his
death. Will appreciate any help. If obits can be found, I will be grateful to
also learn the name of the newspaper, and the city and date of publication.
And thanks in advance for any help.