They Fought in the Bloodiest Battles of World War II
By Nick Lamberto
Many of them came from Iowa communities; some had never traveled beyond the next farm or a neighboring city or town before they joined the Army.
But before the end of World War II, these same men – members of the U.S. Army Rangers – had participated in seven invasions, leaving a trail of bravery and blood from the sands of North Africa and the scraggy cliffs of Normandy to the jungle trails of Luzon in the Phillippines.
[excerpted]
Ranger Dean Hooker, of Des Moines, visited the grave of his brother, John, at Venafro, Italy, after John was killed Nov. 11, 1943.
Source: The DesMoines Register, Sunday, July 27, 1975 p. 21 (photo included)
John F. Hooker was born June 15, 1920 to Vernie and Arvilla Hooker. He died Nov. 11, 1943 and is buried in Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, IA.
Pvt. Hooker served in World War II with the U.S. Army 4th Ranger Infantry Battalion and was KIA while serving his country.
Source: ancestry.com
