Shipley query draws impressive response
Arlington National Cemetery webmaster provides info

Gordon Shipley’s request in last week’s Indy for information on servicepersons who are part of his Clinton County veteran’s project drew an impressive response – and, that’s putting it mildly.

An email message from Michael Patterson, the webmaster of the Arlington National Cemetery web site, contained new data on several of the veterans. It quite literally made Gordon’s day.

"Wow. This is just great – I can’t believe it," he said of the information contained in an email document that was received via the St. Johns Independent.

As Indy readers know, we’ve been helping Gordon track information in his on-going project of creating a comprehensive list of all Clinton County veterans who have died in service to their country during all its wars, from the Civil War to Iraq.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Gordon periodically submits names to the Indy in the hope that readers may help him fill in the blanks in the project by providing data like birth dates, burial sites and other information.

The email response from the Arlington webmaster was a tremendous benefit for Gordon’s project.

"Good afternoon, as a former Grand Ledge resident and the current webmaster of the Arlington National Cemetery website (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net), I noted with some interest your recent article in which the subject person is seeking some additional information on country residents who have died in the service of America," the email message reads.

"I did manage to locate a bit of additional information about seven of those persons named in the article and am attaching a document with that information. It would be appreciated if you would pass my message and the attachment along to Mr. Shipley. Regards, Michael Patterson."

Needless to say, the Indy management was quite surprised – and pleased – to know that its publication had drawn the attention of Arlington National Cemetery’s webmaster. Along with Gordon, we’re passing on a huge "Thank you" to Mr. Patterson for the information he provided. We’re happy to have you as an Indy reader.

Following is the information that was contained in the document from Mr. Patterson.

William Clark Jewell, Jr.; Born, Oct. 27, 1928, Belleville. Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Killed in Action; Died, March 3, 1951 in Korea. Corporal Jewell was a member of the 3^rd Platoon, Company H, 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marine Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy during "Operation Killer" near Hoensong, South Korea on March 3, 1951. For his leadership and valor, Corporal Jewell was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V", the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Neal E. Hatherill, Private, U.S. Army, 31^st Infantry Regiment. Entered the service from Michigan. Died: June 3, 1942. Buried at: Plot C, Row 9, Grave 88, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

Henry E. Amsbaugh, Private, U.S. Army, 4^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Infantry Division. Entered the service from Michigan. Died: Oct. 29, 1918. Buried at: Plot F, Row 6, Grave 31, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France.

Clyde C. Ferguson, Private First Class, U.S. Army, 622^nd Ordnance Automotive Maintenance Battalion. Entered the service from Michigan. Died: Aug. 20, 1945. Buried at: Plot A, Row 11, Grave 11, Epinal American Cemtery, Epinal, France.

Robert C. Harris, Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, 1^st Air Cargo Squadron. Entered the service from Michigan. Died: May 19, 1945. Buried at: Plot P, Row 0, Grave 554, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart.

Ronald A. Myers, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 18^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Infantry Division. Entered the service from Michigan. Died: May 6, 1945. Buried at: Plot E, Row 20, Grave 34, Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France. Awards: Purple Heart.