Week 21 - Military - Porter family

This picture has always made me wonder about my dad's brother Harry Edward Porter, Jr and his role in WWII. Was he a courier? Was he just sitting on a random motorcycle? What an awesome picture of him, even if it was wartime. Where was he stationed? I finally am doing the research needed and attempting to disprove or collaborate the stories that I remember and try and solve the mystery of the motorcycle. 


I was told that Uncle Harry was in WWII, but because of an affliction (flat feet?) he tried to enlist and was rejected. He finally went through the same 147th National Guard Unit in Flandreau, SD that his younger brother Bill (my dad) had enlisted with.  But because of being denied, he was late to military service. My dad had served from November 1940 -1946.  Harry had been in Europe whereas my dad had been in the South Pacific.

Harry was born 31 Mar 1916 in Manning, Carroll County, Iowa the oldest son, but the middle of three children of Harry Sr and Nellie (Dillingham) Porter. His younger years were spent in Flandreau, South Dakota and then the family moved back to Sioux City, Iowa. 

I found a marriage license dated 4 April 1950 in Thurston, Washington for Harry Edward Porter, Jr (with all of his correct information) and a Thelma Jean Murray. Both were from Iowa, and the marriage occurred on 5 April 1950. I have not been able to find a divorce nor a death for Thelma.

On 8 Feb 1956 Harry Edward Porter and Effie Viola (Robbins) Kieler were married in Sioux City, Iowa. Effie had two young sons Thomas and Edmund. I remember meeting Aunt Effie once, but I don't recall ever meeting her sons.  

Harry enlisted in the Army National Guard Aug 26, 1942, and was sent to Engineer Replacement Training Center (ERTC) in Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri and was discharged on March 31, 1943. That same day, he was reinstated. How and why would he have left and came back on the same day?

He was assigned to the 29th Division. The 29th American Infantry Division brought together men belonging to the National Guard and was comprised of four battalions and was based in Fort Meade (Maryland, USA). Based on records and historical accounts, he was discharged and then reinstated and sent to the 29th as that unit was being sent to Europe and they needed additional manpower. 

On May 27, 1943, he left the US headed to Europe. and served overseas until December 15, 1945.  He was honorably discharged March 9, 1946.

The 29th's headquarters during World War II in England were located at Abbots Field Hall in Tavistock, Devon. This division was part of preparing for the invasion of Europe. The unit was known as the 'Blue and Gray'.

The 29th Infantry Division was one of the most illustrious US Army outfits of the Second World War. It was in combat almost continuously for eleven months from D-Day to VE-Day, and during this period suffered 20,111 battle casualties including 3,720 killed. It gained four campaign ribbons for service in the European Theatre and was awarded the prestigious 'Croix de Guerr Avec Palme' by the French government for its exemplary service at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Today the 29th Division exists as a reserve division made up of National Guard troops.

I have this in my program notes, it is a newspaper article, but no source, unfortunately -  Note:  Lt. Harry E. Porter formerly of Sioux City, recently was promoted to his present rank, according to a letter received by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. HE Porter who now reside at Midland, Mich.  Lt. Porter left Sioux City for the army in September 1942. He received his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and then went to an officer candidate school at Fort Belvoir, VA where he was commissioned second lieutenant on March 31, 1943.  Before entering the army, he was employed by a Sioux City wholesale house.  His brother, Sgt William N Porter, now is at Fort Ord, Cal having returned to the States after 38 months overseas in the southwest Pacific area.

Harry was recalled to active duty for the Korean conflict and retired as a Captain in the Reserves in 1958. He was a US Postal Service Clerk for 33 years in Sioux City, Iowa. 

Uncle Harry passed 11 June 1992, in Sioux City. Effie had died 18 Dec 1984, and they are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa. 

I still haven't solved the mystery of the motorcycle. I believe it to be a Harley Davidson as that was the motorcycle of choice during the war, and it matches a few pictures that I have compared it to.

Uncle Harry was a true hero in my book, and I wish more conversations had included him.

Barbie



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