PFC Onroe H. Luther

Today we honor and remember PFC Onroe H. Luther of the 101st Airborne Division.

Source: The men and women in WW2 from Smith County.

Private First Class (PFC) Onroe Hansel Luther of How Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), was born in Smith County, Texas, to Onroe L. and Bertha G. (Wall) Luther on February 9, 1921. He had one brother, Calvin R., and two sisters, Dorothy P., and Sarah E. Luther.

His brother Calvin joined the U.S. Navy in April 1944. After his initial training at Camp Peary, York County, Virginia, Calvin served with the Navy in Bermuda and Iceland.

Onroe entered the service in 1937 and received his basic training at Ft. Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He signed up for the draft in Tyler, Smith County, on February 16, 1942, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, also in Tyler, on February 20, 1942. Onroe volunteered to become a paratrooper and became part of the 502nd PIR.

PVT Luther would make his first combat jump into Normandy on D-Day. He was lightly wounded in action on June 11, 1944, the day of 3rd Battalion’s bayonet attack at Ingouf Farm, in the vicinity of Carentan. He returned to duty on August 7th, and joined How Company in its preparations for their next mission.

The Morning Reports of How Company doesn’t mention his promotion to Private First Class, but he made his second combat jump into the Netherlands on September 17, 1944, with his recently acquired chevron probably attached to his sleeve.

On September 18, PFC Luther participated in the attack on Best. He was part of a small contingent led by LT Wierzbowski of How Company. Wierzbowski was ordered to seize the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal at the edge of Best. During the attack, PFC Luther was hit and killed by a shell fragment in the head.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

How Company Morning Report.

PFC Onroe Luther died at the age of 23. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal with Oakleaf Cluster. After his initial burial in a temporary military cemetery in the Netherlands, he was reburied at Pleasant Retreat Cemetery, in his hometown Tyler, Smith County, Texas. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Luther.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

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Sources are available from the author upon request.