World War Two 1939-1945
On September 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The result was the outbreak of World War II. Again, America opted not to get involved. That all changed on December 7th, 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the American military base in Hawaii. On the day that President Roosevelt said “…will live in infamy...”, over 2,400 Americans were killed and another 1,000 injured. The next day, America declared war on Japan. Germany followed, with a declaration of war upon the U.S. On December 11th, America declared war on Germany.
Never before was an attack on American soil such a threat, as it was with World War Two . In case of an attack, Pembroke organized the Committee on Public Safety for Civil Defense. Air raid wardens watched over the skies, and medical supplies were prepared. Pembroke school children practiced the “Duck and Cover” drill, and were educated in basic first aid.
On May 8th, 1945, the Nazi's surrendered. On August 14th, 1945, Japan surrendered. The war was over.
Pembroke sent one hundred and ninety- eight men and women to fight in the war. Seven did not make it home.
Never before was an attack on American soil such a threat, as it was with World War Two . In case of an attack, Pembroke organized the Committee on Public Safety for Civil Defense. Air raid wardens watched over the skies, and medical supplies were prepared. Pembroke school children practiced the “Duck and Cover” drill, and were educated in basic first aid.
On May 8th, 1945, the Nazi's surrendered. On August 14th, 1945, Japan surrendered. The war was over.
Pembroke sent one hundred and ninety- eight men and women to fight in the war. Seven did not make it home.
First Lieutenant Robert Verill Carter
Percy V. and Christine E. Carter had their son, Robert Verill Carter on November 20th, 1919. After moving from Boston to Pembroke in 1924, they lived on Oldham Street, in Pembroke.
Carter graduated with the class of 1938, and then attended Brown University. As a senior there, he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps Reserve, and was soon ordered to duty. He had made several Pacific Island engagements. Back home his wife had given birth to their son, Robert Verill Carter, Jr. When he heard the news he drove around in a jeep handing out cigars.
On November 23, 1943, Carter and other “Red Devil” Marine pilots were returning to New Hebrides, in the South Pacific, in bad weather. Their plane struck the side of the mountain and slid down into the sea. All, including Carter, were killed. His wallet was found with a picture of his young son in it.
He was awarded the Gold Star, Air Medal and a Purple Heart.
There is a memorial plaque for First Lieutenant Carter at the intersection of Curve and Oldham Streets.
Percy V. and Christine E. Carter had their son, Robert Verill Carter on November 20th, 1919. After moving from Boston to Pembroke in 1924, they lived on Oldham Street, in Pembroke.
Carter graduated with the class of 1938, and then attended Brown University. As a senior there, he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps Reserve, and was soon ordered to duty. He had made several Pacific Island engagements. Back home his wife had given birth to their son, Robert Verill Carter, Jr. When he heard the news he drove around in a jeep handing out cigars.
On November 23, 1943, Carter and other “Red Devil” Marine pilots were returning to New Hebrides, in the South Pacific, in bad weather. Their plane struck the side of the mountain and slid down into the sea. All, including Carter, were killed. His wallet was found with a picture of his young son in it.
He was awarded the Gold Star, Air Medal and a Purple Heart.
There is a memorial plaque for First Lieutenant Carter at the intersection of Curve and Oldham Streets.
Watertender Third Class Fredrick Morehardt
Fredrick Morehardt was born in 1925. He was raised by his grandparents, Charles J. and Anna A. Mix, owners of Mix’s Farm on Oldham Street. Morehardt worked with his grandparents on the farm.
He joined the Navy before graduating. He worked as a Watertender Third Class, meaning he was a crewman aboard a steam-powered ship, tending to fires and boilers in the engine room.
Aboard the destroyer USS Halligan, Morehardt went down with ship during the Battle of Okinawa in April, 1945.
There is a memorial traffic island for WT 3/C Morehardt located at the intersection of Wampatuck and Oldham Streets.
Fredrick Morehardt was born in 1925. He was raised by his grandparents, Charles J. and Anna A. Mix, owners of Mix’s Farm on Oldham Street. Morehardt worked with his grandparents on the farm.
He joined the Navy before graduating. He worked as a Watertender Third Class, meaning he was a crewman aboard a steam-powered ship, tending to fires and boilers in the engine room.
Aboard the destroyer USS Halligan, Morehardt went down with ship during the Battle of Okinawa in April, 1945.
There is a memorial traffic island for WT 3/C Morehardt located at the intersection of Wampatuck and Oldham Streets.
Private Arthur Mounce
Arthur Mounce served in the Army during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. He enlisted on February 4, 1943 and served with the 537th Maintenance Ordinance Company. The company was a mobile wrecker unit that cleared wrecks off of the road and salvaged the materials. This job seemed to fit with Private Mounce because he worked as a mechanic and enjoyed tinkering with engines. Unfortunately, Mounce lost his life on April 15, 1945 when the company came under German fire. Mounce was just shy of his 23rd birthday, May 29th, at the time of his death. He was survived by his parents, Hazel (Chapman) and David S. Mounce of High St. Mounce was a Pembroke High School graduate of the class of 1941. He is buried in the Margrattin National Cemetery in Holland.
There is a traffic island memorial dedicated to Private Mounce at the intersection of Forest and High Streets, by the Lydia Drake Library.
Arthur Mounce served in the Army during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. He enlisted on February 4, 1943 and served with the 537th Maintenance Ordinance Company. The company was a mobile wrecker unit that cleared wrecks off of the road and salvaged the materials. This job seemed to fit with Private Mounce because he worked as a mechanic and enjoyed tinkering with engines. Unfortunately, Mounce lost his life on April 15, 1945 when the company came under German fire. Mounce was just shy of his 23rd birthday, May 29th, at the time of his death. He was survived by his parents, Hazel (Chapman) and David S. Mounce of High St. Mounce was a Pembroke High School graduate of the class of 1941. He is buried in the Margrattin National Cemetery in Holland.
There is a traffic island memorial dedicated to Private Mounce at the intersection of Forest and High Streets, by the Lydia Drake Library.