John H. Sponsler Pfc. Sponsler Dies April 24 1944 In New Guinea

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sponsler of Ashland Route 5 received this telegram informing them of the death of their son, Pfc. John H. Sponsler: The secretary of war wishes that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son, Technician Fifth Grade John H. Sponsler. Report received states he died Twenty-four April in Hollandia, New Guinea, as a result of wounds received in action. Letter follows. Dunlap, acting the adjutant general. Pfc. Sponsler was born April 2, 1916, in this county and attended Savannah schools. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1935. He enlisted in the Army just four days after his twenty-sixth birthday in 1942, going first to Fort Hayes, Columbus and then to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. At Camp Roberts, California, he received a diploma for Rifle and Infantryman on September 26, 1942. Pfc. Sponsler served as cook at Fort Lewis, Washington, before reporting to Charleston, South Carolina. He left for overseas duty from Newport News, Virginia and arrived in Australia on February 4, 1943. The next month he was sent to New Guinea. Mr. and Mrs. Sponsler had a letter dated April 15, 1944, from New Guinea, the last letter they received from their son, saying he was well except for a slight cold. He was in action at that time. Before entering the service, Pfc. Sponsler worked for the Eagle Rubber Company and just prior to his enlistment he worked as an attendant at the Cleveland State Hospital. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren, Third street. Survivors are his father and stepmother, sisters Miss Louella Sponsler and Mrs. Ellen Hetler of Ashland, Mrs. Dorothy Puka of West Salem and Mrs. June Warrick of Shelby, and brothers Harold and Purley Sponsler of Ashland. http://ashlandohiogenealogy.org/soldier/soldier16.html