Alton E. Hodges Made Supreme Sacrifice
It was with much sadness the many Bandera friends learned of the death of Alton Hodges, a Bandera county boy, who was raised in the Pipe Creek community.
Private Alton E. Hodges, aged 26, of the 161st Infantry, 25th Division, was killed in action June 11th, 1945. His wife was notified July 2nd. He had been overseas only a short time, having left the States the latter part of March. About 11 o'clock on the night of June 11th, the Japs attacked their position on a high hill and threw several hand grenades into their area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally, and he died within a few seconds. He was buried the next day in the United States Armed Forces cemetery, Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands. He has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Alton E. Hodges, and three children, Erwinna Lee, Merron Alton, and Glenda Elaine, of Llano; his mother, Mrs. Carrie Hodges of San Marcos; one brother, Errol K. Hodges of Llano; two sisters, Mrs. C. E. O'Bryant of San Marcos, Mrs. R. D. Jarrell of Leesville, La.
The following letter, giving the details of Alton's death, was received by his wife from the commanding officer:
Company I, 161st Infantry.
14 July, 1945.
Mrs. Myrtle S. Hodges,
General Delivery,
Llano, Texas.
My Dear Mrs. Hodges:---As commanding officer of the company in which Alton served, I wish to extend to you the heartfelt sympathy of the officers and men of this organization in the loss of your husband.
Alton was, as you know, a member of this company for only a very short time. He joined us here on the island of Luzon, in the thick of our fight for Balete Pass. In the brief time that Alton was with the company he made many friends among the other members of our organization.
About 11 o'clock at night, on the 11th of June, the Japs attacked our positions on Mt. Myoko, a high hill about 1500 yards east of Kapintalan. In their attack the Japs threw several hand grenades into our area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally. He died within a few seconds.
Your husband was buried the following day with the Division's Protestant Chaplain officiating. Alton was laid to rest in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery at Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Writing you these facts about your husband has been a most unpleasant duty. I hope that I have succeeded in giving you all the information you would like. If there is anything further you would care to know, please do not hesitate to call upon me.
Most sincerely yours,
DAVID W. MURPHREE.
Capt., 161st Inf., Commanding
Obit published on the front page of The Bandera Bulletin, August 31, 1945
Contributed by In memory
Army Service No.(ASN): 38702208
It was with much sadness the many Bandera friends learned of the death of Alton Hodges, a Bandera county boy, who was raised in the Pipe Creek community.
Private Alton E. Hodges, aged 26, of the 161st Infantry, 25th Division, was killed in action June 11th, 1945. His wife was notified July 2nd. He had been overseas only a short time, having left the States the latter part of March. About 11 o'clock on the night of June 11th, the Japs attacked their position on a high hill and threw several hand grenades into their area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally, and he died within a few seconds. He was buried the next day in the United States Armed Forces cemetery, Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands. He has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Alton E. Hodges, and three children, Erwinna Lee, Merron Alton, and Glenda Elaine, of Llano; his mother, Mrs. Carrie Hodges of San Marcos; one brother, Errol K. Hodges of Llano; two sisters, Mrs. C. E. O'Bryant of San Marcos, Mrs. R. D. Jarrell of Leesville, La.
The following letter, giving the details of Alton's death, was received by his wife from the commanding officer:
Company I, 161st Infantry.
14 July, 1945.
Mrs. Myrtle S. Hodges,
General Delivery,
Llano, Texas.
My Dear Mrs. Hodges:---As commanding officer of the company in which Alton served, I wish to extend to you the heartfelt sympathy of the officers and men of this organization in the loss of your husband.
Alton was, as you know, a member of this company for only a very short time. He joined us here on the island of Luzon, in the thick of our fight for Balete Pass. In the brief time that Alton was with the company he made many friends among the other members of our organization.
About 11 o'clock at night, on the 11th of June, the Japs attacked our positions on Mt. Myoko, a high hill about 1500 yards east of Kapintalan. In their attack the Japs threw several hand grenades into our area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally. He died within a few seconds.
Your husband was buried the following day with the Division's Protestant Chaplain officiating. Alton was laid to rest in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery at Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Writing you these facts about your husband has been a most unpleasant duty. I hope that I have succeeded in giving you all the information you would like. If there is anything further you would care to know, please do not hesitate to call upon me.
Most sincerely yours,
DAVID W. MURPHREE.
Capt., 161st Inf., Commanding
Obit published on the front page of The Bandera Bulletin, August 31, 1945
Contributed by In memory
Army Service No.(ASN): 38702208
Alton E. Hodges Made Supreme Sacrifice
It was with much sadness the many Bandera friends learned of the death of Alton Hodges, a Bandera county boy, who was raised in the Pipe Creek community.
Private Alton E. Hodges, aged 26, of the 161st Infantry, 25th Division, was killed in action June 11th, 1945. His wife was notified July 2nd. He had been overseas only a short time, having left the States the latter part of March. About 11 o'clock on the night of June 11th, the Japs attacked their position on a high hill and threw several hand grenades into their area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally, and he died within a few seconds. He was buried the next day in the United States Armed Forces cemetery, Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands. He has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Alton E. Hodges, and three children, Erwinna Lee, Merron Alton, and Glenda Elaine, of Llano; his mother, Mrs. Carrie Hodges of San Marcos; one brother, Errol K. Hodges of Llano; two sisters, Mrs. C. E. O'Bryant of San Marcos, Mrs. R. D. Jarrell of Leesville, La.
The following letter, giving the details of Alton's death, was received by his wife from the commanding officer:
Company I, 161st Infantry.
14 July, 1945.
Mrs. Myrtle S. Hodges,
General Delivery,
Llano, Texas.
My Dear Mrs. Hodges:---As commanding officer of the company in which Alton served, I wish to extend to you the heartfelt sympathy of the officers and men of this organization in the loss of your husband.
Alton was, as you know, a member of this company for only a very short time. He joined us here on the island of Luzon, in the thick of our fight for Balete Pass. In the brief time that Alton was with the company he made many friends among the other members of our organization.
About 11 o'clock at night, on the 11th of June, the Japs attacked our positions on Mt. Myoko, a high hill about 1500 yards east of Kapintalan. In their attack the Japs threw several hand grenades into our area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally. He died within a few seconds.
Your husband was buried the following day with the Division's Protestant Chaplain officiating. Alton was laid to rest in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery at Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Writing you these facts about your husband has been a most unpleasant duty. I hope that I have succeeded in giving you all the information you would like. If there is anything further you would care to know, please do not hesitate to call upon me.
Most sincerely yours,
DAVID W. MURPHREE.
Capt., 161st Inf., Commanding
Obit published on the front page of The Bandera Bulletin, August 31, 1945
Contributed by In memory
Army Service No.(ASN): 38702208
It was with much sadness the many Bandera friends learned of the death of Alton Hodges, a Bandera county boy, who was raised in the Pipe Creek community.
Private Alton E. Hodges, aged 26, of the 161st Infantry, 25th Division, was killed in action June 11th, 1945. His wife was notified July 2nd. He had been overseas only a short time, having left the States the latter part of March. About 11 o'clock on the night of June 11th, the Japs attacked their position on a high hill and threw several hand grenades into their area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally, and he died within a few seconds. He was buried the next day in the United States Armed Forces cemetery, Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands. He has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Alton E. Hodges, and three children, Erwinna Lee, Merron Alton, and Glenda Elaine, of Llano; his mother, Mrs. Carrie Hodges of San Marcos; one brother, Errol K. Hodges of Llano; two sisters, Mrs. C. E. O'Bryant of San Marcos, Mrs. R. D. Jarrell of Leesville, La.
The following letter, giving the details of Alton's death, was received by his wife from the commanding officer:
Company I, 161st Infantry.
14 July, 1945.
Mrs. Myrtle S. Hodges,
General Delivery,
Llano, Texas.
My Dear Mrs. Hodges:---As commanding officer of the company in which Alton served, I wish to extend to you the heartfelt sympathy of the officers and men of this organization in the loss of your husband.
Alton was, as you know, a member of this company for only a very short time. He joined us here on the island of Luzon, in the thick of our fight for Balete Pass. In the brief time that Alton was with the company he made many friends among the other members of our organization.
About 11 o'clock at night, on the 11th of June, the Japs attacked our positions on Mt. Myoko, a high hill about 1500 yards east of Kapintalan. In their attack the Japs threw several hand grenades into our area. One of the grenades landed near Alton, wounding him fatally. He died within a few seconds.
Your husband was buried the following day with the Division's Protestant Chaplain officiating. Alton was laid to rest in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery at Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Writing you these facts about your husband has been a most unpleasant duty. I hope that I have succeeded in giving you all the information you would like. If there is anything further you would care to know, please do not hesitate to call upon me.
Most sincerely yours,
DAVID W. MURPHREE.
Capt., 161st Inf., Commanding
Obit published on the front page of The Bandera Bulletin, August 31, 1945
Contributed by In memory
Army Service No.(ASN): 38702208
Inscription
Born in Bandera Co. / Killed on Luzon
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
