Bill’s blog archive: Daily Posts

This article is part of a series honoring the battle-dead of the city of Fresno, California. The memorial was dedicated on November 8, 2019, at the Fresno City Hall. The following article ran in the Fresno Bee on April 3, 1945. I researched the death of 1st LT Howard in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project.

“Fresno Officer Dies in Action on German Front”

Source: Fresno Bee, April 3, 1944

First Lieutenant Joseph W. Howard, 29 year old infantryman, was killed in action March 9^th, while serving in Germany.

Howard entered the army in August, 1941. After receiving basic training at Camp Roberts, he was assigned to a unit of military police in San Francisco. He volunteered for the infantry and requested overseas service in 1942.

“I don’t want anyone to think I am yellow,” he told members of his family.

He received his initial training in the infantry at Fort Benning, Ga., and attended officers’ training school in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., where he was commissioned October 23, 1942. He left the United States for overseas service during the latter part of January.

Worked As Baker

A graduate of the Fresno Technical High School, Howard was employed here in the Polly Anna Cake Shop as a baker before entering the army. He served on the executive board of the Bakers Union, Local No. 43, and was a member of Fresno Lodge No. 247, F&AM.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ruth E. Howard of 2606 Peralta Way; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Howard of 1238 Van Ness Avenue; two sisters, Mrs. Ruby Parker and Mrs. Lois. Katz of Fresno, and four brothers, Ralph Howard of Fresno, Glenn Howard of San Francisco, Corporal Earl Howard of Fort Ord and Seaman First Class Lester Howard, who is in the Pacific.

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May he rest in peace.