Bill’s blog archive: Daily Posts

Fresno Vets Memorial

“Fresno Soldier is Killed in French Fighting,” Fresno Bee, September 26,1944

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 September 26, 1944. I researched the death of PFC Potter in connection with the Fresno Veterans Memorial project.

“Fresno Soldier is Killed in French Fighting”

Source: Fresno Bee, September 26, 1944

Mrs. Ida Potter, of Route 10, Box 121, today was notified by the war department her husband, Private First Class Carl E. Potter, 20, a former ranch worker, was killed in action while fighting as an infantryman in France August 31st.

Potter, who entered the military service last year, was a native of Clovis, N.M. He lived in the Fresno area for several years.

He is survived by a 6 months old daughter, Ida Potter; two sisters, Rachel and Alpha Mae Potter, both of Fresno; three brothers, Jack Potter of Fresno, Sergeant James Potter, serving in the army air forces, and Private Frank Potter, of the medical corps, stationed in England, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Potter of Fresno.

Mrs. Potter said her husband never wrote of his military experiences and no details of his death have been given her by the war department.

***

May he rest in peace.

Ask Bill or comment on this story