Ray L Whiteturkey - 298th Engineer Combat Battalion, WWII, WW2
KIPKE GENEALOGY

Ray L Whiteturkey

Source: NewsOk - July 14, 1999
Ray Lee Whiteturkey 14 July 1921 - 11 July 1999 Born in Dewey, OK, of Dennis and Bessie (Morley) Whiteturkey, Ray was one of 7 children: Beulah, Nellie, Hazle, Roy, Ray, Bette and Rubye of which Rubye is the only one living. The first test of his beliefs came when he was called to serve his country at the outbreak of WWII. Landing at Normandy D-Day + one and was taken prisoner near St. Lou by the Germans in Aug. 1944, he was interred until the end of the war. His duty was performed with dignity and honor with active service lasting 22 years. On 12 Aug. 1945, in San Antonio, TX, Ray married Lucille Verna Johnson, daughter of Louis and Viola (Beseler) Johnson. To this enduring union was given four children, Verna Rae, Joe, Dorthea and Dennis. Joe and Dorthea died in infancy. Verna Rae of Okla. City, who married Lynn Lerdall has three children, Angela, Jymmy and Anastasia. Dennis living in Phoenix, AZ, married Dana McKay and has one daughter Jessica. Angela also has two children, Clarissa and Chrystopher. Among Ray's many interests included bowling, golfing, photography & traveling. Some of the groups that he participated in were the Crescent Society, Sportman's Country Club, Friends of the Library, Twin Lakes Sports Club. He retired from the US Army as a Major in 1962 and kept his Oklahoma roots when he went to work for GE (later known as Honeywell & MPI) as Safety & Security Manager. He retired again in 1984 and found more time for his church, golfing with his wife and buddies, and his love for home and gardening. Services at the Church of the Savior, 5600 NW 63rd Wednesday 14 July 1999. Contributions to Ray Whiteturkey Memorial Fund at Church of the Savior.


Source: Find A Grave
Maj Ray Lee Whiteturkey
BIRTH 1921
DEATH 1999 (aged 77�78)
BURIAL Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
MEMORIAL ID 53203067


Source: National WWII Memorial
Ray Lee Whiteturkey
BRANCH OF SERVICE U.S. Army
HOMETOWN Dewey, OK
HONORED BY Lucille V. Whiteturkey, Wife
ACTIVITY DURING WWII
With the 298th Engineer Battalion on D-Day Plus 1. Captured near St. Lo and spent nine months as a Prisoner Of War in Germany. One of the Prisoners Of War That walked through Poland on the 350 mile walk in wintertime. Liberated in Munich at the end of the war.


Source: National Archives
12 June 1945, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated. Army Serial #: 18032382
Name: Whiteturkey Ray
Residence: Washington County, Oklahoma
Place of enlistment: Tulsa Oklahoma
Date of enlistment: 05 November 1940
Grade: Private
Branch: Corps of Engineers
Nativity: Oklahoma
Year of birth: 1921
Race & citizenship: White, citizen
Education: 4 years of high school
Marital Status: Single without dependents
Component of the Army: Regular Army
Box 0269 - Reel 2.126


Source: Ada Evening News - Tuesday, March 06, 1945 - Page 1
Among State Men Listed As PW's of Germany WASHINGTON, March 6.�CP) �The war department today announced the names of 25 Oklahoma soldiers who are held as prisoners of war by Germany. Next of kin have previously been notified and kept informed of any change. They were: Lt. Col. Walter E. Bare, Jr., Ft. Gibson; Pvt. Ike B. Buas Tahlequah; 1st Lt. Lloyd C. Carter, Fox; 1st Lt. Louis C. Chess-more, Perry; Pvt. Marvin Cody, Lawton: Pvt. William D. Engle. Pauls Valley. 1st Lf. Douglas I. Holmes, Ardmore: 1st Sgt. Ralph Homeslev, Muskogee; Pfc. Cortlin B. Horton. Meeker; 2nd Lt. Chester A. Howard. Okemah. Pvt. Miles T. Howry (520 W. 4th), Ada; S/Sgt. James E. Hunter, Holdenville; 1st Lt. Jack LaGrange, Jr., Apache; T/Sgt. Albert J. Lunday, Enid; Pvt. Jerry K McElhaney, Wyandotte; 2nd Lt. V ilford P. McKenzie. Anadarko; Pvt. Richard Medina, Oklahoma City; Pvt. John W. Orr. Jr., Claremore. S/Sgt. Dale C. Richey, Pond Creek; T/Sgt. Robert E. Riley, Okmulgee; Pfc. William C. Robbins, DeVol; Pvt. Glen O Tav-lor Commerce; T/Sgt. William S� Xen7* Edmond; Pfc. Millard D Ward, Bixbv; 2nd Lt. Ray L. Whiteturkey.


Source: Niles Public Library document that includes Veterans History Project Transcript of Max Kolpas and Omaha Beach to Saint Marie du Mont (bio of Bruce Montgomery Robertson) combined into one Adobe.pdf document.
[excerpt]
My deepest appreciation goes to the following individuals whose contributions made this story possible: Wilfred Beaudry, Margaret Bellinger (widow of Dwayne Bellinger), Albert A. DiGiovani, Al Brogna, Jim Crotty, Edward W. Franckowiak, Ralph Ginger, Don Hill, Frank Hollis, Arthur Hrabec, Max Kolpas, Burton LaBoe, Kenneth A. Lang, Creighton Lawson, Drexell E. Meyer, Tom Moscovic, Arnold Payne, Bob Ruach (son of Herb Rauch), Paul Scheiderhan, Milton Stover, Jessie Toepfer (widow of Charles J. Toepfer), Leo B. Wortman, Lucille Whiteturkey (widow of Ray Whiteturkey), Janet Wright (daughter of Robert Francis, and Bruce M. Robertson.
Page 3.


Listed in After/After Action Reports 26 July - 1 Dec 1944:
LOSSES IN ACTION - OFFICERS - 7 AUGUST 1944
2d Lt Ray L. Whiteturkey 01115153



[ History ][ Journals ][ Roster ][ Connections ][ Haak Scrapbook ]

Please e-mail Bob Kipke who will forward any information.
This is not a button.

KIPKE GENEALOGY HOME