DeKalb County veteran, Fred Purdy, started collecting experiences of WWII veterans from DeKalb County several years ago. Landmarks has agreed to put this information, plus many other stories still being collected, in a Landmark's publication.
This project grew from approximately 100 histories collected by former mayor, Fred Purdy, who turned them over to Landmarks for preservation. Landmarks devised a biographical/info form which was sent to each of those, asking for further information. We continued adding to the number of histories by placing this form in public places, speaking to civic organizations, and publishing articles in the local newspapers describing the project and asking for histories to be included in the book.
By the cutoff date we had approximately 500 histories, more than we had anticipated, making this a large book. Others have asked how to get a WWII veteran history preserved. A Veteran History form is available on this website or can be mailed to you on request. The information you send will be archived for future generations, and perhaps one day be printed in another volume of World War II histories.
Many of the forms we received were incomplete and required additional research and phone calls in order to complete the veteran histories. I would like to thank everyone who has helped with this endeavor, including Landmarks volunteers, the veterans and their families.
The book is tentatively scheduled to be published by September 1, 2008, and available from Landmarks after publication. Everyone who submitted one of the approximate 500 histories for this book will be notified by mail when the book is completed. The photos will then be returned to those who sent the information. Thank you so much for making this a successful project, and be patient. We want it to be a great publication.
The military history of those of the “greatest generation ” is fast being lost, and we would appreciate your response and participation in this archival project. Write to
Landmarks of DeKalb County, Inc.
P.O. Box 680518
Fort Payne, AL 35968
and a form will be sent.
Veteran History forms are available on this website. Fill in the form, print and mail to the address above, which is also listed on the form.
Julia Brown
See an interview with Julia Brown and DeKalb County veterans.
Read some excerpts from the book:
- Charles Webster Beaird
- Hubert Clay Durham
- Loyal Eugene Griffin
- Sidney Allison Malone
- William Henry Minnix
- John Campbell Wear
- Arthur Lee Cobble
- Vernon Warren Cole
- Joseph Cabot Kellett, Jr.
- James Thomas Davis
- Frank Olga Slater
- Martin Ables
- Mary Crossley
- Herbert Tate
- The Murdock Brothers