MICHIGAN |
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MICHIGAN |
by Gordon Graham
Indian River VFW Post 7439 "The Cochran - Roberts Post"
MICHIGAN |
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MICHIGAN |
November 11 was celebrated at the end of World War I as a day
of remembrance for the courage and patriotism of the men and women
who served in the Armed Forces. This was known for a time as Armistice
Day, but in 1954 Congress established this date as Veterans Day
to honor all American Veterans.
This day is of particular significance to those of us who belong
to the local VFW post, because we have members who served their
country in World War II, the Korean War, Viet Nam and Desert Storm.
Over the years, Cheboygan County has provided its share of men
and women who have responded to the call. Those who survived the
carnage of war will never forget those who made the supreme sacrifice.
Time has a habit of dimming our memories and we tend to forget
those, who, through their sacrifices, have left us with a legacy
of personal freedoms unequaled in the world. In order to perpetuate
the memory of two of the men from the area who paid the "ultimate
price" during World War II, the charter members of the local
VFW named their post the "Cochran-Roberts Post." This
was to honor Pvt. Clifton Cochran and Sgt. Edward Roberts who
were killed in Europe during the ground war that took place across
France, Belgium, Holland and German after D-Day 1944.
What follows is an attempt, on my part, to identify with these
two men who were active in our community at one time-oh, so many
years ago-and, perhaps, remind us for a minute or two, of their
sacrifices on this Veterans Day!
 Clifton Cochran |
"Clint", as he was known, was born on May 12, 1912 and he grew up in Auburn Junction, Indiana. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. When his two brothers-in-law, who lived in Indian River, offered young Cochran employment in their plumbing business here, it must have seemed to him an opportunity of a lifetime-he would have a job and he could enjoy trout fishing and hunting wild game. Zolman & Fisher was the plumbing company located here. Cochran moved to Indian River and after working for the plumbing company for a time he was called into the Army by the Selective Service Board. He was sworn in at Fort Custer, MI and then sent to Camp Blanding, FL for his basic training. From there, he was transferred to Fort Meade, MD. Then he was shipped to England where the Allies were organizing a massive army in preparation for the invasion of Europe. On the fourth day, following D-Day, Cochran landed in France with the 41st Armored Infantry, 2nd Armored Division, part of General George Patton's Third Army. After several difficult battles with the best troops Germany had to offer, Pvt. Clifton Cochran was killed on August 6, 1944, 10 miles south of St. Lo, France by an exploding German artillery shell. The battle that took place in and around St. Lo has been chronicled in history books and in the movies as one of the fiercest battles on the European continent during W.W.II. His body was interred, temporarily, in a military cemetery in Normandy and later returned to the US aboard the US Army Transport, Haiti Victory, for final burial in his home town of Auburn Junction, IN. |
Edward A. Roberts
"Ted", as he was known to his friends, was the son of
Walter and Bessie (Wattson) Roberts. Walter Roberts was the manager
of the local lumber company and he and his family lived in the
big white house that was located just south of the yard. The house
still stands at 3639 Straits Hwy.
Through interviews with those who were around at the time, I found
that Ted Roberts was viewed as a typical young man, growing up
in typical "small town America". He went to the local
school, which ended in the 10th grade at that time, and then he
finished his high school education in Petoskey. Word has it that
young Ted had a penchant for cars and it is reported he had a
heavy foot while driving - another youthful trait. Ted had a serious
side to his personality and he went to work at an area mortuary,
where he served as an apprentice, with the idea of becoming a
funeral director some day.
Ted enlisted in the Army on January 8, 1941, nearly a year before
the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor. It is understood that he received
his training at Fort Bragg, NC as part of the 60th Infantry Division.
With the attack on Pearl Harbor, war was declared and it was not
long before this country was called upon to become an active partner
in the war in Europe. German troops occupied practically all of
Europe and they were riding roughshod across North Africa. The
British asked for our help in an effort to restrain German General
Rommel and this became America's first participation in the ground
war - there in the sands of the Sahara Desert.
American troops were put ashore in French Morocco at three
points near Casablanca in late 1942. One of these areas was at
Port Lyautey and it was there that Sgt. Ted Roberts and the 60th
Division entered the war. Thurs. Feb. 18,43-"Nearly froze to death last night, cold, raining with mud up to my ankles, no shelter - had to sleep on the ground." |
 Edward A. Roberts |
