To all the many who didn’t make it back home and the families they left behind. We remember.
In my family that includes:
Two of my first cousins thrice removed…
Lt. Eugene Robert Baker, 370th and 401st Fighter Squadrons of the U.S. Air Corps, the son of Ethan Rex and Grace (Van Vyven) Baker—named for his grandfather (and my 3rd Great Grandfather), Eugene Smith Baker. He was killed in action 13 Aug 1944 in Chartres, France.
Sgt. Robert S. Baker, Co M 119th Infantry 30th Division, the son of Hollis Lapham and Nora (Beers) Baker, died 13 Sep 1944 also in France.
And my 3rd Great Grand Uncle, Americus G. Holden, Co H, 21st Infantry Regiment of Michigan, the son of Charles and Sarah (Skiff) Holden. He was sent home sick from his post in Tennessee and died of his illness 30 Aug 1864.
All three have military headstones at Rockford Cemetery, Rockford, Michigan.
Happy hunting,
Jess
P.s. I made a large error at the end there… Americus Holden is buried in Courtland Cemetery. Thank you for the correction, Carole!
Genie Road Trip 
May 27, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Hello Jessica,
I need to tell you Americus Holden is buried in Courtland Twp. cemetery along with his parents Charles and Sarah Skiff Holden. He has a tall monument issued to veterans that died while serving.
Carole K. Holden Christensen,
Rockford
May 27, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Hi Carole! Thanks for that. It was a stupid error on my part… I’ve been to Courtland Cem and have pictures to boot. Thanks for the correction.
May 19, 2022 at 12:33 am
Wonderful. I was the first baby born after Eugene Baker died and Eugene is my middle name. My mother was little sister of Grace Van Vyven, named Charlotte Van Vyven. I was watching TV specials on WWII airplanes being restored and was checking the internet, where I found this site. Rex and Grace were wonderful Uncle and Aunt. I loved visiting Rockford and Cedar Springs every summer.
Lawrence Eugene Brose
May 19, 2022 at 7:35 am
Thanks so much for sharing this!