Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Norris and Joan Krall, Osgood, are dedicated to preserving history.

The couple has completed - on their own and collectively with others - several books that have been published and are available through the Ripley County Historical Society, Versailles, where they are both members. The latest project, is one they are excited about. This will be a publication to honor Ripley County WWII veterans.

Known as the “greatest generation”, information on veterans of the second world war from Ripley County is wanted by the historical society. “It is very important that we get this information for the book,” noted Joan, as she thumbed through a stack of information sheets that were only half complete. “On some, we just have a couple of sentences of information, others, we just have a name and a picture,” she told The Versailles Republican. “We want to get all of this information about these brave men and women who have served and honor them through this publication.”

Books have been published through the efforts of the RCHS, about the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and WWI local veterans. The Kralls, who are heading the latest project, say the book will be of great interest to many. “To have a complete compilation of information, the participation of the whole county is necessary,” the couple noted. They encourage everyone to send information on family and friends to make sure they are included in the project that will “remember and honor” WWII veterans. They don’t even mind if duplicate copies are sent. “We’ll just check them and only publish the information once,” they said.

The group prefers pictures of veterans from the WWII era and in uniform. “Don’t send us your precious pictures,” Joan noted, saying, it would be better to have the photo copied, or just email it to them. Of course, if that’s not possible, they will work with the original and take the greatest care of it.

Anyone with knowledge of those from Ripley County who served in WWII are urged to send pictures and information. Forms with desired information can be picked up at the RCHS Archives on the Courthouse Square in Versailles, Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. They can be mailed to: RCHS, PO Box 525, Versailles, IN 47042 or to the Krall residence, 4499 N. Old Michigan Rd., Osgood, IN 47037. The forms can be downloaded by going to http://www.seidata.com/~rchslib. There you can also submit the information online. Forms are also available at local libraries, museums, American Legion and VFW posts.

The war that ended over 60 years ago will be remembered permanently through the efforts of the RCHS when the project is completed. Information from the local historical society noted that over 16 million men and women were called to battle at a time in our nation’s history when the population was approximately 135 million. Over 400,000 never returned and are buried in foreign lands or the seas of the earth. One of every eight of the nation’s population served in this war. One of every 40 did not return home. Those who were killed in action will have that denoted in the publication.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Information needed on WWII Veterans
• Full name
• Town or township
• Name of school
(if attended in Ripley Co)
• Dates of birth/death
• Picture/in uniform
• Branch of service
entry/discharge dates
highest rank
medals/awards
theater served in
• Family information
names of parents,
wife, children
• Other noteworthy life achievements

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Joan and Norris Krall look over information on World War II veterans from Ripley County. They need a lot more information to compile the latest publication through a project they are heading up with the Ripley County Historical Society.