PFC Johnny Major Trolinger

1919 - 1943  (23 years)

• Name	Johnny Major Trolinger
  Prefix	PFC
  Birth	22 Sep 1919	Garden City, Cass, MO
  Gender	Male
  Death	14 Jul 1943	Sicily, Italy
  	TROLINGER, Johnny Major 1919 - 1943 Aug 1943 - Loses Life In Action - Johnny Trolinger, son of the J. M. Trolingers, Near Calhoun, Dies in North African Area July 14 . The toll of war brought sorrow to another Henry County family Friday, August 13, when Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Trolinger, six miles northwest of Calhoun, received a telegram from the Secretary of War informing them of the loss of their son, Pfc. Johnny M. Trolinger, who was killed in action July 14, in the North African Area. The deep sympathy of the War department was extended the bereaved family and they stated a letter would follow. Johnny Major Trolinger was born near Garden City, September 22, 1919, and he and his family have been residents of near Calhoun for the past 12 years. He regularly attended the Highland Sunday School near there and was a graduate of the Merritt School, a thrifty, homeloving lad, who enjoyed helping his father about the farm. He was employed in Kansas City 6 months before he received his call to service, entering October 24 of last year. He began his training at Camp Wallace and Camp Barkeley, Texas, and from the South was sent to Ft. Devens, Mass, then to Camp Pine, New York, receiving his rank of Pfc. in April. He left Camp Pickett, Va. the last of June, and enjoyed the trip across immensely, writing his family of the unusual sights and experiences on the boat, and was especially pleased that he was never seasick. His last letters home were dated July 2 and 4, and the last one received included all the money he had at the time, and personal instructions, indicating that he might be going into active combat. His letters were all of cheery note, full of questions as to what the family was doing and of things he re-lived in pleasant memories. Thus Mr. and Mrs. Trolinger believe their boy's life was snuffed out in the height of action, his heart unafraid and anxious to do the task that he considered his job. He had told them that when he entered service he would be the best soldier he knew how, and truly lived up to the high standard he set for himself. Surviving this brave soldier are his parents, who feel his fine spirit about their farm where he loved to work with his car in leisure hours or linger about the house when outside work was not pressing; his brother, Carl Trolinger, who lives near by, and his sister, Mrs. Charles Crowley, of Kansas City, with whom he made his home while working there; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Starks of Clinton, and paternal grandfather, W. H. Trolinger of Belton. Mr. and Mrs. Crowley came to the Trolinger home Friday, after receiving the tragic news. Their son, Mack, has been spending the summer with his grandparents, assisting with the farm chores. - AWARDED PURPLE HEART - Pfc. Johnnie M. Trolinger was awarded the purple heart for bravery and wounds resulting in his death July 14, 1943. The certificate and letter were sent to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Trolinger of Calhoun, R. R. No. 2. The letter stated that the medal would be sent to them. Pfc. Johnnie M. Trolinger was a machine gunner at the time of his death. A letter from one of his pals stated he was killed in Sicily only 15 days from the time he landed in North Africa. The day he was killed, they advanced 15 miles and took three towns. He was a brother of Carl Trolinger, husband of Ruth Brown, who was a student in Windsor High School. TROLINGER OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri http://files.usgwarchives.net/mo/henry/obits/tobit/trolinger.txt
  Burial	Jefferson City, Cole, MO
  	Burial: Jefferson City National Cemetery Plot: 11 0 1036 Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri, USA Inscription: JOHNNY M. TROLINGER MISSOURI PFC 179 INF 45 INF DIV WORLD WAR II SEPTEMBER 22 1919 JULY 14 1943
  Person ID	I7092	Drollinger Genealogy
  Last Modified	19 Apr 2023

  
  

  Father	John Mackhattan Trolinger,   b. 27 Jan 1891, Leesville, Henry, MO d. 26 Feb 1983, Clinton, Henry, MO (Age 92 years)
  Mother	Grace Cordelia Starks,   b. 21 Nov 1895, Creighton, Cass, MO d. 25 Jul 1982, Kansas City, Jackson, MO (Age 86 years)
  Family ID	F458	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 22 Sep 1919 - Garden City, Cass, MO Death - 14 Jul 1943 - Sicily, Italy Burial - - Jefferson City, Cole, MO  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos

  abt 1943 Photo published in Clinton MO newspaper when he was killed in action.

  
  

  Documents

  The John Trolingers' 50th Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. John Trolinger, three miles southwest of Calhoun, celebrated their Golden Wedding Sunday, Oct. 6, with an open house from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. About 150 were in attendance to extend sincere congratulations and good wishes to the honorees. The Trolingers were especially pleased to have their two children, Mrs. Charles (Alene) Croley, Kansas City, and Carl Trolinger, Calhoun, and all their grandchildren present. The reception table, with white cloth and a hand crocheted centerpiece, featured a beautiful three-tier wedding cake iced white, decorated with yellow roses and topped with a gold numeral "50". On each side were two graduated candles in crystal holders. Added sparkle on the table was the crystal crystal punch service. Presiding at the refreshment table were the daughter, Mrs. Croley, and daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, Mrs. Trolinger, assisted by three granddaughters, Mrs. Roy Baskins, Windsor, Mrs. Bob Trolinger, Lee's Summit, and Mrs. Mack Croley. Kansas City. A ten - year - old granddaughter, Miss Barbara Trolinger, was in charge of the guest book and Miss Kathy, eight-year old granddaughter, took care of the gifts. Also among the many present were Mr. Trolinger's sister, Mrs. Edna Newman, Lincoln, and Mrs. Trolinger's sisters. Mrs. Link Evertt, Branson, Mrs. Fred Barr, Mrs. Curtis Earnest, Springfield, Mo., and her brother, Ben Starks, Clinton. John Trolinger and his sweetheart. Grace Starks, both then of Creighton. took the train on Oct. 1, 1913, for Harrisonville where they were married. After a few vears residence at Creighton they lived for several years south of Calhoun then returned to the Creighton community for a number number of years more. However, about 30 years ago they returned to the Calhoun vicinity which since has been their home. The Trolingers were blessed with three children but lost their son, Johnnie, on July 14. 1943 when he was killed in action with the US Army overseas, the first Henry Countian to be recorded thus. The Trolingers were especially proud of their seven grandchildren and their three great-grandchildren. On their wedding day 50 years ago the Trolingers were attended by Mrs. Trolinger's sister, Miss Ruby Starks, and Mr. Trolinger's brother, Will Trolinger. Five days afterward the two became man and wife, consequently Sunday was their Golden Wedding anniversary. The Will Trolingers now live in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. In view of the happy occasion a long distance call was made to California and the entire family group had a joyous visit by phone. Numerous good wishes for many more happy, healthful years to come were extended the John Trolingers who were deeply appreciative of the many visits, cards and lovely gifts on their momentous milestone in life.

  
  

  Headstones

  Jefferson City National Cemetery Jefferson City, Cole, MO

  
  

• Notes

  179th Inf Reg, 45th Inf Div ser # 37015513