Suman, Earl R. 

EARL RICHARD SUMAN

PRIVATE 1st CLASS
U.S. ARMY

Earl Richard Suman was born in Adams County on October 13 in 1920. He grew up on the outskirts of Pleasant Mills in a farmhouse on Decatur Route 6. His childhood consisted greatly of work, since his father, Harry Suman, was a farmer. Harry Suman had served in World War I. When he came back, he married Bessie Drummond. Together, they had three daughters and twelve sons- six of which had ended up serving in the armed forces overseas. Earl was one of the middle children, yet was the first of all Suman boys to enlist in the military to take up arms; five of his brothers soon followed. In Adams County, the Suman family had the most members (sons) to serve in the military, sending six of their sons to join. 

After graduating from Pleasant Mills High School, Earl enlisted into the army in Toledo, Ohio, on July 1, 1942. He officially joined the army on July 15, 1942. Along with him, three of Earl's brothers also joined the army, while another two enlisted in the marines. Together, they were stationed at numerous places- none located in the same area, and all serving overseas. Earl entered basic training in the United States Army at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. 

Upon completion of his basic military training, Private Suman was attached to Company K of the 319th infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division which was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Co. K was a Rifle Company in the 3d Battalion of the 319th Infantry Regiment. Earl was a Rifleman, better known in the army as MOS 745. These soldiers used a rifle to destroy enemy personnel and to assist in capturing and holding enemy positions. He earned his way to the rank of Private First Class. The 80th Infantry Division departed  for overseas on the Queen Mary on July 4, 1944. The trip overseas on the Queen Mary from New York took 5 days, 7 hours, and 54 minutes. Captain Bisset was in charge of this journey. The voyage consisted of 14,533 troops, and 1,105 crewmen. The Queen Mary was a passenger ship that served from 1940-1946. It was the fastest ship in the world and went unescorted. According to an account from a crew member of the same voyage as Earl, the experiences were not easy. In order to avoid German submarine torpedoes, the ship would change directions. Out of the five day journey, one day was far worse than the others. The ship ran into a massive storm around the third or fourth day. The storm was described as the ship "meeting its match." One moment, the troops on deck could nearly dip their hand in the water, then the next they were about fifty feet above it. The food on the ship was not high quality. One meal consisted of boiled potato skins; the troop recalled never wanting to eat potato skins again. They arrived a few days later in Firth of Clyde, Scotland and then on to England.

After a few weeks in England, they boarded LSTs (Landing Ship, Tanks) to cross the English Channel, landing on "Utah Beach" in the Normandy region of France. Once landed at the destination, the troops were in trucks the next day, moving toward the front. When passing through a town in France, Frenchmen gathered on the streets to cheer on the troops. The 80th was now on land and tracking the Germans. When they caught up to them, theyfound themselves in a small town called Toul. They had to cross the Moselle, using pontoons and ropes. The soldiers were scared, and some could not even swim. It was drizzling cold rain and the experience was miserable. 

On September 4, 1944, the 319th Infantry Regiment moved from an area about 8 miles east of Commercy, France toward Toul on the Moselle River. Part of the mission and objective was to cross the River. When September 10 rolled around, Company K was ordered to launch an attack on Ft de Villey-le-Sec. The attack was more fierce than any previous experiences by the 3d Battalion. On September 16, the Combat Team 319, 80th Infantry Division sent nightly patrols into the western edges of Fonet de Haye. On September 18, 1944, the 319th received a mission to seize and occupy line St Jure – Raucourt – Nomeny. The attack was done by the 1st and 3d Battalions (Bns). Earl was a part of the 3d Bn; the job was to "advance guard of the regiment and was given the mission of entering Toul, establishing contact with elements of the Armored Cavalry Squadron in the vicinity, ... clearing Toul of any remaining enemy troops, crossing the Moselle River and establishing a bridgehead on the east bank of the Moselle". 

Over all, the mission was successful, but many casualties were reported; including PFC Suman. On September 18, 1944, Earl was reported missing in action. He was fighting in France, according to the Decatur Daily Democrat on November 18. The information that claimed he was missing was reported on October 13, 1944; almost an entire month after he was actually missing. On October 16, 1944, Earl Richard Suman was officially reported dead. He was 23 years old. 

PFC Suman is interred overseas in St. Avold, France, at a place known as the Lorraine American Cemetery. This cemetery covers 113.50 acres of land, and includes 10,489 burials, and 444 of these missing in action. 

When you talk to Pastor Ernie Suman, the great-nephew of Earl, he shows you a few things. According to Ernie, who serves as the Pastor at Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church, Earl and Pastor Ernie's father were best friends. This church is also where Earl's family attended. Within the church, you'll find a plaque labeled "Roll of Honor," which lists soldiers from the area who fought in WWII. Earl's name is proudly displayed on it. 

For his service and sacrifice, Private First Class Earl Suman earned the World War II Victory Medal , European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. Earl also earned the Purple Heart for his combat related injuries that led to his death. In addition, for service related combat, PFC Suman earned the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

Information researched and collected by Grace Hunter, 2016. 

SOURCES

"Earl R. Suman." American Battle Monuments Commission, www.abmc.gov/node/401958. Accessed 24 Nov. 2016.

"319th Infantry Crossing of the Moselle River." HEADQUARTERS 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION. 4 Sept. 1944. 80thdivision.com, www.80thdivision.com/80th-OperationalHistory/80thOperHist-Sep44_Pt2.pdf. Accessed 17 Dec. 2016.

Indiana Historical Bureau. Gold Star Honor Roll Adams County. Indiana War History Commission, 1949.

Pearce, Margie, editor. "Room & Pearce Connections." RootsWeb.com, 13 June 2012, wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mpearce&id=I23723. Accessed 27 Nov. 2016.

"Pfc. Earl E. Suman Is Reported As Missing In Action In France." Decatur Daily Democrat [Decatur], 6 Nov. 1944, pp. 1-2. Decatur Daily Democrat Newspaper. Accessed 26 Nov. 2016.

"Pfc. Earl E. Suman, One of Six Brothers In War, Reported Dead." Decatur Daily Democrat [Decatur], 18 Nov. 1944. Decatur Daily Democrat Newspaper. Accessed 2 Dec. 2016.

"The Suman Brothers . . . Six Good Reasons For Buying An Extra $100-Bond." Decatur Daily Democrat [Decatur]. Decatur Daily Democrat Newspaper. Accessed 26 Nov. 2016.

Wallesch, Shayne E., and Wendy J. Hochnadel. “Queen Mary - Record of Wartime Cruises - 1944.” Queen Mary - Record of Wartime Cruises - 1944, 2007, ww2troopships.com/ships/q/queenmary/cruiserecord1944.htm. Accessed 17 Dec. 2016.

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