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Sunday, November 11, 2018

An American Veteran from Maryland at the Rhône Cemetery

Today is Veteran’s Day and I would like your readers to be aware of a deceased veteran from World War II that is buried in the Rhône Cemetary in Southern France. Percy Salmon was a Merchant Marine who died on October 18, 1945. Of course, it was after the war ended. Nothing is known about this young merchant marine. They do know he was from Maryland.

Our group honored this USMM with flowers and remembering his service and with the hope to find out who he is when we returned home. On this day of remembrance, if any of your readers are aware of anything about him or his family, please contact the Rhône Cemetery at,
Rhone American Cemetery
553 blvd John F. Kennedy
83300

Draguignan
France
tel +33 (0)4 94 68 03 62

His memory needs to live on with more information about who he was and what a sacrifice he gave for his country.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

According to one online people finder a Percy J. Salmon is (or would be if still with us) 97 years old. Cities and states associated with him are Tryon NC, Columbus NC and Rio Rancho NM. The only possible relative listed is Helen E Salmon.

Anonymous said...

What is scary is how Michigan voted it 2 MUSLIM congresswoman how can they Swear to OUR constipation ?

Anonymous said...

"Never Forget" our veterans this day or the other 364 days.

Anonymous said...

Too bad our President couldnt handle a little rain to honor the armistice

Anonymous said...

From a Google search:

He was born in West Moreland, Jamaica, BWI on 16 June 1895 to James Salmon and Caroline Warren. There is no indication that he was ever married. Although he technically resided in this country most of his adult life and he obtained a US Social Security number, he remained a British subject.
Although he technically resided in the USA most of his adult life and he obtained a US Social Security number, he remained a British subject. He first appears in a 1924 Baltimore city directory as porter. He made Baltimore his home permanently.At some point in the 1930s he joined the US Merchant Marine and worked as a cook and, later, chief cook until his death. He completed a US draft registration card in 1942 which is attached. This is the only documentwhere he indicates a middle initial (“D”). Note that he checks the “race” box on the reverse as “white.” I have no explanation why because he was black and that is indicated on every other document I could find (most of which were discharge manifests at the end of his many voyages). Also, in Block 7, Name and Address of Person Who Will Know Your Address, he lists “Jacob Cartner 525 Balto. Trust Bld.,” which is an office number in the old Baltimore Trust Building (the name has changed many times over the years). Also, he gives his occupation as “seaman” although he had a title. On his Headstone Inscription and Interment Record for his grave. Note in Section B, Name and Address of Next of Kin, is “Jacob Kartman (friend) 525 O’Sullivan Building, Baltimore, Maryland.” Despite the miss-spelling in Salmon’s draft registration, Jacob Cartner/Kartman is the same man; by 1945 the building changes names but the office number is the same. UNsure what the personal or professional relationship was between Salmon and Kartman because Kartman was a lawyer and it would make sense for Salmon to have engaged a lawyer to handle his affairs while he was at sea. During the war, he was at sea almost continually. His penultimate trip was to Oran and Gibraltar.
Contributor: Andy (48021049)

Anonymous said...

From Ancestry.com:


Name: Percy D Salmon
Gender: Male
Residence Age: 47
Birth Date: 16 Jun 1895
Birth Place: West Moreland, Jamaica
Residence Date: 1942
Residence Place: 42 S. Bond Street, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
(From U.S. WWII Draft Registration card)

Name: Percy Salmon
Gender: Male
Rank: MERCHANT SEAMAN
Residence Place: Maryland
Death Date: 18 Oct 1945
Cemetery: Rhone
Burial Place: Draguignan, France
Next of Kin: Jacob Kartman
Next of Kin Relationship: Friend
(From U.S. Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil)

Name: Percy Salmon
Inducted From: Maryland
Rank: Master Sergeant
Combat Organization: United States Merchant Marine
Death Date: 18 Oct 1945
Monument: Rhone, Draguignan, France
Last Known Status: Buried
(From WWII and Korean War Veterans Interred Overseas)

Name: Percy Salmon
Gender: Male
Race: Negro (Black)
Religion: Protestant
Cemetery Name: Draguignan (Permanent Cemetery), Draguignan, France
Grave Number: a 1 22
Disposition: Administrative Decision
Service Branch: Merchant Marine
Service Number: 195340
(From U.S. Rosters of WWII Dead, 1939-1945)

Records show at least 40 Atlantic crossings during WWII on dozens of ships. Further research is invited.

Anonymous said...

Free breakfast to veterans at Daytons family restaurant on Monday the 12. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

By percentage, the Merchant Marine had the second highest lost of life in WWII. The Marines were the highest.

Anonymous said...

If no more efforts to determine this brave soul's multiple Atlantic crossings during WWII's horrible assaults on oceangoing shipping, and perhaps his efforts during the defense of France and the rest of Europe, it will be a black mark against the legacy of this man.

Anonymous said...

Our country's liberal base has taught socialism to our children and grandchildren for years and now they are voting for anyone who is offering equality by handing out free stuff to keep people dependent on our government. Our Nation was founded on a different principle, one involving the Creator and the Ten Commandments. It's what makes us unique. Muslim beliefs are not compatible with our Constitution. Obama brought more Muslim refugees here than Christians to move toward change. The liberals want to replace our Constitution with one that is more progressive with open borders, one world religion, one world government, and one world monetary system, a cashless society. But that way is not the American way that allows freedom of religion, expression, speech, etc. The death of America will only allow such a thing to happen.

Anonymous said...

Thank you to all who have contributed information about Percy Salmon. I will forward this information on to the Rhône Cemetery.

If anyone knows his friend or Lawyer Kacob Cartner/Kartman or his family f the Baltimore area, perhaps they will know more about this Merchant Marine. The Rhône Cemetery, we Americans and history want to know more about this man who gave the ultimate sacrifice.