Benjamin Orman Sparkman

May 14, 1942

Flagler County has 74 men in the various branches of the armed forces at this time ..... the list up to date is as follows: BENJAMIN ORMAN SPARKMAN

October 8, 1942

BEN SPARKMAN, who was in the same outfit with Andrew Thompson at Camp Bowie for so long, has been transferred to Fort Bragg, N. C.

January 7, 1943

We had a postcard from BEN SPARKMAN a few days ago which was sent from French Morocco. The card was postmarked November 27 and passed by a censor.

May 6, 1943

Had a letter this week, also, from Andrew Thompson who is at Camp Beauregard, La., asking for the address of Zeno Mercer at Camp Clairborne, La., and BEN SPARKMAN (in Africa) since last fall. Andrew and Ben went into the army together. We'll write you a letter, Andrew and give the addresses. Can't do it in this column. Incidentally, I offer congratulations on the promotion to Sgt. and hope you can I get the furlough soon.

July 22, 1943

We surely was glad to get a letter this week from BEN SPARKMAN. The last time we heard directly from Ben was soon after he landed in “French Moroco” last November when he requested us to change his address on The Tribune. He’s still “somewhere in Africa,” but Ben says “This is the hottest place I have ever tried to live. It is even hotter than the last three months in Tunisia which (for me) were plenty hot.”

He said, also that he had just received a June copy of The Tribune “and was surely glad to get the news of Bunnell for several of the papers have never arrived.”

(We are glad, Ben, you get most of the papers, and remember your Uncle Sam is a great guy or he wouldn’t be able to get any of ‘em to you - - what with shipping space so scarce. Good Luck, and write again)

September 16, 1943

First off this week is a V. Mail letter from BEN SPARKMAN from "Somewhere in Sicily."

(He probably is in Italy by now since the letter was dated August 23). However, Ben said

"I'm doing OK. Have been in Sicily for several weeks and I find everything about the same as in Africa except the mountains here which are really rugged. I have had several views of Mount Etna and saw the smoke coming out of the top.” He added that "I really appreciate the paper always look forward to the column about the boys in service."

(We are glad you are getting the paper, Ben, and the other fellows in service are glad to read your letter.)

September 23, 1943

A certificate of commendation for outstanding service and devotion to duty has been awarded Pvt. BENJAMIN O. SPARKMAN. We heard from Ben last week, writing from Sicily, but he didn't give us this information.

The commendation reads: "On April 10, 1943, in Tunisia, Pvt. Benjamin O. Sparkman, preceded rough a mine field filled with booby traps and anti-personnel mines to the aid of a severely wounded man, He applied first aid and did everything in his power for the comfort of the wounded man, staying with him until he was evacuated to the rear and safety. Pvt. Sparkman's conduct was exceptionally meritorious."

The commendation is signed by M. S. Eddy, Major General, U. S. Army, commanding.

(Why in didn't you write us about it? Don't be so modest!)

December 2, 1943

BEN SPARKMAN, with the army in Sicily, has sent us two Christmas cards, which, we assume, were printed in that country. They are nice, Ben, and thanks a lot. It certainly makes us feel good to get Christmas cards from you fellows who are so far away.

December 30, 1943

Also from somewhere in England comes a V-Mail from Cpl. BEN SPARKMAN dated December 7 and saying "I am still seeing the world at the expense of the government. I am now in England. Everything here is really OK, after staying over a year in Africa and Sicily x x x. Two years ago today I spent in Bunnell (Those were the days). I am getting The Tribune and thanks a lot."

August 24, 1944

BEN SPARKMAN BATTLE CASUALTY

Tech. 5th Grade BENJAMIN O. SPARKMAN, whose wife resides in Holly Hill, was wounded in action about July 15, his brother, Steve Sparkman, said today.

This week his folks received a letter from Ben stating that he received an injury to one of his feet but is not considered serious, and is resting well in a hospital in England.

Ben went into the army from Bunnell about three years ago, serving in Africa, Sicily and Italy before returning to England and thence to France where he was wounded.

He is in the infantry.

November 30, 1944

Pvt. Forrest Durrance wrote his parents here from "Somewhere in France" saying he had run into BEN SPARKMAN also from Bunnell. Ben went through the African, Sicilian and Normandy campaigns, was wounded in Normandy, hospitalized and is now back in his same old outfit in the line.

May 10, 1945

BEN SPARKMAN BRONZE STAR FOR NORMANDY ACTION

Cpl. BEN O. SPARKMAN, brother of Steve Sparkman here, and who is an infantry medic that went through the African, Sicilian and Normandy campaigns, has been awarded the Bronze Star, The Tribune learns from his wife, Mrs. Leona Sparkman of Holly Hill. The citation accompanying the award related:

"For heroic action against the enemy on June 23, 1944, in the vicinity of Flottemaniulle-Hague, Normandy, France, Cpl. Sparkman, without regard for his personal safety, attended the wounds and helped evacuate wounded men while under the direct fire of three enemy tanks.

Cpl. Sparkman was wounded early in the engagement but refused to leave the scene of action or take cover until the last of the wounded was evacuated and until an attack was beaten off."

Cpl. Sparkman won the Soldier's Medal during the African campaign and was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Normandy. He is still overseas – either in Germany or France.

May 17, 1945

Well we got something from Cpl. BEN O. SPARKMAN, then in Belgium that, personally, we liked immensely - a photograph of himself. Ben didn't write us a letter. Just sent the picture on which was written "Hello, Bunnell" and "On pass from Germany to Brussels, Belgium, May 1, 1945. Thanks for the news. Hope to see you before too long."

(Well, Ben you've been through a lot of war since landing in Africa, but you look just like you used too. We certainly hope to see you in person soon.)

July 26, 1945

We understand that BEN O. SPARKMAN has recently been discharged from the service. Ben was with the medics and was in the ETO from Africa to the final victory in Europe.

October 11, 1945

...... the following men perhaps well known to you - are now just plain Mister Civilian. They have been given honorable discharges from Uncle Sam’s fighting forces .....

BENJAMIN O. SPARKMAN