Pfc Howard Carter Phelps was born in Cook County, Illinois, on June 29, 1925, to Howard W. Phelps and Leota Phelps, It appears he used his middle name Carter as his first name to avoid confusion with his father. The family resided at 1912 South 11th Street, Maywood, Illinois. He graduated from Garfield School and attended Proviso Township High School for three years but left when his parents appear to have divorced and his mother moved to Jefferson County Missouri in 1943. Both his parents remarried. His father, appears to have been in the Illinois National Guard and called to federal service. It is known he lived at 3183 17th Street, North Wellington, Virginia.
After moving to Missouri, he enlisted in the US Army on September 7, 1943. Two of the bases that it is known that he trained at where Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and Fort Benning, Georgia. It is not known when, but he was assigned to C Company, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. The division is known to have trained at Camp Philipps, Kansas, Camp Iron Mountain, California, and Camp Laguna, Arizona, from December 1943 to March 1944.
On July 1, 1944, the 8oth Division left the United States and landed in France where they joined in the Northern France campaign i August 1944, and helped to close the gap at Falaise, France. his regiment, the 317th spearheaded the attack of the City of Nancy. Because of supply problems, his division held its position. When things had been worked out, it took up the attack again. What is known is that the regiment was ordered to advance on the high ground south of Farėbersville, France. Howard’s company was under heavy artillery and mortar fire and suffered heavy casualties. Records show that Carter was killed in action when he received a gun shot wound to his head on November 28, 1944. Carter was buried in the United States Military Cemetery, Limay, France, in Plot Q, Row 10, Grave 245.
His mother was sent a telegram by the War Department.
MRS LOETA FARRIS
100 FOREST HILL
JEFFERSON CITY MO
THE SECRETARY OF WAR HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR SON PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HOWARD C PHELPS WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON 28 NOVEMBER IN FRANCE LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The War Department waited on sending the telegram because although it was known Carter was dead, it did not have the exact date of death. The content of the letter that followed the telegram is not known. His father would have received the same telegram and letter. Being that Carter was dead, his father became his legal next of kin. His father was on active duty and held the rank of major. A letter , dated September 26, 1945, was sent to him indicating that since Japan had surrendered the process of final burials of the dead would begin. Another letter, dated May 10, 1946, arrived telling his father where Carter was buried and the location of his grave was at the USMC, Limay France. His father apparently was released from active duty and returned to Maywood, where he resided at 1912 South 11th Avenue.
The Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, sent his father another letter, dated July 22, 1947, telling him of the options available for Carter’s final burial. His father was asked to fill-out and return to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, an enclosed form indicating where she wanted Carter buried. The completed form was received by the OQMG on August 11th, indicating that Carter should be returned to the US and buried in Saint Louis, Missouri.
On June 18, 1948, Carter’s remains were disinterred and sent to American Graves Registration Center, Antwerp, Belgium, where they were casketed. His casket was placed on the USAT Lawrence Victory on August 5, 1948, and the ship sailed and arrived at the New York Port of Entry on August 19th. His casket was sent by train to the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #8, Chicago, arriving there on the 25th. His remains remained in Chicago for almost a month. His casket was placed on Train #11, Wabash Railroad and arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, at approximately 4:55 pm, September 24th. From the depot his casket was taken to the C. R. Lupton & Son Funeral Home. On September 25, 1948, Private First Class Howard C. Phelps was buried at the Valhalla Cemetery, Saint Louis, Missouri
