Publishing the history & culture
of Southeastern New England • Since 1981
Publishing the history & culture
of Southeastern New England • Since 1981
Available Soon
Paperback
ISBN 978-0932027-
368 pages • 9” x 10.75”
900+ photos & Illustrations
Also available as an eBook!
Edited by
Lisa Strattan • John T. Duffy • Elizabeth • Robert P. Lawrence
Drawing extensively from the archived newspaper articles of the Fall River Herald News, this book illuminates the profound impact of World War II casualties on Fall River, Massachusetts. The city's entry into the conflict was starkly marked by the sinking of the USS Oglala, originally the locally beloved "Massachusetts" from the Fall River Line, during the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941. This devastating event resonated deeply within the community, making the war's reality intensely personal as a cherished local vessel was destroyed. In response, a wave of mobilization swept through Fall River, with countless young men enlisting to serve their nation.
As the war progressed, the human cost continued to escalate, as detailed in the Herald News accounts. By November 1944, a staggering 16,000 "boys" from Fall River were serving in the Armed Forces, a figure representing over 10% of the city's 115,042 residents—and remarkably, 50% higher than the national average. Each enlistment carried the heavy potential for profound loss, a pervasive reality for families throughout the city. The community's unwavering support for its service members was frequently highlighted, such as the "four hours pay for the boys away" pledge from K and G Manufacturing Company employees, demonstrating a shared understanding of the immense sacrifices being made.
The Fall River Herald News articles also meticulously documented the war's personal toll through tragic stories of fallen soldiers and those wounded in action. Among these, Chief Quartermaster John Francis Sheehan, a Fall River native, lost his life during the Battle of Guadalcanal, later honored by a destroyer escort named in his memory. Private First Class John Grandfield was killed in Germany in October 1944, a loss that prompted his widow, Mrs. Blanche Grandfield, to enlist in the WAC, contributing to the war effort in a different capacity. The newspaper also reported on individuals like Private Joseph Silvia, a Fall River resident wounded twice near the Anzio Beachhead, underscoring the severe personal risks faced by those on the front lines.
Beyond the individual casualties, the extensive reporting in the Herald News conveyed a pervasive sense of anxiety and a collective understanding of loss that permeated Fall River throughout the war. The narratives surrounding fallen service members, the widespread enlistment, and the community’s consistent efforts to support the troops and honor their sacrifices, as chronicled by the local paper, powerfully underscore the profound and tangible impact of the war’s casualties on the city. Fall River’s enduring resilience and determination during this period were inextricably linked to these personal losses and the ongoing risks bravely faced by its citizens serving in the armed forces.
