Looking for Info - John Willard Dolan - Sgt 49th Regt Engineers

[Bob Epperson]

I originally posted this in the wrong forum page.. sorry

 

Hi, my grandfather, John Willard Dolan, was a Sgt in Co. D 49th Regt Engineers at Camp Carson, Colorado. He wasn't there very long because he was killed near the base on November 1, 1942 by a military jeep driven by two other soliders. My mother was born the following month in December and never knew her father. I know that it might be a long shot, but I am posting this to see if anyone remembers him or anything about him.

 

This is the text from a newspaper article about the accident:

 

Denver Post - Monday, November 2, 1942 - Page 8: Two Soldiers arrested in auto killing. "Shoe on road leads to discovery of Camp Carson man's body. Colorado Springs - Nov. 2 - A.P. : A shoe lying in the hightway led to discovery of the body of John W. Dolan, 28, a soldier at Camp Carson on Monday. Two other soldiers, whose car was believed to have struck Dolan, were held by military authorities. Hwy. Patrolman, Art E. Lundy, found the body in a ditch a mile south of Colorado Springs Sunday. Both legs were fractured. Capt. P. O. Widman, Camp Carson police relations officer, said Pvt. Gabriel Vega and Staff Sargent Elfonso Gallegos were questioned by investigating officers. One headlight on their car was broken and there was glass strewn along the road at the scene of the accident, Deputy Coroner Fred Baker, Jr. reported. Dolan formally resided at Sheridan, Michcigan. His wife lives in Detroit."

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Alexandra Briseno

[Walt's Daughter]

That's okay, for it can be a bit confusing at first...

 

Welcome to the forum. There is quite a bit of info on the 49th on the main site and the forum, which you should find helpful.

 

We can only hope someone remembers this and can reply, but as the years pass, it gets more and more difficult, for there aren't many left from the unit anymore.

 

What a sad, sad story. I can't imagine how your grandmother must have felt. Family expects that this may happen while overseas, but never, never at home.