Vernon E. Mansfield was born on July 16, 1921, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Mansfield. Although Vernon’s family resided in Kokomo, Indiana, Vernon lived with the Henry Buse family in Lennox for six years before he enlisted in the Army.

Vernon joined the Army in July of 1939. He was at Pearl Harbor as part of the 35th Division when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. He was quoted as saying in a letter home shortly before his death,

We are trying to carry on the traditions for which our

forefathers fought…and to teach the world that freedom,

humanity, and Christianity is the only way for man to live.

I hope, for God’s sake, we succeed.

Vernon Mansfield was killed in action on September 10, 1943, on an island in the Pacific. He was one of the first casualties from the Lennox area.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Erik A. Shipley, 8th Grade West, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, November 21, 2000. Information for this entry was provided by Verlyn Hofer, Lennox, South Dakota, editor of the Lennox community history book.

Title Page - South Dakota State Library

Vernon E Mansfield