Sgt. Vernon Gregoroff

Vernon William Gregoroff was born on May 31, 1921 in Yelm, Thurston County, Washington to Barney and Mabel Symmonds Gregoroff. Mother Mabel was born in Grant Township in Monroe County. Father Barney F. Gregoroff was born on Kodiak Island in Alaska. The family moved from Washington state to Monroe County. Wisconsin sometime in the mid-1920s.

Vernon Gregoroff attended the Clear Creek School in Millston from 1925-1926.

On the 1930 US Census, Vernon W. “Gregorass” was living with his family in Grant Township in Monroe County, Wisconsin. Mother Mabel was the head of household. Also in the household were siblings Leola J. and Wilbur G. Mabel was a widow. She worked as a housekeeper for a private family for wages. {Note: It is not true that Mabel was widowed. On the 1940 US census she says she was married. Her husband did not die until 1965, and he was living in Washington state. It is possible they were separated or divorced.}

Vernon registered for the WWII draft on February 16, 1942. At the time he was living in Trego, Lincoln County, Montana. He was 20 years old and gave his date of birth as May 31, 1921 in Yelm, Washington. He gave his next of kin as Mrs. Mabel Gregoroff in Tunnel City, Wisconsin. His employer was Allen Bain in Trego, Montana.

Vernon enlisted for service on June 13, 1942 in Missoula, Montana. He was born in 1921 and had a grammar school education. He was single without dependents and was working in “unskilled sawmill occupations.” He enlisted as a Private in the US Army.

Vernon eventually served with the 80th Infantry Division, 318th Infantry Regiment. The 80th Infantry Division was first activated in August of 1917 during World War I. During World War II, the division was called the “Blue Ridge Division” and originally was staffed with draftees from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The division was activated for service in World War II in July of 1942 at Camp Forrest in Tennessee. They later trained at Camp Phillips in Kansas and the Desert Training Center in California. The division went overseas in July of 1944 and landed at Utah Beach on August 5, 1944. They battled in France pushing Germans out of the country. From September to November 1944 the division set up defensive positions in the Saar Basin at the France-Germany border.

On October 9, 1944, Vernon William Gregoroff was killed in action somewhere in France likely near the Saar Basin.

From the November 1, 1944 Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell, MT) article titled “Trego Soldier Killed in Battle Action,” the article stated that “Word that Pvt. Vernon Gregoroff of Trego was killed in action was received by relatives from the War department. No details are available but additional information is to be furnished when possible, the message advises.”

From the November 3, 1944 La Crosse Tribune article titled “Sgt. Vernon Gregoroff Is Killed in Action,” the article stated that “Sgt. Vernon W. Gregoroff, son of Mrs. Mabel Gregeroff of 413 Chester street was killed in action Oct. 9 according to word from the war department.

Sgt. Gregoroff moved from Sparta to Trego, Mont., in 1940 and lived there until his induction into the army. He is survived by his mother, a sister, Mrs. Rolland Griffin of Sparta, a brother, Pvt. Wilbur Gregeroff, who is serving in France and his wife and son who reside in Trego, Mont.”

From the September 9, 1945 La Crosse Tribune article titled “More Than 30 Sparta Area Fatalities in World War II,” the article includes Vernon Gregeroff, son of Mrs. Mabel Gregeroff, killed in France Oct. 9, 1940.”

From the National WWII Memorial registry there are two memorial pages for Sgt. Vernon W. Gregoroff. One page notes that his hometown was Lincoln County, Montana. His ID # was 39607203 and he was killed in action.

The other page gives his hometown as Trego, MT and that he was honored by his wife Mrs. Courtney B. Ebaugh, This memorial page gives the additional information that Sgt. Gregoroff was an “Infantryman in European Theater. Buried in St. Avold, France. Killed October 9, 1944.

The death notice in the La Crosse Tribune listed an unnamed wife and son as surviving Vernon W. Gregoroff. This researcher believes the evidence points to the fact that he was married to Courtney B. Calvert, and had a son named Vernon Thomas Gregoroff {Note: It is possible they are both living in 2020 so no further details will be shared here.{

From FindAGrave, the memorial page for Vernon W. Gregoroff (ID #39607203) it stated that he entered the service from Montana and had the final rank of Sergeant. His service was with the US Army, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. He died Monday, October 9, 1944. His is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery, in St. Avold (Moselle), France. His marker is at plot B, row 26, Grave 48. Vernon W. Gregeroff was born May 31, 1921 in Yelm, Thurston County, Washington. He died October 9, 1944. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France.

Sergeant Vernon W. Gregoroff was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.

From the Honor States website, the service overview gives the information that Vernon W. Gregoroff was from Lincoln County, Montana and died on October 9, 1944. He served in World War II in the US Army with a final rank of Sergeant. He served with the 80th Infantry Division, 318th Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action in hostile combat and was awarded the Purple Heart.

From the US Rosters of World War II dead, Vernon W. Gregoroff was a male, white, and Protestant. He was buried at Saint Avold (Permanent Cemetery) in Saint Avold, France. Grave number B, 27, 48. His disposition was according to next of kin. He served with the US Army, had the final rank of Sergeant and service number was 39607203.

From the US Headstone and Interment record, Vernon W. Gregoroff, Sgt. 318 Inf, 80 Div, Montana, Oct 9, 1944, His service number was 39607203. He was buried at St. Avold block B, row 27, grave 48. His decorations were PH (Purple Heart). His next of kin was Mrs. Mable S. Gregoroff (mother) and address given was Wisconsin Child Center, Sparta, Wis. which was her place of employment. The grave marker is a cross.

His father Barney F. Gregeroff was a WWI veteran and was buried in Pierce County, Washington. His mother Mabel was buried in the LaGrange cemetery in Tomah, Monroe County, Wisconsin.

Vernon had an older sister Leola Jean born in 1919 in Snohomish County, Washington. She married and stayed in Monroe County. She was buried in LaGrange cemetery in Tomah, Monroe County, Wisconsin. A younger brother Wilbur Gay was born in 1924 in Monroe County, Wisconsin. He served in World War II and survived. He was buried in Flathead County, Montana.