TROY E. KEITH
TEXAS
PFC 311 INF 78 DIV
WWII
MARCH 25 1926 APRIL 12 1945
Troy Elijah Keith was killed in Voilersheim, Germany at 19 years old. He was my first cousin on my father’s side of the family. His mother died a few days after he was born. I was too young to have remembered seeing him, but I do remember being there with my family when his body was brought back from Europe after the war. His body arrived on a train and was given a military burial at Cleveland Memorial Cemetery in Cleveland, Texas, a small town north of Houston. I have not been able to find a photograph of him.
THE COASTAL CRONE 
A touching memorial, Jo. Troy is remembered not only by you but us as well.
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Thanks, John. So many like him are forgotten. He had no wife or children so I am sure no one visits his grave nor have I ever been back. I am grateful for all those who stopped by to read and comment. We are losing so many of those WWII veterans who survived. Thanks for remembering with me!
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I’m sure Troy appreciated your post.
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How sad and so young! So close to the end of the war. I wonder if anyone in your family tree might have one. I was surprised to find a photo of my cousin, who died that young as well during WWII. It was among my mother’s photos.
There are many military websites. You might be able to find his company through Ancestry.com or a veterans’ association, and through them, you might be able to get a photo. The Church of the Latter Day Saints has comprehensive genealogy records. I have some hunting of my own to do, and I admit, it can be daunting.
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Yes, his death always seemed so said to me. My grandmother helped raise him. I have asked around the family for photos but no one seems to have one or remember seeing one.
I found a copy of his enlistment record at Ancestry.com which gave a little information and wrote down a Service # on it but can’t remember where I got it. Now I am inspired to do more research. Thanks for the suggestions!
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My condolences to you and your family for your loss.
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Thank you. I know that my grandmother took it very hard since she had helped raise him after his mother (her daughter) died of complications from childbirth a few days after he was born.
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He was only 19… A touching memorial.
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Thank you, Amy. I didn’t know much about him so I wanted to keep it simple. There were so many like him who never came home.
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When will we ever learn?…
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A wonderful, sincere tribute that reminds us of the sacrifices so many made.
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Yes, we take so many of our freedoms for granted. And it is hard to put my gratitude into words. Thank you for your service never seems enough. Thanks for taking time to remember Troy. I hope all is well with you and your family.
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Thank you, Jo Nell, for this touching story of remembrance. Back when I had a membership to Fold3, I found a photo of my mother’s cousin who was killed over Italy in WWII. She had wanted to know what I could learn about him. All I knew was his name, but I was able to locate him, I hope you can find Troy. Every time I see one of these markers in the cemetery, I always stop to learn about the person it represents.
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I am inspired by comments to search for a photo. I never bothered to ask my father what he looked like or asked more about him. Glad you found your mother’s cousin. It is amazing what he can find from research from the comfort of home! Thanks for the visit!
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My “one” is my uncle Jack, whom I never met. My grandparents and his siblings never spoke of him, but his photo hung in every family members’ house. A few years ago, thanks to the internet, I located him, buried in Manila, the Philippines. GP mentioned him a few weeks ago in the memorial list, and it made me so happy.
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Glad you found your Uncle Jack. It was nice that he was remembered by your family with photos. Sometimes not talking about someone doesn’t mean they weren’t missed. I found the photo of his grave via Find A Grave. Now I want to find a photo. It is amazing what one can find with internet research. I hope you had a safe Memorial Day weekend. Hurricane season starts tomorrow! Cheers!
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How many young men were brought back home in body bags. And what did that war or any of the subsequent wars achieve. Such a waste of so many young lives
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Oh, I agree! And now we have a senseless war In Ukraine that has echos of WWII. Let us hope it does not go there!
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Thanks for sharing your poignant memory. Well done, Jo!
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Thanks, Frank. The words were hard to find for me so I kept it simple and focused on recognizing his service and remembering him even if no one else did. Thanks for recognizing just by reading. Take care!
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So touching! I can’t imagine losing a son at that age. We owe those who serve so much.
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It tells a simple story – he died so young and the war was almost over. I know my grandmother grieved for him because she had helped raise him after his mother (her daughter) died a few days after he was born. So many like him from WWII. I remember several young men from my home town that did not come home from Vietnam and never got to go on with their lives.
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The true cost of war is always in human life…..I pray for a day when there are no wars, anywhere.
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Sending Blessings .. So many young men scarified their all.. And may we all remember that they did so fighting for freedoms..
A lovely tribute to your first cousin Jo…
Much love to you ❤
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Yes, we take so much for granted in this country when we have so much when others are still fighting for freedoms and rights. I wanted to write something that would pay tribute to his short life. Hugs and love back to you!
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And you did a beautiful tribute ❤
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JoNell, thank you so much for posting this. Andy, Pam and I were remembering Uncle Troy yesterday. We didn’t know much about him or his death. (Before we were born). Daddy didn’t talk much about his brother or his dying in the war. I’m also glad to know where his grave is. I’m going to send this to Pam and Andy. Andy has done a lot of genealogy research of Daddy’s family. I’ll see if he has a picture of Troy.
Thank you again, Cousin.
I miss seeing you, and love you and your blog.
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Thanks, Kim! I am so glad that you, Andy and Pam remembered him. My father never talked about him much either. I know Grandma Harvill helped raise him some as well as Elbert Keith’s mother helped as he had three other children to take care of. I wonder if the step-children with May have any photos or memories? Please share what you find. I am going to do more research. Miss seeing you too. Thanks for reading my humble blog and following! Hugs to all my cousins!
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He was so young. Still a teenager. Very sad and tragic. History just keeps repeating itself. Blessings to you, MW ❤️
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Yes, he joined at 18 and was killed in just over a year. Thanks for the visit and comment. Take care!
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So sad ! only nineteen years! War only brings destroy! Well shared.
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Thanks. I wanted to remember him in a respectful way. The dates told it all. I appreciate the visit and comment!
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You are welcome 🙂 stay blessed 🤗🥰
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Dearest Jo Nell. We always remember. There is always tears.. Cheers Virginia
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Yes, we must always remember even if it has been a long time ago. Take care!
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He was so young! It is a beautiful tribute you put here for him, my friend
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You might try Ancestry. com…….you might find a relative that would have a picture. I was able to find pictures of my grandfather that are truly treasures. An aunt had taken all of the pictures of him and all I had were a few snapshhots.
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I did find a little information there about his service. There is one half-sister still alive that I will write to. She probably has her father’s things and there might be a photo. Thanks for the visit and comments, Sue. Try to stay cool this summer! Take care.
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