Veterans

The Chariton County Historical Society is working to collect the biographies of all the veterans of Chariton County history. If you have a biography that you would like to share with us, please download and mail the veteran’s biography form accompanied by a photocopy of the veteran in uniform if possible.

Click here to download the biography form.

Brigadier-General Casper Bell Rucker

Brigadier-General Casper Bell Rucker Sept. 9, 1886-March 30, 1948 (Regular Army) Chariton County Courier – Friday July 16, 1943 Casper Bell Rucker was born in Brunswick in Chariton County, the son of the late Lovick Rucker. He graduated from Brunswick High School and attended Missouri…

General Joseph Phelps

Joseph Phelps, Army General Aug. 27, 1898-July 17, 1981 Joseph Vincil was born in Salisbury, Missouri on August 27, 1898, the son of Toddie V. and Nannie Adams Phelps. Before entering the Military Academy on June 14, 1917, he attended schools in Golden, Colorado, as…

Rear Admiral Paul A. Holmberg

Rear Admiral Paul A. Holmberg April 18, 1915 – July 27, 1986 Paul Algodte Holmberg was born in Stanberry, Missouri April 18, 1915 to John Peter and Hilma Augusta Johnson Holmberg. John P. Holmberg, a track supervisor for the Wabash Railway was soon transferred to…

Lt. Colonel Edward Ponder

Lt. Colonel Edward Leroy Ponder, USAF February 24, 1935 – May 19, 2021 Lt. Colonel Edward Leroy Ponder was born in Rockford, Missouri. He started his military career in 1958. His first assignment was to Alaska where both he his wife, Katie, became licensed pilots.…

General Maxwell Taylor

Maxwell Davenport Taylor United States Army Officer Maxwell Taylor, 1944. Image: National Archives, Washington, D.C. By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 15, 2022 This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray. Maxwell Davenport Taylor, (born August 26, 1901, Keytesville,…

Major Floyd B. Parks

Floyd Bruce Parks was born in Salisbury, Missouri on January 16, 1911, the first child of James B. Parks and his wife Elizabeth “Bess” Ann Bowman. Floyd had a younger brother, Billy Bowman Parks, who was also a Naval Aviator during WWII. Their father died…

Novia L. Moore

The first Chariton County boy to sacrifice his life in battle for the great principles of freedom and democracy is Novia L. Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Moore of Forest Green. Mr. Moore received a telegram last Friday, conveying to him the news…

Wayne E. Meyer

Wayne E. Meyer was born in Brunswick, Missouri on April 21, 1926 to Eugene and Nettie Gunn Meyer. His family were livestock and grain farmers working soil called gumbo by the locals. Eugene lost everything in the Great Depression and moved his family of four…