During World War II, the 6th Armored Division activated on Feb. 15, 1942 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. They moved to Camp Chafee in Arkansas on March 15, 1942. They participated in the VII Corps Louisiana Maneuvers in August of 1942 and trained at Camp Young in October of 1942 and then Camp Cooke, both in California. They left from New York harbor in February of 1944 and arrived in England for further training.
The 6th Armored Division landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France on July 19, 1944. They fought in the Cotentin Peninsula, Pont de la Roque, Granville and Avranches in July. In August and September some of the division fought in the Battle for Brest.
A portion of the division was fighting near Nancy on Oct. 1, 1944 and along the Seille River near the Gremecey Forest.
The 6th Armored Division then fought across France and crossed the Saar and Nied Rivers in November. In December they journeyed to Metz and fought in the Battle of the Bulge along the Sauer and Our Rivers.
In March of 1945 they were fighting along the Rhine River at Worms, Germany. They fought at Frankfurt, Band Nauheim, and Muhlhausen. They liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp in April. They were fighting along the Mulde River when V-E Day occurred on May 8, 1945.
The division inactivated on Sept. 18, 1945 at Camp Shanks, New York.
Lafayette County soldier, Homer I. Malott, served with Company B of the 9th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 6th Armored Division of the US Army. This was the “Super Sixth” which was a part of General Patton’s 3rd Army.
Homer Irvin Malott was born Oct. 14, 1919 to Elmer and Eva (Johnson) Malott in Blanchardville.
This researcher could not find the family on the 1920 U.S. census. Father Elmer died on May 19, 1924 in Darlington. Mother Eva Malott remarried Edward C. Duval on Jan. 22, 1930.
From the 1930 U.S. Census for “Fayette Town” for La Fayette County, Wisconsin, the Edward Duval family included his wife Eva L. and her children Delbert, Homer, Geraldine, and John. They are listed as his stepchildren, however they all have the surname of Duval. Edward was a farmer in general farming.
Mother Eva (Johnson) Malott Duval died on March 16, 1933.
From the 1940 U.S. Census for Seymour Township in Lafayette County, Homer Malott was working as a hired man living with Fred Tuescher, his wife Helen and their 6-month-old son, Rodney. Homer had an 8th grade education and was working as a farm laborer for paid wages.
On Oct. 16, 1940, Homer Irvin Malott registered for the WWII Draft. He was living in Darlington and registered in Darlington. His employer was Fred Tuescher. His next of kin was his uncle Howard Johnson, who was his mother’s brother.
On Feb. 11, 1942, Homer I. Malott enlisted for WWII at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His civil occupation was “farm hands, general farms.”
From the Oct. 24, 1944, Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Homer Malott Killed in France,” the news from Darlington was “Pfc. Homer I. Malott, 25, Darlington, was killed in action in France on Oct. 1, according to a war department telegram received here Saturday by his sister, Mrs. John Hirshbrunner.
“Prior to his induction into the army on Feb. 11, 1941 (sic:1942), he was engaged in farming near Darlington. He was born at Blanchardville. Most of his life was spent on farms near Darlington. He arrived in England in January and was sent to France shortly after the invasion.
“He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Hirshbrunner, and a half-sister, Janet Duval, both of Darlington; and two brothers, Delbert, Darlington, and John, serving with the armed forces.
“Memorial services Sunday at the Methodist church in Darlington were conducted by the Rev. E. J. Jeffrey.”
From the Oct. 6, 1948, The Capital Times article titled “Bodies of 19 City, Area War Dead Returned,” the article stated “Bodies of three Madison members of the armed forces, and of 16 from the Madison area, are among 7,000 which have been returned from Europe aboard the army transport Carroll Victory, the department of the army announced today...” Included in the list was Pvt. Homer I. Malott, Darlington.
From the Nov. 8, 1948, Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Services Friday for Pfc. Malott,” the notice stated “Reburial services for Pfc. Homer I. Malott, who was killed in action in France, Oct. 1, 1944, will be held at the Nelson-Sharer funeral…and in Union Grove cemetery...”
Homer I. Malott is listed on the WWII Gold Star Honor Roll for Lafayette County. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.
Thank you, Private First Class Homer Irvin Malott, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.
