Bartow at Home
Bartow R. Theall was born in 1921 in Palmyra Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania to Ruth and Frank Theall. Between 1930 and 1940 Ruth remarried, to Harry Stiles. He was the youngest of three, brother Duane, and his older sisters Gertrude and Frances. After graduating from Hawley High School he worked in Palmyra before he enlisted in 1941 in Philadelphia, PA, and given the rank of private. He was married to Harriet Seiler in 1943 just before he left for England.
Special thank you to JoAnn Seiler and Ann O'Hara for the these photos!
Palmyra Township during WWII
His home of Palmyra Township in Wayne County is very close to the border between Pennsylvania and New York. It's largely a rural farming community that had a population of 365 in 1930. It was responsible for contributing young men to the war effort, and participated in the war bond efforts.
His Death
He died shortly after the parachute drop, and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for heroism in combat. According to the local newspaper, the Wayne Independent from June 24, 1944:
"Barto (sic) Theall, 23, Native of Hawley, Killed On D-day"
"Wayne County’s first D-Day casualty is recorded. A telegram from the War Department to Mrs. Harriet Seiler Theall of 117 Prospect Street, Hawley, Friday morning, stated that her husband Sgt. Barto Theall, a paratrooper, was killed in action in France on June 6. The young man, a native of Hawley, was twenty-three years old and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stiles of Hawley. "
"Barto (sic) Theall, 23, Native of Hawley, Killed On D-day"
"Wayne County’s first D-Day casualty is recorded. A telegram from the War Department to Mrs. Harriet Seiler Theall of 117 Prospect Street, Hawley, Friday morning, stated that her husband Sgt. Barto Theall, a paratrooper, was killed in action in France on June 6. The young man, a native of Hawley, was twenty-three years old and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stiles of Hawley. "
Bartow's name on the World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel.