PICAYUNE —
Lt. Col. Lourie N. Formby III spoke to Picayune Rotarians at their Tuesday meeting about the life of Charles Wilmon “Billy” Stuart, Jr.
Formby researched and interviewed H Company members who served with Stuart, Jr. to tell the story of the Picayune High School football captain turned Marine, who lost his life in the battle of Invasion of Iwo Volcanic Island.
Formby said, 18-year-old Stuart, Jr. left Picayune for Marine Corps Boot Camp immediately after leading his high school football team to the state championship, in 1943. It was a game that he would have missed, except local politicians and school officials were able to get an extension for him to report until after the game. He trained with other local boys, Fred Henley and Poplarville native Grady Evans.
Stuart, Jr. was assigned to H Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division which was made up of 220 Marines. Assigned to the invasion of Iwo Volcanic Island, Stuart Jr. lost his life rescuing a Unit member. He died clutching a Bible from his back pocket.
Formby said approximately 20 Marines survived the invasion that was projected to last three days but lasted 36 days instead.
Originally buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Volcanic Island on March 9th, 1945, he is now at rest in the family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery.
He was one of seven Pearl River County Veterans to die in the war and one of five that graduated from Picayune High School. On November 11, 1950 the Picayune School Board voted to change the name of Picayune High School to honor those alumni killed in action.
Formby concluded by telling of a Memorial Dedication held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Pine Grove Cemetery, for Stuart, Jr. There were a handful of Combat Team 26 Iwo survivors in attendance along with Stuart, Jr.’s best friend and fellow Marine, Fred Henley. Each stood and shared stories of how he had touched their lives in some way.
“Pfc Charles Wilmon Stuart, Jr. was not only faithful to his God, but also to his fellow Marines. As the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fidelis” is a charge for all Marines to follow, so it seems the same with Billy Stuart— always faithful,” said Formby.
Features
Related Photos
-
Lt. Col. Lourie N. Formby III spoke to Picayune Rotary on Tuesday about Charles Wilmon “Billy” Stuart, Jr. and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country. Jodi Marze
Lourie Formby speaks at Rotary
- Features
-
-
southern gardening
Every spring the home gardener is bombarded with new and improved petunias for the garden and landscape, making it hard to decide which to bring home from the garden center. In my opinion, you simply can’t go wrong selecting any of the Supertunias.
-
arboretum paths
Spring is now in full swing at the Crosby Arboretum, and the show is well on its way toward a crescendo. The blooms of native purple Iris can be seen along the edge of the Piney Woods pond, pink “honeysuckle” azalea is flowering near the Pinecote Pavilion, and the yellow blooms of the pitcher plants — called “buttercups” by local residents — are beginning to carpet the south Savanna Exhibit.
-
USM set to host Children’s Book Festival
One of the most anticipated events celebrating children’s literature, the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at The University of Southern Mississippi, will be held April 10-12 at the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus.
-
Amber Bounds breaks six-year-old state swimming record
The Southern MS Aquatic Club (Mantarays) participated in the Santa’s Best Swim Invitational in Biloxi Nov. 30-Dec. 2. The Mantarays finished 6th out of 22 teams competing from LA, AL, FL, and MS.
-
Capitol Pages
Jonathan Fail of Picayune, and Lorrie Warren of Poplarville recently served as pages for the Mississippi Senate.
-
Yellow jasmine brightens yards
According to the calendar, we are just a few days away from the official start of the spring season. But if you have been watching the garden and landscape like I have, you’ve seen signs of spring for at least several weeks. The plants are starting to wake up.
-
Native blooms abound at the Arboretum’s spring plant sale
The long-awaited weekend is upon us – that time which comes but once a year. Yes, it’s the Crosby Arboretum’s spring native plant sale.
-
Welcome Center celebrates arts and literature in March
The Mississippi Development Authority, Division of Tourism will be celebrating “Arts and Literature” during the month of March. Each of the Welcome Centers will be decorated differently for this celebration.
-
Lamont Rowlands house important to historical heritage
Pat Crosby first moved to the Lamont Rowlands house in 1992.
Although she found the home in disrepair, she couldn’t imagine not living there and knew that was her new home.
“It just spoke to me, and it still does,” said Crosby, the wife of the late Tommy Crosby, son of R.H. Crosby. Tommy Crosby completely renovated the home and grounds. -
Pearl River County Arts League Art Show and Sale
Pearl River County Arts League Art Show and Sale will be held on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, from noon till 4 p.m. at The Knights of Columbus Hall, 408 Carroll Drive. The show is open to all artists and admission is free to the public.
- More Features Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
