Private Royce Cluster Collum
United States Army, World War II – Killed In Action
381ST Infantry Regiment – 96th Infantry Division
June 17, 2021 - Royce Cluster Collum and twin sister Loyce were born in the Spring of 1920, March 22 in the small far east Texas town of Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas. Their parents Catherine Lela Lowery and Carl Otto Collum were married on New Year’s day of 1913 in Collin County, Texas and gave birth to four other children; Milton Hubert (1914), Juanita (1917), Cornis Otto (1918) and Tommie (1923). Father Carl worked as a carpenter and the 1930 Census showed the family living at 285 San Augustine Street in Center that serves as the county seat of Shelby.(1)
Royce known as “Rooster” to his family and friends graduated from Joaquin High School in 1938 with twin Loyce. On July 1, 1941 Royce, age 21 complied with the 1940 Selective Service Act by registering for the military draft at Local Board # 1, Houston, Harris County, Texas. His registration card D.S.S. Form 1 noted the following; Residence, 115 Engle, Houston; Employed by Shell Refinery, Deer Park, Texas as a warehouse clerk; Five foot, nine inches tall, 145 pounds with brown eyes and hair; Physical characteristics to aid in identification, Scar on right cheek near eyes and scar on left knee.(2)
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii, December 7, 1941, the United States was once again fighting a World War but this time on two fronts, Europe and the Pacific. Rooster received his draft notice and was inducted into the US Army on October 30, 1942 at the age of 22. According to the book “The Men and Women in World War II from Shelby County” he was trained at Camp Adair, Oregon, Fort Lewis, Washington and San Luis Obispo, California. While at Fort Lewis Royce returned to Shelby County on furlough and married Miss Maxine Leslie on May 31, 1943.
Assigned to the 381 Infantry Regiment, 96 Infantry Division “Deadeye Division” Royce departed the United States for the Hawaiian Islands in July 1944 where they trained until September 1944. They entered combat in an assault landing in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands on October 20 and secured the Tanauan-Dagami-Tabontabon sector by November 9 after heavy fighting. All major organized Japanese resistance was at an end by Christmas Day and they spent the next three months preparing for the coming invasion of Okinawa.
The division left the Philippines March 27, 1945 for Okinawa, making an assault landing April 1. The landing was unopposed and a beachhead was established. Resistance then stiffened considerably as the division advanced to Kakazu Ridge where fighting was fierce from April 7 to 16, 1945. It was during this battle that Private First Class Royce Collum, US Army Serial # 38243387, age 25 was killed in action. His regiment and division would fight on to June 22 when resistance was declared at an end. Royce was buried a temporary cemetery on Okinawa.(3)
Following the Japanese unconditional surrender in the Pacific on September 2, 1945, World War II came to an end. More than 405,300 Americans died and families of those positively identified were offered burial options. They could choose burial in an overseas military cemetery or bring the remains of their loved one home to the United States for burial in a cemetery of their choice. Royce’s family chose to leave him buried with his comrades as did approximately 40% of other families facing the same decision.(4) On March 1, 1949 his remains were reburied in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii at Plot E, Grave 776. His QMC Form 14, Interment Card stated, “Flag sent”. Day is done, God is nigh.
“That these dead shall not have died in vain”… Abraham Lincoln.
Epilogue: His brother Tommie served during WW II in Europe, was wounded, but survived the war. Twin sister Loyce passed in 2010 at the age of 90. Further information on his wife Maxine could not be found.
Combat Infantryman Badge
Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two arrowheads and 2 campaign stars, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal.
Army Presidential Unit Citation, 96 Infantry Division Emblem, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
References:
(1) Year: 1930; Census Place: Center, Shelby, Texas; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 2342124
(2) The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Texas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 301
(3) Military Wiki. “96th Infantry Division (United States).” Accessed March 11, 2021. https://military.wikia.org/wiki/96th_Infantry_Division_(United_States).
(4) General Information. Accessed February 6, 2021. https://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/publications/NCA_America_WWII_Burial_Program
