Private Francis Richard Long
Francis Richard Long registered for the draft 30 December 1942.
The Sabetha Herald (Sabetha, Kansas)
18 April 1945
page 1
Men in the Service
Francis Richard Long
Memorial services for Pvt Francis Richard Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Long of the Price neighborhood, will be held a the United Brethren Church in Sabetha Sunday. The services for Long, who was killed in action in the Pacific, will be conducted by Rev. C. W. Lucas of Abilene.
Francis Richard Long was born December 9, 1924, in Trenton, Mo. He moved to a farm near Berwick with his parents when he was three months old. He attended High School before moving with the family to Eureka where he spent 10 years of his childhood.
He attended a year of high school at Bern and then with his parents moved to a farm south of Sabetha where he helped his father farm until he was inducted into the army June 12, 1944.
He received five month’s training at Camp Hood, Tex., then returned home in October on furlough. He was sent overseas December 12, 1944, and was killed in action on Lubang March 2, 1945.
The Courier Tribune (Seneca, Kansas)
1 Aug 1946
page 5
Attends Gold Star Meeting
Ray Long of the Price neighborhood attended a meeting of Gold Star parents held in Kansas City Sunday by the American War Dads. Pvt. Franics Long, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Long was killed in the southwest Pacific, March 2, 1945, after only nine months in the army.
The Sabetha Herald (Sabetha Kansas)
27 October 1948
page 16
Deaths
Pvt. Francis Richard Long
Pvt Francis Richard Long was born at Trenton, Mo., Dec. 5, 1924, and moved to Sabetha with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Long, March 1925. He grew up around Sabetha and attended the neighborhood schools and Bern High School.
He assisted his father on the farm until he was called into service June 12, 1944. He was sent to Camp Hood, Texas where he received his training. He remained there until Oct 1944 when his group was sent to Ford Ord, Calif. From there he was sent to the South Pacific Dec 12, 1944, where he was assigned to Co. A 21 Regiment, 24th division.
He was killed in action March 2, 1945 on Lubang Island.
He leaves to mourn his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Long, hi grandmother, Mrs. Mary A. Wagner, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were conducted at the Popkess funeral home Oct. 17, 1948 by Rev. Earl I Stites. Burial was n the Sabetha cemetery. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion had charge of the graveside service.
Sabetha Herald (Sabetha, Kansas)
1 Dec 2010
page 23
Private Francis Long died in
Southwest Pacific during World War II
Price man was in Army for less than nine
moths before he was killed in action
Private Francis Richard Long, the son of Ray and Lela Long of the Price neighborhood, was killed in action on Lubang Island of the Philippine Islands in the Southwest Pacific on March 2, 1945.
Francis, who was 20 years old at the time of his death, was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 12, 1944. He had received training for five months at Fort Hood, Texas. Following training, he returned home on furlough in October and was sent overseas on Dec. 12, 1944.
His parents initially received “only the usual telegram” from the Adjutant General of the United States, stating that he was killed March 2 but giving no details.
A memorial service, with a closed casket, was held at the United Brethren Church in Sabetha, with the service conducted by Rev C W Lucas of Abilene Mrs Vernon Wallace had charge of the music, and the Rev and Mrs Wallace Carpenter sang “Resting in His Love” and “Jesus is Always Near” The Sabetha Company of the Kansas State Guard and representatives of the American Legion and Auxiliary were present.
Francis’ grave lies besides his parents’ graves in the Sabetha cemetery.
Francis was born Dec. 9, 1924, in Trenton, Mo When he was three months old, he moved with his family to a farm near Berwick. He attended Hilt School before moving with the family to Eureka, where he spent 10 years of his childhood.
Francis attended a year of high school at Bern and then, with his parents, moved to a farm south of Sabetha, where he helped his father farm until Francis’ induction into the U S Army
Millie Johnson of Sabetha, a cousin of Francis Long contributed to this article
Other sources March and April 1945 news items in the Sabetha Herald.
