Military Monday–S/Sgt. Thomas C. Rivers

S/SGT. THOMAS C. RIVERS KILLED IN ACTION - Word has been received by the W. W. Rivers that his cousin Staff Sergeant Thomas C. Rivers, was killed in action in France, September 2d. Sgt. Rivers entered service September 30, 1942. He received his basic training in Texas and Wisconsin. He then was sent to Northern Ireland and from there he was sent to England. He was sent to France on D-Day. He was born on May 14, 1921, and he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rivers. Sgt. Rivers will long be remembered by his many friends and relatives.[The Chesterfield Advertiser, 5 October 1944, Page 1.] [1]


U.S. Veteran Tombstone Application [2] Thomas C. Rivers, S/N 34386517

Thomas C. Rivers tombstone at Zoar Cemetery (Chesterfield County, SC) shows that he was born May 14, 1921 and died Sept. 02, 1944. It also shows that he was a Staff Sergeant assigned to 9th Infantry, 2nd Division, WWII. [3]

I wonder why a man who was killed in action (KIA) is not listed on the World War II, Honor List of Dead and Missing, State of South Carolina <http://media.nara.gov/media/images/29/18/29-1768a.gif> [4]

Thomas C. Rivers was a son of Frederick “Bud” Rivers and Mary Della Liles.

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[1] S/Sgt. Thomas C. RIVERS obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 5 October 1944, Page 1.
[2] "U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963," on-line digital images, ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 February 2013), Thomas C. RIVERS; citing Applications for Headstones, compiled 01/01/1925 - 06/30/1970, documenting the period ca. 1776 - 1970 ARC: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92.: 1774–1985.
[3] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 840. Tombstone of Thomas C. RIVERS; 14 May 1921–2 September 1944, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[4] World War II, Honor List of Dead and Missing, Sate of South Carolina  <http://media.nara.gov/media/images/29/18/29-1776a.gif>

Sunday’s Obituary–Mr. Kirby Rivers

MR. KIRBY RIVERS
Chesterfield, S.C., Feb. 14. - Mr. Kirby Rivers, 60, died at his home on Tuesday. He had been in feeble health for a number of years. Mr. Rivers was one of Chesterfield county’s most prominent citizens. He served the county as superintendent of education for three terms, from 1904 to 1912. Mr. Rivers is survived by his wife, who was Miss Cora Smith, of Wadesboro, and by the following children: Lawton, Martin, Furman and Walter Rivers, and Misses Sarah Belle, Iris, and Elizabeth Rivers. [1]

Kirby Rivers was born 10 February 1876 to Malachi J. Rivers and Sarah Boatwright Rivers. He married Cora Smith on 10 April 1907. They had eight (8) children; 3 daughters and 5 sons. One son – John Robert (8 Nov 1913-2 June 1914) died young. [2] [3]

Kirby Rivers died on 11 February 1936 [4] and was buried on 12 February 1936 at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, South Carolina.[5] [6]

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[1] Mr. Kirby Rivers obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 13 February 1936, Page 1.
[2] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #20, Page 76A, Line 46, Dwelling 63, Family 63, Household of Mally J. RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 2 October 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_Roll: 1523.
[3] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, Page 741. Tombstone of Kirby RIVERS; 10 February 1876–11 February 1926, Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[4] Kirby RIVERS, death certificate 500044 (11 February 1936), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[5] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, Page 741. Tombstone of Kirby RIVERS; 10 February 1876–11 February 1926, Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[6] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Kirby Rivers; (10 February 1876–11 February 1936); Memorial # 34346698; Record of the Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 11 March 2011.