Valley Vern Emmot
Date of Birth: February 12, 1919
Place of Birth: Barnard, Lincoln Co., Kansas
Father and Mother’s Names: John Wilburn Emmot and Inez Florence "Ina" (English) Emmot
Spouse's Name: Joyce Janette Saulsberry
Date Entered Service: December 8, 1941 from San Antonio, Texas.
Service Branch: Army
Service Number: 18057645
Rank: Private First Class
Division/Company/Unit info: India Company, 167th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division.
Awards and Commendations: Purple Heart
Riley Connection: Vern was raised in Manhattan and went to Manhattan High School. NARA (Nation Archives and Records Administration) lists Valley's home of record as Riley Co., Kansas. His mother was living at 1614 Houston St. Manhattan, KS when she died in 1977. Both she and her husband are buried in Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.
Date of Death (and Age): June 19, 1945 (age 26)
Place of Death: Philippines, KIA (Killed in Action)
Grave Location: Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.
Bio: Valley was born in Barnard, KS. His parents moved the family to Chapman, KS where his dad delivered oil around the area. When he was still a young child his family moved to Manhattan, KS. His father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a Watchman. Valley worked as a trucker in 1939 and he and his family lived at 615 Thurston St. His mother worked at the Gridiron Cafe. Valley moved to Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., ARK. when he was married on November 20, 1941. He was divorced after just a few weeks and on December 8, 1941 he enlisted in the Army from San Antonio, TX. Valley was 5' 7" tall and weighed 144 Lbs. Valley was Killed in Action in the Philippines.
The following is a short description of what he experienced at the time he was killed: On April 22, 1945, the Division landed on Mindanao to take part in the liberation of the Philippines. The division was helped by the Filipino troops under the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary units and the local organized Christian and Islamic guerrillas fight the Japanese. Moving up the Sayre Highway and driving down the Kibawe-Talomo trail, fighting in knee-deep mud and through torrential rains, the 31st forced the enemy to withdraw into the interior and blocked off other Japanese in the Davao area. With the end of hostilities on August 15, 1945, the 31st accomplished the surrender of all Japanese forces remaining in Mindanao. Nickname: Dixie Division. Slogan: It shall be done. Shoulder patch: A white disk on which is a red circle, within which are two red D's, back to back. 340 KIA, 1,392 WIA, 74 Died of Wounds.
