Emerson L. Toburen
Date of Birth: July 31, 1919
Place of Birth: Kansas
Father and Mother’s Names: Walter Alvin Toburen and Olive C. Toburen
Date Entered Service: TBD
Service Branch: Army
Rank/Specialty: Staff Sergeant
Service ID: 37146329
Division/Company/Unit info: "A" Company, 1st Platoon, 191st Tank Destroyer Division.
Riley Connection: Lived in Bala and Sherman township.
Date of Death (and Age): September 9, 1943
Place of Death: Salerno, Italy
Grave Location: Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.
Bio: The following is an excerpt from the diary of Medic (last name Russell) who witnessed Sgt. Toburen die during the beach landing near Salerno, Italy. It's dated the 9th of September, 1943.
"A day to be remembered as long as I live. Landed on the beach in Salerno, Italy. Germans right to meet us. Our ship was hit three times before we reached the beach. “A” Company tank hit & set fire had to be pushed into sea with two men in it. (Sault & Potonni) (10) – Dead & wounded Inantry all over beach. Tried to find a hospital after dark – wonder how I did not get picked off by sniper & ended up back at the beach. Worked all day – not much sleep – German shells landing all around. German Air Force kept diving in at us. It could be called hell on earth. Sgt. Toburen was killed on beach. "
