Memorial

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Pfc Okle D. Cline enlisted in Indianapolis, Indiana on 7 April 1942.

Pfc Cline was killed when his tank was hit by anti-tank fire.

The following story about Okle Cline's early years and family was told by his nephew Mr. Charles (Mike) Cline: "He and his siblings lived and grew up in and around the small city of New Ross, IN about 30 miles Northwest of Indianapolis. I am not sure of the exact jobs Okle and his brothers had but in general they worked at odd jobs for various farmers in the area and sometimes worked at the local grain elevator helping with maintenance or unloading trucks hauling corn to the elevator. They were poor and relied a lot on hunting and fishing to feed the family during his younger years.
During the depression, they lost the home they were living in. I doubt they owned it, probably were renting, but nevertheless they had to leave it. A local farmer let them put up a tent on his land and they lived in that tent for a couple of years including the harsh Indiana winters. The tent had a dirt floor and my Dad told me that even with a dirt floor, his Mother would sweep it every day. Okle's father, James, was killed in 1932 in a railroad accident where he had a job that involved hanging a mailbag out next to the tracks for a train to snatch as it went by. Something on the train was sticking out and hit him as the train passed and killed him. Sallie lived to be 80 and died about six weeks after learning of Okle's death in Germany. My Dad told me that the only thing keeping her alive was the hope of seeing her youngest son get home safely from the war. Sallie died on May 8, 1945 which coincidently was VE Day."

On one of the pictures he poses with his mother and his sister-in-law Betty Jo Cline. This picture was taken in 1943 when he was on furlough.