Evening star., 1945-02-21
Killed

First 1t. Hugh w. Branch, AAF,
rs, of 1888 Twentieth street NV,
was killed in action over Germany
on November 30, the War Depart
ment has informed his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Randolph w. Branch. Mr..
Branch is trial lawyer with the
Federal Trade Commission.
1t. Branch, native Of Man
chester, N. H., was graduate of
Tilden IN. H. Academy and at
tended the University of Maryland
for one year. He worked for the
Tompkins Co. at Fort Belvoir, Va,
before entering the service in April,
194l. He was sent to British Guinea
as an infantry officer in July, l94l,
remaining there for % months. 1t.
Branch transferred to the Air Force
in March, 1943, and received his
wings in December, 1943 He went
overseas last September
He married Miss Helen Dunlop of
Barbados. British West Indies, in
! September, 1912. The couple have
child, 1-year-old Penelope Branch.
Mrs Branch and her child are now
at Barbados
1t. Branch's twin brother, William
r. Branch, is first mate in the
Merchant Marine Service Another
brother, Second 1t. Peter w. Branch,
AAF, Is, was shot down over France
in April. l943, and is now a prisoner
in Germany.
Pvt. Edgar B. Johnson, 26, para
trooper, son of Mr.. and Mrs. A. c.
Johnson. BIAS Mount Pleasant
street NV, died in Germany Feb
ruary as a result of wounds re-
ceived in action January %, the War
Department notified his wife. Mrs
Olive Sgueps Johr1son,r eG sUpshl
street NV. The couple had two
children
Pvt johnson was born in Coving-
ton. KY He was graduated fro1p
Washington and Lee High School In
Arlington in 1886. He also attended
George Washington and Columbus
Universities. He was employed by
the Bureau of Printing and Engrav-
ing when he entered the Army last
March.
Three brothers are in the service:
Corpl. John Johnson. in Belgium;
First 1t. Paul c. Johnson, Fort Bliss,
Tex, and Frank Johnson, AAF ca
det, Keesler Field, Miss.
Pvt. Norman F. c. Fletcher, %,
who was reported missing in action
in Belgium, January 80, was killed
on that date, the War Department
has notified his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth
Fletcher, 14l6 Trinidad avenue NE.
Memorial services will be held at
2 pm. Sunday in the Mount Tabor
Methodist Church.
Born in Philamont, Va, Pvt.
Fletcher attended Gordon Junior
and Western High Schools here. He
worked at the Census Bureau be-
fore entering the Army last June
He was sent overseas in December.
Also surviving are Pvt. Fletchers
2-year-old son, Francis Lewis; his
mother, Mrs. Anne F. Smith; a sis
ter, Mrs. Girard Kroon, and a
brother, Woodrow Wilson, all OF the
Trinidad avenue address; and his
father, Norman Fletcher of Phila-
mont.
Pfc. Fabian J. Augustine, 81, turn
ed down in five attempts to enlist
in the Army, was killed in action
January 81 in Germany, the War
Department has notified his par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Fabian L. Angus
tine, 522 Sixty-ninth street, Seat
Pleasant, Md.
Although all branches of the serv-
ice previously had rejected him for
physical disabilities, he was accepted
when he again volunteered last May
his parents said He was sent over
seas in October.
Born in Landover. Md Pvt. Aug
ustine was graduated from Maryland
Park High School and took a draft
ing course at Bladensburg High
School. For several years he op-
Grated two small tobacco farms and
previously had worked at the Navy
Yard here. He was captain of the
Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire De-
partment.
He is also survived by two sisters,
Mrs. Frances Haskin, New York
City, and Miss Marjorie c. Angus
tine, Seat Pleasant. Mr.. Augustine
is chairman of Prince Georges Coun-
ty Selective Service Board Number 3.
Wounded \
First 1t. Walter w. Burns, jr., "a.