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LEWISTOWN -- Mifflin County native David Harold McMullen was a soldier in the Headquarters Company of the 319th Infantry Regiment that deployed to England in June 1944. McMullen's unit was part of the 80th Infantry Division, the so-called Blue Ridge Division. The division landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, France on Aug. 3, 1944 and entered combat on Aug. 8. The division's combat continued for 239 days. Tragically, McMullin was killed in action during the campaign.
McMullen registered for the draft at Lewistown on Oct. 16, 1940. McMullen enlisted in the Army on Feb. 25, 1943 in Altoona. After completing basic and advanced individual training stateside, he was deployed to the European Theater of Operations.
Like wars before and afterward, the infantry in World War II bore the brunt of the fighting on the ground. The infantry comprised just 14% of U.S. troops overseas. Seven out of ten suffered casualties: killed, wounded, missing or captured. U.S. infantrymen averaged 10 days of combat per year. But averages are meaningless when the difference between living and dying often is just luck. Each day of combat adds to the risk of becoming a casualty.
McMullen's regiment pursued the Nazis across northern France and engaged in ferocious attacks and counterattacks amidst heavy German artillery, mortar and small arms fire. Fuel shortages stalled the division's advance for five days at the Meuse River, enabling German forces to reinforce their positions. McMullen fought in the 3rd Army's 10-day Battle of Nancy in September 1944, pushing across the Moselle River and liberating the French city.
PFC McMullen was killed in action on Oct. 27, 1944 during a combat mission in the Moselle Valley when he suffered mortal wounds from the enemy to his legs and abdomen. McMullen's remains were recovered and repatriated to the United States. He was laid to rest in the Maitland Brethren Cemetery, Maitland.
David Harold McMullen was born May 3, 1916 in Maitland to Joseph H. and Hattie H. McMullen, who were natives of Pennsylvania. McMullen was the youngest of the couple's six children that included Dorothy B., Kenneth M., Marie, James and Charlie. McMullen's father supported the household originally as a puddler in a steel mill and, later, operated a farm. His mother was a homemaker.
McMullen's entire upbringing occurred in and around Lewistown. His formal education ended with the completion of eighth grade. He became a laborer for a building construction company and then worked at the Malta Home Farm in Granville.
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Stories Behind the Stars memorials are accessible for free on the internet and via smart phone app at gravesites and cenotaphs. The non-profit organization is dedicated to honoring all 421,000 fallen Americans from World War II, including 31,000 from Pennsylvania. To volunteer or for more information, contact Kathy Harmon at kharmon@storiesbehindthestars.org or visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org.