Memorial

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Pvt Thomas H. Sorrell finished the 8th grade of school and went to work on a farm at the age of fourteen to help support his family. He was known as a practical joker, ever ready to hatch a plot to ensnare a friend or family member to amusement of all.

He enlisted on 26 July 1943 and trained at Camp van Dorn, Mississippi, and Camp Meade, Maryland After completing basic training, he was assigned as a truck driver to his disappointment. It is believed that he completed Airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia in early 1944. He then shipped out for additional training in England prior to being placed into action on the mainland of Europe.

He was struck down by enemy fire as he crossed a road in an attempt to retrieve ammunition from a truck.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, Belgium.

His sister Helen remembered him as being very fun and full of life. A memory she shared with me, "Tom gave me $.50 to buy candy when he was home on leave. He put it on the counter and said, ‘take it to put away before Pa takes it.’ I did and bought candy. Ever since I wished I kept it for a memory of him. Of course at 11 years old I never dreamed he would get killed."
Helen also wrote this song about her brother, which she used to play on her guitar:
Death of Brother Tom
I didn’t think it was right
When Tom went off to fight
Such a handsome and young man was he
His blond hair and blue eyes took everyone’s eyes.
If for everyone’s sake, the world wouldn’t be full of hate.
How I wished it could be that Tom could be here today.
The news was hard to bear that Tom should die a hero over there.
A smaller family are we all because of the death of Brother Tom.
Tom died in World War Two
Went off to fight for me and you!
His smiling face I’ll always see
As he died for the freedom of his own
Beloved home of so far away.
I’m sure that God watches over Brother Tom
And this country so dear to you and me!
Pvt Sorrell was initially interred as Unknown X-43, but a Christmas card, a personal note, and a priest in Vermont helped to make the positive identification. In the words of Helen Sorrell Siple, "I know he was very brave. I want people to remember and to keep him in their prayers always because he was a great hero and loved by all. I never will forget him and I pray for him daily. I loved him dearly and would have given my life for him. God Bless him."