Stone Gardens: Leflore County soldier died in Bavaria one year after the official end of World War II

Harmon A. Chastain Jr. was born on April 2, 1925, in Hodgen ( LeFlore County) . His father worked as a farmer and sawmill hand. His mother raised four children. The family lived in a rural area without electricity.

Harmon helped on the farm and attended a one-room school when he could. He was small but athletic. He played baseball and was known for his curveball.

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Harmon enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1943, shortly before turning 18. He trained at Fort Sill and Camp Gruber. He was assigned to the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division.

The division deployed to Italy in late 1944. They fought in the Gothic Line, Monte Cassino, and the Po Valley. The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945

The 88th Division stayed in Germany for occupation duty. They guarded camps, hunted SS holdouts, and secured supply lines. On April 26, 1946, Harmon was on patrol near Waldkraiburg, Bavaria. The patrol investigated looting at a former German depot.

They encountered armed irregulars. A firefight started. Harmon was shot once in the chest with a 7.92mm rifle round. He died within minutes. He was 21 years old.

He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. The citation noted wounds received in action on April 26, 1946, in Germany. The medal was presented to his parents at the LeFlore County Courthouse in July 1946.

His body was returned to Oklahoma in 1948. A military escort from Fort Sill brought the casket to Hodgen. A funeral was held at Hodgen Cemetery. The VFW fired a 21-gun salute.

He was buried beside his grandparents

.His headstone is a standard VA marble marker. It lists his name, rank, unit, dates, and Purple Heart designation,. . A bronze plaque added in 1995 reads: "He gave his tomorrow for our today."

His name is on the LeFlore County Veterans Memorial in Poteau, the 88th Infantry Division Honor Roll, and the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. The local VFW places a flag and wreath at his grave each Memorial Day.

Harmon never married and had no children. His nephew James Chastain served in Vietnam and named his son Harmon III. In 2023, Harmon III, a U.S. Army captain, visited the grave with his own son.

Harmon A. Chastain Jr. is buried in Hodgen Cemetery.