Cameron Dale ISAACSON

Source : Victor Daniel (Ellen Marchese)

Wahoo, NEBRASKA 

Spouse : Marian G Preskorn

Parents : Albert Fred & Vera L. Cameron ISAACSON

Brother : Warren A.

Source : Victor Daniel

 CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  Luynes Cemetery, Aix-En-Provance N°3551

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

Map of Rhône American Cemetery

Source : Victor Daniel

Service Forces, Delta Base Section, SN: 37488254

Cameron Dale “Ike” Isaacson was born on 21 July 1911, in Wahoo, Nebraska, as the middle child of 3 born to Albert Fred Isaacson and Vera Cameron. His parents moved to Norfolk Nebraska, where Albert was a local businessman, first as a car salesman, then the owner of Norfolk Bridge Construction Company. Cameron attended Norfolk public schools, where he played violin in the high school orchestra. He graduated Norfolk High School in the class of 1929, then enrolled at Norfolk Junior College that fall. He subsequently attended University of Nebraska, where he pledged to join Theta Xi fraternity in Sept 1931. He studied at Nebraska for a year, then joined his father’s construction firm. In February 1934, Cameron married Garnet Beckenhauer. They would have a daughter, Barbara Joan Isaacson, but would divorce in 1937.

On 18 June 1938, Cameron married Marion Genevieve Preskorn in Red Cloud, Nebraska. His 2nd wife performed as a vocalist at weddings and public events. They would have a boy, Lane Cameron Isaacson, and a girl, Camene “Sue” Isaacson. On 16 Oct 1940, Cameron registered for the draft in Madison County courthouse, where he was recorded as: Height 5’ 9”, Weight 129 lb, with brown hair, blue eyes, and listed his wife, Marion, as Next of Kin. On 22 Nov 1943 he was drafted and inducted into the Army at Fort Leavenworth KA. After boot camp in early January 1944, he was assigned to Camp Abbot, a military training center located in forested, central Oregon.

There he completed the 17-week technical training program, was qualified as an Army combat engineer, promoted to Technician Fifth Class, and was attached to 1064th Engineering Forestry Company (an Unaffiliated Service Group), and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washinton. In a November 1944 letter home, Cameron stated that he supervised German POWs cutting timber for lumber. The function of engineer-forestry companies, such as the 1064th, was to provide timber and processed lumber in support of the war effort, which were vital in the repair of battle-damaged bridges and railroads (Cameron was especially qualified due to his decade of experience with his father’s bridge construction firm.) In December 1945, the 1064th was transferred from Fort Lewis to Camp Shanks in NY, a staging point for overseas deployment. On Christmas Day 1944, the 1064th shipped-out for Europe, and was stationed in Glasgow, Scotland for 3 months. In March 1945, 1064th Company departed Scotland for southern France, attached to Delta Base Section as its Engineer Forestry Company, charged with lumber-making operations. The 1064th Company provided supervision and management of French professional foresters who provided labor in tree harvesting and sawmill operations. In May 1945 the commander of the 1064th assigned Cameron to travel to Grenoble in the French Alps on a lumber procurement mission. Cameron accomplished his mission, but he died in a vehicle accident when returning to base.

Marion received a letter from the 1064th commanding officer, providing details of Cameron’s death. “He died at 1300 hours, 30 May 1945, at a French military hospital at Annecy, France from injuries received in a jeep accident on 29 May 1945, at Marignier, France. The vehicle, in which he was returning to Bonneville (Haute-Savoie province) after a lumber procurement mission, skidded while rounding a turn and crashed into a pole.

Cameron was thrown out and suffered wounds which resulted in his death. Competent attention was given, but he died quietly on the operating table…We who have known and worked with your husband have indeed lost a true friend and fine soldier. No man in this unit was better liked by his buddies. His attention to detail and his wonderful personality, were the envy of all. His devotion to you and his son and daughter was well known, and his conduct here was exemplary of a real American husband and father. “Ike” as he was known here, has paid the supreme sacrifice in the performance of his duty, and to the men of this organization, his memory will live forever.”

T/5 Cameron D Isaacson is buried at Plot D Row 4 Grave 6, Rhone American Cemetery, Draguignan, France. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.

Cameron died at the age of 33, with 18 months of Army service. He was the father of 3. His wife, Marion Genevieve Isaacson, never remarried.

Fold3 Added by: sdkeimig

Source : Victor Daniel

Source : Victor Daniel

Source : Victor Daniel