Adolescence |
Cecil Lee Roy Greenwall of Wilburton, Oklahoma was born to Ben Greenwall and Christenia “Tiny” Adkins. The pair were married the January of 1912 in Latimer County, Oklahoma. Four years and some months later on the May 3rd, 1916, Cecil was born. Cecil was the fourth child born to the couple and the first to live to adulthood. Cecil’s two sisters Rebecca and Josephine died before turning one year old. His brother Clarence died before turning five. There are some conflicting sources on whether or not Cecil or his brother Charles were born first. However, according to the 1940 US Census and conversations with his relatives, Cecil was born first.
At the age of 9 years old, Cecil and his family moved to Bisbee, Arizona. Ben had been working in a coal mine in Oklahoma, which had started to cause him lung issues. Hearing about job opportunities further out West, Ben decided to bring the family to Arizona in hopes of finding work in the copper mines. The family resided at 3 Temby Avenue during this time. In 1926, Ben Greenwall was involved in a mining accident. No information regarding this particular accident can be found. However, Ben survived the event.
By 1930 the family had moved houses to Clawson Ave. The Greenwall clan now numbered 7, with the additions of daughters Betty and Clarabel, as well as son Bennett. That next year, on May 22nd, 1931, Cecil completed the final year of his schooling. Cecil attended school in “Warren Mining District Number Two.” After his schooling and prior to his enlistment in the service, it is presumed that Cecil worked in the copper mines with his father and as a “Scraper” (carpenter), according to his living descendants. Around 1934 Cecil’s youngest sibling Harry was born.
The exact date of Cecil’s enlistment into the U.S. Army is not clear. Three newspaper articles place his enlistment around 1938-1940. A report from the National Archives indicates that he served as a National Guardsman prior to his service in the U.S. Army. Talking to one of Cecil’s living nieces, she corroborated this claim. Cecil enlisted in the Army proper on April 2nd, 1942. At the time of his enlistment, Cecil was 26 years old and unmarried.
At the age of 9 years old, Cecil and his family moved to Bisbee, Arizona. Ben had been working in a coal mine in Oklahoma, which had started to cause him lung issues. Hearing about job opportunities further out West, Ben decided to bring the family to Arizona in hopes of finding work in the copper mines. The family resided at 3 Temby Avenue during this time. In 1926, Ben Greenwall was involved in a mining accident. No information regarding this particular accident can be found. However, Ben survived the event.
By 1930 the family had moved houses to Clawson Ave. The Greenwall clan now numbered 7, with the additions of daughters Betty and Clarabel, as well as son Bennett. That next year, on May 22nd, 1931, Cecil completed the final year of his schooling. Cecil attended school in “Warren Mining District Number Two.” After his schooling and prior to his enlistment in the service, it is presumed that Cecil worked in the copper mines with his father and as a “Scraper” (carpenter), according to his living descendants. Around 1934 Cecil’s youngest sibling Harry was born.
The exact date of Cecil’s enlistment into the U.S. Army is not clear. Three newspaper articles place his enlistment around 1938-1940. A report from the National Archives indicates that he served as a National Guardsman prior to his service in the U.S. Army. Talking to one of Cecil’s living nieces, she corroborated this claim. Cecil enlisted in the Army proper on April 2nd, 1942. At the time of his enlistment, Cecil was 26 years old and unmarried.