Hedley, Debonsall (6997907) - Revision history

172.18.0.1: RB Archive batch 2: biography, vitals, timeline, sources

2026-09-16T14:27:17Z

RB Archive batch 2: biography, vitals, timeline, sources

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:27, 16 September 2026
Line 20:		Line 20:
	\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png		\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
	\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png@@Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png		\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png@@Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
			\|rank_final=Technical Sergeant
	}}		}}

	<div class="soldier-lead">		<div class="soldier-lead">
	'''[[Hedley, Debonsall (6997907)\|Debonsall Hedley]]''' (1911–1978) was a Ritchie Boy (~~from United States; Quaker~~) who ~~trained at Camp Ritchie~~ in ~~class 14~~.		'''[[Hedley, Debonsall (6997907)\|Debonsall Hedley]]''' (1911–1978) was a Quaker Ritchie Boy (Class 14) who served as a technical sergeant, including the Normandy campaign, before an honorable discharge in November 1945.
	</div>		</div>

	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	~~He graduated from Class 14 at Camp Ritchie~~. ~~According to the separation document attached~~, he enlisted on November ~~24,~~ 1939~~. He was discharged from service on November 2, 1945. He was in the Normandy campaign,~~ and ~~earned the WWII Victory Medal~~, ~~American Defense Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal~~ with ~~1 Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served 4 years, 8 months and 29 days continental service, and 1 years, 2 months, 10 days of foreign service~~.		Debonsall Hedley was born in 1911. A Quaker by religion in roster data, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on 24 November 1939 and later trained at Camp Ritchie, graduating with Class 14.

	~~A separation document~~ in the ~~gallery identifies~~ him as a technical sergeant of the 403rd Air Base Depot and ~~records his honorable discharge~~ on 2 November 1945.		Hedley served overseas in the Normandy campaign. His separation papers identify him as a technical sergeant of the 403rd Air Base Depot and credit about four years, eight months of continental service and about one year, two months of foreign service. He was honorably discharged on 2 November 1945. Documented awards include the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

			He died in 1978.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
Line 60:		Line 63:
	\| row_source \|\| both		\| row_source \|\| both
	\|}		\|}

			== Timeline ==
			<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline">
			<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
			* 1911 — Born.
			* 24 November 1939 — Enlisted in the U.S. Army.
			* Camp Ritchie Class 14.
			* Normandy campaign (European Theater).
			* 2 November 1945 — Honorably discharged as technical sergeant, 403rd Air Base Depot.
			* 1978 — Died.
			</div>
			</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
			* [https://discover.hsp.org/Record/ead-GSP060 Historical Society of Pennsylvania — finding aid GSP060]
			* [https://www.worldcat.org/title/232362028 WorldCat record 232362028]
			* RB Archive scan set DH.pdf / DH-page-001–003.jpg (private copies aligned with gallery documents)
			* [[:File:6021299114558626.jpg\|Camp Ritchie training document (gallery)]]
			* [[:File:6021299111225293.jpg\|Awards / discharge document (gallery)]]
			* [[:File:6021299107891960.jpg\|Separation / discharge document (gallery)]]
	* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data		* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
	* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records		* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records

Admin: Expand exact roster rank codes (class_rank: T/Sgt -> Technical Sergeant)

2026-09-16T06:12:11Z

Expand exact roster rank codes (class_rank: T/Sgt -> Technical Sergeant)

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:12, 16 September 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:
	\|first=Debonsall		\|first=Debonsall
	\|class_section=6C		\|class_section=6C
	\|class_rank=~~T/Sgt~~		\|class_rank=Technical Sergeant
	\|birth_year=1911		\|birth_year=1911
	\|death_year=1978		\|death_year=1978

Admin: Clarify museum roster and Dan Gross research sources

2026-08-31T03:37:11Z

Clarify museum roster and Dan Gross research sources

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:37, 31 August 2026
Line 62:		Line 62:

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	* Camp Ritchie ~~class roster~~ (~~classes~~ 1–31), ~~merged~~ research ~~file~~		* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
			* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
	* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)		* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
	* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)		* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)

Admin: Align award text and ribbons in matching rows

2026-08-28T03:45:16Z

Align award text and ribbons in matching rows

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:45, 28 August 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:
	\|class_display=14		\|class_display=14
	\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal		\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal
	\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal;;European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star;;Good Conduct Medal@@World War II Victory Medal		\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal@@European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star;;Good Conduct Medal;;World War II Victory Medal
	\|awards_extra=		\|awards_extra=
	\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png		\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
	\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png@@Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png		\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png@@Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
	}}		}}

Admin: Keep OCR citations in Sources sections only

2026-08-28T03:09:24Z

Keep OCR citations in Sources sections only

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:09, 28 August 2026
Line 29:		Line 29:
	He graduated from Class 14 at Camp Ritchie. According to the separation document attached, he enlisted on November 24, 1939. He was discharged from service on November 2, 1945. He was in the Normandy campaign, and earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served 4 years, 8 months and 29 days continental service, and 1 years, 2 months, 10 days of foreign service.		He graduated from Class 14 at Camp Ritchie. According to the separation document attached, he enlisted on November 24, 1939. He was discharged from service on November 2, 1945. He was in the Normandy campaign, and earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served 4 years, 8 months and 29 days continental service, and 1 years, 2 months, 10 days of foreign service.

	A separation document in the gallery identifies him as a technical sergeant of the 403rd Air Base Depot and records his honorable discharge on 2 November 1945. ~~[[:File:6021299111225293.jpg\|Source image]]~~		A separation document in the gallery identifies him as a technical sergeant of the 403rd Air Base Depot and records his honorable discharge on 2 November 1945.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==

Admin: Add award ribbon images to documented decorations

2026-08-28T03:05:31Z

Add award ribbon images to documented decorations

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:05, 28 August 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:
	\|class_display=14		\|class_display=14
	\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal		\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal
	\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal@@European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star@@Good Conduct Medal@@World War II Victory Medal		\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal;;European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star;;Good Conduct Medal@@World War II Victory Medal
	\|awards_extra=		\|awards_extra=
	\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png		\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
	\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png		\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png@@Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
	}}		}}

Admin: Add award ribbon images to documented decorations

2026-08-28T02:58:30Z

Add award ribbon images to documented decorations

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:58, 28 August 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal		\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal
	\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal@@European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star@@Good Conduct Medal@@World War II Victory Medal		\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal@@European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star@@Good Conduct Medal@@World War II Victory Medal
	\|awards_extra=~~Documented decoration(s): American Defense Medal, European~~-African-~~Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal ([[:File:6021299111225293~~.~~jpg{{!}}separation record]])~~		\|awards_extra=
			\|awards_ribbons=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
			\|awards_ribbon_rows=Ribbon_American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.png;;Ribbon_World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.png
	}}		}}

Admin: Add OCR-documented decorations and campaign awards

2026-08-28T02:51:41Z

Add OCR-documented decorations and campaign awards

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:51, 28 August 2026
Line 15:		Line 15:
	\|class_number=14		\|class_number=14
	\|class_display=14		\|class_display=14
			\|awards=American Defense Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal
			\|awards_grid=American Defense Medal@@European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star@@Good Conduct Medal@@World War II Victory Medal
			\|awards_extra=Documented decoration(s): American Defense Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal ([[:File:6021299111225293.jpg{{!}}separation record]])
	}}		}}

Admin: Incorporate attributable high-confidence OCR facts

2026-08-28T02:45:36Z

Incorporate attributable high-confidence OCR facts

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:45, 28 August 2026
Line 23:		Line 23:
	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	He graduated from Class 14 at Camp Ritchie. According to the separation document attached, he enlisted on November 24, 1939. He was discharged from service on November 2, 1945. He was in the Normandy campaign, and earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served 4 years, 8 months and 29 days continental service, and 1 years, 2 months, 10 days of foreign service.		He graduated from Class 14 at Camp Ritchie. According to the separation document attached, he enlisted on November 24, 1939. He was discharged from service on November 2, 1945. He was in the Normandy campaign, and earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served 4 years, 8 months and 29 days continental service, and 1 years, 2 months, 10 days of foreign service.

			A separation document in the gallery identifies him as a technical sergeant of the 403rd Air Base Depot and records his honorable discharge on 2 November 1945. [[:File:6021299111225293.jpg\|Source image]]

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==

Admin: Incorporate OCR findings with exact document citations

2026-08-28T02:40:44Z

Incorporate OCR findings with exact document citations

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:40, 28 August 2026
Line 59:		Line 59:
	* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)		* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
	* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2023-01-05 (1 post)		* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2023-01-05 (1 post)
			* [[:File:6021299114558626.jpg\|OCR-reviewed Facebook gallery document: 6021299114558626.jpg]]
			* [[:File:6021299107891960.jpg\|OCR-reviewed Facebook gallery document: 6021299107891960.jpg]]
			* [[:File:6021299111225293.jpg\|OCR-reviewed Facebook gallery document: 6021299111225293.jpg]]