D. C. Wimberly
Encyclopedia
Duvall Cortez Wimberly, Sr. (September 14, 1917 - January 27, 2007), was a United States Army
soldier
taken prisoner of war
in the Europe
an theater of World War II
and a past national commander of American Ex-Prisoners of War
, a veterans organization based in Arlington, Texas
. He was also an educator and school administrator for thirty-seven years in Bienville and Webster parishes in northwest Louisiana
.
Wimberly was a cousin
of Lorris M. Wimberly
, a Democratic
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from Bienville Parish who also served on three occasions as Speaker
of the House between 1936 and 1956. His brother, Lucian McDade "Dade" Wimberly (1922–1990), was a Louisiana state trooper from Minden
, the seat of Webster Parish.
in Bienville Parish. He graduated from Ringgold High School
in 1934 and received a bachelor's degree
in 1940 from Northwestern State University
in Natchitoches
. He obtained a master's degree
in education
from Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge in 1946 and post-master's instruction thereafter from Auburn University
.
Wimberly first taught in Bienville Parish and then in neighboring Webster Parish, where he was principal in four different schools: Sibley High School (1947–1949) in Sibley
, Shongaloo High School in Shongaloo
(1949–1954), and thereafter Springhill Junior High School and Browning Elementary School, both in Springhill
. Wimberly retired from professional education in 1975. While he was still a principal, he ran unsuccessfully for the Springhill City Council. In a heated contest for the Louisiana State Senate
in 1967, Wimberly signed a public letter of endorsement of Springhill native John Willard "Jack" Montgomery, Sr.
, who unseated incumbent Harold Montgomery
of Doyline
in south Webster Parish.
In 1943, Wimberly married the former Inez Gamble, a native of Grand Cane
in De Soto Parish. They had three children: Sandra (born 1949), Duvall, Jr., (born 1952) and Virginia "Bess" (born 1955). Wimberly died of a blood
disorder in Springhill, where he had lived since 1954.
, the members of the German
Army counterattacked my battalion. Companies E and F were wiped out. I was the Third Platoon
sergeant. . . . I lost forty-six men from my fifty-man platoon. Three others and myself were captured. That night and the next few months [we were] starving, freezing, walking over lots of Germans from southwest Germany
to northeast Poland
and back to south of Berlin. I felt, and to this day feel, [that] I am living on borrowed time. I have assisted my fellow Americans as a school teacher, administrator, Mason
, and Shriner, [having] dedicated my life to the Christian
effort of 'helping those who cannot help themselves.' This is also the motto
of American Ex-Prisoners of War."
Wimberly was held in Stalag
XII and several other camps. He was liberated by the Russians
on April 22, 1945, escaped on May 9, and discharged from the military on December 12, 1945. He received the Purple Heart
, Bronze Star
, and two Battle Stars
.
He headed the American Ex-Prisoners of War in 1974-1975, having been elected at the national convention in Las Vegas
. He was involved in budget
ing, membership, publicity, and as judge advocate for the group.
He is interred at the Wimberly south of Ringgold.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
taken prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
in the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an theater of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and a past national commander of American Ex-Prisoners of War
American Ex-Prisoners of War
Prisoners of War is a service organization that aims to assist the surviving U.S. military prisoner of war , particularly those who are elderly and those who have medical problems. Based in Arlington, Texas, the American Ex-Prisoners of War was founded in 1942. It received a congressional charter...
, a veterans organization based in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
. He was also an educator and school administrator for thirty-seven years in Bienville and Webster parishes in northwest Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
Wimberly was a cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
of Lorris M. Wimberly
Lorris M. Wimberly
Lorris May Wimberly, Sr. , was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1928–1940 and again from 1948-1956. A native and resident of Arcadia, the seat of Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, Wimberly was House Speaker from 1936–1940, 1950–1952, and from May 14-July 10, 1956...
, a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from Bienville Parish who also served on three occasions as Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the House between 1936 and 1956. His brother, Lucian McDade "Dade" Wimberly (1922–1990), was a Louisiana state trooper from Minden
Minden, Louisiana
Minden is a city in the American state of Louisiana. It serves as the parish seat of Webster Parish and is located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport, the seat of Caddo Parish. The population, which has been stable since 1960, was 13,027 at the 2000 census...
, the seat of Webster Parish.
Biography
Wimberly was born to Dempse Wimberly and the former Arvie McGinty in RinggoldRinggold, Louisiana
Ringgold is a town in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,660 at the 2000 census. Ringgold is named for United States Army Major Samuel Ringgold, the hero of the battle of Palo Alto near Brownsville, Texas, in the Mexican-American War. Ringgold, the son of a U.S...
in Bienville Parish. He graduated from Ringgold High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in 1934 and received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1940 from Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
in Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
. He obtained a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge in 1946 and post-master's instruction thereafter from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
.
Wimberly first taught in Bienville Parish and then in neighboring Webster Parish, where he was principal in four different schools: Sibley High School (1947–1949) in Sibley
Sibley, Louisiana
Sibley is a town in south Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,098 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Minden Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, Shongaloo High School in Shongaloo
Shongaloo, Louisiana
Shongaloo is a village in Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States.West of Shongaloo on Louisiana Highway 2 is Munn Hill, a homestead of Daniel and Rebecca Munn, established on July 26, 1900....
(1949–1954), and thereafter Springhill Junior High School and Browning Elementary School, both in Springhill
Springhill, Louisiana
Springhill is a city in northern Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,439 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Minden Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Wimberly retired from professional education in 1975. While he was still a principal, he ran unsuccessfully for the Springhill City Council. In a heated contest for the Louisiana State Senate
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
in 1967, Wimberly signed a public letter of endorsement of Springhill native John Willard "Jack" Montgomery, Sr.
Jack Montgomery (Louisiana politician)
John Willard Montgomery, Sr., known as Jack Montgomery , is an attorney in private practice in the small city of Minden, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana, who served in the 26th District of the Louisiana State Senate for a single four-year term from 1968—1972...
, who unseated incumbent Harold Montgomery
Harold Montgomery
A. Harold Montgomery, Sr. , was an agricultural businessman and a Louisiana state senator, who is remembered as an outspoken conservative within his state's dominant Democratic Party...
of Doyline
Doyline, Louisiana
Doyline is a village in southwestern Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 841 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Minden Micropolitan Statistical Area....
in south Webster Parish.
In 1943, Wimberly married the former Inez Gamble, a native of Grand Cane
Grand Cane, Louisiana
Grand Cane is a village in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 191 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in De Soto Parish. They had three children: Sandra (born 1949), Duvall, Jr., (born 1952) and Virginia "Bess" (born 1955). Wimberly died of a blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
disorder in Springhill, where he had lived since 1954.
Wartime service
Wimberly recounted his wartime exploits: "On Thanksgiving night 1944 in LuxembourgLuxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, the members of the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Army counterattacked my battalion. Companies E and F were wiped out. I was the Third Platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
sergeant. . . . I lost forty-six men from my fifty-man platoon. Three others and myself were captured. That night and the next few months [we were] starving, freezing, walking over lots of Germans from southwest Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to northeast Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and back to south of Berlin. I felt, and to this day feel, [that] I am living on borrowed time. I have assisted my fellow Americans as a school teacher, administrator, Mason
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
, and Shriner, [having] dedicated my life to the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
effort of 'helping those who cannot help themselves.' This is also the motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of American Ex-Prisoners of War."
Wimberly was held in Stalag
Stalag
In Germany, stalag was a term used for prisoner-of-war camps. Stalag is a contraction of "Stammlager", itself short for Kriegsgefangenen-Mannschafts-Stammlager.- Legal definitions :...
XII and several other camps. He was liberated by the Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
on April 22, 1945, escaped on May 9, and discharged from the military on December 12, 1945. He received the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and two Battle Stars
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
.
He headed the American Ex-Prisoners of War in 1974-1975, having been elected at the national convention in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. He was involved in budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
ing, membership, publicity, and as judge advocate for the group.
He is interred at the Wimberly south of Ringgold.