M Sgt. Ellsworth S. Massie

Biography and Wartime Service

Ellsworth Sumpter Massie was born on November 14, 1921, in Lowesville, Virginia, to Walter Miles Massie and Sallie Lee Massie. Ellsworth S. Massie enlisted on October 9, 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland. He took some of his training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and took part in the Tennessee Maneuvers in 1943 before going to the European Theatre of Operations (ETO). He was a 1st Sgt. in the 83rd Infantry Division, 322nd Field Artillery, Battery A, providing Howitzer ground artillery infantry support, and saw action on the drive to Berlin, most notably in the Hurtgen Forest and the Ardennes region, remembered now in history as the "Battle of the Bulge". Ellsworth was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in World War II.

Returning to civilian life, on April 13, 1946, he married his wartime sweetheart, Kathryn Arlene Hackman, and together they raised two sons and forged a romance that lasted for nearly 70 years, and lived the majority of their lives in the Dundalk and Joppa, Maryland areas. Hailing from a long line of mountain musicians, teachers, preachers, and farmers, he faithfully served as the Chairman of the Deacons and as Superintendent of Sunday School in local churches with which he was affiliated for many years. He worked for 38 years as a locomotive and electric crane engineer for the Arundel Corporation at Sparrows Point, MD, retiring in the early 1980's.

As a Country Western music enthousiast he managed two local Country Western bands in the 70's and 80's. Throughout his life Ellsworth was a loving father to two sons, John & Gerald, and a dedicated husband to the love of his life Kathryn. Together they would enjoy trout fishing even in their older years. Ellsworth and Kathryn were well-liked at the many 83rd Infantry Division Reunions they attended and until his passing Ellsworth was active as the National Chaplain for the Association. He passed away peacefully on April 13, 2014, age 92, preceded in death by his loving wife on December 9, 2013.

Gallery

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