Marvin Farmer was drafted into the Army in 1942, and was initially trained in anti-aircraft artillery, but was subsequently transferred to the infantry. Once he arrived in France in mid 1944, he was assigned to the 116th Infantry Regiment, part of the 29th Infantry Division. He saw heavy action in Aachen, and was fighting in Germany when he was injured, just days before the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge.
Photos
Caption
Marvin at age sixteen (1940) while he lived in Waverly, Illinois. () Where:
Waverly, IllinoisWhen:
1940Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Myrtle and Edward Farmer with Myrtle’s sister Margaret Colvin, on the right. The photo was taken in in the early 1900's . (This image is considered to be in the public domain.)Where:
Rural Waverly, Illinois When:
early 1900'sOwnership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Marvin Farmer’s eighth grade graduation picture from Waverly Grade School in 1938. He is pictured in the front right. George Wilton was the Principle at that time. (This image is considered to be in the public domain.)Where:
Waverly Grade School When:
1938Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Marvin Farmer as he appeared in his Waverly High School graduation photo in 1942. (.)Where:
Waverly High School When:
1942Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Marvin’s parents, Ed and Myrtle, relaxing around 1936. (Narrator’s photo) Where:
UnknownWhen:
1936Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Private Farmer took his Basic Training at Camp Hulen, Texas in June, 1943. (This image is considered to be in the public domain.)Where:
Camp Hulen, Texas When:
June, 1943Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Farmer went through anti-aircraft training at Camp Hulen in the summer of 1943. (This image is considered to be in the public domain.) Where:
Camp Hulen When:
1943Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Private Farmer following his initial training before his deployment overseas in 1944.(Narrator’s photo)Where:
UnknownWhen:
1944Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This is Marvin, probably as he appeared prior to his deployment to England, en route to France and the war. The location is unknown. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Marvin Farmer enjoyed a day’s pass in Paris in the fall of 1945 (after VE-Day) while on a day’s pass in Paris, France. Marvin was stationed at Fontainebleau, France. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
Paris, FranceWhen:
fall of 1945 UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Private Farmer and some buddies relax during their training days at Camp Hulen, Texas in 1943. On the right is …..Vorhes and on the left is Regan. The other soldier is unknown. (This image is considered to be in the public domain.)
Where:
Camp Hulen, Texas When:
1943Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Technical Specialist 5 Marvin Farmer waits for shipment home after the war in 1945-46 while in Swindon, England near Shrivenham. (This image is considered to be in the public domain.)Where:
Swindon, England When:
1945-46 Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
On August 13, 2000, Governor George Ryan and former Senator Robert Dole presented a gift to Illinois for the construction of the World War II Memorial. The amount represented $1 per Illinois World War II Veteran. )Where:
UnknownWhen:
August 13, 2000Ownership:
(Narrator’s photo
Caption
Representative John Shimkus, Marvin’s wife Mary, Marvin Farmer, Senator Robert Dole and Governor George Ryan at Marvin’s award ceremony. V is for Victory, a common gesture during WW II.. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This is the same event as the previous picture taken on August 13, 2000. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
UnknownWhen:
August 13, 2000Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Marvin Farmer and wife Mary with Senator Dole at the ceremony at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in honoring his service, (August 13, 2000). (Narrator’s photo)Where:
Springfield, IllinoisWhen:
August 13, 2000Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Marvin Farmer, DeAnna Hagle, and Mayor Tim Davlin, circa 2009. Marvin served on the Mayor’s original Veteran’s Advisory Council. Marvin had suggested to DeAnna that she serve at the Veterans Center in Springfield. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
UnknownWhen:
circa 2009Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Marvin Farmer standing in front of a World War II vintage tank (circa 2000) at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Seeing the tank reminded him of his encounter with German tank in Aachen in the fall of 1944. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
Springfield, IllinoisWhen:
circa 2000Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
A group photo taken during Marvin and Mary’s trip to Belgium. From left to right are Mary Beth Farmer, Marvita Schmatz, grandson Nicholas Farmer, Marvin, Mary, and Mr. Schmidtz from Belgium. They ran the “Remember” Museum in Belgium. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
BelgiumWhen:
July, 2001Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Marvin and Mary’s friend Louis of Belgium sang the National Anthem at the Henry Chapelle Cemetary in. Henry Chapelle was originally from Waverly, Illinois. The group stands in front of a headstone for a soldier who originally hailed from Waverly. Where:
Rural, BelgiumWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Marvin’s WW II medals, many of which he received in 2009, are proudly displayed in his home. (Narrator’s photo)Where:
His homeWhen:
2009Ownership:
Narrator’s photo