Gerald McCown of Seadrift proudly holds a momento which contains a photo of him in the 1940s and the medals he was awarded in World War II.
-Photo by Jasmine Gordon
Often times in our lives we find ourselves in situations of immediate danger, times of need or peril; in many of these moments prayer fills us with strength, comfort and hope. I recently met with a family that reminded me just how powerful prayer is.
I was greeted by Sheralyn McCown Maddux and her mother, Eileen Joyce McCown, appropriately one week prior to Memorial Day. “I read your articles, it’s great to have you here,” Joyce said smiling, “This is my husband, Gerald Franklin.” I shook each of their hands and the miraculous story of how fifty-two soldiers from Seadrift, Texas returned safely home from World War II began to unfold.
Gerald was one of five brothers who were sent to battle during World War II, starting with the oldest brother; Glen (a.k.a. Cotton), Eugene (Jeep), Gerald, Milton S. (Pug) and Hollis. Youngest brother Billy Darrell was the only one not sent to war. The brothers had two elder sisters, Dorris and Elgah Lee. All were born in Northeast Texas in Iowa Park to Fannie Maude and Benjamin Owen McCown except for the youngest two brothers; who were born in Seadrift, Texas. Their father was a farmer so the family migrated to our coastal community because of Seadrift’s rich farmland in the 1930s.
The children attended school in Seadrift and at the age of sixteen, Gerald enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp during the depression. The CCC Camps were created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 to create jobs for American men who could not find work in any other field. Gerald was first sent to California for six months to fight forest fires, next he was sent to build roads at the National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell-Tivoli for another six months. He then joined the air force and was sent overseas to fight in Europe. His mother, Fanny along with other soldiers’ mothers and family prayed daily at the First Assembly of God for their Seadrift soldiers at war. “They would gather at the church at 10:00 a.m. every day plus Tuesday and Saturday evenings to pray the Ninety-first Psalm.” (Eileen) Joyce told me. “The ladies made a large collage of the fifty-two soldiers and placed it inside of the church.” While it has been rearranged and all of the photos are no longer in it, it still remains in the church, over fifty years later.
“Fanny was a Five Star Mother,” Sheralyn said, “She had an official letter from the president which she was very proud of.” During all of the difficult and dangerous times at war, Gerald always felt a shield of protection. In many instances, it seemed he was just out of harm’s way. His journey through battle has been documented in a series of publications by Peggy Joyce Ruth entitled, Psalms 91 and in a documentary televised on The 700 Club. As I leafed through the books which told of his stories at war, I glanced up at Gerald and said to him, “Boy, you sure are famous.” He quickly grinned at me and his eyes twinkled, I can not describe the feeling I had as I sat across from such a brave man. Although today, he can not tell me the stories himself because of various health issues, his wife and daughter were able to tell me many. Frames with photos of Gerald in Europe line the walls of their home along with passports, currency and maps from his military years. Even a notebook which has great detail of his time in battle and of his meal tickets!
Gerald still remembers the day General Eisenhower gave them the now famous message the day before they were to invade Normandy on June 6, 1944:
“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
— Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower
“After three and a half years at war, Gerald had enough points to come home safely.” Joyce reminisced. In November 1946, he and Eileen Joyce Miller married and had six daughters.
The McCown brothers were five of fifty-two soldiers from Seadrift who were in World War II who returned home unharmed. Many times in life we may not know the path we are destined for; however if we pray and have faith, God willing, those prayers will be answered. Gerald’s grandson, Leslie Gerald King, has followed in his footsteps and served two tours in Iraq. He also tells his story and sense of “protective covering” which surrounded him while at war in Peggy Joyce Ruth’s God’s Shield of Protection, Psalm 91. Find out more about these publications at http://www.peggyjoyceruth.org.
As I left that day, Sheralyn turned and asked me what my sister’s name was; of course all of you readers out there know I worry about my sister who has enlisted in the Marines. I said, “Gessy, her name is Gessy.” Sheralyn then said the following words which made tears swell in my eyes, “We will make sure to pray for her.”
Happy Memorial Day to you, Gerald and to all of our soldiers; thank you to the McCown family for sharing their story with our readers and for everyone out there, remember the Power of Prayer!
The frame remains at the First Assembly of God Church, even after 50+ years.
Psalm 91 (King James Version)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
