Madisonville Democrat, Jan. 12, 1944

Cpl, Archie A. Dalton has been reported missing in action in the north Africa area since Nov. 26, his mother, Mrs. Bessie L. Dalton of Epperson, has been notified by the War Department. A letter said it was hopeful that Cpl. Dalton is a prisoner of war. The last letter from him dated Nov. 19 and enclosed a postal money order for $60 for the family to buy Christmas gifts. He carefully instructed his mother to select a gift for his friend, Miss Dorothy Davis. Cpl. Dalton has been in service a year. Mr. and Mrs. Dalton have two other sons in service, Enos Dalton tank driver, and Cecil Dalton, truck driver in the Air Corps, both overseas.

One Monroe County serviceman was a passenger on this British transport ship – Pvt Archie Arlie Dalton. Archie Dalton was born in the community of Epperson in 1923 to John Ervin Dalton and Bessie Lucinda West . On January 11th, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was proudly serving his country with the 853rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation.

On November 25, 1943 at Oran, Algeria, Archie boarded the Rohna headed for the China-Burma-India theater. Destination was Port Said, Egypt. There was a crew of 195, along with 1,981 American troops and 7 Red Cross personnel. The Rohna sailed along with four other ships and joined a convoy that same day; she was the second ship in the port column, for a total of 24 ships. The following day the USS Pioneer joined the convoy. According to 2nd Officer Wills of the Rohna, there were no warnings of enemy aircraft received.

A total of 1,015 American troops, 3 Red Cross personnel, and 120 crewmen perished.

Archie A Dalton