Short Narrative
Roy L. Fund: A Legacy of Service
Roy Lavere Fund was born on June 13, 1919, in Nemaha County, Kansas. He enlisted in the National Guard in December 1940 and served with the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. Despite being hospitalized with mumps on D-Day, he joined his unit in France in mid-1944. Just one day after his 25th birthday, on July 14, 1944, Roy was killed in action, becoming the first soldier from Goff, Kansas, to die in World War II. He is buried at Normandy American Cemetery in France and was awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice.
Long Narrative
Roy Lavere Fund: A Life of Service and Sacrifice
Roy Lavere Fund was born on June 13, 1919, on a farm in Nemaha County, Kansas. The son of William Howard and Mrs. Fund, Roy grew up working alongside his family on their land near Goff. Like many young men of his generation, he felt a strong sense of duty to his country even before the United States officially entered World War II.
On October 16, 1940, at age 21, Roy registered for the draft in Goff, listing his father as his contact and noting his work as a self-employed farm hand. Just two months later, on December 23, 1940, he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard at Holton. He joined the 137th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Infantry Division, a unit with deep Midwestern roots.
Training took Roy to Camp Robinson, Arkansas, where he was stationed with Company E. Despite an earlier childhood injury requiring surgery on his spine, he persevered through the demands of military life. In early 1942, he underwent another operation, requiring time in a Springfield, Missouri, hospital to recover. His parents visited him there, providing comfort during his long recuperation.
After returning to duty, Roy continued training and preparing with his regiment as they awaited overseas deployment. In June 1944, while in England preparing for the invasion of Nazi-occupied France, he was hospitalized with mumps during D-Day operations. Even so, he soon rejoined his unit as they pushed into France in mid-1944.
Tragically, on July 14, 1944 — just one day after his 25th birthday — Sergeant Roy L. Fund was killed in action in France. He became the first soldier from Goff, Kansas, to give his life in World War II. His loss was deeply felt in the close-knit farming community, where he was known for his hard work and dedication.
Roy was initially buried overseas and now rests at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, in Plot J, Row 2, Grave 24. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of his sacrifice.
Roy Fund’s story is a poignant reminder of the courage and commitment shown by so many young Americans during World War II. He left behind a legacy of service that continues to be honored by his family, community, and country.
Sources
Roy Lavere Fund, born on June 13, 1919, in Nemaha County, Kansas, enlisted in the National Guard in December 1940, before being mobilized for active duty during World War II. He served in the 137th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Infantry Division. Despite suffering from mumps on D-Day, Roy was deployed to France in mid-1944. On July 14, 1944, just a day after his 25th birthday, Roy was killed in action in France, becoming the first soldier from Goff, Kansas, to die in the war. He is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery
Draft Registration
Full Name: Fund, Roy Lavere
Birth Date: 13 Jun 1919
Birth Place: Nemaha, Kansas, Usa
Race: White
Employer: Self – Farm
Weight: 175
Height: 5 10
Complexion: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Contact Person: Fund, William Howard
Relation to Head: Father
Year: [Blank]
Residence: Goff, Nemaha, Kansas
Residence Country: USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940World War II Draft Registration Cards for Kansas
Enlistment
Full Name Roy L Fund
Army Serial Number 20725158
Enlistment Place Holton Kansas
Enlistment Date 23 Dec 1940
Army Branch Infantry
Service Branch Army
Race or Ethnicity White
Residence Nemaha County, Kansas
Source of Army Personnel National Guard
Army Component National Guard (Officers, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
Level of Education Grammar school
Occupation Farm hands, general farms
Marital Status Single, without dependents
Birth Date 1919
Birth Place Kansas
Source Box Number 0358
Source Film Reel Number 3.79
Conflict Period World War II
Served for United States of America
Camp Robinson
Camp Robinson News
Cpl. William Geren, Pvt. Walter Clelland and Pvt Roy Fund, all of Company E 137th Infantry, were visiting friends in Btry D Sunday afternoon.Sabetha Herald (Sabetha, KS) 2 April 1941 – page 5
Surgery
Private Roy Fund of the U.S. army is in a hospital at Springfield, Mo., for treatment of an injury at the base of the spine, which he received when a boy
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) – 16 March 1942 – page 8
Furlough
Johnstone
Pvt. Roy Fund is home on a 18 day furlough Roy has been recuperating in a Springfield hospital from a severe operation.Sabetha Herald (Sabetha, KS) 25 March 1942 page 7
Parent Visit
“Northeast Items”
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fund spent the week-end in Springfield, Mo., with their son, P.F.C. Roy Fund and Oliver Hollands.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 4 Jun 1942 page 8
Hospitalized with Mumps
Full Name Fund, Roy L
Admission Date Jun 1944
Military Service Number 20725158
Length of Service No entry made
Medical Diagnosis Diagnosis: Mumps
Discharge Type Duty
Discharge Date 1944
Conflict Period World War II
Served for United States of AmericaUS WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954 (Fold 3)
Injured
Full Name Fund, Roy L
Race White, includes Mexican
Admission Date Jul 1944
Admission Type of Injury Casualty, battle
Military Service Number 20725158
Rank Enlisted Man
Branch Infantry, General or Unspecified
Length of Service Unknown
Injured in Line of Duty In line of duty
Medical Diagnosis FirstLocation: Upper extremity: Scapular region; CausativeAgent: Bullet, Missile Not Stated
Discharge Type Died
Discharge Date Jul 1944
Conflict Period World War II
Served for United States of America
Cpl. Roy Fund Died in France
Was Killed July 14
Goff Soldier if First in Community Proper to Die in Action
Word was received Wednesday by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fund, Goff, that their son, Cplt. Roy L. Fund, lot his life in action July 14, in France. Information came from the War Department.
The Goff community was saddened yesterday when word came of the death of Roy Fund, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. fund, farmers of the community northeast of Goff. Roy gave his life for this country on July 14 in France and is the first soldier from Goff to pay the supreme sacrifice.
Roy was in his late 20’s and had been in the service more than two years. He was with an infantry division and had been overseas only about three months. On D-Day he was ill with mumps in England.
Roy has four brothers, Mirl, Walter, Dale and Harold, who with the parents and a host of friends will mourn his early death.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 3 August 1944 page 1
Telegram
Goff
The community was deeply touched Wednesday when the telegram came to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fund, stating their youngest son, Sgt. Roy Fund, with the armed forces overseas, in France, had been killed in action. This is our first death. Roy was born July 13, 1919 at the family home northeast of Goff and met his death July 14, 1944. He had been engaged in farming with his father before his enlistment with the National Guards at Holton, 4 years ago this November. The telegram from the War Department stated a letter would follow giving more details, after which a memorial service will be held and a complete obituary will be given. Mr. and Mrs. Fund and the older brothers and their families have the sincere sympathy of all in their great sacrifice.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 7 Aug 1944 – page 6
Goff Soldier Killed in France
The Goff community was saddened when word came of the death of Roy Fund, younger son of MR and Mrs. w. H. Fund, farmers of the community northeast of Goff. Roy gave his life for his country on Jul 15 in France and is the 1st soldier form Goff to pay the supreme sacrifice.
Roy was in his late 20’s and had been in the service more than two years. He was with an infantry division and had been overseas only about three months. On D-day he was ill with mumps in England. Roy has four brothers, Mirl, Walter, Dale and Harold. – Seneca Courier-Tribune
Fund was a nephew of Mrs. Louis Moser of Sabetha. His father was reared in Sabetha.Sabetha Herald (Sabetha, KS) 9 august 1944 – page 1
Memorial
Goff
Rev Walter Carson of Christian church of Soldier, will deliver the message at the Roy Fund Memorial, Sept. 10 at the High School auditorium. The Heald-Thieme Post of the American Legion will have charge of the service.Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 4 Sep 1944 page 6
Killed in Action
Full Name Fund, Roy L
Serial number 20725158
Rank SGT
Type of casualty KIA
Conflict Period World War II
Served for United States of AmericaUS World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel, 1946 (Fold3)
World War II Dead
Full name Fund, Roy L
Gender Male
Race White
Religion Protestant
Branch Army
Service Number 20725158
Rank Sergeant
Burial Cemetery Plot j 2 24
Burial Cemetery Saint Laurent (Permanent Cemetery), Saint Laurent, France
Notes According to next of kin
Conflict Period World War II
Served for United States of AmericaUS Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 (Fold3)
Burial
Full Name Roy L Fund
State of Residence Kansas
Death 14-Jul-44
Death Date 14 Jul 1944
Buried Buried at: Plot J Row 2 Grave 24 Normandy American Cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer, France Memorial Location
Plot J Row 2 Grave 24
Memorial Cemetery Normandy American Cemetery
Memorial Country Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Rank Sergeant, U.S. Army
Service Number 20725158
Regiment 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Conflict Period World War II
Awards Purple Heart
Served for United States of AmericaUS, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1914-1950 (Fold 3)
