Texas
From the Archives: East Texas veterans who served on D-Day
EAST TEXAS (KLTV) – As the world pauses to reflect on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy that changed the course of World War II, the passage of time highlights another somber reality. The personal stories of those who served during this turning point in the war will soon fade into history.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, fewer than 119 thousand of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are still living. In fact, these statistics show 131 WWII veterans die with each passing day. The National World War II Museum’s information shows 5,842 of the remaining WWII survivors are from Texas.
Even fewer are the number of living veterans whose service had a direct connection to the landings at Normandy France in June 1944. This includes the soldiers who landed on Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, as well as the those involved in the air bombardment, paratrooper drops, and those serving aboard ships positions along the coastline.
Of the 140 thousand American service members involved, the National D-Day Memorial in Virginia estimates about a thousand are still living. The youngest, who were in their teens in 1944, would now be approaching 100.
The stories of many East Texas veterans who served at Normandy were documented through KLTV’s long-running ‘Freedom Fighters’ series, reported by journalist Joan Hallmark, who retired in 2018.
These first-hand accounts preserve vivid details about their combat service and perspectives.
The following videos from the KLTV archives are a selection of nearly two dozen East Texas veterans who served during the D-Day invasion.
Gordon Barker | Hideaway, TX
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Royce Peacock | Troup, TX
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Ron Ruff | Pittsburg, TX
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Bill Spurgeon | Carthage, TX
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Jesse Casady | Tyler, TX
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Bill Prindible | Hideaway, TX
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Bud Taylor | Tyler, TX
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Chuck Bice | Tyler, TX
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Charles Monroe | Athens, TX
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Ted Heller | Bullard, TX
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John Jennings | Mount Pleasant, TX
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Bud Williams | Garrison, TX
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Bud Taylor, James Barrett, and Bud Williams
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Jack Reynolds | Henderson County, TX
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Jack Jackson | Tyler, TX
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James D’Zelle | Hawkins, TX
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Homer Garrett | Tyler, TX
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John Flowers | Smith County, TX
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Texas
See how Texas medical schools rank among the world’s best for 2026
Texas Tech welcomes Sofie Jones as the new Masked Rider
Watch Texas Tech University formally welcome Sofie Jones as the 65th Masked Rider.
When it comes to training the doctors and researchers who will staff hospitals, Texas holds its own on the world stage.
Several Texas health and medical institutions landed on U.S. News and World Report’s 2026-27 Best Global Universities list, with three cracking the global top 500 — led by UT Southwestern Medical Center at No. 113.
The list considered 13 indicators and weights to measure global research performance and reputation, ranking the world’s 2,250 top universities.
Here’s a look at how some major public and private health care and medical universities in Texas fared on the list.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Global Ranking: No. 113.
Location: Dallas, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Baylor College of Medicine
Global Ranking: No. 144.
Location: Houston, Texas.
Type: Private university.
University of Texas Health Science Center — Houston
Global Ranking: No. 324.
Location: Houston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
University of Texas Medical Branch — Galveston
Global Ranking: No. 599.
Location: Galveston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Global Ranking: No. 1,871.
Location: Lubbock, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
Texas
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Texas
New screwworm portal aims to protect Texas livestock, wildlife and rural economy
AUSTIN – Texas officials are rolling out a new online hub aimed at helping residents spot and report the New World screwworm, a pest Gov. Greg Abbott says threatens livestock, wildlife, and the state’s rural economy.
Abbott announced the launch of screwworm.texas.gov, an enhanced website housed in the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal that he described as a “one-stop shop” for information and resources tied to the state’s response.
The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, and our rural economy,” Abbott said. “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians, and families. Screwworm.texas.gov delivers the facts, maps, identification methods, and certification resources Texans need to detect problems early and report cases without delay. Now every Texan has the information to act. Texas will protect our land, our animals, and our way of life from this pest.
According to the governor’s office, the site is designed to provide “actionable and reliable multimedia information” about the New World screwworm, including fact sheets, videos, and educational materials.
The portal includes background information, guidance on how to spot the pest, sample collection procedures, Texas Animal Health Commission New World screwworm zone maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture case dashboard, links to best practices for livestock and wildlife, and details on registering for a new no-cost New World screwworm Certified Inspector Training.
The governor’s office said state and federal partners are working together to detect, control and contain the spread, and that expanding public outreach and providing clear information is a key part of reducing risk.
Abbott’s office also highlighted actions taken by the governor in response to the pest, including:
- Directing the creation of a joint Texas New World screwworm Response Team
- Joining USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg
- Issuing a statewide disaster declaration ahead of the first detection
- Deploying state resources and activating the State Emergency Operations Center after the first confirmed Texas cases
- Visiting the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville for a briefing
- Launching a free online training course to certify more inspectors
- Announcing federal funding to strengthen inspection capacity.
Texans are urged to inspect livestock and pets for wounds and report suspected cases immediately, including in wildlife.
For livestock and pets, suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242.
For wildlife, reports should be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Officials also warn people not to move affected animals.
More information and updates are available at screwworm.texas.gov and screwworm.gov.
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