Earnest Conkin was born and reared in the Walkers Fork Community. He was the son of Noah Houston Conkin and Martha Hickman. He was married to Ofa Olivia Simpson.

He was killed 15 June 1944 in France. Had been in service 20 months, five months overseas.
120th Infantry, 30th Division

Earnest Conkin killed in France
The War Department has advised Mrs. Afa Conkin, Route 4, Kingsport, that her husband, Pfc. Earnest Conkin, 22, was killed in action, June 15, somewhere in France. Pfc. Conkin has been in service 20 months, five months overseas. He is survived by his wife; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Conkin, and several brothers and sisters.

PFC Conkin was killed in the Normandy Invasion in France while serving with company E, 120th Infantry, 30th Division. He entered the Army in October, 1942 and was stationed at Camp Blanding, Fla., Camp Forest, Tenn., and Camp Otterburg, Ind., before going overseas in 1944.
Private Conkin attended Solomon´s  Temple School and was employed at Holston Ordnance Works before entering the Army.

The Kingsport Times, 19 February 1948
Memorial services for Pfc. Earnest Conkin will be conducted at Walkers Fork Baptist Church. Private Conkin was killed in the Normandy Invasion in France on June 15, 1944, while serving with Company E., 120th Infantry, 30th Division. He entered the Army in October, 1942 and was stationed at Camp Blanding, Fla., Camp Forest, Tenn., and Camp Otterburg, Ind., before going overseas in 1944, Private Conkin attended Solomon’s Temple School and was employed at Holston Ordnance Works before entering the Army. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ofa S. Conkin; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Conkin; four sisters, Mrs. Delbert Overbay, Mrs. Worley Godsey, Mrs. Floyd Jobe, and Miss Lee Ella Conkin, and three brothers, Clyde, Buster and Onnie Conkin.

  • Rank: Private First Class
  • Date of birth:
    • 13 March 1922
  • Date of death: 15 June 1944
  • County: Sullivan
  • Hometown: Kingsport
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Battles: Normandy Campaign
  • Awards: Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Walkers Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Kingsport, TN
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar XVIII, Top Panel
  • Contact us to sponsor Earnest Conkin

Image Gallery

Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.

Submit more information on this veteran →