About
World War II (1939-1945)
Calvin Nealon Powles was born in the town of Rotterdam in Schenectady County, New York, on July 1, 1925. He was a student at Draper High School where he participated in the band and orchestra. Before entering the military, he worked for the Schenectady General Depot.
In September 1943, Calvin enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, and was returning home on leave via train. When he failed to arrive as expected, his family began to worry. On June 17, 1945, Calvin was found beside the New York Central railroad tracks in Rome, New York. It is believed that while riding on the coach's platform, the door opened, causing him to be thrown off the train. His cause of death was never officially reported in the newspaper; only a theory regarding the incident was mentioned. He is buried in Viewland Cemetery in Rotterdam, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry