Notes:
Data source is Jim Groetsch. 412 Fieldcrest Dr. Webster Grv. MO 63119. E-mail jgroetsch@earthlink.net
Data research by Doug Mumma. doug@mumma.org
William enlisted in the military and was serving in the Philipine Islands when he was arrested and sentenced on 7 April 1931 to 10 years in jail for manslaughter. (my guess is he became involved in a bar brawl and someone was accidentally killed). His civilian occupation was listed as a cabinet maker. He began serving his sentence on the Alcatraz military prison. In 1933, the military transferred ownership of Alcatraz Island to the US Federal government and it became known as Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. At that time, the military requested that the federal government keep 21 military prisoners on Alcatraz. On 19 June 1934, William J F Mumma was transferred to the federal penitentiary system and was listed as prisoner number 18. Later, the military transferred these prisoners to McNeil Island Prison in Washington State. William was transferred to McNeil Island on 11 Nov 1935. On 28 May 1937 William was discharged from McNeil Island prison for good behavior after serving 6 years of his sentence.
What is surprising is the fact that William was able to enlist in the US Army on 15 Apr 1942 even though he had been convicted of manslaughter and served time in prison. He served in WWII with distinction and in listed as serving as a master sargent in the Army Air Corps.
1920 Census, PA, York Co., dwelling 290, 456 East Prospect St.
Mumma, William G., head, rents, 26, b: PA/PA/PA, box maker, safe works
" , Leona R., wife, 27, b: PA/PA/PA
" , J. William, son, 6, b: PA/PA/PA
" , Leona E., dau, 5 6/12, b: PA/PA/PA
" , Anna Mary, dau, 3 9/12, b: PA/PA/PA
" , Frieda M, dau, 1 4/12, b: PA/PA/PA
Alcatraz, California, U.S. Penitentiary, Prisoner Index, 1934-1963
--------------------------------------------
Name: William John Fishel Mumma
Ethnicity: White
Birth Date: 1 Apr 1913
Birth Place: York, PA
Father's name: William Groetsch Mumma
Mother's name: Leona Romaine Fishel
Death Date: 28 Jun 1989
Date Recieved at Alcatraz: 19 Jun 1934
Incarceration Reason: MANSLAUGHTER (MILITARY)
Place of Incarceration: Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
Transferred From: Pacific Branch, Usdb Alcatraz
Old Box Number: M-28
New Box Number: 908
Shelf Location: 3138G
Inmate Number: 18
*Source Information:* Ancestry.com. /Alcatraz, California, U.S. Penitentiary, Prisoner Index,
1934-1963/ [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
McNeil Island, Washington, U.S. Penitentiary, Photos and Records of Prisoners Received, 1875-1939
Number: 11806
Name: William J F Mumma
Birth Date: 1 Apr 1913
Facility: McNeil Island Penitentiary
Prison Location: McNeil Island, Pierce, Washington
Received Date: 12 Nov 1935
Date of Sentence: 21 May 1935
crime: manslaughter
sentence: 10 yrs
transferred from Alcatraz Island prison
convicted: Manila Island, 21 May 1931
sentence comences: 21 May 1931
full term: May 21, 1941
good time: 2 Nov 1937
age when Received: 21
height: 5 ft 9 1/2 inches
weight: 158
eyes: grey
born: York PA, 1 Apr 1913
where arrested: Corregidor P.I. (Misspelled on original document)
when arrested: 2 Apr 1931
parents names & residence: Mrs. William Mumma, mother, 320 S. George Street, York, Penn
usual residence: York, PA
occupation: cabinet maker
how long in jail: from arrest
color: white
discharged: Trans TPO#5 28 May 1937
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record
------------------------------------
Name: William J F Mumma
Birth Year: 1913
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: Pennsylvania
Enlistment Date: 15 Apr 1942
Enlistment State: Pennsylvania
Enlistment City: Harrisburg
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Enlisted Man, Regular Army, after 3 months of Discharge
Education: Grammar school
Civil Occupation: Bridge Builder (Bridge carpenter. ) or Car Carpenter, Railway or Carpenter, Construction* (Carpenter, general.) or Carpenter, Ship An asterisk (*) appearing after a job title indicates that a trade test for the particular occupation will be found in the U
Marital Status: Married
Height: 69
Weight: 149
MUMMA, WILLIAM J
US AIR FORCE
MSGT US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II, KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 04/01/1913
DATE OF DEATH: 06/28/1989
BURIED AT: SECTION 3 SITE 797
INDIANTOWN GAP NATIONAL CEMETERY
RR2, BOX 484 INDIANTOWN GAP ROAD ANNVILLE, PA 17003-9618
(717) 865-5254