U.S. history students in The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, in Columbus, are working to uncover the stories of Mississippians who died during World War II, history teacher Julie K Heintz wrote in an email. Two of those people came from Lauderdale County — and so Heintz and the students are reaching out for information.

Each student is profiling a soldier, airman, or sailor from the student’s home county who was killed during the war and then buried or memorialized overseas, Heintz explained.

“Across the divide of time, these students have taken responsibility for the stories of these brave men,” she wrote. “Using primary document research, these students are creating websites to honor and rekindle the memories of these heroes. http://themsms.org/fallenheroes.”

The students, said Heintz, are seeking information about the following two men:

• Technical Sgt. George William Bonner was born March 30, 1920 to Claudine Cannon and Berry Benjamin Bonner. In 1935, George William attended Long Creek School District and in 1939 he attended Whynot School District. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 5, 1940 and later became a member of 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. George William met his fate on December 23, 1944 and his final resting place is Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

 – Sgt. Victor Gilbert Hand was born on March 29, 1923 to Preston and Beluah Hand. In 1939, Victor Gilbert attended Suqualena school district and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on April 21, 1942. He later became a member of 427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group. Victor Gilbert met his fate on January 23, 1943 and he is memorialized at Cambridge American Cemetery.

Heintz has this message for people in the community:

“The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science requests the assistance of Technical Sgt. George William Bonner’s and Sgt. Victor Gilbert Hand’s surviving relatives and/or friends in creating a vivid portrait of their fallen hero. Do you have personal stories or photographs you would be willing to share with us? Please send any information about Technical Sgt. George William Bonner and SGT Victor Gilbert Hand to Julie K Heintz at jheintz@themsms.org.”