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Personal info

Full name
AKINS, Hugh J
Date of birth
21 May 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Derry, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Derry, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13089910
Rank
Corporal
Function
unknown
Unit
HQ Company,
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
4 October 1944
Place of death
Wylerbaan
Kamp near Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
F 3 4

Immediate family

Members
Andrew P. Akins (father)
Mary E. (Schum) Akins (mother)
Francis E. Akins (brother)
Fidelis Akins (sister)
Marie Akins (sister)
Bernadette Akins (sister)
Loretta D Akins (sister)
Charles Akins (brother)
Gerald Akins (brother)
Stanley R. Akins (brother)
Ann Akins (sister)
Janet Akins (sister)

More information

Cpl Hugh J. Akins volunteered for the U.S. Army in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on 2 November 1942. He was a metal worker before he joined the army.

Hugh J. 'Rosey' Akins was one of 11 children in the family. He finished high school in 1941. He was very popular in and out of school. In the Army he was called 'Rosey' because of his rosy cheeks, but at home he was called 'Foo'. He was above average as a student in basketball and in football. He was active in all school activities, such as chorus and class presentations.

His brother, 1st Lt Francis E. Akins was also killed during WWII and has been buried at the American War Cemetery Ardennes. Follow this link to his memorial page.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Jean Louis Vijgen, www.findagrave.com

Photo source: Jeannick Tapell, Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Derry Borough High School, 1939