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name
RIEGER, Elroy Francis - Date of
birth
24 July 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Laona, Forrest County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Elk Grove, Sacramento County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39416244 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
119th Infantry Regiment,
30th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 March 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Spellen-Friedrichsfeld, southwest of Wesel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 14 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Jacob Rieger (father)
Annie M. Rieger (mother)
Verna M. Rieger (sister)
Lloyd Rieger (brother)
Charles Rieger (brother)
More information
Pfc Elroy F. Rieger graduated from high school in May 1943.He enlisted in Sacramento, California on 5 June 1943. He originally trained with an anti-aircraft unit before he was transferred to the infantry.
He arrived in the European Theater of Operations in the autumn of 1944.
He was reported wounded in action in December 1944 and after recovering of his wounds, rejoined his unit in February 1945. For this wound he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal a first time.
Col R. A. Baker, commanding officer of his regiment, wrote a letter to his mother, explaining wath happened on that tragic day. The following is an extract of this letter: "Your son was killed in action near Friedrichsfeld, Germany. His company's mission was to take the town and the mission of his squad was to protect an underpass while the company passed through. Elroy was on his way to take up a position where he could command a good view of the underpass. He had to cross an open field to reach his new position, and was killed instantly by enemy sniper fire while crossing this field."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.oldhickory30th.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / United States Census 1940 / WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Sean Daugherty