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Personal info

Full name
MAC KERER, Arnold William
Date of birth
29 August 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Wyandotte, Wayne County, Michigan
Hometown
Algonac, St. Clair County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
O-1325654
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Platoon Commander
Unit
E Company,
39th Infantry Regiment,
9th Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Died of Wounds
Date of death
21 December 1944
Place of death
Near Monschau, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
D 1 32

Immediate family

Members
Arnold W. Mac Kerer (father)
Dorothy E. (Purdy) Mac Kerer (mother)
Donald Mac Kerer (brother)
Peter S. Mac Kerer (brother)

More information

Lt Mac Kerer was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for gallantry in action on 11 December 1944 near Schlick, Germany. He crawled forward, under enemy fire and observation, to within twenty-five yards of a machine gun. With complete disregard for personal safety, he threw two grenades, destroying the gun and killing the entire crew in the emplacement.

Ten days after the action for which he was posthumously decorated, he was hit by machine gun fire while on a reconnaissance patrol near Monschau and died as a result of these wounds.

His twin brother, Donald, who had been with Arnold since leaving Norwich to go into the Army, took over his brother's platoon until he, Donald, was wounded on 2 February 1945.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. School Yearbook / Perry-Meisner- Joudry-Morton Family Tree

Photo source: U.S. School Yearbook, www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet