Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
PAYNE, Fred William II
Date of birth
16 August 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
Rock Camp, Lawrence County, Ohio
Hometown
Lawrence County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
15320511
Rank
Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
HQ Company,
18th Infantry Regiment,
1st Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
25 November 1944
Place of death
Heistern, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
C 5 25

Immediate family

Members
Frederick W. Payne (father)
Beatrice E. Payne (mother)

More information

Sgt Fred W. Payne II enlisted at Fort Hayes, Columbus on 24 August 1942.

He had been a student at Ohio University studying for the class of 43. He was a metalworker before he joined the Army. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.

On 25 November 1944 he was directed to lead a patrol into the village of Heistern, Germany, to see if it were occupied by German troops. While in the village, he was caught by an enemy barrage and killed instantly.

Sgt Fred W. Payne II was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Belgium Block K, Row 1, Grave 18.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Erwin Derhaag, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record, Ohio University 1944 Alumnus News, www.wwiimemorial.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Ohio Alumnus - Oct 1944