Memorial

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Pvt Carl M. Riddle graduated from New Hope High School At one time he ran a grocery store and service station and had a garage. Later he had lived in Newport News, where he was employed at Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation and also the Newport News shipyard.

He enlisted on 11 April 1944. He took seventeen weeks of basic training at Camp Wheeler in Geogia and thirteen weeks of advanced training in the motor school at Fort Benning, Georgia and was sent overseas the middle of December. He arrived in France 26 December 1944.

His wife had received a letter from Riddle's commanding officer. It reads; "On 16 January 1945, Co. B of which your husband was a member was assigned the mission of taking the town of Longville, Belgium. This was during the famous Battle of the Bulge. The weather was exceedingly cold and every other force seemed to be working against our troops rather than for them. Co. B started the attack while being subjected to heavy barrages of enemy artillery. The objective was taken in a short while and then the company began to reorganize and it was discovered that Carl was missing. A thorough search was made but he could not be found and he was, therefore, reported missing in action.
At a later date it was determined that Carl was killed by enemy artillery and his status was changed from missing to killed in action. It is unfortunate that Carl was with this organization such a short time. He was assigned to the battalion on 14 January 1945. He made the supreme sacrifice for his country and became listed among our nation's heroes. Please do not feel that his life was lost in vain.
The officers and men of this battalion express to you through me their deepest sympathy in your great loss. Sincerely yours, Lt. Col. Gordon F. Thomas, Headquarters, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion."

Pvt Carl M. Riddle first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, Belgium.