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name
SUMMERS, Robert Hunter - Date of
birth
6 June 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Buffalo, Erie County, New York -
Hometown
Erie County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
20282975 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
G Company,
2nd Battalion,
424th Infantry Regiment,
106th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Manhay, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 14 | 47 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Robert J. Summers (father)
Estell Summers (mother)
Jane I. Summers (sister)
Estell B. Summers (sister)
Ruth M. Summers (sister)
Margaret Summers (sister)
William B. Summers (brother)
Eleanor Summers (sister)
George J. Summers (brother)
Helen A. (Peirick) Summers (wife)
Robert J. Summers (son)
More information
Pfc Robert H. Summers attended South Park High School for four years and attended Canisius College. He joined the National Guard in Buffalo, New York on 6 January 1941. He was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program (A.S.T.P.) and studied at Vanderbilt University.He joined the National Guard in Buffalo, New York on 6 January 1941.
Per MG Edward F. Witsell, The Adjutant General of the Army in letter to the family: "...review of the records reveal that Pvt Summers company received a surprise attack early in the morning of 27 December 1944 in the vicinity of Manhay, Belgium. German tanks and infantry forced the company back. The Company withdrew, reorganized and later moved back into the attack. A German tank headed in the direction of the main body of troops. Your brother had a rifle grenade handy and seeing the danger and handicap that the tank offered, warned troops out of range of fire of the tank and then, having pulled the pin on the grenade, started for the tank. That was the last time seen of Pvt Summers while he was alive. When the company regained ground that it had lost, it was noticed that the tank had been knocked out and your brother's body was in front of it, apparently cut down by the machine guns on the tank."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / My Tree, http://106thinfdivassn.org, The CUB of the Golden Lion
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Family collection - courtesy of Emira Mazlout - Henri-Chapelle Cemetery Seasonal Guide