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name
ABERNATHY, Raiford Woodrow - Date of
birth
24 January 1918 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Madison County, Mississippi -
Hometown
Tomnolen, Webster County, Mississippi
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34138456 -
Rank
Private -
Function
unknown -
Unit
D Company,
32nd Armored Regiment,
3rd Armored Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died non-Battle - Date of
death
12 April 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Göttingen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 15 | 23 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George E. Abernathy (father)
Bettie (Dukes) Abernathy (mother)
Bryan Abernathy (brother)
Robert Abernathy (brother)
George E. Abernathy (brother)
David Abernathy (brother)
Ruby B. Abernathy (sister)
Lennie Abernathy (brother)
Bessie Abernathy (sister)
Bessie L. (Dunlap) Abernathy (wife)
James R. Abernathy (son)
More information
Pvt Raiford W. Abernathy was a chauffeur.He enlisted at Camp Shelby, Mississippi on 3 February 1942.
According to the IDPF, Pvt Abernathy died in the 103rd Evacuation Hospital in the vicinity of Göttingen of a penetrating wound at the left side of his chest. The wound was caused in a non battle situation. More information is not available.
He was initially buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Breuna, Germany on 15 April 1945. On 13 July 1945, he was reburied in a temporary grave at Margraten. On 14 December 1948, he was given his final resting place.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Nicole Sproncken, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1920 Census, James Raiford Abernathy obituary
Photo source: Nico Leers, Stichting Adoptie Graven Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Margraten - courtesy of Bert Kleijnen