Memorial

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Pfc Burton M. La Badie graduated from Stroudsburg High School.

He enlisted in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on 19 October 1944.

His Regimental Commander, Col. C. M. Willingham, wrote a letter to his parents, explaining what had happened with their son. The colonel tells that he was killed instantly in the vicinity of Merten, Germany, by enemy rifle fire during action in which his company was engaged. It stated his remains were interred in a well-marked and well-planned American cemetery at Ittenbach, Germany, in a burial service at which a Protestant chaplain officiated. The commanding officer paid tribute to his splendid conduct, saying: "His excellent traits of character set a good example for the men in his organization. Recently Burton was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy. He was very devoted and loyal to his organization and strived to make it the best in the army. With Burton's passing we have lost a true friend, a brave comrade, a loyal American, and a fine soldier."

A comrade, Sgt Thompson, also wrote a letter, dated June 8: "I feel it's my duty to write a few lines and express my very deepest sympathy. "I knew Burton, in fact he was in my squad and one of my best and most reliable men. Although he was with us only a short time, we grew to admire him very much. It was during a counterattack that he was killed across the Sieg River. He and a buddy were in a two-man foxhole guarding our flank when the Jerries struck back with overwhelming numbers of men and weapons. If it had not been for his heroic devotion to duty, none of us would be alive today. He and his buddy, although surrounded, fought until the end. All our efforts to relieve the situation wer futile. Mrs. LaBadie, you can be proud to have had a son such as Burton. I know that more words cannot help remedy your great loss. His passing will not have been in vain, this I promise."