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name
HART, David Lee - Date of
birth
3 June 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio -
Hometown
Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-524125 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Forward Observer -
Unit
A Battery,
320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion,
82nd Airborne Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 October 1944 - Place of
death
Riethorst-Katerbosch, the Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| P | 1 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ralph L. Hart (father)
Margaret M. (Johnson) Hart (mother)
Samuel D. Hart (brother)
Patricia A. Hart (sister)
Wesley C. Hart (brother)
More information
2nd Lt Hart graduated from West High School in 1939. He also attended Ohio State University two years with the class of 1943 before he enlistedHe was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: For gallantry in action while serving with Battery A, 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 2 October 1944, near ****, Holland. Second Lieutenant Hart, a Forward Observer, after at least ten casualties had already been sustained in the same area, administered first aid to the Commander of Company B, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, and at the same time continued to observe and give artillery fire commands. Regardless of the fact that the infantry was withdrawing from this area and that the entire area was being swept by machine gun and small arms fire, Second Lieutenant Hart remained to administer first aid to the company commander and to give fire directions to his battalion. In so doing, Second Lieutenant Hart was mortally wounded. Second Lieutenant Hart's actions reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Molenhoek, the Netherlands.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Patricia Poulsen, Terry Hirsch, www.ww2-airborne.us, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Trees, www.bevrijdingsmuseum.nl
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Becky / West High School yearbook Yearbook 1939