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Personal info

Full name
BRAFFITT, Raymond William
Date of birth
20 January 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
Newton Center, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Military service

Service number
O1325965
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Intelligence Officer
Unit
HQ Company,
320th Infantry Regiment,
35th Infantry Division
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Legion of Merit,
Purple Heart,
French Croix de Guerre

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
17 September 1944
Place of death
Near Forêt de Champenoux, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
C 22 21

Immediate family

Members
James M. Braffitt (father)
Ada C. (Mosher) Braffitt (mother)
Robert G. Braffitt (brother)
Helen Braffitt (sister)
James M. Braffitt (brother)
Dorothy J. Braffitt (sister)

More information

1st Lt Raymond W. Braffitt graduated from Watertown High School in 1936 and was a driver before he enlisted in Boston, Massachusetts on 18 March 1941.

On 17 September 1944, while on patrol as Battalion Intelligence Officer with the 320th Infantry east of the Moselle River, he engaged several German soldiers and was killed during the encounter. For his action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Andilly, France.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, After Action Report 35th Infantry Division
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Don Braffitt