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name
VARGAS, Richard A - Date of
birth
25 november 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas -
Hometown
Calhoun County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36151681 -
Rank
Private -
Function
unknown -
Unit
H Company,
3rd Battalion,
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 June 1944 - Place of
death
Sainte Mére Église, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 35 | 39 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Melecio C. Vargas (father)
Christine (Cordona) Vargas (mother)
Myles J. Vargas (brother)
Christine Vargas (sister)
Robert G. Vargas (brother)
Beatrice E. Vargas (sister)
David E. Vargas (brother)
More information
Pvt Richard A. Vargas worked on a farm before he enlisted in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 26 February 1941.He was killed in action in Sainte Mère Église. He was crossing a road with his buddies Cruise and Kilroy when the were hit by a barrage of artillery. They had been ordered to move to a new position when they were under fire. His body protected Cruise from injury. Kilroy went for a medic while Cruise tried to treat his wounds to no avail.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery Ste Mère Église No 1, France.
He is buried next to his brother Robert.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, http://www.ww2-airborne.us
Photo source: http://www.ww2-airborne.us