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Personal info

Full name
ATWOOD, Dayton David
Date of birth
22 September 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Lisbon, Grafton County, New Hampshire
Hometown
Suncook, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

Military service

Service number
17124887
Rank
Private First Class
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
I Company,
3rd Battalion,
289th Infantry Regiment,
75th Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
25 December 1944
Place of death
Fränzel (a street in Eupen)
Eupen, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
B 5 4

Immediate family

Members
Arthur C. Atwood (father)
Grace (Kimball) Atwood (mother)
Wallace K. Atwood (brother)
Marion E. Atwood (sister)
Helen R. Atwood (sister)
Arthur C. Atwood (brother)

More information

Pfc Dayton D. Atwood attended college for two years.

He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Kansas City, Kansas on 15 October 1942.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: for gallantry in action while serving as radio operator of a weapons platoon of the 289th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, in action on 25 December 1944 in Belgium. Although he had the opportunity to withdraw because of heavy enemy fire, Pfc Atwood elected to remain by his radio to keep his company commander informed of the enemy situation, maintaining contact with his unit until he was killed. His action showed great devotion to duty and extreme bravery.

He was killed by shrapnel in the head.

He was initially buried in a temporary grave at Henri-Chapelle on 27 December 1944. After being disinterred and after the cemetery was given a permanent status, he was given his final resting place on 25 June 1948.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Aimee Fogg, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, IDPF

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Franconia Heritage Society, Aimee Fogg, Ralph Peeters