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name
RENFROE, Ralph Lamar - Date of
birth
10 November 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Banks, Pike County, Alabama -
Hometown
Montgomery County, Alabama
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-539137 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
F Company,
2nd Battalion,
329th Infantry Regiment,
83rd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Soldier's Medal,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 January 1945 - Place of
death
Honvelez, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 5 | 49 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ernest D. Renfroe (father)
Cora M. (Culpepper) Renfroe (mother)
Edsel K. Renfroe (brother)
Ernest D. Renfroe Jr. (brother)
More information
Lt Renfroe graduated from the University of Alabama.He joined his unit from the 92nd Replacement Battalion on 3 January 1943.
He was awarded the Soldier's Medal posthumously for his action on 14 January 1945. The citation reads: For distinguishing himself by heroism on 14 January 1945, in Belgium. During a counter-attack all of the enemy infantry were killed or captured and an enemy tank was set on fire by rocket launcher fire. The assistant driver of the vehicle was trapped and could not get out. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Renfroe rushed to the flaming tank and extricated the wounded German and dragged him to safety. The outstanding courage and humanity of this officer exemplifies the highes traditions of the armed forces of the United States.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com
Photo source: www.ancestry.com, Peter Schouteten, http://83rdinfdivdocs.org