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name
BLANKENSHIP, Paul Gray - Date of
birth
6 March 1925 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Christiansburg, Montgomery County, Virginia -
Hometown
Christiansburg, Montgomery County, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33652284 -
Rank
Private -
Function
Rifleman -
Unit
B Company,
38th Armored Infantry Battalion,
7th Armored Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
8 October 1945 - Place of
death
Farm "Het Klaverblad"
Overloon, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten -
Walls of the Missing
* This soldier has been accounted for. A rosette has been placed next to his name.
Immediate family
-
Members
James H. Blankenship (father)
Jessie Blankenship (mother)
James Blankenship (brother)
Theemon Blankenship (brother)
Fred Blankenship (brother)
Madalene Blankenship (sister)
Virginia Blankenship (sister)
Teddy Blankenship (brother)
Bobby Blankenship (brother)
More information
The mission at that time was to clear te wooded area surrounding the town of St. Antonis. During this mission the company encountered enemy forces and was greatly scattered. When a physical check was made, the company found to have suffered many losses. It was assumed that the missing men had been either killed or captured by the enemy. Du to the tactical situation na search could be made at that time.In November 1959, while installing a drainage ditch, the remains of Pvt Blankenship were found near a building on the farm "Het Klaverblad" Found with the remains were items of clothing and equipment and two identification tags.
His remains were transported to the United States and buried at the Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg, Montgomery County, Virginia.
He was declared officially dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.7tharmddiv.org, IDPF, www.fold3.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - U.S. School Yearbooks Virginia, Christiansburg, Christiansburg High School 1947