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name
ALEXANDER, Bernard George - Date of
birth
21 December 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa -
Hometown
Wapello County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
20743743 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
99th Infantry Division,
99th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 December 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Elsenborn, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 16 | 28 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles D. Alexander (father)
Orpha Alexander (mother)
Rosemary Alexander (wife)
More information
Bernard Alexander attended Ottumwa High School.Superior enemy forces attacked positions occupied by 99th Reconnaissance Troop. Heavy losses were inflicted upon the enemy. The third platoon was cut off and unable to withdraw until darkness when they infiltrated through the enemy. Pfc Alexander, without regard for his own live left his position under heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire and carried a wounded comrade to safety. He left his position a second time to secure 30 caliber ammunition for the machine gun he was helping to man. Another man was critically wounded by enemy fire and Pfc Alexander was advancing under fire to aid this man. for this action he was awarded the Bronze Star posthumously.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Iowa U.S. WWII Bonus Case Files, www.newspaperarchive.com - Ottumwa Daily Courier
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspaperarchive.com - Ottumwa Daily Courier