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Submit- Full
name
BYRD, Ernest Glen - Date of
birth
12 June 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Hawkins County, Tennessee -
Hometown
Rogersville, Hawkins County, Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34724940 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
313th Infantry Regiment,
79th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 March 1945 - Place of
death
Wehofen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Williiam G. Byrd (father)
Randa Byrd (mother)
Charles Byrd (brother)
Richard Byrd (brother)
Willie G. Byrd (brother)
Lea Byrd (brother)
Grady Bird (brother)
Margaret A. Byrd (sister)
More information
Pfc Ernest G. Byrd enlisted in March 1943 and trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was sent overseas in June 1944.He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the first time for wounds received in 21 September 1944.
At the time of his death, the 313th Regiment had just returned to the front from a period of rest and reorganization following heavy fighting.
Pfc Byrd was killed instantly by fragments of an exploding shell.
He was initially buried in a temporary grave at Margraten on 28 March 1945. After being disinterred and after the cemetery was given a permanent status, he was given his final resting place on 11 January 1949.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com, http://etvma.org, WWII Draft Cards, 1940 Census, IDPF
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Regina Heath