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name
TOWNE, Hollis Loren - Date of
birth
25 July 1914 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Estelline, Hamlin County, South Dakota -
Hometown
Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota -
Ethnicity
White
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O1012027 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
unknown -
Unit
32nd Armored Regiment,
3rd Armored Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
15 April 1945 - Place of
death
Bernburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 15 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Hollis P. Towne (father)
Elsie S. (Reuter) Towne (mother)
Elmore R. Towne (brother)
Louise M. Towne (sister)
Ida M. Towne (sister)
More information
Capt Hollis L. Towne enlisted in Albany, New York, on 15 May 1941.Silver Star Citation:
"Captain Towne was given the mission of taking the town of Bernburg, Germany, with his company of light tanks. In approaching Unterpeissen nearby, the head of the column was pinned down by heavy fire, small arms and bazooka, and Captain Towne went ahead beyond the forward elements to make a thorough reconnaissance, although he was warned of the danger involved. He was fatally wounded by a bazooka shell, but his courageous example inspired his men and they successfully destroyed the enemy opposition and moved on to take their objective. Captain Towne’s utter disregard of personal welfare and coolness under fire reflect the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States."
Source of information: Cor van den Burg, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Hatzenbeller Family Tree / 1920/1930/1940 Census / U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/, http://vetaffairs.sd.gov - Aubrey Darling and Greg Ketterling
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, http://vetaffairs.sd.gov - Aberdeen American News