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Personal info

Full name
WATERS, Graydon E
Date of birth
November 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Felts Mills, Jefferson County, New York
Hometown
Philadelphia, Jefferson County, New York

Military service

Service number
32287207
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
242nd Infantry Regiment,
42nd Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
9 January 1945
Place of death
Hatten, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
William A. Waters (father)
Cora M. (Wells) Waters (mother)
Nellie M. Waters (sister)
Pearl A. Waters (sister)
Beulah A. Waters (sister)
Louie A. Waters (brother)
Doretta V. Waters (sister)

More information

S/Sgt Graydon E. Waters attended high school for three years and was a truck driver.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for his actions on the day of his death. The citation stated:
"When his battalion's main line of resistance had been overrun by flame throwing tanks supported by artillery, Sgt Waters held his squad in position and directed a gallant defense in the face of point-blank fire from the enemy tanks. Climbing up to a dangerously exposed position in the tower of a pillbox, Sgt Waters adjusted friendly artillery fire which put four enemy tanks out of action and, as the crews attempted to escape, he coolly picked them off with his sniper's rifle. Sgt Waters remained in this exposed position encouraging the defenders by his splended example until he was mortally wounded by an artillery burst. His outstanding courage, initiative and self-sacrifice played a major role in the successful defense of Hatten for which his battalion received a Presidential Citation."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Knudsen Noftsier Family Tree / 1930/1940 Census, www.findagrave.com - J Karl / Margie von Marenholtz
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Have Paws will travel / Margie von Marenholtz