Whitnell W. LAWRENCE
“Whit”
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Source : Rick Lawrence (Ellen Marchese)
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NUMBER OF SERVICE | 38600528 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
AGE | 30 yo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE OF BIRTH | 1913 Desha County, ARKANSAS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ENLISTMENT STATE | ARKANSAS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FAMILY |
Spouse : Bessie Jo Roswell Meers Parents : Marshall Lee & Drusilla Woodside LAWRENCE Siblings : Dimple, Madge L, James H. & William K. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
RANK | Private | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FONCTION | Infantry Man | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JOB BEFORE ENLISTEMENT | Semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE of ENLISTEMENT | 4 December 1943 Little Rock ARKANSAS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
COMPANY | Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||
REGIMENT | 116th Infantry Regiment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DIVISION | 29th Infantry Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||
DATE OF DEATH | 30 August 1944 |
Source : Joy Riggers | ||||||||||||||||||||||
STATUS | KIA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
PLACE OF DEATH | Brest | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CEMETERY TEMPORARY |
CEMTERY TEMPORARY of St James N°3578 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CEMETERY | BRITTANY AMERICAN CEMETERY of St James (Montjoie St Martin) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GRAVE |
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DECORATION |
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STORY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
William W. "Whit" Lawrence was the son of Marshall Lee Lawrence and Druesilla Woodside, both of Illinois. Whit's father died in 1920 leaving his mother Druesilla to raise their large family on her own. Whit received his public school education in Desha County, Arkansas. On 2/14/1938, Valentine's Day, Whit married Bessie Jo Roswell in Desha County, Arkansas. Whit enlisted in the United States Army for the duration of the war on 12/4/1943 at Little Rock, Arkansas. After basic training was completed, he was assigned to the 116th Infantry Regiment, 175th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Division. He participated in the amphibious landing at Omaha Beach, Normandy, the Battle at St. Lo and the battle of Hill 219. Whit and his comrades were then trucked up to Breast, France, and began the siege and eventual capture of this great port city. |
Source : Rick Lawrence
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The regiment commenced their attack on 8/24/1944, and the battle with the German garrison lasted nearly a month, until the last defenders finally surrendered on September 18. However, Whit was not there for the victory as he had been killed in action during this battle on August 30th. He received the Silver Star Medal for valor (Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 199 {1944}). William is buried in the McGehee Cemetery in Desha County, Arkansas, as is his wife Frances and his parents. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
29th INFANTRY DIVISION - BLUE AND GRAY
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Brother of Whitnell W |
William K. LAWRENCE Sr
“Bill”
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NUMBER OF SERVICE | 37107913 |
McGehee Cemetery Source : ronald conrad | ||
DATE OF BIRTH | 19 Auguste 1916 McGehee, Desha County, ARKANSAS | |||
ENLISTMENT STATE | ARKANSAS | |||
FAMILY |
Parents : Marshall Lee & Drusilla Woodside LAWRENCE Frère & soeur : Dimple, Madge L, James H. & Whitnell W | |||
RANK | Staff Sergeant | |||
UNIT |
90th Infantry Division
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DECORATION |
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Silver StarAWARDED FOR ACTIONS
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SOURCE INFORMATION & SOURCE PHOTO | Findagrave.com - Valor.militarytimes.com |
SOURCE INFORMATION & SOURCE PHOTO | Aad.archives.gov - Abmc.gov - Findagrave.com |
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PROGRAMMER | Eric, Henri, Garrett, Clive, Frédéric & Renaud |