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name
ZIMMER, Hugo Rodney "Rod" - Date of
birth
23 April 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Oak Creek, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
West Allis, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36266007 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
38th Infantry Regiment,
2nd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Bendorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 12 | 50 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Hugo J. Zimmer (father)
Erna M. (West) Zimmer (mother)
Julian Zimmer (brother)
David W. Zimmer (brother)
More information
S/Sgt Hugo R. Zimmer attended the University of Wisconsin and was a chauffeur.He enlisted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 14 September 1942.
After landing on Omaha Beach one day after D-Day, he participated in the battle for Normandy during he was wounded in action. After being wounded a second time, he spent some time in a hospital in London.
Before leaving for active duty, he and his brother David had a fond moment, as David (a naval officer) was able to get Rodney into the officers club for a bon voyage toast.
Rodney had written to his mother from the front of post-war dreams of owning a cattle ranch out west with his best friend. Every year on Memorial Day, until his own death, Rodney’s brother, Commander David Zimmer, participated in a service in his honor.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Jennifer Zimmer, Amy Zimmer, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Werner Family Tree, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Amy Zimmer