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Personal info

Full name
TAFF, Jack Lloyd
Date of birth
14 February 1922
Age
23
Place of birth
Alpha, Iron County, Michigan
Hometown
Florence, Florence County, Wisconsin

Military service

Service number
36271041
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
I Company,
3rd Battalion,
377th Infantry Regiment,
95th Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
2 April 1945
Place of death
In the vicinity of Oerlinghausen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
E 16 2

Immediate family

Members
Percy E. Taff (father)
Zelphia B. (Bailey) Taff (mother)
Willard Taff (brother)
Edward B. Taff (brother)
Evelyn Z. Taff (sister)
Beatrice V. Taff (sister)
Roy A. Taff (brother)
Eva M. Taff (sister)
Effie F. Taff (sister)
Hazel L. Taff (sister)
William H. Taff (brother)
Anna M. Taff (sister)
Beatrice (Warshawsky) Taff (wife)

More information

Pfc Jack L. Taff enlisted on 1 October 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In November 1944 he asked for and received a transfer to the Infantry. He was sent overseas on 5 January 1945.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation reads: For gallantry in action against the enemy, on 2 April 1945, in the vicinity of Oerlinghauser, Germany. When his platoon leader ordered a withdrawal from a position on the crest of a hill, Pfc. Taff volunteered to remain behind to cover the withdrawal. He kept the enemy at bay with his accurate fire, accounting for at least twelve casualties, before the enemy mortally wounded him by automatic rifle fire from the flank. Pfc. Taff's brave and determines service reflect great credit upon himself and upon the military service.

He is remembered at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Florence County, Wisconsin.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930/1940 Census, http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/,
http://mathieu.gitzhofer.free.fr/vetegb.php?id=660

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Bill Schaefer, Mary Ann Lemanski