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Personal info

Full name
VAN BLAIR, Howard Bert
Date of birth
11 December 1911
Age
32
Place of birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Hometown
Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
36779094
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Squad Leader
Unit
C Company,
1st Battalion,
175th Infantry Regiment,
29th Infantry Division
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 November 1944
Place of death
In the vicinity of Bettendorf-Schleiden, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
C 5 16

Immediate family

Members
Albert W. Bollen (father)
Lucille N. (Adcock) Bollen (mother)
Thomas R. Van Blair (stepfather)
Bernard Van Blair (half brother)
Henrietta Van Blair (half sister)
Corinne Van Blair (half sister)
Marion Van Blair (half sister)
Virginia (Hostetter) Van Blair (wife)
Michael Van Blair (daughter)
Carolyn Van Blair (daughter)

More information

Sgt Howard Van Blair employed by the Chicago Burlington And Quincy Railroad Company.

He joined his unit from a replacement depot on 29 July 1944. He was promoted to Private First Class on 19 September and to Sergeant on 10 November 1944.

Note about his daughter Michael's name: To rule out all doubt, we have confirmation from the family that her name is spelled correctly.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Card

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Jack Hostetter (nephew)