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Personal info

Full name
GOODMAN, Vernon William
Date of birth
22 July 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Baggaley, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Youngstown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33936639
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
A Company,
304th Infantry Regiment,
76th Infantry Division
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 April 1945
Place of death
Schönborn-Dreiwerden, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
F 3 23

Immediate family

Members
Fred A. Goodman (father)
Anna C. Goodman (mother)
Harry C. Goodman (brother)
Elliott F. Goodman (brother)
Cecille A. Goodman (sister)
Wilma M. Goodman (sister)
Erma E. (Harr) Goodman (wife)
Judith I. Goodman (daughter)
Linda Goodman (daughter)

More information

Pfc Vernon W. Goodman enlisted in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania on 27 April 1944.

The Latrobe Bulletin of 13 September 1945 quotes a letter of 1st Lt Viggo H. Hanson, the company commander of Pfc Goodman, telling his wife about the circumstances of her husband's death: Pfc Goodman was killed on the morning of 19 April in a small apple orchard that extended on the high ground outside of Driewerden, Germany. He was instantly killed by enemy snipers from a large school house that overlooked the valley and the orchard. "I was his company commander, and I personally helped remove his body for burial by military authorities. This is a hard message to send, but I feel that the lessening of anxiety in your heart will make this letter worth while. Vernon went on many patrols with me, and did wonderful work thruout our hard battles, day and night, food or no food. His capabilities have never been replaced by other men."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com -
1930/1940 Census / WWII Enlistment Record / Pennsylvania Veteran Compensation Applications WWII, http://76thdivision.com/304/history_304th_004.html, Latrobe Bulletin 13 September 1945

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Wendy Piper (granddaughter)