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name
FERNANDEZ, Joseph - Date of
birth
19 March 1920 -
Age
24 -
Place of birth
Jenners, Somerset County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Chemung County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33464240 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
A Company,
1276th Engineer Combat Battalion
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 February 1945 - Place of
death
Rurdorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 16 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Lucy Fernandez (mother)
More information
Pfc Joseph Fernandez was employed by the Elmira foundry before he enlisted in March 1943 and trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri., before being sent to Iceland and later to Europe.He was killed during the crossing of the Roer River in Rurdorf, Germany and the establishment of a bridgehead in that vicinity. With only two possible crossing sites in the sector, one of which was rendered useless by the destruction of a dam and the resulting inundation of large portions of the river valley, the regiment was forced to cross in column of companies on a one-company front. When leading elements started crossing in assault boats at 03:30, 23 February 1945, the enemy reacted quickly and laid down a terrific barrage on the single crossing site. Braving this deadly hail of fire and struggling against..... the treacherous current of the flooded river, the regiment succeeded in crossing by sheer courage and determination.
Source of information: Martijn van Haren, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.facesbeyondthegraves.com, http://www.fallennotforgotten.nl/Story00002.htm, www.newspapers.com - Star-Gazette, WWII Draft Registration Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten