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Personal info

Full name
PAGEL, Alvin William
Date of birth
27 November 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
New York
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York

Military service

Service number
O-1016871
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
unknown
Unit
88th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized),
8th Armored Division,
A Troop
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
28 March 1945
Place of death
Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
D 12 28

Immediate family

Members
William Pagel (father)
Elisabeth Pagel (mother)

More information

1st Lt Alvin W. Pagel attended college for two years and was an insurance clerk with the Compensation Insurance Rating Board.

He enlisted at Fort Jay, New York on 13 June 1941.

Lt Pagel was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for actions on the day of his death. The citation reads: When one of his men was pinned down by small arms fire, Lt Pagel moved his armored car to a point where he could cover the withdrawal of the man. By this action, disregarding his own safety, he placed his vehicle in line of direct fire from small arms and 20-mm mortars. The enlisted man was able to withdraw to safety but Lt Pagel was hit by rifle fire. He lived long enough to order his men to leave the vehicle and to cover them while they made their way to safety.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, WWIIMemorial, Archives, 8thArmored, WWII Draft Cards

Photo source: Peter Schouteten