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Elsberry, Ralph Eugene

Date of birth:
November 2nd, 1921 (Douglasville/Georgia, United States)
Nationality:
American

Biography

Servicenumber 34 836 130.

Ralph Eugene Elsberry was enlisted at Fort McPherson, Georgia on July 3rd, 1944. He served form January 15ht, 1945 in Europe and took part in the fightings in the Ardennes, in Central Europe and in the Rhineland.
He was honorably discharged on October 29th, 1945.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private 1st Class
Unit:
Company B, 309TH Engineer Combat Battalion, 84th Infantry Division "Railsplitters", U.S. Army
Citation:
"For heroic service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Gemrany, 9 April 1945. Volunteering as a member of an infantry combat patrol, Private First Class Elsberry, despite constant sniper fire, assited in locating and deactivating enemy mines and demolitions from two bridges across a canal leading into a large German city, and secured the structures for the crossing of approaching infantry and armored units. The unswerving devotion to duty, disdain for danger and agressive spirit displayed by Private 1st Class Elsberry enabled advancing units to reach their objective with minimum loss of time and casualties and are in accordance with the finest traditions of the military service of the United States."

At the time of the action he was still a Private
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Alice Alford
  • - Directory 309th Engineer Combat Battalion October 1942 to November 1945
    - Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honrable Discharge
    - Bronze Star citation

Photo