PFC Harry Millard Kuhn, Jr (WWII)

 

Remembering PFC Harry Millard Kuhn, Jr (Metz/Mannington) 

August 25, 1917 - July 6, 1944

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PFC Harry Millard Kuhn, Jr (service # 15072213) was born on August 25, 1917 in the Lincoln District of Marion County, the son of Harry Sr. and Lucy (Davis) Kuhn. 

Harry Sr. was a laborer in the gas field industry (1920 census), an occupation he continued through the rest of his life. The 1930 census shows the family living in the "Farmington Suburbs," but by 1940 they were living near Flat Run Road in Mannington (closer to Metz) on a farm, working as farmers. By then Harry, Jr. had dropped out of school and was also working on the farm. The 1940 census lists his highest level of education as 7th grade. (Note: Harry, Sr.'s 1967 obituary lists him as a "retired oil driller.")

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Military Service:

Harry registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. He was 5'8" and 140 lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, and light skin. At the time of registration, he was working on a project with the Works Progress Administration in Fairmont, though he listed his address as Mannington and his phone number as Metz.

On December 18, 1941, he enlisted in the military at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. From there, he became a member of the 90th Infantry, 358th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company I. The 3rd Battalion landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, on June 8, 1944 and began working their way across France.

Excerpt from Battle History: 3rd Battalion, 358th Infantry:

"The Battalion then went into Division reserve on the 5th in the town of ST JORES. Here some much needed replacements were received. July 6 and the Battalion was ordered to clean out a small German pocket of some thirty men and one officer in the vicinity of LITHAIRE. Consequently, Company I moved off and by 1725 had established contact with a sizable enemy force. The rest of the Bn. closed in on the position during the evening. All during the night reduction of the pocket continued with Company K helping out on I's right. By dark of the 7th the pocket had been completely eliminated with well over 200 prisoners taken, plus a considerable number killed. Elements of the 82nd Air Borne who had been sitting on a high hill overlooking the scene of action, said that the entire attack was a perfect example of fire and movement."

(click here for a full account)

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PFC Harry Millard Kuhm, Jr was killed in action on July 6, 1944, near St. Jores, France. A hospital admissions form for Harry states that his death was caused by an artillery shell or artillery shell fragments that hit his face.

He was initially buried in Blosville-Carentan, France, before being relocated to the Grafton National Cemetery in West Virginia. He was reinterred on July 22, 1948, just over four years after his death.


Survivors and Legacy:

Harry was survived by his parents and siblings.

He is honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV, and at the West Virginia State Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 


Sources and More Information:


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