Conflict: World War II

Branch of Service: U. S. Army

Rank: Private First Class

Unit: 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division (one source gives his unit as Co. H, 118th Infantry, 30th Division)

Date of Death: 1 August 1944

Burial: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mer, France, Plot G, Row 6, Grave 25

Medals / Citations / Awards: Purple Heart

Leonard E. Abernathy was born 10 November 1918 in Zion Hill, S.C., a son of Charles Abernathy and Quinney Seals. He had the following siblings: Margaret, Minnie, Leroy, Carl, Charles, Theo, and Arthur. He also had at least one uncle named Edward Abernathy. His enlistment records give R.F.D. 1, Pauline, S.C., as his residence and his religion as “Protestant”.

He enlisted 17 September 1940. His draft registration card indicates that he had finished grammar school, had blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, was 74 inches tall and weighed 155 lbs. He gave his civil occupation as “automobile serviceman” and also as “farmer”. Leonard was classified as a deserter in 19 August 1942 at Ft. Jackson. He was apprehended in Spartanburg 13 October 1942 and returned to the military at Camp Croft. Per a letter dated 13 January 1943, charges of desertion were removed as having been erroneously made. He transferred to Ft. Benning, Columbus, Ga., in March 1943.

At the time of his death, he and his wife Doris Louise (maiden name unknown) had one daughter: Mary Ann. They lived at 788 Taylor St., Spartanburg, S.C.

He was wounded in the arm in July, 1944. He returned to duty and was initially listed as Missing in Action on 1 August 1944 at St. Lo, France. It was later determined that was his date of death. His reported effects included a wallet, snapshots, and souvenir coins. He was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-mer, France, Plot G, Row 6, Grave 25.

Sources:

American Battle Monuments Commission, World War I Database (abmc.gov)

FindAGrave.com – Memorial #56641695

Military file—National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Mo.

The Official Roster of South Carolina Servicemen and Servicewomen in World War II, 1941-46, Compiled in five volumes under the direction of Robert E. McNair, Governor, Frank D. Pinckney, The Adjutant General. [Columbia, S.C.] Printed under supervision of The Division of General Services, 1972

Leonard E Abernathy