Ralph Edgar Jennings was born October 14, 1918 in Virginia to James and Attie (Brassell) Jennings. The family was living in Lynchburg, Virginia during the 1930 U. S. Census. James was a foreman in a hosiery mill. There were seven children in the family.

In February 1941, Jennings enlisted in the National Guard. His enlistment documents state that he had completed three years of high school. His occupation was “Statistical clerks and compilers”.

TSGT Jennings was deployed to the European Theater of Operations during WW2. He served with Company B, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. The 116th was a National Guard unit from Virginia with roots in the colonial army. In October 1942, the 116th landed in England where they were trained for amphibious landings.

On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), the 116th was assigned to Force O, the initial assault force on Omaha Beach. Company B came ashore in the second wave and suffered heavy casualties. Only 28 men from the company survived. TSGT Jennings was one of the casualties.

Ralph Edgar Jennings was interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.

TSGT Jennings was awarded the Purple Heart.

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References

“Virginia War Casualties”. The Times Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) – August 30, 1944. p.9.
“116th Infantry Regiment”. Wikipedia.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
“29th Infantry Division”. Wikipedia.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
"TSGT Ralph Edgar Jennings". Find A Grave. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
"Ralph Edgar Jennings". HonorStates.org. Retrieved May 27, 2021.

Ralph E Jennings