PFC Franklin Theodore Jessee

PFC Franklin Theodore Jessee was born 23 Nov 1918 in Russell County, Virginia. He was the 4th of the 8 children born to Samuel Vince and Flora Ellen (Burke) Jessee. Their first-born and died in infancy. Samuel farmed near Lebanon, Virginia to support his family. He owned the farm valued at $4000 in 1930 but only $2000 in 1940. Franklin was able to complete 3-years of high school before leaving to work on his father's farm full-time. 

Franklin was drafted in April 1941. He was probably sent to Fort George Meade, Maryland for in-processing and initial training and was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry at that time. He then trained with the unit there and near Fort Bragg, North Carolina and at Camp Blanding, Florida before the 29th Infantry Division was sent to England. Once in England he would have trained for the planned amphibious invasion of Nazi occupied France. PFC Jessee took part in the amphibious assault and fought with the unit until injured on or about 24 Jul 1944. This wasn't a battle related injury and he returned to the unit on 25 Jul 1944. PFC Jessee continued serving with K Company until he was struck in the back and killed in action on 7 Aug 1944 at Vire, France. 

PFC Jessee was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, Virginia.