PFC Ralph Brame Gardner

PFC Ralph Brame Gardner was born 21 Jul 1912 in Adams County, Pennsylvania to Cagus B. and Grace Mary (Brame) Gardner.  The family farmed. In the 1930 census, Ralph is noted as being farm labor (he was 18) and his older brother, Harry, is working as a weaver.

Ralph and a start and stop military "career".  Drafted in June 1941 he was discharged that September for being "over age", i.e. too old.  Of course the conditions changed and he was re-inducted in January 1942.  Because he had already completed his basic training just months prior to this he was probably assigned to E Company 116th Infantry at this time because he attended training at the same places as the regiment, Fort Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida and was sent overseas to England in September 1942.  On 7 Mar 1942, Ralph married Dillsburg, Pennsylvania native Dorothy Leona Lehmer.  While in England with the 116th, Ralph trained for the amphibious assault on Hitler's "fortress Europe".  He did take part in the momentous event and was wounded on 6 Jun 1944.  PFC Gardner died of his wound(s) on 7 Jun 1944. 

He was repatriated in 1948 and now rests forever in Bendersville Cemetery in Bendersville, Pennsylvania. Dorothy did re-marry.  There were no children.