PFC Ralph T. Lynn

courtesy of Anne Cady

PFC Ralph T. Lynn was born 5 Feb 1910 in Coles, Virginia the second of three children of Tyler Webster and Effie Dora (Holmes) Lynn. His father worked retail and farmed. Ralph would work as farm labor.  He reported a 1939 income of $400.

Ralph was drafted in May 1941 and like many drafted at that time went to fill a unit that was relatively local to him, D Company 116th Infantry.  He likely trained with the unit at Fort George Meade, Maryland and Camp Blanding, Florida before departing in September 1942 for England. He trained with unit for the amphibious assault that would take place on the French beach code-named "Omaha". He took part in that effort and fought on with the unit until killed in action on 15 Jun 1944.

PFC Lynn was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Maternal grandfather, Morrison Columbus Holmes, served in C Company 30th Infantry and H Company 11th Virginia Cavalry in the Civil War.