PVT Richard Allen Waite

courtesy of Zeke

PVT Richard Allen Waite was born 6 Mar 1925 in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was the first born of Thomas Stanley and Dorothy Evelyn (Hickernell) Waite's 3 sons. His father worked for the Erie Rail Road for several decades. The family lived at 691 Highland Avenue, 577 Randolph Street, 987 Catharine Avenue, and 676 Cullum Street and other addresses around Meadville always renting. Thomas reported a 1939 income of $1800 and was the sole support of his family. Leaving high school after 1 year, Richard went to work as a warehouseman for American Viscose Corporation which was an artificial silk and rayon manufacturer. 

Richard was drafted in June 1943. After competing his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry where he trained for the amphibious assault that was a planned part of the effort to liberate occupied France. PVT Waite took part in that attack and was killed in action on 6 Jun 1944 when he was shot through the head. 

We do not know where Richard is buried but there is a cenotaph in Greendale Cemetery in Meadville, Pennsylvania where he is memorialized with another Meadville soldier.