Saturday, July 30, 2016

1LT Eugene Martin Raggett

1LT Eugene Martin Raggett was born 31 May 1913 in San Francisco, California. He was the only son and youngest of the 2 children born to Martin Matthew and Rose Helen (Regan) Raggett. His family was well known in business circles in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. His father would operate the Hotel Saint James in San Jose from 1 Oct 1920 and Eugene would attend high school in San Jose. Eugene would work as a clerk and stenographer before becoming a lawyer working in San Francisco.

Eugene was drafted in May 1942. He originally tried to enter the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps but then volunteered for the infantry. Sent to officer candidate school, he graduated and was commissioned as a 2LT of Infantry. 2LT Raggett was sent to England and on 1 Jun 1944 was assigned to H Company 116th Infantry as an supernumerary officer for the amphibious assault that would take place 5 days later. 2LT Raggett was wounded by shrapnel in his right leg on 6 Jun 1944 but remained on duty and continued to fight with H Company. He was again wounded on 18 Jun 1944, again by shrapnel (artillery or mortar fragments) but again remained on duty. He was promoted on 1 Jul 1944 and on 17 Jul 1944 1LT Raggett moved to F Company 116th Infantry as the Company Commander. 1LT Raggett was killed in action on 30 Jul 1944.

1LT Raggett was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in San Juan Bautista Cemetery in San Juan Bautista, California.

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