PVT Cornelius A. Ricker

Courtesy of Glenn

PVT Cornelius A. Ricker was born on 16 Jul 1912 in Passaic County, New Jersey. He was the 2nd of the 9 children born to William Henry and Grace (McKinnon) Ricker. His father supported the family as a blacksmith and truck drive. Cornelius lived in Oakland, New Jersey drove for Campbell-Morrell in Passaic.

Cornelius was living in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey when he was drafted in December 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to Europe in June 1944. PVT Ricker was transferred from the replacement depot to E Company 116th Infantry on 13 Jul 1944. Although initially reported as missing in action PVT Ricker was found to have been killed in action on 15 Jul 1944 just 2 days after joining the unit.

PVT Ricker was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.

Brother, Harold Dennis Ricker, served in the European theater in the Army and brother William Ricker also served in the Army.