PVT James Franklin Naegele

PVT James Franklin Naegele was adopted by William C and Mary E Naegele. Born 13 May 1925 in Sparta, Indiana, he was the son of Ruth Windhorst and his father was given on the birth certificate as Alvah Franklin Naegele, one of William and Mary's children, who was struck by a train and killed in 1927.  His mother died of tuberculosis in 1932. James was survived by at least one half-brother, Paul Waldon. Paul died before he was 24 years of age.

James was drafted in November 1943 and sent overseas. PVT Naegele had to go to hospital with a bout of pneumonia in January 1944. On 9 Aug 1944 he was transferred from the replacement depot to  E Company 116th Infantry.  On 13 Aug 1944 he was transferred to G Company 116th Infantry and then on 19 Sep 1944 he was again transferred, this time to L Company 116th Infantry.  This is very odd but there is no apparent reason for these multiple reassignments. On 6 Oct 1944 PFC Naegele was killed in action by multiple shrapnel wounds near Aachen, Germany.  

He rests forever in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.  His grave has been adopted by Dennis de Munck.  There is a centotaph for him in Oakdale Cemetery in Dillsboro, Indiana.