PFC Archie Ray Friend

courtesy of D. G. Keener

PFC Archie Ray Friend was born 9 May 1922 in Preston County, West Virginia. He was the 4th of the 5 children born to John Wesley and Myrtle Elizabeth (Bolyard) Friend. His father supported his family on a farm he owned southwest of Rowlesburg, West Virginia in Green Valley. Archie grew up to work the farm with his father. 

Archie was drafted in March 1944. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 29 Oct 1944. PFC Friend was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944 in the vicinity of Julich, Germany. 

PFC Friend was not repatriated until 1951 and he was re-interred in the Etam Cemetery in Etam, West Virginia near his parents.