PFC Wiley Lee Newman

courtesy of CJ

PFC Wiley Lee Newman was born 12 Oct 1924 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He was the 3rd of 8 children born to Wiley Lee and Linda (Gray) Newman. His father was half Choctaw and his mother was "full blooded" Cherokee. His father farmed.Wiley reported that he was self-employed when he registered for the draft in 1940.

Wiley was working as farm labor when drafted in November 1943. PVT Newman came down with the measles in the midst of his training which likely delayed his graduation by a week or so. After basic training, PVT Newman was sent to the European theater and on 15 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry. Wiley was injured on 5 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He returned to the unit via the replacement depot on 9 Oct 1944. Wiley was promoted to PFC on 1 Nov 1944. PFC Newman was killed in action on 3 Dec 1944.

PFC Newman was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred with family in Union Cemetery in Rye, Arkansas.