PVT Grady Howard Mainer

courtesy of Billy Mitchell

PVT Grady Howard Mainer was born 5 Feb 1924 in Buffalo, South Carolina. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to Joseph Emmett Charles and Eva (Arrowood) Mainer. His father worked in various local textile mills and was also a well-known local musician. However, Grady's parents separated about 1930 and his mother re-married and moved to Glen Springs. Grady never pursued his education beyond grammar school and went to work in the mills as well last working for Pacolet Mills in Pacolet, South Carolina in 1942. His mother had died of cervical cancer in 1941. He married Ora Mae Medlin in 1942. 

Grady was drafted in February 1943 and after completing his military training was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. It is unknown how much training he had with the unit before participating in the amphibious landing on 6 Jun 1944. He then fought with the unit in the bocage, at Saint-Lo and Vire before fighting in the attempt to liberate Brest, France. He was killed in action there on 3 Sep 1944. 

PVT Mainer was repatriated and re-interred in the Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina.