World War II Honoree

Edward Arthur Harfoot

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

Lisa Joy Harfoot

Relationship

Great Niece

PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. PART OF COMPANY E, 273RD INFANTRY REGIMENT. HE GAVE HIS LIFE ON FEBRUARY 27, 1945 AT HELLENTHAL IN WESTERN GERMANY TRYING TO TAKE THE SIEGFRIED LINE. HE WAS KILLED WHEN A PIECE OF A INCOMING SHELL STRUCK HIM IN THE CHEST. IN A LETTER TO HIS MOTHER, THE COMMANDING OFFICER SAID THAT FIRST AID MEN REACHED HIM WITHIN A FEW MINUTES BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. SEVERAL OTHERS WERE WOUNDED BY THE SAME SHELL. HE WAS BURIED IN THE MILITARY CEMETERY IN BELGIUM, BUT HIS BODY WAS LATER MOVED TO OAKVIEW CEMETERY IN ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN. N.P.HOWINGTON, CHAPLAIN, WROTE TO EDWARD'S MOTHER, '...EDWARD WAS BURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS. THE SERVICE WAS CONDUCTED BY THE PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SERVICES SALUTES WERE FIRED AND 'TAPS' SOUNDED. ALL OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN WHO LIVED TOGETHER AS ONE FAMILY IN COMPANY E HIGHLY ESTEEMED AND LOVED EDWARD. WORDS ARE SO INADEQUATE TO EXPRESS FULLY THE EMOTION FELT IN OUR HEARTS FOR ONE WHO WAS SO LIKEABLE, HAPPY AND CONSIDERATE AS YOUR SON. MAY I EXPRESS THE SINCERE SYMPATHIES OF ALL THE MANY FRIENDS MADE BY YOUR SON WHILE SERVING IN HIS COUNTRY'S FORCES.'