World War II Honoree

Chester A. Rapp

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Ms. Marcella R. Shinn

Relationship

Sister

TRAINED STATESIDE AND ASSIGNED TO THE 47TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION, 5TH ARMORED 'VICTORY' DIVISION. ARRIVED IN LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND ON 24 FEBRUARY, 1944 AND BASED NEAR SWINDON WHERE THE UNIT WAS FIRST ASSIGNED TO (GENERAL PATTON'S) 3RD ARMY. ENTERED THE CONTINENT VIA UTAH BEACH AND BEGAN COMBAT OPERATIONS ON 2 AUGUST, 1944 IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN. PRIVATE RAPP WAS KILLED IN ACTION BY SNIPER FIRE ON SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST, 1944 IN THE VICINITY OF SEES WHILE HIS UNIT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE ARGETAN - FALAISE GAP. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL POSTHUMOUSLY AND OTHERWISE EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR, AND THE WW II VICTORY MEDAL. BURIED WITH MILITARY HONORS AT NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY, COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. HONORED ALSO AT THE ELMWOOD WW II MEMORIAL IN HIS HOMETOWN.