World War II Honoree

Raymond Paul Hatalla

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Mike Fox

HE WAS A SQUAD LEADER IN 'I' COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION 324TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 44TH INFANTRY DIVISION. ON OCTOBER 28, 1944, HE WAS IN CHARGE OF A FOUR MAN PATROL WHICH ENCOUNTERED SIX ENEMY SOLDIERS. BOTH GROUPS STARTED FIRING. HE WAS LAST SEEN LYING ON THE GROUND WITH HIS HEAD ON HIS ARMS AND HIS HELMET OFF. A SECOND PATROL WAS FORMED AND PROCEEDED TO WITHIN 150 YARDS OF WHERE HE WAS LAST SEEN BUT NO TRACE OF HIM WAS FOUND AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROCEED AS THE ENEMY HAD OCCUPIED THE AREA. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION AT EMBERMENIL, FRANCE (22 MILES SOUTHEAST OF NANCY). PRESUMPTION OF DEATH DECLARED BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT ON OCTOBER 29, 1945. HE ENTERED THE ARMY ON FEBRUARY 24, 1943 AND WAS SENT OVERSEAS ON AUGUST 28, 1944.