Name: Raymond E Naughton
First Name(s): Raymond E
Last Name: Naughton
Place of birth: New Jersey, Bergen Cnty, Lyndhurst Township, Kingsland
Rank: Pfc Tank Driver
ASN: 32770192
Company: A
Unit: 743rd Tank Bn
Reported as: KIA
Date of incident: 22-01-1945
Place of incident: Hinderhausen-Kapellen
His story: Pfc Raymond E Naughton was with the 743rd Tank Bn ‘Able’ Company. As a Assistant Tank Driver he enlisted in 1943 to serve throughout the war. Raymond was sent to California with the 743rd Tank Bn for desert training and to prepare for the Invasion of Europe.
On June 6, 1944 the 743rd landed on Omaha Beach in support of the 29th Infantry Division and the Rangers on the far left. When Raymond went into Omaha Beach, his LCT capsized and Raymond was floating in the water unconscious. Another soldier dragged Raymond ashore. Raymond survived the invasion and returned out to action for the advance on to the Siegfried Line.
On October 16, 1944 Raymond’s tank took a direct hit and blow up! Raymond was wounded but managed to get out of the tank. He was sent to a hospital in France where he stayed for 3 weeks. After recovering he was sent back into action.
During the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge 743rd Tank Bn was mainly engaged around Malmedy, Stavelot, La Gleize and Stoumont by the 1st SS Panzer Division. Although the fighting stabilized by Christmas, until January 13, 1945 the 743rd remained in contact, but did not go back on the offensive . In the ending days of of the Bulge, on January 22, 1945 Raymond’s tank and CO’s tank were passing by a few towns when they got stuck in a minefield. The Germans shot 4 Mortar shells and hit the CO’s tank, but did not penetrate. Both crews evacuated their tanks and ran for a nearby Farm House when a Barrage of Artillery landed on them. Raymond and Cpl Charles N Wanner were killed and 5 others including the Captain of Company A were wounded.
Raymond was buried in a marked grave somewhere in Belgium until 1948. Afterwards his body was shipped back to the US to his home town Patterson, New Jersey.
Extra Link(s)
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743rd Data
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