Source: From Brenda Howe's grandmother's photo album. Donated by Brenda Howe.
2 articles from unknown newspapers
Ilion Native Killed in Italy
Ilion - Pfc Raymond E. Danforth, 25, former Speculator mink ranch operator and native of Ilion, was killed Jan. 13 in an accident in Italy, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Danforth, have been informed.
The telegram announcing his death carried no other details, except that a letter would follow. He was a member of the transportation corps.
The parents expect further word from another son, Sgt. Howard Danforth, who was in the same transportation company with him in Italy.
A chance reunion of the brothers led to their assignment together in the same company. They met unexpectedly on a street in North Africa in early summer, 1943, and their request for duel assignment was granted.
Raymond Danforth left Aug. 21, 1942, with a draft contingent from Speculator, and he served with the Medical Corps until his transfer to transportation in June, 1943.
He was born in Ilion Oct. 25, 1918. His father was then working in the Remington Arms Company on war work, just as he is this war. He attended Speculator and Wells schools.
Besides his parents and brother, he leaves his grandmother, Mrs. Charity Danforth, Frankfort.
Body Placed in Vault
The body of Pfc Raymond Danforth, who was killed in an accident on January 13, 1944, in Italy where he was serving with a unit of the transportation corps, arrived at the funeral home of Yates & Corey in Northville Tuesday afternoon.
Stanley G Schoonmaker, commander of Stanley Steves Post of the American Legion, Halsey Page, Michael Casline, Mrs. Earl Earley and Mrs. Stanley Schoonmaker met the body at the funeral home and accompanied it to the vault in the Northville cemetery where it will remain until spring, at which time burial service will be held.
Raymond Danforth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Danforth, was born in Ilion on October 25, 1918. He resided in Speculator most of his life and attended the Speculator and Wells schools. At the time of his induction he had been operating a mink ranch in Speculator.
He left on August 21, 1942, with a draft contingent from Speculator, and he served with the Medical Corps for nearly a year. In the early summer of 1943 he unexpectedly met his brother, Sgt. Howard Danforth, on a street in North Africa, and their request for dual assignment was granted with Raymond transferred to the transportation corps of which his brother was a member. They were together in Italy at the time of Raymond's death.
Besides his parents and his brother, he was survived by his grandmother, Mrs. Charity Danforth who resided in Frankfort. His parents are at present wintering in Jensen Beach, Florida and his brother resides in Harvey, Illinois.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 14-May-2008 13:36:38 PDT
Copyright © 2007: Brenda Howe