83rd Infantry Division Documents

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Staff Sergeant Bobby G Ghere

Name	Bobby G Ghere
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Army Serial #	36685852
State	Illinois
Date of death	1945-03-03
Plot, Row, Grave	C, 3, 17
Cemetery	Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands, Google Maps
Unit	M Company, 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awards
Remarks	Staff Sergeant Ghere was a member of M Company. The morning report for July 9, 1944 on page 11 lists him as Lightly Wounded in Action and transferred to the 34th Evacuation Hospital while holding the rank of Private. The page can be seen below. This is very likely the reason for hist first Purple Heart. Staff Sergeant Ghere was from Arcola, Illinois and is an alumni of Arcola High School. His high school senior year photo can be seen below. Sue Stout wrote an article on the Ghere family in the Arcola Record-Herald from which a small piece is quoted: Bobby Ghere also graduated with the AHS Class of 1943. He and Imogene Bright (’42) were married September 1st that same year. He soon entered the Army on September 9, 1943 and then left for overseas April 6, 1944. He was wounded in action in France on July 9, 1944, resulting in his hospitalization in France and England until August 28th. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds sustained and for his bravery in the line of service. The March 22, 1945 Record Herald reported Mrs. Imogene Bright Ghere received a telegram from the War Department advising her of the death of her husband, Staff Sergeant Bobby Ghere, who died “somewhere in Germany” on March 3, 1945 from wounds he received in action. He had been in continuous battle while serving with the 83rd Division of the First Army since his August 28th release from the hospital. His service had taken him to France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany. Russ Ghere reported in 1997, During the Battle of the Bulge, General Patton and his 95th Division moved into the Rhineland to relieve the 83rd Infantry Division. Bobby Gene Ghere, a Staff Sergeant in this unit, was killed on March 3, 1945. George Ghere, a brother, attached to the 95th Division, went to Bob’s unit three days later and was told that Bob had been killed. With George being able to speak with the Colonel and Captain of Bob’s unit, the family knew exactly how he lost his life. Fighting had been heavy and ammunition was running low. Bob had been advanced from Corporal to Staff Sergeant in only six weeks time. He went from his group to the rear for much needed ammunition and was captured and killed by the German soldiers who had infiltrated the area behind the battle area. Bobby was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery near Margraten. His parents’ headstone also honors his memory at the Arcola Township Cemetery. Bobby left behind his widow, Imogene, and a son he had never seen, eleven month-old Danny Gene. Ghere/Pullen/Reinheimer VFW Post #7862 was named in his honor. The article can be found here. Information and pictures provided for by Nancy Rairden.
Documents	- High school senior year photo Staff Sergeant Bobby Ghere. - MR M Co, 331st IR, 07-1944 page 11

Grave	Soldier

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