PVT Eugene J. Yonce
Source: Fields of Honor
Private (PVT) Eugene Jackson Yonce of George Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Henrico County, Virginia, to Leslie K. and Gladys (Merill) Yonce on December 6, 1921. Eugene had one brother, Leslie K. Jr., and one sister, Viola M. Yonce.
Eugene and his brother, Leslie, attended John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia. Both were members of the school’s Corps of Cadets, E Co, Eugene with the class of 1938. He was a Virginia Army National Guardsman and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Richmond on February 3, 1941.
On June 2, 1942, PVT Eugene Yonce reported at Ft. Benning. On September 9, 1943, he was assigned to Parachute School within Co. L of the 1st Parachute Training Regiment to begin his jump training. On December 6, 1943, he was transferred to HQ Co, 3rd Bn, 541st PIR, at Camp Mackall, and after an 8-day furlough that month, he was ready to travel overseas.
In January 1943, he was assigned to the 2nd Replacement Regiment (Infantry) at Fort George Meade, Maryland. On February 19, 1944, after crossing the Atlantic, Private Yonce found himself at the 476th Replacement Company in Northern Ireland.
PVT Yonce was transferred from the Rathgael Field Force Replacement Depot #8 at County Down (Northern Ireland), Casual Detachment #42, Parachute Infantry Company A, to the 101st Airborne Division on March 31, 1944. On April 18, 1944, he reached his final destination: George Co, 502nd PIR.
On D-Day, PVT Yonce parachuted into Normandy and safely returned to Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire, England, on July 11, 1944. He was then granted a week's furlough in Plymouth and, upon his return, started preparing for his next mission with George Company.
On September 17, 1944, PVT Yonce conducted his second combat jump for Operation Market Garden into the Netherlands. Two days later, during an intense battle involving the 502nd PIR at Best, he was killed in action when he was shot by German machine gun fire.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Source: The Monocle (Richmond, Virginia; Oct 19, 1944)
PVT Eugene Yonce died at age 22 during Operation Market Garden on September 19, 1944. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. Eugene was first buried in a field grave in his parachute, with Lieutenant Winfield Brungard of HQ Co, 2nd Bn, lying to his right, and PFC Sidney Conley of Fox Co to his left.
On September 23, he was reburied at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Son in the Netherlands, in Plot A, Row 3, Grave 51. On June 14, 1948, he was disinterred and prepared for his final reburial, which occurred on December 20, 1948. Eugene is laid to rest forever at the Margraten American War Cemetery, in Plot B, Row 5, Grave 28.
May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Eugene.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Sources:
Family Search