PVT Maurice Wright
Source: Find a Grave (c/o WW2.airborne.us)
Private Maurice Wright of Easy Company, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in London, England, to Frederik F. and Bertha L. (Parker) Wright on November 4, 1917.
His parents immigrated to the U.S. after he was born. They lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his brother Frederick was born on October 14, 1919. Maurice also had two younger brothers, Leonard A. and John E. Wright. His brother Frederick was a warrant officer during WWII and the Korean War.
Maurice married Dorothy Julia Wagner in Philadelphia in April 1940. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Ronald Wright, in the summer of 1943.
In the same year as his wedding, Maurice registered for the draft in Philadelphia on October 16, 1940. He enlisted two years later in the same city, on November 21, 1942. He volunteered for paratroop duty and was assigned to the 501st PIR.
After completing his stateside training, PVT Wright traveled on the USNS George W. Goethals across the Atlantic in January 1944, embarking in Glasgow. The 501st paratroopers then traveled by train to Lambourn, Berkshire, England.
While in England, the final preparations for the Normandy invasion were underway. PVT Wright, however, did not jump in Normandy, as he was sent on detached service to the Wireman’s School of the 101st Airborne Signal Company on June 13.
During that time at the Wireman’s School, he was twice absent without leave (AWOL). After returning to Easy Company, he was again reported AWOL from July 3 to July 12. He ended up in the regimental stockade after his return. He came back to duty from the stockade on August 7.
On September 17, 1944, PVT Wright made his first combat jump into the Netherlands. During that first night, Easy Company was attacked three times by a large enemy force near Veghel, with the heaviest attack occurring around 04:00 hours. Seven men from the company were killed by German grenades, tree bursts, and machine pistol fire. Among these men was PVT Wright, who was killed in action during his first hours in combat.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Source: Find a Grave (c/o Fred Brehm)
PVT Maurice Wright died at age 26 on September 18, 1944. Besides his wife, Dorothy, and young son Ronald, he left his parents and three brothers behind.
He was initially buried in the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Son, the Netherlands, at Plot C, Row 1, Grave 1. His body was exhumed on June 9, 1948, and prepared for his journey back home. He traveled by truck to Antwerp, Belgium, and then aboard the USAT Haiti Victory across the Atlantic Ocean. In March 1949, he was reunited with his family in Philadelphia.
PVT Wright rests forever at the All Saints Episcopal Church Cemetery in Torresdale, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Maurice.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Sources:
Family Search
Hell’s Highway by George Koskimaki