The Augusta Cemetery Family Trees

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Name: Marion F McGrew Birth Year: 1918 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Ohio State of Residence: Ohio County or City: Columbiana Enlistment Date: 21 Jan 1941 Enlistment State: Ohio Enlistment City: Cleveland Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 71 Weight: 150 Source Information: National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com

McGrew, Marion F. 35005335 PFC KIA

McGREW, Marion F. Ohio PFC 128 Inf. WW II; b Sept 14,1918; d Dec. 2, 1944

Marion Franklin McGrew was honored on 30 May 2010 at the annual Memorial Day Service in Augusta Cemetery. The program says: MARION F. McGREW was born September 14, 1918 to Alvin and Lottie Barrows McGrew. On January 21, 1941, at the age of 22, Marion enlisted in the United States Army and by the end of that year, the United States was involved in World War II. During World War II, Marion bravely served as Private First Class with the 128th Infantry. We believe he was serving with the U.S. First Army at the time of his death. Between September 14, 1944 and February 10, 1945 First Army was involved inthe Battle of HurtgenForest (German: Schlacht im Hurtgenwald). This is the name given to the series of fierce battles fought between U. S. and German forces in the Hurtgen Forest east of the Belgian-German border. In mid September 1944, the Allied pursuit of the German army after the landings at Normandy was slowing down because of extended supply lines and German Army rebuilding. The next strategic objective was to move up to the Rhine River along itsentire length and prepare to cross it. Lt. Gen. Courtney Hodges' First Army experienced hard resistance pushing through the Aachen Gap and perceived a potential threat from enemy forces using the Hurtgen Forest as a base. The U.S. commanders' initial goal was to pin down German forces in the area to keep them from reinforcing the front lines further north, between Aachen and the Rur River, where the Allies were fighting a trench was between a network of fortifiedtowns and villages connected with field fortifications, tank traps, and minefields. The Hurtgen Forest occupies a rugged area between the Rur River and Aachen. The dense conifer forest was impenetrable restricting vehicular movement which limited the use of tanks and hid anti-tank teams. In the autumn and early winter of 1944,the weather was cold and wet. Ground conditions varied from wet to snow cover. Apart from the bad weather, the dense forest and rough terrain also prevented proper use of Allied air support. The Battle of Hurtgen Forest became the longest battle on German ground during World War II, and the longest single battle the U.S. Army has ever fought in its history. The U.S. Army's Center of Military History has estimated that 120,000 troups,plus replacements, were committed to Hurtgen; by the end there had been 23,000 battle casualties plus 9,000 non-battle casualties. Marion McGrew was one of those battle casualties. Marion died a hero bravely serving his country in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. A few years later Marion's family brought him home to be buried. The Augusta Cemetery honors his bravery, hissacrifice, and his service to our country.