Alfred Leroy Minton and Family
Thomas and Amy Minton
Alfred's parents
Alfred's parents
Alfred Leroy Minton was born September 17, 1919 in Osage, Miami County, Kansas.(1) He the son of Thomas E. Minton and Amy Brown Minton. He had several siblings which included: Edna, Vincent, Altha, Thomas T., Rosalie, Margie,and Lois. (2) He and his brothers attended the Fontana Grade School.(3)
Alfred Minton and the 119th Infantry Regiment 30th Division
Emblem of 119th
(Source: http://www.
30thinfantry.org)
(Source: http://www.
30thinfantry.org)
Alfred Minton was inducted in Riley County, Kansas on February 3, 1942 with Registration Order #1266 as a private. (4) He rose to the rank of Sergeant.(5) His brother entered the military at the same time but served in the Pacific.(6)
Plan of Attack of 30th Division July 7, 1944 St. Lo: XIX Corp Center of Military History
30th Infantry and Normandy
30th Infantry Division
in Normandy
in Normandy
The 30th Infantry Division was formed in October 1917. It's nickname is "Old History" in honor of Andrew Jackson. The unit left for the European Theater of Operations in February 1944 arriving in the British Isle in preparation for D Day.(7) The 30th arrived in Normandy between D Day +4 to D Day +9 pushing forward towards St. Lo. On July 7th, the division had secured the Vire-et-Taute canal across the Vire River.(7) On the 7th a lesson in physics was learned when the 3rd Armored division traveled on the same roads as the 30th spraying them with mud. As Major Haynes Dugan explained, There was not proper coordination with the 30th Infantry Division on road use and our tanks were crowding them off the narrow road. . .creating ill feelings between the headquarter.(8) By July 10, the 119th was moved towards Belle-Lande and moved to take La Bessiniere. (9) Alfred L. Minton died July 11, 1944.(10)
Fallen Soldier
Sergeant Alfred L. Minton of the 119th Infantry Regiment died July 11, 1944. He is buried at Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France in Plot G, Row 11, Grave 17. He was awarded the Purple Heart.(11)
Sources:
1. Lori Edwards. Email to Author. 26 August 2011.
2. 1930 Federal Census <http://ancestry.com> Accessed 2 August 2011.
3. Miami County Historical/Genealogy Museum, Email to Author. 1 September 2011.
4. World War II Selective Service Records Kansas Adjutant General. Armed Forces Personnel Who Served Between September 16, 1940, and June 30, 1946. Kansas State Archives.
5. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 <http://ancestry.com>
6. Charlotte Smith, Email to Author. 1 September 2011.
7. The 30th Infantry Division Veterans of WWII. 2008 <http://www.30thinfantry.org/> Accessed 25 August 2011.
8. John C. McManus The Americans At Normandy: The Summer of 1944. (New York: Forge Press, 2004)
9. Center for Military History. 30th Infantry Division. <http://www.history.army.mil/documents/ETO-OB/30id-eto.htm>
10. American Battle Monument Commission: World War II Honor Roll. <http://www.abmc.gov/search/detailswwnew.php>
11. American Battle Monument Commission
1. Lori Edwards. Email to Author. 26 August 2011.
2. 1930 Federal Census <http://ancestry.com> Accessed 2 August 2011.
3. Miami County Historical/Genealogy Museum, Email to Author. 1 September 2011.
4. World War II Selective Service Records Kansas Adjutant General. Armed Forces Personnel Who Served Between September 16, 1940, and June 30, 1946. Kansas State Archives.
5. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 <http://ancestry.com>
6. Charlotte Smith, Email to Author. 1 September 2011.
7. The 30th Infantry Division Veterans of WWII. 2008 <http://www.30thinfantry.org/> Accessed 25 August 2011.
8. John C. McManus The Americans At Normandy: The Summer of 1944. (New York: Forge Press, 2004)
9. Center for Military History. 30th Infantry Division. <http://www.history.army.mil/documents/ETO-OB/30id-eto.htm>
10. American Battle Monument Commission: World War II Honor Roll. <http://www.abmc.gov/search/detailswwnew.php>
11. American Battle Monument Commission