Emmett F. Foreman, World War II CasualtyPorter County Data on World War II Casualties . . . .
Emmett F. Foreman
Private First Class, Paratrooper, Company A, 325th Glider Infantry, 82nd
Airborne Division
Date of Birth: March 19, 1917
Date of Death: September 25, 1943
Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Cause of Death: Killed in Action (Salerno, Italy)
Date of Enlistment: March 26, 1942
Awards: Purple Heart
Hometown: Valparaiso
Newspaper Notices:
THE HOME FRONT
Some weeks ago it was announced in The Vidette-Messenger that the precious
decoration of the Purple Heart won by the late P.F.C. Emmett F. Foreman for
gallant and brave action in the line of duty was sent to his wife, Mrs. Mary
Foreman, 828 Wood street. As we all know by now, the decoration of the Purple
Heart was established by Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution.
To Mrs. Emmett F. Foreman came many expressions of deep sympathy from her
husband's commanding officers and from his associates, and buddies who were in
action with him in Italy last fall. From his commanding officer, Major Gen. M.
B. Ridgway came this consoling tribute, "My dear Mrs. Foreman, "It is with deep
regret that I write of the death of your husband, P.F.C. Emmett F. Foreman, a
member of my command, who was killed in action while fighting courageously to
preserve the principles of our democracy. Your husband was a member of Co. A,
325 Glider Infantry, 82nd 'All-American' airborne division. He was a very quiet,
unassuming soldier, always ready to obey commands, and was well liked by all his
commanders and comrades. A lasting sense of loss is left in the minds of his
comrades by the death of each member of this division and from this memory there
goes forth to you their deep personal sympathy." From the secretary of war came
this letter: "My dear Mrs. Foreman: At the request of the president I write to
inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your husband,
P.F.C. Emmett F. Foreman, Infantry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his
country. Little that we can do or say will console you for the death of your
loved one. We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss, for, in a real
sense the loss suffered by any of us in this battle for our country, is a loss
shared by all of us. When the medal which you will shortly receive, reaches you,
I want you to know that with it goes my sincerest sympathy, and the hope that
time and the victory of our cause will finally lighten the burden of your grief.
Sincerely yours, Henry L. Stimson."
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
March 25, 1944; Volume 17, Page 4, Columns 6 and 7
Emmett Foreman Military Rites Set For Sunday
The remains of Pfc. Emmett F. Foreman, life-long resident of Porter county,
will arrive here Thursday morning accompanied by a uniformed army escort from
the Chicago distribution center of the American Graves registration division.
The decedent was born in Union township, Mar. 19, 1917. He was killed in action
in Sicily, Sept. 25, 1943. Pfc. Foreman was a member of company A, 325th glider
infantry of the 82nd All-American Airborne division. His body was interred in
Mount Soprano, a U. S. military cemetery in Salerno, Italy, but has been
returned to this country for final burial at the request of his mother, Mrs.
John Bentley, RFD 2, Valparaiso.
Services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the LePell funeral home.
The Rev. Percy Thomas will officiate, and burial will be in Graceland cemetery
with graveside rites to be conducted by American Legion post 94.
The body will be taken to LePell funeral home, upon arrival here and will remain
at the funeral home until services Sunday afternoon.
Surviving in addition to his mother are a step-father, John Bentley, RFD 2,
Valparaiso, and a sister, Mrs. Theodore Breitin, RFD 5, Crown Point.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
February 23, 1949; Volume 22, Number 196, Page 2, Column 5
Emmett Foreman Rites Are Conducted Sunday
Memorial services for Pfc. Emmett Foreman, killed in the U. S. service in Italy,
during the war, were held at 2 p. m. Sunday at the LePell funeral home, 53
Monroe street. The Rev. Percy Thomas, of the First Christian church, officiated.
Pallbearers were Phillip Deery, Murel Roberts, Carl Sederberg, Harry Atwell,
Lester Bixenman and HErman Krieger.
Officers of Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, conducted rites at the
grave in Graceland cemetery.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
March 1, 1949; Volume 22, Number 201, Page 6, Column 1
Return to
List of
Porter County World War II Casualties
Information abstracted and transcribed by Steven R. Shook