Pfc. Harris Bertan DAMON

DAMON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

October 11, 1911 ---- January 18, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Damon received a telegram from the government yesterday, informing them that their son, Pfc. Harris B. Damon was killed in action Jan. 18th in Belgium. [Arrondissement de Bastogne, Luxembourg, Belgium] Letter of confirmation will follow.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE -- Iowa
February 8, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Damon have received the following letter from Headquarters 290th Infantry, concerning their son, Pfc. Harris B. Damon:

Headquarters 290th Infantry
APO 451, c/o Postmaster
New York, N. Y.
9 February 1945

Mr. Henry B. Damon,
400 North Iowa,
Eagle Grove, Iowa.

My Dear Mr. Damon,

It is with profound sympathy that I inform you of the death of your son, Pfc. Harris B. Damon.

Harris was killed in action against the enemy on 18 January 1945. He was buried with full military honors in Belgium. A religious service was conducted at the cemetery for him by a Protestant Chaplain. Everything was done to add reverence to the occasion.

Your son was held in high regard by all members of this command. He was a splendid soldier of outstanding character. His loss will be deeply felt by his many friends. It will be through the efforts and sacrifices of such men as your son that peace will soon be restored to the world in which we live. We continue in the defense of the cause for which he gave his life, and though he is no longer with us in body you know he remains with us in spirit. Please accept the deepest sympathy of the officers and men of this organization who join you in your sorrow.

Yours most sincerely,

CARL F DUFFNER
Colonel, Infantry
Commanding

***************

Harris Bertan Damon was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on October 11, 1911, and grew to manhood here. He worked for two years on the maintenance crew of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Utah. Later he went to Michigan where other four brothers were employed, working at the Michigan Seamless Tube Mills in South Lynn, Mich. for two years.

Harris entered the services at Clarion, Iowa, June 9, 1942. For 2 years he served as a member of the Military Police in Camps in Colorado, Arizona, California, Missouri, and Kentucky. In July 1944 he asked to be transferred to the infantry. He was sent overseas in October 1944 and was first stationed in England, later in France. He arrived in Belgium the first part of January.

Harris was an Ammunition Bearer. He was a member of the 290th Infantry, part of the 75th Division serving with the First Army.

Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Damon, four brothers, Harry of Detroit, Mich., Walter and Arthur of Brighton, Mich., and Cpl. Ivan G. Damon, who is serving in France. There are also five sisters, Myrtle of New York, Sylvia of Waterville, Ia., Ione of Brighton, Mich., Cleo and Alta of Eagle Grove.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE -- Iowa
March 1, 1945

Source -- Paul Wilde