Ralph W. Lincoln was drafted into the U.S. Army and World War II, reporting to Fort Dix, New Jersey, April 19, 1944. He embarked for overseas duty by the end of the year, ending up in Central Europe as a private in the 346th Infantry, 87th Division, General George Patton's Third Army.
Ralph's regiment was in action at the Battle of the Bulge, where the Third Army freed the besieged city of Bastogne, Belgium. The 346th was then directed to attack part of the Siegfried Line of the German army, near Ormont, Germany, in the Rhineland.
The 346th were confronted by two large hills along this line, called Gold A (Hill 648) and Gold B (Hill 649). They were located just southwest of the village of Ormont. They captured Hill 648 in late February 1945. Hill 649, or what the soldiers called "Gold Brick Hill," was more formidable than Hill 648. The German defense consisted of dug-in foxholes, concrete "pillboxes," barbed wire and "dragon's teeth," which would be hard to penetrate. The Americans attempted reconnaissance prior to the initial attack on Hill 649, but were stymied by weather and geographic difficulties. Armored vehicle support for the troups was prevented by coarse and muddy terrain. The American plan was to attack using marching fire, exposed to enemy artillary and small arms fire.
It was during the effort to take "Gold Brick Hill" when Ralph W. Lincoln lost his life, on March 3, 1945. He was first listed as missing in action, then later confirmed dead. His body was eventually returned to his home in Jay, New York for burial in July, 1948.
Just prior to his death, Ralph had been awarded the Bronze Star and a promotion to Private First Class.
Ralph's regiment was in action at the Battle of the Bulge, where the Third Army freed the besieged city of Bastogne, Belgium. The 346th was then directed to attack part of the Siegfried Line of the German army, near Ormont, Germany, in the Rhineland.
The 346th were confronted by two large hills along this line, called Gold A (Hill 648) and Gold B (Hill 649). They were located just southwest of the village of Ormont. They captured Hill 648 in late February 1945. Hill 649, or what the soldiers called "Gold Brick Hill," was more formidable than Hill 648. The German defense consisted of dug-in foxholes, concrete "pillboxes," barbed wire and "dragon's teeth," which would be hard to penetrate. The Americans attempted reconnaissance prior to the initial attack on Hill 649, but were stymied by weather and geographic difficulties. Armored vehicle support for the troups was prevented by coarse and muddy terrain. The American plan was to attack using marching fire, exposed to enemy artillary and small arms fire.
It was during the effort to take "Gold Brick Hill" when Ralph W. Lincoln lost his life, on March 3, 1945. He was first listed as missing in action, then later confirmed dead. His body was eventually returned to his home in Jay, New York for burial in July, 1948.
Just prior to his death, Ralph had been awarded the Bronze Star and a promotion to Private First Class.
Ralph W. Lincoln was drafted into the U.S. Army and World War II, reporting to Fort Dix, New Jersey, April 19, 1944. He embarked for overseas duty by the end of the year, ending up in Central Europe as a private in the 346th Infantry, 87th Division, General George Patton's Third Army.
Ralph's regiment was in action at the Battle of the Bulge, where the Third Army freed the besieged city of Bastogne, Belgium. The 346th was then directed to attack part of the Siegfried Line of the German army, near Ormont, Germany, in the Rhineland.
The 346th were confronted by two large hills along this line, called Gold A (Hill 648) and Gold B (Hill 649). They were located just southwest of the village of Ormont. They captured Hill 648 in late February 1945. Hill 649, or what the soldiers called "Gold Brick Hill," was more formidable than Hill 648. The German defense consisted of dug-in foxholes, concrete "pillboxes," barbed wire and "dragon's teeth," which would be hard to penetrate. The Americans attempted reconnaissance prior to the initial attack on Hill 649, but were stymied by weather and geographic difficulties. Armored vehicle support for the troups was prevented by coarse and muddy terrain. The American plan was to attack using marching fire, exposed to enemy artillary and small arms fire.
It was during the effort to take "Gold Brick Hill" when Ralph W. Lincoln lost his life, on March 3, 1945. He was first listed as missing in action, then later confirmed dead. His body was eventually returned to his home in Jay, New York for burial in July, 1948.
Just prior to his death, Ralph had been awarded the Bronze Star and a promotion to Private First Class.
Ralph's regiment was in action at the Battle of the Bulge, where the Third Army freed the besieged city of Bastogne, Belgium. The 346th was then directed to attack part of the Siegfried Line of the German army, near Ormont, Germany, in the Rhineland.
The 346th were confronted by two large hills along this line, called Gold A (Hill 648) and Gold B (Hill 649). They were located just southwest of the village of Ormont. They captured Hill 648 in late February 1945. Hill 649, or what the soldiers called "Gold Brick Hill," was more formidable than Hill 648. The German defense consisted of dug-in foxholes, concrete "pillboxes," barbed wire and "dragon's teeth," which would be hard to penetrate. The Americans attempted reconnaissance prior to the initial attack on Hill 649, but were stymied by weather and geographic difficulties. Armored vehicle support for the troups was prevented by coarse and muddy terrain. The American plan was to attack using marching fire, exposed to enemy artillary and small arms fire.
It was during the effort to take "Gold Brick Hill" when Ralph W. Lincoln lost his life, on March 3, 1945. He was first listed as missing in action, then later confirmed dead. His body was eventually returned to his home in Jay, New York for burial in July, 1948.
Just prior to his death, Ralph had been awarded the Bronze Star and a promotion to Private First Class.
Inscription
RALPH W. LINCOLN
NEW YORK
PFC 346 INF
WORLD WAR II
JAN 29 1926 - MARCH 3 1945
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