Private Ralph Valente
Ralph Valente was born on August 3, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York to Ciro and Mary Valente. As a student, he attended Dewey Junior High School and graduated from the Metropolitan High School, New York City. In his youth, he was musically trained, directed his own band, and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Valente married his wife Amelia, enlisted in the United States Army on December 8th, 1943, and received his military training at Camp Blanding in Florida. He was assigned to the Company A, 1st Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division.
The 80th Division landed on Utah beach, Normandy, France on August 5, 1944 as part of General George S. Patton's Third Army. After initially helping to break out of the Normandy region of France, the 80th Division raced across France and chased the German Army as they retreated east. In late September 1944, the 80th Division paused at the Seille River due to a lack of supplies. For the next month, they maintained a defensive position near the Seille River and planned for a move into the industrial-rich area of the Saar Basin. It was during this time of defensive posturing on the west side of the Seille River that Valente was wounded on October 13th, 1944 near Benicourt, France. He recovered and later rejoined his unit.
On November 9, 1944, Valente's company A crossed the Seille River near Lixieres, attacked east towards Mailly, and began following the river south to capture their objective, the high ground near Phlin, France, known as Hill 235 in Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.
Hill 235 was captured by members of the 80th Division and a defensive position was established. It is during this attack around Hill 235, however, that Valente was wounded a second time severely on November 11th. He was evacuated from the frontlines to the 305th Medical Clearance Station and succumbed to his wounds on November 24, 1944.
Ralph Valente was 23 years old when he was killed in action. He was initially buried in the American Military Cemetery, Limey, France, Plot J, Row 6, Grave 141. He was later reinterred at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.
.
By Tanner Christy
