Homepage > Richard W. Purvis

St. Joseph News-Press
St. Joseph, Missouri
21 Apr 1945, Sat • Page 1

A Bronze Star Medal and a letter giving details of her husband's death have been received by Mrs. Mary C. Purvis, 2317 Charles street, widow of Second Lieut Richard W. Purvis, former News-Press employe. The medal and accompanying citation were presented to Mrs. Purvis last night by Maj. Elmer E. Dye of headquarters at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The citation reads: "For heroic service In connection with military operations In Germany during the period 20 March 194S to 4 April 1945. He has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and courage under fire and personally accourted for the destruction of the anti-tank guns. He was mortally wounded while leading an attack on enemy positions near Orbordola, Germany." Chaplain David G. Colwell of headquarters, 69th tank battalion In Germany, has written the details of Lieutenant Purvis' death In a letter which reads In part: Your husband, Second Lieut Richard W. Purvis, was killed In action April 4, 1945, In Germany. I should like to quote from a report that Captain Kircher, commander of C company, wrote out for me: 'Lieutenant Purvis was a tank platoon leader In my company of the 69th tank battalion. On 4 April 1945 the company was fighting east of Heyerode, Muhlhausen. Strong opposition was encountered in the town of Obordola by reconnaissance elements and the company was ordered to deploy and to attack and seize the town. The attack lumped off at 1000 hours (10 a. m.) with Lieutenant 'Purvis' platoon on the right of the main road leading Into the town. A substantial number of dug-in enemy infantrymen were encountered at the outskirts of the town and heavy small arms fire was directed at the company, and especially at Lieutenant Purvis platoon. Lieutenant Purvis was shot through the head by an enemy rifleman and he died about half an hour later without regaining consciousness. He did not suffer from his Wound as it rendered him immediately unconscious. The medics were unable to help him, so severe was his wound." The chaplain's letter continues: "Your husband's platoon carried on after his death and It showed me results of his fine training and the caliber of his leadership. The men who were under his command will always reflect credit upon his having been with them. Those who knew him feel the loss of a fine friend most keenly that they are the better for his having lived among them. After the cessation of hostillties in this theater the battalion held a most meaningful memorial service for her dead. As a part ot this service Richard's name, together with the names of the others who had fallen in battle, was read ."Richard, was buried In the United States military cemetery at Butzbach, Germany, In grave No. 177 with an American Protestant chaplain conducting the burial service. His grateful country gave to him, as one of her heroes, wartime military honors." The letter concluded with a personal message of condolence to Mrs, Purvis.
St. Joseph News-Press
St. Joseph, Missouri
29 Aug 1945, Wed • Page 4