Private
United States Army
Laverne J. Ploeger, son of Gertrude H. Wiedemeier Ploeger, who was circa 1923, attended St. Paul’s Catholic School and Burlington High School in Burlington, Iowa. However, he withdrew from the high school on 14 February 1941.
A former employee of the Northwestern Cabinet Company, Laverne entered the service on 4 March 1943, and was sent to the African Theater of Operations on 19 August 1943. He received shrapnel wounds to his hip, leg, and knee during action on 3 November 1943 in Africa. In early August 1944, his mother received a War Department telegram informing her that Laverne was Killed-In-Action on 15 July 1944, in Italy. No other details were provided. At the time of his death, Laverne was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division.
Laverne was survived by his mother and one brother, Merrill.
Private Laverne J. Ploeger is buried in Florence American Cemetery; Florence, Italy.
Among his awards and decorations is the Silver Star (posthumously) and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Source of information:
1. The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 8 August 1944, page 1.
2. The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 27 December 1944, page 2.
3. American Battle Monuments Commission website; http://www.abmc.gov/
4. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/
Private Laverne J. Ploeger was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 15 July 1944. The citation reads, in part:
When his platoon was pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun fire, Ploeger voluntarily worked his way up to a building which was part of the platoon objective and began firing to distract the enemy’s attention. His comrades were then able to outflank and surprise the Germans, forcing them to flee in confusion. In the fire fight, however, Ploeger was fatally wounded. The outstanding heroism and initiative displayed by Ploeger in the face of grave danger was in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.
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