Claude Calvin Owens was born in Alabama on 23 December 1920, son of Otto and Margareth Owens. He has four brothers and sisters. Two brothers die at an early age. His nickname is "Fuzzy" because he likes his fuzzy sweater.

 On 2 July 1941 Claude joins the Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Claude marries Esther Agnes Wooley while in Indiana. Here his son Claude R. Owens is born.

After basic training, Claude joins the medical corps, training to become a dentist. His brothers also join up and are sent abroad to fight. Claude feels he needs to do his part and requests a fighting position. Claude is sent to join the 1st battalion, 333rd Infantry Regiment of the 84th Infantry Division, "the Railsplitters".

333rd Infantry Regiment

84th Infantry Division

Esther and Claude (picture courtesy of the Owens family via Wendy Lensink)

Claude was killed in action on 30 November 1944 near Beeck, Germany.

The 333rd Regiment met heavy resistance trying to conquer Beeck. The town was defended by strong SS troops of the 10th Freundsberg Division, who, in September, had fought the British paratroopers at Anhem. At first Claude was listed as Missing In Action. His body is recovered on 7 December.

After the war Claude was re-interred at Margraten Military Cemetery, Plot L, Row 12, Grave 9.

 

(picture courtesy of the Owens family via Wendy Lensink)

(picture courtesy of Claudette Hall)

Margraten, The Netherlands

See also:

Other casualties of the 84th Infantry Division in The Netherlands

Sources:
Mrs Claudette Hall
Wendy Lensink who has adopted Claude's grave at Magraten. Please visit her memorial page to Claude at www.adoptiongravesfromholland.nl

Theodore Draper, The 84th Infantry Division in the Battle of Germany, Viking 1946
 

Posted 24 March 2009

Directions to Margraten American Military Cemetery

for suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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