Not much is known about Everette J. Rice. He was born in 1922 and lived in Virginia. He enlisted in the US Army  on 17 March 1943.

He volunteered for the paratroopers and after basic training was attached to H Company, 517th Regimental Combat Team.

Early February found the 517th RCT in the Huertgen Forest, a densely wooded area which will live in the minds of all that fought in it. The battle of the Huertgen forest was part of the Allied attempt to cross the Rhine River and capture three important dams in German hands.

H Company

517th Regimental Combat Team

Everett Rice and girlfriend (picture courtesy of Mr. Jack Rogers)

Everett Rice (middle) with Ramous (left) and Jack Rogers (right). Location and date unknown. (picture courtesy of Mr. Jack Rogers)

Everett Rice showing off two guns. This picture was taken in
Stavelot, Belgium. (picture courtesy of Mr. Jack Rogers)

A buddy of his, Jack Rogers writes about the action which probably killed Everette: "It was early February, late in the evening when Co.H, 3rd Battalion advanced on a tape line through a mine field. We encountered machine gun fire and were pinned down. Mortar fire was being directed to our rear and advance up to our location, stopping short of hitting the German bunker from which the machine gun fire was coming. Three of us were 100 feet in a swail from the bunker. Some jumped off the tape line and were killed. The three of us laid there for about 5 to 6 hours under constant shelling. Early the next morning the bunker was knocked out. The Germans surrendered." 

Pvt Everette Rice is buried at Margraten American Military Cemetery, Plot O Row 19 Grave 8.

Margraten, The Netherlands

 

See also:
Other casualties of the 517th Regimental Combat Team buried in The Netherlands

Sources:
Mr. Jack Rogers
Ben, of the 517th RCT website (unit crest courtesy of the website)
www.aad.archives.gov

Directions to Margraten American Military Cemetery

If you have any 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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