Harold Payne was born on 28 February 1924 to Daniel Webster Payne and Minnie Ellen Mayberry. Twinbrother of Tharold Payne and brother of MiltonPayne, Velma and Anita Payne,
Killed in Action 24 May 1944 in Italy. PFC Payne was returned from Nettuno, Italy. Buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery, Y, 374.
Private First Class
157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 15 June 1944
Pfc. Harold Payne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan W. Payne, Route 1, Soddy, was listed as missing in action with the infantry in Italy since May 24, according to information contained in a War Department telegram received by his father yesterday. He was attached to the U.S. Fifth Army in Italy which has borne the brunt of a powerful assault against the Nazis during the last few weeks. In his last letter, dated May 17 and received by his parents May 28, he was quoted as saying that “it’s plenty hot over here and I don’t mean the weather.” In another letter written by the infantryman to his brothers, Milton H. Payne, emplye of International Harvester Company, he stated: I’ve really seen some action. I hope you never have to go through the awful things that I have been through recently.”
A former employe of Chattanooga Bakery, Pfc. Payne attended Soddy Grammar School. He is the brother of Velma and Anita Payne, both of Soddy. He has been overseas for several months.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 28 February 1924
- Date of death: 24 May 1944
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Soddy
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Harold Payne
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