Laurence Martin Rice (1917 - 1944)

Born 13 Aug 1917 in Granville, Addison County, Vermont, United states

Ancestors

Died 15 Oct 1944 at age 27 in Firenzuola, Provence of Florence, Tuscany Region, Italy

Biography

Laurence Rice served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: 15 Apr 1941
Unit(s): 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th infantry Division
Service ended: 1944

A descendant of George Martyn of Salisbury, Mass. by: Susan Grace Martin Shipman

Laurence M. Rice was stationed at Camp Croft for 3 years as instructor in basic training before going over seas. It came about that he went into active service in Italy as replacement for a former school mate invalided out, and was in combat only six days when stricken down.

The 88th "Blue Devils" Infantry Division was an all draftee division that was raised in WW II and trained at Camp Gruber, near Muskogee, Oklahoma. They served in combat in the Italian Campaign from April 1944 to the surrender in Italy on 2 May 1945. Most historians agree that the division has the distinction of having the first element to enter Rome on 4 June 1944. They served in General Mark Clark's 5th Army.

Birth

[1] Vermont Vital Records - 1760 - 1954 - State Capital Building, Montpelier - FHL microfilm 2,051,100

Birth/Male - Laurence Martin Rice - 13 Aug. 1917 - Granville, Addison County, Vermont

father: - Dudley Newman Rice - age 36 - b. Granville, Vermont - Farmer

mother: - Leda Alice Rice - age 29 - b. Granville, Vermont - res: Granville, Vermont - 5th child

U.S. Census - 1940

[2] Shelburne Town, Chittenden County, Vermont - NARA

In the the household of Dennison Rice - Laurence M. Rice - brother - age 21 - b. Vermont - single

World War II Army Enlistment

[3] United States World War 11 Army Enlistment Records - 1938 - 1946 - citing: National Archives and records Administration

Rice, Laurence M. - b. Vermont - single - without dependents

location: Rutland, Rutland County, Vermont - 15 April 1941

education: 4 years college

Death

Laurence Martin Rice was killed in action, 15 Oct 1944, in Italy while fighting with the 88th "Blue Devils" infantry Division and was later buried in Shelburne Village Cemetery, Shelburne, Vermont.

Burial

Shelburne, Chittenden County, Vermont

Shelburne Village Cemetery

[4] Find A Grave

Sources

• George Martyn of Salisbury, Mass. and his descendants by: Susan Grace Martin Shipman 1973 edition (pgs, 65 - 66)

• Vermont Vital Records - U.S. Census - 1940 - National Archives and Records Administration - Find A Grave