Killed SSGT Blanton, Raymond C. – 33644965
About SSGT Blanton – 33644965
| Name: Blanton, Raymond C. |
| Initials: Raymond Carlyle |
| Rank: Staff Sergeant (SSGT) |
| Service number: 33644965 |
| Status: Killed in action (KIA) |
| Died: October 14, 1944 |
| Unit: 9th Infantry Regiment, 60th Infantry Division, Company C |
| Start project: 2010 |
| End project: April 2020 (identified, accounted for) |
| Commemorated: Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands Margraten U.S. Cemetery and Memorial |
| Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart |
| Researcher: Tino Dam |
| Case ID: # 0007 |
Accounted for
On April 28, 2020 Study Group Missing Soldier was informed by the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) that SSGT Raymond C. Blanton was officially accounted for. SSGT Blanton was until that day officially reported non-recoverable since October 15, 1945 (MIA + 1 year & 1 day)
Press Release April 28, 2020
The DPAA publishes a press release with Release No: 20-058 April 28, 2020 and it provides the following statement;
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Staff Sgt. Raymond C. Blanton, 19, killed during World War II, was accounted for April 23, 2020.
In October 1944, Blanton was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Germeter, Germany, in the Raffelsbrand Forest, when he was killed in action on Oct. 14. Blanton could not be recovered because of the on-going fighting.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (703) 699-1420/1193.
Blanton’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt000001DVBNCEA5.
Press Release June 9, 2021
Press Release – June 9, 2021
Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Blanton, R.)
WASHINGTON – The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Staff Sgt. Raymond C. Blanton, 19, of Richmond, Virginia, killed during World War II, was accounted for April 23, 2020.
In October 1944, Blanton was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Germeter, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was killed in action on Oct. 14. Blanton could not be recovered because of the on-going fighting.
Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. They conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950, but were unable to recover or identify Blanton’ remains. He was declared non-recoverable in 1951.
While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one of two sets of unidentified remains, designated X-4491 Neuville and X-4492 Neuville, recovered comingled from Raffelsbrand sector of the Hürtgen Forest near Germeter in 1946, possibly belonged to Blanton. The remains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery in 1950, were disinterred in September 2017 and sent to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for identification.
To identify Blanton’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Blanton’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Margarten, Netherlands, along with the others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Blanton will be buried July 1, 2021 in his hometown.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission and to the U.S. Army Regional Mortuary-Europe/Africa for their partnership in this mission.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
Blanton’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt000001DVBNCEA5.
Family
Father: George Blanton
Mother: Ruby (Hall) Blanton
Brother: George Blanton
Sisters: Shirley (Apperson) Blanton, Marion Blanton, Louise Blanton, Dot Blanton, Janet Blanton & Mil Blanton
Niece: Nancy Fraker
Nephew: Raymond C. Burrows