RAYMOND J. (Ray) HUMMEL - Private to First Sergeant  

Served with distinction in the Hq1 – Battalion Staff Support Section from October 1942 to July 1944, when he was promoted to Hq1 1^st Sergeant. and served as such until September  1945. 

Raymond Hummel was a Hq1 “Hell’s Half Acre” survivor (See Chapter II, Combat Operations – Normandy).  Ray skillfully organized and commanded the critical blocking position established in a Normandy field that the men with Ray named "Hell's Half Acre."  

Ray Hummel was a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Great-est Generation." 

Ray Hummel entered military service in October 1942 as a recruit. He was discharged in 1945, as a veteran First Sergeant. His exceptional transition from recruit to First Sergeant is attributed to his adaptability to military life, willing acceptance of discipline, and his natural leadership abilities. 

Ray Hummel’s awards and decorations included:

·        Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals

·        Combat Infantry Badge

·        Parachute Qualification Badge with two stars for combat jumps (Normandy and Holland)

·        Presidential Unit Citation

·        French and Belgian Fourragéres 

·        Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army

·        Numerous defense medals including the Victory Medal and the Occupation Medal with Germany Bar

 Ray died November 14, 2001 in Moundsville, West Virginia where he resided with his beloved Alice.  

Alice Hummel and Ray's WW II comrades provided information for this summary.

A comprehensive perspective of Ray's magnificent leadership emerges from a newspaper article that Alice received shortly after the regiment re-turned to Nottingham from Normandy. The source and publication of this