World War II
-
Fallen
Fallen
Minot, ND
County:
Ward
Date of Loss:
Branch of Service:
Army
Rank:
Captain
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
407th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division
Medals and Honors:
Bronze Star
Circumstances:
Killed in action when leading his company in an attack at the Roer River. While attempting to assist some of his men who had become casualties, he was fatally wounded.
Biography:
CHATFIELD, Keith Grayson Servicenumber: O-024969 Age: 29 Born: 26 July 1915, Minot, Ward County, North Dakota Hometown: Ward County, North Dakota Family: Mark M. Chatfield (father) Gertrude B. Chatfield (mother) Miles B. Chatfield (brother) Marcus M. Chatfield (brother) Helen L. Chatfield (sister) Robert C. Chatfield (brother) Kenneth A. Chatfield (brother) Stanley E. Chatfield (brother) David L. Chatfield (brother) Betty (Rindt) Chatfield (wife) Nancy Chatfield (daughter) Jody Chatfield (daughter) Rank: Captain Function: Company Commander Regiment: 407th Infantry Regiment Battalion: 1st Battalion Division €“ Transport: 102nd Infantry Division Company €“ Squadron: C Company Unit €“ Group: - Plane data: (Serialnumber, MACR, etc.) - Date of death: 29 November 1944 Status: KIA Place of death: Near Puffendorf, Germany Spot: Not available Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart Gravenumber: Plot D, Row 7, Grave 3 Cemetery: American War Cemetery Margraten Biography: - Other information: Capt Keith G. Chatfield graduated from Model High School in Minot and attended the State Teachers College. He entered West Point in 1937 after he already had served six years in the National Guard, and was a sergeant in the 164th Infantry. He graduated in May 1942, and was commissioned in the Infantry. On graduation he married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Rindt with whom he had grown up and attended school in their hometown. By the time Keith embarked for Europe in mid-1944 their union had been blessed by two daughters. His service in the United States took him initially to Fort Benning and then on to Texas with the 105th Infantry Division. By November 1942 he was a first lieutenant and in June 1943 he was promoted to captain. In late 1944 Keith commanded Company C of the 407th infantry, 102nd Division. The closing days of November Capt Chatfield was leading his company in an attack in the tough fighting at the Roer River. While attempting to assist some of his men who had become casualties, he himself was mortally wounded. Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Jack Solomon, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, J. Langendijk