Private First Class Albert J. Wright

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, January 31, 1945
Page 1

PFC. ALBERT J. WRIGHT

Pfc. Albert J. Wright, son of Mrs. Jessie Wright, of Brownstown R1, is missing in action in France since January 8. A former outstanding Cortland High School basketball player, he had never been home on furlough since entering the armed forces in January, 1943.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, July 11, 1945
Page 1

Pfc. A. Wright Killed, Wire Tells Family

Ex-Cortland Athlete Died on Day He Was Reported Missing In European Battle

After a period of almost six months during which no further word had been received, members of the family of Pfc. Albert J. Wright were notified by the War Department Tuesday that the young county soldier was killed in action in France on January 8, the day on which hge had been previously reported as missing.

The official wire was sent to his mother, Mrs. Jessie B. Wright, residing on Brownstown R1, stating that her son, previously reported missing in action, was killed in action January 8 in France.

"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep sympathy in your loss and his regret that unavoidable circumstances made necessary the unusual lapse of time in reporting your son's death to you. Confirming letter follows," the telegram continued.

Pfc. Wright, who was an outstanding athlete at the Cortland High School while a student there, was fighting with the 45th Division as a scout in the infantry with the Seventh Army. He is believed by his family to have been killed in the Alsace-Lorraine area near the French border while participating against the Germans who had made the historic break-through in late December.

Was In Three Invasions.

The county soldier had entered the armed forces on January 23, 1943, and never was home on furlough, being sent overseas shortly after he completed his basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia. He was sent to North Africa and went through the three major invasions of Sicily, Italy and Southern France. His family received official word late in January he had been missing since January 8. The last letter from him was written on the day he was killed, apparently before he started into combat on that day.

Pfc. Wright's father, Albert Wright, died seventeen years ago. Besides the mother, who is ill, he is survived by five brothers, one of who, Pfc. James C. Wright, is serving with the U.S. Army Air Forces. Others are Henry Wright and William Wright, both of Seymour; Arvin Wright, Cortland R1 and Kermit Wright, Seymour R4.

While in high school, Pfc. Wright played on the Cortland varsity basketball team four years.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, July 18, 1945
Page 1

Memorial Set For Pfc. Wright

Memorial service for Private First Class Albert J. Wright, listed as missing in action in France on January 8, and listed by the War Department last week as killed in action on the same date, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, July 22, at the Acme United Brethren Church.

The Rev. Kenneth M. Angle, pastor of the First United Brethren Church, of this city, will conduct the memorial program, assisted by the Rev. W. C. Smith, pastor of the Acme church.

Camp Jackson Post 112, American Legion, of Brownstown, will have charge of the service.

Pfc. Wright was a member of the Acme church and held a perfect Sunday School attendance record for nine years.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Jessie Wright, Brownstown R1, five brothers, Arvin, Henry, Kermit, William and Corporal James C. Wright, and his fiancee, Miss Ruby Oathout.