In Memory of
Private First Class
Ralph Leonard Sedelmeier
Centerville, South Dakota
Turner County
December 27,1911- July 26,1944
Killed in Action in the Normandy Invasion

Ralph Leonard Sedelmeier was born December 27, 1911, in Ewing, Missouri. Ralph was one of eight children born to Rhonda and Charles Sedelmeier. Ralph’s nickname was “Red” while he was growing up and going to school in Centerville, South Dakota.  He graduated in 1927 from Centerville High School.

Ralph Sedelmeier entered the Army on December 1, 1942.  He was stationed at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and Camp Howze, Texas before leaving for overseas duty on March 20, 1944.  Private Sedelmeier was stationed in Ireland and England and then took part in the invasion of Normandy in France.

On August 27, 1944, Rhoda Sedelmeier, Private First Class Ralph Leonard Sedelmeier’s mother, received this message:

It is with regret that I am writing to confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death your son, Private First Class Ralph L. Sedelmeier, 37,465,554, Infantry, who was Killed in Action on 26 July 1944 in France.

I fully understand your desire to learn as much as possible regarding the circumstances leading to his death and I wish that there were more information available to give you.  Unfortunately, reports of this nature contain only the briefest details as they are prepared under battle conditions and the means of transmission are limited.

Private Sedelmeier was buried at the Normandy and American Cemetery and Memorial in France.  A memorial service honoring him was held in South Dakota shortly after his death.

Private Sedelmeier left behind his mother, four brothers (three of whom were also in the military), and three sisters.  He was never married.  One brother, Robert Sedelmeier, is still living with his wife Agatha in Hurley, South Dakota.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Emily Preheim, 11^th Grade, Parker High School, Parker, South Dakota, April 30, 2002.  Information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Agatha Sedelmeier, Hurley, South Dakota, sister-in-law of Private First Class Ralph Leonard Sedelmeier.