This community was saddened again Friday when Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pettis who reside three miles southwest of Farmington, received a telegram from the War Department stating that their son Ray, age 27 years had been killed in action, December 14, 1944 in France. The telegram also said that a letter would follow, which the parents are anxiously waiting for. They are still hoping that this word might be a mistake and that their son is still alive somewhere. The Pettis family previously received a telegram from the War Department saying that he was missing in action.
No plans for a memorial service have been made.
Ray enlisted two years ago last March and trained at Camp Campbell, Kentucky; he sailed overseas a year ago last August landing in Africa. Ray took part in the African, Sicillian and Italian campaigns and was serving in the invasion of France and Germany.
The last letter received by the parents from Ray was dated December 11, 1944.
Ray Pettis, a twin brother of Rex, was born July 9, 1918 at Foley, Minnesota, son of Henry and Carrie (Nau) Pettis. They moved to this community twelve years ago settling on the Sullivan farm near Crystal Lake then to the Denzer farm just north of Farmington and then to their present location on the Cherry farm.
The young soldier is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sister: Harvey of Appleton, Wis.; Donley of Farmington; Earl a construction worker in the Aleutians; Arthur, a Marine training at Great Lakes; Mrs. Hilton Sewell (Ellen) of Minneapolis; his twin brother Rex with the navy in the South Pacific; Roy Clark of Hopkins (a foster brother) a brother Jack died two years ago.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the berefit parents in their hour of sadness.