The 44th Infantry Division (ID) began the relief of the 79st ID on 18 Oct 1944 at Foret de Parroy, near Lunneville France. The 71st Infantry Regment (IR), of the 44th ID, went on the line 23 Oct 44 and the 324th IR followed the next day (24 Oct 1944).
Apparently, he was killed as his division was going into action. How, that will be hard to determine - enemy artillery, mine, vehicle wreck, sniper?
Here is a short mention of the regiment from a friend of the forum, Baseball in Wartime
Baseball in Wartime - Ernie Raimondi