Pvt. Raymond M. Nordin was born on 9 April 1924. He entered military service 13 Sep 1943. He was assigned to A Company of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate). He would have probably had at least a working knowledge of the Norwegian language as that was one of the requirements for assignment to the 99th. On 15 October 1944, the 99th Infantry Battalion moved to the vicinity of Wurselen, Germany. The next day, they were attached to the 30th Infantry Division. The following are the actions of the battalion on 17-18 Oct 1944 according to the 99th Infantry Battalion website: It is not certain exactly when and under what circumstances Pvt. Nordin gave the ultimate sacrifice. His remains were returned to his family and he was interred at Bethel Cemetery in Hoffman, Minnesota. Be at peace, Pvt. Raymond M. Nordin. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. :S!
While doing other research, I found a newspaper clipping at the Grant County Historical Museum. It's not the best quality, but I finally have a photo of Pvt. Raymond M. Nordin: May your service and sacrifice never be forgotten, Raymond.
Here is the transcription of the above article: First Hoffman Boy Killed In Action Hoffman Tribune: First Hoffman boy to make the supreme sacrifice in World War II, Pvt. Raymond M, Nordin, infantryman, was killed in action in Germany Oct. 20. Notification of his death was received by his mother, Mrs. Minnie Nordin of Bertrum [MN]. Pvt. Nordin’s death occurred only two weeks after he became engaged in actual combat. Pvt. Nordin was born April 9, 1924, in Douglas County. He left from Hoffman for induction with a group of Grant county registrants and entered the service Oct. 5, 1943. He trained at Camp Walters, Texas, and Fort Meade, Md., before being sent overseas to England in July, 1944. Raymond’s last letter was received by his mother on Oct. 14 — a week before he was killed. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Minnie Nordin of Bertrum; three sisters, Mrs. Ella Saunders of Los Angeles, Calif., Miss Florence Nordin of Minneapolis, Mrs. Adelbert Lambrecht of Bertrum and one brother, Pvt. LeRoy M. Nordin, somewhere in Germany, who was wounded in action some time ago. Sincerest sympathy of people of this community is extended [to] members of the family in the death of their son and brother.
Visited Raymond's grave yesterday. His mother Minnie is buried to his right. Earlier this year I was connected with Raymond's grand nephew through a Facebook group.