Neil W. McIntyre
The following tribute was provided by Neil’s cousin, Laura Swartz.
Biography: Neil William McIntyre was born on April 29, 1926 in Williston, North Dakota, to Peter Neil McIntyre and Odelia (Kress) McIntyre. Neil had one brother, John Peter McIntyre, born in 1928 and one half-brother, Earl L. McIntyre, who had been born in 1905, and was from his father’s first marriage. Sadly, when Neil was only 14, his father died on February 16, 1941.
Neil completed three years at Williston High School and when he turned 18, on April 29, 1944, he decided to enlist. He appeared before the draft board in Williston on May 24th, where he was given a complete medical evaluation. He was deemed fit for service and ordered to report to the Reception Center at Fort Snelling in Minnesota, on July 20th. From there, he was transferred to North Camp Hood, Texas, on July 29th. He completed his basic training there and was assigned to Company C of the 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
By the beginning of 1945, Neil was in England, and on February 9, 1945, he left England for France and then was on to Belgium. On February 26th, he left Belgium and entered Germany. Upon joining up with the rest of the 634th, Pvt. Neil McIntyre was assigned to First Platoon of C Company. This platoon was frequently attached to 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry as they fought their way through western Germany and past the Rhine River.
On April 7th, Pvt. Neil McIntyre was serving as a machine gunner on an M20, Armored Utility Car, commanded by Sgt. Donald A. Amundson. The convoy was traveling in the vicinity of Wehrden, Germany and around 2100 hours, a small arms shot was heard. Sgt. Amundson thought the shot came from the side of the road and began to investigate. It was identified that Neil had suffered an accidental gunshot wound and when they arrived in the town of Wehrden, Neil was sent to the aid station of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry.
Arriving at the aid station about 0030 hours on the 8th, Neil was seen by Cpt. Hiram W. Davis, who was the battalion’s surgeon. Cpt. Davis saw that Neil’s condition was serious and Neil was immediately evacuated without waiting to draw up the usual statements, which normally accompanied an accidental shooting. According to receiving officer, Cpt. C.W. Spellman, Neil arrived at the 102nd Evacuation Hospital and was declared DOA (dead on arrival). A full report of the incident was compiled by Cpt. William C. Hansen of the 634th, who was chosen as the Investigating Officer
Neil was temporarily buried in an American Military Cemetery in Germany but was later permanently interred in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Limburg, the Netherlands. Neil’s mother Odelia, later applied for a Gold Star Lapel Button with her initials “O.E.M.”, engraved on the back.
I want to thank Neil’s relative, Laura Swartz, for her research into Neil’s military service and also Des Philippet, for the use of the grave marker photo.
NOTE: We have not been able to obtain a photo of Neil from any source, including the family. If anyone can provide a photo, it would be much appreciated.