Albert Dale Cunningham -- World War II Casualty

 

 

 

Private First Class Albert Dale Cunningham was born on August 30, 1925 in Trigg County, Kentucky, the son of George Clyde Cunningham and Robbie Bridges Cunningham.  He grew up in the Maple Grove community of Trigg County and received his education in the county schools, including attending Lower Donaldson and Maple Grove Schools. 

On November 15, 1943, at the height of World War II, he was inducted into the armed service of the United States. In March of 1944 he was sent overseas and was stationed in Naples, Italy. He was a member of the 36th Infantry Division, serving in Italy.  While serving in Italy, PFC Cunningham wrote and sent home a series of interesting letters about his war experiences which were published in the Cadiz Record, his hometown’s local newspaper.

He was in the invasion forces of Southern France as part of the 36th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Army under the command of General 'Patch' Patterson; He was an assistant gunner on an 81mm mortar.  On November 28, 1944, after crossing the Moselle River, PFC Cunningham was killed in action while fighting the German 19th Army. His body was buried in the Epinal American Cemetery in Epinal, France with full military honors. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham were notified by the War Department of the death of their son.

Nearly four years later in April 1948, his body was exhumed and returned to the United States.  His body was the first Trigg County war dead body to be returned to the county. His funeral was conducted at the Maple Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Olen Sisk officiating.  A full military funeral was conducted in his honor. The local American Legion post was in charge of the military rites.  Their members took part in a special drill and conducted a firing squad. His body was laid to final rest in the nearby Allen Cemetery.

 

THE LINEAGE:

(Albert Dale Cunningham was the son of George Clyde and Robbie Bell Bridges Cunningham,  the grandson of Elmer Elsworth "Ell" and Rosa Lee Bridges Cunningham and the great grandson of  Cullen T. and Martha Virginia Thomas Bridges.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges. William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Mary Thomas was the fifth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)