Memorials › CPL Creed Slagle Key
CPL Creed Slagle Key
11 May 1920 – 22 Sep 1944
| Birth | 11 May 1920 |
| Death | 22 Sep 1944 |
| Cemetery | Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Saint-Avold , Département de la Moselle , Lorraine , France |
| Added by | Laura S. on 14 Mar 2024 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56657027 |
Gravesite details
Enlisted in the US Army on 4 Masr 1942 at Camp Wolters, TX
Bio
Corporal Creed Slagle Key May 11, 1920 - September 22, 1944 Corporal Creed Slagle Key, United States Army, son of W. C. Key and Jessie Faye Key of Grayson County, was killed September 22, 1944 at Pournoy, France in combat. His mother was notified by telegram of his death. Creed was born at the family home near the Luella, Providence, and Ida communities on May 11, 1920. He grew up working the family farm with his father and six brothers. He attended Providence and Tom Bean schools. Creed enlisted in the United States Army March 4, 1942 at Camp Wolters, Tx. He was assigned to the 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company B, as a crewman of an M3 half-track tank destroyer. He trained at locations in Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York, before being shipped overseas October 20, 1943 aboard the USS Fairisle, a Liberty ship, to Northern Ireland. Training continued in locations in Northern Ireland and England. It was during this time that the 818th was refitted with the open-turret M10 tank destroyer. His unit arrived in France at UTAH Beach July 14, 1944. The 818th was attached to Lieutenant General George S. Patton's 3rd Army as part of the Normandy Breakout. On September 22, 1944, the tank destroyer in which Creed commanded, was in position at Pournoy, France in support of units of the 5th Infantry Division, when an enemy shell hit a limb in the upper part of the tree above his vehicle. The inside of his tank destroyer was showered with shell fragments, one hitting Creed in the back of the neck, killing him instantly. Creed was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. Creed was survived at the time of his death by his parents and six brothers: Ray Key, Cecil Key, Curtis Key, Dewey Key, Truitt Key, and Billie Joe Key. Current survivors are the living descendants of Creed's six brothers. Creed's name is one of three hundred forty-five names of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines from WWII on the monument in Fairview Park "Dedicated to the Men & Women of Grayson County Who Gave Their Lives in Defense of Our Country." Creed is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France.
Inscription
CPL 818 TD BN
Photos
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Hershel Ray Key 1916–1984
- Cecil Cleveland Key 1918–1946
- CPL Creed Slagle Key 1920–1944
- Curtis Landon Key Sr 1922–1999
- Dewey Lois Key 1924–1987
- Walter Truett Key 1930–2001
- Billy Joe Key 1934–1975
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