| Notes |
- Died in the Battle of the Bulge, no descendants.
Lacona Sergeant Missing in Reich
PULASKI.-S/Sgt. Warren E. Ridgeway has been reported missing since Jan. 20 in Germany, in a letter received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ridgeway, Sr., of Lacona, from the war department.
They had just received letters written by him from Germany early in January.
Three other sons have also been in the army: Paratrooper Aaron Ridgeway, once reported missing, but who later rejoined his outfit and has received an honorable discharge;
Corp. Paul Ridgeway, serving in Europe, and S/Sgt. John Ridgeway, Jr., in Denver, Col., after having completed his required missions as tail gunner on an English based
bomber.
Source: Oswego Palladium, Oswego, Oswego Co., NY, USA, Feb 9, 1945
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Family to Receive Awards Won by S-Sgt. Ridgeway
Mr. and Mrs. John Ridgeway Sr. have received a letter from the War Department regarding the decorations and awards to which their son, S/Sgt, Warren E. Ridgeway was entitled.
Missing in action since January 20, 1945 and officially declared dead a year later, S/Sgt. Ridgeway was one of the first from this community to volunteer in December 1940 and, was a veteran of the North African, and Sicilian campaigns and of the invasion of the European continent in June 1944.
The letter reads: "I have the honor to inform you that by direction of the President, the Bronze Star Medal has been awarded to your son by the Commanding General, 9th Infantry Division for distinguishing himself by heroic achievement in action against the enemy on 17 July 1944. In addition to the above decoration S/Sgt. Ridgeway was entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge, American Defense Service Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver and one-Bronze Service Star for the Tunisia, Sicily, Algeria-French Morocco, Normandy, Rhineland and Ardennes Campaigns. Also the Distinguished Unit Badge withe one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, for service with the 39th Inf. Rgt. when it was sited in the name of the President for outstanding performance of duty, 6-9 August, 1944 and 18 June 1944; Bronze Arrowhead for the invasion of North Africa, World War 2 Victory Ribbon.
These awards the letter reads "Will be forwarded to the Commanding General, First United States Army, who will select an officer to make presentation to you. The records show that the Posthumous Purple Heart was forwarded to you and should be received by you in the near future. The records also indicate that your son was entitled to receive the Belgian Fouragere. However, this award is not yet available for issuance by the War Department.
Source: Sandy Creek News, Sandy Creek, Oswego County, New York, United States, Sept 4, 1946
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1919 - 1945 (25 years)