PFC Archie Glass was born in Gateswood, Alabama on October 29, 1919, the son of Charley Rubin Glass (1880) and Lottie B. Cobb (1896-1989). His parents were married in Escambia Co., FL in 1911 and Archie's early life was spent in Baldwin County, Ala. His father supported his family as a farmer but sometime around 1935, they moved to McDavid, Florida where his father continued farming. Three years later, Archie married Miss Euline Carroll of McDavid on February 26, 1938. However, apparently it did not work out and they divorced in 1940. That same year, he remarried Viola Mary Lewis (1923-1996) in Santa Rosa County. He also obtained work through the Great Depression's Work Projects Administration (WPA) at Field #3 in Ferry Pass while he were living at 504 East Moreno Street. He finally obtained a job with the L&N railroad but by 1944 the nation's need for soldiers was ever increasing. He enlisted on March 22, 1944 and was sent to Ft. McPherson, Atlanta, GA for processing.
After completion of his basic training, he was sent to the 399th Infantry Regiment of the 100th Infantry Division in December 1944. He was immediately thrust into combat as the division went on the offensive in the vicinity of Bitche, France. Weeks of fierce fighting followed until they were ordered to halt their attack and prepare defensive positions south of Bitche. Those defenses were badly needed to stop the German attack as the Battle of the Bulge commenced on the 16th of December. Thanks to a staunch defense against the German juggernaut that slammed into them, the regiment became known as the "Sons of Bitche." The German counterattacks of January 1-10th of 1945 were all repulsed after heavy fighting. It was here that McDavid, Florida lost PFC Archie Glass on January 8, 1945 after they refused to budge another inch to the German Army. His time in uniform may have been short but he answered his country's call to duty and sacrificed his life in the process.
His remains were carried to the Grave Registration unit and buried in a military cemetery. His wife and three-year-old daughter Lois were notified by telegram at their home in Ensley and another Gold Star was place in a family's window. After the war, they requested that his body be brought home to lay amongst the family. He was shipped home in 1949 and he was laid to rest in the Crary Cemetery (also known as Pleasant Hill) in Bluff Springs.
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