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Remember...Richard Lee Nibert
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Richard Lee Nibert was born in the small community of Ashton, Mason County, West Virginia, on April 9, 1923. His parents were Howard Lyle Nibert and Mary Margaret Nibert. The 1930 Federal Census shows Richard to be living at Hannan in Mason County with a younger brother and sister, Rudolph and Wilma. By 1940, the family still lived at Hannan, and two additional children had joined the family, William and Carolyne.
Richard registered for the draft on June 30, 1942. He stated that he was 19 years of age (actually, he was still 18) and unemployed. Mrs. Mary Nibert was listed as the person who would always know his address, which he indicated at the time was simply "Ashton." Further information on his draft card shows that he was five feet, seven inches tall and weighed 145 pounds. His eyes were blue; his hair, brown; and his complexion, ruddy. Lacking photos for some draft registrants, this information often became important in their identification. When he enlisted in the U.S. Army the following year (March 11, 1943) at Fort Thomas, Newport, Kentucky, he stated that he had completed two years of high school and was a farm hand (general farms) in civilian life.
Draft card for Richard Lee Nibert. National Archives and Records Administration
On active duty, Richard was assigned to the 116th Infantry, 29th Division, a Virginia unit. The 116th is the "oldest continuous service regiment in the Virginia National Guard and seventh oldest in the United States Army," with origins dating to the Revolutionary War. According to the 29th Division Association website,
During World War II, Soldiers from the 29th took part in the massive invasion of Normandy France that began the morning of June 6, 1944, to be known forever as "D-Day." More than 800 members of the 116th Infantry were killed, wounded or missing during the assault on Omaha Beach, but their courage and bravery helped create a foothold that allowed follow on forces to continue the assault. The unit earned the Presidential Unit Citation and a second French Croix de Guerre with Palm for the D-Day landings in Normandy.On June 14, after D-Day, Tech. Sgt. Frank Peregory of Company K, 116th Infantry from Charlottesville, became the second Virginia Guardsman to earn the Medal of Honor, (posthumously), for his action on or about June 8, when he single-handedly killed or captured 30 enemy soldiers defending a trench line.
During the rest of the war, the regiment participated in four campaigns, including exceptional hard fighting at St. Lo and Brest in France and Julich in Germany. The 1st Battalion received two additional awards for its role in the August 1944 crossing of the Vire River in Normandy: a second Presidential Unit Citation and a French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star. Major Tom Howie of Staunton gained immortality as the "Major of St. Lo." He received the Silver Star, which may be upgraded to The Distinguished Service Medal (DSC), and the French Legion of Honor, "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur . . . Posthume." ("116th Infantry," accessed 2 July 2024, https://29thdivisionassociation.com/29th-division-116th-infantry/.)
In March 1944 (when presumably he would still have been in England preparing for the Normandy invasion), Richard was admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of acute nasopharyngitis. He was discharged from the hospital during the same month. Three months later, his unit would be on their way to Normandy for the largest military invasion (D-Day) the world had known. Sadly, a second entry in the U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954, shows that Richard was admitted to hospital as a casualty and died in line of duty on August 30, 1944.
 A vintage poster was created by French artist DOZ for all ABMC cemeteries and five monuments and memorials to mark ABMC's centennial. Courtesy of American Battle Monuments Commission |
Private First Class Nibert was a member of a highly decorated unit, acclaimed for their service on D-Day. For his sacrifice, as an individual, Richard received the Purple Heart. Pfc. Richard Lee Nibert is buried in Plot M, Row 6, Grave 3, at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie Saint Martin, France. |
Article prepared by Patricia Richards McClure
July 2024
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
