Richard Voyne Baggett

© The Hammon Advocate

Thursday, 2 Sept 1948

Submitted by: Leila Evett

Sgt. Richard Voyne Baggett, youngest son of Henry and Kate Baggett, was born January 23, 1915 at Herring, Oklahoma and was killed in action on the Island of Sicily August 4, 1943 at the age of 28 years, 6 months, 13 days.

The family moved to the Strong City Community in 1930, where Voyne graduated from high school in 1933. He entered the service of his country on December 3, 1941 and trained as a soldier at Fort Ord, California.

He was in all major campaigns in Africa, and was killed in action during the Sicilian invasion.

When he was ten years of age he accepted Christ as his savior. He was laid to rest beside his oldest brother, Lucius, who gave his life in the service of his country in World War I.

Baggett was a fine young man who stood six feet and two inches. To know him was to love him. He was not only sound physically but possessed many good principles of religion and morality.

He believed in rendering his best to any worthwhile undertaking in life. This he gave to his country, his life.

In his correspondence home he often stated that he was ready to give his life, to make the supreme sacrifice for those principles for which his brothers and nephews lived, fought an died.

The last letter which he wrote home was dated June 17. In this letter he wrote somewhat of a farewell to all. Knowing the task before him, he wrote from Africa, "the twittering of the leavers, the rising of the sea breeze, the song of the birds and the challenge of the battle may soon end the last chapter of my life."

He leaves behind, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Baggett, Strong City, Oklahoma; seven brothers: Bonda, Goldsmith, Texas; Everett, Oklahoma City; Newman V., Strong City; John and Acie Chico, California; Cecil, Ryan, Oklahoma; Terrence, Clinton, Oklahoma; four sisters, mrs. Eala Fuller, Graham, Texas; Mrs. Eula Knight, Allen Reed, Texas; Mrs. Fern Burns, Fort Worth, Texas,; Mrs. Lorene Laver, Whittaker, California and other relatives and friends, who sympathize with the family.

Reburial services were conducted by Reverend Andrew Borum at the graveside in the Kiowa Cemetery, Sunday afternoon, August 29, 1948."

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