Maximiliano S. Ramirez was known to his friends as Minot. He entered active duty Oct. 9, 1943 in the United Army, assigned to the 320 Infantry, 35th Infantry Division.

He was killed Oct 2, 1944, and is buried in Plot C, Row 24, Grave 72 of the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avoid (Moselle).

My dad was born Nov. 19, 1909 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. His parents were Maximiliano and Carmen Ramirez. He had two brothers, whom I have never met: Manuel and Antonio, and a sister named Carmen in Puerto Rico (information obtained from his obituary); two sisters that I grew to know: Isabel and Josefina, both lived in New York. My parents were married Dec. 3, 1943 in Stamford, Connecticut, in the county of Fairfield.

I was three years old when he was killed; my sister Diosa was nine months. My mother was five months pregnant with the third child, she was named after my father, Maxine. I also have a half sister who I have not seen since my early childhood years. Her name is Annie.

I am told my father was a very kind, quiet, fun loving man. He wrote my mother a post card (date was not readable) and told her not to cry, for he would return. Another card was written to my sister Diosa. He wrote, "Are you saying pappy yet? I can not tell you how much I would give to hear those words."

Four months after his death, my mother gave birth to his third daughter. My mother was never the same.