Ernest Lee Early was born at Lakeview, Georgia, the son of Abraham ‘Abe’ Early and Delphia Grace Martin.

Private First Class Ernest L. Early was assigned to the 81st Calvary Reconnassaince Squadron, 1st Armored Division. The 1st Armored was involved in the Po Valley Battle in Italy in September 1944.

PFC Early was killed in action on the 13th of September 1944. He is interred at the Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy.

The Chattanooga Daily Times, 6 October 1944
Pfc. Ernest L. Early, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Early, 4109 16th Avenue, a former student of East Lake School and a former employe of Temple Brothers Furniture Company, was reported killed in action in Italy, Sept. 13. Pfc. Early is survived by five older brothers, two of whom are also in the service. They are Cpl. Murrell Early, stationed in Corsica; Pfc. Joe Ode Early, stationed at Camp Knight, Calif., and Frank William and Edward Early; three sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Kilgore, Mrs. Lula Bell Carnes and Mrs. Louise Dunn, and his parents.

  • Rank: Private First Class
  • Date of birth:
  • 9 January 1924
  • Date of death: 13 September 1944
  • County: Hamilton
  • Hometown: Chattanooga
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 81st Calvary Reconnassaince Squadron, 1st Armored Division
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Battles: Po Valley
  • Awards: Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Florence American Cemetery, Via Cassia, Italy
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
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