Warren Edgar Bassett was born on September 28, 1907 in Alder Creek, NY to Frank A. Bassett (1865-1948) and May (Mae) Rockwell (1870-1932). His parents were married on January 8, 1889 in Forestport, NY. He was the 7th of their eight children which included Elmer (1889-1962), George (1891-1972), Wade (1894 -1975), Lena (1895-1975), Laura (1898-1977), Stuart (1902-1930) and Clarence (1905-1992) and Nila (1910-1943). Warren grew up in Forestport, NY and attended schools there. In 1920, then 13 years old, Census records indicate he was in school and his enlistment records state he completed two years of high school. Unfortunately the school he likely attended (Boonville Central School) burned down in 1922 and for a number of years after children in the district were spread out at various churches and meeting rooms. I was unable to find any pictures or records of his school years.

He registered for the draft on October 16, 1940 in Remsen, NY. He was 5'-9" tall and weighed 160 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was working for the NY State Dept. of Canals on North Genesee St. in Utica, NY at the time. Warren enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 15, 1942 in Albany, NY with service number 12095959. He was single. He did his training in Fort Meade, Md. and Camp McCoy, Wis. before leaving for England in April 1944. Throughout April and May 1944, the regiment was based in southern England, mainly in the Devon–Cornwall region, conducting amphibious and assault training in preparation for the Normandy invasion.

The 60th Infantry landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, beginning on June 10, 1944 (D+4). By June 11–12, the regiment had assembled near Montebourg, east of the Merderet River, and was attached to VII Corps. It entered combat quickly, advancing south toward Ste. Colombe and Orglandes, encountering stubborn resistance from German units of the 91st Air Landing Division. The 60th pushed through the hedgerow country (bocage) north of St. Lô, suffering significant casualties in intense small-unit fighting. Through early and mid-July, the regiment fought in the Périers–St. Lô sector, facing elements of the German 2nd Parachute Corps and 352nd Infantry Division. The terrain—dense hedgerows, muddy fields, and fortified farmsteads—made progress slow and costly. By late July (July 25–31), the regiment was heavily involved in Operation Cobra, the U.S. First Army’s breakout offensive west of St. Lô. Following the massive aerial bombardment that opened Cobra, the 60th attacked south through Marigny, breaking German defensive lines and helping open the road network for the armored advance toward Avranches.

On August 2, 1944, the 60th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division was fighting in northern France, specifically in the St. Lô–Vire area during the breakout from Normandy following Operation Cobra. Sgt. Bassett is killed in action by an artillery shell on August 2, 1944. Company K's Morning Report for August 4, 1944, filed from "Pt Tiatel 1/2 Mile East T48.6-30.9, Fr Lambert Zone 1" recorded Sgt. Bassett as moved "fr duty to KIA 2nd Aug." (moved from duty status to killed in action on August 2).

Sgt. Bassett (his burial records record him as Pfc, likely an error in his rank) was buried August 4, 1944 in the Marigny 1 Cemetery and later was reburied in the Brittany American Cemetery and memorial, Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandy, Plot I, Row 14, Grave 8. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen on Together We Served and Fold3.

(Please see - http://www.storiesbehindthestars.org).

Can you help us write these stories? Together We Served and Fold3/Find A Grave have smartphone apps that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery and read these stories of WWII fallen.

If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute, please contact Jim Greenberg at jim.greenberg@oneonta.edu.

SBTSProject/New York/Oneida

Sources

American Battle Monuments Commission; Arlington, VA; Cemetery Records

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56351910/warren_e-bassett: accessed November 1, 2025), memorial page for Sgt. Warren E Bassett (unknown–2 Aug 1944), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56351910, citing Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-James, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France; Maintained by R. L. C. (contributor 48905877).

National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 00891; Reel: 82

National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; 314.6 T/O (European) Weekly Burial Reports 103:1944; Record Group 92;NAID: 28269271; Records of the Office of the quartermaster General, Series: General Correspondence Relating to Organizations.

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri;  Morning Reports for August 1944: Roll 614; NAID: 566949303; Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration

New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 01; Assembly District: 03; City: Forestport; County: Oneida; Page: 04

New York State Department of Health; Albany, NY, USA; New York State Birth Index

New York State Department of Health; Albany, NY, USA; New York State Marriage Index

Year: 1930; Census Place: Forestport, Oneida, New York; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0016; FHL microfilm: 2341354

Supporting Documents