Raymond (Ray) Martin Hardy

Raymond (Ray) Martin Hardy, 99, passed away on August 1, 2022 at McKay-Dee Hospital from causes incident to age.  He was born August 22, 1922 in Red Oak, Virginia to Martin and Annie Mae Watson Hardy.  He graduated from Davis High School.

Raymond was  in World War II Army Infantry, 1942 to 1945.  He volunteered at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City and received Basic Training in Oklahoma.  After basic training, he was sent to Wisconsin to school to be a Engineer, but after three months his orders were changed.  He was assigned to the Infantry and sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  From there he was sent overseas.  He landed at Casa Blanca in South Africa on Christmas Eve where he was put on a ship to Naples, Italy.  There, he was assigned to Battalion Intelligence.  During his schooling in Wisconsin, he had spent a lot of time learning to read maps.  Though the school was cancelled, what he learned there became very important to him during his service in Italy.  He would go in advance of the Company and decide where they should set up camp.  The Artillery would set up at the same place with Howitzer 150’s.

A Tommy Gun exploded during his first “pushing” and hit him in the eye.  His buddy bandaged it.  When it healed he removed the bandage.  He had a blind spot in his eye, but he never told anyone.  He was later wounded in the leg from shrapnel and was sent to the hospital in Rome.  He was in a hospital ward of about 30 soldiers.  He said as soon as you could stand you were required to mop under your bed.  When you could walk, you were required to walk to mess for meals.  When he was well enough, he would hitch a ride and sight-see in Rome.

In all he was in combat about a year and half.  He was on the front lines “pushing for 56 days.

He married Eva J. Ellis Assenberg in 1955, she had three children and together they raised them until their passing. 

Raymond retired from Hill Air Force Base after 35 years as a plumber.

He was an avid gardener, enjoyed doing leatherwork, and hunting. 

Raymond was a wonderful grandfather to his many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, three children, Richard D. (Joan) Assenberg, Ronald G.(Jo) Assenberg, and Gail Kenley, brothers and sisters.  He is survived by two sisters, Virginia Frazier, Catherine (Paul) Willey, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Monday, August 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Rd., Kaysville, Utah.