Nevin F. Ulmer was born on November 20, 1912 to Newton and Rena Ulmer who lived on Walnut Street in Phoenixville , Pennsylvania.  Nevin was one the second of six children: Harvey, Nevin, Evelyn, Edith, Milward, and Marian.  Their father worked as a machinist in a machine shop.

Nevin was schooled in Phoenixville, attending Phoenixville High School but left before graduation to work and help support the family. The family later moved to Charlestown area, just south of Phoenixville.

Nevin married Helen M. Samson of Prospect Street, on April 11, 1942 at Sacred Heart Church at 148 Church Street.  They began their family at 337 Prospect Street.

His family relocated to Corner Stores, a community center around the intersection of Nutt and Whitehorse Roads (named because all 4 corners had stores at the beginning of the 1800’s and was the beginning of what was later called “Phoenixville”).

Nevin inducted into service in the Army on May 2, 1942, three weeks after his wedding.

Nevin received training at various places including Fort Eustis, Virginia, and Camp Davis, North Carolina.

He was assigned to the 34^th Infantry Division, the same division that heroes Norman Becker, Francis Lyons, James Manning, Arthur Pickell, William Taylor, and George Wright served.

He had 2 days to visit home on leave, on October 17-18^th 1942.

The 35^th   Infantry Division served Tunisia, North Africa in November 1942, and then moved to Italy, landing at Montemarano (near Naples) in September 1943.

On October 11, 1943, his parents received Nevin’s last letter home, in which he wrote that he was in Italy and was feeling fine.  But that letter would soon be followed by a dreadful telegram.  In his last letter to his wife Helen, he wrote:

When I arrive in Rome, the next Allied objective, I will send you a Christmas present from the Holy City.

Private First Class Nevin R. Ulmer Died Of Wounds on October 17, 1943.

In August, the family received a letter signed,  “F. Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States of America”

In grateful memory of Pfc. Nevin R. Ulmer, who died in the service of his country in North Africa area October 17, 1943.  He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings.  Freedom lives and through it he lives in a way that would humble the undertaking so most men.”

 Nevin was awarded the Silver Star awarded posthumously, for his gallantry in saving the life of his squad leader and salvaging supplies in the face of enemy fire.

Nevin was buried at a local military cemetery.  After the war, at the family’s request, his remains were shipped home for reburial in his home country.   On Tuesday, November 23 1948, Nevin was buried with full military honors the Beverly National Cemetery, on Bridgeboro Road, Beverly, NJ.

His brother and fellow hero, Milward, was buried there the same day.