Raphael McDermott was born on January 15, 1913, and grew up on a farm located where the town of Shawneetown, Illinois now stands. McDermott joined the Army on September 12, 1942. His service overseas spanned over 25 months, from August, 1943 to October, 1945. During that time, Raphael was stationed in England (August 1943 - June 1944), France (June 1944 - September 1944 and September 1945 - October 1945), Belguim (September 1944 and December 1944 - February 1945), Germany (October 1944 - December 1944; February 1945 - April 1945; and June 1945 - September 1945), and Czechoslovakia (April 1945 - June 1945). After the war in Europe ended, Raphael guarded a P.O.W. camp, serving as part of the army of occupation while waiting his return to the United States. Raphael returned to his family farm near Ridgeway in October of 1945. He continued to live and work on the family farm for the remainder of his life. Although he and Mabel never married, never lived together and never had any children, they remained in romantic partnership until Raphael's death on August, 22, 1988.
From the description of Raphael McDermott correspondence, 1942-1945. (Southern Illinois University). WorldCat record id: 225081839
