A "Railsplitter" from Santa Cruz was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Adolph J. Negri was born in Santa Cruz, California on October 1, 1922, to Clem and Mary Negri. The Negri family had moved to Santa Cruz from Italy before Adolph was born. The family included his brother Alfred and sister Eleanor. Adolph's father worked in the limekiln industry.

Adolph spent most of his growing years in Santa Cruz and attended local elementary schools. He entered Santa Cruz High School about 1936 and graduated in 1940. After leaving high school, Negri moved to San Francisco and entered the building trades as an apprentice.

Adolph Negri was inducted into the army as a private at San Francisco on December 15, 1943. He received his basic training at Camp Howze, Texas, followed by advanced instruction at Claiborne, Louisiana. After completing his training schedule, Adolph returned to San Francisco where he was married. A son was later born to the couple. In May 1944, he visited Santa Cruz for the last time to spend a few days with his father before being shipped to Europe.

Upon arrival in France, Adolph Negri was assigned to the 334th Infantry Regiment of the 84th Division known as "Railsplitters." During the last six months of 1944, the 84th Division played a significant role in the liberation of France. By late November, Adolph's regiment had advanced to the North Rhine area of Westphalia Germany, and was called upon to capture the village of Prummern near the city of Geilenkirchen. The Silver Star citation awarded to Negri describes the action that claimed his life on November 20, 1944, at Prummern.

“When enemy machine gun fire delayed the advance of his company on a German town [Prummern], Private First Class Adolph Negri, moving forward aggressively with his light machine gun, assaulted the enemy position alone in an effort to enable the advance to continue. He lost his life in this section when fire from several enemy positions was directed upon him.”

Adolph Negri was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands. His awards include the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

(CBR; ABMC, NARA2; Lonesentry.com, Railsplitters, The Story of the 84th Infantry Division, [16 September 2008]; SCSn May 13, 1944 10:1, November 26, 1945 1:4; Photo-SCHS)