Pvt. Cecil Pace Hurst

Our Hometown Heroes

Cecil Pace Hurst

Served in Intelligence Branch

Born February 18, 1912 in Luthersville, GA, Cecil Pace Hurst would serve in the US Army Intelligence Branch during World War II. Hurst’s father was Eugene Pace Hurst and his mother Ollie M. Alice Hurst. He had one sister and one brother.

Graduating from Newnan High School, Hurst would attend and graduate from the University of Georgia, Henry W. Grady School of Journalism. Prior to enlisting in the Army on July 15, 1941, Hurst would be employed as the Managing Editor of the Griffin Daily News.

The Army Private was part of the Intelligence Branch. Little is known of his service due to the sensitivity of the work he did during the war.

After the war, Hurst was reassigned to Ft. Jackson, SC. On July 20, 1945, the 33-year-old died of a heart attack while eating supper with his wife, Bessie Barnet Hurst.

Hurst is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery (now named the City Cemetery) in Newnan.