'J'hird battalion history.

Third Battalion
112th Infantry . Jul .44 - Aor 45 .

This Document
IS A HOLDING OF THE

ARCHIVES SECTION

LIBRARY SERVICES

FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS

DOCUMENT NO. N-11232-A COPY NO. __l_

CGSC Form 160 Army-CGSC-PS-1966-20 Mar 53-5M

13 Mar 51 --.,....,,-----..
 The \h ol e is equa l to t h e s um of a ll it s par ts . " he lory of
the 28th Division i s t he story of a ll its unit s .
Thi s i s a bout one of those unit s --3rd ,'at t a lion , 11 2 t h Inf
antry ~ e i ment
.. i t h many h i s torie s , officia l re c, rd s are sati sf i ed .w it h _
ter e ent r ie s . But suc h entries f orm on on outl i ne of t h e t h i ngs
t hat happene d , e specia ll 1her e the conuern uni ts in ba ttle. ,-.nd ,
in tha t r~ s pe ct, t hey g iv~ only a p a rt of ~he st o r~ . h ere a re ~
oth r po..rts -- the a ctions of s mal l un i ts and in i vidu l s , t'h ~ s {~ ir..
ling e dd i es of bull~ ts , bloo d , shell u rst c.;1J1d fear , t h e mis er
of col d ana hun er , the esc ap es from in j ury and. de a th , and , in be .:..
tw en , th e moment s of hum or, too. These ot h e r a r H; h a ve been in-
elude d in t h i s hi sto r . ~ h e y a p e &r in sup lemen t r~ f orm bet we t n
the pag es o f the '' off ic L ..l " s tory .
'h e 112 t h I nf a n tr . e g i msmt h as a h i s to ry t h a t dates ba ck
lo ng bef or e ,, orld .. a r II st a rt e .out , th u p o s e her e i s not to
tell tha t t a le n or even t e ll of th e 1 ter tribula tions of trai ni1b
in the un i ted ~ t a t es and furt h r t r a i n i n g in ~ng l and . Th i s s to r
conc e r n s it s elf ~ it h th a t pe rio when t he 3r d Bat t a lion, as rt
of the 2Lt h Livi s ion , began t o pl ay an a cti v e , a~ re ss iv e r ol e i 'n
smash i n g the f oe. I t stats 23 Jul .: 1 944 , a t mah<i Be ti,ch , .Pr u n es,
an d c ov ers th a t p erio d v. h en t he 3r d Batt a lion fou 6 h t a nd fou e;_,l'i t
nd fou ght a g i n , and en d s L.u. 1 945 - .L da.) .
For t h o se ' wh o would like t o s e ~ i t , i n t he a ~ en i x , t here i .
a . s h ort s ummCt.ry of the 2 th Li vis io n' s d o inb s prior to th l un ,int,
t.'\ t Oniaha b e a ch , 23 Jul ' 1944 .
l'he hi ::i tor y i s 11ot the p r o uct of one r.. l here c..re fiv e ..en
wb, o d id a g re a t de 1 of s pa.d e work i n ga th er i n b rr. ter t...l th t. . t.. i t
into it .
T/ 4 ue or b e A . ~ ent m an q . Company

if c, ~lbert } r oc uc i na I Coiupan

/ g t . aurr y 0hpir o Uo ,. al

-b t ill i am u onwillo Conapetny

~ ~ t . Archie . o s s trin Cor"pa.ny

t h i s hi s tor i s f ound i nt ~ tinb , th ~ ir s i s the e re it A_

f or t h e s to r i e s are the i rs .
Ihe ources f or e a rl i n for mation , ot h r thbn m e ~ o r , ere
limit e a . ~ o ur v alu ~ b l e r e fe r en _e were t he eg i men t a l Jourr a l , ~ .
co m.. a n y hist o r y ke p t by Cor.1pan y .t\. 1 no tes k v t y .Lt . Gordon .
.vilson , t hen of Co r:. n y b. , a n d n ot e s kep t b l'/5 ~. lb e r t ~ Lucc hes i
of Company L. .
Onl a mal l nurr:be r of n ames a p e c:.r i n t h i s qi tory . :"\he vast
ma jority of the . 3r d batt a lion 's heroe s --a l 1 it s r \tf ler..en , , n on-coms
and of f ie er s --a re unnan.ed . I t i s n ot nie e;.n t as a ~ l i 0 ht . 1 ~11 hO
h ave ever wo r n the k ey - to ne have c on t r i but ea t o it s s ucces s . J: ame d
or unnam e d , th i ~ i s t h e i r s tory -- a l ~ of t hem .

Cha rl e s Fowe r
2n d .Lt . Inf .
 IiEAD C:U ARTEHS ..-----
_ _;_-
----- - - -
Tlil hD BATTAL::.GN 112'H INFl tITRY
APO 2 8 U S A.R.;,iY

. EXTRACT FRuM THIRD BATTAV ON HISTORY

. Landed a t Omaba Bea ch 23 July 1 944 St D.ic:.: 17 J o-.n 1 945

Brique ~v1lle 24-28 July 1844 LuPout~i0 1 9-20 Jan 1945
Ls.Tilandiere 1 Aug 1944 Alspe.ch 18 Jan J. ~t.b5
Hi ll 2 io) 2- 0 Aue 1944 B0nnwihr 24-50 Jan 1945
Pe rcy ) Oucmo.r 51 Jan 19~ 5
fviu.rigny ::! Aue l ~Ji.1 Arorocrschv,i.txr 1 Feb 1~4 5
St.. Sever Calvados 4 Aug 1944 K&t ze nthcl 2 Ft:b 1 945
Chur.;1 du Bontl t.i -C J~ug 1944 'Turkhcim .,_5-4., Ft:b 19 ,~5
Eill 288 ~ - 10 AUG 1944 Zimrncrba.ch 5 Fd;~..J.9~--- - - -..._
V0negons 11 Aug 19ti4 Wc.lbach 5-~ Ft:b 19~.i,5 --- - - - - - - -
LaGillott ier e 12 A1ig 1944 Le.Forgo 10-15 Feb 1945
Sourdeval 1 5 Aug 1944 Bouc' 15-18 l\ ,b 19,15

Ger 14 Aug 1944 H~ll ~ nthal 22-28 FC;b 1B45

Conches 2 3 Aug 1944 Golba.ch 6 Mur- 1945

1'"'avorollesla Cc,.mpagne 24 Aug 1944 Sisbig 7 Wiar 195

Por t es 25 Aug 19 '1: ' Lommbrsdor f' 8 Mt.r 19S:5

Tilly 26 Aug 1944 ArC;mb erg 9-16 !Viar 1~45

Ver fA1 illes 27 ll.ug 1944 Obermcndi g 17 Mri.r H l15

Paris 28- 29 1\ug 19<14 Kti.rlieht: 18-2~1 Mer 19-5

Cl mpi egne 51 Aug 1944 Thn.lhc;im 01 Mc.1 - '~ A1..r ~ ~,,;,s

Noyon 3 Sei t 1944 Wirgt.s 10-24 April 19,15 .

Gunt~rsblum 25 Apr 1945
Vieux lex A '1 Se}.it 19,14
F'aissault
Sedan
5Se , t1944 .
7 . ~ e ~ t 1944
Alz(;y
Co.. rl-1;
26 A1,r to prlCIS E:! nt dut ~ 5 ~
P,f~.s b ~ 'f - 7 ;:fu l y - I S J~ y
Z/ Y~
1

St, Leger ;; Sept 1944 C n?J C) /c/6()/d - I~ vvl/ - /?~$".

MeiX-le -tieg
Luxembourg
10 Sei- t 191 4
15-25 Sor t l9LH
L e //4 v r e - .:?Y Jv-J-
Dickweiler 13-l<b Se:t t 1941

Be rg 4-5-2 5- 25 Oct 1~44

f'll'i nkel t 6-1~ -2 ~ Oct 1 ~14 '

Hotge11 26 Oct 1944

Rott 26 Oct 1 94 ..

Vossemck 2 Nov 194LJ:

Ko.. 1;,:crscheidt 3-7 Nov 194

Sc1m1idt 3 -.~ r~,.1v 1944

Eu1 on H N(JV 191: "-.i:

St, Vith 14 Kov 1 9~'

Scvenig 15 Nov-17 De c 1944

w,; iSWl'llllAl Ch l i Nov U Vi:.t-18 De c 194.J:

Huldange 19-20 Dec 1944

Bt:iler 20-22 Dec 1941

Rogory 22 D<;;c 1944

Vielsalm 26- i::tl Dec 194".1:

Hu.ute BodeW- 25 Dec 1941

Bernard Fo.gne 25....e7 Dec 194~

Izier 28 Doc 19,-..A:

Mormont 29-31 Dec - 1 Jan 1949

Clcrkheid 50 Jan 1~45

.Aywaille 2-'1 Jan 1S45

Bois De La Boyzuux 6 Jo.n 1945

1lisomont 6 Jan HA S

/Gra nd Fa;ye 6 Jan 1945

Wannoranvil 7 J a n 1945
}Vannc 7-8 J a n 1915
-Tit:go 9 Jiln 10<i5
Moulir. Du Ru;y 10-11 Jo.n 1945
 .F ro bl3. b l,y the rnos t memor Bble of th e .an 1a . . s .i n t he fiel d \vas t he bi 6
s v,arr.,p man e a u v r c &lle-d the ''Lee ;.; ville pro bl em" . Por one we ek , t .r,..ey
lived v, i t h the many deniz~n s of the marsh and h a d their fi ll of hei.l f
-s dmming , h a lf m?-i'ch ing :t rough t h e e v r- m s . . 1.W t a ll t he p r .o blem s ~:er e
a ~ ;ri1ggc d as tha t of Le e s ville , h~.l t t h e r e we~ e man_y rr:or e three dc.y
pr'o rems an force d ma r ches to kee p a ll men bus y . .. .

v---~_ 1i1h:lle a t Camp Livings t one, th e .o utfit lo s t its fi rs t g re a t

\ number of " c sualties", a lt h ough the s e 11 lo s t 11 men ere t aken by the

. ,pe a cefu;l means . of tr nsfer ' hes e " c asu l t:i:-e s !! ;e re sent to OffJcer ' s
Can r. i d .~ te School, 1 ir Corp, l\.ount a in art t>ki roo ps , nd s ome even
to the iriance epa rtment.
H ~re it wa s Genere.l Br .. dle y 'u.s in co rrin.;2nd un d h i s p olic;y
t h~t
f'".f di s tributing t he orib ina l N1;.;. tion l ua rds men t hr oue:,hou t th e d iv1 s ion
brough t an. incre as ed mili t ur y . e : ficienc ;y . ''his v. i se policy a lso re
V<.:.- nted in adv a nce ans tot 1 los s t o on e c onmuni t ,y of a ll it s sons i f
t ne division s h oul d l ater suffe r tot a l c a u lties of one ' of it s uub- ,
units.
e p tem er 1 6 , 1942 ., the Te a t Loui s i ana m<;ln euver s took pl a c.e.
On
and t h is ti me it w- s t ~\ o s oli d !llon ths in the 1ield . ihen on J a nua r y 4 ,
1943 , the out f it a rrive d a t Camp C r a b ~ ll 1 ter r e-name d to , amp
Gordon Jotmsjm, Fio~id a , n d th re the f i r t .t a ste of ,. amphi bi ou B
man euv e rs was experienced.
li rom Camp Gord.on Johns on, to Camp l icket t,. Vir .,i n i a on i.pri1' ._ 4 ,
194 3. Then after a f e w ah0rt months the divi s ion a a~ ~ in on the
mov e to ' 'lkon, ,. e st Vir :_;i n i a ,, arriving on a ugust 4 . e~e f or three
v eek s ~ th rnen wer e ent,:;a .:.> e d_ in mounta in mane uvers , wh ic h v; as to s t ::>-r1 ~
he~ in g o od s te ~ in 1 t ~r re a lis tic c affipai bns on th e Euro p e a n
--j ontinen t
.From Elkon to t he oa s t of Vir'-' i n i a r-;he re t he out f it s t opp ed
a t i orfo lk to engaae in " :.;hip to .... ore n rr~aneuv e r ~J ., fum h ad t 10ir
fir s t vie w of a ..Liberty ship. 'hey not _only ~aw t h e out s i d es of th e
s h ips, but the de~ k s , t he hulls, and the h ol - ,_ as . t h e f<i e i v eo ~. e l c
c arr ied the 28 th rr ny time s to t he ir0 i i ' sh ore an d i s i a nds in th~
C he ~ap e~ke bay . For t ;o s tr ai ght ~ k t he ~en of the keyst on e ~ ~ re
:lng led
. .'
v it h th e s .lt surf. ~

,. It wasn't long af t er their pr olonb t w . te of' cal t wa t er t h a t

t he 28.th men wer e re a lly on 'the If: <... e~ in e :;. ne t., On ~ eptember 3 o,
1 943 t hey a rrive d a t amp :jle E St anci i s h for ov e rs ..- s proc es s in 6 t-U d
t hen on October 8 , t h ey arriv eci a t Bo s ton to emba rk . 1.he sh i p .vas
the :(ormer - Lu xU:ry Liner n::, an t a .aul a" , but. little rema in of t he
"luxury" ad jective G the b o ~ t w~ a lr a t h oro 1i 1 onver t e.d t o
. a troop transp ort. -~ft e r a fe w sea i c~ day s of sc...i lin . , tl e r~i, n
i dn .' .t . c a tne v.h r e they en ' e d up. The;y slep t 1 2 h ours in c a bins , f iv e
unks de e p , a n d th e n, sw apping ::ith anothe r g roup , l ept -1 2 h ours on
" , ck. There' :~as. li t t l ,e el s to d o but s l e ep a.r!d fi ,h t n a u eu : ur i ne.,
t he vlh ole voy aG e ;from Octo ber b , 1 94 3 , to th e d"' j of l~nd i n: on 1 8
(;ct-e ber,cB:t. o~~d.t.r, Walcas.
h e Bn. rema ined in i. a l ,'" unt i l ~a rch of 1944 .. h i1 e t hG re the .
tr<:lining continued, t a king on a mor t: and mor e r a li " tic h o t\., . .:. In one
o f the maneuvers _l ive arnmuni t i on 1a'~ used and t h n.en .orke d ab in "' t
conc r ,e te p illboxe "" s i n.ilia.r to t h os e t h a t ould h a v e to be t al-c en..
,,,.,,~ a cross the c hanne l. i,very we a pon fr om p i s tol to th e l .o5 mm h o '!. it ~:. er
, u s e d ], i ve ammunition a s di d ev e n t he 4o .mm bqf or s a .ti- a ire: r-...:: buns ~
~ l y n a mite s a tc h clchar g e s a nd ba n culore torp ed o es we re a l s o e.n:pl oye
' .. ' ' . ,. d.
 History - 3rd .Batt etlion ll2th Infa ntry
1 7 l<' eh. 41 to . 23. J ul y 44

By s g t. 1~ urr a ,y uhapir: o

procl ~ma tiop. . of ;re.s i den t

.b' r ankl:fn li:. .oosev ~ l t . t he, k ~ ys torie
u a r d s wer e :t'ed'. er li.ze d and
t h en a ctiva te on 17 'eoru ar ,
1 41 a t -ar:ie",. a.. '
en a:ay.s l t e r t h e outfit had move d . te I ndia n 'l'ow.n Ga~ ., I t wo.s
her e .t 4 e f 'i11s 't g rou o f ' "r ooJci e.11 s e~ecte e s a.et t h e har ene . v ~fer an.s ~.
of m~n . "a ,T,b:t' sda n i ght, d ri11 s e ss-i on i p. the a t;ional Gu a r"Q:. ' ... r o ry, _ .,
u~n . t h e l[Et~ r &n u r e s t e r s '' VI ere n ot one s to .f or b e"t; t ...t;i...s s.u p e:r ior . ..
md:~x.1.g . owever- the new men c a ught on f a.s t and :L.t _ wa!;>h ' t lon _be 7 , .
for'8' t he G-u.a.r .dsmen h 4 to-' a dmit t h e ir stan in a s .regul a r sol iers
.,,.n9 if ;-by; 15 e ;p t _~ :41 t )J.e y were n t r egul a r budei'ie s ,,'. ha t fol l .o ,:e :, .'.
tend .~ . lie . t h row them. close:r: to 6 e .t-h~r , .f or o~ th a t dfiy , 't h~ q-i:;i t.fi,t .
mov.ed to ' ~r .in~a ):'pr t b. eir .f ir..,.t '_b i man euvers . 1'h e 2 t h ,. _a;4-o:n g,. 11J it)1
the 29 t h an 44th d ivis iop.s ,wer e P?- rt of th;e ne w f . ous . l . ~r,p and.,
.fo:ri t h r ee weeks thi s po dy mane,uv re d . i t h the " ene ru;y " Th etip. on , , ,
Octo b r 15,, the .outfit too k pa rt i n t he big .1an euvers a t 1ouis vil1e , .
,:, o_r ~h a rolin a , vhi c h l a sted to .ec~ ,ber 6, 1941~ , .: ..

It wa s on the w y back to Indi n Town Gap -fro m th e Carolina

ianeuv $J'.ls_, t h _ t the ne Ns s truc k t h e m. :t e a rl a rbor h a d be~n - a tt a c k s . l
t.a ny me:r_:Lment all y to.r e u p t he ir promi n e d. f urlough pa p e ~s , .b . "ahs e ' ," ,._
t he y ~n'e . wn a t Wa (3 p o ming . But ' on t ;l.e- ma rch b'o.ck t,o , Ind i a.ii l r own,;t t he
ll! en 1: r:e"' so me wh a t co:mpehs a te d Ep~ t h eir f urJ..ough los o;y t he :pa t .- ,.
ron~z. in& e":'f fort o'f _the civ1li l:l.n s a l9n t h ~ rou ~e of mar9h, . The , _
civil~~ns .er e in a h i t;.. hl pa-t rio ti'c mood and.' the "men of th e ,z . . h . '_
- "" e r e +riead, h :roes in . their e y es. h e we a re r s . of t he .e y $- tcm _e ei-e .
."t:h .e wel,.e-0Jte recfi.p ~ent s .of many ro ds i d e c, i f't of c andy , . c ult~ . a n d . .
' Nh i 6 k_.,E~y . . . .. ,.,

. O~ Deqf3rr ber 9 , 1 941, , ~he outfit ?-gain re a ch e d _l n_ dia n i' oN n G

'a nd. t ~e.ta~- ~q_r~ a p'er~ o d 0f a.bout a rnon th they h a d t rai~1ing in rii.i li t ~r .
p oltc' v. ork , lea rni n g how t o bre ak qp r ibts , control ~town~ . etc.. ', . -_
v,th i:':J..eLva st ,aami i str a t1ve . and fnction l a lt e r a tion wa s made- 1t . ._
\\ a s he.F e ' tha t an i mp ort ant organic c han e too k p l u 6 e in th e. d ivi s i on'-'.. ._
rr.a.k eup"'-. It .was rec.o n s t;i. t uted' into a stre ""'rr. N :.ned .tri an u l a r d ivi Lion
' froJir ~n,e.~_. oJ,..d_ Na tiona l .xuard squcffe a ~ ce-mb ly . 'l'h ell'ith infantr y , '
wl;t::j_:ch, W~~S . l ~ t _
e r :to g o. to the l'ac if ic '11 i1 e a te r, was d ro pp e d and dX' El W
t .p.e : '.fgr a vy " job of pa trollin t h e Virg inia .ue a ch . on t he :.as t o a s t ,
of t he - t a te'S> .

I t _W?-S off ,t o Cam e a ure g l;lara , Louis i ana on J anua r y .9 ,, 1 94 2 .

Her e - qht.. i'~ F.e.brua.r y 14, the men .h a:d a f a i .rly nor maL t r tlinin g c;y 01e . ,
l s o t h- . tri ~n ul r ma k eup v~ as con -oli .ated . . .

o Ga p Livipg s tone o.n F eo ru~:ry 14 ilf'aS t he next move , . t..nd .

soon th~.: men were 1bus 'ily. pr 'e pa. 1-_i I,15 f or , t h e iha n,y ;t u_r 98 ti:el' p ro b l e.m~
$ Aich iV-. eref.,. t6 follow . ,:.;Ji~ :: second . b i g t;J u tc h of. repl q.c ment s c' t,nrie :i !1- . "
t . Iiivin&$t on,. hE!3 w ip.t e;riz~e d ten t s e r e a ll t o t he goo " ..., 6 v~ cre the
.. a s s tov'e s .''in . t tie 11 hu tm.en~ n a s th e J~r n. i ns i st ec up or1 cu i l in t_rw

, .t~nt ._ t ai~ ing w~s- . ri g oro:u,s -; bu t t hE;r e we ~ e as es . to il. e' / Ori e 1i;.s ; ,

. , ;~;_to.n -n o-g e a,nd .ra t,c h e z ~'- :t ittl e ~1e xan u ri a , , ith i t s u::: ana: 10.l. : . i. J.;". .
1

~. be.11,es , -r o,cke d uh d er ,:' t he .. r ee,ul a r uatur'd a n :i;g ht ,i mp a c :t of pl:'@aa r e-:- :

c

. :l?ent ,i{e y st. e r s ~ i ves .b e - a n t o corne -'d own . fro th e :' Orth . '...,h ck:j.ng 1 : ' ,
.-vias in 6rd er .. e s i ~ e a l ks . n d- t ~. e a t e rs t.ad e t h e s t - u.p ee m co t!i
(o r~.~b l y gar'r i ~-on. The Key-s ter s l i k ea :l.t .
 . I

1i rr.e h.a rc he s on , c..m c s o di d th e 2 t h J., iV. I t V'lb. S '. ,i t h E,rea t r e

/ gre t t h t 't a.ey a epart ed f r om 1.al e s . The 11 e l s h we re 1 11 i e s , a n s o it
wa"' perfe cstly p.11 ri ght f or t he men t o f r a t e rn i z e ,;,h ic h t e;-y a i , t o

t h e hi l t , 1'in t h e ir ovm ini mi t a bl e ~ c m eric un :fas h i on .

,
(
The n e x t s to p was nams bury , .i:.n g l and . Of cour se more mun euv e r ;.;

ollo we d and t h e re wa s muc of t he re ul a r rout in e t r 8.i nin i'h e bi

~ e s t event. wh ich many of the ol d- t i mers will r emember, h owever, wa s ,~

t he b i g ".t.ag l e '' p r o blem. ' i s t i me t he ''ba t .t l e 11 wa s aga i n s t a p ot en t

on ver ~u. tile " enemy '' , t he lol s t 1- ir bo r ne l.ii vi s ion . Th e 2b t h _t h ou gh t

i t w a ~' ju t anot he r man euv e r, put th e " s c r e aming r.. c. l e " i visi.on .

t h ought it wa s the r e a l t h ing an d t ha t t h e,y ere j ur.: pin on J.J- da;y on

th e conti.ne l'.J...t t i s i;, oul d h a v e be en a lri gh t e:x c e p- t t he h i g h boots

h s : e , ,. ,...rn .Lh e pro bl e . en e d a br uptly ;:. hen on e g roup of

paract ut e r s l ande d ri ght ma ck on the ba tt a lion

Th i wa s t wo. we e k s be "or e Jun e 6 , 1 94 4 , the r e a l JJ- day an d t he

.. en lf:e r e r e a ll y 11 s weatin it out " . Duri n g t h i per _io t h e r e r,e mb e r

tr,o v e r y i n sp iri n ::. sp e e chs d e live r ed to t h e m. On e b ' enera l f a tton

n d t he ot h e r by t h e ... upr eme Comma n d er Genera l .t.i s enh ower

he 28 th mi ss e d D- day , but on J une 6 , t h e t i me o t h e e;:t'e a t

event, t h ey we re und er 0 oing p roc e s s i n g f o r '' over t h e ch ann e l " .

In July , ,an amph i biou -tra ine 28 t h Livi ion , till won erin__:,
hy i t h eld n ot b e en . u ed on 1 - d ay , mov ed i n t o th, ma r s h ' llin g a r e a
_t vOUth mp ton. Th e ~ e4 a rriv ed a t da) bre a k in & dr ivin - r ~ i n , a n d
l e .' t a t n i ght, s op p ing : e t, to b oa r d t he i r h i ps . The 3r d Bn . boa r c1 e
t i e 11 evon sh ir e '' - t h e e picur e a n 1 s n i t.;htmar e . '.1.'h e da te wa s 21 Jul y 1 944 .
:il i .D i ng on the i r on d e ek of a z,i e:, z aging 1C I , Cha p l a in . :1r own
.. 1.., ame t re f i r s t c &....uu. lt., of t h e voy v.. -e . e oke our d a s l a t e r
~ h s i i t ~ l, ~ u ff u ring f rom c onc u ss i on a n d ~ kul l f r ~ c tu r e . On 23
the Ba t t a l i on l an de a t Owaha Be a ch .

I
 Go I The crossing of t he char:mel on t he Devo1ishi:re , in
2 3 J1,,D.. convoy ., was no rmal and 't!nev en-tful . The time vre,s occu

pied with no11g, :po k e 1.. 1 s vma ting out the qu eue f or P~

:ra tions , and g re a:ri ous group d i ,~cussi.o:qs,. - The h1ll!lnx.1

cq,.:r.~go a n d e qui pment actually wa s j LLr.::J.e.d ''to. the sea.ms

of the LOT,, disenbarki n g o:r:1 On1aha Be&eh a.bou t Ol OO..

We dropped ou r cluf:'flB ba.gs on t he beach and with full

field pac ks , began to a,sc.e n d t h e s teep i n e l .i11e toward

ou.r r e gimen tal a ssen:ibl y area ., r he -evidEmces o f fre sh

bat tle \"Jere gone " t h e only r e Bind cr o.f the t reme 1dous

Allied iu1dertaki:ng was a shc11- sca rred pillbox with a

big u ,ly BS covering our apnroa eh,.. One wo\1ld i magine

that to j_nvade the beach was :foo1 i .s h su i ci d~ . Thou.gh

mru1y men died ,. t h e inv a sion -w as a sueoess ah'd the en

emy shore i nsta1l at iO"ns 111ere completely i nmmbl l ize d ..

The rows of' wrd t e cr osses to our le ft te s t ifi od t o t i e

faith of all free r'!len to l ive ..

"It's ho t ! - 7 Jhe ' b , 11 said i?f c P:eder

speil pers piring pro f uB el y . 11
'.H1a,tta ho t day r H
In com1')a ny forma tioxi , we v.ra lli:ed to our next , reg
imental a ss.embly a rea , 9 mil:es i nl m d 4GO Bri queville .
The men. dug i n , pt ti:;:,hed tents and .c a mouflaged our pos
iti ons ,. Tldti was re al! T'h e lesGon:s tauglrt we r e rnrt
to practical use and no quest i ons as .:e.d . Desir e for
su1"'Vi val wa s prima ry.. .'1.nd the tra.cer.13: o f s.trcaJ;;;ing
fl ame in the air , t he g eyser effeet of ra i ning a c ~- a. e l.,;,
on t11e 3000 Americ ru1 bombern en rou te t o d rliver ma.il on
St .. Lo , follo,aed with earthquaI:e e:x:;losion w,~, s no t a n
infiltration c our.s(';) ,. Thi s v~i.s t oo r eal . S e curi t y '1.Ias
: ,l aced,. a.A"ld at 2300 we \7e r e i ntrii"d'u cBd to ' "'- ed-.C hc c k
Cha:el i c t . ' Cha rli e e a.me oYe r a:t 11 tt" clocI;: e vBry nig.~ t .
" i'ou cou.ld set y our wa te 1 b y him., lt said i3 / Sgt . \' illing
h a;m. "t-Jith conviction.
24-- 28 A hot meal was serv~d t n t h e no ~ :'1.ing ::tnd eaten wi t h
Jul :r.elisht the f'.ood on t11e boa t WllS 1 1ou sy 1' '\VC agr eed wi th
c.mani mit.y.. Af t er ov...r e qt1i pment \'t'.!.8 clea ne d ,, mo st of the
boys i ndul ged in a little bit of horsl'.?- pl a.y and e por t .
And. vie wr ote ott:r" f irs .t lettexe since embar1~ ing . L r m
Southampton, The over all l".l Orale vm.s ltigh ., r '?ah- :a:n
S/Sgt,.. Ru.dinsky ' o:f N~w Jer s .e y a nd 't'f',~o a:h- pic'~1 en-si rah
S/Sg t. Ho1i shn y ' of rfow .J ersey li'ITEH'.le(1 1,11) ma~~Y o t the
ge t - t -o.get here., P fc .. B~nson a~1. d: :Pvt. Bellows of -Penn
syl vani a \,"Jere disint c3 re .:~ted. in wern.-e-'1,, but f anat i c abou t
'1;.
cl <..1s s ic&.l musi.c; . l a tte r , !?vt . Ee l l m,vs , wa.s in th~
t hi:--ocs e :f c ompl et . t h e c oIJr1osi t i nn o ..1. a v .olin concert o .
P!Tt;,.., Be-llows.,, 19 years ol.d , showed great t a len t i.n b al l a d
writi.ng also . : e wrot e a little ditty to t'he t une o f
' Little Or .:)ha:."1 ~ ~nnie 1 , .s ater i zing t foa 1- 1?iek l e.s....,S irah
Hor isllny _, who e n j oyed t ea sing h im..
!he .singing clovm of tile com'"}aJ.1,y , ::i:rc., '2ossman, of
Penn sylvania ,. e11tc rt a i ned t h em morn.ing , noon a nd .ni ght
\'Vi.th such ris "r:U!i? di tt.ies , such as: ' I lovod t h at Gal '! 1
29 J uJ: The v eh ie.1es we re 1 ;.aded i n o:re pa:vatio:n f or mot or
rm:rvement to st. L.o . The foot t roons l eave t l: e bivouac
a rea 1300 v:i,a St ,. Cla i r on highway . 6 U4"!'irtn g i n St. Lo
a t 1 8 10 . 11 All t he wa.y ,, n Pf e., St ev en " l a t'j.c.:, of Chi c ago
Illinois , said m t h. :fer ven t en otion , 11 Oooh-... t he re were
dea d Gc rma11s lik e fl i es i. ... on their b a o : s , on t eir s tom
a chs ., . ,. 0.ll positions . itnd the s mell of t h ose bloa ted
horse s and cows ... .. oooh!"
 23 July 1944
3rd B2-ttali on disemb ar1:pd -ron the !l ])evonsh i r eri into LC~ " s
.'Jhich l andDd t he men a t Omaha Be ach ne a St . Lau r ente Sur J er ,
I'rance . '
'.i:h0 nen ma rch~d a yproxi :1ately 9 miles to a bivouac area
near Bri quevill e . '<.

24-- 28 Ju.1..y 1 944

Battali on remained in t he v icin ity o f :Rrigu ev ille .

Un it s of t h e a ttali on r e ceive d all th e ~r e quiument .

Training s ch odule i nstituted t1 a t i nclude d , 8. study of t he

princi ) leD o hedg ero 7 :figh t i.n

29 ,July 194
Battalio n n ove d ou t b y mot or from bi v onP..C a e a in the a . .:t er
noon . As t he mo tor column pa oscd t _1ro ugh ~t . Lo it encour1tered
an eriemy artil lery ba r.rage . The b a ttal i ' n dug in f or the n i gh t
a fe,,;1 mil es 'outh o f St . I.:10 ..
Continued
Co . I St .. 1 o uas com.;1l etely devas t a ted with erani ums on
29 Ju.1 s everai wi nd ow s ill s , st i ~. 1 in b loom ." Is :pl ant life
mo:r.:e endu:.ral> l e t han man? " thin ts alou d -Pf c or ton
lJi c h ols of Ca li forai a... Geraniums in Californi a , h e
nu so s .
This r ide was n.ot al l s ilent ob se rva ti on , enemy
artillery fi.re gave t h em ca u s e f or alarm,. fo casual
tie s we re suffe r ed. From St . :Lo; t he c ompany , sti l l
i n Ba ttalion moto r format ion , oved on to a bivouac
area in an apple o r ch ard . The men du a long th e h ed e
ro\7S and c amoufl aged t lei r f ox hol es . Tha t ight , ' :!3e d
Check Charli'e ' was f o l lowed wi t h a s ortie of cne y
bo bors over our osi t ions a t 2315, drorr;.ing t ei r lo ad s
.f or hal f ru'l hour . "lJo one mov e d a mus cle" , say s Pf c .
Bu .Lone of Detro i t , . :ichi gar~ " Ye s s i'r ,. t h e y c oulda
got everyona us 11
co _ 1.1 1st Sgt . Paul Kere k es . 11 Af t.Br sv;.eating out 2 or
29 Jul 3 days wai ting for r ders to move U'.'9, "Ne finall y di d ~
All t he men we re e:xcited , as we pas s ed d oad c a.ttle, it
wa s t h e irst time u e real l y F D.e l t d nat h ,. As \7 e n t e r
ed t h e outs ~ drts of St . JJo, i t was t h e :fir')t t ime we
s :1.\1 a de a d Gern8.Jl.. Th~ con.voy Wa c halted in St.. Lo for
oomc unl n o-rm r oa,so11 ,, wh~n a ll at once, Gerr.mn long
ran :.} e e.rtillery start ed fal l ing into. :~ t. Lo . Si n ce it
\ms our firs t t a s t e o.f' shelling , we eally didn ' t now
v1hat to do ,. I t vms more l i }'"e t h e old sayi ng ' every
man for h i flsel f! In our r~ tte mpt t o g e t o f f t h e tru c 1:.:s
we got t angl ed up in cachotber and onl a :few got off.
Soon ator 7ard s we \'le r e on ou r v:m y again to t ho othe r
end of St . Lo whor e vre bivo :ackecl f or th._, n i g 1t .. Bei ng
roo d e s , we bivouack ed a cco rding to t h e hoo .;:s and t h e
en we re a frai d to move m7ay f rom t heir sl it- tren ch es
i n fear o f evr-ryth i ng ., J u st b ef'ore dusk , wav e s an d
VJaves of Gercian bombers t ried to b nb our .s unulu li ne
in St . Lo, missing tie s ti.:p "l y line , t ey n ca- iy bon bed
u s. ..,.,ut durin0 t h e bombi ng , no one vm s hu.: t 11 .
Co. K :Pz.. cpared t o dise1'.'!bar ::... t 13 .. Ol t he firs t 21 men
23 ,Jul dise m.bar~rnd on a l andin g ei"aft .. T1he . ema:LndcT o f' t h e
company dis embar k ed on an JJJ . The e n t i r e c ompany
narc h ed to a bi vou2c ff~"'e a a bou t 9 '' les avmy and a fte r
a n e a l c o--:.n:i sting o t~ r a t ns ,, bedde d down f o the
n i h t . Sle ep wa s i nt e.t. r-i,1t cd by a:n ;;,ir r aid i n t he
vicinity .
24- 25 Clea 1i.ng .rea Do s nncl VJ t ing for e ,,uip1:ie:nt to

Jul a1.>ri ve.

26 Jul Orders receive d t lat Je we , to r nlie e t h e 35th

Di vision . Pre paration f or n ovcnnent b e gan.

Hq . Co . July 23 :fou nd Headqu.art .erc Com~ uny sl og ing u p

23 Jul s te ep Omaha Beac h , ever -~an l a den w j. t h a b ag and a
pack . In the B- bag s we re b l ouse s an d othe r n i cet ies
~7hid1 c oul d never be ta en i l"lto b a:'.:tle .. All excess
bagg age was sluffed . One man reoai n e d behind to t n. rn
e n.re of t h e ba{:,s ... h e 3r d Battali on mov e d u u t oward
St . Lo s. .!.d bivou a c ed nearby , t wo da y s a f t e r the city ' s
c a nt ure . Bed ch ec k Charli e and hi s nl a " a tes bomb ed
them evcr,y n i ght. They we r e tire d and jurnpy befor e
t h ey got started

. ~
Co. L Landed o n 0Baho. Be a ch and mare e 9 mi.le s .. Bivoua ck ed
23 Jul on fiGld .near t h e tot"m o f Bri auevill e . G-iven or de ru t o dt,
i n and remai ned in a rea 5 da.ys , el eaning weapon c and getting
i nto n~ e,_,ar a t ior1 f or con tinued movemen t . S ome training and
1.ectui e s -on enemy movemen t ."'.
29 Jul Company had o rders t o move ou t by veh icle to and t 1r ough
St . Lo . The t own 11;;,ras compl etel y devact uted . t~ r- ive d a t
positi on 5 m.:i. les Sou th\'J'e st of St . J;o and o rdere d to dig i n .tc
abou t 18)0.. .Jen had fi r ;.:1t si .ht of l .eny de n,d and als o fi z t
sight of Ar:ieri-ca'Yl dead . There vre r e rin facial P-x pre ss ion.s .
:the sar':l.e ::1i ght a pl ane 1;ms heard ovGrhe .d- an er-e!T pla n e -
t h e men hid in h oles . I?l aree a1 d bombs we re d'... O"') )Cd but
no c a aual ti.e s .
 30 July 1 9 4-4,
Com~::ia:ny comr:ian d s :rs meet wi th Bat tal ion CO a.t 0 30 0- 0 4, 00.,.
issu e march orde r , .pre p~::,,r t1 t o cro ss I P a t 06" <1.. Ener:.w planes
ove rh.ea d at 0 5 0 0 . dro n mo re fl are s and b omb s -. I:ien do e ide to d i g
---~ f oxh ol e s and sl iI:; t r en ch es d e e ne r .
I n mor n1ng , . Batt alion march e d 1'!out h . He a vy t r a . fic a long
roa d ,; oc c asional art ill ery. Sten ch o:f de c a y e d .flesh u:nmist.a ke ...
a ble a.long route o f '"1@.;:reh .., J)e a d e a ttle, di s c a r de d Ge rr>Ja:n u n iforms
and e q_u.ipmen t eve r y wh er e . Col umn h a1 t s 7 k ilo.me ters South o:f'
St . Lo a t 090 0 .. Ar:rive a t f orward a s s-e mbly a r e a 1 mi l e North
v1est of La neni s i er n a -t 12 30 . Trail s a n d f'iolds fil le d vd t h
Germ.a n a r ti l l er y a".'."i.L1u..11i t i cm , g rena d 0s and mines . Frequent
sni per :fire from fl an J.:s . Ca9t nr e wom1d2d s u i p el"' wllo h :::ts not
eaten i n 3 days .
Heav y a i r su p~)ort by P 47 ' s a nd P 51' s a ll a ~Lt <:i r~1oon .
Ge mans r eported c ounte r - att a cki ng i n J, a Denisier e s ecto1 a t
1 60 0 to r :e;eov er a.rnmuni t .ion d ump . -De ep slit- t r e n c hes dug a long
hedgerows in a nti c i '')a tion of Gema.n a i att a c ,r . 0 l e,ns :for
Battalion kitc h en to m_,v e up f er hot .sup')er at 22 JO cancel led
a t 210 0 wi th o rd e r s to be i"'ea dy to move i :::.me d i a t ely .
Co. L The cor.many marc hed \'1i t h Batt a lion. They 1ue re t h en given
30 Jul thei r fi rst comba t assignme n t . \l eapons \Ve r e lo a d ed on oarri 0rs
Look s o f arre were on some f a ces ; r i m d e te 1in.ati on . on othe-rs .
r-Ia:rch ed , DOVing cl oser to the enemy and s omet imes pai-a11el
to t hem . Saw the comn m1y ' s f i r s t ca sualty f rom sni per fi r e .
Ccnnpany was ordered t o move to po,s i tions on ~ill a11d di g i n .
Hi t h f oxholes onl y half f i n i ched. , t h ey heard and sm'1'1 ,. f or
the firs t tin e , s h ells bur~3 t ing i n t 41ei r : ddst --t .:1a t of t h e
famous Gerrann 88 . Orders f or t h e f i rst c ombat o a t ol v1ere
g:i v.en . no
1?a tro1 mo ved ou t and re t u rne d , s t a ting enemy
a c tivity., al t hough b:ri:nging b a c J: enm.l. t.>h c i d e r to quench the
t-hirot of all . Co:.1pany \-"las t h en g .:Yen O.t. d e rs t o move ou t
on t he a t t ac-~ a t n i ght and whi l e u s s en bl c d on t c ro ad ~ t h ey
encou n te ed ~ terri fic bomb''.rd:men t i n the near vi cinity .
Trv..eks t c amoufl a e ed b e hind 'hedg erows . complet e l y devast a ted .
Af t e r the bomba dment, h owever , t h e oomy>any mov ed on .
 31 July 1 94'
Battali on o rganic vehicl es a s s en bl e on ro a d. a t 01 0 f or de
:!)arture South to new positions . First ene!!l:y 9 m1cs overhea d a t
s ame hour, dro p :flares i n r eadiness f o_ 15- 20 bombers who follow
by a fen minutes,.. liio Al l i e d p1 a.nes ove :h e ad ,. Ac!:- a c : quiet .
Bomb s fall i n adjo i ni ng fiel9. s ,. Ground appears to be in c on
vuls i on .. Battalion moves i n coluw..n of t rm 1 s , fo llon e by organie ,
in di:i:e c t i on of La ifa ll e e are a , 3 miles South a nd a stride o i t h e
St . Lo- Pie:. cy highwo.y t o re :?ulse e n e:o.y countor - a tt a ck expe et.ed
from !;h e .wast.
Lt . Burns , Company ~.I,, 112t h Infa n t ry , with Sgt . t cCal l r s
s Gction of mac hine 6 1 :ns , ~s a~ t ached to Co:'::l'Jany ~ T/S::>t . Vav-ro
with S/Sgt . AclTa:J.a r a ' s se cti on of rri...a.ch :ine fm.11.s to Com:Jany L.
Com9m1i os I and K t a ce u p ;JOSi ti ons at 01 :. 5 ~ Hi ght is i nky .::.
bl ao l~ . ~"ro o ps a.re fre que n tly f irin g on each oth er.. T/S 0 t . Che e-:: ,
1 st pl a t :1 on , Com:oa ny K,. s h ot by 2 s entri es 'Nhen h e f a i ls to
ans;;;or t heir c hc.llenge . Di es r;: :t er 0a tain "01 1 s . 'utile a t t er.J.::>t
to S :J.V c h is lii 'e .
Compa n y -~~ , los s 1st pl a t oon ,. moves into fi.... l d h a l f mile
Southwest of La Valle e , 6 1)0 y :rds i n r e a r of' ~ ompany K, a t 04 o.
Di s c over a dd i tional s tores of German t:rrmr i ti -m , t rue .cs aLd a r t
ill ery pie ces ~ Lt . Piercy e .pl a ce s 2nd pl a t oon o .Z ma c i ne uns 1

on righ t fl.an r of Ba t t a li on . Lt . i"Tri h t and 81 I!lB ~ :r ortars

i n it ially g o i n to .:. os i t i on re 2.r o f Com. )G.11Y K,.
Lt . Colon el Houghton 1. Battal ion CO, and Ca:)t a i n Coh oon , CO
o f Co:m.'lany . .1 , m"".k e a r oconnai ssanc-e o Battali on f' ont at 08'}'"! and
recom."':lend i :op roved po s it i ons . Lt . ?Tc GL n i n and a se c tion o f rn .Jn
mort a 1 ~s n ove to r i ght fl a."'lk of Bat tcdi on s u:p')or ,, ing C o m1 e..: ~y ""C , Lt .
Roche and his s ection with Com:;->any K. ;J/Sgt . Osbo rne v1i t h h is 3rd
se ct i on o f mo :rta::.. s is i i'l. g en.e-al su..t1~; o rt o f t he 13 t tal ~ o n .
Evi den c e of f i rst stages o f co~2b at neuros i s a '~).'J._ ent h 1 nany
fa ce s . \:1hi te ph o Dphorns she l l s L om eneny fall on ri 0 ~ t _ ank.,
!U"'cill e_ y _, ersonnel i njured .
3rd B a ~ talion rev e rt s to Divi s i o:::1 e sorve c;_ t l r O .. l ~; t a nd
2nd Batt al j_ons co.nt inue t o a t to.ck. J r d r:mvcs to new s ite , 4 mil e s
Southwest .
As o f 1 9 30 h ou r c, no enc:::1y so1di c ... - at - l n r;o h as yet been
seen by meobBrs of t hi s Battal ion . I r:mgi nat ion has c r e a ted many
.t" _,.
i o<'Y'lv..,.' -"
.t. O"'
v v '"1"1 d
LW..,.. o(')";- ve""'
J.:.. - -i "' 0
-~'::;; t o v..
"" o.,,+~+.e
vo. u of 11
t~
..,~1
<..:')
fJ'<'.Jv"' -
'~- 11:-:i.,)
c....... -') l
~.x.1.
~ e v-v-.J
"'c-< 11
,,. -;i::r
_,.;
d
Battalio :::r-ri ves a t nci;.r loc n:t i on in o- c hard a -..o:roxi. a t'c:Jl ,y 22
mi les S outhwest o :f St . Lo , at 21 0 0 , d1 gs in 211d c ,~rno u. fl ages .
~: i t c h e ns u r r i ve n i t h h nt co f:.L e o and :". r a ti on a t ? 2' 0 . "Pas s word
11
7Jel sh Ba:nlrnn iven to e very s u[l.a. with _ 1,-:ord o f caution t o a l
1 0 1:7 n o r e .')i t i ti''Jn o f l o.st night 1 s ni st ak c i :n Con:1a.ny ~{. Guards
)o s t e d a t 24.00 . Ge rman pl ane o drop fl D.r o s, no b ov.:i.bs .
 1 Au.gu.rot l 9tl t1.
At deyli g.ht , t b.e Batt alton .rovos on f oot to La Ti l r:Ldi ere .,
2 mil es :tf orth of' .,.,e r cy and pre pares t o su.p:)oJ?t 1 s t Bat talion in
a t taclt o:n ~Perey !It Go i:nt'O .s.u::isembly a::c0a, ord.e :rQd to be r e a dy to
move on <lZi ' u:t h 1 53 811.d reli eve 3Y'd Bat t a l ion, 115 th !nf'ant ry ,
- on h i gh g round Eas t of' Pe rcy ~ 1st Battali on r e nort ed to be
suff ering heavy c a sualt ie s .. Pvt . "i nlr:1es , Company n, s.hot

through ri ght f orearm b y sni per at 1 800 . Naj_l and rations ar

rive a t 1 900 , but n ot di 0tribu t 3d .,. Batt a l i on. progaring to move.

Lt _. Smi t h ,, C aJ.t..110 11 ComJ?aYly ,. k ~ ll e d when a r t i l le y s h ell h i ts

Reg i ma11t al Cl' ,. 31. d Ba:ttal i o11. relievc;s 1 15th Inf antry . a t 21 00 .

Pl ans to a -ta c k du.ring the n i ght and a chieve s u r pr i se .. Am.'r.'.iu

n i ti on d il..rn:p o:rgani zBd in rear of ~1 osi t :ion,.

 2 August 1944
Go ~) all ie s I and K, tvi t h se c tions of n a chine guns a.11d mort ars
from 1 st and .3 rd pla:boo:m:J o f Company tr , cross LD a t 0030 and ad
vance to J?crcy highway wi t hout firing a shot ,. t ake u p d ef0nDive
pos itions in pre &'Jaration for c oordinated a tt a ck along entire f ront ..
At"Gack o pens at 0900 nith 5 minute arti llery p reJar a t i on..
Sgt ... Smi th , Co:::i'.P1any I , Jtil l e d' b y supporting artil l e r y .fire . }irs t
rounds l and in mi dst of Ba ttalion . Comnanies r;ui e ::.ly r eo1""ganize
a:nd push 011 to next objective at I1a Gondr:i.niere , So11thoast o.f
T!ercy . ( Coord:Lnates- 400.;...70 ) "' No enony action until 1300 when
Bat t.alion b egins a tta ck on Hill 210... Compau y T on t h:e right :in d
ConFH:rny K on the left adv anoo. t o foot of hill and are cou.J1t 0r
2.t tac kr~ d YJi th heaV'J l os s e s to both~ . !L tta ek agai.n at 1 900 and
t hrown baclt. Germans firing every t ype o f Vli'ea :ion a t s hort r a:ngo .
Ucdi cs unable t o admi ni st 0r ft:rst a id to all c a s Lu11t.i er.J . t1e:n
re ~ orting. entire 1lat,oon vli:ryecl out .. Cantain Coh oon a:ttem::;ts r e ~
organiza t :Lon anc1 is joined by Colonel Hodos in l a st- di tch stand .
Hill 21 0 l a te r bombed i.Jy P '. 7 ' s and obj ,..,ctive t aken tha t evoni ng .
Co.. L We :'Jere t he n g iven ord ers to at tn.c " Hill '.:210.. "..oved out
2 Au , on a road. ma r ch o.f 8 mil e n. LTe t a go od de a l o f sniper f i r e
while on t he move . Patrol orean i zed t o s e rch a d meet i ng no
o ppo sition, ret u rned vli t h :food and dr ink , le f t b:v snipers .
Heavy con e en .;ration o f (ru.r OVv'l1 nrti l 1 e ry .$ Upport ed our a ttack:
on the tp !J o f the hil l . The n c ame a t errifi c ene!Ily ba i:-:rage
and a l l \'Je- e ordered to move i n c l oser f or -their oi;m pe r 0on a l
sa ety., T' _e c ompany :fought 1.r;i thin 2 h e lge rows o f the enemy ,
- l osing 11 but 2 pl atoo ns ~ !\!h en reachi ng there , the f i rs t
s c ou t m:1.S ord e r ed ovei- t he hedgeroy1 b .' t h e s quad e a d cr a nd
i n do i ng so , was s h ot i n t h e abdomen but he shout ed b a ck t he
s t r engt h of t he en emy t hat lay ahe a d.. The enemy l:i. i te d t heir
artillery because o t h e cl os eness of t he a t t c.c1r.i11 e ol unn ~
El ement s of Com any ~ \'Jere on our r i ght . Diso rgani ze d e n emy
pro ceeded aga.i vith mort a r fl.re resulting again i n more ca s
U<:i1 t ies .. Com:pany h a d no r v.tions and no water . Fe ari ng com
pl ete l oss of men ,. vo l u:n.t e e r pa t r ol '} ' ent out in s e a r ch o f
i7at er , finding o:nly cid e r . .:-otmdc d c al_ed :for a id bu t n on
a vai l able, r e s ulting i n deat 1 of c a su, 2.s . Tha n i h t ,, Hill
210 was bombe d b y P 47 s , 'Jihi ch \7e could h a r but n ot s e e .
\Tuil e d i g ,_,,i ng i n , 11.edi cs a rrived and a CLrni 'J i st e ed a d to t h e
vrounde d nearby .
Co . I 0
'.i.he co mpany started the ~t ,ac k e arl y " rel a t e s T/Sgt . Ca rl
2 _;ug Smit h o f Ford City , ..: nnsyl va ni a " Ue a t ta ck e d all day , me t
i ng p;o op9o sit ,ion . _ t 1 700 , the ll ttle nan vvas there a n d h ell
b ro ke l oo se . h e en emy was heavily f oT ti fied on t he op:posite
h ill , t hei r we apons e c ellently c over ed and ear10uf'lag e d ~ and
t h eir ftre poN.e r! \, e n ent ri -h t i n to it. Di re ct 88 f ire ,,
a r.t..illery , s ni per and s :ml l automa tic f i r e . as tJe d e sc ended
dO\m one elo pe , i n to t h e (L a w and st a rt e.d up t h e side Gf t h e
h i l l where t h e e:neny o pen ed up on u s . Co,n fus ion wa s e v e r y
\iTh er e .! Even Ca!}t ain Sile.r s a id h e Gou ld s e e the eyes o f t h e
Ge r :nan C a~1t a in. The ca sua l ti es \7c r e h ea V'.f . '7h y t h e n ext
morning when I retur ned to t he c or.iryany vi t h 20 _1e:i , I h a d mo_ e
men 'i.7ith me t han t h ey had a t Battalion . " . fter pausing a bit ,
h e con ti:nue d , itp "'" 7' s were suppo se d t o have g iven s umbrella
s p ort b- t t h ey c ame too late . 1 h e n S/Sbt . :t No se' omanella
o f PerLn eyl v anL.. , a dd r d solennly ,. " Boy'. .h e y really s:;}li t
eve:r"Jbody t ho. t day l 11

Hq . Co . T'h e .real jun:_ - o ff c ame on Augus t 2 , a t a bum1) on t he map

2 A1.tg c al led Hill 210 . .;._he 3rd Bat talion \7& s in res e rv0 t h r oue,hout.
t h e morn i ng.,, and Fat her lladderL;. t h e Ca t h oli c cha _l ain , ma de
t h e rounds o f t h e Bat talion ,, ho l d ing p r .~ .y Gr serv iceo whi c h
had ferve n t a t t e n d anc e . Th0:.1 , in t h e a ft erno oJ::1,, the 3rd
Bat tali on mo ve d in.
Co . l': 1 s t Jjt . \7ayne Barnett 11 Af ter vre ~~e ft t he 29th Di v is ion ,
2 n1g \"Je n e a red t h e v i c i n ity of H.i 1 1 210 in t he appr oach mar ch . Th e
e nt ire Bat tali on pa c e d t h:ro :.lgh a sw.1 rnn road i nto a vall ey
and stared u 'O t he o t he r side . We ,, t s mal l resi s t an ce . As
soon a s t h e Be:ttal ion vms entirel y i n t he v a l. ey , a ll h ell
b r o:,.e 1002e .!..hey eve n :fire d 88 1 s di:r e c tl ' a t us . K company
;;, o_ k e d t h e i r :my forn-ar d Ul1t il wit h i 11 50 yards c f a h edg ero w
i."lhere t h e Geman s we re dug i n . '.!:he Ge:rn1""ns had ob ser1; a t ion
on us a nd {e 9t u p a hea vy f'i e on us ..
Continued.
Co . M 1
' .:e f ound out later t hat a :Pr eneh ci v i li rm was covering
2 Au up for a Ge _an observer in our re a r and ,, a s c ausl.ng he a vy
c a sual ties . As we a ; pre a ch e d Hill 21 0 f r om thi s v a ll ey , we
cane a cross t h i s :f: :eenclli;ian standing in fr on t of h i s h 0u s e a nd
o feri ng u s dri nks o f c i der . He s eeme d f ri endly but v ery
n e rvous and fid gity . Part of K e om.. 2n . wer e iven the job o:f
c l e an i n g :1p in th is vi ci "' i t y and dis cove ed t e c ove r -up .
There was a German obs e r v er in t he a t tic of the house who
h ad a p e r1ect view o f the va l l e y and ou r troops . ~ BAc man
pointed 1is BAR s tra i 0 h t a t t h e :Fr cn c rmi.an ' s h e [.. a and pul le d
the tri.g t.;ier . hen t h e hous e wa s burned d o \rm . The Fren c hm.an
had a bicycle a lre a dy to fle e . That n i ght, in order to f ind
our po siti on , t h e Germans fi re d trac e r s into a nearby ha;ys t a c
m1d s et it afire . Durli1.g t h e day ,. 1;1bile we vre re p i nne d dovm
i n front o f Hill 210, t he men were s ca t tere d so f ar and we
Sliffe - ed so many caGual ties t 1at c on trol vms bein g l ost . Col.
Houg_1to n , ou r Battalion Cor!illlande r ,. ca e up front to us a nd
pulled each nan u p i'rom where h e wa s ...~ L 1e d d owfl_, and :p erson
ally l ed us u p to t h e main line o f resist an c e . "'.t er we g ot
u p to a h edg erow., whi -c h \Jas t h e mai n line , the Colonel stood
t h ere calmly smok ing a ci gare t t e and . ersonally .. a ced t he
men i n their positions , he . Col onel ~a id ' to h e ll n ith the
Germa ns ,, to hell with t he 88s , we e a n ' t "'.ltay here '... He really
- set an i nspiring cx:ar::pl e to t h e men ax1d t h e y f oll wed h im
ri ght u p . mhe ne x t day ., t he Colon el was severely woun ded when
h i s je e p _an over a mi ne . Ca; tain Hor r i and tho j eep driver
were killed and the Colonel haL b i s j aw brok e n b y the Ca9taints
rif1.e ~ I'he 2 r a dio operators , who we r e sitting in the ba c .t
\"Jere s ha,,ren u p qui t e a bi t . 11
S/0gt ., Clayton S?le i tzer ( Sq . Ldr . - tror t a rs) ....., "I wa s new
i n t he ou t f it t h en_. They called f or the ) rd s ection o f mortars
t.o come for\vard.- ,1 e h a d ordo s to m oc : out a tari :e !!lounting
an 88 , 1.Jh;ich was on to p o :f Hill 210 . \7e fi r ed 9 roru1ds, . took
t h e mortar, l a id it dmm , and ran lik e h ell. 'Je got t h e wors t
bar age ri g 1t i;,7here our gun was and where we v;e r e a ew seconds
b e . o re . 7 e had t ied 3 time s to r:iount ou r gun wlle- e we c ou ld
f'ire on t h e t , r and f i nall y succe 0de d . "Je knew what wou ld
happen so we fired and t h en got out o f t h 0 re i n a hur:~~y .
 3 August 1 9,,,1-4
IJ t . Colonel Hough 0 011 .,, Capt a i n rfo.rri s ( s.. . 3), driver a11d 2
radio O!JCirat oTs le av~ Batt:al i on asse r:ib1 7 poin t b y veh icle a t
0 800 and have v ehi cle . blo\1m u p a few minu:tes l a:ter . Captain
~Io rris and <Live r killed , others eva e u ated b y amhul e21ce . T.Iaj or
-
r I'etyko assu.mes c orriJnaud o ' the Bat tali on .. ~fo ve 8 :mi l e s b y foot
vi a Harigny and halt for t he n i ght ..

4 Au0 1J.~t 1944

Rations and water d i s tributfed,. Heavy machine gu_is and.
mor t ars l oa de d on c a rriers . Bat tal :.LC1:n moves out a t 0900 a.nd
open s atta ck at 0930.. By- pe.ss 2 tom1s and at tack :::iJ1d ca -,ture
h i l l, Sout heast oi' St.. S ever Galv ados _a ilroad . S eVPi'a l, enemy
t a:n1ts dug in to delay adv a..vic e ,. I;t . TJool e-:7" weapo n s pl a t o on
l ec.de :r,. Com,61JJ.y K, l oses a l l exc ci) t 2 Enli sted ,,1- n as 88 b a rra e
fal l s i n center of su:!;)rmrt c om .,any . Ammu:.1i ti on o f a ll r i 11 emen
n.e a:rl y expen.ded r.-rhen obj oct ive is t aken ,. Borrow fr om machine
g-uns m1tL l A'\:}? pl a t oon a rrive s Y7i th r e s uppl y . Battalion 1)rep a r0s
to c onti nue att a ck but is St o ) 1e d. 011 o_der of' Col. Hodes . Ex
t r emely he a vy ca s u.2,l tiec i n 1 s t Ba ttali on on r i gh t f'l ank .,

, _t.
Co. L The nex t mo 1~ ng 'NC h e a rd the app oa ch o oncoraing t an ts
3 .'lug and >:IG we r e ordered t o 11i t h draw on t h e _ oa d . I1t .. Col . Hought on
seve:.."el y i nj u r e d v1hen h is jeep h it a mine . Capt a in _fo rris
i l led i n t he same a cc i dent . .r,ngineers rJ.oved f orwar d with
d e t e ct ors di scove:ri ng n ore mi n es an d c l e~ri ng t h em. ;.Iaj o r
:eyt l:o t akes c ommand o the Batt alion ,. t!om: any moves 8 mi l e s
to r eac h to m of Uari gny .
P,rt . Dus e n res cue d Sgt . Cri '1:ps Vlhi l e under h eavy - i re from
tanlts and 88 ' s .
Col ,. Hou .h t on o f Pennsyl Ya..:1i a , t he Battalion Com.'"J.and er ,
r,vas s e r i ously WOl.Uld ed t"Jhe n t he je ep i n Which he VtaS riding ,
t owards t h e IP ; was bl ovm i n 'ho mi_ d- a i r by a mLne a t 0930 .
\ e l o ot . O't- bu ddy ! T/S ' t .. Carl Sm:i t h ( The bes t t a ct i c i an o f
t h e company and the Battalion, a c c ording to ' l st Sgt . Robert
Toner of U 1i on City , Pe r..:'"!. sylv ani a ) said , 1tHe w ~ S t he Batta lion
CO f or 3 ye a r s and ve ry we ll l ike d . He \Vas t he only m1n 1.vi t h
combat experi enc e , a vet eran soldier o f t h e l ast '::orld '.Jar ,
.. and eve r ybody l ooked up to him t o lea d t h en . "
At 1 0 00 , t c Bat t a lion went t h r u 0 _ t he same are a whi ch
now vms l i ttered with d ead . I c ompc.ny wa s t h e a s s ault ing o r ce .
'J'.he objGct:Lve was taken an.d \Ve pre ""a.red t o nov e o-:it after we
:pic-::ed up our K rations a t t he dunp- t h e me n were tired .. But
they we re vi c t o r i ous! The casual ti es s u stained '"le.re am2. zi n gly
l itt l e i n c o ~ par ison to the previ ou.e ay ' s batt l e . Ener..y re
s i scai.J.ce aa s le ss a cut e and t heir .L1re :pov1e r :::n.,s le ns a ccu rate
:Beeinni ng at 1 300 , t 'le 2n d pl a t oon on t h e ri ght _, ~) rd pl a t
oon 0 11 the l e t ascau1ted t 1. e h il l n ith i xe d b ayonets . :i:he
1 s t nl a toon provided overhead f i r e . T..10 weanonG" u1at o on i n the
rec,_: _/Sc;t . Ca_l SLi t h arid T/Sgt . Sar.J.plc le a d t he/Pl a t oons
r om hcdberm7 to h e dr~c r w, . t h e ortars f'a1 1 ing only 7 5 y::::,rds
i n f r o n t o f .;he me~1 .. They c ut the b arb e d wire and . rept a d
v anci ng ti ll t he h i l,h g ro und v1as t aken . . .. . t h r owi ng f"r agme11t a r 7
g rena d es as if i n a baseb "J.l (jam.e . Ou r l :J.u rel wrei:tt h o f b r av
e ry goe s to S/Sgt . Charl i e c ._ Salmon o f .,.1i chmond , Va .,, f or
bayoneting 3 Ge rmans . Y!hen t he c ompany t oo k pr iso110r s we fou.,nd
-that our enemy \7cre 1 8 y ea r old f anat i c l a Hitl er yout h o f the
11 6 t h Panzer Di v i s ion . in:; e::i the co :!?~~ny r.ven t into t h e d ; f ens e
t h e y c ov~l dn ' t s l e ep , co i.lid they ., Gcer ?n
11
IT0 ," s a i d Sgt . Ge er of He n -,.o_.--, 11 '.7e were to o 0 oddam s cared 11
Co . TJ S/Sgt . John Hone , mort a r pl a t oon Sgt ., , 11 \7-e a rrive d a t
4 ,.ug St . Seve r i n sup ort of K conpan.y a:r1d they g ot p i nn ed do ~n and
began t o suffe r h e airy casual t i e s . There we r e d ead hors e s a nd
coTis s c a ttered ove r t he to vm , whil e a :French noman ,. with he r
arm bandaQod , was wavi ng her u.rm a t us . Every time she wav e d
her arm , we oe cmed t o re ce ive a particu l ar y h e a v y b a r rage .,
k.11other woma""l , Yli t h a bla c -: dr e os , w s r nn n ing b a c :: and fort h
bet -:een t he l ineo ,. s_1e would g o over to t h e 1..raut s and g ive
t h em our s trength and t h en sh e wou ld come ba c _: and g ive us
t hGi r strengt _1 . The \70men f i nal y \7ound u p in a du_g out and
t h ey never dj_ d a ny more wav ~ ng o r rmrning .

Co . K S/Sgt . Jorry I:T . Pagl ui eo , ASH 33683084 , - " '7e vmre a r

4. Au g ound nea r St . Sever, 1'ra.Lc c , on 4- Aug 44 and r epo r ~.; s c ame ba c
f rom the f l"ont t h'at amnuni t ion wa s despe rately i1.eed Gd . 11 t he
company vehicles were lo a ded dovm with a l l t h e ammo t h e y could
p os sibl y carry a."1d t h e con voy st a _ t ed for the fron t .
 Gont inuea.....
co . K \7e d idn ' t get ve ry f ar vnien ve ound t h ~ r oa9-s block ed with
11

4 Au g h eav y a r mor an.d TDs g o ing u :p G.nd a stea dy pt r e am of 1-.'I e d.ica l

je eps , tru c k s , and aJ11b u.la::ic o ;3 .c oning b a cl: . Lt . Geo r g e,. Bat
~ t a lion TO, reali zi ng that t h e ammo mus g et t h r ough , c a l ml y
lo .;:ed over t he s ituation a nd de e id d ~ hat h e wou ld t ake t h em
c1""os s c ou ntry . r e we11t t h rough ap')le orclrirds and f'iel ds of
g r a in , and wh e re t h e re was no a te, we n1.oc.:::ed the f e n ce s dovm .
\Ve had t ,o pl or; through a h e dge r ow and by some mira cle we man
age d t o g e t t h e ar:un.uni ti on to t h e t r oops jus t i n. ti.me,, .
Hq . Co . Battles , h oweve r , dra\""l blood .:r om b ot h s ide s .. Colon e l
3 Aue Houghton, the Battali on Commande r , ma de a da ring rec on.naissan.ce
over mi n e d ro ads , r1i th h is. faithfu l dr i v e r , l!idward B. Boswe l l,.
a t t h e wl..eel o :f t h e je ep, Capt a in Harr y Ifo :~r i s , h i s S- 3 , s t and-
i ng on t h e fe:nder s te p loo ;: i ng f or r.aine s , and 1 :adioman, I ranc i s
Hi eclerl-.ofl e r i n the b a c : seat . Ca9t a in Uorris guide d t he je c
past mines bu t cou ld not s ;)ot eve ry one . t erri f ic l ast
hurle d t h e je ep i n to t h e s cy . J'H e dcrl,..o f1.er l ay st u.nn12d , b oth
eo.r druLJ.s broken . Driver Boswe ll was de a d . S o w s Ca;t a i n
Jiorr i s . Co l . Houg;ht on ; se r iou s l y YmUllded , wa s eva cu n.t c d and
t h e 3rd Bat talion h a d lo s t i ts Cor:i.>J.a nder i n t h e f i rst day s of
e cti on .
m11e red.oi.;:b t a ble na jo r Cha le c Y:etyko too k over , and
f ron tha t t i me U...11.t i l h e n et h is end ,, t. e ma n pe r fo . ill.Gd d e eds
t hat he cane l ege n d s . 'Jhen t h e go i ng was particul arl y tough
one particul a r day , ~- etylrn is s a i d to have d ire c ved u urd crous
l y a ccur at e art i ll ery f i e up on t e enemy , do i ng h is s ensing
wi t h ou t flaps or c oord i nat es , and a ch i eving a rout e o f t he
cotmtc r - a t tac ri ng Ge rmans .. One man said he d i rec t ed t h e fi r e
of 1 0 Bat tal i ons o f a r t illery .
. \___,
 5 _ugust 1944
n o e n e:w a c tion duri ng t he n i . h t . Bat t a lion a l e te d a t
08'10 and orc1ered t o cl e an u p a..""ld s have vni l e wai tin g :t or at t ac1c
o rder . Lt . J:Tie dman, S-4, sends u p c l o!-ln soc k s f o r every man .
1~i r s t :r:e .:. l a ce me n t s j o in the Bat tali '1n . 3rd Btt a li on move s b e
h i n d 2na_ Battalion i n march t o coordinat i ng l i :1e , 2 mi le s Nor t b
e :-.s t o f Champ du Boul t , (c oo r d i nat es- 579- 215 ~J ros s Ip a t
1 9 30 . Ta ke u.p p osit i ons b eh i n d 2nd /Lr mo1ed ;Jivi s i on a t 2130 .
2nd Ar more d Di vision has me t enemy t a nks and i nfantry . Li mi t s d
t an k rou t es and t err a in sui t a bl e f or ma "euv e ri n g preve nt s f u r
t her a dvanc e . Company L 8-tta c h ed t o 2nd Ba tt a li on to de c-md
left fl ank . 3rd Ba ttal i on de ~ n d s right f l a nk

6 Au.gust 1944
Ca:ot a.i n Cohoon av~)oi n t c d b y l'Ja jor Ii"e t y rn as Battali on ' :x .c
u ti ve Of f ice_ ; Lt . \ i lson , CO o f !, C o JJ.pany~ Lt. ;_ i eroy , Exe c
uti v e Of iGe r o f ~ Company I1t . '::ri h t, 2nd Pl f1t oon rieade.. ; Lt ..
Roehe , 3 r d Pl a toon Le a d 0r. Ki t.ch e n truck s o f Ba::;tal i on arrive
a t 0200 \"li th hot meal... e c omme nd.a.ti on s f or c i t ati ons o f n -
li s t e d n en f'orvmrded t h rou.0 h channe l s . Scheduled to a tt a c r a t
1 245. h s si on post p n e d unt i l 'l\'! on d ay a:t 0 , "'
 7 August 1 94 4
nattalion cros s e o I P a t 06 30 .. Capture 3 pri son e r s a ... 0900 .
,c on t a ct made m th 2nd Battalion on the l eft fl unL.. Jo conta ct vlith
109 t h Inf'.ant ,ry on t h e right fl ank.., L.inemy r~si s t anc-e eno o m t erea. a t
091 0 , t ake 2 mo re prisoners . Gom0any K a tta.e 1~s enemy !?OSi tio:ns in
wo ods on ri gh t fl an.K and f armb.ouse to fr011t ., ,~,s ti mated en e , y stren
gt h t o i mmediat e f ro nt : 1 coopany o f e:n.ginee _ s .. Att-w k d e l ayed b y
en emy ma chi n e guns and sni pers .. _, eantime,, a Ge iian ~Je dic a:1r:rn r1rs
\'Ti t h hands over hGad and a s! s p ermissi on t o r equ e s t h i s comradco to
surren der . Germans o"len f ire on him a s so on as ie a1:-roe 2xs in. o nen
field .. Bat talion Co!Il!!lander cal l s f or art i ll ery f i re : .. Col . Ho des
i 1spects p-os itions* Ar till ery fire a d justs on enemy pos; t ions a t
1 430 and Battalion at t a c ca a t 151 5 . Lt . ';2uin y , C o~.pany I': vl a t oon
l eade r ., . :d ll c d inst a n tly by mach ine gun wo t1.nd G i n a.bdom.e1 , CaD ture
farmho use :::m d highv-my 500 y a rds Eas t a t 1 600 .. 40 a ddi ti on a1 prison
ers t t:He n .. rfa jor e tyro sh ot by sni p -- r in cr ossin g h i gl 110Jay , d i es a t
1 630 . Ga-pt .a i n Cohoon t 't ~ 0S c omm8.nd 0.1.. the Battal 0n.. Com1Jan.y s t r en
gt h n ow down to approx imatel y one- h a l f T Heavy mach "nc: gun s1uads
a verage 3 men . Lforale: air .. .....nemy mo rale ~ ex tremely low.. Average
ur isoner h as b e en in cl.r e a le ss t ha.:n 24 h our s and w~ ''\:c d an :1v e r ag e
of 20 mi le s to . osi ti ons.. Their mi ssion : d.el ay to l ast man .
Captain Cohoon deci des to organi ze de n so a rou..nd i h1.1ay . Lt .
Burns and a l a toon o f mac no gunG move d to i ght fl a nlt . Sn i ner
shoot s Iit .. Burns in t he chest . "irs t Offi c.e r ca s ualty i n Co , n:'lny :
.wt, Burn s di e s short l ;r a:ft e1 r eachi n ", aid st a ti on .,
Co ., L Lt . Thomas saw enemy t an~s parall e i ng our f r on t . The
5 Au c om.ma..nder of on e 0 t h e t an.ks h a d h i s up'1 e r b ody ar.1d s quare
h e a d s tic1 i ng out the hatch . Lt .. Thomas borrowed an l;.- 1
"from t Sissney,. d.rey:: a bead and f ire d. The di s tance wa s a t
le ast 400 yards but the shot wa-s good and t h e k raut slumpGd
over.,
Co . I "Jc set out i n battalion fo ~at ion towa ds our nELt ma ior
5-7 obj ecti v-e 1 Hill 215 , h i . h ground to our le f t , 8 miles avmy .
Aug K and L c orapanie s i:mre le adi ng and I cor.i~J a.ny was in r e serve,
11hen i.7e ap~ roache d the h i ghnay c 1... oss i ng i n a North erly and
Sout erly directi on to l'.~ari gny . Under intense enemy sni p e r
and small automatic f'i _e, the Bat tal ion was forc ed to with
clraw,. to t he IP ~ ~he me n dug in, pl a cing security . The ne x t
morni ng Vle halr circl ed around t he h ill to the r e a... o f t he
smrill group o:f enemy aut omati c we " ons and snipers,, taktng
"th en by surpri se , bu t not 7ithout su:ffering casua ltie s .
In t he fray of b a ttle, T/S ,t i::1 s ~ nfluh was wou nded.. "In
t he pr o cess o:f ad!u.inisterine f i rst a id to h is wo-1nd i n t h e
f oo t , h e g ot it ,; s::ia c k ' t h rou h t he h e art , 0 sai d , gt . n o r'!lan
sadly ., :r}S t . Sam:pl e o f Ueadvi l le, Pa. w, s wound ed -i,r,1he n he
oet o ff a dud s h ell . A da y l a te r .,. l?.fc . H. Grant, o f ~~ i nn
eso ta , v1as found dead , bearing marks o f t hrash ing and l a c
eraticms on h is body . n Au gus t 7th , while att a.ok i :n g h i gh
g round ,. 500 yards f'rom Hill 21 5 ,. G/ogt . (!l ose ) Ror..'lanell;i. , of
Brad ord, Pa ., lea di ng h i s s uad u p o.nd a:nmd. t h e let !fl ank ,
still t0\7a r ds t he mai n obj ec tive, ~ i l l 215 , was wounded b7
ene y burp gun fire . He wa.s not e-vacu a t ed until the mac h ine
e;t.m n est was cl cru.1ed out .. \' e r from t he ri t,or o ' battle and
seriousness of h is v1ound i n t h e s t omach , he u r ged t hem on
i n bl eating gas ps., nGo get e m! 11
11
We ".'e t h e c asual t ies h i gh t h at day ,. 'S .rsgt . Blac t? "
11
Yeah . t h e 1 st pl a toon h2.d 11 men pil ed up i n one d i tch
. ~ ot b y one .'"raut sniper . ~ til l e-d and t h e. res t wo unde d .
15 o .f t h e ul ato on t:ere l ei t ..,'
<, ~, e t oo . k
~ .~i i
11- 2
. 15
.

Hq Co On the 7th , when t he snipe r p:ot d.i m., ..1a jor FetyI o is
7 A.ug su,p o sed to 1av o made h i s "?Jay pai nf'u ly t oward t he Germ.an ,
aime d c a e ful ly with h i s ni otol , and pl u &Ged t h e sni pe r de a d .
J:lhen , when t he otretcher bearers c ame to carry hi m o f'f' ,
I.Ia jor 'e -y ;:o to l d t h em to pi c k U!) t he wounded -enli s te d men
t"lho l ay moani ng by h is s J dc ,. The a id men obey e d the orde ,
delayinc:, the Battali on Covna'ld{3r ' s e vacuation be y ond t he
Clange r po i n t . Ma ,j or Hetyk o d i e d o f h i s v10 G..:.. d .
11 The s n i pe -. s r1e rc everywhe:-:re , 11 s ays T/Sgt .. Be11ni e 17 Howe ,

an o rigi nal memb e r of t he A~:, pl a t o on .. ":rea d u a rters Co - ~

a.YJ.Y had a guTSy li ttl e l ieutenant naned '.'.1 ay--1 t. ~' ill tam E.
tlay . He and some line co ~ ,any 1ie1,.tenea--i t fl"ot out i n f ront
a li ttl e to o f a r a..Yid a s:ti p or ~-ot -r.:ay and pi nned t he two of
t h e m d otm . then , o u r l ot Sgt . , John Colli er , s potte d t hen .
Collier c r(rnt forward , f'l arJced t h e sni per , t h en drille d h i m
t h rough the - head .. Aft er t hat h e -helped c ar ry Lt . r ay b a c k
to safety . Re was alwaye doing s ometl-ing lire t hat , cl ear
u.. until h e was h it a t S chmidt . 11
 Co .. K T/Sgt . Bern.ard J .. Ent,lish , AHN 32926 260 , prese nt platoon
7 Aug Sergeant of the 3rd pl a to on., was as,:ed what wa s h is cloeest
call . Af ter rubbing hi s hoad and starting t o meditate, t ha t
far away lo o c slowl y cre pt into his eye s and t h e s ndle le f t
his li ps and then he slowly s t a rted to s:peak : 11 \'Je pushed o ff
about 1000 on t h e 7th o Au gust 44 , :from ,_,ha.mp Du :Soult, and
marche d some 7 miles b e f ore we h it j e rry and as usual he vva s
l oo ring do rm on uo ,., In t h ts particul a r ins t 1 ce they we r e up
on a ridge abou t 15 to 20 f e et above ground l e vel and we ll dug
in. All t hrough lfor!Ilandy jerry was alway s ' well du0 in '. The
cl osest v1e got to t hem was a he clg ~row a.bout 7 5 yar d s di ot ant .
The re_ ainin5 s pac e was all o ,e n . Pfcs Bay erl a n d A dam s ~ both
of v1hom coul d speak Gern a n ,. s t a rt e d to y .11 f or t h e heinies to
su~ r e nder r but b e c ause of t he di nt :nce a nd t ..:1 e unfa;,lili a ri ty
of the l angua~_, e , it vva s e~ tremel y difficult to n e go t iate ~ I
requested and received permis sion to negot i a te with them by
get t ing a te:m_ orary truc e . I ., to ether wi t L P f~c _idams , t h e.n
a pproa ched t he Gerrr.i:an line s without any w.e a pons and stationed
ours e lve s under the ridg e . There , .for t h ree - qu a rt r:rs of an
h our , Ym argued b a ok and f orth vri t 11 the senior n on- com i n
.c harge .t.O-r the sur ren der of t h e en ti r e group o f 40 men . .ih ile
the men were will i ng , t h e n on- con1 was none too sure and sent
a runner to bring bac_ the Comna:ndi ng Off icer . In t he me an
tiw0 4 jerries \l'lalked over to ou r lines and 0 a ve .up . ',7hen
tne Offic er, An SS Captain , c ame over to our posit ion he :fl at
l y refused to listen to our : :1 tory and ordered that we returx1
t h e 4 jerries or h e would keep u s in t h eir ::1l a ce.. \7hen Yte
c alled t h at back to" ou r l i n e s , t h e pr is oners s .;a.rted to yel l
a n d ' ncrea:m t hat t hey di dn 't uan t t o r eturn . So t Le o f i cer
gav e us 5 minutes to gGt them bac_.. . Seei ng that t h e pro p
osi ti on had become stal emat e d P c ' da'"".ls and nw sel i d o cided
t hat we would make a bre ak for i t .. \H t h a bout 2 mi nut e s o f
t h e 5 still remaining , \Ve suddenly lit for ou r l ine s . :1e had
gone n o mo :. e t h an 20 yar ds wh.en a burst of jer1y mac i ine gun
fire caught Pfc . Adams in t he 'head t earing out ca bi g chunk
and kil lin,, him i nstantly . Somehow, t hey rai cccd :r.ie and when
I got abou t 5 fe e t fro:rn t he hed e r ow I made a he<.-:. dlon 0 dive _
i n to t h e bank ju.st before sev r a l othe r guns n.- .rri -dl y brought
up o p ened fire . I wa s i llh"llGdiatGl y c al l e d ba c1: to Head .,u a _ t rs
.nhe e I .- a v e all t h e informa tion on t he en err f orwa d ~-'OS i tions
t o Col .Hodes and :. ajor :Fety1ro . The y t hen directe d mortar
and a rt;i1 l ery fire on t he posi t Lon s and m t oo_t: t hem a ft 0 r a.
fier c e stI'ligel e . The n ez t d ay I \Va s i nj rr-ed and w' ~ e:n I g ot to
the e ce i ving station , a German pri s on ' ~:.'.:1.0 ':\'as zmunded an d
l ayi ng beside me , re co 0 nized me a s bei ng one o f t he n egotiators.
Hi s :respo nr; e to BY questions a s to VJhy t hey didn 't g ive u p
fill.yvray 1:1as t h at ~ arntroopero and SS nen v7ere b eh i :nd t hem v.;ri t h
\Je apons and t hey s h o t anyone v1ho rrrn f' m h is posi tion. n

..
.
I
Co. L The conrpany mov ed out a t 0630 a..nd was t h e a s sau 1 t co ..,any
7 Aug in t h, Batt a lion attack . 0t rong 8nemy res ist a n ce .. -Pvt . ":".: an
gaso sh ot and cil l:ed 3 e n eny on a small d' rt ro ad with h i s EAR.
Att o.cL dol ayed by Ger man m.ac__ i n e gu...11 f i r e. Pvt . _.1,mnr ch a rged
t he ma ch i ne gun ne st singl ehande dl y and J; ock e d it out . One
Ger maYl ,, trying to e scape , was sh ot and wounded . 1' eel ing a 0 a.inst
t he 11einie c wa s h i gh an.d bi t te r . '._he f i ghti ng was t :. ing on a
"'.1ec v.li a r asnect- a l l s emblance o f decenc 7 di s ann e a red . Our
men had heard of and Ge e n r epe a ted a c t s of t r e ~ Chery 0 11 t h e
pa rt of the rr auts , con troven i ng every t h ing in t he books , and
t h ey '<:~1ere e n r aged. ( Lt . ._ cShane, l s t pl 8.t oon l e 'lde:r-, and . vt .
Durunire c a:ptu:. e d a pri.Joner ., Returni ng to Bat tal ion,, t he p r :L
s on c :- aske d f or a drink and was tol d to r _e el a.rid drink f rom
the 8t1ea m., . Gn t he hei:nJ e did so., a fo 0t was ' l ace d on the
b a ck of h i s he a d , d ro nning hi m.J~'fhe com i any h a d take n mmy
pris oners while enga.P-ed i n a terri fi c ex ch ar1se o f f i re . Cas
ual tie s we re h i gh, }, aj or Ietyko shot b y s n i pe r bu t befo r e dy
i ng, illed s n i p or h i ms ol f \Vi t h h is pist ol . He di ed on the
way to t ho Batt a l i on a id . Comna':, s u -"i ere d sev ere l o ss o f men
a.n.d wa s u s e d f or OP se curi t y . Du g in a l ong e mba n kmen t on the
h i ghrmy ,.

E y c IE

/f; r o y.
 8 .'\.u gu.st 1 944
Rat ions ca r r ied u.p by h and du.r ing the ni ght . Bat t al ion
al e r t e d a t 0630 .. ~ ea t h er: cold a nd windy . Groun d h eavy wi th
water . Enemy s i t u a t ion u ri_mmvn . l l Ot h Inf;;3,ntr:y on t h e r i gh t
f l ank r e or ted t o h ave n ot t aken obj ec tive . Ba t tal i on Comm
ander orde r s at t a ck a t . 0830 on Azi mu t h 1 88. "'~ iss l. o n : t a 1.e h i h
g:tou..nd on r i h t fl a n.:.: i n l lO t h n f ant :ry s e cto . 2 n e t7 Of f i e e rs ,
Iit . Ma y , /l3;i? Pl a t oon Le a de r, arid Lt. tiu sso f f , 1 s t pl a t oon o
Com11a...ny r.{ , k i ll ed by e ne :~y ma c :~ n e .,1.,I D f i re . Ob j e c tiv.e t a ~ en
by Ba:tta l i on a t 1 20 0 , orde- ed t o d i g i n and hol d 1..m :ti l llOt h
T _fant r y a dvan c e s t o ) OSi t i on on our :fl m'l'- , t h en wi t h dr a w and
ol l ow 1 s t Battali on in a ttack . Bot h f r i en d l y and enemy art...;.
illery f al l s on our posi t i on s a l l a ft e r noon . Di v i s i on a r t i l er y
conta ct ed sever al time s and not ifi ed o f ou l oca t i on .
 9 August 1944
Ho c ont a ct vn t h l l Ot h Infantry .. a ttalion a tt a c rn on az
i muth o f 1 40 a t 1 230 . Ob ject ive : Hill 2 8 . _Company L on the
ri ght , Com1:)an:y K on t he left , Com_,any I f ollowing Com.9an y L.
Heavy mortar s SUlY?ort Battal i.on in t he a tt R.ck f'rom .: :-i r esent po s
i t ions .
Con c entrated enen y resi s t anc e f' om i gh t f'l an1: . Cont a ct
ma de wi th l lOth Infantry shortly b efo1e 1 20 but uni t i s 'Ni th
d:.. a~:Jing f o r r eor gani zat ion . Art "' llery una bl e to su.~ ;)or t 3rd
Batta l ion.. Lines t oo i ndefi n i te . Comnm y L l os es cont a ct wi th
Co:'.'.lpany :-: a t 1300 . Captai n Cohoon ,. a wa re of t he gap b etween
c oi:ipani os, moves out v,ii th his ru..11n ers t o cont act vom,any L and
is vm v.nded by sni per fire and evacuated i n s emi -c ons c ious con
diti on . Ca')t a i n Sil er , CO of Com-:;any I , t ales c om"J.a.YJ.d o f t h e
Battal ion , r ece ives orders from -..egiment a l Cor:u:uander to with
drar: to f'ormer posit ion and reorgan ~z e b e fore con tin:1-.ing a tt a c l ..
1'1 ean time , 2 .P 47 ' s , U..."l'la7are o:f l o c c t ion o f f iendl y t roo s ,
j e ttison"$. bombs i n re a r of front l i nes and fur ther di s o gani z .J s
t h e Batt a lion .
Ca'1tain Si l er orders n i thdrar:al a t 1 83 J and a ttempts to
c on t a c t Com9a..11y I; ,. ._t 1 930 , mEH=isages r each r ifle CO!.lDf._12:1.i e s .
Coo::;>ani es I: and L r e po rted held dovm by en e~ y f i e , unab le to
-v1L t hd ra':: . :\t 20 00 , the first e+ement s of t he t vm c om"'_mnies be
g i n to e x t ~~ic a te t hems elves . Com")a.ny K, co1noa ~ded by Lt . r.'f e a d
ors , retu rns a t 2030 after su.f'feri ng heavy c a s u :J. t ies , h as 2
offi ce rs and 57 l<~nl i st e d. :en l o 1 t . Ca: t a i n 0 1a l ley , v>Ji t h Com
p any L, a rrives s h ortl y the r eait er . Bat t a l i on i s re organ ized
b y Ca1t a in Si l er, CO, and Ca l)tain Ca r ter , 13 tt a l i on Execut ive
Ofiice Begin res upply o f am..mu.__11i t : on ..
i'1es sage i'ron Regi mental S- 2 a t 21 50 says re ports from in
te r rog '. ted prisoners i ndi cate s Gerr:ians pl an a l a rge sca l e c ou.,.v itc
a t tac Jt wi th t a...YJ.ks and i nfant ry at 2200 . Out po ot a es t a blish ed .
Ameri c an pl a..11e s a upear overhe a d a t 2 21 0 , c rui se a t h i gh alt i t ude
over enemy Do si tions and r eeeive concent r ated ant i - airc raf t
i i re . One ol ane dovm . Ammuni t i on and ration det a'.l s. begin a l l
ni ght t a sk of bringing up SU ') )lie s ., tt ., '7ri.ght' Co,_ ")ailY 1, r e
l) Ort cd c asua l ty , evacuated .
 10 August 1944
Ca pture d prisone r prior to h our.. Hill 288, Battal i on
objective , r eported held b y ba tta lion of' ~e:rman's . Col . ! ode s
calls on gc~i 300 a t 0530 and orders 13a tt a li011 to a tt a ck when
ready.. n ecessa ry r a tions and ar.a.r;n.:mi tion not d i otribut ed to
e v-ory s quad unt .1 0900 .. Attack starts at ,0 910 . Order of _flarcl1 :
oolum..11 of' com.1ani e s., Comua.ny I lea ding . e1e f:::.r we a t her e nables
81 mm mort ars , unde r command of Lt . Roche , to sury ort advan ce
f o r 1 500 ya .rds be t ore s el e ctin g new positions . Direct hi ts b y
mort nr-s ca using more c a sua l ties among Ger c.ns t hc,n combin ed fir e_
of all other wea "ons .: Superb wori. on part o f ob Aervero and
gtmner s .
Al; 1 400 , more ar t illery r o 1nds b egin to f'al1 in s ecto r .
L and I recei vi ng ca sua l ti e s :from f ri end ly arti l l erv.
C om ~1 an i e s
h eck wi t h 1'ivi s ion a ""'tillery re v eals o-b server f Tom :flanl:: b a tt a l
i on i s dire cti ng rounds , m1avnare .of' fri ,e-ndly troo ns . Af te r 25
rol.m.ds ,. r ifle compani es t hreaten to w'.Lt1d_uw i f fire i s not
raised. . Batt a l ion continues a t tack a t 150"'. Lt . 1''.1edten,,
Com._ an.y Ii pl a toon lea der ,, kil l e d wh i l e at t a ck i ng h e dgerow a t
1 530 . Hill 2 88 c a ~r~ure;t .by Ba tta lion a.t 2200. St art di ggi ng
in on cr!;;st, ca pture l ~erE3;1i t r',Ji ng to i n i i l tra tea !te nort 40
othe rs n ea r by .. Ot he,rs retreat i ng . Batt ali on m1able t o ge t
r a t ions or amr.nmi tion u u ton igh t .. TZoad s heav i l y mi ned ..
 1 0 Au.gust 1 944
Captur ed prl s oner prio r to H h our . Eill 288 1 Battali on
ob j ecti ve , report~d hel d by b a t t a lion o f' ~ ermalis . Col . Hode s
c alls on sc::1 300 a t 05 30 and orders Bat t a lion to a t tac1t wh en
r eady .. J ecessa ry r a t i ons and ara."::lu..ni t ion not d i otribu.t ed to
evGry s quad u..nt i l 0 900,. At t a ck starts a t ,091 0 . Order of i,Tarcl-q
C'Ol u.mn o f CO:rn. ')ani e s " Cor.:ipe:my I l ead i n e 1 e ~::..r r:ea t h er enab l es
81 mm mort ars , under co.rarna..'Vld o f Lt . Roch , to s u '1') ort advan ce
for 1 500 ya!ds be i o re s el e cting n ew posi tiono . Direc t hi ts b y
mortars causing more c a sual t i &s ar!long Ger ans t hn:n comb:Ln cd i"G
of a l l othe r wea ,on s . vtq)a-~b work on pe,rt o f ob s ervero r-.md
gu.rmc r s .,
At 1 40 0 , more ar t ill ery ro 1nds b egin to f'a ll iJ:'l s e c tor .
Compani e s L and I r~ c e i vil'l:g ca sv..al ti e s from f'ri c:n dly art i llery.
heck wi t h 1'i v isi on a "'t ill e ry re v eals obser v er f T'om :flani:: "b a t t a l
to:n i s direct i ng r ounds ,. unavrarc .of fr i ,e ndly t r oops . Af t er 25
rom1da , rifle compan i e s t hreaten t .eJ w:L 'thd_ ,.w i f f ire i s not
ra s ed . Bat -tal ion c ont inues a tta ek a t 150,.... 1
Lt . 1'.'r redte n .,
Compan:y L pl a t oon l ea der , k ill e d wh i l e at t a c t ing he dgerow a t
~ 530 . Hi l l 288 e a pt.u :rel .by .:Bat ta~ io.n a. t . 22?.0 . S t rt ,.. d i ggi ng
1n on c.rf:"St , c a p ture 1. ~erman t r y i ng t o i n i il t r a t e ~ '.te nort 40
o t h e r s n ea r by .. Othe r s retre at i ng . Bat tal i on mrn.ble t o ge t
rat i ons or ammmi tion u u t 011i ght .. ~oad s heav . l y ni.ned .
Co . I 1st Lt . "aulgcr become o Com';any Com'":'land e_. in pl a ce o f Cant .

9- 10 Sil er who bee n.me Bnttali o _ CO .

Aug The Battalion move d ou t with r company a nd L c ompa ny as s ault

in0 ,, I com:yany i n 8"1..ll'.>... ort , t o t a .:.re Corp ' s obj e ctive , Hill 288 ,
at. 1 300.. . \J'h ile cross.i:ng the LD , {and L co , pan ie s lo ot cont a ct.
A gap was :formed . They \'Je re pi nned do wn ty artillery , mort a r
and small arms .L'i re . Th@ b att l e ~raged and the c asual t i es in
fli cted on K a nd L co m;;ani e s were stag _er:Lng.. Capt . Sil er g ave
orcle rs to all compani es to wi t hdran to the i r former p o s i tions
i n the \70 o ds near Hil l 215 , at 20"0 . The next d ay , a t 080 '1 ,
I company vms t he assaulting f orce and K and L cOD"!ani ;:; s , with
their remain i ng small for c e s ,, were supf)ort .. T/ S[It . Sr;ii th wa s
pla t oon 1 ,a der o f the 3rd pl a t o on , 2nd Lt . Pravi'.- S . Pendl et on ,.
t h e s h ort vri ry and nervy plat oon 1 --:.de r was seriousl y wound e d
i n the as aaul t of t h e previou s day .. ~7 i t h a p1 a t 'l on o f' K c o :9
arry a.11.d an att a ched secti on O .L !1Gs, l i ght 30 's , '_ /Sgt ., Sm t h
ass a ul t s the h i ll f'ol l owin , t h e e e o:m10 i teri ng rou te mo.dB b y
S .. Buddin , Sgt . Alex Gvat s k y and Pf c . Cli f ton ::.-isher , the
f or rrard re co11nai s sa11ce pnt ol . ihe 1st nl a t o on. wa s to t he le f t
o t h e 3 :'d , t h e 2nd pl a toon in s up10r t , .- ort urs , a s usual , ~'le re
i n tho rG a r . ',Th.ile as s ~~:il ting f'r o:m. hedgcr O'N to h e dge . ow , T/ Sgt .
Smith a nd for ce ne:ee Di nne d do rm b i nt e rw e small riu.t o1iati c a nd
ru-i.d Emi :;e ' f i...e . A he c.lgerm."1 was the o:fl..ly cove r af ordc d the
brave unit . ?he e nemy lay i :n a s m1 en ro 1d, cor :pl e te l y co.VG e d .
With o nly 1 5 y ards b et ween t h er:. , t h e y hur led fragnent a r y 0 r en
a dco a t each ot . . . er , cas1m l tie s being in :Ji ct e el on both s ides ..
1 s t Lt . Pa lgc~ r a sks Don ' t - ge t ... 'J mart Sgt . Smith i ,., h e t hou ght
h e r:runte d to ni t h drc,\7,.
1/Sgt. Srrri t h re 'Jli od f i e rcely , n I would rat h e _ die.. and 30
t o h ell t _a n v1i t hdran. I'll tal-:e it v..rf t h uy ovm pl ~ t oon ! 11
And he did !
Tha t n i ght , at 220 0 , the Ba t tali ')l1 jrJ.i ne d him and his vic
tori ou s men .. A t e r t h ey dug in and pl a c e d securi t y ,, a celeb
r t::. i on vr, s l &u:~ ched b y the enc::iy , sh owerin0 t h en vJi th 88 and
:'lG fi r e... \Thil e S/Sgt . Iielson r;;as t a.I k:Ln g t o a b uddy , an 88
h i t h i s fo :' h oJ.G di re ct , 3 rJi nut0s a f t er h e ha - le f t it . ias
ifle belt a.11d have r s a c c ame f lyi ng p. ~s t h im i n 9iece s , Luc t?
The n e-::r:t morning t 1e . I ~~- pla toon b ought s andwi ches and K
rati ons to the r.ien whtl e t hey wa i t c d :for ord ers . 4-t 1 000 ,, the
cor.i _any t7a s no ti fied t h a t Capt a i n Siler nas se riou sly YJo tmd c d
7hi l o on a re cori..nai soance ,. b;I a rt i ler-r . The nex t stat em-nt
was 'l a t a:nd. mL l itur y : Pre 1a re to .. ove ou t: _he l l Oth '1.eg
i c n t h a d .pu lled out to t h ei r l eft and in f' . ont of us , lea ving
US in st at i c nos it i on s .
i! or h is gal l ant.ry in a ot :L.on . T/Sgt . Sni t h was awar de d t h e
Silver 0 t c.r ., ., t h e iirot in the compan :.r , and in ad.cli t i on , re
oei ved the Croi x <le Guerre f or h is pu.rti ci pa t ion i n the lib e r
a t i on of .!? r anee .
Ou..r c a sual t ie s nUL'lb ered many . -:re rer,1ember Sgt. Gv a ts ky
of Pa . and L t . Henson who were -_ l l ed in t h e at t c .. f or Hi l l
288 a nd \'lho con tribut e d greatly to the succ o ss o t a k i n e t h e
campany ' s , Batta lion t s ,, an d Corp'@ objec t i ve .
Ho. Co At Hi ll 288 , Sg t . Hot'7e , find i n g a dlscarded BA2 on the
9-Aug iel d , d0 ci dcd to team u p with another automati c r ifle an and

cl ean out a nest o snipers . Usi ng the i r B ,~ 11s and gre n a des ,

t hey killed 3 .1:rraut a n d 1 "yell ow ma n ...- p_ esumab1y one O .l- t h e

_iongo l sni9ers c o~on i n Norm.andy .

 11 r,_ugus t 1 9 44
Carrying -pa:rt i e s bring u p po '-: s1 1dwi che c:; , ( ratim-is a nd
r i l lc a uni ti on . ::~ e gimental _,omma nder di re c t s Bat talion re v e rt
to -e s e rvo , nthdr~v'l on azi Eiut h l t"\O ' a nd c lose u p bGhi nd 1 s t and
2nd Battalions .
Com :any I moves out at 1 ? 30 followed b y om 'aYJ.y ': ; lJead
quarters , 81 mr.1 mortars , a!1d Comrmny T . Heav y m.'lchine g1ms
sti 1_1 o:'-tached to ri 1 e c o1:i~xm i e~1 . A _i ve a t "1egime~ t al CP .at
170 1) , . suffer mo :ce ca sual ties from ar t 11ery . _ ot sup er ord ere d
for 1930 . Dig i n and p re~)are t o rer,:n..i .n 'or t h e night . Coord
i nat es 618-25 5 .
Ca ~ t ain Sil er a..flcl Lt . Dieck s , 3- 3 , l e a ve on e c onnai ssm_ce
at 1945 . 1st and 2nd Bat tali ono e:ncounte?rlng h eavy o p")ositi on ,
Gerr.1ans infiltrating. Casuo.l tie ;; i n l nt 'Jat t ali :m out o ~r ..JD
orti on to resictanc e . Loca t e d 5 00 yards ::ast of' Venegou:J , ,....es t
of m:tin highway . 2~:.d Battalion , holding hi Gh gro-. nd on le f t
f l ank , is \)l anning to 2ttac 1: a t 0500 .
7ihile - etu.rning _ om recom.ai s sanc c a~1.; 2 __:J , Capt a in :.3 il ~::: r
and Lt . DiecJrn are c aug-1t i n a ti l l e ry baI-rage . Bot 1 are in
jured , Lt . Diecks , seriously , 1 t . D ie~ n di G a t 2130 ~ Cn ~ t ain
Sil er , b:r.oU)lt to Bat tali on CI 1 on a stret eher ,. i sm.ios a tt a c -c
order to Captain 0 :~alley and is eva cuat ed .
1
.
Captain 0 ' :Talley r c:)orts to ~ egi m.entnl C' , t al';::~:; ti t h Co l.
Hodos , r c tu1~_1s and orders 1 . . l a toon i rom Coo~)any ...; , vlus oect i on
hoaYy mac hine 0 uns , move out im."!ledi a t r; l y ( 23 00 ) and r e i :nfo ce
r i ght f'l n.u: 0 1' 1st B:"'.ttali o:n . 7'Iem tioe , ri tchen t ruc1;.:s haVP.
arr ived and eve..:yone is :fed hot meal . .'fo .. a lc o f mon general ly
good until ba l ance o f J a t talion is o dercd t o move j.nto li no .
Cri t icnl c wrtarre o ar.mnm.i tion b oarers .
 12 .Augus t 194
Compani es o f ) ~J Batt rJ.lion arri v r: a t 2nd 11c.ttal i on si ti ons
coordinat es- 621- 240 , a t 0800 . Sup')or tin art illery f'a.11 i ""g on
. ------... front line tr -:i ops prom ~ ts 2nd Batt a l i on to wi thdrmv 5 hed.ge rov!S
Col . Hode s a t forward Ct'. Another ol c.t 0 on o f Comm:my L or.d<?re d
to cidvance on azi muth 150 thr ough La Chartrie to La Gillo t t .iere
and occ upy e; ou.'ld . o v;rai;. . d o VenGgons hi ghway , j oin l eft fl an r
of 2nd. Batt alion. Curryi ng pa r ti es b ring up fo od a t 2 4 0.

1 3 Augu.st 19 .4
Battalion :ilerted "' t 0730 , pre1'.)ar ~s to attac i.- . ~- e-gimental
Commander de c ides to a tta ck in column of ba t talions . i'ne':ly with
drm1ing.. l ot Battalion a t t a c h ed to 21'ld J; m.o r 0d T a sl': 1orce , spoar
he ~d s 3rd and 2nd Battali o s . '.1 :ny a n '.; i - vehicle r;:d.nes encoantere d .
:l e ached a. poi nt ne 3r Sourdeval .

. .
 Co. K The c om any was i n t he vi c inity of .:rortain, Fr an c e . The
1 2 Aug . men we re g iven the ne ces sary axmmP1iti on and oede - ed to move
ou t on 1 80 degre es a t 0800 . The Ba t .t a l i.on :-e n t f orward i n a
c olumn o.f c o'.t!lpanies , I c o pany l ea.di u .. K co_pany f s mi.. ssion
f or t he day c onsist e d of send.in patrol s t o the front and
flanks of' the Battal ~. on and s e a chin.:,; houses d es erte d by the
ene my t h e n i ght b efo re,. he cl o sest we came to t h e e n e:::'.ly was
i n a f a r mhous e whe r e 2 Germa n Offi cers staye d the p evious
ni ght a nd i .e :ft a bou t 1 5 mi nutes be f ore vm arri v c d . Lt.. Pat ....
te._s on a r.i sigzied to Con "Ia.i'ly u s -:ecuti v e Of:.U. ce r . Pull e d i nt o
de f ens ive po ni t ion for t he n i ght and du.g i n .
1 3 Aug L1ove d ou t a s a dvance d guard, t he R.egi ment b e i ng i n c olu.rnn
of battalions- 3rd f ollowed by t h e 2nd.. 1 s t Bat talion ode
t an s of t he 2nd Ar r.'.lore d Di visi on.. r arch e d to wi thin 1 8 mile s
lfort hwe s t 0 Ge r 1 t h e en ti r e Regime' t was pulle d. out o f a c tion
f or a possible wel l - deserved e s t . Jro:rale high , aft e r 2 we eks
c omba t v.rith heavy c a s ual tie s ., The c o:o<)a:<.1y , i n a defensive
position 1.1i t h t he 2n d Battalion o:n: t he ri h t, dug i n f or the
ni ght . 3r d pl a toon put on out po ot to run pa-'c r o1s con t a cting
a "' l a too:n of I c ompany on t he ex t r eme le ft flank o f Regi men t .
Lts Ca ro l i and Woods joined the c onrpany . No c asual ti e s .

I .
 14 August 1944
2nd Bat tali n, fo l l owed by t he 3rd Battalion,, Boved f o war d
t h rough mine fields and booby traps a nd r e a ch ed ob j e ctive a t no on .
-~ '.. he 28th Di vi si on was goine int o Cor 1s rese:rve and t .:ie 11 2t h I n f
0

ant _y wa s goi ng i n to Division rese rve . The men 7e .. e dam:n gl 'J.d t o

hear it.. The Bat tal i on ma r ch ed t h rough Ger to rea ch _e s t ar e a
Hhich 1,7a s too clo s e to the fro n t lin.es , s o the Batt a lion 11ulled
b a ck a bou t 2 mi le s .

15- 19 August 19 . 4
In res t a r e a n ear Ger . Cle an uni orms ! Shm-;rors ! une r i c an
~i ed Cross wagon \"1ith co f ee a..l'ld dou ;hnuts ,. and reco r ds, to o .
""leapons and vehicles ins p0ct ed by 0rdnan c-e .
Trat ni ng and de.1.onstrat i on i n hedger ow fi ghting te e li "ue .
Uev1 Enl isted ;,1en ( r e ini'or e em.ents ) re a ch ed Ba t tali on .,
Continued
-B:q Co ~ r:">he fl & P pl ato on 'f1o r -ed until the men" ~ .f,} et were liter
14 Aug a lly bl oeding . ".. fter a fen a tten pt s to ':o ep u p with t he a d
va...'l'lce, t h e ortho do-.: me tho d o f oper8:t in.g from forward a.:rn:muni
tion dv.lllps <.7as di s co ntinued ~ -1.u.the:r t <'Jl 50 to t h e trou l e
of dis pl a cing dumps forward eve ry f'.e w hours , t h e a:m...tnuni t ion
s quad o perat ed tr1.1e ks irom the .mot or pool , too lt t he :mu.ni tions
up as far as .t ossible., and then ~rj_i;hout pause con tinued the
supply mov-emc nt vi a compan.y veh icl.es r;u1d hand c ar:ryi ng pa.i~t ie s .
T/5 Deon D.. Loc -:vnod ,: y cl .pt t "Buttercu p ' in s ite of his
gre at buLc and I al st af 'ian gusto i n all t h ings s edible and
potable , e stab l ished h i rn..: el:f e a rly an t he best blackout d , i v e r
in t h e 3r d Bat talion ~ On c e ,. whe n I3u t te :ccU'!J ' B ar:uno truck v1as
b n. i ng unl o a ded in a d a\J .1 jer:cy sta1t ed to t hA. ow utuff in hot
a.,,'1.d heaViJ . 1 e men doing the unlo a ding and t h e other dri v e :rs
i n the train naturally bec ame n e :rvous ari..d st a rted t o f a.l tcr
i n their \-1o r k . Butt ercu; re a red his big f o .m t.') in t he mi d..
dle of t he road a11d p:.A.t h i s . and s behir. d his hac .t , Tu"".'l ni r e
ias41 ion ~ A shell ;,~.iho6s h0d clear over t ~1 e d raw, landing far
o:f;'f t he uare,e-t.
uBall -o ne , 11 rea.red Butte cup .
Another one c a.me i n ,. bnt cl ose . ns t r" ke on e , n yelled the
i ello1-r. 11
~li gh t a cro ss t h e c o 1e t o f the plat ~ ! 11
Lo- 10 n i :rr.tes Bu.t tercu) tU!l!}i retl t he grim g2.illie,. /ht the
end o f thu t t ime t h e t.t. u c ::s we re un.lo.nded m d t 1e crws, still
g r i P!_)e d. 1,7i t h l o..u ;;:;hte - , drov e off 1.U1der- r'lore shellfire-~-- but
\"lithout their :former '9-ara.lyzi:ng f e ar ,_
Bn.t tercu_ i s wi th t he .comparrr t oday . He has mo r e t han
once turned dm.m eha:nce s t o b e c ooe limited SEF'Vicc . He i s
.aLot"m by h i s ral"id... f ire n i nlr. ,. \7h ich i ri c aused b .J a ti c but
someh or; makes ev erybody feel tha t he i s winki n out of his
. nge store o:f good l1umor . It was .utte.reur) who r ode a hei f er
over t 1e c ove!'ed foxhol e occunied b y - fc . ::u chard L.. ' Hoe r
GU!lther a.i'l.d Pvt . Ke i t 1 D. Oyler and. - ca v ec i t in . .he nhol e
de:moli ti on s qu ad had to fal l to, in order t o di g t ~:: em out .
Anothe r fabul ous ~orker with t ie am::: o car y i nn pa. tie :::;
was Ol e A. Olson, vh o me ':>.Sured u p to Hors ~ stcmd:ird 'i o- Gt ren
gth and cou r age upon .e ve ry oc c as ion,. r here ~1re men who \'Ji ll
swea- t h a t Ole on ce cle "lred a 3- fo ot _ence i n on e e asy l ea:p
W'< i le carryin0 a ' butterfly i o f "- mortar e_ , 0 a..'l'ld 20 band
oleers of _J- 1 s lugs drap ed ov c,,_ h i s ::i..-ra,...,e ., T..1e total we i g1t
rJ.ust ha~ e exc eede d 1 0 0 - oui1ds by a v;ride mar :Ln , y et Jc 1e only
L"!lpetus Ole needed ~ms fJ.rovide d b y his o m po mri'ul lG s and
a good , l ong burs t from a jerry mach i ne un.
A .c onscient ious soul" Ole u sed to s c old 13uttercup for
never di t.,ging a foxhole when t he A":-) c r ews b edded dorm for t 1rn
ni gl1t ,. mhe only s ti sfact :i. on h e go t from But terc up ;:ras t hat
i'ox hole s ave h i m 'cl austrophobi a. '.
Anong t he Battali on S taff Of -~tcers ,. 1st Lt. 'R.obert C.
J)iec1:s , t h e S- 2 , won t he Silver St ar '.!!lee a l for gallantry ,on
the 12th o - August . I-t was a postlnm ous n.w:?..rd ,. f o IJt . Di e c k s
l aid dovm h i s l i- e on tha t day of h is greatest gl o y . Capt .
Jo e .Lloaclors, \7ho had ste p~Je d. into t hG S- 3 j ob aft er Ca_ t a.in
~Torris ' death, 1.7on t he Bronze St r f or heroic a ch i.evem.e n t on
t he 9th o f AUu<YU.S't . He l a.te:e bec ame a c a sualty at '"'c h.mi d t ..
 Hq Co . " J1'very day was so much li l:e the l ast t h::.:.t i t ' s h a rd to
14 Aug remer.iber just r1here a nd when anything happened ," s ay s /5
John J .. \7a 0 ne r , t h e only radioman left who went through t h e
hedg erows ,. 11 .As I wa s to l d l a ter , we must h i;r re been i n contac t
v_ri t h the e n emy for 15 straight d ays ., a nd t he thing sort of
ma de a :eee;:ula r I)atter:n . 11
"' . 11
They i d ge t us u p at a bout 6 o 1 c loc . in the morning . We ' d
eat so e K rations and move out . I i'Vent Vli t h t he OP part y ,
ll:i gging a 300 r adi o for the b a t t alion Commande r .., i.7 e ' d c a tch
t he krauts at abou t 11 o ' cl (rnlt and t h e n the re wo 1).l d b A some
i re fights . The l i ne c om ~1an i e r; would t ake some he d "~ e r o w s
and j er_y a l ways thren in a lot o f shells fr om 5 i n t he even
i ng until 8 at nibht . \ e ' d di g in and try to ke qp in cont a c t
but s omehow i t neve r worked . At 2 or 3 in the mo ins , j err y
would pull out t h e bulk o f h is for c es , le a ving a littl e hold
ing line t o 0 ep us busy . The bi g bun ch would s cram nay back
f ast ruid t ake u posi tions on h i h gr 0und . Then t h e y would
wa it for us t o come g e t t l.;.e m.. ':l e' d get u p a t 6 a 0 a i n a nd t l e
whole thi n~ vmuld s t art over a . a i n. t1
1'J ajor ( the n Captai n) I)aul A. 'f roup ,, Jr.. , ~7ho was Adjut ant
and Hc a dqua .. ters Command er through t he hedr:;erOi'J a ct i on , re
me mb~rs the 15 days ma.inly as an e f .-ort t o ~ o e p al l element s
moving o.s fa r forward as po ss ibl e in or der to maintai n a
c l o s e ursui t .
11
'.the 0 l? party n eve r i:.fa:s more t hr>..n a couple o f hedg erows
aho ad of t h e CP, 11 he s a id. .- 11 And i n those days we h a dn 't a d
opt e d t h e :pr a ctice o :ma i n t l2i :ning a o rwa rd and rear CP . ' -re
te pt the v1hol e shebang to ge t __ c;r , a nd the t e rrain ;nw s u ch
-that n e di d our movin on foot . didn ' t r ide in a j e p until
we hit the r e st a re a after t h e .Pal a ise poc .... et .. n
Accor ding to T/Sgt . (then S /S gt ~ ) -~ obert n . Connelly , t h e
mo t or pool f rom \:'7hich he worked as su11~ ly sergeant u sua l ly .
was nbo u.t 500 y a rds beh i nd t he ..,p , aiJ.d t h e kit c h e n s n ot much
..1.arther bac k . Al l i nstall a tions '..Ve r e under heav y shellfi re ,
parti cularl y l a t e in the day and during the e a rly hours~ of
night .. Si n c e suppl i es and rat i ons usuall y h ' d to be br ought
forward i n d -:,rkness , t h e su_ply a n d ammunition ) arti .s had
r ou gh g o i ng under th~ pm.mding o :f the 88 ' s and mor tar s .
The k itchen crew coo ked o y hot me al s 1 a nd h a d t o throw
avm.y muc h of \?hat the y c ooked ,. so f ,, st vms the a dvanc e a n d
so v.n:predict abl e the c ondit ions a t t he fr ont ., Th e Ue a d quart
-e :r's Co '1 &ny coo s n or e than once s e r ved foo d to the men i n
t heir fo . h ole s \"lhile she ll s i,vere co i n g in.
11
i ou can beli eve i t c,r :10t , 11 he says , 1'bu t t h e f e llmrn
a :i:n aren tly had to rem.ind thems 0l ve s to e a t t h ei r K rat i ons ,
and some o f them didn ' t eat f',t al l until we c o.me u1) and jog
,J;ed their memories . EYen t h e L? i f t h e je Ties were t h co ving
stuf'f in on u s , t hey \7ou ld stay in t h0ir h o les r a t h er t han
come out for hot chow.. :i! ood j u.st didn't r.iean much then . I
gu.e ss it 1nas be cat...ce the summer we a ther k i lled the i ~ a ~:>~) t i te s .
Yfhen winter c o.me ~ t :i1ough , we couldn ' t e e d t b.Gm en ou.'.:'.:h '.7e
T'Ga l l f \".!ere a ~::n c ci a ted t h m.. .!y t b eory i s , a h o t ma:n i sn' t
hun 0 ry , a nd 9. cold. man c an ' t e a t enou gi1 . n
S/ Sgt . Connelly and h i s hel pe r s brought u_p arn.r..nmi tion ,
clo thing , we apo11r m1d r a ti ons a t d est gil "tted time s , r e gardles s
o f condi tion s . ATthe TI'a l a.i se po c ke t , Conn e l1 7 and his coo cs
set u n t heir 1 i tchcn und e r :":.:1ell f ire .:, ld t h en se rve d t he men
i n their hol es whi le he a vy s t uif c arnm in constantly.
Conti11ued

Hq Co . ..nd. the~ , a l so \ms '. (l't . Gl enn J ones~ v1ho once c awl ed

i .

l <+ Aug 200 ya~ ds under :machine gun ""i re t o le"ld a l i n e c o.L>.pany pl a t
oon a"'G Hill 288 . He becar:ie mi csin "'" l.n a c.t t nn ;J:.t Sehmi d:t "
The h i s to ry of t he 'ivi re s 0cti on lies buri ed i n the hedg e
ro'.7S, a t S chrp.i d t and in th b ul f~e ~. Tone o: t. e o i g i:na l men
are le J.t , but that ti :. ey \7e re heroi c i n Normandy i s a 1 1l y provea
i n thei-:r ca sua lty c ount . Pfc. Lum r . Dal ton ,. Bronze St a r
Ueda l winY1e r ,, was amon 0 the wi remen who did t heir duty every
d ay under fire o f a ll t ypes until t h eir r an ::s we re v1i ped out .
The OP party o :f t h ose days consis ted o f t he Battalio n
Com.Dander , 4 n i .: omen , 2 radi o r en and :r.ew m. i n esv.rec ~ ere and
denolit i on men :from t h e A&P platoon . he al ant lit t l e 0 rou p
o ft e n a dva....nced with one o f t he lin:B c0mpru:d.ec , and du-ring
confused i nt e rval s ~ \Vhen a cti on was so f a st t hat t he original
pl an meant littl e , t h e OP group somGtimes f ound X t ~el ' c on
oti t u ting t he .. oin t o n the ent i e Bat t al i on ~
A 1?0St o f e _:treme dru1ger was t 1at o:l:' Batt ali on Commande r ' s
orderly and bodyguard.~ Pvt . Le onard _r .,. Cuel lar , i.VhO t~ i th-
fully s e rved in t h , t c a 3;aci t y u.nt .il he was ro:)o ted m.iss i ::1g
i n a ction a t Schm ;.dt , won t he Bronze St ar for his he r oic vmr r
i n Horm.andy . Cuella_ rr;peatedly r an me s sages unde r i ntens e
shell f ire , aided t _.. c \.vo,mdcd , and during an advan c e , 5 uardecl
t he Bat t;al i on Conuna:nde r with hi.s l i f e . But the CO so on l e ar.a
e d to dig 1is cn-m foxhole ~
Head c:p1e.rterG Company was i n a sa.v -g e r:10 od ':ilos t o f t he t :i..:me.
:i:he ste-.., ch o t ..1e dead cattlG a nd de ade r Gei~mns , t h e constant
sni pi n 5 by jer_y and :.1ong'l riflem-en ':1 o n e ated j_n eve ry a ea ,
the incessant shell f i:re , t lw n eve r end:i..n e, wo r~: of l aying wi r e ,
s\ve c ' iD , !:!in-es a.nd carr yi ng am.bo to t l'le lin s, made eve ry ma.n
a bad custome . . to c:ro r:o i n thB pe!' ..t0::.. :.2 -:l ee o f h i s dut y .
~\"JO n c i vil iaus " \Vho tried to cro s :.-:; a guard ~ o c t we r e found
to hav e every ~ai1_k g1lll p os i t ion nicely pl ott ed on the ir con
c e a l ed map s . ..:b.eil"' exe cu tion vr!.s qui c and d ecidedly i nformal .
1 9 Lu g On Au gust 1 4 t :t.e ordeal end~d . ~he Batta lion moved i nto
a reot are a . ' he cooks fed 3 big mealn a day , and do rmant
ap;; eti t es r e vi v od . . The .'.l:P pl a toon , f or instance ~ added a
coupl e of e .tra me a ls to its fa:re , p romoting chi c k en s ~ onions ,
potatoe s and e---:tra K ration uni ts wi t h whi ch to make stew... A
Re d C:ro ss -ro.rron d i d g_ eat s e r v ice .. A crit i au.e given by t h e
S- 2 tol d the men t he e '-: te21t o.f t heir victory , and exp. a ined a
l uri d ni ckname \7hich \7a s to cl i ng t o t he Di v i sion t h roughou t
its Bi:O service . l.he ' Bl u ti g Ei mer ' o ' _ loody 13uc .:i:et ., had
b ecome a e ared and hate d out i'i t which t he Ge :r ans \Vould try
to g et sone f i _n o da~r when c ondi tion o were ~ore favorabl e for
t h e :. el:_r macht . :..he boys h a d t aken o ore t han 1 0 1. 0 pri soner s
but t hat V1aS D.'.) t e nough . rr he y S lOUld le , TI to t a.1:e _ ri s o '3rS
"Gho S- 2 s eo dcd .
'r h e 3rd Bat talio _ w:.1.s :er-edited wit h am1i hil evting 1 SS ba t

t al ion p1d s hat t er i ng 1 Pan.ze:r Grenadi er Div:L oion. But s t ill ,

t h e S- 2 r e pea:ted , t h ey s hould h t::.v :e t ake n more }:t'i s oncrs .

Co . K The d:... earn. of a _est peri od c a...PJ.e true ., K com"" a:ny again had
14 ~ug t h e adv anced guard a s t !1e .. ~e t:> imcrrt :moved ou t a t 0830 , p ass i ng
through the villa 6 e of Ger .. Outside t h e are a , we pu lle d o ff
t he road to l et t h e Pioneer pl ato on cl ear i t . It ~:1as to o cl ose
to the i ront l i ne s so t h e 2 ba ttalio_ 8 move d bac }t a bout l ai1d
a hal f mi lB ~1 and du i n . 5 pr i s on ers 111ere -t aKen , d ri i 't i ng

a round t he area.

 . -~ --~~-------..._

co . K Cl ean Shower and shave .. _..or a le -ve ry 1 i g 'l .

Ui."'11. :i. orm.s ., 37
15 llllg ze pl a:cemen t s assigned t o t he comp2.ny . Our a r t i . lery f ire d
most of th rfi ght but a ll s l ept we ll .
~ 16 Aug
Day s11cn t . i n trai:nin0 i n hedg eron i ch t .i ng . Red Cross
dou 0 hrm t \;agon c ame to the a r ea,.
17 Aug One of the qui et est days we spen t in France . Traini ng
and o.:a;ant zing ne\1 BAR. t eaos . Chu r ch so rvic os .
1 8 Aug Sti l in r e st ca.mp . Trai n i n g oc lle du:l e with 5 mile march .
1 1 more re"Olacement s . Lecture on h ow to handl e PO'"."rs . Pre are d
- 1 9 Aug
to move ou t a t 061 0 o the 1 9 Augus t .
Did no t move ou t t.w pl anned but every on e :ee a<ly a t a :moment

n oti e e . During t he d ay rrre 1ad a dc:nnonst ,.'.' ation L _ h edgerow
i ghti n8 with "h e u s e o f 2 light t an'.:s .. Com my a le r t ed t o
be . e a dy t o I!love .
Co . I 1he eompa ny marched f rom Ge r to t heir rest a _,_ea .. Thi s was
1 4- 19 t 2e first time \7e saw 01 r 1ti tc ie:n a n d S/S ~.'-! ,. Ros.smcil:1 remar rnd ,
Aug n The ri t.che:n a riding high,. wi de a n d hruidso r:ie . Doy , we must
be i n t :.J.e re a r . 11
The com.. a:ny received a neu CO,, Cap t -c..i n ~o ke y , and 2nd Lt .
J . P. ~uinl an , :reapons pl a t :)Q:n l eader..,
Conoernin0 the e nliste d men , m /Sgt,.. Smith 'Jl'ld T/Sgt Ni els on
o f fered c omr:rls si ons again , th e whole Divisi on vrar? short o _f i c er.
mhes e two men h ad proved t hem.selves abl e and agcres ei v e l e, d
e:rs .. I n g eneral i t was a rest , wi t h r e ore ani 5a t i m1 o f t h e
compa ny t al::ing pl : ce at t h e same tit:1e . .o new r epl a ceme nts
s ;el .eel t h e pl c.toon s t o a re a sonable f ight i n . s u en gt 1.. Pr o
motions n e re a 'J proved .. And s t i l l t h e moral e ':.T~s low!
11
I.Iayb e the \"Jar ~ s gonna be over ! f'e got t en on the r un ,. n
s a id P:fc . :Yran1 If 1 , arl esnn Pri eb t h ou ght l c ss and fool i sh
as ie' d drive h i s _moto r cy cle into every dit ch .
 20- 21 Augus t 1944
Regiment moved out by mo tor from ren t area . 1.ejoicing nat iv - s
cmcount e Gd. all along the route .

22 Aug..r nt 1 944
1 st and 2nd Battalions a tt a c _rnd 1nhile mai n job o f' 3rd w as to
:protect t he I."'egiment from t ank a t tack . n ow, f or t he firs t t i me,
f i ghting on pla.L:ns i nstead o hi l1 r and h edgerow cov.ntry .

2 3 Augus t 1 94
3rd Batt a l ion mission agai n was to -out out road block s f o r
.Re giment, \"lhi l e t he other 2 battal i ons a tt a c ed . Conch c s and
Vali e:nt were the towns t aken.

24 August 1 944
3rd Batt f'!l ion reliev ed of i .!-s ro a d blo ck job by t he 113th
Cav al ry and moved to v ic inity o f Fav r ol les l a Ct r. pagne ..

\....'

..
,...---~-
Co . I Tho cmmpany ent:i:uck e i n Dourt n r a i n a t 1 8~ O, chas i n 0 tbe
20- 21 enc.my f 'aster an.a faste:r-., Sto 9ping a t t a cti cal a reas on l y long
Aug enough to Ba t u p & roa d bloc ;:, ch e ck t h eir e om7)ass es and o:n
t he t ru.c ts a.gain. The nex t da.,y-,, the s 1. ca:me out a."'1.d d r ied.
t h e men t s :elothes on t heir ba cks ..
23- 27 11.c company det :r:u.c re d a t Con ch e s a t 1 600 a n d we n t i rrto t e
Aug de e11 Ere .~ Roa dbl oc k s a.'l'ld va r i ous other s e cu r'i ti e s v1ere pl a c e d
on hi gh\"1ay~ t o S\1ee !) in t h e Ge n.an l e.g c;e rs . Yle s taye d on l y
long enough t o ren emb er .this littl anec dot e conce rr.'.l.i :n.6 a ct ion
i n Con ch e s relat ed b y S/Sgt . ?.o. e r t E.. Bl o..c k , 11 :. .1 1 i t wa s . . ~ ....
well , 'I won1 t ive u p ! ' Ban. ! Bang ! ' I gue ss I will gi ve u p .'
ftnd the j erri-es e amo i n with t i ei r hand s up rid i n g on bL,.es ''
~- c ':'Jere r e l ieve d by t h e Bri tish .
r.th e men ma::eche d in CODpa n y :fo _ _.,.at ion t !1 r cu g iJa.lie n t . Th e
i t e norary wa.s.; broken t7i t h the usua l eh e c1;::i n 0 s t r o a tlbl oe l:.:s a n d
l oo1d ng i'or !J' demoi s el l e . . a.n t :ough t s o f -P1:,re e .
Co . L Ar riv ed in Pc~vero l l e s la Campagne a t 1'7 0 a f te r cove ring
2 . Aug a d.i otan ce o f 9 mi l e s . Hea dqu art e r o and We a .ons plat .?on
ma:eeh cd . Se t . up :r o a dbl o c ' ~s in t he v i eini t y o. the t ovm . r a
0

. day t he ?rd pl at oon e apt u r od a German ri s 'J:n::r wh o had a l s o

fou ! h t , on t h e Ru.oe i a n f'ront .. Ie s eem$ to h av 0 gotten urcr .nd !
He a l so fought 2 mont: 1s on t h e 13' i t ish fron t a."ld desert e d to
s rrend er ~ Sl e e ping i n b arns a nd se cu r ed sor2e eg " s ~ The p eo....
1_1lo in t he h ouse we re I t a lian an:d t h e '.. n1'.'e ' ared duck and chi c -~-
en .: for t 4'le fello ws .. ..
 25 Augus t 1944
3 ::>,t .l,.ali ons c l o Ded i n on ""_s.se. bl y a r e a n ea . o i:-- es .

2G Au gust 1 944
3r d Batta l i on moved ou t b :r t rue -es l ate in t h e after_ oon ,
po.s 8ed t h- ough Dreux: a.."ld cov ere d a d.:.s-tance o f 45 n 1e s t o
v ; e i n i ty o :f Tilly .

27 \ ugust 1944.
Tr o!_)s had a t r tlinin,t, s ch edu c t o day ~
Batta li on l eft Ti l ly i n ev ening b ~r .rue:: , passea thro ~gh
Versailles to a smal l c omml.mi t y a bou t 4 mi l s Hor t h of the city ,..
Arrived. about 040 0 on the 28th of J ugu101t ...
Co . L Left l'a.v erolles l a Campagne a t 2000 o f t he 24th Au gus t and
25 ~-llg a- riv e cl n e a r Portes a t , 1400 , toda.; " after ma dn a 3 mile
march . At t h i .s poin t r1e c ont a cte d -"'o rwa.rd rcc o11.. n ai ssa nce
units of t he B:ritish who have n ow r elieved t h e Americans of
r oad bl o ck s a t J?averolle ::: . P.ort c s i s t le Bat talion assembly
area .
26 Aug Left Por t es a t 1730 , by trucks ., and arrived a t t he Batt ....
alion as s e bl y are a ne a r Tilly a t 21 00 . r_he ent i re distanc e
c overed was abo 1t 45 mi le s . At t h i s po int a r egul a r dri l l
s chedu l e was ca r r i ed on . The enemy hasn tt be en con t a ct ed for
abou t 2 we eks . On thi s t ri p ,, r1e passed t h rough Dreux , the
l arg est city vve ' v e seen s o f a r . J.he e ou..nt rys ide i s beauti f ul .
27 Au g Left Ti lly bJ t r u c k s a t 20 00 an d arrive ...: near Roe quen
cov_rt a t 0430 ( 28th Au.gust ) whi ch i s 4 mi l es forth o f th~
hi .stori c citY' of Ve rsail le s . The day 's s ch e dule consist ed of
close or ,q e r d rill and d emonstration o f the pl a toon i n t ho de
fense .. Troo ps at e 1 0 i n l rations ..,
 28 /;_ugu:3t 194
Si n ce leaving t he r ., st area a Ge t here h : s be en littl e or
no -con t a ct w:i. t h tho en emy. That , pl m~ t he f'act that Paris i s
only 8 miles ar1a3r m.akes for v ery h i h mo I'al e .
Bntt a lion began >:1ovirrg out b y true ,.. in the c v cni n 6 , r eached
Paris shortly ai't e r and bi v ouac.ted. f o the n i g t in the Bo is de
Boulogne ?.a ... k.

29 Augus t 194 .
The 3r d Batta i on J.eft t he I3ois de Boulognc :Par\: in t he
early aft ernoon for parc.i.dc t 1rough Paris . The 3rd Ba ttalion
f on!le d a 12 nan f r ont ; y;;i t h t he 3rd d.t talion of the llOth I nf
antry a l s o in a 1 2 man f ront march i ng abreaa i; OJ~ u.o , ma .: ing a
front of 24 mon .. The Battal ion passe d the r e de Trit.:L'lph and a
r evi ewing stand t '1a h el-d L t . Gen . Bradley , Lt . Gen . "?atton and
Ge 1 . De Gau..lle ,. The Battalion march e d through Paris for a di.st
ance of a bo u t 14 milre s to a suburb o f 'Daris e all e d Draney.
 Co. L He a fl ,. , ua_ ters a:1d. 1st pl a t o011 1 plus one mo r tar s qua.d t a.r e
2 8 At:tg i n a bivoua c area n ea ;r: Roecruen co urt . The 2nd -ol a t on h olds
a roAd bl oc { near La eelle ~S t . Clcmd , while the 3rd 9 l ato on
is attached t-0 a...."'l ti- t ank gu.:ns . One s qua d pe gun . We t re a
little exeited today and morale i s h i gh as Pa.ris i s on l y 8
miles away ! K rat i ons co nsume d fo. 3 me e.l.s ..
-
29 Au g One of the '!'f; a test day s in t he his t or7 o f' t he com:1)uny
and Re g i n e n:t , as we l l as t h e 28th Divi sion,. On t h i s day ,. tre
le.ft Bois de BolOf9-1e Park at 1 330 and p . aded t h rough r G ~r
Pmee ' . The first Ameri can t-00 9 s t o pn. ade t hrough Pari s
s i n ce :.:orld \ ar 1 . ~ e n r ch e d aro1md t h e _, r e o f riumph ,
J?r a:r.ic 0 ' s . 3 0 0 year old monument,.
1
he :people '.:':ere hil a r iously
happy and wi n es and liquers were :plen t iful . veryon e s e ems
to have be en ldsscd b y the b ee.ut:L:ful PariSi ru1. gi r l s a t l ea s t
15 time s .
Co1. I The c9mpan detru.cked a t 230 and sle _t i n :Bois de 13ologne
2 8 ' Au g Pa i::,. That ni'! . . t it rai n ed.,. s a tu.ro.ting us t o the s k i n .. At
1 0 0 0 1, t h e dri ed, sart.orially i m naeu l &i.te soldiers bega n their
c eleb... a;ted 1 "larcti t hrou h Paris' . he organi c t r _s9or t a ti on
preceded t he oot troo9 s , pa :sing to t he 1 "" f t o f L c d e
?ri1llUph 11 , i n .:i:.ron t o f the reviewL1g s tand to he outs :irt s
o Paris, cove::: in.g 14 mi l es . The p.., ado , wi t h st reaming
papers , martia l musi c wild glee and kisoinc; on t he ch ee I.s ,.
was exciting to the boys ~ but Oh t he i r '.eet.
S/S t. H.osoman, 1.vhen c l u tched and e= bra " ed on t h e t wo
cheelrn, say.s to the li t tle overjoy ed nademoiselle , L oo ~: , 0

Cherie , llow a bou t doL"lg it on t h e n ou th ,. f'_d give me a go od

French kis s . If " Bon bo:n for y ou! 11 , he says v1i t h -:-.u1tomin e .
11
_Jon ~ non, she ansv-jors to h i s mad clut ch , Eet ees onle e
f or the cl ose o nea ~
S/ Sg t . Ro :::n:ma..11 , c a tch i ng her me:: n i n 0 l:m.t i rrtcrp1 ct i n g only
t he li t cr a l s ense , l aughs d.e1ri s il y , s ti11 -clutch i ng her clo s er,
nnabee ,, ho ~;J ca.'1 we g et MY clo ser?n
That ni .ht t lle baat o f the puls e did. '' dcH.:ible tin e '. The
boyn to a f') t od, dra nk nnd lti sGed to beau coup s o f Cham:m.g:ne ,.
cog:n"lc a...vid 1.7i :nes , ' Vivo L'' fi.me r i que! '" Vive La 1ran.ce !
Hq Co . i~ ft "' :r t h e 5 d ay rest ne a r Ge' , Head u a rters c om.p:cny oiled
2B .tug on t:ruc lrn ru1d op ed ni th t;he .rest of the Battalion on an SO
mile d a s h to the Pal a i sc yocl:'st - h e y Ii : ,d t h e pl a ins b etter
t han" t he :.. uge :rows , and lil e d the f ;.ct th.__i t , b oi n i n res e rv~ ,
t h ey e11cov..: ntere d little a rt i 1..lery and no res i_stavi.ce . They
""l re a dy \7erc used to de a d hors es and er::ua: s, a1d paid Ii ttle
a t t en tion to them.
roa there to Versailles , it was a mail pursuit , walki ng ,
riding i n tr'.1C1rn., s huttle fashion , but mo 0tly wal king every
dt'lY unti' 1 the men ..,e r e ready to dr-0:1 . I eadquart nJ:"'9 cor:rpany
v10.s suppo sed to pitch tents t he night t __ e y arre ved i n the
i?. - is Par pre;iaratory to t h e "am.ous ' t a ctica l p-arude ' , but
n obody dia . At 3 o - clo ck in the mo ning - a i :n deluged t e
bivouac area. Tho ne who had n ot s l i ..med o f f - o r a nre- -02.ra d c
l oo{'. o.t Pa ri s found their shoos full o f vrcitrn"' i n t he morni ng .
; ~t 1 o 1 cloc k , evory1)ody gather,;d ru oun "' the fi:re s w1i ch
h c,c1 be en d iia rted fil t Ll g re t di.L1.'ieul t y he c a use 8V ryt .hin0
ordina:t ily i n fl nr:r:ia)l e , h a d b ecome so ,,. _::ec , and t r ied to d :
out clo thing and e qui r)nen t . ,''e 8ip-ons F e r e clca n.cd ., rnystones
pcinted 011 s h ould er e .. At 11" the e ompanv :; ssn1 .bled , o..t 12 ,
it hit the str0e s , ru1d a t 1 t the colu..rn.n novcd o f f , !.I-1' s in
i r o:::rt ,. then c arbin oi;;: , then pi st ol s . Ttien t y abrea st, t he b oy s
loo ked f~ s good a s any He ad u art nrs co!l"1o.n couJ.d look wh en
contrasted with t e g li t t e ring , b a yon et- e vudded r ank.s o i' the
i g1 y line out. 'its .
I
Continu:ed.
Hq 0 o ., ~Jo r e humdrum st i l l, most o the oon pany s t ayed __ e a.s onabl y
29 Aug sob e'r even after passi ng t he r -,vi ewing s t and and en c ountering
t he i nt-e n.sB champagne and wine concent ra ions l a i d do"'vn by
the co:mte.r - att a ck ing Pa.risia'.ns .
Pootsore af"-t; er };)oundi:ng a l n os t 20 mi les o :f cobbl ed stree ts
t h e co12p&--iy arri vcd a t ::L t s bivoua c s ite a t a bout 9 : 30 t Le
ni ght o:f the 29th of Au 0 us t . Paris zm s to t h e r ear " Le Bourget
:i:ield. just ahe a d _.,
 30 Augu.s t 194
:fe g iraen t n1ovcd ou1; earl y in the morning l ed b y the 3rd Bat
t ~-:?.lion
and ma.;. d 1ed by Le Bou.rgGt a irfield ., G~ones n e, _hillay, Lou vre
to vicin ity of St . \ i t z and. ~ Io rte :fo nt aine .
Still no eont c..ct wi-th the enemy .,

31 AUoO-UG t 1944
3rd Battalion mov ed out in t h e n orni ng , march ed a ll day ., ml
t hen too k trucks in t h e evening t .o re a cr t .he outs_,.irts of' Com iegn e
ab-ou t 0200 on the 1st of Scptem'bBr .,. No o ,. p os i tio:n encountered 1Jy
t ho main body .

1 SGp temb er 1944

Ba ttal i on moved int o Oor:r Jieg110 i n a.tt e.c a t 0230 and en
.c ounte:rod li ght s n i pe r f ire . Just us le ~din _, elen en ts o f t _e
Battal i on reach ed t he bridge on the far side of Cor.:ipiegne , it
wos blcnm up .
 ,.
Hq bo ~ ll.t ' in t he mor:>1ine; t he men t,ot u p '.:i.gc..in ,, still m'.1.d be
3'0 .\ttg c aus e t heir bed rolls had n ot r i vctl , a:nd 1t the r oa d to....
-v:;a :r. d Compi cgne . As they na- ched , ::'vt ,.. Leonard ]fou.:man , t h e
l ate nt i'ic.ssat:;e Cente r man , l ef-t a t rai of Hor sesLoe Blue
sic;ne f or rear el ements to f oll or:., The s i gns stayed there a
long t i rac , v..nt ouc h e d b y t 11e :rr~ ch .<1ho 1a d n o i d Ga wbat the y
mean t ., 1: oht.hs l ate r .,, re pl ac e.n'.l.-<~ nts from the 16th r e ';l a cemen t
d e po t , uhich hed b a ttalions st ung t roughout t h e Com ?ie 6 10
a re .., not iced one o f the f a ded signs,, anti al so i.'m ndered what
it m:eant t .some o t h em . ov..nd out i n Janu a ry , 1 9 . 5 , when they
joinGd t he 3:cd Battalion i n Alsa ce ..
., It \73.S at t~hi s t ,ime thi-.:.t t h e c nti-tnnk plat o on began to
come i n to t he :picture.. I nst e a d of fol l '{Jln6 E'.leekly beLi n d
t h e :cifle troops a s i n the strict ly i nfant.r y -t pc h edg erow
terrai n , t h e y v.e nt u p front 2.n d guarde d agai nst the j e rry
arm.or which was ex; 1 c c t ed t o a '" te .pt a s tand any day n ow,.
l Se pt \:T hen t h e 3 i Batt a lion h it Bom.pi egne , the picture wa s a
s vrange mixture of mili t a 17 c onta c t rd t h t he enc ny , c i vili -m
exub-e ranee during the fir.st . flush o f libera ti on ,, and jus t
pl a in conf'usion . ~7hil e big guns t h u.nde r e d ,, a men b e r o f the
r a dio c r ew i nstruct e d. a Fr Gnch g i _l in t h e a rt of nec ~ing on
a park b ench n e o.r t h e Pal a ce o f .-ifa::_ oleon ., i.7hil e thG jerr ies
\"Jere b1 0i.7i ng t he s t r a tegic b r id Je ., t o l.'renc ~ we+e out hunting
snipe_ s wi t 1. tJ.:i.e dcrtlJ;hboys and stopping no'l.i;;r a nd t hen to s uave
some eoll o.borator.
I a jo:e Hazlet t and 2 r adio O")e:ra t ors ,. T/4 Bill Balogh and
Pf'e "' Carl I ngold,. ambi t iously too i: on 20 j e r y ,c ycli s ts ,,
t urned t h en bac crith s pirited :fire , and t h en cha sed t hem into
t h$ K co!il''Jany line::; v1here t h ey l a s t ed n o time a t a ll ..
J:hc anti.-t unk guns v1en't i nto a c tion a nd st artled t h eir
c - cus by k:t ock ing o u t; R. sel:f- pro pelled 88 a n d a ho.lf- tra c k .
Com ~J ie g.a e i:as a bright poin t fo t h e Battalion, !.)rovi d i11g
eve_yone with exciten e n t, t he t h ri' 1 of vi tory , an d a c hanc e
to le t off st eam ~ But t he }!ursu it h a d t o continu e.
Co .v1 11
C!)l . Clyd8 Yi . Si gler . ,. .... . ~- e \TJere v1ato li n g the Ii'rench
1 Se p pat riots in Co:mpi egne cl i !"> t he h a J;r o:ff t he fe;.:.ale c oll abor
a tors . There \Ver e abou t 1 00 women who u.nde r ;.r en t t he tr a t
n.en t and t h e ci t izens wer e s till c oll ecting t 11e!2 when we l eft
t h e city ~ .the retreatint.., Ger~(.;n s bleYv t .e bridg e b e fo 1"e 1" e
cou ld ge t to it and lJ:c l a t er :found ou t th a t t.;1e j ob was done
by a irl wh o must have b e e n a c olla bora t or . . o s t o f the
gi.:... l s t7ho got t h eir hair oli}.)ped \Te B o ~ dinm.:y -l o o :,,.i ng b u t
t here n e re a ow go od- l oo i ng ones . _}ost o f the '.-.ionen we e
blon d .. Some o.f t h em were ma de to t t" ~e t , eir d e s ses o f and
c.hao z; d out of tov.m half- n aked . Afte r we t o.o __ O!!l';i gn.e , t hey
f ed u s \:\Tine ,, bre ~d- ev e r y t h ing t e y h ad . S 1.u~ prisL1gl y en
ou0h n one o f the men g ot drunk and \7e didn ' t have time to en
joy the h o spi tality o f the young !:lademoi n ellc s ~ -..e had our
minds on c a tch i ng up with the fl e eing Germw.1s . -:e set u p
our mo:rtaTs in the c e nter o f' to1:m. but 'Oullecl over to the edge
o f' .:t.0'7Il
. an a s et u p tb_e e ., rni. ,_ ....peo91 e :r.i
.;. :1.'le :of~~:re nc!l ~.
x e d us u n a
mo r.:u of Belgi an rabb i t .s , which .eal l y t -:i.ot ed g oa.. , . 1en 1ne
got on jeeps and conti nued t he chas e . n

I ..
 Go. L r e l e ft Dran ey a t 06 30 and mare J e d uassed t h e world famous
30 Au0 Le Bourg e t airfield v7he r e Lindbergh l anded in 1 927 . The a ir
field seemed to be a to tal V>rre c k ., t.arched t hrough the tmvn o.:f
Gon..n0sse , Thillay a.nd Louvre .fi n a lly encampi n g i n t he viein i t y
of San ;:li tz . he 2nd and ]rd platoon s s et u p r oad block s . On
this :move a g ood ti e wa s h a d b y al l and an e n t husia stic wel
1

come was g i v en to a ll tro o9 s by t he civili an :P0!1ulace .

, 31 Aug 1'eparted rou San '. i tz a t 0700 on f oot a nd reached Noeu:f
after c ove ring 22 miies .. Load e d on to true s at 200 and ~
r ived in t he ou ts 1 ' rts o f Compieg:ne a t 020 , 1st Se ptember .
We are the first ~-:1.ue ri c ans i n to \m . ,
1 Sept I n to t h e a t tac k a t 0230 ar..d l i '7.,.ht snipe r f ire wo.s en count
e red . Our mis 2ion wa s to secure t he bri dc;e and ii gh ground
cm the f'ar .side o f t ozm.,,. T s br t d e wa s bl own u h'r t he Ger -.
mans a t 0 400 just as our troo ps were a bout t o c ross . 'rhe ex
pl o s i on k illed 2 Ge~ai'ls ':"~nd a 10 4:he n a s t a _en pris oner . he
pe o pl e o th.is c i y wero trying t he g i rls wh o h a d be e n fr iendly
tozmrd s the Germans . The guil t y one s h a d t he i h a ir mrt o f l
and their clot hes re.'.iloved. Ou: missi on wa s a ccomplished a t
1 20 0 and d o f ;e n siv e po s it i ons we re s et UD on the hi gh round .
Co. I Le uvin.6 Dr m1ey at 0 6 O, hahgove r ,. ball> sto. a ch a.YJ.d a l oa d
30 Aug
on he a d and ba ck , we s et out on foo to St . 1.7i tz. _h e wa l -.i ng
to
\?as hard on t he feet . nBut vmw, my stoma:e h. " sai d Pfc . \,uro.tt
1 S e p ~
loo sen i n g hi s rifle belt on a 1 0 minute -oreak . By t h i s time
the CO'm:pany had c ov ered 28 mi l es . 'he f oot-we a.r y bo;>Ts h oi ste d
themse l v es i nt o t h e t anks o f the 5th Ar r1ored Division wi t h a
li tt l e gi--unt ; rel axed and rest ed t e i r feet t ill t hey a rrived
v1ith i n the vici n i ty o f Com9i e gr1e a t 2 40 At 02 '10 , i n tact
ica l nl a toon f ormati on , 1 st plat oon l ea din v1i th 2nd , 3rd and
4th follo wi ng , t h e 1 s t s c out o f t he 1st pl at oon was fi re d u pon
by .an en e my sn i p er . The f ew sni pers l eft to i 12pede our a dv ance
\.7ere rilled in t h e very t ower t h ey used as cover , b y men o f
t h e com_::>any and t h e tanke rs of' th e 5t r rJo r ecl :Ji vision.. , h e
men move d i.n , me t n o oppo s ition a.r d fell a.sle ep on t h e lmvns
till n o rning. \7hen th ey aw k en.eel they wer c onfronted with
..rench people Can it be they a1e Ame r i c ans! ;.T uen t he rea l
i zp.t i on c ame, true t h e Pren ch be came f'1"a..nti c with joy . Jubil
at ion , vli:nes and e ogn a c foll o-ed ..
The boys v-:ere t hen ass igne d to var i ou o s r; cu ri t i c s . on on e
hil l def~ nding the ai:r:) or t a t Uopplenc ou r t , r oa dbloc rn and
high vmys . The ncx morni ng t h e .?..tt a c3:i 11g mar ch \'u1 s resumed .
4
-;
 2 Se ptember 19.4
Bat talion l eft Con piegne a t noon and march ed 9 miles to the
vi c inity of Bethancour t .,

3 September 1 944
Batt.D.lion l .e ft Bethancour t at 06 30 and march ed about 10 mi l es
t o a rea ne a r Tar lcfe s s e .. ( 2 miles North o.f Noyon)

4 Septemb er 1 9 ,. 4.
Battalion left Tar)e:fes oe by tru c ks i n the mor ling nna. c.ov
ercd t he di st ance to V ie-u:~ -l e s - ( a s:o.3.11 c omm.unity a bou t 1 5 mi l e s
Horth of Rhe ims ) i n the r t ernoon . _he strai ght line di s t a nce is
50 miles but be cause of t he rov.nd- abou t route t a1 en, the convo y
traveled a bou t 1 00 miles .

5 Se ptember 1 944
Battalion .l eft Vi eux - l es- A. a t 0 730 a nd mar ched until 1 53
at whi ch time , truc ks , t an1 s , and h al f -t r a ck s c urried t he troo ps
tc an area gev e::eal 1.liles forth of Eaissaul t .
Co . L :1e l eft t he h i gh g ro md on the outs :: i r ts o Compie gne by
2 Seu foot and a rrived near Bethan cou t at 1700 , a di s tan ce o f 9
:mil es . Troo s 1."lent into bivouac r::i. e a nd 1)l a ced se curity . K
4

r ati ons yfe re e a ten .

3 Se p Lef't Betha."1cou rt b y foot, a t 0 610 a _d r each ed Tarle fess e ,
whi ch is 2 mil e s North o f ' Woyon a t 15 O, a d i s t ance of 7 mil e s ,
and vre n t i n t o bivo :1a c area. Our orders were to s have and clean
r i fl es.. Ins pe cti on b y pl a t o on l ead ers . K rati ons e a ten .
4 Sep Com::Jany l eft Tarl e f esse by ve :iicle a t 0730 and r e a ched
Vi eux-l e::i- A, 1 2 mi l c t3 Horth o f T'foeims , a t 1 530 , a di s t ance of
90 mi l es . Po sted guards [L"l'ld s et 1.p de ensi ve nositi on s .
r a tions ea t en .
5 Sep L f t Vi eu..--c- l e s - A a t 0730 b y f oot , ru.d a r ived a t 1'ai s sault
a t 1530, a dist a.n e e of 16 mi l es . Loaded on t ank s , truck s t::i:ad
hal f - t racks a t 1 535 , an d arrive d 4 miles f orth o f :Faissa ult
a t 1 61.0 . Sent out secu r ity . .emainde r o f company i n bivouac
a re a,. *;lost of t hese t owns c on t a i n e d -Polish pe opl e . { rat i ons
consumecl .
 6 Se p temb er 1 9 4
Battali on l e 't bivouac area a t 06CO b y tr :te1: and re a ch d
Bul son a t 1330 v"1he:re c onvoy had to bivouac and wait U.."J.t i l a
bl o\7Xl b_ Ld g e \"las repai red b y the Enginecns "

7 S e ~"> te Tiber 19 -4
Bttt .t al i on l eft bivouac area a t 0600 and marched to ~:. e us e
River a t the outski rts of S edan.. Sedan h :J.d been v a c a ted by Ge r
mans only 2 hours be fore our arriv a l . The. t oo ps c :.. o ssed the
n eus e F..ivor and marche d un.t i l 1 800 a t which time t hey l oaded on
to truck s and r ode to Blan.go and sl e pt on truc 1;:s ~

8 Sept e nber 1 9 44
Battal i on left Bla.nge on tru.cks a t 0 710 prec ede d by a unit
o f t h e 5t h . nored Divi s ion . Enem en c ounte e d on ou ts drts o f
' 'honnel le ,. ITorth o f .Iontmedy . The Bat tal i on att a c l~ e d t h e t o1.m t
cl eared it out ,, loaded on t o truei:s agai n and c rosse -1 i nt o el
i u.m a t 1930 rcachi n Dam"Ji court

. ,.
 In convoy ., on t h e rou te tovm.rds 13l angc , l~ company was fired
u 9on b y en eny autona tic 'ire . Bec aum~ t h oi:r rmrtar secti on ~ ;i,s
unt ieHl, j ust new r e pl a cements ,. }) c . Geer o f I com,. ., a.ny Vi s call ~
e d in. Fi r ing h i s mo rto.rs b ,hi nd t h e en enw a s t hey we1"'e et_eat
i ng towards a t h ic!fet of pi n es .,, he f or ced t hem bac : into the
I open .. Then , l'fc. ~- eer f irod a ba r ra e o f mort a~ s on t he grou p
of 40 , k illing 8 a..11d :for ci ng the rc;n~ in:L ne 32 to yell 11 .famera d" .
Co. L Co~-:-i!)aLy depa:. tecl .1.rom. bi v o , c ar e a at 0600 ,. br truck s, and
6 Sep reache d Bulson at 1330 " The comnany h a d to dc t:ruck because a
br d g0 over \':..:..i(!h the vehicl e s had to :pass , h a d l)oen blovm up .
.rhe cor,ipany bivouac 1 ~Hl there until t e 7-j:r1g ine ers ebuil t the
1

bridge ... m ile 'fle \~e re in t h e a re a , 3 K r a t ions we re ea e u,

I)ef-t Bl nnQe 3 t 0710 r)y "rt .. ~':.G wi t h t h e 5th . :-1.rruo:red -:le c on

naissartce a s t h e leading elemen t. 'Er. an into t h e e ne r.i.y on t he

outs irts of' Thonnelle,. 5th Arr!lor e d l ost or1e j:Ge :p. ti e 'lt into

t h e a tt a ck a t 1315 and r ec eive d 2 casualties 'rom 50 !!lr~ mort a r

i,:re,. Clea red out. t he tovvn and l oa de d on to true s a 1 415

1.v e '-.-re re t h e firs t Ame:cicans n t hi s to vm~ Cro s sed i nto Belg i um

at l 9 30 and arrived at Danrpicourt a:t 2145 .. \7en t i nto bivoua c

2:.:c~a ~ K r a tions .

\
\
 9 Se9tcmber 1944
The ::?.egiment le ft Da...7npicourt on oot a t 1045 . The 3rd Batt
alion f ollODGd the 1 st Battal i on . The 2n d Batta l i on was l a st .
Sni pe r and mo t ar f'ire encou.nte:-ced on t h e ou ts .i::Lrt s o f St. Ii e g c .
In clearing the town , t he 3.egiment al Co:i"!la:n.der, Col . HodGs , was
ser i ously wounded by sniper fire . The ma..,.'ch con t i m.wcl into t he
night wi t h t he 3rd BattaL.on gui ded cro ss c ov..ntry by sone i.r en ch
men from St. JJege . The Bat tal io1~ ob ject i ve vas t he a.r e a around
Ueix-l c- J:ige , which was re :i.ch ed a bou t 0400 on t he 1 0 of' ~3 e 9 t emb 0r .

10 t3 e ptember 1 9 44
, h e Re g i ment l e t t he a re a near tleix- l c - Ti e at 1 005 . The
marchi ng order was 2nd Ua ttal ion , 3rd Batt al ion , and 1 s t Ba t tal ion
l ast .. he IJu~rnnhourg bo rder was cros s ed ' t 1 305 and ba t t -8'.lion
bivouo.ck e d i n a re a. aro1:m d Cleme n cy ar!.d "t:faut c a g e .,

11 Se p ten ber 1 944

Battali on moYcd ou t b y truck t hrough 1uxem.bour,_:> city to
vicin ity of Gouderange .

12 September 1944
Bat t a l i on rcL1ained i n are a ~round Goudercinrre . Patro ls were
s en t out .
 '

Co .. I I company l eft Ilru;i1ico urt in t h e a .Ltornoon a~d march?.d 1 0

9-12 mil es and arrived a t IJ!eix- Le- Tige t h a t ni g 0t. I mme di a:tely
Sep after a..rivinf., , a Belg iu.m e,iv .li an c ame up with Q. story t hat
t h ere 1. ere 300 jer r i es i n t he waiting to g ive up .. The s tory
p roved lmtro_e ,. The ne ..t riorning \Ve lea rned t , a t v1e '":e re to be
a t tach ed to t h e 3rd ... rmored Divi s i,on- I company r1as a s s i gne d
to :ride tan rn until further no t i c e . The t ank s rrcr i v c: d a t Lu x
ernbouro; atii d g r e a t celebrati ons .. We r eceive d orde r s to return
to our 1u1i t so we marched bac r to Bel g ium. hat night when we
were r eady to bed dovm , y;ord c ame tha t t h e Battalion 1,vas in
trouble ., '7 en v1e arrived t here t he exciteme n t 1:73.S ova _ . A
Ge:t '"-a n half- trac { wa s kno cked out a n d m~~v cral L.ome s v1ere afi re .
The ne ~: t d ay ~e ma rched a ll day and finn.lly arriv e d a t Go uder
ange v;he_ e vJe bi vo c.m.c :t:ed f or t h e n i g i t and t h e ost o f t he
next day.
Hq Co On the 9t h of' S eptember, T/Sgt . 1:~as;cr '7 . Kugler , t h e a n ti - 1
9 Sep t ru1k platoon se geant , made a ven t u e sorae tri p 11hich t o o k h im
to a.71 isol e.ted h ous e wh ich s r; emod desert e d . He nro\:led a round
the h ouse t t h en r e t u r ne d to t h e con~')a"!y , re ;')Or t ing n othin3
stirr i ng .,
Later , when Ia jor Rob ert Hazle tt , t he att .ion Conr'2and
er , and hi s OP party c ame up ,, they s : otted a c olumn o ,f _ r auts
a pnroac h i ng . The dov.O'ht y Ua. jor svru:ng out t h e 50-pali b e :r mach
i ne gv.n . -0m1ted on t '18 j e ep ; and t h e oth er members of t h e nar t y
sc at~G c red ,. Ot h er Headci:1a rtera coLi')a_viy elemen ts C<3Be up a n d
a bri s k f ire fi ,llt be go,,n.., Then , to eve yb ody ' s asazen e nt, the
' des er ted' ho s e sudde nl y s pewe d fort a stream of anxou s l y
k2.iler ading Ge r-illans- - al1 nenb0rs of a CP gr oup which had b een
establ, s h e d i:n t h e house , ru1d h a d l a in do go un t i l t h e f'i ht
vm.s ovGr '"
'C.1lcn the Gorman c a cualti os were tall i ed u p , t h e ~ a j o r an
noun ce d t hat he h ad nev e r s e en wor e choot i.ng in hi s li e .
0

n everthel ess , h e s n e ed r nt her please d with hi s i :,lpromptu

cor.:rm" dos .
Co . K Company ana.lre110d e t 0530 , cro ss e d I P a t 0 8 30 , and a dvanced
10 Se p tmvard Ue s s ancy and Luxe bourg . Co:ranany c rosse d over i n to Lux
en bour g a t 1 308 a.."'ld c on tinue d on to Clemency. Coopa:1y out-
posted a 3 mil.e f ron t with the CP in Haut ch are;e ., h e peo pl e
\Vere v-ery fri ,e :ndl y a l t h ou h n o c t 0 1 t h em s pe D ~ the German
l a."1gu,,a..cre. Hot suppe r a t 2200 . Be gan pa y .
11 Sc Compa'l'ly a',7akened at 0630 and h ad a ot b t' ea .: '.ast ,. Compe.."'ly
a l ert ed to move a t any t ime b a c .:c ncro " S the Bel t/.t.u::i borde _ .
;:,:oved b y truck a t 1 8 30 . Co!1ti 'med !)a roll in the norni ng as
orders changed ., , e a re to g o t hrough Lu en bourg City . Passed
t hrough th e tmvn around 0100 a:nd slept in a woo ds for t h e n i ght
outside o f tom .
Com')aJ:'lY rej oin e d t_ e Bat t a l :L on o.t 0830., In ,st a rea most
,o f thG da'r,. oved. out i n truo cs to t h e vici nity o f : est Gou
derange . Put i n roadblo c k s P....n d r emai ned :for t h8 ::ii ght ., No
oa sua lti os . 5 m<;n lost on pat r l from 2nd :pl ato on--( S !Sgt ,.
octon and 4 mon ret urn0d l a t e r ).
Co. L Left Dara:>icourt on foot a t 1045 and :ran into sni ner and
9 Se p mor tar fire on the outs k:Lr t s of' Sa:n Le e r ., Col . Hode s s ,e r ious
ly vmuncled by sni pe r fire., Clea ed tovrr1 and mar c hed until
da r .: . Company led c ros s c ount y to Teix-le-Tige b' l!':re n chmen .,
Held u p '2 h ours by German mac hin e gun f i re . A rived a t our
obj e c ti v e ,, 3 mile s South of ~.. eix - le- J. ige, a t 04'30 on t h e 10t h
of Sept ember. ,
 13 Se ptember 1944
The Ba:tt~ion move d ou t f rom Gouderung-cr: i n t 1e direction to
----'--.,,_
>.:-;ard Ech ternach. Enemy held the ttn'lll o-:f Os-rteiller! our a rtille ry
'\ fire c aused them t-0 vr.L thd:raw.<o; The Ba tt a lion conti nue d on t o Dick
wei.ler::. Cow:paiiy K wa s p osted al o:~g
the Sure '~i-ver, a eontrlbuta y
to the Uos el l e ~ive.r.,

14 September 19 4
The 3rd Ba:ttaJ.ion reriai n ed at Di -c lnveil 0r . It was a rainy day .
Patrol s oprirated all day roconnoi t e r ' n the Si eg ried Ii i n e:~

1 5 September 1944
The Bat talion m.ovod h ac k b1 t :ru.eJrn to sev eral c-on.r;it.;i.ni i;ies on
the Eastern out-s !c...rts of Lv..xembourg City a rou.nd !leudorf a.11d Sand
we i l e r ."

16- 25 September 1944

x he 3rd Eattalion r emai n ed in t he v i c i n ity of T!eudor:f tln.d
Sa.1'ldweiler .. Continuous pa trolling ma'.i.nt'a:ine d in t he dire et ion o f'
t ho Luxemhour g-f::.erraan border.,
During thi.s period, the l st an<l 2nd Batt , ., 1 iono were c omr::.d tt c d
to ac ~; io n \Vi th a dj acen t; u.ni t s t ha t a tt ac red. in the dir-ecti on of
\ia l lendorf , G.ex ' anJ,..
H vO Prom t h e 15th to t h e 2 5t h o f Se~)t c:r.ib e , t he cor:Ji~ a:ny e :.1ai "
15- 25 in Hamm , near Lu_xern.bourg City , n o r;tly pe form:in ;::, gu.ard 'd uty .
Se pt G-01"".\-:ian sy p athi~~c rs sabotw,.:;ed the wire s !.l1d the l i ne c r ews got
t he -Gough de t ails ,,. as usu.al .,
p - c . Melvin -- Lewis, vetor"'-'.l'l wi re~_an :nd s wi tchboa:rd o per
a to nho also cou ld pinch--hi t a s a rf~dt o v oice o nerato .,. once
des cribe d the Hamm pe ri od as a 11m~e ll deal ~or ev c r ?body e ~: c. e pt
-(;he communi c a t i ons men .. The r e vnis a wondorf'v.l beer join t in
Hamm ~. At lea st.,. t hat' s 1hat the ot:her boys t old ut:> .J ~7 e didn ' t
get a !chance t o check on it . 11 Lewi s , the cmly su:r vi.vor o :f the
hedgerow wire c e ii-1 a t the encl ,o f hostilities., made i t a el ean
sweep when he rmnt on DS t o 11cgincnt j ust after t h e c ompany
b e gm1 t o set up h ouse ceeping ~ast of t h e Rh ine ..
T/Sgt .. Be'.rb"'li e ;, Howe ::t."eme":lbers an eve-m i n .. i n a l ittl e town.
along t h e rou te t o Luxembourg , ?1h ich he says le f t a ..'11 .indel ibl e
i mpression u pon t h e ninds of t h os e who behel d t 1e scen e ..
Pfled i n the tovm nau a re we r e t h e bodie o o f' a bou t 30 German
s ol die i-s .. The li ttle eh ildre:.:. o -~ t h e to,~m sang th.e Ja sei.11
a i s e a s they danced ri ng- aro :::fild- r osy with t 1e grue some pile in
t h e ce nte r ~ i7h en the chi l dren had tire d o f the ir f~ara o , t h e I I I
led 5 'Women up t o t h e bodie s , f'o r c e~i t h en to s it upon t h e c.orp
ses , an.d t hen s have d t neir h e ads . Such r.ras the pr ice o f s ex...
ual eoll.ab oration... Sgt . Rowe t h in_s t hi s ha,;:ye no cl, a t i.:.o ntwedy .,
Co . I L.e ::.:.vi ng Gov.derange on tru~Jcs ,, t7e mot.cred mo Gt o f the n i ght
13 Se a s t he c onvoy vas l os t and spli t u_;_:;.. T~1 e nex t morning we ar
rived in t he vicinity O .L Oswe i ller . 'ile t . en detru.clrnd and mar
ched t hr ough t h e to'l;m ., An i mpressive sight 1:7as to s ee t h e
torms peo :)le marchin to t:he chU1:'ch s i ngi ng hymns . -.,.e biv oua ck
e d n e a rby and s p ent some time Ba..~i :n observations 0 !:1. t h e en e!!l.y "
1 5 Sep '\Je motored to t he outs-k irts o f Luxembourg City whe re 1,v:e / set
u p r oadbl o cks .. S/Sgt . !.tos s an , YThile i nve c .{3 i \;;)atL CT a ,c o11 ab or:;...
a tors h ome , fo und hm1drcds o f bottle s of wi n e , chan-n:igne and
liquor- - - a goo d t i me was had b y all .
Co. K S/Sgt . Docton and 4 men returned . At 0 83 , t he c ompany was
1 3 Se p r eady t o mo"".re ou t t o Die tTieil er ae t h e a dvance d guar d o f t h e
Batta l i on .. ::nemy en c o :nt a_ ed a t Om::eiler but t 11ey were f or ce d
to v1i t hd ~ avi by ou r artillery-. Proceede d t o Diclrv:1eiler b y foo t
Pl a ttona \':!ere ou t posted a b otJ..t a hal f mile f r om t h e German- Lu x
embou rg bo r dBr a long t h e ::o s e ll e Rive Eneny observed i n
f a i :rl y l xcge m.unbers on t he oppo si te s i de ; No ca sua l tt es ..
14 Se Company all owed t o slec:) a s l ong as it want e d exc pt t hat
t h e pat rol s that \"'Jere wor ki ng l a st n i ght con ti:nucd to o ,er a te ,
t h rough orni ng . ained most of 'the da,y- not h i :n exc i ti ng h av
-oenod . Remai ned h er e for the n i g i t .
15 Se p Co:rapany aweJ;:en ed a t 060 0 , r eady to move by t ruc L ra m Die -r
weiler to positi on East o ,;. Luxenbourg Ci t y . 600 jerr i es r e por t
ed ast o f our :po s i tion 4 \' e e r e to defend a 1d :1u t i n roa dblo c ~r s ~
16 S e ~ At 02 ) 0 t his morni Lg , a patrol o.f 2 squ a ds froI!l. t h e 2nd
pl a toon , led by L t. Carol i , went a fte r s on e SS bo: s l i ving in
a sha c k , but when t h e y fo und the pl a ce it was em~1t y ., ot b .:oak
fa s t a t 0700 ., Re ained i n positi on . Cleaned all ordnance f or
i na pe ction. Hot aup por.
Co .. K Company ana rn:1ed a t 06 30 and had a h ot b en :.fas t a t 070 ,.
17 Sep St i ll i n n eudorf , Luxenb our C12t holic scrYie es i n t h e oca l
ch ur c h es- ....Pr ote s t ant a t 1 530 . Con tinue d )atroll i n '" - - n o c as
n a L _, les . "!Go.t h e _ i o .:.:; gy and d.G.."t.1p .
Break c.ct a t . 0630 . 11emai n Gd i n s auo lJOSi t ion ,. l! ound 56
bot t les of vrlne i n a fo rm.a Ger nan Ofi"" c e r s cl b . eve ral
::.1o t o J::~ na trol c sent out . . IIot d ii111e :... <.. 1""'d s u ;:;er. ~:a i :.1ed v e y
har d m ost 0 f t h e d ay .
Hot brcuJ:faot ., lleraained i n s ar.i.e po s ition and con t inu ed
patrol s . ~l ov ed ove :_ t o cover n :rt t hat L c o:::pany ho.d b een
occu y i ng ,. S:-t ., V&"'lGe t h pa t r ol l i ng 5 mi l e s nal:ing c o:at ac t
n i t h B c ompany o f c.:-t11.. ,
20 Se p Hot breakfast . Co:u.roan v ., ? r,.io-i:re d t o old Bat t a l i on
s-e t u n i n a reti. VJhi ch i s - a .zootl 2 mil e s i n wi dth ..
eP-
Lt . Pa t t e r s on ta cs over 3rd Pl a;1,oo n n d Lt Vfo od s t r s
fer .e d to l et .. Lt . Ca r oli t r a ns f e r ed to eo:pany head 1uarter s .
~ Io o he r c hange in t h e s i t uat i on .

21 Sep Compan y maintain ed its p o si ti <')ll o f' t h e p cvi ou~ day . Lt.
22 Se p Caroli made 'xecutive Offi cer . -Pat rol s a.ct i ve al l day..
2 J t o IJo ch ang e i n the posi t i n o f' t :rrn co.opany .. .l ert to move
25 Se 9 \JaS or d . . r ed ll't 090 . \Jl1en tr12ck s a r i ved t h ey \7e r e b r o}cn
down a nd sen t to the various pl a t o on arc:as . ?at rol s c on t
i nu ed to o pe rat e bu t ri<:~ d. e n o eonta.c t i:vi th t he o:neny ~ _fo qr d 0rs
to move were r ecei ved..
 26 Se "'J tonbe r 1 9 4
:the Batt s.li n a s s embl e d and moved 0 11.t b r motor 45 mile s or t h
to Burg- euland and Steffe shau.sen , Belgi v.m. , a eH mi le s from the
Ger man border,,. 1he r ou-'Ge was through Lu_"l{embourg City ,, Arlon ,. and
Basto gne .

27 Septe . ber 1944

The Batt --:liol'l \?as vi sited b v a n Ar.aerielln: "1.ed Cr os e wag on
with cof ce and doughnuts.. 1,1en had a chqn ce to t ake; s.10vrnr s .
i 2.pons .we re chec_r:ed by Ordnanc e .

28 Se pt @Dber 1 944
The Batta lion moved ou t by true a t 0 500 .nd moved a bout
15 mil es into Germany i n a Nortt.eao t directi on .
The Battal i on dug i n ..

29 S e D te mbei~ 1941l
The Battalion moved hac to Bu.Tg- R e ul e.rn~ are a .

i:i:he we a ther was bad .

I ..
 Co . K natt alion moved out in t rucks a t 5 0 and t r a vell ed 'apn
28 Se p roxim~1..te ly 20 mil es Uo t h e a s t t o a po &5. tion i n .:ermany a bcrl:1t
9 miles duo we s t o f P and 3 mi les Wor t hwe st of Br ans ch ie cl.
'7e dug i n i n an a s s embly area. Security __;onted in t he u sual
manner .
29 Se p f1.. t 0 800 , t he compa..viy mov ed ou t on f oot , c rossin::i ,:m e _~ into
Belgi u."11 where t h ey e n t rucked . Ri di ng about 20 l'.!1. .il cs , t e Co
mpany detruck ed at t h e sar1.e a e a we were i n on the 26t h of
Septemb er. A s quad ~as sent out on a se curit y p trol and re
maine d a ll n i ght .
Sgt . 1usol f - r r.: turned to t he co IYmy as Lt . r<rus o.l f' , hav
i ng been comni s s i one d on t h e 26t h o ..L. S ept~ ::: bcr a t :!Ji v i s i on
Heac3.quarte ro . Cpl . Vurling , sent by Re.si ment , as s u:"'.:led duti e.s
as mail clerk .
Posi ti on o f t l e c ompany IIL'1-i ntaine d .. - he day nas t aken up
by care and cleani nt., of e qu ipmen t ~::.nd traini n Troth i ng n ew_
occu.rred

..
 30 Se _ t.cn bor 1944
T41e Battalion :ecmained in t 110 v i c i :n2-. t y o Bur 0 - Reul and .
eat_1er continued bad .

1 Octob e ...: 1 944

Chu ch s ervice s held for all faiths . 5 h ours of' t he day
l: othing of i .m. o rtance oceur .ed.
g i ven to tra i n i ng .

2 Octob e r 1 94
1?osition o f Battal ion maintained. Durin . t he day a s che dule
was set u: for a 22aul t teams .. Outs ide of this, nothinc new o c curr
ed. Extra blanJ:tet is sued to each enlisted man and 0 1 io 6J r .

3 October 1944
"Po s i-_tione:of Batt alion u....nchang~ d .. Tr oo .s rrnre s"1ovm movi es
and al soB~ ehov'r- h.ound o a t t he A2C clubnobil os~ Lts . Pat t erso-n ,,
_ yo and Caroli of' Oom1mny :r,. n ent in r;e ru ch o f an offi cers t sale s
dc :;;ot and in doi ng so , tou c h e d 3 c ou.ntri Bs- Ger;~a:ny , Be l 0 i :.::un., and
Luxer.i.hou.2"'g- all v1i t h in 25 ml l en . 1' en use d thG time t o cl c?an eou.i u
tl.e n t an.a_ pe rson and c a tch :.i.p on corr qr~:;oncle nc e .

'--

I
 4 Octobe r 1 944
1

At daybrGa : , the Bat tal io n n ove d out to an e 1:truc :L:r.c:, a r ea

arid ivere loa ded into truc'l:s and dr iven forth in a cold , bi ting
ra:l.:i.1. to a forward Division a s s embly a r ea whore t h e t roo 1')s pro
c eeded to pi t cl1 te nts in 0 11En1 country .

5 Oc tober 1944
Ra.i n as usua l . '.- he a_ e a uus in o:pcn e o intr y a :1 o::cdL_g v e r y
1-i ttle protecti on . 1roo 1s r.:1ere i csued clean ODs ,. fiel c j aclr:et s ,.
and shoos ,. lfot b i ng n evl o cc red. ' roo ps conti nued to r e ct .

6 October 1944
1.' he Battal ion r:ioved -r,~as t abou t 6 mil e s to the viei ni t y of
'(rinl el t and set u p a de :t'en c i ve ')Osi tion and du i n .

7 Oct ober 1944

'l he Battal ion att ac k ed shortly a ~ ter dayb r eeJ: i n the di eect
i oJ1 of the Germn borde r .. An out 1)0 Dt of 60 Gerrnans iva::J c antu ed .
'f hc Battalion r e a c hed the obje c ti v, vthich .,.-ms the Be l gi a n side
of t h e Belgi a..Yl- Ge:r ;lan border , an d dug in. Eneny arti '._ l ery ire
r oc ci ved during the night .

8 Oct ober 1944

Battalion still i n s ame po sition . ~1e t:cw artille:ry f i e re
c c i 11cd .
Troo :; s vmro i ssued ovorco a,ts ,, g lov e .s , and woo l cans .
Patrols s ent out .

Co . At daybreak , the c or!l~Xiny moved ou t i n the appro ach ma c h .

6 Oct AftGr a 6 mile march , -rm reached an i ntermell -".a te objecti ve and
set up e de 'ensi ve po s ition u.nd du i n abou t 2 mil es from t h e
Gc1 ...an border.. Lt. 1. oods uas t ansferrc d to Bat t al i on and Lt .
u2ol ff t oo t over the 2nd pl a t oon . Lt . Tyo too over t he 1., st
7 Oct Sho rtly a f ter daybre a .x.,, 10 I'.lOVed o fi into t h e att e.c ..... 2i1.d .
and 3rd pl a to ons i"le l c on the aGsaul t dr ive . 2nd pl a toon s conts
~e re i mmedi at ely f i _ od u~o n.,. The f:L rs t s cou t too : cover b.ehi nd
o. \?Ood pile <.:u:1d the 2nd s cout \;as h it i n the foot . As t '' e 1st
s c out, Pv t .,. Boure l l , r ai sed up to wi thdraw h was k ille d b y an
autor at i c we apon .. Pfc . 11onc a do v olunteere d to g e t Bou rell but
ne v e r reached h im. , b eine; kill ed t)y a shot tl-i r ugh the neck .
D11r in the a ction , S Jt . ~.I c: 'J eel y o f the 2nd p l a toon , r ece i v -c d a
.f a ce no und. Aft r a sli ght del ay , t h e com"(}any at t a c l~ea. until
it reach ed the Dbri sion obj 12ctive . Por its ac: t i on du ri ng the
day t ho com. ~ any received a commendation fro r..1 the !le g i men t a l
and Batt a l .!.on comtJ.andc:rs . In obtainin t hts obj e ct i v~ , K c o_11...
pany , along with compani es !: _nd I and sur_)por t ed b r company J ,
c a..}tured aLd 'l:munded an ene.:i.y outpo s t o f' 60 k:r-aut s . \ ;19 belie ve
t .._at . . o osibly n ore e s caped.. The c o::nany dug i n o 1 the ' i vi si on
objGctivo about 500 yards from 'he f'} e _ an border in Bel d, i UI:l..
OtL po s i t ion i n _el a tion to ~h e i ront WA.S betr1een i!al r1e d y and
Pru..m. t.e re ceived 4 :repl acene:.., '.s and one o d se r geant .
8 Oct At 050 0 t h i s mo1""!::' ng , t he 1 s t pl ato on a:i..~0a \Vas l::.i t b ' en
eny a rtillery f .i .re . -~b out i r she lls landed ne 2,r h e 1 st ~)l a t on
and company CP area .. l et pl a toon re c eiv ed 7 c asualti s---- a l l
\'JOunded .. Cpl. Kuk.l a \VOr ;:ed v ery e:f:f j_cie11 tly on the womtded
"J..hileh e \7&i"'Ged ='o r the Ue cli c s t o '1 r. :i v ~ .. 4- wom1.d : d were able
to ;.7alk . Needless t o say " shel tc r s v1e re being c o 1Stantl y i m-
proved a l 1 day . Si nce ou.:r positi on \7:7a s i n a heavy ,~ oo ds , over
.neLi.d nrotection had t o be buil t ..
 9 October 1 ) r

Pos i tion OI Battali on unchanged . Usua natrol o mai nt a ined .

Shel tt? r s 1.7e r e i.,.provBd after sore -sho" l i n : > in-the vi cinity . The
d ay wr::.s du ll and rai n t _1reatened al day . 0 hurch s e:t'iri ce s he ld.

1 0 Oc t ober 1944
Bat calio n ot i ll situa ted i n th 0 s nme 8-l"'EHl . Over_1ead s helt er s
didn 't prevent ne 1 fron getti ng VJB t from r ai n which ct arted a.t
0200,.
Patrols s ent out .

11 Octob e r 1 9 t.
Batt a li on still in t h e s aljc posi t ion .

Active 9atrol s out .

1 2 October 1 94
3rd :Batt al ion ,7as relieved b y the 1 s t Batt a l ion and ma rche d
ba c k to ar e a. a round : inrnlt for a r est .
Ane ric a.n ~t ed Cross clu bn obiles- md movi r:- s .

. .
Cc . K .7ect h e c 11angcd eli ,3 r tl:r and nas drJ in coripr:..:. is o:i..- The
11 Oct o 'fi c e rs c onti nued to 1,70 :. 1: n el12'.!linary ob s e rv t i on o f' the a_.ea
rwoi 0 n0d t ;.i com ' flllY I: and hri o fe u t h eir acsaul t s : c t 4.on i n
a ccordance \"Ji t l the general Ill an ou tli ned b / C n. ~J tai n 0 ' dalley .
At 1 6 0 0 ,. o fi ce r : o i ' eotl"'lan7TI rriYt":!d a~ t he T? and t hey were
s h ovm. ou po s it _021.s . .~ t 1 800 the com.-n:rny \"Jf-l.G no ti f i8 d off ic i 1
l y that we ~v-1 e re -'~ o bo r eli ev0d by e on~any Bo- the 1 s t Bat c..1
i on son e i me tomorro1:J.
1 2 Oct Compa.:t\Y aros e a t an e arly b.0'1 an.d 1),. epi red t o .101re bac it
t o th6 ... ear nt Kr i nkcl t . ;;e .:mre i eli ev ed b y compru1y B a...nd
rJoved out a b out 0 80 0. .aft or c or: plet a~ne a 6 mile march we
moved i n t o com9a..llly B ' s e a . \~ e i m..-r:lediately made ourr; /l vcs a t
C'\

home a s be et a s noszible . A1C clt ..b___ob;_l es and novi e ::; were

made available to
the me n ~
 13 Octo'ber 194
1ra1n2ng schedule .

Battali on i n s ame area .

1 4 Octo.b cr 1944
Battal i on in S81Ti e are a .

l.1a j . Gen . Cot a presented Dw - rds t .o 3rd 32.tt a lion .

15 October 1944
~~he Batt a lion moved a bout 2 :mtl es Ba.st to a l)Oin t l1etw en
I ri n _el t . ~d t h e f r ont lines whi ch we :ee a l on g the - Belgium- Ge rman;
borde r .

1 6- 20 Oc tober 1944
The B:::.tta lion remain~d in t he s ame posit on as re serve .

Tr a ining s ch edule .

Pl enty o f r a in.

Co . K Ilo s t o the clay s pent t a i ninb t h e :me n in as :?Jau l t wo k ..

1 3 Oct Lt t :Iu s ol ff ,,.s a ssault s e cti on g av e a v er go od den onst a tio:n
f or t he c om. Jany. 1he we a t h e r con tinued mise r a ble . Clubmobile
was again pre s ent t oday . Vi e a t tend ed t he movie s and t he A"R.C,.
Company positi on r emai n e d u nchang e d .,
1 4 Oet This day 'rJa.S selec t ed b ~ t he Di v i s i on Co _,.,and c r , /l:a j. Ge n .
Cota 1 as t ho day f or the pr e sen t a tion of awards won i n co mb a t
by t he perso nnel of the 3rd Bat tali on . The ce remony t o o ~ pl a ce
a t 1 6 30 . 1r1Tree men f rom I: company rn~ re awarded t h e Br onze St a r ,
( Sgt s . Baile" and i:11urr and Pfc . Co shy ) During t he ce remon y
i t shov1ered ir 1ile t h e sun was out c r eat ing a :rai n bo w on t h e
horizon beyond t he Batt a li on . A ter the i'o nal ce remon ies we r e
compl et e d , t he Ge neral ath e.!.. ed t he en tire B.t talion around h i m.
&"'ld t a l ced t o t h em lik e a ' )utch Uncle ' .. t,Iovi e s and _ RC we r e
a v aj_lable . A b a r ber s h op wr: s se t up i n one o f t he buil dings
and . . aircu ts we re given "'ree of cl11rge . Co:::i:pany r emained i n
t he same a rea .
15 Oct I n o rder t o prepare f or n ovement , t h e ent i re c ompany a ro s e
before dayb:. e ak . Aft 0r e at i ng c ov1 we mov e d out t o c r o sG t h e
I P a t 0715 . .!ar ch ed t o t h e intermed i a te a ".' e ~), where we r el i v e d
compe..n y G. J':ien i m.::1odi a t el y s e t t o work di g g i ng i n and c on-
s t u c i n 0 shelters . During t he proces G, t he r a ins c ame . The
i nt~rmodi at c area l ay between t h e i"r ont l i neD and the rear area .
7e 1;1e re talci ng our turn i:n t he ro t a t ion o f B8.tt lions .
1 6 Oct S till r aini ng v:hbn ~:1e aro c e . ...e a l l agre e d that t h is was
t he nette ot cou..nt r y i n. the ';1orld .. The ::?.en spent most o f the
day i n -:) roving t h .. i r s hel t r:;r s m A tryi ng to 'l:eep dry . _he only
t hings to loo ~r f orward t o He re c O'N a.I1d mail .
1 7 Oct lu1oth e r d a y o r ain da'D. ,ened t he :: ni r i ts o f t h e e nti r e co
mpany . J.ho ground \-;a s l ong pa st the n:<.tu. at ion po i n t and W".ter
just renained on the s uri'n.c ? . P..ou tine traini ng v-ms held . he
posi t ion o f t h e company r emai n e d unchan '"'e d .
18 Oct no ch o.nge i n po s it ion . '. r a i n i n 6 was held under cos;?any
cont- ol . Day was uneventful, eve n weather 71 .s S<.8e---v1et .
19 Oct Position m1chm10 ed . ~he lei t ch en Wc..S . sta blis h e d i n a house;
t h eir fi rst l uxury i n m0 ny da s . Sle eg:Ln . b ag s is sued , i nsur
i ng considerabl e n arr1t h du_ing slee:pi ng hours . 3 hot me a l s
serve d . '::he poli cy o :f .tvinu each nan i n t he c omJ 2.11y a 24 ho' .r
pas s was institut ed today . , ea t he re:r:iaine d unchan'.:' ed . Offic e r s
o.nd n on- coI!ls o " the .::.rst t . .1 rec r a de s we re t o a t tend s c h ool on
8..L"'eial photo r aphy , ma ,1 regdin 0 and r i ver cr oscing ~
'
20 Oct i. rhe 9 0 s tion o the c ompany r e~1ained u.nch :!.11 e d a s d id the
r;reat_i.er---v7et : The conpany was ro c 1,:ed 011 i t s heels by t he
aiu1om1.ce:nent that 3' ne:n \7ould be S1:.;le cted for a 3- day pass to
v isit Gay Pare e , st art ing t omorr ow . ___,_ a d d i tional _. m1 was
given a 2 4 h our pass .
 21 October 1944
Battalion . oved bac t t o Y ~ i n1:el t a 0 a i n

.\.merican ::ted Cros s clubnobi l0 and movies agai n ..,

22 Oct ober 194.

Bat t olion s t ill. a t Krincclt .

T? ainin. s ch edules

movie s

Church servi ces

23 Oc t ob er 1944
The 112t h Ttegiment wa s reli eved 'by i;b.e ::~ 2:t1d I nfant ry .
rrhe ) rd Butt a.li on marched b a c ;: t o the '.'!T G ::t noa r 'Berg , where
i t had be en on t h e 4th of Oc tober .

24- 25 Oct ob er 1 944

.i;he ~3n.t ta1 i o n had 2 . ui e t day s '<Ihil e m7::ii t i ng o: dnrs t o n ov e
t o n ne v1 l oc a t i on .
 Hq Co. 1!'rom the 1 st to 'the 24'- i o f Oc tobe_ , the 3rd Batt a l ion
24 Oct moved i n e..nd out , o the line .,. f eolir:t{; its way i nt o the Sie<-:>
fried defenses , perf orm.ing holding o perations , and _part ici p
a ting in a fe i n t with the .th A Or e d Divi sion . And it rm s
during this period t hat t h e Greene Horne t s were born.
1 s t Lt. J aek B't Gre ene , who h ad b e en one of the nany off
icers a tt a ched to t_ e H ead quar te1~ s group f'rorn time to time but
neve .t g iven any s peci f ic du tie s befor e t hey we re torans fe r ed
out to a line uni t , attrac t e d cons idera ble att ention i,vh e n he
potted a jerry sni per ne a r t he Cf' on e d ay . The Battali on
Co na..D.d e ao:ndered i f he couldn ' t make som d '> fini te use of
t h e daring, bi g young man Yiho l a ter 11as des tined to be :l Comp
any cominande r .
W11en Greene off'e e d to l ead a c onL"7la:ndo grou:p , t he idea
clicked .. Greene was po rmi tte d to c olle ct 13 maste rs o f mayh em,
who inevitably bec ame known as t he Greene I:Iornets . The Hornets
wero a pictu res que l ot , n ot not ed for docilit y and s elf- disci
pl i ne in t h eir m1i ts , but defin i te l y bra.v:i.de d a s po.i sonous t o
the enemy. They k11ev1 J udo, co u ld do a n ea. t strr:mgling job
wi tl1 a ' iano wire , a n d c oul d us e as many a s 1 2 zmapons .
They s La. t ed out wi th littl e c ombat p~ t ro l s and :pe. f orne d
intere s ti ng expe ri:m.::n t s, such a B me asuri ng ' dragons t ee t h ',
and bl o-rvine; up the big tank b '1r r i ers j u st t o s ec h ow much ex
plo sive Yi8.S re qu ired to m ock one ove r . 'fhe click ed as a n
o -L i ensi ve ad junct .t o 1e He a dqua t ers C oill~) any Intellig en ce
Sect i on,, which had been u s ed ma i ~ 1 y ~ s a Cl' gut: . d and e s co rt
for pri s oners of v-1ar . The y we e t o pl 1.~ a v ital ro l e i n t he
comi ng Battl e o f the Hurtgen :t?ore ::it .
~:he greates t of t h e Hornet he ro en proba )ly was T/Sgt .. Carl
A., Pran.z o f E:rie, Pa., wh o Io ot his foot ; .e n ie s te ;y9e d on
a ' Bou n cing Betsy ' mine.. lf e heard t h e f i s t e x9losi on, but
kept h i s :foot dovvrl. on t h e antenna e to save others around h im
from fl;;ring shrannel should the mi ne ju..mp . He Vias r eco riLm.E,'1ded
f or the DSC .
Co ., K Arose a t 0530 i n order to pre __ a_ e :for :raovw1ent bac..c to t h e
21 Oct rear area... Hot c h ow was se ! 'lred afte r Vifhich t h e a re r:Ls we re
poli ced . Af t er being r eli oved by cor:nany B , we mar ched back
to Krinkelt 7here ile ass med the S "l.IJ.e ')OSi tions in a Bel giu.m
f armhou:::;e in tovm.. .Jiovi es , A':C, and clubmobi les wer e mad e
avail a ble to t he men . The sun made it s f ir s t a Jpearance in
na:1y day"', h oz1ever , it sti ll rema ined threat eni n-., -T h_ee men
le f t on a 3-- day pass t o Pari s .
_:___ 22 Oct I)osi ti on o f the company r en n.ine d unc h a..Yl :e d . Church se r
vices v,re e h eld a t 1030 . Traini ng schedule was f o l lowed , in
c l uding a s sault , c amoufl age ,, a n d we apons cour s e o . -'~nti re
co m~1a.ny e,ttendcd movi e s at 14 30 . Gene ral 1 u.d still prev a i le d
but t ho oen had a goo d o p:yortuni t y to rel ax a:nd talrn a dva n t
age -o f AP C f a c i l iti e s .. ,. fe vr bu ;.:. z b ombs v, e re h e a rd ove rhe a d
du ring t he day- .. 1 5 mei1. were sent ba c l f or t heir fir s t den t a l
v1ork in s ome time .
Co . K Arose t hi s mor.i:1ing to an a l er t to m0ve. ou t at 1 230. This
23 Oct gave men ample opportuni ty to make u u their ro l l s and no lice
are a s . Chow was t3e:L"Ved at 11 0 so t hat we could cross - t l e I P
at 1 230 " After a 5 mi l .e march ne '1rrive d in t he s ame a re a we
were in 3 weeks ago . The com:par...y took up t he same po s iti ons
it h eld previousl y which wc,.s i n an o pen f iel d , one mi le East
o f Berg . Remainder o f the day ta ~ en u 1; i n a rrangi ng home s f or
the night.. Day we,e g r ay and t h re a ten i ng.
24 Oct We he ld our =>round . Comnany r elaxed all day but we r e al
erted t .o IDOV8on th e 26t h . \Te r e eei v od a vi Sit fror,. Ca t a in
ille a da rs who told us to b e nr e )ared. to u s e paclr. horse$ in our
next oper ation. Noth i ng unusual happen ed du ring the day ., The
vmat h e.r vms a little better .,
25 Oct Conference s wore h el d 'by Capt ain 0 ' !:..all e y on t a ctic s with
relati on to wooded a re a s . .A poll was t aken of nm:le and h ors e
handlers . Oth e rwise t b.e duy 1;1;as uneven tful . F-l y ing bo mbs
were ob sorved durin g the:; day . \7 e,~th e r was falr and cold .
 26 Oetober 1944
The Battalion roovBc1 North i:n Bel.giUJtx, b,y :rri..otor, a:nd into
Gemany t hrough B.oot gen and then to an a :eea a little bieyond t h e
village of Rott.

27-29 October 1944

'J:he Battali'on remain.eel in this ar ea which wci.s a:nly a few
miles b e himd t he front lines -. The 3rd Ba:t t a li.on was in reeerve ,.,
Training schedules
Church servic"es

30 Oetobe1~ 1944
The Battalion marched a fe'W :mil ~ s de cy0r into G e m~ny in the
di r ection of Ge2"filet e1, p i tehed tents and d'u g ehe-1ters,.
The Bat talion just relaxed_.

:51 October 1 944

I3attalio:n still relaxed.

\
Cc .. K Company arose at 0 500 and i mei:li<~tel y prenared to cross an
26 Oct I J? at 0655,. As t h i s vms a r.i:n to r movemen t, t he men c a r r ied all
t:h e i r equi pmen t with them, i n cluding their b e d olls.. A.fte_r
. tra vell ing about 35 mile s due "North,_ we cros oe d into Germa ny
agai n , t f1....rDugh the b ord er t ovms o f Roe tge n and R.ot,t i n to a n
a s s embly a r ea in t h e \70ods . e 1e r e i n Division r e s ervo and
there 'oro , seve r al mi 1 .e s be _i:_d tl::e f o _; l in e s ~ The co m~;any
dug in , constructing ove r h e a d shelte rs and f'i ht i n f o h oles .
the kitchen a . .:riv ed a!~d lLnd e r c onnany c on t rol wa s s et U!) in

t ho CO fill)any C a.~ea ., m:Li s i s t h e fi r s t t iJl..le t hat t h e k itch en

has b een with t l10 cori -a:ny sin c e Ger. _ t .g a v e t he n ew me n a

chance to me e t t h-e ri t ch en G _Ci &""ld :mai l Cl er .~ .

.27 Qct 'J:he company rcnai n e d i n t he sa.l!le po s;i tion . I n tbe .morni ng
t he men cont:Lnued tto i mprove the ir s he l tGrs a nd in t he a f t c: r
noon t h e c ompany me t a. trai ninu oc 1edul e . The -vlea.t h er con
tinued to i nrorove t b t h e exte nt wh e r e t h e s u.n _e a i n ed out
fbr more t han an h ou r a t a tim. , . J?o t h e f i rst time i n t wo
and a hal f .10-nths, h ot cal:es !:Je r e s erve d f'or b re alcfa.s t .
' 1e ai,;;o.ce
1 r.i.,g t o a 1)1. ue s.i,---------
t"'h i" s mo:rni ;.y ana." a war ' n i ng sun . rnb
.L ..:e
f i rst Slli:lrioe we had in a bou t rio d '.lys , and fur the r"1ore ,. it re
. n ained ou t al l d D,Y . 'I' raining sd ::redule started at 09 0 0 and
con tinue d t h ro:i.'-'..... 1 630 ., Chu:rc l c e r v i c eG we r o ie ld a t 1 6 o.
The l ac t 3 men to h e ch osc:r1 f or the Pari s pas > we xc to ld to
. b.e "'" e a dy a t 1200... I l'lcludi ng t ~ e l a.s t group , 1 0 B~1 and on~
o f i cer vii 1 have s e en Pari s t J.ro:. 1gh t he p ""' Gf' system.
29 Oct Ano t.1er b ea- t iful day and a good b :re-a''::fast -"'eatured b y
f'renc to ~sJG. ~'\t 0900 the e om.1any h a d a t rai ning s chedule t o
me et nhfClll a sted mrtil 1 630 . However ,. ne.11 vve r 6' . er.mi tted to
at t end church cervices/ and movie s during t he da '{ . Ther e was
ple_ ~t"Y o f u e'tiv ity during t h e day and ov en:Lng .. \le u e r e al e r t ,
ed to move t he fo l lowing day at 1300 .
30 Oct Awo ke this morni ng to the :.. o ut~Lne grey j n i s t y da -r . 'l. e h a d.
ou r spel l of go od \1e a t h e r probabl y f or s ome time . The m.e:n
s t rll.C k t het r te nts an6. mudG t hei r ro l l s . Pri or to movi ng vve
had ch ow a t 1100 to p c rru.:I. t tho c o_; pany to cro s s t h e I1? a t 1300 .
r h e c nnpnny march ed 6 n i los de epe r :Lnto Ge many , pi tched t ents
an.d d1.1_g s h elte r s .. .P!'om 1 9DO to 2200 t he c ompany wa s pai d f or
t he mon t h .o f' O,c t ober i l'l Ge:rma:n inva si on mar rn .
31 Oct' ~.: en aros e to eat a ho t eh mv and s pen d t he rnaj o part. o f
t h e m..o ~ n i nu t urning i,n t heir surpl u s money f'or PTA. In the
a ft ernoon t he -- ain c amo a s u sual . Mo-th ing o f a s pecia l natu-:." e
occu r r ed . Jfor t h e b a l an ce o f t he day the men rel axe d "' _lot
meal s wer e s e r v e d fo r t h e oth er 2 mea l s .. The men e:n joy e. d t h e
t i"'eat of cake a..->id whi p ped c 1~eam +or su:;;per ~
Ha Co The Battalion t hen made i t s fate ful move t oward Schmi dt .
3i] )ct '-Che men vmr e _orien te d as to t h e s i gnifienn ee o.f their i s s i on ,
t hat ,of' t a1"'i ng the key t o\'\111 i n or der t.o preven t t h e Ge rman s
fJ."om i nu ndating the a re a VJ-i t h :f'lo.od wate r e J..rom. a nearby darn.
Two Divi s ions h a d b een s h ot u p bBfo e them hu t t ::1i s t ime it
woul d rm r r out -.
 1 November 1944
J.h e Batta lion madE- p e a r a tion s i'or an tt'1.c 1 t '.) be ad_e the
ne t day .
2 November 1 944
Re giment a l a tta ajt s t a rt ed . 2n d Batta lion r e( ch e d. v icinity of
Vos s enach with little 0 0por i t ion. 3rd Bat ta1 on to - over po s ition s
v a c a t e d by t he 2n d Battalion .
3 Hovemb er 1 <44
J..he 3rd Batt a lion : olloi.~1ed the 1 s t Battali n i n t h e at ta c ~;: to
\7ar d s Ko:mmers ch ei dt and Schmidt . e 1st Bat talion w.. s t o t ake
Kommer ch e idt and t h e 3rd Batt alion was to b y - pn.ss ~].n d g o on to
Schmid t .. Object.ive s re a che d t h rough s o:::ie a r t ill ery and mo r t ar fi r e .
In Schmidt on l y s n i pe1' fire was e n cou n te e d . . tta lion s du in r.
4 Uov enbe r 1944
Enemy t anks made a ~ pear "ln ce in .::i chr:iidt , suppor te d. b.r i nfantry ,
and fo r ce d lt.he 3r d Be.t t ali on b a c k . t o the 1 t at t a lion i n ,{ o er
s chc:t dt . he German::-:i :pre~m d t 1.0i r n:tt ac r towc els T{ommo r s c 1ei d t
'but v:ere re pul oed by h , a v y arti l l e r y con c entrati ns A.Yl d a i r su u . o t .
The Ge 1an0 ie l d S chmidt .
. '::here was onl y on e ro ad t hrough VJhich h .av'! equi ument co uld

r each our t roo ; s i n I omme r::3 ch i dt . I t as a poo ro a d i eadi ng

t h rough i 1'J.r>assab l e wo ds a nd was heavil r mi:-1e<l . One t an c, t ryi n..:"

( to get t Lr ough , was di sabl ed a n d r e a i n e d a n an a d d i t i o1al ba i cr

--- n o o -h e r equi ~ mm t c ould get t h ou , . Our t r ops i n ~ ch_ i d t

and. 7 omne rs ch ei t n cre d en i cl a dequ te t ank a n d anti- tan -c s '1port .
5-7 November 1944 /

_,. e pcate d a tta_9kf:! _W . e made b y t h e Ge .ma .s Sll.')por t cd by a rtille ry

and tanks , s o furio "13:S ' t hat .r;everal co .1nter- a t t a c 1'" 8 1ne 1Jl an d , 1ad
to be c an ccll ..Q, .
ho Bat:faiion continu ed to r e c eiv a i u npo rt . ('~' .
:rhe e nem a r ti l 3:_0r;y __b,_.;.O<lll'.le heavi er and heavi o ! a j orM Cot or d
ered t he l s "t and 3rd Battaliono to \Vi hd HW to an a ca b e tween 7.y e i
fall a."1.d Germ ter o.ncl another lIDi t we nt i n t o t r., l i ne .
Du ck i n forr.w.ncfyme 3rd Batt a.lie a d re c c iv d a ote.gg eri ng
numbe r o f c usua l ti os i n fi"'ht s around Hill 21 0 and ill 2 .8 , but
both o f t h o s e ac ti o n ;::.~c om.b i n e d co uldn ' t equ, 1 t .e lo ss su s t a i n e d
a t .s c~J.Jai dt o.nd I~ommc rscheid t . Lien who h ~1cl be rn v. ith the B,_ttali on
a ll t rirough h e d ero-..v f i hti n sai d t_1ut n ot d ;., tney encnuntcre d
t h e e c o r 4 b nGi n t ~ -pare i n fer ocity and inte nsit y o f' ~.rtil l o rf
i e vii th wha t happ e n.~d in the Hurt g en Forest . A. full Ba ttalion ..r
o f n e n v1e nt i nto a c tion on the 3rd o f November . on the 7tn o.i:
Nov mbe r~ a com-pany 6T men withdrew . Yes, it was we ll named l oody
Hurt ::;en J?o rest>~
Col . Ne1:son assi gned to tak e over Regiment on t h e 7th iove ber...
Co. K The cor11pany was a l e r ted t ..iis ai't erno on to :move out t h e fol
l IJov lov:i ng r orn i 11g and hot ch ow \Va.- o rd e r ed,. 'T he me n s pe n t the da y
.clear..ing t heir equi pment and t h e :ne ce s s a r ammur i t i on a.11d wea
pons to be uoe d i n t h e at t a ck were is sued. They \Vere .go i ng to
c t:1Xry
. on e h l a..-YJ.ket and t he ir overco ats i n a horsesho e roll on
their p ae rn and s 1.f'ficient r a t i ons for 4 meal s . 1~ 0.out 1 8 O,
Capt ain.~. alley ca lled together the pl a toon le a.d e s and br i efed
them on t h e si tu.a,tion and type of tt':r r ain to be f ought 01rnr ..
2 Nov . Conpany Y.,.!'Os e a t 0 73 , had a h ot, ch ow and n a de up t heir bed
r oll s and packs . At 11 05 , tt1e company moved ov er the I P and
a ter marching 4 mile s a rri :.r.ed a t t h e a s se ~bl y are a a t 1630 and
took ov er v a c ated l1os i tions o the 2nd Batta lion , together with
co.u.. ani1s I , L and l'T . This wa1 the firs t a rea t hat company K
moved into that t he men d id not di fox._holes or slit tre n che s
o f t hei r :ovm.
\
3 Nov Company aros e a t 0500 . Cap-ta.in O' " a l1 ey i n formed t he pia t oon
7

leaders o ::t the attack orders -. The company prep- re d to move out
of t he a re ;, a t 0630 . They d id not c arry _t hei r overc.oat s or
bl anke ts ; leaving them back wi t h t heir rol ls . IJt,. Tyo. su staine d
a badl y b r ui s ed knee and be i ng unable to move out. with t....h.e t ro Q l )S
r eturn e d to t he k itch en where Sgt . t~ cLauglen doct ored h i m VGr y
nell,. i:he Ba ttali on ob ject i v e wa s t he tovm o f ,:)_ch midt, sorie
two and a h a l f mi l es .dist ant ; and com'"la11Yj K was ou.t on. t he point.
rhe co Qrui.y pa ssed thro:.:i.gh the 2nd Ba ttalion a t o ssenack a t
0730 which they had taken the d a y before, ancl in t he gully below,
the :first batcll of jer.ri ee , 7 in all, were ca-ytured . In t he
f i rst sharn en :)agomen t,, jerry mor tar ~ a.nd a rtill-e ry fe ll a round
our I'.len , ::illing S/ Bgts Ru s zyk and i'!fa;rlov,re o f t he 3rd 1}l a toon
2...nd T/ 5 Kukl a , a 1'.ledic o f the 1 st pl a toon ., and i n j 1 i n e;- 2 ot:P.ers .
Ca!jtain 0 ' .fal ley ral 1 i ed the men q.nd go t t hem oP.fely ove r t h e
r ough s not n i t h out a-r ~y a ddi t i ont:il ca sual ti e o.. At a 1)prox i mat ely
1300 ,, v:e moved i n on Sc.c1midt and ' h a d taken 5 prisoners. m1il e
ch c c k i nr t he po s itio n o i the conrn1.ny , Capt .ai n 0 ' ::alley was shot
by a sniper in t he le f t side and had to b e r e'loved . .1n the .
f 'i ght t hat f'o l J_o~1ed , s overal men De re 1njur ed b y . r i fle :fi r e a .1.d
the compa: y set u p a de f e nsi ve position. Ca)tain T_10mas , of
Company L , vms g i ven t he co:mr:Irui.d o i' c m::ruo 1.Y K.
l?f c . Wilhel m H . Sehul tz , ASN 37581 810,. , . "It was e r l
morning \'Jhen t7e pushed o , .r. f or Ko!llme r s che i d a n d Schmidt in Ger....
many , 0 1'1 3 November ' 44 , arid '\7.e c aught t h e _10 i ii cs with t hei r
pants .dovm... By 1130 we had t a .;:en Kom!'.:lers ch e i d a.;1d Schmidt and
over 70 prisoners \ti t h ou t to o much t rou ble a ter we go t ove r the
rough s pot vxhi ch was l at e r t o he r:r.own as ' 11eath Val l ey ' . _ere
mortar f'i re ki ll od 2 Sgt s - Rupszyk and Harl ow '"' and the TJe di c ,
13rovm and woundr:: d a 1ew othe r s, bu t Captain 0 ' Ta l l e y _all ied t h e
me n and rushed t hem u p the h ill . he eompany S!Jre a d out. and was
wa iting for Ji eompany to c ome up on t he fl ank. ~bo :i t 1630 they
arrive \~ and t h e . companies st :-lrt ed to move ou t . L company wa s
ou t and K c ompany almost out o f S cl~.mi dt whe n Battalion r unners
came u:ri and told the co s t o h old u p at S clu:.1i d t and di g in . \'!hile
chec ki ng t he c ompany position s , Capt a i n O' f11all ey was hit b y
sni.ne r fir e and eva eua t cd . Ca n t o.in Th omas from L co:roany t ook
.4 .j,, 1.

ove r . t~
Hq Co . Und.er Lt . Col,. Albert o ~ '* l
lood, t ie Bat t alion moved out :from
1-3 its ri.f1.e rang e assembly are a pretti ly , passed Germet e r." and
NO'V swe pt ov:er Vos s enac k . The f ornard CP was s e t u p t here ., tempor
aril y .; ,
nr got the i dea t hat t h ings weren 't going t o be ea s y when I
s a vv 7 t an...ks g oing u._ t he road , 11 s ayf3 Pfc. Ha.1."ry al l,, t he Ba tt-
al ion mai l cl erk who was an L company ru:nner a t t h e time. ''The
krauts st r::.rted t o shoot u9 the tan.ks , and I don 1 t t h ink more t han
4 got m"lay .. The trouble was , once a t an r was c'Usable d it block ed
the way for re i n f'o rcements c omi ng up t h o fL lou sy . r oa d s .. Every
thing v1as j ammed u p . 11
-

Abe Antin. K co mp~n~ . ruri.ner att ac hed t o Batt ali on , was wi t h

Hall when the fi rst h egvy a rti l lery c oncent a ti n was l a id upon
Vossenack . he t wo men dived i n to a n o pen rave . ~hi n s got
r.mrs e . "':lelltn Hall told ..ntin gloomily , " we p iekec t h e r i ght
S}; ot . ; 1 1 they hav e to do is cover u s U:!J. ''
1
The main t h i ng I -re emtre-r , 11 s ays Hall , n is that t he krauts
s e emed to h a v e more shell s t 1-ari VJe h a d c " rbin e ammo. i l:ld t h e
onl y thing we outn v.mbe:r_gfl t hen in wa s d e t: d . 0
11
The i I!lpre a sion I got," says l?fc . - olnh H. Gr ove s , wh o wa s
the a os i stant Ope:r-at - ons S erg~~an t at t_2e time ,, "i s tha t t h e y h :.d
u s su__coim ded on a t l e ast 4 s ides . I ri1ow the .r ed mark s on t h e
map told me ot.irnr'17i se ,_ but t hat s t he way it f elt . n
Stra..YJ.e ""lY, t h e l ine com:!;)ani e s moved u:y to S chmi dt t hrough
are A.s whicL __a d b een s u b ject ed to i ntense she l l fi r e a sho r t time
previous , yet sustai n ed no c asual ti c? s 'Nhile passing through t h e
zone u pon v.rhi ch i;he enemy gun s s e emed to be zero-ed . Anothe
~i trang e t h i ng was the way individual s be c ame more l il e t hemselves
t ha.1'1 ever undc-r ba ttle stres s,. '' Or maybe it wasn 't so st ran .,e , 11
comments Hall. ti .~1len you ' re under pre osure , y ou forge t t o t ry
to 'i t into a pict.ure . (ou jus t a ct natural .. "
'J:he O :: group dug in a t ~omm 0 rscheid a t a bo u t 10 o ' clo ck t he
n i ght of t h e 3rd,., ;1ajor Rob e t c ~ ChrL1tensen , t he Execu t ive
Officer , brought u p the CP gr oup and t h e He a d , uart ers com -any
forward el ements a n d 11 op er8,ted 11 f rom a dugov.:t un t il f 'i nal ly
d r iven b a c k .
On the n i ght of 1Jovc:'lb ' r 3rd , S / Sgt ~ob ert Connelly , t h e
s uppl y s erge,nt ,, b rou,ght, C-rat ions ., mail , and ch ocol a t e c r~k e to
the Hea dauart rs compa n y men c_ouched fili s e r a bl i n thei . holes .
While the shells c :'1:..me whooshing in J he pasced o,u t h is pre ci ous
c a:t\"';O, moving from h ole t ,o hole. i n s :;;i te o f d an,::ier . When h e le ft ,
he too k t h e compony command r and at l Gast 1 0 wo1.,mded en li s t ed
me n in t he f our- \7eazel s u 13ply train .,
non my way ba ck , " Connelly s a ys , "the burs ts --were so c lose
t hat shrapnel h i t the We azel s.. 1Je got b a e c to tie s~ b a s e
on the <>ther s i de o f Vo c seri ack at. about 3 o'clo c k in t he morn i '"". g
o f th~ 4th.. It was my birthday., '"1at a birth day ! "
Co. L ->f c. Arnol d ft . Lede er...... ucomuan y L ac- fol l 0 wi n~ co rn:pany
3-6 K. .1e by- passed Kommerscheidt and went do\m. a heavil y vrood nd
. . -ov draw tha t l ed. towar d s Schmidt . It WBf? :~ t t'he dra v our tan1i::s :J.ad
to stop -- couldn ' t g e t t }1 rou h b ec!.' Jf e a t'. be woo<!s a_ d t e
rain -so f ten ed rou nd . I n t h i s draw we mov .d i'orwar'd" si1 le f ile
..Che draw e nde n a bout 3 00 y a . . . d f'To m Schmidt -- vm '1llTed u n there
whi l e K com9any went oh i ni; .> Chnn .dt a.er ss a b i g o _en f iel
hey didn 't me e t much fi r e and sent wor for us to e;o on i n .. ...e
went i n . It was abou t 1700 ,. It seemed t o me tha t t h e re was a
a s to i; hat we ve re to do - - ot ay t h e r e or push
'le i nall y were told we VJere stay ing .. It V\ ..S abo ut t hen
t he c ompa ny had it s first dire ct fire f r1 m t "rn en emy - - - so'- e
sn i pers . We l oc a ted one but couldn 't .get h i u out, eve n wi th
bazo o ~a s h ell s t hat ''Jent ri ght t ough t he wi n <lov where h e was .
P.,y th t time it was too dar~~ to oele c t dug- i n post t ions s o ,_. e
nu t u n i n hous e G t hat were ve r y soli d s to~c st u.ctures . I was
i n the 3 ~d pl a toon and we were ul a c d mor; t 1a.n hal f i le aw
from t i. e rest o f t h e company . . ot in . .'.1.p _ ened du rin.r; the :ni :,ht .
\ s it \7as ge? ttine; d a r k , Sgt. Dunc an h n.d ~e : o te d to the CO tha t
h e h a d s e en. haystac rn on a di stant ill t hr-i t we e mov ing around.
Rid icuJ.bus , wh o ever h ard o f a hay s t a c ~ n ovin i; --- Sg t . Dun c an
muat be : > etti n e ji tt ry , s eeing t h i n s l i e t . a t ; we 'ound ou t
di fieren t l y t he n e -; t da y .
Just a s a.avm broke o n t he 4th of' ! ove~ b r a whi t e i l r e 1 emt
up f ro a ho me abo ut~ 1 0 0 yards -:ws.~ ., e loo h~d .r ound and , Oh!
What '-'l si O"ht'. :he re was a long line o t j r r tan.:s comi ng down
- t he ~~ -e ro a d 'l, 'e h a d usB d to eat to ou r _l ato on -p. s ition ! J er y
artil e ... ,.r began falling . For the ne _ t two hours 1:.~ d id: ' t. =>et
any direct i n antry a tta c , but we c oul d hoa th ot er men (L
aTJ.d 1C comp~ 11y ) ca t ch inB plenty . .i: he n , fro m wh,n.t l ea rne d later ,
t h i s i s VJhat ha_pened . The other men re cei v e ci \'!O d to with dr .. v,
n e di dn ' t g e t t he y;ord - - I t h i n c t h e r .mncr Ts f .1. ed -- and
we didn ' t even 1t:1 o w t hat t 1e othe_ s "Oulle out . It w.J. s then we
be gqn to see jerr ie s all a ro und s . ~ J rr1 a r t i l le ~r had sto 4pe d
be c ause they kne w t h eir me n v.re r e i n t ovm . Luc _r 1y f or us , u r
artill ery started bec ause they r d b - e:i.'l to d our e n i: o e out .
It wa n ou r artille ry , crac cing all around us , t hat s a v d u s
r om t he crauts \Vlo had to li e l o v . ''re remai ned t h a t way fo r
three hours . lle platoon l e ade r fi ured sone~h i ng was w on
be c ause 7e could s ee Ge r mano a ll over the _l a c e 1here ou r othe r
men 1ere su posed t o rn. "Te cov.J.dn ' t :pull out the r o ad \7e c ame
i n - - t h e re v e re j e rry t anls a ll a.lo ng i t . :Fo t unetely , our
pl a toon serg e ant had come bac t to us 'rom a "Pari s pasr-; e r l y
that mor ning and had c ome v i a. t he ro a d th a t led f o :Co:rnm.er
s ch eidt -- he ms the onl y one in t he pl a toon w o k...11.e ~, t he way
ou.t . As \'le pull ed out our artillery was ~-., o i ng s t rong ! i n a.d d
i tion , the Germans had t ru1ks a l ove r the t o m f i r i ng do wn the
l ane s . Every t ime we cro s s e d a stre .t an 8 8 r10 ld fire at uo .
1

J us t as \'to cl e a r e d t h e town our Pl a n e s c ame i n Gtr afi n.cr a.nd

bombing it . We we r e still s o close that s ome o f us we 0 hit
b y t he l y i ng debr i s . We got back to t he Bat t a lion t Kom e r
sch ei dt .
Our pl a toon , wh a t '.Vas l e .Lt of it , v::ts pv.t i n to "90 i tion p

i n Komm s c l eidt :nea r the e dge o tom. f a ci n g Schmidt . ": e Nero

there about an iou r v~ e n the Ge r.ans be ~an t heir at t a cl wi t

Tig ers a nd i nfantry .. '7e could s e e the ta. ,_s ao t l ef c ame out

o f Sch1'1 i d t . OnG TD on our l eft o nene d u n . ~:' e c ould s e e his

firs t round boun c e o f:f the Ti ge - 1 e s ec ond o 2ot c s from

Continued,..
Co .L the J..' i g er and it knoc 1:ed the TD ou t . rrhere -.rere t vm m.or6 1 ) ' s
3- 6 on our ri gh t -- t h e y weren ' t even pull ed out to a i i rin g po s i-tlon
rfov -- I don ' t ~'"l o w 1.~:hy - - maybe th ey saw what h appened to t he f irs t
TD. Those Ti gers ~sere only 50 yar ds :from us wh n we were told
to withdraw.. We pulled b a c lt a bout 60 0 yar ds to a wo ods . And ,
a 0 a i n the Air Corps wa.s j ust i n time , strafing and bombing the
jerries as lile pull e d hack . Though tha t ail a:e eaclt was u n comfort
.abl ~y clos e , I wa s gl ad to hav e it --- it st o p9 ed the k rauts .
That evening we r e t u rne d to L omme ~s cheid t and took our s ame
position s . There wa s li ght s pora dic s he1 l i 1 g during the ni _ht .
*A
\, e,,.,E@Q . noth :i_n,:;; e pt el 1 d.7. ..
__
The mcrru...r1.g o f th e z~h o t .J pvember , ju.s t be f o r e d ayli ght , we
g ot a d ay ' s K rat i _on, -'.fie f'iI"st fo od in 't
'.hQJ.lrs .
','I i th da ytre ak we a lso got he a vy arii i~ery :fi re . At 0800 t h e
Germans started to atta ck agaiii-' with tan s .9.ml in a ntr. but be
fore they could get much ou t of Sc idt our a i r cor s nd a rt
illery sto ppe d t hem .
Anothor att a.c- ~,. ~:i,::i.-t noon., This time t _e a tta c c 7 0t too
close to us before the pl anes and a rtillery could g t in so
close we h a d to move out o f ou.r nosition s to the rear o i ~om! or
s ch eidt . The air corps a nd artill ery f i n -"11y c u.111e i n and drov e
t h e kraut s ba ck. Th ere J~];'e no more a t tac 1 s tha t a f t 0rno on --
only artill ery , artil1 ~;rx,,.,,_ and more art i l l ery l and i n a l l a r om d
u s .. J~ he . e was so e sh ell~ at ni,;ht but it we.s peace f ul c om-
p,.,.red to t h e day. ~-
Br i ght P...n d early O'L th~--.~11- o:f N ove r:ib ~r t h e a:rti-_lery beg.- .n
co:mino in ev '? :n h e avier t han t he d ay 'be f ore. '1e pl a t '"10!1 er vra s
h it and t h e Ba t t alion a i d station Jot it too . The -;:rau :; s r e a lly
h a d t h eir gi~ms zeroe d i n now -- t h ey were beg i _i ng to dro p
rounds ri [~ht i n t h e foxnoles. At 090 0 , agai n n.n a tt a e r - ... t an s
and i nf ant r y -- again t h e a ir boy s and tqe art ill ery "'cote ed ii;
be:fore it s ot f a r rom . cbmidt. :A f'~er t hat a ttac 'las b rok en up
t h e arti l l ei y and mort a r c a e in -o f ea7y t hat you n o lo!l er
co uld make out i nd ividual bu.. s t s --_:_ i.t wa.s one l ong , continuous ,
bv..rsting , e a rth s ha d ng, blas t t hat rnuld l '.st for 1 0 minutes -
t he re would b e a.n a cci den t a l uau sc , . s thou gh t he h mrens wc_r e
dro.'ifino i n :.;, deep br eath , and."'""tb.en the helli sh 1 0 mi nute ro a r
wou l d b egi n again. That contin:.0 d all t h rough the day u p to d a r _.
t noon a mort a r s hell nad h it a t t he side o f my h ole' c vin
i t in,, I vms h it i:n the hand and l e ~ but I couldn 't l eave to
~ get back to the a i d st a t i 01'l, only 1 00 ~rard s airay , unti l d a r kne s s
iad ui et ed t he a rti llery.
I wa s eve cu.at ed t hat night .
I rememb er t hat all day o tl e th o.i. J:fovemb er t here '\'h,S a
young 1'.1ajor with a r "' dio in a -~o x.hole near me . e g av e orde r s
to the a ir corps and a rtillery a ll day l ong 1. directing t h e u ct..;.
ivity . He s tood up every o :i::ortunit:. he h a d . In ~act, s evera l
time s h e remained u p w en he sh ou ld h a ve been dovm . 11
Co,. ~ Pfc~ ~illi am F.. r; i h el ich ...... H In .... c bmidt t OU ' pl a t o on ., . the
3-5 2nd , separate d from t he com '-' 1y . ''1e we n t to the out s 1{irts o1
fov t h e fa... e n d o f tmrm and dug i n . :e saw a. fe 'l Germans on a dist
ant h ill ,, to o far f'or our -1' s and too f ew fo r ou r r:.ortar s .
Duri ng the n i ght \'v e ~ ept hearing . t mfrs .. :'"e didn 1 t know
1

whe t h e r they were ~r ien dly or enemy . .

Jus t b efore darm on t h e 4th o f ! ovemb er a rtillery and mort r r s
h euan ra1(ing the g ro'.lIDd a:i:~ound us . I t l a sted ab ou t a hal f an
h o ur . '7h e n it l et up , the ba zoo \ .'1. tea . and a b out 6 su ~ orting
r i f lemen , v;rho h a d b een pl a ced a bou t 20 < yard s to t be l e f t and
slig t l y forward of t he rest o f the pl a t o on , g ot out o f their
-:;,.f o:-rho l e s and ran t oward c_y.s elling t hat t fm -s were coo i n .) r i g t
a t t h em. IJ:hey g ot u -p to u s st.:11 j a.bb e!!rin :;, e.way and a rtill e r y
began co:ning in agai n ." The pl a toon se emed to d isin te .11;r a te - a
few d a rted out o f t h ei r f oxhole c and h e a 0d b . e i:nto Sclmj_ d t -
~q, f e n 1ore .-- and t h e n t11e whole pl at0on t oo' : o ff . I n Sc hmidt ,
we me t Ca t a..in r11om:i.s le a.d in . a 0 oup of men , n ot o <l y L comp
a;ny men , but othe .:-s. too . ",'l e join e d h i m. Te l e d u s b a c k to the
wooded draw we c ame t hrot1gh t he day beforn . '~re moved a lon very
sl 0Wl y bec ause o f t he v ounded men iVe h .d. Once -vw rea che d the
dra-; vie were no lo nge r d r a\:'Ting u r till -- f f i re t h ou ->h w c oul d
h e a.r '_1len t y of it s till l a:nding inS ehm i d t .
" fter about hal f' i n t h e drav , t e ro u:v st o pped . Cap tain
?homas to ld t h em, abou t 1 50 men, to el i n there while he, with
a J?S.tro l o f' 5 , t ried to con t act Batta lion.. I YJH.s on the a tro l.. .
".'J e did conta ct Battali on i n ,.,:o 1L'1le rs c eidt . The same nat r o l W'"' S
s ent ba ck to brin - i n t he other men y b11t c ou1dn 1 t mak:e it . It
seeL e d as t hou gh. the Ge rmans had c losed i n on the path the pa trol
h a d cm1e t hrough . ( ?ha t ni t h t, 2 men i'1 ere sen t out i n anot he :L.~
a ttempt t o r e a ch t h e g roup , but the 2 did.n 1 t c ome b a c k a nd
n either did t e gr oup .. ) I n t he a fte rnoon we were r: oved out 0 1'
;:ommers choidt into son:G vmod s , but in the eve;ni ng we went b a c
to the t o"m.
Ehe 5t.. 1 o Novembe r s tarted with a ea- y b arr ag ,.. I n a ::i.om
e n t ary l u.11, I stood u p, r:.J.Y ch e s t and e a d out O- the doub le
f o xhol e . My buddy \".'as s i ttin""" do \"r nex t t o me . Sudde nly there
was a terrj_fic e xpl o si on ri Ght i n front o f t h e ho.le. irt c ame
up a t me a nd I bl a c e d out for , :few sec onds " , 'len recovered
I wan pa rtly c ov e ::-e d with di t . I was :yretty dazed, 2 o f my
. f'i _,er e v.rere hu.ngi ne; -- bro rnn , f l es ~ ri !)!Jed , some l i quid b Q\g?J1.
comine out of my ears , r.uy f a ce fe lt as t h oug_ I h n.d been hit a
61anc i n g blo w with a s a ndpaper-cove ed s l ed .e ha ,_rno r . I looked
my buddy; e was 'Jnr tly covere d wit .~ dirt t oo, but was out cold,
I st2.ggored to t he CP - t h ey sent uome ne a fter my buddy . Y: es,
he -#as out col d - - forever . They , t oo_ me to an a i d s "-, t i o:n ,
a h ouse . The re were a lot o f v10un d ed l ying a l l a.roun d . h e art
i ll e r y was sti l l oun ding away . e n oim1tes aft e r I . ot the re ,
2 Americ an tank s pulled u p on e a ch side o f the a i d s t a ti on and
fired away :::.t the jerries . A f ew m~. nutes l a t e a shell h it . th e
ba ck o f our l'louse - - I don 't .n1ov-; what ha rrpened to t h e wo u n de d
me n back t h ere but some men i n the rooL wi tl: n.e ot more shran
nel. I rrmtt."! diateJy a f .Gr t hat , a ll wal k i n " wo unded. vie e tol d to
5 et out - - quick . 'f/e h a d to move , v.;aL c and run , a cros s a ialf
mil e of open but do wnhill s~a c e , t .e artille r 1 still t hundcrinY
i nto Konuners che i d t. \' e r eache d a v; ood--: d area t h 4; r a s n ot a
t a r get f or s h e l l i ng . Af ter a ;:.rhi le, a!!lbul a nces t oo_ u s from
tha t point .. "
 Co .. I It 7as a lon g hard day , h ill s climb e d, strearm wad ed a nd
3-7 eve r y on e ',Vas cold a:ncl wet . All t h i s t-ime we we re being co n.s t-
Nov antly shelled . .ve :finally arri v od at S chni dt . f t I t wa s a n e a sy
job t al i ng S chmidt, but h old i ng it-- ' 1h e 'n~ " sai d Leon a rd T. John- .
s o n OJ. Cal . The on ly communica.-t '. ons we b ad was t h e S - c 300 ..
.-~--...... Duri ng t h e rii h t eve ryth i ng ~va s. _q uiet but e ar l y t h .... t morn ing t he
t o\vn was very h e a vily shel led and t h en a f1. a.re shot U:P ancl t h a t .
wa s t h e b eg-i nni ng o t h e German eou..11.t er - a t tac k . T-' 1rn an d i n f
antry soon b egai1. t o ... u.mbl e int o t he to vm. A very bl o ody b at t le
en sued and many a Ge rman was kil l Gd a11d man~ a 7 ank blo\m out .
of hi s foxhol e . As Van c e Conard s ai d , " I t was qui te a s e n s a tion
....., "' to see y our bu dd i e s rill ed al ong side o f y ou and a l s o s ~ e our
bazooka s h ell s b ounce o i':f t h e ks. 11 Due to th e f a c t
t hat s urrou...vi o y th e ene :Jy we were f orc e d to with
drav! to Kommersehei dt.. P 47' s came to aid u s. and t h oy tempo r
ari l y halt e d t h e tan1:s . Th e a rtil le r y wa s t c~ rr f ie a n d we didn 't
know which was which ,, enemy or ou..r s. 11 I t wa s t he f irst ti me we
h ad t o f i ght armQ!_' }.vi t hout the h el D o f a nt -t an ~>: l:7e a:1 s, 11 s o
quo t es pl a to01'1 l eader arl SID.rt 1. ~or he n ox t few days a terr~
i:fic battle r aged . One co unte r- ,:;t a c a f t er another. Wl'len t he
cQm9a.ny wa s f i nally r eli e v ed onl y a handful o f men ;:e :re l e f t .
Co K As. t h e d ayl isht VJ~}, S b reak i n ,.., , a str ong - ermm:. c ounter-q,tt a c ~
4 Nov s.u pport e d b y t anks a nd i rd:'antry d r ov e t he c c:rrrnany and Bat tal ion
ou t o f Sc hmidt and bacl .. 600 ,y rds t o t h e tmm o f Koti.'i.le r s c he i d t.
Duri ng t he action, pa r t o f' t he 2nd , a nd a.11 of the 3r 1 and 4th
platoons u er o cu t of and prcsu.ned to b e l ost ~ and t11e c om ~" any
suffer,ed heavy a ir ca s u a l t ies . }- t a b out 1 1 ~, 0 , t h e 3rd Bat t f1 ion
r eforme d a t Ko:crm.crsch ei dt , t he rcmai n i ne 35 mnn o the co m~_ any
b ei n g ;:1i t h t hem. At 140 0 ,. f i erce cou.'1.t er- a t t a c1rn on t he t oi,vn
o :f Komr.ie- s che idt we re . re pv..J. rie d wi th t he . a id o f a i .S'.l~Jp o rt b y
a f'li '";ht of P 47' s . Lt. Tyo rej oined hi s pl a t oo n at 220 0 .
~- -~

5 Nov Tuo mo r e coru1ter- a tta e l;:s r epul sed t oda y , t h e f i rst a t 1 0 . o,.
and the other a t 1 6 30 . All du ing t he day v e we re oa bj e c t to
h e av-<J she l l in~~ b y mor t ars a:nd art i ll<~ry .. Po s iti ons we r e held .
6 Ifov Heav y shell i ng c onti nued a ll a bo u.t OUI" po s i ti one .. 6 mo e
c as u al ti es suffered ,, 3 o :i. \~.rh om ere . f a tal i t ies . Company s t r m-:t t h
---:> red u c e d to __?6 enli s ted r!len and 4 o .:f:L c e r s. Posi ti ons hel d
7 ~fo v- At 0 8 00 1 the Ge rmans l aunc hed a s' r ong c ount er- at t a c l ed b '
t h e 11 6t h Panzer .uivi sion , t he 1 s t b '::.tta l i on o f' t h e 60 t h Pa n z er
Grena di er Regi me n t a nd the 15 6 th Pa..11zRr German "?.egi :me n t. Bat tle
-1as t a rnn u p b y Am.eri c an t an.1-s and ... Ds wi t h t he a i d o f in a ntry .
At 1 20 0 , oxder s g iven t o v.ri thdravrW" ICom'1.e ro cho idt , r esult ing
i n many c a sua l t ie s and missi ng . i mon t . e mi ssil'lg ' Ie . e Lt . ,__,a,r
oli , Lt .1usol f _f and Sgt . A. J ol111s t.m ,
Carrt . Th on a s , S/ Sgt . l uar el s and Sgt . S t ade l 1'),~ C e r returned
t hrough enemy lineEJ to safety dur i n g the a.1 t ernoon .
'I Nov. Pfc . ~~ ilhel m H. Schultz . " Earl y the morninr,r o f tne 4th ,
t h e h e i :n i e s h it 1,~ri t h infan t " y and t anks a nd the f i ght st a r t e d .
The 2nd a.11d 3 .rd p l atoo ns \:ere ov er . VJ.1' and cut o f' ~ . The l a.st
t h e y v; ere seen was t aki ng o f:t f o.r the \Y_oo ds 0 11 the ri ght o f
Scb...midt . :?he bal anc e o f the c om'>D.'1Y pul led b a c k t o '.\om.m. . r -:; che i dt
.r/r om there on t he a ct .i on b f~ eome s he ~x1r 1 with t ank , art i l lery a nd
mo r t ar fire and I ' m n ot exactl y sure what h a':!pened. I had t o
t ake b "' ck some prisoners rJ.e b.ad and I s:ruess t h t 1.s why I' m h e r e
t oday . 11

r. .;
\
HQ Co "'afJtain El don 't .. Stewa:rt, t h e .ead 0na rters Comna y Commander,
4..:7 m:.:rst hav e 1)cen amo11g the few who mai n t a ined an iey composure and
lil"ov a Samari t an co1'1cern or the '\'.velfa e o f others du ring the holo
c aust . On ce, when the Germans -.,;e _e so cl? oe tha t s mall arms fire
W!il.S el o.s h ing throu.gh the tree s ru1d und erb rus h ,, h e Wbl:S obs c: rved
si tth"'l.G v.nder t:), trGe re a di n[;J; a ma.'J... An ot h e r time h e wa s se en
hel ping Pfc .. Paul E. ' Pop 1 ddc :r: ty to dig hi s ox ole. oth the
Ca \ tain and Adderty , a veter ~L mess ::tg e center man, were r eported
mis s ing i n a ction u.:ft cT Sc unidt.
Anothe.i~ man o f almo s t sx11erlrnman coolness wa s ls t Lt . ;S illia.m
o. Geo:cse, t h e bat talion: trans porta tion off icer who l a ter wa s to
become L company 's commande r. Re was in the CP 1uhen thing s were
hot . ft man nervou sly calleti ou t: 11 Lieut enant , shr""pnel i s coming
in the d o ori1ay r n George di(l n ot even move h is l anky fra!'.l.e out
of t he c hair in which he was sna tchi n > a f riw mo!!lents rest . "Orn:y , "
he drawled . nshut t he door!u
S/Sgt . Si ogbert Strauss __ the present 09erat ions sergeant ,
says o:f a rtillery , 11 It V7as so powe rful ., so lou d ,_ and s o con tinuous
t h at it s n emed to form a ba.c kground t hat y-ou got used to . We
were so tired that we didn't even hear t h e s h ell s when they l a nd
e d close .. And when v1e ~wo ke the nex t morning we had to . out our
way out of t he h oles . .1. he tree burst s h a d cut .enough limbs to
literal.ly bury us. 11
The c ooks t ied to get a SUJd nl.Jr trai n t ~~ro ugh 011 the ni ght
of t h e 4th . Artill ery fire knoe~:e d out the t rain and isola ted
the group for 2 days .
T/4 Kieth Southworth , present r a di o chief , also wa s cut off
without food or wat er f or 2 days , "Our a rti.ll ery is better t han
t he Germans ,." h e says. ar know, I c aught pl enty of ours while
I was trying to 0 et ou t o f Kommerscheidt ., wh ich was supposed to
be entirely in jerry hand s a t the ti e . It h a s a lot more aon...
cuss ion t han t he Ge rman shells."
Pfc . Ray R., Gurney , wireman V"l ho wa s \'!O' J.nd ed i n the a ction .,.
h a s a co.mplimen t for our plarn~s . !I : 4 7 dro ~)ped an e gg on a
jerry tank and bl~W i t up ," he reealln. 11 I was i mpres se d. I
couldn tt hel ":i but be. The tan~ Wt2. S only 75 y a rds away ., 11
Tho men o f the A&P pl ato on c arri Pd UP.mun i t i. on all n i ght o f
the 4t h under wi therinfl: f r e , from the ammm1i t on T'.lOir t b ehi n d
Vossena c k ,, to -the CP at -Kommers che i dt . T/Sg t . ~Uchard D. Taylor
l e d the parti es , doing h is l a st heroic bit before h e j oined the
other 31 Headquarte_s Company men liated s missing i n a cti on
a ter "" ch."!lidt.
Pfc. ITelvin K. LezJis and Leo Taylor , pre s e n t motor se-rgcant,
l a id lines to Regimen t at Rott und.er heavy fir~ .; then had to l ay
a se cond Wl r e v1hen the f ir.st--oile was bl o\vn ou t .
l$t Lt . ';'J iTliam O. George wen t 5 e-antinuous days a nd n i ghts
1i7i thov~t sle 0p , from ~Jovembe r 3 to ovembe r H. He was the dri ving
pmver beh i n d all ef..Lorts to kee :p sup_ ~rana p 1 rtat ion ftilnct
ioning t hroughout the battle . .
Given the JOb of' p::i:."ota:eting a line com'1any flan ~ , the Greene
Hornets \..re-re pi nned. down by 3 mach i ne guns.. They got 0 J.t o f it
1

by tos s ing bae r J:Iazi- lobbed grenade s and end,e d up with 2 dead
Germans and another proba bly killed . Another job at Vos o enaek
netted t h em ) more d ead Gennan.s a nd 17 urisoners ...
1

Detailed to fi n d men l ost : in the coi1fusion o f battle , t h ey

nicxed u p between 35 and 40 men and re turne d t hem to the . frav
in goou order . ~
Co . K J ( on the 5th of' Noverriber , tne rena.i nder o f the company h a d
5 Wov dug . in, th.i s . side of ~or: ;le~sche i d.t , . and "'li th the ene:.y t a.n .. k s
Jaotiv e G.J.1.-d wi t h t h e c9_n u1 t Lons of our own s upply ro.-1,;g~~s so i m
'rpa.ssa.b1e t _hat a r mor a..n d T:Ds _co_u!ru . n' t' mi':e i'f u-=-1fo t he battle
a re a , air s u.r: o rf was calle a. i'or.,
J.he P 4 7 ' a. hu.r<ri-e dly put in an a~ :pea.ranee and mistook our
pos itions .fo r j e ry empla cements. Rea li zi ng t h eir er r r , S/ Sgt .
Johnston raced a cross 1 00 yards of open terrain to get some air
panel s and then managed to di s pl ay t h m b efore t h e pl anes did
too, much damage ., I t was i mpo ssible t() d:Isti.r guish the tanks
f rom t he a ir bec ause the Germu:.s h ad them. camouf1 a ,e d to l .ook
li 1 e h a y sta cks and t hey mov ed t h em veriJ slov1ly . As, a r 'e sult ,
the pl an es -..~-rere o-f no. ye . ( That is t he personal opi n ion o f
one man.. ~J:ruiy oth e rs , pre...,ent a t th~ time ,, s ay the pl anes
were of hel p ..... d,. '[}__ .
::?.e-turnittg to vhe conr'Jany , :3/Sgt. Johnston noticed 2 tanks
slovul y eP,ging their way toward s t he r i ""1'1+. ilan1'" . Grabbing a
bazooka and 2 rounds :from a fall en cmnr ade , he ran up on the
bli nd side t>f the tank and stop-;i ng withi n 25 y a rds o f it , f ired
both rounds , c'omplet ely disabling th0 ve* icly and. forC'in ~ ~ the
other t o l e av e the s cene of ac t i on.
S/Sgt . J ohnoton t s a ction enabl ed c evc ral -mem to ma, ~e i t
back to the asseo'bly area but he himself' :-:as not seen agai n ..
C(h 111 Sgt . Pr oven c Lor , R econrn:1 is sa'~ c e gt ... ,. . HJuot a :few hou_ s
7 Hov be fore 1-:e rec eived o rders to withdraw from the vicinit y of _om
me rsc heidt t Lt., '.7right ~ ame over to our t}1,ree man foxhole nd
a sked us i.L n e wanted to vol uxrt eer to c arry wo:Jnded pe-r sonnel
ba ck to the rear. There were over 60 Ii tte r e nse s~ ~. e h a d to
get ri d of a ll v.re apons 011d side a r ms . \le n1.e;.-; tha t t h e gull y
we had to go t hrough was in enemy ha nds ,_ but rllll!Ors came t hrough
tha t the enemy vroul d let all seriously i.7ounded personnel through.
Moone lmeYT exa,c tly hou we v:ere to go but gene ral orders we e to
fo l l ow a .o acl to t he rea r a:r1d try t o c onta.~ t tie 109th Infant 't'y .
;, e started dov-m the v1ind i n ;.:;, ro a u _,_"li t h t he lit t e ca se s . It
v1a s sno ~zy and muddy ru::l:d we p.ra ct i~ call y h a d to d1"'a g the li t ter
cas e s . \:.lien we g ot t o t he bottom of the g 2.lly .-:e s a-."1 a bri dge
with a German s en t ry b aring our r oa d . He sto nned us P"'n d a sk~ d
where ae ~,. ere go i ng ,. Re spoke in Gernan a.nd l'r ench a nd I could
tm dc r et and , him t h rough my knowled .9;e o i l rench . S eeing he W~~ s '
i n a ruc e p tive mood , I shot t he bu .1 with him and bl.u i'fed it
t hrou h t hat v1e YJere s u p . os e d to b a.llowed to pass t hrough
t he ltnes to Ot.,l l' a id s t at i on ,. At first h e wanted to bring us
to his ovm a id stati on ,, whi eh wB.s abo u.t 1 O yards d owrr the
crc ec to t he le :Lt . But one of t h e men h a d t h e brigh t i de a o f
o f'i'ering h im a c i g arette ,. He 117as pl ea21ed wi t h t he of ertng
and t h oueht that hi s co:rnmande r woul d a ' 1)rov e t he ev acuat ion
o:f --;o 'nded me:1,p ITuile he was :puffi ng h i s cigaret t e v1e pushed
on t hrough t .o our linef.h I tool{ a l };t:St look back and I s aw 3
Germans in a l arge f oxhol e wh h a d re 1t u s covered wi t h a mach
i ne gun all the tine .. They must havo appr ov 0d of h i s decisi on
bec ause noone t i ed on us as \'Ie con tinued our hurried exit to
the ' rea1~ . The next day , while evacuating these men, we were
sto ~'})ed by a bout 20 Germans who wanted to tak e all who could
wal .. , prisoner,. :ii le letting t h ose seriousl y wotmded go to
our line s .. It wa.o. a truce t here for a whil e a s our /Battali on
Surgeon spoke to t he German \ ajor. It began t o look lik e I
'7ould be t aken pri soner , as I h -.ard the int ern~ et er r : eat:i,.ng
to t he surgeon t hat a ll men n ot \' i t h the aid station uoul d be
t aken pri soner ~ Another man and I t_ en casua lly stroll e d dovm
the r 'J a d an.d abou t 400 y a rds dm:m t he ro ad Wr?: con t a ct e d t h e
109th Infantry,. 11
H Co St:i,11 anot her time , they ran into a sni per lodg ed in a house .
4-7 They .fired 1 0 rou.nds o:f bazooka a.m...rno , 30 rcmnds of 60 mm . mort a ,
Nov an.cl 10 ri::t'le grenades but t h ey cou ldn 't tou ch h i m,. But the Ger
mans,. warne d b y the sni per , began hurl ing artill e ~y into t he
area. Greene looked around :f:'or h is :men"' Then he saw 4 of them.
They were bringing i n 50 :pri s oner s throv..gh the Na zi barrage.
Amazi ngly,, t he battered line compani e s up a t Schmi dt were
takin prisoners as t h e German e o1mte r - attac.rn f'i 7. Zled during
the first a ction on the 4th . That m:o1;nrrft.f," t h e men huddled
abou t the Komn1ers cheidt CP VJere startled to see 40-odd t r a ut ,
still wea ring their steel helr:ie t s , .c o:::ie hurtling dovm t h e oa d .
The H0a dqu a..r t er 0'1 men held fire only bccau.:::~ e they co ld: s ne 3 , _
GI ts \"Ji th t he krauts . - 1f hese viere . Abe ntin, one o f the K com:P-
a:ny runners a t:ta-ch e d to bat ta lion , . hi s partne r,. Pfc . Lester c .
a rn 1 dcat 11 Perry, and. a ,K company pl a toon runn er m:u-ed 'Vi l h elm
Schultz. i he column, UXtder Germ.an obse!"'rati on a ll the way , wa s
pl u.:n ging d .O \.Vil an. a lley o' s hcl .... f ire ,. _
There bei ng no p1 ac~ to ~ee p :PY7s at Ko:mr;1ers ch ei dt , t h e ruif;...
n ers ir1ere 01"d ered to tal e the m t o ~egiment., ~ildc at n Jrry h a d
t o r:1 t ay a t battali.on , si;o.ce K com.~_ any eommun ica t t os demand ed a t
l e a st one ru..."11.ner on duty wi th b a i;tul i on t aL t imes ~ A.ntin
a."1.d Schultz too:k o ff with thei r charges .,,
Prom Kommers ch ei dt to t h e Regi menta l CP wa s a.bout 4 mile s .
Shells , direct tanl'C :fi r ,e , and: even sca tte red ma.ch ine gm .s b anged
away at the column a s it v.rent on... Antin a1'1d Schultz,, both Ger.;..
r::J.8.11 spea lte s , h a d to t hreaten a..YJ.d v1h e e dle t h e t e r r ified pris on
ers out o f t h eir holes time a ft 0r time,, "',' hen t he k:r :m ts t ook 0

cover on ce too o i 't e n, the tough Pair o f I i t+-le short guys po :ed
t hem wi th IJ.ayonets a.:nd made t ..~ em do uble-time the rest of the v~ay .
The v-ihol e bag of' pr is oners re a che d the CP undamaged .
\ Anot.he i~ va li a:n.t team mas t he a.rrmn.u1ition.- Q.uni.n ombination
of Pfc. Thoma d P.. Demko'1ni c z .,. _d ~-~ Ch~l es E-. Br o d., iclt . They
I marmcd the 3rd 13attalion du..mp establ i shed near Vo esen a ek from
the :firot a dva..11c e to the final wi thdr.awal. . When the 1 0 9th In-
a:..'lt ry du:r.1p vms shelled and i ts pe rson~_e l forced to withdra w
a 1t e r s ufi erinf heav y c a sual ti es, t he 2 men too :- it ov e r . ther
112th dumps alzi o fe l l into t he i.r h a n ds . 'T he y soon were o ne g,t
ing the only ammo dmmJ f'orwn.rd o ::.. Service conrnu1y ,. a..n.d they
lived the lJ~e:L ean li fe f or more than 5 d ay s while o pe r a ti _._g t he
,_ combin c d m:5viitain o f expl o s iv ~ s . . .
~-ihe n they .f 01,u 1d bu siness slac1::: , rode ri ck and. Demk ovri. c z hid
i n their h oleo. \?h.en veh i cles dro ve u p -f or more a..lilno, the .
drive rs stay e d i n t h eir holes unt i l the pair h a d l oa de d the
vehicl e s, then da shed 0ut and drove o .L ~
T/4 J.obc rt I. Johnson , the b a t t a lion -r:10tor ~o o l .r:ie chani c,
was, put on call e arly by Lt. Geo rge ,. vvho orde.re d. him . to go for
zrard t o re 'Jair a weazel v1hich h a d t hro 'ill it s tra ck P..nd was bloc ..._
the narrow- trail t l q;ou.gh a dra w ';"rhen Johnson re0,ched the s pot._
he f ound a bou t 15 tanls a nd severa l o ther v ehicl ns disper s ed in
the f i e l ds behind the d raiv7 ,. The t anks were badly n eede d up a t
Sch!:1idt , yet t hey could not go ahe ad U..Y!ti l t he vieazel wa s r
p a ire d . 'iii t h .e ve rybody e l e e i t h er b t tone d u ..: in a t ank o.r
c rouched in a h ol e ,) J ohnson v.;ent t o wo r '!'.: on the i.ve aze-1 . t e hit
t h e dirt when the ot ufi' c ame i n and bobbed u.n and resu.T!led h i s
wori: li-1hcn the inc oming ma il s l a ckened a lit t.ie . He stayed on
the j ob until well aft er ni gh t fall, an d when he f i ni s h ed , t h e
t ank s \vent forward to parti ci pat e i n t e f i ght . The we a zel
follo 1o:m d t hem u p and did its du t y eva cua ting v;round<';d for the
medics .
 I
' '

Continu.e d
Co Hq Th e bi t t er , bloody saga o f t he ai1ti- t ank pl a t oon i s on e o f
4-7 gallant e ffor t , f r u stra tion , and s a cr f. f i c e . T/Sgt . Kaspe r \:'ayne
.Wov Kug l er g ot h i s guns under v1a y towar d K omr.i -~ r s ch e id t and , aft ,~ r
s t ubb ornl y 'forgi ng ahe a d i n spite of ev eryt h i ng t h e Ge r ma ns could
throw, s aw a l l t hree guns cmashed b efor e he coul d wor k t hem i nto
pos i t ion... The de cimat ed pl a to on dug i n and h eld. 1_ he y s t uck it
ou t until ordered to wi t hdraw, a nd t 1en b e g an t h ei r r e t r eat ., wh ich
was ev en wor .s e t h an t h e a dva nc e. The "' l a.t o on reach ed t h e c omp
a r a ti v e s afety of t h e rear ass embl y ar ea w'ith only 5 men le ft ,
i n clu di n g Kugl er ; a weary but det ermin e d ki d named Car melo Alei
wh o was to become pl a toon s e r ean t one d ay ~ Fr a:ri.....t Ce rvo l a , who
wa s s l a ted t o ste p i n to Kugl e r ' s .s pot a fter t h e ba ttl e ; P f c. Floyd
c. Kr e d e r ~ and Pf c. Eugene P. J a s pe r. Ku gl er he l ped t h e wound e d
Cerval a t o make i t. Two other anti-t an men , wou.:nde d ea rly , wer e
lucky enou 0 h t o be i n cluded i n t he l a st loa d o f casualties eva c
u a t ed from the medica l a id s tat ion.. h e y wer e Rus s ell D.. Gebhar t
a n d Earl Yl. El1i i:3 , v,;ho re t u rne d to dut y and went t h e r ou t e with
t he ul a t oon clear across t he Rhine .
S/ Sgt . Leo v. Ki e fe r , t h e s quad le " der whose f i r st shots h rrd
r ,e al l y prove d t he worth of thG 57 1 s a t Compi e gne , was l i s ted a s
mi s si:ng i n a c t i on a ft er S ch~ai d t .
At Kommer s che i dt , Col. f lo od h eld a Company Commanders ' me e t
i ng . Hi s qu estion via s : nHo\1 many men do y ou h av e l ~ f't ? 11
Th e
answers ranged u p to 7 0 and d mrn t o 50 . J u s t a s t h e que c t ion o f
rema i ni ng e qu i pmen t wa s coming up ,, t a n ks c ould be h e a r d r umbl i ng
cl oser . A di re c t hi.t dril led t h rough a n earby buildi ng . " Gentl e
men" sai d Co l .. 1l oo d, " get. y our men out. Th i s i s n o pl a ce f o r u s!'
:E r om t he ni ght o f the 4t h u.."11.t i l t h e 8t h , t h e t r i c '" l e o f ba t
tered , v.Je ary me n o f t he 3rd bat t "lion g r adu ally br ought t he outfit
ba ek to s kel e t on s t r engt h i n t he woo d s of t e Rot t ki t 'en area.
Hea dquarter s Company da ze dl y c ount e d i ts l o s s i; s . The swi tch b o a rd
men had come out but n o wiremen . The an ti-taru:s h ad .f ve ,.. n o t
c ou n t i ng drive r s. A&P was a Pi t he c d hand i~l .
:.L / Sgt . Ca rl . w . Shoaf, the SGrgeant r.ia j or , h a d been wou nd e d ;
S/ Sgt . i chard E . "Ic Ca i n was ; IA , l e a ving i nt el l i genc e with out
a h e ad ; S/Sgt . Robert Luce , t t:i.e o p erat ionn se _ge rmt , and /Sgt.
Cli fo rd L. Allen of' A&P were JIA. Wi re ch i ef Paul c. Be n son
and rad i o . ch i ef . or ris Erne y wor e , ~ The anti_.t a n : : _ ~ t oo
h a d l ost every s quad l eader : S/ Sg t s .. 1)aul C. :!1 en son , Le o 1 . Can_11on
3.oy .1 . Danfort h , Sr,. and Le o V. :Ci e fe
Wayne Kugl Br b e c arne l s t scrgeaLt, " Gl a d , n h e sai d, ntha t the
n ew men won ' t b e abl e t o co :par e me v,ri th J ohn Col l i er ,, ' hi s wo ~ nd
e d orede ce ssor. Sup : l y se r,eant Bob Co:ri..ne .l y to ok over t h e ser
0 e ant na j or s job.
1
Co . L The company,: h a d t aken a terrifi c l oss o f men in th e t)attle o f
8-1 3 Schni dt . \Then t he coopany pulle d ou t it h a d onl y 11 men le 't .
Nov Bet\7e en t h e 8-1 3 o f November 140 reinforc eme:nt r:J we re rece ived.J;
The c o:m _any s l ept i n -oup tent s a nd received 3 hot meals a da y _
The Division ba.11d supplie d music for conso l a t i on . The s to ries
o f Schmidt went n i ght rutd d a -th e repl a ceme nt s as ;::ed question
ni.t e r qu estion-look s of worry and f e a r on t heir fae e s a s t he sur
vivo rs o f Schmidt told 'J,;h eir t g,les . Capt ain , al er, CO , Lt .:.'.r c
Anally, Executive Offi c er . Seeuri t y p o :3t ed. a round pl a toon and
company a::r: e as .
1 4 Nov Company orde re d t o move ou t a t 1730 , b y motor , t o Yleiswanrpach .
_ode all night ,. ex tremel y c old , h eavv n ow du e to mounta in us
cli mbs . Arrived a t a s mall t mm i Lu'{e ., - nd were Y}Ut u p in
b ar-ils . Gu ard s po s ted outs ide homes .. l"- r a tio ns eaten .
15 Nov Company moved out a t 120 . , st a c kin g rol l s and m.arc . . ing into
Germany arriving ctt destina ti on a t 1630 . Reli eved 8t h Divjsi on
on Sev en i 5 H'.Lll . " n ti re company on t he f'.orrrard :points o f t h e
linG . Out posts in pillboxen on t h e i i old an d a lso i n t oi.rn of
Sevenig .
Co .. I Wi nt er h a d de fi n i t ely s r) t i n a s it got v 0ry cold and snow
Nov began to fall. I c om. any was in a r .e st a _e a a nd soon many r e
8-1 5 pl ace me n t s ;joined t he comp a:ny . . It was on a pitch d ark n i gh t
tha t t he repl a cemen ts joine d us . Af t .er t h e co .3m n 1 . was r eo:rg...;
anized_, t h ey motor ed to a new a r ea. :Prom t here? !Ne marched to
Sev eni _g Hi ll. The company reli eved t he s ~~ at ic do fens i ve pos it i ons
of another Divi sion ..
Co. K The men r ema ining in t he company were a ll gathered to 1:<!, e t h e r
8 Nov i n t he k1t ch en azea , l o'c ate d 3 mil e s Southe s t of 'loet ~en ,. Sev
e r al men drifted in during the day and 1ere found t o be s uff'erin
fro m exhaustion , expo sure or t rench foot ., S/Sgt . Bail ey gave "th em
f i rst a id and :new clo thes . Qu arels was eva c :1ated a l ong with t h e
other me 11 who made t h e t1"ip b ac1~ . Up to a nd includi ng todaJ , 31
men and 2 of ~ iee rs \':Jere a l l t h e c o::tpany s t r en _t h a ccount ed for ..
The wea ther was d:re ary and clamp . Lt. Tyo , T/Sg t . Louis , and 6
oth or men worke d t heir way bac .;: t h r ough t 1e l i n e t o t i' e k i tchcn .
9 1'J ov Duri n & l a ot n i 0 ht a.Yld e arly t h is 3 orni ng , t h e company e-
ceiv d 5 repl acemen ts who pitched ten ts and dug s l it tren che s .
Af ter s trug,,l i ng t h rou h a morn i n c; co_ l ica t e d b y a s nowfall of
ab oJ.t 2 i n ches t he :ce pl a cemen ts had to t Dar d ')rn1 t he i ? sh e lt e r
halves, rol l t heir :pa c k s and g a ther t1 e ir equipment f or transfer
to t h e 2nd Battalion. J:hi s was a cc ompli shed b 7 11 30 . The a f t er
noon sav1 t h e re t urn of Lt . Anderso1, who h a d b en cut o ff at
Schmi dt , and 3 oth er men who ''"ere a l 1- ev a c uat ed be c :,U SB o f' ex
haus t i on or trm1ch foot . Thi s le f t a ppr ox :LBa t ely 110 men un
a ccounted fo r. Several o f t h e men built a l og ca bin c a !).'.3,bl c of'
Gl eep i n g some 20 men and the A eri ca:n 1\ ed Cross s l pplied beer f or
a party . The cabi n r-ms e vi m.1e d with a small not-bell i ed stove
SU p :ryl i e d b y RBgi me rI t.. Lt.. !j eShane ' f 0 :!.' TICr l y 0 f L com.pa: y ,. re
turned rom t h e h 0 s pi t a l i n ngland and j oi ned . company .
10 Ifov The compa."ly cont i nu ed i n t he same a rea and t h e ki teh en s erv e d
n~"l'C alrns for hre aJ :fa s t,_ one .o f t h e men ' s f a vori t e dishes ., The
v1eat h er cont i nue d to beh a ve b a d l y d t 1 snow turning into rain i n
t h e a i't er no on . :Maj . Gen. . Cot a a dd e s o ~d the men a t 1430 and
nr a i sed t hem for t h eir snlendi d work around Schmidt . The Divisi m:1
band SU')p lied music and an A'RC clu.bmobile s upDli e d cof1 ; e and
doughnuts . At 1 90 0 the c omp...,n y -e c e :L v ed 40 re "" l a c ementc , who
we re s erved a h o t meal after 'livhich t rey pitch e d t he i r tents and
wen t to s l ne p as it vras dark by t hi s time .
 8-13 November 1944
Lt ;o Col .. ..:.rain assi gne d a s Ex:)c ut iv Offi cer 0 1 :1.1e g i men t ..
1 st and 3rd Battalione vve r e re organi zed- . new equ i pr.:ient
and r einf or cement s ..
:'!aj . Gen .. Cota a r.ldre s sed the c.ompan i ec '-"nd prais e d t hei r
fight at Schmidt ..
A l a r ge number o:f rei :ni'orcemen t s a-. i vea: t _e 11 "!'I ovemhe r .;

14 N"ovember 1944
The 1 st and 3rc1 Batt a llons move d" by rrroto , via /:we ifall.
~o tt , :'.: cret Pen , Eu:pe n , Be lle Cro ix , ~rr alne dy ,. St . Vit 1,. La l s ch eid ,
Gruffl ange t o '.7e i swanpach - t o be fol1o ed- l at er b y t e 2nd Tiat
t a lio:ri.

1 5 I) ovcmb er 1 944
The 3:ed Bat t alion mar ched in.to -errilan-' fro . :, eiswa:nrrm ch
and t oo t over a de fensive position h eld b y the 13th Infant y
on Sevenig Hi.11 , over l ooldng t he vill age o f Sevenig.
Compa..YJ:i es K and L we nt into po sition of ;~ even i g Hil l and
Company I was ba ck s everal hundred yards a s r e serve.
One pl a t o on was ,osted in the tovm. of Sevcn-.g .
Battali on rea r was sB t up in Our e- , whi ch wt.s in Bel gi um
juet a c ~ a ss the Gerrn.a:".l borde r .
Little enemy a ctivity .
 Co. K The company arose to an 8 o'cl o c . chow and we re inf ormed
1.1 Nov that we were to move abou t a hal f mi l e dovm the 'O ~d to a new
area,,. . They nade their r :Jlle and . a;cks and moved out a t 1100
and we e c om.plet-.::l y establi shed a t 1 230 a t wh ich time t h e
ki tche'i1 served a h ot. ch ow.. i'\..x1o t her pyramidal ten t was erect ed
:for the use of the company as a recr ,<1ti on h all , writing room ,
and mail t e nt. The men :rnF.J.de t e mo s t of it a t n i ght for t h e
blac rnut was e x ce l lent .. The d ay was wh i t 0 with s now.
12 llov The. 1 st platoon wan or m i zed t oday and Captain homas
addI'<-3 ssed the men a..nd to ppe d o ff t h e ce remoni es by dona t i ng a
bottle o f cha::ipa 0 ne ._ Th~ day was r a t he r uneventful... Church
s ervice s were c a lled f or a bou t 1 50 .. Coffee a d d ug:u-iut.s
were oe rved in I c ompa...i"ly ' s a_ 0 a a t about 1"5 30 . 3 hot mGal s
wa s the - order o f t h e day . t 1 900 , 90 mo e repl a cemen ts a:
J.."'iYed brin :, in ~ the cm!nany stl'" ngt h to 1 87 me n vrl t h 8 on de
tached s er v i ce. I t wa s so dark t h a t the new men re fused to
c ome for a h ot ch ow whi c 1 \":la s re a dy for t ~_. em v11 . :n they arrived
bu t p itch ed ten t s and went to sleGp. 2nd Lt .. Lar s n joined
our coopany .
13 Wov Today ivas s pent in r e or ganizing t h e 2nd , 3r d , and . th :pl a
t oons .. Sgt . Bailey di otributed new IL 1'1s., pistol s , mach i ne un s
ro1d bazookas t o t he c om:pa...71.y . he weat h er cha . .eed to cl e ar .
Th e ou.ti'i t loegan to shapa up as a c ~:nnpanv , and t hey were being
sit:r:...-vnd by pl a t 'J-on s, hein0 r t a t r:d for each meal . he men were
:reest a bli shed i n pl a t oon ar e a o and were sub- divide d i n to s qu ads .
They s pent the day impro vin~ their sl 0e -- i n g qua rters and turn
ing i n s h o t a~ , es of s upplie:.:; . Ti ht c ani a bou t 1730 and dark
n.es o was all envelo p in~-not bei n g able to se e more t' an a f oot
i n r ont of y ou . Th.a natta lion hc a df'luart e r ' wa s ge ttin g bae
i nto fu.11 swing and the phone wa~:; :ring i ng a ll day with orde rs
an d r e a u e sts :for v a riou s re uorts and ro s t ers .. 2nd 1t. eador s
joined -t he com.Jany t od ay ., Pvts 11 ahoney a nd Nob e rin,i s h owed
up today , :fu t he r r e du cinP" t h e n i r-1Sing l i s t .
1 4 Hov _. t 0930 , the c om:Jany was ~1l e - t e d t o be moved a t l 2'"l0 and
the noon meal was. o rdered for 1100 . Shower ori 5i na.l ly sched
11..led :for t oday we r e cancelled . The men pre "larcd t h e i r pack s
and r olls r e :..dy t o mo ve . i t 1400 , t he {i tchen vr~ s o rd,ere d to
have su FH:?r r eR.dy a t 1 600 and se~ve , i f trans ,ort a tion had not
arrivr' d ., Cho\7 r:JG.s r ushed t h _ough an d t he co m ~x-my moved out
ot the a- ea at 1 700 . -he com:)a.uy !!loved soae 50 miles a nd. ar...
r ived a t t h e to\n o f 7 i nderdang e , LuJ<;:embourg a t 01 30 o f' t he 15
o i :Hove:rab cr and wao bi 1 e ted in b -:: rns a: d hou.nec .
15 Nov The co m!)a:ny r emai n ed i n \, i nderdai"lge until 1 430 when u e en
t r u c ked and move d 1xn to the front lines some 1 2 kllometc s into
Germmiy ., w.here \7e r elieved t he 13th I nfantry , 8th Divi,sion .
1Ve a sstUne d t h ei r de onai ve _ o rd ti on . The con '1uny CP wa s es
t a blished i n a. pillbox, one o f the _,ri de of the German de f e nsive
cet un . Our 1 st and 2n d nl a toonG '.Ire : e 011 t h e lin wi t _ t h e
3r d in sup:po.rt;. Hot ch-Ow- was ser v ed for 2 me als.

L
 Hq Co On the 11th and 1 2 11 , t he r e o1 ::..cements c a..."ile i n wet , col d ,
IJov and !tJ,o s tly s .c ared , 1Ulder t he l.ea de r shi p o f t he new .e ompany com
11- 13 mander, a l an cy Texan. .who t ol d th~ men 1e was Capt a i n Ylill i am
B., Covma Jr., and i mme di a te l s tarted t o reo _gani ze t 1e ou t fit .
1 st Sgt. Kugi er und t he b a ttali on cl erk ,. IJeonar rl :tY.euman,
s et. u p o ost o:f the :ni ght o f iifo;r,emb er 12th ,. t y pi n . tlle ne 1.' c om
pany r oster. They we e not h apr,iy men . 1
7ho t he hell \, ere t hese
new ... e placeme:.nts who W.) Uld have to fil l t he shoes o f t h e oTd uen?
'.7h a t e oul d they do?
\ho, for i nstanc e , co Li.l d ev er f ill t he shoe s of 1 st Lt .
Th o ma s a. ~' ciraughl i n Jr,. 1 t h e c omnm1i c a tio:ns o ~fi ce r \\iho had
been a God to h i s men and now wa s r:its s i 111g i n a ction ..?
a e11 , t h ere -rm.s a dark ,. qui et-s r;oken S taff' 0 er eant na.med
Les ter c. Suit r who h a d h ad a 1o od deal o f wi r e e xperien ce
b ac k in t he st ate '1 . I h e \"'m rked h rird , maybe h e could r un t h e
Y.)l a t oon nome sort of a way .
A l ot Lt ,. . J ohn t 'I ,. Comparato c ame i n to t ake over t h e anti
ta..'1.lrn . e might do . A&P wa s l u c cy . Renni e . O'Ne was still
a round and cou l d get now men i n to tLi.a p e . Given ti me , maybe
there tvou l d be a co _'xxny again..

L
 16 N"cnremb8r 1944 - 1 December 1944
The posi ticm of the Battal i on remt:,i.ined t he Game .
Comp~ny I reli eved Company L on S eveni g ill and Co:Jpany
L b0-cam.0 t he . reserve comr)any .
1~ eo:rga n iza tion o t:fi e 13atta lion .ontinu.'"' d- t he s car s of
Schmidt w-ere s l ow in healing .
Sho.we!."S. and movi s we ro made a vai la\)le..

2 December 194 ,
The 112th Regiment was a ssi 511"'.l d t h e tas1{ of bl oni n~ ~ 3
:pill boxes held. b y t he Germans . One p ~ at o o n from each ba tt a lion
made u u the 3 a ssau.1 t ,rou . s . r 1e . l a toon f rom the 3r d Bat
t alion.. . came i'rom I Com!;u1y : One p1 ~1to on of L Co::J.pany was to
g ive sup, orting firo to the 0 ro n .
One assault t oam cou ldn't find t e pillbox it was to blow.
The oth.e 2 aosaul t t can1s ,. tmder fir e f r.o n eneLJ.y an d pr o
t e cting f i re from t h e 112th Regi ment , moved f o rward and -yl ;:;; nted
t he i r charg0s . 011e pillbox t7a s vn." ecke d , t he ot;.er sli ghtly
cla..r::lag eQ.

3-4 De c er!lher 1944

Datta.lion J?Gmai.ned in posi tion. . i?atrols ~m1t out..
Co.. L The area, was b eing cont i nuousl y f i re d u :)on .. Thi s was the
16 Nmf r-eul a c c en ts fi rs t ent r ance i n t o comba t., The ti tch en moved
to up~vdth, u~ a nd we h o t t h ree h ot meal s d ai l ~ . nemy patrols
1 De c nightly i n search o pr i s on ers . Passe s b egan to Par is and
Arlen , Bel i um.
Co. I Ti me i:ms opent on improving our dugou t D and sendi ng out
16 ~fo v pa trols a..vid t he defe nsive posit ion s were i mpro v ed.. The 11 2t h
to I nfantry wa s going to bl ow u p t hree pi l l boxe s . The coripany
2 Dee was assi gned t he job o f destroy ing on e o f t hem. Two \1cre
de s r oye d and t h e a t t empt on the t hird wa s uns ucc e ssful .
Tha t :ni ght , Captain Austin went t o. i n s p e ct t h e pill b ox to
s e e if it i.7as occupi e d . Re n e Jer etur::1ed . A f0i;: d ay s
l ater Capt a i n Rob ert 1. t1cDon o ugh too command of _.h e company .
1

Co . (!_] The com_;any mainta ined its pos i ti on and t he act vi t y was
16 Nov confine d to pa t r ')ls be tv-1e en o u.r c ompany on d e om)~. . n y L .on our
r i 0 h t . The 3r d Y)l a t oon has e s t abl i she d an P i n Seveni g fro.m
r.hich it i s o n l y possible to g t r a tions to t _.i.em i n the d ark
n DS G a s it is undor con stan t ob serva tion and pr a ct i cal ly sits
under t he n o s e o f t he jerr i e s .. T i s g roury i s beil1g f ed wi th
K and C r a t i on s while t h e est o f t h e c omT>any e n j oyed t wo h ot
mea l n a day .
17 Nov The d ay began criS!) and cl ear . Ho t c how t'ms. sche du l e d f or
a l l 3 me a l s . Th e enti r e h-::ad ua t ers attende d t h e f i r s t cl a~3 S
i n co::mruni c a tion s . The c l a ss was on the 300 r n.di o ~ 4 men
j o "'nod t ie com:.1a!ly t o day . 3 c t h em, Polkovi t z ,. <e l l y and
Bo.u.dl e ,. returne d fro m t he h os ~YL t al ~ r oc ov ering fr om mmnd s
rec e i ve d i n the W0rmandy c am')a i 0 'i and ,_,li f:f'o x~ d \. ell: , a r e
pl a ; eme n t .. l t a bout 171 5 ;. t he 1 st l a t oon c a ,, tu,_ ed 2 p r i r1 on e~'' .
1 8 Nov h e po ~ i tion o f t.1e comr1n.ny -roma i 1ir-d unc1:.ange d and they
aros e t o some f ai r l y go cd weathe r . The J ivision started t he
Pa_ i o pasoe s a :.ga i n . Thi s t ime they n ere go o d f o .r 48 h o urs i n
Gay .Paree... Sgts S tad0lb a cke r and onahu e were the luc _{y onos .
Th e c ornmu.n.i C'a tion cl a s s con t inu e d t od - y with anoth er cl a s s on
t h e 300 . 'L t a bo u t 20 00., Sgt . r.fal on ey renor te d t h a t t h e s u a0
t hat \.'JS. S ret u r n i ng f rom t h o 3rd pl a toon CP was l ost and t h e_
c om.moti on only di ed doi.<n 2 ho u1~3 l o,ter when t ey sh0we d u p
i n t a ct ,. ? ho gu a r d was i ncr e a s ed t o 4 p '. r t ur f or t oni ght .
19 Hov Commen c ing to day and unt i l fu1~ her l.o t i ee, 20 men f rom
t he CO IDij~UlY were perm.i t t ed to g o :f:'o s h owers . vh '"1- Ch s e r vi c S
were hel d a t 1 100 ba c k in t o"m a1:1out Ymne o away .. Sgt De
!Iodugno g r a ce d t h e c ompaviy , and t he r '. st e r r a s fi na l l y s t r a i g 1t
enGd out,. Hot meal s ',ve _e co1!.t :i.nue d . !\.b out 2 Qi\ , t he 1 s t
ol a t o on r0)po r t 'd t l1u t Pvt . I}i g 1t b -)dy was l ost 3Xld c oul dn t b e
7
ound . It was decided to c ntinue the 4- nan guard t our a t
n i ght un til fur bho r n oti c e .
20 Hov Thi s mornin ,, Pvt . Light bo<ly W'':.s r e 'i ort -;d f olmd + I t fJO.__,r

ed. he be c ame l o s t i n waPdng f rom t h e CP , \7hi ch i s' loca t ed

i n a pil l box , to h i s oxhol e :'lbou t 100 ya rds aw:y and h e s nent

t he n i. ght :. 1a.nd ~ ~11$ a .' 01md . i n t he rain~ . Show.'~rs . c:on tin u ed. . ~
t octay Q.n d in addi t i on , movieo ivere rrv a 1l able. i n tmm.,. bu t t he(

dar 1n es o , the rai n , und t ie 2 mi le t ri p , dar:rpe ned t he men .' s

sniri t s and no one wen t . \1e c e ive d 2 ne1; mortars and Lt . Tyo

ni ann ed some traini-~g :fo r t omorr v 1v . 1

he 1d t ch en continued to

oe:rve 3 h ot meals a d ay whil e t _ e 1'.'G8t o f t 1 0 bat talion had.2 .

0 tr !)osi -~ i on _and r eg1.11ar pat ls ,_., e e maint a i ned ccordin :>

t o t h e l'O D.lar sch ed 1J~l , e

 ' l

5 December 19 4
fiaj or .1oodwa d aBS1.G 1e cl a s CO of t~1 e 3rd Battal ion.
'"

6- 14 De cemher 1 944
Battalion hel d its posi t ion .
Company L went i n to 9osit i on on Sev eni g I i l l reli eving
Compan y K ',1hich b e c am e t h e r e s e ve com. 1any.,
0
( 14 Decam1)eX'
Pat r ol c oe11t out .

15 December 1 9 4
There we r.e s i gns o f enemy a c tivi t y t hat seemed to i ndi
c ate the enemy wa o r eli eving one o f' hi s uni ts ."'
Tb.ere was an i nc r eas ing ru.'nount o f s mal l a: me fi re .

/
 Co . K At 1 900 the 3rd l')l a t oon was coo mi tted to a 1.1osi t :.on on our
21 .Nov l eft to fill in betwe en us and t he l e t Batt a lion.. rHre w11.s
l aid 'ho t he new position . .he 3rd ")latoon O, wa s relie ved o f
the i ~ ~)OS:i. tion and c a.mo h a ck to the pla t oon . At 230 0 , Lt .
Tu1ea_d ors r e ported t hat hi ~~ 21 0 pat ol ,_ sent ou t t o c ont a ct th~
1 st :Battalion, was missin g . 7.reano?J.s ul at oon re ce ived ari othe r
60 mm mo_ t 2..r , mak ing 3 .
22 Uov I1t., 1 eadors ' patrql lo cated ea r ly t _~ is morni ng. The we :;_ therr
17as rai ny and company star ted on a 2 h ot meal a day s ch e dule .
23 "fo v Thanks iving day and more rai n . Our position remained the
same . Passes to Div t s i on r es t c am-p- s ~~.rt e d today .
24 N'ov Another dre.ary day . !Zegimental r ':ldio school s .,art d today .
25 Ifov Company 'JOSi ti on remai ned t he same . l:Je a t her ra i n . 50 c a l.
mach i ne gun st:e up ne a r n com .Jany ' s c manned a l tern ntely by
2nd and 4th pl at ~ o ns .
2 6 ifov Zi tchen moved U ') and w :-i S e s t a bl ish ed in reserv e nl , to on area
'I 'he 1 st and 3rd l ato on w-e-re on I -i.n e and the 2nd was in reseyv e.
27 Uov a ther J.ai r . J: o ~iti o n unchanged . 2nd pl a t oon i n res e r v e .
28 n ov Comp2ny position roma: n ed uncha:_ged . Pl a toons were r o tat ed:.
:Che 2nd and 3rd were now on line wt t h t he 1st i n res erve .- nsual
patrolc maintai n e d during the _1i ~ht .
29 nov Pos i ti on r emaine d the s _e .nd :nigh t patr'> lS c ntinued .
0

30 nov Com _any wa s aid up to d e.to . 4 o f t 1e old men returned .

l Dec The 1 st pl a t oon . e 7l a ced the 2nd on .. i n e ..
2 Dec I n additi on t o the r egul a r patrols -, Lt .r yo and 3 men we1t
on a reconnaissan ce pat rol .. l'Ji ssion succ essi':. 1 wi t h ;io c .sua l
L ti e~; .

3 Dec t t. La rson and his :-l a toon along wt th a s e cti on of mort ars
sent to re r a r a or a rrnaul t t :ta inins, Pl a toon of IJ company
sent u u to f il l in and were esta'blishcd in the rear area. vomp
rmy r e ceive d Typhu s ~?hot s .
4 Dec Company main ai ne i_ it s po c i ti n i n line vri th -:pl a to on of L

co7..pa :ny sti11 in res e:rve .

Hq Co
The b a t t ered 28t h Divisi on too k ove a lon~ stret ch o f B el~
15 nov
i a.11 ront-- the boy s ne a rly froze to de a t h gc ,_ .tin t her-c- - and
to
the 3rd Bat talion t ook up : os i i{ions on t he ) illbox- do tt e d sl ope s
15 Dec
of Seven i Hill . The forwa rd ep was in a p il lb ' behind the
line , t h e rear CP cras i n East Ouren,_ 0nd Intelli g ence, under
1 st Lt . Leona rd \, . Yis r , set u p 2 0 -Ps in pi llboxe s on t ho "Rat
t alion fl an cs .
l s t t. Ro-bert P. S11yder came t '.) l ead t h e co nu 'li c ati ns
~ lat on , 1st Lt . 3.al ph J. Bc> l l , tha !:. ~~P .
1
l'ran~t Cer v ola st en~ e d
up to t-ech and help.;;d Lt. Compara t o. Carmelo ~. l oi became an
ant.i - t an...{ s qW?,d l eader .
7 i th a nel."J Battali on Co!:U!la11der , . '\aj or ~alden :B'. Woodi.vard,
and Ua jor ".Ii et h I. Ingall s a s I!;v ecutive , the sta-:..t.. undert ook
i t s tas r o f organi s " tion wi t 1 de termination and enthusi a sm ..
Captai n Guy T. Pi e r cy c arne in a s S- 3 . ThGre was co ns i d e r~ble
train i ng bacL a t egiment .
 Continued-
Hq Co The olcl men coul d not forget a c es li _c 1 s t Lt . Jose ph L.
1 5 Nov Dooley , H A ,on the 8 t h o f !Jovember . Li ke Lt . Ge orge ,. t h e y re-
to mi:~mbcre d all too well Lt . \ ill i ams , the old A&P pl a t oon lea de r
1 5 Dec ( Old! He wasn 't even of aBe i and h a d to ask other o ffi cers'
---- permission to t a ;:e a drink .-) h a d g one out t o Schr.lidt , '' with a n
1.1-1 i ll one h and and a b a zooka i n tho ot h er, f irin g both a t the
s ame time . 11 But young , f i re- breath i n g 2n d Lt. Roger -1illi a__ s
was ~ I A , ~d t hi s new guy would h a ve t o be ,i ven a chance . .A.s
for the nev.r men , t hey d i dn ' t know anyt h i ng or a n ybo dy , a nd they
were will ing to r:mr r with of "i ers jus t as new as they were .
It was cold on a.nd around 9 ven ig Hill; but h eadquarters
company m ~naged quite w~ l l even though t he orward CP and com
munic a t i on pillboxe .s -"'~er..e_::_nf:>-t quite lar'-'e e n ough to accomodate
everyb ody and many h a d to s l ee p in fo:ih ol e s . The qui t period
l as t ed i'rom about the 1 6t h.... 0:f ~ ove mlJer to t he 16 th o f De cemb er,.,
' - ~/
 _1 1 1'4

'~~ ~

Co ,, K Brig - Gm1,. Datris visited a l. e n, tod~ y . ..t 1 955 , t he: a.ttali on.
5 Dee vO ins _ect cd po s it.i .-.1n of' t h e 1 s t ul G.t 0on and orderetl 2 round's
of :fl ares fire d b y the mor t ars .
6 Dec Company and pl ato on _;;o s i t i ons emQ,ined m1c 'han g ed . '\'.e gula:r.
patr ols c ont inued during the n i ght .. Ter r ies to ssed over s everal
a rtill ery shell s ':1i t h l eafle ts s u -roo sG d t o contain an. ex ct co y
of an article i n then . Y. Ieral d , _ ribune , e n titled "The p ct r e
0 1 22 H I d . 011 11 , an a ttemp t o:t demo al i za.tion. o f our t ro ps. ~ At
2030 fl ares v1e re a g a i n o rdored .
7 ec Co:apany pos i t l . n r r:imai ned t he s o..rn.e wi th 2nd plat on s t i ll l n
tie tra i nin"~ a rea . Lt . Tobl er join "'d t he com"'1 any i n ch~.rgr:: o f
t h e 1 s t pl atoon. Bat tali Ol'l CO o dere d fl3,res ~ t 1 9 , i , fi1J:ed
f1"'-om r i fl e.. \\
8 De c l .he c on~ a:v...y no s i ti on reraained the sa"Ue ex c e ') t f or the pr>t urn
o the 2nd pla t , on fr oL Division t raini1g can p .
9 Dec 'l t 0600 , Ca p t ain Brown from J ivi .s i on i n s r e cted :_)osi t iono a:n.d
fo und t h em sat i sfac t ory . 2nd pl a toon al erted to .ove i nto Sev
e nig to ta -i:c over Ii c onpany ' s ou.t'loct o f 5 buildi 1:; .'r ove made
at 1930
10 De c At 1 400 , t h e area to t he l eft o f the c , '!'.il'l_)<:L1Y CP was s he l led
v1i th a bout 6 ... ou.nds .. Ou..r & t i l l e r y r et a li r;.t od mt.ti qu.ie t Gd t r. e
jerr ie s dorm . At 1 830 , 3 men were s p n tte d b~ a Jattali ~m rm-1ner
and 1.1hen ordered to halt ,,. toolt: off i n h u ry ,. S everal f l a e s
we re firGd i n an. a,ttem:pt to ge t t h em but t h e se r:,r ch was unsuc ces-s
:fu.l . .1i t h many frie ndl y pa t ols o ' e .;;.ti :r~ g it wa s diff i c u lt to
dote . ine wh eth 0r t h ey 7ero fricndl or ene . I n a ccordance
with Bat talion order'"' , i nsnecti on OJ..' t h~ "',.J.. d ., was o :i.dc . ~here
are to b e 2 insn ections dai l y .
11Dec Snowed h~ r~.vi ly d u.::'ing t he night . Pa t; r ls c ontinued to ope
ate . lit.. ilc Shane too : : out !)a t .ro l a t 190 0 . ?1i "' S i on suc cess 'u l-
n o c a s~ ' al ti es .
1 2 Dec CoD!.Jf:UlY po ::;i ti on r emained t he sam.e . :; i re team l a i d 1 50 y a rds
o :i: barbed wire ent a..n.,""1 ~ :.ien .Cis betwe n us a.id I c onpa n.,y .
13 D d L c omnany sent nl a toon to ta';;:c over 'o s i ti rir o the 1 s t ~ l at ....
oon nb.o returned t o . Div ' s ion train l. ng arc: a . *- e )al ance o the
c ori x:my remained on lin e wi tl1 the 2:nd :)l 2t oon ctil l in Seveni g .
1 4 Dec Com. ~) any relieve d b y Ii eon nany a t 1 00 and we took over t h e i r
-:-)ositions as . ~attal i on su T)O J:'t . _ftnot_1er ree onu-:.i s s anc o a trol
Sent OUt . With m i SS iOl'l SUC Ce S SJ..Ul . ,

15 Dec Gom;_)ru1y still in Ba t t a lion SU'J'.P)Ort .. :1en i m:n ov .)d posit io ns .

1

.Lhe 2nd l)l ntaon out.~) o s t in Sev ent g wa s reli 0vcd a t 1 90 ...
 1.6 J)ec ember 1944
,;.

In t11e 3rd ~ o:' ualion a r ea ,. Com.c any L \VB.El t h e firs.t unit

hit by t h e Germans.

Company I, on the right o:f Company Ii , h eld its po s itions

all day, only its re s erve pla t oon encounte red t he krauts who

had infil t:rated .,

The Germans inf i ltra t ed down two dratvs on ea ch s i de o f a

Com:prm.y L 1;l a toon sh o r tly al t er d ayb-r'eak and r an r i gh t i:nto t h e
Company L k i-:Gche n which wa : :;. 1 50 yard s h ehin cl the f'r ont lines .
All ti tcl1en personnel a nd equipment we re e a "1tur e d ,. 'f.~ CompaYJ.y ' .s
k i tch e:n was a l s o over nu1 but the jerr i es we r e knocke d out .
At. this ti.me , ot h e.r e nemy troo ps.~l)egan cominb over Seven i g U l 1 .,
~The pl a toon in Se:veni g was amu. . ~ h:i.. a ted . The p.l a toon . l e a de r and
r2 enlisted men r etur n e d ,. .
Th e Ge r mans who h a d i nfll t rated ,f c aptured a bridg e- behind
the b.attalion that led b au:!k to Ouren and a lot o f the krauts
ran smack into K Company , which wa s i n r e G'' rve, a nd were sto :ri:ped
dea d i n :more wa.ya t han one.
At 1 600 , the .2nd Ba ttalion , which ?-n:::.s in r e serve,. eow"1.ter
attackc d t h.rou gh the '3rd BR,tta 1 i on a r a and re s tored the o r i g
i nal poeitions on Seven i g H.i .11 . 1r he 2n d Batt a lion withdrew
and l eft o e compa.YJ.y at t a c hed to t he 3rd :Bat t, lion .
~ "" .
'/'
Hq Co Sh.1rtly befo re 6 o'cl o ck on the m.orn in o Uecem.b e r 16th ,. a
lo Dee c a ll c ame ove _" t he :t.!ire from t he 0 1? to the CP pillbox . he
Germans were coming t hrough ! There h a d been shell i n g on the
night oi' the 1 5th but nobo dy h a d expected thi s . 5obs of k r aut ,
we a ring full fi e l d pac k s and yel l ing lik 0 f i end s , \Ve re pouring
t hiough tho dra ws . b:st\ieen t he .h il ls whe re the de ensive p osi ti.o n
wa s set up. A c a ll , . t he r qa r C.: a t O~ en 1.vas i mposs ible . rrhe
wire vms out . How cou d t he sl e e ') ing men b a c1 t h r;re be wa ned?
"i he a:tx:ious g roup in t he :forward Cl! g ot an i n coming c a l l fron
the an ti - tan~t os i ti 0 ns . The whi rlwi n d German a dvance h a d over
:ru..'1 2 guns and wre c k ed them., The t h i rd w:;i.s ho lding ou t but
WO tlld be ov rrun .. It was a ll ov e f or t he ant i-t an'lr pl ., toon
b e fore t he ma in ba t t le b an .
But it was n ot a ll over f or t he platoo11. s :::: r g e . n t, Fr :1nk
Ce _ lTol a . i'io Lmded , he l ay on t e g ro t1nd bleeding , bu t obvi J.sly
al i-ve . A Ge rman , mad 1.7ith tri um h , s h ot h i m agai n , t h en l eft
h i m or dead . Cervol a \?a i t od until t he y elling wa rpa rty : a s sed
on , the n painfully r egained h i s i'eet a nd _e '3.de c1 :for . uren . '-!e
h a d about a !ilil e dnd a half to g o and he lurched forward i n G.n
agoni zed half- r a n .
In Ouren , Co1"'Yol 2, y:ias sed t he ;;:ied i cal a id s ta t i. on . He t-vent
rHre ctly to the re a r C ~:> , s t ag e r ,d t hrou h t he doo r :J.nd blurted
out h i s s tory ., l.1i nut e s l ate r , Capt a i n Cowa n Grid 1 s t Sg t . Kugl e r
vmre in t he s t reet , ounrliw6 u p the i r men . Ce:cv ola went to t h e
medical a id s t tJ.tion .
rvori ng fa st, Ca p tain Cowa.11 o rgan i zed hi s h a ndful o f men
i,n to t hree groups and d i spa tc!l.ed t h em to t h e rid""e ri nm1ing Ou en
on t h e oide o the enemy a ppro a ch .. Sgt . I f'>'l er too _ t h e men
t h rough the b r us h and v.p tl e s l o 9 e , .. utting each rifleman i n to
posi t ion . '~he s eco- .td and t h i rd rou':i v.'e nt u p . _fow , t f the r ear
e ch elon baot a rds r eall y co J.l d shoo t, the kraut vmu ld ge t a fine
rec opt i on.
T'Je arn:hil e , Ga) t a i n Co\'m..Yl c r eated a pa tro l out o f the /U:?
. en , \7i t h Benn ie F owe a s t he patrol l e?.der fmd a qu i et serge a n t
naD.e d !Haine > 1'.Ja"nor v a s h i s a Dsi s t ant . Sixteen other 8?\:1)lo s ...
ive experts .-;ent a l ong a.s t h e r ail'l body . ;:he ~; atrol's job was
to se ~ c c ont2ct 1.:;i t h t he fo rwa rd CP , a nd if t h a t were i.mpo c s ible 1
t o lo c e.te t h e positi on o f a ny enemy we auons or fo c es b e:~~ i ng
passa""'e u :; t he d _ an to t h e CP p il lb 0~
\'.he rid-?;0 wa s rnanned a t 07 0 and th ', pat rol ~-:e n t ou t a t
about 080 0 . ,7i th Howe 1 eadi ne ,. the .. n.t ro wo r k ed i t s way u p the
draw. On. t hei r l eft was t he ridg e whi ch forme d t .e hal - circle
de.i.enc e line or Oure n . On t 11e i r ri g .t vn.s a stre am. Up t h e
drav.J , a mo.ch i ne gun sna rled.. H o'71e c a l led ~ halt .. He a s re d for
t ~.:o vo1unteers , t old t he other nien t o cove r h i m anci sta l k ed f or
vrar d . .~rom t h e r ight , near t h c; 'bri dg e \7h ich suanned t he s tre am,
a me.ch i n e gun () ;e ned _p,., A slug to re i n to H owe ' s am. -Pvt .
::-i onal d H. zenne r a l so \7as hit . How drt g '"'~ d h i m to cover and
another volunt eer crune u~ to t a' ~ e '1enn ' s pl ::w e.. ?Jh il c t h e
a trol fi re d a t the .s pot \'Jhere t ey s un~ s 0d t h e mach i ne ;run
w~s 1.ocn t e d , Howe .'.':m d h i s t wo co m ~ anio ris , E(lward ~:} . We stbrook
and :;111 i am: H. a ol'i n 0 e r , wen f'o rward .a~ai n , c a uti ou s l y . hey
swe rve d to the l e .Lt t hL s time . A s e cond riach i n gun burped a t
t hem. or:m w:;:.s s t ruck a,;.:.>ain i n t he a ... 11 _d t h e tw priva test
hit by s l ugs , dive d with h i m for caver . - h r oute to th e fo r
ward GP wa s i tr?)a ssable.. The e.n eny "Jea a ns h ':i d b een lo _. a ted .
Continued.
H<r Co Iowe call d fo r Lay:nor.- " Take the boys b a c k , n he sa i d ,
16 Vee .., :;:hey ' 11 pe nee ed o n the r idg ~ .. I 1 m. t '~y in herP. wi th these
oth ,r guys . 11 Uaynor obeyea o rders and t he ... \:-P pat r ol j o i ned
f'o rces 1,vi th the de f enders o f t he rid :;.> e . But s ome t 1ing dras ti c
had ha }. en e d i n t h e me antime . The kra u t h a d s i~irt e d t h e :for
w::.~1d no. rd t i ons and ;1~ ere i n the cl e ar . P, 'Oat ro o f a.b out 60
e r~1ans we r e comin0 towa_ d th0 bridg e . '(he y t urned u a t a bou t
0830 and , de c e ive d by the quiet aD~Jeara:n c e o :t the rid. el i nc ,
hca d Gd t o r the b ridg . _u ite bri s1 l y .. l\Tobod; s ...,"' them a t f rst ,
or they h e..d de " i oye d exc e ll.ently i n t h e ir a dva nc e . ~rhey Ve re
s t 1 1 more t h a..~ 500 y a.eds away when a. rifl e c ;.eked on the ridg e
l et ~:> gt 'Jayne Kugler ' s shot m oc ked over the le u.din , s c out
.Th.ere they h a d s oen n oth i ng before , t h e r ca1 e ch elon spe cia li sts
. on the ridge now saw a man fall , t h e n s a w many oth e _ men. h e y
a ll b egan to f i r e iuri ously ..
:rhe Gerrnans should hav e m mm h ette-~r 1 hut thay app~ rently
had g o11e b eyon.d t he sanity point o t u.t morni !l.g o f :prematur e
tri umph . They rusl: ,d the bri d ;,e . I C'idquart e rs com'1<:n 1 p i l e d
up 30 o:f t hem i n such quick order t hat the old- time :.. s wished
1.:I aj or Hazlet t co u ld h a ve been t here . He wou l d hav e h a d t o re
vi s e h i s o p i n i on of t h e ir shoot i.n
l~ t abou t 1030 t .!. e medics , t aking advanta::,e o f t rn German 1 s
ari. 2.l' ent ly co mpl e ~e wi thd. uwal , v e t u p the dra .,7 a nd ev a cuc.ted
Ben n .o _Iowe and hi ~ thre e vmunde d men. . h ey t h e n gat hered in
s ome .vou.nd ed Germans and the f iro t -ph as e of t _. e Ouren f i g _t
wa s ovc I' .
At . t h e , fo_ward CP , me a nwhi l e , thingEJ v ere go ing badl 1 . Tanks
h a d broken t hro:;-f:ih and for a v.rhil e their d i re c t hi t s SD ' c ,_e d
agai nc t t he con cre te f o r tre ss . /'_ r til l .:.;ry f'i r e t u:r~ ed t h em bac k ,
and a co v.nte r - attac b y a 2nd Batt a li on c o~panyhad t e mpo rar i ly
r e mov ed t h e i nfa.Yl.t ry t hroat , but a l ready c om.~) a:ny I vm.s isol a t ed -,/'
U ') front and .;nother g ood ~ ush might t ake S eve:i. i g _Ul1 .
ri I ' 11 :ne v er :fo g et .. ow I ,;ol e 1_ t 1~ t r:io 1i nu , 11 say s :-?fc .
-Jill i am L. tou.ng , an Int c lli ::;e nce Sectio11 man who h ad been s l ep
i ng i n u pi llbox be t \7e en dut y t ours <3.t the OP . "I w1sn ' t co n- ~
~ s c ious o f 11earing 8. voi? e , yet I awe lrn co":fll .tely in a n i n?tan t .
Lt . 001 ;;a.s. ato was s tanding th~re 8.t t he door . He was tve c- ing
a r a i n co n t i ns i d e out .and t he l a.':l'Jlight mrtde t ::e bayo n,~ t on _b i s
ri:i. l e l ook greasy . I don 't t'l OW v1hy he ha1Jpcmed t o hav e a E'i i l e
but that bayonet 1.'7:.:ts 't::b.at i m. essed 'd~ . T h a d n eve r s 0 en one
f i xe d i n c or:ibat b e i:'ore . Com\1arato r e nt-1, looked .. lgged : n i~atur
a lly .. He:~ h e.d just he a rd t hat t wo o f h ::r. r, u n s h 2d been overrun.
ncomparn t Q t oo_ L dd f and me ( Ja..r,ies P .. Ijeddy , l a t er i n telli enee
serg em t ) ou t and l a ce d us i n a 1)o oi ti on with a e w other l
lot11s I didn ' t " fl OrJ, \ col l e o ... t hem we1" 0 _;,n ' s ur e d wi th pis
tol s . Re j 1_n t poin t ed to a dee 1) t r ~_,c 1 z; :~. d e by s eve a l jee ps
and to l d me to g et d ow11 in it . n
In t h e di nt a n ce , a g reat y .lin g co '~l d be h ~a: d . Young ,,
looki ng a r out a t his le ft :tl a.n.k , coul d see ' t h e L com_. any kit
chen. ,. i t s c reYJ working undi s t 1. rbed a..TJ.d \"Ji t h ou t h e l mets . The
y el i n g c ame closer. .Lb:en s h ot s zi . :ped a cr s s t he 200 yard wi de
4

field on 'loung ' s front. He knew t he re was a f t:lirly l a r g e for ce

o f Germans in the wood s a cros s t he f i Gld . ,
"Suddenly one man came r unning out of the wood ;: n Young re
c a ll s . nThG fool c ame out a ew ya .ds a nd b2 an f iring h i s
burp gu."l.. He j ust sr;ept it a cr o s s o:.1r fron t a s i f e, rail i on o f
us were in pl ~in sigh t . and he we re mowin~~ us dow l i ~. e whe a t .
o co 1 rs e, he i.7as only mo1::ing air . I ::.ot a be n.d ru1d dr ill ed
h i m.. I tel l y ou , t hose jerc ies \7ere crn zy-l,n
 ' '

Continued

Hq .Co Late r , Young sav.r a grou9 of men set U 1) a mach i n e in a

16 Dec clet21,r i ng -n e ar t he L company k i t c '.le n .. He t h ought t hey v1e r e Ame r

icano be caus e t h e y f a c e c1 t h e gun ton a.rd t he Germ.an r ou t e -o f aP

pro a ch . But s udd e n l y th e e re ~ swu11_g the gem r...ro t.nd and b e ga n
fi r ing into t he '.'i tch en . Cook s s t o.r t cd t ".> fle e .
1
Youn g shot on e
gunner, a n d t h en v;ra driven fr om _ i o po s i t:ion by a s e c ond ma ch
i n e gu_n .
HJ.:h ~ l a st t h i ng I s av1 f~ S I c r ar.;fi s hed ou t \7i th slug s e a t in 0

i n t o t h e t r ee aJ.1e :.d 0 :f !!le,. n ~ ou:ng s aws ,, 11 '." a s t 18 whol e y e l ling

mob o ::f t h em r unni ng a round thG 1d tch en r1re a l i te a bunch o i'
dr~m cen I ncl. i nns . .r h cy e v en t oss e d gre n a' c:::~ into the ov e n s . 11
As the n i ght o f the 1 6t h approached., i t became c le <>:r t h at
t he Bat tal io n 1.7o uld ho l d _. The - ou te b etwe en t h t wo CP ' s was
open ar-id r e li c o c oul d b e e fi cc te d .- f c. d .ll s o"" J . _s~i nnG -- Y
and 2 :runners b rought ab ou t 50 Ge rman pri soner '' f r om t 1.e forwar d
CP to t h e P-;';. c age in 0 Ul' Grl ; du pl i ca ti:r n_; t he Schmi dt i'e a t of
An tin and k) chu.l t z i n t h a t t e y we r e s h ell ed on t he wa y , a n d h a d
t o br on b e a t t he pr i s oners ou t o f cel la s 7hen a h eavy ba rr a e
cau 0 ht t hem i n u r en . Fi nner y t h en r e t urne d t o t he p illb ox and
f or 4 day s h e wen t with out sleep , s e r vin g a s bo t h me ssa g e c eri.t .. r
man ~ d swit chboard operato r until t he fir s t cri s i s had be en
surmount ed .
""'--. K At OG30 , t h e enen y a t t c c rnd 't h e e nti r e 't e s .ine nt ~l s e ct r
1 Deo and i n fi ltr at e c~ U. o't'm t h e dr aws cm e i t h e _. si d e of t he ::3at t a1 ion
loca tion a rid succ eed e d ~n c t t i ng our s u.n: l y l i n e b '! t a ti n
t he bridge a t the base of t he s lo pe . The 2nd "::'..2t t a l ion wa s
ca l l e d u pon t o a s s ist i n re p el l i n g t he 8.t't a c k md b y n i gxtfa l l
t h e Batt a l i on origi n a l o s i t i o~ w s resto re d b y a c ou 1t e r - - tta c -r. .
Ca sua l t i e s - 2 ld lled , 4 mi osing . Acc ordine to Lt . Lar s on , t hes e
n en we re c a . t urod by t h e en e":w . Lt. G ee n ' s pl a t oon Vfa S a t t a ch
ed to t he 2nd Ba t tal ion. i n t he c ount e r - a ta c ~ and Lt. Lars n ' s
pl ut o on wa s r e ca l l ed :t'rom r, compan ;Y a..'Yld S l~ t '.n i n t he 3rd pl Ht
oon a rea ,, r e _l a cin c o: rpany h e a dq .1art e 1"'s , v1h o o c c upi e d t h i s
po siti on dur i ng t h e i r a b s enc e . :Ba+tal i on c a lled upon K c om )-8.:ny
t o fu:~:ni sh ammu.ni ti on b ear e r t o re ~')l cni sh s u-opl i cs o f f r on t l i n e
tr) o ~1 s . Lt . Gre m:1e a nd pl a t oon - o t u:rne d a t 1 0 3 0 , mi ~J s i on s uc-qe sc
f v..lly c ompleted.
11
I t r.Ja s e a r l y davm on t he 16t .. o i. n ece n b e:_ ' 44 wh en our O?
r e ;po t ed seei ng a ' 50 man kr a u t r (:! connai csanc c patrol ' moving
dovv:n t h e dra w on t h e Battalion ' s l eft fl r.n {. Lnd t h en al l h ell
b ro re l oose .'l:he hein ies c a e sv1 ,r n i ng dovm t h e valley on both
s i de s o f Sev e ni g Hi l l -. 'I' h ey ov e r ran L and r~ eo~pa:ny k i t c hens
and the b oy s sta~ t e d to t hrow ev .r : thi :ng t l.e' had at them. rr
compan y' s 81' s m~ r e a i med at t h eir own k i t chen and i n s hort
o r der the he i n ie s we re l yi ng aro 't1nd i n mou..Ylds a l l d e a d a nd
;;vou..nded . Th e h ein i cs fo r a wh i le h a d c a9tu r qd ou r on l y s u -ppl
rout e b1.lt 50 ca.lib cr mach ine gun f i r e 1:>y Pvt . Sl onake r a nd 60mm
cl ea_ed t h e s po t in a h u r ry .
\7i t h t he jerr i e s con t inui n g t o c orie i n , the l'm.ttl e r age d
al l thr ou.ghout the day . Abou t 4 o' c lock , 1? c o:::ipa:ny o f t h e 2nd
Bat t a.l i )n c a ..e u p to as s ist in r os tori n our l i ne s and t l e 3r d
pl a toon o f Y c ompany v-1a.s .a t t a ch ed., 13, ~ n i ghtfa l l t h e o rig i n al
poa i t i ons v1e re r e s t 0r e d a ft e r some f i cr e e f i ght in but :F company
vms pr a ctica lly ou t of am.mo.. Ba t tali on orde r e d TC ccr1.pa-1-r to
s u pl y a detail o f 1 2 men t o d e live r t h e ne c es s a r y a:nTIIUn i ti o~ .
A g r ou n o f volun te ers f r om c o d)anv K Jead u.art e r s ,, le d b ;r :.?fc.
Le vy , r e por t ed t o t h e Bat t a lioi1 ammo du.:np .and t ook 1 0 bai1do li e s
an d 6 r oun d s of mo ~. t a r e a ch and s t a.:t e-d f orvard . On t h e way
t h ey vm r e c aught b y a. t e rr i f i c r.:iortar and s c r eami.ng 1 meemi e '
b a rrage . I'fo one 1r,;as h it a l t h ou gh n any r onnd ri d r oF. ed in among
t h e de tai l.
 \
\

Co ;1 J ose ph Segal , a ssistant gunner , . " The boy o a t Benning

1 6 'nee h ave al ways thought t ha.t a mort a r had to be fir ed fro m at
l ea st 1 000 yards in order to b e e 'fe ct i ve , but t h e jerry de a d ,
pil ed one on to p o t h e o t her a t Sev eni g , Ger:n any , prov e d othe r ""'i

-- wise . When the j e r r i e s c apture d our 1.ri t ch en ,_ whi ch li~ms only

175 y a rds awa y ,. we were ordered to fi.re ou,_ mo t ars i n to ou r
ti tchon and we r eally stac .red t h e 1 u p h i h . That ni ght we went
"to the ki tehen fo r K rati ons and there wa s one j crry s pr awled
right in fr ont o f t he kitchen doo :.. , t wo nor e dead ne a t h e
suppl y t ent, and many ot h e rs <--tll a rou.."'l.d t he area. Our mor t ar
fire' was so effe c t ive t hat t h ey didn ' t hav e t i me to enjoy the
to ast wht ch v:ras left by u s when t he jer ri es ca pt u.re d the kit .hen
he food cans ,.-;e re f ound to b e compl et el y untou ched. h e next
day WG received t he t oast wa rme d- over f or breakfast . I t w::.. s
o . k ., exc e pt once in a whil e 7ou wou l d bit e i n t o a pi e ce o f
shrapnel~

Co. I Just be fore darm on the 1 6 th of . e c emb e , .everyone Yvu s nJ.

Dec
erted and told to man t h eir po s itions . fr he Germans ca:o e in
1 6-17 . dro ves and our mach i ne gu.n.nc rs a.nd BA :1 m n h a d a i ield day .
The next mo rning the 2nd pl at oon , with a id , c aptured 50 pri
s on ers nea r the k i t chen . Lat e r t hat nii._,ht t he c ompany go t
orde r s to withdraw a s we we re g e a tly outnu.'liberod-;.
Co . L T Sgt .. Geo r ge Albe rdt 11 That m o rnin ~ ,,. half o f t h e 2n d
16 Dec pla to on v1as b a c k at the pl a too n CP , a pill bOJC , e a ti ng bre a _i:
as t when \Je ,ot the r e 'iort tha t there v1ere 1 ~r' uts al l ov e r
t he pl a ce .. L t . J!.1orbes g ot us together and 'llJe had jus t sta rted
bac ~ to our positions on Seven ig -~i ll t o j o i n -th e o h r h alf
o-' the pl a t o on , v1hen 1;1e s no t ted a )l a coon of jerr.; e s comi n
over the h .1.11. We l ay lo w... ~ . hen t hey got 200 y -rr ds i r m us
t h ey s 1li t u . and one s 1,'J.ad c aue dovm a t rail that led r i ght
a.s t u s . They v:1e r e ab ou.t 1 5 yards from us wh n ?rm o p en e d up .
Some , ot away i n some wo od s a long the trail . One j e .r y wa s
b a d l y V'm unc1ed ind l ay about 30 yards ou t calling f or 1elp , but
h e \"Ja s wi t h i n goo d s ho oting dist anee o,:f t h e <lth e r ~rauts . Our
a i d m . Pfc . S rnr ry v7ent out to him , pe.teh e d h im up , but found
him to heavy t o carry so another one of our me:n. , :r:fc . Bober
put d '1\"ID his arrna.o and ri f l e a.71.d hel p d Ske r ry c 2rry t he kr.a ut
i n ., e re s t ~f t he j e r ry pl a t oon t hat h ad tried to c ome ar-.
ound our r ear sto pp e d when they hear d our f'ire . f.1. f'ter th a t ,,
until 1-6 O, there was v ery l i ttle fi r ing but an awful lot o f
t al d ng.. v, e ' d yell to them to s ur-rend:er , t h ey '' d tell u s to
sur r enCl er. We ' d swear at t hem, t h ey 'd. swe a r ri ght ba c .. At
1 600 we were t old t hat the 2nd Battalion 1i,as __oing to c o unte r
a tta c k ri ght t h rough our ar ea... ITow,, :: :Cc. ?1edlin wa s Lt . lt1orb J s t
r ttnner a nd be cause o:f t hat h e mew t h e terrain better t 'l "n ny
one i n the pl a toon,. He was with Lt. Forbe s on a l l t h e reconn
ais s An ces and he h a d to c ross t h e area !nan t i mes with mes sawes ,.
_s soon a s we h e a r d t he 2nd Ba tta l ion staet i 1'fg , 1:. edli n too k
the on l y A?.. -: ve h a d. and t ook o f:f.. From t he way the 2nc1 Battalion
was at t a cki ng h e r ememb Bre,d t hat t here WFMJ a c learin t hrou,,.)1
Tihich the j e r r i es wo v~ld r u troa t i f t e at t :.:i.c k was s uccess ful .
He set h i msel..!. on the fla. ?-- a nd NA.i ted .. He was r i ght . '!'-he
:{rauts began to 1)Ull b ack t _1r ou gh t here Jiedlin caught them
pr e tt 1 with fl an' .ing i r e . After it was over ue com1ted 11
dead\ kr aut s tha t h e go t .. We don ' t know how many more h e wound
ed t hat 1;: e r e abl e to 5 et auay.,
Conti nued~
Co . L \7e reoccupi ed our pos itions on Seve ni g Hi ll that ni ght .
16 Dec Of' t h e half a pl a t oon tha t had been on t hat hill i n t he morn
i ng we f ound 1 dead and 2 woLmd e d nd 4 who ha d r emai ned hid
den- --th e others h ad b een caDture d .
a
The Bat tal i on got qui t e f e u pri son"rs . A gr oup of t h em
went b y me and I wa s very surpris ed to s ee sev eral women and
a Hegro i n uniform .. I S'Q oke to t b.e \! omen who s a i d they h ad
volunteered fo r non- c omba t duty only , but in the critical ne ed
f or men t hey were ordered u u the fro nt , given we apons , and
mai nl y assi gn ed to c a rry ammo, Tie ff egro , e ducated i n Germany ,
said he had h een a policeman in Berlin and t hen ha d been taken
by the \"lehrmach t"'
 _1 7 December 1 94
signs o f g:reat enem:r a.ctivit;y du.ring the ni ght
Thore ~.1e re
of 1 6- 1 7 Dec ~ :ib e r .
At daybrealt: t he Ge rmans attaok-..a, the u.n.it o n the le ft .o f'
t he battalion vJi th gre c\ t n.u..111b r:rs o:t t anl:s .,. The tanl:s g ot
t h rough an.d e e111e a round the rear o f our n nttalion._ .A t lea.s t
4 t a::nks t hat c ame into ou r battalion aren w:err.: 'pnoek e d ou t by
a rt i l .ery a:nll anti- t ank guns ..
The 3rd Ba ttalion was hit '.'.li th re1)eated i::1fantry a t taok s
out st i l l held.. K Gom-yaey }'::,ga:L:n <.li s:posod of the G:e1m.::1ns in
great num.be rs who again . i:nf'i1 trs:i:;eti t hrough Comna:ny L.
Betta.l ion ordered to wi t hdra vi1 t 1e night o f the 17th of'
De cemb e r . The :Battalion \7~. t hd.rew ,, di c covered Ouren had b e en
t aken b y the Gerr:cm.ns 1 went on to t he vieir.d ty of' 1eiswaf;lpa ch
an:d arri v e:;d there a bou t 0400 on the 1 8th ;)ecenbe r and dug in~
In t bis wi t hdra;1,;:n:tl ~ tho en ti rB battalion had. t o \\lade t brough a
creok about one :Coot deep~
Conpany 1{ de s troyed i ts field i::t tehen.

Cmui)a,:ny !. dtJstroyed i ts equ i p:n1ent .

,lost of the troops left the5.r ov r ceHts beh i n d f0,r whieh

they suffere d gre a t 1y in the cold darr~ to oooe ,.

During t h e day ,, as on the prev iouc day , there r1as no direct
att3ek against :r company ' s position;. but its re s erve pl a toon
again was in plenty o f aetion -o n t he left flank-. Compan;y I also
destroyed i t .s ki tcllen before n i t hdravdng w1.th tl1e Battalion ..
 Hq Co The 1 7th we.s a n o ther gre t:1.t d ay o p. es sure by t he Ge r ma ns .
17 De c I c ompany was s ti ll isol a ted and t he other l i ne out 'its b a d l y
b a t t ered . Wi re c ommu.ni cat ions broke t ime a f ter time and r epa ir
b e came i ncre a sing ly di 1'1icult , t hen i n.. _ o ssb l e .
y!)i ca l o f t h e wiremen ' s p e r f ormanc e was t hat o f 1r/5 Char l e s
:1 . He al, em 1 company nm.n who h a d j o i ned the s e c tion in Ifo vt~mb er .
He firs t fought wi t h t he r ear CP grOU!) on t he Ouren r idge , then
to ok a. jee p to t h e for 1mrd CP whe r e he s tayed unt i l t he n i ght o f
the 1 6 th . He t hen l a i d l i ne s t o .J c ompany , c ame back and t en
skir t ed ou t l ayi n g a line to I e ompan,y.. Isola.ted wi t h t hat be
/
l eague r e d out.fit , he _,uarded r i sone rs unt 11 the afternoon o.f
4

t he 17th , then drov e a j 2e load o f pri s oners do vm t o t h e CP

pill box . On t h e Ymy the j ee p vms fir e d u :oon b y sni pe r s . Nea l
di s ca rde d h is carbin e a:n.d ;7ent the r est of t he way u11arme d i n
the ro l e of an h on or a ry medi c in ch a r ge o ' t he pri soners , all
\'JOU.nded
DiVLr i ng t h e d ay o _- December 1 7t h , t e Inteligence Secti0n
wa s c u t d ovm to 2 men . L t . Fi s { and Pfc . Young we e wounde d an d
eva cu a t -e d . ~h en two a tt a ch ed l i n e com-oa..n y men , 7 a:,ncr and Hen
n e ck e , we n t t h e same way . Pfc . J ames P. L ~ d dy and J o se ph L..
Thibode aux: remai ned to assist 1 s t Lt. I,eon Si mon,, t h e new S- 2
o ffi c er.
1. counter- at t ae b y anothe r Battalion re covered Lt . Gomp
ar at o' s t 1ird gun , whi ch h 2 d been ove rrun a s predi,ct ed. He and
the vali ant c re w c on t i nue d t o d 0fcnd t eir po s i tion u...~til t h a t
l a st gun vms knocke d out b y a d i r e c t hit . The ir w-or_,_ done ,, t hey
e turned to Ou :re n .
. P c . Samuel C. Snarks c 311le f o rwa. d to hc l n out TI i et h
Southwo rth on the r adi o and t hu s began a:n a rduous c a r eer a s '1.
vo ic e r a d i o man, i n ad dit i on t o h i s regular message cen ter duti e '-'
Pfc . Al bert J.i1. Paul tin , succes sor to Leon. d uellar ,, t he Ba.t
t 13.li n Com...!llander ' s b odygua r d who h nd been l ost a t Sch.". 1i d t , a l s o
h elp;:;d r;i t h the .a dio . \Then t he a r till ery observer dire cte d
s ome f i re 011 some Ger-. an t anks &""ld i n f'antry nena c i ne; t he pillbox: ,
l:i a ul t i n rel a yed t h e d a ta b a c _~ to Hobo, t he r-mer outf'-L t in the
r ear . 'bi l e t his rms b e i n~, d one , jerry sl arnned ilc> shells right
a t t ~ e -emb1"aztrre f rom which t 1e ob s e r v a ti ono were being made .
Dus_{ s ettled u oon the s ce n e o f' b a tt e and t he Ba '; t al i on
ma de f'ever i sh ur cuar a tio:ns f'or wi thdrur a l . ..Ta. jor r:ieth I In alls
the e ~ ecutive ~f fi cer , gat h er 0 d to ge t her t ie sec: e t S- 2 re c ords ,
t h e battali on j our nal , and wh -i.tev : r o t :i::r -,a:pers 7e re n eeded for
i'-utur e r e f e r enc e , and r-J e t ou:t f or the r e a . . , b ont u_,on s a v ing
t h em.. : -i t h h im ,7e11t t h e c on11uni c a t i.ons o f :f. ic G- , 1 s t L t . Rob e rt
~
rn ~nya.er ' , and- '~/5 ~...ay FI Gor t on . mLue
~ kvl'lO

.l e t ~t.L1 "llb
~ e !ll a ~0
ox
9 o ! cl oc k . They ;;,reTe n ot oeen a;;ain .
Lt . Leon ~3 imo n , t he ...>- 2 , g a t h ered a rou n d him a patro l o f
8 vol m1teers from K C0"'' 11any , and 2 I co:m any ru.nners , Char l i e
Allen and Jo s eph Czans d , who knev; t he route t o t heir i sol a ted
c om-:-iany and want e d to se r ve as guid e s . The y wari1e.d -:a.man t h a t
the patro l had n o mo:r:e t h an a 50- 50 chan ce o f 1 a.'-i n g i t to t h e
surrou..ndea. c onpa ny , but they woul d tr t h e "r be s t .
rtr k n 0 \7 the s c ore , u sai d Si mon . 11
t ' s just tha t it 1 s better
to risk l oc i ng 1 0 nen than a whole company . Let ' s go . n
The gallant l ittl e band v e nt u own the r eve rse slo pe of t he
pillbox h i ll , moving f a s t u p the d aw to t h e c ompany po si t i on .
:men t hey n eare d a b ridge whic h mi ht b e in Ger ""an h a nds , t he 2
runners we nt out a s s couts . . The y found t he bridg e c le .r . Iiat er ,
en c ount eri n g mach i ne gu.n fi 1~ e , they gui ded t he pa t r ol around t he
ne s t and brought t hem t o t he e dg e o ' a wide fie ld,,
GoI,1.tinued
Hq Co On t he other side o f tl::.e field , t h e I c ompany 3r d pl 'l t o on
17 Dec had h a d 3.11 out .1o s t line v1hen Czapsl..i an d .llen h a d ma de t heir
l a st run on t h e night o f t e 15t .. \7e r e t 1o s e woods sti l l in
I com. any t erri t ary ., or , h a d ifu.e }{rauts t a ten them ov er? Th E')re
vm,s only one way to :find ou t an d t he tv10 r 'UYl-'"-"le s turned s cou t s
once more. a nd a dva..nc e d al ong the l i ne o ..L' t e woodB ~- To t h eir
g rea t . :re l i ef, t hey i1ere c hall enge d b y I c ompany doughs . The
c ompany CP was s til l i n t a c t ,. Lt,. Si mon deli v ered or ders f or t b e
c0mlxmy i s wi thdrav. a l t o rend e zvo u s with t he b a ttalion vi a a
pre s cribed r oute , and them. t he :)atrol dupl ica ted its movements
on the r eturn trip .
!i.e a nwhi l c , the rea r Cl) rou. , a t Ourcm h a d been ma dn0 f ever
i sh prepara tions or its own wi thdra-a l . ,Tess s e rge ant Vlcek ,.
tho veteran o the l Ol s t Ai r bo t.1r-.n.e 1:i t c hen c apt ure in 1 amsbury ,
wo: ke-d 1.'Ji t h :fev erish haste . Not on l y did meDory spu r h i m on,
but he k ncv1 tha t h i s wa s t h e onl v k itchen in t h e b a tt a li on in
t a ct . 'iJhen he h a d cr8.ITUi"e d t h e t rue ~ f ull , he found he s till h a d
some e qui _pmen t l eft ov e r . 1r/5 Che :-;te ~- Broza_t and T/4 -ici u ine
A. Spagnola v ol unteered to stay and ~.:.uar d it unt i l another ve
hicle co u l d be found to c l.rry the l ast ite s a<,;J'f3.Y .
Acting T/5 Lavell Avery bu sily packed t h e c om!1any and Bat
tali on admi ni s tra tive r e co rd s and s et out for serv i ce co m)any
i."Ji th them. Ho sav ed t he 1~ec ord s , but b ecame en gage d in a fire
fight l a ter , \"Jhon a se r v ice comi)ar1y ,rou p and a po ti on o f the
\rnhrma c h t met and disa groed i n the dan erou.s bl a c1cne s s o f night.
0

'.!:here \':ere otlv-r c a s es o f i s ol a ted heA.dqu':!.rt ors company me:n

being caught in the battles o othe r tmi ts and . behaving we l l in
emerg en cy . S/ogt . Harold J . o\e s nnJ S/ Sgt . Ca rme l o . loi ,
i ntel l i t,,cnc e se r,;eant and anti - -tan s mm.d l e :7 der re s~ e cti v - ly ,
were on ass i n Cl crviet1.x vhe:n the ~7eh1 a c t c ane d i vin , i n .
Lowe s f o ught a:1cl l a t . :r b e c ame ~ U ,. . .A l oi joi ned the 11 inf'ar1try
and fo:u. 0 h t i n the l ine as an i nfant r y r i fleman unt 'Ll r el ::, . s-ed
t o h i s ovm ou tfit w_ en t he conius i on w:.,s over .
Th e rear CP group got i ts veh icl.e s o ;~:t a bou t 0830 a:nd sto u:ped
at ~, e'i GWBrffipa ch , nherc a :nev1 lirn-? o f d nf ensc was to be set up .
Ca3;t a i n 13o;vnn and Lt . Geo rge e st ab l i shed. ro :;.-:1.d c h ~ ck p oin ts t.o
s t op a l l traf.d c, and direct ed evGT'{one sna :,ca. i n t h e i r n e t to
dig f oxh ol es i n the iel ds .
1 st Sg t. Ku,;:;ler , Suppl y Sgt . Leonr.trd Weu..r:nan , and Srrt~ "1aj or
Conn el ly ma nned one ro a d blo c i:; T/5 Al vin L. Dell a -:oss and
the formidable te e..m of Broderi c k and Sgt . Demkowicz too k th e
o ther,.. By morni ng , :, ei S\"taxn ~-:Ja ch h ad ,, ui te a s t urd y de ens e .
~7hi l e this v1as going on , Ha jor ~-, den 1:'. '7oodward wn s a t er....
ing h is com-cianies to : :> e t her i n the 9 illbo a e a . ~ve n I compan.1
h a d little trou bl e i n withdrawin tha t n i 0 ht , Ge rman v i v i l a.nce
h a v ing i nex nlicab l y a.YJ.d i nexc u s a bly elaxe d aft er t e f i r ct
f lueih o f su c cess . L com_any h a d t he ':lost trouble, but t h e b u l k
of t h e out :i.it had be en a b:;L e to Du l l out as ,orclGred ..
At 1 0 1 0 t he CP grou p began it s w1 thdr a wal . r: a jor "!"oo dward
fo l lo wed t h e poi n t cl os el y as t he c olumn a:p~r o a ch ,.., d Ouren ,
t hrough wh i ch he h ope d t he column co u l d move . ~\rrie n .e nemv i r e
from the tovm told h i m that t he wa v:m s b a rred , he quic i - swung
the c o lumn l eft a..nd took it a cros s t he bri dge v1here He - d ,., u a rter s
Company h ad sma shed t he Gernan pat rol on t he previou s morning .
1.:hc entire movement was handl ed s moo t h l y rmd wi t hou t inci c ent
a ft or Ouren h ad b e en by- pas s ed .
Co:ntinued
Ho 0 0 . .: a jo r 1 wodward ' s slick wi thdranal had pre s erved t e 3rd
11 Dec Batt a lion for the h a rd task t hat l a y a.head...:. - t hat o f coverin ;
the ret r e a t of 4 hard- pre ss ed Tiivisi ons i n succession. Since
the o ther b a ttalions of' t h e 112th tnfantry h ;-.:.d made i t t oo , a
compe tent cove ring f orce was o n h and to 1Je used \Jherever n e c
es s ary . :lnd it def'ini tely was u ned.
t1ajor : o dward _ eceived t h e Bronze St ..,r for his ex c ell ent
tacti1:is i n this haz,. rd ous wi thd:ta ml.
Co . K J~nemy attacked again , t h is t .i me wi t h tan1s and i n fantry ,
17 Dec begi nn i ng a t 0530 .. They rode tan cs dovvn t he ridge on t hG l eft
of t he ba ~ t ali on ., and engag,-;d eve ~ y t ..in.u on the rmy.,, K comp- __,
aily threw everythi ng availabl e a t them, includi ng mo rt a rs and
50 caliber mach i ne guns. Pvts Reid and Anderson c onst itu t ed
t hemsel v cs an army and v e n t down t he hill a nd re c a11t ure d t h e
bridg e, a ccounting for almost 50 jereies. K company c a1Jtur ed
5 pri s oners 1.1i t h the aid o f G c ompany . l'Jo si-tion :wa s restored
b y n i .ght fall a.nd 3 ene my tanl;:s b.ad been 11::-noe '-:e d out . The 2nd
pl a to on was attached to 1 comnf' ny fo,r t .d~ ni ,ht and the 3rd
l a toon t oo 1 over their :po,si t i on . / t 21 00 t he com:9any wa s
alerted to move and a t 2230 assembl e d at the tchen . The men
,.
v ere c arryin little b es i de s ammuniti on and arms., One pee p and
trailer got ou t.. The othe r bo gg0d d :-iwn a n d was l eft with al l
e x tra e "'ui pment and ield it chen which were self destro yed .
t!arched to a l o c a t ion called Hill 506 , 1 mi l e South o f 1eis
wa..111na ch .. The march was 99 s u uhi ll a nd we arrived ::it 0300 on
t he 1 8 th of December and dug in ~
" About 0530, the morn inIT o f t h e 17th, the heini e s star ted
to t h row in a terri fic art i llery bar"l_ 'E!,ge . Tha t anno unc e d the
beginn i ng o.f round J o . 2 . The en emy i nfantry was now sup-po t ed
by " a rk V ' s and wl ile a group sl:L _ !Jed t hrough t h e v a ll ey on
1

t he l e t o f the batta lion , t ~, tanks rode down the r oa d a nd u:i;i

the ridge on t he other side of t 1e draw.,. ~. it h the tan.-:s oc c
upyi11g us with t h eir 75 ' s e,:nd machi ne : . rms , t he i nfant y, con-.
sisting of ab out 50 men gr<bbed the bri dge once a 6 a in. The
ight th a t ensued was h ot u.nd h eavy e .1\ 4 ma11 volu.nteer pa t ol
t o o r o ff for t h e bridge armed wit owrnies :~1 d hand grenades .
':)he mo :~t ai~ se ction set up 2 gun EJ ,, one to t a_rn c are of the dra w
to the right from which the enem.y was a ttempting to se nd U )
rein orcemei ts . The other st a r t e d to fire a t .h e l e:::td t ank .
After a few rounds , t he gtLY'.l1l.er got the ra.:_Ylge and blew off t h e
l e ft tread i m!l'.lobil izi ng the t a n k a..11d blocJ:: ing u p the ro a d . rrh e
sec ond tanr tri ed to h aul it out o f the nay but couldn 't budg-e
i t so it bac :.:cd o :ff and. fi :red 2 :rounds des t O ' ing it . In t he
meant im e ~ our TD 's sittin0 on t h e other side of the ri ver got
i nt o nosi t ion and krwc i:ed out the other 2 tan r.s with dtre ct
h i ts. ~ i7i th a ll t he action go i ng on up on t he rid 0 e the volun
teer patrol gradually clo s e d i :n on the bridg e. ""'ac h m'.:,.n ch o s e
' a sec tor and a t a cornrnand g iven by Sgt . Oliv er -:::eid they a ll
l e t go a t once .. c.fter exhTl.8tin6 a ll t h ei r arninu.ni tion t hey
use.d un a ll t h e i r hand grenades and after t he smo k e h ad c le are d
-!;he brid 0 e was once mor e i n ou.r hands and a ll the h eini e s d crnd .
'.[his enab led more sup li es t o be brought up n 1d the r ~ .oval of
pri so.n er.s and injure d .,
- B,y 1700,. wi th the ai d 01' company G, t h e batt a l L;n 9osition
we,s once u,_gain rest o red but the order for wi.thdra1:'"Ul h a d c ome
tlmvn and \Je l eft the _1ill a t 2 30 11
Co. L .: r/Sg t. Geo rge Al bcrdt ., "On the n i ght o ' the 1 7t h
De c our l a toon, the 2nd , l ed t h e Ba ttal i n on i ts wi thdrawa l.
17-18 When we c ame to the bridge ovor which the Batt alion had t o
cross , v;e met 2 German sentri es guardin it. One , t h inki ng
we we r e Germans , came to nards us---a butt s tro e-- I don 't
1

know by whom---kill ed hi m. h e oth<? r sentry took off . Our

pl a toon too { u p pos itions t o de -' ond t e are a whil e t h e res t
of t he Bat talion cross ed t he br idge , " e t h en became t h e
l a st el ement. The Bat tal i on wa s withdrawin pr etty fa st .
It vms when we waded t hrough t h e c r e ek t hat we l os t conta c t ,
We wandere d all ni ght and met a pl a t on of company t hat
wn s also lost 1 pl us one machine gun pl a too n o f comp13,ny ,,T.
\ e me t I company a t 0800 on t he 18t h . h ey , too , were
wanderi n" a ound . ~ e f i nally es t abli sh ed contact with
Bat tal ion a t 1,500 o t h e 18th . "
 18 De cember 194
1he Batt a l ion rema i n ed :in its po-s' t on a l l d a~r ~ nea r , eis
\~ain _ a oh . Soon a f t e r mi dnight , t he Ba tt a li on mar ch e d to t {1e
vicin ity o f Hul donge and d 0 in ..
Tro o ~ s on i{ rat i ons- an d. no t a i-'u.l l day s ~;mi t .,

1 9 De c ember 194 r
The Ba ttali on remai n e d d11..g in t h e r emaind e r o :f the d ay
and all t hrough tho ni ght.
Th e 11 2 t h Re 0 iment wa s a.tt a c he cl t o the 1 06 t __ Di vi s ion .
K r a tions- fu""ld men re ceived onl y pary of a <-~' y ' s ration .

20 Dece b e r 1 9 1,.
Th e Ba ttalio n remai n ed where i t wa s intil 1 500 when it
marche d to Bieler, getti ng ther e a t 1 800 . Battalion dug i n
and r emai ne d all ni ght .
K rations- and still short .

21 De cember 1944
The Bat t a lion r ema i ned i n its :po si ti on a ll d ay ,:J.nd n i ght ..
K rations .
Co . L '.i' he company a r r ive d i n a f i e1 d n ear rru~iswamnach a t 02 00 and
18 "Du o was .e ra. ere & to d i g i n . The c ompan y 0 P was i n a hayst R ck ~ .t
0 400 the com )eny move d frrt h e:r d 0zm t he r o ad and dug in n ew
de fens ive P') Sit ions.. The grou.J:1d w:_,, s co ld and wo t . . r a t i on s
eate n at e a ch meal .. The company re':'laine d e.r:e al l thr ou h t he
day .. Ev er yone on t h e alert in f ear o f an a t tack .
19 Dec The compa ny moved ou t a t 0130 and mar ch e d t o some wo ods
outsi de of Huldang e and de f ensive posi t ions we re set u p . he
compa ny wa s very low on am:m:u:ni ti on . Patrols wer e s ent ou t .
One patr.ol went into Ruldang e-- Sgt . fongill o
"Thr ee of us mad e up t he patrol t hat wen t i nt o Hulda n e ,
1 st. Sg t. Ri p9erdam , T/S gt . Delvi s and I. We wen t ot see i f
t here we re any 1trau ts i n or near the t ovm . As we en te re d the
toim we n oticed t hat the civilian s wer en t :frie:nd1y a n d had a
s u..llen l oo ;: as we pas s ed by . One woman be e .~ o n e d us i n he r h ome
a nd we were skepti ca l about entering but we de ci de d t o s ee what
she wanted . Two o f us went in to investi gate , Sgt. Davi s r e-
mai ng outs id e f or our cover. Th e woman seemed congen i a l but
he r n ervous talk ma de us s u s ic iou s . I int e r nre te d t h e l!'rench
she s p oke She said t he r e were n o Germans aro md on l y a n en
emy tank she had se en t wo days ago. She t h.en a s ke d. us i f we
wante d to cat and pl a ce d b efore u s t h e most delici ous ro a s t
du c k dinner i magi nable. .'J e wer damn hun . r y and V<1ere al mo s t
tempt e d to a cce pt when sudden l y Sgt . Delvi s ca.lled to us to
t ake it on t h e l am . He had seen a ch ild , who h .g;d be en i n f'r on1:
of t h e h ou s e , r unni n g do vm t h e hil l ... :J e imme di a tely t ook of:f
a n d j u st i n t i me too. t o s ooner h a d we r e a ch e d or positions
wh en a company of h eini 0s crune a t us i n a column of t\ivo s , l e d
by t wo c ivil ians who pointed o :;.t ou r posi t ions . t.11 hell brok e
loo s e . Our TD guns t h at we r e in position to our r e a r , opened
u p in f u ll force d i r e c t ly i n to t he cen t e r of t h e column . :E rom
where we we re we cou ld hear t h e scre ams o f the wounded and s e e
them sc a tter into a hedge r ow n e a r by . . Then S/S bt., Peik ca ll ed
for a rti l lery and zeroed it in b eaut i f ully . The she lls mad e a
pBr .i.ect l a dde r up the hed ,erow a nd t h e n a d e j u s t a s ' per e ct a
l a d de r g oing dovm t h e h e dge r m'7 . And t h a t 1a s t b e en d o t hat
company of krauts . The t h re e of' us , after t hi s wa s ov e r , jus t
l oo k e d a t e a ch oth er in compl ete ama zement a n d felt damn g r a d
we h a dn ' t s taye d f or that du ck dinne r ."
The co mpa ny r emained in i t n pos it ion u.nt il 22 30 and t h en
moved a s h ort aLs t an ce a c ross t he fi e l d t o n ew position s ne a r e
the TD' a. .
Ca ptain Wa l k er promot ed to Bat t a li on Execu t ve Off'icer and
Lt . ":c A1 a l y bec ame company com"'.lander . A s .ct i on o f c ompany
7
:1 machine guns was a tt a ched .
20-21 '.l:he co"J. .. any 1-eft Hulda nge a t 1 6 30 on t he 20th o i ' De c ember ,
Dec and ' mar ched to a f i e l d outs i de o f :f3ei le r whe re we set u p de
fens ive posit i ons . 1 s t , 2nd , and 3 r d pl a t o ons i.vere on t he f or
ward poi n t c o f the l ine, weapon s pl a toon dug i n to the r ear .
The c ompa n y ma.d e a s e e..rch t h r ough town and fou nd a few house s
t h et had German maps l a i d out . Tur n e d int o t h e CP but t h e y
- we r e o f n o v al u e.
Sgt . "1on gill o " ... h ~ company r r: c e i ved worr1 t h a t the re
we r e some k r au.ts in a h ouse to our f ron ~ . 'light att 8 r a com
b a t nat ro l 1 f'-t us t o i n v est igate , ou t o f nowhere a j e ry t anJi
opene d u p o n u s.. -;e a ll ma de a dive f or ou r h oles . Luc ki l y
n o one was h it . he fire wa s 88s a nd ri coche t ed off t he
ground and l ook ed li ke ball s o f f ir8 . Then an e n eTiw mach i n e
gun o:pe1wd u:p . Our mor t a rs answere d . The f i ght l as t ed a.bo:.J_t
hal f an hou r . h e tank wa s 1 1ocked ou t b y a r ti llr v an ur
mortars ma de t h e ma ch i n e gu. :1 wi t hd r aw.
 Continued-
Co .. L When the fi h ~ st a r -tea. , t h e mo r t a r s ~ c t ion h a d been i.vorki ng on
De c its empl a cemen ts fo r abou t an ho u~ tind on l y ha.d t hem half done .
20- 21 Thre e mi nu tes a i t er t he fight start ed t h e other half was com
plet e d . we mai n tained ou r s r~ cur i t y and st ayed. t hnr e f or t he
res t of' the day , and night . t wa s a s pooky pl a ce and gu ar d wa s 1
set one h our on and one h our of1. k d we made damn. sure we were
h a lf awake on tha t hou r off~ Noth i n . else h a1Jy;ened although
everybo dy was s u re waiting and e xpe c t e d an a tt a ci:r.. We s a t yed
there all o f t h e 21 st of De c en b e r . r ne civilians we re un fr iendl;r. 1
Pa cili ti es f or wa shing an d s havi n.g when onpor t uni t y permi t
ted . Th e CP . rou p f ound some food i n their h ouse and s ome o f
us h a d a pret ty g ood meal. The remnants of t he v1eapons pl a t oon,.
company A, llOth 1.egimen t , wa s a t t a ched t o L c ompany .
Co. K Comnlet e d fi ghting f'mcho les and i;ri ed to sleeu . 1.tema i ned
18 Dec i n same l oc u ti on all duy , Lt. IJ a rson ' e lato on , and a l l "but
8 men o f Lt . Tyo' s pl a toon ,, who were lost i n l ast n i ght ' s move ,
r e turne d a bo t 1 300 .
19 De c Company a le r ted to move a t 02 50 and we r e a s semble d on t he
r oa d a t 03 20 . A h a sty mine f i el d o f 6 mi n e s , was l a i d :ne<..r b y
our posi t i on on the ro a d a s we ?)Ull ed ou t . .1arched t o Hul dange ,
1

a !)pr oxi mat ely 4 and a hal f mi l e s , and arriv ed a t 0 730 . Company
CP wa s establi shed in a h ouse and the c o:npan y was in re serv e ,
At 1 50 0 , Iit. Toble r , 1 s t pl a t o on t who h a d retu rned f'rom t h e pro
v ision a l company , move d out to an OP set u p i n t he v icinity of
J. J 528 . .t about 1 Tpo., L c omp'111y was a t t ' c rnd and it n ec e ss
ita ted the cornmittmen t of ht . LarGon ' s ul a toon to rest ore ori
i nal pt>s iti o~ a t 21 00. Obj ect i v e .a ccomplishe d 0130 on the 20th
\
'-----'.
o f Decemb er . \Jo c a sua l ties .
20 De c t 10 30 the comriany v1as a le r t " d to t'lov e , t h i s time in ,t h e
at t a ck . Obje cti ve wa s t he cross r o ~d s 250 yards ~ est of Beiler .
The 2nd pl a t oon re tur n e d to its ori,ginal !)O Si ti on i n Hu..l dange
a t 1100 , a t 1300 , ord er ed to a s s en bly a re a . At 1330 ; pushed
o ff in t h e a tta ck . Obj ective tal en a t l '- 30 . Comuany CP set up
in a h ou s e in Beile r .. No c a sua l t ies . Company dug- in .
"On the 20 t h of De cemb er wo Vi ere s till pull i ng b a cl but
t hero wa s s ti l l plenty o - :fi 0 h t l e :.t i n t h o c om: any . The 'tcg
i ment had faired t h e best o f' t h e ivisi on . The 1 09t h and the
llOth were -')retty b a dl y chewed '.J. p . Af t 8r moving t 1rough ..le is..
wampach we ended u p in Hul da."flge , a bou t 6 mi l e s f r om Beil_!?r . I n
i
b e t v1ee n t h e l a st t wo t 0vms a.n out '.') Oc; t con sist i n of one pl e,t oon
wa s set out to man a r oad bloc1 . They h a d a r a ther livel y time
o f i t . :First , a trt.Wl':lo a d o f ' Jerr~l ' fu r j a c k ets t r ied. t o r un
t h e gatmtle t and was s mas h ed t o pie ces by t h e mach ine guns , BA s
and tank d e stroyer BUn wh ich vms a tt a ch e c'l t o t he !)l a t on . -A
jerry patro l tried to blow u p t he ro ad and S/ Sgt . ,Juroza c bl a st 1
. ...__,. ' ed them wi t h h i s we a 1on s , a ccoun t ing f or on o f f i c e r a:id 2 en
li st e d men ki l l e d and sc a tt erinb the r 0 s t of t h e ~:iatro l . f\. few
llourc l a t er , a st a ff c a r , le a din g s ome ,jer y half tra ck s and
armored vehi cles, at tempt ed to b re ak t _1rough but prompt a ction
by Pfc. I.'.Iu.rphy wounded t he r!faj or and the co nvo y pulled b a c c.
Di s 'noun ting , t he Germans a tt e:m:pt ')d to i nfi ltra te t hrou gh the
l e f t fl ank o f the po s ition . .i. his f l ank was cover ed by a squ ad
c om 1osed o coo k s snd dr i v ers and wh en t h e a ttemnt ~va s r api dl y
b rok en u p , t h e e.nemy r,vi t h drew.
On a d ay prev i ou s to t he a bove, a German o ff i cer was pe da l
i ng fur iousl y dovm t he road on a bi cy cle when h e c a.me i n to view
o f the road block . to s e cond s l a t e r , 1 de a d h~ i n i e l ay s pr a w
le d a c r o ss the r oad , '.\'idal od l i ke a s i ev e . ,.he entire pl a to on
h a q. seen him &.nd t h ey 'all opened fi re to ge t :hor . 11
\
\ ;
Co. K Com')any c onti nue d t o di g in a nd t 1100 , Lt. Larson and t e
21 De c 2nd pl a t o on move d ou t to r e li eve our OP . The 1st pl a to on re
turned a t 1 3 50 and t o ok over the 2nd pl a toon a rea . Head uart ers
made h ot wat e r for the company -a s t hRre we re n o fire s . Sic . c a l l
wa s co ndu ct ed by t he me dics . ! en \'Ver suffe rin 0 fro m t en ch
fo ot, l a c t o - slee D and short rat i ons , a l s o fr om exposu re as
1 e v1 men h d any blanke t s or ov e r c oats a nd sl ee ing i n fo xh oles
is on l y o c in goo d we a t h e r . At 1 900 , 1 s t ~ l atoo n was order od
to n ave u n and support I c om )a ny OP.
Hq Co At Bie l e r , t he Ba t talion s et ~1 9 a peri me t e r d e fens e , mu ch i n
Dec t he 'a s h i on o f an old covere d t ra:Ln mena c e d b y S i oux . Capt ain
20- 21 Cov>Tan , trav elling over unrc conn oi te re d roa ds s drtin , the German
salien t, brought tl"' 4 tru ckl oads o f s ' ppli o s and illlmuni t i on and
other v ehicl es c ame i n on or shor t l y aft e r the 1 9th o f De c emb e r .
he Batt a li on gaine d a new Exe cutiv e Of'i cer , Captai n J a e ".
:1alk r , f ormer L com oany comman d e r , and h <:;adq arters company
0

a dde d a n e w c omr!lU.nic a ti ons 0Ifi c0r , 1st Lt . heo dore Pe t e rs en .

A&P r emai n d e o ffice rl e ss , and anti-t anJ:r: h a d a good o fficer
but no men . Or pr a ct icall y no men . Lt . , om'.} r a t o had brou .h t
5 of t h em out from Ouren on t he night o f t h e 17th , an es c a . e
t h a t b e c ame a lege nd .
The f'e 1 he a d qu a rt e rs c ompany el ements i n Ou en who did not
l e av e wi t h Captain Cowan ' s veh i c l e s or _, aj a r ';roodi,1ard ' s c olur.:m ,
h a d f ound t h ems ol v es i n a d e snera te situation . Lt. Ball o f A -:P
tri e d to l e a d one grou~ to s a fet y and a ll were li st ed as AI
Lt .. Comnar a t e and h i s hand f u l t rnk t hei r s hoe s of : , 1d vml ed i n
t he sno\:v in order to i n sure c om:;>let e silenc e, c are u 1.l y a voide d
every a r ea t hat migh t c ov er Ge r m.an patr ols or snipers , and t h en
swa;:1 t he icy Our River to s afet y . The 2 co o 'ks , Bro za k and SDa ::>
no l a , a l so ma de t he pl unge i nto t he r i v er a n d c ame ou t on the
other s i d e ore t han h a l f fro zen b u t r eady fo r du t y . .l:he y we r e
on h :m d a t iel e r.
Bi el er ov e d a hazardou s G1Jot f'or Jame s ' . L .ddy , t he i n
telli gence a er "eant . Or dered t o s et ~1p an 0 ' on a hill off ering
0
ood ob oerv a tim i n to ry_ v a ll e wh ere th G jer .:i AS had been to
a c t ive ., Leddy mo n ted a h ays t a c k , unl imb ered hi s f i eldgl a s oe s ,
t:tnd ,7ent t o work , c alli ng out his fin din g s _ to l " :i ,V .dwa rd C.
Cuf i ~ L com:)any r unn er wh o h 'ld b een bo r owed to f i _l ou t the in
t e l i r: e ce se ction . Cuff han dl ed t . e ph on e .
Leddy h a d s c arcel y st a rted whon a line o f mac 1ine gun t r a cers
cros sed t he hay sta c.:: . The tra ce ro did it a gain - s the guu.n e r
tri e d t o burn the ha1 sta c ~ dozm.. Le ddy t o ok a c anee and j umped
to the g rou nd , unhurt . J:hen , i nst et:id o f r e t e a tin g , l e b egan
c r a Pling or -iard to t he n i l i ta_y c rest o f t ho h i l l , A 50 mm
she ll l anded n e arby and t h en b oth mort a r a nd ma ch ine gun began
wor d ng the pl a c e over with t e r i f y ing t h orou ;hness . Nev e theles ~
1

Le a dy 0 a i ned t he ed e o ,, t he rnil i t a r y c re ot . Loo ing d ovm , h e

could so e 10 kraut o periltin.g the 2 wea51ons . l e c a ll e d b a c th~ i l
l oc a tion to Cu:t ' , who a lso a dvanc ed i n s pit e of' t h e flying s c r p
met a l. he i r data went to S- 2 and t h en to a rtill e r y . Th e e
s ulting b a r r age put t he Germans ou t o f busin , s s .
 22 December 1944 "'

Thi.S mo rn i ng ~he i3 t u~.lion was certain t 1n t it was sur

rounde d completely b y Gormfu.n s with only on e ro ad to wi thdr a w

on..

By 0 8 0 0 , the re was a very heavy s nowfall with visibility

c'ut do tTn to les s tha.n 1 00 y&r ds , preven.tine; the Ba ttalion :from

being obs erved a s it pulled out .

Th e Batt a l i on mar ch ed m til i t r e a ched Rogery and dug i n

to d efen d t h e t o\': ~1 .
At midnight, the c ompani e s began to b e s h uttled by t ruck
to Vielsal m.
The 112th Regi , ent wa s attac he d to t h, 7t l . rnor ed Di vision .

23 December 1 944
. Com:)any L r ee.che d Vielsa l m a t 0500 cm d was i mme di a t e ly

rel oa ded on truck s lLLL s en t out t o hu.n t Ger mBn pa: a tro opers

re"" ortcd to have lande d n e arby . Con1m ny Ii returned a t 1300

ai ter a f ru.j_ tle s s s e arch .

On e platoon o f Company 11 .wa s sen t to. prote ct some tank

destroyers .
At 1 800., t he Battal Lon went t o t he outs t::Lrt s of Viels a l m
and dug in and remai n ed al l n i ght and t h e n ext day . .
'f he 3rd Battalion v;a s a tt a che d t o t he 82nd Ai r borne Di visio'" ~

24 Decemb er 1944
The Btattalion. repul s ed f urious German a r tille y, tan :.: :ciYt d
i nfantry a t a cJ:s .. ~ -~--
The B~tta1ion:::i .tiai n t ai n ed its positions a round Vi els a l m
all d~y -t 2 0~)0 , . one P,latoon f r on ea ch cou ::;any o.f t he b a tt alion
w~s ...} 1 ven the. mis sion .of prot0c tin the w'i t hdrawal of th e res t
O ..L_ 1d1e ba t tal L on and t h e 82n d Airbo rne ,,ivi s.:::.on .. The n a t tal :Lon
IRl.l le d ou t . a t ~0 0 0 and mar che d u.1:;.t il 02 . J 0 - t h e 25th December
and sle pt i n t nc woods n e a r Haut e Bod.eux .
Co . L n On the morning o f' t!~ e 22n d the company moved out through R.
22 De c heavy sno1ufal l t hat conceal ed ou r :i;1ovement . It was cold but
n obody n inde d the weathe r , r cali zin the tou ghness of our sit
u a tion . Then we ma rche d t o t _e to\'V!l of q oge r y a : r iving t here
abo :.1t 173 di r.; i n p siti ons in the r ear of t h e h ous es in
Tihich i:1e were bl. l oted . The c ivil i ans in t h i s tovm were very
friendl y . We s tay ed there a few h ours and once agai n we r' Gre
a lerted to move . e oved out by v e icl e, fi nding out l a t Gr
tha t, s h o rtly ai ter rm l eft Rogery , it was bl ovm t o p i e ces ,9..nd
then occu-pied by t he 1:rauts . The n i g1- t was _retty c ol d but no
one a t the ti _e worried abou t the weather . \r: e a r i v o d at our
de stinati on , Vicls a l m, abou t 02 0 0 on t he 2~rd o f De cemb er . "'
23 De c Sgt . '11.ongillo 11 he comnany waited in ormat i on a f t er de
truc d ng a nd were told o f enemy pa ratroo p ers l o.ndi n . in the
\VOods South o ' tho toi;v.n . 1.hen pa r t o f the cor:rx1ny v1ent out on
a wild goo se chJ.se loo k i ng for t h em. h e comuany remained in
Vielsalm. and wa s bil l ete d in tho same houses with an J\ r . o e d
unit . 7l e ate K rations , had hot co "e G a nd sat a ound the stove
' ril ling krautr3 by the t h ou sands ' At no on we were o rdered to
move a gain but on l y furt her d 0 \"ffi the road . ~ e maintained our
security r~r o und the t ovm. . There wa s a con t i.nual movem nt t h. ough
us o armor and t r w p s, t l1at stret ch e d as d .'1. as t h e eye could
see , a.'1.d a i rpl anes ove r h e a d. It g ve us a good feel i ng to see
a l l t h a t . Boy , vm su..r e were saf'e. I i 11 never forget the lo ok
on the iace e of the iel l ovJS with me wh en we ::.ot the word t hat
o,11 that s t u ff i.-msn ' t v1i th us , it wa s l e av ing .us! In fa ct , I
think I go t a little gre en too . Then we s t art ed to g e t a hell .
of an art illery b ar:ag e . No c a sua lties , but t h G s h ells w.o;re
l andi n g s o clo oe t hat C')l1cussi on wa s lern c dng a fe v1 off t h eir
-'eo t and a l so breaki ng every wind ow i n t he h ous e . ''!e \'Jo ndc 1~ed
abo u t our next r.nv e when ri ght after a l l t h is , we did move to
the ou ts kirts of to vm setting un se curi t y positions i n an o " en
'ield . .;e remained t he e the en ti e ni h t and t .. e noxt n ing
changed ou r o s i t ions into a \ oo ds nearby . 11 .
r he 2n d . l a toon o -' cora::;>ru1 L was sent to pro t ec t some TD' s .
;Jho,t rms S U ')"O O Ged t o hav e b oen a mis s ion o onl y a ew h ours ,
t u rned into a 10 day a dven t ure during \ i ch t he ~ l a toon was sep
1
/

a atod from company 1 . S/Sgt . 3 v ersfield ..

" At Vielsa l m,. we we r e a tt a ched to a pl a t oon o f 81 4.th 'I'D ' s
that was protecting a roadbloc ~ for the a - orod ou..tfi t . The .
j orri e s h a d c aptur'1d a 7-man out uost o the 17th D' s . That's
why .ve '.-:ere needed . \' e were g o.i n [, to protect t l e r ' s that were
9_ote ct ing the r o.db l_ ock . i7ell , the a c t i on was be:g inn i ng to
g et cl os e and h ot . i\ Lieutenant tol d us h i s out fi t was with
dravlin to ano t her ~J o s i t i on and he s till ne de d us to 9rot ct
h i m, and also that they were go i ng t o blow U~) the brid ': over
which t hey were go .int::> to \Vi t h drv.w. So , we i;1emt with t h em and
t h a t ' s t'Jhe :re :.;:1e l ost cont c t vi i th ou:. co"':lpany . The TD out t
1

ntarted withdrawing and t h ey di dn ' t sto n unt i l they h a d gone

30 mil es a...'1d j oi ned t he rent of t _. cir '11 b at talion . The _ e were
on l y 21 men left in the :plat oon a t t ~ j_s time . \7e had h '1.d n o
h ot cho w f or 9 days , onl y K rati ons-- if we c ould get ' em. A
' D o ific er, \vhen he ound out a bout us , h a d t heir d tchen coo ~
a s nec i a1 meal 'or us , and he ga ve us a ll n ew cl o th i n~ , They
m::i.d.e u.s t ake a physi c a l e xam a t t h eir b r t t a lion a id s t a.tion--
and 1 4 o f ou.i: 21 men were eva cu a ted , s ome with pretty b d cas es
o f t ren c h f oot and some wi t h b r~. tt e 1 <-lt i :>~le ,
 Con-t- inued-
Co . L 'fi1e Colonel o :f the ' t ol d us he was h vin offi c i al o rders
23 De c made up , a tt a ching t h e remai ning 7 o f u o t o h i s outfit until we
coul d con t a c t L com any . T/.::>=>t. ,_lb er " wa s n a de a . ersonal
body guard to on e o f the TD pl a t oon l e q.a ers and I was made a
bodygua rd to another pl a t oon l eaa e r . The romai n i n :> 5 st ayed wi th
t he T ~ pl a t oons . rhe :pla t oon le a der t . o Sgt. lbert and s0me
TD men with h i m to loo.k i 'or some ood pos tions and \7hi l e they
-v~i e:re out t hey s aw a jerry pa t ol 1 4 men wit 2 GI pri s oners .
s Sgt . Al bert and his rou .., W'.ttche u , t ey saw t he jerries sho ot
t he 2 ;;- I's. Our men i m:1edi a tel1 o ~) ened u n on the b a E.l t a rds who
bea t it l eav ing t h eir arnmo . Om men went - u p t o t h e 2 GI ' s . It
was a c aptain Gnd h i s r unner .. The runne r w s de ad , the ca:!_)t ain
badl y h i t . h e c a pt a i n was eva cu a ted . "7 booby t ra:!)ped t h e
ar:'.llD.o t he jerri ,., s l eft b ehind , [ nd t hen wi t 1dr ew. The general
a r e a wa sn 't t oo g ) od :for 'I'D ' s Go t he en ti re outfit pulled ou t,
us with .t hem , and r ode t o r.Talmedy where t h e TD ' s s et .u p a ro a d
bl ock. ~7 e fou ht with t he l Ol s t Ai rbo rne i n i ts de fe nse o f :.. al
medy and r1e s a w t h e bo dies o f t h ose r I ' s who were ma ss a c re d
t he re . \7e were i n a i'uri ou s tan -:: ba t t le. As t le bat tle slowed
u n we ma de a search o f our knocke d-ou t t an s and i n one o f t hem
V'J e f ound a k raut who was giving our po s i t ions to t he enemy with
the t ank r adio .
The 7 o f us n ere a t t a ched t o t he 82nd A.i rborne Div; s i on a n d
v.ri t h in 5 days were re t urne d to our ovm out ft t.
Colo n el '{ a rren o f' t he 81 4th D ' s said he was goi n g to r G
commend u c f o r an awar d . But we h av en ' t heard anyt h ing s i n ce., 11
24 De c Company vm i t e d .1.or orde r s to movo out of Viels '.? , Ieated
~ rati ons . Gua rds po sted outside . Ordered t om ve f u rt 1er i n
tovm whi ch wa s l ocat e d in a v alley . v O nany ~lte d and r emain d
on the r oad fe el i ng hi g~1- s pir i ted , forg etting tho s 0riousne s s of
our f u r t her movements . The _ co ~l1 any again wrrn : 1 1~; e d i n ~ om e s ,_
v-:i t h \7e a "1ons set uu i n t h e ,a _ dens .. Aero nl !LGS ov rhe a d---'7i t
nessed d og- fi ghti ng . Enemy arti 1 ery burst i ng :ln n e ar vici nity .
Saw wi t hdrawal of' a r mor. "l e we re ordered to _ov e . Set u_ de
eneive posit i ons i n adjacent wood s wi t h t h e mortar s e ction a t

the rin3e o f thcwoods . There wa s i ntense sni ne f i e i n t he

open i elds , 'C e v:m re o de red to se t u p dug ut s b r: c ause o f' t h e- .

.bv..rstin g artillery . numerous runo1u1t o f ou ai r 'o ce rmc s i ght '"'

ed ancl the rumble o f bombs was he 2rd i n t ho di stan c e . '.Ten , go
i n g G. J.. t er hay i n t h e f i eld , returned i n <t.Uic l~ time due to sniper
1'ire . \'le were ordere d t o mov e a t 2030 an d marc h e d all n i gh t ,
passi n g brid~ cs t hat were i n.medi at ely bl rm u p t er our cross i n
Bi v ouac 1:ed :for t 1e r e mai nder o :i:' t e ni. ..Jht i n t he wo ods . qa tions
l ow- - IIor a l e l ovJ. J:he we a the r wa s v ery cold a n d the men 17ere
ti re d and hungry .
Co . K Th company a rose a t 050 and nre na .d to move ou t. C o m~-'any

~ 22 Dec t o ok o 'f a t 0630 and marched n:9prox i mat el y 1 2 il t o 11.oge r y ,

i n Bel gium , \Vhe re a re ct a~1gul ar de ense 1a.s s e t up by 17 30 . \ t

2230 t he com">any was a lerte d to m ve and a t 2300 entruc_ e d f or

Vi e ls a l m, some 8 mi l e s away . Ar rived at 2345 and wa s put i n

po s ition by 01 30 on the 23rd . Com ~any CP established in a hous e

next to a brid.i;;e , t h8 !>r ote ction o f which wa s t h con;>a.YJ.y mi ssi o

 Co . K At 0730 , the comnany CP wa s m0v e d t o a n evJ lo cation i n the

23 Dec same tovm , and when the c om any fron t ~a s mo v ed UT.) t o defen d
the Hort h ban of the Sal m riv er , the CP wns mov eU. aga i n . here
'it/as s _ a s mo dic enemy a ctivity all d a
24 Dec . .: he jer.J..y attack starte d early in the morning a d continued
in for ce all da y . The mach ine gun s e c t i on -vms h i t ha d , ,h3.d 7
/
c asualti Gs and lost all t h eir weapons b .r enemy a c tion . 'fhe 3rd
pl a too n al s o suf 'ered he a vily . The c o 1pany CP wa s move d a ain
and enemy sh ell in0 and ma chine gun "ire_ was h eavy all day . At
l 7Y , the comnany was alerted to mo ve . The 2nd l a t 0on r nmained.
as r ea r guard and pl a c ed I .squad in ea ch pl a to on area wh en the
company ov ed out a t 21 00 . ]\1arche d 10 mi l e s to :'re !1ass i and
arrive d a t 02 0 0 on t he 25th .
 25 De cemb er 1 944
The Battal i on had 1 0 in l f o r b r e a fas t .

The Battalion le ft t h e a re a o f aute Bodeu x b y true r a t

1 000 and arrive d a t 1 200 a t Rouge T'.,i niere and Berna.rd- Fagn e .
3r d Battab"on re t urne d t o Regimen t a l c ontrol a d Regi raen t
was pl a c ed in :r:eser v c .

26- 27 De cember 19 44
Tro o ns remai ne d near Houge ~ I i ni e re and Berna r d- Fag:ae .

Troo ps r este d for 2 d ays.

Regi n en t a t t ach ed to 9t h Armored Divisi on .

28 Dec emb e r 1 944

In t h e afte rnoon t he Bat talion ma rch e d t o Izier and b iv
ov.ac ked in a fi eld f or the n i ght .
3r d Bat tal i on a t tach ed t o t h e 7 5t h Divi sion .

29 De c emb e r 1 94-4
The Ba t t a li on mov e d out in t h e a f t er n oon f or .hor mont ,
reach e d i t , and t hen i n half an hour , pushe d o ff towards Cl er
h eid . As Bat t a l i n l e ft Mormont K a..Yld I comryani,es r e c e i v e d
enemy arti ller y ire .. Ba t t a lion r e a ch ed Clerb e i d c lose to
mi dni ght .
 I

H Co .:-lie Ba ttalion pro c ,ede d t o 'to .,er and then to - i e l s a l. by

Dec truck . The movement from Vi Pl sal m on t he n i ght of t h e 24- 25 t h
25- 26 v7as a ma d dash , for t 1e kreut dri Ye still pa c ~c d lots o:f powe r .
1he uni ts t h e Ba t talion \7o. s c ov erin ; v1i t hdre fast a..nd s ome t i me s
t he Battal i on a l mo s t ch a s ed t h em out ot th e Germans ' c l u t ch e s .
I1he k i t ch en cr ew; Vlcek , T/4 Jay r . Per ry , Pf c . Denn i s v. Bogan ,
arJ:d the re c ov e re d swimmers , Br o zak and C"pagnol a , worked a l l nigh t
o t h e 2 5th , preparing 700 pound s o f t u r my for t h e ent ire b a t J..
t a li on , no w i n Cor s rese rve i n Roug e 1i:hi ero .
On t he 26t h , Vlcek and h i s b oys ,. minus on l y the vmunded T/5
av i d F. ~erry , s e rv ed t he i r hug e i le o f tur~ey to t h e men o f
a l l fi v e compani es . ; os t o f t ie l i ne c o , ne_ny b 0ys had not 0a ten
a h ot moa l s i nce the i r ki tchcns v.rere lo c t on t h e 1 6th a nd 1 7t h .
f, or a l e t o ok a boo st .
Commo Lt . Petersen , Su i ter , ~.nd t h e dri ve r , ~e al were ou t
che cking l i nes c on t i nuou s l y and usua l l y und e r shell or sni p er
fir e . The t wo wor s t j obs vwr . t he line l ayi ne to the c ro ss r oa ds
near 1al s c iei d , whe re Pete r sen c raw ed to an I com9an / posi t i )n
al one v. e r h Gavy "i r e and t he s tret ch f'r om Sal m Chat eau to
Vi els a.l m- - 5 mi l es under i :re .
Co . Y Com-;_ any slept on f r ozen ground U...Yl til 0800 . "-t 071 5 , t he
25 De c 2nd pl a t o on cau -h t u p 'vi t h t he c om. any f t er f i ght i ng a ter
ri1.i c re arguard a ction . .t ogoo , t he c oI:l.pany w s g iven a 'P.
r a t i on and 1 0 i n l ' s f or t h eir firs t meal .i n 24 h ours . -t 1 00 ,
ve entrt1ck e d and rod e 1 0 mi l es to -::ouge .rinie_ e \'Uere t e c om
pany ;,ns bi ll eted i n h ou ses .
26 Dec "'o puny got t h e ir f i r s t nig 1t ' s slee _ sin c e t h e o rigin a l
a tt a c k ctartcd an d ar s e a t 080 . . Day spent cleani ng wea ons ,
-;;: s __ av i ng and vms h in ;.) . Clo s e order drill from 1430 t o .1 5
Ia;j or Woo dwa rd a ddre s s ed t h e men and ex pl ained. our v a rious mi s..
s i ons which he said \7e r e c om)l e t od succe ss i u lly , and said our
L com) any in part i cu l a r , pl a y ed t he b tgge ot :part and b ore t h e
brtm t o f' the en emy t hrust s in o.11 se c t orn . e men we re s e r v ed
turkey for Ch ri s t mas d i nn er .
27 De c Cm pany remai ne d i n the same area , s t ill i n houc:i e s . ..'!en
v1e e is s ued slee pi n g ha s a d bl a nl e t s and re s t e d mo s t o f the
day .
28 De c Coi:1pany remai ned i n t h e saxne a : rea. 1\ t 1730 we i;ve ro orde re d
to move o J_t . .1 ar ch ed 6 mi l ec ~o Izier where t ey bivou a c .rnd i n
a f i eld a t 2 0 , :rhe C OITll any e.. VlaS s e t U .. in Dl1 0 9e n b a rn .
Thr e e men vml ;:i :lg guard used for the en ti re c o pa..ny .
29 Dec Com'lnny v10..s al ert r~ d or t. sta _db a t 0 7 O. T. ov e d ou t a t
1 615 and marched mil es to for on t whe r e c ompany was b i l l ete d
i n hou se o . A't 2030 , co.mpa."'ly wa s al e ted , stac k ed b ed rolls nd
mov d o f i n an at t a c l';: a t; 21 00 . An rtiller ba_ragc c a u ght
the c o! pany on t he anproach mar c h : 1d suf . . ere d 2 casu a l t i e s - 1
::il l ed and 1 wounded . The c o m:p :~ny a rrive d i n no si ti on a t 22 0
and ma intai n ed s nme unt i l 0 030 o t e 30th 0 1' e c embe r .

, I
'i
Co . L Awaken e d Ch ristmas morni ng- - f irst ch an e o i food - -1 0 i n 1
25 De c r a ti on s , The company ma r che d 2 n il s t o a vruc .d:n , oint .
Pntn1c ;:od and drove 1 2 mil e s . !.. et ,r uc 1re d i n t o'ii\rn o f 'tou e _Un
i ere ruid bi l l e t ed . K rati on s . Or de rG t o r ove a ga i n a t 1 6 0
and mar ch e d 1 mi l e t o an a dj a c en t t o ~vn . _he ent i r e: compa ny
b i l let e d i n a fonas t ery . 1i ro t c ooked me a l b ei n , t 1J.r k ey , g i ven
by the 82nd Ai rb or n e and prepare d t h e Bat tal i on .e a dquart e r s
om any i tchen , wh i ch '."Jas t i e on y one oa v 0 d i n t h e b . ea c-
t hrough . _Jen a te r..v i t h gust o. Securi t r post d .. ~ . a pon "'l cle a 11ea
Retreat fo r ma t i ons . I s s u i n g o f n e w b e d ma t e r i a l . No a ct ion .
Com'1any or de r ed to move , t 1 o.. 11. a r ch e d 17 miles l os in ,,
some men . J e t u de 'ensive no s i t i o .s "--d sle)t in a f i e ld .
Wea t h er col d and ~ s noV:J. Gr ound v1et . On t h e 2 9th , t he co pany
was or de red t o move a:nd marched 1 0 mil es to tovm o f c:, ormon t ,
Company .JI was i n t he r ea r o f t h e BfJ.t t d i m mov .men t . r-?. each e d
t he town a t 2 200.. I en were r e11dy for sl ee . but i'iere or de r e d
to . ove i mme di a t el y i n t h e at tac k wi t h 1 c om:!:)an i n sup_ or t .
Compani e s Kand I su f ered s eve re c a s u a lt i es on t h e a p r oa ch ,
r om ene y t anl~ f'i re--di stant r u.:.mb l ing o i' enen y s t a f i n g a n d
bombinb of our a r ti l l e: y pos iti ons . Com:i::>any had n o ca sua l t i es .
As s en bl e d i n t h e woo d G f or furth er orde s . i ea t h er was old
and 7ind_y 211d t h e men we r e scant ily cl a d . fo a ct ion . Aga i n
or der ed to ove and mar ched on t o t he tovm o f Clerh ei d. ~ e
"'ained i n to :m ov er ni ght pos ting s 0 c urity . Cont i nuou s r umbl e
of art i l l e r y ba r r age .
 !'.'.

30 De cember 1944
Battalion remai ne d a t Cl crhei d. all d ay and n i ch t .
J1d Battal i on at t a ched to t h e 3r d ~>-r or ed Di vi si on and
t hen Batta lion reverted to Reg i men t wh ich was s t ill a t t a ch e d to
t h e: 9th Armor e d Divisi on .

31 December 1 94 r
In t h e a f t e rno on t h e Ba tta l i on march ed b a ck to .:.orDont .

l J &muary 1 94 5
The Batt a l ion r emai n ed a t ~Iormont and had a ba ttali on
a t tack probl em.
A l a r ge 111.uilb er of r einf'o.rce:w.en t s arxivea. .

2 J anu a ry 1 91,. 5
The BattrJ.ion march ~ d out o:f ..0 r n ont f or a bou t 1 2 mil es
a nd we r e t hn pi e rnd u p b y true ~ s whi ch t ook Bat tali on t o
Aywaille...
Co. K At 01 00 , t he comuany moved into Cl erheid , a h . l f' mi le . est .
30 De c The men r e s te d . t 1700 , one s qu a d of t he 1 s t _l t oon wa s s ent
out a s r ifle prot ection f or a t a n t a.1)ou t 50 y ~1 rd s from the
c o m ~)mlY CP . Al ert wa s ca ll e d b y t h e Bat t al ion CO. I s ou ed
overco a ts , over sh oes and shelt er halve s .
31 De c At 0 630 the company was ale r ted 1?.Jld a t 1 230 oved b a c about
2 mile s to 1ormont whi ch \'Je had le ft 2 days before . Billet e d
in hou ~ e o and b arns . At 17 O, 15 men were s n t ou t on 5 out-
pos t s su-r o 111~ding t h e town .
1 J an Company i n t he s ame pos iti on . At 0 9 0 the com_any assembl ed
in a f orVJard a r ea and took off on a Bat t alion a ttack probl em
7i th K com ">any in t he l ead on t :: e r i gh t f l an {. -;)rob lem com-
pl et ed a t 1 230 . Company ret ~rned a t 1330 . 34 repl acement s
arri ve d . At 2200 t he company was a le: te d to move t omorr ow.
2 J an Ioved ou t a t 074- 5 t:in d :nar ch ed mil e B t o an entruck i ng ar e a
a r r ivin a t 1 3 o. At 1600 , t h e c Jmpa.ny le f t t h e assembly a rea
a n d s t a rt ed to n a _ch . "'le were i c _ ed up b y t r u e r:s a t 175
.''l.rri ved i n J\ywail e a t 1830 and \7ere billet f' d i n 1 u s e s .
 3..,.4 Janua ry 1 945
Battalion re!Ila i ned a t Aywaille for r est .
Training sch e dule ,.

5 January 1945
The Battal ion moved by mo tor i n the mor n i n) from Aytvai. lle ,
Sou.t h , to an area Bois De La Boy ze nx_, betwe en tloa:1ne a."'ld
S t avelo t,~ and r ema i n ed t here for t h e re s t of t he day .

6 J anuary 1945
T~w Bat tal ion moved out between 0 300 a nd O . O _ t -o atta c 1
i n a stn:tt herl y di re c tio n . \1.hil e Comm n y L Cl"'O G" S e d t h e Ambleve
Jli ver i n assavJ:. t bo ats to secure h i Gh gr ound ,, a :foot bri :dtre
u a s bu i lt a e r o ss t . .LG ;eiv-er for t he Bat talion t o c r o ss .
Company K was to t ah~ J- _f r.:-emo nt t vihich i-t did,,_ b y a fte1"'11o on ,
ngain2 t e:nomy op:pooiti on.
- - Company L was to pas s Gran do J?aye and t a ..r e nam'le ranv al..
l'i. s- t h:e c ompmty we nt pasoed Grande Pay e it r 1--:. oi ved - ire f rom
t h e t -m.m. Com"'-any L did :not rJroce cd to '7am1-e ranv a l, but t r i e d
to take Grande' Paye- tLTlsu.cc-e s sf'ully .,
5 Conp c.J:~Y , \7ilicll rtas i n r ese r v e , we ,1t on to t'ru1!_e ranval
\ but. co d not t ak>C the tovm.
Co. I .,

,..I
 Hq Co At Ay waill o , t he rep1acement : :> ca.'J.e i n , Droves o f them. This

J e.n wa~ pa rt i cul arly l easant fo :r S/Sgt. Les te r c. Suit er ; the wire

3-4 chief, who h a d come ou.t of the Sev en i g- Ouren battle 1.-ii th f our
sv;ritchbo ard o perators and n o lineman a t all., Unt il Ayv;raille ,
t h e s wit ch bo ard team o f Bozida r Krstich , J ames Hurfl t, Anthony
J . 't' oi tkevi tch , and Suiter himse lf' , h a d opera ted on a s h oe s tring .
Coming t o a new po sition , t h e r would dro:p t h.e switch bo ard , l ay
line s , t h en opera t e t h e switchbo a rd in rel ays Ylh i le the o thers
were ou t layi ng more lines to re place t h ose b roken by s1ellf'i r e .
Even b efo re t he rei nforc eme n ts came in Rt A ~vaille , Lt .
Gomparato h a d set U ! ) a s eco nd ne v1 anti-t an k pl a toon. He go t 4
men from R.egi ment a l anti- tank ,. had a bout 5 le f t ave ::~ fro m Seveni g
and Our en , and fi lled out the gem e re 1e with line company men .
He org an.i zed t h is con glomera tion into a 11l a t 0on on De c embe- 27th ,
and u ent i nto : ositicm 24 hours l a ter . At Stavelot , t he new
gunners "l;)U..ll ed t h eir pie ces i nto pos i t t on with h a rnes s a nd t ow
ch ai ns and f rom the re on out t i ey conside r ed t h emselvGfJ vet erans ,.
Co . K Train i ng s chedule from 0 9 0 .1 t o 1 70 0 , hel d on t he othe r si de
3 Jan o f to1im .
4 J an i: h e comp any remai ne d in t h same _area .. Con tinued training .
Aywai l l o wo.s pl a c ed o :f:f limits,
5 J an At 0200 , t he company wa s a lerted to mo ve . At 07 45 t he y en
truck ed an moved 1 5 ml.le s to an a tH:ie':"!bly a rea , 1 -mil e f rom
~o anne . The com-1any wa s al erted a t 2 40 , to move off in the
a ttack to morrow.
1ov-cd out i n t he attacl a t 0 330, a:rri ving i n the forvva rd
a rea a t 0630 . Push ed o ff a t 0730 and cros se d t ho unbleve --:.i v er
on a f'oot bridg e. A1'ter movin g ove r s ome t errific terr ai n t h e
c 01:1~J any t 'J ok Ai s emon t at 1430 , c a ptu rin , 1 5 pri soners and suffer
i ng only 2 c a s ualti e s.
"On t he 6 t h o f Janua "'Y t he Batt alion i:m s h Gd o "f' .f rom Bois
de l a Boyzeux.. A- te r tram ?i :ri...g t h rough- a he a v y .s nowf a ll we app
roach ed t he :foot b ridge t hat was strung a cro s s t he Ambl ave :li v er -.
Be for e we c ame to the 8.'')f)ro a ches o f t h e bridge it was necessary
to come off a s ..arp hill a bout 50 feet hi gh and c ompl etely/ cov
er ed b y ice~ In order t o get dovm to t he road l eading to the
bridg e , we had to sli de dovm the hill side ; it being i mpossible
to vml t and we had to dro p t he l a st 15 fo et . f ter nego ti at ing
t h e river succes sfully it.was .necess u_y to climb a steep h ill
before attack ing the town of' Ai se.mont .,. ~ ft er 5 h ours of 'h.ous e
clearing and s n i per hunting , t __e ene y i.,vn s cle a r ed out o i tovm.
The bi ggest job was done by Sgt... !'"u.r phy and h is squad . he lef't
:flank was peing he l d u p b y automatic :fire . ogt. Murphy , unde_r
cover o:f 'hi s men ,. c r awled forHard un t i l he wa s able t o o pen th e
door o. tle hous e and s prayed t h e ro om with his tommy gun , kill
i ng; 1 Ger man. ,. wounding anoth0r , dis a bl ed t he machine 1Srtm , and
to ok 2 pri soners . He t hen too k o f'f ,f or t h e second h ouse and
moving a round to t he r ear , he tosse d a hand g enade t h rough an
o oen w indov~ and 5 mor e of t h. e e n emy surr en de r r: d . Se eing t-he e1
emy t rying to g et a 7ay fro m a n other hous e , Sgt . :Murphy and part
o f his s r u a d opened fire wou nding one who wo.s t a<en pr is oner ,
and t he others e se aped. . 11

\...- ..
 7 J anuary 1945 ..

Du:rit1g the n i ght o:f the 6-7 o f' ,J anua ry.,: the Germans v~

~
\
-
dren f':rom Gra1'1de Faye. ' .

Company L move.cl on to h el .p Company K t ake Vianne b'tlt Cem

pany K h ad al:rena.y t.alren t he. to'tm~

A pl a t oon of Company L moun te d a plat oon o f t a11ks and

went on to reli Gve Company I, whi ch was l)i n:ned dO\Vtl by f ire,
and t ake t he tolim. cf Wa11J:1erru1v a.1 1

8 J an.uary 1 945
Compan.i es K, I,,. and w: remai ned i n '7anne dur i ng t h e d ay ..,
Comr:iany I a t W.aJ1neranv a L ,.
I n the e v eni ng" t h e Bat t l i.on vn:rn r eli eve d by t he 106th
Divisi on . The ) rd ,.Battalion wall:e d and rod g e tting to :i: 1ege
a t 0 800 of t h e 9th of J anu ary.

9 J anuary 1945
The Bat talion r emained tn Ti ege a ll day a..n d n i ght ..

10 .J a..viu a ry 1945
I n mid- af'.:;e r n oon t t he Batt al i on mov ed ou t b y tru ck to
tlou1in du Rny . Company 1 ancl'the Hea dquart er:s Compan y o f t h e
Bettal i on remai ned i n F oUl in du Ruy and C om}? ani ~s I and. K
marched to Ster .
Co, I Lat e at n i ght , a t a.r o un d 11 o ' clo ck ,. a f te r h aving marche d
Jan endless- miles and s huttling 2 miles, we detruclced .
2~ 4 " Fi r st pl atoon , 2nd , 3rd pl a t oon growls a vo i ce i n pit ch
dar kness . Follow me! !! " hen we were i n si de , elec tri c li ght s
glowing l:i,.ke neon si gils--ei v ili zation . A kind -l a dy , a Belgian ,
both s ynonymou s o f ki ndn ess . Joe rushes ov er a "1d f"el t t h e bed ,
1

"Spri ngy , huh? n Anoth er J oe t aking o ff' h i s harness and a l l h e

cou ld s a y i s ; " .' hov1! 11

There we we r e , ki ngs! li'or

u r t hrone , a chai r with 4 lege
a stove fo r body comfo rt and a b ed fo r ou r ' a ccou chement ' Th is
l ux1:1ry e~ti nued f or t w? \7hol e days . We adnli t t hat we did drill,
a 11 ttle , CTean our equ ipmen t , sleep a li ttl e , oh , ab o_u t wel l
ev ery mi nut e vve had to ou rs e l ves .. The res t of our f ree time was
t aking care and so aki ng our f eet . Quit e di ffer ent from when we
ca.mo i n . "
Jan
5- 7 ' So long Jo sett e ' 1 Avictoire! par t ings and since r e wishes
a f'ev1 re grets and we mass into t rucks f or our encount er with t he
h einie. HovJ we sure likod t h os e Belgi ans . They' re r e a.l pe opl e,
t hey are !
Gce z, it was cold when we got i nto t ha t a ss embly area . The
usual k ick i n g of t h e -feet , r ubbing of' the hands, amidst hush es,
excl amation a n d cuos i nt;i But our mora l e wa s hi gh . h e expr e ss...
ions w ere somber , sullen , t here was unexpr e ;rn ed 1joy l oo :eing a t
t h e d es t royed German equi pment and i mmobili zed weapon s rakishl y
mockini:r u s of' the long retrea t we had j ust und er 0 one ,
That eveninc; of' t h e 6t h of J anuary , we b egan to nove do\vn
t h e bi g s l ope of a h i l l toward 7' ann er anval . The kraut s t h r ew
i n ' t h eir cal l i ng ca r ds, a rt i l ler y and morta r began to bounce
all around us , but we a dvan ce unt il we came to a small vi llage
wi t h j agged walls and s c a t t e r ed house ~, ol d a rticles i n dic a ting
re c ent occu pancy . i~i e bedded f or the n i ght; t h at i s s ome of us .
~he o ther s placing s e cur i t y , ale r t of t h e enemy and h e o f us .
Silh ouet t ed i n t he :moon li gh t , some of t h e boy s we re a dmi n
ist eri ng f irs t a id to thei r skinned b a c 1-s .
-
11
Came do \m t hat h i l l pretty f a s t, di dn '. t we ? 11
" Yeah , I don!t t h i nk it was so much sliding on t he snow,_
t hos e s creami ng meemies hel ped push :2s a litt l e . .
11
Ye ah , t h ey threTI ov eryth i ng a t u s ,0 T/S gt . Brim.be r ry sai d,
"but 'Ne stayed . "
rf he next morn i ng , t h e 7th ,, we cle an ed ou t the V'J i Od S , to ok
3 pri soners till we came t o t he LD. 400 yards away a cro s s an
open fi eld was Wanneranval , our ob je cti ve .. .. j ust a mere 400
y ards and t h e h e inie s h a d a lready return e d our calling c a rd
wi th double inter e s t of arti ll ery . The 1 st pl at oon moved to
wards t h eir ob jecti ve, t he town . . he 2nd and 3rd pl a t oons sup...
por ting . And t h en the krauts opened up on ' em. 18 of t h e boys
l ay t here ; t h ey couldn 't make it. Th e r e were tea,r s i n t h e ol e
man ' 's eyes ! 'l 'hen he s ent t he )rd s qu a d of t h e 3rd pl a t oon to
re i nforce t h e l o s s a nd s uppl ement the f ire powe r . Onl y t h ey ,
too ., b e c aJne vivid t a r ge t s for t h e h einies sweepi ng f ire, and 4
more l ay i n the f ield .
nr ou cou l dn 't h e ar a peep ou t o ' t h os e guy s , 11 Vo ..e s a id .
11 \"/el l , f i nally a pl a t oon o . L company rodo i n on 4 tank s
and t ook t h e to\7n &J'.ld 80 pri soners t o boot , " said !'oll i zzi
pugna.ci ously , ~riml y s a t is fi.ed.
Con ti nu0d
Co ,. I Act s of bra ver.v must ho .~ c 101 be .eeorded . T/Sg t , Budd in __
Jan and Pvt . Althous e vo luntee . ed to go ou t and bring bac the
5-7 wou 1ded. The mor-'c.n.rs , artillery and d i rect f ire o f the kraut
mac fi. .ine ,uns block e d. t h ei . mi s s i on . _hey VJe r G determined .
They remove d t h eir equi pment a nd pl a ce d the r e d c oss b and on
t h e i r s le eva , t hen set o~t . The y made 2 succes ~ iul tri Ds , but
the 3rd wa s t heir n emesis . Krauts d on ' t r es pect t _c 11.ed Cros s
whi ch h as b ' en prov en m.any times i n the pas t b y t h ei r foul
pl ay and t h e ir consumi'llate h a t c d for fairness and ri gh teou s
ness . J:he wounds suf ered by ~ /S gt . Buddin in t h e f oot resul t
ing i n a l a ter a ..._putation o one o f h i s s mal l toes on h i n l eft
f o ot and the mill ion doll a r wound i n t h e b ;:i.t te o f Pvt . Althouse
i nfl amed and remind .d t h e boys , " Go n u t a nd dl l ' em, t h en y ou
c an wi n t he wa1... and on l ;,c t hen c an you go hon e ."
.fhat n i ght you co u l d he a r the c rac ding burni n o f the
1

h ous e s , t 1e oa ns oi t he wo:.mde cl he i Ei e . But we rem0mb e red

T/Sgt . Buddin and Alth ouse . l e .. elt c onfident and ..i tron , t o o.
:1o s-t i m')or t an \;Ve recaptured 6 s quare mi l es of t cr i t ory .
Co .1 Pfc . Paul i tzgi bbon '' _t _ ywaille we g ot some t h i n g n ice.
4 Jan I t was somet 1in g li \.e orange sherbret , nut i n b etween c alms
like sandwi che s, but n othi n 0 as ood s A=e ican ic e c ream .
I a v erage d c.bou t 24 i c e cre am s and-,. ches a day and c ape r:iretty
c lo se to a vin 0 the record c onsw::1")ti o11 f'or the c om_any . ?he
c ity was v e ry ni ce as a r est camp n ot o _l y b e cause of the n ov
elty o :_ fo od but t he eo ple re a lly tre a te d ou. cwell . ravi ng
just got o ff the line ve a~n reci at ed t i e coo ~ e a tion o f t h e
othe_ for c e s , es p eci a l ly tho _:!'P ' s .and En . inee rs . 1."ie di dn ' t
haYe enough or pal atabl e r a tions and t h o se b oys sh r ed - the i s
wi th us , Oi cours e I d..idn ' t l i k e t h e tra ining sche 1 e . 11
Co. L S ~gt. Charl e s fodl~,n " .ell, we h ad b e e n held u p a t
7 Jan Grand iaye on t he 6t h O I Janua r y , so a b ou t 04 O th e nex t mo n
i ng Lt. :Forbes and our pl a t on , the 2nd , v1ere c all e d dovm to
t h e Bat tal i <;> n CP , They h a d a pl a toon o f medi v..m t a n s wa iting
for 1;1-S to r ide to hel p t ake Gr and I aye. _ t 0 800 we pulle d m~t
hanging on ~o the tanks . I; e g ot u p to Grand Faye and f i red a
:tew r ound s i n to the :pl a c e but the rauts h a d l eft t h e ul a c e
duri n g the n i ght. The t an rn we nt b a.c l to Battali on a nd we
s t ayed with the compa ny whi ch was g oing to r anne. Iiate t hat
morning whi l e mar ch ing b a cr t hrough Ai s omon t t h e ca l l came
again f or Lt . Forb e s and h i s pl a t oon . At t he Bat tali ') n C-P
t h.ey had onl y 4 medi um t an1rs this time . l way we went. fi e
rmre cl a ttering a lon g country r oa d . here were 11 o f us
on t he lea d t an {, i n cludi ng me . All o f a sudden there wa s a
ter~i fic noise and our t ank sto ppe d wi t h a j olt. I thought a "'
arti~_le ry shell h a d. hi t the t an a nd I t h ought I wa s a g on e r .
But it vurn onlY- a mi n e tha t had one off brea 1.n g t h e t an s
tr e ad ~ I ow I heard bi rds and singi ng in my ears--- I f i g
u r ed it was angels . 1he 11 0 us pil ed on t he l a st t a n
That - l eft us wi th 3 t a nrn . . com-oany h d t a e n '. anne . i~'h ile
we waited there to pie up a li ght t a nk some j erry a r t i llery
c ame pre t ty cl ose to ge ' t in some o f us .. We wen t on to
~7anneranval . I n a stretch o f' wo ods on t h ou t s drts o f town
we go t some mach ine un f i r e . -e dismount ed a nd a tt : c cd t he
pos i t i on . ',1e poured eirery t h i.ng we h a d i n to it, t he score was
 Continu e d-
Co. L 2 de d kraut s and 2 ' Komerading ' krauts; n obody hu r t on ou r
7 ~J an s i de. We proee eded on foo t cross f ield with t he tanks in
a single file on t h e road . Ano ther mach i ne gun op ened up
on us .. :rhe t anke rs g ot t hat guy .. \' e cl e a red out a bout 5
1

h ou ses me eting no fire and .n o kraut s . As we c a e u p ;. to t he

6t h h ous e a he i n i e o pened u p on us f rom t he 2nd f loor with
a rifle . But our -l' s s poke faste r and tha t ma de one more
dead k r aut. We t h r ew a grena d e in t he door o f t hat hou se
and t h en 4 of us went in . ITe s aw an awful lo t o f j e r ry
a.mmo a round .. rrh a t ma de us sus picious ~ The cell a r door wa s
locked .. I shot it o pen with a greas e g un and t h en c a lled
d ovvn , but no one answer ed so I t hr ew ?- p(i-r sua der do vm . Af t e r
t he g r enade we n t o ff the re wa s a lot o f German s po rnn . But
no one wo 2l d come out . So I thr~w do wn a s econd pe rs uader.
Aft e r t hat one, 2 o f them c ame u p--one s poke .wn gli sh ,.. I
a s rn d h i m i f there were any mor e Germans doi:,-m t here . He
said n o. Vhen h e saw me f i x i ng to t h ro w ano ther gre nade,
he sudde nl y remembered that t h ere wc~ r e 2 mor e . auts down
t he re.. He ca ll e d to t hem and t hi s t ime th ey a l l c ame up.
The re were no more in t he hou se .
Th e pl a t oo -1 con tinued it s s earch meeting n oth ing u n ti l
the 1 0th hous e . Th ere we foun d 1 5 hei n i e s-- meel a s l amb s.
\ e co n tinue d our se a r ch . .s some o f our men c r o s s ed the
main stre e t a t hi rd mach i n e gun o pen e d u p f rom a dug-in
position . Thr e e of the men were wounded . ':', h ile we gave
protecting fir e whi ch the mac h i ne gun a_11swerecl , L t . Forbes
too k t he b az oka t oam h i msel f' and , sne aldng around building s
and bushes , led t hem up to 60 yard s f rom t ._e ma ch i n e gu n .
Two bazooka r ou_n ds and the mach i ne gu.,,'1. wa s ' (a . , ut '. ' S co r e :
2 de a d krauts and l pr isoner . The t anks were keepi ng pace
\7i th u s . 1~ e we re near the far e n d o f t o.m n ow and t h e t anks
L had to s to p because. of terrain a.nd we a t h e r c onditi ons --a n d
just i n t i me t oo . Jus t after we g ot t h e machi ne gun we
s po t ted a s quad o f lcrauts turni n g an E.'-inti..-t anl gun a round
to1:vards us . rfone o f the ri flemen were i n position t o f i r e
on it . Lt . ] orb es ac;a i n too k t he b q zoo ka team f orwar d. e
f'or e t he eun cou l d ge t into a ction , 2 b azo o ka sh0lls hit _it.
il an , Ke ske and Krakow, wha t a b a zoo ka t eam ! Thi s time there
were 4 g ood ( dead) k r a uts on t he .'Jrour1d 11nd 6 sin 0 i ng _{ome r
ade .. We met n o more o ppo s ition t hough we too k anoth er house
that was a jerry aid station--4 med i _c s 1 and 8 wounded men.
" Say , you rnow, Jar shall is a p~re tt y g ood ge neral.. Bu t
wh en I g o i n to a ction, g i ve me Lt . 'l!'orb e s."
H~ Co :i:he:n c ame t ho l as t Dhas e o f t h e B<l gc a ct l on . ''Ji t h a f ever

Jan of 1 03 , !~a jor ~7oo dward d i rected the a t t a ck w on t he 4 tovms o f

6-7 l\.isemont, 1."!annera:nval , Grand Pa ,r e , and '7anne , Bel :0i um . 1rh e

B , ttalion to ok 6 s quare mi le s of en nmy- held g:!'.'ound and rated a
sal u te . L r om t he s~ rv ic e news . a er , .::i t a s and :3 tri 'Jes .
Cap t ain Guy T .. Pi erc y , t h e S- 3 , and Capt a in J a c k 7. ;'Ja l rn r ,
t h e ex ecut i v e o ffi c er , r ec eived Br nze St a rs f or t h eir st aff
wor1{: d uring t h i s period.
Co, K The company puahed of i n the .at t a c a t 1 000 and at 1145
7 Jan company t oo { th e town o f Wanne . Caut a in ..h oma s ' ex c el l ent
wor1\: r epelled 2 c ou.ntc r - a t tack s , us ing a 60 m..m mort a r t o dri v e
of t anks o.ncl i n fant ry.. Compi::my s uf:t"ered 5 L I A emd nmnerous
wocmded ; 12 "" risoners VJere t aken . The part o f t he c ompany
tha t we.s cu t o f _: , ret ,J.- n ed v.~~1 en the heinics vvere dr iven o f .
'The n ext morning a t 0 800 t he c om1')0.ny _9u s he d o i'f for \~ anne
and by 1000 every one , inclu.ding support i n g tar s , were i n pos
ition s ome 3 0 y a rds f rom t wn a long t he edee o f t h e woo ds .
Ther q \'ms no way of 0 e ttin0 i n to tovm other than a cros s t h is
o pen space . At 1015 the c o npany pu shed o ff with t he 3rd pl a
too 'l on. t h<?. le f t and t he 1 t pl a t oon on the right , 11.. s so on a s
t hey too r off , t he 1 s t pl a t oon was c au ght i n cro ss iire from
mac hi ne guns and pinned down . Sevet'a l men \7e r e .::i . led a 11d
many wou_;1de d.. mhe le a d t an1i:: h i t a min. and wa s dis a bled but
using h i s 50 c al iber mach i ne gun to g od a dv, it a :z e , ena bled
part o i t h e 3r d pl a t oon to gr: t into t ovm . ~ o,-;cver , t h i s a ction
.' > ene rally was b ecomi n u s t ale.. a ted . _he rest of t e tan rn di d
n ot . ove a res sively but with Cat. t a i n r:iho'"Jas urgint::.. the t an__ s
on and Lt . G eono le a ding t Le men a c roso t h e o . en f'ie1d , t h e
appro ache s to the tovm were s ecur ed . From t h ere t he t o -.~m wa s
rapidl y cl e f':.r c d Dlld by 1230 was secure d! However , j erry was
n ot VJhip pe d so easily and a t 1 430 l aunch d h is f irst co unt e r
attack agai st t h e righ t f l an\: ,. aptai:n _hor:i. a ~ n d t h e rmnai:ns
of the 2nd pl a to on , a bo,,"t 1 0 men in all , plus a morta r crew
'~ er e set up i n a chate au...x. f a cin g t he ene':ly . 40 infan t rymen
v.,;ere supporting 2 tank s . Our tan cs wero n ot in '1 osi tio n t o
enga e t h e . ar t V' s . The l"O' s r ad io h a d been out a ll day and
a rtill ery informati on wc.s beinG rel a , ed ove soJ.nd 10>.:; ernd
ph 1n e to bi:::ttalion. This v.ri e vas blovm out 3 t imes during 1
a t tack and whi l e it wa s b e int,. , re pai red t h e enemy moved in . ' eal
i zi ng t h e s i t uation wa s bec o in ~ c r itical , Ca ptain h oma s ord
01ed the mor tar to set up c.nd y elled , 11 '"'. an ,e 12 5 y a rds , i 'i r e
to th e l eft o f t his bui .din'"; i m""Jedi a t ely ." sinu the mortar
wi t h o 1t a s .. ht , 'Pfc . Burke let fl vvi t t h e 1 s t ro d and it
was ab.ort . The se con d dro nrycd s v_t re i _ t he middle of' t h e a d
v a ncing tan rn and i n fan try and the {:raut s al l t ook o f_' wh .n
ou r men i1 t he ch a te c.ux o venod u p wi t h ev erJ thinb avai l a ble .
\' i t h t he in antry one the t n ; s t :. trned t a.il and to ok o f f in
a hurry . A subs equent c ounte - a t tr c 1~ ms be 'i.to _ o f' 1Nh n the
artillery c.cored a c'lire ct hit on t he l e :"'l d t an , set tin :;l it ai'ir1
8 Jan Co pany remai ned in the po si .ii ons t ali: n the d ay b e ore . At
1100 , o ficers r om c ompany r ... , 424th In '"'-nt :...y , 1 06th Division ,
made a r e co1maisoanc e o f our po oi.t.ions and expe c te d to r eli eve
us a bo'J.t 2000 . Co;rri) any was a l erted a t 170 0 und :relieved a t
0300 o f t h e 9th o f J anuar-1 .
9 Jan Com9 a....l'ly move d out a t 0300 and marche d 6 mil es to an. en
truc dng area . Driven 10 mile s to Ti ege arrt ving a t 0700 .
Bille t e d i n hous os . New 0 's , so c _: s and u.nd e rw a.. we e issue d .
 \

Co. K The day vms s p ent '.re sti _g . t 14 0 ttie company was ~ 1 e t
1 0 J a.:1 ed to mov e . 1!intruc .: ed at 17 0 fl:rld ro de 8 .:. . D _es t o 1oul i n - du.-
1.u y., de truc ked and mar ched 2 mile ::; to Ste r , a r riv ing a t 2 20
and r el i eving company ? , 117t h Infan t ry , 30t 1 Di v i s i on
Co. I :.-' eli e ved by the 1 06 t h Intant 'J J)i v is io , we !)aC ~ ed up and
Jan s t art ed our tre k over th0 snov1 t o Ti e -,0 , Belgiu.1!1 . ve b edded
8- 10 cto1t or t h e; ni ght a fe w hour.s to be er a ct and pro c eede d to
1'.1ist a , oelgiul!l. \' a l k , wal , wal ! It seeme d l i ke endless

mi l .s and a t on on your bac when v e fin a l ly ea ched ou des

t i n a t i on a nd went i nto t he dei nnsi ve im'!le di r;i.t cl

11
'7a tch your ste n ! _ollow me and don ' t s t e off t h e roads!

:.hey h aven ' t b e en cl eare d ye t , " s a i d our g u i de . ,

i n a lly r;Je -er b ed ued down , 300 i n t h ""'? Or"l.ing , wi th

s c curi ty . l a cea. on th o so.me po s iti ons o f' the re i ev d ,omy> ny .
Th e ne x t morni nG t h e s un c a st a r rm re 'lection on t h e snow
and our s ni ri ts s are d . Unti l . t_ en \Tc s a \.-v ~;he c r -i ss es .
I mpr'lv i ned c r os s ed ~ t i c 1::s wi t h e.. s c ribb ed print ed "In mem
ori ".1.m11 . A Belg i an mother and he 2 chi dren . rhQre we r e
any . rav es c ov ered with moundcti snov1. he SS tr! o _s , T i t l er ' s
li te , h a d a.l "D.ost exte rmi n a t ed t he s~.all v illn e o f 2 0
11
They had kil l ed s o many t h a t t ho b lood was see ~ in ., down
t he walls d ovmsta i r s from t he room wl: ere t __ ey were t hrovm to
geth er . 11
" 1rom n ow on those dirty b a s,ards b ~ tte r 1rn e v:> on :fighti ng .
~J o more ris oners . Komer2de? Yeah , a dead on e !"
J o e e(pre 0sed a l l o~r s entiments .
 l

11 J anu ar y 1945
Companie s I and K returned t o tioulin du 1-:.v.y on the ni ght
o f 11-1 2 J anuary .
l l 2th Regiment ~,s s i gner to 106th Di vis i.on .

945
At 1 300 , the Bat t a lion moved out b y t!"'J. c c i n bi .;ter co ld
t1e a t h e.r and rode all a ft.ernoon and all n i ght r e a ch ing its
des t i ::1atio:n- . Verd1in- at 0800 , t h e 13th of Janu a ,_ y .

13...1 6 J anuary 19 45
Bat tal i011 ar r ived a t Verdun i n t he morning o f , the 1 3th of
.J anuary and reli eved t h e 1 09t h Inf.a :ntry. ,__ _
17 J anuary 1 945 --------~
' '
Battali on l eft Ve rdu..--1 a t 080 0 and took tra i n 't o St . :Di e
and f rom t her e n en t t o Al spach by t ruck , arriv i ng a t 0600 of
t h e 1 8 t h of J al'1uary "
 Co . I Verdun, t he ci t y t hat r e s i sted a nd c ouldn 't be ta en i n
J an 1 91 7 . And when we a :.::-ri ~re el v;e coul dn ' t b e t a en anywhe re ex ce pt
1 3-1 6 to bed . Lator 11e po c t r; d s e curity on all a dblo c r s to ch e c ~
1

i n:t'il t rating ' .rnhrma ch t ' r eturn i n g to t he i r ovm lin e s . ~he

cou.n,,_ e r -o ' 'en siv e h ad b een ropul sed and W'1 S bei ng r>u shed b ack
.-----:- i n t o Germa.viy . \ e a te , we grew r omant i c, and be st o l a ll , we
were aid! Payday ! ' ou kn o v, b e si de s mai l , t hat ' s t he ev en t
o f t h e mo nth . ""'evi ewi ne; t h pa s t hi s t or: o :r t he l ust '7orld
17a_ and t ransgres sing t h e s ai':le blo0dy b 'ltt efield ~
17 Jan Af ter wal ring t h rough t h e stre e ts o f Verdun on t he 1 7 th o f
tTru1w2r y , :passin.rr t he s c a l i ng ste / _)ed so di e- ' mc:r.1 0ri a l a t 06 , O,
r e o.rri v ed '.J.t the r ailroad s t a t io Sh nde s o f our re ,l a.c emen t
days . 40 men in a box c a r and 8 h o r ~ "' S . Onl y thi s time we
we r e pe:. __ i t t e d t o hav e s toves , i m)rov ised or ot er '".' s e . r h e
SaTilG typica l army pov1- pow in groups . " "natt a y ou ._,o t . Fu ll
h ouse ? " Al way s a poker game t l:at was in on e co:r.r10r . In
oth r co rne rs , conv e r oa-t1. 011s o f b s cball , f otbo.1 1 , and dreams
'1. ain 01 po s t wa r se cu rity and pe 1ce . hen i n t err : ;. pt ion s .
11
1.'ia ' mo s e l l e , Cou chez , couchez?" . olle d and w_ i s tl ed J oe ,
t h e I dr ugstore s h eik . _1.....1m. _h a t ' s qr rn.e ! "
So it VJe:nt . .; e a te our ~: r ati ons . Tried t o sl q . 1J a li t t l e .
Ba cked t h rm.J.r;h 1Jancy and di sembnr . e d a t fJt . 'Di e a t 2200 . l!'rom
t her e we shattled b tru c k and fo ot t o 2 uape r a c t ory outsi de
La :?outroie . h i D \7as t h e f ir s t time qe s l ent on sl a bs o f
c ardb oard 4'Kl0 ft . \ e a te, was he d , Rnd s h o t the bull round a
pa~)e r ,_ d c a rdboard f i ro i ns i dE~ the factory . La te a f te rnoon ,
at 1 30 , orde rs w ere ,n'i ven t o .move o 1t t o 1a .Pou tro i e .
" You ' 11 we .r you r horsesh o e r 11 on : our l eft shou lde r ,
1

y our i::.re O.!)On on y our ri gh t ab.oulde:r ," b arl-ed t he sq_u a d l e ad e r s .

nThe s " me ol d c ran , 11 s a i d '... om.
At 2000 we 1:e . e bi l lete d i n h ouses a n d sta rt e d to shove l
and plo 7 t h rougn t h e d ebris o f' - ec e :~ t J..re s 1 bomb i n-"s . rde r s
were g i ven t o s o e s qu a ds f o r u. d d' t y outside t h city li its
and s e curity was pl a ce d on r o id bl ocks :: _d i n t e c ity i tse_f.
To bed !
Hq Co '.i?he day and n i ght r i de to Ve rdun stands out a s t he mo s t
12 Jan rugged ev er s u '.fere d t hrough b y t he 3rd a~~talio n rim It was
even worDe t h an the trip fr om t he v.;o o ds beh i nd ;"" chmi dt to
Ouren . W'he n "break s" \"Je r<.:e o f 'e r,Jd , t h e men were t oo col d and
wretched to tak e adv an t ' l. ,e o f t h em. ~-Jhen t he final de "': tinat ion
vms O<..tched , men who j umpe d from t he tru , rn , c oll apne d on the
road , t h e i r fe e t and l ee s t oo paralyze d b c ol d to s u :;:>port
thci~ weigh t . I n the r u c k s hare d b the c ompany r unner s and
the I n t clig en ce Se ction , the bi tte r s 1ence was ln....u :en b y sob
bin ,. Uobody kne w---or ~muld admi t t hey . n ow---\"J _o gave way . ,
to t ea rs ,, y e t evor r man i n the tru e { has con es s e d t hat t h e
"guy , i.7ho ev er he was " h ad done wha t ev0r~ one l se ;vant e d to do . ;
Co, K r he co m~any remaine d i r positi on wit the 1 s t pl a t o on
11 Jan '.n t. f o:r:war d OP. ...t 1 80 0 the comuaw/ was ' lerted to mov e ,.
\ t 20 30 t he compan y marched 3 mi les b a cl": to 'T oulin- du- 1u y "
a, _iving ab ou t 01 0 0 o f t h e 12th of January . Bi l l et e d ; n
ba r n for t h e n i ght .
12 Jan Com_ r:m y mov e d out a t 1 330 and ro de all n i ;ht . stinat i on
ev entuall y t u.rned out t o be Ver du n .
1 3 Jan Ar r i ved a t Verdun a t 1 . 0 . . a l ,ed -un t i l 1 2 O w_en a
billet wa s foln1d in an old mansion . t 17 , t he CO ci,.i1d
pl o.t o o:n l e :- d e rs \"Je re call e d to 13at t -l io and L comDany was
l.

ass i gne d to o t post and de P-nd sec to to t e .;as t and South

0 . 'Jerdun --a pl a toon po s t ,- ri d 4 or s .

14 J an i'~ en v1ere a llowed i n to t own. and 0 ari. s p a s Ges st a rte d -a ,ai_n.

Evcrythi n _, else r -~main~1 d t h s ame .
15 Jan J:he po 0i t i on o f' t h e c o::rpa.YJy re,~q i..n d t e same . company
r e ce ived 33 replaceme n ts .
16 Jan Po s ition r e ai:ned t he sn.rae . Compa-1; brough t to ab out
80 1~ s t r ength . Alerted to ov e a t 1130 . At 1330 t e al .e rt
wa,s cancel led .
17 J an i:ov e d out a t 071 5 and mar ched 2 ~1i l e s to V rdun railr a d
st a tion . Loa ded on 40 and 8 ' o . . r r i ved a t S t. , ie , some
96 mi l es mmy , a t 2300.
Co.
16 Jan Captain St amp e r (th en Lieutenant ) who wa s ev a cuat ed a t
Schmidt ,. r e joined t h e Bat t ali on as company co:r:unander ..
 r

1 8- 30 Janua ry 1945
Batta lion had a de:fensive mi s si on i n thi's period .
Patrols sent ont~
Minor s kirmi s h e s .,
Traini11g schedules for the cm ua11.v i n r ese r ve.
During t .his time,, t h e Batta li on m.oved to La poutroi e 1
Ka,/ s er::~ berg and Be:i:mwihr r

31 J anuary 1945
The ~, 2,v talion move d ou t to Guemar a t OlOO .
Bat t.al ion be c ame Corps r~_:se rve ~

l F~hruary 1 94 5
The .Batta lion reverted to Regi.menta1 e0nt.r o1 .
The Battal.i o:n entru.cl:::c d in t h e a f t e.r:rmon and :m.ov-ed to
Kaysersberg.
Batta.lion le ft Kaysersberg a bou t 2 200 and r;ent to .IU1llil:er-...
s chvrihr where t he eonpai1ies se parat e.d to attaek t owards t h eir
res: ~1e at i ve obj ectives.

Co. I "Ins_e ct ion of bille ts t h i s mor ' i .g , 11 y el led t he r u nner .

Jan " You sl e e ryy a n d ' ' Proc ' fire b azo okas t oday . Let ' s o."
18-21 J: hat was our l i fe : tra i n i n g , i nspe ction , wai tin a n d dream
i ng . (Ve a lwa y s d r ear ed - bu t with i n t erludes o f d own to earth
dangerous reali ty . Th e re e tine wa s diss ipated with f li r t
t a tions wi th lQ c t:?:. l b e l les and pl a yful s _1ov1 bal l con tes t s .
'he f i r s t pl a t oo n was s ent out on a c o . bat patrol to t e st
t he e ne11y ' s stren g t h , when t h e y were pinned down b mac h i ne
gun ir e . J:hen S7Sgt . Harr i s , Sgt. natson , and Pv t. Balzekas
courag eo rnl y picked up a nd s t art e d to . ove forvvard s till under
fir e expe c t i n g the men to f ollow. The mai n b ody was r eceiving
intense fir e i rom b o t h fl ank s and had to wit 1d raw . en t h e
pl a t oon returned t hey \'le r e unac c ounte d f or . h e next day a
s earch i ng part y was sent , bu t to n o ava il . The re was n o ev i
den ce o ' the three , and to da t hey s t i ll r ead ,_ I A. i n the o ff
ici a l re cords .
J an Prom La :.. ou t r oi e we s h uttled to 1,,e ar , i tler s tr e e t , de
22-2 4 truc rnd ., In o pen co l umn " Ten y a rds , pa ss it bacl Ten yar d s ,
pass it bac c, " unti l t 1 e whi sper was los t i n s ound .
" Yhat ' s t h e de a l, Sa r g e?"
11
iiell we go in the d e en::; e from here . "
" "'."e l l , why i n hel l do- 't v1e st art n ov i ng , it s c old, my f'e e t
are numb . "
: ith 1 s t Lt. Smi th , a ctin g CO , we wen t i nto o dc :i. e ns ive
po s iti ons a mil e out s i d e of :Ben.nwi r , rele a s i ng t h e 3rd Div
i si on . I1i ttered a round was the 'ro s h , swee t smell o f t he dead ,
The n e~ t mo rnL~g we c ouJ. d see des t ruc t ion a t it s b est. Wot a
house sto o d i ntac t . Not a l ivi n g s ou l , l i v es to c r ,.,a ve move
men t t o emi n d on e o f f orme r living . Capu t !
Five c a sua l ties vJere s u s tai n e d b ener:iy mortar fire . C-n
enen y pat r ol at t a ck i n the 2nd . pl a t oon out p ost .) Out s i d e o f
beine; a l e rt o f t _ o enemy , t he cor:i.uany was b usy i n for ti f y i n
t he defens e , i mprovi n t he i r oxho l e s .
Jan
25- 29 We ma r ch e d 8 mil e s , st a rt i n at dusk , ':' e le f t t he s n ow
c ov e r ed h e i n ie dead , t h e foxho l e s , and ou r reli ef , t h e e ngi
neers o f t h e 109th . By the 109th push ing a rolLnd and in fr ont ,
our defens i ve posit ions b ecame neutFa li z e d a n d "Ne withd r ew to
an i nterme d i ate j umping _oi n t . wa ting orde rs : he whole
company wa s bil eted i n one hou se , so s c a r ce were hous e s t hat
1

were habita ble . Ana. we met the French in r e a t numb e rs g a rbed

in GI u.ni f o- . s .
eb /\. bottl e o f wi n e , a souven ie "" , a rapid pa r t inf, f r om t h e
1- 2 ' rench , w~ cntru ck t o Ka y a e rburg , 20 mi es a way . bout 21 0
we a r ive to our awaitin) bill e t s , a s ch oolhous e , a dingy
house . '.7e had just dro ppe d , pre "'mri- for a r e s pi te , when
orders we r ~ ~iv e n to g o i _to the a tt a c k ~ Tire d , r es t l ess , we
move ou t i n company formati on to Amm er s c hw~hr .
The hous e s a~. e bu n i ng , c as tine our silh ouettes i n a ma c a b r e
re flecti on . ile sto p , we wai t. - eai n , " What ' s the de al? "
" Ko ep qui e t , " says 1 s t Sg t . Schu ltei s. n ~lhat' s t he mat te r
with you guys ? Huh? Are you a bunch o f r o o . i es ? ''
Lab ori ouol y we move fo r wa r d t . rough t he e nd of t he town ,
over the bo ~ t om o f the sn ow...covered h ill s li n!')i ng , f alli ng
irom t h e s n ow and ta dng c over f rom t he whi nin , w i s tling ,
bull et s of the en emy ma ch ine un fi . e . Climb , climb. ' e g o
t h rough K c om. . any ; we s t o p .
 Continued.

Cot I Casua l t ies c ame dm m . 1 s t Lt. Smith g ot i t i n t h e finge r ,

Feb lo pped o ff one o i t h em and vvas evacu a te d. t hat s ame n i ght .

1-2 The 2nd pl a to on under T/S t . Jeil en was ordered to fl ank

~-----....., t h e en emy fro 1 the l e t : the 1 st and 3rd platoon s at t a c ' i n g ,

\ reingorc e d wi th t he vm ap ons pl a to on . Neari ne; the crest of t he
hil l , t he 3r d pl at oo n is i nned d own by mac h i ne gun fire . Old
Pop Ad c ox c ome s u p , fires 3 grenades and t 1ere a i n ' t no mor e
en emy fi r e and a pr isone r co mes ou t o boot . Slowly plo dd i ng
in o en s quad c ol mnn , they ndv a n c e to withi n 1 0 _, yar ds o 1 the
ene:w . In t he meantime Slim Nielsen r e turns and re . . ort s tha t
enemy a c tivi t y in the rear ns b e en r,moved : the enemy es t a b
lishing a strong de fen s e on ou r obj ct ive . ,_i, a rl y d mvn ,. 060 ,
we at t a c ~ in ho rs e s h o e fo r _ation , th J 1 st and 3rd pl a t o ons .
Bu t i."le c an ' t move . Th e en my ' s in th e dra':< and count er iring
with s a v a.; e ry .
" 1i e can ' t get ' em out o f the draw, " s ay;; Lt . '.Vhit elock .
11
Hov1 a b out l ayi ng i n some ,rtill er:;r . I ' 11 )i ve y ou t h e c o
ordi n a te s . " He call s t o t he } '0 and co.
\ e mov ed fo _ward and se cure d the company ' s first obj e ct i ve ,
t h e h i gh ground . :1 e di g in lmde r hara s Gi ng mach i ne e,un ire
and await f u rth er orde rs .
"One g ood n i ght ' s s l ecp , ri say s ti r e d vet e ran. S/Sgt . Calv e rt,
' Ok o ff your a ss a.YJ.d on y ou r fe et !"
1

Uo \::/ate r to drink , a long m<Jrch ahead , we ch er.ed res 1 snow1

n oi ste n i n the ~ a l ate - --bet ..:-er t ':.c:m noth i nG . Fi a lly , a t 1100 ,
v1e beg a n ou r t a ctical march u p the s ide s o f sli ~1pery h ills to
t h e h or s 0 s h oe ro a d e n d i ng i n a s lide i n to Ni eder_orschwihr at
1700 . 1he t ovm nas our n ext obje c t i v e , t h ough a f t e r we bi le t
e d in the pac k e d , bomb ed chur ch , we f ound L c onpany had be a en
us t o it . Thero was no oppositi on .
Co . fJI S/Sgt . ~ran :r A. Gancarz , "'1 ort r s ect i on le a der . . " ,e
25 J an re l i eve d t h e 63 r d Di v~si on , which h 2.d just fini s e d its f i r s t
:period on the line .. rfhat morn i np v;e l a ced our mort a r s i n
t he front y ard o f a d emoliohed ho use . In f a ct, t he en tir e
to \"m was s o c ompl etel y demo li oho d , the men av e it the name
"Gho c t town". '' e looke d a round for a pl c:i.ce o c ove r , wh en
we found 2 b arns and r:;e i mmed i a te l y s et out to cl ean t h e mes s
ou t . It was f u ll o f discarded C.err:-mn cqui pmc 1t . '.7e put a
mort a r s ~ uad i n e a ch b arn ~
Sg t . ~ urray Sh api ro , se cti on l e a der na.c h ine ~u.11 s 11 '.'1 e
were on l ine i n a fixe d _osition s u porti~g the rifles . h
we a t he r \'JD. S c old and r1et , s o t he company de ci ded t o eBt abl ish
it s ovm re s t a re a a bou t 500 y a rds beh i nd t he li nes . rwo
hou r- e s \7ere s till f -yund standi n i n " Gho s t to vm" , near t he
mort o.r enrolaceme nts . Here t ho mach ine c;u:nn e rs c ame b c c to
wash , s hav e , a n d wr ite letters . The r e vim,sn ' t any USO arou n d ,
bu t some men 'ou nd 20 '"i0 bottl As o f wi n e i n t he cell, r of '
ruine d chateau and li qui d e fres lment was prov id d . "
1 :i! eb Sgt . George ,J . Prov enche r . 11 ~:1 e a ~rnroached A.r.nmers ch wihr
i n t he a ro a ch ma rch r om Kay se rsb erg in t he mi ddl e of t he
ni ght ~ We locat e d our c omp . ,p in a l arge win e cell a r whi ch
vvas bui l t i n 1 8 2 It w s . L il le d with t he ent i re tovm ' s v a l
u a b l es- s ilverware , ch i na , pr ,c ious linen pi e c es , ches ts of
g l as s , and a ll t he pe rsonal b el ?ng i n ':s of t he t ovms pe onl e
.i:hey even had the vi ll age r e ord s for year s b a c l: . The b ap
tismal r e co rds o t e 0 ~1r ch we r e a l so i nc l uded .
Continued
Co riI Our CO told u s n o t to tou~ch a damn t h ing , and surpris i ngl y
1 Peb en ough , no one did , exc ept some o f t h.e wine t here , which wa
by permission . The wine was o f 191 6 vint age . It was well -..___.,.;
wrapped and tasted as go od a s it l ooked . It was a good winter
r etrea t, bu t t he advance wa s so rapid t hat we moved ou t ri ght
away and the next day t ook 5 to\iV!ls in our adv anc e. Af te r we
cleaned out the Colmar Pocket , I h a pp ened to go back to the
to vm and the c i vi l i ans we r e a l l e c ovEL ing their t re a sure d
po Gsessi ons , i ncluding t h e t ovm re c ords , w i ich we s av ed . 11
Co. K Moved a t 0130 and rode until 0 530 arrivin c, a t Als pach , 18
18 Jan miles f rom St. Die. .Jen billet ed i n a f act ; r y .
19 J a11. Company remai ned in the f actor7 until 1700 , then moved out
to La Poutroie , 3 mile s distan t, and were bill@ted .
20 ,Jan Com:Jany remained in Bat talion r e c er ve . ">

'1.ec onnais sance
made of f orward ao sembly area .

21 Jan Trai ning s ch 0dule , i nclu di ng t i r i ng o f ba zook:: .:_ s .

22 J an 2n d pl a toon g iven miss i on t o l ny mine fields i n enemy t e rri.
tory a t a de pt h of 2 mi l es . Patro l left at 1 800 .
23 J an Mi asion of t h e 2nd pl atoon coDpleted a t 06 00 . No c a sua l
ti es . 3rd pl a toon moved ou t a t 21 00 fo har a s s i ng pat ro l
24 Jan . All wea9ons t ~ ste d on r ange . Company entruck ed at 2200
3lld rode a pproxi mately 8 mil e s to Kaysersberg . l\ ar ch~d 3 miles
t o a s s embly area arriving a t 2330 .
25 J an tloved o .J"t o f assembl y a re a a t 0 24.5 and marche d 2 an d a ..__,11.f'
mi le s to Be nnsvdhr. In position by 0500 . Company in Ba tt a lion
reserve . Conta ct pa trol s betwsen I and 1 compani es .
26 Jan rhe 0 30 0 p at~ ol su f'ered 2 ca sual t ies by a mine b PtWe en I
and L c omriany . Company ale rt e c~ t o move out an d rel i eve L C Oil1
pa..ny on t he line . r1 t 1500 , Lt . Gre en e and his pl a t oon went out
on a c ombat pat r ol . I o casualt i e o- 17 pri soners . eturned a t
1800 . At 1 8'30 , s t a rt ed to relieve 1 c ompany--com11l e t e d 0200 .
27 Jan At 0200 , received 7 repl a cement s an d 4 13. R me n retur ned
f rom Division . Activity vm.s Dl i , h t with n o caSU''l t i 8s .
28 Jan Company r emained i n nos it ion on line un t i l 1800 when L
c ompany relieved u s , a ni a t oon a t a t:Lme . Retu r n d to old CP.
29 ,Jan Com9any agai n in Bat t al i on es e r v e , s uppl ying t h e nec e ss ary
pat ro l s .
30 J an Com )3l'lY con tinued in Battal i o:r:i. r erie rve . Su pnli ed '2 :pl a t oon
:for a c o ~bat pat r ol. Nission left a t 150 , and r e t u rned a t 2300
5 casua ltie s suffered b y mort a r fire . Compan y al er t e d to move
a t 1700 .
31 Jan i/Ioved ou t 011 f oot at 0100 . 1 s t and 2nd pl a toons rode in
truc k s. ii.ar ch ed 5 miles to Gucmar a r rivin g a t 0730 +
1 1'eb Company r emained in Guemar til 1 o.. Ent r ucked for
Kay ser sb e r s , arriving a t l ?Oo .. t l ert ed and move d ou t to tr
I P. a t th e town of A'lmerschwiher . . I1ef't I P at 2300 and t ook ~,
1 s t obj e ctive a t 0200 on t he 2nd of Februar y .
Hq Co S/ Sgt . Leddy and P f c. .: 111 :_ am L ,. oung , r e covered f rom his
Jan wund , r e connoi t c_ ed a route o f a 1;roa c h t o Bennswi hr , fo und
24- 30 a sunren r oad , and decide d it woul d be a s afe line for t he Bat
t ali '.)n to f o lov; . ?hey b as e d their decis i on u~ on t he f a c t t hat
out of a b out 75 she lls t h r own a t t h em , only one h it t he road
it s el f . The Batt ali on fol o "l'" d t .rough wi t hout c asualti e s
and too k up its ~1 o si t i ons i n t he frozen , -snow- bl an et ed f i e lds
and wo ds before BennsVIihr . _he t ovm. its e l f Drc; sented th e
vmrst 1 ic t u re o f war ' s destruct i on t h e mc11 h a d (,'; Ve r wi tne trne d .
Only .on e bu ilding h ad a s e cond story wi t h one o t vvo r o oms i n
t a c t . That wa::J the s ch ool. for girls i n w1i ch ~r ajor '. oo dwa d
es tabli shed hi s CP . Nevert el esa , ev er w ec .. Pd h ouse seeme d
a won d erfu l nl a ce to t he; mc:m a '.; cu s t ome d t o Belgi an drought .
Wine k e g s, b ottl es , ba crel s and v a t s we re t o be f ound i n ever 1
c e l l ar . Sa":19l i ng was so e t hus i ao tic t ha t t he cell aT' with t he
bigges t va t was put und e r gua d a nd wi ne .ca t ioned f r om i t s
s un ply. Li ke t hat oth er " gre '-:.t expe riment , n obl e i n pur pose
and far - reach i ng i n sc o ~ e t h e wi n e c e ll a r uard nev er a ch i eve
11

i ts goal . Headquarte r s c ompany a l way s :terformod i ts t as. s wi th

sus pici ous g o od humo r , en j oye d i ts li t t l e jo c [Nbout t h e gu ard ,
and jus t k e ~ t on sampl ing .
The CP was a cro wded , u..vide r gr ound wa r ren , with on l y t he
co ld weather t o a r t i a l ly conc e a l t he de a d Gor :ans who st ill
r emaine d under the +uins .
The Germans t h rev 1 3 shell s in su~ c e o s i on a t the CP one
night . Ever y one was a dud . 'the co o { S served 2 hot me a l s a
~l ay The l ine. c._ompan i o s ID''.i n t ai n e,d r est 2ella:rs in townf.whe re
i:;he1r froze n r::i..!J. m.en c ould co e 10 vm_m11h a.'1.d rcs ni te r om
the r i g r6 0 1 fo xhol e li i e . The atro l s hl ch we nt ou t we re
equip:)ed ' v.ri t h snow c ape s and 1ook e d li e -~u :-..luxcrs a t a lo dg e
mee t ing when t h ey reas sembled i n the cellars to t ell t heir
stories .. Th e prac ti c e o:t' s 0n din . headn u ar t e r s r a.di o opc_r a t rs
on t he pa t r c)l s uas i naugura t e d .
T/ 4 Pr anc i s I i ederko f1.e r , r e t u rned :t o. 111.s Nor , a n dy wounds ,
Pvt . Ar ch i e '1 Cro s s , Pfc . Jose 'Jh 1: . "'uczins 1:i , and Pf c Ch a rl es
J.omano \'lent on pa trol durt n g -'-hi s perio d . Cr o ss wa8 t h e onl ~r
c asualty ; he ste l_)p e d on o. f l are en . wa s GGvoro l y burned . wo
Inte lL..J ence men , P c . ~ . il ton ~ . ":ebe r and :E' f c. Doncll d D.
:ihe e le r , v_VJ.de rto ol-::. a li sten i n, po e t n iss on one ni =>h t , were
pi nned dmv:n by mort a rs and had t o l i e do /~:go tu1t i l night fal l ,
v1h e n t he vJOunded " eb er vn1s eva cuated .
31 J an On the 31 s t o J anu ary t h e Bat talion turned up in Guema r ..,
At t a ched uni ts came to f "!. 11 out t he coobat t e an . l h e med i eval
l oo J i n g to wn also wa s h os -'- to J?re n ch t ankers . . _,verybody could
see v1hat \'la s c omi ng . The c o,npany d i d a dry r t,i. n a s a mo tori ze d
Pa tt a l i on and t hen the n ext day the ou.tfj_ t a de its move ..
 2 February 1945
. K Company went on to :N'ied0rmo r s c h\"1i hr
ou ;osition. ~
~ L Com.:x:my took Kat zent _al i n the afterno on a gain s t ill.QJ.
o -i:mo oit.i on a nd h a d o:ne :pl a't oon o f 11 Company attached t o it.
- - I Company was i n r e serve and moved u p to :.hedermorschvvihr
a f t e r it was t aken b y K Com:pari.y .( Co L , with mort ar fire, surprised
ab out 100 krauts , kil ling a bou t 40 of them before they fled)
3 Pebrua :ry 1 945
Compa.""ly L <:ms to a t t ac' Tu rck..YJ.ein .. I 11 t h o a ttacl-, Captai n
Thomas was killed by a s ni per .
Co -; a:ny ' L r.rent on to Wi ntze he im an d found I r ench t r o op s
t here . Company I, on the ro ad to Turckheim, h a d come under
terrific enemy fire and had had to withdraw
4 1:1e b r rtary 1 9 4- 5
Com>any K, i :a nevc re "i ghting fr om t h e f oo t h old 1 t had won
t h e n i gh"- be i'o r o , s e i z e d Tu.rckheim a.nd cl eared it b e i ng r e lieve d
i n t he eve n i ng by 1r en ch t r o ops . The r e u pon , Compan.y K marche d
to I ngc:esh ei and joined t h e i >est o f t h e Bat . .-al ion t hat h a d
moved up to Ingorshe in. du r ing t h e a a y .

5 Feb n1ary 1945

Bat t a li on move d Sout h , pre 9 a red f or o p-, osi t i on , with \Va l
b a ch as t i1e obje ctive. No op9osi tion wa s e:nc ou "lt . . ered a n d va r ious
.
\___,,.
el enents o f t he Ba ttalion we . x t t h r ough t h e tovm s of' Ni ed.ermor
'Sc-w;ihr , Turckh eim, Zi rrrme r b a eh , La. :Forg o , and Wa l b a ch .. Company
L an.d t h e Battalion CP remai ned i n '\7a lba c h .
L The ro ad leading out of Turc :heim. wa s he avily min2d and
on ly foot troops could g et t h rough .
Hq Co On t he n i ght o f February 1 s t , t he linG co pani es j umpe d
l!1eb o f f a t Ammers chrvihr . Th ey d ov e to _ i ede rr,1or schwi h r , ~ a t zen
2- 5 thal , Turc h eim, Ingershe i m and ~ r11lbach i n 5 day s , ta .. i n g ov er
a c ou pl e of other to wns nnd vil a0; e s during t h e l as t 2 days
o f whi rlwi nd advance wh ich fol .,_ owed t h e f a ll o f u.r c1 heim .
or Headqu a rt e rs com_:>any , it was t h e s ame old .s tory o f
v1ire l ay i ng und er h a r a ssing f i re : r ;:-2dio comr: uni c a ti ons wh ich
rc ~uire d t h e o pe r a tors t o work until t '~ Y n e 8.rly drop:ped con
sta..11.t mi ne swee pi n g and ammo c a -ry in_., fo r t h e Ar;~P: and dr u dge y
f or t h e r e s t o f t 1' e men . But t h i s time s ometh i n g new !1ad be en
a dded---a mul e train . he terrain \Vas .s o r ugg e d t hat mule
t r a i n was t he sole 'e e.sible method o f gett in ammo a nd s u~)pli es
fonva rd . The mules were li ce mo s t mul es , b ut the driver s were
' ren ch " or')Ccan Gou.ms . Thi s ne ce s sit a t ed an. i nt Gr pre t e r . .n
i d e a l one was ound i n P f c. Pau l ~ . Jordan , t he mail cl e r k
whos e Fr en ch , s noken wi t h a . aine t wang , ~ r ~ ved pe f ectly
understand a ble t o t he Gou..ms , w 10 t al. n d b a d with an f'ric a n
ac c ent . he mul es under s to od n o t hing , whi ch , as Jordan . ut it ,
was " SDP for mules~
The . i:1i rs t trait1 o f mul e n s t ar te r: o J.. i~roni !.rrune rsch\vihr to .~
.Hedermors chwi hr e a rly on t he n i ht o f 1-2 : eb_ i ry , with Lt .
Si mon i n charge . The nul es \7e r e h~av' l y lo.den with wi re , am.'llo ,
water , r a di o ba tte ri es and oth r s n ppli es , and t ere was l i ,ttle
e n ou gh r oom f o r a man on t he trail , much l e ss a rrr l e . he
anim, .l c b alked and gri ped a ll the wav up the first hi l l . Pro
ress ~as s nai l - li e .
"feanvili l c , t h e jerries h a d sl ip-ood a ~:10rtar ob s e r v er i n to
the "'.lic ture . Pf c. oung and ? f c . :3y ves trie , o f intelligence ,
}J ad been wait i n g fo r t h e mule trai n on a..ri'J t.. er ill , w en t he y
henrd a mor t ar bar rage h it t he first :b i ll over w::ii ch t he trai n
wo :l d have to come . :;hen t he mo tar b a rragR st0 )1)e d momen t
arily , t h ey he a rd t he obsorver ' s gu_tt 0r als . __ :Jecond b a r rng e
s :pa...'1110 d tho mul J.; rain r out e. Young a nd Syl vest ri e c a::i.ght t he
co nne cti on , picked up the i r ri i l e s and St ".irt ed c rawlin _ t oward
t he h i dd e n OP. .Th.en t h ey b ro e a t wi g and nev t hey c oul d n ot
go n are r unde t e c ted , they be gan f i ring . r he observer r i ~ pe d
of'- a coupl e o i' b urp ' gun bl ast s a n d decamped. The 2 i n telli
g en c e men cut the t o le ~;ho n e wire and the mor '~ ar s we re n ot. h a d
a a i n t h a t night .
Lt . Si on pa.c sed Jordan and h is trai n on t o a wi re crew at
t he to p o f t he fir st hi l l and , i l l a.11.d we .r y , returned to t h e
CP i n Ammersch wi h r . T/5 Geor e J . ;rillbanl s led t h e train on
until Young and Sylve strie too : ove r a t t 1e ir guide po int , and
i t vims a combin e d o pe r a t i on unt il t he tra in re a ch e d :Niedermor
s ch wihr . It va s Jord 'ln , howeve r , who argued with t he Goums
and mul es , _wpt t h em on t he trai l and w pt t _1 em oi n i n opi t e
o f t h e i n cre dibl y h ard c l i mb , t _1e u nnervin , bur.. - . unni ng whi ch
seemed t o b e going on i n a l l dire ct ions , and t he menac e o f p os
s ible enemy pat ro l s . '; i t h the supl; li es t hus s e cure d , the Ba t
talion h i t ur ckheim t he ner t day and fi nal ly c apture d it .
_, a j or \ oo d\vard--11 131u e Six" a ccordi n e; t o t he c o'mo co de -
s et a te r r i f i c pace f or t h e aembers of h i s O"P pa r t y . Poo r
3 am Soa r ks bo re r 3 00 r ad io n h i s b r- ck f or 5 str ai ht days ,
f ollo\"Jing t he l ong-l e ,ged l ead e r unt i l " I ot so damn ti re d I
d i dn ' t e v en bo the r t o h i t t he di r t wh en she ls c ame i n . "
Conti nued
('!. Co Sgt. ,arshall Pulliam , the v et e an , e f fic i ent mes sage center
Feb ch i ef who had gone out with all but one 0 part y sin c e t h e ii rs t
2-5 day in Normandy , and t he equal l y ti r .leas 1st Sgt . Kugler kept
t h e f'orward group always moving up aft er Blue Si x
The A~P under T/Sgt. Blai ne B. 1anor fought t h ei r qu i et
t hankl ess war aR"a ins t mines all t he way f rom _aysersberg to
.7albach , but now t hey were up aga i nst a new enemy--pl s t i c
mine s . Their instruments could not detect 11 of t he pl as ti c
devic es , and days a:fte r the he '1dqua rt ers c01 pan. veh icles drove
over t he r oads , veh icl e s of ot er outfits were bl ovm up . m il e
t h e ro ads wer0 frozen , t hey were s afe; once they t hawed , t h ey
were certain pat h s to des t r a ction .
The wire cr ew ca rrie d f i el d i mprovi s a ti on t o it s highes t
point during the Colmar campaign . Af te r t h ey had ca rried wire
f or 5 mil es r r om Ammers ch vi hr to 1 i edermors chwi h r , t hey began
l ooki ng for an e a si er me thod . dhen t hey were ordered t o l ay
from Ingershei m to Katzent hal , t h e boys became m~s t i nv en tive .
They started off with the re el in a sl d, wearied of'pulling it
over snowles s pat che s and then l oo ~ e d a round f or another l abor
s aver. Pfc. ~lmer L . Ki rby turn ed . u p wi t h a manure spre ade r .
It ca rried the v ire on t o Kat zen t hal .
Lt . Theodo re Petersen shocked eve, Lis or,m men b worki ng
for 2 days with out a we apon . 11 ou can 't l ay wire and car ry a
cannon," h e sai d--entirely ignori:n ., the fac t t hat a commo off
icer usual _y lets h i s men l ay all the wi e , and al :ios t i nv ari
abl y feels a lot more comfortabl y ca r ying a "cannon 11 in enemy
i nfes ted tei"ri tory . JJt. Peters en , a t eato tal er , ad been t he
only headquarters man caught in a Bennswi.hr wine cellar . "I
wa s j ust lo oking around , " he e plained to the ge ntlemen who
caught 'h i m---a general.
A s the OP part y neared ''Jal bach , l a st of the string oft owns
captured or lib er a ted , t he artillery was prepa- in.is to soften
the pl a ce u p f or the i n f antry to t a.e . But j us t i n t he proverb..
i al nick o f time , 2 f i u r es c rune racinb dovm t h e 11ined ro ad
on bicycl es . The vmman pedaled even fas ter than the man , he r
husband . Vhil e Bl ue Si x and h is ~, ro u'D l i s te ned in amazement ,_
t he gall an t li ttle lady explai n 0d t hat the Germans had fled
from t h e town 8 hours ~r eviously . 8ould not the ri nd gentlemen
keep the a rt illery f rom fir ing? 1.rhe ki nd gentlemen could and
did . The Ba,, t alion marched i n to :alba ch without opuo sition.
In fac t , t hei r ent _y du~ lic at ed in mini ature the tri umphant
march t hrou h Paris . 'I'he wine was jus t a s go od , znd t h e girls
just as retty . \7alb a ch r o j oi ce d and so did t he Key ote rs .
Es ca ed olish slave 1 aborP.rs crent out ofthe ce l l ars . 5
oi'them tolcl Pf c. Walter F . 111 ojdyl 8. of . the A ~P t hat t h ey h a d
hi dden ~ n t hei r c ella r s for 6 months , coming out a t n i ht to
f orag e . The French a lso t v.rned over a few mi d d ~ e - ag e d .Vehr
machters who as red t o be h i dden unt il t hey would be s a e enough
from t heir own . P' s to surrend er t o t he Amer i ca n s .
Co. t1 Dug in on hill a t 0 20 0 and remained until 0 50 when company
2 l!'eb pushed off again. Took t h e 2nd object i ve a t 1 000 a fter climb
ing s ome 3 00 'eet up a slope . t 11 30 pushed o f f again go i ng
dovm one h ill and u another of a bout 30 0- 40 0 eet to a l'.)Os i ti on
directl y ov rloo dng the t own of l~ i edermorschwihr . f t er an
artil ery pre ar o.tion , the tovm was at t ac ed . b jective t al en
at 1700 . 8 men woi..mded : 25 pri soners t aken .
Continued-
Co. K " The d ive in the Colmar a r ea s :art ed a t 20 on t h e 1st
2 li'eb o f' }'ebrua ry fro Ammerschvli.hr . It had snowed and t h e r a d
ways v1ere very icy. Comnany _ su. 1plied a gui de throu h t he
mine field and a l t h ough vife sli pped , s .idded , ' i.lld fell, t e .
c ompany was in po sition b r midni ght. rhe first object i ve wa s
500 ya rds past tho I P and it requ i re d a climb o f abo ut 3 O
1'eet pr a ctica lly s traight u o opposition was r eached until
we dug in and t hen machi ne un f i re ke pt us busy all n i ht .
At 0500 we were ordered to move out to our secon d obje ctive .
Again it was uphill on one s id e and down h ill on t h e oth er ,
bein" just a s di ffi cu lt to n egoti a te either ~Nay . Going up
one fo u_nd it nece so ary to h old on t o the tre e s t o sto p your
self from s li ' pi ne; a nd comi n, d ovm you had to grab the t ees
to ee p f rom falling . Thi s con t inued u p and dovm t wo more
hills, the l a st one ab out 50 fe e t h i gh , until we fo und our
selveo looking dovm t h e s t e :9 sl ope and gazing i nto t h e t wn
of Ti edermorschwihr .
At 1500 we pushed o ff' and after a sh or t st_u )le we c an
tur d the town . taki ng 25 prisone r s but s uffering 8 c a s ual tie s.
Lhat ni ght i-e rest 0d for t h e f irst t ime in 48 h our s . 11
3 :Peb Com')any remai ned in r) O C i ti on until 1 50 At 1 00 move d
ou t i n the a tt a ck on u r c ~he i , . he co pany a11pro a ohe d t h e
tovv.n a t 1800 and was fired u uon ., Capt a i n Thomas was k il e d
by a s n i . er. Lt . Greene a ssumed command o f t h e comnany . h e
company was in po s ition b f 2200 . o oth er ca s ualties .
"At 1 600 on t he 3rd of }ebruar ; , we .. ushed off for Turc k
h eim. Captain homa s was u p front ac we cu t across t h e vine
y a r d s and a s we a p "' _oach ed t 10 outs i rt s of t h e tovm t h ere _
wo.s a slight fl urr y o f shot s an d the company h a lt ed wh ile
Ca pta i n Thomas ch e c.{ed positions . In order t o or i ent h i s nap
pr o erly , Cal)t ain mhomas r an a cros :' t he st eet and ~,ot beh ind
a bric k _ o st . However , just enou gh o f h i m mu8 t h fwe been vi s
ible, for a fter a lone sh ot had been fi .cd , h e f.',l ump e d to the
gr ound , dead . The bul l et en t er ed h is h e Pd just unde rne ath
h i s h l met and ca me out a t t h e base of h i s s t ull . At t h i s
point Lt. Gre ene, juct b a c -:: f rom 'Pa ris , t oo k over and s ecured
t he f oothold f r o wh ich the tovm \!'Jas t aken the fo ll owing ~u orn
i n g . ~ epeat e d jer1~y co~:m t e r - a tt a c rn and mortars a cc ou n t ed fo r
3 mor e de a d and some 21 i njur c~ d , but we held the to wn . e
were r elieved by a French unit t hat ni ght . 'i1 i t h one n i ght ' s
res t we m..1-. r che d on and liberat e d "!albach and Zi m erbac'P on
the 5t h o f' Eebruary .
4 1?eb ~h e company pu shed off a t 080 7 iss ion wa s to cl ear. th ~
town . 1
r ench aided in renovin .s ro adbl o c ks . The com-oany a ch-
i ev e d its objective a t 1130 and du , in. The r i ght fl an. was
s ecur e d b y mor t a r fire di r cted bv 1 t. '1reen e . The fi ghtin
continu e u all day, the com9any renel l i ng 3 counter- a tt a c s .
The co m ~ any sustained 3 killed in a ction i n addit ion to 21
wounded ~ 5 -orison er s were t aken. t 2000 .the com:'.!any was
r 0li eved by a unit o f t he 1st Fren ch army and ma r ch ed 2 mi les
to Ingersh eim
Patrol oent out to re connoi te r 'urc heir.i a t 0300 a nd found
French in positi on . At 080 , comri y wa s a lert ed to g o into the
a tt a c k .. 1oved ou t a t 1 0 0 obj ectives b ei ng Zi mmerb a ch a nd "Jal
b a ch whi ch were tak en a t l 00 . no resistanc e--4 prisoners--n o
ca sual ties . One l a t oon c ot ed i n Zi m..inerb a ch , anothe r i n JJa
or ge . .1G se ction and ro adbloc ks e sta blished i n 1:alba ch .
Co . I
:i:hc ncr-:t mornini'~ \7G r. tart,..,d for Tu cl'drnim in pl "toon 10
Feb 3
mn..t ion , 11hen heini es \7Gre o1)s'"' V'"'d by 1st Lt . ')ui'l11'111 T.-:n.ving
their hands on the top o:f a hill 200 yr:i.rdo outoide of 'I' i eder- .
morschv1ihr. ,_ l:H ao,d oi the lot ulatoon W"'S oent u -o through the
o pon field to near the crest o f the hill \llen the he i n i e again
yelled "Kamornde" a-Yld followed i t with ranid re 1orts of small 0

2u.tomatic fire fr0m the eneny in the r01r :

"The dirty b a8 t ards : " y e lled 1 oma.Ylelli .
Captain TcDonou_;,h imT1edi'"'.tely s ent the re!!lainder of t he 1st
a..Yld 3rd pl r1to ons to form a l i n e. _he 2nd pl a toon U.."l'lder '::/Sgt .
Ui clsen , \"las ordered to enter the o~tsk i rtr 0 1 tovm , ho ld i t
until t his little s ir'llioh was cleaned un . But we underesttm"' t
1

ed the stren ,~th o f the e '1e:::i.y , their s :i.nerior o~)servation s.nd

l')OSi t iO'"S
- "Christ , a ll we coul d do vms l 'lf t here , " r.oai d Sgt . C:1rtis ,
"the re was no cove r, n othing . 1:hey we re hitt ing us from all
sides , mortar s , ev e rythinr:; they h'1.d----the ba,.tards ! 11
Old Pop Chamness got it in the belly , S/Sgt . St 0vens e ot it
in. the T.J.t t oo.
:'he n' ~ ol o CO"'lpany car.'.le u..nder the b arr-. '30 ~i ph0 91}hOrOUS and
fragmentation heavy .mortar fire---ev<P1 the bo rs on the main
road to Turc 1:h0im . l< rom the o pposite hill , . n comr:iany ' s mo rtars
were zeroing in on t ho ener:iy :)osi t ion'1 and s 'ffor0d 3 C".toual ties ,
1 killed r,nd 2 VJOl.Uldcd . 3/Sgt . "illin'3ham then fired the 60 :mm
~ortars 50 y2rds i n front of the fornation o f o~r O\'ffi li nes on
t h o eneny po sitions . ".. s ..1.ast qs he could i ru:ic>rt the shel ls in
t he tube bett?oen h i .-. l e-::s he fired , every 2 se conds . The i n
te1si ty of t he en "r:J.Y small arms fi :::e finally ab a ted r-;omw.-;ln"lt .
~he enemy fired f rom a hunt in~ 11dcc to our ri~ht flan , but
vacated ;;hen anti-tan t mo cl::ed it out r:.nd set it af'i_ o . 'JTcv sr
thelc'ls , the encny observa t ion i:m.s still su'Jerior , 3.l'lcl he c ti ll
held high ground . Our bOJS \7erc on the slo}e o f t 1e h i gh ground ,
ox~osod , and a body c an 't sto'J b ullets !
Cautain 'Ic:1onough returned to lhtt alion to effect a ,_c hange
of' ordoro . ..~c \"Je r e reli eve d . But the c asu'1l ties were h i gh
tha t d2.y . Some wal 1 :::ed to the aiO ot ~ tio n , others had to be
carried by li t t"r . The converted h ouoo held 1 8 c'l.sualties .
4 .heb Orders '"0re 0 i ven b y Lt . Si non to l"ilO Ve on to 'i tzenhei".!l a t
0030 . ;e nero t i red , e xhaus ted, rP.r:ting J.n any c o ner and
"1Sl '"'ep in ,any avai l~ble chair . ?vm volunteers , Pfc. Proca cina
and Pfc. e antor , were le f't behind a t t h e ro'1.dblco { to await
Slim IJi e l s e n and e s tablish cont ct . 1et urni n~ the next mo rni11g
on foot, they l oarned t hat T /Sgt . 11Tiels e: hqd been at t ciched to
i\: cov:1pany atta cl: i n~ and cl earing the hig1 grou..nd surroundi nc;
J:urc kheim.
'l:he d ay v1t-1s ":m soe d with t h e usual sec11ri ties , drawi ng su9
:?li os , c leaning of \'Je apons and listeni nt; to t!1e e n~agement of
the Battle oi Turckheim over the SCl 300 . At 2oon v e marched
from 11 t : e n s h eim t o Ingersheim , a bout 4 mileo, nl:1 cin::; socuri t y .
5 .cob Thi a mornind the c om )2J1Y was aoner2bled at the CP . "Cbc ck
your pl 3. toon f or aI:Jr.10 and ratior..o . See h ow man; need i:.;renade s,"
said the s .'.'1T)l y se.i:geant .
_ t 1000 v1e s tartnd our attac k to "ralbach . t~gai n we we nt to
:ae der:iorsch\7i h r stou10 (1 for qn hour 8Ild then followed the sane
route into J:urc1d1eio , still in CO:J. 1any i or"'.lation , onc ounte-ring
Continued-
Co . I neither the enm2y nor his f'ire . From 'ru.rcl:heim into "lalbach
5 :Peb \'7e marched 6 addi tiono.l miles ,. 'i:hc only caution being the
German Teller ~'fi n e s, :;>l a.nted roughly on the route at irre gul ar
int e::cvals.
0"!,1rs was a "Victorious No.rch" into -alb a ch . The oc casion
was a fes tive one to t h e Al sasciane a s t hey proferrod the passing
soldiers \Vine , sch 1 a ops , cognac nnd a gl a ss .. T?.ejoicing in
1

their liberation they embraced and cri0d exult ~ntly 11 La Victoire;

It was a beau.ti f1;.l d a y, proni tious . for the occasion . 7e
arrived at \Valbach at 1900 , the 1st t\.mer-Lca.ns they had seen
since their subjugation by the Nazis . The tovm wa s ours!
One little woman, v7ho had be on broken in spirit but now
hGr eyes beatific with joy, s ays in J! rench , 11 '1hy didn 't you
come sooner?" ;e explained ~ s best we could with distorted
ge :-1tures and ou1 pi dgin French .
Co . L S/~gt . Harry Dickman . "The snow was about one foot t h ick.
2 l: eb Near the base of Letyebcre; Hil l , which we reached abo .it 1 800 ,
1

t he gro'Ul'ld under the sn.ov1 was mush , ankle deep . It hadn ' t b een
too c old during the day and the men had denosited their over
coats , along with their rolls , back a long the line somewhere .
But now as t he com-pany started up it sta rted to g et cold. '7e
didn't feel i t so ouch for a. while because we really sweat ed
on tha t climb . The nide of the hi 1-1 v1e went un was cove r ed wi th
vinGya.rds in tiers , and r::e were going cross grain ; t'e had to
hack our v:ay through the wire , and then every 30 feet o f u p
sloping g round there was a 4 foot wall we h a d to clinb. :\11 of
tha t plus the snow _made for one nwful wor1rnut . incn the company
finally reach(,.,a_ the top after 4 h our s of climbing and t he pla
t oons had g one to t heir res oective de cnsivc areas , that wa s
nhen we b ee;an t o feel t he cold. No overco :its , no rolls, no
fires, and damn cold! I don 't kn ow of e,.nyone who slcut that
night-- everyone kent walking around a ll night to lrnen warm ,
including t h ose men whose f'eet 1.vcre bli stered and sore ."
3 J/eb S/Sgt . James Dowden "Battalion v. anted to find out who
1

wao i n Wintzenheim , krauts or French , and didn 't k 10w who was
between us andthere. 2 patrols from L company we re sent to
find out . One from t he 3rd nlatoon and one from t he 1st. I
was i n the 1st platoon patroi with Lt . Steen . \'Je started out
from the top of Letzeberg Hill at 1000--the g round was covere d
with sno~--W8 slid to the bottom of the hill , and then began to
use our feet. On t he way we met some civl lians who said the
heinies had left about 12 hours previously . \?e used the vi n e
y a rds as much as possible for concealment . '7e reached Wint zen
heim and , l~oking into it, saw n o soldiers but there were sholls
hitting one end 01 it. We sneaked into the tovm via some back
yards , still n ot knowing v1hu.t to exnect.. Suddenly we spotted
a uniiorm with a beret on to p . Y!e knew everything 1;ms ok . 7e
hailed thG :French ooldier who toolr us to a h ot el. There were
n o guards along the street a..nd none outside the hotel, But
i nsi d e t he hotel the French were h avin g one big celebration--
singing , dancing and drinking. They gave us S'lme delicious
1rench :fried potatoes that they had pre pared while we wa ited.
Lt . Ste en spoke to the J?rench o ffi c er and then , miflsion a ccomp
li shed t we otarted back to the comu'filY . Outside of Wintzerheim
vrn met the uat r ol from the 3rd r)l a toon that had investig:1ted
another part of the tovm. A li ttlc further on ne met the
Continued-
Co . L company on i t s vJay to ',7int zcrh ~ im . Lt . Steen gave Lt. George
3 Feb the d ope . rhe pa trols continued on back to the base o f Letze
b e.rg Hill to pick up our nae rn and gas mas 1r s whil e t he company
v;en t on to ,:i ntzerh eim. 7hen we c ame ba c ~ to ~ i nt z e hcim we
caught an awful shelling on the o uts k irts--luc 1~ i1 y nobo dy was
hit . The 1'ellm1s from t h e company tol d me they caught it too
a s they h ad neared 1'iintze rheim. Only they weren ' t a s luc1-y-
s eve ra.1 men were h i t .. "
 6-9 }'ebruary 1945
The elements 01' the battalion rcm..qi ned in com.nunities
near Vlalba eh.
Training schedules ..

10 -13 F'ebru.a.ry 1945

Battalion assembled in foi . Forge .
Ua j . Gen. Cota presented awards on the 13th of Pt:fbruary
at a nal"'ade in Walhach .
Capt. Robert M. McDonough assigned Battalion S-3, 12 Feb .
14 :Pebruary 1945
Battal:Lon began movem.en t l{orth , b ' truck to a:rea around
Boucq and Void .

15~18February 1945
Battalion r0mained in vicin ity o i' Boucq and Void ,.

Training schedules..

Preparation for continuation of movene:nt North ..

 Co . K Company remained in the same osi tion . Usual defensiv e

6 l: eb duties were performed .
7 1' eb Com ~any remained in the same position . Trainin schedule
followed . he pl a toon in La Forge wao reli eved and ordered to
re t u rn .
8 Feb Com!)any in t he same position. Training schedule con tinued ,
(
Company fi red rifles , bazookas , and mortarn for pra ctice . 3rd
platoon and at t a ched ~TG section returned to -7albach at 130r) .

-
9 Peb
1 0 Feb
'----' 11 Feb
Same position . Bronze St ars awardod to 5 men .
Com:;>any moved to La Porge a t 1700 .
Comnany remained in La Forge . Targets made for demonstrat
ion on ire power to be held tomorrow. ~ o other a ctivity .
,I
12 J!'eb Position unchanged . Demon stration of i 'ire nowc r held .
1 3 eb 'arade a~ 1330 with Gen . Cota present . Company remained a t
La }forge and were given cl an clothes . Comba t bad~es were aw 'I'd
0

ed . Company was alerted to move to ~orrow a t 2200 .

14 1' eb Company moved out a t 0800 and rode 125 mi l os to Boucq ,
:b'rance , arri ving at 1 830 .
15 Feb Comormy remained in Boucq . Keystone s painted on all helmets
by battalion.
l~ Feb Position same . Training included 3 hour night problem on
defense agai nst infiltrati on.
17 eb Position uncha..~ged with traini ng in the afternoon .
18 l!,eb At 1330 , the company went to Void to hear Gen . Cot a spoa'k .
All keystones Gnd pat ches Vier~ removed and all mar;r:ings on trans
.._.., portation VTere bl a cked out . eom""lany ~1lerted at 1 800
\_ Co . I 1

'e l eft ; albach at 1400 returning over tho same route back
Feb to Ingershe i m. The 3rd -plat oon was to occuuy and control Nied
6- 13 ermoracwihr under the boo gi e- mcistershi il o f T/Sgt . Brimberry
and the remaining 1st and 2nd wea')Ons pl a toons . Com'1any Bead-
quarters established t hemselves in Ingorsheim. Security wa s
placed around the tovm. and a treinin program was a rra"1ged the
next day. The sunny weather was a ~erfe ct settin ~ for the hi gh
li ghting news t 1at the Colmar Pocket \'7'J.S cle2.l1ed of enemy re
sistance and Colnar itself had been libera t ed b y the 1st :b renah
army and our ovm. 109th R.egimont .
rhe nevt day , Slim J ielsen and a party of 4 went in search
o f S/Sgt. ,. isniews ki who h ad been killed in the ac tion of a few
days before . Several hours l ater , Slim returned , s bmitting
evidence, said calmly and unemotionally , "Yeah , we found him .
Here's his hel met and rifle . " And he silently walked out .
In ersheim wnn an e:{amDle o war ' s dost.r ction . Some build
ings '.7ere burnd to the gro1nd , others were bombarded i n to bro
ken shambles . Everywhere vmo the clut-'-cr of de ~)r is and the smell
of' decay .
Our time \"TaS 0"1ent in occ 1pying t he trenid little mail cl erk
Cpl . Palomby with boxes of souveniers . The souvenier ' bug ' in
iect0d all . It bocane somevhat of a contest Q~ti l orders were
received curtailing a l l souvoniers pr oviding that: v0rification
of sale, ~ur chaoer was furflished with t he arti cle being sent .
And so it has been ever since. And 1.:m imagine that the ships
~ailin& home hnvo much lightor ca rgo as a result .
 Continucd-
Co. I The ni ghts were f'eotive occ asions and rehashes of past ex-
Feb periences with amateur strategists improving upon t he tactics
6- 13 used i n past engagements . The wine flowed from the faucet: the
Als ac e being the well t hat never runs dry. Each night we tap
,,----~- p~ d the faucet, lol ling in leisure and r 2ucous singing get - to
gethe s . We received our mail r n=>ularly , reading it i n comfort
and homey atmosphere . e were paid too! his li fe continued
in its tranquility unt il we r.iove d ou.t . 11.eceiv ed 18 re-0lace
ments during this peri od .
14- 1 8 At 2000 the men arrived in Boucq, dirty , dusty , and grimy
from the arduoas journey over dry roads i n 2 1/2 t on trucks .
All "v7as glorious in s mny France the noxt mornine . Life a t
Boucq was 0 cupied Ni th further training and climaxed vJi th a
1.. 1

Grand Ball in the sch ool room. The local bel les were invit ed
to nrovide f eminine comnani onshi rl and a littl e bit of u-~1hatta
you~ say, Cherie?" - -
Hri Co E'or several days disheartened German st ragGlcrs drifted i n
Feb 1rom the hills.
6- 9 Captain Cowan had Old fflory flovrn. from a flagpole in front
of the CP . The Keysters amuocd the French with their daily
close order drill . "They march a s if the,y didn ' t care how they
l ook , " the tovmspeoplc told Pi'c ., Jordan , the intcr"?reter and
mule expert .
"you bet t hey don ' t , " Jordan agreed in his best l rcmch .
"But , " he added , "rhey are o a reliability superb in the field . 11
HowevGr, after the Keysters had washed their field jac . ets ,
cleaned t hei r e ~uipment and l ave d themselves in t he big foun
tain in the c "'n ter of the t ovm S"luare , they began to look like
soldiers a,ain .
10- 13 \Then the trooos moved over to La 1'orr;e a:nd billeted in a

~ Feb big hospital with real sheetGd beds , ther began to feel like

humans a~a in .

J:hen ,Iajor General Cota and the French 1'oreign Legion Band
t urned up for a Battalion review which was hold in a meadow
outside of Walbach . Sgt . v:ugler carri0d the Stars and Stri pe s
and Sgt . Connelly t he 112th colors , but the rcrnt of' t he comp
any stayed in La Porge -- ~1 ossi bly so t h ey wouldn't spoil the
beautiful si ght of the line cor.nanies passing in review.
General Cota d corated the men of the Bat cali on who had
distinguished themselves during the Bulge , and the review was
so ine i ably beautiful t hat many a soldat Americaine had tears
in his eyes .
ihG sun shone brightly upon the meadow , alre0dy gr ~en with
the promise of s pring . On the town side of the me adow , eager
Prench vi l l agers surrounded their ovm Legion band which punct
uated its martial mus ic wi th trumuet flourishes and drama tic
rolling o;f drums . The little reviev!ing grou p stood s tra i F,ht
and nroud .
Before them passed t he 3rd Battalion , 112th iniantry , 28th
Di vision . !Uraculously , after all t h eir slo npy close order
drill , the men marched in per e ct step , heads high , ranks in
line and officers striding confidently out in front. Big Jacl{
Greene , the former Hornet , snorted his fa~ous pearl- handled
pistol a s he led K company pas t . Tall Lt . George, the former
:rra.Ylsuort ation officer , kept his tremendorn stride uovm to 30
inches in honor of' cofl9any L at his back .
Continued
Hq Co Some of those men :ere v ery br8.ve and some not so brave at
:Feb al l . And yet , t hose who wat ched felt t hat until some n a tion
1 0 . 13 coul d :produce someth ing better oome hundred centuries from now,
there passed in revi ew the finest soldiers in the world .
General Cota told them t hey we re part of t h e best mountain
regi ment i n Europe and they marched bac1c to t h eir billets i'ull
of h i gh morale and a vast a~petit0 for chow. The Colmar camp
aign was over .
1 4-1 8 From La Forge , the company m'l ved to Bou cq , b r truck . --:a r m
er we a t her made t h e tri 1 a pl easant one for ev erybody , and Bouca
turned out to be a s lee py , medi eval vi llage t l'.!.at time ha d f or
gotten. The comr>any b illet ~ d in t he chatcau of t h e Prince of
Bourbon and t h e men marveled at the ~~g e of t he pl ace . They
stayed in Boucq a 1 e \J days ;
 1 9 February 1945
Battal. on entrained at Toul . a t noon , and rode lior th all
day nnd night

20 February 1945
Battal ion rode on trains a11 dey and finally reached
Aach en at midni ght, detrain.ed and i .rnm.ediately e:ntruckod .

.
21 l:'ebruary 1945
Battalion nnvoa out by truc1-:: from .Aach en ab ou t 0100 and
'l.'Je.. 1 t South to Vicinity of rions chau, d-etrucked the r e and marche d.
to vicinity of Hellen t hal ..
In afternoon,. the Battalion relieved the 38th Infantry
at Hellenthal .

22-2 8 1!1ebruary 1945

The Batt o.lion rcmaine-d in the line at Hollent hal .
SporaP,i c enemy act ivity - small arms a..l'ld a rti ., lcry fire.
Patrols sent out.

1
Co . I :e leave .. a.ma and ~Iademoiselle , tearful in parting , at 10'1
Feb 1.rom Bouc.q on 40 wici 8 ' s . 7e detruc.red at 12 10 in Toul , :F'rance
19- 21 and embarked i n awaiting 40 an<l 8 ' s . The good old Pi lsner l a b
ell ed t h e bottles we i mbibed no t t hat ve needed i t-- as some
1;1ere sui'fcrine from the after 1:1fi'ects of l a st night ' s evelry
of li quor and song . A case o f C rat i ons and beau c oups of c andy
bars were i ssued and consumed during the 4 day t ri~ . For com
for t, straw was scatt e red over the ntire floor of t he box- c ars ~
Half of the ':!en sl opt i n one c orner; the other half, abs orbGd
i n swelling their re oerves at home by i ndulging in the ev er pre
o c cupyine 9ast time 0..1. poker . The rol i ng of the trr-iin wh eels ,
a jer1c 0 1 a ccele r o.:ted speed , the slowing dmvn t o a station nev er
int errupted the bo ys as t h ey intently bid , cursed and d ank their
beer .
Af't or coverine; wfi a t seemed like 10 , 0 00 miles , vie arrive a t
n ort h Aa chen , having trav ell ed through Irance , Holla..Yld and Bel
giu~1 . Pa ssing through Aa chen we entruc_ed outside the city of
ru.ins to ~ . onschau at 2300 . Detruc _::ing into ni tch blackne s f' and .
sinking in the mud , ~e began our horse he ~vin 0 march , 8 mi l es
to tho 2nd Divisi on ass embly area , Jagdhutte , falling i n to the
c abins i n the mud a t 0500.
22- 28 Passi ng en.route to Hell enthal in t a ctical Battali on forma tion
Feb the dung of barns , dead livestock laying in position of t h ei r
l ast bre athing movement , houses torn onen '1 S if i nviting one to
con fort , and everywhere , craters, debris and ruinc.tion , vie enter
agai n the caul dron of hell . .
~as t h a t horse stri ~ry ed o f h i s h i de for le a t her or was he
being prepared for the stew not wh en the Germans were forcad t o
retreat? '.' hat- evor the sight o f JJink, :purplisl'i , protruding
vei s , arteri e s and his s wollen unde r belly was r epulsive in
the contra ri t to the cinev;y , firm and lithe l e L, s .
-\, e relieved the 38th Infantry ,. 2nd Uivi sion at 1300 , t 'lk i ng
ovr\r their dei'en si ve nosi tions . Under Co:otai n Homanich ' s com
mand a s ecure and stout de fense was rylaced u~ on t he jutting
~romuntory hill 255 , fa cing the enemy on the Siegf!'ied Line .
Int ' rch ~' nging ev ery 48 hours under c over of darxn nss, a pl a toon
of I conroany nnd bazooka s , 2 light 30 c aliber mach ine gtL."11.s , a
heavy calib er 50 , and a s:,uad of K c om<?anY vmre de )l oyed in an
all arr;und semi- circle defe'n sive on the n1ob . he men h rld only
scai1t prote ction o f ca/tured Gerr.ian c ommtmi c ation trenches ,
novin ; only a t ' nigh t 2J.S it was suici dal to ex ')ose one cel _f duri ng
the day , being under direct observation of the eno~y . he y with
stoo9. the enemy harassment o f mortar , s cre ening moemies ( ncble
\;orfers ) and machine c;un :Lire , and u non orders did not fire one
sine;lc round . ", c suffered 3 c a sual ti c s , S / Sgt . Ca sper o .~
com'1any ancl 2 WO'J.nd .d of' I com'1any . To the ri ,ht appro ch r, s of
t h e tovm an a ttacbnent of Can:1on com :i.n r and their P.ea pon w1s
d<:nloyed . Continuing urther do vm the ri ght flank , there w_s
a 57 mm gun o anti - tal'.1..k , our light 30 ' s , and a oouad of one of
our nl a toons . Such sure fire power wa s n e ce ssary a s the enti re
right flank zms o ryen until the 69th Divi s ion would . a t tac ,
thereby straighten ing out the enti r e line o f deicn se iacing
the Siegfried line . he left flant: was covered by K com'1any
and patrols
One day a he avy xplosion nas heard . ~- mine h q,d detonate d
and 2 .,..,i nutes l a ter t he phone rang .
 Continued
Co . I "Do you 1mmt any hamburger :for s l pper? 11 said one soldier
Feb of Ccmn on c ompany jo dngly . ~h en he sirred i mmerli '3-tel y when
22- 28 he realized he was t a l1ring to Captain liomanich.
" '"'l ell, Sir , 2 cows just walh:ed over th-e mi n e s . The pi eces
are everyv1hc r e ! "
Hot meal s , m il , supplies were brough t U'9 by j e e 1 here . -:e
1

stayed he;r-e v.ntil the 69th Di v i s ion brou,gh t u '1 the J_i ne ot de
fense on the ri ght '<,nd we we re el i eved by the llOth Ini'antry .
1Ve receiv ed 20 new repl a cericnts--th q,t helps .
Co . ,J S/~3 gt. Jo se ':')h Bn..rtkows 1'" i , morta r sa u 1d lead0r . "Tha t
21 Feb n i gh t 'Pf c. Bi tteng er and I were making our ..vay up to the OP.
.7e i.7 ere ca r rying the mai l u p to tho 2nu pl!ltoon. As we were
ma 'ri n g our \vay there, all hell br0ke loose . It vm.s the day
t he 69 t h pushed off . It mu.st hafe t ake n us over an hour to
mak e the 2000 y a r ds to the 0 r ~ '' e h it the g round abou t 40
times . 7c c rune a round the b end and t h ere were beau c oups of
mine s . Bittenger almost stepped on oYl e . I l eft ~ itteng~r off
a t t he 2nd pl a t oon and I {e pt on goi ng t o the 0 The shelli ng
was so heavy that I coul d n ot worr my way to the OP until 1 0
i n the morning . They we re t hrowing mortars , a rt i_ llery , and a
h e l l of a l ot o f screaming mr; emies .. '.ihen T got to t he OP , t he
firs t t hi n g I saw t hrough my f ield glas s es was a couule o f
krauts rid.ing t h e s kylin e on bicycles and I couldn 't do a damn
t h i ng a bout it be cause my morta r wouldn ' t reach that far . ~ -Y
mission was to \7at ch for a j erry t8l1k whi ch we kn G\'J to be in
t he vicinity . If h e C'une overthe h il l I was watching , he
woul d b e nble to zero i n on the town . So we were waiting f or
him but he never did 0 1' 0W u :1 ., "
Co. K Company entruc1.t ed a t 1030 and ' rive d at train at Cornmercy
1 9 Peb at 1130. " oved out at 12 30 and rode al l da_r . 7 e entered Bel-
e.i um at 1030 .
20 Feb Still travel l ing o i the 40 and 8 ' s . -;;n t er0d Holland at
1730 . Arrived at Aachen a t 2230 .
21 .1. eb ~ntruc ked at Aachen at 0030 , nd rode about 25 mile r South .
l arch ed 8 miles to a bivouac area , l ocated 6 miles North of
Hollent' a l. Alerted to move a t l noo and mov ed o..t 1 31 0 arri ving
at Hellenth::.l a t 1 530 . Replace d comnany rz , 38 I 1 fantry .
22 Feb Company e s tabl ished a s fol_lows : 1st :1l a toon , 1 .ss 1 squad ,
on out p ~st detached to comnany I; 2nd and 3rd pl a toons gua rdi ng
a bridg e i :n town . 1'1 ort --:i.rs and machine gun set up for i mmediate
uoe .
23 Peb 3rd plat oon re pl a ce d the 1st p 1 a t oon. Usu<i l front l i ne

duties were m2intained .

24 J:eb Com"'> any positi on unchanged . Znemy a ctivity c ons i sted o f

art ill ery and mo rt ~r fire .

25 Feb :Li t t l e enemy a ctivity . 1 ecei ved 39 re-olacements , bring i ng

t he company strength to 1 50 .
26 1' eb -Position unchanged . Enemy art i ' lery and mort ars s li .,htly

mo e a c tive .

--~ 27 Peb At 20 00 , the company t oot ove t h e position o f c ompany A

\ to 28 and vmre i n position a t 2230 . Pa trols m':intained i:Ji th L com

pany .

 '\

Hq Co At Aachen the company entrucked and somev1here Eas t of

21 eb Aachen tho convoy sto ')ped and the. comnanies piled out on t h e
con cret e road . They started to wal t sometime before midni ght ,
pro gre s sed from con cr ete to gravel and f r om gravel to corduroy .
From then on it was slop , slo p in ankle- deep mud with towering
pines shutting o ~t all but a thi n , d i m overhead ribbon o f
li ght . Stumbl i ng and swearing , the men occasionally u sed
fl a shli ghts . Every one who di d so was bawled out by other
men v.rho h ad used t h eir ovm li ghts a f ew minut e '.-' b efo r e . No
body knew where t he enemy was , but tha t rumble i n the di stanc e
gave them an idea that he was pretty close .
At about 5 in t he morning the company f i nally fumbled its
way int o t he dugouts and pillboxes ~round the j uncturn of 2
Siegfried Line dirt , or rath e r mud roads . They had little
chance to slee p , for the sweat h ad dri ed on t heir bodies and
cold shook them awake every time t hey dozed . 11
~ o rning reveal
ed more pillboxes , barbed wire , dragons ' teeth and t he tell
tale s cars of tree bursts in t he t h ick pi ne woods . The men
knew now t hat t hey were in the se c ond belt o f t he Line and
would go up to the town o f Hel lEmthal in an hour or so . 2nd
Division t roo ps coming out loo rnd u t te r ly weary and so comp
letely mud- caked tha t morale among the Keysters stayed safely
below t he SS or bursting point .
The vml k up to Hellent l1 al was cauti ous , with meticulous
att enti on to spacing between men . ~-~hen t h e column followed
Capt a in Cowan i n to t he tovm , t he reason be c ame sho c 1-ci ngly
obvious . The town l ay i n a poc 'et of h ill s , and every hill
ex cept t h e one directly i n front belonge d t o jerry . he pro
s pect looked bad , espe ci ally to SclLmidt survivors . However ,
the line holdi ng at Hellenthal t urned out to be just t hat ,
with jerry jittery enough to throw lots ofscre aming meemies
into t he town, but not strong enou h to ~ ttempt its recapture .
The 2nd Division ha d t aken the t ovm at the end o f a det
ermined uush whi ch carr ied the 2nd well beyond its neighbors
on t he tianks , and h a d sto rr">ed there unon orders . Th e sit
uation v1as delicato . By stou ni ng , t h e 2nd h a d left t h e enemy
holding the high grouvid . Yet , if it had advanced to t '3.ke the
high ground , it would create a d eper and even more dangerous
0

salient . The 2nd didn ' t li e the ulac e or the ur obl em and
wa s gl Qd to leave . The 3rd Ba t tali on i nheri ted t he to wn, the
salient , t he likelih ood o f count er a tt a ck , and the job of
waiting for either outfits on t he f l an to "10V'e up and take
t hat h i gh round .
:Feb During the wee' t he Bat talion was t here , the Intelligence
22- 28 Section ma intained an OP i n a c apture d G-ernan communic a tion
trench whi ch it sha red vii t h some PT company ma ch ine gunners
and mortar men . he \:raut h a d built the trench and the Iraut
knew its zr' ro by he a rt . He c oul d loo doVJn i n to it 2nd shoot
do\m into it . He did just t' at . At regular hours , the meem
ie s , arti : lery , mo t .1r f' , and 88 ' s vmuld start t hei r symphony
of hate . The 'Qui z Ki ds" , as t h e oth e r He a dquarters men call
1

ed them , di d OT? duty i n the- tre n ch by 24- hour reliefs . Each

grou p of three t hat went u p ex pected it to be its l ast tri p.
At t he end of the week not a s ingl e " 'luiz Kid 11 had b een hurt ,
al t h ough the ,1 company gun and mort ar c rev.s su.ifered heavily .
Continued
Hq Co ~ f'c . Charl es E. Sylvestre and Pfc . Don D. ..Jheel er , t wo
Peb comparative old timers i n the section, and battle-wise ~ fc .
22 - 2 8 W'illi run L . Young headed the three reliefs , composed of rein
forcements undergoing their baptism of f i r e , namely nvts
Charlt on Vincent and "Uchard :Franks , and converted spe ci ali'st s
such as Cpl . Hora ce Edwards of !d':P .
~he wiremen made t h ei r usual contribution. Between t he
t rench on the bald hill , and the woods beh ind it , was a 400
yard wide open space . Enemy shell s r " peatedly cut the OP
wi re whi ch crossed t his space , and that wire r1as the only
way the CP could be warned of a German attac So , in broad
dayli ght , 1st Lt . Theodore Petersen led a wire repair crew
up to the edge of the woods .
"Then , " says T/5 George J . -:'.' illban rs , "he told us to lie
down and vvai t . He wal ced out into that godawful space , feel
ing hi s way along tho wire . ''hen he fo und a break he repaired
it. He went up to the trench and b -w again. 'illy the krauts
didn't la1o c c him off r1i th mort ars I ' 11 never 1rnow. " The ne xt
day , Lt . Petersen s colded a non-c om for 0 trying to do it all
yourself . 11
Lt . Comparato co ild find no 9lace f or his guns in the
hilly terrain aro clnd Hellenthal so he organized bapoota teams
and used them onco in an L company patrol a ction ~h ich nocked
out an enemy outpost i n a house
.After T/5 Willbanks and a \'lire c re\7 had done a repair job
in the bright moonlight aft er Lt . T'ete ..s en's stroll '.lcross
the deadly open space , it wa s deci :ed that the of ten broken
wire must be buried . ?he A~P buri ed i t and there were no
more brea's .
Sgt . Jose:Jh A. King , who h u.d -.;;;on a Bronze -, t ar back i n
De cember for helping to blow up a Gema:n pillbox under hea vy
fire , now succeede d i n blowine un a herd of cattle t ha t had
wandered i nto one of h is mine fields . A_ kindl y man , Ki ng
pi tied the ca t t l e and pai nsta1~ inr;ly l aid some more mines to
kill kr auts .
When the 38th Infantry of the 2nd Division left their CP
i n the Keysters' hands , t h ey as sured t heir successo r s that
the h ouse had never been hit . For three days it looke d as
if it neve r \.ould . Then a s creaming meemie l anded smack in
the center of the garden wall , s1reddinG every wire runni ng
out of t h e CP. Sgt . Sui ter wearily took his crew out and
renairod it , "I 've seen 'them knocked out b y ones , twos , and
even threes, but t h is i s the firs t t ime t hat jer ry hit the
jackpot ; " he said .
Shor tl y afterward , Pfc. Antony ,J . aoi tkevi tch followed
a line o f wire toward K com")any a1d was hit b - mortar shrap
nel . The date was 1'ebruary 27, 1945. '"'oitkevi tch was the
l ast Head o ua~ters company casualty i n a otion .
 1 Mar ch 1945
Battalion move d out 0 lin e to an are a. a fmI miles back
from Hellen tha l .

2.... 4. I'.Iarch 1945

Battal io n remai n ed in dug-out s and s h elt e rs near Hellen thal.
Train ing sch e dule s .

5 1'.Iar ch 1945
Batta lion movGd out t owar ds Gemu..11d a nd reli ev e d the 3r d
b a t t alion of t he 38th Infant ry .

6 Uarch 1 J 45
The Battali on rGach e d t he vic inity o ;f Go_bach - 1fo o ppo
sition~

7 ~l arc h 19 45
The Bat t alion move d to Sistig , met n o 09pos i t i on , a nd
t he n mad e a :ni ght march o f 1 8 m.~ l e s r each ing Lomr:.1ersdorf a t
1100 on t h e 8 th o f rtarch .
 Hq Co . The llOth took over Hell enthal and the boy s ch ee r fully
ar
i, went back into t h e woods on !Jar ch 1s t , where t hey would have
1-4 to live in dugouts but at lea st woul d not h a v e to l isten to
t h e meemi es . I'her e were movie s i n t he t i ny CP s ha ck , a n d
a fe r; t ruc k lo a d s of men t ook t he long , tiring ri do bac k to
a. quart er mast er sh ower noint b efore t h e week o f r e st wan ov er .
They also had a l ittle time for t rai n i ng . One s essi on
was en.titled : 11 Selection o f OP ' s and CP--' s," and consi s t ed of
pr a ct i cal work under Cant n.i n Cowan a:nd 'i'fajo r '.7a1 1~cr .. 'Vhen
the Ory gr ou p wen t f o rward t o pick out an OT\ Sgt . iarshall
Pull iam, who had been on do zen s of t he rea l t hin g s i n a c ti onf
han~ened to go through a she l l- s carred ~ i ne gr ov e and looked
dovm a sl oping me~~d oi.," on t he other s i de . There l ay t h e point
o f' an i nfan try c ompany ,, Th e BA r-?. man and t he r i l emen we re
near es t t h e noods, spr awl ed face dovmvvard, . t r1eir we apon s still
clutched i n r i gid , fr o zen hands . Beh ind t h em l ay 8-noth er
rifl emen. Beh ind h i m was ' the comJany commander, hi s fa ce
push ed against a tre e stump . nat had hanuened , Pul li am and
t h e othe r s wondered? Had t hey cros sed t he me adow so boldl y
because t hey expe cted no r esist an ce, and t he f al l en before
the sur pris e bu r st of a machine gu_n? Had on , of t h e tre e
bursts done t he grim wor r? Nobo dy lmev~ and nobody had t i me
to f ind out.
The head . uart e rs men gathered abou t 50 packs whi ch h a d
been di s c arded i n t h e meadow, and t ook t h em to t he r est ar ea.
That ni ght , afte r a little dryin g ov er wood fires , t he s l oep
ing bags of t he d e ad , wounde d and vani ohed b e caIBe extra lin
i ngs f or t he slee :r>i ng bags o f t h e living , h ealthy and pre sent .
A GI ha s to be practic a l .
5 fo.r On the 5th o f ..,!arch , t ruc1rn came. IIeadquart 0rs nil ect on
bo a rd and wen t . \ft er a fast r i de and a s ho rt, fast walk ,
ente re d t h e t ovm of Gemund . The y had to by- pas o a mi ne
\"Jreclrnd br idge bei ng shored up b y engineers, an 'nent to t hei r
bil le ts in shell- s car r ed houses iart her UD tho stree t. Th e
line comuani es sl i i:m e d on t hrough and vii.re and A~::P :fol lo wed
t hem , l aying line s and clear ing mi n es on t he way to t he pi l l
box-dotte d h ill z,;here the li ne \"JaS bei ng t 1rnn over f rom the
2nd Divisi on. The whol e are a had been nl untcq with mi ne s .
A few hours a ft e r t h e engi neers re,airc d the ~enn.md bridge,
a t ank r ol led a c ro s s and t ouched off another Tel ler produc t,
damagi n{) t h e tank an d breaki ng t 1c back of the br i dge .. It
cou l d no t b e j a c k e d un a.Gai n unt i l t h e ne'r t day and even t he n
it l ooked 1 i.kt'? a Coney I sl and r o l cr c oaster t rack .
Sgt. ~ob er t. :{. Uyst rom , l e ider o f an fl g:P mi n e s weepi ng
s ouad, was cr edi tied i n a n ews. s tory with h av ing f illed q
2 1/ 2 ton tru ck with mi nes '1u1- l cd u p i n t h e Gemund "' ea .

- Nys trom, a ca r eful , s an e worlcer , wo ul d nev er be guil j;y of

s uch non s ense . He would hav e , and did , eithe r pile u p the
mines and blow them or blow t hem i n nl a ce . But if he h ad
want ed to fill tha t , mythica l tru ck wi th mines, he could have .
Up f ront , t he runners go i ng t o and f rom the company C ~ 's
had t cl i mb over l og ba r r i cade s pe ppered wi t h shoe mine s a
first ni ght so black t hat a n ' moveme nt ov Gr a..YJ.y ro a d or field
was a fli r t a tion with dea t h . A~P ammo carryi ng parties
s weat ed it out 2 way s--- f rom t h e long , h ard climb u :p the hill ,
and f rom pl ai n n erves f rom t hr eading t h i s unchart er e d fi eld .
Ye t, miracuJ..ously , no Headqu arte r s man was hurt .
 Hq Co The next morni ng the l ino comDanies a tt a ck8d . They en
6 Tar countered littl e r esis tance , but a s one dough put it : "Jerry
had cleared out , but he lef't the enemy behind . 11 . ines t ook
....- .
a slow but steady toll .
'.rhe headquarters OP part y of Intelligence , \'"! ire , A ~%P , and
radio s e t out a little l a ter . nany of' the men , i n cluding
runner s , carried 43 pound 1 ration boxes on thefr bac's . They
stag,nred forward under the ~ orushing burdens for some 6
mileo , over heartbreaki ng h i l l roads co:npounded of gumb o and
mol a sses . They reached Golbach in a stat e o f swea t - 9ouring
exhaustion . Intelligence dropped i ts boxes and v1ent right
ou t on patrol . Lt . Col . oodward ( he had won h is :oromotion
while i n the weeds in Hellenthal) t hanked t he men for their
u..n.com.plainl ng efforts on the march . The party stayed in
Gol bach tha t night and until about noon of the 7th, of ~._ar ch .
The CP party came up . The whole a ttali on was to ether i n
one s tri king force .
7 1'/Iar About no on the long column snake d toward Sistig , for the
first time passing undamaged hou ses occuni ed by civilians ~-
a phenomenon they were to become quite accustomed t o the far
ther t h ey progressed into Germany . As t he men passed one
hous e , a pretty young woman , aDparently a school te ,, cher ,
urged about a do zen blond tots to wav 0 qt the Yan e e soldiers
a s they slo gged by . The little ones tm.ved and their "Gu ten
11
~~ag vms li ke the quacking of duc ks . The men could n t ~rider
stand this friendliness . They miotrusted it -- at first .
Headquart ors waited for one of the line companies to clear
Sistig and then walked i n . ~7i thin an hour they had clean
billets in undrunaged houses . They m~ de stew with K rations ,
onions found i n cella ro , potatoes , and a:ything else t hey
coul ct nick up.. They -c,v ere not used to such co.,.J fort . The whole
thing seemed phony . It was phoney . At 11 o ' clock the comp
any fell out in the pitch bl ack otreet . Prom the muff le d
troad the men kne v1 t hat the whole Battal ion was .moving. They
didn ' t know whether they vJere to clec.r t h e to iim and then en
truck or just wal k a f'ew miles to ano t her tovm. Li .e ele ph
ants they maintain ed physi cal c ontact .q,s t hey blundered down
t he road .
Co . I ~'le returned to the same area o f t he 2nd ;)ivi sion , to the
Mar same huts -and muddy holes .
1-4 e received 2 new officers , 2nd Lt. l'arren and Lt . MyG rs ,
making 5. Lt . .7hi t Glock wna transferred to t he A&P pl a t oon
of Bat tal i on. Entcrtai:unent, movies, 1.'"{ r a ti ')ns n ere we ll
received and enjoyed by all conce rned .
.Tur The C established quarter ~ in Broich , Germany for 1 hou r
5- 6 Here, littered every1:vhere , we re shoe minGs . The peo pl e were
al r e ady sp i ttin ~ dero ga tory remarcs at Jazisn.
"Hitler ca rmt!" they would say , 0 the war caput in 3 weeks . "
Leaving Broich toward Golbach , com ~any I and a ttachment
oJ heavy \"Jea"9ons on t heir bo.c 1rn , climbed , slushed , fell , and
crawled t hrough f orest, :nud , streams , till we reachGd Gemund
earl y the next morning -- fall i ng into a fit of energet ic
washing , cleaning , and shaving '.lnd e a t ing 1C r a tions

.____,
 Co. K Position of the company remaine d t he same mai nt a i nine us
1 11ar ual con t a cts . Al ert ed to novc at 1 800 . Positions t aken ovor
by company K, llOth Infantry . Comnleted at 2359 .
2 T!Tar Com }an.y entruc ced a t Hell entha l and rode b o. c ~t to ol d a ss
-~~
embly ar ea arriving a t 0 200 . Bill e t ed in same aroa .
3 l\fa.r Position r emai ned t he same with training s ch edule until
1300 . Company paid u p to date .
4 Mar Position same . 10 reinf'orcenent s received .
5 Mar Company move d out on trucks a t 1 600 . Relieved L comnany
of t h e 38t h Infan try , 2nd Divi sion i n pillboxes in Gemund .
6 Mar . 1st pl a t oon moved o ff i n the a tt a ck at 0725 . Town cl eared
and comuany ordered to :proce ed to ass embl y area . Jar che d 8
mi les to Golba ch ru1d then movod off i n t h e a t tack on Rinen .
Tovm t aken a t 2000 . 4 pri s oners.
7 Mar Remaine d in Ri nen u..ntil 1030 t hen n oved o if i n the a ttac t
on Sistig . Secured West end of t h e t own a t 12 20 t aki ng four
pri soners . Remai ned i n Sisti g until 2310 , when the company
moved out on t he approach march headi ng f or Lommcrsdorf abou t
20 miles away ,.
 9 llarch 1945
The Batta.lion CP and Co~pany L v:ent on to L - en.be rg . Comp
w..:y K an.d Company ~ went to .!'1.11t weiler, and Company I went to
Fu.chsho ::fen .

10 tlarch 1945
Company 1 i7e:nt to Antwe i ler. Co:or.Y.m y L nnd the Batt alion
CP re ~ainedin ArembG r g .

ll....16 Mareh 1 945

Battalion r enai ned in t h.e same ::~.re a .
Training sch edules
Sho~exs and movi es
Major Paul A. Troup Jr. reassigned to 3rd. Battalion as '
'.Executive Officer,12 March.
Lt. James G. Ogier assigned Battalion S-4, 11 March
Co . I The companies move d out i n Batt al i on formati on to Sistig .
ifar \Ve bedde d down 3 h o'l.rs and then the run beget. . . Into bl a c c
7- 10 space , through and around hill s , ui ne forest , ov Jr slushy ,
muddy f iel ds f or 11 h ours until we neared t he h orsesho e bend
i n to Lommersdorf , dro pping i n t o a bed or chair . JuGt as on e
begi n s to f e el hi s sense of dire cti on , the com9~.ny moved out
to :Fuchs hofen , a hunting lodge , based near the main ro ad t o
Bonn , home of Beethoven. ~ e stre tched out , h ad a h ot meal ,
and the c aravan r etu r ned i:mo t a gain to Ant weilcr , 4 mil es
b ack i n a South rr. esterly direction. :Fi nal l.y we set u p a semb
l ance of a s t ationary organi zation i n a f orme r Nazi schoo l and
conv erted Nazi barra cks .
'Mar
11- 16 At Antr:eiler our life was one of tra i n ing s ch ednles , guard
duty , let ter ~Ti ting , pol icing u p Germany , and firi ng our wea
pons. Our l eisur e t ime vms C'9ent i n f i shi ng and mai nl y ' bull
sessions'.
Co. K ~1ar ched all ni ght and arrived i n t ommersdor f a t 1 02 0 ..
8 Mar
9 ~ar Company alert ed to move a t 1 000. , ove d by true.-: to !\.nt
\"veiler arriving a t 1 230 to geth e r 't"rith elements of .fl compmy
TD ' s and ATS , and relieved t he 2nd Bat tal ion , ll Ot h I nfant ry ,
28th Divis ion . Company CP se t U D i n a hotel . Pr:i.tr<...l sent to
Roeddc r and found it occupi ed by Yanks .
Hq Co ?he company began t he march , march , march about 2300 of
8 ilar t he 7th of !.Iarch . It started on a road b:it it didn ' t remain
t hat way . The men began to r Gali ze that they were i n for a
long h i ke . Then, when t here was a long pause , they could hea r
the exe cu,t ive , rl!a jor J ack ''l . ','J al rnr , talki ng to the l ine com
panies over the radio . Then t hey realized that t hey were on
an appro a ch march which should lea d them into cont act wi th the
enemy . The men toi led t hrouGh t he mud . They owe a ted . '7hen
br ea 1::s came , t hey dool od o ff , t h en got chill v. The march went
on ond on . It snowed, rained, snowed agai n , but always that
anklc- d("\ e:p mud staye d the same . l- fter da-n t h e boys fe lt
bette r . At about 7 t hey t ook 20 minut es for brea1 fas t . Some
9.te . fast j uc t l ay i n the muddy grass , or gransy mud and rest
ed. Then t he men go t up, t hey nere s o s tiff they cr e ake d .
Up i n front of He ad,,,u::irt ern wal ke \1 .a j or '7alker and Chap
l ai n ::U chard I. Brovm, who h ad return ~ d to h i s out fi t dovm in
Colmar . The chapl ain who rmuld ne ver see f orty again , l oo ed
no worse than mo st o f the comuany .
4.s t he l ight repla ced the pi n e- woo ded masl ofni ght , the
men could sec wr ecked , abandoned V- bomb s ite s , and some huge
c rat rs r1her e bombr.:; had l anded aft er t :i dng off wrong . But
s till they hnd me t no kraut . J:'inall y , shortl y aft er 10 in the
morning , Col . :loodr.:1ard and the L company point wenct; over a
h il l . 11a jo r -:alke.r f ollowed. He can-e back g rinn ing . He '.!.d
auart ers \!'mi t od for the line c omuani es to file t h rough t h eir
ranks , and t hen mount ed t h e hill~ Below them l ay the fair
tovm of Lommcrs dorf, qu ~int and pretty i n the sunli 0 ht , and
simply fluttering all over with white fl ags .
Continued...
Hq Co Twelve hours after it started, the march was over. The
8 ~1Iar objective h ad been taken without a casualty. Even t he few
men who had pitched flat on t heir fa ces during the night,
managed to get u p again and fol l ow t he column.
The radio men had carried the i r 300's without relief, and
Joe Muozinski had i njured himself in his faithful effort to
keep his pl a ce \vi th :Francis Niede rkofler at the he s.d of the
headquart ers column~ Joe wa s evacuated -- li s ted, because it
had to be done that v:iay, as a nonJ..ba t ':le casualty . Lommers
dorf was the . company fs home overnight.
9 _1Iar On the 9th of ,f arch the men took truc . ~s to Aremburg. There
they got carbine o with the ' new ! type sight whi ch h ad been
common in the States for a ye a r. They also ate wonderful hot
meals , lay in soft beds or a t the v ery least on ma ttresses on
the floor, and in general enjoyed themselves for about a week .
 17 March 1945
Battalion moved b y motor to Obermendi,:.> a.. ."1.d stayed for night .

18 Wareh 1945
Battalion ma.rched about 15 :c1iles to T{arli ch, which was
abou.t 2 niles f rom the Rhine P.iver.

19..-24 tlarch 1945

Battalion remained at I?.:arlich \Vi t h some checl'" poi nts i n
n earby tO\'ms ..
T.:t~inin[! schedules o

25 ITarch 1945
The Bat tali on held an affai r that it ca lled t b.e Tl "?Jline
J.odeou " Pictures taken by photogra-'1h r:: rs for nmi-1sDa9ers . ,.Jany
of t he nicturos ta1ren di.:~ ar.mear subseau0ntlv in Americ&'l
...... - o.!,. .... "

nm7s:papers .,

26- 29 !4arch 1945

Batta.lion remained at Ka r lich.

~rai ning schedules

Co . I We ma rched to Karlich. Homes for ev eryb ody ! Guard duty

,1ar for everybody. _fovic and entertainment , t oo! Outside of

1 29 ceeping order , waiting for the declarat ion of t he Pro claimed

Peace by General D. Eisenhower, we pittl ed away .our fr ee time

in 'bull sessions ' and adhering to the non- fraternization

policy and brother , t hat was hard .

Hq Co From Obermendi g the march to Karlich was not over 12 miles ,

Mar but this time the boys compl ained of' the hard roa ds . Th ey
1 8-29 limped into the town. But the next morning - - ah , those
feather beds had been good! -- t hey looked a cros s the Rhine ,
s aw American shells bursting in t he t O\vns on t he othe r side ,
realized that they were not being shelled in return and prob
ably would not be , and felt lik e the conquering h Aroes they
were . There were rumora that the Battalion v ould cro s s in
boats , beach- head fashion , but 1 ft~r a few days passed every

body J:illei:"J t hat other outfits ho:~ crowded t he :raut all the
way out o f their posi ti ona on the _!Jf:1St ban1: of the riv er ..
J:he men went up to a graveyard , where Geraan tombstones
seemed to march in r eview uu t he slo!)e, and peere d curiously
at two wo oden crosses in a far corner of t he cemetery . The
cross 8S bo r e the naJJ.os of 2 American lieute nants , bomber pilots
uho h 3d been shot down on November 21 , 1944. The pai ns taki ng
Germ.ans had duplicate.d even the Tetanus shots dates found on
the slain fliers ' do g t ags .
Then came tho Rhine 1odeo . C a~ta i n Cowan , a devout Texan ,
jokingly told Pfc . Don n. Whe 0,ler , an ardent :'l rizonian , tha t
t h e boys were f inding so many stray horses to ride th ~ t the
company ought to have a real , old- fashi oned r odeo. ~eeler ,
a literal- mi nded man , went u p to 1egimcnt and a sked for heln
in obtaininG s addles. Lt. Stanle y Horstman , The Division FRO ,
hco.rd of the project .. Horstma:n ' s trained mind ' s eye saw cam
e ras ; :publicity, pageantry , fame for the battalion , regiment,
and division . !Ie went to work on it .
And so the 3rd Battalion s t a_,ed a 1.odeo on th e Rhine , with
bronco busting , mount ed basketball , and t he usua l r odeo tra~
i~gs com~1 o und ed of ent~.:usi asti c r iders from a11 compt.mi es ,
horses and ponies of all descri :')t ions but mostl y mangy, and
borroTied and pilfered silks and colors from ev erywhere . The
rodeo was a ro aring succes s ~
 30 Mar:cl1 1945
The Battalion moved across the Tlh.ine '.: : i ver via motor" over
t he Victory Bri.dge , to the vicinity of i'Iioderzush eim.

31 Uar.ch 1945
Batte.I.ion moved to Thal.heim with general mi 0sion of pro
viding :rea r ewcurity by e ::t a blishi11:g che e k points and out poot
i ng some o,f ne~by towns .

1-9 April 1945

t.Iost of' the Battalion re1uained s t Thclhcim \<ri th Battalion
k eeping t he same m:i~sion ..
Company K remained at Wiederzusheim..
Training schedules...

10 April 19 45
The Battali on CP raove d t .o Wirges ..
The eomp r-1.i1ies f'anned out to neighho r ing tovms and they,
in tu..rn,, gav e their platoons a reas t-o move into.
Hq Co On the 30th of March, the Batt al ion crossed the ~hine quite
Mar prosaically, via a uontoon bridge , and bedd 0 d dovm that ni ht
30-31 i n a circular pi ne grove . The next orning the men awoke to fi nd
2 jerries perched i n one of the 8.nti- tank truc,.s . Then , about
10 o'clock , they he 2.rd shots. Someon sn.id the l i ne companies
contac ted kraut and !'!ere driving them towards the headquarterE,?
bivouac area . 'V i t h atrident howls o f d 1 ight the com~1any leaued
to ar.ms .. . ~7i thout any organizat.;i on whQ.tsoeve r , the enli sted men
took off toward the sound of the sho ts . Lt . ? etersen and 1st Lt .
Raymond Whitelock , a Silver Star win...~er rom I comp-ny who h ~d
taken over A&P , followed the boys up 8.Ild managed to o rganize
them i nto squads before r eal trouble started .
In picnic mo od, the "rear echelon" rascals combed t h e woods ,
f lushi ng out kraut wherev er they v: ent . .Jo shots were f i red afte r
the firs t c ontact , and t he glorious "lictory 'tms accor:l~l i sh~d
within an hour. The bag of prisoners included 18 enli8ted men ,
all anti-airc raft personnel , and 2 o ffic rs , one with red hair
and the other with an artif .ci ~l arm . ?he prisone s ' ages
ranged rom 17 to 55 . None of the line co ~panies had don nca
l y so v1ell. Headquarters went on to halheim vri th proud me in.
A li ttl e later they nic -ed up 2 {raut desert.; s 7ho con c ssed
they faced the 28th at Schmidt . hey were so dejected a11 1 hip
ped- looking t hat the doughs ~ew that the war was abo ut over .
Co . I 'rhe com )any le:ft Yarlich and c rossed the Tuine or the i'i st
30 ar time , over a ponto on bridge . '.rhis was a great experience i n
to i tsel:f . Sgt . Hason blithely re ar'l::ed , n-n.y it doesn ' t even com
9 \pr pare to our Ohio ver. n .Iaybe i t didn ' t and the compari son v s
of no importance; but what ms i muortant :as our successful
penetration East of the Rhine and running dm n the Nazi vandals
from th oir last l a irs . We arrived in t~olsburg at 1 '500 to our
m7ai t ing bi l le ~.,;s . Commur.i.icPtion lines ere strung , the -pl at')ons
were assi gned to t heir various duties o r o dblocl and check
points and we went to bed Yd th the sweet t hought ue rvadinfl" tha t,
"tomorrow "las pay day ! "
', e r.rero uai d and c r ap and no er followed en su.i te . ..:or the
remai nder of our stay in- 3olsburg , our wor' cons oted of a ..,pre
hending and incar ,eJ:ating infil tratinc; Garman noldicrs or civil-
i ans , travelling with')ut permits .
Co . K Company aos i ned the missi on of searching the tovm o i Dors cb
31 1'~ar heim or German soldiers or eivil"ans of !!l~ it o~J aee, weanona ,

r adio:o , 8Xld cameras . Com!)'lllY ordered to garrison tovm of ru~a

erzeuzheim. Control 'Ooints also put out in Frickhofe n and Iad

amar .

9 Apr Company movr'd out o Niede zeuzheim t 0900 and rode a_ prox

i mately 60 milnB to Rengsdorf, a rrivi g at 1300 . Comuany tcm

orurily divided..: 2nd and 5th (_. company) platoons--Uorthern

sector; 3rd and 4th platoons- Southern sector. Headqua rters

and 1 s t platoon in reserve .

10 Apr Position unchanged . 4th platoon gven job o f' guarding 2

bridees in Neuweid .

Co . L Lt . William George left t h e compant to return to U. S . on

8 Apr rotation . Erom the 1 5t h o f January , 1Nhen he took c ommand of the
company , to the pres ent, Lt. Geor3e, witJ:i hi s . a'Ilbl~ng mani:erisms
and cool ac curate judeement had left an indelible imprcs~1on on
the ol d men ofthe co mpany .
Lt . Forbes too : : over co"'.lmand of the c om:pany.
 11- 24 April 1945
Tho Battali on CP remained in n i rgcs .

The companies ru.'1.d plat oons shi -~t ect frequently and covered

a.71 area roughly bov.nded by Ueuviied , Al ten -;:irchen, Hachenburg ,

and Diez .
The miosion of the Battalion was the prote ction o:t .!"'1ads
8..! ld b:ridgBs .
Lt . :B'rederick J . Miller assigned Batt alion S- 2, 13 April.
25 .ll.pril 1945
The Battalion CP moved to Gu...11tersblum while the com9sni es
frumed out into the triangular area of 1Uzey- I1ainz-\:orm.s .

26 Apri l 1945
The Battalion CP, \nth Conpa.ny .! , moved to Alzey .. The
othcr com :ani es shifted their pos itions also
Conpa.Tly I '.-.rent to Gau Bic :elheim
Com.pa..'1.y -:( went to Of:fst e i:n
Con. <1ny L ue:nt t .o .-:orms
1 platoon o~ Comyany L and 1 pl atoon of Comp
e::.:y :1 v1ent t o Ostho:f:en
1 platoon of Con:pany K went to Pfcddersheim
The mission of the Batt3.l i on was t o provide rear socurity
and gu.o.rd .

27 April - 8 !lay 19 5
The Battalion positions and raission remained the same .
Lt . Caryle Moore assigned Batt ali on S-3, 29 April.

I
 Co . I At 1 50') the company ntrucked to .lildb erg, 1 8 miles Ea st
Apr The company billeted in a forme r are a , t he azis us d prima ri'cy"
10- 21 for O. c.s . t b en enl a r ged i nto an NCO s ch ool. The au a drangle
overlooke d the town of 1i ldberg i tself , a nd from t e ouen v cst a ,
the v i ew was rangy and di s t ant . The men enj oyed all the shower
fac ilities , wa shi ng machines and blos s omed i nt o prototyne s oi
t he perfect American Soldier. That was our life h ere . Guarding
the interned SS troops in h os pitals -- so mad. with Nazi i deolo y
tha t they bec '!ID.e madne ss i tsel 1 . Or che c permits, pas :~ s :'3.nd
mis d emea.."lors of curfew hours .
A tra.~ edy befell Sgt . ~ !cLendon . . s he :'ms stompi ng out his
cigaret t e butt, the ash t r ay exploded and tore apa t t h e ten dons
and veins of his hands . Someone in s t upid jest or stu'9i d mis
t ake , had pl a cect some dynamite powder in the ash tray .
The com.'?any moved to Rohr. Non- fratern i zation \V"S becoming
more di ffi cult . As you sat by your wi ndow , one was alar ..,ed at
the mad pi l gr mage of perambul a tors with t he f rui t of t wo peo-
ples love b e ing pushed u p and down the street .
On April 1 8th, Captai n Homani ch be came a casualty o t war .
ir:BC . 'Vhile passi ng through an are a of e i nie coll e cted weapons ,
Cantain Homanich i n his pr a ctic al exnl 'U1ation o f t he firin, of
a grenade , had it ex pl ode i n his and . Consequences s uf ered
were : his left hand blon1 to bits and 2/3 of his.r ght hand
vJi t h h is thumb , inde and midd l e f i nger remaining . He a lso
suffered burns i n h is right leg , chest and face .
'7e awai t ed t he return o f Lt . '\T ils on as CO .
Apr From Rohr, we entruclrnd to Der nbach arriving a t 2 30 0 . Th
22- 27 time was abs orbed with the usual army gi: r is n li fe a.."l.d rowdy
jokes .
27 l\pr
Com_ any went to Gau Bick lheim. Life conti,1ued the same
to
there with ro a dblocks , check i n~ o :f civilian n i nde eanors and
8 [ay
dri nking wine .
rhe gre at event we waited , sweated , cur,...ed, and bled f or
had been an..'1.ou.nced 1'1ay 8th. Ger any h ad a cc eded to uncondi ti on
al surrender!
"Yes , vre d.rank, toa sted it , c limaxing it vii t h deraonst r a tion
of burni ng a V in the s treets i n front of the church a t 24 00
and rang t h e church bell for an hour 2400 to 01 f1 .
Hq Co ]'rom the day of - ~c.rch 31 st , when t he company flushed t he
1 Apr woods near lTi ederzeuzheim, t he 28t h lJiv s ion , t hough t hey tra
to velled a l ot, saw no mo e a cti on and be c ~n~ rear echelon i nd~ed
8 '!J.ay And why not? Who had done mor e , back i n t he days when

jerry a ctually stood up and ought back? Somebody , way b a c { in

t h e r~ar , ~Ti t h a lot of stars on hi s collar , muo t have d e cided

that no one had done more .

The 28th stayed put until .ray 8th , and nobody com9l a i n ed .
Co . L Lt. il son c ame i n as company c ommand0r.
13 Apr
l '."' A. pr Lt . Hart b e c ame company con"!lancl0r today \Jhen Lt . ~'i l son

re ported ba c to take over I company . ....._

3 May Lt . Lel and tool:: command oi the company when Lt. Hart was

a ssigned to duty with ~ egime <t as i nvesti gatin0 o f ic e f or

c ourt ma rtial c a ses

Co. K Com'1any assigned 12 bridges to tS'- ~ird i n 8.ddi tion to motor-

11 Apr i zed patrols a l ong the Rhine ~i ver and the ~ut oba..1111 in our
area. Te porary as s i gnments made as :follows : 2nd platoon--3
bridges on the Southern part of' the Autobahn; 3rd pl .- toon--6
bridges on the Northern s0ctor; 4th platoon- - 1 more bridge near
Neuweid .. he entire compan moved to the l ov1er part of town
.lire line compl eted to mac.-ine gun a t 3euwcid .
12 Apr Disposition o f company changed . CP and 1st pl at 0on i n
Reng sdorf; 2nd l a toon in Brei tnau ~ 3rd platoon i n Meuweid;
4th plat oon in A...ndernach and 5th l a toon in Vi ttleschloss .
1 3 pr Position unchanged .
1 4 Apr Com9any moved to Wallmerod, exce '1t the 2nd ul a toon , a tt
ach d to Battalion, and 4th pl atoon , still i n ~mderna h . _1i s
sion ..u. guarding warehouses and signal quipment .
15-16 Company moved to Ehrenbreitstein and too: over :Fort Ehren
Apr breitstein.
17 Apr Company eP
Nieder Lahnstein.
moved to 'tussians Di s placed "e rsons Camn in

1 8-1 9 Company too t over guard at ~ol i sh camp. \ t 1500, re li eved

Apr by c omryany C, 344th Infantry , 78th Ili vis i on, and moved to
.iirges . Town searched and ro ad guards set n.
A.pr Company remained in -.11r es and had trai ning schedule and
20-24 continued guards.
25 \.pr Company moved in Battali on convoy . Bivouacked for night .
26 l\pr Company moved to Offstein. 2nd pl atoon esta blished in
Pfeddersheim and 3rd pl a toon in ions cheim. Com ~ any headquart
ers r emained in Off stein.