Categorie: 1946

Rank and Name, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Charles Larrabee Abel.

Unit/Placed in, Sixth Beach Battalion (Hospital Corps), United States Naval Reserve.

Charles is born on 24 April 1922 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Father, John Edward Abel.

Mother, Mildred Larrabee Abel.

Sister(s), Mildred Abel.

Brother(s), Herbert Edward and John E. Jr. Abel.

Charles enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 2451238.

Charles was MIA on Omaha Beach on D-Day he was shot while taking care of the wounded on 8 June 1944, he is honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Medical Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

Charles was buried/mentioned at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.

He is reburied in 1949 at Saint Joseph’s New Roman Catholic Cemetery

Bausman, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Thanks to, https://www.6thbeachbattalion.org/index.html

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GQRB-V9S

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Bronze Star Medal and Combat Medic Badge

On Veterans Day of 2012, a special ceremony was held aboard the USS New Jersey. At that time, the following was read:

By order of the Secretary of the Army, 15 March 2012, Permanent Order 075-15 through 075-22, the following sailors of the 6th Naval Beach Battalion are to receive the Combat Medical Badge and Army Bronze Star Medal, for actions during World War II.

PhM3 Abel’s name is on the list of the medical personnel who died on 6/8/1944 on the beach at Normandy and presented with those two awards.

The medal and badge were presented to PhM3 Abel’s niece, Martha Goldtharp, and his nephew, Erik Abel.

Thanks to, https://navy.togetherweserved.com/

SIXTH Naval Beach Battalion fallen sailors 8 June 1944.

“THEY ARE THE SILENT SENTINELS WHO FROM THEIR FINAL RESTING PLACE ABOVE THE CLIFF THEY PERPETUALLY WATCH OVER THE SACRED GROUND OF OMAHA BEACH.”

BM 1c George L. Abbott
PhM 3c Charles L. Abel
SM 3c Gilford R. Albertson
Ens James E. Allison
RM 3c Edwyn D. Black
RM 3c John M. Chase
RM 3c Francis J. Collins
Lt (jg) Almond L. Hagerty
S 1c George G. Higgins
S 1c Calvin H. Hoppes
RM 2c Alton Hudson
Coxswain Amin Isbir
Lt (jg) Leonard L. Lewis
RM 3c Lawrence R. Merideth
HA 1c Virgil Mounts
RM 2c John N. Murphy
PhM 1c John T. O’Donnell
PhM 2c John F. Peterssen
PhM 3c Morris W. Rickenbach
RM 3c T. I. Simmons
Lt (jg) George L. Wade

Rank and Name in, Private First Class Harold Duane Tucker

Unit/Placed in, 512 Field Artillery Battalion.

Harold was born approx. on, April 5, 1925 in Cranby Center, Oswego County, New York.

Father, Enoch Percy Tucker.

Mother, Gladys Mary (Decker) Tucker.

Brother, Enoch Percy Tucker.

Brother, Robert L. Tucker.

Harold enlisted the service in New York with serial number: 32938359.

He shipped out to France with his outfit, and was attached to Patton’s 3rd army, 4th Armored Battalion, with a field artillery unit , battery C of 105mm Howitzers.

Harold was KIA by Gunshot wounds near the town of Champigneulles, France during the battle for Nancy, France on Sep. 6, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Harold was first buried at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

In 1949 his Parents requested for reburial at Riverview Cemetery, Baldwinsville, Onondaga County, New York.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53912121/harold-duane-tucker

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Rank and Name, Coxwain Jimmy Nick Babalos.

Unit/Placed in, USS LST(H)-242, United States Naval Reserve.

Following World War II USS LST(H)-242 was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 13 October 1945 to 10 February 1946.

USS LST-242 was predesignated Landing Ship Tank (Hospital) LST(H)-242, 15 September 1945.

Jimmy is born on 13 February 1924 in Texas.

Mother, Frances Sklimbus.

Jimmy enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 6166345.

Jimmy died when the USS LST(H)-242 got hit by an circling torpedo off Naples, Italy on 2 December 1943, he is honored with a Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

Jimmy was first buried/mentioned at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy.

Walls of the missing.

And on 4 April 1949 on his Parents request reburial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA.

Thanks to, https://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?180287

https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160242.htm

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G6QX-RYL

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Rank and Name, Private First Class Louis George Anthony.

Unit/Placed in, 193th Glider Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division.

Louis was born approx. on Aug. 25, 1924 in Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Father, Louis Anthony.

Mother, Nora Ellen (Shut) Anthony.

Stepbrother, Joseph A. Ziegler.

Louis enlisted  the service at Pennsylvania with serial number #  33506740.

Louis G. Anthony was a Private in the 193th Glider Infantry Regiment.

Louis was KIA near Flamierge, Belgium (near Bastogne), in the fights over Dead Man’s Ridge, on Jan 8, 1945, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Louis was first buried/mentioned at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

But in 1949 on request reburied at Saint Jacobs Lutheran & Reformed Church Cemetery, Enders, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31878026/louis-george-anthony.

Thanks to the http://www.ww2-airborne.us/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MWFR-KHP

ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Dead Man’s Ridge

At 8:15 a.m. on January 4, 1945, in the middle of a snow storm, the 17th Airborne and other units began the Allied counter-offensive in the southern part of the Bulge.  The 17th Airborne was a green unit and this would be their first day of combat.  The battle would be fought along a ridge line that followed the Bastogne-Marche Highway, an area about 10 miles west of the town of Bastogne.  Digging in along the ridge and using armor to counter-attack, the Germans repelled several of the 17th’s attacks.    Over the course of the next  nine days,  the Division’s casualties were catastrophic and several battalions were nearly annihilated.  The fortified ridge would latter be dubbed “Dead Man’s Ridge” since so many men lost their lives trying to take it.

Some things stick in the mind, embedded so that they never go away. The night before my company was committed I was sleeping in a hole in a patch of woods with about seven or eight guys from C Company, my company being HQ1, a heavy weapons company. My very best friend, Richard Reed, a red headed, good-natured Irishman from St. Louis was huddled up next to me and all of us were trying to keep warm out of the deep snow outside our foxhole. Lucky me, I was sleeping on the end and had nobody to huddle up close to on one side.  Sometime during the early morning, C Company moved up on line and left me sleeping by myself, not waking me at all. It was dark as pitch, except for the moonlight on the snow, outside the woods, when I woke up. I raised up to see out of the hole and couldn’t see a single thing moving nor did I hear any noise whatsoever. I crawled out of the hole, in near panic, scared as hell !! I thought for sure I had been left there. As I crawled around through the snow, I fell into another hole, felt a warm body and just crawled under the blankets and went back to sleep. To this day, I don’t have any idea who was in that other hole.

Just before daylight, my company moved up into position and I was sent out as forward observer with the Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant. Naturally, I carried the radio. Our artillery began laying down fire and it seemed they would never stop. When they did stop, the Germans opened up with their 88s about time the rifle companies jumped off. Our mortars were laying down

smoke but we couldn’t really see where we were hitting. A Company, which took off over our observation post, was cut up pretty bad. During all the 88 fire, our CO got hit and our platoon leader was called to the rear to take over the company CP, leaving the Sgt. and myself alone. A Company reached their objective but asked for permission to withdraw. I had to relay messages

through my radio to Battalion and Battalion ordered them to hold until further notice. After what seemed like an eternity, A Company was finally given permission to withdraw to the IP. I think all the other companies were allowed to withdraw at the same time.

Our mortars laid down smoke for A Company to withdraw and after they had cleared our observation post, we withdrew. The Sgt. and myself went to the Battalion CP. A few minutes after getting to the Battalion CP, our company commander came in asking for help for some guys back down the road. Three guys were laying in the road, all wounded from 88 fire, and one of them had an arm hanging on by just a thin piece of skin. We got them out on stretchers as fast as we could. It was the most ghastly sight I had ever experienced in my young life. I never knew the names of the guys on the road.

My best friend was killed that morning and I never felt the same since. I saw a lot of dead bodies after that but nothing ever affected me like that first day. Richard’s wife had a baby while we were aboard ship going to England. His wife sent him pictures and he was one more proud father but he never got to see his son. I know this happened many times over during the War but I only had one best friend. I had every intention of going to see his wife and son after the war, but I could never think of what I would say, so I never did go.

I know this isn’t much but it is the thing that sticks in my mind and will until the day I die.

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Leonard Louis Smith.

Unit/Placed in, 407th Bomber Squadron, 92th Bomber Group ”Famous Favored few´(Heavy).

Leonard was born  on Dec 6, 1916 in loundonville, Ashland County, Ohio.

Father, Louis Mosier Smith.

Mother, Wilda Iola (Bear) Smith.

Brothers, Robert J. , Carlton M. and Richard Henry Smith.

Spouse, Anna M. Smith.

Leonard enlisted the service in New York with serial number #. 12226520.

Leonard L. Smith was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 407th Bomber Squadron.

Leonard‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17  were,

Pilot                      Lt. Leonard L. Smith                   Pilot

Co-Pilot                 Lt. Charles M. Wynens       Co Pilot

Bombardier            Lt. Guy W. Cobb                Bombadier

Navigator               Lt. Judson H. Whitman      Navigator

Top Turret Gunner  SSgt. Carroll O. Tiegland   Top Turret Gunner

Ball Turret Gunner Sgt. Kenneth J. Burton      Ball Turret Gunner

Tail Gunner           S/Sgt. William C. Turner     Tail Gunner

Waist Gunner         S/Sgt. Jess K. Stolworthy     Waist Gunner

Radio Opp/Gunner   Sgt. Vincent T. Eggert        Radio Operator

Leonard was KIA when over the target was very intense FLAK and after their bombload were dropped they were attacked by Enemy Fighters made his B-17 exploded in midair, on Sep. 11, 1944. and he is honored with an Air medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Leonard was first buried in a Europe and on request from his Parents Reburied at Mount Zion Cemetery, Richland County, Ohio.

Thanks to www.92ndma.org/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G35B-H6B

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Gordon Donald Amundson.

Unit/Placed in, 47th Infantry Regiment ”The Raiders”,9th Infantry Division ”Old Reliabels”.

Gordon was born on March 2, 1915 in Albany County, Wyoming.

Father, Lee Chester Amundson.

Mother, Grace (Powers) Amundson.

Brothers, Leonard Earl, Harland Irvin and Lee Curtis Amundson.

Gordon enlisted  the service at Wyoming in with serial number no record.

Gordon D. Amundson was a 1st Lieutenant in the 47th Infantry Regiment.

Gordon D. Amundson was KIA at the fights over Caen, on Aug 2, 1944, he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Donald was buried at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.

Donald is now Reburied at Greenhill Cemetery, Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51476297/gordon-donald-amundson

Thanks to http://9thinfantrydivision.net/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LDBN-LG1

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

The Battle for Caen from June–August 1944 was a battle between Allied forces of the mainly Anglo-Canadian Second Army and German forces of Panzergruppe West during the Battle of Normandy. The Allies aimed to take the French city of Caen, one of the largest cities in Normandy, on D-Day. Caen was a vital objective for several reasons. Firstly, it lay astride the Orne River and Caen Canal; these two water obstacles could strengthen a German defensive position if not crossed. Secondly, Caen was a road hub; in German hands it would enable the enemy to shift forces rapidly. Thirdly, the area around Caen was relatively open, especially compared to the bocage country in the west of Normandy. This area was valued for airfield construction.

On D-Day, Caen was an objective for the British 3rd Infantry Division and remained the focal point for a series of battles throughout June, July and into August. The battle did not go as planned for the Allies, instead dragging on for two months, because German forces devoted most of their reserves to holding Caen, particularly their armoured reserves. As a result German forces facing the American invasion thrust further west were spread thin, relying on the rough terrain of the back country to slow down the American advance. With so many German divisions held up defending Caen, the American forces were eventually able to break through to the south and east, threatening to encircle the German forces in Normandy from behind.

The old city of Caen—with many buildings dating back to the Middle Ages—was largely destroyed by Allied bombing and the fighting. The reconstruction of Caen lasted until 1962. Today, little of the pre-war city remains.

Rank and Name, Corporal Howard Benjamin McDonald Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (G-Comp), 82^nd Airborne Division “All American”.

Howard is born on 26 May, 1923 in Fillemore, California.

Father, Howard B. McDonald.

Mother, Marada M. (Currier) McDonald.

Sister(s), Anna M. McDonald.

Brother(s), Norman F. McDonald.

Howard enlisted the service in California with service number # 19176526.

Howard was KIA in the Belgium Jump near Thier-du-Mont on 12 Jan. 1945, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Howard is buried/mentioned at Bardsdale Cemetery, Fillmore, Ventura County, California, USA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90362809/howard-benjamin-mcdonald

Thanks to, http://www.508pir.org/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LRKN-96B

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Rank and Name, Captain Douglas Petrie Stout

Unit/Placed in, 8th Armored  Division, United States Army.

Douglas was born approx. on May 14, 1917 in New Jersey.

Father, Leroy Stout.

Mother, Grace Stout.

Sister(s), Mable C. Stout.

Brother(s), Leroy R. Stout.

Spouse, . Helen (Smith) Stout.

Douglas enlisted in the service in New Jersey with serial number: 32067624.

Douglas P. Stout was a Captain in the 8th Armored Division.

At the end of May, the Division Crossed and assembled on the eastside of the River and the began a 125 mile drive true the Ruhr-pocket.

Douglas died of his wounds sustained Germany  when his jeep hit a land mine, at the Province North rein-Westfalen, on May 28, 1945, he is honored with Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

He is interred at Holcombe Riverview Cemetery, Lambertville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA.

He was first interred at The American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Holland, but later he was reburied in his hometown.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22202837/douglas-p-stout

Thanks to,

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GN1N-N6C

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/