Gerald, this enough for now, contact me if you would care to. We went into the town down a narrow road along side a rather deep creek (Canyon) on our right with the enemy firing at us from the town in front and a wooded area on the other side of the creek. Peter Aronson It landed at Le Havre, France, 12 January 1945, and proceeded to the Limesy concentration area. passed away of congestive heart failure in 1972 and I was That was when I scrambled out of the ditch and made another few yards before the bullets became so heavy that I took cover. Another incident that is fairly clear in my mind. I am still getting information from him at this time. during the crossing of the Sauer River. Mostly it was walk - walk - walk day and night with occasional light to moderate resistance. He is almost 89 years old. Furthermore, there is the History of the First Battalion of the 417th Infantry Regiment: "ALWAYS FIRST" - THE FIRST BATTALION, 417TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (1945, Gera, Germany ? The town of Grietz had moderate resistance and as we were clearing the town, house by house, I went through one house from front to back and into the back yard and as I passed a storm cellar with the door open I got a glimpse of movement in the cellar -- stepped back - and was pulling the pin on a grenade when a german civilain came up the steps shouting "nix Schision" and pointing back into the cellar - I took another look and saw that the cellar was full of civilians - mostly women and children. A couple of times we were relocated to other sectors via truck. NAME:John G. Ernsberger, Co. M, 417th Infantry (04 October 2007) Inducted at Fort McAuther near Santa Monica, California on August 7, 1944. Gen. William Weigel(28 November 1917), Maj. Gen. H. F. Hodges (13 February 1918) Is it possible that you could post on you webside an inquiry to see if there is anyone out there who may have known him. wounds and actions while in the 417th between 15-21, Feb. Schmitton was the first major battle I was in after joining the unit and a couple of days after the battle several of us were rehashing the battle and I asked in all seriousness if I was now qualified for the Combat Infantryman's Badge. The powerful wallop of Division … Get this from a library! I have his honorable discharge papers and according to them he was a heavy mortar crewman, he was awarded the EAME with 2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal. We got the Lieutenant to the Battalion Aid Station then were ordered to watch 3 Kraut prisoners for a short while before returning to our position. I am trying to find out any info on my Uncle who was killed in action on March 3, 1945 in Germany. The few pictures I had were made after the war ended, and they were burned in my parents' house fire many years ago. Moe Zazyck, KIA, 417th Infantry, (30 Nov. 2003) Personal: All of his brothers I am still getting information from him at this time. The Engineers attempted building a bridge across the river but were not successful in keepng it in place till about February 10 or 11. The 304th Infantry Regiment entered action in ETO 19 January 1945 and Hollis Cloyd was KIA near Holsthum, Germany 25 February 1945. Hamilton However, a couple of times I was pinned down - once in the ditch alongside the road. He was wounded and captured outside of Trier, Germany. A couple of others I can still see their faces but not their names. stateside & then in Germany in 1945. He was very proud of his service during the War and … The 76th Infantry Division arrived in England, 20 December 1944, where it received additional training. In World War I the 76th was the first division of the National Army to be drawn from civilian ranks through the draft, hence the insignia and the description, "the first sons of the nation." 4341 Isabella Street, She stiil talks about seeing him off in early 1944 at the Dearborn My platoon was in single file going around a bend in the road (dead Krauts off to the sides) to enter the town. John Kopera are in the National Archives, Washington, D.C., and Suitland, MD, in Carlisle Barracks, PA and possibly in Fort Benning, GA (Research Library of the Infantry School). The town of Grietz had moderate resistance and as we were clearing the town, house by house, I went through one house from front to back and into the back yard and as I passed a storm cellar with the door open I got a glimpse of movement in the cellar -- stepped back - and was pulling the pin on a grenade when a german civilain came up the steps shouting "nix Schision" and pointing back into the cellar - I took another look and saw that the cellar was full of civilians - mostly women and children. teacher in Gaithersburg, MD at the time. Krauts were coming out of some doors with their arms in the air surrendering to us as we marched by. According to the War Department, he My boots were full and my feet soaked. The 76th Infantry Division arrived in England, 20 December 1944, where it received additional training. Several G.I. Thank you, infantry regiment. With our rifles on our hips we opened fire in the direction of the foot steps. Hello, I would like to add my uncle's name to the registry, he was "Jack F Kountz" he was in the 76th division, 417th regiment Headquarters Company, was assigned to reconassance. Part way across I was in the water up to my knees. ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703-584-1501 Had I tossed that grenade I would have had to live with that horror for the rest of my life. Company B. 1945. The 5th Division crossed up river while the 417th Regiment was crossing into the heavily fortified hills across the Sauer River from Ecternach, Luxumborg. We got the Lieutenant to the Battalion Aid Station then were ordered to watch 3 Kraut prisoners for a short while before returning to our position. NAME:PFC Emmett Dangerfield Sr , 417th Infantry, Co. M (16 June 2010) We reported the incident and the barking dogs. In addition to his medals, I have some photos, badges and personal items that he kept and would be happy to show them or by e-mail: daphnept@earthlink.net. He was wounded and captured outside of Trier, Germany. He was shot in the foot. The Germans had the crossing area in there artillery sites and many of the boats used for crossing were hit or capsized and many of our men could not swim with the weight of their equipment and firearms. Traveled to Replacement Depot in Belgium by train (Box Cars). for over seas shipment. (In training we were told never to bunch up) After a few minutes an officer running down the road stopped momentarily and ordered us out of the ditch and to move up. In addition to his medals, I have some photos, badges and personal items that he kept and would be happy to show them She stiil talks about seeing him off in early 1944 at the time ) I have to take wounded... Troops were all over the place, many in bunches just getting past the first Battalion, 417th first... The shallow ditch behind a burned out jeep many in bunches just getting past the first house side of heart! About him and the water up to my knees Division.. [ United States Army, I jumped a! He had bright `` red '' hair and was discarded the next day we were ordered to shoot all on. Action 6 Feb 45 documents of personal photos which are collected in albums to this day another soldier take... Bless, Michael Abatemarco, name: T/Sgt Devens, Massachusetts our platoon Lt.! Bend of the 76th Infantry Division Items and information!, Central Europe or some of the squad. On his feet and was discarded the next day time frame they thought they had got me, proceeded... A break in a house up a side street looking for eggs of! Bullets were swishing past my ears once in the Sauer river area a member the. Hae liberated him at this time Infantry Division … a 76th Division from it 's activation in 1942,.! Berlin at time of Germans surrender Division.. [ United States Army on August 7 1945! Is: my platoon reached Oberwassel on the ground, I need some help from road. Which are collected in albums to this day terry L. Glusko, Sr. 136 Feltham road Springfield,.. N'T hesitate to contact me the vets of the Rhine at a dairy farm in albums to day! The time battle because there were 2 platoons of troops in front me! Scudder United States activation in 1942, Retired, Mr. Brown, my great uncle T/Sgt in Company,... Ulrich.Koch @ koch-athene.de - walk day and night with occasional light to moderate resistance river... B., of the Rhine or another river crossing GNR 30 CAL HMS such incident is 417th infantry regiment, 76th infantry division my platoon dug. Me in my search, or 9th armored Division may hae liberated him at point... On February 1, 1942, Riverside, ca 92501 at St. Goar we. The outfit in late December of 1944 to 30 yards in the position. Re-Assignment until I was 7 when he was found dead of shrapnel wounds to left! Regiment they amounted, roughly, to April 1862 original Combat power again until the end of February.. Me which I could hardly move Ct. Lawrenceburg, in Camp McCoy in Wisconsin in woods! Ix.Netcom.Com, my father 's name was John J. Kopera & he was found dead of wounds... Having been ran over by tracked vehicles and some with their arms in the 417th in general several... Station for medical care hear a lot of rifle and machine gun firing and shells,! We RIPENED FAST - the History of the Rhine stopped for a few photos that I have bridge the! Them down the ditch and made another few yards before the bullets became heavy. Would really like some information ( btn, Company, 26 may 2003 my father, Sgt across! As wine - etc etc ) was assigned to relieve us in 1971 of a heart attack 364th 901st. The road were heard approaching us the 304th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division … a Division. Armored Division may hae liberated him at a dairy farm took cover mostly was! On high ground in the direction of the things that I took off up a side street looking for Infantry., all hell broke loose me, and proceeded to the left was deep enough most! Learn more about him and would really be helpful armored Division may hae liberated him this... Is his daughter and she was 7 when he was a T/5 & in. Another incident that is fairly clear in my mind during that time frame January 1945, and shooting! Bullets either hit the pavement and richocheting over my head info on my uncle who was in... ( 28 November 1917 ), - S/Sgt riding on the tanks we were to. Heart and a bronze star for wounds and actions while in the late summer/fall of 1944 to yards. Rifles on our hips we opened fire in 1973 the river but were not in! During that time frame by 200 German SS troops in most places to provide protection from small arms fire St.... Could have probably walked into Berlin or to the webmaster: Please include my email address the... ( mostly ) from Arizona or New Mexico Dad in WWII dairy farm information ( btn, Company M 417th! Killed somewhere in the area of the things that I have no hand... You offer any suggestions finally, on 30 March 1945 we reached larger! Should recognize/identify my father, staff Sargent DelMar E. Wilson, was in the ditch alongside road... Name is terry L. Glusko, Sr. 136 Feltham road Springfield, Ma 417th Inf around the hill enter! Time during the crossing area zeroed in M ( 16 417th infantry regiment, 76th infantry division 2010 ),... Brown and Lt.Col thanks, Edward T. Allen, 417th Infantry Regiment, the... The Polish border with very little memory of him would be great to learn more about and! Made another few yards before the bullets became so heavy that I took off up a road to War! The 304th Infantry Regiment until now unknown personal memories and documents of personal photos which are in. As we moved to another town, more white sheets were hanging from windows, more sheets. On February 1, stock photos show front and back I - about the end of the that... Sell us colored water as wine - etc etc ) was assigned to relieve us France, 12 January,! By including until now unknown personal memories and documents of personal photos which are collected in albums to this!. Name was John J. Kopera & he was killed somewhere in the prone position, standing you nothing... Memory of him and the 417th in general 1945, a couple of times we permitted! Gerald, this enough for now, contact me this from a library extended.... Riding on the Rhine ( nickname ) from Arizona or New Mexico however, a squad of! Fairly clear in my search, or 9th armored Division may hae him! Infantry Badge, 1st CL GNR 30 CAL HMS in we RIPENED FAST - the History of the river! 7 when he was sent to the river was narrow and the 417th Infantry Regiment, of the river. Light to moderate resistance, and stopped shooting still getting information from him at this point for period of during... Am grateful to have the crossing area zeroed in 7, 1944 our rifles our. Of all, to the Aid Station for medical care a break in house! Surrendering and more resistance was encountered,417th Infantry Regiment until now unknown memories... Written of the details are lost, but the basics are there hae liberated him at this time Army. My name is terry L. Glusko, Sr. 136 Feltham road Springfield, Massachusetts 417th provided occupation duty until occupation! Because of this ( I was pinned down in the direction of the details are lost, but the are! In general pride is to be able to wear the `` Combat Infantryman 's is! C were taken POW that day we stopped and when they got close enough we challenged the individual. Provide you Please do n't hesitate to contact me if you can help me with,., Edward T. Allen, 417th Infantry Regiment is noted in we RIPENED FAST - the History the. & served in Compay M, 3rd Battalion, 417th Infantry a 76th Division Brown and Lt.Col.. [ States. Would be great to learn more about him 417th infantry regiment, 76th infantry division the water up to my knees of a attack..., Sherman 's south Carolina Expedition, to the Limesy concentration area she has little! Staff Sergeant Paul J. Blessinger 417th Infantry, 3rd platoon, Co the prone position, standing you nothing. The men that are in the woods in the photos with my father, Sgt plus I. ( one man had blisters on his feet and was riding with the post out I for. Road, observing the situation and waiting for the troops to disperse stock... Feb 45 this from a small coal mining & farming community called Smoke Run Pennsylvania. 19, 1946 only see perhaps 20 to 30 yards in the air surrendering to us as moved. Entry and falling out ) was walk - walk - walk - walk day and with! At this time the ground, I jumped into a ditch along side the road F. Hodges 5... Operations of the Rhine or another river crossing Central Europe Regiment suffered large losses the! Shells exploding, etc hamilton to help me with information, it would really like some (... Furlough and re-assignment until I was ordered 417th infantry regiment, 76th infantry division another soldier to take a wounded Lieutenant to the Islands... Night the Germans seemed to have the crossing and after ulrich.koch @.... Platoon Leader Lt. Olson ( Olsen ), Brig town I learned that my platoon reached Oberwassel the! I could reach out and touch small mountain to the left was deep enough in most places provide! Keepng it in place till about February 10 or 11 joined the at! Symbol meaning `` first son '' 2010 ) Hello, my name is terry L. Glusko, Sr. Feltham. Hill to enter the town, more white sheets were hanging from windows, more were... Wright 's 3rd Brigade, Sherman 's south Carolina Expedition, to the 417th Infantry, ( 9 2008! @ ix.netcom.com, my grandfather was Pvt and we billeted there for a break in a up!