In Memoriam · 07 October 2022
Alfred G. WOLKE was born on September 23, 1924 in New York. He enlisted on February 10, 1943, and was assigned to the 30th Infantry Regiment of the famous 3rd Infantry Division, which was illustrated in France in 1918. After the hard fighting in Italy, the 3rd DI is stationed in the bay of Salerno, in preparation for the landing in the south of France. On August 9, 1944, he boarded LCI 588, commanded by Lieutenant James McMahon, and on the 12th, the division left Italy. D-Day will be August 15....
In Memoriam · 24 September 2022
Qui sont les M.O.I (Main d'Oeuvre Indigene) indochinois ? "Immigrés indochinois, ils ont quitté l’Indochine à deux reprises pour servir de main-d’œuvre de guerre lors des conflits mondiaux. Originaire des 3 Ky (Tonkin, Annam, Cochinchine), ils étaient principalement employés aux usines de guerre et d’aéronautique. Civils mais soumis à une discipline militaire, ces jeunes hommes avaient quitté leur pays de gré avec l’espoir d’un retour rapide et heureux, ou de force,...
In Memoriam · 11 September 2022
Willis Albert WOODCOCK was born in 1924, in Belleville, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. He join the paratroops and his shipped overseas as part of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He particpated to the Italian campaign in June 1944, and jump in southern France August 15th, 1944, in "I" Company, 3rd Battalion. On September 11, 1944, the 517th Regiment's combat team planned an attack on the Col de Braus and its surroundings, where the Germans were still very active and valiant. Company G...
In Memoriam · 30 June 2022
Morris Swackhammer was born on May 12, 1924, in Wyalusing, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, to Morris Austin Swackhammer and Beulah Youngs Swackhammer. He grew up with two older brothers and a younger sister. Private First Class SWACKHAMMER joined the United States Army in Binghamton, New York, in 1942. In the second half of 1943 SWACKHAMMER was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry "Texas' Division. He particpated in the Italian campaign in 1943, where he...
In Memoriam · 28 June 2022
Marvin BELL was born December 16th, 1923 in Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona. He was Private first class in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "G" Company, when he was killed in action in the first attack of "Ridge X" in the Col de Braus, September 9th, 1944. He is burried in Pomona Valley Memorial Park, California.
In Memoriam · 28 June 2022
Richard BEDNARZ was born September 20th, 1924, in schulenburg, Fayette County, Texas. Richard enlisted 10 april 1942 at San Antonio, and joined the newly formed 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment in 1943. After a short campaign in Italy, he jumped in southern France August 15th, 1944. Following the advance of his unit, he is in September in the maritimes alps. The 21st of September he is killed in the frontline between Col de Braus and the "Tête de la Lavina", overlooking the french forts of...
In Memoriam · 27 June 2022
Walter VANDERPOOL was born August 27th, 1924 in Tioga County, New York. In 1944, he is a Pvt in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "D Company. In November, while Sospel is liberated after weeks of hard battles, they decided with his platoon to take a rest in a large nice looking empty house. The Germans anticipated the americans would take up quarters there and rigged it with a time delayed device booby trapped. Five soldiers of the "D" Company will be killed that day ( Sgt Homer BEAVER,...
In Memoriam · 27 June 2022
Daniel OGNIEWSKI was born January 10th, 1923, in New York. In 1944, he is a Pfc in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "D Company. In November, while Sospel is liberated after weeks of hard battles, they decided with his platoon to take a rest in a large nice looking empty house. The Germans anticipated the americans would take up quarters there and rigged it with a time delayed device booby trapped. Five soldiers of the "D" Company will be killed that day ( Sgt Homer BEAVER, Pvt Alton...
In Memoriam · 23 June 2022
John FOUTS was born September 5th, 1923 in Oklahoma. In 1944, he is a Private in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "D Company. In November, while Sospel is liberated after weeks of hard battles, they decided with his platoon to take a rest in a large nice looking empty house. The Germans anticipated the americans would take up quarters there and rigged it with a time delayed device booby trapped. Five soldiers of the "D" Company will be killed that day ( Sgt Homer BEAVER, Pvt Alton ALLEN,...
In Memoriam · 23 June 2022
Homer Charles BEAVER was born July 11th, 1923 in Dublin, Franklin County, Ohio. In 1944, he is a Sergeant in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "D Company. In November, while Sospel is liberated after weeks of hard battles, they decided with his platoon to take a rest in a large nice looking empty house. The Germans anticipated the americans would take up quarters there and rigged it with a time delayed device booby trapped. Five soldiers of the "D" Company will be killed that day ( Pvt...