tarbridge Posted October 9, 2013 Share #1 Posted October 9, 2013 Here are three of the Purple Hearts I just picked up at the MAX... Pvt Cyril F Beckman ser# 37703304 135th inf regt 34th Div KIA: 3 July 1944 The struggle for the capture of Rosignano, a heavily fortifiedhilltop town, opened on 3 July with the 3rd and 1st Battalions moving upthrough Vada. There was evidence that the enemy had withdrawn in hastebut prisoners were not plentiful. Initial contact with the enemy soondemonstrated that the Germans had determined to make a firm stand forRosignano. Small-arms fire developed into intense fire fights, and theenemy, enjoying an excellent commanding view of the Regimentalpositions, made much use of self-propelled guns, mortar, and artillery.The Regiment was committed to the attack with the 3rd Battalion on theleft and the 1st Battalion on the right. The main effort was made bythe 3rd Battalion which had the mission of capturing the town and theroad leading north. After strong opposition from the enemy anddifficulties with the steep, rough terrain, the leading elements of the3rd Battalion entered the town with tanks spearheading the town. Thecasualties of the Battalion were extremely severe and, althoughsurrounded by the Germans, strong points were organized and thepositions were held. The pressure was relieved on the morning of 4 Julywhen a platoon from Company L pushed around the left edge of the town,and by 1800 half of Rosignano had been taken. The 1st Battalion,meeting concentrated enemy fire, was unable to make any great degree ofprogress. Pvt Eugene G Hatch ser# 33931894 birth: 10 Mar 1920 Altoona PA. Co K 119th inf regt 30th Div KIA: 14 Jan 1945 After a rest period, the division eliminated an enemy salient northeast of Aachen on 16 November, pushed to the Inde River at Altdorf on 28 November, and then moved to rest areas. On 17 December the division rushed south to the Malmedy-Stavelot area to help block the powerful enemy drive; the Germans' last attempt to win a decisive victory over the Western Allies. Again the 30th met the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, and again broke the spearhead of their assault. The 30th Infantry launched a counterattack on 13 January 1945 and reached a point 2 miles south of St. Vith on 26 January, before leaving the battle and moving to an assembly area near Lierneux on 27 January, and to another near Aachen to prepare for the attack on the Roer River. The Roer was crossed on 23 February 1945, near Julich. Pfc Orville G Hickel ser# 35598224 birth: 15 Sept 1922 Ohio 109th inf regt 28th Div KIA: 6 Nov 1944 After training in Southampton, England, and the Seabank Hotel in Porthcawl, Wales[8] the 109th,110th, and 112th Regiments of the 28th Infantry Division landed in Normandy, France, on 22 July 1944, and entered the hedgerow struggle north and west of Saint-Lô. Inching their way forward against desperate opposition, the men of the 28th took Percy, 1 August, and Gathemo, 10 August. On 12 August, Brigadier General Wharton was killed a few hours after assuming command. The Division began to roll north and east on 20 August, meeting light resistance except at Le Neubourg, 24 August, and Elbeuf on 25 August. After parading through Paris on 29 August, it continued its sustained drive through France and Luxembourg to the German border, assembling near Binsfeld on 11 September. It began hammering at the Siegfried Line the following day, destroying pillboxes and other fortifications, moved north to Elsenborn, 1 October, then returned on 6 October for patrols and rotation of troops. The 28th was tossed into the meat grinder of the Huertgen Forest, 2 November 1944, and in the savage seesaw battle which followed, Vossenack and Schmidt changed hands several times. Utterly destroyed, but on paper. 19 November, the Division moved south to hold a 25-mile sector along the Our River in Luxembourg A side note for Historical reference...Pvt Eddie Slovik was in Co.G 109th inf regt RIP Soldiers...You are Remembered... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted October 9, 2013 Share #2 Posted October 9, 2013 Robert Very nice tribute ! 3 great hearts ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17thairborne Posted October 9, 2013 Share #3 Posted October 9, 2013 Thanks for sharing these and honoring their sacrifice by not hiding them away. Many more will be able to read about what they did thanks to you. I really appreciate the narratives. oz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17thairborne Posted October 9, 2013 Share #4 Posted October 9, 2013 A side note for Historical reference...Pvt Eddie Slovik was in Co.G 109th inf regt Was that Eddie Slovik as in, the courtmartial of? oz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted October 9, 2013 Share #5 Posted October 9, 2013 Beckman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted October 9, 2013 A side note for Historical reference...Pvt Eddie Slovik was in Co.G 109th inf regt Was that Eddie Slovik as in, the courtmartial of? oz Yes.That is the same one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstop61 Posted October 9, 2013 Share #7 Posted October 9, 2013 You never fail to amaze with your great PH's. I enjoy seeing each one and reading the story behind the medal. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted October 9, 2013 Share #8 Posted October 9, 2013 Very nice tribute! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted October 9, 2013 Share #9 Posted October 9, 2013 Not only beautiful hearts, but I really like the presentation here. Very nice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted October 9, 2013 Share #10 Posted October 9, 2013 Jim Good to see you active on the forum !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted October 9, 2013 Share #11 Posted October 9, 2013 Jim Good to see you active on the forum !!! Hi Scott! Thanks. I've been popping in and out. I've just been very busy this year. Lot's of changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted October 9, 2013 Share #12 Posted October 9, 2013 Jim Glad you are ok ! Robert here is Hatch's headstone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted October 14, 2013 Share #13 Posted October 14, 2013 Nice pick up Robert . Was there a lot of American stuff there this year? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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