carbinephalen Posted March 14, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 14, 2015 Robert P. T R A U T E R M A N was born in 1926 in Pennsylvania. Shortly after graduating high school in June of 1944, at the young age of 18, he voluntarily enlisted in the Army. Upon completion of basic training he was sent over to the ETO as a replacement for the hard-fighting, battle-weary 80th “Blue Ridge” Infantry Division on February 26, 1945. He was assigned to “A” Company in the 318th Infantry Regiment. A few short weeks after joining his company, his war story would take a traumatic turn. On March 15, 1945, the 318th met stiff resistance in the woods northwest of Britten, Germany. Enemy small arms fire was intense in this sector. The enemy cratered the roads north of Britten and defended the roadways with fortified MG positions and mortars. The 1st Battalion had broken through the resistance on the roads to Bergen however and entered the town. During this attack, PVT T R A U T E R M A N was wounded in his right leg. His wounds were serious enough that after his recuperation overseas, he was shipped back to the States on a med-transport ship in May of ’45. Upon his return, Robert attended Trine University in Indiana receiving his degree in engineering in 1950. He spent the next 30 years serving as a chemical engineer at the Allegheny Lunlum Steel Corp in Pennsylvania. T R A U T E R M A N passed away in May of 2009 at the age of 83. His time in combat was relatively short compared to most and because of it; he only received one campaign star on his EAME ribbon. However, the sacrifices that this young Private paid defending our country should never be forgotten. The uniform itself came out of Pennsylvania and is a gorgeous 4-pocket “cut down” that was tailored to match the Ikes of that era. The tailor did a fantastic job and all of the original brass buttons were reused. It is laundry marked to T R A U T E R M A N in two places. With “waxy coated” ribbon bars and a sterling CIB, this uniform is truly a stunner. Thanks to all for looking and if there is an 80th Division collector on here, don’t hesitate to send me a PM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted March 15, 2015 Later in life. RIP Private! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted March 15, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 15, 2015 Beautiful jacket, And you are right, even the sacrifices from the lowest private should ever be forgotten. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssggates Posted March 15, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 15, 2015 Have to love those cut-down jackets! That one is a beauty. The usual top-notch research as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted March 15, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 15, 2015 Super jacket and research! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted March 16, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 16, 2015 Beautiful jacket, And you are right, even the sacrifices from the lowest private should ever be forgotten. Dave The vast majority of soldiers in WWII were the "lowest privates" and they made most of the sacrifices as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted March 17, 2015 Very true and each of their stories is worthy of remembering and sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted March 28, 2015 This one is currently for sale. Feel free to make an offer! http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/236259-fs-wia-80th-division-idd-cutdown-documents-included/?p=1882573 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted March 28, 2015 Some additional photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tke507 Posted July 19, 2016 Share #10 Posted July 19, 2016 Is this uniform still available? Thanks Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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