tom2001 Posted July 22, 2016 Share #1 Posted July 22, 2016 The postman was very very good to me today!! Corporal Warren LyonsCo. H., 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne DivisionKIA 11 July 1943, Biazza Ridge, Sicily The Battle of Biazza Ridge took place on D+1 of the invasion of Sicily. After being scattered by high winds during their night time drop, Col. James Gavin and elements of his 505th PIR were able to regroup and drove toward their objective: German pillboxes atop Biazza Ridge. On the morning of 11 July 1943, after taking the ridge, Gavin's small group of paratroopers was attacked by a column of infantry and tanks from the Hermann Göring Division. At some time during all day fighting, including hand to hand combat with German infantry and multiple attacks by Mk VI Tiger tanks, Cpl. Lyons was killed by a direct hit from one of the Tigers. Phil Nordyke, in his book Four Stars of Valor: The Combat History of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II writes: Private McConnell watched the Company H bazooka team of Private Leland “Chief” Laye and Corporal Warren “Pappy” Lyons, the oldest guy in the company, out in front of the line, stalking the tanks. Then, suddenly McConnell saw the turret of the tank rotate toward the bazooka team. “They just turned that 88 on them and blew them to hell. These two guys both got killed. They never had a chance.” Initially buried at the US Military Cemetery at Gela, Sicily, Cpl. Lyons remains now rest at Custer Battlefield National Cemetery in Montana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted July 22, 2016 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted July 22, 2016 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted July 22, 2016 Share #4 Posted July 22, 2016 Tom, I remember as a young paratrooper reading about the heroics of the Paratroopers in the war. It is wonderful that you have been able to secure this group and share the valor of this Trooper and his Bazooka Team in the early days of WWII. God bless them one and all. RIP Trooper your sacrifices is not forgotten! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted July 22, 2016 Share #5 Posted July 22, 2016 Very nice Tom !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted July 23, 2016 Share #6 Posted July 23, 2016 "Pappy" Lyons, an "old man" at 32. Rest in peace, Sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 23, 2016 Share #7 Posted July 23, 2016 Did you hug the Postman? This group was worth a hug! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom2001 Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted July 23, 2016 And, by request, here are pics of the medal numbers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted July 23, 2016 Share #9 Posted July 23, 2016 Important group to a real hero Tom. Thanks for sharing. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted July 23, 2016 Share #10 Posted July 23, 2016 Awesome SS/PH to a 505th PIR trooper! Corporal Lyons is also mentioned on page 332 in Combat Jump by Ed Ruggero. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted July 23, 2016 Share #11 Posted July 23, 2016 Very nice set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-o MSU Posted July 23, 2016 Share #12 Posted July 23, 2016 Congrats Tom! Very poignant group! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted July 24, 2016 Share #13 Posted July 24, 2016 Nice pair. The story behind it is wonderfull. One of the first battles on Sicily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted July 24, 2016 Share #14 Posted July 24, 2016 Wow i was just reading about this action yesterday in the book The Greatest War by Gerald Astor.....mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted July 25, 2016 Share #15 Posted July 25, 2016 A rare and poignant group...thank you for sharing his story. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach Posted July 26, 2016 Share #16 Posted July 26, 2016 It sounds like they ran into a Tiger. A very brave paratrooper the bazooka would have been almost useless front on against a Tiger tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted July 26, 2016 Share #17 Posted July 26, 2016 What a great group to one of our great heroes. Thanks for sharing. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBS Posted July 27, 2016 Share #18 Posted July 27, 2016 A nice pair of medals that command a special presence to them. I am in awe viewing them. Thanks for posting this pair. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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