The Malmedy Massacre-- Part 1

In my last post, I wrote about the death of Harold Billows who is believed to be the last living survivor of what is known today as the Malmedy Massacre.  I had never heard of this before, so further research was necessary.

From Wikipedia.

THE MALMEDY MASSACRE

This was  a German war crime committed by soldiers of the Waffen-SS on  17 December 1944 at the Baugnez Crossroad near the Belgium city of Malmedy, during the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945).  

Soldiers of the  Kampfgrippe  Peiper summarily killed eighty-four American  prisoners of war who had surrendered after a brief battle.  The Waffen-SS troops had grouped the U.S. POWs in a farmer's field, where they used machine guns to shoot and kill them.  Those surviving the shootings were then shot in the head to finish the job.

Fortunately, there were 43 Americans who survived.

--GreGen

Last Known Survivor of WW II American POW Massacre Dead at 99: Harold Billow

From Military.com, AP

Harold Billow, the last-known survivor of a massacre of Americans during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944,  died May 17 at age 99.  He will be laid to rest Thursday in  Pennsylvania.  He was a  member of Army's 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion  when his unit surrendered to German Waffen SS troops in December 1944.

According to various accounts,  the Germans opened fire on the unarmed prisoners  in a field, killing  more to eighty in what became known as the Malmedy Massacre.

"As soon as  the machine gun started firing,  I went face down in the snow," billow told Lancaster  Online in 2019.  He played dead ad Germans searched for survivors.  "Anybody that showed signs of life, they would point-blank shoot them in the head to finish them off," Billow said.

He said he stayed there for several hours before he and other survivors bolted.  He made his way through hedgerows before reaching the safety of American lines.  After the war, he was called upon to testify at a war crimes trial in which 43 German soldiers were sentenced to death for the Malmedy Massacre.

However, they were eventually released  after investigators determined that U.S. guards had coerced confessions.

--GreGen

4002nd Post to This Blog (and 10th Year)

This is the 4002nd post to this blog which started in 2012, during the 70th anniversary of World War II.

Pearl Harbor has always been a subject of fascination for me and since it was also a major anniversary I broke this blog off from my Cooter's History Thing blog since I was already doing a whole lot of posts about Pearl Harbor and World War II on it anyway.

Growing up, I have to admit that I just took World War II veterans for granted as it seemed that all of my mom and dad's friends served in the military or home front.

My dad was too young, born in 1928 to serve and my mother was born in 1930.  She helped out at the Goldsboro, North Carolina USO.  My Uncle Delbert served with the 101st Airborne and was at the Battle of the Bulge.

The signoff GreGen stands for Greatest Generation.  They surely were.

--GreGen

Fighter Pilot Honored 76 Years After Death, Robert M. Leety-- Part 1

From the August 5, 2021, Trib Live (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) "World War II Army pilot  memorialized 76 years after being killed in action" by Julia Felton.

Seventy-six years after 1st Lt. Robert M. Leety was killed, , his family dedicated a stone in his honor at Mt. Royal Cemetery in Shaler on Saturday.

Robert Leety was born and raised in Glenshaw, Pa.,  and graduated from Shaler High School in 1942, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943.  After about a year of training, he was shipped  overseas, first to England, then to France.

He was a fighter pilot flying P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts.  The day after Christmas, 1944, he was promoted to first lieutenant.

During his time in Europe, he  racked up 175 combat hours in more than 75 missions., including the Normandy invasions and the Battle of the Bulge.   Because he had flown so many missions, he was given the opportunity to return home and assume a military role in the States.

But, he chose to continue flying.

--GreGen

Paratrooper 'Rock' Merritt Dies-- Part 4: D-Day

He asked the chaplain if he could get over the hedge and would he mind helping to carry six boxes of ammunition Merritt assembled into a "daisy chain" over his shoulder.

"He said, 'Praise the Lord, pass me the ammunition,' " Merritt said.

By daylight they picked up another  37 paratroopers and were soon pinned down  by a machine gun.

A lieutenant instructed Merritt, who was a corporal at the time, to take two men and  "knock the machine gun out."

"Here's  somebody who's trying to kill me, and he says it like take two men and go fill up the canteens like it was that normal," Merritt said.

Merritt took a private and a staff sergeant, with the 18-year-old private asking the others to cover him with dire, as he ran with three grenades on top of the Nazis.  Merritt said the private was later given a Bronze Star, but sadly killed at the Battle of the Bulge.

--GreGen

Charles 'Bud' Early Ready to Celebrate 100th Birthday

From the March 7, 2021 Trib Live "World War II veteran from Freeport  ready to celebrate 100th birthday" by Julia Felton.

Mr. Early served in George Patton's  Third Army, 80th Infantry Division where he was assigned to the 905th Field Artillery Battery C.

He saw President Roosevelt while in Basic Training and went across the Atlantic Ocean on the ocean liner RMS  Queen Mary, leaving July 4, 1944.  His group landed  on Utah and Omaha beaches about two months after D-Day.

According to his son, 'He had a lot of close calls  and harrowing experiences during the war.  he was blown out of a foxhole  one time by artillery.  He wasn't injured, but the shell landed so close it blew them out of their foxhole."

Early moved through France before fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.

"He was an artillery spotter," according to his son.  "He and his officer, they'd get in a jeep and go  very deep into enemy lines and radio back to their artillery to show them where to fire."

Early's service earned him several awards, including a Bronze Star.

He was discharged in September 1945 and traveled home on the USS Breckinridge -- which was fitting because he lived in Breckenridge at the time.

--GreGen

Veteran Henry Naruszwiecz to Celebrate His 105th Birthday

From Dec. 22, 2020, WCVB 5 News, Massachusetts.

World War II veteran Henry Naruszwiecz will celebrate his 105th birthday this January 1 or January 3rd (as some of his family think).  But he is absolutely sure it's the 1st.

He and his two older brothers served in the U.S. military in World War II.

Seventy-six years ago he was at the Battle of the Bulge under the command of  General George S. Patton.  "We had one of the best armored field artillery units he'd seen," Henry said.  "So he sent us up there.  It was two days before Christmas."

Humor has served him well over all those years.  As far as the secret to living so long, he says "I don't know, I don't know. moderate living I would say, don't do anything to excess."

He says he still drives the Buick he bought in 2007 and still has an active Massachusetts drivers license, good for four more years and says that when he is 109, he'll give it up.

The Greatest Generation.  --GreGen

McHenry's Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive Ceremony-- Part 1: Dedicated to Uncle Delbert and Roy S. Hume

McHenry, Illiniois, commemorated the end of World War II yesterday for the 11th straight time.  Only this year it was different.  The first ten times the ceremony was held in Veterans Park downtown and the guests of honor were originally the World War II veterans (but now has been extended to the Korean War veterans).

They had special seats near the gazebo bandstand where a Big Band played before and afterwards.  Speeches were given by various politicians and commanders of veteran organizations.  McHenry has three of these:

American Legion
VFW
Polish Legion of American Veterans

Each veteran had their name read and branch of service, years served and something about their service.  Then there was a rifle salute by the Combined Veterans Honor Guard and white doves were released.  American flags were all over the park.

It is a striking ceremony and one that I have attended the last eight years.  But this year, I almost didn't get to go to it.  I wasn't even sure they were going to have it.  The ceremony is always scheduled for the second Sunday in August.  This is also the same day that Johnsburg's St. John the Baptist Church has their Parish Fest.  We always go to that as well, then I leave early and drive over to Veterans Park.

With the coronavirus this year, Parish Fest was canceled and I figured the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive was as well.  With the advancing ages of our WW II and Korean War veterans, having their presence at a ceremony, even one outside did not seem to be a good idea.  But on Saturday night I found they were going to have it.

I will dedicate this year's Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive to my Uncle Delbert, who was a member of the 101st Airborne and at the Battle of the Bulge where he and one other member were the only two in his company to survive unscathed.

I also dedicate this to my buddy Mark's dad, Roy S. Hume, USN, who served on board the aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto along with a young officer named George H.W. Bush.

--GreGen

WW II Hero Veteran and Hero Lt. Col. James "Maggie" Megallis Dies

From the April 3, 2020, Channel 3 WBTV Charlotte, N.C. "World War II hero dies at 103."

World War II veteran and "All-American Icon" James "Maggie" Megallis died Thursday, April 2 at age 103.

He was in the 82nd Airborne Division during the war and took part in Italy fighting, where he was wounded.  Upon recovering  he parachuted into Belgium as part of Operation Market Garden  and made the legendary Crossing of the Waal Rive.  At the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions.

Lt.Col. Megallis was the most decorated officer in the division and was nominated for a Medal of Honor.

--GreGen

Death of William C. Schaffner, Fought at the Battle of the Bulge

From the March 6, 2020, Baltimore Sun  by Frederick Rasmussen.

Died March 3 at age 95.

Two weeks after graduating from City College he was drafted.  After training he was sent to Europe.  In December 1944, he was forward observer with then 589th Field Artillery of the 106th Infantry Division in Baraque de Fraiture, Belgium, defending a road to Bastogne, Belgium, when the Germans attacked in a prelude to the Battle of the Bulge.

As forward observer, it was Mr. Schaffner's job to call in and direct artillery attacks.

The attack was known as Parker's Crossroads after Major Arthur Parker III, who commanded the 589th Artillery.  They were successful long enough to allow Gen. Patton's 3rd Army to arrive.  They accomplished the task, but he was the only one who wasn't a casualty or taken prisoner.

--GreGen

Pearl Harbor, Battle of the Bulge Survivor Turns 100-- Part 3: George Murray

After Pearl Harbor, Murray spent months in Hawaii, among the things he did was train civilians what to do in case of a gas attack.  Later in 1942, he returned to the United States mainland for Officer Candidate School.

In 1943, he was off to England where he censored mail and other tasks.  In 1944 he was sent to France as a replacement and assigned to the 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion as a forward observer.

He was with the 28th Division at the Battle of the Bulge and remembers:  In some cases casualties were covered with snow before they could be removed.  The bolts on the rifles would freeze and could not be fired.  Infantrymen had to urinate on the bolts of their automatic weapons to thaw them enough to fire them."

After the war he reverted to enlisted status and in 1959 was promoted to sergeant major and in retirement was active in the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion.  Later he was inducted into the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Hall of Fame.

There is no official record as to how many Pearl Harbor survivors still in in North Texas.

--GreGen

Pearl Harbor, Battle of Bulge Survivor Turns 100-- Part 2

Fifteen years ago, George Murray wrote a 62 page memoir and this is taken from it.  He continues with his Pearl Harbor memories:

"It took me about about an hour and a half, using a variety of transportation such as a taxi or bus (to get back to Schofield Barracks).  When I got there I found we had no casualties although a bomb had been dropped not too far from our barracks."

Last year, George Murray, a long-time resident of Anniston, Alabama, was recognized as the last-known Pearl Harbor survivor in Alabama.  He has since moved to Texas to be near family.

He spent 30 years in the Army and was also at the Battle of the Bulge.

Mr. Murray was born March 31, 1919, and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Jobs were hard to come by in 1936, and at the age of 17, with his parents permission, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and traveled the country working on projects.

In 1939, he enlisted in the Army and joined the Chemical Warfare Service which provided such things to the military as gas warfare training and smoke screens.

--GreGen

Pearl Harbor and Battle of the Bulge Survivor Turns 100-- George Murray-- Part 1

From the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram  "He survived Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Bulge -- and his 100th birthday is here"  Gordon Dickson.

George Murray had been in the Army for two years without a break and was now at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and had begum a seven day leave on December 5, when, on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  He was about ten miles away on the other side of Oahu enjoying being a tourist.

"I made it back to the company as best I could."

That company was Company A, 1st Separate Chemical Battalion.

"It took me about an hour and a half, using a variety of transportation such as a taxi or bus.  When I got there I found we had no casualties, although a bomb had been dropped not too far from our barracks."

Of special interest since I have been writing about the U.S. Army's Chemical Warfare unit and Camp Sibert in the last couple weeks.  No doubt George Murray would gave been there.

--GreGen

Last Shasta County Pearl Harbor Navy Survivor Laid to Rest

From the July 13, 2018, Redding (Cal.) Record Searchlight  "Last Shasta County Navy veteran who survived Pearl Harbor laid to rest" by Jim Schutz.

Mel Fisher, 96, was buried at Northern California Veterans Cemetery.  He died June 17 and was the one of the last two last living members of Shasta County's Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Chapter 28.

Mr. Fisher enlisted in the Navy in 11940 and was aboard the USS Whitney, a destroyer tender on December 7,1941.    He remembered, "It was like watching the Fourth of July fireworks.  I could see explosions and lots of smoke."

Afterwards, he was in nine engagements in the Pacific, including Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Marianas on the battleship USS Indiana.

Now, the only Shasta County survivor is George Stevens, 98, U.S. Army.  He enlisted in 1938 and was stationed at Fort Kamehameha when the attack came.  During the course of the war, he was awarded four Bronze Stars and fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

--GreGen

84th Infantry Division-- Part 2: In the Thick of the Fighting At the End

The division saw its first combat in November during Operation Clipper at Geilenkirchen, Germany.  They took Geilenk 19 November.  they saw further fighting before moving to Belgium to help stop the German winter offensive in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.

There, the division battled snow, sleet and rain as well as very cold temperatures and near constant German attacks.

When that ended, they crossed the Roer River and took two cities and then crossed the Niers and then Rhine rivers.

On 1 April the 84th captured Hanover, then 13 April reached the Elbe River and finally met Soviet troops 2 May 1945.  They liberated two Nazi satellite concentration camps.

After the surrender, the 84th did occupation duty and returned to the United States 19 January 1946.

Casualties during time in European Theater:

Total:  7,260   KIA: 1,284,  WIA: 5,098, MIA:  129, POW: 749.

Days in combat: 170.

--GreGen

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony-- Part 2: One At Pearl Harbor, One in France

Continued from May 17.

JACK EDGE was in sick bay of the USS Pelias (AS-14), a submarine-tender.  Instead of getting an emergency appendectomy, he went on the deck and used a phone to direct gunfire from his ship.

DOUG OSWALD, 94, a native of Marianna, graduated from Marianna High School in 1942 and went to the University of Florida for one semester then joined the Army.  he trained as a combat engineer but when he arrived in England his outfit's equipment had been misdirected and he ended up serving as an infantryman.

He was six miles from the Rhine River in fox holes near Strasbourg, France, in the December 1944 Battle of the Bulge.  Their outer jackets were frozen and they were pinned down by mortar fire during the day.

He was sent out as part of a five-man patrol at midnight February 5, 1945.  The moon shone between parted clouds and one of the patrol was shot and killed and another stepped on a land mine.  Mr. Oswald was wounded in his shoulder and was sent to Paris for surgery.  Later, he was transferred to Belgium.

He served as Ocala.s mayor in 1976 and 1977.

--GreGen

Sycamore Vet Recounts Pearl Harbor-- Part 4: Six Blankets and Couldn't Get Warm

Burton Miller went on to serve in England, France and Belgium, where he conveyed orders and communications during the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign of World War II.

One of the barracks in Belgium that he was in was an old chicken house where the soldiers had to endure the cold winter.  "I had six blankets and I couldn't get warm," Burton remembered.

Burton then had to go to the hospital, although he can't remember why.

"That was after Hitler took over Europe," he said.  "We had our fighter planes that went from England to France and then to Belgium supporting our troops, chasing Hitler at the time.  And when I got to Belgium, I had to go to the hospital, and when I came back, the war was over."

He married Bernice in 1946 and lived in Chicago for about sixty years.

--GreGen

Some More On That Famous "NUTS" Reply-- Part 1: "To the German Commander..."

From the March 16, 2016, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Edward Ihlenfeld recalled for role in famous 'NUTS' response in WWII" by Meg Jones.

Edward Ihlenfeld died March 13, 2016, in Milwaukee in the home he built.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the 101st Airborne acting commander, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe received a message from the German commander saying he had to surrender to avoid annihilation.

McAuliffe crumpled the paper and said, "Aw, nuts."   He had the reply typed:  "To the German Commander, NUTS!  The American Commander."

Edward Ihlenfeld typed that message.

--GreGen

Gunner From USS Maryland-- Part 2: Fewer Veterans Now

Scott Ott told Frank that his dad was at Normandy and fought through to the Battle of the Bulge.  he and his brother Bud were waiting in Paris for orders to ship out for the invasion of Japan when word that Japan had surrendered came through, something they were very happy to gear.

World War II veteran Frank said he was grateful for Scott's father's service and also those that served in the Korean War.

Recently the Navy commissioned a new USS California, a submarine, and Frank sat in the front row at it.  His California was scrapped in 1959 and had been used in the atom bomb tests at Eniwetok Atoll.

Scott related that Sunday, at church, they had a Memorial Day service and afterwards at the recepption, he went around the room talking to as many older veterans as he could.  None were from World War II. but some from the Korean War.

When his father was alive, he said he remembered that they still had Civil War veterans who visited schools and rode in parades.  Someday Scott will tell his grandkids that there were still World War and Korean War veterans around when he was young.

--GreGen

Another Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies, Harold George Slater, 94

From the jan. 14, 2016, NBC Connecticut "Pearl harbor, World War II Veteran Dies at 94."

Died jan. 13, 2016.

Born in Connecticut in 1921.  Joined the Army at age 16.  Stationed at Fort DeRussey, Battery C, 64th Coast Artillery Division.  Then it became Fort Shafter.

He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and later landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy after D-Day.   Mr. Slater moved across France, Belgium, was at the Battle of the Bulge and then into Germany.

He trained recruits for 18 months during the Korean War.

Past president of the Nutmeg Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association for about twenty years until it disbanded.

--GreGen