Remembrance page 2019-2020

Abraham Matza:
75thID, 289th regiment, company C
KIA january 6th 1945
Area of Forge a La Plez
Additional information:
” According to testimony of Jose Longoria, born in Texas, Sgt Matza saved his life on January 6th, 1945 at the Battle of the Bulge. Their position was being overrun by the advancing German Army. Sgt Matza was shot in the leg and could not pull back. He had a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). He told Jose to fall back. Jose refused. Sgt. Matza ordered him to fall back. Jose then retreated. The next morning the American Army regained their previous position. Jose went to look for his friend. He found Matza’s body with about 20 -30 bayonet wounds in him. He also found about 40 enemy dead all around Sgt Matza. Pfc Matza gave his life protecting the men of the Second Platoon and he took a heavy toll of Germans before they got to him. “

Dayton Atwood:
75thID, 289th regiment, company I
KIA december 25th 1944
Area: Grandmenil (most likely chemin Goffin)
Additional information:
For gallantry in action on 25 December 1944 in Grandmenil. While serving as a radio operator of a weapons platoon, Private First Class Atwood had an opportunity to  withdraw from his position because of extremely heavy attacks of enemy armored force, rifle, and machine gun fire. However, this courageous soldier heroically electe…d to remain at his radio and by so doing kept his Commanding Officer constantly informed as to the  enemy situation and activity. Until he was killed, at his post, Private First Class Atwood  was in continual contact with his unit. By this great devotion to duty and purely unselfish and brave action he maintained contact with his company after all other means of communications had failed thus enabling it to complete its mission. This gallant act reflects great credit upon the armed forces.”

Earl Naumann:
75thID, 289th regiment, company K
KIA: december 25 1944
Area: Trou du Loup
Additional information:
While Trou du Loup was overrun by tanks of the 2nd Ss Das Reich, Earl and a couple of others tried to get away from them and tried to reach the other side of the road. It is most likely that Earl was KIA because of an incoming mortar/ artillery shell and was killed by the concussion.

Lloyd Rauch:
75thID, 289th regiment, company C
KIA; January 6th 1945
Area: Forge a La PlezAdditional information:
It is most likely that Lloyd Rauch was one of the other men, like Abraham Matza, who was killed by the German counteroffensive on january 6 1945 in the Forge a La Plez area.

Bob Myers:
75thID, 289th regiment, company G
KIA: december 25 1945
Area: Sadzot area
Additional information:
Robert V Myers and his mate James Deane were sent out on patrol to make contact with  company E, who were near the village of La Fosse and wich got kind of lost. Radiocontact could not be made, so these two man took off to find company E.
They left the village of Briscol, went into the woods and disapeared. Both men run into a German patrol and a fire fight broke out. 5 germans were later found dead, and also the bodies of Bob and James were recovered.

Lester Wertman:
3rdAD, 36th armored infantry regiment, company D
KIA; december 25th 1944
Area: Rue d’Erezée, Grandmenil
Additional information:
Lester was killed during the first attacks on Grandmenil , together with Leonard Mellitz. Both men were killed by tankfire.
“Lt. Mellitz formed us up and he led off with several men on the left side of the street and a few of us on the right, in the opening stages of this new attack.  We hadn’t moved more than a few yards down both sides of the street into the village when there was an explosion of unusual force.  It must have been a round of high explosive from a nearby German tank.  That shell left Lt. Mellitz dead, as well as a man by the name of Lester Wertman, and a number of our men wounded, so the attack never really got under way.” -Bob Kauffman statement

Leonard Mellitz:
3rdAD, 36th armored infantry regiment, company D
KIA: december 25 1944
Area: Rue d’Erezée, Grandmenil
Additional information: see Lester Wertman

Richard Wiegand:
75thID, 289th regiment, company K
KIA: december 25 1944
Area: Trou du Loup
Additional information:
While German tanks overrun the positions of the 289th regiment, Richard managed to arm his bazooka and shot one round in the first Panther tank. Because of the hit, he was killed instantly. It is thanks to Richards’ shot that the complete 2nd SS Das Reich Division was stalled.
It was a major turn in the tight of the Battle of the Bulge.

Walter Eberly:
8thUSAAF, 389th Bomb Group, 565thBS
KIA: december 25 1944
Area: La Fosse
Additional information:
While retunring form a mission on Wahlen/Germany, the B-24 was attacked two times. The 2nd time the plane was going to crash and pilot Raymond Price ordered everybody out. Walter jumped too late and fell to death, seconds before the plane crashed. (Also see: www.b24-kingsize.com)

Owen Fox:
8thUSAAF, 389th Bomb Group, 565thBS
KIA; december 25 1944
Area: La Fosse
Additional information:
See Walter Eberly.

*** May They All Rest In Peace ***