CONNECTICUT MEN

of the 95th - Victory - Division

July - 1945
 THE 95th IN A C T I O N
T h e d i v i s i o n ' s first offensive a c t i o n was
at M e t z o n N o v e m b e r 8, 1944. T h e 2 n d
and 3 r d battalions, 377th I n f a n t r y R e g i -
m e n t , a t t a c k i n g a t n i g h t , w i p e d out the
enemy p o c k e t east o f M a i z e r e s to the
M o s e l l e . T h e going was r o u g h . I t was
t r i a l b y fire. M e n who proved themselves
t h a t n i g h t d i d a l o t of the b a l l - c a r r y i n g
o n the power d r i v e d o w n to M e t z the
following week.
C a p t u r e of M e t z was a r i c h achieve-
ment. T h e c i t y h a d weathered m a n y
assaults. T h e 95th D i v i s i o n smacked u p
against the b r i s t l i n g forts r i n g i n g the c i t y .
S t i l l , the r i n g was b r o k e n , a n d this is the
w a y i t was accomplished.
T h e 378th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t got off
to a f l y i n g start w i t h one of the most
d a r i n g l y conceived a n d b r i l l i a n t l y exe-
cuted t r i c k plays of the entire offensive.
C o l . S a m u e l L . M e t c a l f e , regimental c o m -
mander, o f Pearsall, T e x a s , dreamed i t u p .
F r o n t i n g the 378th zone was a series of
fortifications i n c l u d i n g F o r t A m a n v i l l e r s ,
the three C a n r o b e r t forts a n d F o r t de
F e v e . E a s t of this line spread the extensive
L o r r a i n e fortifications. T a k i n g such a n
area b y a n a n t i c i p a t e d head-on d r i v e
w o u l d have been suicide. C o l . M e t c a l f e ' s
plan was to sweep a r o u n d the n o r t h e r n t i p
o f the fortifications a n d approach from the
rear, l e a v i n g behind a s m a l l task force to
deceive the enemy i n t o t h i n k i n g the entire
regiment still fronted the forts.
T h e j o b o f p r o v i d i n g the p h o n y front
was assigned to T a s k F o r c e S t . Jacques,
composed of three platoons, one a n t i t a n k
platoon, a squad from a n Intelligence a n d
Reconnaissance platoon, cooks, clerks, a n d
2
other regimental headquarters a n d service
c o m p a n y personnel. T h i s j u m b l e d force
was assigned to cover a n eight a n d a
h a l f m i l e front. T h e y d i d a bang-up j o b ,
w i t h the a i d of loud-speakers a n d other
deceptive means.
T h e h i d d e n b a l l p l a y worked like a
c h a r m . T h e regiment j u m p e d off at 0800
and w i t h i n three hours h a d c a p t u r e d the
t o w n of Feves. T w o hours later i t swept
o n to take Somecourt. T h e surge c o n -
t i n u e d a n d S a u l n y , Vigneulles, Plesnois
and N o r r o y le B e n e u r t u m b l e d before the
avalanche.
I n the first five hours of the t h i r d d a y ' s
operation the regiment h a d captured a n d
occupied three C a n r o b e r t F o r t s . A few
other forts were found to be deserted.
B y this time the 378th's 3 r d b a t t a l i o n
had forced its w a y to the west b a n k of the
M o s e l l e . O n e platoon of C o m p a n y K was
crossing a bridge i n t o M e t z w h e n G e r m a n s
touched off d e m o l i t i o n charges. Casual-
ties were heavy.
N e x t d a y the b a t t a l i o n crossed to the
c i t y i n boats operated b y C o m p a n y B ,
320th Engineers, a n d j o i n e d the 377th
I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t i n ferreting out the
snipers. T h e t h i r d a r m of the m a i n effort
was powered b y the 379th I n f a n t r y R e g i -
m e n t , w h i c h also h a d d r a w n a b a t t e r i n g -
r a m assignment against the forts f l a n k i n g
the road to M e t z . A t the v e r y outset o f
the d i v i s i o n jump-off, the 379th r a n i n t o
stiff a n d bitter enemy resistance. The
1st a n d 3 r d B a t t a l i o n s c h i p p e d a w a y a t
one o f the greatest a n d most impregnable
o f a l l M e t z forts — Jeanne d ' A r c , g u a r d i a n
o f the western a p p r o a c h .
 C h i p p i n g was the word for i t . T h e heav-
iest d e m o l i t i o n charges produced a lot of
concrete dust a n d not m u c h else. With
various forts i n the Jeanne d ' A r c s y s t e m
l i n k e d b y tunnels, the G e r m a n s e m p l o y e d
a fire a n d r u n defense, a n d the 379th
found i t impossible to block a l l the
tunnels.
B y N o v e m b e r 21, however, the fall of
M e t z was something to write home about.
T h e 9 5 t h Reconnaissance T r o o p h a d m a d e
contact w i t h elements of the 5 t h I n f a n t r y
D i v i s i o n , w h i c h h a d d r i v e n up from the
south to complete the squeeze p l a y on
the fortress c i t y .
C a p t u r e of M e t z was b u t one of the
highlights i n the 95th's c o m b a t h i s t o r y ,
however.
T h e 95th j u m p e d off for the Saar o n
N o v e m b e r 25, 1944. T h e G e r m a n border
3
was 25 miles to the east, a n d m a n y i n the
outfit were l o o k i n g forward to the d a y
when i t c o u l d write " i n s i d e G e r m a n y " o n
letters home. T h e border into G e r m a n y
was crossed o n N o v e m b e r 28. B y the first
part of D e c e m b e r the d i v i s i o n was i n the
Saarland.
T h e i r first major prize on N a z i soil
was the exposed c i t y of S a a r l a u t e r n which
lies like a goldfish b o w l between the h i g h
ridges on either side of the Saar. The
entire d i v i s i o n was brought up on line a n d
a series of l i g h t n i n g blows ensued. Not
o n l y was this c i t y c a p t u r e d , b u t i n a sur¬
prise night a t t a c k the o n l y bridge across
the Saar s t i l l i n t a c t was t a k e n . So swift
a n d well planned was this project t h a t
not one m a n was lost. T h o u g h the e n e m y
h a d m i n e d the bridge well the 379th T a s k
Force bayonetted the sentries o n d u t y
before the a l a r m c o u l d be sounded. T h i s
feat caused U n d e r Secretary of W a r P a t -
terson to write a special c o m m e n d a t i o n
for the " I r o n M e n of M e t z . " I n c o n t i n u a l
c o m b a t for over a m o n t h , the V i c t o r y
D i v i s i o n ' s valor under fire earned its
m e n the title of " B r a v e s t of the B r a v e "
from J o s e p h D r i s c o l l of the New York
Herald Tribune.
Metz was t o u g h , b u t the w o r k now was
even more rugged. T h i s was the thickest
part o f the Siegfried L i n e . T h e r e were a
m y r i a d of pillboxes a n d fortified houses.
Progress became measured i n square
blocks for the b a t a l l i o n objective.
F r a u l a u t e r n , j u s t over the h i g h l y v a l u e d
bridge, the 377th's 1st B a t t a l i o n took p a r t
i n a " d a n c e of d e a t h " when A m e r i c a n s a n d
K r a u t s blazed a w a y at each other over a
hotel b a l l r o o m floor. T h e n came the
B u l g e . T o w a r d s the end of December the
Saar entered the h o l d i n g phase w i t h o n l y
the 9 5 t h a n d 9 4 t h left to keep T h i r d A r m y
gains. B r i l l i a n t n i g h t c o m b a t , a n t i c i p a t i n g
N a z i d a w n a t t a c k s , was the k e y to t h e i r
success.
I n J a n u a r y , after two m o n t h s of suc-
cessive c o m b a t a c t i o n , even greater efforts
were expended b y r o t a t i n g regiments o n
line i n the Saar to reinforce the A m e r i c a n
7 t h A r m y a t S t . A v o i d . I t was a n exhaust-
i n g b u t h i g h l y successful a c t i v i t y .
I n J a n u a r y the 9 5 t h was assigned t o
In
L t . G e n . Simpson's N i n t h A r m y . Its first
task was to j o i n w i t h B r i t i s h troops f i g h t -
i n g i n the flooded area below N i j m e g e n .
T h i s a c t i o n was considered b y the troops
to be a rest, since the C G was able t o
4
rotate his regiments on the line. I n F e b -
r u a r y the 9-V's were sent into B e l g i u m for
a rest. It wasn't long afterwards t h a t t h e y
were called u p o n to j o i n i n the smashing
d r i v e on the R h i n e . T h e lead regiment,
the 379th, drove so fast t h a t when the
R h i n e was reached the i n h a b i t a n t s of the
t o w n of R h i n e h a u s e n were caught quite
unprepared. Telephone lines were i n t a c t
so t h a t enterprising Joes a t t e m p t e d to
phone H i t l e r i n B e r l i n . Factories were i n
operation, a n d the workers were dazed to
find A m e r i c a n troops t a k i n g over. The
doughs h a d intended to settle d o w n here
for a luxurious rest when orders came for
t h e m to be relieved. I t was not a rest;
the d i v i s i o n was sent b a c k to the E r f t
C a n a l to practice r i v e r crossings i n expec-
t a t i o n of future events.
A f t e r the N i n t h A r m y crossed the R h i n e
the 9 5 t h was called u p o n to go i n t o the
H a r z M o u n t a i n s a n d clean out a l l pockets
of resistance. T h i s was done expeditiously.
S h o r t l y before the t e r m i n a t i o n of hostilities
the V i c t o r y D i v i s i o n was chosen b y G e n .
S i m p s o n to o c c u p y a n d police the t e r r i -
tories t h a t the N i n t h A r m y h a d so
speedily o v e r - r u n . T o the m e n of the 95th
this was a welcome chance for well earned
rest.

PICTURES OF THE 95th

Home Again — T h e 377th Infantry (Page 4). T h e photograph was t a k e n a t
crossed on the S S Monticello and disem- F t . Devens on J u l y 3rd. T h e Battalion's
b a r k e d at Staten I s l a n d , N e w Y o r k , on experience i n front of F t . Jeanne d ' A r c a t
J u n e 26th. T h e photograph reproduced Metz, is described by Pfc. Henry R.
on the cover was t a k e n as the ship was H e i t m a n n of H a r t f o r d on Page 10 of this
headed for the docks. booklet.

Landing at Boston — T h e 378th I n - Time Out at Devens — T h e pictures

fantry, Division Artillery and Head- on pages 8 a n d 9 show C o n n e c t i c u t m e n
quarters Personnel made the crossing on gathered i n the bright J u l y sun i n one o f
the S S Mariposa (picture on Page 3), a n d those long waits between processing for-
docked at Boston after a mations. T h e upper p i c t u r e
welcome home greeting by shows the m e n of the 3 7 8 t h
P o r t authorities. Infantry Regiment. I n the
lower picture are men of
"Lost" Battalion—Con-
the 379th Infantry Regi-
necticut m e n of the Second
B a t t a l i o n , 379th Infantry ment.

5
 95th DIVISION FACTS
Nicknames: " V i c t o r y " , and " O . K . " Commanding General: M a j o r General
Division. H . L . T w a d d l e , a n O h i o a n , from A p r i l
Shoulder Patch: O v a l shaped, red 25, 1942, u n t i l present.
n u m e r a l 9 a n d white R o m a n n u m b e r V ; Component Units as of Time of De-
a n d V also s t a n d i n g for V i c t o r y ; solid parture Overseas: 377th, 378th a n d
blue b a c k g r o u n d . 379th Inf. R e g i m e n t s ; 360th m e d i u m
History: O r g a n i z e d for W o r l d W a r I i n a n d 358th, 359th a n d 920th ( L ) F A B n .
September, 1918, at C a m p S h e r m a n , Served Overseas as Part of: Third
O h i o ; demobilized i n December of 1918. A r m y , O c t . 1944; N i n t h A r m y , a p p r o x i -
A c t i v a t i o n d a t e : J u l y , 1942. m a t e l y F e b r u a r y of 1945.
Army Ground Forces Training: Basic Combat Highlights: Participated i n
at C a m p S w i f t , T e x a s , a n d upon c o m - capture of M e t z ; c a p t u r e d i m p o r t a n t
pletion to F o r t S a m H o u s t o n , S a n c o m m u n i c a t i o n s center of B o u l a i s ; led
A n t o n i o ; to L o u i s i a n a i n J u n e , 1943, T h i r d A r m y i n t o Saar, a t t a c k i n g t h i c k -
for maneuvers a n d stationed at C a m p est p o r t i o n of Siegfried line, at S a a r -
P o l k , L o u i s i a n a , before s h i p p i n g to lautern.
California Desert T r a i n i n g C e n t e r ;
after four months, transferred to
I n d i a n t o w n G a p , P e n n s y l v a n i a , for six NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
more m o n t h s ; t h e n went i n t o m o u n -
T h i s little souvenir of the 9 5 t h D i v i -
t a i n t r a i n i n g i n W e s t V i r g i n i a maneuver
sion's redeployment furloughs was p r e -
area; later to B o s t o n for t r a i n i n g while
pared b y the Office of the G o v e r n o r of the
awaiting embarkation.
State of C o n n e c t i c u t . I t is believed t h a t i t
Departure Date: L e f t the U n i t e d States
w i l l m a k e a welcome a d d i t i o n to the s o u -
i n J u l y of 1944 for E u r o p e a n T h e a t e r of
venirs a n d m e m o r a b i l i a of the m e n who
Operations. p a r t i c i p a t e d . A l i m i t e d s u p p l y of copies
Overseas Training: Further training in are available for d i s t r i b u t i o n on request
E n g l a n d ; first d u t y o n the continent from members of the D i v i s i o n from C o n -
on " R e d B a l l " h i g h w a y , b y p a r t of the necticut. T h e y m a y be secured b y w r i t i n g
division. direct to the Office of the G o v e r n o r , S t a t e
Commendations, Unit Citations: Capitol Building, Hartford, Conn. In
378th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t given P r e s i - the preparation of this leaflet, P u b l i c
dential C i t a t i o n for a c t i o n of N o v e m b e r R e l a t i o n s Officers at the P o r t s of D e b a r k a -
10-14, 1944; d i v i s i o n described b y t i o n a n d reception centers cooperated.
U n d e r - S e c r e t a r y of W a r P a t t e r s o n as T h e account of the D i v i s i o n ' s part i n
performing w i t h d i s t i n c t i o n i n t a k i n g the defeat of the G e r m a n A r m y was p r e -
i n t a c t the Saarlautern bridge; unit pared b y the Office of T e c h n i c a l I n f o r m a -
described as " b r a v e s t o f the b r a v e " b y t i o n o f the A r m y G r o u n d Forces. The
Joe D r i s c o l l i n the New York Herald group pictures t a k e n at F o r t D e v e n s are
Tribune. Signal C o r p s photographs.

6
 THE 95th O N FURLOUGH
T h e 95th ( V i c t o r y ) I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n ,
t h i r d of the c o m b a t units enroute from the
E u r o p e a n T h e a t e r of Operations to the
Pacific, a r r i v e d i n the U n i t e d States for
redeployment furloughs i n late J u n e
a n d early J u l y , 1945.
Preceded b y a s m a l l advance d e t a c h -
m e n t , the three major contingents o f the
D i v i s i o n crossed the A t l a n t i c i n the
SS Mariposa, the SS Blatchford, a n d the
Monticello.
T h e Mariposa docked at B o s t o n , on
J u n e 29, w i t h 6,213 m e n aboard i n c l u d i n g
the 378th I n f a n t r y , the 358th, 359th,
360th, a n d 920th F i e l d A r t i l l e r y B a t -
talions, a n d headquarters a n d special
troops of the d i v i s i o n . T h e staging center
a t C a m p M y l e s S t a n d i s h , near T a u n t o n ,
Massachusetts, was the next stop, a n d
the N e w E n g l a n d m e n of the D i v i s i o n
a r r i v e d at F o r t D e v e n s , o n the following
day.
T h e Blatchford docked at B o s t o n S u n -
d a y m o r n i n g , J u l y 1, w i t h 3,236 m e n i n -
c l u d i n g the 379th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t , a n d
was staged a t M y l e s S t a n d i s h before the
95th DIVISION STORIES
I t has been the experience of veterans
o f a l l wars t h a t t i m e brings a b l u r r i n g of
d e t a i l , t h a t memories are less exact after
events, a n d t h a t first h a n d r e p o r t i n g
serves best to get d o w n i n black a n d white
j u s t w h a t happened.
H e r e are stories b y the m e n of the V i c -
t o r y D i v i s i o n , t o l d at F o r t D e v e n s , either
for newspaper use or for this leaflet.
7
238 N e w Englanders proceeded to Devens.
The Monticello docked a t Staten I s l a n d ,
N . Y . , on J u n e 26 w i t h the 377th I n -
f a n t r y . T h e regiment entrained i n Jersey
for the staging center at C a m p K i l m e r ,
near N e w B r u n s w i c k , N . J .
T h e Mariposa and Blatchford were
given the B o s t o n P o r t welcome, w i t h a
flag bedecked t u g going d o w n the harbor
to meet t h e m .
H i g h spots were the home c o m i n g m e a l ,
steak, ice cream a n d fresh m i l k , a n d the
first opportunities to phone the folks at
home. T h e n the long a n d occasionally
tedious w a i t i n g a n d processing — m e d i -
cals, new clothes, orientation, p a y rolls,
a n d finally two to three days after de-
b a r k i n g , furlough orders, a n d the last l o n g
miles from D e v e n s to home.
A t the conclusion of the furlough
periods the d i v i s i o n w i l l be reassembled a t
C a m p S h e l b y , M i s s i s s i p p i , for r e t r a i n i n g
a n d e v e n t u a l e m b a r k a t i o n from a west
coast port for the Pacific T h e a t e r o f
Operations.
Jordan, Frank A., P f c , H d q . Co.,
2 n d B n . , 379th I n f a n t r y , N e w H a v e n .
Scout i n Intelligence Section.
" I was green when we m o v e d up t h r o u g h
the lines i n front of F o r t Jeanne d ' A r c ,
one of the defense points t h a t ringed M e t z .
I t was a m u r k y n i g h t a n d y o u c o u l d n ' t
see a t h i n g . B y the t i m e we got i n t o a
concrete b u n k e r t h a t h a d been captured
8
9
w i t h h e a v y casualties, I got to singing
' M y B u d d y ' . It d i d n ' t go v e r y well w i t h
the m e n in the b u n k e r , m a n y of whose
buddies h a d been killed or wounded d u r -
i n g the a t t a c k . It was the week i n the
line before the a t t a c k on the fort's bunkers
t h a t I w i l l remember longest of those we
spent at the front i n E u r o p e . "
Zuraw, W a l t e r J . , P f c , C o . L , 379th
I n f a n t r y , Seymour.
" O n e t h i n g I ' l l never forget is when the
G e r m a n s blew up the A d o l p h H i t l e r
bridge at V e r d i n g e n , across the R h i n e .
W e ' d been i n there for four days a n d
nights w i t h no sleep. I was on guard t h a t
n i g h t . T h e y h a d pinned us d o w n near the
bridge, w h i c h was about fifty yards ahead
of our position, a n d stuff from G e r m a n
bazookas was c o m i n g over regularly. A l l
at once there was a terrific explosion a n d
the bridge c r u m p l e d up a n d dropped
i n t o the river. W a s I relieved, t h a t we
d i d n ' t have to t r y crossing i t . T h e G e r -
mans h a d the h i g h ground a n d w o u l d have
m o w e d us d o w n i f we h a d tried.
" I j o i n e d the outfit on T h a n k s g i v i n g
D a y before S a a r l a u t e r n , where we a t -
tacked i n t o the Siegfried L i n e concrete
bunkers. T h e G e r m a n s h a d camouflaged
the bunkers, w h i c h were made of concrete
12 feet t h i c k b y b u i l d i n g the shells of
houses over t h e m . G o i n g i n there was a
lot of stuff from snipers a n d some of the
first shots got one of m y best f r i e n d s . "
Schlitter, Earl H . , Pfc, Co. C, New
H a v e n . A G u n n e r i n a m o r t a r crew.
" W e ' v e been across about a year, b u t i f
y o u w a n t to k n o w m y hardest d a y i n the
a r m y , i t was J a n . 18, 1943, m y first d a y
i n the a r m y , r i g h t here at D e v e n s . "
Auckland, Arthur R., P f c , Co. C,
379th I n f a n t r y , P l a i n v i l l e .
" T h e hottest spot I was i n was near
10
S a a r l a u t e r n . W e were t a k i n g 13 G e r m a n
prisoners back across a n open field. E v e r y -
t h i n g was quiet a n d then a l l hell broke
loose, w i t h m o r t a r shells falling t h i c k
and fast a l l a r o u n d us. I j u m p e d i n t o a
fox hole, a n d i t was a good spot even i f
there was three feet of water i n i t . T h e
prisoners flopped on the r o a d , b u t none
of t h e m made a break. W h e n i t slowed u p
a little I took off i n the lead a n d we a l l
got across the open space safely."
Jones, D a v i d J . , H d q . C o . , 379th I n -
fantry, Shelton.
" I c a n ' t remember a n y t h i n g t h a t was
too tough to t a k e , b u t there was m a n y a
night I w o u l d rather have stayed i n the
blankets. E s p e c i a l l y up around Frau¬
lautern, across the r i v e r from S a a r -
l a u t e r n , where the G e r m a n s h a d the h i g h
ground a n d gave us the works, screaming
meemies a n d e v e r y t h i n g . "
Heitmann, Henry R., P f c , Rifleman,
C o . F , 379th I n f a n t r y , H a r t f o r d .
" T h e most miserable six days I ever
spent were stranded w i t h what was left —
about 150 out of 800 m e n — of the 2 n d
B a t t a l i o n i n front of F o r t Jeanne d ' A r c at
M e t z . W e were c u t off from our s u p p l y
lines. W h a t we got to eat was parachuted
from the planes. One bar of chocolate for
every two m e n a n d to last a whole d a y .
W e made coffee out of melted snow. T h e r e
were m a n y wounded w i t h us a n d some
dead. T h e t h i n g t h a t was really h a r d was
t h a t we c o u l d n ' t send out our w o u n d e d . "
Miller, W i l l i a m H . , P v t . , C o . B , 379th
Infantry, Bridgeport.
" I t was i n t h a t a t t a c k , up across the
tracks t o w a r d the bunkers at S a a r l a u t e r n
where they got most of us. W e m o v e d u p
across a wide open space swept b y m a -
chine gun a n d s m a l l arms fire. I reached
the place about t w e n t y feet from the
G e r m a n s when I got h i t w i t h a machine
gun slug i n the t h i g h . It k n o c k e d me flat
a n d I l a y there more t h a n 32 hours i n the
cold r a i n . O u r support c o u l d n ' t get up a n d
we were isolated, b u t the first-aid m e n took
care of i t a n d I d i d n ' t seem to feel a n y
p a i n after the first shock. I d i d a lot of
p r a y i n g l y i n g there w a t c h i n g the Heinies
t w e n t y feet a w a y .
" T h e r e were seven of us h i t a n d we l a y
there cut off from our lines. T h a t n i g h t
the G e r m a n s p i c k e d up four of t h e m a n d
I never heard of t h e m again. T h e next
n i g h t under the cover of darkness our
stretcher bearers got to me a n d I went
b a c k b y stretcher, jeep a n d ambulance
for a four m o n t h s s t a y i n the h o s p i t a l . "
Ek, E d w a r d H . , Sgt., C o . A , 379th I n -
fantry, Branford.
" W h e n I was transferred after three
years i n the a r m y to the 9 5 t h , I joined
t h e m i n A p r i l just after the B a t t l e of the
R u h r P o c k e t so about a l l I saw w i t h this
outfit was guard d u t y . "
Tolla, Angelo M . , P f c , B a z o o k a m a n ,
C o . A , 379th I n f a n t r y , S t a m f o r d .
" T h e closest fighting I d i d was i n clean-
i n g out the T o w n of K r e f e l d i n the R u h r .
W e got i n t o the edge of the t o w n after the
a r t i l l e r y w o r k e d over i t a n d called i n some
tanks to help us out. W e worked from
house to house t h r o u g h cellars a n d back
yards keeping a w a y from the streets w h i c h
the G e r m a n s h a d covered. W h e n we
struck a b l a n k w a l l a n d c o u l d n ' t get
t h r o u g h , we w o u l d get back a n d give i t a
couple of shots from the bazooka. T h a t
w o u l d open up a hole i n a n y w a l l for us.
" I n three hours we took 150 prisoners
b u t i t w o u l d have t a k e n m u c h longer i f
the G e r m a n s h a d not been p r e t t y well
softened up b y t h a t t i m e . "
Klick, Stanley J . , P f c ; Jeep Driver,
11
H d q . C o . , 1st B a t t a l i o n , 379th I n -
fantry, Jewett C i t y .
" O n e of our toughest spots was when we
were t a k i n g a 5 7 m m t a n k gun up w i t h a
weasel. T h e t r u c k s c o u l d n ' t m a k e i t . T h e y
h a d us zeroed i n w i t h mortars a n d 88 m m s
a n d shells were l a n d i n g a l l a r o u n d . It
took us at least fifteen minutes to cross
this r i v e r on a bridge a n d the bridge was
k n o c k e d out r i g h t a f t e r w a r d s . "
Mantlec, A n d r e w J . , P f c , Jeep D r i v e r ,
H d q . C o . , 1st B a t t a l i o n , 379th I n -
fantry, South Norwalk.
" I went out on a line w i t h our c o m m u n i -
cations Sergeant after i t h a d been c u t b y
enemy a r t i l l e r y fire. W e were o n the h i l l
w i t h o u t a n y cover when the 88's started
d r o p p i n g a r o u n d us a n d we j u s t h a d to
keep on w o r k i n g w i t h the shrapnel
whizzing."
Farnham, W o o d r o w , P f c , Rifleman, C o .
E , 379th I n f a n t r y , R o c k v i l l e .
" T h e one t h i n g I want to forget is the
first five minutes i n battle j u s t outside of
Fellsberg, i n the Saar B a s i n . Y o u can
l a y i t on the line, we got h i t w i t h every
88 m m i n the S a a r l a u t e r n area a n d every
one of t h e m was r i g h t o n the b u t t o n a n d
we h a d quite a few casualties there.
N o t h i n g i n a l l the rest was as b a d as t h a t
first five minutes.
Haeschak, Edward N . , P f c , Rifleman,
C o . C , 379th I n f a n t r y , B r i d g e p o r t .
" I w a n t to forget a l l about E u r o p e b u t
I do remember one t i m e i n the B a t t l e of
the R u h r P o c k e t when our o w n planes b y
m i s t a k e strafed us a n d we h a d several
m e n wounded i n our o w n u n i t . "
Horoat, J o h n J . , Sgt., Message C e n t e r
C h i e f , H d q . C o . , 2 n d B a t t a l i o n , 379th
Infantry, Fairfield.
" I t was tense i n our message center i n
that first real battle i n front of M e t z . L i k e
most everyone I was scared and I remem-
ber well how shocked I was when early re-
ports came i n telling of the first casualties
in our o u t f i t . "
Wiegman, P a u l W . , P f c , C o . C , 379th
I n f a n t r y , Springdale.
" T h e t i m e t h a t sticks i n m y m i n d is the
crossing of the Saar R i v e r w h i c h we made
under h e a v y enemy fire. W e went across
i n assault boats a n d there were 12 or 15
m e n i n each boat a l l p a d d l i n g like hell.
T h e r e sure was a lot of 88 m m i n the a i r .
W h e n I h i t the other side, when I d u g i n
for the n i g h t , I t h a n k e d G o d for g e t t i n g us
across."
Falasca, F r a n k D , , P f c , F i r s t A i d M a n ,
M e d i c a l D e t a c h m e n t , 1st B a t t a l i o n ,
379th I n f a n t r y , S o u t h N o r w a l k .
" T h e y gave me the B r o n z e S t a r for a d -
m i n i s t e r i n g first a i d under fire on a n a t t a c k
on a fortified m i l l at S a a r l a u t e r n . I c a r -
ried out a wounded m a n , v i c t i m of a
booby t r a p , on m y shoulders, t h r o u g h the
open for about fifty yards w i t h p l e n t y of
m o r t a r a n d s m a l l arms fire a r o u n d . "
Kosturko, Lawrence G . , P f c , Rifleman,
C o . C , 379th I n f a n t r y , B r i d g e p o r t .
" I was surprised how q u i c k l y y o u could
reach the front a n d get the sniper fire.
T h a t first d a y I was r u n n i n g across a road
and one of our m e n was killed o n l y fifty
THE CONNECTICUT MEN
T h e following n a m e d officers a n d m e n of the 9 5 t h ( V i c t o r y ) I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n went
on redeployment furloughs from the F o r t D e v e n s , M a s s a c h u s e t t s R e c e p t i o n C e n t e r
in the last week of J u n e , 1945. These names are t a k e n f r o m ships' rosters a n d f u r l o u g h
orders:
A D A M S , H A R O L D S. Pfc.
ADAMS, WILLIAM H. Pfc.
ADLEY, RICHARD J. T/5
12
feet a w a y from me. M y knees were k n o c k -
ing p l e n t y . "
Ladyko, W a l t e r E . , P f c , C o . G , 379th
Infantry, Bridgeport.
" I n M a r c h at Oberkasser, on the R h i n e ,
we were on outpost d u t y about fifty y a r d s
from the R i v e r when G e r m a n planes came
over a n d strafed us. I dove for a shell-hole
and found a sergeant ahead of me. Y o u
j u s t keep p r a y i n g a n d sweat i t o u t . "
Slonski, W i l l i a m B . , P f c , C o . F , 379th
Infantry, Wallingford.
" I t was on F r i d a y , the 13th of A p r i l
we were r i d i n g over a h i l l o n some t a n k s
towards K r e m b e r g when we spotted a
handful of K r a u t s a w a i t i n g to surrender i n
front of a f a r m . A f t e r t a k i n g t h e m i n we
prowled a r o u n d a n d found a b a t t e r y of
88's, a b a t t e r y of 20 m m a c k - a c k a n d nine
more G e r m a n s w a l k e d out of the woods to
surrender. One of t h e m who spoke good
E n g l i s h t o l d us t h a t the G e r m a n g u n
crews were i n a r a i l r o a d t u n n e l t h r o u g h a
h i l l nearby. T h e y made a s t a n d there a n d
we got 60 prisoners more. T h e n we gave
the f a r m another going over a n d found
hundreds of rifles a n d h a n d grenades,
dozens of machine guns, a h u n d r e d
bazookas, a n d enough T N T to blow u p
almost a n y t h i n g . It was F r i d a y , the 13th,
for the G e r m a n s a l l r i g h t b u t we got 126
prisoners w i t h o u t firing a shot.
R F D 1, H a m p t o n
650 N e w h a l l S t . , H a m d e n
194 O v e r l a n d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
ALBYCHT, JOSEPH Pfc. A r c h St., Collinsville
A N D E R S O N , W E S L E Y R. Pvt. South St., B a n t a m
A R C A N D , W A L T E R A. Pfc. 80 W e l l i n g t o n S t . , H a r t f o r d
ASH, N O R M A N JR. Pfc. 600 W o o d b r i d g e S t . , M a n c h e s t e r
A U K L A N D , A R T H U R R. J R . Pfc. 70 B o h e m i a S t . , P l a i n v i l l e
A V E R Y , I R V I N G E. Pfc. 9 Purnell P L , Manchester
BADGER, CARLTON M. Pfc. 235 M a p l e A v e . , G r e e n w i c h
BANAS, MICHAEL J. Pfc. 4 U n i o n St., Hartford
BARTOS, FRANCIS H. Pvt. 33 W o r t h i n g t o n R i d g e , B e r l i n
B A Y L E Y , T H O M A S A. Pfc. 423 M a i n S t . , P o r t l a n d
BEAUREGARD, LIONEL J. Pfc. 29 So. W a l n u t S t . , W a u r e g a n
B E N F A N T I , J O S E P H F. T/4 218 W a s h i n g t o n A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
BLASCHIKE, ALBERT J. Pfc. 33 W a l l S t . , M i d d l e t o w n
BODNAR, JOSEPH L. T/5 27 N e p t u n e A v e . , S o u t h N o r w a l k
B O L I E A U , F R E D R. Pfc. 100 W i l l i n g t o n A v e . , Stafford Springs
B O O K E R , L O R A A. Pfc. Winnicut R d . , North Hampton
BRAHENEY, THOMAS J. Pfc. 66 Foster S t . , M e r i d e n
B U N N , D O N A L D I. Pvt. Mineroad, Bristol
BURNS, JOHN J. Pfc. 2405 M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
BUSCH, F R A N K J. Pfc. B o x 179, Versailles
B U T K U S , A L B E R T F. Pfc. Millville Dist., Naugatuck
C A L L A H A N , J O H N F. Cpl. 50 H i n c k l e y A v e . , S t a m f o r d
CARPENTER, ALFRED H. T/5 25 W a s h i n g t o n S t . , V e r n o n
C A R P E N T I E R , OLIVIER A. Pfc. 260 M a i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
CASPER, ROBERT J . Pfc. 13 H a t h k i s s S t . , N a u g a t u c k
C A V I O L A , J O H N P. Pfc. 139 E l y A v e . , S o u t h N o r w a l k
C A Z Z E T T A , V I N C E N T C. Pfc. 101 H a t c h S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
C H A L E C K I , B E R N A R D W. Pfc. 50 C h u r c h S t . , P l a n t s v i l l e
CHISNALL, D A V I D L. Pfc. 1125 Forest R d . , N e w H a v e n
CIRISHIOLI, GEORGIO 1st L t . 112 L i b e r t y S t . , A n s o n i a
C L A R K , T H E O D O R E S. Pfc. 44 Ives A v e . , M e r i d e n
COFFIN, R O B E R T W. Pfc. 132 F l a x H i l l R d . , S o u t h N o r w a l k
COHEN, PHILIP Pfc. 170 F a i r f i e l d A v e . , S t a m f o r d
CORCORAN, E D M U N D J. Pfc. 18 S t i l l w o l d R d . , Wethersfield
CRANZ, F E R D I N A N D E. T/Sgt. 19 N a m e a u g A v e . , N e w L o n d o n
C R O C A M O , J O S E P H C. Pfc. 6 Summit St., Derby
DAVIS, R A L P H Pfc. Nashville R d . E x t . , Bethel
DEBLOIS, A L E X A N D E R J . Pfc. 15 M i l l S t . , W i l l i m a n t i c
DE KAY, ECKFORD J. T/5 H o y t St., Darien
DE LUCIA, R A Y M O N D H. Capt. 75 O s b o r n A v e . , N e w H a v e n
D E M A R S , C A R L F. T/4 17 M a r g e r y S t , B r i s t o l
DESCHENE, HENRY J. Sgt. 98 S u m m i t S t . , W i l l i m a n t i c
DESOCIO, M I C H A E L Pvt. 66 T r a c y Ave.., W a t e r b u r y
DINIGLIO, LOUIS Pfc. 127 L e x i n g t o n A v e . , S o u t h N o r w a l k
D O N A H U E , J A M E S P. Sgt. 29 M a p l e A v e . , W a t e r b u r y

13
D U N N , R I C H A R D E. Pfc. 325 So. P i n e C r e e k R d . , F a i r f i e l d
DUNNE, DOMINICKJ. Pvt. 1820 A l b a n y A v e . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
EK, ARTHUR H. Sgt. 42 H o p s o n A v e . , B r a n f o r d
ESPOSITO, V I N C E N T A. Sgt. 215 P e c k A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
EVANS, RONALD H. T/5 East Granby
FALASCO, F R A N K D. Pfc. Sound View Ave., South N o r w a l k
FARNHAM, WOODROW Pfc. M i l e H i l l R d . , Rockville
F A R R E L L , E U G E N E F, Pfc. 47 Seavier A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
FAVA, C O L E S T I N O D. Pfc. 3018 D i x w e l l A v e . , H a m d e n
FAZZINA, P A U L E. T/5 W a n x Spring St., Plantsville
FENN, RICHARD H. Pfc. 104 C o t t a g e S t . , M e r i d e n
FERGUSON, F R A N K J. JR. Pfc. 105 W e s t S t . , D a n b u r y
FERLA, SALVATORE Pfc. 46 N o . S p r i n g , A n s o n i a
FEUERBACKER, FRED J. Pfc. 103 P r i n c e S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
FISHER, H E N R Y JR. L t . Col. 404 Y a l e A v e . , N e w H a v e n
FITTIG, W A L T E R Pfc. 265 O l d T o w n R d . , B r i d g e p o r t
FORNITO, LOUIS J . Pfc. 57 A m e r i c a S t . , W a t e r b u r y
F O W L E R , E U G E N E S. Pfc. R F D 2, N o r t h S t o n i n g t o n
FOWLER, WILLIAM H. Pfc. R F D 3, M a p l e K n o l l F a r m s , E l l i n g t o n
G A G N O N , W I L B E R T R. Pfc. 1930 B r o a d S t . , H a r t f o r d
G A R V E Y , J O S E P H P. S/Sgt. 381 B r o a d S t . , N e w L o n d o n
G L E Y , H A R O L D R. Pfc. 33 G r e e n m a n v i l l e A v e . , M y s t i c
GORI, JOSEPH Pfc. 196 Jones A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
G R E G A , M E T H O D P. T/4 137 L i g h t S t . , S t r a t f o r d
G R O N A U , H E I N Z O. S/Sgt. 2397 E a s t M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
GUERRERA, ROCCO Pfc. 15 E n n e r y S t . , W a t e r b u r y
GUGLIOTTI, LOUIS Pfc. 89 B y i n s i d e A v e . , W a t e r b u r y
HALL, LESLIE L. Pfc. Sterling
H A N S O N , N O R M A N P. Pfc. 36 C o e A v e . , P o r t l a n d
H A R R I N G T O N , F R A N C I S P. Pfc. 11 H e m l o c k S t . , W a t e r b u r y
H A R V E Y , N O R M A N E. Pfc. 316 H i l l s S t . , E a s t H a r t f o r d
HAYDEN, FRANCIS J. Pfc. 20 U n i o n S t . , T h o m p s o n v i l l e
HEFFERN, HAROLD J. Pfc. 86 C a r o l i n e S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
H E I T M A N , H E N R Y R. Pfc. 127 A d e l a i d e S t . , H a r t f o r d
H E W E S , P E T E R B. T/5 H i g h St., Farmington
HORVAT, JOHN J. Sgt. 70 Redfield R d . , F a i r f i e l d
HRESCHAK, EDWARD M. Pfc. 1989 E . M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
HUNTER, KENNETH S/Sgt. Middletown
HUNZIKER, ROBERT N. Pfc. 39 Stiles S t . , S t r a t f o r d
H Y D E , A L F R E D F. Pfc. 121 G r a n d v i e w T e r . , H a r t f o r d
J E R O M E , R O B E R T E., J R . Pvt. 1922 M a i n S t . , H a r t f o r d
J O H N S O N , B Y R O N T. 1st L t . 9 Wooster Heights, D a n b u r y
J O H N S O N , E R I C G. T/5 R F D 3, W e s t o n R d . , G e o r g e t o w n
J O H N S O N , R I C H A R D R. T/5 37 C o l o n i a l S t . , H a r t f o r d
JONES, D A V I D W. Pfc. 74 H i l l S t . , Shelton
JORDAN, FRANK Pfc. 121 M a p l e S t . , N e w H a v e n
14
J O R D A N , J O H N F. Pfc. 389 H i g h R i d g e D r . , B r i d g e p o r t
K A L K O W S K I , E D W A R D O. Pfc. 184 E d d y G l o v e r B l v d . , N e w B r i t a i n
KATKAVECK, GEORGE J. Pfc. 74 Starkweather S t . , M a n c h e s t e r
K I L B R I D E , S I D N E Y V. 1st L t . 13 T h o m a s A v e . , N o r w a l k
K I N G , A R T H U R A. Pfc. 14 E l m S t . , S e y m o u r
KLICK, STANLEY J. Pfc. Russell St., Jewett C i t y
KLIMASZEWSKI, JOHN Pfc. 3 George S t . , A n s o n i a
K O S T U R K O , L A W R E N C E G. Pfc. 116 B r a n d l e y S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
K O Z C A K , G E O R G E D. Capt. 8 Farnham Ave., Torrington
KRISTON, JOHN Pfc. 49 C o l u m b i a C o u r t , B r i d g e p o r t
K U L I C K , P A U L G. Pfc. 146 P i n e S t . , E a s t P o r t Chester
KUZMA, STANLEY J. Pfc. 13 D i v i s i o n S t . , A n s o n i a
L A B O R E , A N T H O N Y C. Pfc. B l d g . 43, A p t . 312, Y . M . V i l l a g e ,
Bridgeport
L A D Y K O , W A L T E R E. Pfc. 433 K o s s u t h S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
L A P O R T E , G E O R G E A. Pfc. 300 B r o w n S t . , H a r t f o r d
LAWLOR, THOMAS J.,JR. Pfc. N e w Preston
LEE, NICKOLAS Pfc. 61 M y r t l e A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
LESNIAK, LEO J. Cpl. 27 H i g h S t . , W i l l i m a n t i c
L I T K E , W A L T E R A. Pfc. B o x 23, D a n i e l s o n
LIVINGSTON, CHARLES Y. Pfc. 106 G r o v e s S t . , M e r i d e n
L O C K E R , E D W A R D T. Pfc. 8 Kennedy Ave., Killingly
L O G A N , D O N A L D T. Pfc. 60 T o m l i n s o n A v e . , P l a i n v i l l e
M A C DONALD, THOMAS JR. Sgt. 49 L a u r e l S t . , H a r t f o r d
MAGERA, STEPHEN Pfc. 64 Longfellow A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
MANTLIK, ANDREW J. Pfc. A u b u r n S t . , So. N o r w a l k
M C D O N O U G H , T H O M A S G. Pfc. 36 Foster S t . , D a n b u r y
M E R R I L L , C L I F F O R D T. J R . Pfc. 17 H i g h l a n d A v e . , T h o m p s o n v i l l e
MIKOLAJCZYK, EDW. J. T/4 M o u n t a i n R d . , Suffield
MILLER, H E R M A N L. Pvt. 105 F r e n c h S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
MILLER, WILLIAM H. Pvt. 2066 M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
M O N T A G N A , J O H N C. Pfc. 3 Brown St., New H a v e n
MOORE, ADOLPH Pfc. 225 Greenfield S t . , H a r t f o r d
MORAN, LAWRENCE J. Cpl. 46 L i n c o l n S t . , P u t n a m
M U L D O O N , J O H N C. * Pfc. 799 L i p t o n S t . , S t a m f o r d
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OBUCHOWSKI, ALPHONSE 1st L t . 70 W e l l s S t . , M a n c h e s t e r
O'DONNELL, WILLIAM Pvt. 19 B e a c h A v e . , M i l f o r d
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PAGERINO, F R A N K J. Pfc. 2164 M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
P A G L I A R O , F R A N K A. Pfc. 82 O a k S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
P A R K E R , C L I F F O R D W. Pfc. Sterling
PASCARELLA, ALFONSO J. Cpl. 1995 M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
PASSERINO, R A Y M O N D M . Pfc. 119 W i l l i a m s S t . , W a l l i n g f o r d
PATRIDGE, CHARLES J. JR. Pfc. P l a i n H i l l , R F D 8, N o r w i c h T o w n
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PEARSON, CRAIG M . Pfc. 78 E a s t R i d g e R d . , M i d d l e t o w n
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PINCHIN, GEORGE H. Pfc. 118 O x f o r d P L , S o u t h p o r t
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P U D N E Y , W I L L I A M F. Pfc. 646 Stafford A v e . , B r i s t o l
QUINN, JOHN J. Pfc. 18 M e a d o w S t . , S t a m f o r d
QURNACK, JOHN T/5 R F D 1, W i l l i m a n t i c
R A P P O R T , M A R T I N B. Sgt. 375 Sigourney S t . , H a r t f o r d
R E N N , E R V I N G. Sgt. 110 F r o n t S t . , M i d d l e t o w n
R I E D E R , R O B E R T W. Pfc. 49 R i v e r s i d e D r . , M a n c h e s t e r
ROMANO, JOSEPH Pfc. 193 N o r t h A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
RYAN, WM. J. Pfc. 7 K i n g St., Hartford
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S A M A R A J C Z Y K , F E L I X Q. Pfc. 148 B u r r o u g h s S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
S A N F O R D , F R E D E R I C K F. T/5 B o x 323, M a c k t o w n R o a d . , W i n d s o r
S C H L E I N , R O B E R T R. Pfc. 14 Sheldon T e r r a c e , N e w H a v e n
SCHLITTER, EARL H. Pfc. 410 G r a n d A v e . , N e w H a v e n
SHERMAN, EDWARD M. Pfc. 1737 N o b l e A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
S L O N S K I , W M . B. Pfc 27 G e n e v a A v e . , W a l l i n g f o r d
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S T A N T O N , P A U L R. Pfc. 57 F r e m o n t S t . , P u t n a m
STARK, E V E R E T T L. 1st L t . R F D 1, P u t n a m
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SZABO, A L E X Pfc. 579 Oldfield R d . , F a i r f i e l d
TAFT, ROBERT E. Pfc. 187 Z i o n S t . , H a r t f o r d
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T O O M E Y , J O H N F. Pfc. 262 P a l m S t . , H a r t f o r d
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VELASCO, LOUIS Cpl. 6 K e l l e y A v e . , Wetherfield
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W A R N E R , G E O R G E A. Pfc. 262 M a r k e t S t . , H a r t f o r d
WASIELEWSKI, Z I G M U N D W. Pfc. 247 W a s h i n g t o n S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
WAUPOTIC, V A L E N T I N E L. Pfc. 68 Beaver S t . , D a n b u r y
WELLS, FREDERICK J. Pfc. 48 W o r d i n A v e . , Bridgeport
W I E G M A N , P A U L W. JR. Pfc. 174 K n i c k e r b o c k e r A v e . , Springdale
W I L S O N , J A C K R. Pfc. Central Fire Hdqtrs., Greenwich
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Z A L E W S K Y , J O S E P H W. Pfc. 35 D i v i s i o n S t . , S t a m f o r d
Z I E R O T H , A L F R E D P. Pfc. D u r h a m Center
ZMISTOWSKI, MATCHIE J . 1st L t . B a r t r a m Inn, Sharon
ZURAW, WALTER J. Pfc. 14 B r o a d S t . , S e y m o u r