Daily Entries I/275 Jan. 1945

Jan. 1 1945

Capt. Long not heard from. Lt. Turner marched the Co. The Germans made a counter attack, so we had to dig in and in a big hurry. Capt. Long returned and the order came to move up. Darkness found us on the road and we ran into an enemy ambush. We withdrew, dug in and beat off an enemt counterattack. Results of action as follows:

KILLED IN ACTION: T/5 Robert R. McLeron, Pfc. Virgil E. Neller, Pfc Boeve E. Homer WOUNDED IN ACTION: Pfc. Cecil A Rutter, Sgt. Henry J. Cauwells, Pfc. Clare E. Kleinhans, Pfc. Rudy M. Senser, Pvt. Robert L. Crawford, S/Sgt James W Mercer. MISSING IN ACTION: S/Sgt Homer L. Henning, Pfc. Stanley J. Lambert (P.W.), Pfc. William C. Schaefer (P.W.), Pfc. Harry B. Strawser, Pfc. Jewel H. Monds, Pfc. Lilburn H. Clark, Pvt. Yen K. Hon, Pvt. Walter Fulkerson, Pfc. Walter H. Cunningham, Pfc. Ralph A. Morey (P.W.), Pvt. Arthur B. Wallace, Sgt. Burdette H. Gerken (later found dead, shot through neck), Pfc. Harry A. Warner, Pvt. Paul E. Reynolds.

Chuck Stender comments: Our first time under enemy small arms fire.

Jan 2 1945

We occupied a hill just north of Phillipsbourg (no. 30). Artillery caught Lt. Breidinger and he was evacuated. We were really catching hell and it wasn't as funny as thought it was going to be. Biver brought up some ammunition with George and Fidley withdrew towards town, we didn't know that it was going to be the last time we would be seeing them.

MISSING IN ACTION: Pfc. Clements N. Biver (P.W.), Pfc. John E. Fridley, Pfc. James George

Jan 3 1945

Today there is no food, little water, plenty of snow and no fires could be built inorder to keep warm. Killed one German and captured another, who told us that he found William C. Schaefer in a farm house with a face wound. The German soldier had been a first aid man and had given aid to Schaefer's eyes and had him evacuated. He also told us that eyes would be O.K. Eight other boys from our Co. found on road by Germans.

Entry for Jan 4 and part of Jan 5 missing...

Jan 5 1945 (continued)

Feet in bad condition. Artillery fire heavy and Germans withdrawing. Patrol hit by our artillery.

WOUNDED IN ACTION: 2nd Lt. Abraham M. Glass, Pfc. Elmer F. Martin, S/Sgt Merlin L. McDuffee

Contacted A Co. 274 Inf. and got food, and took off our wounded. Pfc. James K. Castle was sent to the hospital with a foot wound (N.B.C.) Capt. Long went after rations and in returning his jeep hit a mine. He went to the Hosp. with a head injury and suffered from shock. We withdrew from the hill at 0100 to the saw mill.

Jan 6 1945

Ninety-nine (99) men went to the Hosp. with frost bite and trench foot. Co. of 33 men and 3 officers moved up again to protect Cannon Co.

Chuck Stander comments: I was one of the 33 to go back on line.

Jan 7-10 1945

Guarded Cannon Co. Moved to the front line position between K and L with 42 men and three officers. Life in a foxhole again. Lt. Fillmore Cannon Co. I C.O.

WOUNDED IN ACTION: Pvt. Howard R. Cross

Jan 11-14 1945

Strength fluctuating but never more than 44 men. Co. left the fox holes and slept from 0100 until 0730 and then moved back to the sawmill. We moved by motor (at 1 p.m.) to a villa near Lemback and stayed in a pillbox. It is a very quiet front.

Jan 15 1945

No breakfast. At 0930 we loaded on to 2 1/2 ton trucks (with no canvas on) and travelled 90 miles. Towns we hit were Woerth, Reichshoffen, Mertzwiller, Pfaffenhoff, Bouhlwiller, Steinbourg, Saverne, Mittelbronn, Rauwiller, Mittersheim, Dieuze, Krentzhoff, Hellimer, Dieblingen, Hundlingen, Nusweiler, and Kadenbronn. The temperature was near zero, so the ride was not pleasant. We arrived in Kadenbronn at 0830. As a side line note...One truck went to Saarbourg and that load of men had a hot meal at noon. Still on the front, but live in houses instead of foxholes.

Jan. 16 1945

No change- 63 men-3 officers. Pretty nice set up here but I guess we will not stay here for very long because things never last.

Jan 17 1945

We marched for a mile and a half today over the barren snowy hills of France in a snow storm to occupy a position (practice run, but march did us all a lot of good). This is the reorganization center. 59 men and 3 officers. Sgt Robert J. Wening left the Co. for officers school. Two men leave the Co. to be atchd to Hq. Co. 3rd Bn.: Pfc. Robert W. Perry, Pfc. Dwight D. Ritchie.

Jan 18 1945

The following men were trfd to the Det. of Patients. (Assigned strength 129 EM. 5 officers 2 Med.)

2Lt.William C. Breidinger, Pfc. John T. Graham, S/Sgt James W. Mercer., Sgt. Otis M. Chartier, Pvt. Leon A. Deloy, Pvt. William E. McCormick, Pvt. Salvador S. Gomez, Pfc. William H. Griffin, T/5 Donald L. Mathews, S/Sgt Richard R. Reynolds, Pfc. Bernie W. Trout, Harry M. Dickerson, Raymond R. Miller, Pfc. Joseph T. Russell, Pfc. Joseph F. Momtani, Pfc. William Mullins, Jr., Pfc. Clifford L. Stites, Pfc. Jack A. Zimbro, Pvt. Stephen M Wingelman

On line for duty - 55 men-3 officers (this includes the cooks). Four men went back to Div. Rest Area. Scheich, Gould, Wietazychowski, and Wiersma.

Jan 19 1945

The first man to be awarded the Purple Heart was Pvt. Howard R. Cross. Pfc. Clare E. Kleinhans and Pfc. Elmer F. martin were Trfd. to the Det. of Patients. The following men return to the Unit from the Hosp.: Sgt. Eugene Paton, Pfc. Louis A. Clark, Pfc. Walter Marzec, Pfc. Wayne Pierce. Pfc. Aubry E. Layne is assigned to the Co. from Service Co. 275th Inf. All excess baggage of the men and the kitchen is being moved to Tentelingen today. Tomorrow the men move up. The men are busy cleaning out foxholes on Bn. R. L.

Jan 20 1945

The C.P. and T/Sgt Skeen's men move from Kadenbronn at 0750 for Tentelingen where we join Lt. Moeller and T/Sgt Scott's men. (3 officers and 60 men are present for duty.)

Jan 21 1945

The following men are awarded the Purple Heart and they are Trfd. to the Det. of Patients.: Pfc. Rudy M. Senser, Pvt. Robert L. Crawford, Pfc. Cecil A. Rutter. Pfc. Cecil A. Rutter entered the service from Owings, West Virginia. I helped to evacuate him, he was one of our best soldiers. The following men were trfd. to Company B to help reform the Company: S/Sgt Henry J. Cauwells, Pvt. Rudolph P. Krisovenski, Pvt. Junior R. Odum. Co. B was wiped out near Phillipsbourg-27 men survived. We picked up 5 men who were lucky enough to be some of the survivors-they came into our hill postions.

Jan 22 1945

Gould, Wietrzychowski and Wiersma return from Div. Rest Camp and they say it's a good deal. Clean underwear and O.D. after a nice warm shower. Carl Scheich goes to the Hosp from Rest Camp. Maybe it's not as good as they say after all! 3 Officers and 60 EM. The Christmas packages are beginning to arrive.

Jan 23 1945

Sgt. Robert J. Wening is dropped from the rolls. Today we got some new replacements and I can honestly say we really need them. They are very young. Pvt. Pat N. Jovino, Pfc. John Ludzia, Pvt. William Vitelli, Pvt. Bruce C. Richarson, T/5 Donald Willender, Pvt. Estonislado Rios, T/5 Roy E. Smith, Pfc. Victor Moore, Pvt. Julius Chrusceil, Pvt. William E. Chasma, Pfc. James M. Gelbke, Pvt. Delfino Walker, T/5 Raymond W. Meraz, Pvt. Paul W. Thomas, T/5 Thomas F. Brady, Pfc. Leroy Hart, Pvt. Joseph J. Harrison

These men have had anywhere up to fours years training so I think they will be good men, that's what we need over here lots of well trained men. Some of these boys have been overseas for a long time, they have come out of all branches of the U.S. Army.

Jan 24 1945

We formed the 2nd and the 3rd Platoons with 3 7-men squads and a M.G. section with 5 men each. Co. strength is now 77 EM and 3 officers. In a few days we will have an officer lead a patrol. The moon and snow makes the night as light as day.

Jan 25 1945

Sgt. Eugene Paton left the Co. today to accept a commission for an Officer in the United States Army. We all hope he comes back to our Company. Rondall E. Cooper was trfd. as a replacement. I really hated to see this boy go, as he has been in Co. I as long as I can remember. We have shared many problems together. A damn good man. "Good luck Coop."

Trfd to the Det. of Pnts. (36 Gen.): Capt. William T. Long, 2Lt. Abraham N. Glass, S/Sgt Merlin L. McDuffee, Pfc. James E. Stowe, Pfc. Richard M. Doyle, Pfc. Oliver C. Medicus, T/4 James B. Lyden. T/Sgt Edward Harper, Pfc. Lawrence Kremer, Pfc. John T. Stalker, S/Sgt Belvia T Whatley, Pvt. Charles T.Conrad, T/Sgt Marvin E. Hail, Sgt. Harold L. Poland, Sgt. Orie L. Tucker, Cpl. Edward A. Radon, Pfc. Douglas W. Caldwell, Pfc. Walter F. Elston, Pfc. Elmer W. Fink, Pfc. John Pohlman, Pfc. James H. Stuttler, Pvt. Floyd E. Wesp, Pvt. Robert A. Gundlach, Pvt. Warren E. Page.

Trfd to the Det. of Pnts. (51 Sta. Hosp.): Pvt. Everett Amos, Sgt. James M. Blackburn, S/Sgt Robert R. Cantrell, S/Sgt Dan Cebula, Pfc. Allen J. Haffner, Pfc. Ralph A. Holland, Pfc. George D. Marshall, S/Sgt Corine V. Ravenhorst.

There are now 3 officers on Recon. work while the Co. reorganized and had their first change of O.D. since leaving Fort Leonard Wood. Yes! mine included. There were P.X. rations, Ammo and socks given out to the boys and boy were they glad to receive them. The boys were busy cleaning their weapons. Assigned to the Co. 111EM and 3 officers, Effective 73EM and 3 officers.

Jan 26 1945

A very large group of reinforcements have been assigned and have joined the Co. We can use them. Pvt. Richard Vandermause, Pvt. Antonio Timpanelli, Pvt. Leo A. Uranowski, Pfc. Clarence L. Stoeger, Pvt. Walter Stavick, Pvt. Henry A. Thomas, Pvt. Sebastinn Valvo, Pvt. edwin H. Stevens, Pvt. Walter R. Snyder, Pvt. George F. Strandberg, Pvt. Arthur J. Szymamski, Pvt. Eugene A. Stout, Pvt. Ralph M. Sunday, Pvt. Louis F. Vanik, Pvt. Eugene Tatko, Pvt. Robert W. Uhl, Pvt. William E. Sullivan, Pvt. Alfred G. Ulrich, Pvt. William H. Solderlind, Pvt. Tom R. Stephens, Jr., Pvt. Clifford L. Garett, Pvt. Joseph F. Swirbel, Pvt. Jospeh A. Swagel, Pvt. Donald M. Vorce.

These men came out of I.R.T.C. in the States and they look like very good men. The Co. worked all day on defensive work just outside of Tentelinger, to the north of Ebringen. There is snow on the ground and it is very cold out. In some places there are large snow drifts.

Jan 27 1945

We are doing defensive work today and we are preparing for a patrol that will take place tonight. The patrol left at 1400 for Welferding (I.P. in E.Co. area). We left town at 0200 and completed crossing the Saar River in 2 man assault boats at 0400. Two buildings were searched when we ran into some Nazis in a cellar. One Kraut said "Halt" and let fly with a round. We opened up. Believed to be a German O.P. Group held up for the night. The patrol returned at 0600. 15 men and two officers who were on the patrol said "we had a very enjoyable evening". A Kraut who was hidden in a door way not 15 feet away took a shot at me and how he ever missed me I will never know. 1st Lt. Basil D. Spalding - 025 341 Asgnd to Co. I.

Chuck Stander comments: All men wore white on patrol. One man fell in river on way back. It was a long, cold way back. I was on this patrol.

Jan 28 1945

S/Sgt Marlin L. McDuffee and Pfc. Elmer E. Martin were awarded the Purple Heart. Defensive work and training continues. Same patrol is going out tonight (one 2nd Lt.) to the same area as on the 27th. No action - no enemy or vice versa. Co. alerted and occupied defensive positions from 0200 to 0500. Boy it's as cold as H---.

Chuck Stander comments: Went back on patrol. No action.

Jan 29 1945

Routine work- most men went to church. Worked on defensive postions and the training of our new men.

Jan 30 1945

Yep, still in Tentelingen. Normal training and work. Capt. Severance made Reg. S-3. Rugg went to M Co. Lt. Dana is the new S-4, Klipa Bn. M.T.O.! Lt Heck is the new S-2 ans Capt. Oliver is the new Bn S-3. Lt. Col. Oliver Hannum of the Camp Adair days was at Bn. today. He is really on heck of a swell man. Formed 4 platoons today on paper. Four old men return to the Co. from the Hosp. They really look good to us. I guess the old outfit looked good to them even though not many are left: Pfc. Charles E. Maynard, Pfc. Boyd Maggard, Pfc. Kenneth Luoto, Pfc. Lewis J. Furlong.

Jan 31 1945

General Orders - 275th Honor Roll