CONNECTICUT MEN

of the 87th - A c o r n - Division

AUGUST 1945
 87th DIVISION FACTS
Combat Highlights: In mid-November, imposed a golden a c o r n . T h e a c o r n is
1944, the 8 7 t h a r r i v e d o n the continent s y m b o l i c of s t r e n g t h .
a n d came i n t o the M e t z area o n the Overseas Training: D i v i s i o n left t h i s
T h i r d A r m y front. O r i g i n a l plans h a d c o u n t r y N o v e m b e r 4, 1944 for E u r o p e a n
been for the d i v i s i o n to relieve another T h e a t e r of Operations a n d m o v e d i n t o
u n i t here a n d receive its b a p t i s m o f fire the c o m b a t area w i t h great speed, being
o n t h i s d i m i n i s h i n g front. The Nazi i n the M e t z sector a b o u t N o v e m b e r 20,
offensive in December, however, 1944.
changed these plans a n d the 87th was
Component Units: 345th, 346th, 3 4 7 t h
one o f the divisions t h a t G e n . P a t t o n
Infantry Regiments; 334th, 3 3 6 t h ,
took w i t h h i m to help smash V o n R u n d -
912th ( L ) F i e l d A r t i l l e r y B a t t a l i o n s
stedt's d r i v e .
a n d 335th ( M ) F i e l d A r t i l l e r y B a t t a l i o n .
I n e a r l y F e b r u a r y , 1945, the w i n t e r -
Slogan: Stalwart and Strong.
t r i e d 87th helped to spearhead another
smashing T h i r d A r m y d r i v e . Under
h e a v y barrages of the enemy the d i v i - SERVICEMEN'S
sion forced a crossing of the O u r R i v e r COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET
a n d began the d r i v e t o w a r d L u x e m - VOL. I AUGUST 25, 1945 No. 7
CARLETON B. CLYMA, Editor
b o u r g . D u r i n g F e b r u a r y the d i v i s i o n
fought well i n t o B e l g i u m a n d the follow- This booklet on the A c o r n Division's
return from the European war was p r e -
i n g m o n t h consolidated gains. In
p a r e d for the m e n o f the 8 7 t h b y the Office
M a r c h , 1945, the d i v i s i o n prepared to o f the Governor of Connecticut. It is
l a n d decisive blows against the G e r m a n believed t h a t it w i l l m a k e a w e l c o m e a d -
Army. dition to the souvenirs and memorabilia
o f those who p a r t i c i p a t e d i n the defeat o f
E a r l y i n A p r i l , 1945, the 87th crossed the o n c e great G e r m a n Wehrmacht.
the M o s e l l e R i v e r w i t h great speed a n d The courtesies a n d assistance o f p u b l i c
i n a l i g h t n i n g m o v e took C o b l e n z . relations officers, at the Ports and at
T a k i n g o f C o b l e n z was the start of Fort Devens Reception Station, greatly
facilitated the gathering o f the material
another great T h i r d A r m y d r i v e i n t o
for t h i s b o o k l e t . P i c t u r e s are f r o m U . S.
the R h i n e l a n d . C r o s s i n g o f the R h i n e A r m y S i g n a l C o r p s , Press A s s o c i a t i o n and
b y the 87th was accomplished b y sheer New York Daily News. T h e divisional

grit a n d courage. A s the first wave of facts were p r e p a r e d b y the Office o f T e c h -

nical Information, A. G . F. The summary
troops m o v e d across the r i v e r the enemy
o f the D i v i s i o n i n a c t i o n was p r e p a r e d b y
threw u p flares. B y t h a t l i g h t the G e r - Lt. C . G . Davenport, Division P. R. O.
m a n s brought to bear h e a v y a n d a c c u - A limited number o f copies are avail-
rate m o r t a r fire. D e s p i t e the casualties, able for d i s t r i b u t i o n , to members of the
Division in Connecticut only. They can
however, the 87th pressed ahead a n d b y
be secured b y w r i t t e n request to the Office
the war's end h a d blasted its w a y deep o f the G o v e r n o r , S t a t e C a p i t o l , H a r t f o r d ,
into Germany. Connecticut.
R e p r o d u c t i o n o f o r i g i n a l m a t e r i a l is per-
Shoulder Patch: A circular p a t c h w i t h a missible only with written authorization.

r i c h field o f green o n w h i c h is super-

2
 87th DIVISION STORIES
Editor's Note: M e m o r i e s o f the E u r o p e a n w a r w i l l b l u r w i t h the pass-
ing o f years. C l a r i t y , accuracy, a n d d e t a i l w i l l d i m i n i s h . T o record, i n
black a n d white here a n d n o w , the m o o d , the impressions, the exciting
events o f those days is the purpose o f these stories. Connecticut men
of the 87th were asked for their o w n stories i n their o w n words, a n d they
are here so recorded:

Apuzzo, Louis P . , P f c , H d q . C o . , 2 n d be amazed a n d stunned. A s t h e y realized

B n . , 346th Inf., W e s t H a v e n :
" M y closest shave was near R o t h i n
G e r m a n y last J a n u a r y . W e were sweeping
a road to clear o u t the mines when the
G e r m a n s opened u p w i t h a stiff barrage.
I took cover i n a hole a n d one shell l a n d e d
less t h a n t e n feet from the hole b u t
n o t h i n g touched m e . "
Beebe, Fred W., P f c , C o . E , 345th Inf.,
Groton:
" T h e race across G e r m a n y gave us the
o p p o r t u n i t y to see the G e r m a n people.
T h e t h i n g t h a t sticks i n m y m i n d is their
reaction to their defeat. T h e y appear to
w h a t h a d happened their fear was o b v i o u s .
A f t e r t h a t t h e y w o u l d s t a r t to loosen u p
and offer y o u a n y t h i n g t h e y h a d . O n one
occasion, when we went i n t o a house a
m a n stood i n the h a l l w a y a n d spoke i n
b r o k e n E n g l i s h . H e t o l d m e to k i l l h i m i f
I w o u l d leave his wife a n d c h i l d r e n alone.
T h e y took for granted the G e r m a n p r o p a -
ganda t h a t the A m e r i c a n soldiers w o u l d
k i l l t h e m . B u t , o n the other h a n d , t h e y
d i d n o t accept the propaganda t h a t called
u p o n c i v i l i a n s to fight the A m e r i c a n s , a t
least n o t to the extent o f d o i n g a n y t h i n g
about t h a t . "

3

Berry, William T., P f c , C o . I, 345th
Inf., E a s t H a r t f o r d :
" I t took a letter f r o m home to give m e
the news t h a t one o f m y o w n close r e l a -
tives h a d been fighting for m o n t h s i n our
o w n h e a v y weapons c o m p a n y . H e was i n
the same c o m b a t t e a m w i t h me a n d he
was wounded i n a n action we b o t h took
p a r t i n . A f t e r he was wounded, he w a l k e d
right b y the spot where I was, b u t I
d i d n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g about i t u n t i l I got
a letter from home. T h e n , six weeks after-
wards, I saw h i m i n the h o s p i t a l . "
Brown, Edward E., T / 4 , C o . F , 345th
Inf., N e w H a v e n :
" O u r outfit, I t h i n k , got over there at a
good time. T h e Jerries were about ready
to give u p ; they knew i t was a losing
battle. W e sweated out the M o s e l l e
crossing b u t we enjoyed C o b l e n z where,
when we got there, there was lots of
champagne l a y i n g a r o u n d loose. But,
what I r e a l l y got a k i c k out of, was w a t c h -
i n g those h i g h G e r m a n officers, the J e r r y
'brass-hats', s u r r e n d e r i n g . "
Carrubba, Frank P . , P f c , C o . C , 347th
Inf., B r i d g e p o r t :
" W h a t struck me going t h r o u g h G e r -
m a n y was the w a y every b u i l d i n g was
k n o c k e d d o w n . P l a u m , a c i t y as b i g as
B o s t o n , h a d o n l y a few buildings a w a y out
4
o n the edges o f the c i t y s t i l l s t a n d i n g —
t h e y w i l l never forget i t . "
Christophy, Paul, P f c , C o . K , 3 4 7 t h
Inf., T e r r y v i l l e :
" W h e n I saw the G e r m a n s they were on
the r u n . T h e y c o u l d n ' t h o l d g r o u n d , a n d
t h e y were retreating faster t h a n we c o u l d
keep up w i t h t h e m . "
Ciraldi, Anthony L., Sgt., C o . E , 346th
Inf., W a t e r b u r y :
" W e a t t a c k e d u p a steep h i l l i n the
h e a v y r a i n i n A p r i l j u s t across the
R h i n e . T h e G e r m a n s were i n good p o s i -
tions on the h i l l t o p . T h e y had ack-ack
guns a n d used t h e m j u s t like s m a l l a r m s .
W e were p i n n e d d o w n for long spells a n d
it took us three hours before we took the
h i l l . C a p t u r e d about t h i r t y G e r m a n s a n d
found t w e n t y of t h e m dead there. T h e y
were the toughest hours I put i n i n G e r -
many."
Cole, George A., P f c , C o . I, 345th Inf.,
Middletown:
" T h e biggest k i c k I got out of the whole
show was when we went i n t o a t o w n to
take i t . T h e c i v i l i a n s would come o u t ,
c r y i n g , falling a l l over y o u , t h i n k i n g t h a t
we were going to k i l l t h e m . T h a t m u s t
have showed how effective the G e r m a n
propaganda was. I saw the B u c h e n w a l d
camps. Y o u d o n ' t like G e r m a n s after
that."
Connolly, John P . , P f c , C o . E , 346th
Inf., B r i s t o l :
" F o r m y money our A r m y of O c c u p a t i o n
is t r e a t i n g the G e r m a n s too d a m n e d easy.
One week they were shooting at us a n d
the next week t r y i n g to get on our good
side. W e were i n there when the G e r m a n
soldiers who were our prisoners were l i v i n g
i n billets i n barracks a n d the G . I.s were
out i n the r a i n a n d m u d i n pup t e n t s . "
Corrado, Anthony J., P f c , Co. M . ,
345th Inf., H a r t f o r d :
" T h i s whole war is no g o o d . "
Croft, Walter H., T / 5 , C o . E , 345th
Inf., W e s t H a r t f o r d :
" I a m a m a i l orderly. W h a t continues
to amaze me is the effect t h a t a bundle o f
m a i l from home has o n a m a n who has
j u s t rejoined his c o m p a n y after a m o n t h
or six weeks i n the h o s p i t a l where he r e -
ceived no m a i l . A n o t h e r a m a z i n g t h i n g is
the n u m b e r of times a n y one m a n c a n ask
the m a i l orderly for m a i l i n one d a y even
w h e n he knows there is n o n e . "
Czarzasty, Walter J., P f c , C o . A , 346th
Inf., U n i o n C i t y :
" I was born i n U n i o n C i t y a n d m y father
took me back to P o l a n d when I was five
years o l d , a n d I l i v e d there almost t w e n t y
years c o m i n g back to this c o u n t r y i n
1938. I n 1940 I was drafted i n t o the U . S.
Army. T h a t ' s w h y I came home — I
d i d n ' t w a n t to serve i n the P o l i s h A r m y .
I almost got back to P o l a n d w i t h the 87th
D i v i s i o n . O n V - E D a y we were o n l y 20
miles from C z e c h o s l o v a k i a a n d t h a t
wasn't v e r y far f r o m where I l i v e d i n
Poland. I got m a r r i e d i n P o l a n d a n d
I a m h o p i n g m y people i n U n i o n C i t y
h a v e heard from m y wife. I f I cannot
b r i n g her over before the war is over, I
a m going back to P o l a n d to find her after
the w a r . "
sleep for a long time. T h e G e r m a n s used
t h e m like we use a rifle, they trained t h e m
on a single m a n . T h e y are as accurate as
rifle fire. It seemed to me as i f the G e r -
mans were sighting t h e m from their
shoulders."
Dorso, Joseph A., P f c , C o . A , 346th
Inf., W a t e r b u r y :
" I saw the real t h i n g at D a c h a u . It was
unbelievable. I mean y o u really have to
see i t yourself to believe t h a t such a t r o c i -
ties were c o m m i t t e d . I saw 300 n a k e d
bodies piled up i n t h a t c a m p like c o r d
wood. T h e y d i d n ' t look h u m a n . A n d the
G e r m a n s who c o m m i t t e d those atrocities
are not h u m a n e i t h e r . "
Duds, Theodore A., P f c , C o . A , 346th
Inf., N e w M i l f o r d :
" E v e n a r o u n d the t i m e of the B a t t l e of
the B u l g e we were billetted under cover
a n d out of the r a i n . B u t , when we went
i n t o G e r m a n y orders came d o w n t h a t we
h a d to sleep on the ground or i n foxholes.

DeCrosta, Joseph D., P v t . , C o . M , 347th

Inf., M i d d l e t o w n :
" T h e r e is n o t h i n g good i n war. I a m not
interested i n those countries over there.
I w a n t to be home — t h a t ' s a l l . "

DiBella, John, T / 4 , C o . C , 345th

Inf., H a r t f o r d :
" T h e o n l y t h i n g I remember is the 88
m m ' s a n d I w i l l be hearing t h e m i n m y

5

I t was colder t h a n hell w i t h r a i n a n d
snow. I remember V - E D a y too. W e h a d
been given orders to m o v e out a t 3 A . M . ,
a t t a c k i n g ahead o f the t a n k s when orders
came d o w n t h a t the war h a d ended. Y e a h !
W e celebrated — on water a n d K - r a t i o n s . "
Kahan, Robert F., Sgt., C a n n o n C o . ,
345th Inf., V e r n o n :
" W h a t I remember is our race across
F r a n c e w h i c h ended w i t h the t o t a l d i s -
integration of the G e r m a n a r m y . T h e i r
m a r c h d o w n the a u t o b a h n to surrender
was r e a l l y a spectacle to remember. T h e
G e r m a n s are t o t a l l y defeated, a n d their
cities are d e s t r o y e d . "
Lulis, Vincent, P f c , C o . G , 347th Inf.,
Plantsville:
" O n the d a y after we crossed the R h i n e ,
the P-47's came i n a t d a w n a n d c o n -
centrated o n the G e r m a n s whose vehicles
were s t r u n g a l o n g the road i n columns.
T h e d a y after we saw w h a t t h e y d i d .
C a r t s , wagons, vehicles were b l o w n a l l
over the picture. T h e whole t o w n was
wrecked. There were dead Germans
everywhere."
Macho, Robert F., P f c , C o . E , 3 4 5 t h
Inf., B r i d g e p o r t :
" I got a surprise a t C o b l e n z . These
prisoners were g i v i n g up easily when we
closed i n a n d one o f t h e m was c a r r y i n g a
large h e a v y package. W e made h i m d r o p
i t . W e found he was c a r r y i n g enough stuff
to stock a store, w h i s k e y , cigarettes, t w o
boxes o f cigars, t w o pounds of b u t t e r , a
lot o f sausage, some w r i t i n g sets a n d a
whole lot o f k n i c k n a c k s . W e c o u l d n ' t t a k e
a l l the stuff. W e were p r e t t y b u s y t h e n
a n d the area we were i n was covered b y
snipers, so we j u s t started i n o n the
w h i s k e y a n d ended u p on the b u t t e r a n d
sausage."
Martin, Robert, P f c , C o . E , 345th
Inf., W e s t H a r t f o r d :
" W h e n we were fighting i n front o f
C o b l e n z , I took t i m e o u t w i t h the fellow
I was w i t h o n o u r outpost to take a
bite to eat. W e h a d made u p some cheese
sandwiches a n d a l i t t l e later I happened
to look out our w i n d o w o f the b u i l d i n g we
were i n a n d there were two H e i n i e s w a l k -
i n g t o w a r d i t . So I yelled a n d w a v e d the
cheese I was eating a t t h e m . T h e n a l l o f
a sudden, I realized I d i d not have a n y
gun w i t h me as i t was s t a n d i n g i n a corner
across the r o o m . T h e n I called to the
fellow who was w i t h me to cover t h e m .
B u t , they came over w i t h their h a n d s
above their heads a n d surrendered. I got
a P - 3 8 a u t o m a t i c off o f one o f t h e m . "
Samojedny, John F., P f c , Co. E ,
345th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n :
" C r o s s i n g the R h i n e was m y toughest
t i m e . J e r r y was firing from the other b a n k
b u t we got across safely a n d i t was q u i e t
for a n hour. T h e n , we went forward a n d
J e r r y opened up w i t h his a r t i l l e r y . We
got i n b e h i n d a b a n k w i t h the 88 m m s
l a n d i n g b o t h ahead o f us a n d i n back o f m y first scouting. W e went about fifty
us. I n the excitement, we d i d n ' t k n o w yards through the forest w o r k i n g our w a y
a t first what to do b u t we took cover. from tree to tree. T h e first H e i n i e we saw
T h e y h a d us zeroed i n o n the streets i n this was a sniper. H e got excited a n d j u m p e d
t o w n . W h i l e we were hugging the b a n k , I up. W e took h i m prisoner a n d sent h i m
was s a y i n g a couple o f good prayers. Q u i t e back. A b o u t ten or fifteen yards further
a few of our boys got h i t r i g h t t h e r e . " on we came u p o n two H e i n i e s i n a fox-
hole. I almost stepped on the one t h a t h a d
Sciarra, Gerald, P f c , C o . B , 347th Inf.,
a bazooka. T h e y gave up when they
Waterbury:
saw we were r i g h t on top of t h e m . W e
" A s far as I k n o w I was the o n l y m a n
crept along q u i e t l y t h r o u g h the woods a n d
i n the 1st P l a t o o n o f our C o m p a n y who
I spotted the smoke from a cigarette c u r l -
s t a y e d w i t h i t from the beginning i n the
i n g up from another foxhole. A f t e r I got
Saar B a s i n u n t i l the e n d , five m o n t h s
h i m , we drew some fire from the G e r m a n s
later a t the C z e c h border. I was p r e t t y
a n d I got so scared I j u m p e d to shelter
l u c k y , one m a n out o f 36 to see i t a l l . "
behind a tree a n d m y helmet flew off."
Szachana, Edward J,, P f c , C o . H , 347th
Wanamaker, Harold, P f c , C o . I, 345th
Inf., U n c a s v i l l e :
Inf., S t a m f o r d :
" T h e best d a y I h a d was i n P a r i s w i t h
" T h e R h i n e l a n d is one of the best d r i n k -
a b u n c h of fellows. W e h a d a lot o f f u n .
i n g areas i n E u r o p e , because there were
T h e worst d a y I h a d was at Saalfeldt
lots o f schnapps a n d champagne. In
B r i d g e . W e were going forward at n i g h t
C o b l e n z , when we went i n , y o u c o u l d
a n d h a d been on the go a l l n i g h t when we
j u s t w a l k down i n a cellar a n d take y o u r
r a n i n t o a G e r m a n machine gun. We
choice of champagnes a n d l i q u o r s . "
found out later t h a t the G e r m a n s were
o n l y y o u n g kids. Some of t h e m were o n l y Ziolkowski, Zigmund J., P f c , C o . L ,
13 years o l d , a n d a lot o f those a m o n g the 347th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n :
25 we p i c k e d out of the woods later were " I t was p r e t t y well over when I got
no older. T h e y came out a n d surrendered there b u t I saw quite a b i t o f a c t i o n o n
after we banged t h e m up w i t h a r t i l l e r y the R h i n e . A f t e r t h a t i t wasn't m u c h .
a n d we h a d one o f our scouts w o u n d e d . " T h e happiest d a y of m y life was the d a y
Thomas, Robert E., P v t . , H d q . C o . , the war e n d e d . "
347th Inf., B r i d g e p o r t :
" G e r m a n y is such a nice c o u n t r y , I
c o u l d n ' t understand w h y they wanted to
fight. I d i d n ' t t h i n k so m u c h of B e l g i u m
a n d F r a n c e . G e r m a n y has better lands,
better farms, better b u i l d i n g s . "

Tracy, Albert J., P f c , C o . I, 345th Inf.,

West H a r t f o r d :
" W i t h a p a t r o l o f 8 m e n i n the Thyrin¬
gen Forest I took part i n a n effort to locate
a machine g u n w h i c h was h o l d i n g up the
i n f a n t r y c o m p a n y o n our left. With
a n o t h e r k i d I went out as a scout. I t was
7
 87th DIVISION O N FURLOUGH
T h e 87th (Acorn) D i v i s i o n e m b a r k e d
for the U n i t e d States a t L e H a v r e i n m i d -
J u l y , after eight m o n t h s overseas. T h e
veterans o f the B a t t l e o f the B u l g e a n d
the C r o s s i n g o f the R h i n e came i n o n
several transports w i t h the larger units
a b o a r d the transports West Point a n d
Frederick Lykes.
T h e 345th a n d 347th I n f a n t r y R e g i -
ments, along w i t h smaller units, aboard
the West Point, docked a t N e w Y o r k o n
J u l y 11, after the usual welcome home
ceremonies i n the harbor w i t h perfect
weather. T h e m e n debarked a t P i e r 88,
N o r t h R i v e r , a n d were ferried across to
the Jersey shore where they entrained
for C a m p K i l m e r , the staging center near
N e w B r u n s w i c k , N e w Jersey.
T h e second b i g group o f the d i v i s i o n ,
8 9
i n c l u d i n g t h e 346th I n f a n t r y , reached
B o s t o n more t h a n a week later o n J u l y 19
aboard the Lykes, after being delayed b y
fog a n d r a i n off B o s t o n H a r b o r . This
group staged through C a m p Myles
S t a n d i s h , near T a u n t o n , Massachusetts.
F o r the first time since i t s t r a i n i n g days
the units were split u p a t C a m p s K i l m e r
a n d S t a n d i s h i n t o groups for the 22 r e -
ception centers throughout the c o u n t r y ,
w i t h t h e C o n n e c t i c u t m e n going w i t h t h e
N e w E n g l a n d group to F o r t D e v e n s , near
A y e r , Massachusetts.
C o n n e c t i c u t m e n o f the d i v i s i o n report,
after furloughs, a t F o r t D e v e n s o n various
dates from A u g u s t 15 to 22. T h e d i v i s i o n
w i l l be reassembled for r e t r a i n i n g a t F o r t
B e n n i n g , G e o r g i a , preparatory for a tour
o f d u t y i n the Pacific area.
87th DIVISION PICTURES
Back Home — T h e 345th a n d 347th B e r r y , A n t i - T a n k C o . , 346th Inf., W a t e r -
I n f a n t r y regiments a r r i v e d i n N e w Y o r k b u r y , meets the R e d Cross o n C o m m o n -
a b o a r d the 26,000 t o n N a v y T r a n s p o r t , wealth P i e r , B o s t o n , Page 6.
T h e S.S. W e s t P o i n t o n J u l y 11. T h e ship,
Officers — 1st. L t . J o s e p h T . R o y , C o .
the former S S A m e r i c a n , is the largest
H , 347th I n f a n t r y o f W e s t H a v e n , a n d
Merchant S h i p ever constructed i n
1st L t . D o n a l d H . L e e , H d q . B a t t e r y ,
A m e r i c a n yards. C o v e r picture shows tugs
D i v i s i o n A r t i l l e r y , o f N o r f o l k , Page 5.
easing her i n t o N o r t h R i v e r slip a t N e w
York. 345th and 347th Infantry — Con-
necticut m e n o f the 345th (left) a n d 347th
Looks Good — M e n o f the 8 7 t h line
(right) are p i c t u r e d , Pages 8 a n d 9.
the rails for a close u p view o f N e w Y o r k
C i t y , as t h e W e s t P o i n t moves u p t h e The Medics — P f c . V i t o J . D e V i t o ,
harbor a n d r i v e r to the P i e r . Page 3. 45 W i l s o n Street, S t a m f o r d ; P f c . S i e g -
m u n d G . C o h n , J o h n Street, N o r w a l k , a n d
346th Infantry — C o n n e c t i c u t men of
P f c . George W . C l a r k , Suffield Street,
the R e g i m e n t are p i c t u r e d i n t w o groups,
W i n d s o r L o c k s , o f the M e d i c a l C o m p a n y
Pages 4 a n d 7.
of t h e 346th I n f a n t r y , o n the B o s t o n
Milk and Crullers — Pvt. John P. docks* Page 10.
 87th DIVISION IN A C T I O N
Saar Region: Division Artillery and from Houffalize to S t . H u b e r t a n d the
345th R e g i m e n t c o m m i t t e d to a c t i o n western end of the Ardennes salient. W h e n
D e c e m b e r 6, 1944, as attached units of T i l l e t a n d Bonnerue fell to the 87th D i v i -
5 t h I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n , against the last sion, the enemy was forced to w i t h d r a w
four M e t z , F r a n c e , fortresses. Fortress from the western end of the bulge.
D r i a n t surrendered to 345th R e g i m e n t on
Luxembourg: O n J a n u a r y 15 the
December 8.
D i v i s i o n m o v e d to L u x e m b o u r g to t a k e
346th a n d 347th R e g i m e n t s went i n t o
up positions t h a t the doughboys called
lines near O b e r g a i l b a c h a n d G r o s Re¬
" a front-line rest a r e a . " Defending a
dorching, F r a n c e , i n relief of the 26th
sector between E c h t e r n a c h a n d Wasser¬
" Y a n k e e " Division. R e l i e f began o n
billig along the Sauer a n d M o s e l l e R i v e r s ,
December 9. 346th R e g i m e n t launched
the D i v i s i o n ' s i m p o r t a n t actions i n L u x e m -
87th D i v i s i o n ' s first a t t a c k on D e c e m b e r
bourg consisted of a r i v e r crossing " d e m o n -
10, c a p t u r i n g h i g h ground near R i m l i n g ,
s t r a t i o n " t h a t was successfully carried out
F r a n c e . 347th first D i v i s i o n organization
to p u l l the enemy out of positions i n front
to fight on G e r m a n soil when i t crossed
of the 4 t h a n d 5 t h I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n s , on
S a a r - G e r m a n frontier near O b e r g a i l b a c h .
the D i v i s i o n left flank, a n d allow these two
87th D i v i s i o n officially c o m m i t t e d to
4 t h a n d 5 t h I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n s to cross
a c t i o n on December 13th as a u n i t of the
the Sauer R i v e r i n strength w i t h a m i n i -
T h i r d U . S. A r m y when G e n e r a l C u l i n
m u m of opposition. W a s s e r b i l l i g , a large
assumed c o m m a n d over entire sector for-
L u x e m b o u r g c i t y near T r i e r , G e r m a n y ,
m e r l y held b y 26th D i v i s i o n . D u r i n g ten
was captured a n d held for eight days b y
days — from December 13 to December
two strong " T i g e r " patrols from the 3 r d
23 — the 87th D i v i s i o n advanced more
B a t t a l i o n , 346th regiment.
t h a n ten miles i n its i n i t i a t i o n to battle.
Siegfried Line Operations: On Janu-
Belgian Ardennes Campaign: 345th
a r y 27 the D i v i s i o n m o v e d back into B e l -
R e g i m e n t (1st B n . ) won M o i r c y , a few
g i u m to a sector n o r t h of Houffalize a n d
miles west of Bastogne, on December 30
after t r a v e l i n g over 350 miles from the
Saar R e g i o n i n open t r u c k s t h r o u g h ex-
treme winter weather. 347th regiment won
the " B a t t l e of the B l o o d y C r o s s r o a d s " —
P i r o n p r e , J e n n e v i l l e , Bonnerue — i n a
terrific ten-day battle t h a t began on J a n -
u a r y 1, 1945 a n d terminated on J a n u a r y
10. 346th regiment won T i l l e t , east of
the bloody crossroads, i n a four-day battle
from J a n u a r y 7 to J a n u a r y 11. 347th
occupied S t . H u b e r t on J a n u a r y 10. A l l
these cities a n d towns were strategically
located o n the enemy's m a i n s u p p l y road

10
southwest of S t . V i t h to have the privilege
of finally chasing V o n R u n d s t e d t ' s armies
out of B e l g i u m over the o r i g i n a l route he
took i n creating the " B e l g i a n B u l g e " .
F o l l o w i n g a pace set b y the 346th r e g i -
m e n t i n c a p t u r i n g Schonberg a n d A n d l e r
a n d w i n n i n g bridgeheads over the O u r
R i v e r , the D i v i s i o n advanced a t o t a l o f
over 25 miles i n less t h a n ten days to close
the " B u l g e " a n d begin operations to crash
t h r o u g h the Siegfried L i n e i n the Schnee
Eifel Mountains. T h e 2nd Battalion,
3 4 5 t h , launched the first a t t a c k against
the L i n e on F e b r u a r y 6 a n d c a p t u r e d a
crossroads between K o b s c h e i d a n d Olz¬
heim. T h e 3 r d B a t t a l i o n , 345th, c a p t u r e d
another crossroads the following d a y while
units o f the 346th R e g i m e n t fought a
covering a t t a c k o n the left flank o f the
345th's m a i n d r i v e . D u r i n g the m o n t h o f
F e b r u a r y a l l nine i n f a n t r y battalions a n d
all a r t i l l e r y battalions kept u p a steady
fight i n the Siegfried L i n e . G e r m a n towns
c a p t u r e d d u r i n g the period were: Olz¬
heim, Neuendorf, O r m o n t , N e u e n s t e i n ,
H a l l s c h l a g , S t a d t k y l l (where N a z i G e n -
erals M o d e l a n d V o n R u n d s t e d t planned
and directed the "Belgian Bulge"),
J u n k e r a t h , R e u t h , Schonfeld a n d L i s s e n -
dorf. T a s k Force M u i r won a bridgehead
over the K y l l R i v e r at Lissendorf, a l l o w -
ing the d i v i s i o n to advance up to the A h r
R i v e r 25 miles inside G e r m a n y .
Moselle and Rhine Rivers: Cob-
lenz: I n the early m o r n i n g hours of M a r c h
16 the 347th R e g i m e n t i n i t i a t e d two cross-
ings of the M o s e l l e R i v e r south of C o b l e n z ,
the c a p i t a l c i t y of the R h i n e l a n d . T h e
crossings, under moderate opposition, were
successfully carried out a n d the regiment
a d v a n c e d east towards the R h i n e R i v e r .
L a t e t h a t afternoon, the 345th, using the
347th bridgeheads, crossed the M o s e l l e
and advanced on C o b l e n z , a c i t y of nearly
100,000 p o p u l a t i o n . T h e 346th R e g i m e n t
11
held defensive positions along the M o s e l l e
R i v e r opposite the c i t y . C o b l e n z was w o n
after two days o f street fighting a n d one
d a y of m o p p i n g up operations a n d the
347th cleared the enemy out o f the m o u n -
tains south o f the c i t y a n d a d v a n c e d up to
the R h i n e R i v e r .
F i g h t i n g against stronger opposition
t h a n the G e r m a n s p u t u p a t a n y other
point i n the R h i n e R i v e r crossing i n the
T h i r d U . S. A r m y sector, the 1st B a t -
t a l i o n , 347th, w o n a c i t a t i o n f r o m the
President of the U n i t e d States for the
fight i t p u t u p to w i n a bridgehead a t
Oberlahnstein. T h e crossings, b y b o t h the
345th a n d 347th R e g i m e n t s were i n i -
t i a t e d one m i n u t e past m i d n i g h t o n the
m o r n i n g o f M a r c h 23. T h e enemy e m -
ployed 20 m m a n t i a i r c r a f t guns i n direct
fire on the 347th assault boats t h a t were
p l a i n l y o u t l i n e d on the r i v e r surface b y
enemy flares.
The Race Through Germany: From
M a r c h 25 to V - E D a y , the 87th D i v i s i o n
advanced more t h a n 230 miles t h r o u g h
central G e r m a n y to the border of C z e c h o -
s l o v a k i a . I m p o r t a n t cities t h a t were c a p -
tured i n this d r i v e were O b e r l a h n s t e i n ,
W e i l m u n s t e r , Oberhof, T a m b a c h , Saal¬
feld, R u d o l s t a d t , Possneck, P l a u e n , Oel¬
snitz, T r e u e n , A u r b a c h , F a l k e n s t e i n .
D u r i n g c o m b a t the 87th D i v i s i o n c a p -
tured over 31,000 prisoners o f war a n d
after V - E D a y accepted the surrender o f
an a d d i t i o n a l 35,000. T o t a l c o m b a t days
154.
A f t e r V - E D a y the D i v i s i o n was e n -
gaged for about one m o n t h i n processing
" D i s p l a c e d P e r s o n s " of all A l l i e d n a t i o n a l -
ities a n d processing a n d discharging G e r -
m a n prisoners of war.
E a r l y i n J u n e the D i v i s i o n was ordered
to be redeployed to the Pacific, v i a the
U . S. A .
 THE CONNECTICUT MEN
T h e names of the following officers a n d m e n from the 87th D i v i s i o n were c o m -
piled from available official records a n d b y personal interview. Omissions of the names
of some of the m e n of the D i v i s i o n is, regretably possible, despite every effort m a d e to
secure complete rosters of C o n n e c t i c u t m e n .

A P U Z Z O , Louis P. Pfc. 855 F i r s t A v e . , W e s t H a v e n

A R E N A , Louis L . Pfc. 36 N o r t o n S t . , W a t e r b u r y 74
A Y R E S , Donald H . Pvt. Shippan Ave., Stamford

B A I L E Y , James A . Cpl. 3 Omo St., M i d d l e t o w n

B A I L L A R G E O N , Roland Pfc. 483 B o s w e l l A v e . , N o r w i c h
B A M B A U E R , John J . Pfc. 266 W e l l s S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
B A R T K O V I C H , George A . Sgt. Levine St., Norwalk
B E A C H , Edward R. Pfc. 1185 W h a l l e y A v e . , N e w H a v e n
B E E B E , Fred W . Pfc. 185 B r a n f o r d A v e . , G r o t o n
B E R R Y , John P. Pvt. 31 R o s e S t . , W a t e r b u r y
B E R R Y , William T. Pfc. 444 M a i n S t . , E a s t H a r t f o r d 8
B E R T H I A U M E , Lionel J . Pfc. 436 So. M a i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
B I L I D E S , Philip Pfc. 358 O r c h a r d S t . , N e w H a v e n
B I N G S T O N , Philip B. Pfc. 1214 C h a p e l S t . , N e w H a v e n
B O R O C Z K Y , John Pfc. 739 W a r d e n A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
B R A D B U R Y , Henry W. Pfc. 169 G o d d a r d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
B R O O K S , Franklin R. Sgt. 171 N o . B a n k S t . , N e w L o n d o n
B R O W N , Edward E . T/4 102 A u b u r n R d . , N e w H a v e n
B R Y D A , Benedict F . Pfc. 108 O a k S t . , M e r i d e n
B U D N I C K , Chester J . Pfc. 34 S m i t h S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
B U R G H O F F , R o b e r t O. Pfc. Hanover St., Yalesville

C A P A R U L O , Ralph Pfc. 48 Worcester S t . , N e w H a v e n

C A R L I S , Salvatore Cpl. 806 G r a n d A v e . , N e w H a v e n
C A R L S O N , Henry W. Jr. Sgt. 160 Prospect St., W a t e r b u r y
C A R R U B B A , F r a n k I. Pfc. 457 E . M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
C A R T Y , William B. Pfc. 608 Second A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
C H R I S T O P H Y , Paul Pfc. Chidsey Ter., Terryville
C I R A L D I , Anthony L . Sgt. 324 Congress A v e . , W a t e r b u r y
C L A R K , E d w a r d O. Pfc. 442 M a i n S t . , W i n s t e d
C L A R K , George W . Pfc. Suffield S t . , W i n d s o r L o c k s
C O H E N , Norman A. Pfc. 147 M a g n o l i a S t . , H a r t f o r d
C O H N , Siegmund G . Pfc. B o x 344, J o h n S t . , N o r w a l k
C O L E , George A . Pfc. 632 H i g h S t . , M i d d l e t o w n
C O L U C C I , Victor M . Pfc. 675 P e m b r o k e A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t 8
C O M A N , Merlin F. Pvt. 71 D u n h a m S t . , N o r w i c h
C O N N O L L Y , John P. Pfc. 13 L a n d r y S t . , B r i s t o l

12
C O R R A D O , Anthony J . Pfc. 441 Wethersfield A v e . , H a r t f o r d 6
C O R R I S , Alfred L . Pfc. 2266 E . M a i n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
C O U T U R E , Earl F. Pfc. 21 T r a c y A v e . , J e w e t t C i t y
C R O F T , Walter H . T/5 34 A u d a b o n R d . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
C Z A R Z A S T Y , Walter J . Pfc. 73 Shepfield L a n e , U n i o n C i t y

D E C K E R , Jack E . Pfc. 487 C o l o r a d o A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t

D E C R O S T A , Joseph D . Pvt. 36 M i l l e r S t . , M i d d l e t o w n
D E S J A R L A I S , Armand J . Pfc. 9 W . Park St., Willimantic
D E V I T O , Vito J . Pfc. 45 W i l s o n St., S t a m f o r d
D I B E L L A , John T/4 31 V e r n o n S t . , H a r t f o r d
D I G A L B O , Daniel D . Pfc. 72 S o u t h S t . , H a r t f o r d
D O R S O , Joseph A . Pfc. H i l l Ave., Waterbury
D U D S , Theodore A . Pfc. 12 N i c h o l a s Square, N e w M i l f o r d
D Z I E N G I E L O W S K I , J o s e p h S. Pfc. 42 G o o d y e a r A v e . , N a u g a t u c k

F A B R I Z I O , R a l p h S. T/4 290 H o l l i s t e r S t . , S t r a t f o r d
F E R R I S , Kenneth C. T/5 R D F 2, Shelton
F I T C H , Fred K . 2nd L t . 114 V a n d e r b i l t A v e . , H a r t f o r d
F I T T I N G , George E . Pfc. M a i n St., S a l i s b u r y
F O A R N , Charles F . Cpl. 57 F r a n k l i n S t . , D a n b u r y
F O X , Lawrence A . Sgt. 441 G r e e n w i c h A v e . , N e w H a v e n

G A L L U P , Robert L . T/4 115 Y o r k S t . , N e w H a v e n

G O L D M A N , Louis G . Sgt. 92 C o l e b r o o k S t . , H a r t f o r d
G O R R Y , Frank J . Pfc. 718 M a p l e A v e . , H a r t f o r d
G R A Y , Brenis J . Pfc. 49 G r e e n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
G R O V E S , Raymond P. Sgt. Hendrie Ave., Riverside

H A Y E S , John R. Pfc. 69 So. W h i t t e l s e y S t . , W a l l i n g f o r d

H O L L O W A Y , Keith A. Pfc. 45 M a t h e r A v e . , G r o t o n
H O S T A G E , Basil A., J r . Pfc. 60 B r i a r c l i f f R d . , H a m d e n
H O Z U B I N , Edward Pfc. G r o v e St., W e s t Cheshire
H U N T E R , William J . T/5 6 Marlboro St., Portland

K A H A N Robert F . Sgt. B o x 75, V e r n o n

K L I C H O W S K I , Walter J . Cpl. 101 G o l d S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
K O L O D Z I E J , Edwin Pfc. 740 E n f i e l d S t . , T h o m p s o n v i l l e
K O R K O B E C Z , Michael J . S/Sgt. 42 T e x a s D r . , N e w B r i t a i n
K O R T E , Frederick W . J r . Pfc. 51 P r a t t S t . , W i n s t e d
K R A H L , Albert E . J r . Sgt. Vera St., East H a v e n
K R E M M E L , William A. Pfc. 45 E v e r s P l a c e , B r i d g e p o r t

L A F O N T A I N E , Lewis F . Sgt. 204 So. P a r k S t . , W i l l i m a n t i c

L A M A D E L E I N E , Joseph A . Pfc. 204 E d i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
L A M A D E L E I N E , Roland J . T/5 204 E d i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
L E E , Donald H . 1st L t . Greenwoods R o a d E a s t , N o r f o l k

13
L E V I N E , Morris
L E W I S , H o l l i s O.
L I E B E R M A N , Herman J .
L I K A S I K , Adolph J .
L U C E Y , John E .
L U L I S , Vincent
Pfc. 20 F a l c o t t S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
Capt. 69 L e b a n o n A v e . , W i l l i m a n t i c
Pfc. 35 B o s w e l l A v e . , N o r w i c h
S/Sgt. 63 H a n o v e r S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
Pfc. 46 D u r a n t T e r . , M i d d l e t o w n
Pfc. 137 M i l l d a l e S t . , P l a n t s v i l l e

M A C K O , Robert Pfc. 42 E l i z a b e t h S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
M A L O D Z I E J K O , Casimer F . Pvt. 105 C l e v e l a n d S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
M A R T I N , Robert Pfc. 59 R i n g g o l d S t . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
M A Y , William H . Pfc. 29 W h a r t o n S t . , W e s t H a v e n
M C D O N A L D , Dale A . T/5 N e w Road, Collinsville
M I L C O , Walter L . S/Sgt. 16 B a l d w i n S t . , H a r t f o r d
M I S C I U C H , Frank W. Pfc. 433 H e l e n S t . B r i d g e p o r t
M O R T O N , Raymond T. Pfc. R F D 3, T o r r i n g f o r d S t . , T o r r i n g t o n
M U C K L E , Edward F. Pfc. R F D 3, B o x 675, T o r r i n g t o n

N A L E W A J K , Chester P . Sgt. 270 O a k w o o d S t . , B r i d g e p o r t

N E L S O N , Charles G . Pfc. 47 C e d a r A v e . , W a t e r b u r y
N E U M A N N , George E . Pfc. 246 T e r r y v i l l e R d . , B r i s t o l
N O R T H R O P , Walter W . T/4 23 A n n S t . , N e w H a v e n

O ' C A L L A G H A N , John D . Sgt. 47 C h u r c h S t . , A n s o n i a

O ' C O N N E L L , Robert F . Pfc. 101 B e n t w o o d R d . , W e s t H a r t f o r d

P A C K E R , Arnold Pfc. 17 M a x s o n S t . , W e s t M y s t i c
P A C Z O S A , E d w i n S. Pfc. 127 M a i n S t . , Suffield
P A L I M A N , William E . Pfc. 172 L a u r e l S t . , E a s t H a v e n
P A R E N T I , Olindo A . Pfc. 202 S o u t h S t . , B r i s t o l
P A U L , Gus Pfc. 17 C a b o t S t . , H a r t f o r d 5
P A V L E K , John Pfc. 1521 F a i r f i e l d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
P E L L E T I E R , Jean P . Pfc. 8 Water St., Danielson
P E N T A , Angelo A . Pfc. 141 D i v i s i o n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
P E R R Y , Lawrence B . S/Sgt. 48 School S t . , M a n c h e s t e r
P I C K O W I T Z , Henry A. Pfc. 262 H u n t i n g t o n S t . , N e w L o n d o n
P I E R S O N , Roger C . J r . Pfc. Sill Lane R d . , Old L y m e
P L A N I N S E K , Frank J . Pfc. 91 F l a t b u s h A v e . , H a r t f o r d
P O U L I O T , Joseph E . Pfc. 168 G l e n B r o o k R d . , B r i d g e p o r t
P R E N T I C E , Albert B . Pfc. 139 C t . F , Y e l l o w M i l l V i l l a g e , B r i d g e p o r t
P R E Z I O S O , Paul F. Pfc. 33 B e l l S t . , B r i d g e p o r t

R O S E N F E L D , Elkin H . Pfc. 16 T h o m a s R d . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
R O Y , Joseph T . 1st L t . West H a v e n
R U L N I C K , Norman T/5 36 V i n e S t . , H a r t f o r d

S A M O J E D N Y , John F. Pfc. 272 B r o a d S t . , N e w B r i t a i n

S A N F O R D , Van H . Pfc. B o x 286, U n c a s v i l l e

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S A N N A , John A. Pfc. 175 H a m i l t o n A v e . , G r e e n w i c h
S A T T E R W A I T H E , Arthur 1st L t . 242 S t a r r S t . , N e w H a v e n
S C H W O L S K Y , Murray A. Pfc. 16 T h o m a s R d . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
S C I A R R A , Gerald Pfc. 71 B e a c h S t . , W a t e r b u r y
S C O T T , Irving R. Sgt. Northfield Farms, Northfield
S E I P E L , Norman Pfc. 50 S m i t h S t . , N e w L o n d o n
S H A W , John D . Pfc. 19 C u r t i s s A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
S H E A , Robert H . Pfc. 59 S u m m i t S t . , N e w L o n d o n
S H I N D , Hyman J . Pfc. 1287 A l b a n y A v e . , H a r t f o r d
S H U M B O , John Pvt. B o x 16, I v o r y t o n
S I R K O , John P. Sgt. 99 V i b b e r t s A v e . , N e w B r i t a i n
S K O R E K , Anthony T/4 125 M a t h e r S t . , H a r t f o r d
S M I T H , Daniel M . Pfc. 3 V a n Zanti St., East Norwalk
S O L E S K Y , Walter Pfc. 103 G o v e r n o r S t . , H a r t f o r d
S T E I B E R , Alfred J . Pfc. 215 O r l a n d S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
S T R O N G , Clarence R . Cpl. 3 M a h e r C t . , Greenwich
S Z A C H A N A , Edward J . Pfc. R F D 1, U n c a s v i l l e

T A R Z I A , Lawrence J .
T A Y L O R , Neil
T E N C Z A , Edward F.
T H O M A S , Robert E .
T H O M P S O N , John E . Jr.
T O D R I F F , Kenneth R.
T R A C Y , Albert J .
T U C K E R , Albert R .
T W I T C H E L L , Albert J .
Pfc. 65 V i r g i l S t . , S t a m f o r d
T/4 141 O a k l a n d T e r . , H a r t f o r d
T/5 11 T w i s t St., N o r t h f i e l d
Pvt. 66 T o m T h u m b S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
Pfc. 2824 B e d f o r d S t . , S t a m f o r d
Pfc. B o x 103, M a p l e S t . , K e n t
Pfc. 72 O a k w o o d A v e . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
T/5 28 M i l f o r d A v e . , B r a n f o r d
Sgt. A c a d e m y St., S a l i s b u r y

U S O W S K I , Joseph F . Sgt. 152 Pleasant S t . , T h o m p s o n v i l l e

V A N H O R S T E N , Harry E. Pfc. Manchester Ave., Waterbury

W A N A M A K E R , Harold Pfc. 57 B r o o k l a w n A v e . , S t a m f o r d
W E L L S , B r a d f o r d S. Pfc. 224 C o r n w a l l S t . , H a r t f o r d
W I N D , Thomas E . , J r . Pfc. R F D R i v e r R d . , Essex
W U J T E W I T Z , H e n r y S. Cpl. 152 C r y s t a l A v e . , N e w L o n d o n

Y A R I N C I K , Peter Pfc. 17 W e s t S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
Y I N S H A N I S , John F . Pfc. 32 W i l l o w S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
Y U C K I E N U Z , Leo P . Pfc. 934 H a n c o c k A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t

Z A N Y C K I , Peter Pfc. 19 G r a n t S t . , N e w H a v e n
Z E M K O , John Pfc. R o u t e 1, Colchester
Z I O L K O W S K I , Zigmund J . Pfc. 61 A l b a n y A v e . , N e w B r i t a i n

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