[Lone Sentry] [Lone Sentry: www.lonesentry.com]

Lone Sentry: Unit History: 102d thru Germany

[Back] PREVIOUS PAGE 68 NEXT [Fwd]

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Now we can pause a moment while waiting for the boat -- whether homeward bound or CBI bound, no one yet knows -- to think back to those wet weeks in Normandy, the grueling convoys. We have a deep place in our hearts for the hospitable Hollanders and their spic and span coal-mine baths.
We recoil from memories of smoky basements and dugouts, frontline vigils, and winter snows along the Roer. We wonder now at the great-heartedness which sent green troops swarming over Tiger Royals in the thunderous battles of Immendorf. We swell with pride, and yet there is a knot in our throat for the comrades who fell in our great victories -- the Roer crossing, the push to the Rhine, the Wesergebirge, the dash to the Elbe.
We count our prisoners, 147,000. We count those who fell against us -- with a pang that such things should happen in this modern world -- over 4,000. The figures mount. 345 planes, 24 tanks, 14 railroad guns, 67 hated 88's, car- justifyspacer
loads of ammunition and military equipment. The list covers pages.
Ozarks can well be proud of their contribution. The 102d Infantry has seen history in the making, has made history. And now we look forward to the inevitable end, with a sigh of relief, a tear for fallen comrades, and a firm determination that those immortal words stemming from an earlier conflict will assume a new prophetic meaning: "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this (world) under God shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Behind this story of victory lie countless untold achievements and the sacrifices of many unsung heroes in our supply and service branches. Working in obscurity these men desired nothing more than that their comrades up front would feel no want. To the selfless labors of the 102d Quartermaster Company, the 102d Signal Company, the 327th Medical Battalion, the 802d Ordnance Company and Division Headquarters go the heartfelt thanks of those they served.
With the cessation of hostilities thoughts turned to I and E courses.
[With the cessation of hostilities thoughts turned to I and E courses]
 

Copyright 2003-2004, LoneSentry.com. All Rights Reserved.

 
 
Advertisement

  
Google
Web LoneSentry.com