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JOURNAL
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STATEMENT OF 1ST SGT JOHN A. McCARRON,
CO “A”
The 1st and
2d platoons of Co “A” were formed as a rear guard to cover the battalion’s
withdrawal following the surprise attack by Germans at RJ 46 and 47, 2 Mi
east of Milly, France, at 0430, 7 August 1944. After the unit withdrew we
proceeded to Milly where we were met by Major Beck of
the 4th Cavalry Squadron. One of our officers related the events of the
morning to him and the Major decided that we defend the town of Milly against
a possible attack by the enemy. Immediately a line of defense was set up along
the East, South and North sides of the town. Our defense consisted of two
Bazooka teams, one MG, an done necklace of mines on
each of three roads, the remainder of the men being placed at outposts. We
held our position until 1930 hours at which time we were supposed to be
relieved by an Infantry force, which for some unknown reason failed to put in
an appearance. At this time we left the town and proceeded to le Blontiers [sic] where we bivouacked for the night. The
next day, about 2000 hours, we rejoined our battalion near Oisseau. Major Beck commended us for the manner in which we organized
for the defense of Milly.
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STATEMENT OF 2D LT CREIGHTON F. LAWSON
We were
leading the convoy on Route GC 47 on the morning of 7 August 1944 at
approximately 0400 hours. On approaching the junction of GC 46 and GC 47 we
noticed a jeep and several men at the intersection. At first we thought they
were friendly troops and drove within 100 feet of the intersection when some
of the men we had observed commenced talking in a loud tone of voice which
was evidently German. Lt Silva, our company commander, ordered us to get
out of the command car in which we were riding and move to the rear. We all
left the command car and threw ourselves into the ditch and started moving to
the rear of the convoy. At the same time the enemy opened up with machine-gun
fire and what was thought to be 20mm fire. The kitchen truck which was
immediately behind our command car and the air compressor, which was the 4th
vehicle to our rear, were riddled with enemy fire. There was no chance to get
these vehicles out of the trap since we were surrounded on 3 sides by the
enemy, who had an armored vehicle immediately in front and slightly to the
side of us. The driver and occupants riding in the front of the kitchen truck
left the vehicle, and it is not known whether the 6 cooks riding in the rear
of the truck were able to get out or not. This part of the company moved back
and met the rest of the convoy approximately ¾ Mi to the rear where a rear
guard was formed while the rest of the vehicles were moved out of the area to
join the rest of the Battalion. The entire unit then moved to the vicinity of
Chevreville, France, arriving 7 August 1944, at 0530 hours.
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CASUALTIES
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Missing
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1st Lt Francis H. Fulton,
S-2; 2d Lt Ray
L. Whiteturkey, Recon 0.
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S/Sgt Edward B. Clark,
S/Sgt Wilbur
L. Fuller, T/4 Thomas E. Whaley, T/5 Max J. Melnek,
and Pvt Lovell B. Woods
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“A” Co
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Killed
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Tec 4 George L. Boardman
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Wounded
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S/Sgt Max M. Krychta (SW); S/Sgt Carl E. Peters,
Tec 5 Tully J.
Rector, Pfc William G. Walker, Pvt Guido (NMI) DeLeo
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Missing
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1st Lt Thomas W. Silva (Co Comdr)
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Tec 5 Timon C. Mouser,
Tec 4 Frank J.
Stodokak, Tec 4 Willie Desroches,
Pfc Mitchell J. Tarczynski,
Pfc Louis A. Modrok, Pfc Thomas P. Brett, Pvt Frank A. Feremcsak,
Pfc Elwin H. Haak, Tec 5 Adolphus L. Casper, Tec 5 Hugh D. Chick
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“C” Co
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Missing
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Sgt Donald J. Dohring, Sgt Edward M.
Shoemaker, Cpl Ervin A. Zjadewicz,
Tec 5 Herbert
L. Hill, Jr, Tec 5 Francis E. Weaver, Pfc Emil Filip, Pfc Charles Gorla, Jr, Pfc George F. Hallaron,
Pfc Edwin E. Hyde, Pfc Irvin J. Maley, Pfc James O Marquardt,
Pfc Charles J. Nelson, Pfc
Jack L. Restifo, Pfc Raymond J. Stovich, Pvt Chester J. Blach, Pvt Vincent De Nichilo, Pvt Robert D. Fanos, Pvt Jerome H. Lauer,
Pvt Hilery S. Newman, Pvt Richard L. Mulawa, Pvt Daniel J. Slaske, Pvt John W. Reynolds,
Pvt Jack E.
Snyder, Pvt Lawrence H. Suchie
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Casualties of Equipment
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2 trucks, 2 T 6x6 Dump
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2trucks, 2 t, 6x6 Cargo
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1 air compressor, truck mounted
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4 trucks, ¼ T, 4x4
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1 truck, ¾ T, 4x4
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1 motorcycle
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S E C R E T
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