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THE BRIDGEHEAR SENTINAL OCTOBER, 1944 PAGE THREE One Day of Battle - The Story of Co. 'L' (Continued from page two) defensive position and made contact by runner with the 2nd section on the left. The two sections advanced together, crossed a heavily mined road and again took up the defensive to await orders of the company commander. In this action the 5th worked forward through mine fields and wire obstacles along with the 2nd. Gaps were blown by Pfc. John Griffen and Pvt. Joe Vass, and the sections made steady progress until they came under the machine fire from the left flank. Pfc. Griffen worked around to the flank and effectively silenced the MG with his BAR. The Score At 0900 Company headquarters moved from the beach to the first defensive positions behind the 2nd and 5th sections. The first CP was set up 600 yards inland. Contact was made with battalion and company situation reported, Time: 0900. Under the VO's direction a perimeter defense was set up on initial high ground. The 5th section was assigned to the mission of securing right flank and patrolling to ___. The 3rd section covered the left flank, patrolling to ___ and cutting the main lateral road between ___ and ___. The 2nd section, in reserve, protected the company rear. A heavy MG squad under Lt. K. Booth and two light MG squads under Sgt. Lopakosky and Sgt. Monroe arrived at this time and were placed in position. They were constantly fired on. Time: 0930. A patrol from the 5th section was sent to ____, but it failed to return. It consisted of Pfc. Milander and Pvts. Butt and O'Dell. (Later it was learned they had been surrounded by 52 of the enemy, but Pfc. Milander talked the Germans into surrendering and took them prisoner.) A patrol from the 3rd section under Sgt. Burgon Davis was sent to cut the main road between _____ and _____ preparatory to the company attacking its first objective. The patrol encountered enemy resistance. In the fire fight which ensued one German was killed but the patrol was forced to withdraw. Capt. Richmond joined the company at this time and commenced reorganization of the battalion. Sgt. Davis was again sent out on patrol to reconnoiter a route to _____. At about 1300 a small enemy counter-attack of about one platoon, supported by light mortars and MGs, developed against the left flank and rear. This threat was met by heavy fire from 2nd platoon, company headquarters and Lt. Stumbaugh's section. Two Men Killed Two men were killed, four wounded from our own forces. Lt. Monteith who in a large measure was responsible for our effective defense, was killed while exposing himself to direct effective fire against the counter-attacking forces. On the return of Sgt. Davis with his second patrol, Capt. Richmond decided to send a strong combat patrol to --- and followed it up with the remainder of his combined force, which totaled 114 men - 79 from company L and the remainder from I, K and M. German Vars Captured Two German staff cars and another scout car approached. They were taken under fire by Pfc. Hodge with a light machine-gun. One prisoner was taken, but two others escaped. Company L moved into --- at about 1600 hours. At 2100 it took up defense position in orchards 600 yards southwest of --- with the mission of protecting right flank. During the night enemy infiltrating parties were encountered and driven off. At dawn next day (D-plus-1) small enemy groups were mopped up behind our positions by the 5th section. The 5th took one officer and four men prisoner and killed or wounded eight or ten more. Section 2 wiped out a three-man recon patrol. Snipers were active, but were cleaned out. On D-plus-1 the 1st section and replacements under command of Lt. Kerekes rejoined the company. (Printed in England by The Times Publishing Company, Limited, Printing House Square, London, E.C.A. and Published by the United States Armed Gorces-- 29-6-44.) THE DIVISION MOUMENTS The United States Forces in France are a considerable distance from our Battle Monuments and Battle Markers in France, but arrangements are being made for officers to the First Division, now in France to inspect and report on the condition of the monuments and markers and to make recommendations for their repair or replacement. Fortunately the First Division Memorial Association has the funds to provide for the repair or replacement of our Battle Monuments in France and it is hoped that we will be able to repair and restore our Battle Markers. The subject of commemorating, in a suitable manner, the battles and achievements of the First Division, Second World War, is being given consideration, and if it meets with their approval a Court of Honor, in marble similar to, will be added to our First Division Memorial Monument, Washington, D. C. It is our intention to cooperate with the First Division, Second World War, in every way that we can, provided, of course, as stated above, it meets with their approval. Letters seeking information or containing information or suggestions relating to our monuments or markers should be addressed to Colonel Adolphe Huguet, Hotel Belmont Plaza, 49th and Lexington Aveue, New York 22, New York, or to the undersigned. C. P. SUMMERALL SOME OF TODAY'S GENERALS General George C. Marshall Lt. General Lloyd R. Fredanhall Major General Clarence R. Huebner Major General Alexander McC. Patch Major General Joseph D. Patch Major General William G. Liversay Major General Charles W. Ryder Major General Albert Waldron Major General Richard J. Marshall Major General John A. Crane Major General Percy W. Clarkson Major General Ralph C. Smith Major General Withers A. Buress Major General Francis B. Wilby Major General Cortland Parker Major General Karl Truesdell Major General Gustave H. Franke Major General Albert W. Kenner Major General Donald C. Cubbison Major General Charles H. Corlett Brigadier General Barnwell R. Legge Brigadier General Paul E. Peabody Brigadier General Paul L. Ransom Brigadier General Benjamin F. Caffey Brigadier General George J. Forster Brigadier General John N. Greely Brigadier General Henry C. Evans Brigadier General Leonard R. Boyd Brigadier General Constant L. Irwin Brigadier General Allen F. Kingman Brigadier General Pierre Mallet Brigadier General Charles A. Willoughby Brigadier General Benjamin C. Lockwood, Jr. Brigadier General Vernon Evans Brigadier General Walter E. Lauer Brigadier General David G. Barr Brigadier General Thomas J. Davis "IKE" DECORATES FIRST DIVISION HEROES Heroes of the Fighting First Division, who led the American assault on France and lived to cross that hellish strip of beach where so many of our courageous men died stood in the shade of tall Normandy elms today and received their accolade from Gen. Eisenhower. 22 men were the recipient of Distinguished Service Crosses and two received Legion of Merit decorations. Legion of Merit being awarded to: Colonel William E. Water, of Louisville, Ky., ad M-Sgt. Chester A. Demich, Burlington, Vt. Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to: Capt. Joseph T. Dawson, Lt. John N. Spaulding, 1st Sgt. Lawrence J. Fitzsimmons, S-Sgt. Curtis Colwell, S-Sgt. Philip C. Clark, S-Sgt. David N. Radford, T-Sgt. Raymond F. Stroiny, S-Sgt. James A. Wells, S-Sgt. Kenneth F. Feterson, T-Sgt. Philip Streczyzk, SGt. Richard J. Gallagher, T-4 Stanley F. Appleby, and Sgt. John Griffin. Also Lt. Col. Charles E. Teigmeyer, Capt. Victor R. Briggs, Capt. Kimbell, R. Richmond, Capt. Thomas H. Marendino, Leuit. Carl W. Giles, Pfc. Peter Cavaliere. At the presentation General Eisenhower makes this statement: "I am not going to make a speech" he said, "But this little ceremony gives me the opportunity to come over here and through you, say "Thanks." You are one of the finest regiments in our Army."
