[My husband's uncle], TEC5 Gerhard E. Biberdorf, was killed by a sniper's bullet at Anzio, Italy, June 1st, 1944 after service in Morocco, Sicily, and Salerno. He was in the 30th Infantry Division. He was two months shy of his 30th birthday when he died.
Prior to the war Gerhard also served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was one of the first four soldiers buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery when it was dedicated in 1948, after temporary burial in Italy. The Anzio Campaign was a real challenge for the American Army trying to roll up the Italian boot. The 30th Division suffered a total of 8308 casualties from November 8, 1942 in North Africa until May 8, 1945 in Germany----2851 of those casualties were at Anzio.
"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." ~ Thucydides
Too many died too young.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. All of our sons (in some way or another) bear a resemblance to their Great Uncle Gerhard. Looking at his photo makes me think of my sons and I don't know how so many mothers and fathers bear this kind of loss.
DeleteBless him for his brave service. I think it's so cool how you know this stuff.
ReplyDelete