Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
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The 68th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Separate) was activated on 10 December 1943 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland with personnel transferred from the 103rd Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) and the 233rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. They left Aberdeen for transit overseas on 16 April 1944. The squad earned campaign credit for Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe and the occupation of Germany.
They arrived in Gourock, Scotland on 27 April 1944, moving on to England for additional training with Royal Air Force bomb disposal units. They arrived in Vaubadon, France, on 10 July 1944. From there they worked with the Aviation Engineers, under the Ninth Air Force in clearing ALG temporary landing strips. They conducted this work in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany as the Allies advanced. From the time they arrived at Normandy in June the squad was moving at a rapid pace from one airfield to the next in support of the Aviation Engineers. On 8 August the squad was told to move to Le Mans and begin clearing the airfield there. They were told to proceed with caution however, because both the town and airfield might still be in German controlled land. On 9 August 1944 the squad moved to Laval, where the commander and two men took a jeep to Le Mans to scout the area. On arrival they found the situation calm and sent a sergeant back to guide the remainder of the unit. While en route the jeep came under sniper fire, a tire blew and Sgt. John F. Smith was seriously injured when the jeep overturned. The squad finally reached Le Mans and continued work one man short.
On 28 August the squad arrived at an airfield just outside Paris, two days after the official liberation of the city. They had traveled well over 100 miles the day they arrived, but immediately after an evening meal they began to work and worked until darkness shut down their operations. In the following day and a half they managed to clear all of the Category A and B incidents in the area. A total of 13 UXB's were removed or destroyed in place. One had to be removed from beneath a concrete runway heavily reinforced with wire mesh, a task that took a lot of time and effort. Also taken care of were 18 demolition charges, some Molotov Cocktails, a 90mm round, several grenades and other ordnance. The demolition charges had been set-up, but were not booby trapped so removal was easy.
After completing this work the squad decided to enter the city of Paris and they were greeted with a scene repeated many times over as the Americans advanced through Europe. Amidst the destruction and aftermath of war were miles of streets with people lining them cheering, waving French and American flags and shouting thanks in both French and English. Almost to a man the squad members say the memory of that drive was the high point of their experience in the war. Comments were also made that this experience was certainly different than driving through German cities at a later point. Then there was no cheering, no flag waving and their reconnaissance was often interrupted by mortar or small arms fire.
The unit work was quite often routine labor efforts and often somewhat boring, but about the time boredom would set in some unique or more challenging incident would occur. The 68th did not have any deaths, but suffered numerous minor injuries to personnel, just as many other squads experienced. They enjoyed the rapid pace set by the advancing US forces and the chance to see new areas and sites as they continued their work. Most felt that in spite of the hazards of their work, no one would willingly change his occupation as long as they were in the Army.
By February 1945 the squad was one of six assigned permanent duty with the Ninth Air Force Engineers. The 68th was inactivated at Burgfarrnbach, Furth, Germany, effective 12 November 1945.
Criteria The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding ac... The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight. MoreHide
Comments
For Meritorious Service in combat as a Bomb Disposal technician.
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The Army of Occupation of Germany Medal commemorates military service in the occupation of Germany after the First World War. It was awarded to members of the Armed Forces for service with the occupat... The Army of Occupation of Germany Medal commemorates military service in the occupation of Germany after the First World War. It was awarded to members of the Armed Forces for service with the occupation forces in Germany or Austria-Hungary between November 12, 1918, and July 11, 1923. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description (Central Europe Campaign 22 March to 11 May 1945) Following the Battle of the Bulge the Allies had pushed through to the Rhine. On 22 March 1945 they began their assault across the river, and by I Apr(Central Europe Campaign 22 March to 11 May 1945) Following the Battle of the Bulge the Allies had pushed through to the Rhine. On 22 March 1945 they began their assault across the river, and by I April the Ruhr was encircled. Armored columns raced across Germany and into Austria and Czechoslovakia. On 25 April, the day American and Russian forces met on the Elbe, strategic bombing operations came to an end. Germany surrendered on 7 May 1945 and operations officially came to an end the following day, although sporadic actions continued on the European front until 11 May.... More
Description The European-Mediterranean-Middle East Theater was a major theater of operations during the Second World War (between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946). The vast size of Europe, Mediterranean and MThe European-Mediterranean-Middle East Theater was a major theater of operations during the Second World War (between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946). The vast size of Europe, Mediterranean and Middle East theatre saw interconnected naval, land, and air campaigns fought for control of the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The fighting in this theatre lasted from 10 June 1940, when Italy entered the war on the side of Germany, until 2 May 1945 when all Axis forces in Italy surrendered. However, fighting would continue in Greece – where British troops had been dispatched to aid the Greek government – during the early stages of the Greek Civil War.
The British referred to this theatre as the Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre (so called due to the location of the fighting and the name of the headquarters that controlled the initial fighting: Middle East Command) while the Americans called the theatre of operations the Mediterranean Theatre of War. The German official history of the fighting is dubbed 'The Mediterranean, South-East Europe, and North Africa 1939–1942'. Regardless of the size of the theatre, the various campaigns were not seen as neatly separated areas of operations but part of one vast theatre of war.
Fascist Italy aimed to carve out a new Roman Empire, while British forces aimed initially to retain the status quo. Italy launched various attacks around the Mediterranean, which were largely unsuccessful. With the introduction of German forces, Yugoslavia and Greece were overrun. Allied and Axis forces engaged in back and forth fighting across North Africa, with Axis interference in the Middle East causing fighting to spread there. With confidence high from early gains, German forces planned elaborate attacks to be launched to capture the Middle East and then to possibly attack the southern border of the Soviet Union. However, following three years of fighting, Axis forces were defeated in North Africa and their interference in the Middle East was halted. Allied forces then commenced an invasion of Southern Europe, resulting in the Italians switching sides and deposing Mussolini. A prolonged battle for Italy took place, and as the strategic situation changed in southeast Europe, British troops returned to Greece.
The theatre of war, the longest during the Second World War, resulted in the destruction of the Italian Empire and altered the strategic position of Germany resulting in numerous German divisions being deployed to Africa and Italy and total losses (including those captured upon final surrender) being over half a million. Italian losses, in the theatre, amount to around to 177,000 men with a further several hundred thousand captured during the process of the various campaigns. British losses amount to over 300,000 men killed, wounded, or captured, and total American losses in the region amounted to 130,000.... More
Description The American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe aThe American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe and Asia. Thus, any threat by the Axis Powers to invade the mainland United States or other areas was considered negligible, allowing for American resources to be deployed in overseas theaters.
This article includes attacks on continental territory, extending 200 miles (320 km) into the ocean, which is today under the sovereignty of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other smaller states, but excludes military action involving the Danish territory of Greenland, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Aleutian Islands. The most well known battles in North America during World War II were the Attack on Pearl Harbor (the first attack on US soil since the Battle of Ambos Nogales), the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the Battle of the St. Lawrence, and the attacks on Newfoundland.... More
Description (Rhineland Campaign 15 September 1944 to 21 March 1945) Attempting to outflank the Siegfried Line, the Allies tried an airborne attack on Holland on 17 September 1944. But the operation failed, and th(Rhineland Campaign 15 September 1944 to 21 March 1945) Attempting to outflank the Siegfried Line, the Allies tried an airborne attack on Holland on 17 September 1944. But the operation failed, and the enemy was able to strengthen his defensive line from Holland to Switzerland. Little progress was made on the ground, but the aerial attacks on strategic targets continued. Then, having regained the initiative after defeating a German offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944, the Allies drove through to the Rhine, establishing a bridgehead across the river at Remagen.... More
Description (Ardennes Alsace Campaign 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945) During their offensive in the Ardennes the Germans drove into Belgium and Luxembourg, creating a great bulge in the line. For some time (Ardennes Alsace Campaign 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945) During their offensive in the Ardennes the Germans drove into Belgium and Luxembourg, creating a great bulge in the line. For some time the weather was bad, but when it cleared the Allies could send their planes to assist their ground forces by bombing and strafing the enemy’s columns, dropping paratroops and supplies, and interdicting the enemy’s lines of communications. By the end of January 1945 the lost ground had been regained and the Battle of the Bulge, the last great German offensive, was over.... More
Description Normandy Campaign 6 June to 24 July 1944) Early on D-Day airborne troops landed in France to gain control of strategic areas. Aerial and naval bombardment followed. Then the invasion fleet, covered byNormandy Campaign 6 June to 24 July 1944) Early on D-Day airborne troops landed in France to gain control of strategic areas. Aerial and naval bombardment followed. Then the invasion fleet, covered by an umbrella of aircraft, discharged Eisenhower’s assault forces. Soon the beachhead was secure, but its expansion was a slow and difficult process in the face of strong opposition. It was not until late in July that the Allies were able to break out of Normandy.... More
Description (Northern France Campaign 25 July to 14 September 1944) Bombardment along a five-mile stretch of the German line enabled the Allies to break through on 25 July. While some armored forces drove southwa(Northern France Campaign 25 July to 14 September 1944) Bombardment along a five-mile stretch of the German line enabled the Allies to break through on 25 July. While some armored forces drove southward into Brittany, others fanned out to the east and, overcoming a desperate counterattack, executed a pincers movement that trapped many Germans in a pocket at Falaise. The enemy fell back on the Siegfried Line, and by mid-September 1944 nearly all of France had been liberated. During these operations in France, while light and medium bombers and fighter-bomber aircraft of Ninth Air Force had been engaged in close support and interdictory operations, Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces had continued their strategic bombing.... More
The 68th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Separate) was activated on 10 December 1943 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland with personnel transferred from the 103rd Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) and the 233rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. They left Aberdeen for transit overseas on 16 April 1944. The squad earned campaign credit for Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe and the occupation of Germany.
They arrived in Gourock, Scotland on 27 April 1944, moving on to England for additional training with Royal Air Force bomb disposal units. They arrived in Vaubadon, France, on 10 July 1944. From there they worked with the Aviation Engineers, under the Ninth Air Force in clearing ALG temporary landing strips. They conducted this work in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany as the Allies advanced. From the time they arrived at Normandy in June the squad was moving at a rapid pace from one airfield to the next in support of the Aviation Engineers. On 8 August the squad was told to move to Le Mans and begin clearing the airfield there. They were told to proceed with caution however, because both the town and airfield might still be in German controlled land. On 9 August 1944 the squad moved to Laval, where the commander and two men took a jeep to Le Mans to scout the area. On arrival they found the situation calm and sent a sergeant back to guide the remainder of the unit. While en route the jeep came under sniper fire, a tire blew and Sgt. John F. Smith was seriously injured when the jeep overturned. The squad finally reached Le Mans and continued work one man short.
On 28 August the squad arrived at an airfield just outside Paris, two days after the official liberation of the city. They had traveled well over 100 miles the day they arrived, but immediately after an evening meal they began to work and worked until darkness shut down their operations. In the following day and a half they managed to clear all of the Category A and B incidents in the area. A total of 13 UXB's were removed or destroyed in place. One had to be removed from beneath a concrete runway heavily reinforced with wire mesh, a task that took a lot of time and effort. Also taken care of were 18 demolition charges, some Molotov Cocktails, a 90mm round, several grenades and other ordnance. The demolition charges had been set-up, but were not booby trapped so removal was easy.
After completing this work the squad decided to enter the city of Paris and they were greeted with a scene repeated many times over as the Americans advanced through Europe. Amidst the destruction and aftermath of war were miles of streets with people lining them cheering, waving French and American flags and shouting thanks in both French and English. Almost to a man the squad members say the memory of that drive was the high point of their experience in the war. Comments were also made that this experience was certainly different than driving through German cities at a later point. Then there was no cheering, no flag waving and their reconnaissance was often interrupted by mortar or small arms fire.
The unit work was quite often routine labor efforts and often somewhat boring, but about the time boredom would set in some unique or more challenging incident would occur. The 68th did not have any deaths, but suffered numerous minor injuries to personnel, just as many other squads experienced. They enjoyed the rapid pace set by the advancing US forces and the chance to see new areas and sites as they continued their work. Most felt that in spite of the hazards of their work, no one would willingly change his occupation as long as they were in the Army.
By February 1945 the squad was one of six assigned permanent duty with the Ninth Air Force Engineers. The 68th was inactivated at Burgfarrnbach, Furth, Germany, effective 12 November 1945.