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This Remembrance Profile was originally created by SGT Robert Briggs - Deceased
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Date of Passing Jul 03, 2022
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Last Known Activity:
Easy Co. 506 P.I.R. 101st Airborne
Rescue Mission
The British have lost nearly 8,000 men during the Battle of Arnhem and some of them were still, since September, isolated from the other side of the Rhine.
The Easy is charged on October 17, 1944, to repatriate to the other side of the Rhine 120 British soldiers, who hid a few kilometers west of Arnhem. These fugitives have lived isolated for a month in constant fear of being captured by the Germans. Their leader, Colonel Dobey, crossed the Rhine without being noticed by the Germans and has called he 101st Airborne U.S. to rescue them.
The plan that was organized was very complex and required signaling lights, the artillery division support and the support of several sections such as the 321st Artillery GFA which has secured the flank of G/506 RIP. American assault troops were composed of elements of the Easy, supported by Canadian engineers.
This operation is one of the most successful rescue mission of the Second World War. It avoid to nearly 120 Allied soldiers to be killed. There was not a single shot. The following elements of the Easy who participated in the operation received a "Citation Battlefield":
Lt. Frederick T. Heyliger (commanding the operation), 1st Lt Harry Welsh, 2nd Lt Edward D. Shames, Sgt Robert F. Mann, T/4 John McGrath, T/4 Charles E. Rhinehardt, Cpl. Walter S. Gordon, Cpl Francis J. Mellett, T/5 Ralph Stafford, Pfc Bradford C. Freeman, Pfc Walter L. Hendrix, Pfc Gerald L. Flurrie, Pfc Edward A. Mauser, Pfc James A. McMahon, Pfc Wayne A. Sisk, Pfc Robert E. Wynn, Pfc Siles E. Harrellson, Pvt Lester Hashey, Pvt John C. Lynch, and Pvt David R. Pierce.
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