Battlefield discovery 26th Infantry Division - YD

[ardennes44]

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[ardennes44]

Phil's grave on US Military Cemetery - Hamm, Luxembourg

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[ardennes44]

2 dog-tags ground-dug at Mon Shuman

The 2 IDs discovered on September 28th, 1977

[ardennes44]

The site of the discovery

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[ardennes44]

60th Anniversary visit on January 6th 2005

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[WalterB]

I have to close now, do hope my story was not too detailed and too long for you!! It also does some good to tell it to someone who is or might be really interested.

It is precisely these types of stories that I enjoy the most! Thank you very much for sharing this great story and thank you for caring enough about this young man. His memory lives on thanks, in part, to you. Very interesting!

[Napalm]

What a very touching and moving story. Thks for sharing...

[mfh7200]

Is a very touching story and you did a great deed in seeing that his family were able to discover the story of his last days.

[Chet Sowersby]

What a very intresting story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Chet

[ardennes44]

Philip last at home Sartell, MN in 1944

Hi to All of You !

Thanks a lot for your interest - I do really appreciate your positive comments
and very nice words !!

Owi

[ironcross1]

Fern , Stunning And Very Interesting Story, Thanks For Shareing , Cheers Ironcross1

[Paul McKee]

Fern,

Thanks for sharing this story. Very interesting.

In the first photo you show of Pvt. Weis, he is wearing the insignia of the Army Air Forces, yet he died serving in the 26th Infantry Division. Any more info on that?

Paul

[Jan B]

Very fascinating story Fern . Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cheers From Flanders Fields.

Jan

[ardennes44]

Air Force first

Fern,

Thanks for sharing this story. Very interesting.

In the first photo you show of Pvt. Weis, he is wearing the insignia of the Army Air Forces, yet he died serving in the 26th Infantry Division. Any more info on that?

Paul

Hello Paul,
Oh yes - I know how this came. As Phil was a graduate of Technical High School in St. Cloud, MN he started as a Private in the AAF when he entered service in 1943. He began his service as a Pvt at Camp Wolters, TX. Soon afterwards he started Pilot training at Bainbridge, Georgia, where he became a 2nd Lieutnant in January 1944. (I also received these officer's insignia from his brother Rollie).
After the heavy losses in Europe, especially among the Infantry, he was transferred to Camp Rucker, Alabama, where he received a quick Infantry training and was transferred overseas as a replacement in the Infantry. He probably arrived in France in August 1944 but the exact date we never found out. The picture I have is the first official picture taken as a draftee - and the best one his parents had of him. There Phil was still a Pfc in the AAF.

Thanks for your interest and questions - I really appreciate!!

Kind regards,

Fern

[Bill Gaynor]

Fern,
Great story and photos thanks for sharing, these posting to me are the best.
Bill
P.S. Thanks for leaving the flowers for a vet long since gone but not forgotten.