Looks like HAL doesn't like what you're doing.

Or perhaps the Master Control Program is shutting down your access.

If you don't get those references the good news is you're not a nerd!

Okay I changed the elusive global permissions upload parameter. Viola!

Mare ,

It's been a while so I just read this post.

The pics are taken near the 1/327GIR lines .

The 87th ID was in that same area , more south towards Tillet .

I wonder if Mr Hennessy remembers the story of Curtis Shoup , who got killed after a heroic action in the battle for Tillet on 7 jan 1945 ?

He was the only MOH recepient .

Let me know !

regards

Reg

Reg

I warmly appreciate your knowledge of the 87th Inf. Div. At that young age I knew we were

fighting to rid the world of real evil. To

know you carry around in your mind memories

of the American G,.I. who fought in a strange

land,to keep people free of bondage,touches

me deeoply.Yes I do know about Curtius Shoup.

He is well remembered by all.May He Rest In

Peace.knowing He died for a just cause.

Jim Hennessey-87th. Inf.Div.

Reg and Jim, sadly I do not know the story of Curtis Shoup. Could you please share your knowledge. Gratefully yours, M1

James, thank you for the link you sent this evening. Will read it...

http://www.answers.com/topic/curtis-f-shoup

From Webster's Dictionary - the definition of "valor":

etymology:Middle English "valour" worth, worthiness, bravery

From Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin "valor", from Latin "valere" to be of worth, to be strong

:strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness:personal bravery

Curtis Shoupe was a man of valor. Thank God we've had such men!

m2

I just was hoping everyone here in this forum would be so kind as to check out a website I have started. I would Love some feedback because we just started. Our goal is to educate using History. One of our main focus' is to interview veteran's so their story will be saved. Just take a look if you would be so kind. E-mail me or leave some comments on the site.

Historydocumented.com

I also Posted my finished Roman Frankowski Article that finsished. Because many of you on this forum helped out a bunch by pointing me in the right direction. Thank You!

sincerely

Chris Wulf

-- attachment is not available --

James ,

Thanks for the link .

Mare , Jim ,

I'll post the story of a man who hated war but died for freedom ...

Reg

Curtis Shoup

regards

Reg

The Life of a Man Who Hated War - Curtis Shoup

By Lt. Robert J. Watson

I-346

________________________________________

I knew this man - Curtis Shoup - very well. We lived near one another and graduated together from Oswego, New York High School, our birthdays and ages were only three months apart.

Curtis was a quiet, unassuming person, his boyish looks reflecting his age. He was an excellent student and while he did not participate much in sports, he was strong and graded well in strength tests. Curtis Shoup's father was a Baptist minister and the son hoped some day to emulate his father.

After our graduation in 1940, our paths split for several years. So it must have been fate that brought us together again in August 1944 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. That month he was assigned to my unit, Company I, 346th Regiment.

We had many memories to share and warmly renewed our acquaintance. Although he hated war, Curtis proved to be a fine soldier. He was trained as a Browning Automatic Rifleman, carrying and firing the weapon both in training and in combat. His proficiency and dedication brought him promotions to staff sergeant and he became an assistant squad leader. Although war was not to his liking, he realized that someday he might have to kill or be killed.

On 7 January 1945 seven days before his 24th birthday, the temperature in Belgium dived to near zero. In fact for five days before 7 January, the temperature and visibility consistently stayed around zero. In this situation, we Americans were at a terrible disadvantage. That's because the Germans had selected their area of concentration and did not need much additional observation. Day after day, they rained down tank and machine-gun fire from the east-end of the village steadily depleting our forces and keeping us pinned down.

Unable to dig in, the heat of our prone bodies melted the snow, penetrating our clothing and actually freezing us in place. Our weapons operated erratically, while German snipers picked off anybody who raised his head. Under these conditions, our advance was painfully slow, exacting an exorbitant cost in blood.

On the fourth day of being pinned down in the snow and bitter cold, Company I was achieving a small advance when it encountered withering fire from two German machine guns and some mortars. Curtis Shoup was able to spot one of the machine guns but because of the terrain, was unable to draw a bead on it with his BAR.

He tried to run to a more advantageous position but ran into a hail of machine-gun fire. Then, to the amazement of all of us, he stood up straight and fired from the hip at one machine gun. Hit again, he somehow managed to crawl toward the machine gun and drop a grenade, destroying the nest. Although mortally wounded, he was actually attempting to destroy the second machine gun when a sniper took his life.

Those who saw it all will never forget this incredible, unselfish act. Inspired by his sacrifice, our company fought house to house under extremely heavy fire and finally captured Tillet. Our five-day siege had started with ninety enlisted men and five officers. At the end, we had thirty-five enlisted men and one officer, myself.

Why does one person sacrifice his life to save others? That question has preyed on my mind for over half a century. We will never have answers and we certainly will never know how many fatalities would have been caused if Staff Sergeant Curtis Shoup had never risen up and sacrificed his life.

Other courageous Americans played key roles in overcoming the tenacious enemy in this battle. They included but were not limited to 1st Lt. Glen Doman, a fine officer from K Company, who won the Distinguished Service Cross for exceptional bravery in the battle. Lt. Bill O'Donnell, now a Monsignor of the Catholic Church, who jumped on a disabled German tank and directed fire at the enemy, winning the nation's third highest award, the Silver Star. Erasmus Pistone of the Third Battalion medical detachment, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for administering first aid under fire.

Curtis Shoup was the only member of the 87th Infantry Division to have received the United State's highest military award as American troops fought to lift the yoke of Nazi tyranny.

Curtis, I know that God has already blessed you.

Hi Chris:

Good to hear from you and congrats on your new site. It's always wonderful to see other people pursue this avenue. Thanks for remembering our vets and carrying on their memories.

I'll be happy to add your site to the main site when I get the chance.

Reg:

What a touching account.

Why does one person sacrifice his life to save others? That question has preyed on my mind for over half a century. We will never have answers and we certainly will never know how many fatalities would have been caused if Staff Sergeant Curtis Shoup had never risen up and sacrificed his life.

Indeed, and just how many people from that moment on, owe their lives to him?

This is where the mg nests were .

The houses aren't there anymore .

The small village of Tillet is a part of St-Ode and is situated about 4 miles south from the signs that are shown on top of this topic.

St-Ode has fraternised with St-Mere-Eglise in Normandy .

Thank you 87 ID for your part in liberating our people , thank you Jim !

Reg