1945
2 Jan – Weris – (Prov) Luxembourg – Belgium
7 Jan – Fisenne – (Prov) Luxembourg – Belgium
11 Jan – Erpigny – (Prov) Luxembourg – Belgium
13 Jan – Odeigne – (Prov) Luxembourg – Belgium
14 Jan – St-Jean (Farm) – (Prov) Luxembourg – Belgium
20 Jan – Florze – (Prov) Liege – Belgium
3 Feb – Gulpen (1 mi W) – Limburg – Netherlands
24 Feb – Aachen (2 mi NW) – Rhineland – Germany
27 Feb – Mersch – Rhineland – Germany
28 Feb – Garzweiler – Rhineland – Germany
1 Mar – Glehn – Rhineland – Germany
2 Mar – Heide – Rhineland – Germany
3 Mar – Krefeld (4 mi S) – Rhineland – Germany
14 Mar – Schiefbahn – Rhineland – Germany
28 Mar – Bruckhausen – Westphalia – Germany
29 Mar – Altschermbeck – Westphalia – Germany
30 Mar – Hullern (1 mi E) – Westphalia – Germany
31 Mar – Walstedde – Westphalia – Germany
1 Apr – Stromberg – Westphalia – Germany
2 Apr – Schloss Holte – Westphalia – Germany
4 Apr – Lemgo – Westphalia – Germany
5 Apr – Schwobber – Hannover – Germany
7 Apr – Elze – Hannover – Germany
10 Apr – Soder – Hannover – Germany
11 Apr – Hornburg – Hannover – Germany
12 Apr – Klein Wanzleben – Hannover – Germany
13 Apr – Gross Ottersleben – Hannover – Germany
21 Apr – Wolfenbuttel – Hannover – Germany
22 Apr – Braunschweig – Forst Konigslutter – Germany
2-AD Combat Narrative
In North Africa, elements of the 66-AIR and 67-AIR landed at Mehdia, Fedala, and Safi respectively on November 8, 1942. CCB received the surrender of Mazagan on November 11, and later some elements fought at Beja, Tunisia. In Sicily, the division entered combat as a whole during the invasion on July 10, 1943. CCA assaulted Licata while the rest of the division landed east of Gela. CCB mopped up the Niscemi area while CCA advanced, and on July 15, the division assembled at Campobello and then followed the army’s advance to exploit breakthroughs. It was committed into action on July 22 and rapidly drove to the outskirts of Palermo. The division was then sent to England and trained for the invasion in Normandy.
In France, the division landed on June 9, 1944, and was initially employed to strengthen the Auville-sur-le-Vey Bridgehead. On July 26, the 2-AD attacked through 30-ID and took St Denis le Gast 2 days later, being then relieved in the Percy area on July 29. Tessy fell to CCA on August 1, and on August 7, the division was committed to stopping the German drive on Avranches. On August 14, CCA overran Domfort, and a day later, the division attacked west of Dreux to cut the German forces off from the Seine River between Paris and Elbeuf. It reached Le Neubourg on August 23, and resumed the advance on August 30, reaching positions northwest of Cambrai by September 1.
In Belgium and in the Netherlands, CCA crossed the Albert Canal on September 13 and reached the Meuse River the next day as the German defenders withdrew. CCB crossed the Albert Canal at Meerseen on September 15, but its bridgehead was subjected to heavy fire the following day and CCA continued the crossing at Valkenburg. The Germans were forced back to Sittard which was taken on September 18 as the division ignited a breakthrough and drove to Gangelt. Unfortunately, one strong German counter-attack restored the US lines back to the Departure Line on September 19. The division then took up defensive positions near Geilenkirchen in Germany. In Germany, the division attacked on October 3 as it crossed the Wurm River at Marienberg to expand the 30-ID Bridgehead. CCB attacked from Ubach Palenberg the next day, suffering heavy tank losses, and CCA reinforced. CCB was stopped short of Geilenkirchen on October 6. The division fought through heavy combat at Oidtweiler to attack the Aachen Gap at Wurselen starting October 13. On November 16, the division attacked and took Puffendorf on the outer ring of the Jülich defenses with CCB, which was counter-attacked the next day, and CCA committed. Against strong opposition, CCB took Apweiler and held it against a counter-attack on November 18/19. The division renewed its attacks in heavy rain on November 20 and CCA fought the Battle for Merzenhausen on November 22/27. CCA then took Barmen and reached the Roer River on November 28.
The division then assumed defensive positions along the Roer until released as a result of the German Ardennes counter-offensive, moving to the Durbuy – Marche area in Belgium during the period of December 20/24. Back in Belgium, CCA reached Buissonville on Christmas Day, December 24, and CCB took Celles the next day and held it against several counter-attacks. The division cleared Humain against strong opposition and then was relieved in the Havelange area by the 83-ID, regrouping on December 28. The division attacked then Houffalize on January 3 and fought the Battle for Odeigne on January 4/6, reached the Ourthe River January 15, and occupied Houffalize January 16. The division then was relieved by the 4-Cav Group on January 19 and withdrew for rehabilitation. Back to Germany, the division assembled across the Roer River on February 27 and attacked on March 1 across the Cologne Plain as it assaulted over the Nord Canal.
It concluded the offensive on March 4 as CCB took Verdingen on the Rhine. It crossed the Rhine River on March 27 and relieved the 17-A/B on March 29. CCB then drove to Lippstadt where it made contact with the advancing 3-AD on April 1. The 2-AD commenced the Battle for the Teutoburger Wald Passes on April 2 and by April 5 CCA had reached and crossed the Weser River at Ohr and CCB at Grohnde. CCA advanced to take the bridge at Schulenberg over the Leine River intact the next day. After regrouping on April 7, the division renewed its offensive on April 10 as CCB took the Oker River bridge at Schladen. CCB then drove 57 miles to reach the Elbe River south of Magdeburg on April 11. CCA assaulted Magdeburg with the 30-ID on April 17/18. The division was moved to an occupation zone south of Braunschweig on April 20 and mopped up stragglers in Forst Konigslutter on April 21/22. Hostilities ended officially on May 7, 1945.
Burt, James M.
Rank, Captain.
Baker Co, 66-AIR, 2-AD.
Born, Hinsdale, Mass.
Entered Service, Lee, Mass.
G.O. Number 95, Issued 10/30/1945
Wurselen, Germany, Oct 13 1944.
Citation Capt James M. Burt was in command of Baker Co, 66-AIR on the western outskirts of Wurselen, Germany, on Oct 13, 1944, when his organization participated in a coordinated infantry-tank attack destined to isolate the large German garrison which was tenaciously defending the city of Aachen. In the first day’s action, when infantrymen ran into murderous small-arms and mortar fire, Capt Burt dismounted from his tank about 200 yards to the rear and moved forward on foot beyond the infantry positions, where, as the enemy concentrated a tremendous volume of fire upon him, he calmly motioned his tanks into good firing positions. As our attack gained momentum, he climbed aboard his tank and directed the action from the rear deck, exposed to hostile volleys which finally wounded him painfully in the face and neck. He maintained his dangerous post despite point-blank self-propelled gunfire until friendly artillery knocked out these enemy weapons, and then proceeded to the advanced infantry scouts’ positions to deploy his tanks for the defense of the gains which had been made. The next day, when the enemy counterattacked, he left cover and went 75 yards through heavy fire to assist the infantry battalion commander who was seriously wounded. For the next 8 days, through rainy, miserable weather and under constant, heavy shelling, Capt Burt held the combined forces together, dominating and controlling the critical situation through the sheer force of his heroic example.
To direct artillery fire, on Oct 15, he took his tank 300 yards into the enemy lines, where he dismounted and remained for 1 hour giving accurate data to friendly gunners. Twice more that day he went into enemy territory under deadly fire on reconnaissance. In succeeding days he never faltered in his determination to defeat the strong German forces opposing him. Twice the tank in which he was riding was knocked out by enemy action, and each time he climbed aboard another vehicle and continued the fight. He took great risks to rescue wounded comrades and inflicted prodigious destruction on enemy personnel and materiel even though suffering from the wounds he received in the battle’s opening phase. Capt Burt’s intrepidity and disregard of personal safety were so complete that his own men and the infantry who attached themselves to him were inspired to overcome the wretched and extremely hazardous conditions which accompanied one of the most bitter local actions of the war. The victory achieved closed the Aachen gap.
Kisters, Gerry H.
2/Lt 2nd Armored Division.
Born, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Entered Service, Bloomington, Indiana.
G.O. Number 13, Issued, 02/18/1944.
Near Gagliano, Sicily, Jul 31 1943.
Citation On Jul 31 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, a detachment of 1 officer and 9 EM, including Sgt Kisters, advanced ahead of the leading elements of US troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire by 2 enemy MGs. Sgt Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest MG emplacement and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of 4. Although the greater part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured MG position, Sgt Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the second MG emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck 5 times by enemy bullets, receiving wounds in both legs and his right arm. Despite the wounds, he continued to advance on the enemy and captured the second MG after killing 3 of its crew and forcing the fourth member to flee. The courage of this soldier and his unhesitating willingness to sacrifice his life, if necessary, served as an inspiration to the command.
Hulon B. Whittington
Rank, Sergeant, 41-AIR, 2-AD.
Born, July 9, 1921, in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Entered Service Bastrop, Louisiana.
G.O. Number 32, Issued Apr 23, 1945,
Near Grimesnil, France, July 29, 1944.
Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On the night of July 29, 1944, near Grimesnil, France, during an enemy armored attack, Sgt Whittington, a squad leader, assumed command of his platoon when the platoon leader and platoon sergeant became missing in action. He reorganized the defense and, under fire, courageously crawled between gun positions to check the actions of his men. When the advancing enemy attempted to penetrate a roadblock, Sgt Whittington, completely disregarding intense enemy action, mounted a tank and by shouting through the turret, directed it into position to fire point-blank at the leading Mark V German tank. The destruction of this vehicle blocked all movement of the remaining enemy column consisting of over 100 vehicles of a Panzer unit. The blocked vehicles were then destroyed by hand grenades, bazooka, tank, and artillery fire and large numbers of enemy personnel were wiped out by a bold and resolute bayonet charge inspired by Sgt Whittington. When the medical aid man had become a casualty, Sgt Whittington personally administered first aid to his wounded men. The dynamic leadership, the inspiring example, and the dauntless courage of Sgt Whittington, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service.
