Heroes: the Army
"...often told us stories about the difficult river crossings and captures of strategic bridges. He mentioned how the danger of sniper fire was always etched in his mind..."
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Memories of Edward J. Santos:
"...My grandfather Edward J. Santos often told us stories about the difficult river crossings and captures of strategic bridges. He mentioned how the danger of sniper fire was always etched in his mind. My grandfather spoke very fondly of a German family in a small village who were friendly toward the allies, and often offered them meals and a place to rest. He spoke of the attrocities of Gardelegan and the cemetary that was constructed there. At one time he had done an interview with a Boston news channel and gave his account of some of the terrible things he had wittnessed.
My entire family, and myself, are very proud of his service and contribution to our great land..."
---- Roland D. Santos,
Grandson to Edward J. Santos
(Editor's note: Attempts were made throughout the text of the following story to place full names to the men listed in the story. For the most part, this is an educated guess and some names may very well be mistaken in their identy. The names were all taken from the division history book: With The 102d Infantry Division Through Germany, edited by Major Allen H. Mick. Using the text as a guide, associations with specific units were the basis for the name identifications. We are not attempting in any to rewrite the story. Any corrections are gladly welcomed.)
You can visit our Photo Album and Scrapbook for a larger version of the image shown above.
12 January 2005.
A photo of Co. A., 2nd Platoon, 407th Regiment, 102nd Division. This image is on a page that is dedicated to Mr. Edward Marchelitis, Sr., by his daughter Carol. Most of the men in the photo taken on December 20, 1943 are identified on the back of the image.To view the photo of Co. A., 2nd Platoon, 407th Regiment as well as other photos of Edward Marchelitis, click on the image above.
The family of Mr. Marchelitis is seeking information on his platoon.
A special Thank You is extended to the daughter of Edward Marchelitis, Sr., Carol Marchelitis Heppner.
Interested in some background information?
Check out the related links below...United States Army, 102nd Infantry Division
History of the 102nd Infantry Division
Attack on Linnich, Flossdorf, Rurdorf - 29 Nov -- 4 Dec 1944
Gardelegen:
April 13, 1945:
Massacre at the Isenschnibbe BarnAmerican Battle Monuments Commission: WWII Honor Roll
National World War II Memorial
The above story, "Memories of Edward J. Santos", was written by Roland D. Santos, Grandson to Edward J. Santos.
The story is re-printed here on World War II Stories -- In Their Own Words with the kind permission of Mr. Santos. Our sincerest THANKS to Mr. Santos for allowing us to share the memories of the young man's grandfather.
We at the World War II Stories -- In Their Own Words web site wish to offer our most profound THANK YOU to the Grandson of Mr. Edward J. Santos, Mr. Roland Santos, for his offer to share this excellent image of his late Grandfather, who passed away on May 6, 2000. The image above is a family tribute to the memory of their World War II hero.
We would also like to extend our sincere THANKS to Mr. Edward L. Souder, former historian of Co. F., 405th Regiment. His collection of stories of the "Kitchen Histories Project" series entitled, Those Damn Doggies in F, were responsible for bringing the stories of the men of the 102nd Division to the forefront.
Original Story submitted on 7 July 2003.
Story added to website on 7 July 2003.
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