Heroes: the Army
"...On November 23, 1944 we were just outside the German town of Immendorf, near the Siegfried Line of pillboxes, when I was hit in the back of the leg late at night..."
Heroes: the Army
"...On November 23, 1944 we were just outside the German town of Immendorf, near the Siegfried Line of pillboxes, when I was hit in the back of the leg late at night..."
Parke G. Hoover, WWII era photo
Parke G. Hoover
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit: Co. F., 405th Regiment,
102nd Infantry Division- Dates: 1943-1945
- Location: European Theater
- Rank: PFC
- Birth Year: 1923
- Entered Service: Ephrata, PA
Parke G. Hoover, in 2005
War Memories of Parke G. Hoover:
I served with Company "F" 405th Infantry
I served in the European Theater - We landed at Cherburg and I think were the first troop ship to land after that port was cleared. I believe it was September 23,1944. On November 23, 1944 we were just outside the German town of Immendorf, near the Siegfried Line of pillboxes, when I was hit in the back of the leg late at night. We had headed back for our second trip to get 10-1 cartons of rations. It was Thanksgiving Day.
I saw only one day of action. I remember that the British shone searchlights against the clouds which made it look like a moonlite night. I didn't quite understand that. You could see them, but they could see you. It was getting to be early morning when I was hung on the side of a Sherman tank with British crew. One of them was up through the hatch putting blankets on me when I heard one of his buddies inside the tank call out "Hey, you better get your head down here before you get it blown off".
The Germans had started a mortar barrage prior to a counter attack that took place later. I was taken to a British aid station where I had a cup of hot tea. I was reported missing in action, but later my mother received word that I was wounded.
My older brother was also in service at this time in the South Pacific. I have 4 brothers (2 are deceased). All 5 of us were in service at one time or another, 2 in Infantry, 2 in Navy and 1 served as a copilot with SAC flying missions over Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis.
I was one of the 150,000 in ASTP and when it was disbanded we wound up in Infantry or Artillery. I was sent to Infantry at Camp Swift, Texas.
I have a copy of the 102nd Div. History.
I was handed a Purple Heart while in the hospital in England. The information was omitted in the history where names are listed and I believe an asterisk indicated a Purple Heart was awarded.
---- Parke G. Hoover
(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 way to rewrite the story. Any corrections are gladly welcomed.)
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, "War Memories of Parke G. Hoover", was written by Parke G. Hoover, who served in Co. F., 405th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 102nd Infantry Division.
The story is re-printed here on World War II Stories -- In Their Own Words with the kind permission of Mr. Hoover. Our sincerest THANKS to Mr. Hoover for allowing us to share the memories of war years.
We at the World War II Stories -- In Their Own Words web site wish to offer our most profound THANK YOU to the Mr. Parke G. Hoover, for his offer to share his memories of the war.
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 12 September 2004.
Story added to website on --------.
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