It was early February, 1944.  The 504 PIR made a beach landing in Anzio.  After four or five days they decided to expand the beach head.  We were to take a bridge across the Mussolini Canal.  Out front was first scout, Cherokee and second scout Wolfe., the BAR man.  It was night and Cherokee said somethings moving over across the road, spray it with the BAR.   Wolfe cut loose and emtied most of a clip, generously covering the area.  After checking it out Cherokee returned and said, Well, you got five chickens, two geese and you missed the cow.   The Germans, hearing gunfire, blew the bridge we would have been on or near.

    Because Anzio was the only battle I survived the whole time, I remember more.  We moved up several times and with heavy fighting.  We attacked further up the Mussolini Canal but couldnt get across the road and the Germans were forming up to counterattack.  That was where I worked my way across a low area in the road and back up the other side to get an angle of fire.  They took heavy casualties and the rest of the Germans pulled back.  Anzio was two months of never being out of the threat of being shelled by 88s or mortars plus night patrols, manning lookouts and pure misery.

    On the combat jump into Holland, I broke my foot on the landing.  After we completed our first objective, the Mass Canal Bridge near the town of Grave, the British relieved us three or four days later and I was sent back to the aid station.  While hobbling along an elderly Dutchman gave me his cane.  Further along a young Dutchman put me on his handlebars and rode me to the aid station.  On the strength of this story, my wife and I were hosted by the Holland-American Committee, to spend two weeks visiting the towns where we were fed, toasted and generally blessed for the aid our armies brought to free them from the Nazis.  There were 60 men and spouses honored as a celebration of 200 years of association between our two countries, representing six divisions that fought in Holland.