Where Mike Went
Utah Beach, Normandy
Le Mans, first major city liberated
Falaise Gap, Argentan
Luxembourg, liberated
Hurtgen Forest, Bergstein, Germany
My dad was in the 5th Armored Division, CCR, 47th Armored Infantry Battalion, Company-A. He attained the rank of Corporal Tech-5, and earned several medals, bronze stars and ribbons. He rarely spoke of the war. If he did, it was about the horrors of Hurtgen Forest.
The lack of combat photos is a mystery, and perhaps done to forget. Nevertheless, these 70 photos are a glimpse into the Greatest Generation preparing for war. Here is my tribute to him, and to the “Victory Division“, the 5th Armored Division.
~ Glen Shulfer 2020
Utah Beach, Normandy
Le Mans, first major city liberated
Falaise Gap, Argentan
Luxembourg, liberated
Hurtgen Forest, Bergstein, Germany
Mike drove an M3 Half-Track Armored Personnel Carrier, and also drove a Willys Jeep when transporting officers. He hated the Half-Track, and called it “A Target“.
Mike was armed with a Thompson M1 Submachine Gun and a Colt 1911 Pistol. He also operated a Browning M1919 .30 Caliber Machine Gun.
November 17, 1944, in a foxhole, the only photo of my dad in Europe, and somehow, he managed to send it to my mom. He never expected to leave the Hürtgenwald alive. He heard German tanks rumbling one night. The next day his Half-Track took a direct hit, destroying his vehicle, machine gun, pistol, helmet, and even his watch. But he survived and was sent to a Belgian Hospital. On Christmas Day he was on a ship heading back home.
