A small family in front of their home, 1900's.
PFC Andy Masiero and Staff Sergeant Urban Minicozzi of Company A/ 289th Infantry Regiment/ 75th Infantry Division examine the headgear of PFC Masiero in the Ardennes. The young private’s helmet and liner were pierced by an enemy’s bullet which drew blood from his temple, but left him otherwise unscathed.
Reaching the European Theater in November 1944, the 75th began fighting on January 1, 1945 in the Battle of the Bulge, and fought there for 26 bitter, cold days. Crossing the Salm River, the 75th moved into the north flank of the Ardennes in Belgium, cleared Salmchâteau and Bech, and helped take the important bastion of Vielsalm.
From January to May of 1945, the 75th Infantry Division moved back and forth so much along the European battlefront that observing its progress was a a lot like watching a tennis match. During their time in battle, the 75th Infantry Division would have over 4,000 casualties with 817 killed in action
Battle of Anzio: 3rd Infantry Division: James Arness of Minnesota
James Arness, of Minneapolis Minnesota, registered for service with the US Army on June 30, 1942 at the age of 19 years old. He served as a rifleman in the 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division.
On January 22, 1944 Corporal Arness landed on the Anzio Beachead during Operation Shingle. On February 1, James and his squad were caught up in an intense fight in a vineyard. After the enemy was pushed back by the Second Platoon, James was left with multiple severe injuries to his leg, rendering him immobile. The damage to his right leg required numerous surgeries and months of recuperation. This damage would stay with James for the rest of his life. Corporal Arness was honorably discharged from the US Army on January 29, 1945. He was honored with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service. James' younger brother, Peter Graves of Mission Impossible fame, also served as a Corporal in the United States Army Air Forces during the war. The brothers are pictured below.
After the war James went on to have a successful career as an actor. Most memorably as the character "Matt Dillon" on the series "Gunsmoke."
James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at the age of 88. He lies in rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Lest We Forget.
