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| Sergeant
Raymond Mohrlang in England, 1944 |
Walditch
Bridport November 1943-May 1944 |
| This
is a wonderful story, I made contact with Gary Mohrlang through e-bay, I was buying
a USAAF patch for my personal collection. He noticed we live at Bridport in England
and wrote to me to tell me his father was stationed at Bridport awaiting embarkation
to the D-Day landing beaches 60 years ago. These pictures were taken in England,
before he joined his comrades in the big push across the Channel. I told Gary
that Bridport Museum are holding an exhibition of official photographs, taken
locally, of GI's in the war getting to know us Limeys. These photographs
are Sergeant Reymond Mohrlangs personal memory of his comrades in arms, his band
of brothers.The photos speak for themselves, a company of young men who have already
been tested by battle, wait for the big push into Europe. They know what lies
before them and they will show incredible bravery against all the odds. Here I
let Gary take over the story of how his father, one of many soldiers, came to
our aid 60 years ago. |
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| Gary writes
"Until my dad's dying day, I don't believe I ever heard him refer to the
English as English, British, Brits or any other name you all may go by. It was
always "Those Limeys" or "That Limey," but always
with true admiration in his voice. He would tell us as children "When
I was over there, those Limeys would have their bagpipers play right up front
into battle!" "Can you imagine how brave those Limey were!"
or "Those Limeys knew how to do it right!" or "The Limeys
have the right idea," etc..etc.. We always knew to whom he was referring.
The photo shows
my father Sergeant Raymond Mohrlang in England, May 1944, right before the Cross-Channel
Attack. |
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He served
in Capt. Joseph Dawson's Company G, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st
Infantry Division. They were credited with being the first onto the bluffs overlooking
Omaha Beach on June 6th, which he never talked about. I learned about this through
reading about the invasion and talking with some of his buddies. I am very proud
of my father's war service.
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| His
decorations and awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Presidential Unit
Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak
Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation,
EAME Campaign Medal with 6 Campaign Stars and Arrowhead Device (for Invasion Assaults
on N. Africa, Sicily and Normandy), W.W.II Victory Medal and the French Foureguerre.
He was serving with Co. G as a Staff Sergeant/Platoon Guide, when on Nov.
20, 1944, he was severely wounded in the Huertgen Forest Battle, shortly after
crossing the Siegfried Line in Germany. He was evacuated through England back
to America and spent the next 4 years at Fitzsimmons Gen. Hospital in Denver,
CO. His wounds caught up with him and he passed away on Feb. 28, 1986. He is missed!" |
| Gary Mohrlang |
| Thank you very much for sharing your Father's story and photographs
with us Gary. |
| Capt
Joe Dawson |
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