January 19, 1944 — Morale soared as the GIs cleaned up, saw a couple of movies, wrote letters home, and got their mail
January 19, 2025On January 20, the 30th Regiment held its usual pre-battle awards ceremony, this time in a blinding snowstorm. Ceremonies usually marked the conclusion of one regimental campaign and almost always foretold the launching of another—and this ceremony followed that pattern.[1]
Phil received his second Purple Heart—called a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster—for his leg wound in the Vosges. The medal was personally pinned on him by Colonel McGarr, assisted by Lieutenant Calvert.
As was now his custom, after McGarr pinned Phil, he saluted and said, “Like General O’Daniel says, to a hell of a fighting man!”
The ceremony was another proud moment for Phil, as very few twenty-year-olds had been awarded two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, and a Silver Star. His mind, however, was set on the next battle looming ahead—the elimination of the Colmar Pocket.[1]
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On 20 January, the French I Corps jumped off in its attack against the south side of the Colmar pocket from its long-held position immediately to the north of Mulhouse. The coordinated attack from the north by Phil’s outfit was not long to follow.[2]
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As everyone now realized, the Colmar terrain presented many challenges to the Allied forces, both north and south.
Because of innumerable streams, brooks, small rivers, and canals on the projected routes of advance of both corps, considerable bridging equipment was required.
To make the maximum amount available, the French replaced many of the existing Bailey bridges in their areas with timber structures, and General Devers managed to obtain a bridge company from the Third Army to provide direct support for the U.S. 3rd Division.
But bridging remained scarce and had to be carefully rationed; ultimately much more had to be made available to the French from Seventh Army and theater reserves during the course of the operation.[3]
Although they did not know it at the time, the bridging scarcity would almost lead to the demise of most of Phil’s 30th Infantry Regiment.[3]
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[1] Larimore, At First Light, 184.
[2] Prohme, 307.
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