February 16, 1945 — I almost felt human after six months in hell
February 16, 2025
February 21, 1945 — Phil and his men enjoyed a hard-earned 20 day rest while preparing to invade Germany
February 21, 2025February 20, 1945 — High honors for Phil and his men — Croix de Guerre with Palm and French Fourragère
By 20 February 1945, the 30th Infantry Regiment had completed its move to the Nancy area. Phil’s 3rd Battalion was at Lay-St.-Christophe. The men were excited that members of their 1st Battalion would be representing their Regiment and Division at a significant ceremony to be held in Colmar for the presentation of the French citation to the 3rd Infantry Division.[1]
At this impressive ceremony, with representatives of all XXI Corps units (principally the 3rd Infantry Division), and of the entire French First Army, in attendance, General de Lattre de Tassigny, French First Army commander, in the presence of General Devers, the 6th Army Group commander, would pin the Croix de Guerre with Palm to the Division’s colors.[1]
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For its work at Colmar, Gen. de Lattre de Tassigny, First French Army Commander, presented the 3rd with the Croix de Guerre with Palm Unit citation. A second Croix de Guerre was awarded for its achievements in the Vosges. With these honors, Marne-men earned the right to wear the French Fourragère.[2]
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For its outstanding work in the this pocket the 3d Division and hence the 30th Infantry Regiment, was duly honored. On 20 February, it was awarded the French Order of the Croix de Guerre with Palm and each man in the Division was entitled to wear the Fourragère in the colors of the Croix de Guerre, 1939.
The Colmar campaign had been costly. The 30th Infantry casualty total listed 8 officers and 193 enlisted men killed; 3 officers and 290 men missing in action; 26 officers and 650 men wounded in action; a grand total of 1,170 casualties, third costliest in the history of the Regiment. … Medals of Honor had been awarded to two along with six Distinguished Service Corsses, 157 Silver Stars, and 283 Bronze Stars had also been awarded officers and men of the 30th Infantry.[3]
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[1] Prohme, 326.
[2] 3rd Division History.
[3] Prohme, 326.
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