He was originally from Locustdale, Pennsylvania.

My father was transported from North Africa from the 757th tank bttn 3-4 days prior to D-Day. When he got to England, he was assigned to the 741st tank bttn., Company "A" on "detached duty" from the 33rd Infantry Division (from the Panama Canal Zone).

On June 6, 1944, he went to Normandy to land on Omaha Beach but lost his tank before reaching the shore because it sank. He and another man who was in the tank with him swam to shore at Point Du-Hoc and helped provide cover for the rangers while they were ascending that point of Omaha Beach. He said the 741st "adopted him for a while" after D-Day.

When his tank was later destroyed, he was then assigned to the 70th tank bttn and fought in the Huertgen Forest, and then was assigned to the 743rd tank bttn. and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Shortly after the Battle of the Bulge, after the Americans had moved into Germany, he was ordered home to be discharged because he had more than enough points. He was discharged on August 8, 1945, after being in the U.S. Army since September, 1939. If you can put him on the roster list for Company A, I would sincerely appreciate it!

Claire Krapf