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| Ernest Edgell was with the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment from Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139874021 https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/battle-at-crossroads-x-glidermen-of-bastogne/ |
Ernest was born January 11, 1919 in West Virginia. His parents Benjamin and Ora were also born in West Virginia. His father was a farmer. Ernest had four older sisters. In 1940, Ernest had completed eighth grade and was living at home in Birch, West Virginia and working as a laborer on the family farm.
Ernest was inducted into the US Army in March 1942 and served as a PFC in Company B, 1st Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. The 401st trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and Fort Bragg, North Carolina and it was likely there that PFC Edgell met and married his wife, the former Anna Ruby Metz, in October 1942.
In July 1943 the 401st deployed to England in preparation for the invasion of Europe and the 1st Battalion was transferred to the 327th GIR. On D-Day, the 401st was part of the Division reserve and landed with the 4th Infantry Division at Utah Beach. After 33 days of combat, including taking part in the assault and capture of St. Come-du-Mont and Carentan, the 401st was withdrawn to England to refit and train for their next mission.
After several months of additional training in glider landing techniques, the 401st took part in Operation Market Garden. During this operation in September 1944, over 14,500 troops were landed by glider behind enemy lines in Holland, along with 1,736 vehicles and 263 artillery pieces. The 401st fought to keep the corridor open in the Zon-Veghel area of Holland for British XXX Corps. Once relieved, the 401st was sent to Mourmelon-le-Grand, France to rest and replenish its ranks once again.
In December 1944, the Germans launched the all-out assault known as the Battle of the Bulge. On December 17, the 401st was sent by truck to Bastogne, Belgium to aid in its defense against the German onslaught. The glidermen of the 401st were sent into combat with what clothing and equipment had been issued them after the fighting in Holland, some went without ammunition or winter clothing. The 401st set up defensive positions on the west side of Bastogne and helped to fight off repeated German attacks. December 23 was a tough day for the 401st. Continued German attacks forced it to pull back three miles, but it did not let the Germans break through the lines. It was during this fighting that PFC Edgell was killed in action.
Ernest Roop Edgell is buried in Minnora Cemetery in Calhoun County, West Virginia. His wife remarried in 1950 and passed away in 2006.
Thank you Ernest for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ernest.
_____
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Amphibious tanker Hebert Hornberger. You can read about Herbert here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
After several months of additional training in glider landing techniques, the 401st took part in Operation Market Garden. During this operation in September 1944, over 14,500 troops were landed by glider behind enemy lines in Holland, along with 1,736 vehicles and 263 artillery pieces. The 401st fought to keep the corridor open in the Zon-Veghel area of Holland for British XXX Corps. Once relieved, the 401st was sent to Mourmelon-le-Grand, France to rest and replenish its ranks once again.
In December 1944, the Germans launched the all-out assault known as the Battle of the Bulge. On December 17, the 401st was sent by truck to Bastogne, Belgium to aid in its defense against the German onslaught. The glidermen of the 401st were sent into combat with what clothing and equipment had been issued them after the fighting in Holland, some went without ammunition or winter clothing. The 401st set up defensive positions on the west side of Bastogne and helped to fight off repeated German attacks. December 23 was a tough day for the 401st. Continued German attacks forced it to pull back three miles, but it did not let the Germans break through the lines. It was during this fighting that PFC Edgell was killed in action.
Ernest Roop Edgell is buried in Minnora Cemetery in Calhoun County, West Virginia. His wife remarried in 1950 and passed away in 2006.
Thank you Ernest for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ernest.
_____
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Amphibious tanker Hebert Hornberger. You can read about Herbert here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by
The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation
“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”
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