 |
| Sgt. Burl Higgins served with the 91st Infantry Division during its successful advance from Chianni to Pontedera. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101923169/burl-shannon-higgins https://www.lonesentry.com/91stdivision/ch3.html |
Burl Shannon Higgins never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on July 25, 1919 in Shelbyville, Illinois. His parents Grover and Bessie were also both born in Illinois. His father worked as a railroad brakeman and later as a house painter. He died in 1935. Burl had two older brothers and one older sister. By 1940 Burl had completed eight years of schooling. He was living with his widowed mother and worked as a railroad laborer. At some point he married Dorothy Madge Jordan and they had one daughter.
He was drafted into the army on August 17, 1943. He became a sergeant in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division (nicknamed "Wild West Division"). The 91st ID was sent to Italy in June 1944.
On July 12, 1944 the 91st ID was near Chianni, Italy. It was given the assignment to take the high ground dominating the Arno River. It was rough, mountainous terrain facing an enemy in prepared positions. Although it was a green unit, the 91st ID made steady advances every day. Fighting was especially difficult on July 17 when Sgt. Higgins' battalion came under heavy 88mm and mortar fire. The Americans repelled three counterattacks, suffering heavy losses. The 2nd battalion had to be pulled off the line that night because of the high casualties. Sgt. Higgins was likely wounded in this battle and died the next day, July 18, 1944.
His grave is at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, Illinois. His widow remarried, and died in 2012.
Last year on this date I profiled Andrew Hepburn, Bataan Death March survivor and the most decorated air mission of war. You can read about Andrew 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.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
No comments:
Post a Comment