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| Pfc. Boyce Bridges served in the 4th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6255260/boyce-buford-bridges http://1-22infantry.org/history2/hurtgentitle.htm https://theamericanwarrior.com/tag/22nd-infantry/ |
Boyce Buford Bridges never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on April 5, 1918 in Texas. His parents John and Zenobia were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a farmer. Boyce had one older sister and two younger brothers. By 1940
He was drafted into the Army on October 26, 1942. He became a private first class in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. The 22nd IR landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. I don't know if Pfc. Bridges was with his unit at this time or joined later as a replacement. The 4th ID suffered more than 22,000 casualties during their drive from Normandy to Germany. He was part of his unit by November when the 4th ID was engaged in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.
On November 25, 1944 the 22nd IR was assigned the mission of enveloping Grosshau. It was a rainy day and the mud made it hard for the mechanical units to keep up with the infantry.
According to the 4th Infantry after action report for this date: At 1145 the 3d Battalion attacked across the open field leading into Grosshau from the north. The enemy reacted immediately by placing very heavy fire on the attacking elements. Enemy self-propelled guns, mortars of all calibers, and withering small arms fire stopped this attack disabling four tanks and two tank destroyers supporting the battalion's attempt to advance. Further attempts to capture the town from the north were repulsed and at 1500 the battalion dug in north of Grosshau after suffering heavy casualties.
Pfc. Bridges was one of those killed in the attack of Grosshau.
His grave is at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Alba, Texas.
Last year on this date I profiled B-24 crewman John Brand. You can read about John 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
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