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| Pvt. Arthur Bettencourt served with the 90th Infantry Division men in this photo during the Battle of the Bulge. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32484289/arthur-s_-bettencourt http://www.everytownusa.com/world-war-ii/90th-infantry-division-pic-of-the-week-oberwampach-luxembourg/ |
Arthur S. Bettencourt never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on March 1, 1919 in Massachusetts. His parents Joseph and Alvira were both born in the Azores Islands. His father worked as a laborer and died in 1929. Arthur had six older brothers, two older sisters, and three younger brothers. By 1940 Arthur had completed a grammar school level of education and worked as an unskilled textile worker.
He was drafted into the army on October 29, 1942. He became a private in the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment. 90th Infantry Division.
The 90th ID arrived in England in April 1944 and immediately began training for the invasion of France. It was in action in Normandy the day after D-Day. It fought through Normandy and across France as part of General Patton's 3rd Army.
When the Germans attacked through the Ardennes in December 1944, the 90th ID was sent to hold back their advance. By January 5, it started offensive operations, turning the Germans back. On January 12, 1945 the 90th ID had successfully completed a three day engagement near Wiltz, Luxembourg, wiping out the German units they had faced. Pvt. Bettencourt job was to climb telephone poles to repair communication lines. He was killed by a German sniper that day. The 90th ID would suffer more than 19,000 casualties from D-Day on Utah Beach to the end of the war fighting in Germany.
His grave is at St. Johns Cemetery in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Last year on this date I profiled Max Jones, IX Bomber Command. You can read about Max 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
Thank you Pvt. Bettencourt for your sacrifice You gave everything you had!! In the prime of your Life!!
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