I
started doing some research on him and his battalion. The Army Records
show that most of the action for the 781st took place over greater part of
the 6th Corps Front. Battle engagements occurring from Wigen to
Gamsheim.
It seems that
Company A was heavily engaged through December and January of 1944 and 1945. At the Beginning
of January Company A was attached to Task Force Herron. At this
point things are not very clear... The records show that Robert was MIA as
of January 25, 1945. In an excerpt from the only book written on the
781st "Up From Marseille" , this event happened. " A
few minutes after 0700, they were 400 yards from a group of buildings on
the outskirts of town. At that moment every radio carried Sgt. Sexton's
voice saying in tense amazement, "My God, it's as big as a house!"
"It" was one of four Mark VI German Tiger Tanks, dug in and painted
white. They had been brought into town secretly during the night. A moment
after the sergeant spoke, 75mm. shells from our tanks found there way to the
Nazi Tanks, but as Sgt. Johnson put it " They Bounced off like tennis
balls." It wasn't long before shells from the Tiger's 88mm.
guns, anti-tank and self-propelled
guns were everywhere. Eight tanks out of eight were hit in as many minuets .
The attack on Sessenheim ended with eleven men killed or MIA, fifteen seriously
wounded , and six tanks left burning in the snow on the edge of
town". This is the only information that I have on the Battalion
during this time period. This may also be the place where Bob was killed and
what lead up to him receiving the Silver Star. I hope to find more eye
witness accounts. I will
update this page with any information that I receive.
I decided to do a web page honoring not only my uncle but the brave men who
served with him in the 781st Tank Battalion. Its is a small
tribute to a Group of men that went off to a foreign land leaving there families
and friends behind to fight for the cause of our freedom. I will
update this page when I receive new information.
Dennis Kelly
dbkelly7@comcast.net
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