Special events and ceremonies 2002

« Keystone » Legacy Tour

On the occasion of the commemoration of the 58^th anniversary of the « Bulge » in Luxembourg on December 16, 2002, a 40 person strong delegation of « Task Force Keystone » led by Col. John Gronski, commander of the 55^th Brigade 28^th ID, was visiting the former 1944/45 battlegrounds in Luxembourg. « Task Force Keystone » of the 28^th U.S. Infantry Division/Pennsylvania National Guard, is currently deployed in Europe and headquartered at Germersheim, Germany. More specifically, the present 109^th (mech.) Bn/55t BDE originates from the109^th Infantry Regiment that fought in the Diekirch area during the initial days of the « Bulge », considerably slowing down the enemy’s advance in this sector.

The members of the December 2002 field tour were all eager to visit and explore the areas where their own veterans fought in December 1944. They were motivated by the spirit of honoring the 28^th Infantry Division and paying tribute to its honored dead and veterans from the various sub-units who fought, suffered and died defending Luxembourg.

During their visit of the former battlefield and key sites relevant to the 28^th Inf. Division, the tour group was escorted by Roland Gaul and Robert Clam of AMBA, as well as by Col. Thomas Fosnacht and LtCol. Thomas Schaidhammer, two friends of the Diekirch museum.

December 15, 2002 was reserved for a detailed visit of the « Hoesdorf » plateau, defended in December 1944 by units of the 3^rd Bn ; 109^th U.S. Infantry Regiment, overlooking the Our river. Most of the staff ride members had read the 109^th history before coming or were more or less familiar with some of the facts, but nothing beats being on the actual terrain where « it all happened » and learning additional facts. The detailed narration of the December 16-19, 1944 battle of the « Hoesdorf plateau » is described in Col. (ret.) Harry Kemp’s book « The Regiment » or in « The Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg » by Roland Gaul.

Col. Gronski, commander 55th BDE, 28th I.D. addressing the members of the staff ride in front of the ruins of « Niederberghof » farm, then forward command post of « I » company, 109th Inf. Rgt.

The 3-hour field tour was followed by a touching wreathlaying ceremony at the Hoesdorf 109^th Inf. Rgt. Memorial with taps, salute and prayer.

A moment of silence, prayer and reflection at the 109th Infantry Memorial at Hoesdorf.

The wreath has just been offered by the eldest and youngest member of the tour group with Col. Gronski (right) and the Command Sergeant Major assisting.

The group then visited several sites of the « Westwall » tour on the German side of the Our river prior to exploring the Diekirch museum.

In the evening, the « Task Force Keystone » soldiers actively took part in a « Night Vigil » ceremony at Hoscheid (then defended by units of the 110^th Inf. Rgt), which was attended by the local population, representatives of patriotic organizations, various local associations and the U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Peter Terpeluk. Col. Gronski was invited to join the officials in offering a wreath in remembrance of the « Bulge » victims, while the tour members of his unit gave military honors. They then all participated in a procession carrying torches to the Hoscheid community center, where a hot meal was served to all the attendants and mementos were exchanged.

The true highlight of the entire visit was unquestionably the December 16, 2002 early morning commemoration at the actual positions held by companies « L » and « I » /109^th Rgt, when all hell broke loose that fatal early morning of December 16, 1944. It was dark, it was cold, there was light rain and a little sleet, when the tour members quietly proceeded to the edge of the woods of the Hoesdorf plateau. They all lined up at the former defense line in front of the original « foxholes » and waited for 05:30 a.m. Every member was united in mind with those brave soldiers - most of them Pennsylvania boys - who had a rude awakening exactly 58 years ago to the minute, when the German artillery then opened up and the « Bulge » started. Many of them were to die here !

The detachment’s bugler played taps in the dark.... the tour members saluted ... the bugle’s sounds waved across the Our river .... ; it was a very emotional moment ... there were hardly dry eyes.

December 16, 2002 at 5 :30 a.m. the « Task Force Keystone » members honor their unit’s war dead at the actual battle site --- 58 years later.

Another very emotional moment were the taps in the darkness of the « Hoesdorf » plateau Woods .

Twenty minutes of silence followed - no word was spoken - just thoughts dedicated to those « Keystone » soldiers who were here 58 years ago. The singing of « Roll on 28 » and « The old Grey Mare » concluded this very special event, which will be remembered for long by all the participants.

After an early breakfast in Diekirch, the tour group then proceeded to Schumann crossroads to participate in another ceremony at the « National Liberation Memorial » and also visited the Wiltz « Keystone » memorial plaque.

Group picture of the entire staff ride and their escorts in front of the Wiltz memorial.

Finally, Col. Gronski and his staff ride members also presented military honors and taps at a follow-up event at the GI statue of Clervaux, which in December 1944, became another strongpoint of the 28^th division’s efforts to stop the enemy.

Playing taps at the Clervaux GI memorial.

On the way to Luxembourg, the Marnach and Hosingen memorials -- both dedicated to the 28^th Infantry Division --, were also visited before attending a reception at the U.S. Embassy, to which Ambassador Terpeluk (himself a Pennsylvanian), had spontaneously invited the « Task Force Keystone » members.

Ambassador Peter Terpeluk welcoming the entire staff ride to the Residence.

A tour and brief ceremony at the Luxembourg American cemetery in Hamm

Closing event and honors at the Luxembourg American cemetery in Hamm.

concluded those two memorable days, which not only honored the fallen heroes of the 28^th Infantry Division and paid tribute to its veterans, but also ensured that the message of values, bravery and valor of 1944-45 lives on. Thank you 28^th Infantry Division - Thank you Task force Keystone -- Roll on !

Bettendorf remembers her « Red Diamond » liberators

On January 20, 1945, the small town of Bettendorf, located on the Sauer (Sûre) river, was liberated by troops of the 10^th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 5^th U.S. Infantry Division after fierce house to house combat.  The entire division, as a key unit of Gen. Patton’s 3^rd Army counter-attack to liquidate the southern flank of the "Bulge", had crossed the icebound river in the early morning hours of January 18, 1945 in the Ingeldorf-Diekirch-Gilsdorf-Bettendorf sector.

Under the brilliant leadership of Col Bell and the regimental executive LtCol. Breckinridge, the 10^th Infantry Regiment succeeded in securing Bettendorf and pushing in direction of Fouhren and the Our river.

A group of Dutch military vehicle collectors and U.S. Army WW II enthusiasts is getting ready -- just as on January 23, 1945 -- to push an assault boat to the banks of the Sûre.

Major General Breckinridge (+), as the former President of the 10^th Infantry veterans association, had several times escorted groups of U.S. veterans to Bettendorf , especially in 1988 on the occasion of the dedication of a U.S. memorial in Bettendorf paying tribute to the unit and its mother division.  Grateful citizens of Bettendorf honored General Breckinridge on that same occasion by having him unveil a special plaque, renaming the site of the U.S. memorial "Square General Breckinridge".

Since then, uninterruptedly the town of Bettendorf has been paying to the U.S. memorial honoring the GIs of the 10^th Infantry Regiment in January, year after year.

But January 20, 2001 was a bit special.  Under the initiative of Mr. Aloyse Meyers (+), local historian of Bettendorf, the city officials allocated funds for an additional bronze plaque in honor of the January 1945 liberation.  The plaque is an exact copy cast in bronze of the famous U.S. Signal Corps picture showing U.S. troops pushing an assault boat to the banks of the Sûre river.  This plaque, together with a sealed photograph, has been added a stone wall on the exact spot where the original picture was taken in January 1945.  The matching diorama, as well as additional pictures of the liberation of Bettendorf, can be seen at the National Museum of Military History (NMMH) in Diekirch.

The inauguration was followed by a reception at the Bettendorf city hall, offered by Mayor Brepsom, attended by U.S. Chargé and Mrs. Gerald Loftus and Col. Guy Lenz, Commander of the Luxembourg Army.

This special memorial was inaugurated on a cold January 20, 2001 afternoon in presence of U.S. Chargé Mr. Gerald Loftus, the town officials and the commander of the Luxembourg army.  After the plaque had been unveiled by Mayor Brepsom and Mr. Loftus, the curator of the NMMH gave a short description of the historical context, describing the January 1945 action in the Sûre valley. A wreath, jointly presented by the dignitaries honored the American liberators, whereas children of Bettendorf subsequently offered individual roses, remembering the dead.  The Bettendorf band concluded the ceremony by the execution of the two national anthems.

Village children of Bettendorf paying individual floral tribute to the just-unveiled memorial plaque.

Thanks to the presence of a group of Dutch WWII U.S. army vehicle collectors and reenactors, who provided a genuine setting for the ceremony, the original scene of the "Sauer river crossing", was re-enacted.  They had with them an original U.S. plywood assault boat, that was pushed - just as shown on the original photograph- to the banks of the river.  Eight "GIs" then crossed the Sûre, paddling the boat to the north banks.  This was a superb reconstitution of an historical event that provided an excellent opportunity to the attendance to consider the hardship of soldiers in cold weather conditions.

A reception, offered by the Mayor of Bettendorf, where the original 2-minute documentary from U.S. Signal Corps sources was shown, concluded the event.

Special Honors for COL. Frank Frazer and the U.S. Medical Corps.

Col. Frank Frazer (+) was the Head of U.S. Civil Affairs in liberated Luxembourg, as of September 1944 until the return of the Luxembourg Government from its exile.

During that time he ensured that the living conditions in Luxembourg were improved through a variety of U.S. Army assets, especially after the north of Luxembourg had been virtually completely destroyed during the "Bulge". Thanks to his dedicated efforts, bombed out civilians found shelter, food, clothing and medical assistance.

Roland Rach (in blue coat) of the museum staff together with the members of the "War wounded treated in U.S. military hospitals" in front of the original U.S. ambulance and the still-veiled plaque.

To honor Col. Frazer in their own way, a group of senior Luxembourg citizens, had recently contacted the museum with their proposal of a permanent display.  They had all been wounded in 1944 and 1945 and had been treated in U.S. Field- and General Hospitals due to the initiative of Col. Frazer.  Most of them would not have survived their wounds if they had not been tended by U.S. Army surgeons.

After the war, they had founded an association named "Association of the War Victims treated in American Hospitals".  The association, currently co-chaired by Mr. Ady Kremer and Roger Wagner, meets every year in May (to remember the "Victory in Europe") to pay tribute to the U.S. Medical Corps, the U.S. liberators, and Col. Frazer.

To preserve this very special chapter of American support for Luxembourg in WWII, the association donated a plaque and a photograph dedicated to COL. Frazer to the museum, represented by Mr. Roland Rach, member of the NMMH executive board.

Mr. Rach noted that this plaque will have its place of honor and be permanently displayed next to an original WWII American Ambulance, WC 54 (that the museum recently acquired) and a special display of medical supplies and field surgery equipment.  He added in his address that -- in line with the current multinational efforts for humanitarian relief in areas of crisis--, people seem to have taken a greater interest in army medical issues.  In this context, the museum will ensure in future displays that the "medical effort" of the armies, will be underlined.

The small ceremony was concluded by the unveiling of the plaque by Mr. Kremer and Mr. Rach in presence of a delegation of the named "Association of the War Victims treated in American Hospitals".

Mr. Ady Kremer, President of the association, has praise for the museum’s volunteer working team, as Roland Rach is listening on.

NB: The complete display of Ambulance, medical equipment and the plaque, will be open to the public by mid-2002 during the projected inauguration of the annex  to the existing vehicle section.

Hill 313, a place of sacrifice

Fred Karen and Mike Boehler from the museum’s volunteer staff , assisted by Erny Kirpach always had the idea to draw attention to Hill 313, where fierce fighting took place during the December 16-22, 1944 time frame, when outnumbered units of the 4^th U.S. Infantry division, supported by elements of the 159^th U.S. Combat Engineer Bn, were struggling against troops of the 212^th German Volksgrenadierdivision, trying to capture the vital road leading from Echternach in direction of Luxembourg.  For military historians and students of the « Battle of the Bulge », Hill 313 entered the history books and the records of the 4^th U.S. Infantry Division, as one of the sites of intense combat and as a « hot spot » of the Southern shoulder of the « Bulge ».

Mike Boehler giving explanations of the dramatic facts around Hill 313 on December 16-18, 1944.

With the kind cooperation of Mo Shields, an American citizen and retired U.S. military, funds were raised for the casting of a bronze plaque, immortalizing the painful history of Hill 313 and paying tribute to those brave American soldiers, who lost their lives slowing down the German advance in this sector.

The memorial was inaugurated on April 15, 2001 in presence of a small group of U.S. veterans, survivors of the battle around Hill 313, accompanied by their wives. A key person in the group was also Mrs. Elaine Wells, whose late husband, then T/Sgt Perry Wells, got captured here during the initial German onslaught.  During their stay in Luxembourg Fred Karen, Mike Boehler, Erny Kirpach and Mo Schields took them around in the area to ensure that the veterans could « trace » their way back.  Some of them were able to find their « foxholes » after 57 years !  There were many touching moments and often hardly a dry eye !

Mrs. Ellaine Wells and a veteran of the 159th Engineer Bn just after unveiling the bronze plaque immortalizing the heroic stand made by U.S. GIs oft the 4th Infantry Division, supported by 159th Engineers.

The monument was jointly unveiled by Mrs. Elaine Wells, representing the 4^th U.S. Infantry Division Association, assisted by two U.S. veterans and Luxembourg dignitaries at the sound of taps.  Flowers were then offered and silent tribute was paid to all those GIs, who had lost their lives around Hill 313.

It was up to Mike Boehler and Erny Kirpach to give a detailed description of the historical context of the memorial, before a veteran shared his personal recollections with the attendance.

The following remarks are excerpted from Mike Boehler’s address:

Dear Veterans, dear honored guests:

We have gathered today at Lauterborn to unveil a plaque at the bottom of Hill 313 to honor those brave young men who defended Hill 313, as this very place was named then by the Americans.

Why Hill 313?

The Americans then only had maps of French or German origin, where the heights were given in meters above sea level. They marked their positions on those maps, and hills were named according to their respective heights.  Hill 313 was thus recorded in the American military history books on the Battle of the Ardennes because of its strategic importance providing access in direction of Luxembourg city.

Only 2 roads led in this direction -- one via Lauterborn and Michelshof and the other one via Scheidgen and Consdorf.  Consequently, it was crucial for the Americans to maintain control over this access to Luxembourg, as otherwise the gateway to the capital would have remained open for the aggressor.

It was primarily troops of "A"company of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division, who had dug their defensive positions on top of Hill 313. Especially the platoon led then by T/Sgt Perry Wells (whose widow is representing the 4th Inf. Div. Association today) got cut off by the German troops during the bitter fighting and had to surrender. In turn, the Germans dug in and established their defensive positions on the hills paralleling the road towards Michelshof and Scheidgen.

General Barton, Commander of the 4th U.S. Infantry Division thereafter ordered the 159th Combat Engineer Battalion, who had been repairing roads in Luxembourg, to counterattack in direction of Consdorf and Scheidgen. They attacked Hill 313, trying to dislocate the Germans. They initially succeeded, but the Germans immediately counterattacked in force and the Americans had to withdraw to Scheidgen and had to temporarily abandon the village. The terrible fighting lasted from December 17-19, 1944 until the 159th Combat Engineers had established a consolidated defensive line stretching from Michelshof to "Roudeschhaff" and Scheidgen. The Germans remained dug in the woods along the road to Lauterborn.. .right across Hill 313.

This situation remained unchanged until General Patton´s divisions (especially the 5th U.S. Infantry Division) were committed to the Echternach sector to counterattack in force.

On December 22, 1944, the 5th U.S. Infantry Division attacked passing through the lines of the 4th Infantry Division in direction of Lauterborn, but suffered considerable casualties and had to withdraw.The German artillery and "Nebelwerfer" rocket projectors were able to shell the Michelshof sector from the "Ferschweiler"plateau, causing a lot of damage in the American sector.

On the other hand, about 200 German soldiers, attacking in direction of Michelshof from Hill 313 were mowed down as they left the woods for open ground. The day after that unsuccessful attack, heavy snowfall covered the bodies.

The 5th Infantry Division thereafter resumed the attack and was able to reach the top of Hill 313.They succeeded in clearing the roads Lauterborn-Echternach and Scheidgen-Echternach and kept pushing in direction of Fromburg. Finally, they also broke up the encirclement of Osweiler. Thereafter, the 4th Infantry Division was able to relocate its troops from Bech and Berbourg through the "Haard"woods.  This resulted in the town of Osweiler being more adequately defended.They Germans were never able to capture the town, nor did they succeed in taking Dickweiler.

To honor all those American soldiers who lost their lives -- and they were many -- we intended to erect this plaque.The memorial is meant to remind people who may walk those peaceful grounds today of the tragic facts that occurred here not too long ago. Learning from the lessons of the past will help to master the future ....

Thank you for attending today.

To conclude the ceremony, Abby Shields, daughter of o-sponsor Mo Schields and student at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point gave the following formal remarks :

"In the years I have been regularly visiting Luxembourg, I’ve noticed that there is something different about this place. Eventually I’ve realized what it is - people here remember. In almost every town and dotted throughout the countryside, there are monuments and plaques commemorating the heroic actions taken 56 years ago by young Americans. I have spoken to Luxembourgers who vividly recall that tired, grimy GI who handed them their first bar of chocolate after years of rationing, and every year on December 16^th Luxembourgers gather to honor fallen Americans, standing in silence as the notes of TAPS and "The Star Spangled Banner" echo in the cold air.

The victors of WWII, some of whom are here today, were the average Joes and Franks, the wisecracking kids from Brooklyn who belly-crawled up Omaha Beach, one inch at a time, the farmers of Kansas and the coal miners of West Virginia who clawed their way up Hill 313 in paralyzing cold, and the exhausted young soldiers who handed out sticks of gum to foreign children with a smile. They are the ordinary yet extraordinary human beings who offered their most vital years in the service of their country, and who sacrificed their ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

Some of them made it, and can be seen revisiting the now-silent battlefields where they gave so much, but some of them never came back. For some the end came too early in a frozen foxhole, some 4,000 miles from home. They left behind buddies wondering "Why him, not me?" and families clutching folded flags in place of sacrificed sons, fathers, brothers, and husbands. Their deaths, however, secured for millions a future of freedom and democracy that stands as a lasting monument to their courage and valor.

I often hear valid concerns about the lack of interest in WWII shown by members of the younger generation. To my great embarrassment and anger, I have seen people my own age engrossed in abusing the liberties won for them at such a great price by WWII veterans. However, there are some very strong signs that people are hungry for the values the WWII soldier personifies - hungry for honor, hungry for sacrifice, hungry for something larger than individualism and materialism. I have given several presentations on WWII to groups of children from 6^th to 8^th grade. Given the age of the audience and their notorious lack of interest in all things historic, I expected a less than enthusiastic response.

What I observed was exactly the opposite - they wanted to hear the stories and ask questions, wanted to touch the uniforms, wanted to go home and call their grandfathers to ask about what they did during WWII. I see their reaction as proof that today’s generation needs to hear the stories of WWII. It is the only way to ensure that men like those who fought here on Hill 313 never become forgotten statistics or dry history lessons. Passing on the stories is the most important, most meaningful monument that can be offered to those who fought and those who died.

If I have learned anything in the past few years, it is the importance of remembering that the life I live today was won by men and women who were willing to fight and give their lives, if necessary, to secure the rights and freedoms of others.  The citizens of Luxembourg remember this, and they deserve a sincere THANK YOU for their dedication in honoring the American soldiers who fought here. To the veterans here today, I want to thank you for what you gave, and for epitomizing "duty." Whether you recognize it or not, you are heroes, and your legacy will not be forgotten." 

The "Kameradschaft deutscher Fallschirmpioniere" (Brotherhood of German Parachute Engineers) remembers their war dead.

Because of its objectiveness and the balanced and impartial displays of the historical facts during the "Bulge", showing both the American and German side equally, the  "Kameradschaft deutscher Fallschirmpioniere" had decided to hold part of their annual convention in Diekirch, especially at the NMMH.

A group of veterans of the 5th parachute engineer battalion of the 5th German "Fallschirmjägerdivision" taking a short break outside the museum before continuing their tour.

NB: The association is primarily composed of Bundeswehr paratroop engineers, but also has a great number of WWII veterans proud of their special engineer traditions.  The association is a member of the international brotherhood of paratroop engineers and the European Union of Paratroops (UEP), and as such often participates in international friendship events.

The "Kameradschaft deutscher Fallschirmpioniere" is currently headed by Mr. Werner Trinkhaus and Paul Hermanns.  The association has members all over Germany; a handful of senior WWII veterans are highly-decorated soldiers (Knight’s Cross and K.C. with oak leaves).  Some of them distinguished themselves during the May 1940 capturing of Fort Eben Emael and on Kreta.

Guided by Roland Rach, Camille Diener, Elisabeth Gonner, and Roland Gaul, the group (altogether with wives : 150) visited the city of Diekirch and the museum in a detailed way.

The wreath in honor of their fallen comrades, as offered by the veterans and members of the "Kameradschaft der Fallschirmpioniere" visiting the museum and the Wallendorf cemetary on August 18, 2001.

They then participated in a wreathlaying ceremony to honor their war dead at the German cemetery at Wallendorf with musical honors provided by the Wallendorf youth band, as well as by a bugler and drummer from the Luxembourg army.

A joint wreath was placed on the cemetery’s central cross in honor of all war victims and the wives decorated the graves of 10 members of the 5^th parachute engineer battalion of the German 5. "Fallschirmjägerdivision", who had lost their lives in mid-December 1944 in the Roth a.d. Our-Wallendorf sector.

A thougtful veteran of the 5th German paratroop division (that crossed the Our river on December 16, 1944) united in mind with a fallen comrade at his grave at the Wallendorf cemetary.

The touching ceremony was concluded with the musical tribute "Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden" and the singing by all members of "Rot scheint die Sonne", the traditional "Fallschirmjäger" song.

Website Inaugural

About a hundred invited guests from the local media, various administrations and other Luxembourg public institutions attended the March 2, 2002 official presentation of the museum's own website. For several months, Mr. Charles Heck and Mr. Jeannot Schreiner had kindly (on a volunteer basis) edited and formatted texts and pictures on the various aspects of the museum and had turned them into « Internet » language.

The result of their tireless efforts was shown to the interested public inside the museum's vehicle hall, Barco-projected on a large screen with numerous explanations given by the museum staff as they «navigated » through the various chapters and took the audience through a virtual tour on-site.

An interested audience following the presentation of the website on the screen.

The attendance had high praise for both « website artists » and highlighted the clear and concise design of the website, calling it a real wealth of information for worldwide "Internautes" interested in World War II and military history.

Roland Rach of the museum staff "orchestrated" the presentation by means of his "Barco"-connected laptop.

Both Mr. Heck and Mr. Schreiner were recognized with a special memento and made honorary collaborators of the museum, before a reception closed the event.

The website www.nat-military-museum.lu will be updated on a regular basis and language versions are also projected. So, visit regularly!

The two "fathers" and creators of the museum's own homepage: Charles Heck (beard) and Jeannot Schreiner (glasses) on the left watch their "pet-baby" amongst the enthusiastic attendance.

Luxembourg Korean War veteran honored

Although the Korean War ended almost 50 years ago, it is never too late to recognize valor! Such was the case on February 6, 2002, when retired Sergeant-Major Raymond Beringer (ex-Luxembourg army), who as a young volunteer of the Luxembourg United Nations Detachment, participated in the Korean conflict in 1953. As a machine gunner he distinguished himself during a night time attack by Chinese troops on April 7/8, 1953 near Chatkol, where the Belgian/Luxembourg troops held a defensive position next to a Greek detachment. To have a better field of fire for his .30 cal Browning M1917A1 machine gun, (then) Corporal Beringer had left the protective structure of his gun emplacement to relocate the weapon on top of the bunker. During that fatal night, he was able to deliver devastating fire on the enemy, repelling several waves of attacks. His single-handed and selfless action regardless of danger greatly contributed to preventing his unit being surrounded and cut off.

For this heroic action, Cpl. Beringer was recommended in 1953 for a high-ranking American decoration (his unit was then integrated into the 7^th U.S. Regiment; 3^rd Infantry Division), but the paperwork was lost after the war and the decoration never awarded.

Major General Buford C. Blount, Commander of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division (mczd.) shaking hands with Luxembourg Korean War veteran, (ret.) Sergeant-Major Raymond Beringer, in front of the Korean Conflict diorama at the National Museum of Military History on February 6, 2002.

Thanks to tireless efforts by Luxembourg, Belgian and American authorities, the case was resubmitted, and the award "Bronze star with "V" (for valor) was recently authorized.

During an elaborate military ceremony at Diekirch army barracks, where young Luxembourg army recruits swore their oath after completing their basic training and where decorations were presented to returning Luxembourg KFOR troops, Major-General Buford C. Blount, commander of the 3^rd U.S. division (mczd.) - who had specifically come from the U.S. for this true highlight occasion - presented Raymond Beringer with the award and thanked him on the part of the United States armed forces for his action beyond the call of duty during the Korean conflict.

General Blount and Sgt. Major (ret.) Beringer also visited the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch which has a section on Luxembourg’s UN contingents in the Korean War.

The following is the address given by MG. Blount at Diekirch army barracks on the occasion of the award ceremony for Raymond Beringer, which was also covered by Stars&Strips and AFN television.

" Minister of Defense, Mr. Goerens,

Ambassadors,

Officers and soldiers of the Luxembourg Army,

Fellow Allied officers,

Veterans of the Korean War,

Friends and citizens of the Grand Duchy,

 

We are gathered here today to honor one soldier and welcome eighty-six new soldiers into our ranks. Service to your country is a special, almost sacred, duty. You are the guardians of the freedoms and liberties which make a democracy possible. You are the guarantors of the peace, and the ones who make it possible for your fellow citizens to live and work in a free society, a democratic society which allows one to practice his or her form of religion, to speak his or her mind, and to express those opinions in an uncensored press or electronic media. However, freedom does not come free. It is paid for in vigilance and responsibility, and too often in the blood, sweat and tears of the soldiers who wear their country’s uniform. Throughout history there have been others on this planet who despised our way of living and working, who thought we were weak and could not, or would not, defend ourselves and our friends.

Such was the situation in June 1950, when the communists of North Korea invaded South Korea. Luxembourg answered the UN call for help, and sent its sons halfway around the world to aid another democracy, to assist another country it shared little in common with, either culturally or historically. But Luxembourg did share those values of freedom and the basic rights of mankind. For almost five years during World War II the Grand Duchy had endured a terrible occupation under a police state which sought to take away not only its freedoms, but its identity as well. Just like her Belgian brothers, who had experienced a similar fate, a group of true patriots came forward and volunteered to go fight for a noble cause. They didn’t have to leave the safety of their homes, the comfort of their families, and the prosperity of a rebuilding economy. But they did, and they earned a place in history by doing so.

Some 228 Luxembourg soldiers volunteered to serve in Korea, from which a total of 85 were selected. Four, in fact, even returned for a second tour. Two contingents of platoon size fought as part of the Belgian B.U.N.C. Battalion in two separate deployments, one from January 1951 to January 1952, and another from February 1952 to February 1953. Attached to the forebears of my command, the US Third Infantry Division, nicknamed "The Rock of the Marne" from its ferocious defense of France in World War I, the Luxembourg soldiers and their Belgian comrades committed themselves with honor, duty and dedication. Their outstanding accomplishments on the battlefield set a high standard. In one of the most contested struggles of the Korean War, the Battle of the Imjin River in April 1951, the performance of the Belgian Battalion and its Luxembourg Platoon was especially recognized by the American commander-in-chief, who awarded them the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award our Army can bestow on a single unit for combat accomplishments as a team.

All teams have leaders. The great units don’t have just strong, excellent officers but remarkable non-commissioned officers and line troops as well. One of those remarkable NCOs was Sergeant Major (retired) Raymond Beringer. At that time, as a corporal, he volunteered for the second Luxembourg contingent at the age of twenty. He arrived in Korea in February 1952, and remained with the Belgian Battalion after his initial twelve month tour of duty until February 1954. In fact, it was during his period of extended duty, during the night of 7 to 8 April 1953, that his singular act of bravery saved his unit and the situation. Without regard for his own safety, and on his own initiative, he single-handedly relocated his heavy, water-cooled, .30 caliber machine gun, a weapon which normally requires two men to operate, from the protection of the fortified bunker to the roof on top of the emplacement. In spite of heavy mortar and artillery fires, which were pinning down his fellow comrades, SGM Beringer remained in this exposed position for several hours, delivering accurate and deadly fire into the ranks of the assaulting Chinese, who were threatening to outflank the US Third Infantry Division’s defensive line at the point where it linked up with the neighboring 9^th Infantry Division of the South Korean Army. Fortunately, the Chinese ran out of soldiers before SGM Beringer ran out of ammunition. When daylight came the next morning, twenty Chinese troops were found dead or wounded within two hundred meters of his position. This was probably only a fraction of the destruction he had inflicted as the Chinese had a custom of evacuating their dead, not out of humanitarian reasons, but in order to confuse the enemy as to how great their actual losses were.

For his bravery SGM Beringer was cited by his battalion commander in the official dispatches of the Belgium Army, and he was given a battlefield promotion to sergeant. His company commander advised that he was recommending him for a bravery decoration, and gave him the choice of a Belgian or American award. SGM Beringer requested the latter. Unfortunately, the paperwork became lost in the confusion of war and the complexities of a multi-national command. Typical of this NCO, the Sergeant Major left the matter die. However, his comrades and friends did not forget and began to set the record straight in the mid-Eighties, several years after his retirement from the Army in 1986. Their motivation was inspired not just by this singular act of bravery during the Battle of Chatkol, but because of his reputation of being a loyal, dependable soldier who frequently gave more than expected. During another action in June 1953, SGM Beringer again risked his life, this time to retrieve a fellow soldier who was presumed dead after his combat patrol had been ambushed by the Chinese. He volunteered to leave his bunker and search for the missing patrol leader. He found the seriously wounded soldier at the bottom of the mountain in the no-man’s land between the lines. Slinging him over his back, he carried his Belgian comrade up the steep slopes of the mountain and back to friendly lines, where he was medevaced and eventually recovered from his wounds. SGM Beringer’s selfless act saved that soldier’s life.

The Korean War has been labeled by many, "the Forgotten War". Forgotten not by the soldiers who fought it, but by the public and their governments, both in Europe and the United States, who did not give the returning veterans any victory celebrations as had been done at the end of World War II. The general public felt the Korean War had been a defeat, and yet nothing could be further from the truth. The North Korean invaders had been expelled and their Chinese allies stopped at the 38^th parallel, the original north-south border. Peace and freedom were restored to the Republic of South Korea, and today this country is one of the strongest democracies in Asia and a loyal, free ally. Many Belgian and Luxembourg soldiers paid the ultimate price in that struggle for freedom. The Belgian Battalion suffered 101 killed in action and five reported missing, presumed dead. Of the 85 Luxemburg troops who fought in Korea, 2 were killed, 13 wounded, 6 injured in accidents and 3 evacuated for illnesses. We honor them today, along with the veterans who returned, many of whom continued to serve their country during the Cold War. We in the Third Infantry Division are proud to have had these brave men serve in our ranks. They will forever be a part of our division, and its glorious history. They are the proof that multi-national units can be successful and victorious. They are our role figures as we now march forward, together, to confront another enemy who would destroy our freedoms and way of life. The United States Army knows it can rely on the officers, NCOs and soldiers of the Grand Duchy in the current struggle against terrorism, just as we did in Korea in the early Fifties. Veterans, such as SGM (retired) Beringer, SGM (retired) Roger Feiereisen, Colonel (retired) Joseph Wagener, and Colonel (retired) Rudolfe Lutty, are outstanding examples of what it means when a soldier says:

"I am a trooper from "the Rock", and a proud LËTZEBUERGER."

God bless you, the veterans;

God bless you, the new and present soldiers of the Luxembourg Army;

God bless this great Grand Duchy and the Grand Duke;

God bless the US Third Infantry Division and the United States America. "

Honoring the  500.000th  visitor

Sunday, January 27, 2002, the volunteers of the National Museum of Military History had the great pleasure of welcoming the 500.000^th visitor (since the museum’s opening in 1984) in the person of Mr. Zdenek VESELY, a Czech citizen from Prague.

"Surprise for Mr. Zdenek Vesely from Prague (5th from left), as he is welcomed and honored by the museum staff and volunteers Fred Karen, Roland Rach, Patrick Junk, Madeleine Peiffer, Jean-Paul Sassel, Mike Boehler and Roland Gaul, in presence of Mr. Jean-Claude Haagen, Mayor of Diekirch (4th from left) and Mrs. Karine Breuskin, President of the Diekirch Tourist Board (6th from left), as the 500.000th visitor on Sunday, January 27, 2002 at 2:05 p.m."

It turned out that this was actually Mr. VESELY’s second visit to the museum, as during a business trip to Luxembourg, he had already briefly seen the NMMH’s exhibits back in 1997. Since then, the museum had expanded and additional artifacts had been added.

Asked by the museum staff why he had returned, the very special guest noted that "...it is the best museum of this kind that I ever visited in Europe. It is indeed very well done. It is a balanced museum portraying the German, the American and the Luxembourg side. One really comes to grasp with history visiting this museum".

The Mayor of Diekirch - Mr. Claude Haagen - and Mrs. Karine Breuskin, President of the local Tourist Board congratulated Mr. VESELY on the part of the City of Diekirch and thanked him for his visit before presenting him with a memento. In turn, Roland Gaul, assisted by Roland Rach, Jean-Paul Sassel, Fred Karen, Mike Boehler, Patrick Junk and Madeleine Peiffer of the museum staff offered a book describing the Battle of the Bulge as a small token of appreciation and as a souvenir of this "once-in-a-lifetime event" for Mr. VESELY, who noted that "this would certainly not be his last visit to the NMMH".