Memorial services were held in the Christian Reformed church in Bejou for Cpl Ben Santjer, son of Mr and Mrs John Santjer of Gregory Township. He was killed in action on the Italian battlefront near Mt Porchia on January 6 where he was with the Army Engineers building bridges and locating mines.
Cpl Santjer left Sept 24 1942 for the Army. His last visit home was in June of 1943.
He was the first casualty from the Fosston vicinity since Richard Schamberger died in a base hospital in Italy on December 18.
DSC Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade Ben Santjer (ASN: 37307336), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 48th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on the night of 7 January 1944, in Italy. During an assault on Mount Porcia, Italy, Technician Fifth Grade Santjer was one of the first of his group to reach the summit. Once there, he took part in a fire fight at close range with enemy personnel in the rocks. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer exposed himself repeatedly to draw fire away from the remainder of his party, allowing his comrades to maneuver advantageously. Although twice wounded by enemy grenades, he continued to fire his rifle, shooting three enemy and bayoneting a fourth. He was killed at close range by machine pistol fire. His courage in the face of the enemy was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cpl Santjer left Sept 24 1942 for the Army. His last visit home was in June of 1943.
He was the first casualty from the Fosston vicinity since Richard Schamberger died in a base hospital in Italy on December 18.
DSC Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade Ben Santjer (ASN: 37307336), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 48th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on the night of 7 January 1944, in Italy. During an assault on Mount Porcia, Italy, Technician Fifth Grade Santjer was one of the first of his group to reach the summit. Once there, he took part in a fire fight at close range with enemy personnel in the rocks. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer exposed himself repeatedly to draw fire away from the remainder of his party, allowing his comrades to maneuver advantageously. Although twice wounded by enemy grenades, he continued to fire his rifle, shooting three enemy and bayoneting a fourth. He was killed at close range by machine pistol fire. His courage in the face of the enemy was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Memorial services were held in the Christian Reformed church in Bejou for Cpl Ben Santjer, son of Mr and Mrs John Santjer of Gregory Township. He was killed in action on the Italian battlefront near Mt Porchia on January 6 where he was with the Army Engineers building bridges and locating mines.
Cpl Santjer left Sept 24 1942 for the Army. His last visit home was in June of 1943.
He was the first casualty from the Fosston vicinity since Richard Schamberger died in a base hospital in Italy on December 18.
DSC Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade Ben Santjer (ASN: 37307336), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 48th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on the night of 7 January 1944, in Italy. During an assault on Mount Porcia, Italy, Technician Fifth Grade Santjer was one of the first of his group to reach the summit. Once there, he took part in a fire fight at close range with enemy personnel in the rocks. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer exposed himself repeatedly to draw fire away from the remainder of his party, allowing his comrades to maneuver advantageously. Although twice wounded by enemy grenades, he continued to fire his rifle, shooting three enemy and bayoneting a fourth. He was killed at close range by machine pistol fire. His courage in the face of the enemy was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cpl Santjer left Sept 24 1942 for the Army. His last visit home was in June of 1943.
He was the first casualty from the Fosston vicinity since Richard Schamberger died in a base hospital in Italy on December 18.
DSC Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade Ben Santjer (ASN: 37307336), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 48th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on the night of 7 January 1944, in Italy. During an assault on Mount Porcia, Italy, Technician Fifth Grade Santjer was one of the first of his group to reach the summit. Once there, he took part in a fire fight at close range with enemy personnel in the rocks. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer exposed himself repeatedly to draw fire away from the remainder of his party, allowing his comrades to maneuver advantageously. Although twice wounded by enemy grenades, he continued to fire his rifle, shooting three enemy and bayoneting a fourth. He was killed at close range by machine pistol fire. His courage in the face of the enemy was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. Technician Fifth Grade Santjer's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Inscription
TEC5, 48 ENGR C BN, 6 ARMD DIV WORLD WAR II
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