Biography written by Evelyn Park Blalock. Please do not publish elsewhere without providing full and proper credit. Thank you.
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During World War II, PFC Royden Victor Wagner, Jr, served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into one mission during his service.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including PFC Wagner, moved forward to attack a Nazi battalion command post that was guarding a Kaufering subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp system at or near Hurlach, France (near Landsberg).
Instructions for the mission were as follows (translated from the tactical notes of C.O. Dennis F. Blalock): Move light and fast. Bring no kitchens, 2 blankets, 1 munitions BAR, wools, and carry fatigues. Deploy at 8 o'clock with three trucks and no lights. Keep guns out. Objective is to overtake a Nazi battalion command post (Bn CP) guarding 800 Jewish prisoners.
At this point in the war, the BAR usually referred to an individual weapon rather than a team. The Browning could be carried and operated by one soldier, so they weren't using the designated "gunner, spotter, loader" plan or working like a .30 Browning LMG team. This allowed all men to fire as needed and didn't load any soldier down with excessive magazines as supply for the other soldiers (i.e., faster and more flexible movement). There were no spare barrels to carry and the gun didn't need a tripod; however, this plan left no backup to supply more munitions to soldiers who had expended their supply and also did not provide for spotters.
Their mission was successful and they liberated approximately 800 Jewish prisoners. After overtaking the enemy, the troops began administering aid to the freed prisoners, many of whom were diminished to almost skeletal form. The swastika that flew overhead was pulled down and the American flag was raised. At full strength, Fox Corps would have included about 150 men. The platoon members that initially entered the stronghold with C.O. Dennis F. Blalock, including PFC Wagner, had the privilege of signing the battle flag. A photo of these signatures and biographical information for all signators previously appeared on this memorial, but unfortunately it was removed by Find-A-Grave. For a full list of those who signed, please visit the virtual cemetery.
_____
During World War II, PFC Royden Victor Wagner, Jr, served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into one mission during his service.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including PFC Wagner, moved forward to attack a Nazi battalion command post that was guarding a Kaufering subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp system at or near Hurlach, France (near Landsberg).
Instructions for the mission were as follows (translated from the tactical notes of C.O. Dennis F. Blalock): Move light and fast. Bring no kitchens, 2 blankets, 1 munitions BAR, wools, and carry fatigues. Deploy at 8 o'clock with three trucks and no lights. Keep guns out. Objective is to overtake a Nazi battalion command post (Bn CP) guarding 800 Jewish prisoners.
At this point in the war, the BAR usually referred to an individual weapon rather than a team. The Browning could be carried and operated by one soldier, so they weren't using the designated "gunner, spotter, loader" plan or working like a .30 Browning LMG team. This allowed all men to fire as needed and didn't load any soldier down with excessive magazines as supply for the other soldiers (i.e., faster and more flexible movement). There were no spare barrels to carry and the gun didn't need a tripod; however, this plan left no backup to supply more munitions to soldiers who had expended their supply and also did not provide for spotters.
Their mission was successful and they liberated approximately 800 Jewish prisoners. After overtaking the enemy, the troops began administering aid to the freed prisoners, many of whom were diminished to almost skeletal form. The swastika that flew overhead was pulled down and the American flag was raised. At full strength, Fox Corps would have included about 150 men. The platoon members that initially entered the stronghold with C.O. Dennis F. Blalock, including PFC Wagner, had the privilege of signing the battle flag. A photo of these signatures and biographical information for all signators previously appeared on this memorial, but unfortunately it was removed by Find-A-Grave. For a full list of those who signed, please visit the virtual cemetery.
Biography written by Evelyn Park Blalock. Please do not publish elsewhere without providing full and proper credit. Thank you.
_____
During World War II, PFC Royden Victor Wagner, Jr, served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into one mission during his service.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including PFC Wagner, moved forward to attack a Nazi battalion command post that was guarding a Kaufering subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp system at or near Hurlach, France (near Landsberg).
Instructions for the mission were as follows (translated from the tactical notes of C.O. Dennis F. Blalock): Move light and fast. Bring no kitchens, 2 blankets, 1 munitions BAR, wools, and carry fatigues. Deploy at 8 o'clock with three trucks and no lights. Keep guns out. Objective is to overtake a Nazi battalion command post (Bn CP) guarding 800 Jewish prisoners.
At this point in the war, the BAR usually referred to an individual weapon rather than a team. The Browning could be carried and operated by one soldier, so they weren't using the designated "gunner, spotter, loader" plan or working like a .30 Browning LMG team. This allowed all men to fire as needed and didn't load any soldier down with excessive magazines as supply for the other soldiers (i.e., faster and more flexible movement). There were no spare barrels to carry and the gun didn't need a tripod; however, this plan left no backup to supply more munitions to soldiers who had expended their supply and also did not provide for spotters.
Their mission was successful and they liberated approximately 800 Jewish prisoners. After overtaking the enemy, the troops began administering aid to the freed prisoners, many of whom were diminished to almost skeletal form. The swastika that flew overhead was pulled down and the American flag was raised. At full strength, Fox Corps would have included about 150 men. The platoon members that initially entered the stronghold with C.O. Dennis F. Blalock, including PFC Wagner, had the privilege of signing the battle flag. A photo of these signatures and biographical information for all signators previously appeared on this memorial, but unfortunately it was removed by Find-A-Grave. For a full list of those who signed, please visit the virtual cemetery.
_____
During World War II, PFC Royden Victor Wagner, Jr, served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into one mission during his service.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including PFC Wagner, moved forward to attack a Nazi battalion command post that was guarding a Kaufering subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp system at or near Hurlach, France (near Landsberg).
Instructions for the mission were as follows (translated from the tactical notes of C.O. Dennis F. Blalock): Move light and fast. Bring no kitchens, 2 blankets, 1 munitions BAR, wools, and carry fatigues. Deploy at 8 o'clock with three trucks and no lights. Keep guns out. Objective is to overtake a Nazi battalion command post (Bn CP) guarding 800 Jewish prisoners.
At this point in the war, the BAR usually referred to an individual weapon rather than a team. The Browning could be carried and operated by one soldier, so they weren't using the designated "gunner, spotter, loader" plan or working like a .30 Browning LMG team. This allowed all men to fire as needed and didn't load any soldier down with excessive magazines as supply for the other soldiers (i.e., faster and more flexible movement). There were no spare barrels to carry and the gun didn't need a tripod; however, this plan left no backup to supply more munitions to soldiers who had expended their supply and also did not provide for spotters.
Their mission was successful and they liberated approximately 800 Jewish prisoners. After overtaking the enemy, the troops began administering aid to the freed prisoners, many of whom were diminished to almost skeletal form. The swastika that flew overhead was pulled down and the American flag was raised. At full strength, Fox Corps would have included about 150 men. The platoon members that initially entered the stronghold with C.O. Dennis F. Blalock, including PFC Wagner, had the privilege of signing the battle flag. A photo of these signatures and biographical information for all signators previously appeared on this memorial, but unfortunately it was removed by Find-A-Grave. For a full list of those who signed, please visit the virtual cemetery.
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