Biography written by Evelyn Park Blalock. Please do not publish elsewhere without providing full and proper credit. Thank you.
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From the U.S. Army record of Fred A. Ayers as it pertains to his service during World War II:
S Sgt Fred A. Ayers (Nickname: Sea Gull) –
Born 1914. From Bexar County, Texas. Enlisted 25 Nov 1940 (National Guard). Single. 3 years of High School. Kitchen Worker. Silver Star, Purple Heart.
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During World War II, SSgt Fred Ayers served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into two missions during his service.
In 1944, SSgt Ayers served as the mess sergeant during the Rapido River conflict, a particularly bloody and horrific event. Though typically those serving kitchen duty did not see combat, the American forces were so outnumbered and poorly supplied for this assault that all unit members were called upon for combat. Crossing the fast-flowing Rapido River with insufficient munitions, and the promise of backup forces that never arrived, many men were eventually forced into hand-to-hand or bayonet combat with the enemy. Some units suffered nearly 100% mortality, and no soldier escaped without the scars of this battle. It was arguably one of the greatest defeats in American military history. After the war, many men from the 36th Division, including their commanding officer, petitioned the U.S. Congress to investigate the politicized decisions of General Mark Clark that led so many men needlessly to their deaths. More information about this campaign, and a photograph of SSgt Ayers, can be found in the excellent book, "A River Swift and Deadly," by Lee Carraway Smith.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including SSgt Ayers, 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 SSgt Ayers, had the privilege of signing the captured 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.
----------
From the U.S. Army record of Fred A. Ayers as it pertains to his service during World War II:
S Sgt Fred A. Ayers (Nickname: Sea Gull) –
Born 1914. From Bexar County, Texas. Enlisted 25 Nov 1940 (National Guard). Single. 3 years of High School. Kitchen Worker. Silver Star, Purple Heart.
----------
During World War II, SSgt Fred Ayers served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into two missions during his service.
In 1944, SSgt Ayers served as the mess sergeant during the Rapido River conflict, a particularly bloody and horrific event. Though typically those serving kitchen duty did not see combat, the American forces were so outnumbered and poorly supplied for this assault that all unit members were called upon for combat. Crossing the fast-flowing Rapido River with insufficient munitions, and the promise of backup forces that never arrived, many men were eventually forced into hand-to-hand or bayonet combat with the enemy. Some units suffered nearly 100% mortality, and no soldier escaped without the scars of this battle. It was arguably one of the greatest defeats in American military history. After the war, many men from the 36th Division, including their commanding officer, petitioned the U.S. Congress to investigate the politicized decisions of General Mark Clark that led so many men needlessly to their deaths. More information about this campaign, and a photograph of SSgt Ayers, can be found in the excellent book, "A River Swift and Deadly," by Lee Carraway Smith.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including SSgt Ayers, 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 SSgt Ayers, had the privilege of signing the captured 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.
----------
From the U.S. Army record of Fred A. Ayers as it pertains to his service during World War II:
S Sgt Fred A. Ayers (Nickname: Sea Gull) –
Born 1914. From Bexar County, Texas. Enlisted 25 Nov 1940 (National Guard). Single. 3 years of High School. Kitchen Worker. Silver Star, Purple Heart.
----------
During World War II, SSgt Fred Ayers served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into two missions during his service.
In 1944, SSgt Ayers served as the mess sergeant during the Rapido River conflict, a particularly bloody and horrific event. Though typically those serving kitchen duty did not see combat, the American forces were so outnumbered and poorly supplied for this assault that all unit members were called upon for combat. Crossing the fast-flowing Rapido River with insufficient munitions, and the promise of backup forces that never arrived, many men were eventually forced into hand-to-hand or bayonet combat with the enemy. Some units suffered nearly 100% mortality, and no soldier escaped without the scars of this battle. It was arguably one of the greatest defeats in American military history. After the war, many men from the 36th Division, including their commanding officer, petitioned the U.S. Congress to investigate the politicized decisions of General Mark Clark that led so many men needlessly to their deaths. More information about this campaign, and a photograph of SSgt Ayers, can be found in the excellent book, "A River Swift and Deadly," by Lee Carraway Smith.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including SSgt Ayers, 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 SSgt Ayers, had the privilege of signing the captured 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.
----------
From the U.S. Army record of Fred A. Ayers as it pertains to his service during World War II:
S Sgt Fred A. Ayers (Nickname: Sea Gull) –
Born 1914. From Bexar County, Texas. Enlisted 25 Nov 1940 (National Guard). Single. 3 years of High School. Kitchen Worker. Silver Star, Purple Heart.
----------
During World War II, SSgt Fred Ayers served with Fox Corps, 141st Infantry, 36th Division, U.S. Army (T-Patchers). Here is a glimpse into two missions during his service.
In 1944, SSgt Ayers served as the mess sergeant during the Rapido River conflict, a particularly bloody and horrific event. Though typically those serving kitchen duty did not see combat, the American forces were so outnumbered and poorly supplied for this assault that all unit members were called upon for combat. Crossing the fast-flowing Rapido River with insufficient munitions, and the promise of backup forces that never arrived, many men were eventually forced into hand-to-hand or bayonet combat with the enemy. Some units suffered nearly 100% mortality, and no soldier escaped without the scars of this battle. It was arguably one of the greatest defeats in American military history. After the war, many men from the 36th Division, including their commanding officer, petitioned the U.S. Congress to investigate the politicized decisions of General Mark Clark that led so many men needlessly to their deaths. More information about this campaign, and a photograph of SSgt Ayers, can be found in the excellent book, "A River Swift and Deadly," by Lee Carraway Smith.
In late April 1945, Fox Corps, including SSgt Ayers, 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 SSgt Ayers, had the privilege of signing the captured 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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