On December 19, 1944, Papaw was in the final day of The Lorraine Campaign. Later that night, the 80th would be ordered by General Patton to head North to Luxembourg for the Battle of the Bulge. But prior to moving out, Papaw's unit was in a battle with the Germans near the France-Germany border in an area known as Epping-Urbach, France. Epping and Urbach are small towns that had been cleared by the Nazis when they entered France and took "possession" of the area in 1940.
In this picture is my daughter Cassity and my dad Bill standing at the line of France and Germany.
During the fighting on that day, Papaw performed an heroic feat that earned him the Bronze Star medal.
We always knew Papaw was awarded the Bronze Star medal, but never knew the details. Thanks to the declassification of military records we have this information. My dad says that one thing Papaw always said about this feat was that he didn't think the young man he saved survived. He said he believed he heard that he died from his wounds. Even after all this research, we never knew the man's name and records don't identify him.
Papaw's Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals.
My dad says that Papaw kept these medals in their original box in a dresser drawer in his bedroom. He would get them out occasionally, but they were never displayed or put in a place of honor. He simply kept them in a box, almost hidden in a bedroom dresser drawer.
I do not have any memory of ever seeing these.
So, on this day we traveled back to the Lorraine Region and to Epping-Urbach, France to visit the very site where Papaw pulled his comrade off the battlefield and out of harms way.
They were incredible.
My parents had met Joseph and Phillip during their last visit to the area a few years ago. My parents told us that as a child, Joseph's family was taken away from the area by the Nazis, and that he broke down and cried as he told the story in fluent French. Tears know no language, my parents said they all wept with him as Phillip interpreted Joseph's words about the atrocities performed on his family and people of this region.
The first thing I noticed was how similar the area was to Kentucky. The part of the field where Papaw helped his wounded friend was hilly-very much like the area we are from..
I wondered if Papaw noticed those things too?
As usual, it was hard to imagine the bullets, mortar, artillery, blood shed and death-all around.
I imagined Papaw turning back and picking up his wounded friend and carrying him to safety. I imagined Papaw must have said something encouraging and comforting to his friend trying to keep him calm just as he lovingly comforted us kids growing up.
We all hope that in a situation like Papaw found himself in that day, if we saw a friend that was wounded, and gunfire is coming at you from all directions , that we would try to help them.
The reality is-would we? Really?
This was a life and death moment. Most of us will never have to make ANY kind of decision while being shot at-when it's our life on the line-I don't know exactly what I would have done if I were Papaw!?
What kind of bravery and compassion and selfless courage that must have taken! I know that I think he is a hero not just to this friend that he tried to save, but to his children, to his grandchildren, to his great-grandchildren and his country, that because of his efforts-and the efforts of our military, most of us will never be able to imagine war in our neighborhoods and towns.
Below is the citation from the 80th Division Headquarters, General Order #37, dated February 6, 1945:
"William Black, 35643709, Sgt, Inf, Army of the United States. For heroic achievement in France on 19 December 1944, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States. On 19 December 1944, in the vicinity of Epping Urbach, France, a member of the platoon led by Sgt Black was seriously wounded during a heavy mortar and artillery barrage by the enemy. Realizing that his comrade would suffer more wounds if allowed to remain in his exposed position, Sgt. Black, in company with another enlisted man, with utter disregard for his own safety, succeeded in reaching and carrying the injured man to safety despite the enemy fire. The courage, leadership, and constant devotion to duty displayed by Sgt Black are in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from Kentucky."
Below, is the day I first met my Papaw Bill. November 1980
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