World War II Honoree

David Gesell Wagstaff

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Washington

Honored By

Patty Flynn Erickson

Relationship

Cousin

VOLUNTEERED FOR THE 'SKI TROOPS' WITH 3 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. DRAFTED AT 18 ½, AND WENT DIRECTLY TO CAMP HALE FROM FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON. ARRIVED JULY, 1943. DURING THE TOUGH TRAINING, TESTED COLD WEATHER EQUIPMENT AND WORE WHITE REVERSIBLE CLOTHING TO KEEP HIM CAMOUFLAGED IN THE SNOW. SHIPPED TO ITALY, MOVING BY RAIL TO LEGHORN, FROM THERE INTO THE MOUNTAINS BY FLORENCE TO TAKE RIVA RIDGE FROM THE GERMANS AND SEND THEM BACK INTO THE PO RIVER VALLEY. THE ASCENT WAS MADE UNDER DARKNESS. THE ASSAULT PLATOON, OF WHICH HE WAS A SCOUT, ARRIVED AT 5:15 AM. IT WAS A LONG NIGHTS’ CLIMB. HE MET NO ENEMY RESISTANCE, BECAUSE THE GERMANS BELIEVED THAT THE RIDGE COULD NOT BE CLIMBED FROM THE SOUTH SIDE. WHEN THE GERMANS ATTEMPTED TO RE-MAN THEIR POSITIONS IN THE MORNING, THEY MET OUR TROOPS AND A HEAVY FRACAS BEGAN; LASTING FOR 2 DAYS, ALL ALONG THE RIDGE. AFTER HAVING SECURED THAT IMPORTANT RIDGE, HE WAS PULLED OFF THE HIGH POINTS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE REST OF THE DIVISION; ATTACKING MT. BELVEDERE AND OTHER PEAKS TO THE NORTHEAST. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT HE WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL SUFFERING FROM HEPATITIS. AWARDED BRONZE STAR MEDAL.