World War II Honoree

Peter C. Welling

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Mary Beth Riedner

Relationship

Niece

A PLATOON LEADER OF THE 25TH CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (4TH ARMORED DIVISION, 3RD ARMY), FIRST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS ORDERED TO MAKE A PATROL DEEP INTO ENEMY TERRITORY IN THE VICINITY OF BLAINVILLE, FRANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING MEURTHE RIVER CROSSINGS ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1944. ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BLAINVILLE, THEY MET HEAVY MACHINE GUN AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. HE MANEUVERED HIS PLATOON INTO THE MOST FAVORABLE POSITION BUT IN DOING SO HE NECESSARILY EXPOSED HIMSELF ABOVE THE TURRET OF THIS ARMORED CAR AND WAS KILLED BY SMALL ARMS FIRE. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR GALLANTRY AND THE PURPLE HEART. HE IS BURIED IN THE ST. AVOLD, FRANCE U.S. MILITARY CEMETERY. KILLED AT AGE 29.