World War II Honoree

Edwin A. Eichentopf

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Longview, Washington

Honored By

John Koumon

Relationship

Battalion Buddy

ENTERED SERVICE AS CADRE IN 1941. RANK: MESS SERGEANT AND LATER FIRST SERGEANT. TRAINED IN THE CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA DESERT WITH B COMPANY OF THE 807TH TANK DESTROYER BATTALION. AFTER 6 MONTHS SHIPPED TO FORT DIX FOR OVERSEAS MOVEMENT. BOARD USS HERMITAGE AP-54 IN NEW YORK CITY AND SAILED TO LIVERPOOL ENGLAND. MOTORED CONVOY TO WALES, TOWED 3 INCH GUN AND HALFTRACK. IN WEYMOUTH HE BOARDED LST 325, CROSSED CHANNEL AND LANDED ON UTAH BEACH. WENT INTO ACTION ON THE MOSELLE RIVER, ALSACE LORRAINE. SUPPORTED 5TH, 90TH AND 95TH DIVISIONS IN THE CAPTURE OF METZ; FOUGHT FOR SAARLAUTERN, THIONVILLE, SCWHEIGHAUSEN, HAGUENAU. FOUGHT IN THE RHINE CROSSING, RUHR POCKET, CENTRAL GERMANY AND ENDED THE WAR IN SALZBURG. AUSTRIA. BRIEF OCCUPATION DUTY IN HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY. ORDERED TO U.S. FOR 30 DAY REST. WAR ENDED AND HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED.