World War II Honoree

Theodore H. Bachenheimer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hollywood, California

Honored By

Cousin

ENTERED 504TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION IN AUGUST 1942. TOOK PART IN OPERATION HUSKY, THE ALLIED INVASION OF SICILY. WHEN THIS OPERATION WAS COMPLETED THE 504TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT WAS TRANSFERRED TO ITALY'S MAINLAND WHERE HE FOUGHT IN THE BATTLES FOR SALERNO AND ANZIO. HE RECEIVED THE SILVER CROSS FOR HIS ACTIONS AS A SCOUT AT ANZIO. AS A PART OF OPERATION MARKET GARDEN, HE LANDED NEAR GRAVE, THE NETHERLANDS, ON 17 SEPTEMBER 1944. AFTER A RECONNAISSANCE IN THE GERMAN OCCUPIED CITY OF NIJMEGEN HE BECAME THE LEADER OF THE LOCAL DUTCH RESISTANCE GROUP. ON 16 OCTOBER 1944, HE WAS CAPTURED. HE WAS KILLED ON 22 OCTOBER 1944 AFTER TRYING TO ESCAPE. RECEIVED THE SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.