World War II Honoree

Elmer Adelbert Giggey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Boulder, Colorado

Honored By

Son

SAW COMBAT AT RHINE RIVER AND RECEIVED CITATION FOR BRAVERY. HE WAS WATCHING FROM SHORE AS A GROUP OF TROOP FILLED SMALL BOATS HEADED FOR THE EAST SIDE OF THE RHINE AT ST. GOAR, GERMANY. THE BOATS WERE HIT BY MACHINE GUN FIRE AND SOLDIERS WERE SWEPT AWAY WITH ALL THEIR HEAVY GEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO SWIM OUT AND SAVE A COUPLE OF FELLOW SOLDIERS UNDER ENEMY MACHINE GUN FIRE. HE PADDLED TROOPS ACROSS THE RIVER UNDER GERMAN MACHINE GUN FIRE. HE HELPED LIBERATE THE FIRST CONCENTRATION CAMP DISCOVERED BY THE ALLIES AT OHRDRUF, GERMANY. WAR ENDED FOR HIM NEAR SLOVAKIAN BORDER. OCCUPATION TROOP IN WANDERSLEBEN, GERMANY AND GUARD AT CAMP LUCKY STRIKE IN FRANCE WAITING FOR HIS TURN TO RETURN HOME.