Takes Nazis Who Demand His Surrender
By Frank Miles
(Daily Times Herald War Correspondent)
In Germany (IDPA) -- Pvt. John D. Walsh, Minersville, a First army rifleman, felt the muzzles of two weapons pushed against his back with German words he knew were in demand to surrender when he moved through bushes east of the Rhine. He whirled around and with a swipe of an arm knocked the nazi rifle spinning. In almost the same movement he threw his M-1 on the pair.
Up went their hands which he ordered them to clasp behind the back of their necks. A few minutes later he turned his prisoners over to MP's at his command post. Private Walsh said he didn't learn to fight like that in Iowa but gave credit to Iowa fighting spirit and his army training for the achievement.
Sgt. Floyd J. Mellon, Dubuque, was one of three Yanks of the 78th infantry division, who routed Germans out of a stone quarry at Himberg with machine guns.
Lieutenant John B. McKay, Des Moines, took shelter in a basement when the enemy laid down a heavy concentration of artillery fire during the American capture of Gladbach. When he emerged he was astounded to find two Panzer grenadiers at his heels asking to be made prisoners.
Lieutenant Donald N. English, Sheldon, and Staff Sgt. John S. Fulta, Cedar Rapids, of the first division, have received the Bronze Star for meritorious and heroic achievement respectively.
Robert G. Russell, Oskaloosa, and Virgil D. Palmer, Winterset, with the First army troops in Germany, have been promoted - Russell to T/4 and Palmer to T/5. Russell has been overseas for 20 months.
An MP motioned my driver to a stop as we jeeped in to a German city from a jaunt up front.
"Either of you guys speak German?" he asked, indicating he needed help to understand two women and a boy of about 12 years of age, who were standing near.
Neither of us did but I decided to see if I could learn what the trio wanted. I thought they were saying "Panzer". One woman pointed toward a small intact brick structure amid rubble from bombs a half block away.
The MP, my driver and I suspected a Jerry panzer soldier might be hiding in the place she indicated. The two soldiers swung their rifles into position for action. I was unarmed bu mustered enough courage to go along as they cautiously advance to solve the mystery. We found a brand new German bazooka, which looked like it never had been used.
Sandy Bassin, Cedar Rapids, of the 91st division of north Italy, has been given a battlefield promotion from sergeant to second lieutenant.
Cpl. Norman L. Hoopingarner, of Sioux City, of the Fifth has been awarded the bronze star for heroic achievement in action, and Sgt. George R. Beekman, Pocahontas, of the 91st division, was commended recently for outstanding performance of duty. Cpl. Hoopingarner attracted attention of his officers but the efficient manner in which he keeps records on every round of artillery ammunition received and expended.
"Germans would never treat Americans like this," a Cologne woman said to an America correspondent pointing to an air bomb-wrecked house.
Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, May 3, 1945
