Page 121 - Anthology

“The M29 Weasel was a World War II tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker, designed for operation in
snow.”

The crew of the weasel put us both on the vehicle and took us back to a clearing station. We were there
for about a day before being evacuated to an evacuation hospital. The hospital was near the Leaning
Tower of Pisa. I was there for about four weeks. I was presented with a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and
qualified for the Combat Infantry Badge while in the hospital. After recuperating I was shipped back to
join my unit.

My unit was assigned the task of chasing the Germans out of the Po River valley.

1
Po River valley, April 1945

There were several trucks filled with Germans trying to escape. They blew up a bridge going over the
river. Our engineers brought up row boats for us to cross the Po River. The first wave crossed with no
problem. But, by the time the second wave started across, the Germans were ready. They fired artillery
on us. The boat I was on hit a sand bar. Another man and I were in the rear of our boat. The artillery
was so intense that we jumped into the river. We pulled two overturned boats over our heads for cover.
We finally made our way to the other bank and a bunch of Italian civilians were there to rescue us. Our
unit proceeded on up to Lake Garda in northern Italy; in the Italian Alps. The war was soon over for Italy.
Incidentally, I received another Bronze Star for my actions through the Po Valley of the North Apennines
Mountains.

After the Po Valley action, I was given an opportunity to go on a rest and recuperation (R&R) leave to
Rome, Italy. I visited the cathedrals of St. Peter and St. John’s, the Coliseum and the Catacombs. I also
had the opportunity to visit the Vatican and have an audience with Pope Pius XII as well as view the
Swiss Guards and the Vatican “treasure room”.