Memorial

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Capt Henry D. Wirsig was born and raised in Syracuse, New York and graduated from the Syracuse University.

He enlisted in 1942, leaving behind a chemical engineer position at Standard Oil Development Company. He joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps. At Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, he was promoted to captain in October 1942. He also trained at Camp Cook, California, Fort Knox, Kentucky and Camp Polk, Louisiana.

On 17 December 1944, at about noon Capt Wirsig issued an attack order. The 16th Field Artillery was in position to support the attack and C Company was in Lommersweiler and A Company was near Maspelt. The axis of advance was highway N-27, A Company on the right to take Elcherath, and C Company to make a flanking movement left of B Company. The attack was to start at 1300 hours with an artillery time on target (TOT) barrage on the objective. There was a tank platoon assigned but there was no coordination with Lt Duck of A Company, 14th Tank Battalion and Captain Wirsig.

The attack commenced and the 1st Platoon became pinned down by fire from the right front. A Platoon was in a false draw on the north side of N-27 and out of sight of the Germans. About 100 yards out we were coming out of our cover. Wirsig hailed the commander for this platoon and asked "Where is the rest of your platoon?" He hit the ground and replied "If their not behind me, I don't know".

The Germans opened fire on the platoon, with at least two MG 42's set up in the area of the aforementioned gulley. Capt Wirsig was hit in the stomach, and tried to sit up. He was told to lay down but he was hit again and killed.

Capt Henry D. Wirsig was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, Belgium.