Memorial

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1st Lt Andrew C. Pluff graduated from Southeastern High School in 1937 and was employed at Schmieg Sheet Metal Works.

"Capturing 18 Germans is a tough day’s work in any man’s army, but when they’re herded back to your own lines with a jammed “Burp” gun it becomes a matter for the record. The feat recently was accomplished by two Detroiters in Belgium. Fortunately Lt Andrew C. Pluff of 12104 Whithorn, and Staff Sgt Steve Burdohan of 210 Furtone were spared extreme anxiety on the trip back with their captives. They didn’t know they were using a worthless weapon until they were safely back behind their own lines. Members of the Fourth Armored Division of the Third Army, the pair had started out near Bastogne to find an observation point for their assault gun platoon. Pluff, leading the way and armed only with his pistol, almost stumbled into an enemy foxhole and succeeded in grabbing the surprised Nazi’s michie pistol before its owner could reach it. Captive number one. The occupant of the next foxhole was less co-operative, so Pluff killed him. Then 17 more Germans came out with their hands raised. Menacing them with the captured gun the two GI’s brought home their captives. Pluff and Burdohan counted the weapons the Germans could have used against them and found nine machine guns, four bazookas and a quantity of small arms. Then Pluff tested the ”burp” gun and discovered that it had jammed after the single shot he’d fired."