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name
SMITH, Wesley Eugene Jr - Date of
birth
30 August 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Richmond County, Georgia -
Hometown
Richmond County, Georgia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34761388 -
Rank
Technician Fifth Grade -
Function
unknown -
Unit
1058th Engineer Construction and Repair Group
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died non-Battle - Date of
death
17 March 1945 - Place of
death
Ludendorff Bridge, Remagen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 20 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Wesley Smith (father)
Maggie (Griffin) Smith (mother)
More information
The Ludendorff Bridge (known frequently by English-speakers during World War II as the Bridge at Remagen) was a railway bridge across the River Rhine in Germany, connecting the villages of Remagen and Erpel between two ridge lines of hills flanking the river. Remagen is situated near and south of Bonn.The collapse was blamed on a weakened main supporting girder that had been damaged by an enemy demolition charge before the Americans captured the 1,200-foot railroad span on 7 March 1945. About 200 Army engineers working on the bridge were plunged into the Rhine, 70 feet below, when the central span gave way with a rumble and shudder. Many were rescued, but 28 U.S. Army Engineers were killed, and 93 others were wounded.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.basher82.nl, www.ancestry.com - WWII Draft Cards / 1940 US Census
Photo source: www.basher82.nl, The Augusta Chronicle - 24 July 1945