Memorial

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Walter Traudt was born as Walther Traudt. He immigrated to the United States on 6 September 1927, sailing with the SS Stuttgart from Hanau, Germany.

He attended Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn, New York.

He enlisted in New York City, New York on 20 March 1943. He trained at Camp Swift in Texas.

In a statement, dated on 23 August 1949, S/Sgt Jesse R. Lynch of C Company declared that in the evening of 21 November 1944, the company was in position outside of Gereonsweiler, when their platoon was counter attacked by two companies of SS troops. In the encounter to hold the position Pfc Traudt was seriously injured by hand grenade fragments. The platoon was cut off from the rest op the battalion and was impossible to evacuate the wounded man for 2 1/2 hours. He was seriously wounded in both arms and was given immediate first aid. They were pinned down by close small arms fire and in the attempt to evacuate Pfc Traudt they were fired upon by enemy machine guns. He was in a state of semi-consciousness when they left him and he was last seen talking to two German soldiers. In S/Sgt Lynch's opinion Pfc Traudt could only survive if he was given immediate medical treatment because his left arm was badly mangled.