Troops move up a road past a destroyed building in Europe circa 1944-45
Gift in Memory of Henry E. Godlewski
Description:
Photograph. American servicemen walking down a hill towards a bombed-out residence. Location unknown. No date
Image Information
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Date:
1944
1945
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Photographs from the service of Staff Sergeant Henry Edward Godlewski, who served in Co. B, 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in the Mediterranean and European Theater of Operations. Godlewski was born on 17 August 1918 in Lancaster, New York. He enlisted in the United States Army on 20 January 1942 and was sent to North Africa to join the newly formed 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. While with the unit, Godlewski participated in the Battle of El Guettar, Operation Avalanche, Operation Shingle, Operation Dragoon, and advanced through southern Germany. The 601st received the Presidential Unit Citation for destroying over 30 German tanks in the Battle of El Guettar. Godlewski additionally received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his military service which ended on 27 June 1945. He returned to the state of New York and resided there until his death on 23 February 1989. The five photographs depict scenes war-damaged buildings and the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion in Europe.
Geography:
Europe