On May 23, 1944, during the Italian Campaign's Battle of Anzio, Allied ground forces at Anzio broke through the German line after months of fighting, ending up in a stalemate. Seven men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary actions on this day. Van Barfoot of MS, a T SGT in the 157th IR, 45th ID, led a squad through a minefield, pushed through German defenses, captured 17 Germans and killed 8 others near Carano, Italy. Later in the day, he destroyed a tank with a bazooka during the German counterattack and helped two injured men reach a safe position. Ernest Dervishian of VA, a T SGT in the 133rd IR, 34th ID, attacked several German positions and captured several enemy soldiers. John Dutko of PA, a PRIV 1 CL in the 30th IR, 3rd ID, single-handedly assaulted several German machine guns. Injured during the attack, he destroyed 4 German positions before finally succumbing to his wounds. He was awarded the MOH posthumously in Oct. 1944. Thomas Fowler of TX, a Texas A&M student and a 2LT in the 191st Tank Battalion, led two infantry platoons through an enemy minefield. He then led a combined armor-infantry attack near Carano. He was killed in action 11 days later and awarded the MOH posthumously in Oct. 1944. George Hall of MA, an SSG in the 135th IR, 34th ID, captured two German positions and was injured while attempting to capture a third. Due to his injury, he had to self-amputate his right leg. He was sent home and awarded the MOH in April 1945 but succumbed to his injuries in Feb. 1946. Patrick Kessler of OH, a PRIV 1 CL in Company K, 30th IR, 3rd ID, single-handedly captured a German machine gun nest. He captured 16 German soldiers, including two snipers. Two days later, he was killed in action and awarded the MOH posthumously in 1945. Henry Schauer of OK, a PRIV 1 CL in the 15th IR, 3rd ID, left his cover to draw out 4 snipers and kill them. He shot him down a fifth sniper. He then disabled two German machine gun nests. #WeRememberThem (fb)

🎉 Today we celebrate 100 incredible years of WWII veteran John Meredith Roberts! 🇺🇸 Born on May 23, 1925, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, John was one of identical twins, raised in South Dakota alongside his brothers Jerome and Jim. Drafted after graduating high school in 1943, John served with honor as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division—the Screaming Eagles—one of the most elite and courageous units of WWII. John parachuted into action during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, where he endured brutal winter conditions and was hospitalized with trench foot. He was later among the U.S. troops who guarded the gas chambers at Dachau concentration camp after its liberation—preserving the truth of Nazi atrocities and helping ensure justice would follow. After the war, he returned home aboard the RMS Queen Mary, arriving in New York City for a massive victory celebration. He used the G.I. Bill to attend the University of South Dakota, where he built the next chapter of his life. John met and married Ginger Georgiades, and together they raised two daughters—Mary Kay and Constance—in Des Moines, Iowa, where John built a successful career in banking and became known for his kindness, generosity, and deep sense of integrity. He is dearly loved by his family and friends, who are thrilled to gather in celebration of a century of life, legacy, and service. Happy 100th Birthday, John Meredith Roberts! 🎂 💬 Leave a birthday message below or sign his digital birthday card: 👉 https://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/birthday-card/john-roberts #WWII #WWIIVeteran #Happy100th #JohnRoberts #ScreamingEagles #101stAirborne #GreatestGeneration #AmericanHero #WWIIMemorial (fb)