So sitting here on this Memorial Day my thoughts wandered to an uncle I never knew. My mother’s brother James “No-Name”Ashton (though his middle name was Elmer) who died on July 17, 1944 somewhere in the hedgerows around St Lo in France. Somewhere around the house I have an insignia patch for the Division he mailed to my mother and a book about the division. I can find neither today. But in reading about the division it said they fought in the hedgerows around St Lo from July 5 through the 20th of 1944. Here’s more about the Division:
The division “spearheaded” the US First Army through Normandy, taking part in a number of engagements, notably including the Battle of Saint Lô, where it suffered significant casualties. After facing heavy fighting in the hedgerows, and developing methods to overcome the vast thickets of brush and earth that constrained its mobility, the unit broke out at Marigny, alongside the 1st Infantry Division, and swung south to Mayenne.
So on this Memorial Day give a round of thanks to all those who have fought for our country in all our wars, past and present and to an uncle who died too young! Jim I wish I had had a chance to meet you!
John Cole of The Scranton Times-Tribune says it all in this cartoon!
