Arthur R. BURRILL

"Bud"

Map of Normandy American Cemetery

From Pvt Arthur R Burrill Jr Memorial Facebook page: Arthur grew up in Springfield and studied at Hooker School, Chicopee Falls School, Buckingham School and Technical High School, where he graduated in 1943. His dream was to become an aircraft designer. Bud, Arthur’s nickname, liked bowling and basketball. He enlisted in the US Army on July 7th 1943 and his carrer as a GI began on July 22nd. He belonged to the prestigious 175th Regiment 29 ID, the Blue and Gray Division. He trained in the southwest area of England. He belonged to the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, his job was to support the battalion.

He began the battle for freedom landing on Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944. The area wasn’t secure, Geman soldiers still resisted between Omaha Beach and La Pointe du Hoc located 10 miles from the beachhead. His regiment walked and fought in the area of La Cambe and Isigny Sur Mer (10 km inland). The next goal of the division was Saint Lô. GIs fought in the hedgerow during a 3 day heroic battle in the north of Saint Lô. His battalion reached Hill 108. Arthur and his borthers in arms kept the position in the hedgerow during three days under German fire, shelling and bombing, until they were helped by the artillery. Arthur spent the last minutes of his life on this Sunday, June 18th, 1944, as he was killed in action during a German counter attack. He was buried in the provisary cemetery of La Cambe, a place reserved for the 29 ID fallen. The wish of his family was that he rest in peace in this amazing country, France, land of freedom, with his brothers in arms. He was moved from La Cambe to the Cemetery of Colleville sur Mer, facing his country, the USA.

He had never heard nor known of Normandie, La Cambe, Isigny Sur Mer before his landing. His story began in Springfield and ended in Normandie, his land of adoption. He earned the Purple Heart, the battalion received the awards of Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Croix de Guerre with Silver Gilt Star.