Theodore Kenneth MISTER

Source : ww2veteransmemories

Parents : Walton R & Ethel I MISTER 

Frères et sœurs : Walton Roger, Charles Edward, Bernard, Emily Elizabeth & David W

of

CEMETERY TEMPORARY of  Saint Laurent N°3582

Map of Normandy American Cemetery

Théodore was the eldest child of the MISTER family.

His father was a veteran of the First World War, he was a PVT assigned to Company C 111st Infantry 28th Infantry Division

Source : ww2veteransmemories

On its regimental badge "Rock of the Marne" the 38th Infantry Regiment took part in the First World War, it defended the banks of the Marne against the German forces, preventing the Germans from progressing during this action the regiment took 500 prisoners, c This is where "Rock of the Marne" comes from.

On June 7, 1944, he celebrated his second wedding anniversary.

He is the father of a little girl Carolyn MISTER, she is 3 months old.

Théodore landed on June 9, 1944 at Omaha Beach with his unit.

Théodore died on June 13, 1944 near a mill in a place called Le Moulin des Rondelles.

On June 12, 1944, the 2nd Infantry Division liberated Cerisy la Forêt. Thereafter she receives the order to cross the Elle.

Company C of the 38th Infantry Regiment 2nd Infantry Division is assigned to this mission.

It must progress in the sector of the place called Le Moulin des Rondelles near Cerisy la Forêt, this valley is wooded and hilly. His goal is to cross the Elle and reach the heights.

On June 13, 1944 Company C launched an attack, it was quickly blocked by machine gun and mortar fire as well as sniper fire, in the afternoon, it relaunched an attack and was again blocked by the machine gun fire.

Seeing that the German gunners were trying to align their mortar fire on the men of Company C, Theodore launched an attack on the enemy positions, shouting Come on Follow me.......!!!!!! Théodore will run in the middle of the fields leading to the German lines.

Seeing Theodore attacking, the other men of Company C were galvanized by his example.

The soldiers also began to charge.

They succeeded in reaching the enemy lines and securing them.

From the beginning of this charge Theodore was mortally hit by shots. Despite his death his comrades continued their attack.

During this attack 11 US soldiers lost their lives.

Facing Company C there was the 352nd German Infantry Division as well as German parachute troops, after this battle the 2nd Infantry Division progressed towards Saint George d'Elle and Hill 192.

The division was stopped 2 km from Saint George d'Elle by order of the general staff who feared a counter-offensive from the second panzer division.

This counter offensive did not take place because the second panzer was engaged by the British forces in the Villers Bocage sector.

During this period the 2nd Infantry Division lost 540 men.

Les forces US mirent un mois pour atteindre leur objectif Saint Lo.        

Charles Edward MISTER