Ira M. HAMDEN

Source : F Lavernhe

 CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  St James N°3578

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

Map of St James American Cemetery

  With the advent of the Second World War, the 15th was again called to service in March 1942.

The spirit and elan of the Cavalry were to lead the Army again, this time with new mounts, the armored car and tank.

After undergoing training at the Desert Training Center in California, the regiment sailed for the European Theater of Operations, arriving in Scotland in March 1944.

Here, the 15th was reorganized as the 15th Cavalry Group (Mechanized). The Group was composed of the 15th and 17th Reconnaissance Squadrons. The 15th Cavalry Group landed on Utah Beach on the 5 July 1944 as part of Patton's Third Army.

The 15th served in four major campaigns in Europe: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

The 15th Cavalry Group and its two squadrons fought as part of the Third Army, Ninth Army and was later assigned as a security force for several different divisions.

The end of the war found the 15th deep inside Germany, covering over 1000 miles of enemy held territory since landing on the Continent began in June 1944.

When the war ended, the 15th Cavalry Group and its two squadrons had taken nearly 7000 German prisoners and had destroyed 78 guns and 495 enemy vehicles.