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| Tech. Sgt. Raymond F. Strojny 16th Infantry Regiment |
Tech. Sgt. Raymond F. Strojny, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Strojny, 8 Second Avenue. Taunton, one of America's most highly-decorated infantrymen and one of the country's truly great
soldiers, come home this week from 32 months of combat duty in North Africa , Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany.
A platoon sergeant with one of the famous fighting regiments of the celebrated 1st Infantry Division, Sgt. Strojny is enjoying his first furlough in three years of Army life three years which
took him through the bloodiest campaigns of the European war.
The 26-year-old North End Infantry sergeant's decorations include:
Silver Star Medal (Sicily)
Presidential Citation Ribbon (Sicily)
Distinguished Service Cross (Normandy)
Oak Leaf Cluster to Presidential Citation (Normandy)
Combat Infantry Badge (France)
Purple Heart (Germany)
Bronze Star Metal (Germany)
Seven Battle Stars
In addition to the above decorations, Sgt. Strojny has been recommended to the French and British Governments for the Croix de Guerre and British Military Medal, respectively
Back in July, 1942, less than five months after he had been drafted from Taunton, then Pvt. Raymond Strojny was on his way overseas with advance units of the 1st Infantry Division among
the first American combat soldiers to arrive on the shores of England.
"We got a big kick out of it when we spent all our early days in England," said Strojny. "The little English kids had never seen American soldiers before. They asked us who we were. For the fun
of it, one of the boys yelled, "We're the Hun!" Man, oh man, those little English kids started kicking us, spitting at us, throwing rocks, sticks; calling us names, and what not. "Boy, we
straightened those English kids out in a hurry. Soon they were our best friends."
Following months of intensive training in England, Strojny's 1st Division went into it's first battle action November, 1942 during the invasion of North Africa.
Never Missed a Day of Duty in 32 Months Overseas
From that day, in early November of 1942, when the 1st Division waded ashore at Oran in North Africa, Sgt. Strojny, although wounded slightly on three occasions, missed not a single day of
duty with his company during campaigns which took him across Africa to Tunis; through Sicily; D-Day in France; on through Belgium; Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest, the Belgian Bulge and into
the heart of the Siegfried Line.
"It seems like a long, long time ago the invasion of North Africa," said Strojny. "but I have some very strong memories of the first days of combat; the long, marches through terrible heat; the
Arabs; the then powerful German Air Force; the young, arrogant Afrika Korps; the bitter despair at Kasserine Pass; the bloody fight for Hills 609 and 523; El Guettar, Gafsa, Mateur and final
victory in Tunis."
Sgt. Strojny recalled that during the North African campaign his division engaged, among others, the famous German 10th Panzer Division at El Guettar.
During the battle around El Guettar, the 10th Panzer made four separate full-scale assaults on the 1st Division lines. "The 10th Panzer was one of Rommel's topnotch outfits," said Strojny.
"After El Guettar, there wasn't much left of it."
Foxhole Overrun by Germans
Strojny spoke of an occasion in Africa when he had fought with his company for two solid days without sleep. "I was so dam tired," said Ray, "that I flopped into my foxhole, and in no time I was
sound asleep. "While I was asleep, the Germans and Italians mounted an offensive an infantry attack. Suddenly, I woke up, looked out of the foxhole and noted that not an American was in
sight. They had withdrawn before the attack to other positions. I reached for my rifle as the Germans and Italians came on. It was lying on the rim of the fox hole. Something told me to play
dead for I didn't have a chance."
"I flopped back in the foxhole as the Germans and the Italians started running by and firing at our men. None of them stopped at my hole. They must have thought I was dead."
"Down below the hill, we had two jeeps and some supplies. The Germans went down and set them afire. Smoke poured up over the hill. It was a swell smoke screen, so I crawled out of the hole
and ran like hell back to the American lines."
Silver Star Metal for Bravery at Troina in Sicily
When North Africa had been cleared of Germans, the 1st Division was prepped for the invasion of Sicily. On July 10, 1943, the 1st Division hit the beach at Gela, one of the strongly-fortified
points along the shore of the big Italian Island.
The 1st Division swept into Gela, captured the town and threw back a German counterattack which came within 1000 yards of the beach.
From Gela, the 1st Division powered its way into the heart of Sicily to Troina, which be long remembered as one of the bloodiest battles of the Mediterranean campaign.
It was at Troina that Sgt. Strojny received his first decoration for outstanding valor on the field of battle.
Near Troina, a German paratrooper outfit was holding a vital ridge. The Americans assaulted the ridge. Deadly fire from the Germans cut the American ranks to pieces. The commander was
killed. Officers fell on all sides. Strojny's platoon leader was killed. Mortar and machine-gun fire blanketed the advancing Yanks. The situation was desperate. Suddenly, Strojny stepped in,
barked a few orders, and led the remnants of his platoon against the Germans. Cut and slashed to ribbons by close range machine-gun fire, Sgt. Strojny's platoon finally breached the German
positions, and the day was won.
Following the capitulation of Sicily's defenders, Sgt. Strojny was decorated with the Silver Star Medal for valor at Troina, third highest combat decoration of the U.S. goverment, The North
End soldier was the first Taunton boy in World War II to receive the Silver Star.
1st Division, Eisenhower's Lucky Charm
The 1st Infantry Division was the apple of Gen. Eisenhower's eye. When he went from Italy to England to prepare for the invasion of France, Gen. Eisenhower ordered the 1st Division to
England. "The 1st is my lucky charm," he said. Sgt. Strojny recalls a talk given before the 1st Division by Gen. Eisenhower sometime before the invasion of France. "He told us," declared
Strojny, "that we were going to have one of the biggest assignments during the invasion. He said he had great faith in the fighting ability of the 1st Division." Came D-Day, June 6, 1944 Hell's
lid blew off along the shore's of Normandy. The 1st Division, flanked by the 4th Division and the 29th Division made the initial landings. The 1st went ashore on "Omaha" beach near Colleville-
Sur-Mer. Battle tested veterans of North Africa and Sicily made landings from assault boats or tried to. Great six-pronged steel spiders, underwater mines and obstructions, barbed wire,
railroad ties and logs protruding from the water, smashed many of the boats. A whole division of crack German troops poured unmerciful fire into the oncoming assault boats. Men in Yank
uniforms died like flies.
Strojny's assault boat went in as far as possible and the men still living, crawled ashore through the shallow water and were pinned down on the beach by mortar and machine-gun fire which
wiped out of dozens of officers and hundreds of men.
Sgt. Strojny Knocks Out Two Pillboxes with Bazooka
Two big pillboxes, buried in the side of the bluff behind the beach, and mounting 88 mm. guns, poured deadly fire into the oncoming assault boats. Something had to be done but quick. The
beach was becoming a slaughterhouse. Quickly sizing up the situation, Sgt. Strojny picked up a Bazooka from a wounded soldier nearby. The Bazooka had been pierced by shrapnel and in that
condition should not have been fired. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Strojny tucked the Bazooka under his arm, gathered some rockets and hunched across the beach to a point
of vantage from which he could fire at the pillboxes. He crossed a mine field which had claimed the lives of scores of American's. In position, some 250 yards from the first pillbox, Strojny let fly
with a few rockets, which ripped the big concrete emplacement. The Germans concentrated machine-gun fire on Strojny's position. Only a miracle saved the youngster from being cut to
ribbons. One bullet went through the front of his helmet, circled his head and tore out through the side near his left ear. Still the target for German fire, Strojny worked his way back for more
rockets for the Bazooka and again in position, finished off the first pillbox and then blasted the second into flames.
Separated from his outfit most of them had been killed or wounded in the landing Strojny tagged along with another outfit, which was working its own way down the beach.
"Germans Are Dam Smart!"
The Yanks picked up Browning Automatic rifles, stacked on the beach and with a bangalore torpedo, blew a hole through the heavy barbed wire. Men dropped on all sides as the Germans let go
with mortars from a hillside some distance behind the beach. Strojny's outfit moved against emplacements. A few tanks came up and a British destroyers was signaled to shell the hillside.
"The destroyer rode almost up on the beach to zero in on the hillside," said Strojny. "that Captain had plenty of guts." "After the bombardment, we went into the tunnels after the German
mortar crews. It was rugged going." Strojny described the hillside as honeycombed with deep, connecting, reinforced and well made tunnels. Mortars were dug into the hill, with only the end
of the tube protruding. Besides each mortar was a photograph of the section of the beach that mortar was to cover. "Those Jerry's are dam smart," said Ray, "and I still don't know how any of us
got on that beach , and lived to tell about it."
Gen. Ike Pins DSC on Strojny's Chest
When the scores were added up after the beachhead landings, the men who had conducted themselves conspicuously during the invasion, were drawn up in revue before Gen. Eisenhower, Gen.
Bradley and other topflight commanders. Gen. Eisenhower passed along a row of 22 men of the 1st Division, who had been selected for the second highest decoration the U.S. Government can
bestow upon its hero sons The Distinguished Service Cross. After he had pinned the DSC over Sgt. Strojny's heart, Gen. Eisenhower asked the young sergeant from what part of American he
came?
"Taunton, Massachusetts, sir," replied Strojny. "Ah, a Minute-Man," laughed Gen. Eisenhower. He then asked Strojny where he worked and how long he had been with the division. Then with
a big smile, and a handclasp he went on to the next man.
German's Slaughtered at St. Lo and Mons in Belgium
From Normandy, Strojny's 1st Division fought through St. Lo, "after a bombing of German positions by the Air Force, which no printed word can describe."
Strojny told of the battle of Mons in Belgium where the Yanks slaughtered German forces caught near that town. "Hot on the heals of the Germans," said Ray, we rode tanks into Mons, passing
right through German positions. Our job was to go as far forward as possible. "We roared into Mons. The Belgian civilians tore down the German flags, put on their own armbands, dug out long
hidden rifles and joined in the search for German snipers. "We kept on going through Mons to cover as much territory as possible. Other American were to come up and occupy the town.
"Before the Americans arrived, a big force of Germans, our advance outfit had by-passed, came tearing into Mons. The Belgians tore off their armbands, hid their rifles and put out the German
flag again. The Germans kept on going through Mons and in a few minutes another big force of Yanks barreled into to town and once more the flags were torn down, the armbands and rifles
produced and cheering crowds lined the streets." Strojny described a German horse-drawn convoy, caught outside Mons by the American Air Force as "looking like a butcher shop after a
tornado.."
From Mons, the 1st Division fought on through Belgium to the Siegfried Line.
"You should see that Siegfried Line", said Strojny. "Pillboxes, eight feet high, every 50 yards, and the guns of each pillbox covering the other. 500 pounder's and artillery fire have no effect on
them. Soldiers, with grenades and demolition charges have to crawl up under them and put them out of commission.
Polish Soldier brings in 30 Friends
"However, we were lucky along one section of the line. The Germans seemed so short of manpower after the battle of France that they had to stretch them out. Our boys took 22 pillboxes one
day near Aachen in which the Germans had left but 14 men. We fire but nine rifle shots in taking the pillboxes." Strojny told of the Russian and Polish conscripts forced to fight for the Germans
and of the captured Polish soldier was brought in. "I gave him the business in Polish," laughed Strojny, "and he went out and brought back 30 more polish soldiers, in German uniform. Boy,
they were dam glad to get over on our side."
"Some of the Polish soldiers captured by our men had never a brief discourse on foxholes."
"Over there", he declared, "a foxhole is the difference between life and death, and no matter how tired you are, you'll dig one, even if you have nothing to dig it with but a knife or your hands.
When your life is at stake you will dig. Roots, hard ground or mud it's all the same. That foxhole is your insurance for getting back home. It's a soldier's best friend." Strojny was also in on the
fall of Aachen and spent over six weeks in the city.
"You may not believe it, but that street fighting is not bad," said Ray. "It gets pretty rough at so much as fired a shot from their machineguns, but just sat there until other until our fellows
reach them."
Hurtgen Forest of Unforgettable Hell
Sgt. Strojny told of the fighting in Hurtgen Forest, southeast of the city of Aachen. "Hurtgen Forest," said Strojny, "is a 50-square mile area of heavy woodlands. Huge fir trees, 73 to a 100 feet
high grow close together. Siegfried Line pillboxes dot the forestland, strategically and ingeniously placed to make them hard to take. Inside the forest, the dense growth cuts off most of the light
and at best it always seems like twilight. "We hit into the Hurtgen forest last November, just as the cold weather was getting in its licks. I guess maybe that fight in the Hurtgen Forest was
about the toughest one for our boys."
"The Jerries had scattered Teller mines, box mines and shoe mines under the pine needles. Behind every fir tree there were machine gun nests you couldn't see until it was too late. It was a
natural defense area for the Germans."
"The roads were rivers of mud. Trucks, jeeps and every moving vehicle went down over its wheels. Supplies never reached the front line troops. There was no food, no water, no medical
supplies no nothing just killing and being killed."
"I'm telling you, the folks at home should have seen the courage of those wounded Americans, lying around there in that cold, dark forest, with no way of getting out. Say, did those guys have
courage? Man you never saw anything like it."
"And those Heinies we had wounded and picked up, lay there whining and crying. Our kids gave them a lesson in what 'guts' really are."
Bronze Star Medal for Action in Hurtgen Forest
It was during this wild costly battle for Hurtgen Forest, that Sgt. Stojny received his third high military award for bravery in action. On Nov. 16th, the Germans stormed at the American
lines. A bloody battle ensued. Strojny's company moved out forward to relieve the pressure. The following morning the young Taunton non-com led three attacks against the Krauts, which
resulted in a German battalion being completely wiped out. Following the battle, nine truckloads of dead Germans were carted off for burial. For his part in leading three assaults against the
Germans, Sgt. Strojny, was decorated with the Bronze Star Metal for meritorious achievement in battle. Continuing his discussion of the Hurtgen Forest, Strojny said that it was so cold that
water froze in canteens, and men had to eat snow to quench their thirst. Trench foot and frostbite were prevalent among the troops. Foxholes were water holes. Men lay in snow on guard duty,
covered only with a white sheet for concealment. Relieved the next morning, it sometimes took two day to thaw them out. On one occasion in the Hurtgen Forest, Strojny left his foxhole for a
few minutes. When he returned he discovered a heavy German shell had exploded where his foxhole had been. There was nothing there but a big crater. On Nov. 28th, Sgt. Strojny was
slightly wounded by mortar fragments but stayed on duty.
Foxhole is Soldiers Life Insurance
At this point Sgt. Strojny gave times, "but you can always duck into a doorway, and at night we always slept in a nice dry cellar."
"I was surprised to note in Aachen," continued Strojny, "that the food situation wasn't to tough for the Germans they do all right."
"In the house where we were billeted in a deserted section of the town, the cellar was lined with jars of preserves enough for the next five years and sacks and sacks of potatoes. In the kitchen
was a beautiful white enameled kitchen range just like a Glenwood. The furniture was modern, and we fixed up one of the rooms with mirrors, pictures, easy chairs, nice thick rugs, etc., and
lived like kings for six weeks, with plenty of German cigars and cigarettes."
Germans in American Uniforms Trapped by Strojny and His Squad.
When Von Rundstedt hit the First Army, Strojny's 1st Division was pulled down from Aachen to hold Von Rundstadt's flank at Malmedy. Strojny's outfit kayoed 46 German tanks in one terrific
battle. "We just stayed in our foxholes until those Mark V's went by, and then hit them in the rear with everything we had. What a slaughter that was. During the offensive, German soldiers
donned captured American uniforms, and had in their possession regulation dog tags and passes. Speaking perfect English and driving American jeeps, the Germans roared through American
lines picking up information and attempting to throw the American forces into confusion. The plan succeeded to some extent until a smart American G-2 Officer devised a way to question all
officers attempting to get through the lines.
With a broad smile, Sgt. Strojny remarked, "A colonel, a major, and two captains pulled up to our position one day and started asking a lot of questions. They wanted to know where this
division was and that division and if Patton was coming. They added that the German drive couldn't be stopped."
They showed their passes, dog tags, etc.. Suddenly, I pulled the G-2 question on the colonel. He gave me the wrong answer and eight of our guys stepped up with guns stepped up. That was all.
The Jerries trapped by the question, threw up their hands and were sent to the rear, to be stripped of their American uniforms and shot as spies.
Sgt. Strojny One of Great Soldiers of World War II.
With the Belgian salient well contained, someone decided it was about time, kids like Sgt. Ray Strojny, veterans of 32 months overseas, were furloughed home.
Last week, Sgt. Strojney arrived in New York, leaving behind him one of the greatest military records of the European campaign. Taunton is, and may well be proud of Sgt. Raymond F.
Strojny one of the great heros of World War II.
Prior to military service , Raymond Strojney graduated from Coyle High School with the class of 1936 and was employed at Reed & Barton and was a member of Polish American Association
Other Taunton and vicinity boys known to have been members of the 1st Division through North Africa, Sicily and France are: Pfc. Arthur Silvia, 35 Wilbur Street; Pfc. William F Regan, 30
Vernon Street (Prisoner of War in Germany); Matthew McDonald, 512 Cohannet Street; S.Sgt. Edmund Santos, Summer Street, Dighton; and S. Sgt. Earl Rogers, 6 Friend Street
soldiers, come home this week from 32 months of combat duty in North Africa , Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany.
A platoon sergeant with one of the famous fighting regiments of the celebrated 1st Infantry Division, Sgt. Strojny is enjoying his first furlough in three years of Army life three years which
took him through the bloodiest campaigns of the European war.
The 26-year-old North End Infantry sergeant's decorations include:
Silver Star Medal (Sicily)
Presidential Citation Ribbon (Sicily)
Distinguished Service Cross (Normandy)
Oak Leaf Cluster to Presidential Citation (Normandy)
Combat Infantry Badge (France)
Purple Heart (Germany)
Bronze Star Metal (Germany)
Seven Battle Stars
In addition to the above decorations, Sgt. Strojny has been recommended to the French and British Governments for the Croix de Guerre and British Military Medal, respectively
Back in July, 1942, less than five months after he had been drafted from Taunton, then Pvt. Raymond Strojny was on his way overseas with advance units of the 1st Infantry Division among
the first American combat soldiers to arrive on the shores of England.
"We got a big kick out of it when we spent all our early days in England," said Strojny. "The little English kids had never seen American soldiers before. They asked us who we were. For the fun
of it, one of the boys yelled, "We're the Hun!" Man, oh man, those little English kids started kicking us, spitting at us, throwing rocks, sticks; calling us names, and what not. "Boy, we
straightened those English kids out in a hurry. Soon they were our best friends."
Following months of intensive training in England, Strojny's 1st Division went into it's first battle action November, 1942 during the invasion of North Africa.
Never Missed a Day of Duty in 32 Months Overseas
From that day, in early November of 1942, when the 1st Division waded ashore at Oran in North Africa, Sgt. Strojny, although wounded slightly on three occasions, missed not a single day of
duty with his company during campaigns which took him across Africa to Tunis; through Sicily; D-Day in France; on through Belgium; Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest, the Belgian Bulge and into
the heart of the Siegfried Line.
"It seems like a long, long time ago the invasion of North Africa," said Strojny. "but I have some very strong memories of the first days of combat; the long, marches through terrible heat; the
Arabs; the then powerful German Air Force; the young, arrogant Afrika Korps; the bitter despair at Kasserine Pass; the bloody fight for Hills 609 and 523; El Guettar, Gafsa, Mateur and final
victory in Tunis."
Sgt. Strojny recalled that during the North African campaign his division engaged, among others, the famous German 10th Panzer Division at El Guettar.
During the battle around El Guettar, the 10th Panzer made four separate full-scale assaults on the 1st Division lines. "The 10th Panzer was one of Rommel's topnotch outfits," said Strojny.
"After El Guettar, there wasn't much left of it."
Foxhole Overrun by Germans
Strojny spoke of an occasion in Africa when he had fought with his company for two solid days without sleep. "I was so dam tired," said Ray, "that I flopped into my foxhole, and in no time I was
sound asleep. "While I was asleep, the Germans and Italians mounted an offensive an infantry attack. Suddenly, I woke up, looked out of the foxhole and noted that not an American was in
sight. They had withdrawn before the attack to other positions. I reached for my rifle as the Germans and Italians came on. It was lying on the rim of the fox hole. Something told me to play
dead for I didn't have a chance."
"I flopped back in the foxhole as the Germans and the Italians started running by and firing at our men. None of them stopped at my hole. They must have thought I was dead."
"Down below the hill, we had two jeeps and some supplies. The Germans went down and set them afire. Smoke poured up over the hill. It was a swell smoke screen, so I crawled out of the hole
and ran like hell back to the American lines."
Silver Star Metal for Bravery at Troina in Sicily
When North Africa had been cleared of Germans, the 1st Division was prepped for the invasion of Sicily. On July 10, 1943, the 1st Division hit the beach at Gela, one of the strongly-fortified
points along the shore of the big Italian Island.
The 1st Division swept into Gela, captured the town and threw back a German counterattack which came within 1000 yards of the beach.
From Gela, the 1st Division powered its way into the heart of Sicily to Troina, which be long remembered as one of the bloodiest battles of the Mediterranean campaign.
It was at Troina that Sgt. Strojny received his first decoration for outstanding valor on the field of battle.
Near Troina, a German paratrooper outfit was holding a vital ridge. The Americans assaulted the ridge. Deadly fire from the Germans cut the American ranks to pieces. The commander was
killed. Officers fell on all sides. Strojny's platoon leader was killed. Mortar and machine-gun fire blanketed the advancing Yanks. The situation was desperate. Suddenly, Strojny stepped in,
barked a few orders, and led the remnants of his platoon against the Germans. Cut and slashed to ribbons by close range machine-gun fire, Sgt. Strojny's platoon finally breached the German
positions, and the day was won.
Following the capitulation of Sicily's defenders, Sgt. Strojny was decorated with the Silver Star Medal for valor at Troina, third highest combat decoration of the U.S. goverment, The North
End soldier was the first Taunton boy in World War II to receive the Silver Star.
1st Division, Eisenhower's Lucky Charm
The 1st Infantry Division was the apple of Gen. Eisenhower's eye. When he went from Italy to England to prepare for the invasion of France, Gen. Eisenhower ordered the 1st Division to
England. "The 1st is my lucky charm," he said. Sgt. Strojny recalls a talk given before the 1st Division by Gen. Eisenhower sometime before the invasion of France. "He told us," declared
Strojny, "that we were going to have one of the biggest assignments during the invasion. He said he had great faith in the fighting ability of the 1st Division." Came D-Day, June 6, 1944 Hell's
lid blew off along the shore's of Normandy. The 1st Division, flanked by the 4th Division and the 29th Division made the initial landings. The 1st went ashore on "Omaha" beach near Colleville-
Sur-Mer. Battle tested veterans of North Africa and Sicily made landings from assault boats or tried to. Great six-pronged steel spiders, underwater mines and obstructions, barbed wire,
railroad ties and logs protruding from the water, smashed many of the boats. A whole division of crack German troops poured unmerciful fire into the oncoming assault boats. Men in Yank
uniforms died like flies.
Strojny's assault boat went in as far as possible and the men still living, crawled ashore through the shallow water and were pinned down on the beach by mortar and machine-gun fire which
wiped out of dozens of officers and hundreds of men.
Sgt. Strojny Knocks Out Two Pillboxes with Bazooka
Two big pillboxes, buried in the side of the bluff behind the beach, and mounting 88 mm. guns, poured deadly fire into the oncoming assault boats. Something had to be done but quick. The
beach was becoming a slaughterhouse. Quickly sizing up the situation, Sgt. Strojny picked up a Bazooka from a wounded soldier nearby. The Bazooka had been pierced by shrapnel and in that
condition should not have been fired. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Strojny tucked the Bazooka under his arm, gathered some rockets and hunched across the beach to a point
of vantage from which he could fire at the pillboxes. He crossed a mine field which had claimed the lives of scores of American's. In position, some 250 yards from the first pillbox, Strojny let fly
with a few rockets, which ripped the big concrete emplacement. The Germans concentrated machine-gun fire on Strojny's position. Only a miracle saved the youngster from being cut to
ribbons. One bullet went through the front of his helmet, circled his head and tore out through the side near his left ear. Still the target for German fire, Strojny worked his way back for more
rockets for the Bazooka and again in position, finished off the first pillbox and then blasted the second into flames.
Separated from his outfit most of them had been killed or wounded in the landing Strojny tagged along with another outfit, which was working its own way down the beach.
"Germans Are Dam Smart!"
The Yanks picked up Browning Automatic rifles, stacked on the beach and with a bangalore torpedo, blew a hole through the heavy barbed wire. Men dropped on all sides as the Germans let go
with mortars from a hillside some distance behind the beach. Strojny's outfit moved against emplacements. A few tanks came up and a British destroyers was signaled to shell the hillside.
"The destroyer rode almost up on the beach to zero in on the hillside," said Strojny. "that Captain had plenty of guts." "After the bombardment, we went into the tunnels after the German
mortar crews. It was rugged going." Strojny described the hillside as honeycombed with deep, connecting, reinforced and well made tunnels. Mortars were dug into the hill, with only the end
of the tube protruding. Besides each mortar was a photograph of the section of the beach that mortar was to cover. "Those Jerry's are dam smart," said Ray, "and I still don't know how any of us
got on that beach , and lived to tell about it."
Gen. Ike Pins DSC on Strojny's Chest
When the scores were added up after the beachhead landings, the men who had conducted themselves conspicuously during the invasion, were drawn up in revue before Gen. Eisenhower, Gen.
Bradley and other topflight commanders. Gen. Eisenhower passed along a row of 22 men of the 1st Division, who had been selected for the second highest decoration the U.S. Government can
bestow upon its hero sons The Distinguished Service Cross. After he had pinned the DSC over Sgt. Strojny's heart, Gen. Eisenhower asked the young sergeant from what part of American he
came?
"Taunton, Massachusetts, sir," replied Strojny. "Ah, a Minute-Man," laughed Gen. Eisenhower. He then asked Strojny where he worked and how long he had been with the division. Then with
a big smile, and a handclasp he went on to the next man.
German's Slaughtered at St. Lo and Mons in Belgium
From Normandy, Strojny's 1st Division fought through St. Lo, "after a bombing of German positions by the Air Force, which no printed word can describe."
Strojny told of the battle of Mons in Belgium where the Yanks slaughtered German forces caught near that town. "Hot on the heals of the Germans," said Ray, we rode tanks into Mons, passing
right through German positions. Our job was to go as far forward as possible. "We roared into Mons. The Belgian civilians tore down the German flags, put on their own armbands, dug out long
hidden rifles and joined in the search for German snipers. "We kept on going through Mons to cover as much territory as possible. Other American were to come up and occupy the town.
"Before the Americans arrived, a big force of Germans, our advance outfit had by-passed, came tearing into Mons. The Belgians tore off their armbands, hid their rifles and put out the German
flag again. The Germans kept on going through Mons and in a few minutes another big force of Yanks barreled into to town and once more the flags were torn down, the armbands and rifles
produced and cheering crowds lined the streets." Strojny described a German horse-drawn convoy, caught outside Mons by the American Air Force as "looking like a butcher shop after a
tornado.."
From Mons, the 1st Division fought on through Belgium to the Siegfried Line.
"You should see that Siegfried Line", said Strojny. "Pillboxes, eight feet high, every 50 yards, and the guns of each pillbox covering the other. 500 pounder's and artillery fire have no effect on
them. Soldiers, with grenades and demolition charges have to crawl up under them and put them out of commission.
Polish Soldier brings in 30 Friends
"However, we were lucky along one section of the line. The Germans seemed so short of manpower after the battle of France that they had to stretch them out. Our boys took 22 pillboxes one
day near Aachen in which the Germans had left but 14 men. We fire but nine rifle shots in taking the pillboxes." Strojny told of the Russian and Polish conscripts forced to fight for the Germans
and of the captured Polish soldier was brought in. "I gave him the business in Polish," laughed Strojny, "and he went out and brought back 30 more polish soldiers, in German uniform. Boy,
they were dam glad to get over on our side."
"Some of the Polish soldiers captured by our men had never a brief discourse on foxholes."
"Over there", he declared, "a foxhole is the difference between life and death, and no matter how tired you are, you'll dig one, even if you have nothing to dig it with but a knife or your hands.
When your life is at stake you will dig. Roots, hard ground or mud it's all the same. That foxhole is your insurance for getting back home. It's a soldier's best friend." Strojny was also in on the
fall of Aachen and spent over six weeks in the city.
"You may not believe it, but that street fighting is not bad," said Ray. "It gets pretty rough at so much as fired a shot from their machineguns, but just sat there until other until our fellows
reach them."
Hurtgen Forest of Unforgettable Hell
Sgt. Strojny told of the fighting in Hurtgen Forest, southeast of the city of Aachen. "Hurtgen Forest," said Strojny, "is a 50-square mile area of heavy woodlands. Huge fir trees, 73 to a 100 feet
high grow close together. Siegfried Line pillboxes dot the forestland, strategically and ingeniously placed to make them hard to take. Inside the forest, the dense growth cuts off most of the light
and at best it always seems like twilight. "We hit into the Hurtgen forest last November, just as the cold weather was getting in its licks. I guess maybe that fight in the Hurtgen Forest was
about the toughest one for our boys."
"The Jerries had scattered Teller mines, box mines and shoe mines under the pine needles. Behind every fir tree there were machine gun nests you couldn't see until it was too late. It was a
natural defense area for the Germans."
"The roads were rivers of mud. Trucks, jeeps and every moving vehicle went down over its wheels. Supplies never reached the front line troops. There was no food, no water, no medical
supplies no nothing just killing and being killed."
"I'm telling you, the folks at home should have seen the courage of those wounded Americans, lying around there in that cold, dark forest, with no way of getting out. Say, did those guys have
courage? Man you never saw anything like it."
"And those Heinies we had wounded and picked up, lay there whining and crying. Our kids gave them a lesson in what 'guts' really are."
Bronze Star Medal for Action in Hurtgen Forest
It was during this wild costly battle for Hurtgen Forest, that Sgt. Stojny received his third high military award for bravery in action. On Nov. 16th, the Germans stormed at the American
lines. A bloody battle ensued. Strojny's company moved out forward to relieve the pressure. The following morning the young Taunton non-com led three attacks against the Krauts, which
resulted in a German battalion being completely wiped out. Following the battle, nine truckloads of dead Germans were carted off for burial. For his part in leading three assaults against the
Germans, Sgt. Strojny, was decorated with the Bronze Star Metal for meritorious achievement in battle. Continuing his discussion of the Hurtgen Forest, Strojny said that it was so cold that
water froze in canteens, and men had to eat snow to quench their thirst. Trench foot and frostbite were prevalent among the troops. Foxholes were water holes. Men lay in snow on guard duty,
covered only with a white sheet for concealment. Relieved the next morning, it sometimes took two day to thaw them out. On one occasion in the Hurtgen Forest, Strojny left his foxhole for a
few minutes. When he returned he discovered a heavy German shell had exploded where his foxhole had been. There was nothing there but a big crater. On Nov. 28th, Sgt. Strojny was
slightly wounded by mortar fragments but stayed on duty.
Foxhole is Soldiers Life Insurance
At this point Sgt. Strojny gave times, "but you can always duck into a doorway, and at night we always slept in a nice dry cellar."
"I was surprised to note in Aachen," continued Strojny, "that the food situation wasn't to tough for the Germans they do all right."
"In the house where we were billeted in a deserted section of the town, the cellar was lined with jars of preserves enough for the next five years and sacks and sacks of potatoes. In the kitchen
was a beautiful white enameled kitchen range just like a Glenwood. The furniture was modern, and we fixed up one of the rooms with mirrors, pictures, easy chairs, nice thick rugs, etc., and
lived like kings for six weeks, with plenty of German cigars and cigarettes."
Germans in American Uniforms Trapped by Strojny and His Squad.
When Von Rundstedt hit the First Army, Strojny's 1st Division was pulled down from Aachen to hold Von Rundstadt's flank at Malmedy. Strojny's outfit kayoed 46 German tanks in one terrific
battle. "We just stayed in our foxholes until those Mark V's went by, and then hit them in the rear with everything we had. What a slaughter that was. During the offensive, German soldiers
donned captured American uniforms, and had in their possession regulation dog tags and passes. Speaking perfect English and driving American jeeps, the Germans roared through American
lines picking up information and attempting to throw the American forces into confusion. The plan succeeded to some extent until a smart American G-2 Officer devised a way to question all
officers attempting to get through the lines.
With a broad smile, Sgt. Strojny remarked, "A colonel, a major, and two captains pulled up to our position one day and started asking a lot of questions. They wanted to know where this
division was and that division and if Patton was coming. They added that the German drive couldn't be stopped."
They showed their passes, dog tags, etc.. Suddenly, I pulled the G-2 question on the colonel. He gave me the wrong answer and eight of our guys stepped up with guns stepped up. That was all.
The Jerries trapped by the question, threw up their hands and were sent to the rear, to be stripped of their American uniforms and shot as spies.
Sgt. Strojny One of Great Soldiers of World War II.
With the Belgian salient well contained, someone decided it was about time, kids like Sgt. Ray Strojny, veterans of 32 months overseas, were furloughed home.
Last week, Sgt. Strojney arrived in New York, leaving behind him one of the greatest military records of the European campaign. Taunton is, and may well be proud of Sgt. Raymond F.
Strojny one of the great heros of World War II.
Prior to military service , Raymond Strojney graduated from Coyle High School with the class of 1936 and was employed at Reed & Barton and was a member of Polish American Association
Other Taunton and vicinity boys known to have been members of the 1st Division through North Africa, Sicily and France are: Pfc. Arthur Silvia, 35 Wilbur Street; Pfc. William F Regan, 30
Vernon Street (Prisoner of War in Germany); Matthew McDonald, 512 Cohannet Street; S.Sgt. Edmund Santos, Summer Street, Dighton; and S. Sgt. Earl Rogers, 6 Friend Street