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{Editor's note— The following is a letter written by Ralph h, Holsinger, Covington wan, now with the armed forces in Italy. Like others which he has written for publication, ll is interesting and timely.)From the An2io Beachhead Saturday, April 8, 19*4Staff Sergeant Harold E. Smith and Pfc. Edward Palys hadn’t intended to be heroes. There had been an early morning air raid, three men had received fragmentation wounds, and these two medics had taken them to the hospital.AOne of the German bombs found a target that February morning. It had dropped between two ammunition trucks, riddling both with shrapnel, setting them afire, and seriously injuring both drivers. The flames were licking at the loads of heavy artillery shells when Smith and Palys came upon the scene after delivering their men to the hospital.An ammunition fire is a terrible thing. The flames explode the shell and showers of red hot steel fragments fly out in every direction with a screaming sound that is enoughin Itself to make anyone within a half mile seek the best cover he can find. Smith and Palys knew this, for! they had been close to burning ammunition before.No HesitationBut there was no hesitation on| IheSr part. Within twenty-five feet of (hose loads of death two helpless men lay. As the two medics started forward with their stretchers the first shell went off. the concussion knocking them both to the ground. They had to drop many more times before they reached the first wounded man.He had to have first aid before he could be moved, » tourniquet was put on a shattered leg. Morphine eased the wounded man's misery. Smith and Paly* worked calmly while shrapnel sprayed wickedly along the pavement.There were other brave men there I hat morning. Two M. P.’s and a photographer carried the second man out of danger. By that time entire shells were being thrown a-roimd by the violence of the explosions. Some of these landed within a few feet of the rescuers but, almost miraculously, they did not explode,nor did any of the thousands of flying pieces of jagged shrapnel touch the men as they carried out their errand of m?rey.Get Silver Stars Several weeks later a band marched into a square in a shell-tom town. Jeeps brought in two generals and several enlisted men. The group dismounted, the band played theNational Anthem, and a high ranking general pinned Silver Stars on this group of heroes. Among them were Staff Sergeant Smith and Pfc. Palys. They had performed an errand of mercy “above and beyond the call of duty,”There were few spectators in that village court when the awards were presented. Smith and Palys are quiet men, hardly noticed by their fellows except when their services as Battalion aid men are needed. One might almost think that their deed was not appreciated.They risked their live* to save the life of a stranger. They did it without thought of reward, I can think of no better story to tell on this day before Easter. I hope you folks at home will remember It, for you are the only ones who can give the many heroes of this war their just reward.
Newspaper Details
Piqua Daily Call
Piqua, Ohio, US
Thu, May 04, 1944
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
OH, USA 28 Jun 2023
Other Publications Near Piqua, Ohio
Piqua Morning Call
Piqua Daily Call and Piqua Press Dispatch
Piqua Press Dispatch
Piqua Daily Call
Piqua Miami Leader
