1st Lt. Guy A. Ringbloom - 97th Infantry Division
#1

I love getting letters like this. Sure made me smile and showed me once again how small the world truly is. I forwarded the letter to Ray a few minutes ago, and will be very interested to hear what he has to say. I also sent a letter to the family and informed them of my actions and how happy I was to hear from them. :pdt20:

 

=================

 

Me, my wife and two sons live in the small village of Bunde near Maastricht in The Netherlands. Aprox. 15 km east of our village is located the American Warcemetry in Margraten. About one monthe ago we have adopted the grave of 1 LT Guy A Ringbloom from Minneapolis/Minnesota. Registrationnumber O1293835. 387 INF 97 DIV. He was killed in action on the 9 April 45 in the German village of Allner.

 

We are wondering if he has still relatives. If yes, and if they want to know, we want to let them know someone has taken care of the grave of their relative. So far our search on the internet did not have any result. On google we found your website with the name Ringbloom. Perhaps our email to you leads us to the relatives of Guy Ringbloom.

 

Kind regards,

Family R. Meij-Bouwens

Vliegenstraat 46

6241 CH Bunde

The Netherlands

 

==================

 

The family found Guy's name on my buddy Ray Repasky's page. Here is the excerpt from his page that deals with the Ruhr Pocket, Germany, April 1945. I am also including the direct link:

 

 

TRIDENT'S PRONGS STAB DUSSELDORF

 

ALL three combat teams slashed ahead in near perfect coordination despite extremely difficult terrain and fanatical resistance in densely wooded areas. Col. Lansing’s 386th CT had a tough nut to crack when it moved into the town of Drabenderhoehe. Germans produced intense fire with 88s, 20mm guns, 40mm dual-purpose flak guns, small arms and automatic weapons.

 

From a defensive standpoint, the town was ideally situated. Perched atop the highest hill in the area, Drabenderhoele, communications center and roadnet hub, loomed as the greatest single threat to the 97th's advance. In order to prevent a wide gap from developing on 2nd Bn.'s flank, a single company was given the job of taking the town. The assignment fell to Co. C, commanded by Capt. Llewellyn R. Johnson.

 

Co. C attacked, but after a short, fierce battle was thrown back with heavy casualties. After the 365th Bn. laid. Down an artillery barrage, Capt. Johnson’s company again surged forward, this time with complete success.

 

The battle was brief, but it produced heroism unexcelled in other battles of the Ruhr. Capt. Johnson moved out in front of his troops and led an advance over 1500 yards of fire-swept terrain in the attack that took the town. He was awarded the Silver Star for this action.

T/Sgt. - Merlin C. Godsell, -Hales, Corner, WI, 386th, also played. An important part in the capture of Drabenderhoehe. - In the first attack, fire from enemy automatic weapons isolated approximately half a rifle platoon. The sergeant, acting leader of the platoon, regrouped and rallied his men, advanced in the face of heavy enemy fire, to knock out four enemy automatic weapons. Destruction of these weapons resulted in an unprotected enemy flank, which Capt. Johnson exploited to capture the town.

 

Although Col. Long’s 387th CT made rapid progress against strong points in the central sector of the- division front, the enemy offered stiff resistance in wooded areas. Each town, was a battle in itself. But the courage and determination of the men made them equal to the task.

 

One of the outstanding incidents of courage, loyalty and devotion displayed in the entire, campaign occurred in the small German town of Allner when Co. F, 387th, meet heavy enemy resistance as it moved in. During the fighting, 1st Lt. Guy A. Ringbloom, Minneapolis, Minn. saw one of his platoon fall, completely exposed to Enemy fire. Disregarding personal danger, the lieutenant made his way to the wounded man and attempted to move him to a place of safety. He was mortally wounded as he assisted the injured dough out of the line of fire...

 

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/RayRepasky.htm

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
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1st Lt. Guy A. Ringbloom - 97th Infantry Division - by Walt's Daughter - 06-10-2007, 08:35 PM

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