Sacrifices of 7 from Lycoming County and surrounding areas in WWII minefield remembered
Unidentified American soldiers, all graduates of Texas A&M, carried on their traditional muster and barbecue, despite the war, on the Allied 5th Army on the Anzio, Italy, beachhead, May 12, 1944. They managed to have a barbecue and even something to drink. (AP Photo/Pool)
In this photo provided by the Office of War Information, an LST (Landing Ship, Tanks) craft, carrying a cargo of trucks loaded with ammunition, lands at an Anzio beachhead point, April 10, 1944. Trucks are driven under their own power to deliver ammunition to Fifth Army troops. (AP Photo/Office of War Information)
In this photo provided by the ACME Wartime Picture Pool, German prisoners on the truck chat with their captors at Anzio, Italy, 1944. (AP Photo/ACME Pool/Bert Brandt)
Twelve days after the Allied offensive was launched from the Anzio beachhead, Allied troops entered Rome on June 4th, and by the next day the occupation of the city was almost complete. The Romans acclaimed the victors with enthusiasm, and when it became known that the Allied commanders were holding a conference on the capitol a procession assembled to greet them as they passed through the streets. General Mark Clark, in the rear of the jeep, driving through cheering crowds as he enters the city of Rome, to take control ,on June 4, 1944. (AP Photo)
Twelve days after the Allied offensive was launched from the Anzio beachhead, Allied troops entered Rome on June 4th, and by the next day the occupation of the city was almost complete. Rome was spared the fate of becoming a battle ground by the strength of the Allied pressure south, which forced the Germans to withdraw hurriedly, leaving great quantities of war material behind them. As allied troops advanced through the streets, the Romans acclaimed them with overwhelming enthusiasm. A British soldier receives a great welcome from the girls, on June 4, 1944, in Rome. (AP Photo)
Twelve days after the Allied offensive was launched from the Anzio beachhead, Allied troops entered Rome on June 4th, and by the next day the occupation of the city was almost complete. Rome was spared the fate of becoming a battle ground by the strength of the Allied pressure south, which forced the Germans to withdraw hurriedly, leaving great quantities of war material behind them. As allied troops advanced through the streets, the Romans acclaimed them with overwhelming enthusiasm. Allied troops passing the Colosseum are cheered by the crowd, on June 4, 1944, in Rome. (AP Photo)
Amphibious ducks of the Allied forces ply between shore and anchored ships as a beachhhead is established near Anzio, south of Rome, during the invasion of Italy, in June 1944. (AP Photo)
Bombs from a German fighter plane miss their target and explode near Allied war supply ships, off the coast of Anzio beachhead, south of Rome, in June 1944. (AP Photo)
Supplies to the Allied beachhead at Anzio and Nettuno have been maintained despite every effort of the enemy to interrupt the steady flow of materials. Ships have been attacked by radio-controlled glider bombs, submarines, and fighter bombers. The enemy has also tried to disrupt operation by long range shelling. Supplies come in on Liberty ships which anchor off shore and unload their cargoes into L.C.T.s (landing Craft Tank) and L.S.T.s (Landing Ship Tank) arrive with loaded supply lorries, which drive straight off to the dumps, thereby clearing the harbour very rapidly. Owing to shallow water on some of the beaches the L.C.T.s have to be off loaded with the aid of Dukws. The supplies are scattered all over the bridgehead in mixed dumps so that if one dump is hit the fire programme is not affected. Inner corner of Anzio harbour, Italy on March 14, 1944, where two L.S.T.s are unloading, and in the back-ground can be seen bomb damaged buildings. (AP Photo)
The super transport ship, General W.P. Richardson, docked in New York, with veterans of the European war cheering on June 7, 1945. Many soldiers were veterans of the African campaign, Salerno, Anzio, Cassino and the winter warfare in Italy's mountains. (AP Photo/Tony Camerano )
American soldiers examine a German one-man submarine which landed at Peter Beach in the Anzio area of Italy, May 31, 1944, during World War II. The tube on left is the torpedo, which is shackled to the driving compartment housing one man. The torpedo can be released in time to allow the pilot to escape safely. The 17-year-old German pilot of this submarine was captured. (AP Photo)
Pvt. Alex Ogle (left), Rt. 2, Box 6, Riverside, Cal., shows his buddy, Sgt. Lawrence Andert, 275 W. Maryland Ave. St. Paul, Minn., the news from his home town contained in The Riverside Daily Press while all is quiet on the Anzio beachhead front in Italy on March 21, 1944. (AP Photo)
Unidentified American soldiers, all graduates of Texas A&M, carried on their traditional muster and barbecue, despite the war, on the Allied 5th Army on the Anzio, Italy, beachhead, May 12, 1944. They managed to have a barbecue and even something to drink. (AP Photo/Pool)
In this photo provided by the Office of War Information, an LST (Landing Ship, Tanks) craft, carrying a cargo of trucks loaded with ammunition, lands at an Anzio beachhead point, April 10, 1944. Trucks are driven under their own power to deliver ammunition to Fifth Army troops. (AP Photo/Office of War Information)
In this photo provided by the ACME Wartime Picture Pool, German prisoners on the truck chat with their captors at Anzio, Italy, 1944. (AP Photo/ACME Pool/Bert Brandt)
Twelve days after the Allied offensive was launched from the Anzio beachhead, Allied troops entered Rome on June 4th, and by the next day the occupation of the city was almost complete. The Romans acclaimed the victors with enthusiasm, and when it became known that the Allied commanders were holding a conference on the capitol a procession assembled to greet them as they passed through the streets. General Mark Clark, in the rear of the jeep, driving through cheering crowds as he enters the city of Rome, to take control ,on June 4, 1944. (AP Photo)
Twelve days after the Allied offensive was launched from the Anzio beachhead, Allied troops entered Rome on June 4th, and by the next day the occupation of the city was almost complete. Rome was spared the fate of becoming a battle ground by the strength of the Allied pressure south, which forced the Germans to withdraw hurriedly, leaving great quantities of war material behind them. As allied troops advanced through the streets, the Romans acclaimed them with overwhelming enthusiasm. A British soldier receives a great welcome from the girls, on June 4, 1944, in Rome. (AP Photo)
Twelve days after the Allied offensive was launched from the Anzio beachhead, Allied troops entered Rome on June 4th, and by the next day the occupation of the city was almost complete. Rome was spared the fate of becoming a battle ground by the strength of the Allied pressure south, which forced the Germans to withdraw hurriedly, leaving great quantities of war material behind them. As allied troops advanced through the streets, the Romans acclaimed them with overwhelming enthusiasm. Allied troops passing the Colosseum are cheered by the crowd, on June 4, 1944, in Rome. (AP Photo)
Amphibious ducks of the Allied forces ply between shore and anchored ships as a beachhhead is established near Anzio, south of Rome, during the invasion of Italy, in June 1944. (AP Photo)
Bombs from a German fighter plane miss their target and explode near Allied war supply ships, off the coast of Anzio beachhead, south of Rome, in June 1944. (AP Photo)
Supplies to the Allied beachhead at Anzio and Nettuno have been maintained despite every effort of the enemy to interrupt the steady flow of materials. Ships have been attacked by radio-controlled glider bombs, submarines, and fighter bombers. The enemy has also tried to disrupt operation by long range shelling. Supplies come in on Liberty ships which anchor off shore and unload their cargoes into L.C.T.s (landing Craft Tank) and L.S.T.s (Landing Ship Tank) arrive with loaded supply lorries, which drive straight off to the dumps, thereby clearing the harbour very rapidly. Owing to shallow water on some of the beaches the L.C.T.s have to be off loaded with the aid of Dukws. The supplies are scattered all over the bridgehead in mixed dumps so that if one dump is hit the fire programme is not affected. Inner corner of Anzio harbour, Italy on March 14, 1944, where two L.S.T.s are unloading, and in the back-ground can be seen bomb damaged buildings. (AP Photo)
The super transport ship, General W.P. Richardson, docked in New York, with veterans of the European war cheering on June 7, 1945. Many soldiers were veterans of the African campaign, Salerno, Anzio, Cassino and the winter warfare in Italy's mountains. (AP Photo/Tony Camerano )
American soldiers examine a German one-man submarine which landed at Peter Beach in the Anzio area of Italy, May 31, 1944, during World War II. The tube on left is the torpedo, which is shackled to the driving compartment housing one man. The torpedo can be released in time to allow the pilot to escape safely. The 17-year-old German pilot of this submarine was captured. (AP Photo)
Pvt. Alex Ogle (left), Rt. 2, Box 6, Riverside, Cal., shows his buddy, Sgt. Lawrence Andert, 275 W. Maryland Ave. St. Paul, Minn., the news from his home town contained in The Riverside Daily Press while all is quiet on the Anzio beachhead front in Italy on March 21, 1944. (AP Photo)
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As part of a strategy to liberate Italy from the Nazis during World War II, the Allies sent an invasion force of 36,000 troops with naval and air support to land behind German lines at Anzio and to cut off the Germans from their supply lines. A flotilla of 13 Landing Ship Tanks sailed from Naples to begin the amphibious landing on Jan. 26, 1944. Aboard LST-422 were Companies C, D, and the Headquarters Company of the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion and the 68th Coast Artillery Regiment. Rough seas and gale force winds pushed LST-422 into a German minefield where an exploding mine detonated the landing craft's flammable cargo and sent the vessel to the bottom. Hundreds aboard LST-422 were killed.
Volunteers with the non-profit Stories Behind the Stars have written memorials honoring the 58 soldiers from Pennsylvania who died in the mining and sinking of LST-422. Seven of LST-422's fallen had ties to Lycoming, Clinton or Northumberland counties: PFC Edward F. Carothers, Pvt. Frederick L. Brooks, TEC5 Nevin L. Glossner, Pvt. John F. Lucas, Cpl. Bertram G. Martino, PFC Elmer E. Putman and Sgt. Jack L. Billig.
Edward Frank Carothers was born on Nov. 9, 1907 in Lyons to Frank Beltshoover and Cora Agnes Rollman Carothers. His father was a loom repairman in a silk factory. The family lived in Coal Township. Carothers had two older brothers and one older sister. He graduated from Coal Township High School and was not married. Carothers worked at the Williamsport Textile Corp. in Williamsport. He registered for the draft on October 16, 1940 at Williamsport and enlisted in the Army on Sept. 21, 1942 in Harrisburg.
According to a news release from Stories Behind the Stars, Frederick Leroy "Bud" Brooks was born on April 10, 1921 in Renovo to Fred Ellsworth and Myrtle Florence Grugan Brooks. His father worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and served in World War I with the 20th Engineer Battalion. Brooks had three brothers and five sisters. He completed one year of high school and worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Renovo prior to entering the Army on Sept. 21, 1942 in Altoona.
Nevin Leroy Glossner was born April 23, 1921 in Lock Haven to Clyde McCloskey Glossner and Etta Susanna Bierly Glossner. His father worked as an electrician in a silk mill, and the family lived in Allison. Glossner had three younger brothers, one younger half-brother and one older sister. He was a 1939 graduate of Lock Haven High School and worked as a mechanic for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Renovo prior to entering the Army in Altoona on Sept. 21, 1942.
John Franklin Lucas was born on Dec. 3, 1921 in North Bend to Barney Edward and Elizabeth St.Clair Lucas. His father worked in a tannery, and the family lived in Chapman. Lucas had four older brothers and three older sisters, the news release said. He had a grammar school education and worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Renovo prior to entering the Army at Altoona on Sept. 21, 1942.
Bertram Gerald Martino was born on Sept. 4, 1920 in Renovo to Eusanio "Frank Samuel" and Josephine Nose Martino. His father was born in Italy, worked for the PA Railroad, and was a barber. Martino had five brothers and three sisters. He graduated from St Joseph's High School and worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Renovo prior to entering the Army at Altoona on Sept. 21, 1942.
Elmer Eugene Putman was born on July 15, 1920 in Flemington to Lester E. and Edna I. Miller Putman, the news release said. When Putman's parents separated, he lived with grandparents. His mother worked as a school custodian. Putman had two younger brothers and one younger sister. He had a grammar school education. Putman enlisted in the Army on Sept. 21, 1942 in Altoona.
According to the news release from Stories Behind the Stars, Jack Luther Billig was born on April 11, 1921 in Milton to Newton George and Mary Edna Billig. His father worked as an engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Billig had three siblings: one older brother, one older sister, and one younger sister. Billig graduated from high school and was not married.
He registered for the draft on Feb. 16, 1942 in Williamsport and enlisted in the Army on Sept. 21, 1942 in Harrisburg. Billig entered the Army on Oct. 5, 1942 at New Cumberland.
The seven men were assigned to the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion which was activated at Camp Gordon, Georgia, on June 10, 1942. Chemical mortars were developed as incendiary shells, smoke, marker, phosphorous, and chemical weapons, including poison gas.
After intense training, the 83rd was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations on April 29, 1943. The battalion supported a variety of units including the Rangers, the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 2nd and 41st British Commandos. On July 10, 1943, the Rangers and members of the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion landed on Sicily while facing heavy enemy fire on mined and wired beaches. The 83rd was able to unload their mortars in the heavy surf and were able to silence the enemy firing positions, the news release said. After much heavy and intense fighting, Allied forces captured Sicily. Following this victory, the task was the liberation of Italy which began on Sept. 9, 1943.
LST-422 attempted to land at the Allied-held beachhead at Anzio on Jan. 26, 1944, according to the news release. High waves postponed the landing and forced the LST to anchor for the night at 1 a.m. Gale force winds and the tide caused LST-422 to drift into a submerged minefield at 5:20 a.m. about 12 miles offshore. A mine's explosion tore a 50-foot hole in the ship's hull and detonated munitions and fuel in the LST's hold. Vehicles that were secured on decks became dislodged and pinned soldiers.
"Many men were trapped by the troop compartment's jammed door as the ship sank," the news release said. "Many soldiers who entered the water succumbed to hypothermia or drowned in the frigid water."
Rescue efforts by other landing craft and minesweepers were hampered by German mine explosions and an air raid, killing thirty men from Landing Craft Infantry 32. Minesweepers pulled 150 men out of the water from LST-422 and LSI-32. The captain and crew of the LST-422 finally abandoned the ship around 6 a.m. LST-422 broke in half and sank at 2:30 p.m.
Total losses were 454 Americans and 29 British sailors. Fifty-three members survived and returned to duty. Thirty-seven of the recovered deceased were given a burial at sea. Fifty-four of the recovered deceased were interred in U.S. Military Cemeteries in Italy. Three-hundred and sixty-two deceased are unrecovered or unidentified.
Billig, Carothers, Brooks, Glossner, Lucas, Martino and Putman were seven of the soldiers in the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion who were killed in action on Jan. 26, 1944, the news release said. They were memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Italy. Billig is also memorialized with a cenotaph at the Green Lawn Memorial Park (section B, lot 356) in Clinton Township outside Montgomery.
Carothers is also memorialized with a cenotaph at the St. Paul's Union Church Cemetery in Fleetwood. Billig and Carothers posthumously earned the Purple Heart. Glossner was repatriated to America and buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery, Mill Hall on March 12, 1949. Lucas was eventually repatriated to the U.S. and buried at the North Bend Cemetery in North Bend. Putman posthumously received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Brooks, Glossner, Lucas and Martino posthumously received the Purple Heart.
Stories Behind the Stars memorials are accessible for free on the internet and via smart phone app at gravesites and cenotaphs.
The non-profit organization is dedicated to honoring all 421,000 fallen Americans from World War II, including 31,000 from Pennsylvania. To volunteer or to get more information, contact Kathy Harmon at kharmon@storiesbehindthestars.org or visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org.