February 14

Happy Valentines Day

May you all find the warmth of GOD's LOVE.

Our Family Hero

We lost a Family Hero 62 years ago today.

Not only a family hero but a American Hero.

PFC. Marion E Criswell died February 7, 1945 in WWII.

He was the youngest son of Henry and Ella Criswell. He was 8th out of 10 children. Marion Elma Criswell was born January 9, 1917. When the family was informed on the death of Uncle Marion they were told he was killed on the Rhine River. During my investigation I have found that he was killed while crossing the Our River at Wallendorf. His Division did not even reach the Rhine until a month later. I have spent many hours doing research trying to get better details on Uncle Marion life in the Army. With Aunt Ruby's help I am hoping that we will be getting a copy of his personal file from the government. It has been over 60 years so I don't know what they will find and how long it will take. Until then I will continue to do my own search of PFC. Marion E. Criswell of the US Army, Company H, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division (Company H was a heavy weapons company). I have a lot of information on what the 80th Division did in the war but I am now in the process to finding out better details of the 319th Infantry Regiment. The 80th Infantry Division served in George S. Patton's Third Army. They saved the city of Luxembourg by taken control away from the German troops. They also helped relieve American forces surrounded at Bastogne (Battle of the Bulge). Here are details on Uncle Marion's last day of combat.

In the early morning hours of February 7, 1945, the 1st Bn of 319th Infantry Rgt moved, under cover of darkness, from its assembly area at Kleinreisdorf to the vicinity of the Our river north of Wallendorf. Around 10:00 a.m. the 2nd Battalion 319th Infantry, preparatory to forcing a crossing of the Our, closed into Hoesdorf. The battalion experienced considerable difficulty due to the high flood level of the Our, the swiftness of the current and heavy enemy artillery and "Nebelwerfer" concentrations. Engineers in support were unable to complete construction of bridges; thus all the crossings were made in assault boats. Units that had managed to get across, were pinned down by heavy mortar and accurate artillery fire on the north shore of the Our River. Marion was killed in this battle. Several days later our forces did cross the river and push back the Germans. Germany and Italy surrendered on May 7, 1945. The war with Germany ended on May 8, 1945.
Uncle Marion final resting place is located at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. He was awarded the Purple Heart. There are 5,076 American Military who lost their lives in the service of their country buried in the cemetery. Gen. George Patton is also buried at Luxembourg.

Information above about the morning of 2/7/1945 was copied from: National Museum of Military History -Diekirch-
GRAND-DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG " Battle of the Bulge terrain walk".

http://www.nat-military-museum.lu/pageshtml/bulgetrails.php

Happy Birthday Vicki

45 years ago today in Vidalia, Ga. Paul and Kay Milligan welcomed their daughter Vicki Kay Milligan into the world. Vicki has one younger sister "ME", Donna Watkins. She has been married for 20 years to David Volkman, and mother to Rachel (13) and Adam (7) Volkman. She is the Granddaughter of T.E. and Lillie Mae Odom. Vicki and her Family live in Tennessee.

Pictures range in age of 2 month to 3 1/2 years old.
School Pictures: Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, Jr. high, then Jr.college. (not sure of the grades in Jr. high)

Picture taken last summer: Adam, Vicki, Rachel.

David and Vicki, spring 2001.

Rachel and Vicki at a Cheer Off in 2005.

Vicki,

Happy Birthday to you, ........ Happy Birthday to You........ Happy 45th Birthday, dear Vicki..... Happy Birthday to you....... and many more..........!

Please take notice for your birthday how nice I was in the selection of pictures. I could have used some that I really thought about using but
thought for your birthday I would be nice. (this time) I hope you are having a wonderful birthday. I love you very much. Your sis, Donna Mae