The tiny village of St-Georges-d’Elle France, nestled in Normandy's hedgerow country a few kilometres inland from Omaha Beach, is situated at the base of Hill 192, where fierce fighting between American and German soldiers resulted in terrible bloodshed in July of 1944. On the other side of the hill lay the significant crossroad city of St. Lo, which for Allied Forces, was a major objective following the invasion of Normandy.
The “Now” photo taken in June of 1999, features Nick Cleary in the foreground, son of Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran Sgt. Willis Cleary – 23rd Infantry Regiment – K Company, standing near the 2nd Infantry Division’s monument erected to honor the many men from the division who lost their lives while liberating the village in pursuit of German forces atop Hill 192. Fortunately for our family, Sgt. Cleary was unscathed during the battle, which claimed the lives of many of his good friends and acquaintances within the regiment. St Georges d’ Elle’s chapel, pictured in both photos, was damaged severely by artillery fire during the battle, but repaired nicely following the war. A second plaque inside the chapel recognizes the American troops who fought for the village’s freedom.
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