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Looking for a soldier who liberated a girl in France, Aug 22, 1944

Discussion in 'Western Europe 1943 - 1945' started by Lisa La Vallee, Jun 6, 2019.

  1. Lisa La Vallee

    Lisa La Vallee New Member

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    I have a French friend who is looking for the man who liberated her dear friend's mother. They have a picture of the soldier, the location and date of the picture, nothing more. Can anyone assist me in identifying the name of the soldier in this picture?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG] Who is This WWII American Soldier Liberating a Little Girl In France | WWII Forums

    My friend's message is below:

    My American friends, please share this picture and this info. The little girl in the arms of this soldier is the mother of my dear friend Severine and her and her mother Jacqueline are searching for this American soldier! This picture was taken on August 22nd of 1944 in the village of Thoury-Ferottes in Ile de France region, in the Seine et Marne Département. Can you help find this soldier who helped liberate them or his children if he had any?

    Thank you!
    Lisa
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 8, 2019
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  2. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

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    Lisa,
    Great shot.
    Is it OK if I share it & your request onto Twitter?
    13k+ mostly military history-interested followers. You never know.

    Cheers,
    ~Adam.
     
  3. Lisa La Vallee

    Lisa La Vallee New Member

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    That would be fantastic. Yes! Thanks Adam.
     
  4. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    The village appears to be just north of a corps boundary. I am leaning towards him being associated with 7th AD or 5th ID of the XX Corps. The 35th ID and XII Corps is to the southeast.

    I can't find the village name on the period map I am looking at - the scale is a bit large, but it does look to be in the XX Corps area. The 7AD appears to be the lead division with 5th ID HQ at Etampes

    Panzer Lehr was the German outfit facing them (or perhaps fleeing them) with the 338th ID to the south.
     
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  5. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    That guy looks right out of the movies. What kind of rifle is that? The breach looks M-1 but the rest doesn't look right-- and I've never seen a "V" shaped holder like the one on his right foreleg. Hope you identify him Lisa, what a story that would be.
     
  6. Lisa La Vallee

    Lisa La Vallee New Member

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    Thanks for the information. Do you have any idea what I can do with it? Is there a site that might list the names of the company members?
     
  7. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    It would be like finding a needle in a haystack with a lot of research involved, determining which unit was actually there, provided the date is correct. I am not even sure if it was a divisional unit there, as my maps only shows divisions. It could be a corps unit, such as a recon squadron, I just don't know.

    Then, once finding out what unit it most likely was, you would have to stumble upon a photo of him as most everyone who would recognize him are probably dead. If they unit's reunion groups are still active, they might could help, but it would be trying to identifying someone out of tens of thousands of soldiers. The task will be daunting. Not saying it is impossible, but it will be tough
     
  8. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    i was wondering that myself. the barrel looks sorta "Thompsony" but the breach end is, like you said, looks like a Garand. It ain't big enough or right for a BAR and sure doesn't look like a Carbine. Think it might be some "locally acquire" weapon"?

    Pliers, maybe or a magazine pouch for this odd weapon he has?
     
  9. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    It's a Garand with a grenade launcher. I think...

    .
     
  10. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I thought the same thing and looked for a good photo of a grenade launcher but could not find one that looked like it.

    You are probably correct though.
     
  11. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    I was thinking pliers or wire cutter. Maybe a Signals guy.
     
  12. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    Maybe twenty years ago some of his buddies would still be alive and would chance upon the picture-still very slim. I pulled out my old military album from the 60's and could remember most of the guys by sight, but half the names were gone.
     
  13. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I had a similar issue with Mr. Sanford when were writing Old Hickory Recon. He could remember the names and other details about all the men in his section...except one. There are multiple photos made of the man with Mr. Sanford, but all he could remember about him was his nickname, "Mack."
     
  14. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    I took the picture to a local gun guru and he thought it was a 1903 Springfield sniper rifle. Said the bolt is difficult to see because of the angle. He thought the rectangle thing on the upper barrel is a holder for a pod or barrel support and the "v" thing may be the supports that fits in the holder. Anyway, just another opinion.
     
  15. chibobber

    chibobber Member

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    I believe the weapon is a Reising Model 50 submachine gun. Mostly used by USMC in the Pacific.Some to the Army.I imagine some made it to the ETO.
    Then again I may be totally wrong.
     
  16. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    The opening along the bottom of the handguard (forearm) is absolutely diagnostic of a Garand. The muzzle looks odd because, I think, it has the grenade launcher mounted on it.

    [​IMG]
     

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