338th Anzio, Italy

Imapeppernlv · Oct 11, 2014

My name is Chareen and I am the neice of Ford L Geer. He died in Anzio on 21 Oct 1944. I don't have alot of military knowledge so I am hoping someone can assist me in finding out what the circumstances were in Anzio at this time. I understand the largest battles there were over by May. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Char

Owen · Oct 11, 2014

The frontline was well north of Anzio by October 1944 .
I assume he would have died in a hospital there, if that is correct he died at Anzio.
I see he's not listed on the ABMC site, was his body returned to the USA ?

Buten42 · Oct 11, 2014

Char, You have probably seen this page http://user.pa.net/~cjheiser/ct8/338main.htm
You could write for his IDPF which should give you some information on his death and where he was wounded.
Good to have you with us.

Individual Deceased Personnel File

BFBSM · Oct 11, 2014

Owen said:

The frontline was well north of Anzio by October 1944 .
I assume he would have died in a hospital there, if that is correct he died at Anzio.
I see he's not listed on the ABMC site, was his body returned to the USA ?
Click to expand...

Records for U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963, on Ancestry, show that his body was returned to Plains, Montana: http://interactive.ancestry.com/2375/40050_1220705228_0388-03173/231960?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3findiv%3d1%26db%3dqgheadstoneapps%26rank%3d1%26new%3d1%26MSAV%3d1%26msT%3d1%26gss%3dangs-d%26gsfn%3dFord%2bL%26gsln%3dGeer%26msddy%3d1944%26uidh%3del4%26msddd%3d21%26msddm%3d10%26pcat%3d34%26fh%3d0%26h%3d231960%26recoff%3d8%2b9%2b10%26ml_rpos%3d1&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord

Casualty records on Fold3 indicate he was KIA. http://www.fold3.com/image/310763286/

Mark

TD-Tommy776 · Oct 12, 2014

Welcome, Chareen. I am hopeful that we can be of some help to you.

The Memorial Page for Ford Lincoln Geer on the Find a Grave website.

Here's the casualty record for Sanders County from Mark's link. I wasn't sure if it is one of the free items on Fold3.com:

View attachment 21441

Since he is listed as KIA and not DOW, it is more likely that he died on the battlefield and not in a hospital. However, the KIA designation could be an error. Requesting his IDPF as Buten42 suggested would hopefully clear that up.

The following is a section of the 85th Division history from the Custermen.com website that may be helpful:

In this phase of the advance elements of the 34th Infantry Division began to relieve elements of the 338th Infantry; and by October 15th the part of the regimental sector west of the Idice River had passed to that division. The 338th then moved along the east of the river to areas near Fiumetta and Savazza, south of Baccanello, prepared to continue the attack northwest of Monterenzio.

The capture of Formiche and Monterenzio had thrown large group of the enemy into confusion. Among the prisoners now captured were many who came into our lines when they were separated from their units. In the month since the initial attack on the Gothic Line the Division had captured more than 2000 prisoners, and this in itself had strained the enemy's organization. But severe as his losses had been, replacements were still arriving and in enough strength to meet the demands of constant counterattacks.

The 339th Infantry captured Hill 622, just east of Santa Anna; and held it against counterattacks. The enemy was defending stubbornly, but the regiment pushed through the fog to capture several important objectives--Hill 602, and Castelvecchio, which overlooked the area to the north for many miles. Hill 532, the Vignale ridge, was taken only after strongly fortified positions were reduced.

The 338th infantry was gradually advancing through rough country towards Monte Fano, which it captured on the 20th. The 337th had been recommitted that day, taking up positions on Monte Cuccoli, and the 339th was moving along the ridge east of Castelvecchio, in a move coordinated with the advance of the 88th Division on the right towards Monte Grande. On the 22nd further orders were received for the coordinated attack. Other elements of the 337th moved up to Farneto on the ridge east of Cuccoli. The 339th went on to attack Hill 459 north of the Parrocchia di Vignale, and the 338th prepared to move forward from Fano towards the strongpoints of Pizzano and Orbega to the northwest. We were now attacking towards the last dominating range of hills in front of the Po Valley.
Click to expand...

And a map from "Cassino to the Alps" showing the position of the 85th Division just prior to the attack on Monterenzio.

Just a thought. The name "Monterenzio" could be easily confused with the more well known "Anzio".

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338th Anzio, Italy

Imapeppernlv New Member

Owen O

Buten42 Member

BFBSM Member Patron

TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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Sanders_County_Casualties2.jpg

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