WHITEHEAD, ARTHUR H. Jan 28, 1945 age 20 KIA France

ARTHUR HERBERT WHITEHEAD b. Oct 19, 1925 Ohio d. Jan 28, 1945 Killed in Action

Alsace, France

Pfc 36978326 Army 254^th Inf Reg 63^rd Inf Div Co D

 

Buried Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit

Parents: Earl & Minnie May (Hissong)

Siblings: Lloyd, Earl Jr, Delphine Elma, step children Russell and Rhea Mae Masters

17045 Burgess

This was the second marriage for both parents and each have children from the first marriage. They were born in Ohio, as were many of their children. Earl was a plumber and son Lloyd became an Asst Plumber. Then in the war Earl worked at Wayne County Airport. They lived several years at 15045 Burgess.

When Arthur registered for the draft Oct 29, 1943 it was in Romulus, where he now lived. He was 126 lbs, 5’6” with blue eyes and blonde hair. His next of kin named for the draft registration was Raymond Dryden. The Dryden family was a neighbor on Burgess, likely they lived in a house on the now empty lot next door. Think about all the Whiteheads and stepchildren  who lived in a 792 sq ft. house.



Ambulance - note bodies on fenders

254th Gun Crew

The unit fought at the Battle of Jebsheim, in Alsace. It became apparent as the month of January drew to a close that the hub of resistance was the well fortified town of Jebsheim. Capture of the town was necessary to protect the north flank of the 3rd Division’s advance. The Battle was fought from 24 Jan to 2 Feb 1945. French troops fought alongside the Americans. The fighting was some of the most violent in the war with the town changing hands 3 times. On 26th of January the 254th Inf Reg was going to attack Jebsheim but the men couldn’t fire their weapons which were frozen. The Germans had an advantage of taking cover in houses; Allied troops had to contend with foxholes in the outdoors. It was winter, it was brutal. The battle reached its climax on the 28th and 29th of January. Fighting is in the village, each side being constantly reinforced with more troops. At sunrise on the 28th the streets are strewn with bodies that had been crushed by tanks, yet the fighting continues.  It is the evening of the 29th before the final 3 houses in the village are at last taken. Bodies are everywhere in this veritable bloodbath. Houses gutted, charred remains of vehicles everywhere, and the dead litter the streets gardens. Now they would go fight the German troops still around the town.