Just one of Many " Iron Men of Metz"

My brother William H Bitgood was a member of the 95th division from its activation up untill its deactivation during ww2. The division landed on Omaha beach a few weeks after the D-day invasion and b

My brother William H Bitgood was a member of the 95th division from its activation up untill its deactivation during ww2. The division landed on Omaha beach a few weeks after the D-day invasion and became at that time part of General Pattons 3rd army. One of their major battles was the attack and capture of the city of Metz better known as Fortewss Metz. The Germans who were defending this last town in France before reaching Germany gave the division a name that had endured over time. They named the 95th division the " Iron Men Of Metz"

My brother Billy and his division fought on into Germany to Saarlautern. After taking this town they were sent north into Belgium to help with the relief of the 101st Airborne division which had been surrounded by the Germans in the battle of the Bulge. Then they were sent into Holland before crossing over into Germany again to mop up the so called Ruhr pocket. At the conclusion of the Ruhr pocket campaign the division was put on Military government operations from the town of Dortmund up to the Nazi shipyard city of Bremen.. In May of 1945 the Division headed home to the states and upon the wars end was deactivated.

Billy received his honorable discharge on September 27th 1945 at Westover field, Chicopee Falls , Mass. He was slightly wounded near the town of Saarlautern, but quickly returned to duty. His record indicates he received the "Combat Infantrymens Badge" " The Good Conduct Madal " " The European African middle eastern campaign with two battle stars " " The American theatre campaign ribbon " " And the World War 2 Victory Mrdal "  His most proudest of all was the Commendation he and his division received from General Patton on the Metz offensive,

Anyone wishing to read in detail the account of this division from its start to finish may purchase the book THE 95TH INFANTRY DIVISION, from the Battery Press P.O. box 3107, uptown station, Nashville Tennessee 37219

Fred Bitgood

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