Ralph Stenzel

Birthplace: Russell, KS

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: 503rd Ord. HM Tank Co.

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Aug 31, 1942

Discharged: Nov 27, 1945

Honored By: Eisenhower Foundation

My military service began at Ft Riley, KS. Sep 19, 1942 I transferred to Jefferson Barracks, MO, then to Infantry Basic Training at Camp Perry, OH and further training at Flint, Michigan; Aberdeen, MD; and Detroit, MI. Then it was Ft. Know, KY; Camp Campbell, Ky; maneuvers in KY and TN. Upon arrival in England, I was stationed at Bath, preparing for the Normandy Invasion, 3rd phase of Omaha Beach, St. Lo in France, Paris, Belgium, Holland, Germany and the Battle of the Bulge to Berlin and Vienna. I drove my sealed tank under water to the beach and on to battle. I shot down Messerschmitt planes with a 50 caliber machine gun at St. Lo. I was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Medal, American Theater Medal, EAMET ribbon, American Defense Medal, four Bronze Service Stars, Belgium, France and Holland ribbons, WWII Victory Medal, 2 Normandy Commemorative Pins, Normandy Medal Jubilee of Liberty of France, 2 Unit Citations of outstanding performance, Basic training badges, Expert Infantry, Small Arms, Machine Guns 30 and 50 Caliber, 75 MM and 3-inch tank guns and all kinds of explosives. I departed from New York, 4 Dec 43, on an English ship (the largest convoy ever put together) and returned on the Queen Mary — where I slept in the swimming pool! We landed in Boston on November 27, 1945. I was a Life Member of the American Legion Post 152, Ness City; VFW Post, Ransom, KS; DAV Chapter 18, Hays, KS.