[1] Pickett's land, water, and other resources were surveyed in late 1941; by the end of 1942, more than 1,400 buildings had been built and were in use, including approximately 1,000 enlisted barracks and 70 officer's quarters.

According to the overall Allied plan, the 9th Army was to break through the Cologne Plain, where the flat terrain was ideal for armored divisions to dash the Rhine.

The first town that the Fox Company entered was Pastenbach; when they left on January 13, it was freezing, and the snow that had fallen three days earlier was frosted over and was deceptively thick.

[8]Around 1300, Company "E" reached the eastern edge of Kesternich with less than half of its initial troop strength and made every effort to set up defenses.

After avoiding the minefield, it moved south and into the town, where it encountered the same grueling house-to-house combat as Company G. Around 1400 hours, it had cleared the southern sector.

By the time Fox Company realized how serious the situation was, they were cut off from allied forces and surrounded by an enemy who had vowed to seize and hold this town at all costs.

When Tarnofsky returned, he started to lead his squad and carried out other duties; an immediate hit on his foxhole killed him, and Pfc Walter Trutko was seriously injured by the blast.

After a fierce engagement, the First Platoon's troops were forced to retreat through the same route they had taken to approach the town after running into a dug-in machine gun nest.

The Weapons Platoon chose to use the company C. P. as a shelter for some warmth and sleep, pausing to rub their feet to help prevent trench foot, which was increasingly common.

The division's commander, General Parker, delivered the following message to the soldiers:[23] "On this particular day, our thoughts go homeward, just as our people at home are thinking of us.

By our very presence here, amid the misfortunes that are war, we have made and are making possible a peaceful Christmas in a free land for our families back in America.

The move from Rollesbroich was made the night of January 28; the weather was awful; it was bitter cold, and because of the snow drifts, the Company's supplies had to be pulled by sled.

The men advanced, pushing through waist-deep snow drifts while carrying bandoleers, hand grenades, satchel charges, rocket shells, and Bangalore torpedoes.

A six-man patrol was dispatched across the Roer to gather vital intelligence on the enemy, but it encountered strong opposition and was forced to turn around.

After a bloody battle, other battalions of the Regiment broke through the highly defended northern end of the town, cleaned it out, and proceeded past.

Bowman introduced a group of men who had distinguished themselves through outstanding initiative and bravery in the fighting that had taken place up to that point: "I am recommending Pfc George E. Hershberger for a Bronze Star for his high level of courage," S-Sgt Donald G. Warner ("Because of his small size, you would not judge him to be a real fighter, but do not underestimate him"), S-Sgt Leonard H. Hampton ("A humorous, good-natured fellow, but a real fighter"), and Pfc William C. Crates ("He can really lay down a stream of fire from his BAR").

"[29][30] In one of his programs, the well-known radio commentator Gabriel Heattor spent considerable time complimenting the Division for "its wonderful successes."

A portion of the Company functioned out of a once-beautiful restaurant; Fox men could undoubtedly imagine the public gatherings that must have occurred there during the peak of Nazism.

[29] The men examined the reservoir's water level every half-hour to provide crucial information to those preparing the major assault to their north.

Fox Company had trouble crossing the canal because the bridge had been destroyed, but they eventually made it to a large factory where they waited for the promised tank support.

[32] By repeatedly launching 75 mm shells into the points of resistance, the Tank Destroyers made a significant contribution to the final clearing of the town.

On March 7, Fox Company, still a component of the 9th Armored, boarded half-tracks and began the arduous journey to Heimersheimm, Ersdorf, and Wormersdorf.

Then Fox Company rode forward and seized the towns of Altendorf, Gelsdorf, Vettelhoven, Bolingen, Ringen, Bingen, Heppingen, and Gimmengen.

[36] At this point, the men had no idea the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen, just 4 Miles north-west, was intact and captured just a day before by the 9th Armored Division.

A shell struck the bridge's steel girders as the men approached the heavily bombed structure, sending countless sparks into the night sky.

Dustemich Hill finally collapsed, and E Company dug in on its peaks; this was a substantial advantage because it permitted excellent observation of Kretzhaus and the surrounding area.

[41][40] Fox then moved forward along the road for about 300 yards before what first appeared to be a bank of dirt revealed itself as a Tiger tank, which began spewing shells.

The price was high: in the fierce fighting, Pfcs Federico Gurterrez, Gilbert A. Sandoval, Julious C. Pack, Harold I Hope, Clifford B. Kruse, Albert J. Harvin, Carl J. Katscha, Herbert W. Shwenk, Scott, Cecil O. Grabe, Gerald F. Gardner, Cook, T-4 Vincent J. Manganaro, and T-5 Herbert Ferdman (Med Det) were all wounded.

He served as a light mortar gunner; during the 1st Battle of Kesternich, he administered medical aid to wounded soldiers and used old sheets and clothing found in a house for bandages.

TARNOFSKY, despite his wounds, joined the team and assisted the Browning Automatic Rifleman in keeping the weapon operating at top efficiency.