"The middle of December saw the company engaged in the Battle of the Bulge.
The battalion was detached from the 5th Armored Division and moved
south to meet the armored spearheads of General Von Rundstedt's speedy
offensive. On December 24th, the company was attached to the 83rd
Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and occupied defensive positions around
Grandmeniel. The determined enemy armor and infantry attack began
at midnight Christmas Eve. This unit, after hours of desperate fighting, was
forced to evacuate the town and occupied high ground overlooking the city.
During this battle, Sgt. Moser's Tank Destroyer knocked out two enemy
Panther tanks at 30 yards in almost total darkness, but Cpl. Patrick P.
Pennetti, T/5 Grizzle and Pvt. Kent were wounded when their own TD received
a direct hit and burned. For this exploit, Sgt. Moser received the Silver
Star and Cpl. Pennetti the Bronze Star Medal."
Pictured above is Sgt. Moser's TD at the Grandmeniel Cross Roads. It is located
in the background between the two destroyed tanks and directly beyond the soldier
in the picture.
The picture is courtesy of Eddy Monfort. Eddy is a resident of Belgium and lives a few kilometers from the Grandmeniel Cross Roads
in the Ardennes. Picture provided 4/2/2002.