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- BIOGRAPHY:
Source: National Archives and Records Administration; U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Enlistment Date: May 5, 1942, Pittsburgh, PA Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA, Grade: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; one year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Services; Officers appointed in the Army of USA Education: 3 years of high school; Civil Occupation: Laboratory Technician, Motion Picture or Shipping Clerk Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 68 Weight: 144
Source: War Department, The Adjutant General's Office Report of Death, No. 71-2943032, January 23, 1945
PFC Oliver A. Simmers, Co. A. 21st Armd. Inf. BN, 11th Armored Division ID No. 13061273 (Social Security No. 200-07-2212)
Entered the Army 4 days after his 21st birthday, May 5, 1942 and had been overseas since October 12, 1944. He attended Rose, Herron Hill, Arsenal and Washington Vocational Schools and was employed by the B. K. Elliott Co. He was a member of the Friendship Park Methodist Church and the Downtown YMCA.
PFC Oliver A. Simmers, Co. A. 21st Armd. Inf. BN ID No. 13061273 (Social Security No. 200-07-2212)
Source: 11th Armored Division Association - History of B Company, 21st AIB Note: Oliver was in Company A however since he died in Monty (Monde) it is safe to assume his experiences would have been the same as B Company.
THE 21st LEAVES ENGLAND FOR FRANCE
Having been in England for a little over two months, the 11th Armored Division was given an assignment on the battle front. First to leave were the half tracks with their drivers and car commander. Leaving Camp Upton Lovell on the 13th of December, they started for the channel. That night they stayed at Camp Hurely, Ramsey, England leaving the next morning and arriving in Southhampton. The tracks were loaded on a Liberty ship ready to sail. The ship MT-311, had an American crew who were very friendly and almost seemed to enjoy the company of a bunch of GI's. The 15th of December was spent on the English Channel with no one getting very sick. The channel was very calm according to the sailors who had made twelve previous crossings on that ship.
The majority of the company left Upton Lovell on 14th Dec. and stayed in pyramidal tents at a camp near Southampton that night. Boarding an English ship on the 15th Dec. they set sail for Cherbourg, where they arrived the next day. The same day they left by truck for a bivouac area in the vicinity of Barneville where they were when the vehicles arrived. Sunday morning, the green field where we had slept, was just a sea of mud. By noon it was so sticky and deep that we were al1 reminded of movies we'd seen of World War I and wondered how we'd be able to stand conditions like that for very long.
Monday morning, 18th, Dec., we moved south, headed for St. Nazaire, France, where an infantry division had a bunch of Germans trapped with their backs to the sea. That day we traveled about 120 miles going through Barneville, Averanches, Constance and Rennes. At night we bivouacked on an air strip at Jacques, just south of Rennes. Tuesday was spent on the air strip getting ready for battle. Cleaning guns, checking rations and equipment etc. Wednesday, the 20th, there were some pretty strong rumors that our orders had been changed. We didn't know just how to take it. The men were really doing a lot of guesswork trying to figure where we would go.
The next day we left the air field about 0700 hours headed for Liege where the Germans had staged their largest and last counter offensive that threatened to be a serious set-back to Allied arms. Friday, the 22nd, we drove all day passing through the French towns of Nogent, Chartres and we stayed in another field near Rambouillet. Saturday, two days before Christmas, we went through Paris, Meaux, La Ferte, Chateau Thierry, and Rheims. There was nothing much to look forward to but another uncomfortable cold night in some farmer's field. About dusk we drove through Rheims and wondered if we were ever going to stop for the night. It was getting very dark and beginning to snow. At nine o'clock that evening we approached what looked like another city---our column and the city were completely blocked out. We stopped and were informed that we were to spend the night in the barracks of Camp Soisson. The company went almost wild with joy. Having slept out for the past week in the middle of winter the thought of four walls, a roof and maybe a little heat was almost too much for tired men to imagine.
The next day, Christmas Eve, was spent in Camp and that night we had a drink from the officer's liquor rations which they shared with us. Many attended church services. Next morning we were ready to move out. Christmas on the road was the main trend of conversation. We received some mai1 which made everybody feel a little better---or maybe a little more home-sick. However, we did eat Christmas turkey that day which the cooks had prepared in a moving truck. The kitchen crew is too often overlooked. They really worked that day so that we all could have a good Christmas dinner.
The move on Christmas Day took us to Singly, France where we dug fox holes and pitched tents. Tuesday, the 26th, we remained at Singly and sent out recon parties. Wednesday we still stayed in Singly, awaiting movement orders and sent out another recon party to Sedan. Our mission at this time was to defend the line of the Meuse River, and the reconnaissance was to select suitable defensive positions. Thursday was another bitter day of waiting, and discussion concerned to which Army we had been assigned. At 2300 hours, Friday 28th Dec., orders came to be ready to move early the next morning.
PRESENT FOR DUTY
The saga of Co. 'B' of the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion from the evening of Dec. 29th, 1944 when it was preparing for its initial baptism of fire until the conclusion of its fighting in Belgium the last of January. It was on the afternoon of Dec. 29 that Baker Company pulled off the main highway after an 80 mile forced march from Singly, and prepared to bivouac for the night. The bivouac area was on a hill, an ideal situation for defense. The weather was freezing cold and the ground was frozen and covered with slight layer of snow.
Here we received our first introduction to the idea of death, which we were to meet so frequently in the days to follow. A German fighter plane had crashed in the center of our bivouac area the day before. The bodies of two German flyers were strewn lifelessly on the field. Many of us inspected these grotesque frozen bodies and entertained the idea that we too might soon meet a similar fate.
On the following morning Dec. 30th. Co. B as a member of Task Force Barraster made its first combat attack; present for duty; 235 EM and six officers. The attack got off to a bad start when part of the company was directed down the wrong road. This mistake was rectified was by Lt. Stringfellow, who got us reorganized and on the right road. Our first objective was the town of Jodenville, Belgium which Baker Co. entered forcing the enemy to withdraw.
Our position during the morning was subject to severe enemy artillery and mortar fire. The first casualties of the Company were suffered when a second platoon half track was hit by an artillery shell and over turned; this track was commanded by S Sgt Ingle. A few minutes later a first platoon half track was hit by a mortar shell and three men were seriously wounded; this half track was commanded by S Sgt O'Brien.
After securing the town of Jodenville the company mounted up and attacked across country toward a patch of woods held by the enemy. The woods were strongly defended by anti-tank guns, and the task force was forced to withdraw with the loss of seven medium tanks. Our company suffered no casualties. We pulled back to the town of Jodenville and set up a defense for the night.
At noon the following day, supported by a company of tanks we were again on the attack. Our objective was the high ground south of Chenogne, Belgium. We succeeded in entering the town of Chenogne during the afternoon, but were forced to withdraw that night. This was New Years Eve, 1945, a night that Co. B will not soon forget. There wasn't any celebration that night, only suffering and hardship. We did not have any overcoats, we were cold, we were tired, and too cold to sleep. The ground was frozen on the surface and resisted our entrenching shovels. We were dug in on the left of the road leading into town; the houses on our left were blazing and cast weird shadows on the snow.
The following day, New Years Day, we renewed the assault on the town. The Germans had brought in reinforcements during the night, and they resisted stubbornly. The fighting was bloody and our casualties were high. Chenogne was a strong point in Von Runstedt's salient into Belgium and the defenders were determined to hold. In spite of the bitter resistance there we succeeded in clearing the town by noon and began to reorganize. In the late afternoon we advanced by foot and vehicle in the direction of Mande. Ground opposition was light, but we were subject to mortar and artillery fire.
As darkness had set in we formed our defenses, and dug in for the night. It was a repetition of the night before; freezing feet and hands, and again we sweated out the dawn.
We remained in position during the following day, Jan. 2, but late in the afternoon, we prepared to attack the village of Mande, Belgium. After the usual preparatory artillery we advanced with the tanks into the town. The enemy had already withdrawn, but they had the town zeroed in with their artillery and mortars. There was not much sleep for us that night. Just when things had quieted down a little, the cry of "Counter Attack", was heard. We hurriedly grabbed our guns and fell out in a blinding snow storm and, in spite of the confusion, we attempted to form a line of defense. Due to the quantity and accuracy of our artillery and tank fire the Germans failed to retake the town.
On the next day, Jan. 3rd, we were relieved at Mande by elements of the 17th Airborne Division. It was a weary, suffering group of men that straggled from the town that morning. Many of the men could not walk or could do so only with difficulty, because of frozen feet. After a mounted march of several hours, we reached the town of Au Chene, Belgium, late in the evening. Here we found billets in barns and houses. We were not particular; any place; just to roll up in some blankets and sleep, and be warm.
We remained at Au Chene for nine days for a maintenance break and what a break it was for us. We had an opportunity to get some good hot food and some much needed rest. We were issued new clothes and equipment. It was interesting to note that present for duty at this time were 150 EM and four officers. Due to this loss of men the second platoon was dissolved, and the men assigned to the first and third platoons.
Source: Report of Burial obtained from the Individual Deceased Personnel File of the Department of the Army.
Oliver A. Simmers, Serial No. 13061273, Co. A. 21 Armd Inf Bn, 11 Armd. Place of death: Morhet, (should read Monty) Belgium, 2 Jan 1945, Cause of Death: GSW Cardiac (Gunshot wound to the heart), Date and time of Burial, 5 Jan 1945 14:10, Name of Cemetery: US Militiary Cemetery #1, Grand Failly, France, Grave No. 139, Row 6, Plot D. Type of Marker: Cross. Disposition of Identification Tags: Buried with body and attached to marker. Buried on the deceased right: Davison, Serial No. 32590003, Rank unknown, Col. B 56 Armd Engr. Bn 11 Armd, Grave 138 Buried on the deceased left: Cook, Serial No. 34831132, Rank unknown, Division unknown, Grave 140. List of personal effects found on body and disposition of same: No Personal Effects. Signed William E. Samson, 1st Lt. QMC, 3043 QMGR CO 21 Mar 1945
Per Letter from Robert H. Dunlop, Brigadier General "This report disclosed that Private Simmers was killed in action by artillery fire while performing his duties as a cannoneer, during an attack on Monty, Belgium, 2 January 1945." Per Roger Marquet - "With the place and date of his death, I could conclude that he was killed in action on the last day of the first operation of the 11th. They were relieved by the 17th Airborne on January 3, 1945." "Monty is very close to my future home in Chenogne...maybe 3 miles. It is a very tiny village close to Mande-Saint-Etienne, 5 or 6 miles west of Bastogne."
First buried Grand-Failly, U.S. Military Grounds in Belgium France, Plot "D", Row 6, Grave 139. The cemetery was located approximately 10 miles North of Verdun, France and was under the constant care and supervision of United States military personnel. This was a temporary cemetery that no longer exists. Offer was extended for permanent burial in Lorraine Cemetery in Saint- Avold, France (Moselle). Saint-Avold is situated 28 miles east of Metz and 17 miles southwest of Saarbrucken. The Lorraine Cemetery contains the largest number of graves of American dead of WWII in Europe, a total of 10,489. (Source: Roger Marquet, author "The "Sherman" at McAuliffe Square in Bastogne" and member of Cercle d'Histoire de Bastogne.)
Oliver's name appears on page 12 of Hal Steward's book, "Thunderbolt" (Washington: 11th Armored Division Assocition, 1948; Reprinted by Battery Press of Nashville, Tennessee in 1981), in the section entitled, "Battle Deaths of the 11th Armored Division by Organization." His name also appears on the list of war dead on the back of the 11th Armored Division poster as being in "A" Company of the 21st AIB, killed in action (no date given), Private First Class, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Serial Number 31061273, and as having his father as next of kin.
Remains arrived in Pittsburgh, December 13th, 1948 via Pennsylvania Railroad. Burial December 18, 1948 Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh PA, Section 44, Lot 24 1/2, Grave 3. Was unable to locate a death certificate.
Article in Pittsburgh newspapers:
There was a package of appreciation on the way to France today for "one little French girl- Josy" who hasn't forgotten the American boys resting on European battlefields. The package, including nylons and clothing, was for caring for the grave of a Pittsburgh soldier who fell in Belgium, Jan. 2, 1945.
In a recent letter to Mrs. Earl Simmers of 4411 Milgate St., Josy included pictures of the flowers she placed beside the cross marking the resting place of the Bloomfield mother's son, PFC. Oliver A. Simmers was 23 years old.
"I go very often to pay visits to your son's grave . . . receive, Madam Simmers, all my sympathies," wrote Josy Simon of Muerthe et Moselle. "I know that many American families have heard nothing from their soldiers . . . Your son is buried in a very nice cemetery (Grand-Failly, U. S. Military grounds)." The letter was signed - "from your little French girl - Josy."
"It does your heart good to know that there's someone so far away in the world who understands what a mother feels about her son," Simmers said. She added, "I'll never forget my little French girl." Mr. and Mrs. Simmers plan to bring their son home to Allegheny Cemetery as soon as transportation can be arranged. Meanwhile, Josy is doing her part to help ease a mother's mind.
Josy later married Roger Pernot and had two sons, Oliver and Daniel, and a daughter, Mary Ruth. She maintained close ties with Mary Simmers and her family.
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1921 - 1945 (23 years)
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