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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRaymond "Ray" Valigura, Brazos Valley Heroes *' p , , .. k y : rye in a series of tributes to nienmkbers of "Th c� LJrcy<afr°sf : • Generation" who served our country during World War II F. c1 r at :4::',: 411-iiiiNZAPP-RiniinieRta. ....:::::::::M$M;:tS1444.=:;.:?:....:.:ANY.h. :..i....E.•::..!,.:.,,,:.....,,t.:...11........, •; y 2'£ F� gi F F ie, :::..03.:-:.:,. @ s ?.. ,ar Z sy m , ' s 11,411441w F $.1.1 , :.. „ : ,,,,,, :::',.: , ..,:.:::&..:: , :.:: , ..: , ..;m::::1::::,::.:..:0:i,:...si . . ....-::: ...:.:: ^343 �e' k t Ray �r7iond E �''. ` 1 V ay e . z 0 ......, �' N a ., alig togit When Raymond "Ray" Valigura, now of Bryan, German offensive and relieved the 101st. From there, left his family and farm near Caldwell in 1943 to enter we headed to Germany. We crossed the Rhine River at the Army, he thought he was leaving his family behind. Cologne. Germany, then and began the battle for con - What he came to realize over the next 42 months was trol of the Ruhr Valley, which would seal off the indus- • that the men of the 86th Blackhawk Division of General trial area and stop the support for the German troops. *' : Patton's 3rd Army would also become his family. Valigura's unit was also the first to cross the Valigura started his training at Ft. Sam Houston Danube Riser. They were then sent to Austria , where - but was sent to Camp Howze, which was located near Valigura and his follow soldiers had one of their most Dallas. The 86th Blackhawk Division was activated and memorable experiences in the war. '°'lo formed there. It would become one of the more "In Austria there wasn't that much resistance, • famous units in the war in Europe, and it was the first and it was there that we came across some POW • unit returned intact to the U.S. after the war in Europe camps and were able to liberate the Americans held • ended. there. We also were the ones that liberated the con "We were shipped to Le Havre, France, in 1944 centration camps in Austria. It was a tragic and touch - and were assigned to Patton's 3rd Army. There we ing sight. All of the survivors were near starvation. We • began following General Patton across France, gave them all the rations w had available. They tried Belgium, Germany and Austria. The Allies bypassed to hug and kiss us in gratitude, but you tried to avoid Paris to save it from fighting and destruction. My unit that because of the diseases and parasites they were was being held in reserve and we were told that volun- infested with. teers would be needed to go back to the port of La "When the war was over, we were the first unit weo Havre and drive some vehicles back that we needed. sent back home intact. The reception we received • When I found out we would be driving back through when we got home is something 1 will always remem- ,' Paris, I volunteered. On the drive back, the truck I was ber. We were given 30 days' leave and then were driving lost its brakes so I drove all through Paris try- reassembled in California, where we boarded ship and _" ing my best not to run over anyone. I was told by the headed to the Philippines. Just before we arrived in the I other guys about the people being lined up four deep, Philippines, we got word of the bombing of Japan. i .' getting kissed and drinking wine under the Eiffel Tower, After some mopping -up duty against the Japanese AM but all I remember about Paris was driving with no hold -outs on the islands, I came home." brakes and trying to not kill anyone, me included." Valigura was wounded by shrapnel and was Valigura was at the Battle of the Bulge, which was awarded the Bronze Star for action he undertook while 'i and is the largest battle in the history of the U.S. Army. under heavy artillery fire, moving trucks loaded with ' More than 600,000 Americans and 55,000 British and explosives out of the artillery barrage and away from Canadian troops were amassed against 500,000 his men. Germans. The casualties were also the greatest in the "I was proud to serve with the men I served with. war, with more than 19,000 Americans dead and more The camaraderie and closeness you develop with those than 62,000 Americans wounded. It was estimated guys is really difficult to explain. My hope is that the • that the Germans had between 100,000 and 200,000 whole world would live by the Golden Rule so that no men killed or wounded. one else ever again has' to hear wounded comrades It was at the Battle of the Bulge where the sol- calling for their moms and dads to come and help Biers of the 101st Airborne division were surrounded at them. It is something I hope my grandsons never have • Bastogne and gave the famous response to the to experience." . • German demand for surrender. The American com- Raymond Valigura's name can be found on the tV mander replied "Nuts." The Germans, not aware of the Brazos Valley Veterans Park Memorial. If you would meaning, again asked for surrender and were told, "In like to make a contribution or know of a World War II `. plain English, it is the same as go to hell." veteran whose story should be published, please con - "We were part of the troops sent to rescue the tact the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial at www.yg.cL 101st. It was so cold and miserable. but we turned the erans- memorial.orq or Bill Youngkin at 260 -7030.