From:
SECOND UNITED STATES CAVALRY – A HISTORY
Compiled, edited and published by Historical Section, Second Cavalry Association
Maj. A. L. Lambert and Cpt. G. B. Layton, 2d Cavalry
25 – 29 December 1944
Headquarters was screaming for prisoners, and try as we would we couldn’t get any on our patrols across the river.
Suddenly, the C Troop OP above Wintrange (map 33) noticed two figures moving toward the river on the German side. They were tugging and falling over a heavy object, apparently a boat.
“My gosh, those jokers look too drunk to get that thing in the water”, said Sgt. Garo, “let’s go over and get them.”
Together with Sadler, Garo made his way to one of our boats and pushed off across the Moselle. They landed and caught up with the Krauts, who had given up and started for home. When Sgt. Garo’s kind invitation to dinner was refused, he proceeded to cuff the recalcitrants about the head and shoulders – whereupon they accepted with pleasure and were carried to the boats.
That evening Garo and Sadler were promoted to Brigadier Generals, and Group Headquarters wore a proud smile as Capt. Sperl of the IPW team went to work on the prisoners.
The day after Christmas the Group continued it’s active watch along the Moselle, and began the training, in the rear areas, of engineers as infantry in support of tanks. The enemy continued to display very inactive and non-aggressive attitude except for scattered artillery; we continued our mission digging and blasting strong defensive positions in the frozen ground.
Combat Team Costello dispatched two patrols on the 27th, one across the Moselle and one into Machtum (map 33), the enemy bridgehead on our side of the river. The first patrol met enemy resistance in the field fortifications along the east bank shortly after debarking. After verifying the presence of the enemy by a sharp fire fight, they returned without casualties. CT Hargis also patrolled across the Moselle in their zone.
The 28th and 29th were passed in the same manner. Friendly and enemy air was active over the area. The assault guns were getting in a great deal of shooting on many juicy targets.
I believe the Sgt Garo mentioned was my uncle, Joseph L Garo and this sounds just like something he would do. My information is that he was the recipient of a Bronze Star and wondered if this was the event that led to it. Thanks.