A touching letter from the Netherlands

[Walt's Daughter]

Dear Rick:

 

Seems like you have written to the right person at the right time. As soon as I saw the name, I knew I recognized it. Sure enough when I saw the photo you sent and the date of his death, then I realized he died the same day as Robert and in fact is mentioned in my friend's book (Donald Burgett).

 

Robert is my buddy Art's brother, and Robert died re-crossing the Rhine with members of "A" Company. Here are the facts:

 

"As you know, Bob died on our Rhine crossing the night of April 11-12, 1945, but he wasn't killed by enemy fire. On our return crossing of the river, we came under fire from a German 88mm cannon sending air bursts above the river. Whether due to this or overcrowding, I can't say, but two of our boats overturned and seven men were lost, one of whom was your brother. Those men were originally listed as "Missing in action", but that was changed a week later to "Killed in action". This is from Donald Straith, another friend of mine and member of A Co, 506th, 101st.

 

"Company A did make a night crossing attack of the Rhine into the German town of Himmelgiest the same night that President Roosevelt died. Four of our men were killed outright on the other side, their bodies were recovered two nights later by one of our patrols led by Sgt. Jack Bram, now deceased. None of these men was your brother. On our return trip from the attack in assault boats we were shelled by German tanks that approached the edge of the Rhine. Several boats were overturned and several of our troopers were drowned, one of them from my squad named Alfred Corgan. Two other new replacement men in my squad were also drowned that night, their bodies were recovered several days later on the shore two miles downstream. I do not recall their names for they were among the new men that came to us as replacements when the 4th Armored broke into Bastogne.

 

However, I did find your brother's name listed in the KIA section of the 101st book, 'Rendezvous With Destiny', by Rapport and Northwood. I am very sorry that evidently one of the men that died that night was your brother and that due to circumstances of the battles that we were engaged in I did not get to know him better and that I cannot tell you more about him. Robert did conduct himself as a paratrooper and with bravery that is well associated with all paratroopers. All my best to you and yours." This is from Donald Burgett, another friend of mine and member of A Co, 506th, 101st.

 

I am copying an excerpt from the book for you too. Am sending it as an attachment. It is taken from Across the Rhine.

 

I would strongly suggest that you purchase these books in particular as they do mention Corgan by name:

 

Beyond the Rhine - Donald Burgett

Rendezvous with Destiny - Rapport & Northwood

 

I will also contact Don and ask him if he has anymore details. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything. When I attend the 101st luncheon next month, I will read your letter to the "guys".

 

I still cannot get over the coincidence. I am SO happy that you contacted me. It actually gave me goose bumps.

 

I am also going to send this to my friend in the Netherlands too and maybe when we get more info, we can start a page for him on my site and my friend Stevin's site.

 

I look forward to hearing from you. Please let me repeat how happy I am that you found me. I think it is just great. I am so happy to be able to help you.

 

Please keep in touch.

 

Warm regards,

Marion

 

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After I sent the letter above, I then sat down and sent an email to Don Straith and Don Burgett of the 101st. I included a copy of Rick's letter and hopefully they will be able to fill in a little more history on Alfred Corgan.