wo2forum.nl

WILLIS UTECHT's siblings from Marysville, Kan., finally laid him to rest at the Netherlands American Military Cemetery in Holland last fall, almost 50 years after he was killed in action and on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

On Sept. 17, 1944, the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions, the British 1st Abn. Div. and the Polish Parachute Brigade conducted a parachute and glider assault into Holland as part of that operation.

During the battle of the "Mook Plain," 2nd Lt. Utecht and his platoon came under heavy fire from German forces. Utecht, a glider pilot from the 82nd's 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, was hit by enemy fire. It was the last time anyone saw him alive.

Along with several others, he had been listed as missing in action following the Oct. 2, 1944, battle near the German border.

"For years, my mother always thought he would walk in the door some day," said Utecht's sister, Ellen Becker.

The mystery of what happened to Utecht was answered in early November when Dutch farmer Harry Lamers unearthed a shallow grave while plowing a meadow. He believed the remains were those of a paratrooper because of the jump boots he found with them.

U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory officials in Hawaii identified the remains through dental records, and the family was notified.

The American Battle Monuments Commission approved the family's request that Utecht be buried at the NAMC. He was buried with full military honors, with paratroopers from the 325th Inf. Regt. serving as color guard and family, friends and soldiers from the 82nd Abn. Div. present.

Until his burial, Utecht's name had been among those listed on the Wall of Missing at the cemetery. -- Spec. Scott Gentilcore, 49th Public Affairs Det.

PaulJohan schreef:Hi,

Ik meen dat Margraten thans gesloten is voor nieuwe bijzettingen en dat dit alleen nog in België kan.

Paul