They had recently been deployed to Europe and got placed in a "quiet" area of the Ardennes forest to get accustomed to the battlefield.
Little did they know.
My uncle's sergeant was KIA during the battle, so my uncle was field-promoted to sergeant to take his place.
The 99th fought through the Bulge, made their way across Belgium, and was the first division en masse to cross the Rhine via what remained of the bridge at Remagen.
Two days later, my uncle was KIA - had just turned 20 years old.
So sorry for your family’s loss. Glad to know of him. Same with one in my family.
MyvGrandpa was in Patton’s Army, he constructed bridges.
The 99th showed well holding the line for as long as they could at the twin villages of Krinkelt-Rocherath. God Bless your uncle.