Start with them one at a time....
Sgt. Dwight A. Hieke
(Lt. Col. Charles W. GOODWIN), in September 1944 operating as an organic unit of 113th Cavalry Group (Mechanized).
STATEMENT NUMBER ONE - Sgt. Dwight A. HIEKE was born in Sioux City on 5 March 1918. He joined the army from Nebraska. His name is listed on the 'Tablet of the Missing' at the Henri- Chapelle (Belgium) American Cemetery and Memorial. Coming from the beaches of Normandy, where they had landed almost three months earlier, - on 3 September 1944 803rd TD Bn entered Belgium, a country they had never heard of. On 4 September 1944, "C" Company under the command of Cpt. Robert F. SINCLAIR, a Company of which HIEKE was a member, was attached to 113th Cavalry Group (Mechanized). HIEKE, together with Cpl. Joseph E. KITTO (+ Hasselt), was the only M- 10 Tank Destroyer casualty (WD serial number not available) on 7 September 1944. "Sergeant HIEKE was the commander of the vehicle. The company was moving in convoi with 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Group in an easterly direction towards the town of St. Truiden. The forward elements of the convoy consisting of light tanks had proceeded into the town but when the first M-10' s got within 300 yards, they were placed under fire by a self- propelled enemy 7,5cm (75mm) gun. Two M-10' s were hit and burned. When the enemy gun was silenced and the company prepared, Sergeant HIEKE could not be located. A report from 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, dated 11 June 1945 states that the vehicle was searched and remains were found, however they were completely burned except for four vertebrae, six ribs and other small bone splinters. The bones powdered when touched. No remains were evacuated. The vehicle was removed approximately three weeks after fighting had ceased in that area. It is believed that Sergeant HIEKE was killed in his tank destroyer and his remains completely cremated by fire." (Lt. Col. E. D. MULVANITY, CMC).
STATMENT NUMBER TWO - "Sergeant Dwight A. HIEKE, ASN 37153412, was a commander of a M-10 Tank Destroyer of the 1st platoon of Company "C" 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. The company was moving in convoy with the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Group in an easterly direction towards the town of St. Truiden, Belgium on 7 September 1944. The forward elements of the convoy consisting in light tanks, M-8' s and 1/ 4 tons ('jeeps') had proceeded into the town, but when the first M-10' s got within 300 yards of the town, they were placed under fire by an enemy self- propelled 7,5cm (75mm) gun. Two M-10' s and three 1/ 4 tons were hit and burned. As soon as the vehicles were hit, disabled personnel scattered in all directions, taking cover. When the enemy gun was silenced and the Company prepared to proceed, Sergeant HIEKE could not be located and has not been seen ever since. The undersigned has made a close inspection of the burned vehicles and found definite signs of someone having burned in one of the tanks. However, there was nothing upon which identity could be established. Some of the members of Sergeant HIEKE' s crew, believe that he got out of the tank, while others state that they do not know. The above is an accumulation of information gathered from interviews with enlisted men and officers of Company "C" and personal investigation of the vehicle." (Richard P. PETERSON, WCJG, USA, Personnel Officer).
STATEMENT NUMBER THREE - "201- HIEKE Dwight A. (Enl.) 2nd Ind. Headquarters, 803rd Tank Destroyer Bn, APO 230, US Army, 11 June 1945, To Commanding General, 5th Infantry Division, APO 5, US Army. No isolated burial was made in this case. and in compliance with paragraph 2b, basic communication, the following information is submitted. (1) Death occurred on main highway leading into St. Truiden, from the west, 300 yards from the first buildings at entrance to town (UTM co- ordinates = 180 491) ; (2) no other enlisted men or officers were killed in that vicinity (except Cpl. Joseph E. KITTO in Hasselt) ; (3) Remains were completely burned except for four vertebrae, six ribs, and other small bone splinters that were burned to the point where they powdered when touched. True statement of the undersigned who made the investigation following the incident, is attached ; (4) No remains evacuated ; (5) Killed in a M-10 Tank Destroyer of which WD serial number is not available ; (6) Following are names of crew members, Sgt. Dwight A. HIEKE, ASN 37153412, Tank Commander, KIA ; Cpl. Jack S. CAMPBELL, ASN 34601579, Gunner Duty ; Tec. 4 Ruben B. GREEN, ASN 37152842, Driver Duty ; Pfc. Justin B. PATTERSON, ASN 3439175, Driver Duty ; Sgt. Dale F. LEACH, ASN 37153406, Loader Duty ; 1st Lt. Keith D. BEVERAGE, ASN 0-1018515, Platoon leader ; All evacuated 7 October 1944 for battle exhaustion. (...)." (For the Commanding Officer, Richard P. PETERSON, CWO, USA, Personnel Officer).
STATEMENT NUMBER FOUR - "Belgium 3 2890, 2nd Ind, AMB / jc, Headquarters 603 QM Graves Registration Company, AGRC, APO 776, US Army, 1st April 1946, To : Commanding Officer 531 Group AGRC, APO 776, US Army, - (1) Basic communication complied with ; (2) Extensive investigation reveals that vehicle containing body of subject deceased was removed of the vicinity of St. Truiden, approximately three weeks after fighting ceased in that area. Apparently the body was never removed from the vehicle before it was evacuated. (3) This unit is unable to ascertain what unit performed the evacuation, nor to where it was taken." (For the Commanding Officer, Alfred H. BENNICK, 2nd Lt. QMC).
-"They shall not grow old as we who are left to grow old. Time will not weary them, nor age condemn. And at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."
To those who gave "their all" the Honor and Glory is theirs.
They heard our country's call. They went forth and counted not their own life dear, but offered it gladly in humanity's name -- for God and for the right.
The greatest war in the history of the world closed August 14, 1945, when the warring nations laid down their arms. The Germans, Japanese, and all their allies lay prostrate, defeated. They who knew no mercy and who had violated every law of humanity and civilization,
THEY BEGGED FOR MERCY. THE VICTORY WAS OURS!
Sgt. Dwight A. Hieke is a part of that history of keeping this nation free.
God Bless America