505th PIR Memorial
Memorial composed of two stele located in the center of Trois Ponts.
80th Airborne AntiAircraft Battalion
In memory of
★ 1st Lt Jake Wertich
★ Cpl Stokes Taylor
★ Pfc Harry Robinson
★ Pfc Gordon S. Smital
On 21 dec 1944, an armored battalion of 1ss grenadiers launched a savage attack on the hill overlooking trois ponts, defended by troops of e.co, 505pir and a btry, 80abn bn.
Pfc Robison and PfcSmital were kia as a withdrawal to the salm river bank was ordered. Lt. Jake wertich refused to fall back and continued to fire his .57mm at gun, koing two amored vehicles before being kia himself.
Cpl. Stokes Taylor, facing overwhelming odds, also remained, assisting the withdrawal with his bar spraying the enemy-filled woods before he was kia.
Lt. Wertich and cpl. Taylor were awarded, posthumously, the distinguished service cross for valor.
May they never be forgotten"
In tribute to the men of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division whose defensive ardor on the Salm blocked the German offensive led by more numerous and better-equipped troops.
The third stele pays tribute to the fallen American soldiers.
