World War II GI Suitcase: time capsule opened after decades

Honoring Heroes: S/Sgt. Louis B. Kruer, Anti-Tank Company, 301st Infantry, 94th Infantry Division
Staff Sergeant Louis Bernard Kruer was a cannoneer serving in the Anti-Tank Company, 301st Infantry, 94th Infantry Division. After training, he arrived on UTAH Beach on D-Day plus 94 September 8th, 1944. The same day, the 94th Infantry Division opened its first combat Command post in the outskirts of the village of Ste. Marie du Mont in Normandy, a few miles inland from UTAH Beach. From there, the division proceeded to Brittany.
In the cold, wet Brittany weather, activity along the front is limited only to patrol action. The 94th Infantry Division was in its fourth month of relative inactivity on the Brittany front. Elsewhere in Europe, the war had progressed favorably for the Allied armies. But here, front-line life was monotonous and static, though artillery and frequent patrolling extracted its toll from the men. It was as if everyone was getting used to this weird situation, where the German troops in both pockets of Saint-Nazaire and Lorient were not attempting to break the partial encirclement, and where U.S. and French troops were reluctant to reduce both pockets. This stalemate was about to change, as regiment planned for a limited attack to weaken the German positions on the Quiberon Peninsula by reducing a strongpoint at the base of the peninsula.
During this attack, Kruer was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in combat.
After the war Kruer returned to Floyd Knobs. Like many others, he returned home in uniform: an Ike Jacket with full ribbon galore. Kruer had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with no less than four bronze campaign stars for the Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe Campaigns. He wore the American Campaign Medal, for his service inside the United States, and he wore the World War II Victory Medal ribbon. With him was a suitcase, in which he stored most of his belongings some time after the war.
Kruer never returned to Europe after the war: he did not want to relive the memories that still haunted him. The suitcase, collecting dust, was long forgotten. For years it lay dormant, unnoticed in the clutter of time. It was rediscovered and re-opened in 2015.
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CHAPTERS
0:09 Introduction
0:19 Youth and teenage years
1:02 Enlistment in the Army
2:45 Regimental Anti-Tank Company
8:41 Tennessee Maneuvers, 1943
10:55 On the Way to the ETO
12:59 Brittany, December 1944
17:03 Going Home
19:39 The Kruer Uniform
21:52 Combat Infantryman's Badge
24:02 The Bronze Star Medal
25:04 The EAME Campaign Medal
26:02 Leadership Stripes
27:09 Why We Remember
28:20 Dedication
28:26 End Credits & Acknowledgements
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The 94th Infantry Division Historical Research Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to researching the 94th Infantry Division during World War II and keep the history of this division alive.
Support this research & channel through: gofund.me/7292...
Want to read more about the 94th Infantry Division? See Wim Schelberg’s books at: www.amazon.com...
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[@davidjohn2532]

Thank you for sharing my father served with 301st M company part of the Greatest Generation

[@94thinfantrydivision]

Thank you for your comment! Yes, they were truly the Greatest Generation. Did your father share some of his wartime stories with you or others?

[@davidjohn2532]

@@94thinfantrydivision He probably shared more stories with me than anyone,I’m the youngest of six children and I was always very interested in the History of WW2. He didn’t really talk about his experience in the war with outsiders, I did ask him a question when I was young, “dad how close were you to bullets flying and things blowing up”? He was quiet for a moment and he replied, “I was close enough to see other GI’s getting run over by tanks”. This really made me think about some of the terrible things he experienced as young man. 18,19,20 years old.

[@bos19000]

Thank you love this video. Answered alot of questions for me. My grandfather was 94th infantry 301st anti tank. Had the same decorations on his jacket.

[@94thinfantrydivision]

You are welcome! I am happy it shed some light on your grandfather's WW2 service as well. I'd love to hear more about his experiences with 301st AT Company, as I am currently working on a book on the 301st Infantry. So, if you have any material that remains from his service, like (digitized) documents or photos, I would love to see those and use them in the upcoming book!

[@kevind3185]

Glad Mr Kruer's story wasn't lost forever. Thank you Wim for telling it

[@94thinfantrydivision]

Thank you Kevin! I researched some of his service history, and the many photos that were still circulating in the family, when a family member contacted me years ago. I love telling these stories, long or short, and give 94th Infantry Veterans a lasting voice and face on the internet.

[@kevind3185]

@@94thinfantrydivision I wish I knew my Grandpa's story. He was also in the 94th Infantry Division302 company C. He was Awarded a Silver Star for Gallantry in action on March 14th 1945 in Germany. He wouldn't talk about it. My Grandma said "he was saving his Friends" His name is Joseph E. Roza. I do have his Silver Star paper from the army.

[@94thinfantrydivision]

@@kevind3185 Please scan the Silver Star Citation, and send it to me at [e-mail] I am happy to share what I have around that date. Mostly from literature I read, and some primary sources. Chances are very small that will yield specifics. However, I can offer you some historical context. Have a great day! Wim.

[@angelaporter839]

My grandfather, Melvin Darlage 301 Co B 94th Infantry Division was at Camp Phillips at that time also.

[@94thinfantrydivision]

Hi Angela, as you know, I am working on a book on the 301st at the moment. Hope to release that somewhere next year. If you have any stories, memoirs or photos to share for me to use in the book, please send me an email!