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LEROY BOLLINGER |
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Battles way across Europe
On September 3, 1938, he married Georgia Alberta Mann. The Bollingers currently live in Fredericktown, Mo. They have one son, Robert Allen Bollinger, who
lives in Beavercreek, Ohio and is a major in the U.S. Air Force.
Prior to being sworn into military service in the U.S. Army
on August 27, 1943, Bollinger was employed at Spalsbury Steis-Deevers Shoe Company. On September 17, 1943, he reported to Jefferson
Barracks to obtain orders for his first assignment. Within
a couple of days Bollinger, Rodney Mooney, Virgil Poston and others from the Madison County area were sent to Camp Blanding,
Fla. for basic training.
After 22 weeks of training Bollinger returned to
Fredericktown for a seven-day furlough before reporting to Fort Mead, Maryland for
assignment overseas. On February 23, 1944, he
departed Fort Mead on the Liberty Ship, Alexandria Graham Bell, bound for the American
sector of the European Theatre of Operations. He
landed in Naples, Italy March 20, 1944 where he was assigned to the 36th Combat Engineers
Regiment, Company G, 6th Army Group at the Anzio beachhead in Italy.
While overseas Bollinger fought in battles throughout central Europe to include areas in Italy, Rhineland, Arno, southern France and Austria. His unit was well-trained in enemy tactics and as a result he received four bronze stars for battles fought in these areas. Besides serving at Naples and Anzio Beachhead, he also served in rome and Grosseto before leaving Italy August 12, 1944.
At Hagahaw, he met Roger Graham, also of Fredericktown. Bollinger also served at Strasbourg, Alsace, Italy
before being reassigned to Germany. In
Germany, Bollinger was at Mannheim, Landsburg, Mittenwall, Munich, Rosenheim Nurmbery, Stuttgart, Ottobeuren, Schultz and Mainz.
In Austria he was at Innsbruck, Berchiesgarden and Salsburg. He went through forward battle areas, the Maginot
Line and the Segfried Line, which is across the Rhine River.
New Year's day 1945 proved to be a very memorable day for Bollinger as his
unit was pulled back from the front line and returned to France.
On May 8, 1945, when the war ended, Bollinger was stationed
in Mittenwall, Germany. While awaiting his
portcall, to return to the United States, he visited several interesting places, such as
the ruins of Hitler, Borman and Goering's homes at Birchesgarden. He also visited the Eagle's Nest, which was Hitler's
hideout.
From the top of the Eagle's Nest, he could see six countries. Bollinger took several pictures at the Eagle's Nest
which show the bomb holes and destruction that occurred in this area. He also visited Lansburg, Germany where Hitler was
imprisoned before coming to power over Germany.
Bollinger was at Nurmberg, Germany when orders were issued
for his return to the U.S.
THE DAILY JOURNAL, St. Francois Co., Wednesday, April 26, 1995
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