Private First Class
Thomas Moore Scherger
Born in Defiance, Ohio, in 1922, Thomas made his home with Leo Constantine and Mattie Belle (Boroff) Scherger. Leo was a monuments salesman, according to the 1940 census, and Thomas, 17, worked for him as an unpaid driver.
In this document, Thomas was listed as being a pastor's son, and in some military documents, he is listed as the foster son of Mrs. Leo Scherger and her next of kin. Later, he was referred to as her adopted son.
Thomas finished two years of high school and enlisted into the Army National Guard Infantry on October 15, 1940. His residence was at 408 East High Street. On that date, 44 men enlisted in Defiance into an anti-tank platoon, including Thomas. He trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, and was assigned to the 7th Infantry, 3rd Army Division.
On a quick military leave, he married on September 2, 1943. The Piqua Daily Call reported this on September 14, 1943, on page 3:
"Married Sept. 2
BRADFORD - A very pretty wedding was solemnized Sept. 2 at the home of Rev. Paul Gehm in Piqua uniting Miss Marcreda Grise and Thomas M. Scherger of Defiance, O. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kline of Piqua.
Mr. Scherger is in the service and returned to his station in New York following the ceremony. The bride will remain with her mother, Mrs. Noah Brown, for the duration."
On September 20, they launched an early morning attack toward the northeast, forced to go through a valley with hills on both sides occupied by the German enemy. It was slow progress as the hills were full of enemy snipers, concealed machine guns and mortars. "During this period, September 20-26, the (group) engaged in some of the most bitter and exhausting fighting in its entire history..."
(History of the Third Army Infantry Division, U.S. Army)
Heavy rains made the roads impassable, along with minefields, and roadblocks.
From the history named above, "Numerous counterattacks were launched by fanatical Nazis who yelled allegiance to Hitler as they attacked."
On September 22, 1944, a platoon of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry made another crossing of the river at Maxonchamp, about one mile north of Rupt-sur-Moselle at noon. The 15th and 7th Regiments attacked to protect the right flank during the river crossing
"Opposition was immediate, all roads in the rugged regimental sector were mined and blocked by trees. Fog and rain added to the difficulties. Every type of enemy fire was encountered. (History of the Third Army Infantry Division, pp 244-245)
On September 30, 1944, the day Pfc Scherger died, Germans led an all-out attack to infiltrate the regiments on the defensive line, using small arms, artillery and mortar.
A hospital admission card indicated that Scherger, age 22, was killed in action with a bullet in the neck at Rupt-sur-Moselle, Dept des Vosges, Lorraine, France. Pvt. Scherger was awarded the Purple Heart.
An obituary appeared in the Crescent-News on November 7, 1944, on page 1:
"T.M SCHERGER DIES IN FRANCE
Adopted Son of Defiance Couple Killed in Action Sept. 30
Pfc Thomas M. Scherger, 22, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Scherger, 936 Wilhelm Street, was killed in action in France Sept. 30, according to a War Department notification received today by his wife, the former Marcreda Grise, at her home in Bradford, Ohio.
He was the 44th Defiance County man to lose his life in World War II.
Previous notification had been that Private Scherger was missing in action.
Beside his foster parents here and his wife, he leaves a daughter, Sandra Kay, and a brother, George Pier, a paratrooper in New Guinea.
Private Scherger enlisted in the armed forces in 1940. He first served with the 37th division and later was transferred, serving with the infantry in Italy before going to France."
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| Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial Epinal, Vosges, France |
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