WORLD WAR II MEMORIALS - Private Russel G. Garber

 

Private Russel Glen Garber

Born in Pulaski, Williams County, Ohio, on October 8, 1924, Russel Garber eventually moved to Tiffin Township in Defiance County. His parents, Wilson O. and Eunice G. (VanWagner) Garber moved from Pulaski to Michigan, where Eunice ran a restaurant and then back to Defiance County where their children, Beulah, Dorothy, Richard, Virginia and Russel were raised.

Russel had most of his schooling in Tiffin Township, but he quit school in his high school junior year because of illness. He was an active member of the Rural Chapel Church.

Russel was drafted from Defiance County in April 1943, along with 98 other selectees. Only 45 of these passed the physical in Toledo for the Army, but others went into the other branches of the armed services. After the draft, they were given a seven day furlough with their families. The group then met at the Armory in Defiance on April 9, 1943, where Marion K. Nest, former city patrolman, was named Acting Corporal of the group. Then they all boarded a Greyhound bus for Camp Perry.

Insignia of the Red Bulls

Garber was assigned as a private in the 109th Engineer Combat Battalion, 34th Division, attached to Company C and sent to Camp Reynolds, PA. His group embarked after December 19, 1943 to be stationed in Italy. Their job was to do whatever was needed which included building bridges under fire, constructing roads, setting mine fields and clearing them, patrolling and, if necessary, they fought with the infantry.

The 34th Division was known as the "Red Bulls"

The 109th Engineer Combat Battalion had a more historical crest which referenced a castle, signifying their building of military works, a cactus for past fighting in arid regions, and a fleur-de-lis for their fighting in France in both WW I and II. 

The 109th had more combat time - over 500 days -than any other U.S. division. The Unit was honored many times with Medals of Honor, Silver and Bronze stars and over 15,000 Purple Hearts.

By the time Private Garber arrived either at the end of December or first of January, 1944, the unit had spent a long time in Tunisia where their numbers were decimated. They were sent to Oran to train for an invasion of Italy. They went to Salerno and found that beachhead secured so they moved inland in the Italian boot.

At Cassino, the 34th had to cross the Rapido River, which was flooding. It was a tough crossing and many were lost due to mines and artillery. It was mud and snow and cold...the elements were against them, but they did get a bridge built for the infantry to cross, and then destroyed after the bridge was used.

In mid-February, they got relief and went back for replacement needs and to get their equipment cleaned and ready. Then it was on to Anzio Beach where the Germans had settled in. The 34th Infantry was brought in to strengthen the troops, as they were troubled by Germans intercepting communications. The battle continued in that area until mid-May.

On April 25, 1944, Army hospital admission records note that Private Russel Garber, 19, was killed in action by a shot through the thorax by artillery shells and fragments in Italy.

He was buried in the Sicily -Rome American Cemetery. His obituary did not appear in the Defiance Crescent-News until June 15, 1944:

"OBITUARY

Russel Glen Garber, youngest child of Wilson O. and Eunice O. Garber, was born in Williams County near Bryan, Ohio on Oct. the 8th in the year of 1924, and departed from this life on the battlefields of Italy on April 25, 1944. He was 19 years, 7 months and seventeen days of age.

Russel entered the armed services on April 9th, 1943. H was home on a five day furlough over Thanksgiving from Ft.Belvoir, Va. where he was stationed at that time. On his return to the camp, he was then sent to Camp Reynolds' Pennsylvania. From here he was sent across some time after Dec. 19th. He served as a private in Co.C. 109 Engineer Bn. 

He received most of his schooling in Tiffin township. He attended Tiffin township high school but was forced to quit because of illness. He attended the Rural Chapel Church.

He leaves to mourn this loss, a father, mother, 3 sisters: Mrs. Beulah Hannah, Tecumseh, Mich.; Mrs. Wilard Rowan, Evansport, O.; Miss Virginia Garber, Fort Wayne, Ind., and one brother, Richard L. Garber, who is also stationed in Italy; a grandmother, Mrs. Phoebe Elliott, 8 nieces and 4 nephews; many relatives and friends.

A MOTHER'S THOUGHTS

We gave him his body, 

God gave him his life.

Men took him far from us,

Men destroyed his life;

But men can never destroy his soul.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank friends for kind words, sympathy cards and letters, and neighbors who helped us through the bereavement of our son and brother, Russel, and thank Rev. Ralph Miller for his service, Mrs. Newton Peterson, Mrs. Olen Mansfield for their singing and also thank you for the beautiful flowers.

Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Garber and Family"

Pvt. Russel G. Garber received a Purple Heart posthumously, presented to his father.

Scott  Lantow, Researcher