Arnold V. Laine

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Arnold V. Laine of Angora, Minnesota, was inducted into the Army on June 23, 1944 at Fort Snelling, Minn.

He was a Technician 4th Grade, a motor transport noncommissioned officer, and a cannoneer with the 778th Tank Battalion in Rhineland and Central Europe.

"I was part of the right flank guard for General Patton''s 3rd Army. We worked with the 5th, 94th, 95th and 26th Infantry Divisions. I was present when Patton made a speech saying we will cross the Rhine even if it takes a carload of dog tags. We met a battalion and I handed some beer to the soldiers and artillery hit the back of the tank.

"It hit the guy behind the tank and the percussion blew me back. The guys took me up to first aid but because everyone was busy and the news report was on about Roosevelt dying, I did not get medical attention. We guarded 40,000 DPs (displaced persons) in a German SS camp."

He was hospitalized in Schweinfurt, Germany (‘It was dirty and beat up.‘) and in a Czech hospital.

Mr. Laine received the: Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle stars, Army of Occupation Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

He was honorably discharged on May 9, 1946 at Camp Beale, Calif.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 163.